Alpine grassland degradation intensifies the burrowing behavior of small mammals:evidence for a negative feedback loop

Globally,grassland degradation is an acute ecological problem.In alpine grassland on the Tibetan Plateau,increased densities of various small mammals in degraded grassland are assumed to intensify the degradation process and these mammals are subject to lethal control.However,whether the negative impact of small mammals is solely a result of population size or also a result of activity and behavior has not been tested.In this study,we use plateau pika as a model to compare population size,core area of colony,and the number of burrow entrances and latrines between lightly and severely degraded grassland.We test whether the alleged contribution of pika to grassland degradation is a result of increased population size or increased burrowing activities of individuals in response to lower food abundance.We found that grassland degradation resulted in lower plant species richness,plant height,and biomass.Furthermore,the overall population size of pika was not significantly affected by location in lightly and severely degraded grassland.However,pika core areas in severely grassland degradation were significantly larger and had significantly higher densities of burrows and latrines.Our study provides convincing evidence that habitat-induced changes in the behavior of small,burrowing mammals,such as pika,can exacerbate grassland degradation.This finding has significant implications for managing small mammals and restoring degraded grassland ecosystems.

Real-world disease activity and sociodemographic,clinical and treatment characteristics of moderate-to-severe inflammatory bowel disease in Brazil

BACKGROUND Understanding the treatment landscape of inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD)is essential for improving disease management and patient outcomes.Brazil is the largest Latin American country,and it presents socioeconomic and health care differences across its geographical regions.This country has the highest increase in IBD incidence and prevalence in Latin America,but information about the clinical and treatment characteristics of IBD is scarce.AIM To describe the sociodemographic,clinical,and treatment characteristics of IBD outpatients in Brazil overall and in the Southeast,South and Northeast/Midwest regions.METHODS Multicenter,cross-sectional study with a 3-year retrospective chart review component.Patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn’s disease(CD)or ulcerative colitis(UC)were consecutively enrolled between October 2016 and February 2017.Active CD at enrollment was defined as a Harvey Bradshaw Index≥8 or a CD Activity Index≥220 or a calprotectin level>200μg/g or an active result based on colonoscopy suggestive of inadequate control during the previous year;active UC was defined as a partial Mayo score≥5.Descriptive statistics were used to analyze all variables.RESULTS In a total of 407 included patients,CD was more frequent than UC,both overall(264 CD/143 UC patients)and by region(CD:UC ratios of 2.1 in the Southeast,1.6 in the South and 1.2 in the Northeast/Midwest).The majority of patients were female(54.2%of CD;56.6%of UC),and the mean ages were 45.9±13.8 years(CD)and 42.9±13.0 years(UC).The median disease duration was 10.0(range:0.5-45)years for both IBD types.At enrollment,44.7%[95%confidence interval(CI):38.7-50.7]of CD patients and 25.2%(95%CI:18.1-32.3)of UC patients presented with active disease.More than 95%of IBD patients were receiving treatment at enrollment;CD patients were commonly treated with biologics(71.6%)and immunosuppressors(67.4%),and UC patients were commonly treated with mesalazine[5-Aminosalicylic acid(5-ASA)]derivates(69.9%)and immunosuppressors(44.1%).More than 50%of the CD patients had ileocolonic disease,and 41.7%presented with stricturing disease.One-quarter of CD patients had undergone CD-related surgery in the past 3 years,and this proportion was lower in the Northeast/Midwest region(2.9%).CONCLUSION In Brazil,there are regional variations in IBD management.CD outweighs UC in both frequency and disease activity.However,one-quarter of UC patients have active disease,and most are receiving 5-ASA treatment.

