Exploring the bidirectional relationship between metabolic syndrome and thyroid autoimmunity: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Observational studies have reported a possible association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and thyroid autoimmunity. Nevertheless, the relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and MetS remains unclear. The objective of this research was to assess the causal impact of MetS on thyroid autoimmunity through the utilization of Mendelian randomization (MR) methodology. Methods: We performed bidirectional MR to elucidate the causal relationship between MetS and their components and thyroid autoimmunity (positivity of TPOAb). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MetS and its components were obtained from the publicly available genetic variation summary database. The Thyroidomics Consortium conducted a genome-wide association analysis, which provided summary-level data pertaining to thyroid autoimmunity. The study included several statistical methods, including the inverse variance weighting method (IVW), weighted median, simple mode, weight mode, and MR-Egger methods, to assess the causal link. In addition, to ensure the stability of the results, a sensitivity analysis was conducted. Results: IVW showed that MetS reduced the risk of developing thyroid autoimmunity (OR = 0.717, 95% CI = 0.584 - 0.88, P = 1.48E-03). The investigation into the causative association between components of MetS and thyroid autoimmune revealed a statistically significant link between triglycerides levels and the presence of thyroid autoimmunity (IVW analysis, OR = 0.603, 95%CI = 0.45 -0.807, P = 6.82E-04). The reverse analysis did not reveal any causal relationship between thyroid autoimmunity and MetS, including its five components. Conclusions: We have presented new genetic evidence demonstrating that MetS and its triglyceride components may serve as potential protective factors against thyroid autoimmunity.

A terahertz meta-sensor array for 2D strain mapping.

Large-scale stretchable strain sensor arrays capable of mapping two-dimensional strain distributions have gained interest for applications as wearable devices and relating to the Internet of Things. However, existing strain sensor arrays are usually unable to achieve accurate directional recognition and experience a trade-off between high sensing resolution and large area detection. Here, based on classical Mie resonance, we report a flexible meta-sensor array that can detect the in-plane direction and magnitude of preloaded strains by referencing a dynamically transmitted terahertz (THz) signal. By building a one-to-one correspondence between the intrinsic electrical/magnetic dipole resonance frequency and the horizontal/perpendicular tension level, arbitrary strain information across the meta-sensor array is accurately detected and quantified using a THz scanning setup. Particularly, with a simple preparation process of micro template-assisted assembly, this meta-sensor array offers ultrahigh sensor density (~11.1 cm-2) and has been seamlessly extended to a record-breaking size (110 × 130 mm2), demonstrating its promise in real-life applications.

Transformational leadership competency: a cross-sectional study of medical university graduates in China.

PURPOSE: To explore the transformational leadership competency of graduates from one medical university in China and its influencing variables. METHOD: From 2020 to 2021, 851 medical graduates from seven hospitals affiliated with the Capital Medical University participated in this survey. The authors conducted a cross-sectional study to assess transformational leadership competency, particularly from three aspects, including values, Emotional Intelligence (EI) abilities, and behaviors using the socially responsible leadership scale (SRLS), emotionally intelligent leadership, and student leadership practices inventory (EILI and SLPI). RESULTS: The SRLS scores were medium except for 'controversy with civility'. The EILI scores were medium. The SLPI scores were high except for 'enable others to act' and 'encourage the heart'. The influencing variables of SRLS, EILI, and SLPI were serving as student cadres, serving longer than two semesters (p = 0.01, 0.02 in EILI and SLPI), joining student organizations, participating in social practice, voluntary service (p = 0.001 in SLPI), in training classes for student cadres (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.02 in SRLS, EILI, and SLPI), and attending lectures on leadership (except for indicated, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that attending lectures on leadership was associated with high SRLS, EILI, and SLPI scores (p = 0.04, SRLS; p < 0.001, others), and SRLS and EILI scores could affect SLPI score (F = 2674.44, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.86). CONCLUSIONS: Medical graduates' transformational leadership competency at the Capital Medical University was medium measured from values, EI abilities, and behaviors. Group analysis indicated that knowledge learning, organizational involvement, and social/community involvement were associated with leadership capacity building, meanwhile, leaders' values and EI abilities would affect their behaviors, suggesting medical graduates should undertake leadership training from both knowledge learning and practicing.

