Insights into the long-term immobilization performances and mechanisms of CMC-Fe0/FeS with different sulfur sources for uranium under anoxic and oxic aging.

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (Fe0)-based materials have been demonstrated to be a effective method for the U(VI) removal. However, limited research has been conducted on the long-term immobilization efficiency and mechanism of Fe0-based materials for U(VI), which are essential for achieving safe handling and disposal of U(VI) on a large scale. In this study, the prepared carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and sulfurization dual stabilized Fe0 (CMC-Fe0/FeS) exhibited excellent long-term immobilization performances for U(VI) under both anoxic and oxic conditions, with the immobilization efficiencies were respectively reached over 98.0 % and 94.8 % after 180 days of aging. Most importantly, different from the immobilization mechanisms of the fresh CMC-Fe0/FeS for U(VI) (the adsorption effect of -COOH and -OH groups, coordination effect with sulfur species, as well as reduction effect of Fe0), the re-mobilized U(VI) were finally re-immobilized by the formed FeOOH and Fe3O4 on the aged CMC-Fe0/FeS. Under anoxic conditions, more Fe3O4 was produced, which may be the main reason for the long-term immobilization U(VI). Under oxic conditions, the production of Fe3O4 and FeOOH were relatively high, which both played significant roles in re-immobilizing U(VI) through surface complexation, reduction and incorporation effects.

Research trends in biodiversity loss: a bibliometric analysis.

Although increased attempts to preserve biodiversity ecosystems have been widely publicized, bibliometric research of biodiversity loss remains limited. Using VOSviewer, we hope to provide a bibliometric assessment of global research trends on biodiversity loss from 1990 to 2021. Document type, language, publication trend, countries, institutions, Author Keywords, and Keywords Plus were all examined. This study recorded a total of 6599 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection database. According to the findings, biodiversity loss research is expected to rise dramatically in the near future. However, the role of social sciences and economics in biodiversity loss studies has received little attention. The USA made the most significant contribution in this field. Biological Conservation was the most productive journal, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America was the most influential journal in biodiversity loss literature. Eisenhauer, N was the most prolific author, and Collen, B was the most referenced. Biodiversity, biodiversity loss mechanisms, biodiversity loss drivers, conservation, and climate change have been the topic of previous research. Possible future research hotspots may include species diversity and many elements of biodiversity. Lastly, the outcomes of this study suggest that existing socio-economic concerns can be integrated into decision-making processes to improve biodiversity conservation.

Habitat change and biodiversity loss in South and Southeast Asian countries.

South and Southeast Asia is by far the most populous region in Asia, with the greatest number of threatened species. Changes in habitat are a major contributor to biodiversity loss and are more common as a result of land-use changes. As a result, the goal of this study is to use negative binomial regression models to investigate habitat change as one of the important drivers of biodiversity loss in South and Southeast Asian countries from 2013 to 2018. According to the negative binomial estimates, the findings for the habitat change measures are quantitatively similar for the impacts of agricultural land and arable land on biodiversity threats. Agricultural and arable land both have a positive impact on biodiversity loss. We found that, contrary to our expectations, the forest area appears to have an unexpected direct influence on the number of threatened species. A higher number of threatened species is associated with rising per capita income, human population and a low level of corruption control. Finally, the empirical findings are consistent across taxonomic groups, habitat change measures and Poisson-based specifications. Some policy implications that could mitigate biodiversity loss include educating and promoting good governance among the population and increase the conservation effort to sustain green area and national forest parks in each country.

Environmental Kuznets curve for biodiversity loss: evidence from South and Southeast Asian countries.

This study aims to explore the income-biodiversity loss nexus in South and Southeast Asian countries covering the period between 2013 and 2019. Negative Binomial regression models are used to deal with the count regressand variable with specific emphasis on different taxonomic groups of threatened species, namely, mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, other invertebrate, plant, and total threatened species. We find strong support of an inverted U-shaped relationship between income and biodiversity loss in all taxonomic groups of threatened species examined. Additionally, agricultural land has a significant and positive effect on biodiversity loss. Control of corruption and biodiversity loss are found to be negatively associated. The inverted U-shaped EKC suggests that South and Southeast Asian countries are required to identify policy priority areas that could achieve robust economic growth while reducing biodiversity loss. Our findings also provide valuable policy insights to assist the policy makers to better cope with the problem of biodiversity loss via corruption control and agricultural land use.

Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Versus Anatomic Landmark-Guided Corticosteroid Injection on Pain, Physical Function, and Safety in Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided versus anatomic landmark-guided corticosteroid injection for the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome. DESIGN: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov , CBM, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to August 15, 2021, for randomized controlled trials comparing ultrasound-guided versus anatomic landmark-guided injections of corticosteroids for the treatment of subacromial impingement syndrome. RESULTS: Twelve randomized controlled trials with 891 patients were included in this study; 454 patients received ultrasound-guided injections and 437 received anatomic landmark-guided injections. Pooled results showed that ultrasound-guided injection was more beneficial for pain relief (10 trials; mean difference = -0.58; 95% confidence interval = -1.05 to -0.10; P = 0.017) and functional improvement (11 trials; standard mean difference = -0.84; 95% confidence interval = -1.41 to -0.27; P = 0.004). There was no significant difference in shoulder range of motion. In the subgroup analysis, there was a significant difference in pain relief and functional improvement at 6-8 wks and with methylprednisolone. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroids is potentially superior to anatomic landmark-guided injection in improving the clinical symptoms of subacromial impingement syndrome; however, these findings should be interpreted with some caution as the quality of evidence was rated as moderate to very low.

[Influence of electroacupuncture on locomotor function and expression of spinal HMGB1 and TLR4 in mice with spinal cord injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on locomotor activity and the expression of high-mobility group box-1(HMGB1) and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) in mice with spinal cord injury(SCI), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of SCI at the acute stage. METHODS: Forty-eight female C57BL/6 mice were equally randomized into 3 groups: sham operation, model and EA. The SCI model was established by clamping the spinal cord with a serrefine after laminectomy at the 1st lumbar vertebra(L1). EA (1.5 Hz/7.5 Hz, 1.0 mA) was applied to "Jiaji"(EXH-B2) for 10 min, once a day for 5 and 14 days, separately. The hindlimb locomotor function was assessed by Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale (BBB). Histopathological changes of the injured area of the spinal cord were determined by H.E. staining. The expression levels of spinal HMGB1, TLR4, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba1) proteins were detected by Western blot, and the Iba1-positive microglial cells and HMGB1 and Iba1 co-labelled microglia were displayed by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: After SCI, the BBB scores on day 5 and 14 were obviously decreased (P<0.05), and the expression of HMGB1 on day 14, TLR4 on day 5 and 14, the number of Iba1-positive microglia as well as the co-expressed HMGB1/Iba1-positive microglia on day 5 and 14 were significantly increased in the model group relevant to the sham operation group (P<0.05, P<0.01). In the EA intervention group, SCI-induced reduction of BBB scores on day 5 and 14, and increases of the expression of HMGB1 and Iba1 on day 14, and TLR4 on day 5 and 14, and the number of Iba1-positive cells as well as the co-expressed HMGB1/Iba1-positive microglia on day 14 were reversed relevant to the model group (P<0.05,P<0.01). H.E. staining showed a structural disorder with lots of cavities, severe inflammatory infiltration with a large quantity of inflammatory cells, and a reduction of normal neurons in the injured spinal cord tissue in the model group， which was relatively milder, with lower activation of microglia in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA can significantly improve locomotor function in SCI mice, which is associated with its effects in suppressing the expression of inflammatory factors such as HMGB1, TLR4, Iba1 and the over-activation of microglia.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the cervix diagnosed during pregnancy: a rare case report with discussion.

BACKGROUND: Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a relatively rare malignant small round cell tumor, and the occurrence of cervical PNET during pregnancy is extremely rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A case of pregnancy complicated by PNET at our hospital was reported. A 19-year-old pregnant woman presented to the hospital due to multiple instances of vaginal bleeding during the first and second trimesters. She was initially considered for threatened abortion but was ultimately diagnosed with cervical PNET. No standard treatment plan has been developed for pregnant women with this tumor. After completing the necessary examinations, doctors cooperated with the patient and her family to develop a surgical treatment plan. The patient recovered well after surgery, but she refused radiotherapy and chemotherapy. After nearly 3 years of follow-up visits, the patient is alive with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: PNET during pregnancy is a rare but complex condition. It is necessary to devise an individualized treatment plan according to gestational age. Timely surgical treatment can significantly prolong the survival time of patients but may also lead to fetal loss and the inability to carry a pregnancy.

