The Clinical and Imaging Characteristics Associated With Neurological Sequelae of Pediatric Patients With Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy.

Background: Acute necrotizing encephalopathy of childhood (ANE) is a rare but rapidly progressing encephalopathy. Importantly, the exact pathogenesis and evidence-based treatment is scarce. Thus, we aimed to identify the clinical, imaging, and therapeutic characteristics that associated with prognosis of pediatric ANE patients. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric patients with ANE who were admitted to Wuhan Children's Hospital between January 2014 and September 2019. All cases met the diagnostic criteria for ANE proposed by Mizuguchi in 1997. The clinical information and follow-up data were collected. The prognostic factors were analyzed by trend chi-square test and Goodman-Kruskal gamma test. Results: A total of 41 ANE patients ranging in age from 8.9 to 142 months were included in this study. Seven cases (17%) died, and the other 34 survivors had different degrees of neurological sequelae. Factors tested to be significantly correlated with the severity of neurological sequelae were the intervals from prodromal infection to acute encephalopathy (G = -0.553), conscious disturbance (r = 0.58), endotracheal intubation (r = 0.423), elevation of alanine aminotransferase (r = 0.345), aspartate aminotransferase (r = 0.393), and cerebrospinal fluid protein (r = 0.490). In addition, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation on follow-up revealed that the total numbers of brain lesion location (χ2 = 6.29, P < 0.05), hemorrhage (r = 0.580), cavitation (r = 0.410), and atrophy (r = 0.602) status were significantly correlated with the severity of neurological sequelae, while early steroid therapy (r = -0.127 and 0.212, respectively) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (r = 0.111 and -0.023, respectively) within 24 h or within 72 h after onset showed no association. Conclusions: Intervals from prodromal infection to acute encephalopathy (≤1 day), total numbers of brain lesion location (≥3), the recovery duration of hemorrhage and atrophy (>3 months), and the presence of cavitation predict severe neurological sequelae in pediatric patients with ANE. Early treatments, including steroid therapy and IVIG, had no correlation with better outcomes. Further studies are needed to establish a consensus guideline for the management of ANE.

[Spatial distribution patterns and associations of typical tree species in different regions.] / ä¸åŒåŒºåŸŸå ¸åž‹æ ‘æœ¨çš„ç©ºé—´åˆ†å¸ƒæ ¼å±€åŠå ³è”æ€§.

Based on the monitoring data from the plots of Changbai Mountains in the temperate zone (CBS), Guandi Mountain in the warm temperate zone (GDS), Heishiding Mountain in the subtropical zone (HSD), we analyzed the spatial distribution of tree species from three families (Pinaceae, Fagaceae, Rosaceae) and their correlation using paired correlation function g(r). The results showed that the individual number and size class structural characteristics of the trees from the three families varied among different regions. Pinaceae had high population density and a bimodal size-class structure in GDS plot but a small number and skewed normal size-class structure in CBS and HSD plots. Fagaceae had low abundance and a bimodal, skewed normal size-class structure respectively in CBS and GDS plots but a large number and an inverted J-type diameter distribution in HSD plot. Rosaceae had high abundance and a L-type size structure in GDS plot but relatively low abundance and a L-inverted and J-type size class distribution respectively in HSD and CBS plots. The trees from those three families showed different spatial distribution patterns in three different forest plots. The large size class individuals of Pinaceae were regularly distributed at small scale in CBS and GDS plots but aggregated in HSD plot, the middle and small size class ones were consis-tently aggregated in three plots. Fagaceae trees were mainly characterized by large size class and approximately distributed at random in CBS plot, but mainly characterized by middle or small size class and aggregated in GDS and HSD plots. The trees of Rosaceae were aggregated in three plots. The aggregation degree of trees from three families decreased with the increases of spatial scales. The large size class individuals of Fagaceae were negatively associated at small scale or uncorrelated with Pinaceae trees in CBS and HSD plots. The middle or small size class individuals of Fagaceae were negatively associated with Pinaceae ones in CBS and GDS plots but positively associated with Pinaceae ones in HSD plot. Trees from Pinaceae were negatively correlated with trees from Rosaceae in three plots. The middle or small size class individuals of Fagaceae were positively correlated with individuals of Rosaceae in CBS and GDS plots but negatively correlated with trees of Rosaceae in HSD plot. In conclusion, the spatial distribution patterns and associations of the trees from three families changed with the size class, research scale and had different patterns among three plots.

