Evolution and spatial reconstruction of rural settlements based on composite features of agglomeration effect and ecological effects in the Hexi Corridor, Northwest China.

Rural reconstruction plays a pivotal role in the revitalization of rural areas and the development of regions. Understanding the pattern and direction of rural settlement reconstruction is crucial for effectively coordinating urban and rural development, as well as promoting regional rural revitalization. The present study proposes a novel approach to elucidate the evolution and spatial reconstruction of rural settlements by integrating features of agglomeration effect and ecological effect. By employing GIS spatial analysis technology and ecosystem service value modeling, the research analyzes the combined spatial agglomeration and ecological value characteristics of rural settlements in an arid oasis area, specifically focusing on the Hexi Corridor. Based on the analysis, the study identifies specific rural settlement reconstruction zoning and directions for optimization, considering rural settlement accessibility. The study reveals three key findings: (1) There are significant differences in the scale density and spatial distribution of rural settlements across the Hexi Corridor. (2) The overall ecological environment quality is good, and there is significant spatial differentiation in the ecosystem service value, influenced by topographic factors. (3) The optimal layout mode for rural settlements in the Hexi Corridor is the combination type of 'higher-ecological higher-density'. Based on the combined agglomeration effect and ecological effect features, the research determines the reconstruction scope of alienated rural settlements. Additionally, four predominant reconstruction modes are identified: urban agglomeration type, central village construction type, internal coordination type, and ecological protection type. The study proposes viable reconstruction paths for rural settlements based on these modes.

GhKNL1 controls fiber elongation and secondary cell wall synthesis by repressing its downstream genes in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

Cotton which produces natural fiber materials for the textile industry is one of the most important crops in the world. Class II KNOX proteins are often considered as transcription factors in regulating plant secondary cell wall (SCW) formation. However, the molecular mechanism of the KNOX transcription factor-regulated SCW synthesis in plants (especially in cotton) remains unclear in details so far. In this study, we show a cotton class II KNOX protein (GhKNL1) as a transcription repressor functioning in fiber development. The GhKNL1-silenced transgenic cotton produced longer fibers with thicker SCWs, whereas GhKNL1 dominant repression transgenic lines displayed the opposite fiber phenotype, compared with controls. Further experiments revealed that GhKNL1 could directly bind to promoters of GhCesA4-2/4-4/8-2 and GhMYB46 for modulating cellulose synthesis during fiber SCW development in cotton. On the other hand, GhKNL1 could also suppress expressions of GhEXPA2D/4A-1/4D-1/13A through binding to their promoters for regulating fiber elongation of cotton. Taken together, these data revealed GhKNL1 functions in fiber elongation and SCW formation by directly repressing expressions of its target genes related to cell elongation and cellulose synthesis. Thus, our data provide an effective clue for potentially improving fiber quality by genetic manipulation of GhKNL1 in cotton breeding.

First Report of Athelia rolfsii Causing Southern Blight on Sarcandra glabra in China.

