Inversion models of aboveground grassland biomass in Xinjiang based on multisource data.

Grassland biomass monitoring is essential for assessing grassland health and carbon cycling. However, monitoring grassland biomass in drylands based on satellite remote sensing is challenging.Statistical regression models and machine learning have been used for the construction of grassland biomass models, but the predictive power for different grassland types is unclear. Additionally, the selection of the most appropriate variables to construct a biomass inversion model for different grassland types must be explored. Therefore,1201 ground-truthed data points collected from 2014-2021,including 15 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) vegetation indices,geographic location and topographic data,and meteorological factors and vegetation biophysical indicators were screened for key variables using principal component analysis (PCA). The accuracy of multiple linear regression models, exponential regression models, power function models, support vector machine (SVM) models, random forest (RF) models, and neural network models was evaluated for the inversion of three types of grassland biomass. The results were as follows: (1) The biomass inversion accuracy of single vegetation indices was low, and the optimal vegetation indices were the soil-adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) (R2 = 0.255), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (R2 = 0.372) and optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI) (R2 = 0.285). (2)Grassland above-ground biomass (AGB) was affected by various factors such as geographic location,topography, and meteorological factors, and the inverse models using a single environmental variable had large errors. (3) The main variables used to model biomass in the three types of grasslands were different. SAVI, aspect, slope, and precipitation (Prec.) were selected for desert grasslands; NDVI,shortwave infrared 2 (SWI2), longitude, mean temperature, and annual precipitation were selected for steppe;and OSAVI, phytochrome ratio (PPR), longitude, precipitation, and temperature were selected for meadows. (4) The non-parametric meadow biomass model was superior to the statistical regression model. (5) The RF model was the best model for the inversion of grassland biomass in Xinjiang, and this model had the highest accuracy for grassland biomass inversion (R2 = 0.656, root mean square error (RMSE) = 815.6 kg/ha),followed by meadow (R2 = 0.610, RMSE = 547.9 kg/ha) and desert grassland (R2 = 0.441, RMSE = 353.6 kg/ha).

[Precise resection and defect repair of external nose malignant tumor].

Objective: To explore the methods for the accurate resection of malignant tumors of the external nose, and the accurate evaluation and repair of tissue defects. Methods: We collected 48 cases with nasal malignant tumors treated in 980 Hospital, Joint Support Force of the People's Liberation Army from January 2010 to June 2020, including 28 males and 20 females, aged 36-86 years. The pathological types of tumors included basal cell carcinomas (n=29), squamous cell carcinomas (n=11), trichilemmal carcinomas(n=6), denoid cystic carcinoma (n=1) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n=1). Tumor resection was mainly based on the traditional extended resection determined by the safety margin, and Mohs surgery was used to minimize the scope of resection, for the margin that significantly affected the repairing results, such as the lesion adjacent to the nasal alar margin, nasal columella or deep easy-penetrating margin. All cases obtained tumor resection and primary/secondary defect reconstruction. Results: According to the pathological type and tumor size, the safe resection margin was mainly 4-10 mm, and Mohs surgery was used in 24 cases. Limited-size defects in 38 cases were repaired with double-leaf flaps, kite flaps, nasal dorsum brow flaps, nasolabial flaps or free tissues. Among 10 cases with compound defects, 8 cases were repaired with frontal flaps, including 4 cases with single frontal flaps, 2 cases with additional titanium mesh stent reconstruction and 2 cases with over and out frontal flaps. During follow-up of 1 to 10 years, all the flaps survived without flap necrosis, and the postoperative nasal contour and ventilation were satisfactory. One patient had tumor recurrence 18 months after operation, 2 patients died of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and other patients survived without tumors. Conclusions: Mohs surgery can basically meet the requirements for precise resection of external nasal malignant tumors. Individualized application of adjacent tissue flaps and various frontal flaps is a reasonable choice to achieve the satisfactory outcome of external nasal repair and to take into account the complexity of operation.

