Na Substitution Steering RuO6 Unit in Ruthenium Pyrochlores for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution in Acid.

Although Ruthenium-based pyrochlore oxides can function as promising catalysts for acidic water oxidation, their limitations in terms of stability and activity still need to be addressed for further application in practical conditions. In this work, the possibility to enhance both oxygen evolution reaction activity and durability of Gd2Ru2O7- δ through partial replacement with Na+ in Gd3+ sites is first offered, leading to the electronic and geometric regulation of active center RuO6. Na+ triggers the emergence of Ru<4+ and the electron rearrangement of active-centered RuO6. Specifically, Ru ions with a negative d-band center after Na+ doping exhibit weaker adsorption energies of *O and result in the conversion of the rate-limiting step from *O/*OOH to *OH/O*, reducing energy barriers for boosting activities. Therefore, the NaxGd2- xRu2O7- δ requires a low overpotential of 260 mV at 10 mA cm-2 in 0.1 m HClO4 electrolyte. Moreover, the higher formation energy of Ru vacancy and less distorted RuO6 enable the as-prepared NaxGd2- xRu2O7- δ to operate steadily at 10 mA cm-2 for 300 h and multi-current chronopotentiometry with current densities from 20 to 100 mA cm-2 for 60 h in acidic proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, respectively.

How climate, landscape, and economic changes increase the exposure of Echinococcus Spp.

BACKGROUND: Echinococcosis is a global enzootic disease influenced by different biological and environmental factors and causes a heavy financial burden on sick families and governments. Currently, government subsidies for the treatment of patients with echinococcosis are only a fixed number despite patients' finical income or cost of treatment, and health authorities are demanded to supply an annual summary of only endemic data. The risk to people in urban areas or non-endemic is increasing with climate, landscape, and lifestyle changes. METHODS: We conducted retrospective descriptive research on inpatients with human echinococcosis (HE) in Lanzhou hospitals and analyzed the healthcare expenditure on inpatient treatment and examined the financial inequalities relating to different levels of gross domestic product. The livestock losses were also estimated by infection ratio. The occurrence records of Echinococcus spp. composed of hospitalized patients and dogs infected in the Gansu province were collected for Ecological niche modeling (ENM) to estimate the current suitable spatial distribution for the parasite in Gansu province. Then, we imported the resulting current niche model into future global Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios for estimation of future suitable habitat areas. RESULTS: Between 2000 to 2020, 625 hospitalized HE patients (51% men and 49% women) were identified, and 48.32 ± 15.62 years old. The average cost of hospitalization expenses per case of HE in Gansu Province was ï¿¥24,370.2 with an increasing trend during the study period and was negative with different counties' corresponding gross domestic product (GDP). The trend of livestock losses was similar to the average cost of hospitalization expenses from 2015 to 2017. The three factors with the strongest correlation to echinococcosis infection probability were (1) global land cover (GLC, 56.6%), (2) annual precipitation (Bio12, 21.2%), and (3) mean temperature of the Wettest Quarter (Bio12, 8.5% of variations). We obtained a robust model that provides detail on the distribution of suitable areas for Echinococcus spp. including areas that have not been reported for the parasite. An increasing tendency was observed in the highly suitable areas of Echinococcus spp. indicating that environmental changes would affect the distributions. CONCLUSION: This study may help in the development of policies for at-risk populations in geographically defined areas and monitor improvements in HE control strategies by allowing targeted allocation of resources, including spatial analyses of expenditure and the identification of non-endemic areas or risk for these parasites, and a better comprehension of the role of the environment in clarifying the transmission dynamics of Echinococcus spp. Raising healthcare workers' and travelers' disease awareness and preventive health habits is an urgent agenda. Due to unpredictable future land cover types, prediction of the future with only climatic variables involved needs to be treated cautiously.