The prognostic implications of perioperative endogenous hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide levels in children with congenital heart disease complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The goal of this study was to measure perioperative changes in endogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), with the goal of better monitoring these children and evaluating their prognosis. For this study, we enrolled 48 normal control cases, 48 preoperative CHD cases including 16 without PAH, 16 with mild PAH, and 16 with moderate-to-severe PAH. We additionally enrolled a cohort of 32 other children with PAH-CHD that had undergone CHD correction prior to transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU). These children were further subdivided based on whether or not PAH was still present after operation (n = 16 per group). Spectrophotometry was used to assess endogenous H2S and NO levels at 24 and 48 h postoperatively in each group. Correlations between postoperative endogenous H2S and NO levels at these two time points, as well as duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, duration of hospitalization, and vasoactive drug score values at 24 and 48 h postoperation were assessed. Endogenous H2S and NO values differed significantly between the control and preoperative CHD groups (P < 0.05). These values also differed significantly among the three different preoperative CHD subgroups and were negatively correlated with pulmonary arterial pressure (P < 0.05). Spearman rank correlation analyses indicated that endogenous H2S levels at 24 and 48 h postoperation were negatively correlated with the duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU length of stay, and maximum vasoactive drug score values at both 24 and 48 h postoperation. We similarly identified a negative correlation between NO concentrations at 24 and 48 h postoperation and maximum vasoactive drug score at these same time points (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Endogenous H2S and NO levels are closely associated with CHD-PAH incidence, and there is a correlation between endogenous H2S levels and the postoperative prognosis of CHD in children. Higher H2S concentrations seem to correspond to better patient prognosis, and as such these values can be used as a prognostic index at an early time point. These values can additionally guide treatment efforts and improve outcomes among children with CHD-PAH. What is Known: • Hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide are both vasodilating factors. • Hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide can regulate pulmonary vascular remodeling, which is closely related to the occurrence and prognosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. What is New: • This study was designed to explore the relationship between short-term prognostic indexes and hydrogen sulfide and nitric oxide levels, in an effort to provide a frame of reference for the postoperative monitoring and treatment of children with congenital heart disease complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension.

[Effects of electroacupuncture at "Jiaji"(EX-B2) on autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress in spinal cord injury mice].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Jiaji" (EX-B2) on the levels of autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice with spinal cord injury (SCI), so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of SCI. METHODS: A total of 60 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation, model and EA groups， which were further divided into 7 d and 14 d subgroups (10 mice in each subgroup). The SCI model was established by pressing the exposed spinal cord (L1) with a vascular clamp for 15 s. EA was applied to bilateral EX-B2 3 h after modeling, once a day for 7 and 14 d, respectively. Basso Mouse Scale(BMS) for locomotion was used to evaluate hindlimb motor function on day 7 and 14 after SCI. H.E. staining was used to observe histopathologic changes of the injured spinal cord tissue, and Western blot employed to detect the expression of glucose regulatory protein-78 (GRP78), Caspase-12, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 II (LC-II) and P62(also known as sqstm1/Sequestome1) proteins. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the immunoacti-vities of spinal CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP, an endoplasmic reticulum stress-inducible protein) and P62. RESULTS: On the 7th and 14th day after SCI, the BMS scores and expression levels of LC3II protein were significantly down-regulated (P<0.05), and the expression levels of P62, GRP78 and Caspase-12 proteins, the immunoactivities of CHOP and P62 were all significantly up-regulated on both day 7 and 14 in the model group than in the sham operation group (P<0.05).Compared with the model group, the BMS scores and the expression levels of LC3II protein were significantly increased on both day 7 and 14 (P<0.05), while the expression levels of P62, GRP78 and Caspase-12 proteins, and the immunoactivities of CHOP and P62 were obviously decreased on day 7 and 14 in the EA group (P<0.05). Outcomes of H.E. stain showed that the cells with nuclei pyknosis and swelling and the necrotic cells appeared in the model group, which was relatively fewer in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA of EX-B2 can improve the locomotor function in SCI mice, which may be related to its effects in up-regulating the expression of LC3II (to promote cell autophagy), and down-regulating the expression of P62, GRP78, Caspase-12 and CHOP proteins (to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress) in the spinal cord tissue.

A moderately extended time interval between hCG administration and oocyte retrieval is good for most patients with oocyte retrieval scheduled on the same day: a retrospective cohort study.

