Combining WV-2 images and tree physiological factors to detect damage stages of Populus gansuensis by Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) at the tree level

Background:Anoplophora glabripennis(Motschulsky),commonly known as Asian longhorned beetle(ALB),is a wood-boring insect that can cause lethal infestation to multiple borer leaf trees.In Gansu Province,northwest China,ALB has caused a large number of deaths of a local tree species Populus gansuensis.The damaged area belongs to Gobi desert where every single tree is artificially planted and is extremely difficult to cultivate.Therefore,the monitoring of the ALB infestation at the individual tree level in the landscape is necessary.Moreover,the determination of an abnormal phenotype that can be obtained directly from remote-sensing images to predict the damage degree can greatly reduce the cost of field investigation and management.Methods:Multispectral WorldView-2(WV-2)images and 5 tree physiological factors were collected as experimental materials.One-way ANOVA of the tree’s physiological factors helped in determining the phenotype to predict damage degrees.The original bands of WV-2 and derived vegetation indices were used as reference data to construct the dataset of a prediction model.Variance inflation factor and stepwise regression analyses were used to eliminate collinearity and redundancy.Finally,three machine learning algorithms,i.e.,Random Forest(RF),Support Vector Machine(SVM),Classification And Regression Tree(CART),were applied and compared to find the best classifier for predicting the damage stage of individual P.gansuensis.Results:The confusion matrix of RF achieved the highest overall classification accuracy(86.2%)and the highest Kappa index value(0.804),indicating the potential of using WV-2 imaging to accurately detect damage stages of individual trees.In addition,the canopy color was found to be positively correlated with P.gansuensis’damage stages.Conclusions:A novel method was developed by combining WV-2 and tree physiological index for semi-automatic classification of three damage stages of P.gansuensis infested with ALB.The canopy color was determined as an abnormal phenotype that could be directly assessed using remote-sensing images at the tree level to predict the damage degree.These tools are highly applicable for driving quick and effective measures to reduce damage to pure poplar forests in Gansu Province,China.

Multi-Organ Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategies for Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal autosomal inherited disorder that affects all races and ethnicities in the United States. However, it is mostly predominant in the Caucasian populace accounting for about 80% of all CF cases. CF most severe complication can be referred to as pulmonary bronchiectasis and infections of the airways, nonetheless, the devastating effects of the disease have far-reaching consequences beyond lung damage. CF is a heterogeneous disease that is caused by mutations in Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene. The impairment or absence of this gene can affect multiple organs and systems and is characterized not only by chronic lung blockage, infections, and inflammation but also by exocrine gland dysfunction, intestinal obstruction, liver pathology, elevated sweat chloride concentration, and in males, infertility due to the congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens. To this end, we briefly explore the pathological effects of CF and how CF mediates the destruction of several critical organs in the body and some of the gene therapeutical approaches such as gene editing and viral-based strategies available for the treatment of this multi-organ disease.

Combating mitochondrial toxicity: looking at the past and where to go

Mitochondria are the main sources of intracellular energy and reactive oxygen species(ROS),which play an important role in the regulation of cell survival and death under pathological conditions.Mitochondria are important targets of drug toxicity[1].Some antiviral drugs,antitumor drugs and antibiotics can significantly induce mitochondrial damage in target organs such as the liver and heart[2].Drug-induced mitochondrial damage may involve multiple pathways and mechanisms.

Degree of nutrient consumption as an aging index of upwelling or vertically mixed water in the northern Taiwan Strait

In order to determine the relative aging status of upwelled or vertically mixed water in the northern Taiwan Strait, a recently developed method of calculating the degree of nutrient consumption (DNC) was employed. Upwelling was detected at a water depth of about 75 m in summer. Bottom waters in the aphotic zone and newly-upwelled waters in the euphoric zone were found to be low in terms of their DNC. In general, a low DNC was noted alongside the other traditional upwelling indicators, such as lower temperature and degree of oxygen saturation, but higher salinity, apparent oxygen utilization, nutrient contents and chlorophyll-a. Enhanced vertical mixing, but without an apparent upwelling signal, was detected near the same location in winter.

Clinical implication of hematological indices in the essential hypertension

Prognostic value of haematological indices,especially red cell distribution width,neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and mean platelet volume,was reported with numerous investigations in miscellaneous cardiovascular settings.Their major prognostic value was linked to oxidative stress and inflammation since their level was correlated with major inflammatory markers such as high sensitive C-reactive protein and interleukins.Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are also postulated as the main pathophysiologic mechanism of essential hypertension(HT) and its vascular complication.Recently,correlation between HT and haematological parameters was searched in numerous studies,which has made the topic more popular.Herein,we reveal the correlation between haematological indices and HT and we also demonstrate the clinical implication of this correlation.Impaired haematological parameters may strongly indicate hypertensive end-organ damage.