Genomic characterisation of pulmonary subsolid nodules: mutational landscape and radiological features.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs) that display radiologically as subsolid nodules (SSNs) exhibit more indolent biological behaviour than solid LUADs. SSNs, commonly encompassing pre-invasive and invasive yet early-stage adenocarcinomas, can be categorised as pure ground-glass nodules and part-solid nodules. The genomic characteristics of SSNs remain poorly understood. METHODS: We subjected 154 SSN samples from 120 treatment-naïve Chinese patients to whole-exome sequencing. Clinical parameters and radiological features of these SSNs were collected. The genomic landscape of SSNs and differences from that of advanced-stage LUADs were defined. In addition, we investigated the intratumour heterogeneity and clonal relationship of multifocal SSNs and conducted radiogenomic analysis to link imaging and molecular characteristics of SSNs. Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used in the statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median somatic mutation rate across the SSN cohort was 1.12 mutations per Mb. Mutations in EGFR were the most prominent and significant variation, followed by those in RBM10, TP53, STK11 and KRAS. The differences between SSNs and advanced-stage LUADs at a genomic level were unravelled. Branched evolution and remarkable genomic heterogeneity were demonstrated in SSNs. Although multicentric origin was predominant, we also detected early metastatic events among multifocal SSNs. Using radiogenomic analysis, we found that higher ratios of solid components in SSNs were accompanied by significantly higher mutation frequencies in EGFR, TP53, RBM10 and ARID1B, suggesting that these genes play roles in the progression of LUADs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the first comprehensive description of the mutational landscape and radiogenomic mapping of SSNs.

Identification of Sex Chromosomes by Means of Comparative Genomic Hybridization in a Lizard, Eremias multiocellata.

Eremias multiocellata is a viviparous lizard that is known to exhibit temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). Conventional Giemsa staining under light microscope examination has identified the karyotype of this species to be 2 n=36 I+2 m, with no detectable heteromorphic sex chromosomes. However, a highly differentiated female-specific chromosome, W, which is homomorphic with the Z chromosome, is found in the present study by the high-resolution cytogenetic method of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). The results show that E. multiocellata is a viviparous lizard with both TSD and ZW heterogametic sex chromosomes. Despite the fact that a different sex ratio of male offspring was found in two populations (separated by an altitude of 1400 m) in previous incubation experiments, we demonstrate, using genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), that there is no significant chromosomal loss or acquisition between the two populations. This suggests that temperature may play a more important role in lowland populations. These results most likely indicate that E. multiocellata is transitioning between the evolutionary processes of TSD and genotypic sex determination (GSD) systems, and also give clues to the effect of TSD versus GSD in this process.

Phylogeography-based delimitation of subspecies boundaries in the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus).

To test the validity of subspecies status within the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), we used genetic data to assess differences among five subspecies distributed across the Loess Plateau in central China. Samples were collected from 191 individuals representing subspecies P. c. strauchi, P. c. satscheuensis, P. c. kiangsuensis, P. c. suehschanensis, and P. c. edzinensis. Analysis of mitochondrial genetic variation suggested that there were no phylogenetically distinct subspecies clades, and we could not exclude that hybridization has occurred among subspecies. A potential explanation of the observed pattern is that an increase in common pheasant rearing farms may have led to enforcement of hybridization between different subspecies. Consistent with phenotypic data, our analysis suggests that a previously identified common pheasant subspecies (P. c. strauchi) represents an intermediate form between the subspecies P. c. satscheuensis and P. c. suehschanensis.

Efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation combined with antidepressants in children and adolescents with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive Transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with antidepressants benefited adults with depression while its efficacy and safety in children and adolescents with depression remain controversial. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS, PsycINFO, CNKI, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, a Chinese Biology Medical disc database, and relevant clinical registration databases for randomized controlled trials from their inception to October 18, 2022. The efficacy of the treatment was assessed by changes in depression rating scale scores. Safety was assessed by the incidence of adverse events. Heterogeneity was determined using the Cochrane Q statistics and I2 statistics. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's test. RESULTS: Eighteen studies from 10 datasets (1396 patients, 64.7 % female, age range from 8 to 24 years old). The pooled mean-endpoint scores of the depression scale for rTMS combined with the antidepressant group were significantly lower than those of sham combined with the antidepressant group both in two weeks (MD = -4.68, 95 % CI: [-6.66, -2.69]; I2 = 91 %; P < 0.05) and four weeks (MD = -5.53, 95 % CI: [-9.90, -1.16]; I2 = 98 %; P < 0.05). There were no differences in safety (OR = 0.64, 95 % CI: [0.20, 2.04]; I2 = 64 %; P = 0.45) and acceptability between the two groups (3/70 vs 3/70). LIMITATION: Heterogeneity was found in this study due to the limited number of original studies included. CONCLUSION: rTMS combined with antidepressants enhanced the efficacy of the antidepressant medication. The safety and acceptability of the two groups were comparable. These findings may help guide future research and clinical practice.