[Species composition, structure and spatial distribution of secondary cold-temperate Picea forest in Guandi Mountain, China]. / å ³å¸å±±å¯’æ¸©æ€§äº‘æ‰æ¬¡ç”Ÿæž—æ ·åœ°æ ‘ç§ç»„æˆã€ç»“æž„å’Œç©ºé—´åˆ†å¸ƒ.

The secondary Picea forest is one of the dominant vegetation types in Guandi Mountain. It's also the representative type of evergreen cold-temperate coniferous forests in subalpine region of north China. A 4 hm2 fixed monitoring Picea forest plot was established in Pangquangou Nature Reserve, Guandi Mountain (GDS plot) to better understand the basic characteristics such as species composition, community structure and its potential ecological process and mechanisms. We analyzed species composition, structure and spatial distribution of sample forest based on the first background survey data in this paper. The results showed that a total of 30 woody plant species existed in the sample area, which belonged to 11 families, 22 genera. The total individual number (including branches) was 26218 (independent individual number was 10266). Floristic composition in the region was defined as north temperate elements. Big differences of individual number, average diameter at breast height (DBH) and basal area among different species caused significant community layering effect, and the dominant species in each layer was obvious. Size-class structure of species showed bimodal skewed normal distribution at the canopy layer, approximate normal distribution at the subtree layer, and 'L' type distribution at the shrub layer. Spatial distribution of the dominant tree species such as Picea wilsonii and Larix principis-rupprechtii showed different pattern features with the changing size class, whether in individual number or in aggregation degree. Compared with the above two species with the same size class, a large number of L. principis-rupprechtii with DBH≥30 cm aggregated in the center of sample plot, but few P. wilsonii individuals with DBH≥30 cm occurred in the plot and had no clustering distribution. Only a few L. principis-rupprechtii with DBH≤10 cm occurred in the plot with a scattering distribution, and a large number of P. wilsonii with DBH≤10 cm aggregated in the center of the plot. There were also many P. wilsonii individuals with DBH≤10 cm distributed in the northwest area of the plot, but Betula albo-sinensis individuals with DBH≤10 cm mostly distributed in the southeast area of the plot. Shrub species such as Cotoneaster acutifolius, Spiraea pubescens and Lonicera szechuanica also showed heterogeneous spatial distribution. Species distribution pattern was affected by habitat conditions, and related to its own development, regeneration traits and ecological habits.

Prenatal diagnosis of sirenomelia by two-dimensional and three-dimensional skeletal imaging ultrasound.

This study sought to evaluate the contribution of two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US) and three-dimensional skeletal imaging ultrasound (3D-SUIS) in the prenatal diagnosis of sirenomelia. Between September 2010 and April 2014, a prospective study was conducted in a single referral center using 3D-SUIS performed after 2D-US in 10 cases of sirenomelia. Diagnostic accuracy and detailed findings were compared with postnatal three-dimensional helical computed tomography (3D-HCT), radiological findings and autopsy. Pregnancy was terminated in all 10 sirenomelia cases, including 9 singletons and 1 conjoined twin pregnancy, for a total of 5 males and 5 females. These cases of sirenomelia were determined by autopsy and/or chromosomal examination. Initial 2D-US showed that there were 10 cases of oligohydramnios, bilateral renal agenesis, bladder agenesis, single umbilical artery, fusion of the lower limbs and spinal abnormalities; 8 cases of dipus or monopus; 2 cases of apus; and 8 cases of cardiac abnormalities. Subsequent 3D-SUIS showed that there were 9 cases of scoliosis, 10 cases of sacrococcygeal vertebra dysplasia, 3 cases of hemivertebra, 1 case of vertebral fusion, 3 cases of spina bifida, and 5 cases of rib abnormalities. 3D-SUIS identified significantly more skeletal abnormalities than did 2D-US, and its accuracy was 79.5% (70/88) compared with 3D-HCT and radiography. 3D-SUIS seems to be a useful complementary method to 2D-US and may improve the accuracy of identifying prenatal skeletal abnormalities related to sirenomelia.

