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Abstract Background Gut microbiota is pivotal in regulating hosts' biological processes and maintaining homeostasis, but knowledge about its role in wild herbivores in extreme environments remains limited. Methods Gut bacteria and fungi were sequenced in ruminant (Chiru and Yak) and nonruminant (Kiang) herbivores on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, and their community structure, co‐occurrence networks, functions, and assembly mechanisms were investigated using multivariate ecological and statistical methods. Results Kiang had lower gut microbial diversity than Chiru and Yak. Bacterial host‐specific exclusivity was greater than that of fungi. In addition to the evidence of glycan biosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism, Chiru had a high Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and low animal pathogen abundance, suggesting better adaptation to the plateau's harsh environment. Additionally, members of gut microbiota tended to co‐occur rather than co‐exclude in all herbivores. Different network complexity and stability patterns were observed between bacterial and fungal communities. Furthermore, gut bacterial assembly was primarily controlled by stochastic dispersal limitation and drift, whereas fungal assembly was primarily controlled by deterministic homogeneous selection except in Chiru. Conclusions On the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, Chiru and Yak exhibit more diverse gut microbiota and more diverse metabolic functions than Kiang, and gut bacteria are more divergent than gut fungi in these herbivores.

A new test to detect the change-point in the quasi-autocorrelation coefficient (QAC) structure of a simple linear model with heavy-tailed series was developed. It is more general than previous approaches to the change-point problem in that it allows for the process with innovations in the domain of the attraction of a stable law with index $ \kappa\; (0 < \kappa < 2) $. Since the existing methods for QAC change detection are not satisfactory, we converted QAC change to mean change through the moving window method, which greatly improved the efficiency. Thus, the aim of this paper was to construct a ratio-typed test based on M-estimation for the testing of mean change. Under regular conditions, the asymptotic distribution under the no change null hypothesis was functional of a Wiener process, not that of a Lévy stable process. The divergent rate under the alternative hypothesis was also given. The simulation results demonstrate that the performances of our proposed tests were outstanding. Finally, the theoretical results were applied to an analysis of daily USD/CNY exchange rates with respect to QAC change.

Objective Traditional internal fixation of calcaneus fractures, involving lateral L‐shaped incisions and plate fixation, has disadvantages such as increased operative exposure, eccentric plate fixation, and complications. The aim of this study was to design a Spatial Weaving Intra‐calcaneal Fixator System (SWIFS) for the treatment of complex calcaneal fractures and to compare its biomechanical properties with those of traditional calcaneal plates. Methods The computed tomography (CT) data of the normal adult calcaneus was used for modeling, and the largest trapezoidal column structure was cut and separated from the model and related parameters were measured. The SWIFS was designed within the target trapezoid, according to the characteristics of the fracture of the calcaneus. The Sanders model classification type IV calcaneal fracture was established in finite element software, and fixation with calcaneal plate and the SWIFS examined. Overall structural strength distribution and displacement in the two groups were compared. Results The maximum 3D trapezoidal column in the calcaneus was constructed, and the dimensions were measured. The SWIFS and the corresponding guide device were successfully designed. In the one‐legged erect position state, the SWIFS group exhibited a peak von Mises equivalent stress of 96.00 MPa, a maximum displacement of 0.31 mm, and a structural stiffness of 2258.06 N/mm. The conventional calcaneal plate showed a peak von Mises equivalent stress of 228.66 Mpa, a maximum displacement of 1.26 mm, and a structural stiffness of 555.56 N/mm. The SWIFS group exhibited a 75.40% decrease in displacement and a 306.45% increase in stiffness. Conclusion Compared with fixation by conventional calcaneal plate, the SWIFS provides better structural stability and effective stress distribution.

The osteochondral defects (OCDs) resulting from the treatment of giant cell tumors of bone (GCTB) often present two challenges for clinicians: tumor residue leading to local recurrence and non-healing of OCDs. Therefore, this study focuses on developing a double-layer PGPC-PGPH scaffold using shell-core structure nanofibers to achieve “spatiotemporal control” for treating OCDs caused by GCTB. It addresses two key challenges: eliminating tumor residue after local excision and stimulating osteochondral regeneration in non-healing OCD cases. With a shell layer of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX)/gelatin (GT) and inner cores containing chondroitin sulfate (CS)/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) or hydroxyapatite (HA)/PLGA, coaxial electrospinning technology was used to create shell-core structured PpIX/GT-CS/PLGA and PpIX/GT-HA/PLGA nanofibers. These nanofibers were shattered into nano-scaled short fibers, and then combined with polyethylene oxide and hyaluronan to formulate distinct 3D printing inks. The upper layer consists of PpIX/GT-CS/PLGA ink, and the lower layer is made from PpIX/GT-HA/PLGA ink, allowing for the creation of a double-layer PGPC-PGPH scaffold using 3D printing technique. After GCTB lesion removal, the PGPC-PGPH scaffold is surgically implanted into the OCDs. The sonosensitizer PpIX in the shell layer undergoes sonodynamic therapy to selectively damage GCTB tissue, effectively eradicating residual tumors. Subsequently, the thermal effect of sonodynamic therapy accelerates the shell degradation and release of CS and HA within the core layer, promoting stem cell differentiation into cartilage and bone tissues at the OCD site in the correct anatomical position. This innovative scaffold provides temporal control for anti-tumor treatment followed by tissue repair and spatial control for precise osteochondral regeneration.

Abstract Background/Purpose Risk factors for re-bleeding and death after acute variceal bleeding (AVB) in cirrhotic HCC patients are not fully understood.We aimed to (1) explore how the combination of high-risk esophageal varices, HCC status, and portal vein tumor thrombus (i.e., HCC Portal Hypertension Imaging Score [HCCPHTIS]) helps predict increased risk of variceal re-bleeding and mortality; (2) assess predictability and reproducibility of the identified variceal re-bleeding rules. Methods This prospective study included 195 HCC patients with first-time AVB and liver cirrhosis, and conducted multivariable Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was calculated to find the optimal sensitivity, specificity, and cutoff values of the variables. The reproducibility of the results obtained was verified in a different but related group of patients. Results 56 patients (28.7%) had re-bleeding within 6 weeks; HCCPHTIS was an independent risk factor for variceal re-bleeding after AVB (Odd ratio, 2.330; 95% confidence interval: 1.728–3.142, p 3 was 66.2%, sensitivity 83.9%, and specificity 82.3%. HCCPHTIS area under the curve was higher than Child-Pugh score (89% vs. 75%, p 4 was associated with increased risk of death within 6 weeks after AVB (p 3 is a strong predictor of variceal re-bleeding within the first 6 weeks. However, patients with HCCPHTIS > 4 were at increased risk of death within 6 weeks.

Minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus correction, has been attracting great interests in the recent decades, due to the potential benefits of less pain, decreased recovery times, smaller scars with better cosmesis, and improved early post-operative range of motion. The most recent developments in minimally invasive surgery have evolved into the third generation with modifications of the chevron-type osteotomy. This evidence-based clinical guideline of the third generation minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus is initiated and developed collectively by the Foot and Ankle Committee of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Foot and Ankle Committee of Sports Medicine Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and Foot and Ankle Expert Committee of Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Association of the Integrative Medicine. This clinical guideline provides recommendations for indications, contraindications, operative planning and techniques, post-operative management, management of complications, and prognosis of the third generation minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus.The Translational Potential of this Article This comprehensive guideline aims to establish standardized recommendations for the indications, contraindications, operative techniques, and post-operative management of the third generation minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus. By adhering to this guideline, the success rate of the procedure could be maximized. This comprehensive guideline serves as a valuable reference for practitioners interested in or preparing to perform minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus.

