Ditch control and land reclamation promote vegetation recovery in Loess Plateau.

This study aimed to assess the impact of land consolidation projects and climate change on changes in vegetation in the Loess Plateau during 2012-2021. The study also explored the impacts of human activities and climate change on the ecological quality of the Loess Plateau during this period. The spatial and temporal normalized difference combined meteorological monitoring data, project data, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data that was used to create the vegetation index dataset spanning from 2012-2021. The study discussed and assessed the effectiveness of the project, revealing the following results: 1) A significant increase was observed in the vegetation index of the Loess Plateau region from 2012 to 2021, with an upward trend of 0.0024 per year (P < 0.05). 2) Contributions to changes in vegetation attributed to climatic factors and the anthropogenic factors of the ditch construction project were 82.74 and 17.62%, respectively, with climatic factors dominating and the degree of response of the ditch construction project increasing annually. 3) In the Loess Plateau, climatic variables dominated changes in vegetation. However, land consolidation projects in vegetation factors played a key role in changes in vegetation, and the degree of influence was gradually increasing.

Effects of climatic conditions and vegetation changes on actual evapotranspiration in Mu Us sandy land.

Based on the MOD16A3GF data, spatial regression analysis was conducted to explore the trends of the annual change of AET and the characteristics of its spatial distribution in Mu Us Sandy Land between 2001 and 2020. Combined meteorological data and NDVI data to analyze its effects on AET by trend analysis and correlation coefficient. The results showed that (1) The AET exhibited significant regional differences in Mu Us Sandy Land, with an overall low northwest and high southeast distribution pattern; (2) The AET showed a rapid upward trend from 2001 to 2020, with an average rate of change of 5.68 mm·a-1; (3) The correlation coefficient between AET and precipitation was 0.74, and there was no obvious correlation with temperature; (4) AET was consistent with the NDVI spatial distribution and interannual variation curves. Under the combined influence of precipitation and NDVI, AET increased significantly in Mu Us Sandy Land from 2001 to 2020. Precipitation was the main factor affecting climatic conditions of AET, and NDVI was the dominant factor affecting AET in the same period. This provides a theoretical basis and scientific basis for the conservation and protection of ecological water source in Mu Us Sandy Land.

NDVI-based spatial and temporal vegetation trends and their response to precipitation and temperature changes in the Mu Us Desert from 2000 to 2019.

This paper explores the relationship between normalized vegetation index (NDVI) response to precipitation and temperature conditions by analyzing the spatial and temporal variation of vegetation cover (NDVI) in Mu Us Desert during 2000-2019. MODIS vegetation indices are designed to provide consistent spatial and temporal comparisons of vegetation conditions. Maximum Value Composites (MVC) is an internationally used statistical method for NDVI data. Based on MODIS remote sensing data, the NDVI of Mu Us Desert sandy land from 2000 to 2019 was analyzed by using the linear regression slope method. In 2000-2010 and 2010-2019, there was a difference in the change rate of vegetation index in Mu Us Desert, with the average slope of 0.0650/10a for the former and 0.0782/10a for the latter. The trends of NDVI values in the study area during 2000-2019 were roughly the same as those of precipitation, and slightly different from those of temperature, but the overall correlation between NDVI values and both was good. There is a significant positive correlation between NDVI and annual precipitation (0.687), and a weak correlation with temperature (0.264). The vegetation growth in Mu Us Desert is affected by both precipitation and temperature.

Domestic water use and water-saving countermeasures in the process of urbanization in 2021: Jiaozuo City case study.

