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In conclusion, we found that PHF20L1 upregulated PAX2 to promote malignant cell behaviors and angiogenesis in CRC by inhibiting HIC1, therefore facilitating CRC cell EMT and liver metastasis. Keywords: angiogenesis; colorectal cancer; epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); PHF20L1 EN angiogenesis colorectal cancer epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) PHF20L1 917 928 12 09/13/22 20220901 NES 220901 Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer in the digestive system. The 60 pairs of tumor tissues from CRC patients were divided into the PHF20L1-low CRC and PHF20L1-high CRC tissues, and RT-qPCR was used to assess the expression of HIC1 and PAX2. [Extracted from the article]

The impacts of different moisture profiles on the structure and vertical motion of squall lines were investigated by conducting a set of numerical simulations. The base state was determined by an observational sounding, with high precipitable water representing moist environmental conditions in the East Asian monsoon region. To reveal the impact of moisture at different levels, the moisture content at the middle and low levels were changed in the numerical simulations. The numerical results showed that more convective cells developed and covered a larger area in the high moisture experiments, which was characteristic of the convection during the Meiyu season in China. In addition, high moisture content at low levels favored the development of updrafts and triggered convection of greater intensity. This was demonstrated by the thermodynamic parameters, including Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), Lifted Index (LI), Lift Condensation Level (LCL), and Level of Free Convection (LFC). Dry air at middle levels led to strong downdrafts in the environment and updrafts in clouds. This could be because dry air at middle levels favors the release of latent heat, thereby promoting updrafts in clouds and downdrafts in the environment. Therefore, high relative humidity (RH) at low levels and low RH at middle levels favors updrafts in the cloud cores. Additionally, moist air at low levels and dry air at middle levels promotes the development of convective cells and the intensification of cold pool. The squall line can be organized by the outflow boundary induced by cold pool. The balance of cold pool and environmental wind shear is favorable for the maintenance and strengthening of squall lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Herein, combined with the outstanding adsorption ability of flower-like MoS 2 with ultra-thin nanosheets and the good electrical conductivity of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a sensitive and anti-interference electrochemical sensing interface for the analysis of Pb(II) was constructed by using MoS 2 /rGO nanocomposite modified glassy carbon electrode (MoS 2 /rGO-GCE). The stripping behavior of Pb(II) was estimated using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), a high sensitivity of 50.80 μA μM−1 was achieved, and the limit of detection (LOD) was determined to be 0.005 μM (3σ method). The reasons for the excellent electrochemical performance of MoS 2 /rGO-GCE toward Pb(II) is that the excellent adsorption capacity and electrical conductivity, and the redox reaction of Pb(II) occurs directly on the surface of the MoS 2 /rGO nanocomposite. Moreover, series interference experiments were systematically conducted, the sensitivity of Pb(II) has no obvious change in the presence of other coexist heavy metal ions. In addition, an intriguing interference phenomenon between Pb(II) and Cu(II) was found. When Cu(II) exists in the solution, two stripping peaks of Pb(II) were observed, this phenomenon can be explained that the form of Pb Cu alloy or intermetallic compounds during the preconcentration process. Further experiments indicated that the proposed method has good stability and reproducibility. Finally, the accurate detection result of Pb(II) in wastewater sample gathered from Wangxiaoying wastewater treatment plant were obtained. Graphical abstract On the basis of the excellent adsorption capacity and good electrical conductivity of MoS 2 /rGO nanocomposite, Pb(II) can be first adsorbed on the surface of MoS 2 /rGO nanocomposite, and the redox reaction of Pb(II) would occur on the surface of MoS 2 /rGO nanocomposite in situ, so a high sensitive and anti-interference electrochemical sensing Pb(II) was realized. Image 1 Highlights • High sensitive and anti-interference electrochemical sensing Pb(II) was realized using MoS 2 /rGO-GCE. • Excellent adsorption capacity enhances sensing performance was revealed by stripping voltammetry and XPS analysis. • The redox reaction of Pb(II) would occur on the surface of MoS 2 /rGO nanocomposite in situ. • An interesting phenomenon of interference was observed on the detection of Pb(II) in the presence of Cu(II). • The proposed method was successfully utilized to detect Pb(II) in wastewater sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regions around Dabie Mountain (DBM) in the Yangtze River basin (YRB) are the source of a mesoscale vortex: the Dabie vortex (DBV). Based on a 14-yr statistical study, 11 long-lived heavy-rain-producing DBVs were composited for convection-permitting semi-idealized simulations. A control simulation, initialized 12 h before the composite vortex formation, successfully reproduced a DBV, with all the salient characteristics of the 11 events. Sensitivity experiments were designed to understand the impacts of large-scale environmental conditions, regional topography, and latent heating on DBV formation. The main results were as follows: (i) Supposition of a 500-hPa shortwave trough with an east–west-oriented lower-level transversal trough around the DBM is crucial for the formation of vortices. A nocturnal lower-level jet on the southern side of the transversal trough accelerates DBV formation by enhancing convergence, triggering/sustaining convection, and producing cyclonic vorticity. (ii) During the simulation period, the topography east of the second-step mountain ranges, including the DBM, significantly affects nearby precipitation and convective activity, whereas this is not crucial for DBV formation. (iii) Latent heating is not required for generating DBVs, but it enhances the intensity, longevity, and eastward progression of these vortices along the shear line associated with the transversal trough. (iv) The vorticity budget suggests the convergence-related (horizontal) shrinking and vertical transport dominate the cyclonic-vorticity increase associated with DBVs, whereas tilting and horizontal transport mainly act in the opposite manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