Damage Symptoms and Damage Degree of Main Diseases and Pests in Foxtail Millet in Chengde Area

The species of main diseases and pests in foxtail millet and their damage status were investigated in 15 survey points in Longhua, Weichang, Chengde, Fengning and Luanping counties, Chengde City from 2015 to 2017. It was preliminarily cleared that there were 11 species of main diseases and 8 species of pests in continuous cropping millet field. The diseases damaged severely were millet downy mildew and kernel smut, and pests were yellow-legged lema, millet shoot fly and soil insects. The results provided a scientific basis for green control of millet pests and diseases and safe production in Chengde area.

SARS-CoV-2 may impair pancreatic function via basigin: A single-cell transcriptomic study of the pancreas

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)due to SARS-CoV-2 infection is a major threat to global public health.SARS-COV-2 not only activates the human immune system but also causes severe damage to multiple organs by binding to specific virus receptors[1].

Bioecology of Fungi-Pathogens of Flower Crops and the System to Combat Them

For the first time, degree of damage of the disease Botrytis cinerea Pers. is founded in decorative colors in the Tashkent region. Chemical preparations are the most effective methods of struggle in the fight against diseases of ornamental crops.

Effect of erythropoietin combined with PCI on myocardial damage and vascular endothelial function in patients with STEMI

Objective:To investigate the effects of erythropoietin combined with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on myocardial damage, vascular endothelial function and neuroendocrine hormone levels in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Method:From August 2015 to February 2018, 80 patients with STEMI were selected from our hospital, divided into 2 groups according to admission time, 40 cases in each group, set to observation group and control group, the observation group was treated with erythropoietin combined with PCI, and the control group was treated only with PCI, to compare the degree of myocardial damage, vascular endothelial function and neuroendocrine hormone levels after treatment. Results: At 24 h after surgery, the observed group of cardiac troponin (cTNI), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), type I collagen carboxy terminal peptide (ICTP) and ischemic modified albumin (IMA) is lower than the control group,the cystatin-C (Cys-C) level is higher than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);At 1 week after surgery, the levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the observation group were lower than the control group, and the level of nitric oxide (NO) was higher than that in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);At 1 week after surgery, the levels of cortisol (Cor), adrenocortical hormone (ACTH), norepinephrine (NE) and Angiotensin II (AngII) in the observation group were lower than in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion: Erythropoietin combined with PCI in the treatment of STEMI patients with better clinical effect, can effectively reduce the degree of myocardial damage, protect vascular endothelial cell function, improve the body's neuroendocrine hormone levels, recommend clinical application.

The association between orthostatic blood pressure changes and subclinical target organ damage in subjects over 60 years old

Background Although recent studies have indicated that both orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension independently predict cardiovascular events,the underlying mechanisms are still controversial.The aim of the study was to investigate the relationships between orthostatic changes and organ damage in subjects over 60 years old.Methods This is a prospective observational cohort study.One thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven subjects over 60 years old were enrolled.Participants were grouped according to whether they had a drop>20 mmHg in systolic or>10 mmHg in diastolic BP(orthostatic hypotension),an increase in mean orthostatic systolic blood pressure>20 mm Hg(orthostatic hypertension),or normal changes within 3 min of orthostatism.Multiple regression modeling was used to investigate the relationship between orthostatic hypotension,orthostatic hypertension and subclinical organ damage with adjustment for confounders.Results Orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension were found in 461(23.1%)and 189(9.5%)participants,respectively.Measurement of carotid intima-media thickness(IMT),brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV),clearance of creatinine,and microalbuminuria were associated with orthostatic hypotension;measurement of IMT and baPWV were associated with orthostatic hypertension in a cruse model.After adjustment,IMT[odds ratio(OR),95%confidence interval(CI)per one-SD increment:1.385,1.052-1.823;P=0.02],baPWV(OR=1.627,95%CI:1.041-2.544;P=0.033)and microalbuminuria(OR=1.401,95%CI:1.002-1.958;P=0.049)were still associated with orthostatic hypotension,while orthostatic hypertension was only associated with IMT(OR=1.730,95%CI:1.143-2.618;P=0.009).Conclusions Orthostatic hypotension seems to be independently correlated with increased carotid atherosclerosis,arterial stiffness and renal damage in subjects over 60 years old.Orthostatic hypertension correlates with carotid atherosclerosis only.