Study of microscopic properties and heavy metal solidification mechanism of electrolytic manganese residue-based cementitious materials.

Electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) is a solid waste that contains a significant amount of soluble manganese and ammonia nitrogen, which can pose risks to human health if improperly disposed of. This study aimed to prepare cementitious materials containing abundant ettringite crystals by mixing EMR with various proportions of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and alkaline activators (CaO, Ca(OH)2, clinker, NaOH). The resulting cementitious material not only utilized a substantial amount of EMR but also exhibited comparable strength to ordinary Portland cement. The optimal ratios were determined through mechanical testing. Additionally, the leaching toxicity of cementitious materials was assessed using ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer) tests. The microscopic properties, hydration, and mechanism of heavy metal solidification in the cementitious materials were evaluated using XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (scanning electron microscope), EDS (energy-dispersive spectrometer), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and TG (thermogravimetric) techniques. The results showed that the optimal ratio for the cementitious materials was 60% EMR, 36% GBFS, and 4% Ca(OH)2. The hardened mortar exhibited compressive strengths of 34.43 MPa, 41.3 MPa, and 50.89 MPa at 3 days, 7 days, and 28 days, respectively, with an EMR utilization rate of 60%. The hydration products of EMR-based cementitious materials were C-(A)-S-H, AFt, and ferromanganese compounds, which contribute to the mechanical strength. The Mn2+ and NH4+-N contents of raw EMR were 1220 and 149 mg/L, respectively. Nonetheless, the leaching of Mn2+ and NH4+-N in the alkali-EMR-GBFS system was significantly below the limits set by the Chinese emission standard GB8978-1996. Within this system, C-(A)-S-H and AFt could physically adsorb and displace heavy metals, Ca6Mn2(SO4)2(SO3)2(OH)12·24H2O could replace Al ions with Mn ions, and ferromanganese compounds Fe2Mn(PO4)2(OH)2·(H2O)8 and MnFe2O4 could chemically precipitate Mn2+.

Effectiveness of immunosuppressant use for the treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced liver injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Immune-mediated liver injury caused by checkpoint inhibitors (ILICI) is a challenging clinical management issue. Although immunosuppressants are widely used to manage ILICI, no large-scale studies have proved definitive evidence for the most effective form of patient management. Aim: Analysis of the effectiveness of immunosuppression for immune-related liver injury. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinical outcomes of immunosuppressive treatment of ILICI patients. A literature search of PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane Library was completed for dates from 2000 to January 1, 2022. The primary outcome was the response rate to immunosuppressive therapy for ILICI, with subgroup analysis based on the type of cancer, immune checkpoint inhibitor regimen, and severity of liver injury. The secondary outcome was the median time to recovery from ILICI with immunosuppressive therapy. Results: A total of 30 studies that included 1120 patients were collected. The pooled ILICI response rate was 79% (95% CI 0.73-0.84) for treatment with corticosteroids and 93% (95% CI 0.79-1.0) for treatment with mycophenolate mofetil. For ILICI treated with corticosteroids, the median recovery time was 47.59 (95% CI 39.79-55.40) days compared to 37.74 (95% CI 31.12-44.35) days for all forms of immunosuppression. Conclusion: Findings support the effectiveness of corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil for the treatment of ILICI. The identified median time to recovery is a beneficial guide for patients and physicians, allowing for realistic expectations and appropriate treatment management. Future prospective randomized controlled trials are required to define a standardized management approach to immunosuppressive therapy of ILICI. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022313454.

Thermal and mechanical THz modulation of flexible all-dielectric metamaterial.

