Enhancement of chitosan-based film physicochemical and storage properties by interaction with proanthocyanidin and natural deep eutectic solvent.

Deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been recognized as a promising plasticizer for the preparation of biodegradable food packaging films. In addition, DES-plasticized chitosan (CS) films could also serve as a favorable carrier for loading active components. In this work, a ternary composite film was fabricated by plasticizing chitosan with DES and the active ingredient proanthocyanidin (PA) was used as a cross-linking agent. The incorporation of PAs significantly enhanced the toughness, elasticity, and hydrophobicity of the ternary CS-DES-PA composite films. It achieved antioxidant and bacteriostatic functions. In particular, the ternary CS-DES-PA composite films had a thickness of 0.16 ± 0.01 µm, a tensile strength of 2.63 ± 0.48 MPa, and an elongation about 73.22 %. They also have improved water resistance, UV blocking, with a high-water contact angle of 88.4° and a low water swelling of 5 % on the surface of the film. Meanwhile, the PAs in the film could slow down the browning of litchi fruits. This ternary blended film (CS-DES-PA) achieves better compatibility of the active ingredient in the film-forming substrate. It also provides a green and biodegradable packaging material for food packaging.

RecurIndex-Guided postoperative radiotherapy with or without Avoidance of Irradiation of regional Nodes in 1-3 node-positive breast cancer (RIGAIN): a study protocol for a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled prospective, phase III trial.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer with one to three lymph node metastases, particularly within the pT1-2N1M0 cohort with a low clinical risk of local-regional recurrence (LRR), has incited a discourse surrounding personalised treatment strategies. Multigene testing for Recurrence Index (RecurIndex) model capably differentiates patients based on their level of LRR risk. This research aims to validate whether a more aggressive treatment approach can enhance clinical outcomes in N1 patients who possess a clinically low risk of LRR, yet a high RecurIndex-determined risk of LRR. Specifically, this entails postoperative whole breast irradiation combined with regional lymph node irradiation (RNI) following breast-conserving surgery or chest wall irradiation with RNI after mastectomy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The RIGAIN (RecurIndex-Guided postoperative radiotherapy with or without Avoidance of Irradiation of regional Nodes in 1-3 node-positive breast cancer) Study is a multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, phase III clinical trial that is being conducted in China. In this study, patients with low clinical LRR risk but high RecurIndex-LRR risk are randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the experimental group or the control group. In the experimental group, RNI is performed and the control group omits RNI. Efficacy and safety analyses will be conducted, enrolling a total of 540 patients (270 per group). The primary endpoint is invasive disease-free survival, and secondary endpoints include any first recurrence, LRR-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, recurrence-free survival, overall survival, disease-free survival, breast cancer-specific mortality and assessment of patient quality of life. The study began in April 2023 and with a follow-up period of 60 months after the last participant completes radiation therapy. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University (SYSKY-2022-097-02, V.3.1). It adheres to the Helsinki Declaration and Good Clinical Practice. Research findings will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04069884.

High association strengths are linked to phenotypic similarity, including plumage color and patterns, of participants in mixed-species bird flocks of southwestern China.

Participants in mixed-species bird flocks (MSFs) have been shown to associate with species that are similar in body size, diet, and evolutionary history, suggesting that facilitation structures these assemblages. In addition, several studies have suggested that species in MSFs resemble each other in their plumage, but this question has not been systematically investigated for any MSF system. During the nonbreeding season of 2020 and 2021, we sampled 585 MSFs on 14 transects in 2 habitats of Tongbiguang Nature Reserve in western Yunnan Province, China. We performed social network analysis and the Multiple Regression Quadratic Assignment Procedure to evaluate the effect of 4 species traits (body size, overall plumage color, distinctive plumage patterns, and diet) and evolutionary history on species association strength at the whole-MSF and within-MSF levels. All 41 significant relationships showed that species with stronger associations were more similar in their various traits. Body size had the strongest effect on association strength, followed by phylogeny, plumage patterns, and plumage color; diet had the weakest effect. Our results are consistent with the hypotheses that the benefits of associating with phenotypically similar species outweigh the potential costs of interspecific competition, and that trait matching can occur in plumage characteristics, albeit more weakly than in other traits. Several explanations exist as to why similarities in plumage may occur in MSFs, including that they could reduce predators' ability to target phenotypically "odd" individuals. Whether trait matching in plumage occurs through assortative processes in ecological time or is influenced by co-evolution requires further study.