Investigation on Host Species and Damage Degree of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) in Shaanxi Area

The host plants of 8emisia tabaci （Gennadius） in Shaanxi were investigated, and its damage degree was evaluated by hazard index in 2013 and 2014. There were 73 species （variants） of host plants of B. tabaci belonging to 28 families, mainly concentrated in Cueurbitaceae, Crueiferae, Solanaceae, Laguminosae md Malvaceae. There were seven species of vegetables that suffered the damage of grade 4. B. tabaci was more serious in southern Shaanxi and lighter in northern Shaanxi. According to the distribution of host plants, the occurrence status of B. tabaci in Shamvd Province was analyzed and its development tendency was oredicted.

GRADATION AND ASSESSMENT OF DAMAGE DEGREE OF NATURAL LANDSCAPE IN XING, AN COUNTY, GUANGXI

A new technique designed to help quantify the degree of damage to the landscape from one area to another shows a close relationship between population density and the degree of landscape damage. The technique establishes a scale of damage from 0 to 5 (zero = no damage; 5 = severe damage) using data from aerial photographs, land-use maps, and field data. The related formula allows one to compare the relative degree of damage across regions using a combination of an absolute index, a theoretical index, a relative index, and population density. Xing’an County is used to demonstrate the technique.

Clinical characteristics, target organ damage and associate risk factors ofresistant hypertension determined by ambulatory blood pressure monitoringin patients aged ≥80 years

Objectives To investigate clinical characteristics, target organ damage, and the associated risk factors of the patients aged ≥ 80 yearswith true resistant hypertension （RH）. Methods Patients aged ≥ 80 years with hypertension （n = 1163） were included in this study. Theincluded participants attended a structured clinical examination and an evaluation of RH was carried out. The prevalence, clinical characteristicsand target organ damage of patients with RH were assessed. The associated clinical risk factors were analyzed by using logistic regression.Results The prevalence of RH diagnosis by 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring assessment was 21.15%. End-diastolic left ven-tricular internal dimension, left ventricular mass index as well as prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy were significantly greater in pa-tients with RH than in control group. The common carotid artery intimal media thickness, carotid walls thickness, common carotid arterydiameter and relative wall thickness were significant greater in RH group than in control. A relatively higher level of creatinine, estimatedglomerular filtration rate, microalbuminuria and retinal changes was found in RIt group than in control. A multivariate analysis showed thatpatients with a history of diabetes, higher body mass index （BMI） and lipid profiles were independent risk factors of RH. Conclusions Theprevalence of RH in patients aged ≥ 80 years was within the range of reported rates of the general population. Subjects with RH diagnosisshowed a higher occurrence of target organ damage than patients with well controlled blood pressure. Patients with diabetes, higher BMI andserum lipid profiles were independent risk factors for RH in patients aged ≥ 80 years.

EXPERT SYSTEM FOR COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT TOBRIDGE SERVICE PROPERTY USING FUZZY THEORY

In this paper, based on consultation to tens of bridge exberts and a vast amount of investigation and study, experts knowledge on bridge assessment has been sorted out. A new concept Damage Value (DV) is put forward to measure bridge damage, and Fuzzy theory is used to create comprehensive Fuzzy system to assess bridge service property. The setup of an experts system for bridge assessment is tried as well. This system is programmed in Turbo C 2.0 and has been run successfully at IBM-PC (AT/XT).

Study of the near-field modulation property of microwaviness on a KH_2PO_4 crystal surface

The KH2PO4 crystal is a key component in optical systems of inertial confinement fusion （ICF）. The microwaviness on a KH2PO4 crystal surface is strongly related to its damage threshold which is a key parameter for application. To study the laser induced damage mechanism caused by microwaviness, in this paper the near-field modulation properties of microwaviness to the incident wave are discussed by the Fourier modal method. Research results indicate that the microwaviness on the machined surface will distort the incident wave and thus lead to non-uniform distribution of the light intensity inside the crystal; in a common range of microwaviness amplitude, the light intensity modulation degree increases about 0.03 whenever the microwaviness amplitude increases 10 nm; 1 order diffraction efficiencies are the key factors responsible for light intensity modulation inside the crystal; the light intensity modulation is just around the microwaviness in the form of an evanescent wave, not inside the crystal when the microwaviness period is below 0.712μm; light intensity modulation degree has two extreme points in microwaviness periods of 1.064μm and 1.6μm, remains unchanged between periods of 3μm and 150μm, and descends above the period of 150μm to 920μm.

