The gut microbiome has long been known to play fundamentally important roles in the animal health and the well-being of its host. As such, the establishment and maintenance of a beneficial gut microbiota early in life...The gut microbiome has long been known to play fundamentally important roles in the animal health and the well-being of its host. As such, the establishment and maintenance of a beneficial gut microbiota early in life is crucial in pigs, since early gut colonizers are pivotal in the establishment of permanent microbial community structures affecting the health and growth performance of pigs later in life. Emphasizing this importance of early gut colonizers, it is critical to understand the factors impacting the establishment of the piglet gut microbiome at weaning. Factors include, among others, diet, in-feed antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotic administration. The impact of these factors on establishment of the gut microbiome of piglets at weaning includes effects on piglet gut microbial diversity, structure, and succession. In this review, we thoroughly reviewed the most recent findings on the piglet gut microbiome shifts as influenced by weaning, and how these microbiome changes brought about by various factors that have been shown to affect the development of microbiota in piglets. This review will provide a general overview of recent studies that can help to facilitate the design of new strategies to modulate the gut microbiome in order to enhance gastrointestinal health, growth performance and well-being of piglets.展开更多
Aims seedlings are vulnerable to many kinds of fatal abiotic and biotic agents,and examining the causes of seedling dynamics can help understand mechanisms of species coexistence.To disentangle the relative importance...Aims seedlings are vulnerable to many kinds of fatal abiotic and biotic agents,and examining the causes of seedling dynamics can help understand mechanisms of species coexistence.To disentangle the relative importance of neighborhood densities,habitat factors and phylogenetic relatedness on focal seedling survival,we monitored the survival of 5306 seedlings of 104 species>15 months.We address the following questions:(i)How do neighborhood densities,habitat variables and phylogenetic relatedness affect seedling survival?What is the relative importance of conspecific densities,habitat variables and phylogenetic relatedness to seedling survival?(ii)Does the importance of the neighborhood densities,habitat variables and phylogenetic relatedness vary among growth forms,leaf habits or dispersal modes?specially,does the conspecific negative density dependence inhibit tree and decidu-ous seedlings more compared with shrub and evergreen species?Does density dependence affect the wind and animal-dispersed species equally?Methods We established 135 census stations to monitor seedling dynamics in a 25-ha subtropical forest plot in central China.Conspecific and heterospecific seedling density in the 1-m2 seedling plot and adult basal area within a 20-m radius provided neighborhood density var-iables.mean elevation,convexity and aspect of every 5-×5-m grid with seedling plots were used to quantify habitat characteristics.We calculated the relative average phylodiversity between focal seed-ling and heterospecific neighbors to quantify the species related-ness in the neighborhood.Eight candidate generalized linear mixed models with binominal error distribution were used to compare the relative importance of these variables to seedling survival.akaike’s information criteria were used to identify the most parsimonious models.Important Findingsat the community level,both the neighborhood densities and phylogenetic relatedness were important to seedling survival.We found negative effects of increasing conspecific seedlings,which 展开更多
Epichloae endophytes of family Clavicipitaceae(comprising genera Epichloëand Neotyphodium)are fungal symbionts of Pooideae grasses.The associations formed,range from mutually beneficial to antagonistic and the na...Epichloae endophytes of family Clavicipitaceae(comprising genera Epichloëand Neotyphodium)are fungal symbionts of Pooideae grasses.The associations formed,range from mutually beneficial to antagonistic and the nature of this relationship is dependent upon the importance of vertical(via host seeds)versus horizontal(ascospore mediated)transmission of the fungus.These endophytes can enhance their hosts’survival through protection from abiotic and biotic stresses and can thus be utilized in an agricultural context.Animal-safe grass-endophyte associations that confer bio-protective properties for increased pasture persistence and productivity have been developed and commercialized.One of the crucial drivers underpinning the selection of epichloae strains for commercial development is endophyte derived bioactivity.The potential of next generation endophytes is determined by testing a number of attributes such as agronomic fitness,animal and food safety as well as compatibility with host plants of interest.Strategic research supports these activities by focusing on elucidating mechanisms of compatibility between host and fungal symbiont,as well as investigating other molecular drivers of symbiosis such as siderophore mediated iron-uptake,fungal signalling,fungal growth in host plants and fungal secondary metabolism.This review weaves together the different strands of multidisciplinary research aimed at ultimately exploiting epichloae endophytes for increased pasture performance.展开更多