Depression in the next generation is related with maternal behaviors: A cross-comparison by alternating rat's mother care.

This study investigated the potential impacts of depressive rats' maternal behavior as an early life stress on the outcome of offspring as an adulthood. Offspring from the same mother were divided into two groups, half of them were fostered or remained by a depressive mother, and the other half remained or fostered by a control mother, respectively. The results showed that offspring fostered by depressive mothers presented significant depressive behaviors. Meanwhile, depressive mothers engaged in more grooming during the light cycle, but less off-the-pup behavior during the dark phase. In conclusion, offspring exposed to a postnatal depressive maternal environment developed a depressive-like behavior. Contrarily, postpartum maternal behaviors play an essential role, which might determine the outcome of the next generation. Furthermore, the appropriate timing of postpartum maternal caring sequences, which might eliminate prenatal stressful influences, was recognized and might be a promising approach for reducing children's predisposition to mental disorders in their life time.

PO6 geometric configuration unit enhanced electrocatalytic performance of Co3O4 in acidic oxygen evolution.

It is challenging to develop high-efficient and stable nonprecious metal-based electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acid for proton exchange membrane (PEM) water splitting. Herein, P atoms were introduced into the lattice of spinel Co3O4 (P-Co3O4) to replace with octahedral coordinated Co3+ via a hydrothermal process following a thermal treatment. The formation of PO6 geometric configuration unit in Co3O4 can trigger electron rearrangement around Co ions, which resulted in the high-active Co2+ site on the surface, significantly decreasing the energy barrier of rate-determining step for OER. Moreover, the weaker covalency of the Co 3d-O 2p bond and higher formation energy of oxygen vacancy around Co2+ in P-Co3O4 inhibited the participation of lattice oxygen during OER process, enabling that P-Co3O4 can work stably in acidic media. The obtained P-Co3O4 afforded satisfying stability over 30 h in a PEM electrolysis device with an overpotential of 400 mV@10 mA/cm2 in 0.1 M HClO4.

Alpine Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) Adjusts to a Human-Dominated Semi-Arid Mountain Ecosystem.

Comprehension of whether human and livestock presence affects wildlife activity is a prerequisite for the planning and management of humans and livestock in protected areas. Xinglong Mountain Nature Reserve (XMNNR) in northwest China, as a green island in a semi-arid mountain ecosystem, is one of the scattered and isolated areas for Alpine musk deer (AMD), an endangered species. AMD cohabits their latent habitat area with foraging livestock and humans. Hence, habitat management within and outside the distribution areas is crucial for the effective conservation of AMD. We applied camera traps to a dataset of 2 years (September 2018-August 2020) to explore seasonal activity patterns and habitat use and assess the impacts of AMD habits in XMNNR. We investigated AMD responses to livestock grazing and human activities and provided effective strategies for AMD conservation. We applied MaxENT modeling to predict the distribution size under current conditions. The activity patterns of the AMD vary among seasons. The optimum habitat average distance to cultivated land ranges of AMD (150~3300 m during grass period/100~3200 m during withered grass period), distances to the residential area ranges (500~5700 m during the grass period/1000~5300 m during the withered grass period), elevation ranges (2350~3400 m during the grass period/2360~3170 m during the withered grass period), aspect ranges (0~50° and 270~360°), normalized vegetation index ranges (0.64~0.72 during the grass period/0.14~0.60 during the withered grass period), and land cover types (forest, shrub, and grassland). Results present that the predicted distributions of AMD were not confined to the areas reported but also covered other potential areas. The results provide evidence of strong spatial-temporal avoidance of AMD in livestock, but gradually adjusting to human activities. These camera trap datasets may open new opportunities for species conservation in much wider tracts, such as human-dominated landscapes, and may offer guidance and mitigate impacts from livestock, as well as increase artificial forest planting and strengthen the investigation of the potential population resources of AMD.

