Characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of net ecosystem CO2 exchange at the water-air interface in coastal aquaculture ponds.

Coastal aquaculture ponds represented a biogeochemical hotspot in the global carbon cycle. However, there was a limited understanding of their dynamics. In this study, the eddy covariance (EC) technique was applied to quantify the net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) over coastal aquaculture ponds in the Liaohe River estuary in northern China during 2020, aiming to investigate and quantify the carbon exchange characteristics of this region. The results showed that (a) a predominant "U" shaped diurnal NEE pattern throughout the year. During the sea cucumber monoculture phase, the ponds exhibited a consistent daytime carbon sink and nighttime carbon source pattern. In contrast, during the shrimp and sea cucumber polyculture phase, the ponds mostly remained in a net carbon sink state. (b) NEE was negatively correlated with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), air temperature (Tair), and wind speed (WS), while showing a positive correlation with atmospheric pressure (AP). (c) Overall, the entire study area (complex underlying surfaces) functioned as a carbon sink in 2020, with a total net carbon sequestration of 281.533 g C·m-2. This was approximately four times greater than the restored wetlands that naturally formed from decommissioned coastal aquaculture ponds. Adjusting for surface heterogeneity revealed that the complex surfaces led to a 34.28 % underestimation of the aquaculture region's unit area carbon sequestration capacity. This study was crucial for assessing the carbon cycling and sequestration functions of coastal aquaculture pond ecosystems and provided a scientific basis for related ecological restoration projects.

Association between urinary rare earth element levels and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study in the minority population of Guangxi in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between rare earth elements (REEs) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: We used a cross-sectional design based on the baseline data of the Prospective Cohort Study of Chronic Diseases in Ethnic Minority Natural Population in Guangxi in China. Logistic regression and BKMR models were employed to evaluate the association between REEs and risk of MetS. RESULTS: Although REEs were not significantly associated with MetS, certain elements such as La, Pr, and Nd were negatively associated with abdominal obesity, while Ce, Pr, Nd, and Dy were positively associated with hypertension. BKMR models suggested a U-shaped relationship between mixed REEs and MetS, with varying effects on abdominal obesity and high blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggest that REEs exposure may be associated with a reduced risk of abdominal obesity while an increased risk of high blood pressure.

Underestimation of calcium carbonate saturation state in marginal seas due to the disregard of calcium ion addition: A case study of the Bohai sea, China.

Seawater calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration was investigated based on the potentiometric titration method during the summer of 2018 in the Bohai Sea, China. The measured Ca2+ concentration ranged from 7760 to 9739 µmol kg-1 and deviated from the theoretical Ca2+ values, which were estimated from the calcium/salinity ratio. The excess calcium (Ca2+excess) ranged from 186 to 1229 µmol kg-1, showing a decreasing trend from the estuary to the nearshore, and then the offshore areas. Riverine input was an important source of seawater Ca2+excess in the Bohai Sea. Biological activity was another factor in regulating seawater Ca2+excess by precipitation in the Yellow River estuary and dissolution in other area of the Bohai Sea. Furthermore, the aragonite saturation state (Ωarag) values calculated from the measured Ca2+ concentrations showed a significant deviation from the values calculated from the theoretical Ca2+ concentrations, especially in the estuarine area with a maximum difference of 18.5%. Therefore, the disregard of the calcium addition would lead to an underestimation of the calcium carbonate saturation state and a deviation in the assessment of ocean acidification in marginal seas.

[Change Characteristics of Carbonaceous Aerosol in Chengdu from 2018 to 2021].

