Effects of groundwater depth on groundwater recharge and soybean growth dynamics in Northeast China Plain.

To explore the groundwater recharge rate and soybean growth dynamics under different groundwater depths, we conducted a field experiment with four groundwater depth treatments (1 m, D1; 2 m, D2; 3 m, D3; 4 m, D4) through the groundwater simulation system in 2021 and 2022 and explored the relationships between groundwater depth and groundwater recharge, irrigation, growth dynamics of soybean plants, and yield. We used the Logistic regression model to simulate the dynamics of soybean growth indices, including plant height, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation. The results showed that compared with D1 treatment, the amount of groundwater recharge under D2, D3, and D4 treatments decreased by 81.1%, 96.8%, 97.5% and 80.7%, 96.7%, 97.3% in the two years, respectively. The groundwater in D1 treatment could meet water needs of soybean throughout the whole growth period, except that irrigation was needed in the sowing stage. The amount of irrigation under D1 treatment was decreased by 91.7%, 93.0%, 94.2%, and 90.9%, 92.9%, 94.0% in the two years, respectively, compared with D2, D3, D4 treatments. Among the four treatments, D1 treatment took the shortest time for entering the rapid growth stage and reach the maximum growth rate, which had the highest maximum growth rate. At the mature stage of soybean, the dry matter distribution ratio of stem in D1 treatment was the highest. D1 treatment promoted the translocation of post-flowering assimilates in soybean, and its post-flowering assimilate contribution to seeds increased by 15.5%, 16.2%, 32.6% and 45.5%, 48.7%, 63.3% in the two years, respectively, compared with D2, D3, D4 treatments. D1 treatment had the highest plant height, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation, follo-wed by D4 treatment, while D3 treatment had the lowest. Soybean yield, number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant, and 100-grain weight all decreased and then increased with increasing groundwater depth, following an order of D1>D4>D2>D3. Soybean yield was significantly positively correlated with groundwater recharge, which was positively correlated with plant height, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation. Our results indicated that the D1 treatment with adequate groundwater recharge increased plant height, leaf area index, and dry matter accumulation, coordinated the distribution and translocation of dry matter among all plant parts in the late soybean growth period, and ultimately achieved the highest yield. When groundwater depth was deep (D4), groundwater recharge was small. In such case, the growth and development status and yield of soybean could also reach a high level if there was sufficient water supply.

Fetal mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver: A case report and literature review.

This paper reports the diagnosis and treatment process of a case of fetal mesenchymal hamartoma of the liver (MHL), and reviews the previous literature reports. At 38+2 weeks of gestation, prenatal ultrasound found a well bound mixed solid and cystic mass, which was located at the lower edge of the right lobe of the liver and in front of the right kidney of the fetus, but the source and nature of the mass were not clear by ultrasound. Due to the approaching due date, the fetus showed no other abnormal symptoms, and no special treatment was given with the consent of the family members. A female fetus was delivered weighing 3,520 g at 39 weeks. An exploratory laparotomy was performed on the eighth day after delivery. During the operation, it was found that the tumor originated from the fifth, sixth and seventh hepatic segment and the corresponding hepatic segments were removed. Recovery was uneventful and the infant was discharged on the 6th day after surgery. Follow-up at 2 years showed a thriving young girl, and there was no tumor recurrence.

Dry Matter Accumulation in Maize in Response to Film Mulching and Plant Density in Northeast China.

Film mulching in combination with high plant density (PD) is a common agronomic technique in rainfed maize (Zea mays L.) production. However, the effects of combining colored plastic film mulching and PD on dry matter accumulation (DMA) dynamics and yield of spring maize have not been thoroughly elucidated to date. Thus, a 2-year field experiment was conducted with three mulching treatments (no mulching (M0), transparent plastic film mulching (M1), and black plastic film mulching (M2)) and five plant densities (60,000 (D1), 67,500 (D2), 75,000 (D3), 82,500 (D4), and 90,000 plants ha-1 (D5)). A logistic equation was used to simulate the DMA process of spring maize by taking the effective accumulated air temperature compensated by effective accumulated soil temperature as the independent variable. The results showed that compared with M0 treatment, the growth period of M1 and M2 treatments was preceded by 10 and 4 days in 2016, and 10 and 7 days in 2017, respectively. The corrected logistic equation performed well in the characterization of maize DMA process with its characteristic parameter (final DMA, a; maximum growth rate of DMA, GRmax; effective accumulated temperature under maximum growth rate of DMA, xinf; effective accumulated temperature when maize stops growing, xmax; effective accumulated temperature when maize enters the fast-growing period, x1). Plastic film color mainly affected DMA by influencing xinf. PD mainly affected DMA by affecting GRmax and x1. During the first slow growing period, the DMA of M1 treatment was the largest among the three mulching treatments, however, during the fast growing period, the DMA of M2 treatment accelerated and exceeded that of M1 treatment, resulting in the largest final DMA(a) and yield. When the PD was increased from D1 to D4, the maximum growth rate (GRmax) continued to increase, and the effective accumulated temperature when maize enters the fast growing period (x1) continued to decrease, which substantially increased the final DMA(a) and yield. The application of M2D4 treatment can harmonize the relevant factors to improve the DMA and yield of spring maize in rainfed regions of Northeast China.