[Effect of silencing FABP3 gene on LPS-induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in alveolar epithelial cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of silencing fatty acid binding protein 3 (FABP3) gene on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in alveolar epithelial cells A549. Methods: According to the processing method, A549 cells were divided into control group(A549 cells cultured for 24 h), LPS group (10 mg/L LPS treated A549 cells for 24 h), LPS+si-con group (10 mg/L LPS was used to treat A549 cells transfected with si-con for 24 h) and LPS+si-FABP3 group (10 mg/L LPS was used to treat A549 cells transfected with si-FABP3 for 24 h). Then quantitative real-time PCR was used to detect the level of FABP3, methylthiazoletrazolium was used to detect the cell proliferation, flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis, and Western Blot was used to detect the levels of FABP3, CyclinD1, cleaved-caspase-3, GRP78, ATF4, CHOP, cleaved-caspase-12 and p-Akt and PI3Kp110α protein expression. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-αlevels. Results: In the LPS group, FABP3 protein level (1.00±0.09) and mRNA (2.15±0.22), apoptosis rate [(26.1±2.6)%], inflammatory factor IL-6 [(554.4±55.4) ng/L], IL-8 [(389.3±38.5) ng/L] and TNF-α [(601.3±60.0) ng/L], cleaved-caspase-3 (1.00±0.11), GRP78 (1.05±0.11), ATF4 (1.20±0.12)), CHOP (1.05±0.10), cleaved-caspase-12 (1.10±0.11), p-Akt (0.88±0.08) and PI3Kp110α (0.75±0.08) protein levels were significantly higher than the control group [(0.53±0.05), (1.00±0.10), (4.5±0.5)%, (75.4±7.5) ng/L, (25.2±2.5) ng/L, (66.5±6.7) ng/L, (0.34±0.05), (0.35±0.05), (0.43±0.05), (0.37±0.04), (0.45±0.05), (0.16±0.04), (0.35±0.05)] (all P<0.05). Cell viability [(50.1±5.4)%] and CyclinD1 protein level (0.40±0.05) in LPS group were significantly lower than those in the control group [(100.1±12.4)%, (1.25±0.12)] (both P<0.05). Cell viability [(89.1±8.5)%] and CyclinD1 protein level (1.15±0.11) in LPS+si-FABP3 group were significantly higher than those in LPS+si-con group [(53.1±5.4)%, (0.42±0.05)] (both P<0.05). Apoptosis rate [(10.5±1.1)%], IL-6[(301.3±30.0) ng/L], IL-8[(189.4±19.0) ng/L], TNF-α [(400.1±40.1) ng/L], cleaved-caspase-3 (0.45±0.05), GRP78 (0.48±0.05), ATF4 (0.60±0.06), CHOP (0.55±0.05), cleaved-caspase-12 (0.60±0.06), p-Akt (0.50±0.05) and PI3Kp110α(0.45±0.05) in LPS+si-FABP3 group were significantly lower than those in LPS+si-con group [(28.1±2.8)%, (536.3±53.6) ng/L, (400.2±40.2) ng/L, (623.1±62.3) ng/L, (0.96±0.10), (1.02±0.10), (1.15±0.12), (1.10±0.11), (1.15±0.12), (0.90±0.09), (0.72±0.07)] (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Silencing FABP3 gene can inhibit LPS-induced alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress, which may act by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

[The study of life quality in children with obstructive sleep apnea].

AbstractObjective:To study the effect of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) on the life quality of children. Method: Forty-four OSA children diagnosed with overnight polysomnography were selected as the research object, 35 cases of pediatric no snoring healthy children were as control. The inventory of subjective life quality and children's self-rating anxiety scale were used to assess children' s life quality. Result: Depending on the data of the inventory of subjective life quality questionnaire, each level and dimension of children' s life quality satisfaction scores in OSA group were significantly lower than that in healthy controls(P<0.05), especially in the cognitive component of school life(3.78±1.73) and the affective component of depression experience(3.70±2.18). The score of anxiety disorder in OSA group (21.39±10.49) was higher than that in healthy control group(14.21±9.69)( P<0.05). The rate of anxiety disorder in OSA group was higher than that in healthy control group(P<0.05). Conclusion:Children in OSA group had higher incidence of unsatisfactory life quality in all levels and dimensions. OSA group children dissatisfied with the life quality in each level, each dimensions have significant statistical difference, especially in the cognitive component of school life and affective components of depression experience. The OSA group had higher anxiety disorders than healthy ones.

[Clinical investigation of basophil activation test as a complementary test for house dust mite allergen].