A case report: Castleman disease treated by the trinity of internal and external treatment of "Fuzheng, phlegm-resolving, and detoxification method".

RATIONALE: Castleman disease (CD) was first included in the CSCO lymphoma diagnosis and treatment guidelines in 2021. Its diagnosis relies on lymph node pathological examination. Observation, surgical resection of the lesion, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and medical therapy (e.g., rituximab, siltuximab, steroids) can be used. Due to the traumatic, incurable, and recurrent nature of surgical treatment, drug therapy has many side effects and is expensive. Exploring effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comprehensive treatment methods for this disease is important and necessary. PATIENT CONCERNS: The main symptom was recurrent lymphadenopathy, which had been surgically removed 5 times in the past. This time, lymph node enlargement occurred again, and the local hospital recommended surgical resection again. The patient could not tolerate another surgical treatment. Other targeted treatments are not available due to financial constraints. DIAGNOSES: The case was diagnosed as CD by pathological examination, which is an important basis for the diagnosis of this disease. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was treated with surgery in the early stage several times, later came to our hospital for the trinity of TCM integrated treatment program, which combines oral TCM with external application of TCM and intravenous drip of TCM as a syndrome of positive deficiency and phlegm-toxin internalization, and the therapeutic principle. OUTCOMES: After nearly 3 years of comprehensive treatment with TCM, the enlarged lymph nodes could not be touched, and there was no fatigue, fever, or weight loss. During this period, the patient did not undergo surgery, chemotherapy and other western medicine treatment, and lived a normal life. It not only met the patient's expectation but also confirmed that the TCM treatment was indeed effective. LESSONS: This case report confirms that TCM is safe and effective in the treatment of CD, which is worthy of promotion. In clinical practice, the individualized treatment for the patient, the duration of treatment, and the different disease states also affect the treatment outcome.

Bronchobiliary fistula caused after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage treatment: A case report.

RATIONALE: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) plays a significant role especially in the diagnosis and decompression of bile duct obstruction. However, it is associated with complications such as hemobilia, occlusion of drainage, bile leakage, and even bronchobiliary fistula (BBF). PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSES: We herein describe a patient with a complication of BBF caused by long-term indwelling PTBD catheters. She underwent multiple operations including bilioenteric anastomosis, hepatic left lateral lobectomy, and long-term PTBD treatment. Her symptoms were mainly cough, fever, and yellow sputum and her diagnosis was confirmed by sputum culture (bilirubin detection was positive). INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The patient recovered uneventfully by minimally invasive treatment, was discharged after 1 week of hospitalization, and the drainage tube was removed 2 weeks later. During 2 years of follow-up, no recurrence of BBF was observed. LESSONS: Patients with long-term indwelling PTBD catheters for biliary tract obstruction may lead to BBF. The treatment plan of BBF is tailored to the patient's individualized characteristics. And minimally invasive treatments might be an effective alternate way for the treatment of BBF. The accurate diagnosis, precision treatment, and multidisciplinary team play important roles in the treatment of BBF.

