Paraganglioma of the Neck: A Rare Case With Spinal Metastasis.

Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that arise from the paraganglia, which are clusters of neuroendocrine cells associated with the autonomic nervous system. These tumors are commonly found in the adrenal medulla but can also occur in other locations outside the adrenal gland. Here, we present a case report of a slow-growing paraganglioma in the left neck with spinal metastasis in a 60-year-old man. This case highlights the importance of considering paraganglion tumors in the differential diagnosis of neck masses and the need for early diagnosis and management to prevent potential complications. Importantly, both the clinical picture and anatomical location of these tumors is important when determining treatment plans.

Combining features selection strategy and features fusion strategy for SPAD estimation of winter wheat based on UAV multispectral imagery.

The Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) is a vital index for evaluating crop nutritional status and serves as an essential parameter characterizing the reproductive growth status of winter wheat. Non-destructive and accurate monitorin3g of winter wheat SPAD plays a crucial role in guiding precise management of crop nutrition. In recent years, the spectral saturation problem occurring in the later stage of crop growth has become a major factor restricting the accuracy of SPAD estimation. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to use features selection strategy to optimize sensitive remote sensing information, combined with features fusion strategy to integrate multiple characteristic features, in order to improve the accuracy of estimating wheat SPAD. This study conducted field experiments of winter wheat with different varieties and nitrogen treatments, utilized UAV multispectral sensors to obtain canopy images of winter wheat during the heading, flowering, and late filling stages, extracted spectral features and texture features from multispectral images, and employed features selection strategy (Boruta and Recursive Feature Elimination) to prioritize sensitive remote sensing features. The features fusion strategy and the Support Vector Machine Regression algorithm are applied to construct the SPAD estimation model for winter wheat. The results showed that the spectral features of NIR band combined with other bands can fully capture the spectral differences of winter wheat SPAD during the reproductive growth stage, and texture features of the red and NIR band are more sensitive to SPAD. During the heading, flowering, and late filling stages, the stability and estimation accuracy of the SPAD model constructed using both features selection strategy and features fusion strategy are superior to models using only a single feature strategy or no strategy. The enhancement of model accuracy by this method becomes more significant, with the greatest improvement observed during the late filling stage, with R2 increasing by 0.092-0.202, root mean squared error (RMSE) decreasing by 0.076-4.916, and ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) increasing by 0.237-0.960. In conclusion, this method has excellent application potential in estimating SPAD during the later stages of crop growth, providing theoretical basis and technical support for precision nutrient management of field crops.

Community Structure and Water Quality Assessment of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Hongze Lake.

This study investigated the species, density, biomass and physicochemical factors of benthic macroinvertebrates in Hongze Lake from 2016 to 2020. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to analyze the relationship between physicochemical parameters and the community structure of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrate-based indices were used to evaluate the water quality conditions in Hongze Lake. The results showed that a total of 50 benthic species (10 annelids, 21 arthropods and 19 mollusks) were collected. The community structure of benthic macroinvertebrates varied in time and space. The dominant species were Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri (L.hoffmeisteri), Corbicula fluminea (C.fluminea), Nephtys oligobranchia (N.oligobranchia). In 2016, arthropods such as Grandidierella sp. were the dominant species of benthos in Hongze Lake while annelids and mollusks dominated from 2017 to 2020, such as L.hoffmeisteri, N.oligobranchia, C.fluminea. The benthic fauna of Chengzi Lake and Lihewa District were relatively abundant and showed slight variation, while the benthic macroinvertebrates of the Crossing the water area were few and varied greatly. RDA showed that changes in benthic macroinvertebrate structure were significantly correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO), Pondus Hydrogenii (pH) and transparency (SD). The Shannon Wiener, Pielou, and Margalef indices indicate that Hongze Lake is currently in a moderately polluted state. Future studies should focus on the combined effects of various physicochemical indicators and other environmental factors on benthic communities.

Physiological and molecular mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of artemisinin on Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

Artemisinin, a novel plant allelochemical, has attracted attention for its potential selective inhibitory effects on algae, yet to be fully explored. This study compares the sensitivity and action targets of Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) and Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa) to artemisinin algaecide (AMA), highlighting their differences. Results indicate that at high concentrations, AMA displaces the natural PQ at the QB binding site within M. aeruginosa photosynthetic system, impairing the D1 protein repair function. Furthermore, AMA disrupts electron transfer from reduced ferredoxin (Fd) to NADP+ by interfering with the iron-sulfur clusters in the ferredoxin-NADP+ reductases (FNR) domain of Fd. Moreover, significant reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation triggers oxidative stress and interrupts the tricarboxylic acid cycle, hindering energy acquisition. Notably, AMA suppresses arginine synthesis in M. aeruginosa, leading to reduced microcystins (MCs) release. Conversely, C. pyrenoidosa counters ROS accumulation via photosynthesis protection, antioxidant defenses, and by regulating intracellular osmotic pressure, accelerating damaged protein degradation, and effectively repairing DNA for cellular detoxification. Additionally, AMA stimulates the expression of DNA replication-related genes, facilitating cell proliferation. Our finding offer a unique approach for selectively eradicating cyanobacteria while preserving beneficial algae, and shed new light on employing eco-friendly algicides with high specificity.