Carbonaceous aerosol is an important component of atmospheric fine particulates （PM2.5） that has an important effect on global climate change, atmospheric visibility, regional air quality, and human health. In order to investigate the long-term change characteristics of carbonaceous aerosols under the background of emission reduction, the concentrations of organic carbon （OC）, elemental carbon （EC） in PM2.5 samples, and volatile organic compounds （VOCs） in Chengdu from 2018 to 2021 and the corresponding meteorological factors were obtained through real-time online monitoring. The results showed that the average ρ（OC） and ρ（EC） during the monitoring period were （10.9 ±5.7） µg·m-3 and （2.6 ±1.9） µg·m-3, accounting for 25.2% and 6.0% of PM2.5, respectively, and the average ρ（SOC） was （5.7 ±3.3） µg·m-3, accounting for 52.9% of OC. The concentrations of OC, EC, and PM2.5 showed a downward trend from 2018 to 2020 [PM2.5： The concentration of average annual decrease was -7.1 µg·ï¼ˆm3·a） -1, with an average annual decrease of -14.6 %·a-1； OC： -1.7 µg·ï¼ˆm3·a）-1, -14.2 %·a-1； EC： -0.1 µg·ï¼ˆm3·a）-1, -4.4 %·a-1], and the concentrations of each pollutant in 2021 rebounded in different ranges compared with those in 2020. The concentrations of PM2.5 and OC were as follows： winter > spring > autumn > summer, and the concentrations of EC were as follows： winter > autumn > spring > summer. The proportions of OC and EC were higher in summer and autumn than in other seasons, with the average proportions of 26.8% and 6.9%, respectively. With the aggravation of the pollution level, OC, EC, and SOC concentrations gradually increased, but the proportions in PM2.5 showed a gradual downtrend, indicating that the control factor of PM2.5 pollution in Chengdu was not the carbon component. Source apportionment results showed that carbonaceous aerosols in Chengdu were mainly affected by motor vehicles, industrial sources, biomass combustion sources, and VOCs secondary reaction. From 2019 to 2021, EC was affected by the characteristic components of motor vehicles and decreased yearly. OC and EC were affected by VOCs more in spring and autumn than in other seasons. VOCs emission management should be increased in spring and autumn to reduce the impact of secondary reaction.

Functionalized Chiral Materials for Use in Chiral Sensors.

Chirality represents a fundamental attribute within living systems and is a pervasive phenomenon in the natural world. The identification and analysis of chiral materials within natural environments and biological systems hold paramount importance in clinical, chemical, and biological sciences. Within chiral analysis, there is a burgeoning focus on developing chiral sensors exhibiting exceptional selectivity, sensitivity, and stability, marking it as a forefront area of research. In the past decade (2013-2023), approximately 1990 papers concerning the application of various chiral materials in chiral sensors have been published. Biological materials and nanomaterials have important applications in the development of chiral sensors, which accounting for 26.67% and 45.24% of the material-related applications in these sensors, respectively; moreover, the development of chiral nanomaterials is closely related to the development of portable and stable chiral sensors. Natural chiral materials, utilized as selective recognition units, are combined with carriers characterized by good physical and chemical properties through functionalization to form various functional chiral materials, which improve the recognition efficiency of chiral sensors. In this article, from the perspective of biological materials, polymer materials, nanomaterials, and other functional chiral materials, the applications of chiral sensors are summarized and the research prospects of chiral sensors are discussed.

Histamine H4 receptor and TRPV1 mediate itch induced by cadaverine, a metabolite of the microbiome.

Cadaverine is an endogenous metabolite produced by the gut microbiome with various activity in physiological and pathological conditions. However, whether cadaverine regulates pain or itch remains unclear. In this study, we first found that cadaverine may bind to histamine 4 receptor (H4R) with higher docking energy score using molecular docking simulations, suggesting cadaverine may act as an endogenous ligand for H4R. We subsequently found intradermal injection of cadaverine into the nape or cheek of mice induces a dose-dependent scratching response in mice, which was suppressed by a selective H4R antagonist JNJ-7777120, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist capsazepine and PLC inhibitor U73122, but not H1R antagonist or TRPA1 antagonist or TRPV4 antagonist. Consistently, cadaverine-induced itch was abolished in Trpv1-/- but not Trpa1-/- mice. Pharmacological analysis indicated that mast cells and opioid receptors were also involved in cadaverine-induced itch in mice. scRNA-Seq data analysis showed that H4R and TRPV1 are mainly co-expressed on NP2, NP3 and PEP1 DRG neurons. Calcium imaging analysis showed that cadaverine perfusion enhanced calcium influx in the dissociated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, which was suppressed by JNJ-7777120 and capsazepine, as well as in the DRG neurons from Trpv1-/- mice. Patch-clamp recordings found that cadaverine perfusion significantly increased the excitability of small diameter DRG neurons, and JNJ-7777120 abolished this effect, indicating involvement of H4R. Together, these results provide evidences that cadaverine is a novel endogenous pruritogens, which activates H4R/TRPV1 signaling pathways in the primary sensory neurons.