Maximizing Resource Efficiency in Cloud Data Centers through Knowledge-Based Flower Pollination Algorithm (KB-FPA)

Cloud computing is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field,where the demand for resources fluctuates continuously.This paper delves into the imperative need for adaptability in the allocation of resources to applications and services within cloud computing environments.The motivation stems from the pressing issue of accommodating fluctuating levels of user demand efficiently.By adhering to the proposed resource allocation method,we aim to achieve a substantial reduction in energy consumption.This reduction hinges on the precise and efficient allocation of resources to the tasks that require those most,aligning with the broader goal of sustainable and eco-friendly cloud computing systems.To enhance the resource allocation process,we introduce a novel knowledge-based optimization algorithm.In this study,we rigorously evaluate its efficacy by comparing it to existing algorithms,including the Flower Pollination Algorithm(FPA),Spark Lion Whale Optimization(SLWO),and Firefly Algo-rithm.Our findings reveal that our proposed algorithm,Knowledge Based Flower Pollination Algorithm(KB-FPA),consistently outperforms these conventional methods in both resource allocation efficiency and energy consumption reduction.This paper underscores the profound significance of resource allocation in the realm of cloud computing.By addressing the critical issue of adaptability and energy efficiency,it lays the groundwork for a more sustainable future in cloud computing systems.Our contribution to the field lies in the introduction of a new resource allocation strategy,offering the potential for significantly improved efficiency and sustainability within cloud computing infrastructures.

Approximation of Integrable Functions by General Linear Operators of Their Fourier Series

The pointwise estimates of the deviation Tn,A,Bf（·） -- f（·） in terms of moduli of continuity w. f and w. f there are proved. Analogical results on norm approximation with remarks and corollaries are also given. In the results there are used the essentially weaker conditions than these in [Mittal, M. L.： J. Math. Anal. Appl., 220, 434-450） （1998） Theorem 1, p. 4377.

改良增菌条件应用于Soleris系统对食品中沙门氏菌的检验

试验基于Soleris系统对食品中沙门氏菌检验中前增菌步骤的研究,通过比较缓冲蛋白胨水(buffered peptone water,BPW)和胰蛋白胨大豆肉汤(trypticase soy broth,TSB)对热受损沙门氏菌修复和增长效率的比较验证BPW替代TSB的可行性。将接种到氯化镁孔雀绿肉汤(Rappaport-Vassiliadis broth,RV)的培养物体积修改为100μL。通过比较不同增菌时间的增菌效率和检验结果的综合评价,确定一个更快速稳定并具有可操作性的Soleris增菌程序。试验结果表明,BPW与TSB的前增菌效果在14,16,18,22 h时无显著差异(P>0.05),仅在24 h时存在差异。RV增菌能够增强方法对沙门氏菌的选择性。采用Soleris系统检测,经过BPW 18 h前增菌和24 h前增菌的样品平均DT值分别为3.63,3.20 h,与TSB增菌组相比无显著差异。采用优化的增菌条件结合Soleris系统对20份肉类样品进行沙门氏菌检测,Soleris系统的检测结果与国标法一致,且对于含菌量较高的食品样品能较大幅度缩减选择性培养的时间,降低检测成本,提高检测效率。

Early Cretaceous Archaefructus eoflora sp. nov. with Bisexual Flowers from Beipiao, Western Liaoning, China

Recently, whether Archaefructus has bisexual multi-parted flowers or just inflorescences of unisexual flowers, and whether it is ancestral to all angiosperms or a derived eudicot have been debated. Here, from the same Yixian Formation, NE China, we report a new Archaefructus species, A. eoflora sp. nov., with the generic characteristics of dissected leaves and bisexual reproductive axes. It is entirely preserved with roots, rhizome, shoots and protogynous reproductive organs at different developmental stages. Its lateral and main fertile shoots form a pseudo-indeterminate pattern, while the reproductive branches on the main shoot form a cymose inflorescence. Subtended by 1-2 bract-like leaves, the section of stamen clusters changes into a much shorter section of carpels that have one row of orthotropous ovules. Significantly, one cluster bearing two carpels and one stamen between the two sections demonstrates a true bisexual flower, an important step of the origin of floral bisexuality, and the homology between the stamen and carpel. The complex reproductive axes represent a mix between flowers and inflorescences, and suggest that A. eoflora sp. nov. possesses the potential to evolve into a variety of diverse flower types as found in modern basal and early fossil angiosperms. A comparison with other two species also leads to a revision of the generic diagnosis.

