Relationships between changes of kernel nutritive components and seed vigor during development stages of F_1 seeds of sh_2 sweet corn

The changes of kernel nutritive components and seed vigor in F1 seeds of sh2 sweet corn during seed development stage were investigated and the relationships between them were analyzed by time series regression (TSR) analysis. The results show that total soluble sugar and reducing sugar contents gradually declined, while starch and soluble protein contents increased throughout the seed development stages. Germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index gradually increased along with seed development and reached the highest levels at 38 d after pollination (DAP). The TSR showed that, during 14 to 42 DAP, total soluble sugar content was independent of the vigor parameters determined in present experiment, while the reducing sugar content had a significant effect on seed vigor. TSR equations between seed reducing sugar and seed vigor were also developed. There were negative correlations between the seed reducing sugar content and the germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index, respectively. It is suggested that the seed germination, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index could be predicted by the content of reducing sugar in sweet corn seeds during seed development stages.

Comparison of Air Pollution−Mortality Associations Using Observed Particulate Matter Concentrations and Reanalysis Data in 33 Spanish Cities

Air pollution poses a health hazard in all countries.However,complete data on ambient particulate matter(PM)concentrations are not available in all world regions.Reanalysis data is already a valuable source of exposure data in epidemiological studies examining the relationship between temperature and health.Nevertheless,the performance of reanalysis data in assessing the short-term health effects of particulate air pollution remains unclear.We assessed the performance of CAMS reanalysis(EAC4)data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts,compared with daily PM concentrations from field monitoring stations,to estimate short-term exposure to PM with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10μm(PM_(10))on daily mortality in 33 Spanish provincial capital cities using a two-stage time series regression design.The shape of the PM_(10)distribution varied substantially between PM observations and CAMS global reanalysis of atmospheric composition(EAC4)reanalysis data,with correlation ranging from 0.21 to 0.58.The pooled mortality risk for a 10μg/m^(3)increase in PM_(10)showed similar estimates using PM concentrations{relative risks(RR)=1.007,95%confidence intervals(95%CI)=[1.002,1.011]}and EAC4 reanalysis data(RR=1.011,95%CI=[1.006,1.015]).However,the city-specific PM_(10)beta coefficients estimated using PM concentrations and EAC4 reanalysis data showed a low correlation(r=0.22).The use of reanalysis data should be approached with caution when assessing the association between particulate matter air pollution and health outcomes,particularly in cities with small populations.

The Effect of Xu’s Influenza Decoction Combined with Oseltamivir on Influenza A:A Propensity Score Matching Study

Background:The resurgence of seasonal influenza virus circulation has been seen in 2021-2022 after the tempo-rary suppression in 2020-2021.Neuraminidase inhibitors(NAIs)are widely applied in the clinical treatment of influenza A despite several limitations.Objective:To access the efficacy of Xu’s influenza decoction(XID)in combination therapy with oseltamivir for the treatment of influenza A.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study,the eligible participants were diagnosed with influenza A between June 1,2018,and May 30,2022,in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.According to whether Xu’s influenza decoction was applied,patients were divided into two groups:treated with or without XID.Propensity score matching(PSM)was used to further adjust the covariates between groups.The primary outcome was to compare time to defervescence via K-M curves,Breslow tests,and Cox regression analysis.In Cox proportional hazards model,a univariate analysis was performed to obtain preliminary results,while a further multivariate analysis was conducted to study the independent factors that influence defervescence.Subgroup analysis was conducted according to body temperature and time from onset to admission.The secondary outcome consisted of routine blood and C-reactive protein(CRP),length of stay,and medical costs.Results:A total of 336 patients with influenza A were enrolled in this study(i.e.,163 patients in the XID+oseltamivir group;173 patients in the oseltamivir group).After 1:1 matching via PSM,230 patients meeting the criteria were included in the analysis,with 115 in each arm.The XID+oseltamivir group had shorter time to defervescence(36 h vs 44 h,P=0.011),shorter length of stay(3 days vs 4 days,P=0.018),and higher defervescence possibility(HR=1.384,95%CI:1.054-1.818).Subgroup analysis indicated that for patients during non-window period(≥48 h)with medium-grade fever(38.1℃-39℃),the XID+oseltamivir combination therapy reduced time to defervescence(P=0.04995/0.004)with a higher defervescence possibility(HR=1.524/1.683).Meanwhile,there’s no statistical significance but observable trends of the XID+oseltamivir group in the lower medical costs(3068.07 yuan vs 3120.68 yuan),the lower neutrophils%(48.53%vs 51.00%)and the higher lymphocyte%(39.83%vs 37.72%).Conclusion:The combination of XID and oseltamivir can shorten the time to defervescence and length of stay in influenza A.Its antipyretic effect is mainly reflected in the medium-grade and non-window periods.