Obtaining soil heavy metal content characteristics and spatial distribution is crucial for preventing soil pollution and formulating environmental protection policies. We collected 304 surface soil samples (0-20 cm) in the Changqing district. At the same time, the spectral, temporal, and spatial features of soil heavy metals were derived from multi-remote sensing data; the temporal-spatial-spectral features closely related to soil heavy metals were selected via correlation analysis and used as input independent variables. The measured soil arsenic (As) content was used as the dependent variable to establish a spatial prediction model based on the random forest (RF) algorithm. The results showed the following:the As content in the soils exceeded the background value by 43.17% but did not exceed the risk screening values and intervention values, indicating slight heavy metal pollution in the soil. The accuracy ranking of the spatial prediction models with one feature type from high to low was spatial features (ratio of performance to inter-quartile range (RPIQ)=3.87)>temporal features (RPIQ=2.57)>spectral features (RPIQ=2.50). The spatial features were the most informative for predicting soil heavy metals. The models using temporal-spatial, temporal-spectral, and spatial-spectral features were superior to those using only one feature type, and the RPIQ values were 4.81, 4.21, and 4.70, respectively. The RF model with temporal-spatial-spectral features achieved the highest spatial prediction accuracy (R2=0.90; root mean square error (RMSE)=0.77; RPIQ=5.68). The As content decreased from the northwest to the southeast due to Yellow River erosion and industrial activities. The spatial prediction of soil heavy metals incorporating remote sensing temporal-spatial-spectral features and the random forest model provides effective support for soil pollution prevention and environmental risk control.
Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is an independent risk factor of major adverse cardiovascular events; however, the impact of CAC on in-hospital death and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains unclear. Objective: To explore the association between CAC and in-hospital mortality and adverse events in patients with COVID-19. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study enrolled 2067 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients with definitive clinical outcomes (death or discharge) admitted from 22 tertiary hospitals in China between January 3, 2020 and April 2, 2020. Demographic, clinical, laboratory results, chest CT findings, and CAC on admission were collected. The primary outcome was in-hospital death and the secondary outcome was composed of in-hospital death, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), and requiring mechanical ventilation. Multivariable Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier plots were used to explore the association between CAC and in-hospital death and adverse clinical outcomes. Results: The mean age was 50 years (SD,16) and 1097 (53.1%) were male. A total of 177 patients showed high CAC level, and compared with patients with low CAC, these patients were older (mean age: 49 vs. 69 years, P < 0.001) and more likely to be male (52.0% vs. 65.0%, P = 0.001). Comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) ([33.3%, 59/177] vs. [4.7%, 89/1890], P < 0.001), presented more often among patients with high CAC, compared with patients with low CAC. As for laboratory results, patients with high CAC had higher rates of increased D-dimer, LDH, as well as CK-MB (all P < 0.05). The mean CT severity score in high CAC group was also higher than low CAC group (12.6 vs. 11.1, P = 0.005). In multivariable Cox regression model, patients with high CAC were at a higher risk of in-hospital death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.731; 95% CI 1.010-2.971, P = 0.046) and adverse clinical outcomes (HR, 1.611; 95% CL 1.087-2.387, P = 0.018). Conclusion: High CAC is a risk factor associated with in-hospital death and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with confirmed COVID-19, which highlights the importance of calcium load testing for hospitalized COVID-19 patients and calls for attention to patients with high CAC. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42058-021-00072-4.
In the context of global warming, the increases of temperature may affect tree growth and thus disturb ecosystem balance. In this study, we explored the main limiting factors for radial growth of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica and Larix gmelinii in the Mohe area of Greater Khingan Mountains by using growth-climate response function analysis and moving correlation analysis, as well as the interspecific difference of the responses of radial growth to rapid warming. The results showed that the radial growth of P. sylvestris var. mongolica and L. gmelinii was affected by both temperature and precipitation. P. sylvestris var. mongolica was more sensitive to climate change than L. gmelinii, and its sensitivity to climate factors was more stable than L. gmelinii. The radial growth of P. sylvestris var. mongolica was significantly positively correlated with the monthly mean temperature and the monthly mean minimum temperature of the growing season, while that of L. gmelinii was significantly positively correlated with the monthly mean temperature and the monthly mean maximum temperature of winter. Precipitation in winter promoted the growth of P. sylvestris var. mongolica, whereas precipitation in the late growing season of the previous year inhibited the radial growth of L. gmelinii. After the rapid warming in 1990, the limiting effect of precipitation on P. sylvestris var. mongolica changed from negative to significantly positive, with the inhibition effect of high temperature being greater than the promotion effect. The inhibitory effect of high temperature on L. gmelinii was enhanced, and the limiting effect of precipitation on L. gmelinii was also enhanced after heating up. The growth rate decreased significantly, with obvious difference being observed in the correlations between the growth rate of two species with temperature and precipitation. Our results could provide scientific basis for forest ecosystem management and protection in Greater Khingan Mountains.
