Irrigation regimes modulate non-structural carbohydrate remobilization and improve grain filling in rice(Oryza sativa L.)by regulating starch metabolism

Recently developed ‘super’ rice cultivars with greater yield potentials often suffer from the problem of poor grain filling, especially in inferior spikelets. Here, we studied the activities of enzymes related to starch metabolism in rice stems and grains, and the microstructures related to carbohydrate accumulation and transportation to investigate the effects of different water regimes on grain filling. Two ‘super’ rice cultivars were grown under two irrigation regimes of well-watered(WW) and alternate wetting and moderate soil drying(AWMD). Compared with the WW treatment,the activities of ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase(AGPase), starch synthase(StSase) and starch branching enzyme(SBE), and the accumulation of non-structural carbohydrates(NSCs) in the stems before heading were significantly improved, and more starch granules were stored in the stems in the AWMD treatment. After heading, the activities of α-amylase, β-amylase, sucrose phosphate synthase(SPS) and sucrose synthase in the synthetic direction(SSs)were increased in the stems to promote the remobilization of NSCs for grain filling under AWMD. During grain filling, the enzymatic activities of sucrose synthase in the cleavage direction(SSc), AGPase, StSase and SBE in the inferior spikelets were increased, which promoted grain filling, especially for the inferior spikelets under AWMD.However, there were no significant differences in vascular microstructures. The grain yield and grain weight could be improved by 13.1 and 7.5%, respectively, by optimizing of the irrigation regime. We concluded that the low activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism is the key limitation for the poor grain filling, as opposed to the vascular microstructures, and AWMD can increase the amount of NSC accumulation in the stems before heading, improve the utilization rate of NSCs after heading, and increase the grain filling, especially in the inferior spikelets, by altering the activities of key enzymes in carbon metabolism.

Noninvasive Assessment of Cardiac Index with Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patients Undergoing Mitral Valve Replacement: A Comparison between Determinations at the Mitral Valve and the Ascending Aorta

Methods: Sixteen patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists status (ASA) II-III, age ≤ 70 yr, male or female, preoperatively NYHA II-III and EF ≥ 45%, scheduled for mitral valve replacement (MVR) were studied. Complete intravenous general anesthesia was used for induction and anesthesia maintenance. After anesthesia induction we put the TEE probe into the esophagus. The cardiac index was determined at three periods following MVR: T1 30 minutes later following cessation of bypass, T2 60 minutes after cessation of bypass, T3 90 minutes after cessation of bypass. Statistical analysis was made with the Bland and Altman method. Results: Ninety-six measurements were compared. The cardiac index values at the level of prosthesis mitral valve (CIMV) ranged from 1.3 to 5.5 L·min-1·m-2 (mean 2.6 ± 0.9). The Values of cardiac index at aortic valve (CIAA) ranged from 2.7 to8.8 L·min-1·m-2 (mean 4.9 ± 1.7). Bias was -2.3 L·min-1·m-2 and limits of agreement -5.6 to 1.0 L·min-1·m-2. Conclusion: During mitral valve replacement, doubtful correlations were observed between values of cardiac index at the mitral valve and the ascending aorta using TEE.

Ru-Ni alloy nanosheets as tandem catalysts for electrochemical reduction of nitrate to ammonia

