Effects of water-nitrogen coupling on water and salt environment and root distribution in Suaeda salsa.

Understanding the spatial distribution of crop roots is crucial for effectively managing crop water and fertilizer. We investigate the effects of water-nitrogen coupling on the water-salt environment and root distribution in the root zone of S. salsa. Three irrigation levels were established, calculated according to 0.35 (W1), 0.50 (W2), and 0.65 (W3) of local ET0. The three nitrogen levels were 150 (N1), 250 (N2), and 350 (N3) kg·hm-2 in a complete combination design. With the augmentation of irrigation water and nitrogen application, the total root weight density of the root system of Suaeda salsa increased from 17.18×10-3 g·cm-3 to 27.91×10-3 g·cm-3. The distribution of soil water suction significantly influences the root distribution of Suaeda salsa in saline soil, causing a transition from a narrow deep type to a wide shallow type. Under the W2 irrigation level, soil water suction ranges from 1485.60 to 1726.59 KPa, which can provide water for S. salsa.it becomes feasible to attain the necessary water and salt environment for the growth and development of S. salsa, resulting in the attainment of maximum biomass, ash content, and salt uptake. No significant differences in the biomass, ash content, and salt uptake of S. salsa was noted between N2 and N3 nitrogen application levels (p > 0.05).The optimal irrigation volume and nitrogen application level were 0.50 ET0 and 250 kg·hm-2, respectively. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for the large-scale planting of S. salsa in extreme arid areas to improve and utilize saline wastelands.

Root architecture and visualization model of cotton group with different planting spacing under local irrigation.

Planting spacing plays a key role in the root system architecture of the cotton group under local irrigation. This study used the Cellular Automata (CA) theory to establish a root visualization model for the cotton group at two different planting spacing (30 and 15 cm) within a leaching-pond. At a planting spacing of 30 cm, the lateral roots grew almost horizontally toward the irrigation point, and a logarithmic relationship was observed between root length density and soil water suction. However, at a planting spacing of 15 cm, the lateral roots exhibited overlapping growth and mainly competed for resources, and a power function relationship was observed between root length density and soil water suction. The main parameters of the visualization model for each treatment were essentially consistent with the experimental observations, with respective simulation errors were 6.03 and 15.04%. The findings suggest that the correlation between root length density and soil water suction in the cotton plants is a crucial driving force for the model, leading to a more accurate replication of the root structure development pathway. In conclusion, the root system exhibits a certain degree of self-similarity, which extends into the soil.

Interactive Effect of Irrigation Volume and Planting Density on Growth and Salt Uptake in Field-Grown Drip-Irrigated Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall.

Planting halophytes such as Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall. under drip irrigation is a viable solution for the remediation of saline soils. We conducted this study to investigate the effects of different irrigation volumes and planting densities on the growth and salt uptake of Suaeda salsa under drip irrigation. The plant was cultivated in a field using drip irrigation at various irrigation volumes (3000 m·hm-2 (W1), 3750 m·hm-2 (W2), and 4500 m·hm-2 (W3)) and planting densities (30 plants·m-2 (D1), 40 plants·m-2 (D2), 50 plants·m-2 (D3), and 60 plants·m-2 (D4)) to examine the effects on growth and salt uptake. The study revealed that the amount of irrigation, planting density, and interaction between the two significantly affected the growth characteristics of Suaeda salsa. The plant height, stem diameter, and canopy width increased simultaneously with an increase in the irrigation volume. However, with an increasing planting density and the same irrigation volume, the plant height first increased and then decreased, while the stem diameter and canopy width decreased simultaneously. The biomass of D1 was the highest with the W1 irrigation, while that of D2 and D3 were highest with the W2 and W3 irrigations. The amount of irrigation, planting density, and their interaction significantly affected the ability of Suaeda salsa to absorb salt. The salt uptake increased initially and then decreased with an increasing irrigation volume. At the same planting density, the salt uptake of Suaeda salsa with the W2 treatment was 5.67~23.76% and 6.40~27.10% higher than that with W1 and W3, respectively. Using the multiobjective spatial optimization method, the scientific and reasonable irrigation volume for planting Suaeda salsa in arid areas was determined to be 3276.78~3561.32 m3·hm-2, and the corresponding planting density was 34.29~43.27 plants·m-2. These data can be a theoretical basis for planting Suaeda salsa under drip irrigation to improve saline-alkali soils.

