The eastern slope of the Tibetan Plateau is a crucial corridor of water-vapor transport from the Tibetan Plateau to Eastern China. This is also a region with active cloud initiation, and the locally ...hatched cloud systems have a profound impact on the radiation budget and hydrological cycle over the downstream Sichuan Basin and the middle reach of the Yangtze River. It is noteworthy that there is a strong diversification in the characteristics and evolution of the ESTP cloud systems due to the complex terrain. Therefore, in this study, ground-based Ka-band millimeter-wave cloud radar measurements collected at the Ganzi (GZ), Litang (LT), Daocheng (DC), and Jiulong (JL) sites of the ESTP in 2019 were analyzed to compare the vertical structures of summer nonprecipitating clouds, including cloud occurrence frequency, radar reflectivity factor, cloud base height, cloud top height, and cloud thickness. The occurrence frequency exhibits two peaks on the ESTP with maximum values of ~20% (2–4 km) and 15% (7–9 km), respectively. The greatest (smallest) occurrence frequency occurs in the JL (GZ). The cloud occurrence frequency of all sites increases rapidly in the afternoon, and the occurrence frequency of the DC presents larger values at 2–4 km. In contrast, the occurrence frequency in the JL shows another increase from 2000 LT to midnight at 7–11 km. Stronger radar echoes occur most frequently in the LT at 5–7 km, and hydrometeor sizes and phase states vary dramatically in mixed-phase clouds. A small number of radar echoes occur at midnight in the JL. A characteristic bimodality of the cloud base height and top height for single-layer, double-layer, and triple-layer clouds was observed. Clouds show a higher base height in the GZ and higher top height in the JL. The ESTP is dominated by thin clouds with thicknesses of 200–400 m. The cloud base height, top height, and thickness exhibit an increase in the afternoon, and higher top height occurs more frequently from midnight to the next early morning in the JL because of its mountain-valley terrain.
Seasonal variation has been shown to influence symbiotic bacterial community composition and structure in amphibians. It is still unknown how the symbiotic bacterial community assembly changes during ...different seasons, especially for amphibians who are particularly sensitive to environmental change. We found significant differences in the composition and diversity (alpha and beta diversity) of amphibian skin and gut bacteria. Co‐occurrences network analysis showed that seasonal variation reduced the microbial network complexity of amphibians from summer to autumn. The normalized stochastic ratio (NST) and phylogenetic bin‐based null model analysis (iCAMP) models showed that the same result that stochastic processes was the major factor regulating the symbiotic bacterial community assembly mechanisms of amphibians. From summer to autumn, the symbiotic bacterial community assembly mechanisms declined in the contribution of stochastic processes, while increasing in the contribution of deterministic processes. Dispersal limitation was the dominant microbial assembly mechanism, followed by homogeneous selection, and then heterogeneous selection in the symbiotic bacterial community communities of amphibians between summer and autumn. Furthermore, higher niche width of the symbiotic bacterial community of amphibians was found in summer than autumn. Overall, these results demonstrated that seasonal variation influenced amphibian symbiotic bacterial community between summer and autumn.
Abstract Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a heterogenic and systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis and joint structural damage. However, the pathogenesis of RA is still ...obscure. It has been reported microRNA-20a (miRNA-20a) was significantly associated with the regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines release in RA FLS. The purpose of this study was to explore the function and underlying mechanisms of miRNA-20a on NLRP3-inflammasome in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in vitro. Methods In this study, using a combination of Western blotting, Q-PCR, and ELISA analysis, we investigated the influence and function of miRNA-20a on NLRP3-inflammasome by targeting TXNIP in AA FLSs. Results In the present study, the expression of NLRP3-inflammasome was significant up-regulated in AA model in vitro. Our study indicated that silence of NLRP3 down-regulated the expression of NLRP3-inflammasome and the secretion of IL-1β and MMP-1. Moreover, over-expression of miR-20a decreased formation of NLRP3-inflammasome, including NLRP3, ASC and caspase-1, and suppressed the secretion of IL-1β and MMP-1, along with down-regulated the expressions of TXNIP in primary FLSs isolated from AA. With the combined use of prediction programs and luciferase assay, the rat TXNIP mRNA 3′UTR predicted to be targeted by miR-20a. Similarly, inhibitor TXNIP expression by TXNIP-siRNA markedly repressed formation of NLRP3-inflammasome and the secretion of IL-1β and MMP-1. Conclusion Taken together, these results indicate that miR-20a may play a pivotal role in the NLRP3-inflammasome by targeted inhibit TXNIP expression in AA FLSs.