Glutamine depletion induces murine neonatal melena with increased apoptosis of the intestinal epithelium

AIM:To investigate the possible biological outcome and effect of glutamine depletion in neonatal mice and rodent intestinal epithelial cells.METHODS:We developed three kinds of artificial milk with different amounts of glutamine;Complete amino acid milk (CAM),which is based on maternal mouse milk,glutamine-depleted milk (GDM),and glutaminerich milk (GRM).GRM contains three-fold more glutamine than CAM.Eighty-seven newborn mice were divided into three groups and were fed with either of CAM,GDM,or GRM via a recently improved nipple-bottle system for seven days.After the feeding period,the mice were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic observations by immunohistochemistry for 5-bromo-2'deoxyuridine (BrdU) and Ki-67 as markers of cell proliferation,and for cleaved-caspase-3 as a marker of apoptosis.Moreover,IEC6 rat intestinal epithelial cells were cultured in different concentrations of glutamine and were subject to a 4-[3-(4-iodophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzene disulfonate cell proliferation assay,flow cytometry,and western blotting to examine the biological effect of glutamine on cell growth and apoptosis.RESULTS:During the feeding period,we found colonic hemorrhage in six of 28 GDM-fed mice (21.4%),but not in the GRM-fed mice,with no differences in body weight gain between each group.Microscopic examination showed destruction of microvilli and the disappearance of glycocalyx of the intestinal wall in the colon epithelial tissues taken from GDM-fed mice.Intake of GDM reduced BrdU incorporation (the average percentage of BrdU-positive staining;GRM:13.8%,CAM:10.7%,GDM:1.14%,GRM vs GDM:P < 0.001,CAM vs GDM:P < 0.001) and Ki-67 labeling index (the average percentage of Ki67-positive staining;GRM:24.5%,CAM:22.4% GDM:19.4%,GRM vs GDM:P=0.001,CAM vs GDM:P =0.049),suggesting that glutamine depletion inhibited cell proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells.Glutamine deprivation further caused the deformation of the nuclear membrane and the plasma membrane,accompanied by chromatin degeneration and an absence of fat droplets from the colonic epithelia,indicating that the cells underwent apoptosis.Moreover,immunohistochemical analysis revealed the appearance of cleaved caspase-3 in colonic epithelial cells of GDM-fed mice.Finally,when IEC6 rat intestinal epithelial cells were cultured without glutamine,cell proliferation was significantly suppressed after 24 h (relative cell growth;4 mmol/L:100.0% ± 36.1%,0 mmol/L:25.3% ± 25.0%,P < 0.05),with severe cellular damage.The cells underwent apoptosis,accompanied by increased cell population in sub-G0 phase (4 mmol/L:1.68%,0.4 mmol/L:1.35%,0 mmol/L:5.21%),where dying cells are supposed to accumulate.CONCLUSION:Glutamine is an important alimentary component for the maintenance of intestinal mucosa.Glutamine deprivation can cause instability of the intestinal epithelial alignment by increased apoptosis.

ICPMS法对紫砂食具容器的重金属迁移分布研究

本文参考欧盟及国家标准,用ICPMS法对钡、钴、铜、铁、锰、铝、砷、铬这8种高风险的危害因子进行迁移情况研究,结果表明,目前市场上紫砂食具容器的铜、铁、锰、砷、铬的迁移问题不突出,但铝、钡、钴三种重金属元素的迁移存在一定风险。

饲料中维生素A测定的前处理条件研究

通过正交实验研究了前处理的3个主要因素(称样量、制样方式和提取方法)对维生素A测定结果的可靠性的影响。结果表明,饲料中维生素A测定的最佳前处理条件为样品不进行振荡、不进行打样、使用原样进行测定,称样量为10 g,用皂化的方法进行提取。

Symposia Report Immunoglobulin G for the Treatment of Chronic Pain：Report of an Expert Workshop

