It is estimated that 20000 to 30000 new patients are diagnosed with osteonecrosis annually accounting for approximately 10% of the 250000 total hip arthroplasties done annually in the United States. Thelack of level 1...It is estimated that 20000 to 30000 new patients are diagnosed with osteonecrosis annually accounting for approximately 10% of the 250000 total hip arthroplasties done annually in the United States. Thelack of level 1 evidence in the literature makes it difficult to identify optimal treatment protocols to manage patients with pre-collapse avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and early intervention prior to collapse is critical to successful outcomes in joint preserving procedures. There have been a variety of traumatic and atraumatic factors that have been identified as risk factors for osteonecrosis, but the etiology and pathogenesis still remains unclear. Current osteonecrosis diagnosis is dependent upon plain anteroposterior and frog-leg lateral radiographs of the hip, followed by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Generally, the first radiographic changes seen by radiograph will be cystic and sclerotic changes in the femoral head. Although the diagnosis may be made by radiograph, plain radiographs are generally insufficient for early diagnosis, therefore MRI is considered the most accurate benchmark. Treatment options include pharmacologic agents such as bisphosphonates and statins, biophysical treatments, as well as joint-preserving and joint-replacing surgeries. the surgical treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head can be divided into two major branches: femoral head sparing procedures(FHSP) and femoral head replacement procedures(FHRP). In general, FHSP are indicated at pre-collapse stages with minimal symptoms whereas FHRP are preferred at post-collapse symptomatic stages. It is difficult to know whether any treatment modality changes the natural history of core decompression since the true natural history of core decompression has not been delineated.展开更多
US-Germany co-sponsered satellite gravimetry mission GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment), launched in March 2002, has been producing monthly time series of Earth gravity models up to degree and order of 12...US-Germany co-sponsered satellite gravimetry mission GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment), launched in March 2002, has been producing monthly time series of Earth gravity models up to degree and order of 120. The GRACE mission consists of two identical satellites flying on an almost polar orbit with an altitude of about 300-500 km and satelite-to-satellite ranging of about 220 km. Thanks to the payloads of space-borne GPS receivers, accelerometers and high-precision K-band satelite-to-satellite ranging mesurements, GRACE gravity models are expected to achieve more than one order of magnitude of improvement over previous models at spatial scales of a few hundred kilometers or larger. Recovery of surface mass re-distribution based on GRACE’s time-varying gravity models is applied to studies in solid Earth geophysics, oceanography, climatology and geodesy. At secular time scales, GRACE is expected to provide valuable information on global ice changes, whose variations have profound influences on global climate, and in particular, on sea level changes. At seasonal time scales, GRACE is expected to reveal surface water changes with an ac- curacy of less than 1 cm, or ocean bottom pressure changes with an accuracy of less than 1 mbar (1 mbar =102 Pa). These surface mass redistribution measurements would impove our understanding of the global and regional mass and energy cycles that are critical to human life. Using 15 GRACE monthly gravity models covering the period from April 2002 to December 2003, this study compares seasonal water storage changes recovered from GRACE data and hydrology models at global and regional scales, with particular focus on the Yangtze River basin of China. Annual amplitude of 3.4 cm of equivalent water height change is found for the Yangtze River basin with maximum in Spring and Autumn, agreeing with two state-of-the-art hydrology models. The differences between GRACE re- sults and model predictions are less than 1-2 cm. We conclude that satellite gravimetry has huge potentials 展开更多
Aquaporins play a significant role in plant water relations. To further understand the aquaporin function in plants under water stress, the expression of a subgroup of aquaporins, plasma membrane intrinsic proteins （...Aquaporins play a significant role in plant water relations. To further understand the aquaporin function in plants under water stress, the expression of a subgroup of aquaporins, plasma membrane intrinsic proteins （PIPs）, was studied at both the protein and mRNA level in upland rice （Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghan 3） and lowland rice （Oryza sativa L. cv. Xiushui 63） when they were water stressed by treatment with 20% polyethylene glycol （PEG）. Plants responded differently to 20% PEG treatment. Leaf water content of upland rice leaves was reduced rapidly. PIP protein level increased markedly in roots of both types, but only in leaves of upland rice after 10 h of PEG treatment. At the mRNA level, OsPIP1,2, OsPIP1,3, OsPIP2;1 and OsPIP2;5 in roots as well as OsPIP1,2 and OsPIP1;3 in leaves were significantly up-regulated in upland rice, whereas the corresponding genes remained unchanged or down-regulated in lowland rice. Meanwhile, we observed a significant increase in the endogenous abscisic acid （ABA） level in upland rice but not in lowland rice under water deficit. Treatment with 60 μM ABA enhanced the expression of OsPIP1;2, OsPIP2;5 and OsPIP2;6 in roots and OsPIP1;2, OsPIP2;4 and OsPIP2;6 in leaves of upland rice. The responsiveness of PIP genes to water stress and ABA were different, implying that the regulation of PIP genes involves both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent signaling oathways during water deficit.展开更多
