The variation in basal channels and basal melt rates of Pine Island Ice Shelf

In recent years,there has been a significant acceleration in the thinning,calving and retreat of the Pine Island Ice Shelf(PIIS).The basal channels,results of enhanced basal melting,have the potential to significantly impact the stability of the PIIS.In this study,we used a variety of remote sensing data,including Landsat,REMA DEM,ICESat-1 and ICESat-2 satellite altimetry observations,and Ice Bridge airborne measurements,to study the spatiotemporal changes in the basal channels from 2003 to 2020 and basal melt rate from 2010 to 2017 of the PIIS under the Eulerian framework.We found that the basal channels are highly developed in the PIIS,with a total length exceeding 450 km.Most of the basal channels are ocean-sourced or groundingline-sourced basal channels,caused by the rapid melting under the ice shelf or near the groundingline.A raised seabed prevented warm water intrusion into the eastern branch of the PIIS,resulting in a lower basal melt rate in that area.In contrast,a deepsea trough facilitates warm seawater into the mainstream and the western branch of the PIIS,resulting in a higher basal melt rate in the main-stream,and the surface elevation changes above the basal channels of the mainstream and western branch are more significant.The El Ni?o event in 2015–2016 possibly slowed down the basal melting of the PIIS by modulating wind field,surface sea temperature and depth seawater temperature.Ocean and atmospheric changes were driven by El Ni?o,which can further explain and confirm the changes in the basal melting of the PIIS.

Grouping tree species to estimate basal area increment in temperate multispecies forests in Durango,Mexico

Multispecies forests have received increased scientific attention,driven by the hypothesis that biodiversity improves ecological resilience.However,a greater species diversity presents challenges for forest management and research.Our study aims to develop basal area growth models for tree species cohorts.The analysis is based on a dataset of 423 permanent plots(2,500 m^(2))located in temperate forests in Durango,Mexico.First,we define tree species cohorts based on individual and neighborhood-based variables using a combination of principal component and cluster analyses.Then,we estimate the basal area increment of each cohort through the generalized additive model to describe the effect of tree size,competition,stand density and site quality.The principal component and cluster analyses assign a total of 37 tree species to eight cohorts that differed primarily with regard to the distribution of tree size and vertical position within the community.The generalized additive models provide satisfactory estimates of tree growth for the species cohorts,explaining between 19 and 53 percent of the total variation of basal area increment,and highlight the following results:i)most cohorts show a"rise-and-fall"effect of tree size on tree growth;ii)surprisingly,the competition index"basal area of larger trees"had showed a positive effect in four of the eight cohorts;iii)stand density had a negative effect on basal area increment,though the effect was minor in medium-and high-density stands,and iv)basal area growth was positively correlated with site quality except for an oak cohort.The developed species cohorts and growth models provide insight into their particular ecological features and growth patterns that may support the development of sustainable management strategies for temperate multispecies forests.

Comparative Analysis of Ki-67 Protein as a Proliferative Expression Index in Cutaneous Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Nigeria

Background: Evaluating the tumor proliferative index helps predict clinical behavior and provides prognostic insights for cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (cBCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Objective: This study aimed to identify differences in the proliferative indices among variants of cBCC and cSCC diagnosed at a tertiary healthcare center. Method: Skin biopsies histologically diagnosed as cBCC and cSCC between 2012 and 2018 at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, were analyzed. Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue blocks were retrieved along with clinical data, and were prepared on charged microscope slides and the immunohistochemical staining was carried out. The primary antibody used in this study was clone BioCare CRM325C (RM) and adenotonsillar tissue blocks/slides served as positive controls. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry was performed on fresh 4µm sections of the tumor specimens. Results: The application of Ki-67 immunoperoxidase on both BCC and SCC cohort, yielded an intense observable brownish nuclear stain in areas of dense proliferating tumour cells on both cutaneous tumours. The average Ki-67 index for all cSCC cases was 24.7%, with a range of 2.3% - 80%, while the mean for cBCC was 15.8%, ranging from 1.2% - 45.6%. Variants with high proliferative indices were observed in 11.9% of cBCC cases and 29.1% of cSCC cases. Among the low proliferative index category, cSCC accounted for 5.4%, while cBCC represented 14.3%. For mild proliferative indices, cSCC cases made up 7.3% and cBCC, 11.9%. The majority of cases showed moderate proliferative indices, with 61.9% for cBCC and 58.2% for cSCC. Overall, there was a significant difference in proliferative indices between cSCC, cBCC, and their variants. Conclusion: The study found a significantly higher rate of cell proliferation, measured by Ki-67 immunostaining, in cSCC and its variants compared to cBCC. However, certain variants of cBCC also exhibited high Ki-67 expression, indicating they can be as aggressive as some cSCC variants.