University students predominantly spend their time indoors, where prolonged exposure raises the risk of contact with microorganisms of concern. However, our knowledge about the microbial community characteristics on university campus and their underpinnings is limited. To address it, we characterized bacterial communities from the surfaces of various built environments typical of a university campus, including cafeterias, classrooms, dormitories, offices, meeting rooms, and restrooms, in addition to human skin. The classrooms harbored the highest α-diversity, while the cafeterias had the lowest α-diversity. The bacterial community composition varied significantly across different building types. Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria were common phyla in university buildings, accounting for more than 90 % of total abundance. Staphylococcus aureus was the most abundant potential pathogen in classrooms, dormitories, offices, restrooms, and on human skin, indicating a potential risk for skin disease infections in these buildings. We further developed a new quantitative pathogenic risk assessment method according to the threat of pathogens to humans and found that classrooms exhibited the highest potential risk. The fast expectation-maximization algorithm identified 59 %-86 % of bacterial sources in buildings, with the human skin as the largest bacterial source for most buildings. As the sources of bacteria were highly traceable, we showed that homogeneous selection, dispersal limitation, and ecological drift were major ecological forces that drove community assembly. Our findings have important implications for predicting the distribution and sources of indoor dust bacterial communities on university campus.

The rapid advance in shotgun metagenome sequencing has enabled us to identify uncultivated functional microorganisms in polluted environments. While aerobic petrochemical-degrading pathways have been extensively studied, the anaerobic mechanisms remain less explored. Here, we conducted a study at a petrochemical-polluted groundwater site in Henan Province, Central China. A total of twelve groundwater monitoring wells were installed to collect groundwater samples. Benzene appeared to be the predominant pollutant, detected in 10 out of 12 samples, with concentrations ranging from 1.4 μg/L to 5,280 μg/L. Due to the low aquifer permeability, pollutant migration occurred slowly, resulting in relatively low benzene concentrations downstream within the heavily polluted area. Deep metagenome sequencing revealed Proteobacteria as the dominant phylum, accounting for over 63 % of total abundances. Microbial α-diversity was low in heavily polluted samples, with community compositions substantially differing from those in lightly polluted samples. dmpK encoding the phenol/toluene 2-monooxygenase was detected across all samples, while the dioxygenase bedC1 was not detected, suggesting that aerobic benzene degradation might occur through monooxygenation. Sequence assembly and binning yielded 350 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), with 30 MAGs harboring functional genes associated with aerobic or anaerobic benzene degradation. About 80 % of MAGs harboring functional genes associated with anaerobic benzene degradation remained taxonomically unclassified at the genus level, suggesting that our current database coverage of anaerobic benzene-degrading microorganisms is very limited. Furthermore, two genes integral to anaerobic benzene metabolism, i.e, benzoyl-CoA reductase (bamB) and glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (acd), were not annotated by metagenome functional analyses but were identified within the MAGs, signifying the importance of integrating both contig-based and MAG-based approaches. Together, our efforts of functional annotation and metagenome binning generate a robust blueprint of microbial functional potentials in petrochemical-polluted groundwater, which is crucial for designing proficient bioremediation strategies.

Abstract Unravelling biosphere feedback mechanisms is crucial for predicting the impacts of global warming. Soil priming, an effect of fresh plant-derived carbon (C) on native soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition, is a key feedback mechanism that could release large amounts of soil C into the atmosphere. However, the impacts of climate warming on soil priming remain elusive. Here, we show that experimental warming accelerates soil priming by 12.7% in a temperate grassland. Warming alters bacterial communities, with 38% of unique active phylotypes detected under warming. The functional genes essential for soil C decomposition are also stimulated, which could be linked to priming effects. We incorporate lab-derived information into an ecosystem model showing that model parameter uncertainty can be reduced by 32–37%. Model simulations from 2010 to 2016 indicate an increase in soil C decomposition under warming, with a 9.1% rise in priming-induced CO2 emissions. If our findings can be generalized to other ecosystems over an extended period of time, soil priming could play an important role in terrestrial C cycle feedbacks and climate change.

Abstract Background To investigate whether accurate placement of sustentaculum tali screws have the impacts on the clinical efficacy of calcaneal fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis of 72 cases (73 feet) of calcaneal fractures from September 2015 to September 2019 treated with open reduction and internal fixation with sustentaculum tali screws was conducted. Patients were divided into the sustentaculum tali fixation group (ST group) and the sustentaculum fragment fixation group (STF group) according to the location of the sustentaculum tali screw placement. The functional outcomes at preoperative, 7 days and 1 year postoperative were collected and analyzed. Results In the ST group (40 feet), the Gissane's angle altered from (109.89 ± 12.13)° to (121.23 ± 9.34)° and (119.08 ± 8.31)° at 7 days and 1 year postoperative, respectively. For Böhler’s angles altered from (11.44 ± 5.94)°, to (31.39 ± 7.54)°, and (30.61 ± 7.94)° at 7 days and 1 year postoperative, respectively. In the STF group (33 feet), Gissane’s angle altered from (110.47 ± 14.45)°, to (122.08 ± 8.84)°, and (120.67 ± 9.07)° and Böhler’s angle altered from (11.32 ± 6.77)°, to (28.82 ± 8.52)°, and (28.25 ± 9.13)° (P 0.05). The AOFAS scores at the final follow-up of the two groups: ST group (88.95 ± 6.16) and STF group (89.78 ± 8.76); VAS scores, ST group (0.83 ± 0.98) and STF group (1.03 ± 1.59), all differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion The position of sustentaculum tali screws has no significant difference on the short-term clinical outcome in patients with calcaneal fractures, while reliable fixation of screws to sustentaculum tali fragment can achieve similar clinical outcome. Level of evidence V.

Abstract Increasing soil organic carbon (SOC) in croplands by switching from conventional to conservation management may be hampered by stimulated microbial decomposition under warming. Here, we test the interactive effects of agricultural management and warming on SOC persistence and underlying microbial mechanisms in a decade-long controlled experiment on a wheat-maize cropping system. Warming increased SOC content and accelerated fungal community temporal turnover under conservation agriculture (no tillage, chopped crop residue), but not under conventional agriculture (annual tillage, crop residue removed). Microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) and growth increased linearly over time, with stronger positive warming effects after 5 years under conservation agriculture. According to structural equation models, these increases arose from greater carbon inputs from the crops, which indirectly controlled microbial CUE via changes in fungal communities. As a result, fungal necromass increased from 28 to 53%, emerging as the strongest predictor of SOC content. Collectively, our results demonstrate how management and climatic factors can interact to alter microbial community composition, physiology and functions and, in turn, SOC formation and accrual in croplands.

Abstract Cobalamin (B12), an essential nutrient and growth cofactor for many living organisms on Earth, can be fully synthesized only by selected prokaryotes in nature. Therefore, microbial communities related to B12 biosynthesis could serve as an example subsystem to disentangle the underlying ecological mechanisms balancing the function and taxonomic make‐up of complex functional assemblages. By anchoring microbial traits potentially involved in B12 biosynthesis, we depict the biogeographic patterns of B12 biosynthesis genes and the taxa harboring them in the global ocean, despite the limitations of detecting de novo B12 synthesizers via metagenomes alone. Both the taxonomic and functional composition of B12 biosynthesis genes were strongly shaped by depth, differentiating the epipelagic zones from the mesopelagic layers. Functional genes related to B12 biosynthesis were relatively stably distributed across different oceans, but the taxa harboring them varied considerably, showing clear functional redundancy among microbial systems. Microbial taxa carrying B12 biosynthesis genes in the surface water were influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, oxygen, and nitrate. However, the composition of functional genes was only weakly associated with these environmental factors. Null model analyses demonstrated that determinism governed the variations in B12 biosynthesis genes, whereas a higher degree of stochasticity was associated with taxonomic variations. Significant associations were observed between the chlorophyll a concentration and B12 biosynthesis, confirming its importance in primary production in the global ocean. The results of this study reveal an essential ecological mechanism governing the assembly of microbes in nature: the environment selects for function rather than taxonomy; functional redundancy underlies stochastic community assembly.