背景:慢性疼痛的治疗效果仍不理想。尽管现在治疗慢性疼痛的药物种类较多,但许多患者对疗效仍不满意或诉药物的副作用太大。越来越多的证据表明,免疫系统参与了伤害性和神经病理性慢性疼痛的病理过程。设计:在英国利物浦的专题会议上,专家们出示了免疫系统参与慢性疼痛的证据。近来的研究表明,静脉(IVIg)或皮下(SCIg)注射免疫调节药物——多价免疫球蛋白(Ig G)可缓解外周神经病理性疼痛和其他疼痛性疾病。专题会议讨论了IVIg和SCIg治疗的适应证、效价比及其副作用。结果:Ig G可缓解某些伤害性和神经病理性慢性疼痛,如糖尿病、干燥综合征、纤维肌痛症、复杂性区域疼痛综合征、小儿麻痹后遗症和继发于病理性自身抗体的疼痛。结论:Ig G对某些慢性疼痛具有一定的治疗前景。Ig G是一种相对安全的治疗方法,副作用少而轻,但价格较贵。今后有必要对Ig G治疗顽固性疼痛进行随机对照研究和预测性临床试验。

LC-MS/MS法测定饮料中12种水溶性合成着色剂

目的:建立一种高效、准确,并且可以同时测定饮料中12种水溶性合成着色剂(柠檬黄、日落黄、胭脂红、苋菜红、新红、诱惑红、赤藓红、亮蓝、靛蓝、偶氮玉红、酸性红73和酸性橙)的定性和定量检测方法。方法:对于不含蛋白质的样品,直接超声、离心;对于含蛋白质的样品,提取后经PWAX固相萃取小柱净化,试液通过C_(18)色谱柱分离,利用液相色谱串联质谱仪进行检测,外标法定量。结果:12种水溶性合成着色剂在此方法下有较好的线性关系,相关系数为0.991~0.999,检出限(S/N=3)为0.01~0.03 mg·kg^(-1),加标回收率为70.6%~108.6%,精密度为0.8%~10.0%。结论:本研究建立的液相色谱串联质谱法可以同时测定饮料中12种水溶性合成着色剂的含量,且方法简便、快速、准确,满足定性和定量的检测要求。

浅谈食品化学检测方法证实的实施和优化

食品化学检测方法证实涉及的标准多样而又复杂,本文综合各类标准和法规又结合了实施过程的实践经验,对开展标准方法前的方法证实工作进行了条理化和优化,主要涉及分析系统适应性、准确度、检出限和定量限、线性和不确定度的证实,为方法证实的实施提供了技术依据。

3-(Tetrazol-5-yl)-2-imino-coumarins Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation on Tumor Cell Lines

The first report of new 3-(tetrazol-5-yl)-2-iminocoumarin derivatives is described. The title compounds were prepared in two steps and were obtained in good yields (55-93%). They have been fully characterized by 1H, 13C NMR, FTIR, UV-Visible and HRMS. They were tested for their antiproliferative activities against six representative human tumor cell lines (Huh 7-D12, Caco2, MDA-MB231, HCT 116, PC3 and NCI-H727) and HaCat keratinocytes. Among them, compound 5e was active on HCT 116 (IC50 15 μM).

Is there a role for liver transplantation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver?

Whether liver transplantation(LT)plays a role in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)in non-cirrhotic liver(NCL)is a matter of debate.The recommendations for LT in this setting are extremely fragile and less welldefined than for cirrhosis-associated HCC.All reports of LT for NCL-HCC revealed that long-term outcomes of these patients are poor,and these dismal figures are justified by the advanced tumor stage at the time of LT,suggesting the presence of systemic micrometastatic disease.The decision-making regarding LT for NCL-HCC is difficult,since specific selection criteria are scarce,and basically the potential candidates are those with unresectable only-liver tumor at admission,or unresectable intrahepatic recurrence post-resection.Besides the surgical aspects regarding the tumor resectability,other phenotypic and genetic characteristics of the tumor should be considered for the indication of LT in this scenario.The present minireview aims to discuss and analyze the last series of LT for NCL-HCC,in order to help clinicians in the decision-making process regarding the role of LT in NCL-HCC treatment.