The implementation of Terahertz (THz) modulation is critical for applications in high-speed wireless communications, security screening and so on. Therefore, it is particularly significant to obtain THz wave modulation devices with stable and flexible performance, easy manipulation of the modulation method, and multi-functionality. Here, we propose a flexible all-dielectric metamaterial by embedding zirconia (ZrO2) microspheres into a vanadium dioxide/polydimethylsiloxane (VO2/PDMS) composite, which can achieve thermal and mechanical tuning of THz wave transmission. When the temperature of the ZrO2/VO2/PDMS metamaterial increases, VO2 changes from the insulating phase to the metallic phase, and the 1st (at 0.304 THz) and 2nd (at 0.414 THz) order magnetic resonances exhibit the tunability of 20 GHz and 15 GHz, respectively. When stretched, the 1st and 2nd order magnetic resonances show the tunability of 12 GHz and 10 GHz, respectively. In the meantime, there are accompanying changes in transmittance at the resonances. The ZrO2/VO2/PDMS all-dielectric metamaterial presented in this work provides an alternative strategy for developing actively tunable, flexible, and versatile THz devices. In addition, it has the merits of simple preparation and low cost, promising large-area and rapid preparation of meta-arrays.

Neurovascular coupling changes in patients with magnetic resonance imaging negative focal epilepsy.

Brain neuron activity is closely related to cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes. Alterations in the regional homogeneity (ReHo) and CBF occur in patients with magnetic resonance imaging negative focal epilepsy (FEP-MRI-). However, the coupling alterations of ReHo and CBF in FEP-MRI- remain unclear. The study aims to explore neurovascular coupling alterations and their clinical implication in FEP-MRI-. We collected resting-state magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from 31 healthy controls (HCs) and 48 patients with FEP-MRI-,including three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted imaging, 3D arterial spin labeling (ASL) imaging,and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). The CBF and ReHo values were calculated from the ASL and rs-fMRI data, respectively. The CBF/ReHo ratio per voxel and whole-brain CBF-ReHo coupling were compared between the two groups. Correlation analysis involved the CBF/ReHo ratio and clinical indicators in FEP-MRI-. Patients with FEP-MRI- showed significantly increased cross-subject CBF-ReHo and global cross-voxel CBF-ReHo coupling. The CBF/ReHo ratio was higher in the bilateral orbitofrontal gyrus, right parietal lobe, and right middle frontal gyrus of patients with FEP-MRI-. Nevertheless, this ratio was lower in the bilateral supplementary motor areas, the left middle and posterior cingulate gyrus, and the right central sulcus cover. The CBF/ReHo ratio was markedly correlated with cognitive function, memory, intelligence, and epilepsy duration in the above abnormal brain regions. CBF/ReHo ratio may be useful as an indicator of neuropathological mechanisms. These results support the hypothesis that CBF/ReHo ratio relates to the neuropathological mechanisms of FEP-MRI-. Furthermore, it offers new perspectives for studying the mechanisms of MRI-negative epilepsy.

Immediate Effects of Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Revealed by Magnetoencephalographic Recordings.

Objective: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been a neuromodulatory option for treating drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), but its mechanism remains unclear. To obtain insight into the mechanism by which VNS reduces epileptic seizures, the immediate effects of VNS in brain networks of DRE patients were investigated when the patients' vagal nerve stimulators were turned on. Methods: The brain network properties of 14 DRE patients with a vagal nerve stimulator and 14 healthy controls were evaluated using magnetoencephalography recordings for 6 main frequency bands. Results: Compared with healthy controls, DRE patients exhibited significant increases in functional connectivity in the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma bands and significant reductions in the small-world measure in the theta and beta bands. During periods when patients' vagal nerve stimulators were turned on, DRE patients showed significant reductions in functional connectivity in the theta and alpha bands and a significant increase in the small-world measure in the theta band when compared with periods when patients' vagal nerve stimulators were turned off. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the brain networks of DRE patients were pathologically hypersynchronous and instantaneous VNS can decrease the synchronization of brain networks of epileptic patients, which might play a key role in the mechanism by which VNS reduces epileptic seizures. In the theta band, instantaneous VNS can increase the network efficiency of DRE patients, and the increment in network efficiency may be helpful for improving brain cognitive function in epileptic patients. Impact statement For the first time, we investigated the immediate effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in the brain networks of drug-resistant epilepsy patients using magnetoencephalography. Our results show that instantaneous VNS can decrease the hypersynchronization of epileptic networks and increase the network efficiency of epileptic patients. Our results are helpful in understanding the mechanism of action by which VNS reduces epileptic seizures and improves the cognitive function in epileptic patients and the brain network reorganization caused by long-term VNS.

Bibliometric insights in advances of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma: Research situation, hot points, and global trends.

