Measurements of All-Particle Energy Spectrum and Mean Logarithmic Mass of Cosmic Rays from 0.3 to 30 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

We present the measurements of all-particle energy spectrum and mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays in the energy range of 0.3-30 PeV using data collected from LHAASO-KM2A between September 2021 and December 2022, which is based on a nearly composition-independent energy reconstruction method, achieving unprecedented accuracy. Our analysis reveals the position of the knee at 3.67±0.05±0.15  PeV. Below the knee, the spectral index is found to be -2.7413±0.0004±0.0050, while above the knee, it is -3.128±0.005±0.027, with the sharpness of the transition measured with a statistical error of 2%. The mean logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is almost heavier than helium in the whole measured energy range. It decreases from 1.7 at 0.3 PeV to 1.3 at 3 PeV, representing a 24% decline following a power law with an index of -0.1200±0.0003±0.0341. This is equivalent to an increase in abundance of light components. Above the knee, the mean logarithmic mass exhibits a power law trend towards heavier components, which is reversal to the behavior observed in the all-particle energy spectrum. Additionally, the knee position and the change in power-law index are approximately the same. These findings suggest that the knee observed in the all-particle spectrum corresponds to the knee of the light component, rather than the medium-heavy components.

[Retrospective study of 70 cases with the head and neck non-parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma]

Objective: To analyze the treatment outcomes and prognoses of children with head and neck non-parameningeal rhabdomyosarcoma (HNnPM RMS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of children with HNnPM RMS admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital from September 2012 to September 2022. The clinical features, comprehensive treatment modes and prognoses of the patients were analyzed. The overall survival rate (OS) and event free survival rate (EFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate analysis was performed using the Log-rank test. Results: A total of 70 children were included in this study, 38 males and 32 females, with a median age of 47 months (2-210 months). Pathological subtypes including the embryonal in 27 cases, the alveolar in 36 cases and the spindle cell and sclerosing in 7 cases. Thirty children (83.3%) with alveolar type were positive for FOXO1 gene fusion. All 70 children underwent chemotherapy, including 38 with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 32 with adjuvant chemotherapy. Sixty of 70 children underwent surgery, of whom, 10 underwent two or more surgeries. There were 63 children underwent radiotherapy, including 54 with intensity-modulated radiation therapy, 4 with particle implantation and 5 with proton therapy. The median follow-up was 45 (5-113) months, the 5-year OS was 73.2%, and the 5-year EFS was 57.7%. Univariate analysis showed lymph node metastasis (χ2=5.022, P=0.025), distant metastasis (χ2=8.258, P=0.004), and high Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) group (χ2=9.859, P=0.029) as risk factors for poor prognosis. Before June 2016, the 5-year OS based on BCH-RMS-2006 scheme was 63.6%, and after 2016, the 5-year OS based on CCCG-RMS-2016 scheme was 79.6%. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary combined standardized treatment can offer good treatment outcome and prognosis for children with HNnPM RMS. Local control is a key to the efficacy of comprehensive treatment.

[Analysis of dynamic functional connectivity states and influencing factors of brain network in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea]

Objective: To analyze dynamic functional connectivity (dFNC) states and influencing factors of brain network in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Methods: A total of 111 male patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea or presenting with simple snoring, who visited the Sleep Clinic at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between August 2020 and December 2021, were prospectively selected for this study. General information was collected, and polysomnography (PSG) was performed. Based on the oxygen desaturation index (ODI), the participants were divided into three groups: primary snoring group (ODI<5 events/hour, n=34), mild to moderate OSA group (5 events/hour≤ODI<30 events/hour, n=43), and sever OSA group (ODI≥30 events/hour, n=34). Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, and daytime sleepiness was evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected and preprocessed. dFNC matrices were constructed using a sliding time window approach. The number of dFNC states was determined using k-means clustering analysis. Three parameters, namely, fractional time (FT), mean dwell time (MDT), and number of transitions (NT), were used to characterize the temporal properties of dFNC states. Differences in the temporal properties of dFNC states among the groups were compared. The correlations between temporal properties and PSG parameters, as well as MoCA and ESS scores, were further analyzed. Multiple stepwise linear regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors of the temporal properties of dFNC states. Results: The age of the patients was (40.2±8.6) years (range: 25-65 years). There were no significant differences in age, smoking history and alcohol history, and MoCA scores among the three groups (all P>0.05). Three dFNC states were extracted through k-means clustering analysis: state 1, characterized by strong connections within the visual and sensorimotor networks with a frequency of 31.7% (4 611/14 541); state 2, characterized by strong connections within the default mode network, attention network, and other cognitive networks, with the lowest frequency of 22.1% (3 213/14 541); state 3, characterized by weaker connections across the whole brain, with the highest frequency of 46.2% (6 717/14 541). The FT [0.28 (0.05, 0.35) vs 0.39 (0.26, 0.53)] and MDT [8.20 (4.35, 12.54) vs 11.68 (8.50, 16.69)] of state 2 in the sever OSA group were lower than those in the primary snoring group (both P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the temporal properties of states 1 and 3 among the three groups (all P>0.05). The FT and MDT of state 2 were correlated with body mass index (BMI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), ODI, and minimum oxygen saturation (MinSaO2) (FT: r values were -0.218, -0.230, -0.249, 0.198, respectively; MDT: r values were 0.269, -0.253, -0.265, 0.209, respectively; all P<0.05). There were no significant correlations between the temporal properties and MoCA or ESS scores (all P>0.05). ODI was found to be an influencing factor for the temporal properties of state 2 (FT: β=-0.225, 95%CI:-0.227 to -0.223; MDT: β=-0.241, 95%CI:-0.289 to -0.195). Conclusions: Male patients with OSA exhibit alterations in specific temporal properties of brain network dynamic functional connectivity, which are associated with nocturnal oxygen parameters. This may be one of the mechanisms underlying brain functional damage in patients with OSA.

[Study on the distribution pattern of allergen sIgE in patients with respiratory allergic diseases in a hospital in Shanxi Province]

To explore the allergen sensitization status of patients with respiratory allergic diseases in Shanxi Province, and to provide a basis for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergic diseases. It is a cross-sectional study, a total of 1 680 patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma diagnosed at the Department of Allergic Reaction of Shanxi Bethune Hospital from July 2021 to June 2023 who underwent allergen sIgE testing and/or skin prick test were retrospectively enrolled.There were 772 males and 908 females.The age range was 3 to 88 years. The median age was 35 years.There were 108 cases in the child group (≤12 years old), 102 cases in the adolescent group (13-17 years old), 819 cases in the youth group (18-40 years old), 498 cases in the middle-aged group (41-65 years old), and 153 cases in the elderly group (>65 years old). There were 333 cases in the allergic rhinitis group, 827 cases in the allergic asthma group, and 520 cases in the allergic rhinitis with asthma group. There were 1 254 urban patients and 426 rural patients.There were 253 cases in the northern Shanxi region, 1 195 cases in the central Shanxi region, and 232 cases in the southern Shanxi region. Statistical analyses were performed using the χ 2 test or Fisher's exact probability method to compare the differences in allergen sIgE positivity rates by sex, age, disease, living environment, and geography. The results showed that 1 027 patients (61.1%) were positive for at least one allergen sIgE, with Artemisia having the highest rate of positivity (603/1 680, 35.9%), followed by ragweed (302/1 680, 18.0%) and dust mite combinations (245/1 680, 14.6%). The number of individuals with single-allergen sIgE positivity was 357 (357/1 027, 34.8%), with the highest number of single-allergen sIgE positive results associated with Artemisia (114/357, 31.9%). The number of multiple-allergen sIgE positive results was 670 cases (670/1 027, 65.2%), with the highest number of patients having 2 allergen sIgE positive results (243/670, 36.3%). The overall positivity rate for allergen sIgE was significantly higher among males than among females (65.7% vs. 57.3%, χ2=12.405, P<0.001). Overall positivity for inhalant allergen sIgE was higher in the child and adolescent groups (88.0% vs. 88.2% vs. 59.8% vs. 40.2% vs. 19.0%, χ2=223.372, P<0.001), and food allergen sIgE positivity was highest in the child group (54.6% vs. 36.3% vs. 26.0% vs. 18.9% vs. 21.6%,χ2=66.383,P<0.001). The sIgE positivity rate of inhalant allergens was significantly higher in the allergic rhinitis group and the allergic rhinitis with asthma group than in the allergic asthma group, except for cockroaches and molds (P<0.05). The overall positive rate of allergen sIgE was significantly higher among urban patients than among rural patients (66.2% vs. 46.2%, χ2=53.230, P<0.001). The difference in the overall positive rate of allergen sIgE among patients from different regions was not statistically significant (56.1% vs. 62.0% vs. 62.1%, χ2=3.140, P=0.208). The sIgE positivity of dust mite combinations was significantly higher in the central Shanxi region and the southern Shanxi region than in the northern Shanxi region (15.5% vs. 18.1% vs. 7.1%,χ2=14.411, P=0.001). In conclusion, artemisia was the most important sensitizer for respiratory allergic diseases in Shanxi Province. The types of allergens and positivity rates were different for different sexes, ages, diseases, living environments, and regions. Therefore, patients with allergic diseases should be tested for allergens to help with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of allergic diseases.