Water-saving scientifically proved measures are crucial to reduce the use of decreasing fresh water resources. In this study, we investigate the current situation of residents' domestic water use, analyze the current situation of residents' water-saving measures, the current situation of residents' water-saving consciousness and its influencing factors. We performed a questionnaire survey and data obtained by relevant water supply departments, this paper used SPSS 19.0 and Excel 2020 software to conduct statistical analysis of survey data. Our results show that: (1) overall, the water consumption of urban residents in the central plains suburb is 18% higher than that of the original urban residents. (2) Among the residential water structures, washing, washing clothes and flushing toilets are the most frequent tasks, accounting for 87.3% of the total water consumption. (3) The implementation of water-saving measures by the original urban residents is better than that of the original suburban residents. (4) It is necessary to increase effective water-saving facilities and measures for urban water use.

Daily actual evapotranspiration estimation of different land use types based on SEBAL model in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northwest China.

Evapotranspiration (ET) plays a crucial role in hydrological and energy cycles, as well as in the assessments of water resources and irrigation demands. On a regional scale, particularly in the agro-pastoral ecotone, clarification of the distribution of surface ET and its influencing factors is critical for the rational use of water resources, restoration of the ecological environment, and protection of ecological water sources. The SEBAL model was used to invert the regional ET based on Landsat8 images in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northwest China. The results were indirectly verified by monitoring data from meteorological stations. The correlation between ET and surface parameters was analyzed. Thus, the main factors that affect the surface ET were identified. The results show that the SEBAL model determines an accurate inversion, with a correlation coefficient of 0.81 and an average root mean square error of 0.9 mm/d, which is highly suitable for research on water resources. The correlation coefficients of normalized vegetation index, surface temperature, land surface albedo, net radiation flux with daily ET were 0.5830, 0.8425, 0.3428 and 0.9111, respectively. The normalized vegetation index and the net radiation flux positively correlated with the daily ET, while the surface temperature and land surface albedo negatively correlated with the daily ET. The correlation from strong to weak is the net radiation flux > surface temperature > normalized vegetation index > surface albedo. In terms of spatial distribution, the daily ET of water was the highest, followed by woodland, wetland, cropland, built-up land, shrub land, grassland and bare land. However, the SEBAL model overestimates the inversion of daily ET of built-up land.

Spatiotemporal change analysis of long time series inland water in Sri Lanka based on remote sensing cloud computing.

Sri Lanka is an important hub connecting Asia-Africa-Europe maritime routes. It receives abundant but uneven spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall and has evident seasonal water shortages. Monitoring water area changes in inland lakes and reservoirs plays an important role in guiding the development and utilisation of water resources. In this study, a rapid surface water extraction model based on the Google Earth Engine remote sensing cloud computing platform was constructed. By evaluating the optimal spectral water index method, the spatiotemporal variations of reservoirs and inland lakes in Sri Lanka were analysed. The results showed that Automated Water Extraction Index (AWEIsh) could accurately identify the water boundary with an overall accuracy of 99.14%, which was suitable for surface water extraction in Sri Lanka. The area of the Maduru Oya Reservoir showed an overall increasing trend based on small fluctuations from 1988 to 2018, and the monthly area of the reservoir fluctuated significantly in 2017. Thus, water resource management in the dry zone should focus more on seasonal regulation and control. From 1995 to 2015, the number and area of lakes and reservoirs in Sri Lanka increased to different degrees, mainly concentrated in arid provinces including Northern, North Central, and Western Provinces. Overall, the amount of surface water resources have increased.

Comparison of conbercept and ranibizumab combined mitomycin C-augmented trabeculectomy for neovascular glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy and security of conbercept and ranibizumab combined with trabeculectomy and panretinal photocoagulation for neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients with NVG were randomly divided into a conbercept group comprised of 80 patients and a ranibizumab group comprised of 80 patients. The postoperative and preoperative visual acuities, intraocular pressures frequency of anti-glaucoma medications, and surgical complications were recorded. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (FLT-1), and placenta-like growth factor (PLGF) in the aqueous humor were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Examining the fundus and obtaining photographs used indirect ophthalmoscopy. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses estimated the success rates. RESULTS: All patient follow-up periods were at 1 year. The differences observed in IOP and the frequencies of anti-glaucoma medications at various follow-up time points were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). The differences observed in both the group visual acuities at various follow-up time points were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Rates of surgery complications were 18.75% and 25.00% in the conbercept group and ranibizumab group, respectively. The expressions of VEGF, FLT-1, and PLGF significantly decreased (all P < 0.05). The recurrence percentages were 30.00% and 36.25% after conbercept and ranibizumab treatment, respectively. CONCLUSION: The conbercept effects were similar with that of ranibizumab. Intravitreal injection of conbercept was effective for NVG treatment, which provides a new therapeutic drug for NVG treatment.

