Shared genetic architecture highlights the bidirectional association between major depressive disorder and fracture risk

Background There is limited evidence suggesting that osteoporosis might exacerbate depressive symptoms,while more studies demonstrate that depression negatively affects bone density and increases fracture risk.Aims To explore the relationship between major depressive disorder(MDD)and fracture risk.Methods We conducted a nested case-control analysis(32670 patients with fracture and 397017 individuals without fracture)and a matched cohort analysis(16496 patients with MDD and 435492 individuals without MDD)in the same prospective UK Biobank data set.Further,we investigated the shared genetic architecture between MDD and fracture with linkage disequilibrium score regression and the MiXeR statistical tools.We used the conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate approach to identify the specific shared loci.We calculated the weighted genetic risk score for individuals in the UK Biobank and logistic regression was used to confirm the association observed in the prospective study.Results We found that MDD was associated with a 14%increase in fracture risk(hazard ratio(HR)1.14,95%CI 1.14 to 1.15,p<0.001)in the nested case-control analysis,while fracture was associated with a 72%increase in MDD risk(HR 1.72,95%CI 1.64 to 1.79,p<0.001)in the matched cohort analysis,suggesting a longitudinal and bidirectional relationship.Further,genetic summary data suggested a genetic overlap between MDD and fracture.Specifically,we identified four shared genomic loci,with the top signal(rs7554101)near SGIP1.The protein encoded by SGIP1 is involved in cannabinoid receptor type 1 signalling.We found that genetically predicted MDD was associated with a higher risk of fracture and vice versa.In addition,we found that the higher expression level of SGIP1 in the spinal cord and muscle was associated with an increased risk of fracture and MDD.Conclusions The genetic pleiotropy between MDD and fracture highlights the bidirectional association observed in the epidemiological analysis.The shared genetic components(such as SGIP1)between the diseases suggest that modulating the endocannabinoid system could be a potential therapeutic strategy for both MDD and bone loss.

An analytic study on the deflection of subway tunnel due to adjacent excavation of foundation pit

Predicting and estimating the response of sub- way tunnel to adjacent excavation of foundation pit is a research focus in the field of underground engineering. Based on the principle of two-stage method and incre- mental method, an analytic approach is suggested in this paper to solve this problem in an accurate and rapid way, and the upheavals of tunnel due to adjacent excavation are solved by analytic method. Besides, the presented method is used in the practical engineering case of Shenzhen Metro Line 11 and verified by numerical simulation and in situ measurement. Finally, a parametric analysis is performed to investigate the influence of different factors on tunnel＇s deflection. Some useful conclusions have been drawn from the research as below： The deflection results of tunnel obtained from analytic method are nearly consistent with the results getting from numerical analysis and measured data, which verified the accuracy and rationality of pre- sented method. The excavation size has a significant impact on both the displacement values and influenced range of tunnel. However, the relative distance only impacts the displacement values of tunnel, but not the influenced range of tunnel. It may provide certain reference to analyze the deflection of subway tunnel influenced by adjacent excavation.

Environmental drivers of phytoplankton crops and taxonomic composition in northeastern Antarctic Peninsula adjacent sea area

The ecosystem of the sea region adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula is undergoing remarkable physical and biological changes, in the context of global warming. However, understanding of the dynamics of phytoplankton taxonomic composition in this marginal ice zone remains unclear. In this study, seawater samples collected from 36 stations in the northeastern Antarctic Peninsula were analyzed for nutrients and phytoplankton pigments.Combining with CHEMTAX analysis, remote sensing data, and physicochemical measurements, we investigated the relationships between phytoplankton crops, taxonomic composition, and marine environmental drivers.Integrated chlorophyll a(Chl a) concentrations(200 m) varied from 8.9 mg/m^(2)to 64.2 mg/m^(2), with an average of(23.2±12.0) mg/m^(2)and higher phytoplankton biomass concentrated in the coastal region of South Orkney Island and South Shetland Island. Diatoms were the dominant functional group(63%±21%). Higher proportions of diatoms were associated with higher Chl a(r=0.40, p<0.01), stable water columns(r=0.20, p<0.01), higher Si/P ratios(r=0.34, p<0.01), higher photosynthetically active radiation intensity(r=0.64, p<0.01), and higher sea ice melt water contributions(MWC, r=0.20, p<0.01). Conversely, Phaeocystis antarctica contributed a smaller overall proportion(31%±18%) and was more concentrated in the offshore water masses(e.g., Philip Ridge and South Scotia Ridge) with lower light levels(r=-0.58, p<0.01), deeper mixed layer depths(r=0.17, p<0.05), higher nutrient concentrations(e.g., N, P, and Si, r>0.35, p<0.01), and lower MWC(r=-0.20, p<0.01). In comparison, the total contribution from green flagellates(4%±5%), cryptophyta(1%±3%), dinoflagellates(1%±4%), and cyanobacteria(1% ± 5%) was only 6%. In offshore regions with well-mixed water, less varied taxonomic composition and lower crops with a higher proportion of nanophytoplankton were observed. In contrast, significantly decreasing crops below the mixed layer depth was observed in water columns with strong stratification, where the dominant phytoplankter changed from diatoms to P. antarctica. These findings have important implications for better understanding the future dynamics of marine ecosystems in the sea area adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Selective Separation and Analysis of Pb(II) Using a New Surface Imprinted Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Combined with AAS