Knowledge mapping and research trends of distraction osteogenesis in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

BACKGROUND: Distraction osteogenesis (DO) has found extensive use in oral and maxillofacial surgery for correcting maxillofacial deformities due to its numerous advantages. However, comprehensive scientific and visual analyses of this field on a global scale are rare. Therefore, this study aims to provide a summary of the global trends and current status of DO in oral and maxillofacial surgery. METHOD: Publications concerning DO in oral and maxillofacial surgery were comprehensively searched and selected from the Web of Science Core Collection(WOSCC) database. We evaluated the annual contributions from institutions, journals, countries, and authors using bibliometric analysis software. RESULTS: A total of 541 publications were included in this study. The USA played a predominant role in this field, leading in both publication volume and international collaboration. Harvard University and the University of Hong Kong secured the top position in total publications, while the University of Texas System topped the list in total citations within this field. The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery emerged as the primary contributing journal, and Cheung LX emerged as the primary contributing author in the field of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Keywords such as 'orthognathic surgery,' 'reconstruction,' and 'osteogenesis' are anticipated to be prominent topics in future research. CONCLUSION: Between 1995 and 2023, there has been rapid growth in the total number of publications within the field of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The USA stands out as the predominant country in this field. Surgeries, orthognathic surgery, and osteogenesis have emerged as prominent topics. The findings of our study offer valuable insights for scholars seeking to identify research hotspots and chart the developmental direction of DO in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

De-escalated radiotherapy for HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients with 1-3 positive lymph nodes undergoing anti-HER2 targeted therapy.

Background: In the era of anti-HER2 targeted therapy, the potential clinical feasibility of considering HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cases presenting with 1-3 positive axillary lymph nodes as low-risk, and thereby contemplating postoperative radiotherapy reduction, remains an important subject for in-depth examination. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of de-escalated radiotherapy in T1-2N1M0 HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients receiving anti-HER2 targeted therapy. Specifically, omitting regional lymph node irradiation (RNI) after breast-conserving surgery and only performing whole-breast irradiation or omitting postmastectomy radiation therapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 429 patients with stage T1-2N1M0 primary invasive HER2-overexpressing breast cancer from our center between 2004 and 2018. Patients who received anti-HER2 targeted therapy were divided into an RNI group and a no RNI group to assess the role of RNI. The prognostic role of RNI was investigated via the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards modeling. Results: The median follow-up time was 46.8 months (range 7.1-225.8 months). In the anti-HER2 targeted therapy group RNI yielded no significant improvements in invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) (p = 0.940), local-regional recurrence-free survival (p = 0.380), distant metastases-free survival (p = 0.698), or overall survival (p = 0.403). Estrogen receptor (ER) status (hazard ratio [HR] 0.105, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.023-0.749, p = 0.004) and lymph vascular invasion status (LVI) (HR 5.721, 95% CI 1.586-20.633, p = 0.008) were identified as independent prognostic factors for IDFS, and ER-positive and LVI-negative patients exhibited better prognoses. Conclusion: Omitting RNI may be a safe option in T1-2N1 HER2-overexpressing breast cancer patients receiving standardized anti-HER2 targeted therapy; particularly in ER-positive or LVI-negative subgroups.

Plant leaf proanthocyanidins: from agricultural production by-products to potential bioactive molecules.

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a class of polymers composed of flavan-3-ol units that have a variety of bioactivities, and could be applied as natural biologics in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. PAs are widely found in fruit and vegetables (F&Vegs) and are generally extracted from their flesh and peel. To reduce the cost of extraction and increase the number of commercially viable sources of PAs, it is possible to exploit the by-products of plants. Leaves are major by-products of agricultural production of F&Vegs, and although their share has not been accurately quantified. They make up no less than 20% of the plant and leaves might be an interesting resource at different stages during production and processing. The specific structural PAs in the leaves of various plants are easily overlooked and are notably characterized by their stable content and degree of polymerization. This review examines the existing data on the effects of various factors (e.g. processing conditions, and environment, climate, species, and maturity) on the content and structure of leaf PAs, and highlights their bioactivity (e.g. antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-obesity activity), as well as their interactions with gut microbiota and other biomolecules (e.g. polysaccharides and proteins). Future research is also needed to focus on their precise extraction, bioactivity of high-polymer native or modified PAs and better application type.