Aims Studies integrating phylogenetic history and large-scale community assembly are few,and many questions remain unanswered.Here,we use a global coastal dune plant data set to uncover the important factors in commun...Aims Studies integrating phylogenetic history and large-scale community assembly are few,and many questions remain unanswered.Here,we use a global coastal dune plant data set to uncover the important factors in community assembly across scales from the local filtering processes to the global long-term diversification and dispersal dynamics.Coastal dune plant communities occur worldwide under a wide range of climatic and geologic conditions as well as in all biogeographic regions.However,global patterns in the phylogenetic composition of coastal dune plant communities have not previously been studied.Methods The data set comprised vegetation data from 18463 plots in New Zealand,South Africa,South America,North America and Europe.The phylogenetic tree comprised 2241 plant species from 149 families.We calculated phylogenetic clustering(Net Relatedness Index,NRI,and Nearest Taxon Index,NTI)of regional dune floras to estimate the amount of in situ diversification relative to the global dune species pool and evaluated the relative importance of land and climate barriers for these diversification patterns by geographic analyses of phylogenetic similarity.We then tested whether dune plant communities exhibit similar patterns of phylogenetic structure within regions.Finally,we calculated NRI for local communities relative to the regional species pool and tested for an association with functional traits(plant height and seed mass)thought to vary along sea–inland gradients.Important Findings Regional species pools were phylogenetically clustered relative to the global pool,indicating regional diversification.NTI showed stronger clustering than NRI pointing to the importance of especially recent diversifications within regions.The species pools grouped phylogenetically into two clusters on either side of the tropics suggesting greater dispersal rates within hemispheres than between hemispheres.Local NRI plot values confirmed that most communities were also phylogenetically clustered within regions.NRI values decreased with展开更多
While robotic surgery has shown clear utility and advantages in the adult population,its role in pediatrics remains controversial.Pediatric-sized robotic instruments and equipment are not readily available yet,so cert...While robotic surgery has shown clear utility and advantages in the adult population,its role in pediatrics remains controversial.Pediatric-sized robotic instruments and equipment are not readily available yet,so certain modifications can be made in order to make robotic surgery successful in children.While the cost of robotic surgery remains high compared to open procedures,patients experience greater satisfaction and quality of life with robotic surgery.Robotic pyeloplasty is a standard of care in older children,and has even been performed in infants and re-do surgery.Other robotic procedures performed in children include heminephroureterectomy,ureteroureterostomy,ureteral reimplantation,urachal cyst excision,bladder diverticulectomy,and bladder reconstructive procedures such as augmentation,appendicovesicostomy,antegrade continence enema,bladder neck reconstruction and sling,as well as other procedures.Robotic surgery has also been used in oncologic cases such as partial nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.Future improvements in technology with production of pediatric-sized robotic instruments,along with increases in robotictrained pediatric urologists and surgeon experience along each’s learning curve,will help to further advance the field of robotic surgery in pediatric urology.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the utility of esophageal capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices. METHODS： Cirrhotic patients who were undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy （EGD） for variceal scr...AIM： To investigate the utility of esophageal capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices. METHODS： Cirrhotic patients who were undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy （EGD） for variceal screening or surveillance underwent capsule endoscopy. Two separate blinded investigators read each capsule endoscopy for the following results： variceal grade, need for treatment with variceal banding or prophylaxis with beta-blocker therapy, degree of portal hypertensive gastropathy, and gastric varices. RESULTS： Fifty patients underwent both capsule and EGD. Forty-eight patients had both procedures on the same day, and 2 patients had capsule endoscopy within 72 h of EGD. The accuracy of capsule endoscopy to decide on the need for prophylaxis was 74%, with sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 82%. Interrater agreement was moderate （kappa = 0.56）. Agreement between EGD and capsule endoscopy on grade of varices was 0.53 （moderate）. Inter-rater reliability was good （kappa = 0.77）. In diagnosis of portal hypertensive gastropathy, accuracy was 57%, with sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 17%. Two patients had gastric varices seen on EGD, one of which was seen on capsule endoscopy. There were no complications from capsule endoscopy.CONCLUSION： We conclude that capsule endoscopy has a limited role in deciding which patients would benefit from EGD with banding or beta-blocker therapy. More data is needed to assess accuracy for staging esophageal varices, PHG, and the detection of gastric varices.展开更多