Effects of apoptosis on liver aging.

As an irreversible and perennial process, aging is accompanied by functional and morphological declines in organs. Generally, aging liver exhibits a decline in volume and hepatic blood flow. Even with a preeminent regenerative capacity to restore its functions after liver cell loss, its biosynthesis and metabolism abilities decline, and these are difficult to restore to previous standards. Apoptosis is a programmed death process via intrinsic and extrinsic pathways, in which Bcl-2 family proteins and apoptosis-related genes, such as p21 and p53, are involved. Apoptosis inflicts both favorable and adverse influences on liver aging. Apoptosis eliminates transformed abnormal cells but promotes age-related liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. We summarize the roles of apoptosis in liver aging and age-related liver diseases.

Roles of aging in sleep.

With aging, various factors deteriorate the normal sleep process that is essential for the restoration of functional and physical performance. Due to aging-related diseases, life changes, or aging itself, disturbances in normal sleep cycles can profoundly affect healthy aging. To understand the interconnections between aging and the factors influencing sleep, with emerging evidence accumulated in recent years, this study elaborates on the roles of aging in sleep from four perspectives: cortical thinning, white matter degeneration, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and circadian disorganization. In brief, with aging, cortical thinning can be induced by the deposition of neurotoxic substances, and white matter degeneration can be induced by vascular abnormalities. These alterations emerging in the brain jointly disrupt sleep spindles and slow waves, leading to sleep disturbances. Age-related dysregulation in neurotransmitters (including galanin, orexin, serotonin, and adenosine) directly impairs the sleep modulation system. Disorganization in the circadian system consisting of suprachiasmatic nucleus dysfunction, reduced light transmission, and local circadian clock disruption collectively interrupts circadian rhythms, also causing sleep disturbances in the older. Of note is the bidirectional relationship between aging and sleep, which required us to examine this issue from different perspectives.

Inhibition of migration and invasion by berberine via inactivation of PI3K/Akt and p38 in human retinoblastoma cell line.

BACKGROUND: As a clinically important natural isoquinoline alkaloid, berberine has been reported to possess various pharmacological effects. OBJECTIVES: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of berberine on cell migration and invasion in human retinoblastoma (Rb) cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cytotoxicity of berberine was estimated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. After being stimulated with berberine under various concentrations, the cell migration and invasion were evaluated by transwell assay. Then, the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis. Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase B (Akt) and p38 were detected by western blot analysis. Finally, the effect of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and p38 inhibitors on cell migration and invasion was estimated by transwell assay. Untreated cells acted as control for all the experiments. RESULTS: The concentrations of berberine for further studies were controlled in a range of 0 to 100 µM. The cell migration and invasion were both suppressed by berberine in a dose-dependent manner compared to the control (p < 0.05 or p < 0.001). Berberine remarkably down-regulated expression of E-cadherin and up-regulated expression of vimentin and α-SMA compared to the control (p < 0.01 or p < 0.001). Furthermore, the phosphorylation levels of Akt and p38 were both down-regulated by berberine in comparison to the control. Furthermore, the addition of berberine accompanied by LY294002 or SB203580 significantly suppressed cell migration and invasion compared to the addition of berberine alone (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Berberine suppressed cell migration and invasion via inactivation of PI3K/Akt and p38.