Analysis of ocean internal waves imaged by multichannel reflection seismics, using ensemble empirical mode decomposition

Research on ocean internal waves using seismic oceanography is a frontier issue both for marine geophysicists and physical oceanographers. Images of the ocean water layer obtained by conventional processing of multichannel seismic reflection data can show the overall patterns of internal waves. However, in order to extract more information from the seismic data, new tools need to be developed. Here, we use the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) method to decompose vertical displacement data from seismic sections and apply this method to a seismic section from the northeastern South China Sea, where clear internal waves are observed. Compared with the conventional empirical mode decomposition method, EEMD has greatly reduced the scale mixing problems induced in the decomposition results. The results obtained show that the internal waves in this area are composed of different characteristic wavelengths at different depths. The depth range of 200–1050 m contains internal waves with a wavelength of 1.25 km that are very well coupled in the vertical direction. The internal waves with a wavelength of 3 km, in the depth range of 200–600 m, are also well coupled, but in an oblique direction; this suggests that the propagation speed of internal waves of this scale changes with depth in this area. Finally, the internal waves with a wavelength of 6.5 km, observed in the depth range of 200–800 m, are separated into two parts with a phase difference of about 90◦, by a clear interface at a depth of 650 m; this allows us to infer an oblique propagation of wave energy of this scale.publishe

The symbiotic bacteria Alcaligenes faecalis of the entomopathogenic nematodes Oscheius spp. exhibit potential biocontrol of plant- and entomopathogenic fungi

Soil-dwelling entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) kill arthropod hosts by injecting their symbiotic bacteria into the host hemolymph and feed on the bacteria and the tissue of the dying host for several generations cycles until the arthropod cadaver is completely depleted. The EPN-bacteria-arthropod cadaver complex represents a rich energy source for the surrounding opportunistic soil fungal biota and other competitors. We hypothesized that EPNs need to protect their food source until depletion and that the EPN symbiotic bacteria produce volatile and non-volatile exudations that deter different soil fungal groups in the soil. We isolated the symbiotic bacteria species (Alcaligenes faecalis) from the EPN Oscheius spp. and ran infectivity bioassays against entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) as well as against plant pathogenic fungi (PPF). We found that both volatile and non-volatile symbiotic bacterial exudations had negative effects on both EPF and PPF. Such deterrent function on functionally different fungal strains suggests a common mode of action of A.faecalis bacterial exudates, which has the potential to influence the structure of soil microbial communities, and could be integrated into pest management programs for increasing crop protection against fungal pathogens

Promoting effect of hepatitis B virus on the expressoin of phospholipase A2 group IIA

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes acute and chronic liver disease, ultimately leading to the development of liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Phospholipase A2 group IIA (PLA2G2A) plays important roles in the development and progression of many tumors. Thus far, there have been no reports on the association between HBV and PLA2G2A. The present study investigated the effect of HBV infection on PLA2G2A expression and its application in the diagnosis of HBV-related diseases. METHODS: Serum levels of PLA2G2A in 308 HBV-infected patients and 185 healthy controls were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The difference in serum levels of PLA2G2A was analyzed among chronic hepatitis B (CHB), LC, and HCC patients. PLA2G2A mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells carrying the integrated HBV genome were measured using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot assays. The HBV infectious clone pHBV1.3, the control plasmid pBlue-ks and PLA2G2A gene promoter were transfected into HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells. After transfection, the luciferase activity was measured in the cells. PLA2G2A mRNA and protein expression levels were examined using RT-PCR and western blot assays. RESULTS: The serum levels of PLA2G2A were 258.3 ± 20.3ng/dl in the healthy controls and 329.0 ± 22.5ng/dl, 385.4 ± 29.3ng/dl and 459.2 ± 38.6ng/dl in the CHB, LC, and HCC patients, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed significantly higher serum levels of PLA2G2A in CHB, LC, and HCC patients than in the healthy controls (P < 0.05), and PLA2G2A levels were elevated in the order of HCC > LC > CHB group. High serum PLA2G2A levels in HCC patients were associated with a lower prevalence of lymph node metastasis and a lower TNM stage. HepG2.2.15 cells carrying the HBV genome expressed higher levels of PLA2G2A mRNA and protein than the HepG2 cells. In addition, HBV triggered PLA2G2A promoter activity and enhanced PLA2G2A mRNA and protein expression compared to the empty vector pBlue-ks. CONCLUSION: HBV can upregulate the expression of PLA2G2A, and serum levels of PLA2G2A are associated with the progression of HBV-related diseases

Hepatitis B virus inhibits apolipoprotein A5 expression through its core gene

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection causes lipid metabolism disorders. Apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5) is a new apolipoprotein family member that plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. The present study was to investigate the impact of HBV on ApoA5 expression and its regulatory mechanism. METHODS: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to measure ApoA5 mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 and HepG2.2.15 cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum ApoA5 levels in healthy individuals and HBV patients. HBV infectious clone pHBV1.3 or individual plasmids expressing the HBV genome was cotransfected with the ApoA5 promoter pGL3-Apo5-LUC plasmid into HepG2 cells to assess the luciferase activity. RT-PCR and western blotting methods were used to detect Apo5 mRNA and protein expression, respectively. RESULTS: The ApoA5 mRNA and protein expression levels were decreased in HepG2.2.15 cells compared with the control HepG2 cells. The serum ApoA5 levels were 196.4 ± 28.7 μg/L in the healthy individuals and 104.5 ± 18.3 μg/L in the HBV patients, statistical analysis showed that the ApoA5 levels were significantly lower in HBV patients than in the healthy individuals (P < 0.05). pHBV1.3 and its core gene inhibited ApoA5 promoter activity and mRNA and protein expression in HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION: HBV inhibits ApoA5 expression at both the transcriptional and translational levels through its core gene