Objective:To investigate the clinical application of glass micro fiber basophil activation test (BAT) used as a complementary test for house dust mite allergen.Method:Forty patients with clinical diagnosed allergic rhinitis was test by three methods for house dust mite allergen, skin prick test(SPT),Immuno CAP sIgE, and BAT in vitro. The sensitivity and specificity of glass micro fiber were accessed, and the consistency between BAT, SPT, and Immuno sIgE was analyzed. As in vivo provocation was not performed, gold standard is regarded as the combination of medical history and positive reports of SPT and/or ImmunoCAP sIgE test.Result:Twentythree patients are diagnosed as house dust mite allergic rhinitis by gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of glass micro fiber BAT were 60.9% and 88.2%, the sensitivity of SPT and sIgE was 87.0% and sIgE 73.9%. The correlation rates between BAT with SPT is 0.67(P<0.05), and sIgE 0.55(P<0.05). The accuracy, predictive value of positive and negative of BAT are 0.47,60.9%,88.2%.The Kappa values of BAT, SPT and sIgE with gold standard are 0.47,0.86,0.71.Conclusion:As a complementary test for house dust mite allergic rhinitis, BAT have a good consistency with SPT and sIgE, while as it has only moderate consistency with "gold standard", further studies are needed to prove its clinical significance.

[Metformin inhibits the growth of hypopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts in nude mice model].

Objective:To investigated the effect of metformin on growth inhibition of hypopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft in nude mice and to study the theoretical basis of metformin for the treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma in clinical.Method:①To observe the course of metformin treatment, there were no severe adverse effects among the xenograft mice. ②After 28 days treatment, the average volumes of hypopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts of the metformin treated groups were significantly low compared with that of the control group.〖JP2〗The inhibition ratio of metformin at the concentration of 40 mg/(kg•d) and 200 mg/(kg•d) to the growth of tumor was 23.30%±7.17% and 40.51%±9.25%, respectively.③The aver ageoptical density(OAD) of AMPK in tumors of the control, met40 and met200 group was 0.246±0.038, 0.262±0.046, and 0.308±0.087, respectively. The OAD of p21 was 0.288±0.065, 0.305±0.091, and 0.477±0.114, respectively. And the OAD of cyclin D1 was 1.608±0.101, 0.781±0.055, and 0.711±0.046, respectively. Both the OAD of AMPK and p21 in met40 and met200 group were observably higher than those of the control group (P< 0.05). But the OAD of cyclin D1 in met40 and met200 group were remarkably lower than the control group (P< 0.05). ④The Western Blot drawed the consistant trend variation with immunohistochemical analyses. The gray value of AMPK in tumors of the control,met40 and met200 group was 0.641±0.042, 1.124±0.085, and 1.783±0.128; The gray value of p21 was 0.474±0.027, 0.594±0.063, and 0.970±0.079; The gray value of cyclin D1 was 1.608±0.101,0.781±0.055, and 0.711±0.046.Result:①To observe the course of metformin treatment, there were no severe adverse effects among the xenograft mice. ②After 28 days treatment, the average volumes of hypopharyngeal carcinoma xenografts of the metformin treated groups were significantly low compared with that of the control group.〖JP2〗The inhibition ratio of metformin at the concentration of 40 mg/(kg•d) and 200 mg/(kg•d) to the growth of tumor was 23.30%±7.17% and 40.51%±9.25%, respectively.③The aver ageoptical density(OAD) of AMPK in tumors of the control, met40 and met200 group was 0.246±0.038, 0.262±0.046, and 0.308±0.087, respectively. The OAD of p21 was 0.288±0.065, 0.305±0.091, and 0.477±0.114, respectively. And the OAD of cyclin D1 was 1.608±0.101, 0.781±0.055, and 0.711±0.046, respectively. Both the OAD of AMPK and p21 in met40 and met200 group were observably higher than those of the control group (P< 0.05). But the OAD of cyclin D1 in met40 and met200 group were remarkably lower than the control group (P< 0.05). ④The Western Blot drawed the consistant trend variation with immunohistochemical analyses. The gray value of AMPK in tumors of the control,met40 and met200 group was 0.641±0.042, 1.124±0.085, and 1.783±0.128; The gray value of p21 was 0.474±0.027, 0.594±0.063, and 0.970±0.079; The gray value of cyclin D1 was 1.608±0.101,0.781±0.055, and 0.711±0.046.Conclusion:Metformin can suppress the growth of hypopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft in nude mice and inducing tumor cell apoptosis without any severe adverse effects.