Background Following on from an earlier study published in 2008 about left pulmonary artery(LPA)flow measured on serial echocardiography being strongly prognostic in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH)and ...Background Following on from an earlier study published in 2008 about left pulmonary artery(LPA)flow measured on serial echocardiography being strongly prognostic in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH)and the ratio of LPA to right pulmonary artery(RPA)diameters being a simple and reliable indicator for commencing nitric oxide(NO)therapy,the ratio of LPA:RPA diameters(PA ratio orPAR)was hypothesized to possibly reflect cardiopulmonary stresses accompanying CDH better.Methods Subjects with isolated left-sided CDH treated between 2007 and 2020 at a single pediatric surgical center were recruited and classified according to survival.Data obtained retrospectively for subject demographics,clinical course,LPA/RPA diameters,and PAR were compared between survivors and non-survivors.The value of PAR for optimizing the prognostic value of PA diameter data in CDH were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results Of 65 subjects,there were 54 survivors(82.3%)and 11 non-survivors(17.7%);7 of 11 non-survivors died before surgical repair could be performed.Mean PAR for survivors(0.851±0.152)was significantly higher than for non-survivors(0.672±0.108)(p=0.0003).Mean PAR for non-survivors was not affected by surgical repair.Characteristics of survivors were:LPA≥2 mm(n=52 of 54;mean PAR=0.866±0.146)and RPA≥3mm(n=46 of 54;mean PAR=0.857±0.152).Non-survivors with similar LPA and RPA diameters to survivors had significantly lower mean PAR.ROC curve cut-off for PAR was 0.762.Subjects with high PAR(≥0.762)required high-frequency oscillatory ventilation/NO less than subjects with low PAR(<0.762)(p=0.0244 and p=0.0485,respectively)and subjects with high PAR stabilized significantly earlier than subjects with low PAR(1.71±0.68 days vs 3.20±0.87 days)(p<0.0001).Conclusions PAR would appear to be strongly correlated with clinical outcome in CDH and be useful for planning management of cardiopulmonary instability in CDH.展开更多
International relations or politics are a dynamic discipline within politics. It concentrates upon the understanding or explanation of conflict and power between nations or countries. It is of course highly relevant t...International relations or politics are a dynamic discipline within politics. It concentrates upon the understanding or explanation of conflict and power between nations or countries. It is of course highly relevant today with much warfare or threats thereof. One central theory is the so-called realism or neorealism. Its foremost representative today is Professor Mearsheimer. Professor John Mearsheimer has put several of his well-known lectures on YouTube. In these he spells out how he looks upon international politics today through a neorealist approach. Very much worth listening to, we must though question consistency in his message.展开更多
Background We reviewed the time taken for post-portoenterostomy(PE)biliary atresia(BA)patients to obtain jaundice-clearance(total bilirubin≤1.2 mg/dL;JC)post-PE to determine if JC time(JCT)is prognostic for survival ...Background We reviewed the time taken for post-portoenterostomy(PE)biliary atresia(BA)patients to obtain jaundice-clearance(total bilirubin≤1.2 mg/dL;JC)post-PE to determine if JC time(JCT)is prognostic for survival of the native liver(SNL).Methods The subjects were 66 BA patients treated with PE at our institute between 1989,the year when liver transplan-tation(LTx)became available in Japan,and 2014.JCT was used to create three groups(≤30 days:n=14;31-60 days:n=31;≥61 days:n=21).Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate:age at onset of symptoms,duration of symptoms pre-PE,age and weight at PE,serum liver function tests,incidence of cholangitis,and micro-bile duct size at PE.Results Age at onset of symptoms,age and weight at PE,duration of symptoms pre-PE,and micro-bile duct size were similar for all patients in all three groups.JCT and SNL appeared to correlate because preoperative total bilirubin(7.1,9.6,10.2 mg/dL;P<0.05)was significantly lower in the JCT≤30 days group(P<0.05)while there was a significant decrease in SNL(P<0.03)and a significant increase in LTx(P<0.01)in the JCT≥61 days group.All LTx subjects who achieved JC were found to have developed cholangitis within 3 months of PE.Conclusion During the follow-up of post-PE subjects,longer JCT and cholangitis occurrence within 3 months of PE would appear to be negative prognostic factors for SNL while preoperative total bilirubin would appear to be a positive prognostic factor for SNL.展开更多
Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and one of the most significant sources of cancer mortality. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive subtype that has proven diffic...Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and one of the most significant sources of cancer mortality. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive subtype that has proven difficult to treat with standard chemotherapies. Obesity has also been shown to exacerbate breast cancer, and diagnoses of these two diseases frequently overlap. Both conditions are regulated in part by the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) demethylase, an RNA demethylase which may drive breast cancers through epigenetic alterations to gene expression. Methods of inhibiting FTO have been researched in vitro and in vivo as an alternative or adjunct to chemotherapies in multiple cancers, including breast cancer. Translating knowledge of the role of FTO in breast cancer and the development of novel agents may allow for improvements in the treatment of this refractory cancer. This review therefore aims to provide an overview of existing and developing chemical inhibitors of FTO that could be innovatively studied for the treatment of TNBC and associated comorbidity.展开更多
BACKGROUND Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality in America and has increased in the incidence of cases over the last several years.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)increases survival outcomes in cases of ca...BACKGROUND Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality in America and has increased in the incidence of cases over the last several years.