Camera Trapping Reveals Spatiotemporal Partitioning Patterns and Conservation Implications for Two Sympatric Pheasant Species in the Qilian Mountains, Northwestern China.

Studying the spatio-temporal niche partitioning among closely related sympatric species is essential for understanding their stable coexistence in animal communities. However, consideration of niche partitioning across multiple ecological dimensions is still poor for many sympatric pheasant species. Here, we studied temporal activity patterns and spatial distributions of the Blue Eared Pheasant (EP, Crossoptilon auritum) and Blood Pheasant (BP, Ithaginis cruentus) in the Qilian Mountains National Nature Reserve (QMNNR), Northwestern China, using 137 camera traps from August 2017 to August 2020. Kernel density estimation was applied to analyze diel activity patterns, and the Maxent model was applied to evaluate their suitable distributions and underlying habitat preferences. Eight Galliformes species were captured in 678 detection records with 485 records of EP and 106 records of BP over a total of 39,206 camera days. Their monthly activity frequencies demonstrate temporal partitioning but their diel activity patterns do not. Furthermore, 90.78% of BP distribution (2867.99 km2) overlaps with the distribution of EP (4355.86 km2) in the QMNNR. However, BP manifests a high dependence on forest habitats and shows larger Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values, while EP showed obvious avoidance of forest with NDVI greater than 0.75. Hence, differentiation in monthly activity patterns and partitioning in habitat preference might facilitate their coexistence in spatiotemporal dimensions. Conservation actions should give priority to highly overlapping areas in the center and east of the QMNNR and should strengthen forest landscape connectivity, as they provide irreplaceable habitats for these threatened and endemic Galliformes.

Pharynx volume derived from three-dimensional computed tomography is associated with difficult intubation in spinal deformity surgery: A retrospective cohort study.

Spinal abnormality surgery, including surgery for ankylosing spondylitis and idiopathic scoliosis, can present significant challenges to anesthesiologists because of the potential difficult airway. The bedside screening tests routinely used to detect difficult airways are highly variable. Pharynx volume calculated using three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) may play a role in predicting difficult airways. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients (aged ≥14 years) who received orthopedic surgery for ankylosing spondylitis/idiopathic scoliosis under general anesthesia. Volume of the pharynx air space was calculated through volume rendering technique by 3D reconstruction of patients' cervical spine CT. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their pharynx volume, pharyngeal volume lower than 16 mL (n = 11) and equal or higher than 16 mL (n = 13). Pharynx volume in low volume group was 10.4 ±â€…3.6 mL (n = 11), and the counterpart in high volume group was 20.8 ±â€…5.5 mL (n = 13). The incidence of difficult intubation was significantly higher in low pharynx volume group than in high pharynx volume group (54.5% (6/11) vs 7.6% (1/13), P = .023). Bedside screening tests including modified Mallampati test, inter-incisor gap and thyromental distance, or radiological variables such as anterior neck soft tissue thickness to vocal cords were not different between the 2 groups. Smaller pharynx volume played an important role in difficult airways for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery for ankylosing spondylitis/idiopathic scoliosis.

The Construction of Phosphorus-Doped g-C3N4/Rh-Doped SrTiO3 with Type-II Band Alignment for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

It is of great importance to promote charge separation in photocatalysts for enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. In this work, a type-II heterostructured photocatalyst was constructed by compositing phosphorus-doped g-C3N4 (P-CN) and Rh-doped SrTiO3 (Rh-STO) via a thermal calcination treatment. A series of characterizations were conducted to investigate the structure of heterostructured P-CN/Rh-STO. It was found that Rh-STO interacted with in situ generated P atoms from the decomposition of P-CN during the calcination process, thus leading to the formation of heterojunction of P-CN/Rh-STO. Compared with the single component, i.e., P-CN or Rh-STO, the obtained P-CN/Rh-STO showed superior photocatalytic activity to that of both P-CN and Rh-STO due to the effective charge separation across the heterojunction between P-CN and Rh-STO.

The phylogenetic position and speciation dynamics of the genus Perdix (Phasianidae, Galliformes).