Rice body synovitis in pediatrics: three different case reports.

Rice body synovitis (RBS) is a rare disease, especially in children. Rheumatoid disorders and tuberculosis are the first two reasons for the formation of the RB. The diagnosis is mainly based on imaging and histopathological features. Herein, we report three cases of RBS in children diagnosed with congenital synovial chondromatosis, tuberculosis (unconfirmed), and ANA -positive juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Clinical features, radiographic findings, pathophysiology, treatment process, and prognosis were reviewed and documented meticulously to enhance cognition in this population and provide some references for clinicians in diagnosing and treating the disease.

Discovery of a prominent dual-target DDR1/EGFR inhibitor aimed DDR1/EGFR-positive NSCLC.

This study aimed to develop the first dual-target small molecule inhibitor concurrently targeting Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1) and Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which play a crucial interdependent roles in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), demonstrating a synergistic inhibitory effect. A series of innovative dual-target inhibitors for DDR1 and EGFR were discovered. These compounds were designed and synthesized using structural optimization strategies based on the lead compound BZF02, employing 4,6-pyrimidine diamine as the core scaffold, followed by an investigation of their biological activities. Among these compounds, D06 was selected and showed micromolar enzymatic potencies against DDR1 and EGFR. Subsequently, compound D06 was observed to inhibit NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion. Demonstrating acceptable pharmacokinetic performance, compound D06 exhibited its anti-tumor activity in NSCLC PC-9/GR xenograft models without apparent toxicity or significant weight loss. These collective results showcase the successful synthesis of a potent dual-targeted inhibitor, suggesting the potential therapeutic efficacy of co-targeting DDR1 and EGFR for DDR1/EGFR-positive NSCLC.

Identifying and Validating an Angiogenesis-related Signature for the Prognosis of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

AIMS: The present study aimed todevelop a prognostic model for HNSCC treatment on the basis of angiogenesis-related signatures. BACKGROUND: Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most frequent malignancy with poor prognostic outcomes in the head and neck. Angiogenesis plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and is expected to be an effective therapeutic target. OBJECTIVE: The RNA-seq dataset TCGA-HNSCC and the hallmark gene set were used for angiogenesis-related RiskScore model construction. METHODS: The RNA-seq data was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and the hallmark gene set was used to measure the angiogenesis score using the GSVA R package. Then, the optimal cutoff point for prognostic classification was calculated by the survminer package, and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify angiogenesis gene modules . Multi/univariable and Lasso Cox analyses were performed to develop the RiskScore model, and the classifier efficiency was evaluated by the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC). Furthermore, a nomogram was designed for survival probability prediction, and the immune infiltration and immunotherapy differences among different risk patients were assessed. RESULTS: After calculating the angiogenesis score, we found that this indicator and patients' prognosis were closely correlated, especially when patients with a high angiogenesis score had a poor prognosis. Then, WGCNA identified a blue gene module positively correlated with angiogenesis. Multivariate and Lasso Cox analysis further identified 9 risk model genes for developing a RiskScore, which was used to divide low- and high- -risk groups of patients. Those with a high risk tended to show poor prognosis, immune infiltration, and higher immune escape. Finally, a nomogram was developed to optimize the risk model, and it exhibited excellent short- and long-term survival prediction performance. CONCLUSION: We constructed a reliable RiskScore model for the prognostic prediction of HNSCC patients, contributing to precise therapeutic intervention of the cancer.