Developing electrocatalysts that exhibit both high activity and ammonia selectivity for nitrate reduction is a significant and demanding challenge,primarily due to the complex nature of the multiple-electron reduction process involved.An encouraging approach involves coupling highly active precious metals with transition metals to enhance catalytic performance through synergy.Here,we report a ruthenium-nickel alloy catalyst with nanosheets(Ru-Ni NSs)structure that achieves a remarkable ammonia Faradaic efficiency of approximately 95.93%,alongside a yield rate of up to 6.11 g·h^(−1)·cm^(−2).Moreover,the prepared Ru-Ni NSs exhibit exceptional stability during continuous nitrate reduction in a flow reactor for 100 h,maintaining a Faradaic efficiency of approximately 90%and an ammonia yield of 37.4 mg·L^(−1)·h^(−1)using 0.05 M nitrate alkaline electrolyte.Mechanistic studies reveal that the catalytic process follows a two-step pathway,in which HONO serves as a migration intermediate.The presence of a partially oxidized Ru(002)surface enhances the adsorption of nitrate and facilitates the release of the migration intermediate by adjusting the strength of the electrostatic and covalent interactions between the adsorbate and the surface,respectively.On the other hand,the Ni(111)surface promotes the utilization of the migration intermediate and requires less energy for NH_(3)desorption.This tandem process contributes to a high catalytic activity of Ru-Ni NSs towards nitrate reduction.

Evolutionary Diversity of Coxsackievirus A6 Causing Severe Hand,Foot,and Mouth Disease—China,2012-2023

Introduction:Coxsackievirus A6(CVA6)has emerged as a significant pathogen responsible for severe cases of hand,foot,and mouth disease(HFMD).This study aims to delineate the demographic characteristics and analyze the viral evolution of severe HFMD associated with CVA6,thereby assisting in its surveillance and management.Methods:In this investigation,74 strains of CVA6 were isolated from samples collected from severe HFMD cases between 2012 and 2023.The VP1 gene sequences of CVA6 were amplified and analyzed to assess population historical dynamics and evolutionary characteristics using BEAST,DnaSP6,and PopART.Results:A significant portion(94.4%)of severe CVA6-associated HFMD cases(51 out of 54,with 20 lacking age information)were children under 5 years old.Among the 74 CVA6 strains analyzed,72 belonged to the D3a sub-genotype,while only two strains were D2 sub-genotype.The average genetic distance between VP1 sequences prior to 2015 was 0.027,which increased to 0.051 when compared to sequences post-2015.Historical population dynamics analysis indicated three significant population expansions of severe CVA6-associated HFMD during 2012-2013,2013-2014,and 2019-2020,resulting in the formation of 65 distinct haplotypes.Consistent with the MCC tree findings,transitioning between regional haplotypes required multiple base substitutions,showcasing an increase in population diversity during the evolutionary process(from 14 haplotypes in 2013 to 55 haplotypes over the subsequent decade).Conclusions:CVA6,associated with severe HFMD,is evolving and presents a risk of outbreak occurrence.Thus,enhanced surveillance of severe HFMD is imperative.

孤立型主动脉缩窄的超声心动图诊断及术后随访研究

目的探讨孤立型主动脉缩窄(COA)的超声心动图特点以及超声心动图在COA诊断治疗及随访中的价值。方法纳入2009年3月至2019年10月确诊的121例孤立型COA患儿为研究对象,根据主动脉狭窄程度将患儿分为轻度狭窄(37例)、中度狭窄(34例)、重度狭窄(50例)3组。回顾性分析其超声心动图特点,包括左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDd)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、室间隔及左心室壁厚度、冠状动脉内径等,并记录进行手术治疗且术后超声随访时间超过1年的20例患儿的超声心动图参数,与术前进行对比分析。结果121例患儿中,超声心动图检查首诊误诊3例,误诊率为2.5%(3/121)。部分患儿存在LVEDd增大(67/121,55.4%)、LVEF减低(40/121,33.1%)、左心室心内膜回声增粗增厚(58/121,47.9%)、室间隔和(或)左心室壁增厚(41/121,33.9%)、左冠状动脉内径增宽(12/121,9.9%)等心内继发病变。其中LVEDd增大、左心室心内膜回声增粗增厚、LVEF减低占比在不同狭窄程度组间差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。20例随访患儿,与术前比较,手术后1 d、6个月、1年修复处管腔内径增宽、跨狭窄处压差下降、LVEDd减小,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05);术后1 d的LVEF较术前无显著变化(P>0.05),术后6个月、1年LVEF逐渐恢复,与术前及术后1 d相比差异均有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。20例随访患儿中,2例分别于术后第2年、第8年随访中出现主动脉术后再缩窄。结论超声心动图诊断孤立型COA的准确性较高,掌握其超声特点可减少误诊的发生。该疾病手术治疗近中期预后较好,超声心动图在术后定期随访中可发挥重要作用。