Knowledge of wind field characteristics and variation principles in complex topographical regions is of great importance for the development of numerical prediction models, aviation safety support, ...and wind energy utilization. However, there has been limited research focused on the lower-tropospheric wind fields in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This paper aims to study the wind characteristics, vertical distributions, and temporal variations in the northeast of the plateau by analyzing a four-year continuous dataset collected from a Doppler wind LiDAR deployed in Xining, Qinghai Province of China. The results indicate that the prevailing horizontal wind direction in the low levels is primarily influenced by the mountain-valley wind circulation. However, as the altitude increases, the prevailing winds are predominantly affected by the westerlies. From a diurnal perspective, noticeable transition processes between up-valley and down-valley winds can be observed. The west-northwest wind (down-valley wind) dominates from late night to morning, while the east-southeast wind (up-valley wind) prevails from afternoon to early evening. The vertical winds in the low levels exhibit a downward motion during the daytime and an upward motion during the nighttime. In this plateau valley, the wind shear exponent is found to be highest in spring and lowest in winter, and it is generally lower during the daytime compared to the nighttime.
The paper discusses the implementation of Hong Kong's tailor-made sewage surveillance programme led by the Government, which has demonstrated how an efficient and well-organized sewage surveillance ...system can complement conventional epidemiological surveillance to facilitate the planning of intervention strategies and actions for combating COVID-19 pandemic in real-time. This included the setting up of a comprehensive sewerage network-based SARS-CoV-2 virus surveillance programme with 154 stationary sites covering 6 million people (or 80 % of the total population), and employing an intensive monitoring programme to take samples from each stationary site every 2 days. From 1 January to 22 May 2022, the daily confirmed case count started with 17 cases per day on 1 January to a maximum of 76,991 cases on 3 March and dropped to 237 cases on 22 May. During this period, a total of 270 “Restriction-Testing Declaration” (RTD) operations at high-risk residential areas were conducted based on the sewage virus testing results, where over 26,500 confirmed cases were detected with a majority being asymptomatic. In addition, Compulsory Testing Notices (CTN) were issued to residents, and the distribution of Rapid Antigen Test kits was adopted as alternatives to RTD operations in areas of moderate risk. These measures formulated a tiered and cost-effective approach to combat the disease in the local setting. Some ongoing and future enhancement efforts to improve efficacy are discussed from the perspective of wastewater-based epidemiology. Forecast models on case counts based on sewage virus testing results were also developed with R2 of 0.9669–0.9775, which estimated that up to 22 May 2022, around 2,000,000 people (~67 % higher than the total number of 1,200,000 reported to the health authority, due to various constraints or limitations) had potentially contracted the disease, which is believed to be reflecting the real situation occurring in a highly urbanized metropolis like Hong Kong.
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•Hong Kong successfully applied Sewage Surveillance for real-time COVID-19 tracking.•The success came from the synergy among government, academic and private sectors.•Sewage data provided early warning with 2–4 days lead time to enhance preparedness.•Robust regression models were developed to estimate actual infection numbers.•City-scale sewage data informed planning of preventive measures to combat COVID-19.
In this study, the effects of fungal pretreatment and direct bio‐utilization of RSM for iturin A fermentation were comparatively analyzed through screening suitable fungal species, and evaluating the ...relationships between iturin A production and the composition of solid fermented RSM and liquid hydrolysates. Three main unconventional adverse effects were identified. In conclusion, our study verifies the unconventional adverse effects of fungal pretreatment on iturin A production by B. amyloliquefaciens CX‐20 compared with direct bio‐utilization of RSM.
Summary
Fungal pretreatment is the most common strategy for improving the conversion of rapeseed meal (RSM) into value‐added microbial products. It was demonstrated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CX‐20 could directly use RSM as the sole source of all nutrients except the carbon source for iturin A fermentation with high productivity. However, whether fungal pretreatment has an impact on iturin A production is still unknown. In this study, the effects of fungal pretreatment and direct bio‐utilization of RSM for iturin A fermentation were comparatively analysed through screening suitable fungal species, and evaluating the relationships between iturin A production and the composition of solid fermented RSM and liquid hydrolysates. Three main unconventional adverse effects were identified. (1) Solid‐state fermentation by fungi resulted in a decrease of the total nitrogen for B. amyloliquefaciens CX‐20 growth and metabolism, which caused nitrogen waste from RSM. (2) The released free ammonium nitrogen in liquid hydrolysates by fungal pretreatment led to the reduction of iturin A. (3) The insoluble precipitates of hydrolysates, which were mostly ignored and wasted in previous studies, were found to have beneficial effects on producing iturin A. In conclusion, our study verifies the unconventional adverse effects of fungal pretreatment on iturin A production by B. amyloliquefaciens CX‐20 compared with direct bio‐utilization of RSM.