The Leaf proanthocyanidins (LPAs) are mostly oligomeric procyanidins, with a small proportion of leaves containing A-type procyanidins.Foliage is a sustainable source of PAs.LPAs are a potential source of valuable bioactive compounds.The content, structure, extraction and identification and bio-activity of LPAs are discussed.Processing improvement is beneficial to enhance the production of LPA.

Epitaxial Kagome Thin Films as a Platform for Topological Flat Bands.

Systems with flat bands are ideal for studying strongly correlated electronic states and related phenomena. Among them, kagome-structured metals such as CoSn have been recognized as promising candidates due to the proximity between the flat bands and the Fermi level. A key next step will be to realize epitaxial kagome thin films with flat bands to enable tuning of the flat bands across the Fermi level via electrostatic gating or strain. Here, we report the band structures of epitaxial CoSn thin films grown directly on the insulating substrates. Flat bands are observed by using synchrotron-based angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). The band structure is consistent with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, and the transport properties are quantitatively explained by the band structure and semiclassical transport theory. Our work paves the way to realize flat band-induced phenomena through fine-tuning of flat bands in kagome materials.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of indolone derivatives as novel FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia.

FLT3-ITD mutant has been extensively studied as a drug discovery target for acute myeloid leukemia. Based on our previous discovered FLT3 inhibitor (2), a series of urea group based indolone derivatives were designed, synthesized, and biological evaluated as novel FLT3 inhibitors for the treatment of FLT3-ITD positive AML. Among them, compound LC-3 exhibited potent inhibitory effects against FLT3 (IC50 = 8.4 nM) and significantly inhibited the proliferation of FLT3-ITD positive AML cells MV-4-11 (IC50 = 5.3 nM). In the cellular context, LC-3 strongly inhibited FLT3-mediated signaling pathways and induced cellular apoptosis by arresting cell cycle in G1 phase. In the in vivo studies, LC-3 significantly suppressed the tumor growth on MV-4-11 xenograft models (10 mg/kg/day, TGI = 92.16%) without exhibiting obvious toxicity. These results suggested that compound LC-3 might be a potential drug candidate for FLT3-ITD positive AML.

WITHDRAWN: Konjac Glucomannan, in Combination with Cisplatin, Suppresses Lymphoma Malignant Progression by Inducing Ferroptosis

The article has been withdrawn at the request of the authors.Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused.The Bentham editorial policy on article withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.com/editorialpolicies-main.php. BENTHAM SCIENCE DISCLAIMER: It is a condition of publication that manuscripts submitted to this journal have not been published and will not be simultaneously submitted or published elsewhere. Furthermore, any data, illustration, structure or table that has been published elsewhere must be reported, and copyright permission for reproduction must be obtained. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden, and by submitting the article for publication the authors agree that the publishers have the legal right to take appropriate action against the authors, if plagiarism or fabricated information is discovered. By submitting a manuscript, the authors agree that the copyright of their article is transferred to the publishers if and when the article is accepted for publication.

Can convergence in mixed-species flocks lead to evolutionary divergence? Evidence for and methods to test this hypothesis.

One of the most fundamental goals of modern biology is to achieve a deep understanding of the origin and maintenance of biodiversity. It has been observed that in some mixed-species animal societies, there appears to be a drive towards some degree of phenotypic trait matching, such as similar coloration or patterning. Here we build on these observations and hypothesize that selection in mixed-species animal societies, such as mixed-species bird flocks, may drive diversification, potentially leading to speciation. We review evidence for possible convergent evolution and even outright mimicry in flocks from southwestern China, where we have observed several cases in which species and subspecies differ from their closest relatives in traits that match particular flock types. However, understanding whether this is phenotypic matching driven by convergence, and whether this divergence has promoted biodiversity, requires testing multiple facets of this hypothesis. We propose a series of steps that can be used to tease apart alternative hypotheses to build our understanding of the potential role of convergence in diversification in participants of mixed-species societies. Even if our social convergence/divergence hypothesis is not supported, the testing at each step should help highlight alternative processes that may affect mixed-species flocks, trait evolution and possible convergence. This article is part of the theme issue 'Mixed-species groups and aggregations: shaping ecological and behavioural patterns and processes'.