Influence of Microorganisms Effective against Basal Rot and on Agronomic Parameters of Onion [Allium cepa L. (Amaryllidaceae)]

Onions are a horticultural crop of great economic, dietary and medicinal importance, and are highly prized by the Ivorian population. However, production remains low, due to a number of constraints, including parasitic attacks. The most frequent is fusariosis caused by Fusarium sp., a pathogen that causes enormous damage to onion crops. Faced with these attacks, chemical control appears to be ineffective, with consequences for human health and the environment. This is why the search for effective alternative methods that respect the environment and human health is so necessary. It is in this context that this study was carried out, with the general aim of controlling fusarium wilt in onion crops, with a view to improving onion production in Ivory Coast through the use of effective microorganisms. The experimental set-up used for this purpose was a fisher block with complete randomization, comprising three replicates. A fungal spore concentration of 106 spore/mL of Fusarium sp., three doses (1%;2.5% and 5% v/v) of EM and one dose of a chemical fungicide (30 mL/16L) were tested on young onion plants. Each block consisted of nine sub-plots with nine treatments. Health parameters (incidence and severity) and agronomic parameters (growth and yield) were assessed. Microbiological analysis of the EM revealed the presence of nine morphotypes of Trichoderma sp., Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., lactic acid bacteria of the Bacillus family and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Field experimentation showed that the 5% EM microbial solution reduced the incidence and severity of fusariosis compared with the chemical fungicide, and proved to be the best. This dose reduced yield losses by 7.14%, while improving onion growth and yield by over 5%. The results demonstrated the ability of the EM solution to effectively control the causal agent of basal rot in onion crops.

Research Progress on the Efficacy and Safety of Different Basal Insulins in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different basal insulins in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:The current research progress on different basal insulins was evaluated,with efficacy indicators including fasting plasma glucose(FPG)and glycated hemoglobin(HbAic),and safety indicators focusing mainly on weight change and the incidence of hypoglycemia.Results:Several different basal insulins showed similar metabolic control effects in terms of fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin.However,the risk of hypoglycemia was lower with insulin glargine 300(Glar-300),insulin degludec 100(Deg-100),and insulin degludec 200(Deg-200)compared to insulin glargine 100(Glar-100).Additionally,Glar-300 had the least impact on weight.Conclusion:For the treatment of T2DM,different basal insulins have similar therapeutic effects,but there are differences in the incidence of hypoglycemic events and their impact on weight.Rational insulin selection and dosage adjustments should be made based on the different patient groups.

