Increased retinal venule diameter as a prognostic indicator for recurrent cerebrovascular events:a prospective observational study

Microvasculature of the retina is considered an alternative marker of cerebral vascular risk in healthy populations.However,the ability of retinal vasculature changes,specifically focusing on retinal vessel diameter,to predict the recurrence of cerebrovascular events in patients with ischemic stroke has not been determined comprehensively.While previous studies have shown a link between retinal vessel diameter and recurrent cerebrovascular events,they have not incorporated this information into a predictive model.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the relationship between retinal vessel diameter and subsequent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Additionally,we sought to establish a predictive model by combining retinal veessel diameter with traditional risk factors.We performed a prospective observational study of 141 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University.All of these patients underwent digital retinal imaging within 72 hours of admission and were followed up for 3 years.We found that,after adjusting for related risk factors,patients with acute ischemic stroke with mean arteriolar diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MAD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥74.14μm and mean venular diameter within 0.5-1.0 disc diameters of the disc margin(MVD_(0.5-1.0DD))of≥83.91μm tended to experience recurrent cerebrovascular events.We established three multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models:model 1 included traditional risk factors,model 2 added MAD_(0.5-1.0DD)to model 1,and model 3 added MVD0.5-1.0DD to model 1.Model 3 had the greatest potential to predict subsequent cerebrovascular events,followed by model 2,and finally model 1.These findings indicate that combining retinal venular or arteriolar diameter with traditional risk factors could improve the prediction of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with acute ischemic stroke,and that retinal imaging could be a useful and non-invasive method for identifying high-risk patients who require closer monitoring and more aggressive management.

Deformation characteristics and analog modeling of transtensional structures in the Dongying Sag,Bohai Bay Basin

Hydrocarbon exploration in the Dongying Sag is constrained by the development of many Cenozoic transtensional structures with complex patterns and dynamic mechanisms.This study uses seismic interpretation and analog modeling to investigate these transtensional structures.Significant results include dividing these transtensional structures into boundary fault,oblique rifting,and deep strike-slip fault controlled structures,according to the relationships between main and secondary faults.They developed in the steep slope zone,the central sag zone,and the slope zone,respectively.In profile,the transtensional structures formed appear to be semi-flower-like,step-like,or negative-flower-like.In plan-view,they appear to be broom-like,soft-linked,or en-echelon structures.Further,these transtensional structures are controlled by the oblique normal slip of boundary faults,by the oblique extension of sub-sags,and by the later extension of deep strike-slip faults.The geometric deformation of these transtensional structures is controlled by the angles between the regional extension direction and the strike of boundary faults,deep faults,or sub-sags,where a larger angle corresponds to less developed transtensional structures.Further,the transtensional structures in the Dongying Sag were created by multi-phase and multi-directional extensions in the Cenozoic—which is also controlled by pre-existing structures.The strike of newborn secondary faults was determined by the regional extension direction and pre-existing structures.

Pore structure characteristics of low-rank coal reservoirs with different ash yields and their implications for recoverability of coalbed methane—a case study from the Erlian Basin, northeastern China

Pores are the main accumulation sites and migration pathways for coalbed methane(also referred to as CBM).Pore structure restricts the content and recoverability of CBM from coal reservoirs.In this study,12 representative coal samples with different ash yields that have similar tectonic characteristics and burial depths were collected from different mining areas in the Jiergalangtu and Huolinhe depressions in the Erlian Basin.These samples were used to study the restrictions of ash yield on the characteristics of coal pore structures and the recoverability of CBM through macroscopic and microscopic structure observation,scanning electron microscope observations,vitrinite reflectance tests,low-temperature N2 adsorption,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),and micro-computed tomography.The results show that coal reservoirs in the study area vary greatly in ash yield,based on which they can be divided into three types,i.e.,low-ash-content,ash-bearing,and high-ash-content coal reservoirs.In addition,the ash yield has a certain impact on the development of coal pores;coal samples with lower ash yields indicate the presence of well-developed medium-large pores and better connectivity.Ash yield also has a certain impact on the brittleness of coal wherein a lower ash yield implies the development of brittle coal that is more liable to fracture as compared to less brittle samples at the same pressure.Absorbed gas content also varies significantly with ash yield;a low ash yield impacts the gas saturation of coal.Overall,for coal reservoirs in the study area,their porosity,pore diameter,movable fluid porosity,adsorbed gas amount,and recoverability decrease as the ash yield increases.