Optic Neuritis in a Pediatric Patient with Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD), also known as histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare, benign, and self-limiting condition characterized by lymph node inflammation. While KFD is rarely associated with ocular manifestations, our case report highlights bilateral optic neuritis in a 13-year-old male patient with KFD. We also provide a comprehensive review of similar cases in the literature.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel benzothiazole derivatives as potential anticancer and antiinflammatory agents.

Introduction: Cancer, a significant global health concern, necessitates innovative treatments. The pivotal role of chronic inflammation in cancer development underscores the urgency for novel therapeutic strategies. Benzothiazole derivatives exhibit promise due to their distinctive structures and broad spectrum of biological effects. This study aims to explore new anti-tumor small molecule drugs that simultaneously anti-inflammatory and anticancer based on the advantages of benzothiazole frameworks. Methods: The compounds were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for structure as well as purity and other related physicochemical properties. The effects of the compounds on the proliferation of human epidermoid carcinoma cell line (A431) and human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1299) were evaluated by MTT method. The effect of compounds on the expression levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in mouse monocyte macrophages (RAW264.7) was assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effect of compounds on apoptosis and cell cycle of A431 and A549 cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The effect of compounds on A431 and A549 cell migration was evaluated by scratch wound healing assay. The effect of compounds on protein expression levels in A431 and A549 cells was assessed by Western Blot assay. The physicochemical parameters, pharmacokinetic properties, toxicity and drug similarity of the active compound were predicted using Swiss ADME and admetSAR web servers. Results: Twenty-five novel benzothiazole compounds were designed and synthesized, with their structures confirmed through spectrogram verification. The active compound 6-chloro-N-(4-nitrobenzyl) benzo[d] thiazol-2-amine (compound B7) was screened through a series of bioactivity assessments, which significantly inhibited the proliferation of A431, A549 and H1299 cancer cells, decreased the activity of IL-6 and TNF-α, and hindered cell migration. In addition, at concentrations of 1, 2, and 4 µM, B7 exhibited apoptosis-promoting and cell cycle-arresting effects similar to those of the lead compound 7-chloro-N-(2, 6-dichlorophenyl) benzo[d] thiazole-2-amine (compound 4i). Western blot analysis confirmed that B7 inhibited both AKT and ERK signaling pathways in A431 and A549 cells. The prediction results of ADMET indicated that B7 had good drug properties. Discussion: This study has innovatively developed a series of benzothiazole derivatives, with a focus on compound B7 due to its notable dual anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. B7 stands out for its ability to significantly reduce cancer cell proliferation in A431, A549, and H1299 cell lines and lower the levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. These results position B7B7 as a promising candidate for dual-action cancer therapy. The study's mechanistic exploration, highlighting B7's simultaneous inhibition of the AKT and ERK pathways, offers a novel strategy for addressing both the survival mechanisms of tumor cells and the inflammatory milieu facilitating cancer progression.

Burkitt's lymphoma in a young boy progressing to systemic lupus erythematosus during follow-up: a case report and literature review.

Introduction: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at a higher risk of developing cancer, particularly hematological malignancies such as lymphoma and leukemia. However, existing studies on this topic that assess cancer incidence following SLE diagnosis are limited. In addition, SLE can be diagnosed after cancer, although such cases in children have been rarely reported. Case report: We present the case of a 2.6-year-old boy who presented to our institute with fever and abdominal pain. His physical examination revealed a periumbilical mass, which was pathologically diagnosed as Burkitt's lymphoma. Autologous stem cell transplantation was performed to consolidate the effect of chemotherapy and reduce the risk of cancer relapse. He was diagnosed with SLE 5 years later, following the presentation of a fever with rash, positive autoantibodies, decreased complement, and kidney involvement. At the final follow-up, the patient was still alive and showed no recurrence of Burkitt's lymphoma or disease activity of SLE. Conclusion: Despite the low frequency of SLE in children with lymphoma, cancer and SLE may be induced by a common mechanism involving B-cell cloning and proliferation. Therefore, hematologists and rheumatologists should be aware of the occurrence of these two conditions during patient follow-up.

AMPK activator 991 specifically activates SnRK1 and thereby affects seed germination in rice.

