Ecological niche modeling based on ensemble algorithms to predicting current and future potential distribution of African swine fever virus in China.

African swine fever (ASF) is a tick-borne infectious disease initially described in Shenyang province China in 2018 but is now currently present nationwide. ASF has high infectivity and mortality rates, which often results in transportation and trade bans, and high expenses to prevent and control the, hence causing huge economic losses and a huge negative impact on the Chinese pig farming industry. Ecological niche modeling has long been adopted in the epidemiology of infectious diseases, in particular vector-borne diseases. This study aimed to establish an ecological niche model combined with data from ASF incidence rates in China from August 2018 to December 2021 in order to predict areas for African swine fever virus (ASFV) distribution in China. The model was developed in R software using the biomod2 package and ensemble modeling techniques. Environmental and topographic variables included were mean diurnal range (°C), isothermality, mean temperature of wettest quarter (°C), precipitation seasonality (cv), mean precipitation of warmest quarter(mm), mean precipitation of coldest quarter (mm), normalized difference vegetation index, wind speed (m/s), solar radiation (kJ /day), and elevation/altitude (m). Contribution rates of the variables normalized difference vegetation index, mean temperature of wettest quarter, mean precipitation of coldest quarter, and mean precipitation of warmest quarter were, respectively, 47.61%, 28.85%, 10.85%, and 7.27% (according to CA), which accounted for over 80% of contribution rates related to variables. According to model prediction, most of areas revealed as suitable for ASF distribution are located in the southeast coast or central region of China, wherein environmental conditions are suitable for soft ticks' survival. In contrast, areas unsuitable for ASFV distribution in China are associated with arid climate and poor vegetation, which are less conducive to soft ticks' survival, hence to ASFV transmission. In addition, prediction spatial suitability for future ASFV distribution suggests narrower areas for ASFV spread. Thus, the ensemble model designed herein could be used to conceive more efficient prevention and control measure against ASF according to different geographical locations in China.

[Effects of soil matrix potential regulation at various growth states on cotton growth and soil water and salt distribution]. / 不同生育期土壤基质势调控对棉花生长和土壤水盐分布的影响.

Water shortage and soil salinization are two main limiting factors for cotton production in southern Xinjiang. We examined the effects of soil matrix potential (SMP) regulation at various growth stages on cotton growth, soil water and salt distribution, to provide theoretical basis for water saving, salts control, and efficient production in cotton fields. The mulched drip irrigation experiments were conducted to monitor cotton growth, aboveground biomass, cotton yield, soil water and salt distribution and other indicators. Three SMP thresholds, i.e.,W1(-20 kPa), W2(-30 kPa) and W3(-40 kPa) were set at the seedling stage (A), seedling stage + budding stage (B), and seedling stage + budding stage + flowering stage (C), with SMP of -50 kPa at 20 cm soil depth below the emitter as the CK. The results showed that plant height, leaf area index (LAI) and aboveground biomass followed the order of WC>WB>WA>CK, when SMP were changed at various growth stages. Plant height, LAI and aboveground biomass increased with increasing SMP thresholds, with the values under W1C and W2C being significantly higher than the other treatments. The effective bolls per plant, single boll weight and lint percentage all increased with the increases of SMP thresholds. The yields of W1C and W2C were similar, which were significantly higher than those of other treatments. However, the water use efficiency of W2C was significantly higher than that of W1C. Controlling the SMP threshold at -20 or -30 kPa at different growth stages could improve soil moisture status of the primary cotton root zone. All treatments presented shallow salt accumulation (0-40 cm) at the harvest stage, with the bare land having greater salt accumulation than the inner film. The higher the SMP threshold was, the less salt was accumulated in the primary root zone (0-40 cm) under film. The salt accumulation (0-40 cm) under W1C and W2C were reduced by 24% compared with other treatments. Considering the efficient production of cotton, water saving and salt control, it was recommended to maintain the SMP threshold of -30 kPa during irrigation at various growth stages in cotton fields without leaching salts during the local off-crop period.

An oriental melon 9-lipoxygenase gene CmLOX09 response to stresses, hormones, and signal substances.

In plants, lipoxygenases (LOXs) play a crucial role in biotic and abiotic stresses. In our previous study, five 13-LOX genes of oriental melon were regulated by abiotic stress but it is unclear whether the 9-LOX is involved in biotic and abiotic stresses. The promoter analysis revealed that CmLOX09 (type of 9-LOX) has hormone elements, signal substances, and stress elements. We analyzed the expression of CmLOX09 and its downstream genes-CmHPL and CmAOS-in the leaves of four-leaf stage seedlings of the oriental melon cultivar "Yumeiren" under wound, hormone, and signal substances. CmLOX09, CmHPL, and CmAOS were all induced by wounding. CmLOX09 was induced by auxin (indole acetic acid, IAA) and gibberellins (GA3); however, CmHPL and CmAOS showed differential responses to IAA and GA3. CmLOX09, CmHPL, and CmAOS were all induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), while being inhibited by abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA). CmLOX09, CmHPL, and CmAOS were all induced by the powdery mildew pathogen Podosphaera xanthii. The content of 2-hexynol and 2-hexenal in leaves after MeJA treatment was significantly higher than that in the control. After infection with P. xanthii, the diseased leaves of the oriental melon were divided into four levels-levels 1, 2, 3, and 4. The content of jasmonic acid (JA) in the leaves of levels 1 and 3 was significantly higher than that in the level 0 leaves. In summary, the results suggested that CmLOX09 might play a positive role in the response to MeJA through the hydroperoxide lyase (HPL) pathway to produce C6 alcohols and aldehydes, and in the response to P. xanthii through the allene oxide synthase (AOS) pathway to form JA.