自发Basal-like乳腺癌小鼠模型研究

目的:探讨TA2小鼠自发乳腺癌生物学行为、形态及免疫表型特征,比较其与人Basal-like乳腺癌的相似程度,研究TA2小鼠乳腺癌发生与妊娠及小鼠乳腺癌病毒(mouse mammary tumor virus,MMTV)的关系。方法:收集TA2自发乳腺癌小鼠84只,采用H&E染色和免疫组织化学染色检测TA2自发乳腺癌组织形态、免疫表型与转移情况,比较与人Basal-like乳腺癌的相似程度。电化学法检测TA2自发乳腺癌小鼠(n=10)、妊娠15天小鼠(n=6)与正常小鼠(n=6)血清雌二醇和孕酮水平。电镜观察肿瘤细胞内是否存在MMTV病毒颗粒,使用PCR和Real-time PCR分别检测MMTV LTR在TA2正常小鼠乳腺、妊娠小鼠乳腺和乳腺癌中基因组与mRNA表达变化。结果:TA2自发乳腺癌小鼠平均见瘤年龄(329.81±9532)天,平均分娩次数(2.70±1.82)次,且肿瘤在妊娠期内迅速增长。肿瘤多发生内脏转移,淋巴结转移未见,80.0%(64/80)发生肺转移。TA2自发乳腺癌形态一致,癌巢由胞浆稀少的小圆细胞构成,周围被发育良好的基质包绕。实性癌巢中央为未分化或分化差的癌细胞,且核分裂像多见,中央可见坏死;癌巢边缘的癌细胞多发生分化,呈腺泡状,腺管状或乳头状;腺泡状癌巢周围有单层或多层肌上皮和致密基质包绕;腺管状分化癌巢中央可见粉色分泌物积聚;实性癌巢中央可见坏死。免疫组化染色显示TA2自发乳腺癌不表达ER、PR和HER2,高表达Cyclin D1、PCNA、p53和CK5/6。电镜观察显示肿瘤细胞内存在MMTV病毒颗粒。TA2自发乳腺癌小鼠血清雌二醇和孕酮浓度及瘤组织内MMTV LTR mRNA表达均升高,其改变与妊娠小鼠相似。结论:TA2小鼠自发乳腺癌形态、免疫表型和生物学特征与人Basal-like乳腺癌极为相似,能够反映Basal-like乳腺癌发生发展的全过程,是研究Basal-like乳腺癌的良好模型。妊娠激素水平升高导致的MMTV激活在Basal-like乳腺癌发生过程中起重要作用。

Basal-like型乳腺癌临床特征与生存分析

目的分析Basal-like型乳腺癌所占比例、临床特征以及生存情况,为Basal-like型乳腺癌临床诊治提供参考依据。方法回顾性分析我院经手术治疗、资料完整、经病理确诊的女性乳腺癌患者171例。Basal-like型乳腺癌的判定采用Nielsen标准。比较Basal-like型乳腺癌与非Basal-like型乳腺癌的临床病理特征、复发转移及生存情况。结果 Basal-like型乳腺癌26例,占15.3%。Basal-like型乳腺癌具有组织学分级高(Basal-like型与非Basal-like型乳腺癌组织学分级Ⅲ级的比例分别为:69.23%和30.34%,P<0.001),淋巴结转移阳性率低(34.62%和58.62%,P=0.023),淋巴结转移率低(41.38%和65.38%,P=0.038)的特点。与非Basal-like型乳腺癌相比,Basal-like型乳腺癌肺转移发生率较高(15.38%和3.45%,P=0.012)。Basal-like型乳腺癌和非Basal-like型乳腺癌的5年生存率分别为70.3%和87.9%(P=0.042),5年无病生存率分别为59.5%和80.3%(P=0.013)。结论本组患者并没有发现回、汉族患者Basal-like型乳腺癌的发病率差别。本组Basal-like型乳腺癌患者具有组织学分级高、淋巴结转移阳性率低、淋巴结转移率低、易于发生肺转移和预后较差的特点。

Basal-like型乳腺癌的研究进展

乳腺癌是女性最常见的恶性肿瘤。目前人们往往根据肿瘤病理组织学情况判断乳腺癌的预后。近年来,人们发现生物学指标不仅有助于判断肿瘤的预后,还能预测肿瘤对治疗的反应。根据浸润性乳腺癌基因表达情况,可以将乳腺癌分为4个亚型,即luminalA,luminalB,HER2过表达和basal-like型。各型有不同的临床预后,Basal-like型的临床预后较差。本文将简单介绍乳腺癌分子亚型的分布情况,概述basal-like型乳腺癌的特性以及其预后情况的近期研究进展。