Efficacy prediction of systemic immune-inflammation index and prognostic nutritional index in breast cancer patients and their variations after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive values of systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), prognostic nutrition index (PNI), change of SII (ΔSII), change of PNI (ΔPNI) and ΔPNI-ΔSII score in patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.MethodsWe enrolled in a retrospective study involving 72 patients with breast cancer between February 2020 and January 2022. All patients had clinical features of axillary lymph node metastasis and received neoadjuvant therapy. PNI and SII were detected by hematology before and after treatment. Chi-square test was used to compare the clinicopathological and experimental parameters among all groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic value of each factor.ResultsThe prognosis was evaluated and 18 patients (25%) achieved pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy. The pCR rate of breast cancer patients was significantly correlated with ER, PR, HER-2, molecular subsets, tumor size, vascular invasion, nerve invasion, N stage, clinical stage and chemotherapy regimen. Low ΔPNI, high ΔSII and higher ΔPNI-ΔSII score values had better prediction of therapeutic effect, especially the ΔPNI-ΔSII score.ConclusionIn breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, ΔPNI-ΔSII score is an effective predictor of efficacy, which helps to identify high-risk groups and evaluate efficacy

Theories and applications of tea residue adsorbing aroma compounds: a review

Tea leaves have a good natural adsorption capacity due to their numerous pore structures and high specific surface area. Along with the advancement of tea process technology, more and more sites of adsorption and binding have been found in tea leaves, thus further improving the adsorption performance. Based on the original biological structure and internal components of tea leaves, the adsorption mechanism in tea leaves for exogenous compounds is mainly divided into physical adsorption theory and chemical adsorption theory. Compared with original tea leaves, modified tea leaves significantly improve adsorption performance with a specific adsorption function, which could improve the utilization rate of tea leaves and their waste residues. Techniques such as scanning electron microscopy provide basic data support for exploring the adsorption mechanism of tea leaves at the level of material structure and a theoretical basis for the development of specific adsorbents. Additionally, the application of thermodynamic adsorption models and adsorption kinetic equations could help to understand the process of tea adsorbing exogenous compounds and to visualize the adsorption process. The adsorption of exogenous additives by tea residue could make use of the affinity between functional groups. In future, these mechanisms will lay the foundation for its application in the field of substance adsorption and improve the utilization efficiency of renewable resources similar to tea leaves

A clinical-radiomics nomogram for the prediction of the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with decompensated cirrhosis

ObjectiveTo develop a model that integrates radiomics features and clinical factors to predict upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.Methods104 decompensated cirrhosis patients with UGIB and 104 decompensated cirrhosis patients without UGIB were randomized according to a 7:3 ratio into a training cohort (n = 145) and a validation cohort (n = 63). Radiomics features of the abdominal skeletal muscle area (SMA) were extracted from the cross-sectional image at the largest level of the third lumbar vertebrae (L3) on the abdominal unenhanced multi-detector computer tomography (MDCT) images. Clinical-radiomics nomogram were constructed by combining a radiomics signature (Rad score) with clinical independent risk factors associated with UGIB. Nomogram performance was evaluated in calibration, discrimination, and clinical utility.ResultsThe radiomics signature was built using 11 features. Plasma prothrombin time (PT), sarcopenia, and Rad score were independent predictors of the risk of UGIB in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. The clinical-radiomics nomogram performed well in both the training cohort (AUC, 0.902; 95% CI, 0.850–0.954) and the validation cohort (AUC, 0.858; 95% CI, 0.762–0.953) compared with the clinical factor model and the radiomics model and displayed excellent calibration in the training cohort. Decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated that the predictive efficacy of the clinical-radiomics nomogram model was superior to that of the clinical and radiomics model.ConclusionClinical-radiomics nomogram that combines clinical factors and radiomics features has demonstrated favorable predictive effects in predicting the occurrence of UGIB in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. This helps in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, warranting further exploration and research

Evaluation of fetal cardiac morphology and function in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy using Fetal HQ technology combined with uterine artery ultrasound parameters

ObjectiveHypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) significantly affect both maternal and fetal health, with uterine artery hemodynamic parameters playing a critical role in assessing fetal well-being, though they do not provide early insights into fetal cardiac function. Fetal Heart Quantification (Fetal HQ) technology offers a non-invasive, highly accurate method for evaluating fetal heart morphology and function, making it a valuable tool for assessing the impact of HDPs on fetal cardiac health.MethodsThis study investigates fetal heart function and morphology in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs) using fetal heart quantification (HQ) technology combined with uterine artery ultrasound parameters. A total of 70 normal fetuses and 59 fetuses with HDPs were included, with 30 cases showing normal and 29 cases showing abnormaluterine artery blood flow patterns. Uterine artery hemodynamic parameters (PI, RI, S/D) and fetal echocardiographic parameters (FRAC, FS, GLS, EF, 4CVCirc, GSI) were assessed.ResultsResults showed that in the HDP group with abnormal uterine artery blood flow, PI, RI, and S/D were significantly higher than in both the control and HDP groups with normal blood flow (P &lt; 0.05). Right ventricular function, including FRAC, GLS, and FS, was significantly decreased in the HDP group with abnormal blood flow, while 4CVCirc and GSI were significantly different from controls. Left ventricular function showed no significant differences. The area under the ROC curve for predicting fetal heart morphology and function via multiple right ventricular parameters was 0.901, and 0.825 for right heart function.ConclusionThese findings suggest that the fetal right ventricle is more sensitive to hemodynamic changes in HDP pregnancies, with right heart functional and morphological indicators potentially serving as predictive markers