[Vertical Distribution Characteristics of Typical Forest Soil Organic Nitrogen in Dawei Mountain].

To clarify altitudinal gradient of subtropical forest soil total nitrogen and organic nitrogen, soil samples were collected per 10 cm on soil profile (0-100 cm) in Dawei Mountain, researched the variation of soil organic nitrogen and correlation with soil physical and chemical properties. The results showed that: (1) Total nitrogen, acid hydrolysable organic nitrogen and soluble organic nitrogen decreased with the increase of depth, content of each component in mountain granite yellow-brown soils was much higher affected by altitude; (2) The average percentage of soil organic nitrogen to total nitrogen was 97.39% ± 1.17%, and soil acid hydrolysable organic nitrogen was 64.38% ± 10.68%, each component decreased with the increase of soil depth; (3) Soil soluble organic nitrogen content was 9.92- 23.45 mg x kg(-1), free amino acids (1.62 - 12.02 mg x kg(-1)) accounted for about 27.36% ± 9.95% of soluble organic nitrogen; (4) Soil acid hydrolysable organic nitrogen and soluble organic nitrogen were significantly positively correlated with total nitrogen, total soluble nitrogen and inorganic nitrogen (P < 0.05), were highly significantly correlated with soil bulk density, organic carbon, and total phosphorus (P < 0.01). Organic nitrogen was the main body of soil nitrogen in typical subtropical forest, each component showed a downward trend increase with soil depth affected by altitude and soil physical and chemical properties. There was a close conversion relationship between soil organic nitrogen and other nitrogen forms, the characteristics of soil organic nitrogen will have profound impact on nitrogen cycling of forest ecological system.

Induction of detoxification enzymes by quercetin in the silkworm.

Quercetin is one of the most abundant flavonoids and the defense secondary metabolites in plants. In this study, the effect of quercetin on the growth of the silkworm larvae was investigated. Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), and carboxylesterases (COE) were assayed after exposure to different concentrations of quercetin for 3 d (short-term) and 7 d (long-term), respectively. The results showed that the weight gain of the silkworm larvae significantly decreased after the larvae were treated by different concentrations of quercetin except for the treatment with 0.5% quercetin. Activities of P450, GST, and COE were induced by 0.5 or 1% concentration of quercetin. In the midgut, the induction activity of P450s was reached to the highest level (2.3-fold) by 1% quercetin for 7 d, the highest induction activities of GSTs toward CHP and CDNB were 4.1-fold and 2.6-fold of controls by 1% quercetin after 7 d exposure, respectively. For COEs, the highest activity (2.3-fold) was induced by 0.5% quercetin for 7 d. However, P450s in whole body were higher inducible activities in short-term treatment than those in long-term treatment. The responses of eight cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes belonged to CYP6 and CYP9 families and seven GST genes were detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the genes induced by quercetin significantly were confirmed by qRT-PCR. CYP6AB5, CYP6B29, and GSTe8 were identified as inducible genes, of which the highest induction levels were 10.9-fold (0.5% quercetin for 7 d), 6.2-fold (1% quercetin for 7 d), and 7.1-fold (1% quercetin for 7 d), respectively.