Assessment on seasonal acidification and its controls in the Muping Marine Ranch, Yantai, China.

Ocean acidification has emerged as a major challenge affecting the development of the marine aquaculture. Seasonal variations of seawater pH and aragonite saturation (Ωarag) were investigated in the Muping Marine Ranch, Yantai. The results showed that the seasonal variations of pH and Ωarag were distinct. The temperature exerted opposite effects on pH and Ωarag and played a dominant role in pH variation, while limited role in Ωarag. The air-sea exchange had a syntropic effect on pH and Ωarag but less impact on their seasonal variations. Biological activities affected seasonal variations of surface seawater pH and Ωarag, but they largely canceled each other out with other non-temperature effects; while bottom seawater Ωarag was mainly controlled by biological respiration in summer. This study demonstrates that pH is primarily controlled by seasonal temperature changes, whereas Ωarag would be a better indicator for ocean acidification caused by non-temperature processes.

Efficacy and safety of computed tomography-guided microwave ablation with fine needle-assisted puncture positioning technique for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: In microwave ablation (MWA), although computed tomography (CT) scanning can overcome gas interference, it cannot achieve real-time localization. Therefore, the puncture technique is more important in CT-guided ablation. AIM: To compare the fine needle-assisted puncture (FNP) positioning technique and the conventional puncture (CP) technique for the safety and efficacy of CT-guided MWA in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: This retrospective study included 124 patients with 166 tumor nodules from February 2018 and June 2021. Seventy patients received CT-guided MWA under the FNP technique (FNP group), and 54 patients received MWA under the CP technique (CP group). Intergroup comparisons were made regarding local tumor progression (LTP), recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and complications. The influencing variables of LTP and RFS were analyzed through univariate and multivariate regressions. RESULTS: The 1-, 2-, and 3-year cumulative incidences of LTP in the FNP group were significantly lower than those in the CP group (7.4%, 12.7%, 21.3% vs 13.7%, 32.9%, 36.4%; P = 0.038). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year RFS rates in the FNP group were significantly higher than those in the CP group (80.6%, 73.3%, 64.0% vs 83.3%, 39.4%, and 32.5%, respectively; P = 0.008). The FNP technique independently predicted LTP and RFS. Minor complications in the FNP group were lower than those in the CP group (P < 0.001). The difference in median OS was insignificant between the FNP and CP groups (P = 0.229). CONCLUSION: The FNP technique used in CT-guided MWA may improve outcomes in terms of LTP, RFS, and procedure-related complications for HCC.

Sea ice breakup and marine melt of a retreating tidewater outlet glacier in northeast Greenland (81°N).

Rising temperatures in the Arctic cause accelerated mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet and reduced sea ice cover. Tidewater outlet glaciers represent direct connections between glaciers and the ocean where melt rates at the ice-ocean interface are influenced by ocean temperature and circulation. However, few measurements exist near outlet glaciers from the northern coast towards the Arctic Ocean that has remained nearly permanently ice covered. Here we present hydrographic measurements along the terminus of a major retreating tidewater outlet glacier from Flade Isblink Ice Cap. We show that the region is characterized by a relatively large change of the seasonal freshwater content, corresponding to ~2 m of freshwater, and that solar heating during the short open water period results in surface layer temperatures above 1 °C. Observations of temperature and salinity supported that the outlet glacier is a floating ice shelf with near-glacial subsurface temperatures at the freezing point. Melting from the surface layer significantly influenced the ice foot morphology of the glacier terminus. Hence, melting of the tidewater outlet glacier was found to be critically dependent on the retreat of sea ice adjacent to the terminus and the duration of open water.

Safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization with embospheres in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with embospheres for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Patients with unresectable HCC who were treated with TACE followed by embosphere treatment (Embo-TACE) or conventional TACE (cTACE) between May 2010 and March 2014 were retrospectively included in this study. The Embo-TACE group received lipiodol and chemotherapeutic agent emulsion, followed by embospheres. The cTACE group received lipiodol and chemotherapeutic agent emulsion, followed by gelatin sponge pellets. Time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS), overall response rate (ORR), and safety were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses of the factors affecting survival were conducted. RESULTS: The median TTP and OS in the Embo-TACE group were significantly longer than those in the cTACE group (TPP: 7.0 months vs 5.4 months, P = 0.035; OS: 15 months vs 12 months, P = 0.032). Seven days after the first TACE treatment, alanine aminotransferase level was higher in the cTACE group than in the Embo-TACE group (P = 0.015). The ORR did not significantly differ between the two groups (P = 0.827). Additional therapy and local responses one month after the first TACE treatment were associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: Embo-TACE resulted in a significant improvement in TTP and OS for patients with unresectable HCC, compared with cTACE. Furthermore, Embo-TACE was better tolerated. Additional therapy and local responses one month after the first TACE were independent prognostic factors for OS.