Abstract Norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) pose a considerable health risk worldwide. In recent years, many cases of virus infection caused by virus‐contaminated strawberries have occurred worldwide. This study applied a critical control point system to analyze the main hazards during the production and marketing of strawberries imported into China and explore the key control points in the whole process. To further evaluate the risks in the supply chain, the established quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was used to determine the probability that residents would be infected with viruses after consuming imported strawberries. It was found that the risk of virus contamination from imported strawberries was low, and the virus contamination mainly results from water resources and personnel. This research helps the regulatory authorities formulate strategies to ensure the long‐term microbial safety of imported strawberries. In addition, the methods may prove useful in evaluating the risks of other agricultural produce.

Human-dominated urban ecosystems have encroached on native habitats, positioning urban parks as crucial sanctuaries that support bird diversity conservation. Bird communities tend to act as significant indicators of habitat quality. Birds play a key role in generating soundscapes in urban environments, where a healthy acoustic environment is essential not only for human well-being but also serves as a core focus for environmental monitoring and landscape enhancement. Previous studies have pointed out that acoustic indices have great advantages and strong feasibility for long-term environmental monitoring. However, few studies on the comparative analysis of bird diversity across urban parks subject to varying degrees of urbanization have been published in this field. In this study we recorded the springtime soundscape across 8 urban parks in Nanjing (China) from March to April 2023 for 10 hours each day. Six acoustic indices of Acoustic Complexity Index, Acoustic Diversity Index, Normalized Difference Soundscape Index, Bioacoustic Index, Acoustic Entropy Index and Power Spectral Density were used to quantify the monitoring results. To investigate the influence of vegetation habitats on bird activity, we utilized K-means clustering analysis to categorize the parks based on their developmental gradient, while Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to simplify the dimensions of 12 vegetation factors. The results revealed that the distribution of birds in urban parks is a complex interplay of variables including the gradient of urban development, the functions of park plots, and the characteristics of vegetation habitats, among others. Day-to-day, human and bird activities show similarities, yet birds' responses to urban environments vary by location. The daily movement of visitors exerts a discernible influence on park birds, even those adapted to urban life. In instances of heightened human activity, birds demonstrate a proclivity for seeking refuge in less disturbed areas, and their activity space tends to be concentrated on higher plants. Vegetation communities in areas of high human disturbance are found to provide substantial support to bird habitats. Specifically, vegetation communities featuring tall trees or ground cover that form buffer zones have a significant positive effect on weakening the impact of human activities on bird communities. In terms of monitoring bird diversity with acoustic indices, Bioacoustic Index and Acoustic Diversity Index show more consistent performance, rendering them more reliable than other acoustic indices.

BackgroundThe literature on the disease burden of knee dislocation is lacking. The aim of the study is to systematically assess the global burden, trends, causes, and influencing factors of knee dislocation.MethodsThe incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of knee dislocation were assessed globally, as well as at the regional and national levels from 1990 to 2019. Subsequent analyses focused on the age and gender distribution related to knee dislocation. An investigation into the main causes of knee dislocation followed. Finally, the Pearson correlation between age-standardized rates and social-demographic index (SDI) was calculated.ResultsAlthough the age-standardized incidence and YLDs rate of knee dislocation decreased over the past 30 years, the incidence and YLDs number increased. The disease burden remained higher in males compared to females. Males and females showed different patterns of incidence rates in each age group, but their YLDs rates were similar. Over the past 30 years, the disease burden of knee dislocation increased in the older population while declining in the younger population. Falls had consistently emerged as the most important cause for both incidence and YLD rates. Additionally, a positive correlation between SDI and the disease burden of knee dislocation was found.ConclusionThe disease burden of knee dislocation remains heavy. It is essential to recognize the evolving epidemiology of knee dislocation. Utilizing data-driven assessments can assist in formulating public health policies and strategies to improve overall well-being.

Abstract Background Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis with a retrograde intramedullary nail for severe tibiotalar and talocalcaneal arthritis has a high fusion rate; however, no studies have focused on how to handle the fibula intraoperatively to achieve better results. This study aimed to compare the efficacies of various fibular procedures. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the cases of severe tibiotalar and talocalcaneal arthritis in adults treated with TTC arthrodesis using a retrograde intramedullary nail between January 2012 and July 2017. The patients were divided into three groups according to different fibular procedures: Fibular osteotomy (FO), fibular strut (FS), and fibular preservation (FP). Functional outcomes and pain were assessed using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and visual analog scales (VAS), respectively. The operation time, fusion time, radiographic evaluation, and complications were also recorded. Results Fifty-eight patients with an average age of 53.2 (range, 32–69) years were enrolled in the final analysis. The numbers of patients enrolled in the three groups were 21, 19, and 18 in the FO, FS, and FP groups, respectively. The mean postoperative follow-up time was 66.0 (range, 60–78) months. All groups showed a high fusion rate (90.5% for FO, 94.7% for FS, and 94.4% for FP) and significant improvement in AOFAS ankle and hindfoot scores and VAS scores at the latest follow-up. There were no significant differences in these parameters among the three groups. The mean operation time of FS (131.3 ± 17.1 min) was longer than that of FO (119.3 ± 11.7 min) and FS (112.2 ± 12.6 min), but the fusion time was shorter (15.1 ± 2.8 weeks for FS, 17.2 ± 1.9 weeks for FO, and 16.8 ± 1.9 weeks for FP). Statistically significant differences were observed in these parameters. Conclusions TTC arthrodesis using a retrograde intramedullary nail is an effective procedure with a high rate of fusion to treat severe tibiotalar and talocalcaneal arthritis in adults; however, FSs can shorten fusion time when compared with FO and FP. Level of clinical evidence Level 3.

Abstract Disentangling the assembly mechanisms controlling community composition, structure, distribution, functions, and dynamics is a central issue in ecology. Although various approaches have been proposed to examine community assembly mechanisms, quantitative characterization is challenging, particularly in microbial ecology. Here, we present a novel approach for quantitatively delineating community assembly mechanisms by combining the consumer–resource model with a neutral model in stochastic differential equations. Using time‐series data from anaerobic bioreactors that target microbial 16S rRNA genes, we tested the applicability of three ecological models: the consumer–resource model, the neutral model, and the combined model. Our results revealed that model performances varied substantially as a function of population abundance and/or process conditions. The combined model performed best for abundant taxa in the treatment bioreactors where process conditions were manipulated. In contrast, the neutral model showed the best performance for rare taxa. Our analysis further indicated that immigration rates decreased with taxa abundance and competitions between taxa were strongly correlated with phylogeny, but within a certain phylogenetic distance only. The determinism underlying taxa and community dynamics were quantitatively assessed, showing greater determinism in the treatment bioreactors that aligned with the subsequent abnormal system functioning. Given its mechanistic basis, the framework developed here is expected to be potentially applicable beyond microbial ecology.