Basal birds from China:a brief review

We use the term 'basal birds' for a relatively small number of primitive fossil birds that fall outside the major clade Ornithothoraces,which includes both modern birds and enantiorni-thines. Eight genera and twelve valid species have been reported from China in the last 15 years,whereas Archaeopteryx lithographica remains the only basal bird to have been described from non-Chinese specimens(although confuciusornithid material is apparently present in North Korea).Here we briefly review the Chinese basal birds and their anatomy,phylogeny and ecology.Chinese fossils have contributed extensively to scientific understanding of early avian evolution,demon-strating collectively that basal birds were generally relatively large and morphologically and eco-logically quite diverse.Although some significant uncertainties remain,particularly with respect to the relative phylogenetic positions of Jeholornis,Sapeornis and Zhongornis,an increasingly clear picture of the first stages of avian evolution is emerging from the Chinese fossil record.

Genetically engineered systems revealed the roles of basal ganglia in sleep-wake regulation

The basal ganglia(BG) act as a cohesive functional unit that regulates motor function,habit formation,and reward/addictive behaviors. However,it is still not well understood how the BG maintains wakefulness and suppresses sleep to achieve al these fundamental functions until genetical y engineered systems developed these years. Significant research efforts have recently been directed at developing genetic-molecular tools to achieve reversible and cell-type specific in vivo silencing or activation of neurons in behaving animals. Optogenetic tools can be used both to specifically activate or inhibit neurons of interest and identify functional synaptic connectivity between specific neuronal populations,both in vivo and in brain slices. Another recently developed system by Roth and colleagues permits the selective and ″remote″ manipulation(activation and silencing) of neuronal activity via all 3 major GPCR signaling pathways(G_i,G_s and G_q). These so-called ″ designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs″(DREADD) involve mutant GPCRs that do not respond to their endogenous ligands but are responsive to otherwise inert biological compounds. Recently,we demonstrated the essential roles and the neural pathways of the neurons expressing adenosine A_(2A) receptors or dopamine D_1 receptors in the BG for sleep-wake regulation using the genetically engineered systems including optogenetics and DREADD. We proposed a plausible model in which the caudate-putamen and the nucleus accumbens integrates behavioral processes with sleep/wakefulness through adenosine and dopamine receptors.

Emergence of lesions outside of the basal ganglia and irreversible damage to the basal ganglia with severeβ-ketothiolase deficiency:A case report

BACKGROUNDβ-ketothiolase deficiency(β-KTD)is an inherited disease,and insufficient attention has been paid to imageology due to its lower morbidity.Therefore,few lesions outside the basal ganglia have been found before,and the persistent pathological changes have rarely been reported.CASE SUMMARY A 10-mo-old Chinese female patient with a free previous medical history but with poor physical and athletic development had received the haemophilus influenzae vaccine and then developed a low fever 2 d prior.She was initially diagnosed with severe brain injury,central respiratory failure,metabolic acidosis complicated with respiratory alkalosis,hyper-IgE,etc.With further examination,a definite diagnosis ofβ-KTD was made.Symptomatic treatment was adopted.Ten days later,the dyspnea was improved evidently and the ventilator was removed,but there were still obvious abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).The lesions mainly invaded the corpus striatum but were not limited to the basal ganglia.Then,the patient’s disease improved and discharged approximately 1 mo later,and the abnormal lesions on MRI had partially improved.However,for about 1 year,the residual irreversible lesions were observed on MRI,the mental and physical development of the patient was obviously regressive,and extra rehabilitation training was needed.CONCLUSION The case highlights the critical importance of one view that the range of lesions in some patients may be more extensive than previously thought in someβ-KTD patients.In addition to biochemical tests,genetic tests and magnetic resonance imaging are not only conducive to quickly diagnosingβ-KTD but also to partially evaluating the short-and long-term outcomes.Moreover,more attention should be paid to the two mutations(c.478 C>G;c.951 C>T)that may be associated with severeβ-KTD.