[Clinical analysis of 10 cases of multi-center tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome]

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) in children. Methods: The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, genetic testing and follow-up of 10 children with TRAPS from May 2011 to May 2021 in 6 hospitals in China were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Among the 10 patients with TRAPS, including 8 boys and 2 girls. The age of onset was 2 (1, 5) years, the age of diagnosis was (8±4) years, and the time from onset to diagnosis was 3 (1, 7) years. A total of 7 types of TNFRSF1A gene variants were detected, including 5 paternal variations, 1 maternal variation and 4 de novo variations. Six children had a family history of related diseases. Clinical manifestations included recurrent fever in 10 cases, rash in 4 cases, abdominal pain in 6 cases, joint involvement in 6 cases, periorbital edema in 1 case, and myalgia in 4 cases. Two patients had hematological system involvement. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were significantly increased in 10 cases. All patients were negative for autoantibodies. In the course of treatment, 5 cases were treated with glucocorticoids, 7 cases with immunosuppressants, and 7 cases with biological agents. Conclusions: TRAPS is clinically characterized by recurrent fever accompanied by joint, gastrointestinal, skin, and muscle involvement. Inflammatory markers are elevated, and autoantibodies are mostly negative. Treatment mainly involves glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and biological agents.

Measurement of Ultra-High-Energy Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission of the Galactic Plane from 10 TeV to 1 PeV with LHAASO-KM2A

The diffuse Galactic γ-ray emission, mainly produced via interactions between cosmic rays and the interstellar medium and/or radiation field, is a very important probe of the distribution, propagation, and interaction of cosmic rays in the Milky Way. In this Letter, we report the measurements of diffuse γ rays from the Galactic plane between 10 TeV and 1 PeV energies, with the square kilometer array of the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). Diffuse emissions from the inner (15°10  TeV). The energy spectrum in the inner Galaxy regions can be described by a power-law function with an index of -2.99±0.04, which is different from the curved spectrum as expected from hadronic interactions between locally measured cosmic rays and the line-of-sight integrated gas content. Furthermore, the measured flux is higher by a factor of ∼3 than the prediction. A similar spectrum with an index of -2.99±0.07 is found in the outer Galaxy region, and the absolute flux for 10≲E≲60  TeV is again higher than the prediction for hadronic cosmic ray interactions. The latitude distributions of the diffuse emission are consistent with the gas distribution, while the longitude distributions show clear deviation from the gas distribution. The LHAASO measurements imply that either additional emission sources exist or cosmic ray intensities have spatial variations.

[Impact of different diagnostic criteria for assessing mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis: an analysis based on a prospective, multicenter, real-world study]

Objective: To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test. Methods: This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ (2) test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results: After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea (Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

A tera-electron volt afterglow from a narrow jet in an extremely bright gamma-ray burst

Some gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have a tera-electron volt (TeV) afterglow, but the early onset of this has not been observed. We report observations with the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory of the bright GRB 221009A, which serendipitously occurred within the instrument field of view. More than 64,000 photons >0.2 TeV were detected within the first 3000 seconds. The TeV flux began several minutes after the GRB trigger, then rose to a peak about 10 seconds later. This was followed by a decay phase, which became more rapid ~650 seconds after the peak. We interpret the emission using a model of a relativistic jet with half-opening angle ~0.8°. This is consistent with the core of a structured jet and could explain the high isotropic energy of this GRB.

Characterization of ZmPMP3g function in drought tolerance of maize

The genes enconding proteins containing plasma membrane proteolipid 3 (PMP3) domain are responsive to abiotic stresses, but their functions in maize drought tolerance remain largely unknown. In this study, the transgenic maize lines overexpressing maize ZmPMP3g gene were featured by enhanced drought tolerance; increases in total root length, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and leaf water content; and decreases in leaf water potential, levels of O₂^-·and H₂O₂, and malondialdehyde content under drought. Under treatments with foliar spraying with abscisic acid (ABA), drought tolerance of both transgenic line Y7-1 overexpressing ZmPMP3g and wild type Ye478 was enhanced, of which Y7-1 showed an increased endogenous ABA and decreased endogenous gibberellin (GA) 1 (significantly) and GA3 (very slightly but not significantly) and Ye478 had a relatively lower ABA and no changes in GA1 and GA3. ZmPMP3g overexpression in Y7-1 affected the expression of multiple key transcription factor genes in ABA-dependent and -independent drought signaling pathways. These results indicate that ZmPMP3g overexpression plays a role in maize drought tolerance by harmonizing ABA-GA1-GA3 homeostasis/balance, improving root growth, enhancing antioxidant capacity, maintaining membrane lipid integrity, and regulating intracellular osmotic pressure. A working model on ABA-GA-ZmPMP3g was proposed and discussed.

[Clinical and genetic characteristics of children with dopa-responsive dystonia caused by tyrosine hydroxylase gene variations]

Objective: To explore the clinical and genetic characteristics of children with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) caused by tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene variations. Methods: Clinical data of 9 children with DRD caused by TH gene variations diagnosed in the Department of Children Rehabilitation, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to August 2022 were retrospectively collected and analyzed, including the general conditions, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, gene variations and follow-up data. Results: Of the 9 children with DRD caused by TH gene variations, 3 were males and 6 were females. The age at diagnosis was 12.0 (8.0, 15.0) months. The initial symptoms of the 8 severe patients were motor delay or degression. Clinical symptoms of the severe patients included motor delay (8 cases), truncal hypotonia (8 cases), limb muscle hypotonia (7 cases), hypokinesia (6 cases), decreased facial expression (4 cases), tremor (3 cases), limb dystonia (3 cases), diurnal fluctuation (2 cases), ptosis (2 cases), limb muscle hypertonia (1 case) and drooling (1 case). The initial symptom of the very severe patient was motor delay. Clinical symptoms of the very severe patient included motor delay, truncal hypotonia, oculogyric crises, status dystonicus, hypokinesia, decreased facial expression, and decreased sleep. Eleven TH gene variants were found, including 5 missense variants, 3 splice site variants, 2 nonsense variants, and 1 insertion variant, as well as 2 novel variants (c.941C>A (p.T314K), c.316_317insCGT (p.F106delinsSF)). Nine patients were followed up for 40 (29, 43) months, and no one was lost to follow-up. Seven of the 8 severe patients were treated by levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets and 1 severe patient was treated by levodopa tablets. All the severe patients responded well to levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets or levodopa tablets. Although the weight of the patients increased and the drug dosage was not increased, the curative effect remained stable and there was no obvious adverse reaction. One severe patient developed dyskinesia in the early stage of treatment with levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets and it disappeared after oral administration of benzhexol hydrochloride tablets. Until the last follow-up, motor development of 7 severe patients returned to normal and 1 severe patient still had motor delay due to receiving levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets for only 2 months. The very severe patient was extremely sensitive to levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets and no improvement was observed in this patient. Conclusions: Most of the DRD caused by TH gene variations are severe form. The clinical manifestations are varied and easily misdiagnosed. Patients of the severe patients responded well to levodopa and benserazide hydrochloride tablets or levodopa tablets, and it takes a long time before full effects of treatment become established. Long-term effect is stable without increasing the drug dosage, and no obvious side effect is observed.

Floating Mat Formation Makes Zizania latifolia More Competitive under the Conditions of Continuous Significant Water Level Rise

Water level rise is considered an environmental filter for the growth and reproduction of aquatic plants in lakes. Some emergent macrophytes can form floating mats, enabling them to escape from the negative effects of deep water. However, an understanding of which species can be uprooted and form floating mats easily and what factors affect these tendencies remains greatly elusive. We conducted an experiment to determine whether the monodominance of Zizania latifolia in the emergent vegetation community in Lake Erhai was related to its floating mat formation ability and to try to find the reasons for its floating mat formation ability during the continuous increase in water level over the past few decades. Our results showed that both the frequency and biomass proportion of Z. latifolia were greater among the plants on the floating mats. Furthermore, Z. latifolia was more likely to be uprooted than the other three previously dominant emergent species due to its smaller angle between the plant and the horizontal plane, rather than the root:shoot or volume:mass ratios. The dominance of Z. latifolia in the emergent community in Lake Erhai is due to its easier ability to become uprooted, allowing it to outperform other emergent species and become the single dominant emergent species under the environmental filter of deep water. The ability to uproot and form floating mats may be a competitive survival strategy for emergent species under the conditions of continuous significant water level rise.