F-box and WD repeat domain containing 10 (FBXW10) is a member of the FBXW subgroup that contains the WD40 domain. FBXW10 has been rarely reported in colorectal cancer (CRC) and its mechanism is unclear. To investigate the role of FBXW10 in CRC, we conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments. Through the database and our clinical samples, we found that FBXW10 expression was up-regulated in CRC, and it was positively correlated with CD31 expression. CRC patients with high FBXW10 expression levels had a poor prognosis. Overexpression of FBXW10 up-regulated cell proliferation, migration and vascular formation, while knockdown of FBXW10 had the opposite effects. Studies on the mechanism of FBXW10 in CRC showed that FBXW10 could ubiquitinate large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) and promote its degradation with the Fbox region of FBXW10 played an essential role in this process. In vivo studies demonstrated that knockout of FBXW10 inhibited tumor proliferation and reduced liver metastasis. In conclusion, our study proved that FBXW10 was significantly overexpressed in CRC and was involved in the pathogenesis of CRC by affecting angiogenesis and liver metastasis. Mechanistically, FBXW10 degraded LATS2 through ubiquitination. Therefore, FBXW10-LATS2 can be used as a therapeutic target for CRC in subsequent studies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposePrimary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is a rare condition with a poor survival rate, even after treatment with debulking surgery followed by systemic chemotherapy. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the treatment of PPSC. Patients and methodsThis retrospective study included 22 female patients with primary advanced PPSC (group A,n = 12) or recurrent PPSC (group B,n = 10) treated with 25 CRS + HIPEC procedures. The primary end point was overall survival (OS), and the secondary end points were safety profiles. ResultsA total of 25 CRS + HIPEC procedures were performed in these 22 patients. The median OS was 31.0 months (95% confidence interval (CI) 22.3–39.7), and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 45.5%, and 27.3%, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed that the median OS was 31.0 months (95% CI 19.8–42.2) for group A vs. 38.5 months (95% CI 9.6–67.4) for group B (P = 0.832, log rank test); 51.5 months (95% CI 34.9–68.1) for peritoneal cancer index (PCI) ≤ 15 vs. 20.3 months (95% CI 12.6–28.0) for PCI > 15 (P = 0.000, log rank test); and 38.5 months (95% CI 22.5–54.5) for completeness of cytoreduction (CC) of 0–1 vs. 23.5 months (95% CI 15.3–31.7) for CC of 2–3 (P = 0.178, log rank test). There were no perioperative deaths. Serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred in two patients (9.1%). A univariate analysis identified PCI ≤ 15 as the only prognostic predicator (hazard ratio (HR) 13.1, 95% CI 2.7–63.4,P = 0.001). ConclusionsCRS + HIPEC could contribute to favourable outcomes for select PPSC patients with acceptable safety profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite radar reflectivity data during April - September 2011-2015 are used to investigate and classify storms in south China (18-27°N; 105-120°E). The storms appear most frequently in May. They are either linear; cellular or nonlinear systems, taking up 29.45%, 24.51% and 46.04%, respectively, in terms of morphology. Linear systems are subdivided into six morphologies: trailing stratiform precipitation (TS), bow echoes (BE), leading stratiform precipitation (LS), embedded line (EL), no stratiform precipitation (NS) and parallel stratiform precipitation (PS). The TS and NS modes have the highest frequencies but there are only small samples of LS (0.61%) and PS (0.79%) modes. Severe convective wind (=17m s-1 at surface level) accounts for the highest percentage (35%) of severe convective weather events produced by cellular systems including individual cells (IC) and clusters of cells (CC). Short-duration heavy rainfall (=50 mm h-1) and severe convective wind are the most common severe weather associated with TS and BE modes. Comparison of environmental physical parameters shows that cellular convection systems tend to occur in the environment with favorable thermal condition, substantial unstable energy and low precipitable water from the surface to 300 hPa (PWAT). However, the environmental conditions favoring the initiation of linear systems feature strong vertical wind shear, high PWAT, and intense convective inhibition. The environmental parameters favoring the initiation of nonlinear systems are between those of the other two types of morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the hourly precipitation data at 176 observational stations over south China and the hourly ERA5 reanalysis data during the 40-yr period of 1981-2020, we analyzed the universal characteristics of moisture transport and their associated background circulations for four types of regional extreme precipitation events (REPEs) over south China. Main findings are shown as follow. (i) The wind that transported moisture for the REPEs over south China featured a notable diurnal variation, which was consistent with the variations of the precipitation. (ii) Four types of REPEs could be determined, among which the southwest type (SWT) and the southeast type (SET) accounted for ~92% and ~5.7%, respectively, ranking the first and second, respectively. (iii) Trajectory analyses showed that the air particles of the SWT-REPEs had the largest specific humidity and experienced the most intense ascending motion, and therefore their precipitation was the strongest among the four types. (iv) South China was dominated by notable moisture flux convergence for the four types of REPEs, but their moisture transport was controlled by different flow paths. (v) Composite analyses indicated that the background circulation of the four types of REPEs showed different features, particularly for the intensity, location and coverage of a western Pacific subtropical high. For the SWT-REPEs, their moisture transport was mainly driven by a lower-tropospheric strong southwesterly wind band in the low-latitude regions. Air particles for this type of REPEs mainly passed over the Indochina Peninsula and South China Sea. For the SET-REPEs, their moisture transport was mainly steered by a strong low-tropospheric southeasterly wind northeast of a transversal trough. Air particles mainly passed over the South China Sea for this type of REPEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The root-knot nematode (RKN) is one of the most damaging agricultural pests.Effective biological control is need for controlling this destructive pathogen in organic farming system. During October 2010 to 2011, the nematicidal effects of the Syncephalastrum racemosum fungus and the