Background: Thyroid cancer has been on the rise over the last decade. Papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) accounts for more than half of all thyroid cancers. Micropapillary carcinoma of the thyroid is a common but non-fatal form of thyroid cancer. To better comprehend, nearly two decades of scientific outputs were analyzed and summarized using bibliometric methods in this study. Methods: Approximately 1098 publications from 2000 and 2021 were included in WoS database through systematic retrieval. The general information was characterized, and developmental skeleton and research frontiers were explored. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R, Tableau were used to evaluate and visualize the results. Results: A total of 1098 publications from across 75 countries were identified. The annual number of publications showed an increasing trend in the past 21 years. China, Korea, the United States of America (USA), Italy, and Japan made remarkable contributions to the research of PTMC. Thyroid was the most productive journal. Miyauchi Akira published maximum articles. The utmost productive institution was the University of Ulsan. Risk stratification, active surveillance, and thermal ablation garnered the attention of researchers leading to novel approaches in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of micropapillary thyroid carcinoma. Conclusions: This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive analysis of global productivity, collaboration, and research hotspots within PTMC field, which will aid in directing research toward PTMC in the coming years.

Distribution of tyrosol fatty acid esters in the gastrointestinal tracts of mice and their hydrolysis characteristics by gut microbiota.

Phenolic lipids have been approved as safe and effective antioxidants, and are a potential ingredient for functional foods. However, the characteristics of gastrointestinal distribution and microbial hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) are not clear. In this study, the above characteristics of tyrosol-myristic acid ester (T-C14:0), tyrosol-palmitic acid ester (T-C16:0) and tyrosol-stearic acid ester (T-C18:0) were estimated by an in vivo mice model and in vitro anaerobic fermentation model. HPLC-UV measurements indicate that tyrosol (TYr) was rapidly and almost completely absorbed in the small intestine. By contrast, oral T-C14:0, T-C16:0 and T-C18:0 were remarkably stable in the stomach environments of the mice, and could be further hydrolyzed to free TYr by gut microbiota including Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus gasseri (in the colon and cecum). Further, the liberated TYr and fatty acids can participate in regulating the composition of the gut microorganisms, which may lead to some additional health benefits. Therefore, the production of phenolic lipids such as tyrosol fatty acid esters provides a new approach to prolong the action time of polyphenol in vivo, and could also lead to additional health benefits including the regulation of gut microorganisms.

Gastrointestinal Distribution of Tyrosol Acyl Esters in Orally Infected Mice and Their Hydrolysis by Lactobacillus Species Isolated from the Feces of Mice.

Phenolipids, which have been widely used as food antioxidants, are also a potential functional ingredient. However, their characteristics of gastrointestinal distribution and microbial hydrolysis remain unexplored. In this study, an in vivo mouse model and an in vitro anaerobic fermentation model were used to evaluate the above characteristics of tyrosol acyl esters (TYr-Es) with fatty acids (FAs) of C12:0, C18:0, and C18:2. HPLC-UV measurements indicated that oral TYr-Es were remarkably stable in the stomach environment of mice. However, TYr-Es were hydrolyzed to free TYr by lipase in the small intestine, which showed a sustained-release behavior. Specially, TYr was rapidly and almost completely absorbed in the small intestine. By contrast, detectable amounts of TYr-Es were found in the cecum and colon and could be further hydrolyzed to free TYr and FAs by Lactobacillus. These TYr and FAs can participate in regulating the composition of the intestinal microorganisms, which may lead to some health benefits.

Experimental realization of visible gas sensing technology based on spatial heterodyne spectroscopy.

Based on the characteristics of optical absorption gas sensing technology (OA-GST) and spatial heterodyne spectroscopy (SHS), a novel type of visual gas sensing technology (V-GST) can present the invisible gas information in the form of two-dimensional visual fingerprint, which has attracted people's attention. In this paper, we have realized the NO2 detection of V-GST in the laboratory environment for the first time. Experimental results show that: V-GST not only has different interferogram response to different spectra, but also has good response to different concentrations of NO2, which lays a foundation for the application of this technology in gas sensing. And the average classification recognition rate of the system for different band NO2 response data is over 80%, which verifies the effectiveness of the V-GST in gas detection.