The complete mitogenome and phylogeny analysis of Pseudohemiculter hainanensis (Boulenger, 1900) (Cyprinidae: Cultrinae).

The Pseudohemiculter hainanensis (Boulenger, 1900) is a small Cyprinidae fish that has a wide distribution in China. In this study, we characterized the complete mitochondrial genome of P. hainanensis by the Illumina NovaSeq sequencing platform in Guangxi, China. The assembled mitogenome is 16,647 base pairs (bp) and consists of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and a control region (D-loop). Nucleotide composition of the complete mitogenome is 29.69% (A), 24.82% (T), 27.97% (C), and 17.52% (G), with an A + T bias of 54.51%. The maximum-likelihood tree based on 13 PCGs showed that Pseudohemiculter hainanensis formed an independent lineage and P. hainanensis was closer to T. houdemeri.

Symptoms and Clinical Findings in Primary Headache Syndrome Versus Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Primary headache syndrome (PHS) patients frequently present to otolaryngologists with sinonasal complaints and diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) due to symptomatic overlap. In this study, we compare demographic, subjective, and objective clinical findings of patients with PHS versus CRS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a database of patients presenting to a single tertiary care Rhinology clinic from December 2011-July 2017. Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT) scores and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy scores were obtained. Lund-MacKay CT scores were calculated, if available. Requirement of headache specialist management was compared between PHS and CRS groups. Patients with both CRS and PHS (CRScPHS) that required headache specialist management were compared to patients with CRS without PHS (CRSsPHS) and patients with PHS alone using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were carried out to determine significant diagnostic thresholds. RESULTS: One-hundred four PHS patients and 130 CRS patients were included. PHS patients (72.1%) were more likely than CRS patients to require headache specialist management (6.9%, p<0.0001). CRSsPHS patients had significantly higher Nasal domain scores compared to PHS patients (p = 0.042) but not compared to CRScPHS patients (p>0.99). CRScPHS (p = 0.0003) and PHS (p<0.0001) subgroups of patients had significantly higher Aural/Facial domain scores compared to CRSsPHS patients. PHS patients also had significantly higher Sleep domains scores compared to CRSsPHS patients (p<0.0001). Both CRScPHS and CRSsPHS subgroups had significantly higher nasal endoscopy scores (p<0.0001) and CT scores (p = 0.04 & p<0.0001, respectively) compared to the PHS group. Aural/Facial domain score of 4, nasal endoscopy score of 4, and CT score of 2 were found to be reliable diagnostic thresholds for absence of CRS. CONCLUSIONS: The SNOT-22 may be used to distinguish PHS from CRS based upon the Aural/Facial and Sleep domains. Patients with CRS have more severe Nasal domain scores and worse objective endoscopy and CT findings.

Use of mucosal eosinophil count as a guide in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a local inflammatory process driven by eosinophils. Mucosal eosinophil count (MEC) has previously been demonstrated to be a reliable indicator of disease severity. We aim to evaluate use of MEC in guiding medical management of CRS after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients with CRS who underwent FESS from 2004 to 2017. Tissue MEC per high-power field (HPF) was determined by pathologic examination. MECs were compared by polyp status, postoperative medication requirements, and revision surgery. Patients received normal saline (NS) nasal irrigations with additional treatment as needed for disease control: 1-drug therapy (1-DT) intranasal steroid spray (ISS), 2-drug therapy (2-DT) ISS plus budesonide nasal irrigations (BNI) or leukotriene receptor antagonist (LRA), or 3-drug therapy (3-DT) ISS plus BNI and LRA. Correlations between MEC and 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), preoperative computed tomography (CT), and nasal endoscopy scores were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 156 patients were included. Fifty-seven were managed with 1-DT, 35 with 2-DT, and 62 with 3-DT. Across all patients, mean postoperative 6-month and 1-year SNOT-22 (18.1 ± 17.0, 18.1 ± 20.2, respectively) and nasal endoscopy (3.6 ± 3.8, 3.6 ± 4.1, respectively) scores were significantly lower than preoperative scores (37.4 ± 22.8, 6.5 ± 4, respectively). With increasing MEC, odds of requiring 2-DT (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1, p = 0.0002), 3-DT (OR = 1.12, p < 0.0001), and revision surgery (OR = 1.11, p < 0.0001) were significantly increased. Preoperative endoscopy (ρ = 0.44, p < 0.0001) and CT scores (ρ = 0.51, p < 0.0001) and postoperative 6-month (ρ = 0.55, p < 0.0001) and 1-year (ρ = 0.4, p < 0.0001) endoscopy scores demonstrated good correlation with MEC. CONCLUSION: MEC correlates with objective clinical disease severity and may guide aggressiveness of management for the individual patient.