Evidence is limited regarding the time intervals between human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and oocyte retrieval in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation cycles, and it is difficult to determine proper schedules to optimise outcomes for patients undergoing oocyte retrieval on the same day. We aimed to identify correlations between factors pertaining to treatment outcomes and time intervals to facilitate working schedules of ART centres. Our study included 2509 patients who underwent ICSI cycles. Based on different time intervals between hCG administration and oocyte retrieval, all cycles were divided into four groups: group 1 (34.00-35.99 hours), group 2 (36.00-36.99 hours), group 3 (37.00-37.99 hours) and group 4 (38.00-39.32 hours). Female age, basal FSH level, Gn starting stimulation dosage and total Gn dosage of group 1 were significantly higher than those of other groups. E2 level on hCG day and number of follicles aspirated were significantly higher in group 4 than in the other groups. Number of oocytes retrieved, oocyte retrieval rate, cleavage rate and number of usable embryos were positively correlated with the time interval, even after adjusting for female age, basal FSH level, E2 on hCG day and number of follicles aspirated. A fixed hCG administration time matching arranged oocyte retrieval is good enough for most patients to achieve maximal treatment outcomes. For patients with lower treatment expectations (expected no. of oocyte retrieval ≤3), moderately delayed oocyte retrieval would be more appropriate.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? The time interval between hCG administration and OPU during COH is essential for ART treatment outcomes, but different intervals were reported in previous studies.What the results of this study add? Fixed hCG administration time matching arranged OPU is good enough for most patients to achieve maximal outcomes. For patients with lower treatment expectations (expected no. of oocyte retrieval ≤3), moderately delayed oocyte retrieval would be required.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We studied whether the oocytes and pregnancy outcomes changed along with extended time intervals, and there is no need to adhere to an exact interval for every patient. Therefore, it would help clinicians develop more reasonable time schedules for fertility centres and patients undergoing oocyte recovery on the same day.

Distinct Prevalence of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Gansu, China: A Retrospective Study on Drug Susceptibility Profiles Between 2010 and 2014.

Limited knowledge is available on regional distribution of antituberculosis (TB) drug resistance and on province-specific time-trends in TB drug susceptibility in China. To obtain the latest information about the dynamics of drug-resistant TB in Gansu province, we conducted a retrospective study and analyzed data on drug resistance among new TB cases diagnosed between June 2010 and May 2014 in Gansu, China. The data were collected from the only TB surveillance and treatment hospital in Gansu and, therefore, represented the epidemiology of TB in the province. The drug resistance was defined based on diagnostic drug susceptibility testing. Overall, 17.3% of TB new cases diagnosed during 2010 to 2014 in Gansu presented resistance to at least one anti-TB drug. And a total of 2.9% of new TB cases have multidrug resistance. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant TB in Gansu was found to resurge after 2013 (2.0%) after a steady decline between 2010 and 2012 (from 7.1% to 1.2%). The drug resistance patterns of TB and their revolution trends in Gansu differed from other regions of China. We report the first epidemiological description of drug-resistant TB in Gansu, which is distinct when compared to other regions. Our data demonstrate that the distribution of drug-resistant TB varies to a great extent among different geographic regions. And the results of our study greatly suggest that the implementation of individualized TB management and regimen policy based on the regional epidemiology of TB drug susceptibility is highly required.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the subterranean termite, Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

We have determined the complete mitochondrial genome of Reticulitermes chinensis Snyder. The total length of the R. chinensis is 15,925 bp with 65.27% A + T content. It consists of 13 protein-coding, 22 tRNA, 2 rRNA genes and an A + T-rich control region. All the protein-coding genes used ATN as start codon. But the stop codons were TAA, TAG, and an incomplete termination codon (T) abutting an adjacent tRNA gene. The A + T-rich control region was 1125 bp in length with 67.02% A + T content.

Effects of Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide on immune response of rabbit haemorrhagic disease tissue inactivated vaccine and on production performance of Rex rabbits.

Varied doses of Taishan Pinus massoniana pollen polysaccharide (TPPPS) and Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) extracted by hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation method were added to the vaccine in order to prepare polysaccharide-rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) tissue inactivated vaccine. The purpose was to study effects of TPPPS on immune response of RHD tissue inactivated vaccine and on production performance of Rex rabbits. Results showed that each index in groups I, II, III and IV was higher than that in group V, especially groups I, II and IV, the difference between which and group V was much more significant (P<0.05); each index in group I was extremely higher than that in group V (P<0.01); each index in group I was significantly higher than that in groups II, III (P<0.05), and generally no significant difference was observed between groups II and III. The overall level in group IV was slightly lower than that in group I. Each index in the polysaccharide groups reached its peak value later than that in the non-polysaccharide groups did. Results suggested that any dose of TPPPS can enhance immunologic function and production performance of rabbits, and the amount of 400mg per rabbit has the most obvious efficacy. Furthermore, it can extend the immune peak period of RHD tissue inactivated vaccine and the growing peak period of Rex rabbits. TPPPS has generally higher efficiency than APS.