ObjectiveTo explore the geographical and temporal trends of traumatic shoulder dislocation, describe the association between the social and demographic factors and the health burden due to traumatic shoulder dislocation, and further investigate its causes.MethodsData on traumatic shoulder dislocation was collected from the Global Burden of Disease 2019, spanning the years 1990 to 2019. The epidemiology and disease burden were examined at global, regional, and national levels. Additionally, the age and gender patterns were analyzed, followed by an investigation into the primary causes. Lastly, the study studied the correlation between age-standardized rates and the socio-demographic index (SDI).ResultsOver a span of 30 years, both the crude and age-standardized rates of incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) rates for all genders displayed a slight fluctuating downward trend. The incidence and YLDs rates in males were consistently higher than those in females. The study analyzed both incidence and YLDs rates of the global, regional, and national of traumatic shoulder dislocations from 1990 to 2019, as well as the temporal trends. Among males, the highest incidence rate was observed in young adulthood, while females exhibited the highest incidence rate in old age. This pattern was mirrored in the YLDs rate. Falls were identified as the main cause contributing to the disease burden related to traumatic shoulder dislocations. Moreover, a positive correlation was found between the age-standardized rates and SDI.ConclusionThe disease burden of traumatic shoulder dislocation has not significantly decreased from 1990 to 2019. The incidence and YLD rates are associated with age, gender, and SDI. A thorough examination of the disease burden contributes to the efficient allocation and utilization of resources, as well as the development of targeted and effective intervention strategies.

This research study identified the communal green at Nanjing Forestry University as an example and focused on the carbon sink benefits of the plant communities. Firstly, the representative plant communities in the communal green were investigated, and the parameters of the plant communities were established so that the carbon sink benefits of each plant community could be quantified. Secondly, by applying correlation analysis to study the influence degree of varied plant community factors on the benefits of carbon sink, it was found that the canopy closure, diameter class structure and tree density showed significant positive correlation; the correlation between community density and daily carbon sequestration per unit area was significant; the correlation between community density and carbon storage per unit area showed none significance; and the correlation between the proportion of trees and shrubs and the carbon sink benefits was of no significance. Thirdly, regression analysis was used to study the curve trends of the carbon sink benefits of the plant communities, from which it was concluded that increasing canopy density, average plant height, average crown width and tree density will improve carbon sink benefits. Increasing the average DBH would achieve positive effects for increasing daily carbon sequestration per unit area only at the early stage of the community growth. The plant community density showed positive effects on the increase of the daily carbon sequestration per unit area within a limited range. Since most regression formulas resulted in S-curves, certain threshold bottlenecks were found existed of improving the carbon sinks benefits by increasing the plant community factors. Finally, the characteristics of plant communities with high carbon sink benefit were summarized to provide theoretical references for forming a planting optimization strategy of urban green.

Hydrogels have been recognized for their versatile in regenerative medicine; however, their inadequate mechanical and osteogenic properties have limited their applicability in bone tissue engineering (BTE). Hence, we present a novel approach to address this issue by developing sulfated methacrylate hyaluronic acid hydrogels (SMeHA@CM) doped with alendronate (ALN), calcium ions (Ca2+), and magnesium ions (Mg2+). This hydrogel system incorporates sequential physical and chemical crosslinking to facilitate the treatment of bone defects. Physical crosslinks form between the SO32−, ALN, and Ca2+/Mg2+ ions, resulting in nanocluster crosslinking and complete filling of irregular bone defects. Subsequently, the methacrylate groups within the polymer chain undergo polymerization under ultraviolet light irradiation, forming the second stage of chemical crosslinking in the SMeHA@CM hydrogel. These chemical crosslinks contribute strong chemical bonds, enhancing biomechanical strength, and stable support for bone regeneration. The SMeHA@CM hydrogel exhibits remarkable osteogenic capacity, primarily attributed to the cooperative action of SO32− and Mg2+ ions, which promote the recruitment of bone marrow stem cells and angiogenesis. Furthermore, the sustained release of SO32−-ALN-Ca2+/Mg2+ nanoclusters from the hydrogel system offers additional benefits for bone regeneration. Moreover, both in-vitro and in-vivo assessments confirm the significant potential of the newly developed SMeHA@CM hydrogel for applications in BTE.

Summary: Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) have been regarded as indispensable replication factors. Herein, we report that the genes encoding the canonical SSB (SisSSB) and the non-canonical SSB (SisDBP) in Saccharolobus islandicus REY15A are not essential for cell viability. Interestingly, at a lower temperature (55°C), the protein level of SisSSB increases and the growth of ΔSisssb and ΔSisssbΔSisdbp is retarded. SisSSB exhibits melting activity on dsRNA and DNA/RNA hybrid in vitro and is able to melt RNA hairpin in Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the core SisSSB domain is able to complement the absence of cold-shock proteins in E. coli. Importantly, these activities are conserved in the canonical SSBs from Crenarchaeota species that lack bacterial Csp homologs. Overall, our study has clarified the function of the archaeal canonical SSBs which do not function as a DNA-processing factor, but play a role in the processes requiring melting of dsRNA or DNA/RNA hybrid.

Abstract Background This study explores the latest epidemiological characteristics of posterior malleolus fracture and compares the epidemiological differences of posterior malleolus fracture in different periods, regions, and adult age groups. Methods Clinical information of inpatients with posterior malleolus fracture in Shanghai Tongji Hospital and Karamay Central Hospital from January 2014 to February 2022 was reviewed and collected. The imaging data of patients were acquired using the Picture Archiving and Communication Systems. A statistical analysis was performed as to gender, current age, year of admission, injury mechanism, fracture type, and posterior malleolus fracture classification. Moreover, a comparative analysis was conducted on the injury mechanisms and morphological differences of posterior malleolus fracture at different periods, regions, and age groups. Results A total of 472 patients (210 patients from Shanghai Tongji Hospital and 262 patients from Karamay Central Hospital) with posterior malleolus fracture and an average age of 48.7 ± 15.6 were included in this study. The peak of posterior malleolus fracture occurs in the age group of 50–59. The injury mechanisms mainly involve low-energy fall and sprain (411 cases, 87.1%), followed by traffic accidents (52 cases, 11.0%), and fall injury from height (9 cases, 1.9%). With aging, the number of fall and sprain cases increases and reaches the peak at the age of 50–59, followed by progressive decline. Traffic accidents presents a relatively flat small peak in the age group of 40–59. The number of cases according to different fracture types shows the following ascending order: trimalleolar fracture-supination external rotation (335 cases, 71.0%) > bimalleolar fracture (60 cases, 12.7%) > trimalleolar fracture-pronation extorsion (43 cases, 9.1%) > posterior malleolus + tibial shaft fracture (19 cases, 4.0%) > simple posterior malleolus fracture (15 cases, 3.2%). The numbers of cases corresponding to the Haraguchi I Type, II Type, and III Type of posterior malleolus fractures were 369 (78.2%), 49 (10.4%), and 54 (11.4%), respectively. The Tongji IIA Type represented the highest number of cases (249 cases, 52.8%), followed by the IIB Type (120 cases, 25.4%), I Type (54 cases, 11.4%), IIIB Type (36 cases, 7.6%), and IIIA type (13 cases, 2.8%). The trimalleolar fracture-supination external rotation, Haraguchi I Type and Tongji IIA Type of posterior malleolus fractures all presented an obvious peak of incidence in the age group of 50–59. However, no obvious statistical difference was observed in the injury mechanism, Haraguchi classification, and Tongji classification of posterior malleolus fractures among different years and regions in recent years (P > 0.05). Conclusions The injury mechanism of posterior malleolus fracture mainly involves low-energy fall and sprain cases. The trimalleolar fracture-supination external rotation, Haraguchi I type and Tongji IIA type of posterior malleolus fracture are predilection fracture types, and all present an obvious incidence peak in the age group of 50–59. Elderly patients have high risks of falling and their bones are more fragile, conditions which are potential risk factors of posterior malleolus fracture. Early positive control has important significance. This study provides references for relevant basic and clinical studies of posterior malleolus fracture.