[Survey on the prevalence and related factors of thyroid disorders in different iodine intake regions in China in 2015-2017]

Objective: To observe the prevalence and related factors of thyroid diseases in different iodine intake areas from 2015 to 2017 after the implementation of national salt iodization policy in China for 20 years. Methods: A cross-sectional survey. Multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was used to randomly select subjects meeting the inclusion criteria from 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions in China from January 2015 to December 2017, and stratified by age and sex. The survey included questionnaire, physical examination and thyroid ultrasonography. At the same time, the concentrations of serum thyrotropin, thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), thyroid globulin antibody (TgAb) and urinary iodine were measured.To determine whether the patient has a certain thyroid disease according to the above results. Different iodine nutrition areas were defined according to urinary iodine concentration, and the influence of iodine nutrition status in different iodine intake areas on thyroid diseases was analyzed. Results: A total of 78 470 adults were included, including 39 893 in the area of moderate iodine, 28 779 in the area of adequate iodine, and 9 798 in the area of excessive iodine.In the above three regions, the prevalence of subclinical hyperthyroidism (hyperthyroidism) was 0.45% (95%CI: 0.39%-0.52%), 0.50%(95%CI: 0.35%-0.70%)and 0.27%(95%CI: 0.20%-0.35%), respectively, with statistical significance(χ²=6.92, P=0.003). The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism) was 11.36% (95%CI: 10.73%-12.02%), 13.57%(95%CI: 11.70%-15.69%) and 16.18%(95%CI: 12.41%-20.82%), respectively, with statistical significance(χ²=5.08, P=0.009). The prevalence rates of Graves' disease, TPOAb, goiter and thyroid nodule among the three regions were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the prevalence of clinical hyperthyroidism and clinical hypothyroidism and the positive rate of TgAb among the three regions (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression model analysis showed that excess iodine was a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism (OR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.06-1.44), and a protective factor for thyroid nodules (OR=0.73, 95%CI: 0.57-0.94). Iodine overdose was a risk factor for subclinical hypothyroidism (OR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.08-2.01), while it was a protective factor for subclinical hyperthyroidism (OR=0.56, 95%CI: 0.41-0.77), and TPOAb positive (OR=0.93, 95%CI: 0.87-0.99), goiter (OR=0.33, 95%CI: 0.17-0.66) and thyroid nodule (OR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.61-0.97). Conclusions: There are significant differences in the prevalence of subclinical hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, positive TPOAb, thyroid nodule and goiter in different iodine intake regions. Different iodine intake levels have an effect on the incidence of thyroid diseases.

Effects of high air temperature, drought, and both combinations on maize: A case study

High air temperature (HAT) and natural soil drought (NSD) have seriously affected crop yield and frequently take place in a HAT-NSD combination. Maize (Zea mays) is an important crop, thermophilic but not heat tolerant. In this study, HAT, NSD, and HAT-NSD effects on maize inbred line Huangzao4 -were characterized. Main findings were as follows: H₂O₂ and O^- accumulated much more in immature young leaves than in mature old leaves under the stresses. Lateral roots were highly distributed near the upper pot mix layers under HAT and near root tips under HAT-NSD. Saccharide accumulated mainly in stressed root caps (RC) and formed a highly accumulated saccharide band at the boundary between RC and meristematic zone. Lignin deposition was in stressed roots under NSD and HAT-NSD. Chloroplasts increased in number and formed a high-density ring around leaf vascular bundles (VB) under HAT and HAT-NSD, and sparsely scattered in the peripheral area of VBs under NSD. The RC cells containing starch granules were most under NAD-HAT but least under HAT. Under NSD and HAT-NSD followed by re-watering, anther number per tassel spikelet reduced to 3. These results provide multiple clues for further distinguishing molecular mechanisms for maize to tolerate these stresses.

MeSWEET15a/b genes play a role in the resistance of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to water and salt stress by modulating sugar distribution

The sugar transporter SWEET plays a role in plant growth, carbon allocation, and abiotic stress resistance. We examined the function of SWEET in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) under water and salt stress. Bioinformatics, subcellular localization, yeast deficient complementation, and virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) were used to examine the function of SWEET in cassava. Twenty-eight MeSWEETs genes were found based on the conserved domain MtN3/saliva of SWEET transporters, two MeSWEET15a/b of them were identified by phylogenetic analysis, which were located on the cell membrane. They transfer sucrose, fructose, glucose, and mannitol from culture media to yeast cells, predominately transferring sucrose via bleeding fluid saps in plant. Leaf sucrose content was increased in MeSWEET15a/b-silenced cassava plants, resulting in changes in carbon distribution, with an increase in starch accumulation in the leaves and a decrease in starch accumulation in the roots. The silencing of MeSWEET15a/b genes led to tolerance to water and salt stress, consistent with a high accumulation of osmolytes, and low lipid membrane peroxidation. Changes in sugar distribution increased the expression of MeTOR and MeE2Fa in pTRV2-MeSWEET15a and pTRV2-MeSWEET15b cassava leaves. MeSWEET15a/b acts as pivotal modulators of sugar distribution and tolerance to water and high salt stress in cassava.

MeGATAs, functional generalists in interactions between cassava growth and development, and abiotic stresses

The proteins with DNA-binding preference to the consensus DNA sequence (A/T) GATA (A/G) belong to a GATA transcription factor family, with a wide array of biological processes in plants. Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is an important food crop with high production of starch in storage roots. Little was however known about cassava GATA domain-containing genes (MeGATAs). Thirty-six MeGATAs, MeGATA1 to MeGATA36, were found in this study. Some MeGATAs showed a collinear relationship with orthologous genes of Arabidopsis, poplar and potato, rice, maize and sorghum. Eight MeGATA-encoded proteins (MeGATAs) analysed were all localized in the nucleus. Some MeGATAs had potentials of binding ligands and/or enzyme activity. One pair of tandem-duplicated MeGATA17-MeGATA18 and 30 pairs of whole genome-duplicated MeGATAs were found. Fourteen MeGATAs showed low or no expression in the tissues. Nine analysed MeGATAs showed expression responses to abiotic stresses and exogenous phytohormones. Three groups of MeGATA protein interactions were found. Fifty-three miRNAs which can target 18 MeGATAs were identified. Eight MeGATAs were found to target other 292 cassava genes, which were directed to radial pattern formation and phyllome development by gene ontology enrichment, and autophagy by Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment. These data suggest that MeGATAs are functional generalists in interactions between cassava growth and development, abiotic stresses and starch metabolism.

Constraints on Heavy Decaying Dark Matter from 570 Days of LHAASO Observations

The kilometer square array (KM2A) of the large high altitude air shower observatory (LHAASO) aims at surveying the northern γ-ray sky at energies above 10 TeV with unprecedented sensitivity. γ-ray observations have long been one of the most powerful tools for dark matter searches, as, e.g., high-energy γ rays could be produced by the decays of heavy dark matter particles. In this Letter, we present the first dark matter analysis with LHAASO-KM2A, using the first 340 days of data from 1/2-KM2A and 230 days of data from 3/4-KM2A. Several regions of interest are used to search for a signal and account for the residual cosmic-ray background after γ/hadron separation. We find no excess of dark matter signals, and thus place some of the strongest γ-ray constraints on the lifetime of heavy dark matter particles with mass between 10^{5} and 10^{9}  GeV. Our results with LHAASO are robust, and have important implications for dark matter interpretations of the diffuse astrophysical high-energy neutrino emission.

[Efficacy and influencing factors of surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of children with non-orbital head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and influencing factors of surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of children with non-orbital head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (HNRMS). Methods: Information from 45 children diagnosed as non-orbital HNRMS and subjected to surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from August 2017 to July 2021 was analyzed. The patients included 25 males and 20 females, aged from 1 to 17 years old. The primary tumor site, pathological subtype, clinical stage, risk group, therapeutic regimen, resection range and outcome of all cases were also collected. The survival curves were made using the Kaplan-Meier method and the potential prognostic factors were investigated by Cox regression analysis. Results: Fifteen (33.3%) of 45 children achieved negative surgical margin under complete tumor resection. The postoperative pathological results showed that there were 20 cases of embryonic subtype, 19 cases of alveolar subtype and 6 cases of spindle sclerosis subtype. The postoperative follow-up time ranged from 4 to 71 months, with a median of 26 months. During the follow-up period, 13 children died, among whom brain metastasis was the most common cause of death, accounting for 7/13. The 3-year overall survival rate was 67.6%. Multivariate analysis showed that non-embryonic subtype (HR=6.26, 95%CI: 1.52-25.87, P=0.011) and failure to reach R0 resection (HR=9.37, 95%CI: 1.18-74.34, P=0.034) were independent risk factors affecting overall survival rate. Conclusion: Surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy can offer a good efficacy for children with non-orbital HNRMS. Non-embryonic subtype and resection without negative operative microscopic margins are independent risk factors for poor prognosis, and brain metastasis is the main cause of death in these children.