Aims and objectives
To gain insight into nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding major immobility complications (pressure ulcers, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis and urinary tract infections) and ...explore the correlation of nurses’ knowledge and attitudes with the incidence of these complications.
Background
Immobility complications have adverse consequences, and effective management requires appropriate knowledge, attitudes and skills. Evidence about nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding immobility complications is lacking.
Design
Cross‐sectional study.
Methods
A total of 3,903 nurses and 21,333 bedridden patients from 25 hospitals in China were surveyed. Nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding major immobility complications were assessed using researcher‐developed questionnaires. The content validity, reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaires were validated through expert review and a pilot study. The incidence of major immobility complications among bedridden patients from selected wards was surveyed by trained investigators. Correlations between knowledge, attitudes and the incidence of major immobility complications were evaluated with multilevel regression models.
Results
Mean knowledge scores were 64.07% for pressure ulcers, 72.92% for deep vein thrombosis, 76.54% for pneumonia and 83.30% for urinary tract infections. Mean attitude scores for these complications were 86.25%, 84.31%, 85.00% and 84.53%, respectively. Knowledge and attitude scores were significantly higher among nurses with older age, longer employment duration, higher education level, previous training experience and those working in tertiary hospitals or critical care units. Nurses’ knowledge about pressure ulcers was negatively related to the incidence of pressure ulcers, and attitude towards pneumonia was negatively correlated with the incidence of pneumonia.
Conclusion
Clinical nurses have relatively positive attitudes but inadequate knowledge regarding major immobility complications. Improved knowledge and attitudes regarding major immobility complications may contribute to reducing these complications.
Relevance to Clinical Practice
Nursing managers should implement measures to improve nurses’ knowledge and attitudes regarding major immobility complications to reduce the incidence of these complications in bedridden patients.
Bacitracin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used extensively as a feed additive. In this study, inexpensive agricultural by-products were used as nitrogen sources for bacitracin production. Based on ...both the orthogonal tests, a combination of 7% soybean meal (SBM) +2% low protein rapeseed cake (LPRC) was optimal for bacitracin production. Compared to the original formula, the titer of bacitracin increased by 20.5% reaching 910.4 U/ml in flasks. The titer of bacitracin and the ratio of bacitracin A increased by 12.4 and 6.8% in a 50-l fermentor. Furthermore, this study also explored the effects of exogenously adding different amino acids on the yield of bacitracin. The addition of Cys and Glu enhanced bacitracin production by 5.7 and 5.0%, respectively. This study provided the inexpensive nutrient inputs into efficient bacitracin production and also the insight to further research enabling better utilization of oil cakes for economic viability of the bioprocess industry.
Syphilis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) share transmission routes. Syphilis infection can increase the risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV ...in key populations. The aims of this study were to investigate the risk factors and co-infection patterns for HIV, HBV and HCV in patients with syphilis. A retrospective study was conducted of 2,412 patients with syphilis (1,922 (79.68%) with latent syphilis, 336 (13.93%) with secondary syphilis, 78 (3.23%) with primary syphilis, 72 (2.99%) with tertiary syphilis, and 4 (0.17%) with congenital syphilis). Positive results were observed in 8.21% (134/1,620) of patients tested for HIV, 5.75% (82/1,427) for HBV, and 1.02% (14/1,374) for HCV, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that male sex (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 26.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) 10.37–65.36), age < 55 years, especially age group 25–34-years (AOR 8.06; 95% CI 4.16–15.61), diagnosed at the Department of Infectious Disease (AOR 19.16; 95% CI 9.74–37.69), patients from Southern China, which is a geographical area south of the Qinling-Huaihe line (AOR 1.86; 95% CI 1.06–3.26) and having a rapid plasma reagin titre ≥ 1:32 (AOR 1.88; 95% CI 1.12–3.15) were independently associated with HIV infection. Risk factors for HBV co-infection in patients with syphilis, including male sex (AOR 1.78; 95% CI 1.12–2.83) and living in Southern China (AOR 4.66; 95% CI, 2.36–9.17) were also identified.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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