Sea Star Wasting Disease (SSWD) refers to a suite of clinical signs observed in Asteroidea species, presents to varying degrees as abnormal posture, epidermal ulceration, arm autotomy, and eversion of viscera. We present observations of SSWD in the sunstar Crossaster papposus, the first observations of its kind in European waters. With rapid environmental flux as a proposed trigger for this condition, increasing frequency of temperature fluxes may lead to increasing prevalence of SSWD, and have wide reaching ecological and management implications.

【Abstract】Aim To construct a prediction model based on functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) for predicting atrial fibrillation recurrence after the post-circular pulmonary vein radiofrequency ablation (CPVA). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 289 patients with PAF who underwent CPVA for the first time . The patients were randomly divided into modeling group and verification group at the ratio of 75:25. In the modeling group, the multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze and construct a prediction model for post-CPVA recurrence in PAF patients, which was then validated in the verification group. Results (1) After 3-6 months of follow-up, the patients were divided into sinus rhythm group (252 cases) and recurrence group (24 cases); (2) In the modeling group, the age, LAD(left atrial diameter) and degree of MR (mild, moderate, severe) were higher in recurrence group than that of the sinus rhythm group, and the left atrial appendage emptying velocity (LAAV) was lower in recurrence group (all P<0.05). (3) A model for predicting the recurrence of PAF after radiofrequency ablation was constructed in the modeling group. The equation was: Logit(P) = -3.253 + 0.092 × age + 1.263 × mild MR + 2.325 × moderate MR + 5.111 ×severe MR - 0.113 × LAAV. The area under the curve (AUC) of the model was 0.889 in modeling group and 0.866 in verification group, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion: The prediction model of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after CPVA in PAF patients has good predictive efficacy, high specificity and accuracy.

The arterial switch operation (ASO) is the procedure of choice for the management of d-transposition of the great arteries (TGA). However, the surgical management of infants older than 6 weeks with TGA and intact ventricular septum (IVS) remains contentious. We report a case of late presenting TGA, IVS with Systolic anterior motion(SAM) of mitral valve with preserved left ventricle(LV) and its management.

Fibrosis is a common process of tissue repair response to multiple injuries in all chronic progressive diseases, which featured with excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. Actually fibrosis can occur in all organs and tends to be nonreversible with the progresses of the diseases. Different cells types in different organs are involved in the occurrence and development of fibrosis, i.e. hepatic stellate cell, pancreatic stellate cell, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts. Present studies have shown that several programmed cell deaths including apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, and necroptosis were closely related to organ fibrosis. Among these programmed cell deathes type, necroptosis, an emerging regulated cell death type were regard as a huge potential target to ameliorate organ fibrosis. In this review, we summarized the role of necroptosis signaling in organ fibrosis, and collected the present small molecule compounds targeting necroptosis. In addition, we have discussed the potential challenges, opportunities and open questions in using necroptosis signaling as a potential target for antifibrotic therapies.

Plant–microbe interactions can impact plant growth and performance, and contribute to local adaptation. However, few studies have explored the impact of microbial communities from distinct native locations on plant functional traits, and less is known about how host-microbe interactions affect the quantitative genetics of plant traits. We used a recombinant inbred line (RIL) mapping population derived from upland and lowland ecotypes of the diploid C4 perennial bunch grass Panicum hallii to explore quantitative genetic responses to soil microbiomes. We show that the growth and development of ecotypes and their trait divergence depends on soil microbiomes. Moreover, we find that broad-sense H2 is modified by soil microbiomes, revealing important plant genotype-by-microbiome interactions for quantitative traits. We detected a number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) that interact with the soil microbiome. Our results highlight the importance of microbial interactions in ecotypic divergence and trait genetic architecture in C4 perennial grasses.

Understanding how population dynamics are influenced by species interactions and the surrounding community is crucial for addressing many ecological questions, but requires modelling of complex systems involving direct, indirect and often asymmetric species interactions. Progress in developing multispecies models that can tackle this task is being made in multiple subfields of ecology, often with varying approaches and end goals but also facing shared challenges. We review some of the main challenges and the ways in which they are being addressed, highlighting a wide variety of methods that can support the development of multispecies models for understanding population dynamics. The main challenges that we examine are estimation of species interactions from limited data, the necessity of simplifications, and handling uncertainty in complex, multispecies models. In addition to reviewing a wide variety of approaches and methods for dealing with these challenges, we discuss future directions and make suggestions for how we believe the development of multispecies models for understanding population dynamics can move forward more efficiently.

Fetal atrioventricular block (AVB) is a failure of conduction from atria to ventricles. Immune- and non-immune-mediated forms occur, especially in association with congenital heart disease. Second-degree (2°) AVB may be reversible with dexamethasone and IVIG in immune-mediated disease. However, once third-degree AVB develops, it is deemed irreversible with need for a pacemaker and risk for cardiomyopathy. Rarely, 2° AVB is a transient, benign phenomenon in the immature conduction system. Few case series of transient AVB have been reported, but a management approach has not been defined. We report four patients with self-resolving, non-immune fetal AVB and outline a management strategy.