Biodegradable metals offer a promising means to ameliorate many of the long-term risks associated with vascular devices made of conventional biostable stent metals.While numerous biodegradable metal alloys have been d...Biodegradable metals offer a promising means to ameliorate many of the long-term risks associated with vascular devices made of conventional biostable stent metals.While numerous biodegradable metal alloys have been developed and characterized in animal models,knowledge of their blood reactivity and thrombogenicity remains unknown.Metal hemocompatibility is particularly valuable because current generation drug-eluting stents pose a significant long-term thrombosis risk.In this study,four pure metals,widely used as degradable base materials(Fe,Zn,Mg,and Mo),and three alloys commonly used in cardiovascular devices[NiTi,CoCr,and stainless steel(SS)]were evaluated.This work examined how each of these metals activate platelets,coagulation factors,and inflammation using in vitro hemocompatibility assays and a clinically relevant ex vivo non-human primate arteriovenous shunt model.Testing found that while all metals promoted a downstream activation of platelets and coagulation in flowing whole blood,platelet and fibrin attachment to Mg was markedly reduced.Additionally,Fe and Mo trended toward higher platelet attachment and contact pathway activation.Overall,the results suggest that Mg may delay clot initiation,but not eliminate clot formation,indicating the importance of understanding thrombosis in Mg alloys that are currently being developed for clinical use as biodegradable stents.展开更多
The variation and correlation of leaf economics and vein traits are crucial for predicting plant ecological strategies under different environmental changes.However,correlations between these two suites of traits and ...The variation and correlation of leaf economics and vein traits are crucial for predicting plant ecological strategies under different environmental changes.However,correlations between these two suites of traits and abiotic factors such as soil water and nitrogen content remain ambiguous.We measured leaf economics and vein traits as well as soil water and nitrogen content for two different shade-tolerant species(Betula platyphylla and Acer mono)in four mixed broadleaved-Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis)forests along a latitudinal gradient in Northeast China.We found that leaf economics traits and vein traits were decoupled in shade-intolerant species,Betula platphylla,but significantly coupled in a shadetolerant species,A.mono.We found stronger correlations among leaf traits in the shade tolerant species than in the shade intolerant species.Furthermore,leaf economic traits were positively correlated with the soil water gradient for both species,whereas vein traits were positively correlated with soil water gradient for the shade intolerant species but negatively correlated in the shade tolerant species.Although economic traits were positively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade intolerant species but not correlated in shade tolerant species,vein traits were negatively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade tolerant species but not correlated in shade intolerant species.Our study provides evidence for distinct correlations between leaf economics and vein traits and local abiotic factors of species differing in light demands.We recommend that the ecological significance of shade tolerance be considered for species when evaluating ecosystem functions and predicting plant responses to environmental changes.展开更多
Botulinum toxin is a potent neuromodulator commonly used for cosmetic applications in the clinic.In this article,we reviewed the various formulations of botulinum toxin type A commercially available in the United Stat...Botulinum toxin is a potent neuromodulator commonly used for cosmetic applications in the clinic.In this article,we reviewed the various formulations of botulinum toxin type A commercially available in the United States,as well as clinical pearls for preprocedural planning,common in-office injections,and management of complications.展开更多