Synthesis of New 2-Phenylamino-4<i>H</i>-chromene-3-carbonitrile Derivatives and Their Effects on Tumor Cell Lines and against Protein Kinases

The synthesis of 2-phenylimino-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles 6(a-d) in good overall yields using an efficient and practical methodology in 3 steps has been implemented in this present work. The first step was a heterocyclization between 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde 1 and propanedinitrile 2 which produced 2-iminocoumarin 3 which was submitted to nitrogen/nitrogen displacement in the presence of aromatic primary amine 4. In the third step, reduction of 5 led to the desired 2-phenylimino-4H-chromene-3-carbonitriles 6. Compounds 5(a-d) and 6(a-d) were evaluated for their potential in vitro cytotoxicity against six selected tumor cell lines (Huh7-D12, Caco2, MDA-MB231, HCT 116, PC3 and NCI-H727) and tested for their protein kinase inhibition on eight selected protein kinases. Among them, compounds 5c and 6b exhibited inhibition on HsCK1e (5c: 44% and 6b: 42% at 1 μM) and 5c for cytotoxicity on PC3 cell lines (63% at 25 μM).

Association of Low Back and Pelvic Pain with Mental Health Condition during Pregnancy and Postpartum

Background: Low back and pelvic pain (LBPP) as a physical symptom may cause psychological symptoms during pregnancy and the postpartum period. We examined the association of LBPP with mental health condition in women from pregnancy to puerperium in a prospective study. Methods: This study was conducted from March 2015 to December 2016 in a birth center in Kagawa Prefecture in Japan. We recruited 89 pregnant women who responded to questionnaires in all four stages (first, second and third trimesters and one week postpartum). We designed a self-administered questionnaire including a visual analog scale (VAS) of LBPP and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Results: There were significant differences in EPDS scores and VAS scores among the 4 stages. The EPDS score at the first trimester showed significant positive correlations with VAS scores at the second and third trimesters, and the EPDS score at the second trimester showed a significant positive correlation with VAS score at the third trimester. The VAS scores at the second trimester showed significant positive correlations with EPDS scores at the third trimester and at one week postpartum. Conclusion: It was shown that the mental health condition at early pregnancy was related to an increase in LBPP at mid-pregnancy and that LBPP at mid-pregnancy was associated with the mental health condition thereafter.

Possible Predictive Factors for Low Back and Pelvic Pain at Three Months Postpartum Assessed in a Prospective Study from Early Pregnancy until the Postpartum Period

Background: Low back and pelvic pain (LBPP) is an important issue related to mental health as well as to difficulty for daily life activity during early pregnancy and in the postpartum period. We examined the intensity of LBPP, difficulty for daily life activity and mental health and their associations from early pregnancy until 3 months postpartum in a prospective study. We also examined predictive factors for LBPP at 3 months postpartum. Methods: We recruited 55 pregnant women who responded to questionnaires in the first, second and third trimesters and at one week, one month and 3 months postpartum. We designed a self-administered questionnaire including a visual analog scale (VAS), pregnancy mobility index (PMI) of LBPP and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS). Results: There were significant differences in the proportions of women with LBPP in the first trimester (63.6%), second trimester (78.2%) and third trimester (83.6%) and at one week postpartum (80.0%), one month postpartum (69.1%) and 3 months postpartum (56.4%). VAS score at 3 months postpartum was significantly correlated with VAS scores at the first trimester (r = 0.410, p = 0.002), second trimester (r = 0.298, p = 0.027) and one month postpartum (r = 0.476, p Conclusion: The proportion of women with LBPP and the intensity of LBPP were increased at late pregnancy and gradually decreased until 3 months postpartum. LBPP at 3 months postpartum was associated with LBPP at the first trimester and a past history of LBPP in a previous pregnancy was an important factor for prediction of LBPP at 3 months postpartum. Provision of information regarding LBPP and confirmation of LBPP before pregnancy in addition to assessment of LBPP at early pregnancy are necessary for reduction of LBPP at 3 months postpartum.