Pembrolizumab-Induced Myasthenia Gravis and Peripheral Neuropathy: A Case Series.

Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor on T-cells, thereby enhancing the antitumor immune response. Pembrolizumab has been shown to improve survival in various cancers, but it can also cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which can affect any organ system. We report two cases of rare but serious irAEs caused by pembrolizumab: myasthenia gravis (MG) and peripheral neuropathy. Both patients presented with neuromuscular symptoms after receiving pembrolizumab for their advanced cancers. They were diagnosed with MG and peripheral neuropathy based on their clinical features, laboratory tests, and unremarkable imaging. Treatment involved discontinuing pembrolizumab and initiating immunosuppressive and supportive therapies. Both patients experienced improvement in their symptoms and quality of life once pembrolizumab was permanently discontinued and supportive therapies were in place. These cases highlight the importance of recognizing and managing rare irAEs of pembrolizumab, such as MG and peripheral neuropathy. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and reduce morbidity. Furthermore, these cases emphasize the need for continued post-marketing surveillance to accurately assess the risk of less frequent adverse drug reactions seen in patients on pembrolizumab. Knowledge of these adverse reactions is important when discussing the pros and cons of this novel therapy with patients.

Impacts of Partial Substitution of Chemical Fertilizer with Organic Fertilizer on Soil Organic Carbon Composition, Enzyme Activity, and Grain Yield in Wheat-Maize Rotation.

This study explored the effect of the long-term partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer on soil organic carbon composition, enzyme activity, and crop yields in the wheat-maize rotation area of northern Anhui, China. This study also specified the proper amount of organic fertilizer replacement that should be used for chemical fertilizer. Different fertilization modes were used (no fertilization, CK; chemical fertilizer, CF; chemical fertilizer and straw returning, CF + S; chemical fertilizer, straw returning, and straw decomposition agent, CF + S + DA; 70% chemical fertilizer and 50% organic fertilizer, 70% CF + 50% OF; 70% chemical fertilizer, 50% organic fertilizer and straw returning, 70% CF + 50% OF + S; 50% chemical fertilizer and 100% organic fertilizer, 50% CF + 100% OF; and 50% chemical fertilizer, 100% organic fertilizer, and straw returning, 50% CF + 100% OF + S). Variations in the organic carbon composition, enzyme activity, soil pH, and crop yields in the wheat-maize rotation under different fertilization treatments were analyzed. The results showed that the replacement of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer results in improved crop yields in wheat-maize rotation. The long-term partial replacement of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer can increase the quality of soil humus, alleviate soil acidification, and improve soil enzyme activity. Straw returning and organic fertilizer application can considerably raise the activities of urease, acid phosphatase, and nitrate reductase in soil. The soil pH of the CF treatment was reduced compared to the CK treatment, while organic fertilizer application alleviated soil acidification when compared to CF treatment. Organic fertilization increases the total organic carbon content of the soil, which was 19.6~85.5% higher than in the CK treatment. Applying straw and organic fertilizer significantly increased the ratio of the humic/fulvic acid in the soil. The soil active carbon forms of the soil with the application of organic fertilizer and straw returning were significantly higher than those of the CK and CF treatments. This study suggests that the optimal fertilizer management option in northern Anhui's wheat-maize rotation area is to replace 50% of the chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer, and to fully return straw to the field. This would include 150 kg N h·m-2, 60 kg P2O5 h·m-2, 50 kg K2O h·m-2, 6000 kg organic fertilizer h·m-2, and full straw return to the field.

Solitary Plasmacytoma of the Breast: A Case of an Uncommon Breast Neoplasm.

Plasmacytoma is a rare cancer that originates from a single plasma cell and is characterized by the abnormal proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells. It is typically localized in a single area of the body, most commonly in the bone or soft tissue. Solitary plasmacytoma can be further classified as either solitary plasmacytoma of bone (SPB) or solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP or EMP). Diagnosis may be delayed in symptomatically silent plasmacytomas, but early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for the management of this disease. The mean age for patients with plasmacytoma varies depending on the specific type of plasmacytoma, but generally, it is more common in older adults. Soft tissue plasmacytomas are uncommon, and plasmacytomas manifesting within the breast are extremely rare, especially when they are not a manifestation of multiple myeloma (MM). This report presents a case of SEP of the breast in a 79-year-old female patient. This rare disease needs to be studied further in terms of long-term survival and disease progression to MM. By raising awareness and understanding of plasmacytoma, we aim to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients affected by this disease.

A Case of Acquired Hemophilia A Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare bleeding disorder caused by antibodies against coagulation factor VIII. The majority of AHA cases are reported in an elderly population with chronic co-morbidities but can also be associated with other conditions, drugs, infections, and pregnancy. AHA is likely under-diagnosed and often unrecognized due to limited data about incidence, diagnosis, and management. We report a patient with no significant medical history who developed spontaneous ecchymoses and hematomas after a recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection complicated by a pulmonary embolism. These skin manifestations were initially thought to be related to the use of the direct oral anticoagulant apixaban, but further investigation revealed the presence of factor VIII inhibitors confirming the diagnosis of AHA. The patient was treated with prednisone and cyclophosphamide to eradicate the inhibitors with excellent response. Literature review shows a few cases of AHA after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination, H1N1 vaccination, and two cases after COVID-19 infection.