Sucrose non-fermenting-1-related protein kinase 1 (SnRK1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are highly conserved. Compound 991 is an AMPK activator in mammals. However, whether 991 also activates SnRK1 remains unknown. The addition of 991 significantly increased SnRK1 activity in desalted extracts from germinating rice seeds in vitro. To determine whether 991 has biological activity, rice seeds were treated with different concentrations of 991. Germination was promoted at low concentrations but inhibited at high concentrations. The effects of 991 on germination were similar to those of OsSnRK1a overexpression. To explore whether 991 affects germination by specifically affecting SnRK1, germination of an snrk1a mutant and the wild type under 1 µM 991 treatment was compared. The snrk1a mutant was insensitive to 991. Phosphoproteomic analysis showed that the differential phosphopeptides induced by 991 and OsSnRK1a overexpression largely overlapped. Furthermore, SnRK1 might regulate rice germination in a dosage-dependent manner by regulating the phosphorylation of three phosphosites, namely S285-PIP2;4, S1013-SOS1, and S110-ABI5. These results indicate that 991 is a specific SnRK1 activator in rice. The promotion and inhibition of germination by 991 also occurred in wheat seeds. Thus, 991 is useful for exploring SnRK1 function and the chemical regulation of growth and development in crops.

[Ecosystem CO2 Exchange and Its Environmental Regulation of a Restored Wetland in the Liaohe River Estuary].

Coastal wetlands are important carbon sinks， and they contribute to reducing the effects of global warming. This study used the eddy covariance method to detect the CO2 flux in the restoration wetland of the Liaohe River estuary in 2021 and investigate the characteristics of ecosystem CO2 exchange and its environmental control factors. The aim was to assess the carbon source/sink capacity of salt marshes in the restored area and to provide data support and theoretical basis for evaluating the effectiveness of ecological restoration projects. The study revealed "U" curves in spring and autumn， "V" curves in summer， and horizontal lines in winter for the average daily variation curve of net ecosystem CO2 exchange （NEE） in the restored area. Its carbon sink efficiencies were -40.06， -63.62， 2.33， and 34.43 g·m-2 in the spring， summer， autumn， and winter， respectively. In the restored area， the daily cumulative variation in NEE was "V" shaped， and the monthly cumulative changes in NEE， ecosystem respiration （Reco）， and gross primary productivity （GPP） were obviously different. Photosynthetically active radiation （PAR） was an important regulation factor of daytime NEE in the restored area in 2021， and they displayed a rectangular hyperbolic relationship. PAR could explain 53% of the variation in the daytime NEE. Air temperature （Ta） was the main control factor of Reco，night， and there was an exponential relationship between them. When Ta < 5.5 ℃， the temperature sensitivity of ecosystem respiration （Q10） was 2.19， and Ta could explain 42% of the variation in the Reco，night； when Ta ≥ 5.5 ℃， the Q10 was 1.81， and Ta could explain 51% of the variation in the Reco，night. Additionally， there were significant linear negative correlations between NEE and both soil water content （SWC） and vapor pressure deficit （VPD）， whereas NEE was not significantly correlated with soil temperature （Ts） or relative humidity （RH）. In 2021， the restored wetland in the Liaohe River estuary acted as a CO2 sink， and the total net carbon sequestration was -66.89 g·m-2. The restored salt plays a role as an important carbon sink and has long-term carbon sequestration potential.

Libman-Sacks endocarditis in a child with systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report and literature review.

Libman-Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a cardiac condition characterized by the growth of verrucous vegetation. Although relatively rare in children, LSE is nevertheless a known cardiac manifestation of autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The mitral valve is the most commonly affected region, followed by the aortic valve, while the tricuspid and pulmonary valves are rarely affected. The management of established Libman-Sacks vegetation poses significant challenges, often necessitating surgical interventions, although surgery is not the primary treatment modality. Herein, we present the case of a 14-year-old Chinese female patient whose initial lupus manifestation included LSE, among other symptoms and signs that provided insights into the final diagnosis of SLE. After early comprehensive pharmacological treatment, tricuspid regurgitation and vegetation disappeared within 28 days without necessitating cardiac surgery, indicating that the resolution of LSE vegetation in this patient was achieved through a combination of immunosuppressive and anticoagulant therapy. These findings suggest the potential of this treatment approach as a viable model for the management of LSE in young patients.