nematicide, avermectin, alone or combined were tested against the RKN (Meloidogyne incognita) on cucumber under pot and field condition in China. Under pot conditions, the application of S. racemosum alone or combined with avermectin significantly increased the plant vigor index by 31.4% and 10.9%, respectively compared to the M. incognita-inoculated control. However, treatment with avermectin alone did not significantly affect the plant vigor index. All treatments reduced the number of root galls and juvenile nematodes compared to the untreated control. Under greenhouse conditions, all treatments reduced the disease severity and enhanced fruit yield compared to the untreated control. Fewer nematodes infecting plant roots were observed after treatment with avermectin alone, S. racemosum alone or their combination compared to the M. incognita-inoculated control. Among all the treatments, application of avermectin or S. racemosum combined with avermectin was more effective than the S. racemosum treatment. Our results showed that application of S. racemosum combined with avermectin not only reduced the nematode number and plant disease severity but also enhanced plant vigor and yield. The results indicated that the combination of S. racemosum with avermectin could be an effective biological component in integrated management of RKN on cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Isovaleric acidemia (IVA) is a rare inherited metabolic disease caused by a deficiency in isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (IVD). Newborn screening with tandem mass spectrometry leads to early identification of individuals with risk of IVA. The family specific mutations are useful for prenatal diagnosis. Molecular genetic analysis helps to further confirm the clinical diagnosis of IVA. We describe here the clinical and metabolic features of a Chinese infant with early onset IVA. Sequence analysis of the IVD gene identifies compound heterozygous mutations in this patient, c.39G>A (p.W13X) nonsense mutation and c.597C>G (p.I199M) missense mutation, both of which are previously unreported. Structural analyses suggest that the p.I199M missense mutation may destabilize the IVD monomer structure and affect the interaction between IVD and flavin adenine dinucleotide. Both the clinical and genetic features of this patient help to further expand our knowledge of IVA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By using self-designed gas explosion experimental pipe with the section of 30 cm x 30 cm, the authors carried out the experimental studies for the explosion suppression effects according to different parameters of metal wire mesh and foam ceramic materials and their combination. With the materials' characteristics, the function mechanism for the explosion suppression of the combination was analyzed. The results show that the performance of some parameters combined materials of wire mesh and the foam ceramic is better than that separate ones in the respect of pressure reduction and flame temperature and the damage of the explosion suppression materials is reduced obviously. The combined material can exert the advantages of original ones and avoid their disadvantages. The combined material can enhance the explosion suppression effects and reduce the damage of the materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Novozyme435 facilitated kinetic resolution of 2-heptylamine was here presented. Methyl methoxyacetate was used as acyl donor. A survey of influencing factors including hydrogen bonding effect, solvent effect, steric effect, temperature and the amount of acyl donor were investigated in detail. At the optimum conditions, the enantiomeric separation was successfully obtained within 8h at 20°C, and gave high conversion and optical purity of (R)-2-heptylamine, 48.9% and over 99% respectively. The immobilized lipase B was found to be suitable for the enantiomeric separation of aliphatic amines with good recyclability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: IgG antibody response in chickens immunized with F4 fimbriae extracted from local enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strain was studied during a 98-day immunization period for comparing the efficacy of four adjuvants: Freund’ adjuvant, Quil A (QA), propolis and extract from Cochinchina momordica seed (ECMS). For this purpose, chickens were immunized with F4 fimbriae alone or combined with one of the above adjuvants on days 1 and 21. IgG antibody levels in serum and egg yolk (by ELISA) were measured on days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 70, 84 and 98. The egg production of each group was also determined during days 1–7 and the following four weeks. The results showed that QA could enhance antibody titre, as good or almost as good as Freund''s adjuvant, whereas the titres of ECMS and propolis groups were relatively lower, with the overall order: Freund''s adjuvant>QA>ECMS>propolis both in serum and egg yolk. However, the significant decrease of egg production was merely observed in the Freund''s adjuvant group. It is concluded that the four adjuvants tested can stimulate immune response to F4 fimbriae in chickens, with Freund''s adjuvant giving the best results, followed by QA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The qualitative properties of a predatorprey system with Holling-( n + 1) functional response and a fairly general growth rate are completely investigated. The necessary and sufficient condition to guarantee the uniqueness of limit cycles is given. Our work extends the previous relevant results in the reference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifurcations of a degenerate homoclinic orbit with orbit flip in high dimensional system are studied. By establishing a local coordinate system and a Poincaré map near the homoclinic orbit, the existence and uniqueness of 1–homoclinic orbit and 1–periodic orbit are given. Also considered is the existence of 2–homoclinic orbit and 2–periodic orbit. In additon, the corresponding bifurcation surfaces are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consider the time-periodic perturbations of n-dimensional autonomous systems with nonhyperbolic but non-critical closed orbits in the phase space. The elementary bifurcations, such as the saddle-node, transcritical, pitchfork bifurcation to a non-hyperbolic but non-critical invariant torus of the unperturbed systems in the extended phase space (x, t), are studied. Some conditions which depend only on the original systems and can be used to determine the bifurcation structures of these problems are obtained. The theory is applied to two concrete examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let Ω be a finite dimensional central algebra with an involutorial antiautomorphism σ and char Ω≠2, Ωn×n