Reliability of the supraorbital ethmoid cell vs Keros classification in predicting the course of the anterior ethmoid artery.

BACKGROUND: We previously showed that the supraorbital ethmoid cell (SOEC) is a reliable landmark for identifying the anterior ethmoid artery (AEA). Recent data have suggested that Keros classification is also a dependable predictor. We aim to characterize the location of the AEA and its relation to the skull base in patients with and without SOEC using the Keros classification. METHODS: Retrospective radiographic evaluation of computed tomography (CT) scans of 76 patients (40 with SOEC, 36 without) was conducted. Distance of AEA from skull base and prevalence of AEA outside of the skull base were measured on each side and compared between groups using the 2-sample t test and χ2 test, respectively. Subgroup analysis was carried out based on the Keros classification. RESULTS: Mean distance of AEA from the skull base was 1.32 ± 1.5 mm in patients with SOEC and 0.47 ± 1.08 mm in those without (p < 0.001). Prevalence of AEA outside of the skull base was 53.8% in those with SOEC and 18.1% in those without (p < 0.001). Comparing patients with SOEC to those without, AEA was found below the skull base in 30% vs 0% of cases with Keros type 1 (p = 0.45), 58% vs 14.5% with Keros type 2 (p < 0.001), and 60% vs 50% with Keros type 3 (p = 0.72). CONCLUSION: The presence of SOEC is associated with a higher prevalence of the AEA coursing below the level of the skull base in all Keros types, thus placing the artery at greater risk for injury. Careful surgical planning is needed to avoid potential orbital complications.

Elucidation of salvage laryngectomy pathologic and clinical variables to guide further treatment intensification investigation.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: There are limited treatment options beyond surgical salvage for patients who fail nonoperative treatment for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, we examine the failure patterns after surgical salvage and the potential pathologic and clinical prognostic variables that might guide further postoperative intensification investigation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis at a tertiary academic referral center. METHODS: From an institutional review board-approved institutional head and neck cancer registry, a consecutive series of 147 patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy for squamous cell cancer recurrence or persistence after radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy between May 1995 and May 2016 were identified. Variables potentially associated with oncologic outcome after surgical salvage were then collected and retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The projected 2-year locoregional failure rate was 21.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14.6%-29.0%]), and the overall survival 65% (95% CI, 57.5%-74.3%) for the entire cohort after salvage laryngectomy. On multivariable analysis, sarcomatoid/spindle cell pathology (hazard ratio [HR], 3.147; 95% CI, 1.181-8.386; P = 0.022), lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) (positive vs. negative; HR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.21-4.42; P = 0.011), and advanced initial American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th Edition grouped stage (stages III-IVB vs. stages I-II; HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.04-2.6; P = 0.035) were found to be independently associated with inferior disease-free survival. No other clinical or pathologic variables predicted failure. CONCLUSION: Salvage laryngectomy after nonoperative treatment failure results in successful locoregional control rates and survival in the majority of patients failing initial therapy. This should temper enthusiasm for routine treatment intensification with postoperative re-irradiation and/or other systemic treatments for the vast majority of patients. Sarcomatoid pathology, LVSI, and an advanced initial stage are associated with inferior disease-free survival. The presence of these factors may warrant further investigational study of treatment intensification after salvage laryngectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:823-830, 2018.