Conspecific negative density dependence(CNDD)is a potentially important mechanism in maintaining species diversity.While previous evidence showed habitat heterogeneity and species’dispersal modes affect the strength ...Conspecific negative density dependence(CNDD)is a potentially important mechanism in maintaining species diversity.While previous evidence showed habitat heterogeneity and species’dispersal modes affect the strength of CNDD at early life stages of trees(e.g.,seedlings),it remains unclear how they affect the strength of CNDD at later life stages.We examined the degree of spatial aggregation between saplings and trees for species dispersed by wind and gravity in four topographic habitats within a 25-ha temperate forest dynamic plot in the Qinling Mountains of central China.We used the replicated spatial point pattern(RSPP)analysis and bivariate paircorrelation function(PCF)to detect the spatial distribution of saplings around trees at two scales,15 and 50 m,respectively.Although the signal was not apparent across the whole study region(or 25-ha),it is distinct on isolated areas with specific characteristics,suggesting that these characteristics could be important factors in CNDD.Further,we found that the gravity-dispersed tree species experienced CNDD across habitats,while for wind-dispersed species CNDD was found in gully,terrace and low-ridge habitats.Our study suggests that neglecting the habitat heterogeneity and dispersal mode can distort the signal of CNDD and community assembly in temperate forests.展开更多
The macro-and micro-structure of two groups(high modulus and high thermalconductivity)of MP-based carbon fibres were studied using X-ray diffraction,and both scanningand transmission electron microscopy.The dominant m...The macro-and micro-structure of two groups(high modulus and high thermalconductivity)of MP-based carbon fibres were studied using X-ray diffraction,and both scanningand transmission electron microscopy.The dominant macrostructure in cross section is of foldedpseudo-radial layers which have a tendency to form a quasi-uniform domain as the fibre modulusincreases.It is found that high thermal conductivity fibres have both missimg sector and circularcross sections(possessed predominantly by the high modulus fibre group).The microstructuralstudy indicates that apart from the fibre C700,which has a three-dimensional graphite structure,these two groups of carbon fibres all exhibit a turbostratic stacking order.Furthermore it is foundthat the turbostratic stacking thickness as determined from dark-field measurement is much largerthan the classical crystallite thickness L_c as measured from X-ray diffraction.展开更多
The outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients significantly differs between western and eastern population centers. Our group previously developed and validated the Chinese University Prognostic Index(CUPI) fo...The outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients significantly differs between western and eastern population centers. Our group previously developed and validated the Chinese University Prognostic Index(CUPI) for the prognostication of HCC among the Asian HCC patient population. In the current study, we aimed to validate the CUPI using an international cohort of patients with HCC and to compare the CUPI to two widely used staging systems, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) classification and the Cancer of the Liver Italian Program(CLIP). To accomplish this goal, two cohorts of patients were enrolled in the United Kingdom(UK; n = 567; 2006-2011) and Hong Kong(HK; n = 517; 2007-2012). The baseline clinical data were recorded. The performances of the CUPI, BCLC, and CLIP were compared in terms of a concordance index(C-index) and were evaluated in subgroups of patients according to treatment intent. The results revealed that the median follow-up durations of the UK and HK cohorts were 27.9 and 29.8 months, respectively. The median overall survival of the UK and HK cohorts were 22.9 and 8.6 months, respectively. The CUPI stratified the patients in both cohorts into three risk subgroups corresponding to distinct outcomes. The median overall survival of the CUPI low-, intermediate-, and high-risk subgroups were 3.15, 1.24, and 0.29 years, respectively, in the UK cohort and were 2.07, 0.32, and 0.10 years, respectively, in the HK cohort. For the patients who underwent curative treatment, the prognostic performance did not differ between the three staging systems, and all were suboptimal. For those who underwent palliative treatment, the CUPI displayed the highest C-index, indicating that this staging system was the most informative for both cohorts. In conclusion, the CUPI is applicable to both western and eastern HCC patient populations. The performances of the three staging systems differed according to treatment intent, and the CUPI was demonstrated to be optimal for those undergoing palliative treatment. A展开更多