A variant-proof SARS-CoV-2 vaccine targeting HR1 domain in S2 subunit of spike protein

The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, commonly with many mutations in S1 subunit of spike (S) protein are weakening the efficacy of the current vaccines and antibody therapeutics. This calls for the variant-proof SARS-CoV-2 vaccines targeting the more conserved regions in S protein. Here, we designed a recombinant subunit vaccine, HR121, targeting the conserved HR1 domain in S2 subunit of S protein. HR121 consisting of HR1-linker1-HR2-linker2-HR1, is conformationally and functionally analogous to the HR1 domain present in the fusion intermediate conformation of S2 subunit. Immunization with HR121 in rabbits and rhesus macaques elicited highly potent cross-neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, particularly Omicron sublineages. Vaccination with HR121 achieved near-full protections against prototype SARS-CoV-2 infection in hACE2 transgenic mice, Syrian golden hamsters and rhesus macaques, and effective protection against Omicron BA.2 infection in Syrian golden hamsters. This study demonstrates that HR121 is a promising candidate of variant-proof SARS-CoV-2 vaccine with a novel conserved target in the S2 subunit for application against current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.

[Feasibility of ultrasound radiomics-based models for classification of hepatic echinococcosis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of establishment of ultrasound radiomics-based models for classification of hepatic echinococcosis, so as to provide insights into precision ultrasound diagnosis of hepatic echinococcosis.

METHODS

The ultrasonographic images were retrospectively collected from 200 patients with hepatic echinococcosis in Shiqu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province in October 2014, and the regions of interest were plotted in ultrasonographic images of hepatic echinococcosis lesions. The ultrasound radiomics features of hepatic echinococcosis were extracted with 25 methods, and screened using pre-selection and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Then, all ultrasonographic images were randomly assigned into the training and independent test sets according to the type of lesions at a ratio of 7:3. Machine learning models for classification of hepatic echinococcosis were created based on two classifiers, including kernel logistic regression (KLR) and medium Gaussian support vector machine (MGSVM). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted, and the sensitivity, specificity and areas under the curves (AUC) of the created machine learning models for classification of hepatic echinococcosis were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 5 005 ultrasound radiomics features were extracted from 200 patients with hepatic echinococcosis using 25 methods, and 36 optimal radiomics features were screened through feature selection, based on which two machine learning models were created, including KLR and MGSVM. ROC curve analysis showed that MGS-VM presented a higher efficacy for hepatic echinococcosis classification than KLR in the training set, with a sensitivity of 0.82, a specificity of 0.78 and AUC of 0.88, while KLR presented a higher efficacy for hepatic echinococcosis classification than MGSVM in the independent test set, with a sensitivity of 0.82, a specificity of 0.72 and AUC of 0.86, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound radiomics-based machine learning models are feasible for hepatic echinococcosis classification.

Deep Underground Laboratory Measurement of ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O in the Gamow Windows of the s and i Processes

The ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O reaction is the main neutron source for the slow-neutron-capture process in asymptotic giant branch stars and for the intermediate process. Direct measurements at astrophysical energies in above-ground laboratories are hindered by the extremely small cross sections and vast cosmic-ray-induced background. We performed the first consistent direct measurement in the range of E_{c.m.}=0.24 to 1.9 MeV using the accelerators at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory and Sichuan University. Our measurement covers almost the entire intermediate process Gamow window in which the large uncertainty of the previous experiments has been reduced from 60% down to 15%, eliminates the large systematic uncertainty in the extrapolation arising from the inconsistency of existing datasets, and provides a more reliable reaction rate for the studies of the slow-neutron-capture and intermediate processes along with the first direct determination of the alpha strength for the near-threshold state.

Pathogen effector AvrSr35 triggers Sr35 resistosome assembly via a direct recognition mechanism

Nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) perceive pathogen effectors to trigger plant immunity. The direct recognition mechanism of pathogen effectors by coiled-coil NLRs (CNLs) remains unclear. We demonstrate that the Triticum monococcum CNL Sr35 directly recognizes the pathogen effector AvrSr35 from Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici and report a cryo-electron microscopy structure of Sr35 resistosome and a crystal structure of AvrSr35. We show that AvrSr35 forms homodimers that are disassociated into monomers upon direct recognition by the leucine-rich repeat domain of Sr35, which induces Sr35 resistosome assembly and the subsequent immune response. The first 20 amino-terminal residues of Sr35 are indispensable for immune signaling but not for plasma membrane association. Our findings reveal the direct recognition and activation mechanism of a plant CNL and provide insights into biochemical function of Sr35 resistosome.

[International multi-center evaluation of a rapid antigen test based on gold immunochromatographic assay for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]

Objective: The gold immunochromatographic assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen was evaluated by international multi-center clinical trial. Methods: A total of 1 855 clinical parallel samples with valid test results (for nucleic acid and antigen tests, respectively) were collected from nine countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, France, India, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States of America and Brazil, with sampling period from January 3 to September 22, 2021. These samples were detected by SARS-CoV-2 antigen test kit (colloidal gold immunochromatography assay) and nucleic acid detection kit (real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). Positive coincidence rates [(number of antigen-positive cases/nucleic acid-positive cases)×100%], negative coincidence rates [(number of antigen-negative cases/nucleic acid-negative cases)×100%], total coincidence rates [(number of cases with consistent results for both antigen and nucleic acid detection/number of total cases) ×100%], as well as Kappa values were calculated. The differences of the above indictors among different countries were evaluated by the coefficient of variation. The detection rates of the antigen test for samples with different cycle threshold values (Ct values) for the nucleic acid detection, different characteristics and different mutant strains were analyzed. Results: For all samples, the positive, negative, and total coincidence rate between the antigen test and nucleic acid assay was 90.8% (569/627), 99.7% (1 224/1 228) and 96.7% (1 793/1 855), respectively, and the consistency coefficient Kappa value was 0.924. Among these countries, the coefficient of variation for positive coincidence rates (except for Malaysia with a lot of samples with Ct value>30), negative coincidence rates (except for France without negative samples) and total coincidence rates (except for France) was 6%,<1%, and 6%, respectively. When Ct values were less than 25, the detection rates of antigen test were 83.3%-100% for each countries (the coefficient of variation was 6%); the total detection rate and the coefficient of variation was 93.4% (428/458) and 5%, respectively, for asymptomatic infected persons and cases within 7 days post onset of symptoms; the total detection rate for various SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains was 97.5% (119/122); and it showed negative results for samples from cases infected with other viruses, including influenza A virus subtype H1N1, influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus subgroups A and B, coxsackievirus 16, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus types 1 and 4, Epstein-Barr virus and adenovirus. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 antigen test kit showed excellent authenticity, and there were few differences for its indictors among nine countries, therefore it can meet the needs of large-scale early screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[Changes of serum lipid profiles and the correlation analysis in clinic-pathological features of pancreatic cancer patients]

Objective: To examine the characteristics of blood lipid profile and the correlation with clinic-pathological features of pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 265 pancreatic cancer patients who received radical surgical treatment at Department of General Surgery,Qilu Hospital,Shandong University from January 2013 to September 2020 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Among the 265 pancreatic cancer patients,there were 170 males and 95 females,with age of (61.0±9.6)years(range:28 to 86 years). General information,lipid indicators and clinic-pathological information were collected from electronic medical record system,and follow-up information gained by telephone. According to level of serum lipid in pancreatic cancer patients,265 patients were divided into dyslipidemia group(n=115) and normal lipid group(n=150). Pearson χ2,Student's t tests, variance analysis or univariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the correlation between dyslipidemia and clinico-pathological characteristics of pancreatic cancer,respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to assessed the influence of dyslipidemia on prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. Results: In 265 pancreatic cancer patients,115(43.4%)of them had dyslipidemias,and the most common form was increase of triglyceride(TG)(72.2%). In pancreatic cancer with dyslipidemias group,patients with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 had higher proportion than normal lipid group(36.1%(26/72) vs. 21.2%(21/99),χ²=4.643,P=0.031); The proportion of carcinoma located at head of pancreas(83.5%(96/115) vs. 40.7%(61/150),χ²=49.412,P<0.01), staging of T1/T2(79.1%(91/115) vs. 60.7%(91/150),χ²=10.316,P<0.01) and lymphatic metastasis(36.5%(42/115) vs. 22.7%(34/150),χ²=6.007,P<0.01) were higher. In patients of pancreatic cancer, dyslipidemias were closely associated with tumor location(OR=10.529,P<0.01)and body mass index(OR=3.671,P=0.008). Serum lipid profile results showed that TG,total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein(HDL) disorders were associated with tumor location(P<0.05). TG disorder had association with body mass index(P<0.05), and HDL disorder had association with tumor stage(P<0.05). Moreover, the result of survival analysis showed that dyslipidemia was not a factor to impact the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients underwent surgery(P>0.05). Conclusions: In pancreatic cancer patients,TG disorder was the most common type of dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia has closely association with clinicopathologic features,including tumor location,body mass index,tumor stage. However,dyslipidemia had little effect on prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients.