Larix , Pinus sylvestris , Pinus , China , Climate Change , Ecosystem , Forests , Trees
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, has been declared a public health emergency of international concern and a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The Chinese government has temporarily taken strong response measures and effective procedures to stop the further expansion and development of the epidemic. It is important for clinicians to screen, diagnose, and monitor COVID-19.
The present study aimed to evaluate the value of serum amyloid A (SAA) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and compared the efficacy of SAA and C-reactive protein (CRP) in predicting the severity and recovery of COVID-19. A retrospective study was conducted on COVID-19 patients hospitalized in Wuhan No. 1 Hospital (Hubei, China) from January 21, 2020 to March 4, 2020. A two-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare the serum CRP and SAA levels between mild group and severe group during hospitalization days. Linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between the serum CRP, SAA levels and treatment days in recovered patients. The Logistic regression analysis and the area under curve (AUC) were calculated to determine the probability for predicting the severity and recovery of COVID-19. The severe group displayed higher CRP and SAA levels compared with the mild group during hospitalization (P<0.001). Logistic regression indicated that SAA and CRP were independent risk factors for the severity of COVID-19. The corresponding AUC of CRP and SAA values for severity of COVID-19 were 0.804 and 0.818, respectively. Linear regression analysis revealed that CRP and SAA levels were negatively correlated with treatment days in recovered patients (r=-0.761, -0.795, respectively). Logistic regression demonstrated that SAA was an independent factor for predicting the recovery of COVID-19. However, CRP could not predict the recovery of COVID-19. The corresponding AUC of SAA for the recovery of COVID-19 was 0.923. The results of the present study indicated that SAA can be considered to be a biomarker for predicting the severity and recovery of COVID-19.
The present study was designed to determine whether EA stimulates remodeling of extracellular matrix by inhibiting apoptosis in degenerated disc. 40 rabbits were randomly assigned to one of the four groups. Animal model was established by a loading device. Magnetic resonance imaging and Pfirrmann's classification were obtained to evaluate both the model and the EA treatment on disc degeneration. The ultrastructure of discs was observed by TEM. Apoptosis involvement was determined with TUNEL staining and western blot for the protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2. The results indicated that EA intervention decreased the MRI grades. TEM analysis showed an apparent remodeling and rearrangement of disc ECM after EA intervention for 28 days. The number of TUNEL-positive cells in the EA group was significantly lower than that in the compression group. The protein expression demonstrated an antiapoptosis effect mediated by EA. Increased expression of Bcl-2 proteins and reduced Bax protein expression were detected after 28 days treatment. It was concluded that antiapoptosis pathway probably participates in the mechanism of EA stimulating the remodeling of ECM in disc degeneration.
The present study was aimed at determining if the electroacupuncture (EA) is able to protect degenerated disc in vivo. New Zealand white rabbits (n = 40) were used for the study. The rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups. EA intervention was applied to one of the four groups. Magnetic resonance imaging and Pfirrmann's classification were obtained for each group to evaluate EA treatment on the intervertebral disc degeneration. Discs were analyzed using immunofluorescence for the labeling of collagens 1 and 2, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). For protein expression analysis, western blot was used for biglycan and decorin. Outcomes indicated that EA intervention decreased the grades compared with the compressed disc. Immunofluorescence analysis showed a significant increase of collagens 1 and 2, TIMP-1, and BMP-2 positive cells, in contrast to MMP-13 after EA treatment for 28 days. The protein expression showed a sign of regeneration that decorin and biglycan were upregulated. It was concluded that EA contributed to the extracellular matrix (ECM) anabolic processes and increased the ECM components. MMPs and their inhibitors involved in the mechanism of EA intervention on ECM decreased disc. It kept a dynamic balance between ECM synthesis and degradation.
OBJECTIVE: To introduce the experiences of applying MR to diagnose the imaging characters in chronic injury of the elbows in athletes. METHODS: From September 2005 to May 2008, 40 elbows of 34 athletes, included 21 males and 13 females,aged from 6 to 16 years old, averaged (12.3 +/- 3.1) years were taken axial, saggital and coronal planes MR Imaging. RESULTS: Magnetic resonance imaging showed thickening and effusion of olecranon synovial plicaes, bone marrow edema of lower humeral ossification, radial head, olecranon, ulna coronoid, ulnar collateral ligament trauma in chronic injury of the elbow joint. CONCLUSION: MRI is a susceptible method for the diagnoses of chronic injury of the elbow.
Athletic Injuries/pathology , Elbow Injuries , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Adolescent , Child , Chronic Disease , Female , Humans , Male