The Electrolytic Dissociation of Aryl Derivatives of Succinic Acid

In this work, an analysis of the regularities of the electrolytic dissociation of aryl derivatives of the succinic acid (phenylsuccinic, benzylsuccinic, dibenzylsuccinic and phenyl-2-benzylsuccinic acids) in their dilute (0.0001 - 0.01 mol.dm-3) solutions was carried out with the aid of a new method of determination of the dissociation parameters of weak multibasic organic acids with the “overlapping equilibria” effect previously described by authors. Values of the usual and “partial” degrees of dissociation, the concentrations of all anions, hydrogen ions and undissociated acid molecules, the activity coefficients of all charged dissociation products were calculated. Together with the accurate equations, the simple empirical equations for fast approximate determination of the various dissociation parameters were also suggested.

The “Overlapping Equilibria” Effect in the Processes of the Electrolytic Dissociation of Weak Multibasic Organic Acids

The “overlapping equilibria” effect observed in the processes of electrolytic dissociation of many weak multibasic organic acids determines the character of these processes. In this communication, the degree of “overlapping equilibria” in case of weak dibasic organic acids is quantitatively characterized by the values of “partial” degree of dissociation for second step and ratio of the concentrations of dianion and monoanion. It has been shown that these dissociation parameters are directly connected with the values of the second dissociation constant. It has been also shown that the contribution of third dissociation step in the “overlapping equilibria” effect is especially appreciable in case of penta and hexabasic weak organic acids causing the double “overlapping” phenomenon.

End-organ protection in hypertension by the novel and selective Rho-kinase inhibitor, SAR407899

AIM: To compare the therapeutic efficacy of SAR407899 with the current standard treatment for hypertension [an angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE)-inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker] and compare the frequency and severity of the hypertension-related end-organ damage. METHODS: Long-term pharmacological characterization of SAR407899 has been performed in two animal models of hypertension, of which one is sensitive to ACE-inhibition and the other is insensitive [deoxycorticosterone acetate(DOCA)]. SAR407899 efficiently lowered high blood pressure and significantly reduced late-stage end organ damage as indicated by improved heart, kidney and endothelial function and reduced heart and kidney fibrosis in both models of chronic hypertension. RESULTS: Long term treatment with SAR407899 has been well tolerated and dose-dependently reduced elevated blood pressure in both models with no signs of tachyphylaxia. Blood pressure lowering effects and protective effects on hypertension related end organ damage of SAR407899 were superior to ramipril and amlodipine in the DOCA rat. Typical end-organ damage was significantly reduced in the SAR407899-treated animals. Chronic administration of SAR407899 significantly reduced albuminuria in both models. The beneficial effect of SAR407899 was associated with a reduction in leukocyte/macrophage tissue infiltration. The overall protective effect of SAR407899 was superior or comparable to that of ACE-inhibition or calciumchannel blockade. Chronic application of SAR407899 protects against hypertension and hypertension-induced end organ damage, regardless of the pathophysiological mechanism of hypertension. CONCLUSION: Rho-kinases-inhibition by the SAR407899 represents a new therapeutic option for the treatment of hypertension and its complications.

Biomarkers of graft-vs-host disease:Understanding and applications for the future

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)is widely performed as a treatment for malignant blood disorders,such as leukemia.To achieve good clinical outcomes in HSCT,it is necessary to minimize the unfavorable effects of acute graft-vs-host disease(GVHD)and induce the more tolerable,chronic form of the disease.For better management of GVHD,sensitive and specific biomarkers that predict the severity and prognosis of the disease have been intensively investigated using proteomics,transcriptomics,genomics,cytomics,and tandem mass spectrometry methods.Here,I will briefly review the current understanding of GVHD biomarkers and future prospects.

Effect of continuous blood purification on inflammatory response, immune response and target organ damage in patients with sepsis

Objective: To study the effect of continuous blood purification on inflammatory response, immune response and target organ damage in patients with sepsis. Methods: A total of 78 patients with sepsis who were treated in the hospital between January 2015 and December 2016 were collected and divided into control group and observation group according to the random number table method, 39 cases in each group. Control group received conventional therapy for sepsis, and observation group received continuous blood purification on the basis of conventional therapy. The differences in inflammatory response, immune response and target organ damage were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, difference in serum inflammatory factor contents, peripheral blood Th17/Treg cellular immunity levels and serum myocardial injury marker contents were not statistically significant between the two groups. After treatment, serum IL-2, IL-6, PCT, CRP, NT-prBNP, CK, CK-MB, TnT and TnI contents as well as peripheral bloodTh17 and Treg cell levels and Th17/Treg proportion of both groups of patients were lower than those before treatment, and serum IL-2, IL-6, PCT, CRP, NT-prBNP, CK, CK-MB, TnT and TnI contents as well as peripheral blood Th17 and Treg cell levels and Th17/Treg proportion of observation group were lower than those of control group. Conclusion: Continuous blood purification can effectively reduce systemic inflammatory response, inhibit immune response, and reduce myocardial injury in patients with sepsis.