[Impact of auditory deprivation on rats and plasticity expressionof growth associated protein-43 in auditory cortex].

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of neural plasticity in the reconstitution following impairment of auditory system,we studied the changing levels of GAP-43 expression in the auditory cortex(AC) in the developing rats and in ototoxicity deafened rats before and after electrical intracochlear stimulation.Method:Auditory brain stem response(ABR) measurements were performed to rats of OAD,NC1,CAD and NC2 group to evaluate hearing function.We studied the changing levels of GAP-43-positive neurons expression in the auditory cortex of the OAD,NC1,EIS1 and EIS2 group and RT-PCR was performed to do semiquantitative analysis.Result:The early electrical intracochlear stimulation elevated GAP-43 level(EIS1,120.00±5.59/HP) in ipsilateral AC instead of in the contralateral AC compared with the non-stimulation group (OAD4W,93.25±4.30/HP),and the two groups had statistical difference(EIS1/OAD4W,129.17%±3.33%,P<0.05).After the late electrical intracochlear stimulation,similar to the early group,the staining level of GAP-43(EIS2,102.50±4.02/HP) in the AC was also higher than the unaffected group(OAD8W,81.67±3.76/HP),and the two groups also had statistical difference(EIS2/OAD8W,123.74%±2.70%,P<0.05).Similarly,the expression of GAP-43 mRNA had the synchronous change with the GAP-43 in the AC.Conclusion:GAP-43 has close correlation with the growth and plasticity of the AC,which can be a significant marker for auditory plasticity.

Adsorption of bovine serum albumin on polyelectrolyte-coated glass substrates: applications to colloidal lithography.

The adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA) labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) on polyelectrolyte-coated glass substrates was investigated using fluorescence microscopy. Glass substrates may inhibit adsorption of proteins due to electrostatic repulsion. However, when the substrate is modified with a thin film of positively charged polyelectrolytes, proteins can be adsorbed due to the attractive electrostatic interactions. In this study, poly(allylamine-hydrochloride) (PAH) molecules, which have positively charged amino groups at pH 7, were used to generate a positively charged layer on the glass substrate. A surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), was used to alter the glass-protein interaction and subsequently modulate the coverage of adsorbed protein. We applied this technique to control the heterogeneously charged microscopic patterns of biomolecules created when the adsorption of protein is done in conjunction with colloidal lithography.

Influence of salt on colloidal lithography of albumin.

We investigate the influence of salt on colloidal lithography of biomolecular patterns. Albumin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was adsorbed on polyelectrolyte-coated glass substrates covered by negatively charged colloids using fluorescence microscopy. After removing the colloids, a well-defined albumin pattern remains, and we study how the pattern changes upon adding salt to the protein solution. The proposed method is simple and cheap and can be used to create stable one- and two-dimensional biomolecular arrays.

Order-disorder transition in a quasi-two-dimensional colloidal system.

A 2D colloidal system governed by repulsive dipolar forces tends to form a more ordered system when the interaction strength between the particles increases. Here we report an order-disorder transition of the colloidal system followed by chain formation upon increasing the dipolar interactions and show that the critical field scales with the density of colloids. Our system can do this by changing its dimensionality and therefore exhibits novel behavior that could help us understand colloidal ordering phenomena.

First EBV vaccine trial in humans using recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the major membrane antigen.

In the absence of a truly representative animal model, the question of whether EBV-related diseases can be prevented by a vaccine has been studied for the first time in humans. A live recombinant virus based on the licensed vaccinia strain Tien Tan, expressing under the 11K vaccinia promoter the major EBV membrane antigen BNLF-1 MA (gp 220-340), was constructed and tested in three different human populations: EBV-positive and vaccinia-virus-exposed adults; EBV-positive, non-vaccinia-virus-exposed juveniles; and EBV and vaccinia virus-naive infants. No significant titre variations for EBV were observed in the adults, but EBV-neutralising titres increased in the vaccinated juveniles, while antibodies to VCA of EBV remained unchanged. All nine vaccinated infants developed antibodies to MA (membrane antigen) with neutralising properties in vitro; three of these infants were infected by EBV via natural routes over a period of 16 months after vaccination and all ten unvaccinated control infants became infected. It has been shown for the first time that protection against and/or delay of EBV infection by the natural route is possible in humans and that live vaccinia vectors can be used and are efficacious.