be the set of all n×n matrices over Ω. A=(aij)∈Ωn×n is called bisymmetric if aij=an−i+1,n−j+1=σ(aji) and biskewsymmetric if aij=−an−i+1,n−j+1=−σ(aji). The following systems of generalized Sylvester equations over Ω[λ]:A1X−YB1=C1,(I)&z.tdfnc;AsX−YBs=Cs,A1XB1−C1XD1=E1,(II)&z.tdfnc;AsXBs−CsXDs=Es,are considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the existence of constant solutions with bi(skew)symmetric constrains to (I) and (II). As a particular case, auxiliary results dealing with the system of Sylvester equations are also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Although explosive cyclones (ECs) have long been a focus of research, there remains a lack of knowledge of the statistical characteristics of their associated maximum surface winds and vertical extents. This study fills this gap by conducting a targeted statistical analysis of ECs in the Northern Hemisphere using the ERA‐I reanalysis data during a 40‐year period. Some new findings are obtained: (a) The average location of formation of ECs undergoes a notable westward and equatorward shift from September to April in the next year which is consistent with the location variations of sea surface temperature's strong gradients in subtropical regions. (b) Extreme ECs with a deepening rate more than 2.0 Bergeron or with a longer lifespan more than 10 days tend to have a larger occurrence number over the Northern Atlantic Ocean than over the Northern Pacific. (c) The maximum surface wind associated with an EC tends to appear between the EC reaching its maximum deepening rate and reaching its minimum central pressure. (d) The northeastern quadrant of ECs accounts for the highest proportion of maximum surface wind and strongest wind speed, as the baroclinic energy conversion is generally strongest in this quadrant. (e) Over 60% of ECs belong to a type of vertically deep cyclone (ECs' top levels show close relationship to ascending motions within their central regions), and they tend to reach their maximum vertical extent around the time when they reach their minimum central pressures. (f) The highest top levels of ECs exhibit an overall upward extending trend as their minimum central pressure decreases or their maximum deepening rate increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mei‐yu season (MYS) is one of the most important components of the East Asian rainy season. As the MYS rainfall is significantly uneven, determining its notable features is crucial to understanding/predicting the MYS precipitation. This study provided the first report on the historical rankings of the accumulated precipitation within different regions during extreme MYSs. It was shown that, in the extreme 2020 MYS, the area‐averaged precipitation within/around the Sichuan Basin ranked first during a 70‐year period. For the first time, quantitative contributions of mesoscale vortices to the total precipitation of extreme MYSs were shown. It was found that, during the 2020 MYS, vortices accounted for up to 50% of the MYS's duration within/around Sichuan Basin, and induced up to 90% of the total precipitation there. The abnormally active vortices in the 2020 MYS were the direct reason for the highest precipitation in the past 70 years within/around the Sichuan Basin. Plain Language Summary: The Mei‐yu season (MYS) is a climatic phenomenon of continuous overcast and rainy weather (typically appears in June and July), that occurs in the Yangtze River Basin, Taiwan, Japan and Southern Korea. As the MYS rainfall was uneven, to determine its notable features is crucial to understanding and predicting the MYS precipitation. We provided the first report on the historical rankings of the accumulated precipitation within different regions during the extreme MYSs of 1954, 1998 and 2020. It is shown that, during the 2020 MYS, the area‐averaged precipitation within/around Sichuan Basin was the highest in the past 70 years. By calculating the quantitative contributions of mesoscale vortices to the total MYS precipitation (this study provided the first report), we attributed the abnormally high precipitation within/around Sichuan Basin of the 2020 MYS to the abnormally active mesoscale vortices in this region. Results show that, during the 2020 MYS, vortices accounted for up to 50% of the MYS's whole duration within/around Sichuan Basin, and induced up to 90% of the total precipitation there. Therefore, improving the forecast of mesoscale vortices is of great importance to improve the MYS‐rainfall prediction. Key Points: Historical rankings of the precipitation within different regions during extreme Mei‐yu seasons were determined for the first timeQuantitative contributions of mesoscale vortices to the total precipitation of the extreme Mei‐yu seasons were shown for the first timeAbnormally active vortices in the 2020 Mei‐yu season were the direct reason for its abnormally high rainfall within/around Sichuan Basin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This multicenter retrospective study was conducted to explore the effects of different courses and durations of invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) on the respiratory outcomes of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) in China. The population for this study consisted of infants with birth weight less than 1500 g needing at least 1 course of invasive MV and admitted to the neonatal intensive care units affiliated with the Chinese Neonatal Network within 6 h of life from January 1st, 2019 to December 31st, 2020. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between invasive MV and respiratory outcomes. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were computed with the effects of potential confounders. (1) Among the 3183 VLBWs with a history of at least one course of invasive MV, 3155 (99.1%) met inclusion criteria and were assessed for the primary outcome. Most infants received one course (76.8%) and a shorter duration of invasive MV (62.16% with ventilation for 7 days or less). (2) In terms of the incidence of all bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (mild, moderate, and severe BPD), there were no significant differences between different invasive MV courses [For 2 courses, adjusted OR = 1.11 (0.88, 1.39); For 3 courses or more, adjusted OR = 1.07 (0.72, 1.60)]. But, with the duration of invasive MV prolonging, the OR of BPD increased [8–21 days, adjusted OR = 1.98 (1.59, 2.45); 22–35 days, adjusted OR = 4.37 (3.17, 6.03); ≥ 36 days, adjusted OR = 18.44 (10.98, 30.99)]. Concerning severe BPD, the OR increased not only with the course of invasive MV but also with the duration of invasive MV [For 2 courses, adjusted OR = 2.17 (1.07, 4.40); For 3 courses or more, adjusted OR = 2.59 (1.02, 6.61). 