Wetlands, one of the most productive systems in the biosphere are a unique ecosystem. They occur in landscapes that favor the ponding or slow runoff of surface water, discharge of ground water, or both. Wetlands are n...Wetlands, one of the most productive systems in the biosphere are a unique ecosystem. They occur in landscapes that favor the ponding or slow runoff of surface water, discharge of ground water, or both. Wetlands are not only important for maintaining plant and animal diversity, but also for balancing global carbon budget via sequestrating or releasing CO2 from/into atmosphere depending on their management. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how wetlands form and function, then we can better manage, utilize, and protect these unique ecosystems. Hydrie soils,hydrophytic vegetation, and wetland hydrology are the three main parameters of wetlands. These parameters are interrelated with each other which jointly influence the development and functions of wetland ecosystems. The objective of this paper was to report the current understanding of wetlands and provide future research directions. The paper will first focus on aspects of hydrology research in wetlands, and then shift to soil hydrosequence and wetland vegetation to better understand processes, structure, and function of wetlands, and conclude with some possible future research directions.展开更多
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate direct-fed microbial (<strong>DFM</strong>) supplementation on live performance, carcass characteristics, and fecal shedding of <em>E. coli</em> in ...Three experiments were conducted to evaluate direct-fed microbial (<strong>DFM</strong>) supplementation on live performance, carcass characteristics, and fecal shedding of <em>E. coli</em> in feedlot steers. In Exp. 1, 400 steers (BW = 348 kg) were assigned to treatments: <strong>CON</strong> = lactose carrier only, <strong>BOV</strong> =<em> P. freudenreichii </em>(NP24) +<em> L. acidophilus</em> (NP51), <strong>BOVD</strong> = <em>P. freudenreichii</em> (NP24) +<em> L. acidophilus</em> (NP51), and <strong>COMB</strong> = BOV fed for the first 101 d on feed, followed by BOVD for the final 28 d prior to harvest. In Exp. 2 (n = 1800;BW = 354 kg) and Exp. 3 (n = 112;BW = 397 kg), steers were utilized in a randomized complete block design and assigned to DFM treatments using low dose and high dose, respectively. Fecal samples were collected prior to harvest and analyzed for <em>E. coli</em> serogroups. In Exp. 1, DFM reduced (P < 0.01) the concentration of<em> E. coli</em> O157. Prevalence of O157 was reduced by BOVD supplementation in Exp. 2 and 3 (P < 0.01 and P = 0.08, respectively), and concentration of <em>E. coli</em> O157 in positive samples was reduced in both experiments where enumeration was performed (P ≤ 0.02). Weighted mean differences across the three experiments were equal to a 33% reduction in the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in BOVD treated cattle. A significant reduction in prevalence of O26, O45, O103, and O121 was observed in Exp. 2 (P ≤ 0.03). These results indicate that high levels of <em>L. acidophilus</em> (NP51) may represent an effective pre-harvest food safety intervention to reduce fecal shedding of several <em>E. coli</em> serogroups.展开更多
基金supported by the fund(Project No.PJ012615),Rural Development Administration,Republic of Korea
文摘The gut microbiome has long been known to play fundamentally important roles in the animal health and the well-being of its host. As such, the establishment and maintenance of a beneficial gut microbiota early in life is crucial in pigs, since early gut colonizers are pivotal in the establishment of permanent microbial community structures affecting the health and growth performance of pigs later in life. Emphasizing this importance of early gut colonizers, it is critical to understand the factors impacting the establishment of the piglet gut microbiome at weaning. Factors include, among others, diet, in-feed antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotic administration. The impact of these factors on establishment of the gut microbiome of piglets at weaning includes effects on piglet gut microbial diversity, structure, and succession. In this review, we thoroughly reviewed the most recent findings on the piglet gut microbiome shifts as influenced by weaning, and how these microbiome changes brought about by various factors that have been shown to affect the development of microbiota in piglets. This review will provide a general overview of recent studies that can help to facilitate the design of new strategies to modulate the gut microbiome in order to enhance gastrointestinal health, growth performance and well-being of piglets.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(31070465 and 31200329)Chinese Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Network(29200931131101919).