Sarcandra glabra, belonging to the family Chloranthaceae, is a Chinese medicinal plant. The whole dry plant can be used as a medicine; it is rich in bioactive phytochemicals that possess anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-tumor properties (Xie et al. 2020). The current market price of S. glabra is around US$5/kg, and the annual demand is 3 500 000~4 000 000 kg in China (Pan et al. 2007). To meet consumer demand for safe and high-quality herbal products, the artificial cultivation of S. glabra has been vigorously promoted. In 2020, it was observed that a plant disease affected S. glabra growth in Hunan province. The disease symptoms included constriction at the base of the stem, with decay and a white mycelium covering. The plants finally died with a disease incidence ranging from 15% to 20%. Using our previously published methods (Yi et al. 2019), one fungal isolate was isolated from the cultured symptomatic stem tissue on potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium and was named as Kb. The isolate was subsequently transferred into 70% glycerol for preservation. The Kb colony varied in color from white to light yellow. The septate hyphae grew rapidly on PDA medium, at approximately 25 mm/day, at 28 °C. On the fifth day, rhizomorphs were formed at the edge and on the center of the PDA plate. On the sixth day, sclerotia developed into a rapeseed shape (d = 1.2~2.3 mm) with a smooth surface, and with white, yellow, or chestnut brown coloring. Morphologically, Kb was similar to Sclerotium rolfsii (Sun et al. 2020). Vigorously growing aerial hyphae were selected for molecular identification. The internal transcribed spacers (ITS) were amplified using the primer pairs ITS1/ITS4 (Glass et al. 1995). BLAST searches against Genbank indicated that Kb's ITS sequence shared 97% similarity with that of Athelia rolfsii (MN696630.1). Based on morphological and molecular characteristics, Kb was identified as A. rolfsii. The sequence was deposited in GenBank (MW288292). Pathogenicity tests were carried out using the following procedures. Three healthy S. glabra seedlings were inoculated at the stem base with a PDA plug (5 mm in diameter) covered with 5-day-old fungal mycelium cultured at 28 °C, while the remaining three seedlings were inoculated with distilled water only, as the control. Plants were incubated in a greenhouse at 28 °C. At 7 days post inoculation, the inoculated sites infected with the putative pathogen displayed identical constrictions as previously observed in the field. In contrast, the controls remained symptomless. The pathogen was reisolated from these infected seedlings, and its culture showed the same morphological and molecular traits as the original isolates. No pathogens were isolated from the control plants. Pathogenicity tests were repeated three times. Koch's postulates were fulfilled. Although S. rolfsii has been previously reported to cause Southern Blight on mung bean crops in China (Sun et al. 2020), this is the first report on A. rolfsii causing similar symptoms of Southern Blight on S. glabra in Hunan Province, China. Identification of the pathogens causing each disease is important for the development of effective disease management strategies and for extensive artificial cultivation.

The Comparison of Intrathecal Ropivacaine with Bupivacaine for Knee Arthroscopy: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The comparison of intrathecal ropivacaine with bupivacaine for knee arthroscopy remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy of intrathecal ropivacaine versus bupivacaine for knee arthroscopy. We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through August 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of intrathecal ropivacaine versus bupivacaine for knee arthroscopy. This meta-analysis is performed using the random effects model. Five RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with intrathecal bupivacaine for knee arthroscopy, intrathecal ropivacaine is associated with increased onset time of motor block (mean difference [MD] = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.43-2.67, p < 0.00001) and decreased duration of sensory block (MD = -26.82, 95% CI: -31.96 to -21.67, p < 0.00001) but shows no remarkable influence on onset time of sensory block (MD = -0.09; 95% CI: -1.89 to 1.70, p = 0.92), duration of motor block (MD = -59.76; 95% CI: -124.44 to 4.91, p = 0.07), time to maximum block (MD = 2.35; 95% CI: -0.16 to 4.86, p = 0.07), first urination time (MD = -26.42, 95% CI: -57.34 to 4.51, p = 0.09), or first ambulation time (MD = 3.63, 95% CI: -25.20 to 32.47, p = 0.80).Intrathecal ropivacaine can substantially increase onset time of motor block and decrease the duration of sensory block than intrathecal bupivacaine for knee arthroscopy.

Interleukin-1 blockade treatment decreasing cardiovascular risk.

BACKGROUND: Interleukin-1 (IL-1) played a role in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. However, the association between IL-1 blockage treatment and reducing of cardiovascular risk remains poorly defined. HYPOTHESIS: IL-1 blockage treatment reduce the risk and incidence rate of overall major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), all-cause death, acute myocardial infarction(MI), unstable angina and heart failure. METHODS: We performed a search of published reports by using MEDLINE database (January 1, 2005 to April 1, 2018). The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that reported sample size and occurrence numbers in test group and placebo group for the associations of interest were included. RESULTS: Eight RCT studies involving 15 647 participants were identified. Compared with those who took no IL-1 blockage, patients taking IL-1 blockage experienced a decreased risk of overall MACE (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.82-0.94), unstable angina (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.66-0.98), and breakthrough or recurrence of heart failure (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22-0.87). No association was found between IL-1 blockage treatment and death from all cause (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83-1.00) as well as acute MI (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.71-1.01). The RRs associated with overall MACE, death from all cause, acute MI, and unstable angina for anakinra were 1.05, 1.16, 2.97, and 0.56, respectively, and for canakinumab were 1.05, 0.91, 0.80, and 0.80, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of IL-1 blockage was associated with decrease risks of overall MACE, unstable angina, and breakthrough or recurrence of heart failure, but not with death from all cause as well as acute MI.