Global research hot spot and trends in tinnitus treatment between 2000 and 2021: A bibliometric and visualized study.

Background: In the 21st century, the prevalence of tinnitus is increasing, impacting approximately one in five people. It is a very complicated condition that significantly affects quality of life. Despite the availability of hundreds of tinnitus treatment options, none are very successful. In light of this, there has been a steady increase in studies on tinnitus treatments in the recent past. To comprehend them better, this study used bibliometric approaches to analyze and summarize 21st century scientific research accomplishments in tinnitus treatment. Methods: The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was searched for papers that had been published and related to the treatment of tinnitus. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, R, and Tableau software programs were used to conduct bibliometric studies. To evaluate and visualize the results. Results: 2,933 publications on tinnitus treatment were found in 74 countries. Between 2000 and 2021, publications increased steadily. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery had the highest impact factor, whereas Otology & Neurotology had the most magazines and the highest h, g, and m index. Langguth B was the most prolific author in terms of productivity during the past 21 years. Numerous eminent authors and organizations from multiple nations collaborated. With 626 papers, the United States of America (USA) contributed the most to this field, making them the leading contributor. Neuroplasticity, sound therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have attracted the attention of researchers, leading to the development of innovative diagnostic and treatment strategies for tinnitus. Conclusion: This bibliometric study provides a comprehensive analysis of worldwide publications, cooperation, and research hotspots in tinnitus therapy, revealing the present status of research on this issue and guiding tinnitus treatment research in the coming years.

Effect of carbon chain length on the hydrolysis and transport characteristics of alkyl gallates in rat intestine.

Phenolipids such as alkyl gallates (A-GAs) have been approved by food industry as non-toxic antioxidant additives. However, their digestion and absorption mechanisms in the intestine have not yet been clarified. In this research, the hydrolysis and transport characteristics of A-GAs with fatty alcohols of various chain lengths (C1:0, C2:0, C3:0, C4:0, C8:0, C12:0 and C16:0) were estimated by the everted-rat-gut-sac model (ERGSM) for the first time. High-performance liquid chromatography measurements proved that measurable peaks corresponding to methyl gallate (G-C1:0), ethyl gallate (G-C2:0), propyl gallate (G-C3:0) and butyl gallate (G-C4:0) were discovered in the serosal fluids, which showed the short-chain alkyl gallates can cross the membrane in the form of esters. Besides, all A-GAs were hydrolyzed to GA in the mucosal solution, which contributed evidently to the transport of GA across the membrane of the small intestine. Meanwhile, the hydrolysis rate of A-GAs and transport rate of GA initially increased and then decreased with the chain length, exhibiting a maximum for octyl gallate (G-C8:0). In general, all A-GAs have the behavior of sustained-release. In consequence, the production of A-GAs should be an effective method to extend action time and further increases biological activities of GA.

Changes in resting-state cerebral blood flow and its connectivity in patients with focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures.

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is an important tool for understanding cerebral perfusion in epilepsy patients. The aim of this study was to explore patterns of change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and CBF connectivity in patients with focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS). High-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) T1-weighted and 3-D pseudo-continuous ASL magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was collected from 32 patients with FBTCS and 16 healthy volunteers using a 3.0 T MRI scanner. Cerebral blood flow and its connectivity were compared between the FBTCS and control group. Correlation analysis was used to explore relationships of CBF and its connectivity changes with clinical parameters. Cerebral blood flow data of spatial standardization and normalization were used to improve statistical power. Patients with FBTCS exhibited increased CBF in the bilateral thalamus, caudate nucleus, olfactory cortex, and gyrus rectus, but decreased CBF in the bilateral supplementary motor areas (SMA) and middle cingulate cortex (MCC). Patients with FBTCS showed significant positive correlation between CBF and gray matter volume (GMV) in bilateral SMA and MCC. No significant correlations between CBF and clinical parameters were found among FBTCS patients. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) showed positive CBF connectivity with the bilateral SMA and MCC, and these CBF connectivity measures differed significantly between groups (cluster-level, FWE-corrected, P < 0.001). These findings suggest that patients with FBTCS have changes in cerebral CBF and CBF connectivity, which may relate to the underlying neuropathology of FBTCS.