Assembly of Ultralong Hydroxyapatite Nanowires into Enamel-like Materials

To develop dental restorative materials with enamel-like structures, ultralong hydroxyapatite (HA) nanowires were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, followed by functionalization with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570). The mixture of HA nanowires, KH-570, and light initiator was stirred and centrifuged. The precipitate was vacuum filtered to remove excessive KH-570 and then pressured under cold isostatic pressing (10 MPa × 24 h). Finally, the block was polymerized by lighting. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that HA nanowires with aspect ratios >1,000 were assembled into enamel rod-like microstructures and evenly dispersed in the polymerized KH-570 silane matrix to form enamel-like structures. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the content of HA nanowires reached 72 wt% in the composite. The enamel-like composite showed a similar hardness, frictional property, and acid-etching property to those of enamel and a comparable or even better diametral tensile strength and compressive strength than some commercial composite resins in mechanical tests in vitro. In addition, the enamel-like composite had good cytocompatibility. Such enamel-like composites may have the potential to be used in biomimetic tooth restorations in the future.

Dirac-cone-like electronic states on nematic antiferromagnetic FeSe and FeTe

We investigate the Dirac-cone-like (DCL) topological electronic properties of nematic-like antiferromagnetic (AFM) states of monolayer FeSe and FeTe designed artificially through first-principles calculations and Wannier-function-based tight-binding (WFTB) method. Our calculations reveal most of them have a pair of DCL bands on the Γ-Xline in the Brillouin zone (BZ) near the Fermi level and open a gap of about 20 meV in the absence and presence of spin-orbit coupling (SOC), respectively, similar to the lowest-energy pair-checkerboard AFM FeSe. We further confirm that they are weak topological insulators based on nonzeroZ₂and fragile surface states, which are calculated by the WFTB method. For FeSe and FeTe in pair-checkerboard AFM states, we find that the in-plane compression strain in a certain range can give rise to another pair of DCL bands located on the Γ-X' line in the BZ. In addition, the magnetic moments, energies, and Fe-Se/Te distances for various nematic-like AFM configurations are presented. These calculations the combining effect of magnetism and topology in a single material and the understanding of the superconducting phenomena in iron-based FeSe and FeTe.

[International multi-center evaluation of a rapid antigen test based on gold immunochromatographic assay for detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]

Objective: The gold immunochromatographic assay for detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen was evaluated by international multi-center clinical trial. Methods: A total of 1 855 clinical parallel samples with valid test results (for nucleic acid and antigen tests, respectively) were collected from nine countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, France, India, Thailand, Malaysia, the United States of America and Brazil, with sampling period from January 3, 2021 to September 22, 2021. These samples were detected by SARS-CoV-2 antigen test kit (colloidal gold immunochromatography assay) and nucleic acid detection kit (real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). Positive coincidence rates [(number of antigen-positive cases/nucleic acid-positive cases)×100%], negative coincidence rates [(number of antigen-negative cases/nucleic acid-negative cases)×100%], total coincidence rates [(number of cases with consistent results for both antigen and nucleic acid detection/number of total cases) ×100%], as well as Kappa values were calculated. The differences of the above indictors among different countries were evaluated by the coefficient of variation. The detection rates of the antigen test for samples with different cycle threshold values (Ct values) for the nucleic acid detection, different characteristics and different mutant strains were analyzed. Results: For all samples, the positive, negative, and total coincidence rate between the antigen test and nucleic acid assay was 90.8% (569/627), 99.7% (1 224/1 228) and 96.7% (1 793/1 855), respectively, and the consistency coefficient Kappa value was 0.924. Among these countries, the coefficient of variation for positive coincidence rates (except for Malaysia with a lot of samples with Ct value>30), negative coincidence rates (except for France without negative samples) and total coincidence rates (except for France) was 6%,<1%, and 6%, respectively. When Ct values were less than 25, the detection rates of antigen test were 83.3%-100% for each countries (the coefficient of variation was 6%); The total detection rate and the coefficient of variation was 93.4% (428/458) and 5%, respectively, for asymptomatic infected persons and cases within 7 days post onset of symptoms; the total detection rate for various SARS-CoV-2 mutant strains was 97.5% (119/122); and it showed negative results for samples from cases infected with other viruses, including influenza A virus subtype H1N1, influenza B virus, respiratory syncytial virus subgroups A and B, coxsackievirus 16, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus types 1 and 4, Epstein-Barr virus and adenovirus. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 antigen test kit showed excellent authenticity, and there were few differences for its indictors among nine countries, therefore it can meet the needs of large-scale early screening of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

[Clinical characteristics and prognostic analyses of cervical neuroblastoma]

Objective: To determine the characteristics of cervical neuroblastoma and the effect of resection extent on survival and outcomes. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 32 children with cervical neuroblastoma treated at Beijing Children's Hospital between April 2013 and August 2020. Data were collected from the medical record. The individualized therapy was designed based on staging and risk group. Based on the extent of resection, patients were divided into incomplete and complete resection groups. Event free and overall survival rates were compared between two groups using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The ages of patients ranged from 1 month to 81 months, with a median age of 11 months, including 7 males and 15 females. Twenty-nine patients (90.6%) presented with cervical painless mass. The average diameter of the primary tumors was (5.12±1.43) cm. Tumors were located in the parapharyngeal space in 25 cases (78.1%) and in the root of the neck in 7 cases (21.9%). None had MYCN amplification. According to International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS), 15 patients (46.9%) were identified as stage 1, 11 patients (34.3%) as stage 2B, 3 patients (9.4%) as stage 3 and 3 patients (9.4%) as stage 4. There were 12 patients (37.5%) at low risk, 17 patients (53.1%) at intermediate risk and 3 patients at high risk according to Children's Oncology Group (COG) risk classification system. All patients underwent tumor resection. Postoperatively Horner's syndrome occurred in 13 patients (40.6%), pneumonia in 9 patients (28.1%), pharyngeal dysfunction in 8 patients (25.0%) and transient hoarseness in 4 patients (12.5%). At a median follow-up of 36.5 months, the overall survival rate was 96.4%, with no significant difference between incomplete and complete resection groups (100.0% vs. 96.3%, χ²=0.19, P=0.667); the event free survival rate was 78.1%, with a significant difference between the two groups (40.0% vs. 85.2%, χ²=6.71, P=0.010). Conclusions: Primary cervical neuroblastoma has a young onset age, mostly in low and medium risk groups, and represents favorable lesions with good outcomes after multidisciplinary therapy. Less aggressive surgery with preservation of important structures is recommended. Complete resection should not be attempted if it would compromise vital structures.

Effects of wearing personal protective equipment during COVID-19 pandemic on composition and diversity of skin bacteria and fungi of medical workers

BACKGROUND

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing PPE can induce skin damage such as erythema, pruritus, erosion, and ulceration among others. Although the skin microbiome is considered important for skin health, the change of the skin microbiome after wearing PPE remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to characterize the diversity and structure of bacterial and fungal flora on skin surfaces of healthcare workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during the COVID-19 pandemic using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS).

METHODS

A total of 10 Chinese volunteers were recruited and the microbiome of their face, hand, and back were analyzed before and after wearing PPE. Moreover, VISIA was used to analyze skin features.

RESULTS

Results of alpha bacterial diversity showed that there was statistically significant decrease in alpha diversity indice in the skin samples from face, hand, and three sites after wearing PPE as compared with the indice in the skin samples before wearing PPE. Further, the results of evaluated alpha fungal diversity show that there was a statistically significant decrease in alpha diversity indices in the skin samples from hand after wearing PPE as compared with the indices in the skin samples before wearing PPE (P<0.05). Results of the current study found that the main bacteria on the face, hand, and back skin samples before wearing the PPE were Propionibacterium spp. (34.04%), Corynebacterium spp. (13.12%), and Staphylococcus spp. (38.07%). The main bacteria found on the skin samples after wearing the PPE were Staphylococcus spp. (31.23%), Xanthomonas spp. (26.21%), and Cutibacterium spp. (42.59%). The fungal community composition was similar in three skin sites before and after wearing PPE.

CONCLUSION

It was evident that wearing PPE may affect the skin microbiota, especially bacteria. Therefore, it was evident that the symbiotic microbiota may reflect the skin health of medical workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Advances in studies on schistosome-host interactions mediated by extracellular vesicles]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are minute particles secreted by the cells of living organisms, which can encapsulate various bioactive molecules for long-distance transport to present biological functions. With the recent studies on parasite-host interactions, EVs, as a carrier for long-distance transport of worm-derived molecules, have been paid much attention during the across-species regulation of hosts. During schistosome infections, adult worms and eggs have been found to mediate hosts via secretion of EVs. This review presents the advances in the studies on schistosome-host interactions mediated by EVs.