The expansion process of a Stellera chamaejasme population in a degraded alpine meadow of Northwest China.

The expansion of poisonous plants can change vegetation community structures and affect grassland ecosystem service values. Stellera chamaejasme is one of the most important poisonous plants and has rapidly expanded in the arid areas of Northwest China in recent decades. The objective of this study was to elucidate the expansion process and model of an S. chamaejasme population. Therefore, we classified the S. chamaejasme population into five classes based on coverage: 31-40%, 41-50%, 51-60%, 61-70% and 71-80%. We investigated the spatial distribution patterns and the size compositions of S. chamaejasme under different coverages. The results show that the spatial distribution pattern of S. chamaejasme under low coverage (31-40%) at all study scales (0-100 cm) was random; the spatial distribution pattern translated to a clumped distribution from a random distribution at some scales, and the clumped distributions gradually became obvious, with coverage increasing from 41-50% to 61-70%; the spatial distribution tended to be random at all study scales when coverage was increased further (71-80%). However, the spatial distribution patterns were closely related to the size composition of the S. chamaejasme population. In particular, the quantity of older individuals had a significant impact on the variation of the spatial distribution patterns of S. chamaejasme. The spatial distribution pattern varied from a random distribution to a clumped distribution and then returned to a random distribution with increasing coverage (from 31-40% to 71-80%), and this may indicate that the S. chamaejasme patches experienced patch formation and extension and merged with each other.

Sparsity-induced dynamic guided filtering approach for sparse-view data toward low-dose x-ray computed tomography.

Iterative reconstruction (IR) methods that can incorporate filtering or regularization techniques have received widespread attention in many situations. Total variation (TV) regularization has proven to be a powerful tool to suppress streak artifacts and noise for sparse-view computed tomography (CT) reconstruction over 360°. However, with under-sampled projection data from limited-view (e.g. half-view) CT scanning, where the projections are further reduced, the edge structures are partly blurred, and some artifacts (such as blocky artifacts) are not effectively suppressed in TV-based results. To further improve the quality of the reconstructed image, a sparsity-induced dynamic guided image filtering reconstruction (SIDGIFR) method is proposed. Intermediate reconstruction results constrained by total difference (TD) minimization are taken as the guidance image to filter the results of projection onto convex sets (POCS) by guided image filtering (GIF). In the SIDGIFR algorithm, the guidance image is dynamically updated, which can transfer the important features (such as edge and small details) to the filtered image during the iterative process. To confirm the efficiency and feasibility of the SIDGIFR algorithm, simulated experiments and real data studies are performed. The quantitative evaluation shows that the proposed SIDGIFR method has better performance than other classical IR methods. What's more, the proposed SIDGIFR algorithm can better preserve the edge structures, and suppress noise and artifacts, than the existing IR methods.

Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk After Radiotherapy in Women With Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy for breast cancer often involves some incidental exposure of the heart to ionizing radiation. The effect of this exposure on the subsequent risk of heart disease is uncertain. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate the link between radiotherapy and long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with breast cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed a literature search using MEDLINE (January 1966 to January 2015) and EMBASE (January 1980 to January 2015) with no restrictions. Studies that reported relative risk (RR) estimates with 95%CIs for the associations of interest were included. Pooled effect estimates were obtained by using random-effects meta-analysis. Thirty-nine studies involving 1 191 371 participants were identified. Patients who received left-sided radiotherapy, as compared with those receiving right-sided radiotherapy, experienced increased risks of developing coronary heart disease (RR 1.29, 95%CI 1.13-1.48), cardiac death (RR 1.22, 95%CI 1.08-1.37) and death from any cause (RR 1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.10). In a comparison of patients with radiotherapy and without radiotherapy, the RRs were 1.30 (95%CI 1.13-1.49) for coronary heart disease and 1.38 (95%CI 1.18-1.62) for cardiac mortality. Radiotherapy for breast cancer was associated with an absolute risk increase of 76.4 (95%CI 36.8-130.5) cases of coronary heart disease and 125.5 (95%CI 98.8-157.9) cases of cardiac death per 100 000 person-years. The risk started to increase within the first decade for coronary heart disease and from the second decade for cardiac mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of the heart to ionizing radiation during radiotherapy for breast cancer increases the subsequent risk of coronary heart disease and cardiac mortality.