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation for treating postpartum low back pain.

In this retrospective study, we investigated the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with postpartum low back pain (PPLBP).We included 67 patients with PPLBP in this study. All patients received NMES, each session 30 minutes, 1 session weekly for a total of 4 weeks. The primary outcome was measured by the reduction in pain intensity, based on the visual analogue scale (VAS). The secondary outcomes included functional status, measured by the Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), and quality of life, measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF), as well as the adverse events related to the treatment. The outcome data were evaluated at baseline and at the end of 4-week treatment.After 4-week treatment, NMES did not exert better outcomes in pain relief, measured by VAS, and functional status, measured by RMDQ compared with those before the treatment. In addition, no significant improvement in quality of life, measured by WHOQOL-BREF, compared to it before the treatment.The results of our study did not find that NMES is effective in patients with PPLBP after 4-week treatment.

[Remediation of Decabromodiphenyl Ether Contaminated Sediment Through Plant Roots Enhanced by Exogenous Microbes].

Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), a main ingredient of brominated flame retardants, has drawn more and more attention because of the pollution it caused in sediment. A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to investigate the impact of Brevibacillus brevis and Enterococcus casselifavus on the enhancement of phytoremediation by Thalia dealbata, which is common in the river bank and was found to be an effective plant for BDE-209 removal. The concentration of organic acids, the amount of microorganisms and the ability of carbon utilization of soil microorganisms in different experimental groups were analyzed. The results showed that the removal rate of BDE-209 in the exogenous microbes containing groups were higher than that of the control. And B. brevis presented the highest enhancement of phytoremediation with the removal rate rising highest to 66% compared with the control (non-rhizosphere group 37.93% and no plant group 39.27%) after 60 days. The removal of BDE-209 in sediment, quantity of microorganism, concentration of organic acids and the ability of carbon utilization of soil microorganisms in rhizosphere sediment were higher than those in non-rhizosphere sediment.

[Characteristic and ion exchanges during Cu2+ and Cd2+ biosorption by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia].

The characteristics of Cu2+ and Cd2+ biosorption by Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) under different biomass, metal concentration and glutaraldehyde content were studied and the correlations among metal biosorption, NO3- removal and ion release were analyzed. The mechanism was explored through ion biosorption, exchange, conversion and release. The experimental results demonstrated that S. maltophilia was an efficient strain to remove Cu2+ and Cd2+. The biosorption efficiencies of Cu2+ and Cd2+ achieved 96.3% and 83.9%, respectively after dealing with 0.05 mmol x L(-1) aqueous solutions for 120 min with dry biosorbent dosage of 0.2 g x L(-1). Cu2+ and Cd2+ biosorption by S. maltophilia included surface adsorption, transmembrane active transportation, bioaccumulation of NO3- and reduction of NO3- to NO2-. The intracellular transfer and reduction of NO3- to NO2- during biosorption by S. maltophilia were energy-consuming biological processes. It could also promote the release of Cl-, PO4(3-), SO-4(2-), Na+, NH4+, K+ and Ca2+. From FTIR investigation, involvement of various functional groups like acetylamino, hydroxyl and carboxyl in the binding of Cu2+ and Cd2+ was evident. Moreover, XPS results proved that the valence state of Cu2+ and Cd2+ did not changed by biosorption.

[Cation exchanges during the process of Cd(2+) absorption by Alfalfa in aqueous solutions].

A hydroponic experiment was conducted to investigate the cation exchanges during the process of Cd2+ absorption by Alfalfa in aqueous solution. The absorption efficiency of Alfalfa plants with 0-10 mg x L(-1) Cd2+ treatments, changes of Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and NH4(+) concentration, and the variation of pH values at different absorption time (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 72 h) were studied separately. The multiple linear regressions between Cd2+ absorption and cation variation were analyzed. The results indicated that when Cd2+ concentrations were 0.1, 1, 5, 10 mg x L(-1), the absorption efficiencies of Cd2+ by Alfalfa after 72 h were 85.86%, 52.14%, 15.97% and 7.81%. Cation exchange was involved in the removal of Cd2+ by Alfalfa in aqueous solution. Except for NH4(+), the concentrations of cationic metals Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in aqueous solution increased over time, which increased 11.30% - 61.72%, 21.44% - 98.73%, 24.09% - 8.90% and 37.04% - 191.96%, respectively. Kinetic studies illuminated that the release of Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ by Alfalfa in Cd2+ solution with initial concentrations of 0, 0. 1, 1, 5, 10 mg x L(-1) best fitted pseudo-second-order equation,while the NH4(+) release fitted this model when Cd2+ concentrations were 1, 5, 10 mg x L(-1). The gradual decrease of pH during adsorption of Cd2+ by Alfalfa was observed. As the competition ion of Cd2+, H+ might affect the capacity of Alfalfa root system to absorb Cd2+. The ternary linear equation results demonstrated that the content of Cd2+ absorption by Alfalfa strongly related with the release of Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+. And this exchange mainly occurred among Cd2+ and divalent cations.