Exploring Lorentz Invariance Violation from Ultrahigh-Energy γ Rays Observed by LHAASO

Recently, the LHAASO Collaboration published the detection of 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources above 100 TeV, with the highest energy photon reaching 1.4 PeV. The first detection of PeV γ rays from astrophysical sources may provide a very sensitive probe of the effect of the Lorentz invariance violation (LIV), which results in decay of high-energy γ rays in the superluminal scenario and hence a sharp cutoff of the energy spectrum. Two highest energy sources are studied in this work. No signature of the existence of the LIV is found in their energy spectra, and the lower limits on the LIV energy scale are derived. Our results show that the first-order LIV energy scale should be higher than about 10^{5} times the Planck scale M_{Pl} and that the second-order LIV scale is >10^{-3}M_{Pl}. Both limits improve by at least one order of magnitude the previous results.

A New Lignan and C(6)-Oxygenated Flavonoids from the Inflorescence of Ambrosia artemisiifolia

A new lignan (4,4',5'-trihydroxy-5,3'-dimethoxy-3-O-9',2-(7'R)-lignan, 1) and eight C(6)-oxygenated flavonoids (2-9), including a newly identified flavonoid (7,3',4'-trihydroxy-3,5,6-trimethoxyflavone, 2), were isolated from the inflorescence of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. The structures of these isolates were determined using extensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with data previously reported in the literature. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was established using electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectrum. All the flavonoids (2-9) showed inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 cells, with the inhibition rate ranging from 24.51 % to 69.82 % at 50 μM. The in vitro cytotoxicity study showed that compounds 3-8 have a 60 % inhibition rate against SMMC-7721 at a concentration of 40 μM, while compounds 5 and 8 also exhibited inhibitory activity against HL-60 at 40 μM with the inhibition rate of 83.36 % and 52.01 %, respectively.

Efficient removal of a low concentration of Pb(II), Fe(III) and Cu(II) from simulated drinking water by co-immobilization between low-dosages of metal-resistant/adapted fungus Penicillium janthinillum and graphene oxide and activated carbon

Drinking water safety cannot be overemphasized. Filamentous fungi have many excellent features for metal removal. Both graphene oxide (GO) and activated carbon (AC) are conventional metal adsorbents, but they are not suitable for large-scale use due to high cost. In this study, a low dosage of conidia (2.0 × 10⁴ conidia/mL) of metal-resistant/adapted filamentous fungus Penicillium janthinillum strain GXCR were co-immobilized with a low dosage of 0.5 mg/L GO or 0.5 mg/L AC by embedding in 2% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-3% sodium alginate (SA), generating six types of microbead adsorbents (MBAs) to remove metals from a low concentration of either single metal (100 mg/L) or mixed metals (100 mg/L each) of Pb (II), Fe (III) and Cu (II) in drinking water. Fungus GXCR-containing MBAs had higher specific surface areas (SSAs), better mesoporous structures, and a higher removal rate (85-98.99%) of single or mixed metals. Singl-metal adsorptions of MBAs were almost unaffected by temperature changes. MBAs showed a stable removal rate of 87-94% during four cycles of adsorption-desorption of single metal. Single-metal adsorptions were well described by multiple models of Freundlich isotherm with constant values of 0.21-0.432, Langmuir isotherm with constant values of 0.037-0.17, Pseudo-fist-order, Pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion (IPD). In conclusion, co-immobilization between GXCR, GO and AC can make metal removal more efficient. Adsorption capacity is increased with SSAs but not in the same proportion. Single-metal adsorptions involve multiple mechanisms of monolayer and multilayer adsorptions, external mass transfer, and IPD. IPD is important but not the only one rate-controlling step for single-metal adsorptions.

Magnetic field effect on topological properties of Dirac semimetals PdTe2/PtTe2/PtSe2

We investigated magnetic field effect on the topological properties of transition metal dichalcogenide Dirac semimetals (DSMs) PdTe₂/PtTe₂/PtSe₂based on Wannier-function-based tight-binding (WFTB) model obtained from first-principles calculations. The DSMs PdTe₂/PtTe₂/PtSe₂undergo a transition from DSMs into Weyl semimetals with four pairs of Weyl points (WPs) in the entire Brillouin zone by splitting Dirac points under external magnetic fieldB. The positions and energies of WPs vary linearly with the strength of theBfield under thec-axis magnetic fieldB. Under thea- andb-axisBfield, however, the positions of magnetic-field-inducing WPs deviate slightly from thecaxis, and theirk_zcoordinates and energies change in a parabolic-like curve with the increasingBfield. However, the system opens an axial gap on theA-Γ axis, and the gap changes with the direction of theBfield when the out ofc-axisBfield is applied. When we further apply the magnetic field in theac,bc, andabplanes, the results are more diverse compared to the axial magnetic field. Under theacandbcplaneBfield, thek_zand energies of WPs within angleθ= [0°, 90°] andθ= [90°, 180°] are mirror symmetrically distributed. The distribution of WPs shows broken rotational symmetry under theabplaneBfield due to the difference of non-diagonal part of Hamiltonian. Our theoretical findings can provide a useful guideline for the applications of DSM materials under external magnetic field in the future topological electronic devices.

Analyses of open-access multi-omics data sets reveal genetic and expression characteristics of maize ZmCCT family genes

Flowering in maize (Zea mays) is influenced by photoperiod. The CO, CO-like/COL and TOC1 (CCT) domain protein-encoding genes in maize, ZmCCTs, are particularly important for photoperiod sensitivity. However, little is known about CCT protein-encoding gene number across plant species or among maize inbred lines. Therefore, we analysed CCT protein-encoding gene number across plant species, and characterized ZmCCTs in different inbred lines, including structural variations (SVs), copy number variations (CNVs), expression under stresses, dark-dark (DD) and dark-light (DL) cycles, interaction network and associations with maize quantitative trait loci (QTLs) by referring to the latest v4 genome data of B73. Gene number varied greatly across plant species, more in polyploids than in diploids. The numbers of ZmCCTs identified were 58 in B73, 59 in W22, 48 in Mo17, and 57 in Huangzao4 for temperate maize inbred lines, and 68 in tropical maize inbred line SK. Some ZmCCTs underwent duplications and presented chromosome collinearity. Structural variations and CNVs were found but they had no germplasm specificity. Forty-two ZmCCTs responded to stresses. Expression of 37 ZmCCTs in embryonic leaves during seed germination of maize under DD and DL cycles was roughly divided into five patterns of uphill pattern, downhill-pattern, zigzag-pattern, └-pattern and ⅃-pattern, indicating some of them have a potential to perceive dark and/or dark-light transition. Thirty-three ZmCCTs were co-expressed with 218 other maize genes; and 24 ZmCCTs were associated with known QTLs. The data presented in this study will help inform further functions of ZmCCTs.

Effects of increasing dietary inclusion of camelina cake on growth performance of growing-finishing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the dietary inclusion rate of camelina cake (CC) that would support the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs similar to that of a corn-soybean meal-based diet. Pigs (n = 192; BW = 35.2 kg; Duroc x (Yorkshire x Landrace)), balanced for sex and initial weight, were assigned to pens (8 pigs/pen) and pens were assigned randomly to one of four dietary treatments (6 pens/treatment). Treatments consisted of a non GMO corn-soybean meal control diet (CON), or CON containing 5% (5CC), 10% (10CC), or 15% (15CC) camelina cake. Feed disappearance on a pen basis and individual body weights of pigs were recorded every other week to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) on a pen basis. Prior to harvest, real-time ultrasonic measurements of back fat depth and loin eye area were collected on all live pigs. Pigs were harvested as a single group at about 23 weeks of age at a commercial abattoir. Data were analyzed using Proc Glimmix with dietary treatment as a fixed effect and pen serving as the experimental unit. Growth performance data collected over time were analyzed using repeated measures within the Proc Glimmix procedure. Overall, pigs fed CON exhibited similar ADG to those consuming 5CC and higher ADG than pigs consuming 10CC and 15CC diets (1.10 kg vs. 1.05 kg for 10CC and 1.02 kg for 15CC; P < 0.05 for both mean comparisons). Pigs fed CON consumed more feed than pigs fed any of the CC diets (ADFI = 2.66 kg for CON vs. 2.46 kg for 5CC, 2.46 kg for 10CC and 2.47 kg for 15CC; P < 0.05 for all). These differences resulted in heavier (P < 0.05) CON-fed pigs at marketing than 10CC or 15CC-fed pigs. There were no differences in any carcass traits analyzed. From these data, we conclude that feeding up to 5% CC in corn-soybean meal-based diets did not negatively influence growth performance, or carcass traits of growing-finishing pigs.