The nuclear gene (c-mos) and mitochondrial genes (CYT B and ND2) sequences, representing 44 phasianid species and 26 genera (mainly distributed in China), were used to study the phylogeny of the genus Perdix, which comprises three partridge species. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian methods were employed, and the analysis of mitochondrial sequence data and the combined dataset showed that Perdix is specifically related either to typical pheasants or to Ithaginis. Phylogenetic trees also indicated that: (1) Perdix is monophyletic; (2) the Tibetan partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) has been consistently placed as basal to all other Perdix, and the Daurian partridge (Perdix dauuricae) is placed sister to gray partridge (Perdix perdix); (3) the Daurian partridge subspecies przewalskii and Tibetan partridge subspecies hodgsoniae are basal to other subspecies in their species clade, respectively. Speciation in Perdix was likely promoted by the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene intensive uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and by Pleistocene glaciations.

Phylogeography of Tibetan snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus) in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Data from eight microsatellite loci were used to infer the evolutionary and past demographic processes in 97 Tibetan snowcocks sampled from eight different geographical locations on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Analysis of the microsatellite DNA markers indicated that Tibetan snowcock on the plateau were geographically structured, and that phylogenetic analyses identified three phylogroups, namely those from Xunhua, the Qilian Mountains and all others. The use of Bayesian Clustering and Population Assignment analyses of the microsatellite genotypes revealed clear differentiation among the eight sampled groups of Tibetan snowcock, indicating strong isolation of these sub-populations. Therefore, we suggested that the distribution pattern of Tibetan snowcock observed today resulted from adaptation to the climatic conditions and glacial cycles on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. In addition, BOTTLENECK analysis indicated that Tibetan snowcock had recently passed through evolutionary bottlenecks. These results suggested that effective conservation measures should be undertaken to protect Tibetan snowcock from an increased probability of extinction.

Abnormality of intestinal cholesterol absorption in ApcMin/+ mice with colon cancer cachexia.

Colorectal cancer syndrome has been one of the greatest concerns in the world, particularly in developed countries. Several epidemiological studies have shown that dyslipidemia may be associated with the progression of intestinal cachexia, but there is little research on the function of the small intestine, which is involved in blood lipid metabolism, in dyslipidemia. In the present study, we aimed to explore the function of intestinal cholesterol absorption in the ApcMin/+ mouse model using an intestinal lipid absorption test. We found that both triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) uptake were inhibited in the intestine of ApcMin/+ mice with age and the intestinal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) downregulated the processes of ß-oxidation, oxidative stress response, and cholesterol absorption in APC-deficient mice. In addition, reduced expression levels of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) indicated that bile acid metabolism might be associated with intestinal cholesterol absorption in ApcMin/+ mice. Thus, our data suggested that the intestine plays an essential role in cholesterol uptake and that bile acid metabolism seems to cause a decrease in intestinal cholesterol uptake in ApcMin/+ mice.

Nest-site selection, reproductive ecology and shifts within core-use areas of Black-necked Cranes at the northern limit of the Tibetan Plateau.

We investigated population dynamics, breeding pairs, breeding habitat selection, nest density, distance between neighboring nests, nest survival, reproductive success, and recruitment rate for Black-necked Cranes (BNC, Grus nigricollis) during 2013-2015 in Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve (YCW), Gansu, China. Numbers of BNC and breeding pairs remained relatively stable at around 140 individuals and 40 pairs. Recruitment rates ranged from 15.7% to 25.8%. The average nest distance was 718.66 ± 430.50 m (2013), 1064.51 ± 323.99 m (2014) and 534.99 ± 195.45 m (2015). Average nest survival rate, hatching success, and breeding success of all 29 nests were 65.56 ± 5.09%, 57.04 ± 6.12% and 32.78% ± 2.55. Water depth, water body area, and distance to land were positively related to nest survival, while disturbance level showed a negative relationship. However, nest site selection of BNC was determined by habitat type, disturbance and water depth. BNC often foraged in mudflats and freshwater marsh but seldom foraged in saline-alkali wet meadows due to food density and quantity in April, the month when BNC choose nest sites. Conservation strategies based on habitats should consider ecological factors that may not be well predicted by nest site selection. Shifts within core-use areas from satellite tracking of BNC demonstrated that maintaining populations demands that conservation areas are large enough to permit breeding BNC changes in space use. Our results are important for conservation management and provide quantitative reproductive data for this species.