Prevalence of antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in cystic fibrosis infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a hereditary recessive disease that affects the mucous clearance of the lungs and allows bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus to settle in the lung and cause infection. This study examined the prevalence of antibiotic resistance of S. aureus in cystic fibrosis infection using a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive and systematic search of related articles was conducted through the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases until March 2022. The weighted pooled resistance rate of antibiotics was analysed with Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation in the Stata software version 17.1 using the Metaprop command. RESULTS: In this meta-analysis, 25 studies were used based on criteria to evaluate the pattern of S. aureus resistance in CF. Vancomycin and teicoplanin were the most effective options for treatment of CF patients; the highest level of antibiotic resistance observed was to erythromycin and clindamycin. CONCLUSION: High levels of resistance to most of the antibiotics studied was observed. The high levels of antibiotic resistance observed are worrisome and indicate the need to monitor antibiotic use.

Clinical pharmacists' involvement in carbapenem antibiotics management at Wenzhou Integrated Hospital.

BACKGROUND: Carbapenem antibiotics are a pivotal solution for severe infections, particularly in hospital settings. The emergence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria owing to the irrational and extensive use of carbapenems underscores the need for meticulous management and rational use. Clinical pharmacists, with their specialized training and extensive knowledge, play a substantial role in ensuring the judicious use of carbapenem. This study aimed to elucidate the patterns of carbapenem use and shed light on the integral role played by clinical pharmacists in managing and promoting the rational use of carbapenem antibiotics at Wenzhou Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital. AIM: To analyze carbapenem use patterns in our hospital and role of clinical pharmacists in managing and promoting their rational use. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of carbapenem use at our hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. Several key indicators, including the drug utilization index, defined daily doses (DDDs), proportion of antimicrobial drug costs to total hospitalization expenses, antibiotic utilization density, and utilization rates in different clinical departments were comprehensively analyzed. RESULTS: Between 2019 and 2021, there was a consistent decline in the consumption and sales of imipenem-cilastatin sodium, meropenem (0.3 g), and meropenem (0.5 g). Conversely, the DDDs of imipenem-cilastatin sodium for injection increased in 2020 and 2021 vs 2019, with a B/A value of 0.67, indicating a relatively higher drug cost. The DDDs of meropenem for injection (0.3 g) exhibited an overall upward trend, indicating an increasing clinical preference. However, the B/A values for 2020 and 2021 were both > 1, suggesting a relatively lower drug cost. The DDDs of meropenem for injection (0.5 g) demonstrated a progressive increase annually and consistently ranked first, indicating a high clinical preference with a B/A value of 1, signifying good alignment between economic and social benefits. CONCLUSION: Carbapenem use in our hospital was generally reasonable with a downward trend in consumption and sales over time. Clinical pharmacists play a pivotal role in promoting appropriate use of carbapenems.