New Enantiomers of a Nor-Bisabolane Derivative and Two New Phthalides Produced by the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium chrysogenum LD-201810

Marine-derived fungi are a treasure house for the discovery of structurally novel secondary metabolites with potential pharmaceutical value. In this study, a pair of new nor-bisabolane derivative enantiomers (±)−1 and two new phthalides (4 and 5), as well as four known metabolites, were isolated from the culture filtrate of the marine algal-derived endophytic fungus Penicillium chrysogenum LD-201810. Their structures were established by detailed interpretation of spectroscopic data (1D/2D NMR and ESI-MS). The optical resolution of compound (±)−1 by chiral HPLC successfully afforded individual enantiomers (+)−1 and (−)−1, and their absolute configurations were determined by TDDFT-ECD calculations. Compound (±)−1 represents the first example of bisabolane analogs with a methylsulfinyl substituent group, which is rare in natural products. All of the isolated compounds 1–7 were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against A549, BT-549, HeLa, HepG2, MCF-7, and THP-1 cell lines, as well as for antifungal activity against four plant pathogenetic fungi (Alternaria solani, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, and Valsa mali). Compound 2, a bisabolane-type sesquiterpenoid, was shown to possess excellent activity for control of B. cinerea with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 13.6 μg/mL, whereas the remaining investigated compounds showed either weak or no cytotoxic/antifungal activity in this study.

[Well differentiated grade 3 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors:new insights into diagnosis and therapeutic strategy]

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumor G3(GEP-NET G3) is a novel subtype of neuroendocrine neoplasms proposed in 2019,which has unique biological behavior characteristics. However,there are still many challenges and controversies in its diagnosis and treatment. There are obvious differences between GEP-NET G3 and neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) in genetic alterations and molecular profiles. The most frequently mutated genes in NET G3 are MEN1,DAXX/ATRX,while in NEC,TP53 and Rb are the most frequently mutated genes. Currently,the mainstream view is that NET G3 and NEC are two distinct diseases with different genetic backgrounds,and NET G3 will not develop into NEC. Several clinical and pathological factors should be considered to distinguish GEP-NET G3 and NEC,which including patients' medical history,histopathological morphology of neoplasms,Ki-67 index,immunohistochemical results of TP53,Rb,DAXX/ATRX and other markers. Multidisciplinary treatment,including radical resection,chemotherapy,targeted therapy,peptide receptor radionuclide therapy,immunotherapy should be applied in patients with GEP-NET G3. Overall,given its relatively indolent biological behavior,the therapeutic strategy should be more actively. Although the cure strategy of NET G3 has many similarities with NET G1/2,it is completely different from NEC.

[Collateral circulation compensation mode in patients with severe bilateral internal carotid artery stenosis/occlusion]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between collateral flow compensation mode and interventional treatment decision in patients with severe bilateral internal carotid artery stenosis/occlusion. Methods: According to the location of internal carotid artery lesions, patients with severe stenosis/occlusion of bilateral internal carotid artery were selected at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Qiqihar Medical University and the Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from May 2017 to June 2020. Results: A total of 42 patients were finally enrolled and divided into 4 types, including 34 males and 8 females with median age 61±8(48-82)years. The collateral circulation pathways manifested as following modes: anterior communicating artery collateral, posterior communicating artery collateral, ophthalmic artery collateral, posterior cerebral middle cerebral artery pial anastomosis collateral, posterior choroidal artery anterior choroidal artery collateral, external carotid internal carotid artery C4 segment collateral, pericallosal artery anastomosis collateral, dural and pial collateral and neovascularization. Type Ⅰ severe stenosis/occlusion of C1 segment was found in 20 cases (47.6%). There were 5 cases (11.9%) of type Ⅱ severe stenosis/occlusion from C2 to C6 prior to ophthalmic artery branch. Type Ⅲ severe stenosis/occlusion occurred in 2 cases (4.8%) after the split of ophthalmic artery. Type Ⅳ was mixed type in 15 cases (35.7%). Conclusions: The compensatory pathway of collateral circulation is closely related to the lesion location. To explore the compensatory pattern of collateral circulation is helpful for clinicians to accurately analyze the lesion characteristics and guide individualized interventional therapy.

Trichoderma: A Treasure House of Structurally Diverse Secondary Metabolites With Medicinal Importance

Fungi play an irreplaceable role in drug discovery in the course of human history, as they possess unique abilities to synthesize diverse specialized metabolites with significant medicinal potential. Trichoderma are well-studied filamentous fungi generally observed in nature, which are widely marketed as biocontrol agents. The secondary metabolites produced by Trichoderma have gained extensive attention since they possess attractive chemical structures with remarkable biological activities. A large number of metabolites have been isolated from Trichoderma species in recent years. A previous review by Reino et al. summarized 186 compounds isolated from Trichoderma as well as their biological activities up to 2008. To update the relevant list of reviews of secondary metabolites produced from Trichoderma sp., we provide a comprehensive overview in regard to the newly described metabolites of Trichoderma from the beginning of 2009 to the end of 2020, with emphasis on their chemistry and various bioactivities. A total of 203 compounds with considerable bioactivities are included in this review, which is worth expecting for the discovery of new drug leads and agrochemicals in the foreseeable future. Moreover, new strategies for discovering secondary metabolites of Trichoderma in recent years are also discussed herein.

[Relationship between age at menarche and obesity in women]

Objective: To explore the relationship between age at menarche and general obesity (based on BMI) and central obesity (based on WC or WHtR) in middle-aged and elderly women in China. Methods: A total of 6 363 women from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included. Restricted cubic splines based on binary logistic regressions were used to analyze the relationship between age at menarche and the risk of obesity. Age at menarche was divided into four groups: ≤13, 14- (control group), 16- , and ≥18 years old. Binary logistic regressions were applied to analyze the relationship between the continuous or grouped variable of age at menarche and the risk of obesity. Results: After adjusting potential confounders, the age at menarche showed a negative linear relationship with the risk of general obesity and central obesity. The risk for obesity based on BMI, WC and WHtR significantly decreased by 6% (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.90-0.99), 4% (OR=0.96, 95%CI: 0.92-1.00), and 6% (OR=0.94, 95%CI: 0.90-0.99) for each 1 year increase in age at menarche. Compared with participants who had menarche at age 14- years old, the risk for obesity based on BMI (OR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.55-0.91), WC (OR=0.75, 95%CI: 0.62-0.92) and WHtR (OR=0.76, 95%CI: 0.61-0.96) significantly decreased by 29%, 25%, and 24% in participants who had menarche at age ≥18 years old. Conclusions: There was a negative linear relationship between age at menarche and the risk for general obesity and central obesity in middle-aged and elderly women in China. Older age at menarche might be negatively associated with risk for obesity in middle-aged and elderly women.

Peta-electron volt gamma-ray emission from the Crab Nebula

The Crab Nebula is a bright source of gamma rays powered by the Crab Pulsar's rotational energy through the formation and termination of a relativistic electron-positron wind. We report the detection of gamma rays from this source with energies from 5 × 10^-4 to 1.1 peta-electron volts with a spectrum showing gradual steepening over three energy decades. The ultrahigh-energy photons imply the presence of a peta-electron volt electron accelerator (a pevatron) in the nebula, with an acceleration rate exceeding 15% of the theoretical limit. We constrain the pevatron's size between 0.025 and 0.1 parsecs and the magnetic field to ≈110 microgauss. The production rate of peta-electron volt electrons, 2.5 × 10³⁶ ergs per second, constitutes 0.5% of the pulsar spin-down luminosity, although we cannot exclude a contribution of peta-electron volt protons to the production of the highest-energy gamma rays.

Extended Very-High-Energy Gamma-Ray Emission Surrounding PSR J0622+3749 Observed by LHAASO-KM2A

We report the discovery of an extended very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source around the location of the middle-aged (207.8 kyr) pulsar PSR J0622+3749 with the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). The source is detected with a significance of 8.2σ for E>25  TeV assuming a Gaussian template. The best-fit location is (right ascension, declination) =(95.47°±0.11°,37.92°±0.09°), and the extension is 0.40°±0.07°. The energy spectrum can be described by a power-law spectrum with an index of -2.92±0.17_{stat}±0.02_{sys}. No clear extended multiwavelength counterpart of the LHAASO source has been found from the radio to sub-TeV bands. The LHAASO observations are consistent with the scenario that VHE electrons escaped from the pulsar, diffused in the interstellar medium, and scattered the interstellar radiation field. If interpreted as the pulsar halo scenario, the diffusion coefficient, inferred for electrons with median energies of ∼160  TeV, is consistent with those obtained from the extended halos around Geminga and Monogem and much smaller than that derived from cosmic ray secondaries. The LHAASO discovery of this source thus likely enriches the class of so-called pulsar halos and confirms that high-energy particles generally diffuse very slowly in the disturbed medium around pulsars.