文摘Aims seedlings are vulnerable to many kinds of fatal abiotic and biotic agents,and examining the causes of seedling dynamics can help understand mechanisms of species coexistence.To disentangle the relative importance of neighborhood densities,habitat factors and phylogenetic relatedness on focal seedling survival,we monitored the survival of 5306 seedlings of 104 species>15 months.We address the following questions:(i)How do neighborhood densities,habitat variables and phylogenetic relatedness affect seedling survival?What is the relative importance of conspecific densities,habitat variables and phylogenetic relatedness to seedling survival?(ii)Does the importance of the neighborhood densities,habitat variables and phylogenetic relatedness vary among growth forms,leaf habits or dispersal modes?specially,does the conspecific negative density dependence inhibit tree and decidu-ous seedlings more compared with shrub and evergreen species?Does density dependence affect the wind and animal-dispersed species equally?Methods We established 135 census stations to monitor seedling dynamics in a 25-ha subtropical forest plot in central China.Conspecific and heterospecific seedling density in the 1-m2 seedling plot and adult basal area within a 20-m radius provided neighborhood density var-iables.mean elevation,convexity and aspect of every 5-×5-m grid with seedling plots were used to quantify habitat characteristics.We calculated the relative average phylodiversity between focal seed-ling and heterospecific neighbors to quantify the species related-ness in the neighborhood.Eight candidate generalized linear mixed models with binominal error distribution were used to compare the relative importance of these variables to seedling survival.akaike’s information criteria were used to identify the most parsimonious models.Important Findingsat the community level,both the neighborhood densities and phylogenetic relatedness were important to seedling survival.We found negative effects of increasing conspecific seedlings,which
基金the support and funding of PGG Wrightson Seeds for research pertaining to the development and selection of endophyte strains for commercialization.
文摘Epichloae endophytes of family Clavicipitaceae(comprising genera Epichloëand Neotyphodium)are fungal symbionts of Pooideae grasses.The associations formed,range from mutually beneficial to antagonistic and the nature of this relationship is dependent upon the importance of vertical(via host seeds)versus horizontal(ascospore mediated)transmission of the fungus.These endophytes can enhance their hosts’survival through protection from abiotic and biotic stresses and can thus be utilized in an agricultural context.Animal-safe grass-endophyte associations that confer bio-protective properties for increased pasture persistence and productivity have been developed and commercialized.One of the crucial drivers underpinning the selection of epichloae strains for commercial development is endophyte derived bioactivity.The potential of next generation endophytes is determined by testing a number of attributes such as agronomic fitness,animal and food safety as well as compatibility with host plants of interest.Strategic research supports these activities by focusing on elucidating mechanisms of compatibility between host and fungal symbiont,as well as investigating other molecular drivers of symbiosis such as siderophore mediated iron-uptake,fungal signalling,fungal growth in host plants and fungal secondary metabolism.This review weaves together the different strands of multidisciplinary research aimed at ultimately exploiting epichloae endophytes for increased pasture performance.
基金supported by National Institutes of Health(NIH)grants R01HL144113,R01HL101972,R01HL151367,R01HL168696,and R01HL146549The authors gratefully acknowledge the veterinary staff at the Oregon National Primate Research Center,supported by P51OD011092+1 种基金The authors also appreciate the technical consultations with Dr.Novella Keeling,Dr.Si-Han WangMr.Cole Baker.We thank Mr.Rick Mathews for his assistance in preparing this manuscript.SEM instrumentation was provided with the support of the OHSU Multiscale Microscopy Core.ICP-MS was completed at the OHSU Elemental Analysis Core,which is funded by grant S10OD028492 from the NIH.Schematic images were created with BioRender.com.
文摘Biodegradable metals offer a promising means to ameliorate many of the long-term risks associated with vascular devices made of conventional biostable stent metals.While numerous biodegradable metal alloys have been developed and characterized in animal models,knowledge of their blood reactivity and thrombogenicity remains unknown.Metal hemocompatibility is particularly valuable because current generation drug-eluting stents pose a significant long-term thrombosis risk.In this study,four pure metals,widely used as degradable base materials(Fe,Zn,Mg,and Mo),and three alloys commonly used in cardiovascular devices[NiTi,CoCr,and stainless steel(SS)]were evaluated.This work examined how each of these metals activate platelets,coagulation factors,and inflammation using in vitro hemocompatibility assays and a clinically relevant ex vivo non-human primate arteriovenous shunt model.Testing found that while all metals promoted a downstream activation of platelets and coagulation in flowing whole blood,platelet and fibrin attachment to Mg was markedly reduced.Additionally,Fe and Mo trended toward higher platelet attachment and contact pathway activation.Overall,the results suggest that Mg may delay clot initiation,but not eliminate clot formation,indicating the importance of understanding thrombosis in Mg alloys that are currently being developed for clinical use as biodegradable stents.