8–21 days, adjusted OR = 8.42 (3.22, 22.01); 22–35 days, adjusted OR = 27.82 (9.08, 85.22); ≥ 36 days, adjusted OR = 616.45 (195.79, > 999.999)]. (3) When the interaction effect between invasive MV duration and invasive MV course was considered, it was found that there were no interactive effects in BPD and severe BPD. Greater than or equal to three courses would increase the chance of severe BPD, death, and the requirement of home oxygen therapy. Compared with distinct courses of invasive MV, a longer duration of invasive MV (> 7 days) has a greater effect on the risk of BPD, severe BPD, death, and the requirement of home oxygen therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on hourly geostationary satellite temperature‐of‐black‐body data, 9,754 mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are found to form over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) during 16 warm seasons. In the whole study period, neither the occurrence numbers of these MCSs nor their other key characteristics are found to have a significant trend of increasing/decreasing. The MCSs can form anywhere over the TP, and ~6.6% of them can move eastward and vacate the TP (defined as the eastward‐moving type [EMT]). The EMTs' mean occurrence frequency and lifespan are ~0.3 per day and ~12.0 hr, respectively. Compared to the MCSs that do not vacate the TP, the EMTs usually have stronger intensity, longer lifespan, and develop more rapidly but generate in a drier environment. The vacating stage of an EMT usually begins in the latter half of its lifespan, and an EMT tends to reach its maximum cloud area when it is about to vacate the TP. After vacating the TP, an EMT usually weakens at first and then enhances again. Vorticity budget indicates that the convergence‐related horizontal shrinking and the convection‐related vertical vorticity transport govern the cyclonic‐vorticity increase/maintenance associated with the longer‐lived EMTs. Of all the EMTs, only ~8% are associated with southwest vortices (SWVs), and the precipitation related to these EMTs contributes ~20% to the local hourly heavy precipitation. Compared to the EMTs that are not related to SWVs, those that are generally vacate the TP sooner, last longer having vacated the TP, and have longer whole lifespans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common type of pancreatic cancer with one of the worst survival rate of all malignancies. Recent studies have identified that immunosuppressive B cells could employ the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway to suppress antitumour T cell responses; hence, we examined the expression and function of PD‐L1 in B cells. We found that the PD‐L1 expression was significantly enriched in tumour‐infiltrating (TI) B cells than in peripheral blood (PB) B cells from the same patients. Additionally, the PB B cells from stage III and stage IV PDAC patients presented significantly higher PD‐L1 than the PB B cells from healthy controls. High PD‐L1 expression in PB B cells could be achieved by stimulation via CpG and less effectively via anti‐BCR plus CD40L, but not by coculture with pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro. Also, STAT1 and STAT3 inhibition significantly suppressed PD‐L1 upregulation in stimulated B cells. CpG‐stimulated PB B cells could inhibit the IFN‐γ expression and proliferation of CD8 T cells in a PD‐L1‐dependent manner. Also, TI CD8 T cells incubated with whole TI B cells presented significantly lower IFN‐γ expression and lower proliferation, than TI CD8 T cells incubated with PD‐L1+ cell‐depleted TI B cells, suggesting that PD‐L1+ B cells could also suppress CD8 T cells in the tumour. Overall, this study identified that B cells could suppress CD8 T cells via PD‐L1 expression, indicating a novel pathway of immuno‐regulation in pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2006, the “unlocking program” was implemented in Hebei province, China to promote the human rights for people with severe mental illness who were physically restrained at home. We assessed the long term outcomes of the “unlocking program” following the provision of hospital and community psychiatric care over 10 years and explored their associated factors. A total of 107 patients with severe mental illness who were “unlocked” in the program were included. Outcome measures were collected with standardized rating scales at 2 separate time points in August 2012 and November 2016. Poor outcome was defined either as being relocked, or missing to follow up or death. In 2012, 36 patients (33.6%) had poor outcomes. Poor outcome was positively associated with follow-up length and less caregiver burden at baseline. By 2016, 53 patients (49.5%) were found to have poor outcomes. There was only a trend of positive association between poor outcome and less caregiver burden at baseline. Poor long-term outcomes were common in patients with severe mental illness following the “unlocking program”. Evidence-based treatment strategies and mental health services to improve the outcomes and protect the human rights of patients subjected to being locked in the community are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent heavy rainfall events (PHREs) are the product of the combined effects of multiscale systems. A PHRE that occurred during the 2016 mei-yu season was selected to further the understanding of the scale interactions accounting for the persistence of this type of event. The scale interactions were analyzed quantitatively using a piecewise energy budget based on temporal scale separation. Results show that the strongest interactions between the precipitation-related eddy flow and its background circulation (BC) occur in the mid- to lower troposphere, where a significant downscale kinetic energy (KE) cascade alone dominates eddy flow persistence. An obvious upscale KE cascade (i.e., a feedback effect) appears in the mid- to upper troposphere but has a negligible effect on the BC. Overall, within the precipitation region, the downscale KE cascade is primarily dependent on BC signals with shorter periods, whereas the upscale KE cascade is more dependent on BC signals with longer periods. Thus, the BC has asymmetric effects on the KE cascades. The most significant BC signal as determined via wavelet analysis [i.e., quasi-biweekly (10-18 days) oscillations in this event] does not play the leading role in the downscale KE cascade. Instead, the quasi-weekly oscillations provide the maximum amount of energy for eddy flow maintenance. Semi-idealized simulations of various BC signals show similar results: precipitation and the intensities of lower-level shear lines and transversal troughs (both of which are closely related to the precipitation-related eddy flow) are more sensitive to the quasiweekly oscillation than to the quasi-biweekly oscillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the structure