Ultrahigh-energy photons up to 1.4 petaelectronvolts from 12 γ-ray Galactic sources

The extension of the cosmic-ray spectrum beyond 1 petaelectronvolt (PeV; 10¹⁵ electronvolts) indicates the existence of the so-called PeVatrons-cosmic-ray factories that accelerate particles to PeV energies. We need to locate and identify such objects to find the origin of Galactic cosmic rays¹. The principal signature of both electron and proton PeVatrons is ultrahigh-energy (exceeding 100 TeV) γ radiation. Evidence of the presence of a proton PeVatron has been found in the Galactic Centre, according to the detection of a hard-spectrum radiation extending to 0.04 PeV (ref. ²). Although γ-rays with energies slightly higher than 0.1 PeV have been reported from a few objects in the Galactic plane^3-6, unbiased identification and in-depth exploration of PeVatrons requires detection of γ-rays with energies well above 0.1 PeV. Here we report the detection of more than 530 photons at energies above 100 teraelectronvolts and up to 1.4 PeV from 12 ultrahigh-energy γ-ray sources with a statistical significance greater than seven standard deviations. Despite having several potential counterparts in their proximity, including pulsar wind nebulae, supernova remnants and star-forming regions, the PeVatrons responsible for the ultrahigh-energy γ-rays have not yet been firmly localized and identified (except for the Crab Nebula), leaving open the origin of these extreme accelerators.

Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance Characteristics of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli among Healthy Chickens from Farms and Live Poultry Markets in China

Simple Summary

Chicken meat has been proved to be a suspected source of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC), causing several diseases in humans, and bacteria in healthy chickens can contaminate chicken carcasses at the slaughter; however, reports about the prevalence and molecular characteristics of ExPEC in healthy chickens are still rare. In this study, among 926 E. coli isolates from healthy chickens in China, 22 (2.4%) were qualified as ExPEC and these ExPEC isolates were clonally unrelated. A total of six serogroups were identified in this study, with O78 being the most predominant type, and all the six serogroups had been frequently reported in human ExPEC isolates in many countries. All the 22 ExPEC isolates were multidrug-resistant and most isolates carried both bla_CTX-M and fosA3 resistance genes. Notably, plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene mcr-1 was identified in six ExPEC isolates, among which two carried additional carbapenemase gene bla_NDM, compromising both the efficacies of the two critically important drugs for humans, carbapenems and colistin. These results highlight that healthy chickens can serve as a potential reservoir for multidrug resistant ExPEC isolates, including mcr-1-containing ExPEC.

Abstract

Chicken products and chickens with colibacillosis are often reported to be a suspected source of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) causing several diseases in humans. Such pathogens in healthy chickens can also contaminate chicken carcasses at the slaughter and then are transmitted to humans via food supply; however, reports about the ExPEC in healthy chickens are still rare. In this study, we determined the prevalence and characteristics of ExPEC isolates in healthy chickens in China. A total of 926 E. coli isolates from seven layer farms (371 isolates), one white-feather broiler farm (78 isolates) and 17 live poultry markets (477 isolates from yellow-feather broilers) in 10 cities in China, were isolated and analyzed for antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genotypes. The molecular detection of ExPEC among these healthy chicken E. coli isolates was performed by PCRs, and the serogroups and antibiotic resistance characteristics of ExPEC were also analyzed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were used to analyze the genetic relatedness of these ExPEC isolates. We found that the resistance rate for each of the 15 antimicrobials tested among E. coli from white-feather broilers was significantly higher than that from brown-egg layers and that from yellow-feather broilers in live poultry markets (p < 0.05). A total of 22 of the 926 E. coli isolates (2.4%) from healthy chickens were qualified as ExPEC, and the detection rate (7.7%, 6/78) of ExPEC among white-feather broilers was significantly higher than that (1.6%, 6/371) from brown-egg layers and that (2.1%, 10/477) from yellow-feather broilers (p < 0.05). PFGE and MLST analysis indicated that clonal dissemination of these ExPEC isolates was unlikely. Serogroup O78 was the most predominant type among the six serogroups identified in this study, and all the six serogroups had been frequently reported in human ExPEC isolates in many countries. All the 22 ExPEC isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and the resistance rates to ampicillin (100%) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (100%) were the highest, followed by tetracycline (95.5%) and doxycycline (90.9%). bla_CTX-M was found in 15 of the 22 ExPEC isolates including 10 harboring additional fosfomycin resistance gene fosA3. Notably, plasmid-borne colistin resistance gene mcr-1 was identified in six ExPEC isolates in this study. Worryingly, two ExPEC isolates were found to carry both mcr-1 and bla_NDM, compromising both the efficacies of carbapenems and colistin. The presence of ExPEC isolates in healthy chickens, especially those carrying mcr-1 and/or bla_NDM, is alarming and will pose a threat to the health of consumers. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mcr-1-positive ExPEC isolates harboring bla_NDM from healthy chickens.

Effects of cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water on behavior and performance of lactating sows under heat stress

This study was conducted to evaluate whether cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water could alleviate negative impacts of heat stress on lactating sows. Thirty sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, Parity = 1 to 6) were housed in individual farrowing stalls in two rooms with temperatures being controlled at 29.4°C (0700-1900 hours) and 23.9°C (1900-0700 hours). Sows in one room (Cool), but not in the other room (Control) were provided cooled floor pads (21-22°C) and chilled drinking water (13-15°C). Behavior of sows (15 sows/treatment) was video recorded during farrowing, and days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after farrowing. Videos were viewed continuously to register the birth time of each piglet, from which total farrowing duration and birth intervals were calculated. The number of drinking bouts and the duration of each drinking bout were registered for each sow through viewing videos continuously for 2 h (1530-1730 hours) each video-recording day. Postures (lying laterally, lying ventrally, sitting, and standing) were recorded by scanning video recordings at 5-min intervals for 24 h each video-recording day, and time budget for each posture was calculated. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured for all sows the day before and after farrowing, and then once weekly. Sow and litter performance was recorded. Data were analyzed using the Glimmix procedure of SAS. The cooling treatment did not affect sow behavior or litter performance. Sows in the Cool room had lower rectal temperature (P = 0.03) and lower respiration rate (P < 0.001), consumed more feed (P = 0.03), tended to have reduced weight loss (P = 0.07), and backfat loss (P = 0.07) during lactation than sows in the Control room. As lactation progressed, sows increased drinking frequency (P < 0.001) and time spent lying ventrally (P < 0.0001), standing (P < 0.001), and sitting (P < 0.0001), and decreased time spent lying laterally (P < 0.0001) in both Cool and Control rooms. While cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water did not affect sow behavior, they did alleviate heat stress partially, as indicated by decreased rectal temperature, respiration rate, weight, and backfat loss, and increased feed intake in lactating sows.

[Progress in diagnosis and treatment of chylous leakage following pancreatic resection]

Compared with other postoperative complications following pancreatic resection, chylous leakage is rare in clinical, which could lead to serious morbidity, including malnutrition,immunosuppression and abdominal infection. The main risk factors for chylous leakage after pancreatic resection are the injury of cisterna chyli or lymphatic vessels caused by intraoperative lymph node dissection and early enteral nutrition. The clinical features of chylous leakage are not specific, and the diagnosis mainly depends on the composition analysis of the drainage fluid. The diagnostic criteria generally adopt the expert consensus of the international Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery,but it is only applicable to isolated chylous leakage and there is still no widely accepted diagnostic criteria in most complex cases. Abdominal fluid analysis and abdominal CT scan are the most applied diagnostic methods for chylous leakage after pancreatic resection,while lymphangiography can not only identify the site of leakage,but also has therapeutic value. For its treatment,the"step-up"treatment strategy is typically applied in most patients. Conservative treatments, including drainage,proper diet and applying octreotide, can benefit most patients. Surgical treatment is not commonly used,and its therapeutic value needs to be further verified. Optimizing perioperative management measures and personalized treatment strategies for different patients can effectively prevent postoperative chylous leakage and maximize the clinical benefits of patients who received pancreatic resection.

[Effects of different corn varieties on development and reproduction of Spodoptera frugiperda]

To understand the damage capability of the invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda on diffe-rent corn varieties in China, we evaluated survival fitness of S. frugiperda on three varieties of sweet corn (i.e., Suitian No.1, Zhengtian 68, and Huajintian No.1) and three varieties of waxy corn (i.e., Jingkenuo 2000, Guangheitiannuo, and Guangnuo No.1) by constructing life table for all populations. The correlation of biological parameters of S. frugiperda to the main nutrients and crude fiber content in corn leaves were analyzed. Results showed that the larva survival rate, pupal weight, and production of S. frugiperda on sweet corns were significantly higher than those on waxy corns. The intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) of S. frugiperda on the sweet corns ranged from 0.1566 to 0.1843, and the net reproductive rate (R₀) ranged from 187.97 to 353.35, being higher than those reared on the waxy corns (r_m was from 0.0998 to 0.1465, and R₀ was from 25.89 to 95.34). S. frugiperda reared on the sweet corns had higher population growth ability than those reared on the waxy corns. The content of main nutrients such as vitamin C, starch, soluble sugar, protein, fat, total amino acids, and crude fiber in the sweet corn leaves were higher than those in the waxy corn leaves. There were positive correlations between R₀ of S. frugiperda to the contenst of vitamin C, starch, soluble sugar, protein, and crude fiber in corn leaves. The results indicated that S. frugiperda reared on the sweet corn leaves had higher survival fitness than those reared on the waxy corn leaves.