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)increases survival outcomes in cases of cardiac arrest;however,healthcare workers often do not perform CPR within recommended guidelines.Real-time audiovisual feedback(RTAVF)devices improve the quality of CPR performed.This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the effect of RTAVF-assisted CPR with conventional CPR and to evaluate whether the use of these devices improved outcomes in both in-hospital cardiac arrest(IHCA)and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest(OHCA)patients.AIM To identify the effect of RTAVF-assisted CPR on patient outcomes and CPR quality with in-and OHCA.METHODS We searched PubMed,SCOPUS,the Cochrane Library,and EMBASE from inception to July 27,2020,for studies comparing patient outcomes and/or CPR quality metrics between RTAVF-assisted CPR and conventional CPR in cases of IHCA or OHCA.The primary outcomes of interest were return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC)and survival to hospital discharge(SHD),with secondary outcomes of chest compression rate and chest compression depth.The methodo-logical quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Cochrane Collaboration’s“risk of bias”tool.Data was analyzed using R statistical software 4.2.0.results were statistically significant if P<0.05.RESULTS Thirteen studies(n=17600)were included.Patients were on average 69±17.5 years old,with 7022(39.8%)female patients.Overall pooled ROSC in patients in this study was 37%(95%confidence interval=23%-54%).RTAVF-assisted CPR significantly improved ROSC,both overall[risk ratio(RR)1.17(1.001-1.362);P=0.048]and in cases of IHCA[RR 1.36(1.06-1.80);P=0.002].There was no significant improvement in ROSC for OHCA(RR 1.04;0.91-1.19;P=0.47).No significant effect was seen in SHD[RR 1.04(0.91-1.19);P=0.47]or chest compression rate[standardized mean difference(SMD)-2.1;(-4.6-0.5);P=0.09].A significant i展开更多
The mind-body problem receives new attention,partly under the inspiration from the success of quantum mechanics.Here I will discuss reductionism.The mind-body problem remains central to modern philosophy,no doubt stim...The mind-body problem receives new attention,partly under the inspiration from the success of quantum mechanics.Here I will discuss reductionism.The mind-body problem remains central to modern philosophy,no doubt stimulated by the progress in brain research.Following Thomas Nagel’s article on bats,one may similarly examine one of history’s champions.I will also deny reduction or physicalism,though my argument is very much simpler than Chalmers(1996).展开更多
The 21st century will most probably be the last one for mankind.First,the threat of nuclear confrontation is imminently present in the Ukraine war,where with escalation,it becomes global.Second,global warming will mak...The 21st century will most probably be the last one for mankind.First,the threat of nuclear confrontation is imminently present in the Ukraine war,where with escalation,it becomes global.Second,global warming will make life unbearable.There is no strategically viable way out of the heating up of the planet,as every state cheats.Now,we have 425 ppm.展开更多
Mouse double minute （Mdm） genes span an evolutionary timeframe from the ancient eukaryotic placozoa Trichoplox adhaerens to Homo sapiens, implying a significant and possibly conserved cellular role throughout histor...Mouse double minute （Mdm） genes span an evolutionary timeframe from the ancient eukaryotic placozoa Trichoplox adhaerens to Homo sapiens, implying a significant and possibly conserved cellular role throughout history. Maintenance of DNA integrity and response to DNA damage involve many key regulatory pathways, including precise control over the tumour suppressor pro- tein p53. In most vertebrates, degradation of p53 through proteasomal targeting is primarily mediated by heterodimers of Mdm2 and the Mdm2-related protein Mdm4 （also known as MdmX）. Both Mdm2 and Mdm4 have p53-binding regions, acidic domains, zinc fingers, and C-terminal RING domains that are conserved throughout evolution. Vertebrates typically have both Mdm2 and Mdm# genes, while analyses of sequenced genomes of invertebrate species have identified single Mdm genes, suggesting that a duplication event occurred prior to emergence of jawless vertebrates about 550-440 million years ago. The functional relationship between Mdm and p53 in T. adhaerens, an organism that has existed for 1 billion years, implies that these two proteins have evolved together to maintain a conserved and regulated function.展开更多
Organic acids(OA)and their blends have been shown to positively affect performance and health of broilers.However,the data in the literature are not consistent.This study examined the potential of blended short-chain ...Organic acids(OA)and their blends have been shown to positively affect performance and health of broilers.However,the data in the literature are not consistent.This study examined the potential of blended short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)with medium-chain fatty acids(MCFA)as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters(AGP)on performance,health and welfare of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis(NE).The additives used were:A)a blend of SCFA,MCFA,and a phenolic compound(SMP);B)a blend of free and buffered SCFA with MCFA(SMF);C)a blend of free and buffered SCFA with a high concentration of MCFA(SHM).A total of 1,404 Ross 308 one-day-old male parental chicks were randomly distributed into 78-floor pens with 13 replicates of 18 birds each.Six treatments were the following:T1,unchal-lenged control(UCC);T2,challenged control(CHC);T3,challenged group plus zinc bacitracin(BAC);T4,challenged group plus additive SMP;T5,challenged group plus additive SMF;T6,challenged group plus additive SHM.Challenged birds were gavaged with Eimeria spp.on d 9 and Clostridium perfringens EHE-NE18 on d 14.Post NE challenge and cumulatively,BWG,FCR,and nutrient digestibility of birds were compromised(P<0.05)by NE challenge indicating a successful induction of sub-clinical NE.Additive SHM had higher BWG compared to CHC and BAC groups(P=0.001;d 10 to 24)but not different from SMP and SMF groups(P>0.05).All the 3 additive groups had lower FCR compared to CHC(P=0.001;d 0 to 35),and exhibited similar jejunal lesions(d 16)compared to BAC and apparent ileal protein di-gestibility(d 21)compared to UCC and BAC groups(P>0.05).Birds in additive SHM group had a higher concentration of serum IgA compared to all groups(P=0.001)except additive SMF(P>0.05;d 21).All the additive groups had lower footpad dermatitis and hock burns compared to CHC(P<0.05).The findings suggest the potential of blended OA as alternatives to BAC to protect broilers from NE indicated by improved FCR,immunity,digestibility,and bird welfare.展开更多