of the title complex, [Mn2(C8H4O4)Cl2(C12H8N2)2], each MnII cation is surrounded by two O atoms from two terephthalate dianions, two bridging Cl atoms and two N atoms from a 1,10-phenanthroline mol­ecule in a distorted octa­hedral geometry. Each terephthalate dianion functions as a μ4-bridging ligand to form a zigzag chain. Neighbouring chains are held together by μ-chloro bridges, which create a three-dimensional architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 14-yr climatology is presented of the mesoscale vortices generated in the vicinity of the Dabie Mountains [Dabie vortices (DBVs)] in the Yangtze River valley. Analyzing these vortices using the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR), DBVs were found to be a frequent type of summer mesoscale weather system, with a mean monthly frequency of 12.2. DBVs were mainly located in the middle and lower troposphere, and ~92% of them triggered precipitation. Most DBVs were short lived, and only 19.5% persisted for more than 12 h. Latent heat release associated with precipitation is a dominant factor for the DBV's three-dimensional geometry features, life span, and intensity. The long-lived DBVs, all of which triggered torrential rainfall, were analyzed using a composite analysis under the normalized polar coordinates. Results indicate that these vortices generally moved eastward and northeastward, which corresponded to the vortices' orientation, divergence, vorticity budget, and kinetic energy budget. The evolution of long-lived DBVs featured significant unevenness: those octants located at the front and on the right side of the vortices' moving tracks were more favorable for their development and maintenance, while those octants located at the back and on the left side acted conversely. Convergence-related shrinking was the most favorable factor for the vortices' development and persistence, while the tilting effect was a dominant factor accounting for their attenuation. Long-lived DBVs featured strong baroclinity, and the baroclinic energy conversion acted as the main energy source for the vortices' evolution. In contrast, the barotropic energy conversion favored the vortices' development and maintenance at first, and later triggered their dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although explosive cyclones (ECs) have long been a focus of research, there remains a lack of knowledge of the statistical characteristics of their associated maximum surface winds and vertical extents. This study fills this gap by conducting a targeted statistical analysis of ECs in the Northern Hemisphere using the ERA-I reanalysis data during a 40-year period. Some new findings are obtained: (a) The average location of formation of ECs undergoes a notable westward and equatorward shift from September to April in the next year which is consistent with the location variations of sea surface temperature's strong gradients in subtropical regions. (b) Extreme ECs with a deepening rate more than 2.0 Bergeron or with a longer lifespan more than 10 days tend to have a larger occurrence number over the Northern Atlantic Ocean than over the Northern Pacific. (c) The maximum surface wind associated with an EC tends to appear between the EC reaching its maximum deepening rate and reaching its minimum central pressure. (d) The northeastern quadrant of ECs accounts for the highest proportion of maximum surface wind and strongest wind speed, as the baroclinic energy conversion is generally strongest in this quadrant. (e) Over 60% of ECs belong to a type of vertically deep cyclone (ECs' top levels show close relationship to ascending motions within their central regions), and they tend to reach their maximum vertical extent around the time when they reach their minimum central pressures. (f) The highest top levels of ECs exhibit an overall upward extending trend as their minimum central pressure decreases or their maximum deepening rate increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new rhodamine-based reversible chemosensor ( 2) was synthesized, which exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for Cu but no significant response toward other competitive metal ions in aqueous solution. Upon the addition of Cu, the spirolactam ring of 2 was opened and the solution color changed from colorless to red. Strangely, an unexpected fluorescence quenching was observed, which is contrary to the fluorescence turn-on of the most rhodamine-based chemosensors. The likely novel sensing mechanism has been proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explosive extratropical cyclone (EEC) is the main disastrous weather system over the ocean and offshore areas in the cold season. As a type of vertically deep system, after decades of studies, key features of EECs' vertical extents still remain vague. Based on a reasonably simulated entire‐troposphere‐thick EEC, this study analyzes variation of the EEC's vertical extent and investigates governing mechanisms for its vertical extending. Main findings are as follows: (a) the EEC's vertical extent showed consistent variation features with its central sea level pressure and lower‐level vorticity (correlation coefficients were ~0.9), whereas its relationship with EEC's maximum surface wind was not significant; (b) EEC's upward extending featured strong ascending motion and rapid cyclonic‐vorticity enhancement at the top level of the cyclone and obvious inflow (convergence) in the lower troposphere. (c) vorticity budget at the EEC's top level shows that net import transport of cyclonic vorticity (by westerly and northwesterly winds) from the trough west of the cyclone dominated its upward extending, and upward transport of cyclonic vorticity from levels below the cyclone's top level acted as the second dominant factor. In contrast, divergence‐related vertical shrinking around the EEC's top level was the most detrimental factor for the cyclone's upward extending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 reanalysis data, in this study, formation mechanisms of a severe windstorm that caused successive trippings of the transmission lines in Southern Xinjiang were investigated. The strong windstorm occurred within a lower‐tropospheric warm region due to adiabatic heating of the descending motions ahead of a shortwave trough in the westerly wind (the blocking effects of high mountain was a key reason for the strong descending motions). The kinetic energy (KE) budget indicates two typically different stages appeared in the variation of the windstorm. The former stage showed a rapid wind KE enhancement in the lower troposphere. The KE increase was mainly governed by the downward stretching of high KE (i.e., downward momentum transportation) from the middle troposphere (rather than from the upper‐level jet) and the KE production due