By-Products of Fruit and Vegetables: Antioxidant Properties of Extractable and Non-Extractable Phenolic Compounds.

Non-extractable phenolic compounds (NEPs), or bound phenolic compounds, represent a crucial component of polyphenols. They are an essential fraction that remains in the residual matrix after the extraction of extractable phenolic compounds (EPs), making them a valuable resource for numerous applications. These compounds encompass a diverse range of phenolic compounds, ranging from low molecular weight phenolic to high polymeric polyphenols attached to other macro molecules, e.g., cell walls and proteins. Their status as natural, green antioxidants have been well established, with numerous studies showcasing their anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-cancer, and hypoglycemic activities. These properties make them a highly desirable alternative to synthetic antioxidants. Fruit and vegetable (F&Veg) wastes, e.g., peels, pomace, and seeds, generated during the harvest, transport, and processing of F&Vegs, are abundant in NEPs and EPs. This review delves into the various types, contents, structures, and antioxidant activities of NEPs and EPs in F&Veg wastes. The relationship between the structure of these compounds and their antioxidant activity is explored in detail, highlighting the importance of structure-activity relationships in the field of natural antioxidants. Their potential applications ranging from functional food and beverage products to nutraceutical and cosmetic products. A glimpse into their bright future as a valuable resource for a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future, and calling for researchers, industrialists, and policymakers to explore their full potential, are elaborated.

Simultaneous removal of multiple heavy metals using single chamber microbial electrolysis cells with biocathode in the micro-aerobic environment.

The simultaneous and efficient removal of various heavy metals from wastewater to satisfy the requirements of zero discharge has been a research hotspot and difficult point. In the laboratory scale (0.5 L), the biocathode microbial electrolytic cells (BCMECs) were constructed with the pre-screened heavy metal-tolerant electroactive bacterial, mainly of the Sphingomonas, Azospira and Cupriavidus. The BCMECs system showed a more satisfactory removal effect for multiple heavy metals and organic pollutants. At the auxiliary voltage of 0.9 V and initial concentration of 20 mg L-1, the removal efficiency of Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and COD were 98.76 ± 0.32%, 98.01 ± 0.76%, 73.58 ± 4.83%, 84.39 ± 5.95%, 77.55 ± 1.51%, respectively. It was found by various characterization techniques (CV, EIS, XPS et al.) that the constructed biocathode has the function of electrocatalytic reduction of heavy metal ions in a micro-aerobic, film-free environment. The positive shift (0.030-0.229 V) of the initial potential for heavy metal reduction and the absence of a significant increase (＜ 10 Ω) in the interfacial resistance indicated a reduction in the total free energy of the reduction reaction, which promotes the reaction and improves the efficiency of heavy metal removal. Bacterial community analysis revealed that the Proteobacteria has been dominant in different heavy metal environments. With the increase of heavy metal concentration, Sphingomonas, Azospira and Cupriavidus showed stronger tolerance and became the dominant genus. This study emphasized the important performance of biocathodes and the effective treatment of heavy metal wastewaters by BCMECs and provided a reasonable way for industrial and mining enterprises to innovate the water treatment process.

Lead dissociation and redistribution properties of actual contaminated farmland soil after long-term EKAPR treatment.

Electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation (EKAPR) is a potential technology much affected by the metal species and accessibility to plant roots. In this study, Pb-contaminated red soil was remediated with Sedum plumbizincicola to investigate the changes in soil pH, available nutrients, dissociation and redistribution of Pb under a long-term periodic reversal direct-current electric field. This approach could effectively activate soil P, K, organic matter (OM) and Pb, without significant soil acidification; the effect was positively correlated with applied voltage. Soil Pb can be continuously dissociated, migrated, and tended to accumulate in the middle region. The maximum Pb removal rate in the anodic section of the EKAPR system was 21.4%, and the aggregation rate in middle regions was 14.4%, higher than the available Pb content of the original soil. The Pb desorption in aqueous solution increased significantly with increasing voltage, irrespective of the solution pH. At a voltage of 20 V, the Pb cumulative desorption content reached 91.1 mg kg-1 (pH = 7), which was 2.7 times than that without electric field (33.2 mg kg-1). Compared to original soil (2.80 mg kg-1) and the control (14.54 mg kg-1), the available Pb in the anode section of EKAPR system (20.66 mg kg-1) increased by 637.9% and 42.1%, respectively. These results indicated that except for the indirect influence of soil pH changes, electrodynamics can directly promote the bioavailability and dissociation of Pb at the soil-water interface. This finding provides a new perspective for further studies on the mechanism of Pb speciation evolution and accumulation changes using EKAPR.

Comparative Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Sacral-2-Alar Iliac Screw Versus Iliac Screw in the Lumbosacral Reconstruction of Spondylodiscitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) and iliac screw (IS) techniques in treating lumbosacral spondylodiscitis. METHODS: Between January 2020 and January 2022, 28 patients suffering from lumbosacral spondylodiscitis underwent lumbosacral fixation and were divided into the IS group (14 patients) and the S2AI group (14 patients). Surgical details, demographic characteristics, preoperative and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index, visual analog scale, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were included in this study, including 14 patients treated with IS and 14 patients treated with S2AI. The 2 groups were similar in sex, age, follow-up period, total drainage volume, hospitalization stay, and fusion time. (P > 0.05) The estimated blood loss and surgical time of S2AI during surgery were significantly lower than those of IS. (P < 0.05) The visual analog scale and Oswestry Disability Index scores significantly improved in both groups from preoperative to the last follow-up. Sacroiliac joint pain was found in both groups in the follow-up period, but the incidence was not significantly different (P = 0.663). Compared with the IS approach, the incidence of symptomatic screw prominence was lower in the S2AI group, but the difference was not significant. (P = 0.088). CONCLUSIONS: S2AI, as well as IS techniques, can achieve promising results for reconstructing lumbosacral stability in spondylodiscitis. In addition, the S2AI technique can also reduce surgical trauma and operation time.

The Relationship between Cuff Pressure and Air Injection Volume of Endotracheal Tube: A Study with Sheep Trachea Ex Vivo.

Background: Endotracheal intubation is a widely used treatment. Excessive pressure of the endotracheal tube cuff leads to a series of complications. Here, we used tracheae of sheep to analyze the relationship between the air injection volume and endotracheal tube cuff pressure so as to guide the doctors and nurses in controlling the pressure of the endotracheal tube cuff during clinical work and minimise the risk of complications. Materials and Methods: Forty sheep tracheae were utilised and were divided into five groups according to their diameters. Different sizes of endotracheal tubes were inserted into each trachea, and the cuff pressure with the increase of air injection volume was recorded. The formulas that reflect the relationship between air injection volume and cuff pressure were obtained. Then, sheep tracheae were randomly selected; different types of tubes were inserted, and the stipulated volume of air was injected. The actual pressure was measured and compared with the pressure predicted from the formulas. Statistical analysis was conducted to verify whether the formulas obtained from the first part of the experiment were in accordance with the expert evaluation table, which consists of opinions of several experts. Results: After obtaining 15 formulas, we collected the differences between the theoretical cuff pressure and the actual cuff pressure that satisfied the expert evaluation. Relying on the formulas, the medical turntable was obtained, which is a tool that consists of two round cards with data on them. The top card has a notch. The two cards are stacked together, and as the top card rotates, the data on the bottom card can be easily seen in a one-to-one relationship. Conclusion: The formulas are capable of showing the relationship between the cuff air injection volume and pressure of endotracheal tube cuff. The medical turntable can estimate the air injection volume to ensure that the pressure stays in an acceptable range.

Intimacy across species boundaries: Interspecific allopreening between Spot-necked (Stachyris strialata) and Nonggang Babblers (S. nonggangensis).