Abstract Kinase, putative Endopeptidase, and Other Proteins of Small size (KEOPS) is a multisubunit protein complex conserved in eukaryotes and archaea. It is composed of Pcc1, Kae1, Bud32, Cgi121, and Gon7 in eukaryotes and is primarily involved in N6‐threonylcarbamoyl adenosine (t6A) modification of transfer RNAs (tRNAs). Recently, it was reported that KEOPS participates in homologous recombination (HR) repair in yeast. To characterize the KEOPS in archaea (aKEOPS), we conducted genetic and biochemical analyses of its encoding genes in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Saccharolobus islandicus. We show that aKEOPS also possesses five subunits, Pcc1, Kae1, Bud32, Cgi121, and Pcc1‐like (or Gon7‐like), just like eukaryotic KEOPS. Pcc1‐like has physical interactions with Kae1 and Pcc1 and can mediate the monomerization of the dimeric subcomplex (Kae1‐Pcc1‐Pcc1‐Kae1), suggesting that Pcc1‐like is a functional homolog of the eukaryotic Gon7 subunit. Strikingly, none of the genes encoding aKEOPS subunits, including Pcc1 and Pcc1‐like, can be deleted in the wild type and in a t6A modification complementary strain named TsaKI, implying that the aKEOPS complex is essential for an additional cellular process in this archaeon. Knock‐down of the Cgi121 subunit leads to severe growth retardance in the wild type that is partially rescued in TsaKI. These results suggest that aKEOPS plays an essential role independent of the cellular t6A modification level. In addition, archaeal Cgi121 possesses dsDNA‐binding activity that relies on its tRNA 3ʹ CCA tail binding module. Our study clarifies the subunit organization of archaeal KEOPS and suggests an origin of eukaryotic Gon7. The study also reveals a possible link between the function in t6A modification and the additional function, presumably HR.

Abstract The microbiome contributes to multiple ecosystem functions and services through its interactions with a complex environment and other organisms. To date, however, most microbiome studies have been carried out on individual hosts or particular environmental compartments. This greatly limits a comprehensive understanding of the processes and functions performed by the microbiome and its dynamics at an ecosystem level. We propose that the theory and tools of ecosystem ecology be used to investigate the connectivity of microorganisms and their interactions with the biotic and abiotic environment within entire ecosystems and to examine their contributions to ecosystem services. Impacts of natural and anthropogenic stressors on ecosystems will likely cause cascading effects on the microbiome and lead to unpredictable outcomes, such as outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases or changes in mutualistic interactions. Despite enormous advances in microbial ecology, we are yet to study microbiomes of ecosystems as a whole. Doing so would establish a new framework for microbiome study: Ecosystem Microbiome Science. The advent and application of molecular and genomic technologies, together with data science and modeling, will accelerate progress in this field.

The lacustrine dark shale deposits of the Upper Cretaceous Qingshankou Formation in the Central Depression of Songliao Basin contain a considerable amount of shale oil resources, among which the shale oil exploration of the Qingshankou Formation in the Qijia-Gulong Sag has made a major breakthrough. In this paper, methods of sealed thermal release, combined with organic solvent extract and Rock-Eval, has been used for the comprehensive evaluation of shale oil-bearing capacity of the Qingshankou Formation. The TOC of shales from the Qingshankou Formation in the study area range from 1.48% to 6.97% with an average value of 3.40%. The values of Tmax range from 440 ℃ to 453 ℃ with an average of 448 ℃ for the samples after extraction, and the production index ranges from 0.28 to 0.67, indicating a middle stage of oil generation window. The shale oil contents of the studied samples range from 4.00 mg/g to 19.49 mg/g with an average value of 13.74 mg/g. The contents of free oil range from 3.41 mg/g to 13.63 mg/g with an average value of 8.70 mg/g; while the content of adsorbed oil ranges from 0.60 mg/g to 9.43 mg/g with an average value of 5.04 mg/g. Free oil is made up of restricted oil and movable oil in the proportion of 1∶1. The content of restricted oil of the studied samples ranges from 1.81 mg/g to 8.49 mg/g with an average of 4.15 mg/g; while the content of movable oil ranges from 1.36 mg/g to 11.05 mg/g with an average of 4.55 mg/g. The movable oil resource is 12 kg/m3 based on the average content of mobile oil, which reveals good resource potential of movable shale oil in the first member of Qing-shankou Formation of the Sanzhao Sag.

Microbial ecological strategies are expected to be phylogenetically conserved, but plasticity and acclimation to environmental change may complicate the picture. Here, the authors show that shifts in soil bacterial ecological strategies deviate from phylogenetic-based predictions after acclimation to long-term warming and CO2 enrichment.

Fat deposition is an important factor affecting meat quality and feed conversion efficiency in meat ducks. This study aims to identify key circRNAs and genes affecting abdominal fat deposition. The correlations between abdominal fat and other growth performances were analyzed in 304 F2 generation of Cherry Valley duck Runzhou Crested White ducks, and an RNA-seq analysis of abdominal fat tissues from ducks with high and low rates of abdominal fat was performed. Growth performance results showed that Abdominal fat ratio and Intramuscular fat were significantly higher in the high rates of abdominal fat (HF)group than in the low rates of abdominal fat (LF) group for ducks. RNA-seq analysis of abdominal fat tissue unveiled 85 upregulated and 72 downregulated circRNAs among the differentially expressed ones. Notably, 74 circRNAs displayed more than four-fold differential expression, constituting 47.13% of the differentially expressed genes. Functional enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed circRNA source and target genes indicated that 17 circRNAs might partake in regulating duck abdominal fat production by influencing pathways like PPAR signaling, lipid droplets, and triglyceride metabolism. Lastly, multiple circRNA-microRNA-messenger RNA interaction networks were constructed. The results of this study establish the groundwork for understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate abdominal fat deposition in ducks, offering a theoretical reference for the selective breeding of high-quality meat-producing ducks.

Abstract Background Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a serious disease that affects goats, sheep and other small ruminants. As one of the earliest and most serious countries, PPR has seriously threatened India's animal husbandry economy. Results In this study, the spatiotemporal characteristics of the PPR in India outbreaks were analyzed. Between 2010 and 2018, the epidemic in India broke out all over the country in a cluster distribution. Epidemic clusters in northern and southern India are at higher risk, and the outbreak time of PPR has significant seasonality. The results of the analysis of the development and transmission of PPR under the natural infection conditions showed that the PPR outbreak in India reached a peak within 15 days. Finally, the quantitative risk analysis results based on scenario tree show showed that the average probability of infecting PPRV in live sheep exported from India was 1.45 × 10–4. Conclusions This study analyzed the prevalence of PPR in India. The analysis of transmission dynamics on the development of the epidemic provides a reference for the prevention and control of the epidemic. At the same time, it provides risk analysis and suggestions on trade measures for the trading countries of India.