A new surface ion-imprinted Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs), which was 6,6'-((1E,1'E)-(pyridine-2,6-diyl- bis(azanylyl))bis(methanylylidene))bis(2-allyl-phenol) and Pb(II) complex as functional monomer and template ion was presented for extracting and enrichment traces of Pb(II) ion. Parameters affecting the recovery of Pb(II) have been investigated in detail. The novel IMCNTs display high affinity, specificity, and selectivity for Pb(II) with a maximum uptake capacity of 115.5 mg·g–1 at pH 4.0. Meanwhile, only 11 mins was enough for extracting 98.5% Pb(II) for the IMCNTs. No significant loss in adsorption capacity is observed when the IMCNTs are reused for eleven times. Separation and preconcentration with IMCNTs particles results in a limit of detection of 0.47 μg·L–1 (3σ) and RSD (n = 8) of 1.16% by using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS)

Characteristics of particle fluxes in the Prydz Bay polynya, Eastern Antarctica

The settling of particulate carbon in seawater is a key component of the ocean carbon cycle. We deployed a set of sediment trap in the polynya of Prydz Bay from December 2010 to December 2011 to investigate the seasonal variations in particle fluxes. There was a clear seasonal variation in the particle fluxes, with maximum and minimum fluxes recorded during the summer and winter, respectively. The average total flux over the sampling period was 193.58 mg m^(-2)d^(-1), and the average fluxes of organic carbon(C_(org)), inorganic carbon(C_(inorg)), and biogenic silica(Si_(bio)) were 721.78, 28.67, and 2382.80 μmol m^(-2) d^(-1), respectively. Si_(bio)was the main contributor to the total mass flux, and strongly correlated with C_(org). The high Si_(bio)/C_(org)molar ratios(>1) suggest that C_(org)was transported to deep sea in association with Si_(bio). By comparing remote sensing data of sea ice and chlorophyll in the upper water column, we found that the dynamics of carbon fluxes were closely related to changes in sea ice. Algae in sea ice may have a key role in biological pump processes in early summer. Apart from the ice algae bloom period, variations in carbon fluxes generally corresponded with phytoplankton blooms in the upper water. The ballast effect controlled the particle settling velocity and the efficiency of the biological pump. Sea ice rafts initiated the first particle export event and enhanced the particle settling efficiency during melting period. As diatoms might become less dominant in the ice-free area, sea ice loss may cause the efficiency of the biological pump efficiency to decrease over the long term.

Population dynamics of Pygoscelis penguins(1980–2012) and penguin dropping records(1916–2001) on Ardley Island of West Antarctica, in response to ENSO

El Nio-Southern Oscillation(ENSO)has affected penguins and their habitats in the western Antarctic Peninsula.We used both historical penguin population dynamics data(1980–2012)and sedimentary lipids in penguin droppings(1916–2001)on Ardley Island to examine the responses of the Antarctic ecosystem to ENSO(El Nin o/La Nin a)events.The results showed that during the last 30 years,climate,marine food chain changes,and human activity have significantly affected penguin population sizes on Ardley Island.The Chinstrap(Pygoscelis antarctica)and Ade′lie(P.adeliae)penguin populations showed a good correlation with ENSO events.The Chinstrap penguin population decreased significantly because it was more sensitive to increasing human disturbance(e.g.,scientific activity and tourism)than Ade′lie and Gentoo(P.papua),particularly during the breeding season.Compositional features of n-alkanes in penguin dropping sediments revealed that organic matter came from lower terrestrial plants,bacteria and algae.C23was the main nalkane heavy hydrocarbon indicating mosses and lichens in the penguin’s diet.Variation in the ratio of nC23/nC17was closely correlated with ENSO events.The bacteria intrusion index(ratio of(iC15:0?aC15:0)/nC15:0for fatty acids)reflected significant increases in microorganism activity during several periods in this area.Meanwhile,the CPIA value for fatty acids decreased because micro-organisms contributed light hydrocarbon fatty acids to penguin droppings.Our results showed that the fine structure and molecular indices of fatty acids and n-alkanes in penguin dropping sediments can be used to explain climate-driven microbial processes,and to reveal the important role that microbes and bacteria play in the relatively simple Antarctic ecosystem.