Intestinal Ultrasound Combined with Blood Inflammatory Markers Is a More Efficient Tool in Evaluating Severity of Crohn's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background and Aims: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is considered a nonirradiating, noninvasive, well-tolerated, and valuable tool for objectively assessing Crohn's disease (CD) activity. However, there is no widely accepted intestinal ultrasound scoring system. This study is aimed at evaluating the efficacy of IUS key parameters, the International Bowel Ultrasound Activity Score (IBUS-SAS), and IBUS-SAS combined with blood inflammatory markers in assessing CD activity. Methods: 40 CD patients were reviewed in this retrospective study and were divided into the moderate-severe group (n = 25) and nonmoderate-severe group (n = 15) based on a simplified endoscopic score of Crohn's disease (SES-CD). Double-balloon enteroscopy/colonoscopy were reviewed by three gastroenterologists. A transabdominal ultrasound was performed by two ultrasound specialists. Blood inflammatory markers were measured from morning samples. Results: In evaluating moderate to severe CD patients, (1) IBUS-SAS had a good predictive effect with an area-under-the-curve (AUC) of 0.855 (P < 0.001); (2) IUS key parameters (including BWT, CDS, BWS, and I-fat) yielded good predictive effects with AUC of 0.811, 0.731, 0.724, and 0.747, respectively (P < 0.001); (3) blood inflammatory markers (including ESR, CRP, PLR, MLR, and NLR) also had good predictive effects with AUC of 0.771, 0.837, 0.728, 0.743, and 0.775, respectively (P < 0.001); (4) IBUS-SAS combined with ESR and CRP exerted the best predictive effect with the highest AUC of 0.912 (95% CI: 0.823-1.000), and the sensitivity and specificity were 88.0% and 80.0%, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: IBUS-SAS combined with ESR and CRP is a more efficient tool than IBUS-SAS alone or inflammatory markers alone in evaluating CD patients with moderate to severe disease activity.

Contrasting effects of temperature and biological processes on aragonite saturation state at the A4HDYD station in the North Yellow Sea.

To explore the effects of seawater temperature and biological processes on aragonite saturation state (Ωarag), eight field surveys were conducted from December 2014 to November 2015 at A4HDYD station in the North Yellow Sea (NYS). Low regional yearly initial values of seawater Ωarag (1.26-1.76) were obtained in winter due to low seawater temperature. During spring to early autumn, surface-water Ωarag increased from 2.02 to 3.47 for the increasing seawater temperature and biological production, whereas bottom-water Ωarag remained as low as 1.44-1.79 due to low seawater temperature, net community respiration and the influence of the North Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (NYSCWM). Following the collapse of stratification in late autumn, the seawater was well-mixed with an average Ωarag of 2.17. The annual cycle of seawater temperature dominated the seasonal variations of Ωarag, counteracted by biological production increasing Ωarag of 0.49 in surface water in March and strengthened by net community respiration decreasing Ωarag of 0.11-0.41 below the pycnocline during summer and autumn. It is, therefore, mid-to-high latitude coastal areas impacted by human activities are likely subject to ocean acidification due to the combined effects of low seawater temperature and net community respiration.

Association of ultraprocessed foods consumption and cognitive function among children aged 4-7 years: a cross-sectional data analysis.

Background: Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption has shown associations with cognitive function in preschool children, but effects of other ultraprocessed foods consumption are rarely discussed in China. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between ultraprocessed food consumption and cognitive function among preschool children in China. Methods: A total of 325 children aged 4-7 years were included from Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Face-to-face interviews with parents using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was conducted to investigate the status of seven ultraprocessed foods consumption (i.e., chocolate, biscuits, candy, fast-food, ice cream, SSBs, and sweet bakery products). The mandarin-language version of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI, Fourth Edition) was applied to assess the cognitive function of children. Multiple linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between ultraprocessed food consumption and the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and different domains and risk of cognitive deficit, respectively. Results: We found that frequent consumption of candy (ß = -3.34, 95% CI: -5.62∼-1.06; p = 0.004) and sweet bakery products (ß = -2.77, 95% CI: -5.58∼0.04; p = 0.054) were significant associated with decreased FSIQ scores in the linear regression models. However, only frequent consumption of candy was statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of cognitive deficit (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.11∼3.79; p = 0.023) in the logistic regression models. For the different domains, we found frequent consumption of candy (ß = -3.85, 95% CI: -6.28∼-1.43; p = 0.002) and sweet bakery products (ß = -3.48, 95% CI: -6.47∼-0.49; p = 0.023) was also significantly associated with lower Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI). When combining the seven ultraprocessed foods, we found children who frequently consumed more than two kinds of ultraprocessed foods had a significant decrease of VCI scores (ß = -2.66; 95% CI: -5.12∼-0.19; p = 0.035) too. Conclusion: Our results suggested that frequent consumption of individual (candy and sweet bakery products) and multiple ultraprocessed foods may decrease VCI scores and thereby impact cognitive function in children aged 4-7 years.