to the work on rotational wind by the pressure gradient force. The latter stage showed a rapid KE decrease mainly due to the transport of KE by the rotational wind and the pressure gradient force's negative work on the rotational wind. In contrast, the vertical advection of KE still acted as transporting high KE from middle troposphere to lower troposphere, which resisted the KE reduce at the lower levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS), a subset of IBS, is characterized by symptoms of visceral pain, bloating, and changed bowel habits that occur post initial episode of intestinal infection. Gut microbial dysbiosis or inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of abdominal hypersensitivity of PI-IBS. Electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation results in an alleviated PI-IBS-associated symptom. This study investigated the effect of EA on IL-18 and gut microbial dysbiosis in one visceral hypersensitive rat models with PI-IBS. A trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced visceral hypersensitivity rat model was developed. EA stimulation was applied to the ST25 and ST36 acupoints. Animals were assessed using abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores to determine the development of colonic visceral hypersensitivity. The 16S rRNA was used to correlate microbial diversity. IL-18 expression in colon was quantified by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. We identified that model rats had an increased visceral hypersensitivity to colorectal distention at different distention pressures compared with the normal group. Sensitivity to colorectal distention decreased after EA stimulation. The composition of the fecal microbiota was different between groups. Specifically, in the model group Empedobacter, Psychrobacter, Enterococcus, Butyricimonas, Vampirovibrio, Kurthia, Intestinimonas, Neisseria, Falsiporphyromonas, Bilophila, Fusobacterium, Alistipes, Veillonella, Flavonifractor, Clostridium XlVa were more abundant affected genera, whereas Lactobacillus was enriched in normal rats. EA stimulation was correlated with significant decrease in the phyla of Fusobacteria. The mRNA and protein levels of IL-18 were higher in the model group. Meanwhile, EA stimulation attenuated this response. In a word, our findings suggest that PI-IBS is associated with significant increase in IL-18 levels as well as an alteration in microbiome diversity. These changes can be reversed with EA treatment. EA stimulation has a positive effect in alleviating symptoms of visceral hypersensitivity and protecting the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of a 14‐year statistical dataset of the southwest vortex (SWV), 10 long‐lived and heavy rain–producing SWVs are selected for a series of convection‐permitting composite semi‐idealized simulations. After confirming the simulation has reproduced the common salient features of these selected vortices, the general underlying mechanisms for the formation of this type of SWV are investigated. Results show that the SWV formation is characterized by significant unevenness, as the fundamental characteristics and dominant factors for the cyclonic‐vorticity production vary from place to place. Overall, the eastern/western section of SWV mainly features favorable/unfavorable conditions for the cyclonic‐vorticity enhancement. The vorticity budget indicates the convergence‐related horizontal shrinking and convection‐related tilting contribute to the cyclonic‐vorticity enhancement in the SWV's eastern section, whereas in the western section, the terrain‐related tilting and horizontal transport result in the cyclonic‐vorticity reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new reaction system for biodiesel production by the base-catalyzed transesterification process has been developed. Bentonite is used as a water adsorbent in the traditional homogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification reaction system to create a heterogeneous system that improves the reaction efficiency. The influence of bentonite on the NaOH-catalyzed methanolysis of soybean oil and the accompanying reaction mechanisms were investigated. It was found that an appropriate introduction of bentonite can promote the methanolysis. By the rapidly removal of the water from the system, bentonite enhances the transformation of NaOH to the catalytically active methoxide species. Further, the main side reactions are significantly inhibited. The methanolysis of triglycerides took place in the liquid phase rather than in the solid phase. The introduction of bentonite also lowered the soap concentration in crude biodiesel, which was beneficial for the post-treatment to generate refined biodiesel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a suture-fixation mucopexy procedure by comparing with Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) in the management of patients with grade III hemorrhoids. Methods. This was a randomized controlled trial. One hundred patients with grade III hemorrhoids were randomly assigned to receive suture-fixation mucopexy (n=50) or DGHAL (n=50). Outcome assessments were performed at 2 weeks, 12 months, and 24 months. Assessments included resolution of clinical symptoms, postoperative complications, duration of hospitalization, and total costs. Results. At 2 weeks, one (2%) patient in suture-fixation group and four (8%) patients in DGHAL group had persistent prolapsing hemorrhoids. Postoperative bleeding was observed in two patients (4%) in suture-fixation group and one patient in DGHAL group. There was no significant difference in short-term recurrence between groups. Postoperative complications and duration of hospitalization were comparable between the two groups. Rates of recurrence of prolapse or bleeding at 12 months did not differ between groups. However, recurrence of prolapse at 24 months was significantly more common in DGHAL group (19.0% versus 2.3%, p=0.030). Conclusions. Compared with DGHAL, the suture-fixation mucopexy technique had comparable short-term outcomes and favorable long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The root-knot nematode (RKN) ( Meloidogyne incognita ) is one of the most important pathogens on greenhouse-cultivated cucumber in northern China, and chemical nematicides are neither ecofriendly nor cost-effective. Thus, more benign and acceptable biological control measures for this destructive pathogen are required. The in vitro ovicidal and larvicidal activities of Syncephalastrum racemosum , Paecilomyces lilacinus and Bacillus cereus were tested on cucumber, and their combined effects against M. incognita were evaluated in pot and greenhouse experiments. The chemical nematicide fosthiazate was evaluated for comparison. All the bioagents displayed nematicidal potential