Realists like e.g.Mearsheimer from University of Chicago see war between states as a game over regional hegemony.The US leading the West blocks the East in the Ukraine and in Israel as well as Taiwan.The major risk fo...Realists like e.g.Mearsheimer from University of Chicago see war between states as a game over regional hegemony.The US leading the West blocks the East in the Ukraine and in Israel as well as Taiwan.The major risk for mankind is a third new conflict,namely Taiwan.The suffering from the wars in Ukraine and Palestine is so heavy that we need to unpack the Huntington idea of civilization war.展开更多
文摘It is estimated that 20000 to 30000 new patients are diagnosed with osteonecrosis annually accounting for approximately 10% of the 250000 total hip arthroplasties done annually in the United States. Thelack of level 1 evidence in the literature makes it difficult to identify optimal treatment protocols to manage patients with pre-collapse avascular necrosis of the femoral head, and early intervention prior to collapse is critical to successful outcomes in joint preserving procedures. There have been a variety of traumatic and atraumatic factors that have been identified as risk factors for osteonecrosis, but the etiology and pathogenesis still remains unclear. Current osteonecrosis diagnosis is dependent upon plain anteroposterior and frog-leg lateral radiographs of the hip, followed by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). Generally, the first radiographic changes seen by radiograph will be cystic and sclerotic changes in the femoral head. Although the diagnosis may be made by radiograph, plain radiographs are generally insufficient for early diagnosis, therefore MRI is considered the most accurate benchmark. Treatment options include pharmacologic agents such as bisphosphonates and statins, biophysical treatments, as well as joint-preserving and joint-replacing surgeries. the surgical treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head can be divided into two major branches: femoral head sparing procedures(FHSP) and femoral head replacement procedures(FHRP). In general, FHSP are indicated at pre-collapse stages with minimal symptoms whereas FHRP are preferred at post-collapse symptomatic stages. It is difficult to know whether any treatment modality changes the natural history of core decompression since the true natural history of core decompression has not been delineated.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40374002)Key Programs of Knowledge Innovation Project of Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.KJCX2-SW-T1)+1 种基金supported by NASA Solid Earth and Natural Hazards and GRACE Science Program(NNG04GF10G,NNG04G060G)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.10273018).
文摘US-Germany co-sponsered satellite gravimetry mission GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment), launched in March 2002, has been producing monthly time series of Earth gravity models up to degree and order of 120. The GRACE mission consists of two identical satellites flying on an almost polar orbit with an altitude of about 300-500 km and satelite-to-satellite ranging of about 220 km. Thanks to the payloads of space-borne GPS receivers, accelerometers and high-precision K-band satelite-to-satellite ranging mesurements, GRACE gravity models are expected to achieve more than one order of magnitude of improvement over previous models at spatial scales of a few hundred kilometers or larger. Recovery of surface mass re-distribution based on GRACE’s time-varying gravity models is applied to studies in solid Earth geophysics, oceanography, climatology and geodesy. At secular time scales, GRACE is expected to provide valuable information on global ice changes, whose variations have profound influences on global climate, and in particular, on sea level changes. At seasonal time scales, GRACE is expected to reveal surface water changes with an ac- curacy of less than 1 cm, or ocean bottom pressure changes with an accuracy of less than 1 mbar (1 mbar =102 Pa). These surface mass redistribution measurements would impove our understanding of the global and regional mass and energy cycles that are critical to human life. Using 15 GRACE monthly gravity models covering the period from April 2002 to December 2003, this study compares seasonal water storage changes recovered from GRACE data and hydrology models at global and regional scales, with particular focus on the Yangtze River basin of China. Annual amplitude of 3.4 cm of equivalent water height change is found for the Yangtze River basin with maximum in Spring and Autumn, agreeing with two state-of-the-art hydrology models. The differences between GRACE re- sults and model predictions are less than 1-2 cm. We conclude that satellite gravimetry has huge potentials
文摘Aquaporins play a significant role in plant water relations. To further understand the aquaporin function in plants under water stress, the expression of a subgroup of aquaporins, plasma membrane intrinsic proteins （PIPs）, was studied at both the protein and mRNA level in upland rice （Oryza sativa L. cv. Zhonghan 3） and lowland rice （Oryza sativa L. cv. Xiushui 63） when they were water stressed by treatment with 20% polyethylene glycol （PEG）. Plants responded differently to 20% PEG treatment. Leaf water content of upland rice leaves was reduced rapidly. PIP protein level increased markedly in roots of both types, but only in leaves of upland rice after 10 h of PEG treatment. At the mRNA level, OsPIP1,2, OsPIP1,3, OsPIP2;1 and OsPIP2;5 in roots as well as OsPIP1,2 and OsPIP1;3 in leaves were significantly up-regulated in upland rice, whereas the corresponding genes remained unchanged or down-regulated in lowland rice. Meanwhile, we observed a significant increase in the endogenous abscisic acid （ABA） level in upland rice but not in lowland rice under water deficit. Treatment with 60 μM ABA enhanced the expression of OsPIP1;2, OsPIP2;5 and OsPIP2;6 in roots and OsPIP1;2, OsPIP2;4 and OsPIP2;6 in leaves of upland rice. The responsiveness of PIP genes to water stress and ABA were different, implying that the regulation of PIP genes involves both ABA-dependent and ABA-independent signaling oathways during water deficit.