Biochar-mediated Cd accumulation in rice grains through altering chemical forms,subcellular distribution,and physiological characteristics

Biochar can change the availability and morphology of soil Cd.However,the influence of biochar on Cd chemical form and subcellular fraction in rice is poorly understood,particularly under different irrigation methods.A pot experiment of biochar application combined with two irrigation methods(continuous flooding and intermittent irrigation,CF and Ⅱ)was conducted.The Cd accumulation,chemical form and subcellular fraction in rice organs and the associated physiological responses were examined.Biochar significantly reduced soil available Cd(30.85-47.26%and 32.35-52.35%)under CF and Ⅱ but increased the Cd content(30.4-63.88%and 13.03-18.59%)in brown rice.Additionally,the Cd content in shoots/grains under Ⅱ was higher than that under CF.Biochar elevated the Cd soluble fraction in roots while lowered the cell wall fraction under both irrigation methods,whereas the opposite result was observed in leaves.Biochar increased water-,ethanol-,and NaCl-extractable Cd in roots meanwhile increased ethanol-extractable Cd in leaves under both irrigation methods.Moreover,the total amount of water-,ethanol-,and NaCl-extractable Cd in rice roots was higher under Ⅱ than under CF.Related hormones and antioxidant enzymes may also be involved in biochar-mediated Cd accumulation in rice grains.Thus,changes in Cd chemical form and subcellular fraction in the root and leaf are the main mechanisms of biochar-induced rice grains Cd accumulation.

中国城镇儿童不同Tanner分期身高体重现况调查

目的了解我国城镇3~18岁儿童不同Tanner分期身高、体重的情况,为建立各青春发育期身高、体重的标准化参照值提供依据。方法于2017年1月至2019年12月应用分层随机整群抽样的方法,对中国12个省、自治区、直辖市218185名健康儿童体格发育情况进行横断面调查。调查指标包括体重、身高、腰围、臀围和第二性征。采用基于GAMLSS软件构建各年龄组男、女童的身高、体重百分位数参照值及生长曲线,采用Wilcoxon秩和检验比较各Tanner分期儿童与同年龄同性别不分发育分期组所有儿童的身高、体重第50百分位值。结果绘制出3~18岁儿童男、女各自年龄的身高、体重第3、50、97百分位曲线。绘制出儿童男、女各青春发育期年龄的身高、体重第3、50、97百分位曲线。9岁及以上Tanner 1期男童和7岁及以上Tanner 1期女童身高及体重低于同年龄同性别所有儿童(均P<0.01),男女童身高差值范围分别为-4.0~-0.6、-4.4~-0.5 cm,体重差值范围分别为-4.8~-0.4、-4.0~-0.3 kg。Tanner 2期与3期儿童年龄的身高及年龄的体重呈先高后低趋势,两组曲线呈交叉走势。16岁及以下Tanner 4期男童和14岁以下Tanner 4期女童年龄的身高、体重高于同龄同性别所有儿童(均P<0.01),身高差值范围男女童分别为0.2~10.0、0.2~9.4 cm,体重差值范围分别为0.7~10.9、1.0~11.2 g,曲线各年龄组两组间差异随年龄逐渐缩小。结论建立了我国城镇3~18岁不同性别儿童各青春发育期年龄的身高、体重百分位曲线,可供临床进行青春期体格发育评估使用。

Modeling the distribution of Populus euphratica in the Heihe River Basin, an inland river basin in an arid region of China