Abstract Soil microbial community's responses to climate warming alter the global carbon cycle. In temperate ecosystems, soil microbial communities function along seasonal cycles. However, little is known about how the responses of soil microbial communities to warming vary when the season changes. In this study, we investigated the seasonal dynamics of soil bacterial community under experimental warming in a temperate tall‐grass prairie ecosystem. Our results showed that warming significantly (p = 0.001) shifted community structure, such that the differences of microbial communities between warming and control plots increased nonlinearly (R2 = 0.578, p = 0.021) from spring to winter. Also, warming significantly (p

Abstract Background Anthropogenic activities have increased the inputs of atmospheric reactive nitrogen (N) into terrestrial ecosystems, affecting soil carbon stability and microbial communities. Previous studies have primarily examined the effects of nitrogen deposition on microbial taxonomy, enzymatic activities, and functional processes. Here, we examined various functional traits of soil microbial communities and how these traits are interrelated in a Mediterranean-type grassland administrated with 14 years of 7 g m−2 year−1 of N amendment, based on estimated atmospheric N deposition in areas within California, USA, by the end of the twenty-first century. Results Soil microbial communities were significantly altered by N deposition. Consistent with higher aboveground plant biomass and litter, fast-growing bacteria, assessed by abundance-weighted average rRNA operon copy number, were favored in N deposited soils. The relative abundances of genes associated with labile carbon (C) degradation (e.g., amyA and cda) were also increased. In contrast, the relative abundances of functional genes associated with the degradation of more recalcitrant C (e.g., mannanase and chitinase) were either unchanged or decreased. Compared with the ambient control, N deposition significantly reduced network complexity, such as average degree and connectedness. The network for N deposited samples contained only genes associated with C degradation, suggesting that C degradation genes became more intensely connected under N deposition. Conclusions We propose a conceptual model to summarize the mechanisms of how changes in above- and belowground ecosystems by long-term N deposition collectively lead to more soil C accumulation. Video Abstract

IntroductionPetroleum pollution resulting from spills and leakages in oil refinery areas has been a significant environmental concern for decades. Despite this, the effects of petroleum pollutants on soil microbial communities and their potential for pollutant biodegradation still required further investigation.MethodsIn this study, we collected 75 soil samples from 0 to 5 m depths of 15 soil profiles in an abandoned refinery to analyze the effect of petroleum pollution on soil microbial diversity, community structure, and network co-occurrence patterns.ResultsOur results suggested soil microbial a-diversity decreased under high C10–C40 levels, coupled with significant changes in the community structure of soil profiles. However, soil microbial network complexity increased with petroleum pollution levels, suggesting more complex microbial potential interactions. A module specific for methane and methyl oxidation was also found under high C10–C40 levels of the soil profile, indicating stronger methanotrophic and methylotrophic metabolic activities at the heavily polluted soil profile.DiscussionThe increased network complexity observed may be due to more metabolic pathways and processes, as well as increased microbial interactions during these processes. These findings highlight the importance of considering both microbial diversity and network complexity in assessing the effects of petroleum pollution on soil ecosystems.

Abstract Grassland ecosystems in cold regions are typical of short growing seasons and limited primary productivity, rendering soil microorganisms as major ecosystem engineers in governing biogeochemical cycling. Climate warming and extensive livestock grazing have dramatically influenced soil microbial diversity and function in grassland worldwide, but it remains elusive how functional microbial communities exist and respond to global changes. Here, we present a review to highlight similarities and differences in soil functional microbial communities between alpine grasslands in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau and temperate grasslands in the Inner Mongolian Plateau, both of which are major plateaus in China, but differ substantially in geography. We show that many specialized functional groups thrive under harsh conditions, exhibiting a high functional diversity. Their community compositions mirror the heterogeneity and complexity of grassland soils. Moreover, functional microbial responses to environmental changes have been extremely variable, with few consistent patterns across both plateaus. Because we identify a lack of technical standardization that prevents in‐depth comparative studies for functional microbial communities, we conclude the review by outlining several research gaps that need to be filled in future studies.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and concerns about several other pandemics in the 21st century have attracted extensive global attention. These emerging infectious diseases threaten global public health and raise urgent studies on unraveling the underlying mechanisms of their transmission from animals to humans. Although numerous works have intensively discussed the cross-species and endemic barriers to the occurrence and spread of emerging infectious diseases, both types of barriers play synergistic roles in wildlife habitats. Thus far, there is still a lack of a complete understanding of viral diffusion, migration, and transmission in ecosystems from a macro perspective. In this review, we conceptualize the ecological barrier that represents the combined effects of cross-species and endemic barriers for either the natural or intermediate hosts of viruses. We comprehensively discuss the key influential factors affecting the ecological barrier against viral transmission from virus hosts in their natural habitats into human society, including transmission routes, contact probability, contact frequency, and viral characteristics. Considering the significant impacts of human activities and global industrialization on the strength of the ecological barrier, ecological barrier deterioration driven by human activities is critically analyzed for potential mechanisms. Global climate change can trigger and expand the range of emerging infectious diseases, and human disturbances promote higher contact frequency and greater transmission possibility. In addition, globalization drives more transmission routes and produces new high-risk regions in city areas. This review aims to provide a new concept for and comprehensive evidence of the ecological barrier blocking the transmission and spread of emerging infectious diseases. It also offers new insights into potential strategies to protect the ecological barrier and reduce the wide-ranging risks of emerging infectious diseases to public health.

ABSTRACT Plant primary productivity and crop yields have been reduced due to the doubled level of global tropospheric ozone. Little is known about how elevated ozone affects soil microbial communities in the cropland ecosystem and whether such effects are sensitive to the nitrogen (N) supply. Here, we examined the responses of bacterial and fungal communities in maize soils to elevated ozone (+60 ppb ozone) across different levels of N fertilization (+60, +120, and +240 kg N ha−1yr−1). The fungal alpha diversity was decreased (P 0.1). The bacterial responses to N fertilization as well as the bacterial and fungal responses to elevated ozone were all phylogenetically conserved, showing universal homogeneous selection (homogeneous environmental conditions leading to more similar community structures). In detail, bacterial Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi, as well as fungal Ascomycota, were increased by elevated ozone, whereas bacterial Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Elusimicrobia, as well as fungal Glomeromycota, were decreased by elevated ozone (P

In this study, a new method for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA) was proposed. It was based on the protective effect of AA on silver triangular nanoplates (Ag TNPs) against Cl− induced etching reactions. Cl− can attack the corners of Ag TNPs and etch them, causing a morphological shift from triangular nanoplates to nanodiscs. As a result, the solution changes color from blue to yellow. However, in the presence of AA, the corners of Ag TNPs can be protected from Cl− etching, and the blue color of the solution remains unchanged. Using this effect, a selective sensor was designed to detect AA in the range of 0–40.00 μM with a detection limit of 2.17 μM. As the concentration of AA varies in this range, color changes from yellow to blue can be easily observed, so the designed sensor can be used for colorimetric detection. This method can be used to analyze fruit juice samples.

Abstract Background Lisfranc injuries mainly involve the tarsometatarsal joint complex and are commonly misdiagnosed or missed in clinical settings. Most medical institutions prefer to use conventional radiography. However, existing studies on conventional radiographs in Lisfranc injury lack a large population‐based sample, influencing the validity of the results. We aimed to determine the diagnostic validity and reliability of conventional radiography for Lisfranc injury and whether computed tomography can alter clinical decision‐making. Methods This retrospective study included 307 patients with, and 100 patients without, Lisfranc injury from January 2017 to December 2019. Diagnosis was confirmed using computed tomography. A senior and junior surgeon independently completed two assessments of the same set of anonymised conventional radiographs at least 3 months apart. The surgeons were then asked to suggest one of two treatment options (surgery or conservative treatment) for each case based on the radiographs and subsequently on the CT images. Results All inter‐ and intra‐observer reliabilities were moderate to very good (all κ coefficients > 0.4). The mean (range) true positive rate was 81.8% (73.9%–87.0%), true negative rate was 90.0% (85.0%–94.0%), false positive rate was 10.0% (6.0%–15.0%), false negative rate was 18.2% (13.0%–26.1%), positive predictive value was 96.1% (93.8%–97.8%), negative predictive value was 62.4% (51.5%–69.7%), classification accuracy was 83.8% (76.7%–88.2%), and balanced error rate was 14.1% (10.2%–20.5%). Three‐column injuries were most likely to be recognized (mean rate, 92.1%), followed by intermediate‐lateral‐column injuries (mean rate, 81.5%). Medial‐column injuries were relatively difficult to identify (mean rate, 60.7%). The diagnostic rate for non‐displaced injuries (mean rate, 76.7%) was lower than that for displaced injuries (mean rate, 95.5%). The typical examples are given. A significant difference between the two surgeons was found in the recognition rate of non‐displaced injuries (p = 0.005). The mean alteration rate was 21.9%; the senior surgeon tended to a lower rate (15.6%) than the junior one (28.3%) (p