Mapping of QTLs for Dehiscence Length at Basal Part of Thecae in Rice Based on TD70/Kasalath RIL Population

A population of 240 recombinant inbred lines （RIL） was derived from a cross between Japonica rice cultivar TD70 and Indica cultivar Kasalath, and their linkage map including 141 SSR markers was used to locate the QTLs controlling the length of dehiscence at the basal part of thecae （LDBT）. Then, the correlations between LDBT and other agronomic traits of rice were analyzed. Two QTLs con- trolling LDBT were mapped on chromosome 6 and 8, respectively, qLDBT6 was mapped between RM3 and RM3628 markers on chromosome 6 with a LOD value of 3.23, contribution rate of 6.18% and additive effect of 17.74%. qLDBT8 was mapped between RM1376-RM4085 markers on chromosome 8 with a LOD value 2.95, contribution rate of 8.00% and additive effect of 20.09%. This domain probably had a relationship with the sterility of rice. The LDBT of RILs had extremely signifi- cant positive correlations with flag leaf width, 1 000-grain weight, grain width, grain length and grain thickness, but no significant correlations with other agronomic traits, such as plant height, heading date, tiller number, flag leaf length, average and the maximum temperature during heading period or rice.

CD44^+/CD24^-表型与BRCA1及basal-like乳腺癌的相关性

目的探讨CD44+/CD24-表型与BRCA1及basal-like乳腺癌的相关性。方法收集经病理诊断为乳腺癌患者的手术切除石蜡标本共217例,根据免疫学标志物把217例乳腺癌划分为5类分子亚型:basal-like型、luminalA型、luminal B型、Her2过表达型和normalbreast-like型。应用免疫组织化学检测CK5/6、BRCA1和CD44/CD24双染的情况,分析CD44+/CD24-表型与basal-like乳腺癌及BRCA1相关性乳腺癌的关系。结果 217例乳腺癌标本例中,luminalA型130例、luminal B型15例、HER2过表达型21例、basal-like型29例、Normalbreast-like型22例。BRCA1相关性乳腺癌57例。basal-like乳腺癌组织中BRCA1缺失率86%(25/29),明显高于乳腺癌其他分子亚型(P<0.001)。basal-like乳腺癌组织中含CD44+/CD24-肿瘤细胞者20例(20/29,69%),明显高于乳腺癌其他分子亚型(P=0.003);BRCA1相关性乳腺癌中含CD44+/CD24-肿瘤细胞者53例(53/57,93%)。结论 BRCA1基因突变与basal-like乳腺癌有关;CD44+/CD24-干细胞表型主要存在于basal-like乳腺癌及BRCA1相关性乳腺癌中。

Basal-link乳腺癌12例治疗体会

目的 分析研究Basal-link乳腺癌的临床特点.方法 回顾性分析12例Basal-link乳腺癌病人的临床资料,对12例患者的年龄、病史、手术方法、术后治疗以及预后进行分析.结果 Basal-link乳腺癌中位年龄32岁,有3例1年半内死亡（占12例的25%）;9例出现转移或复发（占12例的75%）,在术后1～2年间.结论 Basal-link乳腺癌是复发转移快,死亡率高,治疗手段有限的恶性肿瘤.

Clinicopathologic features and related prognosis factors analysis of the basal and non-basal phenotype of triple negative breast cancer

Objective:Triple-negative breast cancer(estrogen receptor-negative,progesterone receptor-negative and Her2-negative) can be classified into two subtypes:basal and non-basal phenotype.And the basal phenotype is associated with poor outcome.The purpose of this study was to figure out the differences of clinicopathological characters and related factors of prognosis between these two subtypes.Methods:Immunohistochemical staining was performed for the CK5/6,CK17 basal markers and EGFR on biopsy samples from 40 triple-negative patients and the clinicopathology features of these samples were investigated.Results:Seventy percent of the patients were diagnosed as the basal phenotype.Compared with the non-basal phenotype,the basal phenotype lesions were significantly larger in diameter with a high nuclear grade.In the node-negative group the basal phenotype clearly showed the same clinicopathological differences.There was statistically significant concordance among all three antibodies.Conclusion:Expression of basal markers identifies a biologically and clinically distinct subgroup of TN tumors,justifying the use of basal markers to define the basal or the non-basal phenotype.It is important to help the doctor deciding the therapeutic strategy for patient with triple-negative breast cancer.

Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer mainly caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays. It is also known as rodent ulcer or basal cell epithelioma. The main mechanism suggested is prolonged exposure to high intensity ultraviolet rays, which causes DNA damage. Pigmented basal cell carcinoma is a rare variety of basal cell carcinoma. Usually, it presents as pigmented nodular mass over the nose or malar region. Other differential diagnoses of this mass, are malignant melanoma and seborrheic keratosis. Treatment of choice is surgical excision with 2 mm of margins.

Studies on the Mechanism of Single Basal Application of Controlled-Release Fertilizers for Increasing Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

This paper was to explore the mechanism of single basal application of controlled-release fertilizers for increasing yield of rice （Oryza sativa L.）. Pot trials and cylinder trials were carried out from 2002 to 2005 to study the influences of single basal application of 3 controlled-release fertilizers on the changes of soil available N, root development, senescence and lodging resistance at late growth stages. Results showed that at 30 days after fertilization, single basal application of controlled-release fertilizers coated with vegetal-substance （CRF1） and polymer materials （CRF3） increased soil available N to 12.0 and 147.9%, respectively, in comparison to split fertilization of rice-specific fertilizer （RSF1）. Treatments of the two CRFs obviously benefited the development of root system, resulting in greater rice root weights with extensive distribution and higher root activity. In addition, the two CRF treatments, in comparison to RSF1, enhanced chlorophyll consents of the flag leaves to 9.5 and 15.5%, and soluble protein up to 89.7 and 108.0% respectively. Application of the two CRFs also made the base of rice stems strong and large, declined the proportion of shoot and root, increased root depth index. Though relatively low K rate, single basal application of the CRF3 coated with NH4MgPO4 could also promote the development of root system, enhance root activity and some physiological functions of flag leaves. Based on these results, it was concluded that major mechanisms for increasing rice yield by single basal application of the CRFs should be attributed to grater soil available N supply, superior development of root systems, better nutrient absorption capacity, slower senescence and enhancement of lodging resistance at late stages.

Postponed and reduced basal nitrogen application improves nitrogen use efficiency and plant growth of winter wheat

Excessive nitrogen(N) fertilization with a high basal N ratio in wheat can result in lower N use efficiency(NUE) and has led to environmental problems in the Yangtze River Basin, China. However, wheat requires less N fertilizer at seedling growth stage, and its basal N fertilizer utilization efficiency is relatively low; therefore, reducing the N application rate at the seedling stage and postponing the N fertilization period may be effective for reducing N application and increasing wheat yield and NUE. A 4-year field experiment was conducted with two cultivars under four N rates(240 kg N ha–1(N240), 180 kg N ha–1(N180), 150 kg N ha–1(N150), and 0 kg N ha–1(N0)) and three basal N application stages(seeding(L0), fourleaf stage(L4), and six-leaf stage(L6)) to investigate the effects of reducing the basal N application rate and postponing the basal N fertilization period on grain yield, NUE, and N balance in a soil-wheat system. There was no significant difference in grain yield between the N180 L4 and N240 L0(control) treatments, and the maximum N recovery efficiency and N agronomy efficiency were observed in the N180 L4 treatment. Grain yield and NUE were the highest in the L4 treatment. The leaf area index, flag leaf photosynthesis rate, flag leaf nitrate reductase and glutamine synthase activities, dry matter accumulation, and N uptake post-jointing under N180 L4 did not differ significantly from those under N240 L0. Reduced N application decreased the inorganic N content in the 0–60-cm soil layer, and the inorganic N content of the L6 treatment was higher than those of the L0 and L4 treatments at the same N level. Surplus N was low under the reduced N rates and delayed basal N application treatments. Therefore, postponing and reducing basal N fertilization could maintain a high yield and improve NUE by improving the photosynthetic production capacity, promoting N uptake and assimilation, and reducing surplus N in soil-wheat systems.