Populus euphratica is a dominant tree species in riparian Tugai forests and forms a natural barrier that maintains the stability of local oases in arid inland river basins. Despite being critical information for local environmental protection and recovery, establishing the specific spatial distribution of P. euphratica has rarely been attempted via precise and reliable species distribution models in such areas. In this research, the potential geographic distribution of P. euphratica in the Heihe River Basin was simulated with MaxEnt software based on species occurrence data and 29 environmental variables. The result showed that in the Heihe River Basin, 820 km^2 of land primarily distributed along the banks of the lower reaches of the river is a suitable habitat for P. euphratica. We built other MaxEnt models based on different environmental variables and another eight models employing different mathematical algorithms based on the same 29 environmental variables to demonstrate the superiority of this method.MaxEnt based on 29 environmental variables performed the best among these models, as it precisely described the essential characteristics of the distribution of P. euphratica forest land. This study verified that MaxEnt can serve as an effective tool for species distribution in extremely arid regions with sufficient and reliable environmental variables. The results suggest that there may be a larger area of P. euphratica forest distribution in the study area and that ecological conservation and management of P.euphratica should prioritize suitable habitat. This research provides valuable insights for the conservation and management of degraded P. euphratica riparian forests.

Assessing phenological change in China from 1982 to 2006 using AVHRR imagery

Long-term trends in vegetation phenology indicate ecosystem change due to the combined impacts of human activities and climate. In this study we used 1982 to 2006 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer Normalized Difference Vegetation Index （AVHRR NDVI） imagery across China and the TIMESAT program to quantify annual vegetation production and its changing trend. Results showed great spatial variability in vegetation growth and its temporal trend across the country during the 25-year study period. Significant decreases in vegetation production were detected in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, and in industrializing regions in southern China, including the Pearl River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta, and areas along the Yangtze River. Significant increases in vegetation production were found in Xinjiang, Central China, and North-east China. Validation of the NDVI trends and vegetated area changes were conducted using Landsat imagery and the results were consistent with the analysis from AVHRR data. We also found that although the causes of the vegetation change vary locally, the spatial pattern of the vegetation change and the areas of greatest impact from national policies launched in the 1970s, such as the opening of economic zones and the ＇Three-North Shelter Forest Programme＇, are similar, which indicates an impact of national policies on ecosystem change and that such impacts can be detected using the method described in this paper.

HPDL deficiency causes a neuromuscular disease by impairing the mitochondrial respiration

Mitochondrial diseases are caused by variants in both mitochondrial and nuclear genomes.A nuclear gene HPDL(4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-like),which encodes an intermembrane mitochondrial protein,has been recently implicated in causing a neurodegenerative disease characterized by pediatric-onset spastic movement phenotypes.Here,we report six Chinese patients with bi-allelic HPDL pathogenic variants from four unrelated families showing neuropathic symptoms of variable severity,including developmental delay/intellectual disability,spasm,and hypertonia.Seven different pathogenic variants are identified,of which five are novel.Both fibroblasts and immortalized lymphocytes derived from patients show impaired mitochondrial respiratory function,which is also observed in HPDL-knockdown(KD)He La cells.In these He La cells,overexpression of a wild-type HPDL gene can rescue the respiratory phenotype of oxygen consumption rate.In addition,a decreased activity of the oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS)complex II is observed in patient-derived lymphocytes and HPDL-KD He La cells,further supporting an essential role of HPDL in the mitochondrial respiratory chain.Collectively,our data expand the clinical and mutational spectra of this mitochondrial neuropathy and further delineate the possible disease mechanism involving the impairment of the OXPHOS complex II activity due to the bi-allelic inactivations of HPDL.

Berry syndrome： a rare cardiac malformation with extra-cardiac findings

Dear Editor,Berry syndrome is a rare combination of congenital cardiac malformations characterized by four abnormal features;namely,an aortopulmonary window(APW),aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery,hypoplasia or interruption of the aortic arch,with an intact ventricular septum.The disease was first reported by Berry in 1982,who estimated the incidence within the population with congenital cardiac malformations to be 0.046%(Berry et al.,1982).Until recently,