Abstract Background The current calcium (Ca) recommendation for broilers is primarily based on studies conducted more than 30 years ago with birds of markedly different productive potentials from those which exist today. And the response indicators in these studies are mainly growth performance and bone ash percentage. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary Ca level on growth performance, serum parameters, bone characteristics and Ca metabolism-related gene expressions, so as to estimate dietary Ca requirements of broilers fed a conventional corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 days of age. Methods A total of 420 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 7 treatments with 6 replicates (10 birds per cage) and fed the corn-soybean meal diets containing 0.60%, 0.70%, 0.80%, 0.90%, 1.00%, 1.10% or 1.20% Ca for 21 days. Each diet contained the constant non-phytate phosphorus content of about 0.39%. Results The average daily gain decreased linearly (P

Environmental and biotic factors control ecological communities. Here, the authors study community ribosomal rRNA gene copy number in coastal sediment and ocean bacterial communities, and in microcosm nutrient addition experiments, to propose a conceptual framework of how nutrient supply and ecological interactions shape the community.

Heavy metal pollution is a major threat to agricultural produce and it can pose potential ecological risks which subsequently impacts on human health. Strawberries are an economically important produce of China. The intrinsic link of heavy metal pollution risk in the soil-strawberry ecosystem is of concern. In this study, the pollution index of heavy metal pollutants in farmlands of different provinces were evaluated, and the results showed significantly high levels of cadmium. In addition, Nemerow integrated pollution index analysis showed that low-pollution farmlands only accounted for 14.07% of the total arable land area. Then, the transfer factors were used to calculate the migration of heavy metals from the soil into strawberries. The results showed that cadmium and nickel were relatively high in strawberries from the Guangxi province. Similar results were found for mercury in Jiangxi Province. The pollution index of single food pollution also showed that mercury in strawberries from Jiangxi Province was at a moderate pollution level. The comprehensive pollution index indicated that heavy metal pollution in strawberries in Central China may be severe. In addition, spatial clustering analysis showed that cadmium, chromium, lead, arsenic and zinc in strawberries had significant hotspot clustering in central, south and southwest China. Finally, our studies also suggested that the risk of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic diseases was higher in the (2, 4] years age group than in other age groups. People in Yunnan Province were also found to have a higher non-carcinogenic risk than those in other provinces and cities in China. This study provides a comprehensive view of the potential risks of heavy metal contamination in strawberries, which could provide assistance in the design of regulatory and risk management programs for chemical pollutants in strawberries, thus ensuring the safety of consumption of these edible fruits.

In view of strong heterogeneity and complex formation and evolution of organic pores, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Raman spectrum and fluid injection + CT/SEM imaging technology were used to study the macerals, organic pores and connectivity of organic pores in the lower Paleozoic organic-rich shale samples from Southern China. Combined with the mechanism of hydrocarbon generation and expulsion and pore forming mechanism of organic matter-based activated carbon, the relationships between organic pore development and the organic matter type, hydrocarbon generation process, diagenesis and pore pressure were explored to reveal the controlling factors of the formation, preservation and connectivity of organic pores in shale. (1) The generation of organic pores goes on through the whole hydrocarbon generation process, and is controlled by the type, maturity and decomposition of organic matter; the different hydrocarbon generation components and differential hydrocarbon-generation evolution of kerogen and solid asphalt lead to different pore development characteristics; organic pores mainly develop in solid bitumen and hydrogen-rich kerogen. (2) The preservation of organic pores is controlled by maturity and diagenesis, including the steric hindrance effect of in-situ hydrocarbon retention, rigid mineral framework formed by recrystallization, the coupling mechanism of pore-fluid pressure and shale brittleness- ductility transition. (3) The Ro of 4.0% is the maturity threshold of organic pore extinction, the shale layers with Ro larger than 3.5% have high risk for shale gas exploration, these shale layers have low gas contents, as they were in an open state before uplift, and had high hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency and strong aromatization, thus having the “congenital deficiency” of high maturity and pore densification. (4) The pores in the same organic matter particle have good connectivity; and the effective connectivity between different organic matter pores and inorganic pores and fractures depends on the abundance and distribution of organic matter, and development degree of pores and fractures in the shale; the accumulation, preservation and laminar distribution of different types of organic matter in high abundance is the prerequisite for the development and connection of organic pores, grain margin fractures and bedding fractures in reservoir.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of staged surgery for patients with closed Lisfranc injury and dislocation.MethodsThis study included 48 patients with acute closed Lisfranc injury and dislocation admitted between July 2016 and July 2021. The patients were divided into two groups. 23 patients in group A underwent staged surgeries included emergency reduction within 4–8 h after injury, and open reduction and internal fixation of Lisfranc injury and first tarsometatarsal joint fusion after the swelling had subsided. 25 patients in group B underwent open reduction and internal fixation as an elective procedure after the swelling had subsided. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scores and visual analog scale (VAS) scores were used for assessment at the final follow-up.ResultsA total of 48 patients with closed Lisfranc injury and dislocation were included. The lengths of hospitalization were 11.52 ± 1.61 day and 19.80 ± 2.37 day in groups A and B, respectively. The total lengths of surgery were 67.34 ± 1.71 min and 104.36 ± 8.31 min in groups A and B, respectively. 48 patients completed the final follow-up (follow-up period range: 12–24 months, mean: 18 months). All fractures had healed at 12–18 weeks after surgery (mean: 14.6 weeks). At the 1-year postoperative follow-up, the AOFAS and VAS score was 86.87 ± 4.24 and 1.91 ± 0.78, respectively, during weight-bearing walking in group A patients and 71.72 ± 5.46 and 3.20 ± 1.17 in group B. By the end of the follow-up period, only 2 patients in group B had developed traumatic arthritis and no patients had joint re-dislocation or required secondary surgery.ConclusionStaged surgery for closed Lisfranc injury with dislocation reduced the incidence of perioperative complications and achieved good surgical outcomes while shortening the lengths of surgery and hospitalization.

BackgroundDue to the low sensitivity of commonly used radiographic parameters for the evaluation of rotational malreduction of the distal fibula under intraoperative fluoroscopy, a quantitative method is needed to make up for this defect.MethodsA total of 96 sets of computed tomography images of normal ankles were imported into MIMICS to reconstruct 3D models. The fibula models were rotated along the longitudinal axis from 30 degrees of external rotation to 30 degrees of internal rotation. Virtual X-ray function in MIMICS was used to obtain radiographic images in mortise view. A line was drawn through the tip of the medial malleolus and parallel to the distal tibial plafond, the distances from the medial edge of the fibula to the lateral malleolar fossa cortex and from the medial edge of the fibula to the lateral edge of the fibula were measured on this line, and the ratio of them was calculated and marked as ratio α.ResultsThe mean ratio α for normal ankles was 0.49 ± 0.06, while the 95% confidence interval was 0.48–0.50. The ratio α decreased when the fibula was externally rotated and increased when the fibula was internally rotated. The effects of different genders or different types on each group of data were compared, and the p values were all greater than 0.05.ConclusionsThis is a new method to quantitatively evaluate rotational malreduction of the distal fibula during operation. The ratio α can correspond to the rotation angle of the fibula. The larger the ratio α, the more the internal rotation of the fibula. Contrarily, the smaller the ratio α, the more the external rotation of the fibula. Making the ratio α close to 0.5 may be an intuitive approach that can be used intraoperatively.