基金A.K.B.was supported by the Faculty of Science and Technology,Aarhus University(2008-218/5-24)Augustinus’Foundation(11-0677)+4 种基金Oticon(11-0565)Niels Bohr Foundation and Aarhus Universitets Forsknings Fond(AUFFF2011-FLS330)J.-C.S.was supported by the European Research Council(ERC-2012-StG-310886-HISTFUNC)Additionally,we also consider this article a contribution of Center for Informatics Research on Complexity in Ecology(CIRCE)funded by Aarhus University and Aarhus University Research Foundation under the AU IDEAS program.
文摘Aims Studies integrating phylogenetic history and large-scale community assembly are few,and many questions remain unanswered.Here,we use a global coastal dune plant data set to uncover the important factors in community assembly across scales from the local filtering processes to the global long-term diversification and dispersal dynamics.Coastal dune plant communities occur worldwide under a wide range of climatic and geologic conditions as well as in all biogeographic regions.However,global patterns in the phylogenetic composition of coastal dune plant communities have not previously been studied.Methods The data set comprised vegetation data from 18463 plots in New Zealand,South Africa,South America,North America and Europe.The phylogenetic tree comprised 2241 plant species from 149 families.We calculated phylogenetic clustering(Net Relatedness Index,NRI,and Nearest Taxon Index,NTI)of regional dune floras to estimate the amount of in situ diversification relative to the global dune species pool and evaluated the relative importance of land and climate barriers for these diversification patterns by geographic analyses of phylogenetic similarity.We then tested whether dune plant communities exhibit similar patterns of phylogenetic structure within regions.Finally,we calculated NRI for local communities relative to the regional species pool and tested for an association with functional traits(plant height and seed mass)thought to vary along sea–inland gradients.Important Findings Regional species pools were phylogenetically clustered relative to the global pool,indicating regional diversification.NTI showed stronger clustering than NRI pointing to the importance of especially recent diversifications within regions.The species pools grouped phylogenetically into two clusters on either side of the tropics suggesting greater dispersal rates within hemispheres than between hemispheres.Local NRI plot values confirmed that most communities were also phylogenetically clustered within regions.NRI values decreased with
文摘While robotic surgery has shown clear utility and advantages in the adult population,its role in pediatrics remains controversial.Pediatric-sized robotic instruments and equipment are not readily available yet,so certain modifications can be made in order to make robotic surgery successful in children.While the cost of robotic surgery remains high compared to open procedures,patients experience greater satisfaction and quality of life with robotic surgery.Robotic pyeloplasty is a standard of care in older children,and has even been performed in infants and re-do surgery.Other robotic procedures performed in children include heminephroureterectomy,ureteroureterostomy,ureteral reimplantation,urachal cyst excision,bladder diverticulectomy,and bladder reconstructive procedures such as augmentation,appendicovesicostomy,antegrade continence enema,bladder neck reconstruction and sling,as well as other procedures.Robotic surgery has also been used in oncologic cases such as partial nephrectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection.Future improvements in technology with production of pediatric-sized robotic instruments,along with increases in robotictrained pediatric urologists and surgeon experience along each’s learning curve,will help to further advance the field of robotic surgery in pediatric urology.
基金The funding for this project was obtained from a ScrippsHealth Educational Grant, No. 02-007
文摘AIM： To investigate the utility of esophageal capsule endoscopy in the diagnosis and grading of esophageal varices. METHODS： Cirrhotic patients who were undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy （EGD） for variceal screening or surveillance underwent capsule endoscopy. Two separate blinded investigators read each capsule endoscopy for the following results： variceal grade, need for treatment with variceal banding or prophylaxis with beta-blocker therapy, degree of portal hypertensive gastropathy, and gastric varices. RESULTS： Fifty patients underwent both capsule and EGD. Forty-eight patients had both procedures on the same day, and 2 patients had capsule endoscopy within 72 h of EGD. The accuracy of capsule endoscopy to decide on the need for prophylaxis was 74%, with sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 82%. Interrater agreement was moderate （kappa = 0.56）. Agreement between EGD and capsule endoscopy on grade of varices was 0.53 （moderate）. Inter-rater reliability was good （kappa = 0.77）. In diagnosis of portal hypertensive gastropathy, accuracy was 57%, with sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 17%. Two patients had gastric varices seen on EGD, one of which was seen on capsule endoscopy. There were no complications from capsule endoscopy.CONCLUSION： We conclude that capsule endoscopy has a limited role in deciding which patients would benefit from EGD with banding or beta-blocker therapy. More data is needed to assess accuracy for staging esophageal varices, PHG, and the detection of gastric varices.