西藏自治区沙化土地防治面临机遇、挑战及对策探讨

为加快西藏自治区沙化土地的生态修复,推进生态文明高地建设,详细分析了西藏沙化土地防治面临机遇与挑战,提出相应的防治对策,以期为西藏防沙治沙工作和国家生态安全屏障保护与建设提供决策依据和科技支撑。

Transition of Depressive Symptoms and Anxiety Symptoms According to Parity and Associations of These Symptoms with Feelings for Involvement with Newborn Infants during a 6-Month Postpartum Period

Background: Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms during the postpartum period affect physical health and child rearing and that these effects are important social issues. Objective: The aims of this study were to clarify the differences in the transition of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms according to parity during a 6-month postpartum period and to clarify the differences in associations of depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms with feelings for involvement with newborn infants in primiparous and multiparous postpartum women. Methods: The design of this study was a longitudinal investigation. This study was conducted from February 2017 to July 2018 in Japan. By using self-administered questionnaires that included questions on psychological symptoms in a standard climacteric scale and questions on feelings for involvement with newborn infants, we collected data at 3 days postpartum, 2 weeks postpartum, one month postpartum, 3 months postpartum and 6 months postpartum. Results: Responses to all of the questionnaires were obtained from 121 (52.8%) of 229 women. The score for depressive symptoms in primiparous women was significantly higher than that in multiparous women at 3 days postpartum. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms showed peaks at 2 weeks postpartum in both primiparous women and multiparous women, but depressive symptoms reoccurred from 3 months postpartum to 6 months postpartum in primiparous women and anxiety symptoms reoccurred from one month to 3 months postpartum in multiparous women. Depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with mother’s sleeping time. Conclusion: Changes in depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were different in primiparous women and multiparous women during a 6-month postpartum period. In addition, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms were associated with negative feelings for involvement with newborn infants and with sleeping time in postpartum women.

Acute Hemorrhagic Fever: Clinical, Epidemiological and Laboratory Aspects in São Toméand Príncipe

Background: In the last 6 months, cases of acute hemorrhagic fever (AHF) have been recorded in Sao Tome and Principe (STP). Objective: To identify the clinical, epidemiological and laboratory parameters associated with AHF cases found in patients hospitalized in STP. Methods: Descriptive and quantitative analysis of AHF cases hospitalized in STP in the period December 2021 to May 19, 2022 through the variables: demographic data;clinical data;laboratory data and clinical outcome. Results: Analyzed 18 of 22 AHF cases, 50% of them male, mean age 33.7 years, 85.7% residing in the 2 largest districts of the country, 66.7% rural workers, administrative near maritime areas, sailors and domestics. 66.7% were healthy individuals. ≥50% had a fever, asthenia/weakness, myalgia, headache, lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 22.2% to 33.3% had retro-orbital pain, abdominal pain, decreased consciousness, dyspnea/hypoxia, and cough. In a smaller register (5.6% - 11.1%), exanthema, convulsion, arthralgia, low back pain, chills, and chest pain. Bleeding from the digestive tract was found in 72.2%, followed by vaginal (33.3%), urethral (27.8%), nasal (22.2%), and oral (16.7%). 50% had laboratory confirmation for dengue, and another 50% with suspected clinical diagnosis without laboratory confirmation of the etiologic agent. Despite hemorrhage, 66.7% of confirmed cases were hemodynamically non-severe, and 88.9% of suspected cases were severe. Coinfection with malaria is evidenced in 11.1% of cases. 72.2% recovered and 27.8% died (deaths in 55.5% of suspected cases). Case deaths were male (100%), resident foreigners (40%), tool store employees, sailors and students, healthy (80%), and residing in the largest district in the country (60%). All deaths were hospitalized in serious condition, 80% were hospitalized for hemorrhage and shock, with bleeding arising between day 4 - 5 of illness in 60% and hospitalization on day 5 of illness. 60% died within ≤24 hours of hospitalization. 80% died from shock and multi-organ dysfunction and 20% from respiratory failure. Deaths had thrombocytopenia (100%), renal dysfunction (100%) and significantly increased transaminases (100%), anemia (75%) and leukocytosis (66.7%). 20% had a radiological change of pulmonary infiltrates. Conclusion: Our data reveal the complexity of the pathogens causing AHF and suggest the possible presence of other human pathogens usually unknown in the Santomean geographical territory.