First Report of Leaf Spot Caused by Alternaria alternata on Sonchus asper in China.

Sonchus asper (Spiny sowthistle), belonging to the Asteraceae, is a problematic weed in grain crops, orchards as well as turf (Cho et al., 2019). In April 2016, about 90% of the S. asper plants infesting a pear orchard had symptomatic with black spots densely distributed on the leaves and stems in Da Yang Town, Luyang District, Hefei, Anhui (N31°55'43″, E117°11'40″). The foliar lesions were mostly circular (3.0 mm to 1.5 cm in diameter) or irregular in shape; lesions on the stem were elliptical to irregular in shape running along the vascular bundle and about 3 to 6mm long × 2 to 3mm wide. Severely affected plants had their leaves become completely blighted and eventually the plants died. Fifteen tissue pieces from five symptomatic leaves and stems were surface sterilized with 0.5% NaClO for two min, rinsed three times with sterile water, and then plated on 1/4-strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. Fourteen fungal isolated were obtained from the tissues, the isolation frequency from the plant tissue pieces was almost 93%. Fungal colonies were circular, initially white, and eventually turned to dark olive or black along with profuse sporulation. The conidia were tawny to brownish green, obclavate to obpyriform, with a cylindrical or coniform short beak, ranging from 16.8 to 39.8 µm long × 6.3 to 14.7 µm wide with two to five transverse and zero to two longitudinal septa (n = 50) and were borne on branched conidiophores. These morphological characteristics were similar to those described for Alternaria alternata (Simmons, 2007). For one representative isolate, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, partial coding sequence of the actin (ACT) gene, partial Alt a 1 major allergen (ALT) gene and partial Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene were amplified and sequenced with primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al., 1990), ACT512F/ACT783R (Carbone and Kohn, 1999), Alt-4for/Alt-4rev and gpd1/gpd2 (Lawrence et al., 2013) respectively. Sequences were submitted to GenBank (ITS: MH886523; ACT: MH892480; ALT: MN655781; GAPDH: MN655782). Based on a BLAST analysis, ITS, ACT gene and GAPDH gene had 100%-99.8% identity with the existing sequences of the ex-type CBS 916.96 of A. alternata (Fries) Keissler (ITS: AF347031; ACT: JQ671702; GAPDH: AY278808, respectively) and ALT gene showed 100% identity with the A. alternata isolate SCWC10 (MG199093). Thus the pathogen was identified as A. alternata based on its morphological and molecular characteristics. Pathogenicity tests were conducted on six to seven-leaf stage potted S. asper plants (one plant per pot). Five mm diameter fungal disks, which were excised from the edge of a three-day old A. alternata colony, were placed on healthy leaves of five plants. Same size sterile PDA disks were used as controls. In addition, a conidial suspension (107 conidia/ml) was also inoculated on healthy leaves of five plants, sterile distilled water was used as control. Both inoculation experiments were conducted in the greenhouse at 25 ± 2°C, 90 % relative humidity, 12 h light/dark photoperiod and repeated at least three times. Lesions were observed on all the leaves within 12 h after fungal disk inoculation. All pathogen inoculated plants developed lesions, similar to those observed on the symptomatic leaves in the field 12 days after conidial inoculation. No symptoms were observed on both control treatments. A. alternata was re-isolated from the inoculated leaves and confirmed by both morphological and molecular techniques, confirming Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. alternata causing leaf spot on S. asper in China. The pathogen could cause severe disease in S. asper, and has the potential to be further studied as a fungal weed biocontrol.

Redox chemistry changes in the Panthalassic Ocean linked to the end-Permian mass extinction and delayed Early Triassic biotic recovery.