Allopreening occurs in many species of birds and is known for providing hygienic and social benefits. While this behavior has been extensively studied among conspecifics, its occurrence among different species remains little known. Outside of captive environments, only a few records of interspecific allopreening exist. In this study, we describe our observations of the interspecific allopreening behavior between Spot-necked (Stachyris strialata) and Nonggang Babblers ( S. nonggangensis) in a non-captive environment in southern China. To our knowledge, these observations represent the first record of interspecific allopreening in the family Timaliidae. We suggest that this understudied behavior is most likely related to the dominant-subordinate relationship between these two species: either the dominant species preening the subordinate species to assert dominance or the subordinate species preening the dominant species to reduce tensions by appeasement. We also suggest interspecific allopreening may not be as rare as we thought if we study this behavior under circumstances where different species are close to each other. This study contributes to our understanding of not only the potential mechanism(s) behind interspecific allopreening but also the behavioral ecology of the vulnerable Nonggang Babbler.

Constraining composition and temperature variations in the mantle transition zone.

The mantle transition zone connects two major layers of Earth's interior that may be compositionally distinct: the upper mantle and the lower mantle. Wadsleyite is a major mineral in the upper mantle transition zone. Here, we measure the single-crystal elastic properties of hydrous Fe-bearing wadsleyite at high pressure-temperature conditions by Brillouin spectroscopy. Our results are then used to model the global distribution of wadsleyite proportion, temperature, and water content in the upper mantle transition zone by integrating mineral physics data with global seismic observations. Our models show that the upper mantle transition zone near subducted slabs is relatively cold, enriched in wadsleyite, and slightly more hydrated compared to regions where plumes are expected. This study provides direct evidence for the thermochemical heterogeneities in the upper mantle transition zone which is important for understanding the material exchange processes between the upper and lower mantle.

Prediction of Left Double-Lumen Tube Size by Measurement of Cricoid Cartilage Transverse Diameter by Ultrasound and CT Multi-Planar Reconstruction.

Background: Currently, there is no uniform standard for selecting the left double lumen tubes (LDLT). Advantages, such as safety and convenience of the ultrasonic technology, and measurement accuracy, make it more widely applied in the clinical anesthesia, and computed tomography (CT) multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) technology will certainly provide a more accurate measurement. For better application for thoracic surgery choice LDLT, relieving the injury to patients, and reducing the complications, this study will compare the two approaches. Methods: The first part, 120 cases of patients were selected according to the height and gender; recording the patient's optimum LDLT and measurement the transverse diameter of the cricoid cartilage (TD-C) by ultrasound and CT MPR, and then obtained the TD-C range measurement by ultrasound and CT MPR corresponding to different types of LDLT. The second part, total of 102 patients were divided into the ultrasound group and the CT MPR group. In the ultrasound group, TD-C was measured by ultrasound, the corresponding size for intubation was selected based on the conclusions derived from the first part. In the CT MPR group, TD-C was measured by CT MPR, the corresponding size of LDLT based on the conclusions derived from the first part. Results: In the first part, 120 patients were no significant difference in the basic characteristics (P > 0.05). The accuracy of selecting the LDLT by conventional experience, namely height and gender was 58.3%. Ultrasonic measurement TD-C range was as follows: 32 Fr <15.88, 35 Fr: 15.88-16.80, 37 Fr: 16.75-17.81, and 39 Fr > 17.80. CT MPR measurement TD-C range was as follows: 32 Fr <15.74, 35 Fr: 15.74-16.65, 37 Fr: 16.56-17.68, and 39 Fr > 17.65. In the second part, there was no significant difference in the basic characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). The accuracy of intubation in the ultrasound group was 90.2% and the corresponding in the CT MPR group was 94.1% (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The accuracy of selecting the LDLT based on TD-C is significantly higher than conventional experience; it can significantly reduce the post-operative complications and there was no statistical significance in the accuracy of LDLT selected for TD-C measurement by ultrasound vs. CT, and both of them could be safely used for the evaluation before intubation under anesthesia in thoracic surgery.