via their ovicidal and larvicidal action, except the B. cereus bioagent at a concentration of 2%. The highest ovicidal activity was recorded for the combination of S. racemosum and P. lilacinus at a concentration of 50%, which resulted in an approximately 70% reduction in egg hatching compared to the control. The best larvicidal activity was observed in the S. racemosum treatment at a concentration of 50%, which caused a 96.7% mortality rate. Under the pot conditions, compared to the untreated control, the application of S. racemosum combined with P. lilacinus significantly stimulated the root length, shoot length and plant weight of cucumber plants, and significantly fewer galls and nematodes were observed. Under the greenhouse conditions, the combination of S. racemosum and P. lilacinus not only decreased the nematode severity but also increased the cucumber yield compared to the untreated control. Among all the treatments, the combined application of S. racemosum and P. lilacinus was more effective at controlling M. incognita than other treatments, except for the fosthiazate treatment. The results indicate that the combined use of S. racemosum and P. lilacinus represents a new biocontrol strategy against parasitic nematodes in protected agricultural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound [systematic name: 1,10-phenanthrolin-1-ium 4-(3-carb­oxy-2-hydroxy­naphthyl­meth­yl)-3-hydr­oxy-2-naphthoate N, N-dimethyl­formamide solvate], C12H9N2+·C23H15O6−·C3H7NO, the two naphthyl ring systems of the pamoate monoanion are perpendicular to each other. O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter­actions and π–π stacking inter­actions stabilize the crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dabie vortices (DBVs) are a type of heavy-rainfall-producing mesoscale vortices that appear with a high frequency around the Dabie Mountain over the Yangtze River Basin. For a long time, scholars have found that DBVs tend to form when a low-level jet (LLJ) appears in their neighboring regions. However, the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon still remain vague. This study furthers the understanding of this type of event by conducting detailed analyses on a long-lived eastward-moving DBV that caused a severe flood in the 2020 summer. It is found that the LLJ in this event was belonged to a nocturnal LLJ type, with its maximum/minimum appeared around 2100/0600 UTC. The diurnal cycle of LLJ affected precipitation and intensity of the DBV notably: As the LLJ intensified, vortex's precipitation and intensity both enhanced, and vice versa. The LLJ exerted two effects on the DBV's formation that are opposite to each other. The more important effect is that the LLJ caused intense lower-level convergence around its northern terminus. This convergence directly produced cyclonic vorticity through vertical stretching, which dominates the DBV's formation and enhances the convection-related upward cyclonic vorticity transport that acted as another favorable factor. The less important effect is that (i) the LLJ induced import of anticyclonic vorticity into the vortex's central region, which decelerated the DBV's formation; and (ii) the LLJ-related to strong ascending motions tilted horizontal vorticity into negative vertical vorticity, which reduced the growth rate of cyclonic vorticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the formation of a type of mesoscale vortex around the Sichuan Basin (i.e., the southwest vortex [SWV]) that usually induces heavy precipitation, based on a semi‐idealized simulation of eight similar SWV‐formation events. After producing a reasonable SWV that shares salient features with the events used in composite, a trajectory analysis is conducted and an along‐track vorticity budget is constructed. The results show that approximately 64.7% of the air particles related to SWV formation originate from four source regions outside the vortex. The largest contribution of cyclonic vorticity associated with the SWV formation (approximately 67.7%) comes from the lower levels southwest of the vortex and is due mainly to tilting. The second‐largest contribution (approximately 19.4%) is made by air particles that originate from the upper levels south of the SWV and is also due mainly to tilting. By contrast, for the other two sources (the upper levels west and southwest of the vortex), the convergence‐related horizontal shrinking generally dominates their cyclonic‐vorticity production. Overall, along the tracks of the air particles, vertical motions and water‐vapor phase transitions affect the vorticity variation significantly via modulating divergence‐related vorticity production/dissipation (i.e., the stretching effect), and this is vital for the SWV formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and change of bowel habit without organic disease. A global perspective given by the World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) points out that IBS can impact the quality of an individual's daily life, cause socioeconomic problems and potentially impair the patient-physician relationship. It remains a problem to treat IBS due to the complicated pathophysiology. Acupuncture is an alternative therapy recommended for IBS. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for patients with IBS. We also want to explore the correlation between IBS-gene subtypes and acupuncture effect.Methods/design: A multicenter randomized controlled trial will be performed in seven hospitals. Six hundred participants will be stratified into two strata (IBS-C or IBS-D). Then, patients within each stratum will be divided into an experimental group and a control group randomly. The experimental group is treated with acupuncture while the control group is treated with Western medicine. All the patients will receive a 6-week treatment and a 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome is the IBS-Symptom Severity Score (IBS-SSS), the secondary outcome is the score of the IBS-Quality of Life (IBS-QoL).The correlation between IBS-gene subtypes and acupuncture effect will be detected based on polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Outcome measures (including primary and secondary outcome measures) are collected at baseline,1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks of the intervention, and 12 weeks after the intervention.Discussion: This is a multicenter randomized controlled trial for IBS in China. It may clarify the efficacy of acupuncture as an alternative therapy for IBS. This is the first time ever that the potential mechanism of IBS based on genomics has been investigated.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trials Register, ID: ChiCTR-IOR-15006259 . First registered on 14 April 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]