The Roles of Neuropilin 2/VEGF-C Axis in a Series of Recurrent Lymphangioma.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor act as a major contributor to lymphangioma, but their role on nonrecurrent and recurrent lymphangiomas remain unclear. We aim to investigate those factors in the generation of recurrent lymphangioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with lymphangioma from January 2005 to December 2012 in our hospital were collected and divided into nonrecurrent and recurrent lymphangiomas. The clinical characteristics including age, sex, symptoms, location, and size of lymphangioma were collected. Surgical resection samples were collected for histology, protein and mRNA detection of VEGF-C, VEGF receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), and neuropilin 2 (Nrp2). Follow-ups including lymphangioma recurrent and the local symptoms such as ulcer were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 80 patients aged from 5 months to 12 years were enrolled in this study, 51 patients had no recurrence and other 29 patients suffered from recurrent lymphangioma. There was no significant difference in demographic data and clinical characters between the two groups (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemistry staining showed that VEGFR-3 remained unchanged between nonrecurrent and recurrent lymphangiomas (p > 0.05), and VEGF-C and Nrp2 were significantly increased in recurrent lymphangioma compared with nonrecurrent lymphangioma (p < 0.05). The same expression trend was proved as detected by protein and mRNA levels. CONCLUSION: The VEGF-C/Nrp2 axis was significantly increased in the recurrent lymphangioma, indicating that VEGF-C/Nrp2 targeted therapy may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for recurrent lymphangioma.

Serum substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide levels in infants with acute intussusception.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the role of the intestinal neurotransmitters vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and substance P (SP) at different time points in infants with acute intussusception. METHODS: Thirty patients who were diagnosed with acute intussusception were enrolled in the study and classified as the experimental group. Another 30 patients with an indirect inguinal hernia who had no intestinal injury were included as the control group. Serum SP and VIP levels at different time points, including pre- and postoperation, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Serum SP levels in patients with acute intussusception were significantly higher than those in controls. However, with recovery of acute intussusception, SP levels gradually decreased after treatment. Serum VIP levels in patients with acute intussusception were significantly lower than those in controls. However, with recovery of acute intussusception, VIP levels gradually increased after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: SP and VIP levels may have a potential relationship with the pathogenetic process of intussusception.

Gastroduodenal perforation in the pediatric population: a retrospective analysis of 20 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis, symptoms and individualized surgical management in pediatrics with gastroduodenal perforation (GDP). METHODS: Patients diagnosed with GDP from January 2013 to December 2016 in our hospital were collected and divided into gastric perforation (GP) group and duodenal perforation (DP) group. Demographics, clinical events, etiological factors, symptoms, the time from symptom onset to operation, intraoperative findings and surgical procedures were analyzed. Follow-ups including ulcer, perforations occurrence, and digestive symptoms were carried out by out-patient review or telephones. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients aged from 3 months to 14 years were enrolled in this study. The average age, main clinical presentations, size of perforations and operating time between two groups had no difference. The male to female ratio in DP group was higher than GP (P < 0.05). The high risk factor for DP was the use of dexamethasone, and for GP was HP infection. The most common site of perforation in DP group was duodenal bulb, and in GP group was pylorus area. Simple suture is the main management for both DP and GP, but distal gastrectomy combined with gastrojejunal Roux-en-Y anastomosis may be an alternative procedure for large perforation with diameter > 2 cm. The length of hospital days in GP group is shorter than DP group (P < 0.05). For follow-up, no patients had digestive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The general condition had no difference between GP and DP patients. But the risk factors and surgical repair differ depending on the patient's fundamental illness and the complexity of the perforation.