基金This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFD2201100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31971636)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2572022DS13).
文摘The variation and correlation of leaf economics and vein traits are crucial for predicting plant ecological strategies under different environmental changes.However,correlations between these two suites of traits and abiotic factors such as soil water and nitrogen content remain ambiguous.We measured leaf economics and vein traits as well as soil water and nitrogen content for two different shade-tolerant species(Betula platyphylla and Acer mono)in four mixed broadleaved-Korean pine(Pinus koraiensis)forests along a latitudinal gradient in Northeast China.We found that leaf economics traits and vein traits were decoupled in shade-intolerant species,Betula platphylla,but significantly coupled in a shadetolerant species,A.mono.We found stronger correlations among leaf traits in the shade tolerant species than in the shade intolerant species.Furthermore,leaf economic traits were positively correlated with the soil water gradient for both species,whereas vein traits were positively correlated with soil water gradient for the shade intolerant species but negatively correlated in the shade tolerant species.Although economic traits were positively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade intolerant species but not correlated in shade tolerant species,vein traits were negatively correlated with soil nitrogen gradient in shade tolerant species but not correlated in shade intolerant species.Our study provides evidence for distinct correlations between leaf economics and vein traits and local abiotic factors of species differing in light demands.We recommend that the ecological significance of shade tolerance be considered for species when evaluating ecosystem functions and predicting plant responses to environmental changes.
文摘Botulinum toxin is a potent neuromodulator commonly used for cosmetic applications in the clinic.In this article,we reviewed the various formulations of botulinum toxin type A commercially available in the United States,as well as clinical pearls for preprocedural planning,common in-office injections,and management of complications.
基金Shihong Jia was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32001120)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.31020200QD026)+1 种基金Qiulong Yin was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32001171)Ying Luo was supported by the Innovation Capability Support Program of Shaanxi(Grant No.2022KRM090).
文摘Conspecific negative density dependence(CNDD)is a potentially important mechanism in maintaining species diversity.While previous evidence showed habitat heterogeneity and species’dispersal modes affect the strength of CNDD at early life stages of trees(e.g.,seedlings),it remains unclear how they affect the strength of CNDD at later life stages.We examined the degree of spatial aggregation between saplings and trees for species dispersed by wind and gravity in four topographic habitats within a 25-ha temperate forest dynamic plot in the Qinling Mountains of central China.We used the replicated spatial point pattern(RSPP)analysis and bivariate paircorrelation function(PCF)to detect the spatial distribution of saplings around trees at two scales,15 and 50 m,respectively.Although the signal was not apparent across the whole study region(or 25-ha),it is distinct on isolated areas with specific characteristics,suggesting that these characteristics could be important factors in CNDD.Further,we found that the gravity-dispersed tree species experienced CNDD across habitats,while for wind-dispersed species CNDD was found in gully,terrace and low-ridge habitats.Our study suggests that neglecting the habitat heterogeneity and dispersal mode can distort the signal of CNDD and community assembly in temperate forests.
文摘The macro-and micro-structure of two groups(high modulus and high thermalconductivity)of MP-based carbon fibres were studied using X-ray diffraction,and both scanningand transmission electron microscopy.The dominant macrostructure in cross section is of foldedpseudo-radial layers which have a tendency to form a quasi-uniform domain as the fibre modulusincreases.It is found that high thermal conductivity fibres have both missimg sector and circularcross sections(possessed predominantly by the high modulus fibre group).The microstructuralstudy indicates that apart from the fibre C700,which has a three-dimensional graphite structure,these two groups of carbon fibres all exhibit a turbostratic stacking order.Furthermore it is foundthat the turbostratic stacking thickness as determined from dark-field measurement is much largerthan the classical crystallite thickness L_c as measured from X-ray diffraction.