Chemical industrial park (CIP) is a typical accident-prone safety-critical system, which is usually congested with high-density hazardous installation units. Domino effects triggered by natural hazards are one of the emerging threats in CIPs, imposing tremendous challenges on society, environment, and economy. This work focuses on analysing the evolution mechanism of natural hazard-induced domino chain (NHDC) from a macro-systematic perspective. Based on the disaster chain theory and the thought of system science, a disaster chain evolution system (DCES) is developed to clarify the accident propagation characteristics. Inspired by the multi-source multi-level propagation pattern of NHDC, the Na-tech layer, the domino layer and the destruction layer are used to form the specific system structure of DCES. A Markov process-based accident propagation (MPAP) model is proposed to cope with the uncertain and complex accident scenarios associated with the evolution process of NHDC. Through formulating the system response process, the proposed MPAP model can reveal the general law of accident evolution. Finally, a general system dynamic response process of DCES is provided to reveal the propagation law of domino effects triggered by natural disaster from a macro-systematic perspective.

Serine-rich splicing factor3 (SRSF3) plays an essential role in cell proliferation and inducing and maintaining of cancers as a proto-oncogene. However, the mechanisms of SRSF3 in pan-cancers are still unknown. In our study, a visualized prognostic landscape of SRSF3 in pan-cancer was investigated and the relationship between SRSF3 expression and immune infiltration was also investigated. The expression pattern and prognostic worth of SRSF3 among pan-cancers were explored through different databases, namely, the TCGA and Kaplan–Meier Plotter. Moreover, the survival analysis including Kaplan-Meier method for evaluating between groups was conducted. Further analyses including the correlation between expression SRSF expression and immune infiltration including tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) was investigated using Spearman test. In ACC, KIRP and UCEC cancer, upregulated expression of SRSF3 was associated with worse disease-free interval (DFI), representing a mechanism in promoting progression of tumor. Our results showed that SRSF3 expression was positively correlated immune cell infiltration, TMB, MSI in certain cancer types, indicating SRSF3 expression to potential value of therapy response. Additionally, we explored the functional characteristics of SRSF in vitro through western blot detecting the expression level of the apoptosis-related proteins in SW480 and 786-O cells. SRSF3 expression was upregulated in pan-cancer tissue compared with normal tissue, which confirmed by immunohistochemistry and its expression indicated poor overall survival and death-specific survival. Therefore, SRSF3 was found to be a possible biomarker for prognostic and therapeutic assessment through bioinformatic analysis. SRSF3 is expressed in various cancers and its high expression correlated to poor survival and disease progression. In summary, SRSF3 expression can be considered as a prognostic biomarker in pan-cancer and therapeutic evaluation.

Abstract Specific roles of gut microbes in COVID‐19 progression are critical. However, the circumstantial mechanism remains elusive. In this study, shotgun metagenomic or metatranscriptomic sequencing was performed on fecal samples collected from 13 COVID‐19 patients and controls. We analyzed the structure of gut microbiota, identified the characteristic bacteria, and selected biomarkers. Further, gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations were employed to correlate the taxon alterations and corresponding functions. The gut microbiota of COVID‐19 patients was characterized by the enrichment of opportunistic pathogens and depletion of commensals. The abundance of Bacteroides spp. displayed an inverse relationship with COVID‐19 severity, whereas Actinomyces oris, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus parasanguini were positively correlated with disease severity. The genes encoding oxidoreductase were significantly enriched in gut microbiome of COVID‐19 group. KEGG annotation indicated that the expression of ABC transporter was upregulated, while the synthesis pathway of butyrate was aberrantly reduced. Furthermore, increased metabolism of lipopolysaccharide, polyketide sugar, sphingolipids, and neutral amino acids were found. These results suggested the gut microbiome of COVID‐19 patients was in a state of oxidative stress. Healthy gut microbiota may enhance antiviral defenses via butyrate metabolism, whereas the accumulation of opportunistic and inflammatory bacteria may exacerbate COVID‐19 progression.

Abstract Climate warming is known to impact ecosystem composition and functioning. However, it remains largely unclear how soil microbial communities respond to long-term, moderate warming. In this study, we used Illumina sequencing and microarrays (GeoChip 5.0) to analyze taxonomic and functional gene compositions of the soil microbial community after 14 years of warming (at 0.8–1.0 °C for 10 years and then 1.5–2.0 °C for 4 years) in a Californian grassland. Long-term warming had no detectable effect on the taxonomic composition of soil bacterial community, nor on any plant or abiotic soil variables. In contrast, functional gene compositions differed between warming and control for bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities. Functional genes associated with labile carbon (C) degradation increased in relative abundance in the warming treatment, whereas those associated with recalcitrant C degradation decreased. A number of functional genes associated with nitrogen (N) cycling (e.g., denitrifying genes encoding nitrate-, nitrite-, and nitrous oxidereductases) decreased, whereas nifH gene encoding nitrogenase increased in the warming treatment. These results suggest that microbial functional potentials are more sensitive to long-term moderate warming than the taxonomic composition of microbial community.

Soils hold massive amounts of carbon that hangs in the balance of microbial respiration and climate warming. Here the authors analyze a global dataset starting in 1987 and find through modeling that though soil respiration change had flatlined, recently it has resumed increasing owing to global warming.

People who take a walk in urban parks, including or adjacent to a water body such as a river, a pond, or a lake, usually suffer from mosquito bites in summer and early autumn. The insects can negatively affect the health and mood of these visitors. Prior studies about the effects of landscape composition on the abundance of mosquitos have usually taken stepwise multiple linear regression protocols to look for the landscape variables that can significantly affect the abundance of mosquitos. However, those studies have largely overlooked the nonlinear effects of landscape plants on the abundance of mosquitos. In the present study, we compared the multiple linear regression (MLR) with the generalized additive model (GAM) based on the trapped mosquito abundance data obtained by using photo-catalytic CO2-baited lamps placed at the Xuanwu Lake Park, a representative subtropical urban scenic spot. We measured the coverage of trees, shrubs, forbs, proportion of hard paving, proportion of water body, and coverage of aquatic plants within a distance of 5 m from each lamp’s location. We found that MLR and GAM both detected the significant influences of the coverage of terrestrial plants on the abundance of mosquitos, but GAM provided a better fit to the observations by relaxing the limitation of the linear relationship hypothesis by MLR. The coverage of trees, shrubs, and forbs accounted for 55.2% of deviance, and the coverage of shrubs had the greatest contribution rate among the three predictors, accounting for 22.6% of the deviance. The addition of the interaction between the coverage of trees and that of shrubs largely enhanced the goodness of fit, and it increased the explained deviance of the GAM from 55.2% to 65.7%. The information in this work can be valuable for the planning and design of landscape plants to reduce the abundance of mosquitos at special urban scenic points.

Formaldehyde is an important downstream chemical of syngas. Furniture and household products synthesized from formaldehyde will slowly decompose and release formaldehyde again during use, which seriously affects indoor air quality. In order to solve the indoor formaldehyde pollution problem, this paper took the catalytic oxidation of formaldehyde as the research object; prepared a series of low-cost, acid-treated manganese dioxide nanorod catalysts; and investigated the effect of the acid-treatment conditions on the catalysts’ activity. It was found that the MnNR-0.3ac-6h catalyst with 0.3 mol/L sulfuric acid for 6 h had the best activity. The conversion rate of formaldehyde reached 98% at 150 °C and 90% at 25 °C at room temperature. During the reaction time of 144 h, the conversion rate of formaldehyde was about 90%, and the catalyst maintained a high activity. It was found that acid treatment could increase the number of oxygen vacancies on the surface of the catalysts and promote the production of reactive oxygen species. The amount of surface reactive oxygen species of the MnNR-0.3ac-6h catalyst was about 13% higher than that of the catalyst without acid treatment.