Precore/basal core promoter mutants quantification throughout phases of hepatitis B virus infection by Simpleprobe

AIM:To investigate precore/basal core promoter(PC/BCP) mutants throughout hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection and to determine their relationship to hepatitis B early antigen(HBeA g) titers.METHODS:We enrolled 191 patients in various stages of HBV infection at the Huashan Hospital and the Taizhou Municipal Hospital from 2010 to 2012.None of the patients received antiviral therapy.HBV DNA from serum,was quantified by real-time PCR.The HBV genotype was determined by direct sequencing of the S gene.We used the Simpleprobe ultrasensitivequantitative method to detect PC/BCP mutants in each patient.We compared the strain number,percentage,and the changes in PC/BCP mutants in different phases,and analyzed the relationship between PC/BCP mutants and HBe Ag by multiple linear regression and logistic regression.RESULTS:Patients with HBV infection(n = 191) were assigned to groups by phase:Immune tolerance(IT) = 55,Immune clearance(IC) = 67,Low-replicative(LR) = 49,and HBeA g-negative hepatitis(ENH) = 20.Of the patients(male,112; female,79) enrolled,122 were HBe Ag-positive and 69 were HBe Ag-negative.The median age was 33 years(range:18-78 years).PC and BCP mutation detection rates were 84.82%(162/191) and 96.86%(185/191),respectively.In five HBe Ag-negative cases,we detected double mutation G1896A/G1899 A.The logarithm value of PC mutant quantities(log10 PC) significantly differed in IT,IC,and LR phases,as well as in the ENH phase(F = 49.350,P < 0.001).The logarithm value of BCP mutant quantities(log10 BCP) also differed during the four phases(F = 25.530,P < 0.001).Log10 PC and log10 BCP values were high in the IT and IC phases,decreased in the LR phase,and increased in the ENH phase,although the absolute value at this point remained lower than that in the IT and IC phases.PC mutant quantity per total viral load(PC%) and BCP mutant quantity per total viral load(BCP%) differed between phases(F = 20.040,P < 0.001; F = 10.830,P < 0.001),with PC% and BCP% gradually increasing in successive phases.HBeA g titers negatively correlated with PC%(Spearman's rho =-0.354,P < 0.001) and BCP%(Spearman's rho =-0.395,P < 0.001).The negative correlation between PC% and HBeA g status was significant(B =-5.281,P = 0.001),but there was no such correlation between BCP% and HBeA g status(B =-0.523,P = 0.552).CONCLUSION:PC/BCP mutants become predominant in a dynamic and continuous process.Log10 PC,log10 BCP,PC% and BCP% might be combined to evaluate disease progression.PC% determines HBeA g status.

Stand basal area modelling for Chinese fir plantations using an artificial neural network model

Artificial neural network models are a popular estimation tool for fitting nonlinear relationships because they require no assumptions about the form of the fitting function,non-Gaussian distributions,multicollinearity,outliers and noise in the data.The problems of backpropagation models using artificial neural networks include determination of the structure of the network and overlearning courses.According to data from 1981 to 2008 from 15 permanent sample plots on Dagangshan Mountain in Jiangxi Province,a back-propagation artificial neural network model(BPANN)and a support vector machine model(SVM)for basal area of Chinese fir(Cunninghamia lanceolata)plantations were constructed using four kinds of prediction factors,including stand age,site index,surviving stem numbers and quadratic mean diameters.Artificial intelligence methods,especially SVM,could be effective in describing stand basal area growth of Chinese fir under different growth conditions with higher simulation precision than traditional regression models.SVM and the Chapman–Richards nonlinear mixed-effects model had less systematic bias than the BPANN.