[Effects of soil wetting pattern on the soil water-thermal environment and cotton root water consumption under mulched drip irrigation].

Abstract: To explore the effects of soil wetting pattern on soil water-thermal environment and water consumption of cotton root under mulched drip irrigation, a field experiment with three drip intensities (1.69, 3.46 and 6.33 L · h(-1)), was carried out in Shihezi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region. The soil matric potential, soil temperature, cotton root distribution and water consumption were measured during the growing period of cotton. The results showed that the main factor influencing the soil temperature of cotton under plastic mulch was sunlight. There was no significant difference in the soil temperature and root water uptake under different treatments. The distribution of soil matrix suction in cotton root zone under plastic mulch was more homogeneous under ' wide and shallow' soil wetting pattern (W633). Under the 'wide and shallow' soil wetting pattern, the average difference of cotton root water consumption between inner row and outer row was 0.67 mm · d(-1), which was favorable to the cotton growing trimly at both inner and outer rows; for the 'narrow and deep' soil wetting pattern (W169), the same index was 0.88 mm · d(-1), which was unfavorable to cotton growing uniformly at both inner and outer rows. So, we should select the broad-shallow type soil wetting pattern in the design of drip irrigation under mulch.

[Real-time irrigation forecast of cotton mulched with plastic film under drip irrigation based on meteorological date].

It is important to improve the real-time irrigation forecasting precision by predicting real-time water consumption of cotton mulched with plastic film under drip irrigation based on meteorological data and cotton growth status. The model parameters for calculating ET0 based on Hargreaves formula were determined using historical meteorological data from 1953 to 2008 in Shihezi reclamation area. According to the field experimental data of growing season in 2009-2010, the model of computing crop coefficient Kc was established based on accumulated temperature. On the basis of crop water requirement (ET0) and Kc, a real-time irrigation forecast model was finally constructed, and it was verified by the field experimental data in 2011. The results showed that the forecast model had high forecasting precision, and the average absolute values of relative error between the predicted value and measured value were about 3.7%, 2.4% and 1.6% during seedling, squaring and blossom-boll forming stages, respectively. The forecast model could be used to modify the predicted values in time according to the real-time meteorological data and to guide the water management in local film-mulched cotton field under drip irrigation.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer in young patients: a contemporary review.

PURPOSE: Little is known about prognostic factors and treatment outcomes in young patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). The goal of this study is to define the clinical features of this subgroup. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients age 55 or younger with either ATC or well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) with anaplastic changes were identified using electronic medical record at the Cleveland Clinic. The same number of patients older than 55 was randomly selected to serve as control. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival time (OST) and cause-specific mortality (CSM) were measured against age, tumor histology, extent of disease, and treatment modalities. RESULTS: Twelve patients age 55 or younger were identified. The median age was 51 years. Four patients had WDTC with anaplastic components--mixed tumor group (MTG). Their median PFS, OST, and CSM at 24 months were 21.5 months, 51 months, and 25%, respectively. For the other 8 patients who had pure ATC, their median PFS, OST, and CSM were 3.5 months, 6 months, and 100%, respectively. Patients in the MTG had better survival compared to the pure ATC and control group in terms of PFS (p = 0.0047 and p = 0.0053), OST (p = 0.0028 and p = 0.0029) and the CSM at 24 months (p = 0.0339 and p = 0.0096). In the pure ATC group, patients with positive cervical lymph node and distant metastases had similar overall survival outcomes (6 vs. 8 months, p = 0.4995). CONCLUSION: Prognostic factors favoring survival in young patients with ATC include ATC arising within WDTC. Once full anaplastic transformation occurs, age was not a significant factor in survival.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the ethmoid sinus with intracranial and orbital extension: case report and literature review.

The Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors is a group of cancers that commonly arises in young adults during their second decade of life. It frequently involves the trunk and long bones of the body with primary Ewing's sarcoma of the paranasal sinuses being exceedingly rare. We describe the case of a 39 year-old female with primary Ewing's Sarcoma originating from the ethmoid sinus with intracranial extension into the anterior cranial fossa and the orbit. The radiologic and histopathologic profiles are presented with a review of the literature. To our knowledge, this is the second reported case with the tumor involving the anterior cranial fossa, but the only case where immunochemical staining and molecular genetic analysis are available for definitive diagnosis.

Salvage laryngectomy in patients with recurrent laryngeal cancer in the setting of nonoperative treatment failure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of salvage partial and total laryngectomy in the treatment of recurrent laryngeal cancer in the setting of initial nonoperative treatment failure and to identify factors influencing long-term survival. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with planned chart review. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx initially treated with either radiation or chemoradiation, who underwent salvage laryngectomy at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation from 1997 to 2011, were identified. The cohort was divided into an early-stage group and an advanced-stage group based on initial tumor staging. Survival outcome was evaluated separately in each group against tumor staging, methods of treatment, and nodal status. Secondary endpoints of speech and swallowing were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were identified, with 72 patients in the early-stage group and 28 patients in the advanced-stage group. The overall postsalvage locoregional control rate was 70%, and the 5-year disease-specific survival was 70% and 55.2% in the early and advanced group, respectively (P = .39). The 5-year disease-specific survival was not significant in either group when compared with recurrent staging, initial treatment, salvage treatment, or nodal disease (P = ns). Using voice prostheses, good to excellent speech function was achieved postoperatively in most patients. CONCLUSION: Tumor staging, methods of initial and salvage treatment, and nodal disease were not significant predictors of survival. Both salvage partial and total laryngectomy were effective methods in the treatment of recurrent laryngeal cancer in carefully selected patients.

[Optimal irrigation index for cotton drip irrigation under film mulching based on the evaporation from pan with constant water level].

A field experiment with two irrigation cycles and two irrigating water quotas at squaring stage and blossoming-boll forming stage was conducted in Urumqi of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Northwest China in 2008-2009, aimed to explore the high-efficient irrigation index of cotton drip irrigation under film mulching. The effects of different water treatments on the seed yield, water consumption, and water use efficiency (WUE) of cotton were analyzed. In all treatments, there was a high correlation between the cotton water use and the evaporation from pan installed above the plant canopy. In high-yield cotton field (including the treatment T4 which had 10 days and 7 days of irrigation cycle with 30.0 mm and 37.5 mm of irrigating water quota at squaring stage and blossoming-boll forming stage, respectively in 2008, and the treatment T1 having 7 days of irrigation cycle with 22.5 mm and 37.5 mm of irrigating water quota at squaring stage and blossoming-boll forming stage, respectively in 2009), the pan-crop coefficient (Kp) at seedling stage, squaring stage, blossoming-boll forming stage, and boll opening stage was 0.29-0.30, 0.52-0.53, 0.74-0.88, and 0.19-0.20, respectively. As compared with the other treatments, T4 had the highest seed cotton yield (5060 kg x hm(-2)) and the highest WUE (1.00 kg x m(-3)) in 2008, whereas T1 had the highest seed cotton yield (4467 kg x hm(-2)) and the highest WUE (0.99 kg x m(-3)) in 2009. The averaged cumulative pan evaporation in 7 days and 10 days at squaring stage was 40-50 mm and 60-70 mm, respectively, and that in 7 days at blossoming-boll forming stage was 40-50 mm. It was suggested that in Xinjiang cotton area, irrigating 45 mm water for seedling emergence, no irrigation both at seedling stage and at boll opening stage, and irrigation was started when the pan evaporation reached 45-65 mm and 45 mm at squaring stage and blossoming-boll stage, respectively, the irrigating water quota could be determined by multiplying cumulative pan evaporation with Kp (the Ko was taken as 0.5, 0.75, 0.85, and 0.75 at squaring stage, early blossoming, full-blossoming, and late blossoming stage, respectively), which could be the high efficient irrigation index to obtain high yield and WUE in drip irrigation cotton field and to save irrigation water resources.