文摘Background Following on from an earlier study published in 2008 about left pulmonary artery(LPA)flow measured on serial echocardiography being strongly prognostic in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia(CDH)and the ratio of LPA to right pulmonary artery(RPA)diameters being a simple and reliable indicator for commencing nitric oxide(NO)therapy,the ratio of LPA:RPA diameters(PA ratio orPAR)was hypothesized to possibly reflect cardiopulmonary stresses accompanying CDH better.Methods Subjects with isolated left-sided CDH treated between 2007 and 2020 at a single pediatric surgical center were recruited and classified according to survival.Data obtained retrospectively for subject demographics,clinical course,LPA/RPA diameters,and PAR were compared between survivors and non-survivors.The value of PAR for optimizing the prognostic value of PA diameter data in CDH were analyzed with receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results Of 65 subjects,there were 54 survivors(82.3%)and 11 non-survivors(17.7%);7 of 11 non-survivors died before surgical repair could be performed.Mean PAR for survivors(0.851±0.152)was significantly higher than for non-survivors(0.672±0.108)(p=0.0003).Mean PAR for non-survivors was not affected by surgical repair.Characteristics of survivors were:LPA≥2 mm(n=52 of 54;mean PAR=0.866±0.146)and RPA≥3mm(n=46 of 54;mean PAR=0.857±0.152).Non-survivors with similar LPA and RPA diameters to survivors had significantly lower mean PAR.ROC curve cut-off for PAR was 0.762.Subjects with high PAR(≥0.762)required high-frequency oscillatory ventilation/NO less than subjects with low PAR(<0.762)(p=0.0244 and p=0.0485,respectively)and subjects with high PAR stabilized significantly earlier than subjects with low PAR(1.71±0.68 days vs 3.20±0.87 days)(p<0.0001).Conclusions PAR would appear to be strongly correlated with clinical outcome in CDH and be useful for planning management of cardiopulmonary instability in CDH.
文摘International relations or politics are a dynamic discipline within politics. It concentrates upon the understanding or explanation of conflict and power between nations or countries. It is of course highly relevant today with much warfare or threats thereof. One central theory is the so-called realism or neorealism. Its foremost representative today is Professor Mearsheimer. Professor John Mearsheimer has put several of his well-known lectures on YouTube. In these he spells out how he looks upon international politics today through a neorealist approach. Very much worth listening to, we must though question consistency in his message.
文摘Background We reviewed the time taken for post-portoenterostomy(PE)biliary atresia(BA)patients to obtain jaundice-clearance(total bilirubin≤1.2 mg/dL;JC)post-PE to determine if JC time(JCT)is prognostic for survival of the native liver(SNL).Methods The subjects were 66 BA patients treated with PE at our institute between 1989,the year when liver transplan-tation(LTx)became available in Japan,and 2014.JCT was used to create three groups(≤30 days:n=14;31-60 days:n=31;≥61 days:n=21).Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to evaluate:age at onset of symptoms,duration of symptoms pre-PE,age and weight at PE,serum liver function tests,incidence of cholangitis,and micro-bile duct size at PE.Results Age at onset of symptoms,age and weight at PE,duration of symptoms pre-PE,and micro-bile duct size were similar for all patients in all three groups.JCT and SNL appeared to correlate because preoperative total bilirubin(7.1,9.6,10.2 mg/dL;P<0.05)was significantly lower in the JCT≤30 days group(P<0.05)while there was a significant decrease in SNL(P<0.03)and a significant increase in LTx(P<0.01)in the JCT≥61 days group.All LTx subjects who achieved JC were found to have developed cholangitis within 3 months of PE.Conclusion During the follow-up of post-PE subjects,longer JCT and cholangitis occurrence within 3 months of PE would appear to be negative prognostic factors for SNL while preoperative total bilirubin would appear to be a positive prognostic factor for SNL.
文摘Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and one of the most significant sources of cancer mortality. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive subtype that has proven difficult to treat with standard chemotherapies. Obesity has also been shown to exacerbate breast cancer, and diagnoses of these two diseases frequently overlap. Both conditions are regulated in part by the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) demethylase, an RNA demethylase which may drive breast cancers through epigenetic alterations to gene expression. Methods of inhibiting FTO have been researched in vitro and in vivo as an alternative or adjunct to chemotherapies in multiple cancers, including breast cancer. Translating knowledge of the role of FTO in breast cancer and the development of novel agents may allow for improvements in the treatment of this refractory cancer. This review therefore aims to provide an overview of existing and developing chemical inhibitors of FTO that could be innovatively studied for the treatment of TNBC and associated comorbidity.