文摘The outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients significantly differs between western and eastern population centers. Our group previously developed and validated the Chinese University Prognostic Index(CUPI) for the prognostication of HCC among the Asian HCC patient population. In the current study, we aimed to validate the CUPI using an international cohort of patients with HCC and to compare the CUPI to two widely used staging systems, the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC) classification and the Cancer of the Liver Italian Program(CLIP). To accomplish this goal, two cohorts of patients were enrolled in the United Kingdom(UK; n = 567; 2006-2011) and Hong Kong(HK; n = 517; 2007-2012). The baseline clinical data were recorded. The performances of the CUPI, BCLC, and CLIP were compared in terms of a concordance index(C-index) and were evaluated in subgroups of patients according to treatment intent. The results revealed that the median follow-up durations of the UK and HK cohorts were 27.9 and 29.8 months, respectively. The median overall survival of the UK and HK cohorts were 22.9 and 8.6 months, respectively. The CUPI stratified the patients in both cohorts into three risk subgroups corresponding to distinct outcomes. The median overall survival of the CUPI low-, intermediate-, and high-risk subgroups were 3.15, 1.24, and 0.29 years, respectively, in the UK cohort and were 2.07, 0.32, and 0.10 years, respectively, in the HK cohort. For the patients who underwent curative treatment, the prognostic performance did not differ between the three staging systems, and all were suboptimal. For those who underwent palliative treatment, the CUPI displayed the highest C-index, indicating that this staging system was the most informative for both cohorts. In conclusion, the CUPI is applicable to both western and eastern HCC patient populations. The performances of the three staging systems differed according to treatment intent, and the CUPI was demonstrated to be optimal for those undergoing palliative treatment. A
文摘Wetlands, one of the most productive systems in the biosphere are a unique ecosystem. They occur in landscapes that favor the ponding or slow runoff of surface water, discharge of ground water, or both. Wetlands are not only important for maintaining plant and animal diversity, but also for balancing global carbon budget via sequestrating or releasing CO2 from/into atmosphere depending on their management. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how wetlands form and function, then we can better manage, utilize, and protect these unique ecosystems. Hydrie soils,hydrophytic vegetation, and wetland hydrology are the three main parameters of wetlands. These parameters are interrelated with each other which jointly influence the development and functions of wetland ecosystems. The objective of this paper was to report the current understanding of wetlands and provide future research directions. The paper will first focus on aspects of hydrology research in wetlands, and then shift to soil hydrosequence and wetland vegetation to better understand processes, structure, and function of wetlands, and conclude with some possible future research directions.
文摘Three experiments were conducted to evaluate direct-fed microbial (<strong>DFM</strong>) supplementation on live performance, carcass characteristics, and fecal shedding of <em>E. coli</em> in feedlot steers. In Exp. 1, 400 steers (BW = 348 kg) were assigned to treatments: <strong>CON</strong> = lactose carrier only, <strong>BOV</strong> =<em> P. freudenreichii </em>(NP24) +<em> L. acidophilus</em> (NP51), <strong>BOVD</strong> = <em>P. freudenreichii</em> (NP24) +<em> L. acidophilus</em> (NP51), and <strong>COMB</strong> = BOV fed for the first 101 d on feed, followed by BOVD for the final 28 d prior to harvest. In Exp. 2 (n = 1800;BW = 354 kg) and Exp. 3 (n = 112;BW = 397 kg), steers were utilized in a randomized complete block design and assigned to DFM treatments using low dose and high dose, respectively. Fecal samples were collected prior to harvest and analyzed for <em>E. coli</em> serogroups. In Exp. 1, DFM reduced (P < 0.01) the concentration of<em> E. coli</em> O157. Prevalence of O157 was reduced by BOVD supplementation in Exp. 2 and 3 (P < 0.01 and P = 0.08, respectively), and concentration of <em>E. coli</em> O157 in positive samples was reduced in both experiments where enumeration was performed (P ≤ 0.02). Weighted mean differences across the three experiments were equal to a 33% reduction in the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in BOVD treated cattle. A significant reduction in prevalence of O26, O45, O103, and O121 was observed in Exp. 2 (P ≤ 0.03). These results indicate that high levels of <em>L. acidophilus</em> (NP51) may represent an effective pre-harvest food safety intervention to reduce fecal shedding of several <em>E. coli</em> serogroups.