The end-Permian mass extinction represents the most severe biotic crisis for the last 540 million years, and the marine ecosystem recovery from this extinction was protracted, spanning the entirety of the Early Triassic and possibly longer. Numerous studies from the low-latitude Paleotethys and high-latitude Boreal oceans have examined the possible link between ocean chemistry changes and the end-Permian mass extinction. However, redox chemistry changes in the Panthalassic Ocean, comprising ∼85-90% of the global ocean area, remain under debate. Here, we report multiple S-isotopic data of pyrite from Upper Permian-Lower Triassic deep-sea sediments of the Panthalassic Ocean, now present in outcrops of western Canada and Japan. We find a sulfur isotope signal of negative Δ33S with either positive δ34S or negative δ34S that implies mixing of sulfide sulfur with different δ34S before, during, and after the end-Permian mass extinction. The precise coincidence of the negative Δ33S anomaly with the extinction horizon in western Canada suggests that shoaling of H2S-rich waters may have driven the end-Permian mass extinction. Our data also imply episodic euxinia and oscillations between sulfidic and oxic conditions during the earliest Triassic, providing evidence of a causal link between incursion of sulfidic waters and the delayed recovery of the marine ecosystem.

Mid-Cretaceous carbon cycle perturbations and Oceanic Anoxic Events recorded in southern Tibet.

The organic carbon isotope (δ13Corg) curve for ~1.7-km-thick mid-Cretaceous strata of the Chaqiela section in Gamba area, southern Tibet is presented in this study. C-isotopic chemostratigraphic correlation combined with biostratigraphic constraints show that the Chaqiela section spans early Aptian through early Campanian period, and that almost all of the carbon cycle perturbations and Oceanic Anoxic Events during the mid-Cretaceous period are well recorded in the continental margin area of the southeastern Tethys Ocean. Significantly, two levels of methane-derived authigenic carbonates were identified at the onset of OAE1b near the Aptian-Albian boundary. We suggest that an increase in methane release from gas hydrates, potentially driven by sea-level fall and bottom water temperature increase, may have contributed to the large negative δ13Corg excursions and global warming during OAE1b.

[Stratified analysis of the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types and health status in the general population based on data of 8,448 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutional types and health status among groups of different age or gender in the general population of China. METHODS: Data of 8 448 cases were randomly sampled from a database of 21 948 cases of a cross-sectional survey on the TCM constitutional types and health status which was carried out in 9 provinces or municipalities of China (Jiangsu, Anhui, Gansu, Qinghai, Fujian, Beijing, Jilin, Jiangxi and Henan) according to gender and age structure of the Chinese population in 2005. Scores of health-related quality of life scale--the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (MOS SF-36)--were analyzed by Nemenyi test to compare the health status of individuals with different constitutional types. RESULTS: Compared with the gentleness type, the MOS SF-36 scores of the 8 types of pathological constitution were significantly low (P<0.05) among groups of different age or gender. The MOS SF-36 score was the lowest in men of the qi-deficiency, qi-depression and blood-stasis types, while it was the lowest in women of the phlegm-dampness, qi-depression and qi-deficiency types. For the age group of 15 to 34, the special diathesis, qi-depression and blood-stasis types had the lowest MOS SF-36 scores; for the age group of 35 to 59, the qi-deficiency, qi-depression and blood-stasis types had the lowest MOS SF-36 scores; for the age group of over 60, the qi-deficiency, qi-depression and phlegm-dampness types had the lowest MOS SF-36 scores. CONCLUSION: In groups of different gender or age, the MOS SF-36 scores of the 8 types of pathological constitution were significantly lower than that of the gentleness type, indicating a deficient health status. The health status of different types of constitution showed different characteristics in groups of different gender or age.

Structures and field emission characteristics of ion irradiated silicon nanowire arrays.

Silicon nanowire (SiNW) arrays irradiated by energetic Si ions were fabricated by metal vapor vacuum arc (MEVVA) ion implantation method. Hetero-structure of amorphous/crystalline nanowire was formed in which structure of the implanted region on the top of the nanowires was amorphous while the structure of unimplanted region on the bottom remained crystal. Field emission (FE) properties of the SiNW arrays could be improved and modulated by different implantation doses. A low turn-on field of 4.63 V/microm was observed in the SiNWs irradiated by 21 keV Si ion with a dose of 7.86 x 10(16)/cm2, and the applied field for the emission current density reaching 100 microA/cm2 is only 5.52 V/microm. The main reason for the efficient emission is attributed to the formation of amorphous SiNWs and structure defects after implantation. The ion irradiated SiNWs after post-annealing at high temperature had better FE property due to eliminating the restrain effect to electrons.