文摘BACKGROUND Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of mortality in America and has increased in the incidence of cases over the last several years.Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)increases survival outcomes in cases of cardiac arrest;however,healthcare workers often do not perform CPR within recommended guidelines.Real-time audiovisual feedback(RTAVF)devices improve the quality of CPR performed.This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the effect of RTAVF-assisted CPR with conventional CPR and to evaluate whether the use of these devices improved outcomes in both in-hospital cardiac arrest(IHCA)and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest(OHCA)patients.AIM To identify the effect of RTAVF-assisted CPR on patient outcomes and CPR quality with in-and OHCA.METHODS We searched PubMed,SCOPUS,the Cochrane Library,and EMBASE from inception to July 27,2020,for studies comparing patient outcomes and/or CPR quality metrics between RTAVF-assisted CPR and conventional CPR in cases of IHCA or OHCA.The primary outcomes of interest were return of spontaneous circulation(ROSC)and survival to hospital discharge(SHD),with secondary outcomes of chest compression rate and chest compression depth.The methodo-logical quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and Cochrane Collaboration’s“risk of bias”tool.Data was analyzed using R statistical software 4.2.0.results were statistically significant if P<0.05.RESULTS Thirteen studies(n=17600)were included.Patients were on average 69±17.5 years old,with 7022(39.8%)female patients.Overall pooled ROSC in patients in this study was 37%(95%confidence interval=23%-54%).RTAVF-assisted CPR significantly improved ROSC,both overall[risk ratio(RR)1.17(1.001-1.362);P=0.048]and in cases of IHCA[RR 1.36(1.06-1.80);P=0.002].There was no significant improvement in ROSC for OHCA(RR 1.04;0.91-1.19;P=0.47).No significant effect was seen in SHD[RR 1.04(0.91-1.19);P=0.47]or chest compression rate[standardized mean difference(SMD)-2.1;(-4.6-0.5);P=0.09].A significant i
文摘The mind-body problem receives new attention,partly under the inspiration from the success of quantum mechanics.Here I will discuss reductionism.The mind-body problem remains central to modern philosophy,no doubt stimulated by the progress in brain research.Following Thomas Nagel’s article on bats,one may similarly examine one of history’s champions.I will also deny reduction or physicalism,though my argument is very much simpler than Chalmers(1996).
文摘The 21st century will most probably be the last one for mankind.First,the threat of nuclear confrontation is imminently present in the Ukraine war,where with escalation,it becomes global.Second,global warming will make life unbearable.There is no strategically viable way out of the heating up of the planet,as every state cheats.Now,we have 425 ppm.
文摘Mouse double minute （Mdm） genes span an evolutionary timeframe from the ancient eukaryotic placozoa Trichoplox adhaerens to Homo sapiens, implying a significant and possibly conserved cellular role throughout history. Maintenance of DNA integrity and response to DNA damage involve many key regulatory pathways, including precise control over the tumour suppressor pro- tein p53. In most vertebrates, degradation of p53 through proteasomal targeting is primarily mediated by heterodimers of Mdm2 and the Mdm2-related protein Mdm4 （also known as MdmX）. Both Mdm2 and Mdm4 have p53-binding regions, acidic domains, zinc fingers, and C-terminal RING domains that are conserved throughout evolution. Vertebrates typically have both Mdm2 and Mdm# genes, while analyses of sequenced genomes of invertebrate species have identified single Mdm genes, suggesting that a duplication event occurred prior to emergence of jawless vertebrates about 550-440 million years ago. The functional relationship between Mdm and p53 in T. adhaerens, an organism that has existed for 1 billion years, implies that these two proteins have evolved together to maintain a conserved and regulated function.
基金This study was financially supported by Trouw Nutrition,a Nutreco company,The Netherlands.
文摘Organic acids(OA)and their blends have been shown to positively affect performance and health of broilers.However,the data in the literature are not consistent.This study examined the potential of blended short-chain fatty acids(SCFA)with medium-chain fatty acids(MCFA)as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters(AGP)on performance,health and welfare of broilers infected with necrotic enteritis(NE).The additives used were:A)a blend of SCFA,MCFA,and a phenolic compound(SMP);B)a blend of free and buffered SCFA with MCFA(SMF);C)a blend of free and buffered SCFA with a high concentration of MCFA(SHM).A total of 1,404 Ross 308 one-day-old male parental chicks were randomly distributed into 78-floor pens with 13 replicates of 18 birds each.Six treatments were the following:T1,unchal-lenged control(UCC);T2,challenged control(CHC);T3,challenged group plus zinc bacitracin(BAC);T4,challenged group plus additive SMP;T5,challenged group plus additive SMF;T6,challenged group plus additive SHM.Challenged birds were gavaged with Eimeria spp.on d 9 and Clostridium perfringens EHE-NE18 on d 14.Post NE challenge and cumulatively,BWG,FCR,and nutrient digestibility of birds were compromised(P<0.05)by NE challenge indicating a successful induction of sub-clinical NE.Additive SHM had higher BWG compared to CHC and BAC groups(P=0.001;d 10 to 24)but not different from SMP and SMF groups(P>0.05).All the 3 additive groups had lower FCR compared to CHC(P=0.001;d 0 to 35),and exhibited similar jejunal lesions(d 16)compared to BAC and apparent ileal protein di-gestibility(d 21)compared to UCC and BAC groups(P>0.05).Birds in additive SHM group had a higher concentration of serum IgA compared to all groups(P=0.001)except additive SMF(P>0.05;d 21).All the additive groups had lower footpad dermatitis and hock burns compared to CHC(P<0.05).The findings suggest the potential of blended OA as alternatives to BAC to protect broilers from NE indicated by improved FCR,immunity,digestibility,and bird welfare.
文摘Realists like e.g.Mearsheimer from University of Chicago see war between states as a game over regional hegemony.The US leading the West blocks the East in the Ukraine and in Israel as well as Taiwan.The major risk for mankind is a third new conflict,namely Taiwan.The suffering from the wars in Ukraine and Palestine is so heavy that we need to unpack the Huntington idea of civilization war.