Phosphorylation of serine residue modulates cotton Di19-1 and Di19-2 activities for responding to high salinity stress and abscisic acid signaling.

Di19 (drought-induced protein 19) family is a novel type of Cys2/His2 zinc-finger proteins. In this study, we demonstrated that cotton Di19-1 and Di19-2 (GhDi19-1/-2) proteins could be phosphorylated in vitro by the calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK). Mutation of Ser to Ala in N-terminus of GhDi19-1/-2 led to the altered subcellular localization of the two proteins, but the constitutively activated form (Ser was mutated to Asp) of GhDi19-1/-2 still showed the nuclear localization. GhDi19-1/-2 overexpression transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings displayed the hypersensitivity to high salinity and abscisic acid (ABA). However, Ser site-mutated GhDi19-1(S116A) and GhDi19-2(S114A), and Ser and Thr double sites-mutated GhDi19-1(S/T-A/A) and GhDi19-2(S/T-A/A) transgenic Arabidopsis did not show the salt- and ABA-hypersensitive phenotypes. In contrast, overexpression of Thr site-mutated GhDi19-1(T114A) and GhDi19-2(T112A) in Arabidopsis still resulted in salt- and ABA-hypersensitivity phenotypes, like GhDi19-1/-2 transgenic lines. Overexpression of GhDi19-1/-2 and their constitutively activated forms in Atcpk11 background could recover the salt- and ABA-insensitive phenotype of the mutant. Thus, our results demonstrated that Ser phosphorylation (not Thr phosphorylation) is crucial for functionally activating GhDi19-1/-2 in response to salt stress and ABA signaling during early plant development, and GhDi19-1/-2 proteins may be downstream targets of CDPKs in ABA signal pathway.

The Role of Macrolide Antibiotics in Increasing Cardiovascular Risk.

BACKGROUND: Large cohort studies provide conflicting evidence regarding the potential for oral macrolide antibiotics to increase the risk of serious cardiac events. OBJECTIVES: This study performed a meta-analysis to examine the link between macrolides and risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) or ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA), cardiovascular death, and death from any cause. METHODS: We performed a search of published reports by using MEDLINE (January 1, 1966, to April 30, 2015) and EMBASE (January 1, 1980, to April 30, 2015) with no restrictions. Studies that reported relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of interest were included. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies involving 20,779,963 participants were identified. Patients taking macrolides, compared with those who took no macrolides, experienced an increased risk of developing SCD or VTA (RR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.61 to 3.63), SCD (RR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.91 to 3.31), and cardiovascular death (RR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.06 to 1.62). No association was found between macrolides use and all-cause death or any cardiovascular events. The RRs associated with SCD or VTA were 3.40 for azithromycin, 2.16 for clarithromycin, and 3.61 for erythromycin, respectively. RRs for cardiovascular death were 1.54 for azithromycin and 1.48 for clarithromycin. No association was noted between roxithromycin and adverse cardiac outcomes. Treatment with macrolides is associated with an absolute risk increase of 118.1 additional SCDs or VTA, and 38.2 additional cardiovascular deaths per 1 million treatment courses. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of macrolide antibiotics is associated with increased risk for SCD or VTA and cardiovascular death but not increased all-cause mortality.

Cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein for predicting all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis.

Elevated serum levels of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein are associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, the relationship between these two biomarker levels and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the association of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Relevant studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE database through November 2013. Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they reported the long-term all-cause or cardiovascular mortality of chronic kidney disease patients with abnormally elevated serum levels of cardiac troponin or C-reactive protein. Summary estimates of association were obtained using a random-effects model. Thirty-two studies met our inclusion criteria. From the pooled analysis, cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein were significantly associated with all-cause (HR 2.93, 95% CI 1.97-4.33 and HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.14-1.29, respectively) and cardiovascular (HR 3.27, 95% CI 1.67-6.41 and HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10-1.28, respectively) mortality. In the subgroup analysis of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein, significant heterogeneities were found among the subgroups of population for renal replacement therapy and for the proportion of smokers and the C-reactive protein analysis method. Elevated serum levels of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein are significant associated with higher risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Further studies are warranted to explore the risk stratification in chronic kidney disease patients.

Cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein for predicting all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease: A meta-analysis

Elevated serum levels of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein are associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, the relationship between these two biomarker levels and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease remains unclear. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the association of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Relevant studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE database through November 2013. Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they reported the long-term all-cause or cardiovascular mortality of chronic kidney disease patients with abnormally elevated serum levels of cardiac troponin or C-reactive protein. Summary estimates of association were obtained using a random-effects model. Thirty-two studies met our inclusion criteria. From the pooled analysis, cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein were significantly associated with all-cause (HR 2.93, 95% CI 1.97-4.33 and HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.14-1.29, respectively) and cardiovascular (HR 3.27, 95% CI 1.67-6.41 and HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.10-1.28, respectively) mortality. In the subgroup analysis of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein, significant heterogeneities were found among the subgroups of population for renal replacement therapy and for the proportion of smokers and the C-reactive protein analysis method. Elevated serum levels of cardiac troponin and C-reactive protein are significant associated with higher risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. Further studies are warranted to explore the risk stratification in chronic kidney disease patients.

A R2R3-MYB transcription factor that is specifically expressed in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) fibers affects secondary cell wall biosynthesis and deposition in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Secondary cell wall (SCW) is an important industrial raw material for pulping, papermaking, construction, lumbering, textiles and potentially for biofuel production. The process of SCW thickening of cotton fibers lays down the cellulose that will constitute the bulk (up to 96%) of the fiber at maturity. In this study, a gene encoding a MYB-domain protein was identified in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and designated as GhMYBL1. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis revealed that GhMYBL1 was specifically expressed in cotton fibers at the stage of secondary wall deposition. Further analysis indicated that this protein is a R2R3-MYB transcription factor, and is targeted to the cell nucleus. Overexpression of GhMYBL1 in Arabidopsis affected the formation of SCW in the stem xylem of the transgenic plants. The enhanced SCW thickening also occurred in the interfascicular fibers, xylary fibers and vessels of the GhMYBL1-overexpression transgenic plants. The expression of secondary wall-associated genes, such as CesA4, CesA7, CesA8, PAL1, F5H and 4CL1, were upregulated, and consequently, cellulose and lignin biosynthesis were enhanced in the GhMYBL1 transgenic plants. These data suggested that GhMYBL1 may participate in modulating the process of secondary wall biosynthesis and deposition of cotton fibers.

[Ecological and economic harmony evaluation and spatial evolution of the Hexi corridor, northwest China].

The relationship between economic development and environment and the evolution characteristics of spatial pattern in Hexi Corridor of Northwest China were analyzed based on Landsat images in 1985, 1995, 2000 and 2011 with twenty counties in Hexi Corridor chosen as the basic research units. The ecological economic harmony during 1985-2011 was estimated according to ESV (ecosystem services value) and EEH (ecological and economic harmony) index with the ecosystem services value estimation methods. The results showed that the land type of the study area dramatically changed during the study period, the grassland decreased badly, and the construction land and cultivated land increased quickly. The ESV showed an overall downward trend, especially in the Shiyang River basin and the middle of Heihe River. The ESV in the Shule River basin in this period. After 2000, the economic growth speeded up visibly in the study area. The economic development concentrated in the resource-based cities and regional central cities, and declined from the center of corridor to the both sides. The ecological-economic relation in Hexi Corridor experienced a transformation of "preliminary deterioration--further deterioration--low grade coordination". The EEH had large changes in the Shiyang River basin and the middle of Heihe River, which experienced a transformation of "conflict--more conflicts--less conflicts", however, there was little change in Shule River basin. The development mode and the comprehensive reclamation of Shiyang River basin and Heihe River basin had a significant influence on the regional ecological and economic harmony.

Investigation of beta-CD-derivatized erythromycin as chiral selector in CE.

A novel water-soluble beta-CD-derivatized erythromycin (EM) was synthesized and used as an effective chiral selector for the resolution of chiral compounds in CZE. The purpose of substitution at the primary hydroxyl site of beta-CD with 1-oxygen-2,3-epoxypropane is to produce a compound having functions of both beta-CD and EM. beta-CD-derivatized EM exhibited excellent enantioselectivities compared with single beta-CD and EM for chiral separation in CE. We also investigated the influence of pH and concentration of BGE, concentration of chiral selector, applied potential, and organic modifier on chiral compounds' separation.