Asymmetrical introgression patterns between rusty-necklaced partridge (Alectoris magna) and chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) in China.

The rusty-necklaced partridge (Alectoris magna) and the chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) are the most common gamebirds in northern China. Previous comparisons of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) have revealed an introgression phenomenon between 2 species of partridge in the Liupan Mountain region of China. mtDNA is maternally inherited, making it difficult to determine the origin of parental genes. We assessed the genetic variation and gene flow between these 2 species of partridges using 8 microsatellite loci as neutral diagnostic markers in 171 samples from the hybrid zone. Our data revealed an extensive divergence of genetic structure between populations of rusty-necklaced partridges and chukar partridges. In this study, we found that 19 samples had been previously morphologically identified as rusty-necklaced partridge were genetically identified as hybrids through Bayesian analysis using STRUCTURE analysis. These hybrids exhibited a mosaic of alleles that were derived from both parental lineages. However, chukar partridges did not present the genotype of the rusty-necklaced partridge. Thus, our findings demonstrate that the hybridization between the 2 species was the result of asymmetrical introgression, with gene flow occurring only from the chukar partridge to the rusty-necklaced partridge. In addition, we also note the high linkage disequilibrium in populations of the rusty-necklaced partridge. These results indicate that although unidirectional introgression did not reduce genetic diversity of the Alectoris partridges, it affected the balance of gene flow between populations. The data from microsatellite DNA prompted our concern about the genetic integrity of the rusty-necklaced partridge.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis).

We reported here the first complete sequences of mitogenome of Tetraogallus himalayensis obtained by next generation sequencing methods. The assembled mitogenome is a 16 692 bp circle, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 22 tRNA genes, and one control region. The resultant phylogenetic tree supported T. himalayensis and T. tibeanus are sister taxon, and Tetraogallus with Alectoris and coturnix formed a monophyletic group.

Refugia persistence of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau by the cold-tolerant bird Tetraogallus tibetanus (Galliformes: Phasianidae).

Most of the temperate species are expected to have moved to lower altitudes during the glacial periods of the Quaternary. Here we tested this hypothesis in a cold-tolerant avian species Tibetan snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus) using two segments of mitochondrial gene (a 705bp Cytochrome-b; abbrev. Cyt-b and an 854 bp Control Region; abbrev. CR) and eight microsatellite loci by characterizing population differentiation and gene flow across its range. Combined (Cyt-b + CR) datasets detected several partially lineages with poor support. Microsatellite data, however, identified two distinct lineages congruent with the geographically separated western and central regions of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). The phylogeographic patterns that we observed might be explained by a combination of vicariance events that led to local isolation of T. tibetanus during warm periods and range expansions and population intermixing during cold periods. The results of this study add to our knowledge of population differentiation and connectivity in high altitude mountain ecosystems.

Combination of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is an optimal way to evaluate rheumatoid arthritisin rats dynamically.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune inflammatory disorder. Many methods have been used to observe the progress of RA. The purpose of this study was to observe the progress of RA in rats with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and arthritis score, and analyze the relationships among different methods in evaluation of RA. METHODS: Sixteen healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) rats about 8-week old were randomly assigned to a RA group and a control group. Bovine type II emulsified incomplete Freud's adjuvant was used to induce arthritis in the RA group. Arthritis score of the rats in two groups were recorded, and (18)F-FDG PET/CT, MR imaging were performed both on the corresponding rats every 3 days. All the rats were sacrificed at week 5, and histopathological examination was performed on rat knees stained with haematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: The arthritis score and the standard uptake value (SUV) of knee joints in RA rats increased with the progression of arthritis gradually. Both peaks of arthritis score and SUV appeared at 21 days after the first immune injection, then the arthritis score and SUV of knee joints decreased slowly. The arthritis scores of knee joints in RA rats were positively correlated with their SUV changes. The MR images were confirmed by the histopathological studies. CONCLUSION: PET/CT can detect the earliest molecular metabolism changes of RA, and MR imaging can follow up the dynamical anatomical changes of RA, all of which indicated that PET/CT and MR imaging may be applied as useful tools to monitor the progress of RA.