WPW is a common ventricular preexcitation. The ablation of AP is successful in more than 90% cases. The presence of PLSVC can impact the evaluation and treatment of SVAs, it can cause serious complications during vascular interventional procedures of cardiac anomalies. We report 2 cases of WPW with PLSVC in whom first ablation was unsuccessful and after more evaluation LSVC was discovered as second anomaly. Ablation was tried via CS again; the ablation procedure was successful.

The literature has identified continued needs for children with cystic fibrosis. The profession of occupational therapy is uniquely equipped and trained to address a variety of needs that children with cystic fibrosis experience during daily life engagement, potentially filling this gap in services. Despite this, occupational therapists are rarely consulted or included in patient care plans. It is the goal of this letter that professionals working in the field of cystic fibrosis will gain an understanding and appreciation for the profession of occupational therapy when considering care plans for their patients.

Pulsed-Field Ablation: What Are the Unknowns and When Will They Cease to Concern Us?Nathaniel A. Steiger* and Jorge Romero, MD*

This paper presents the summations and sums of Single terms and successive terms of geometric series with negative exponents (negative powers). This will be useful for the researchers who are involving to solve the scientific problems.

Background: Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disease characterized by recurrent respiratory tract infections. Although the pulmonary manifestations of the disease are well defined, data on otorhinolaryngological complications are insufficient. This study aimed to reveal the prevalence, clinical course and related factors of ear-nose-throat (ENT) manifestations in PCD patients. Methods: PCD patients followed in the ENT department of our center for the last 21 years were included in this retrospective observational study. The frequency of sinonasal and otological diseases, the relationships between clinical and demographic data, and possible risk factors for otorhinolaryngological findings were investigated. Results: Of the 121 patients recruited, 53% were male and the median age at diagnosis was 7 (1 month - 20 years) years. The most common ENT manifestation was otitis media with effusion (OME) (66.1%), followed by acute otitis media (43.8%), acute rhinosinusitis (ARS) (28.9%), chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) (27.3%), and chronic otitis media (10.7%). The mean age of patients with ARS (18 vs. 16 years, p=0.045) and CRS (19 vs. 16 years, p=0.028) was higher than those without. The annual number of ARS was positively correlated with age (r= 0.170, p=0.06). A total of 45 patients had audiograms and the most common finding was conductive hearing loss (53.3%). OME significantly increased this risk of tympanic membrane injury (OR: 8.6, 95% CI: 3.6-20.3, p<0.001). Although not statistically significant, hearing loss was more common in patients who had OME compared to those who did not (76.5% vs. 45.5%, OR: 3.9, 95% CI: 0.94-16.2, p=0.062). Conclusions: Otorhinolaryngologic diseases are common in PCD patients and the awareness of ENT physicians should be expanded. Our study showed that with increasing age, patients may present with ARS and CRS more. Presence of OME is the most important risk factor for tympanic membrane damage and the most common type of hearing loss is conductive failure.

Purpose There are children having pectus excavatum(PE) accompanied with congenital lung malformation（CLM）. However, the simultaneous surgery or staged surgery outcomes of the PE and CLM is unclear. This study was aimed to demonstrate the outcomes of simultaneous or staged surgery of PE and CLM in children. Methods From December 2015 to December 2020, we include 11 patients who got PE accompanied with CLM or with lung malformation resection before in Department of Pediatric Thoracic Surgery, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center. Six patients underwent NUSS procedure and lung malformation resection simultaneously. Four patients conducted NUSS procedure after lung malformation resection. One patient conducted congenital lung malformation resection after NUSS procedure. The staged surgery group of pectus excavatum concomitant with lung malformation is control group. The perioperative condition and postoperative follow-up were respectively evaluated. Results The age，gender and weight were no difference in study group and control group ( P>0.05). The intraoperative operation time, blood loss volume and postoperative hospital stay of control group were no significantly different study group, respectively (181.67 ±61.05 min VS 125.00 ±105.00 min; 271.67 ± 302.53 ml VS 105.00 ± 220.82 ml; 10.83 ±5.88 days VS 9.80 ± 4.82 days). All patients are follow-up at least 24 months in clinic department by X-ray. There were no statistical differences in these data. Conclusions The simultaneous or staged surgery of PE and CLM in children was feasible and safe. The children age beyond 3 year-old-age, the simultaneous surgery is advocated to recover. Additionally, large number of prospective study results are necessary to further invest the consequence of the simultaneous and staged surgery.

Liben Building, constructed in 1822 AD, is located in Xinnan Village, Hukeng Town, Yongding District, Longyan City, Fujian Province, China. This square earthen building covers an area of about 2,100 square meters. In 1931 AD, the building was sacked and burned down by bandits during a war, leaving behind only the remnants of the walls of the main building. In the meta-universe environment, firstly, this study adopted blockchain DAO technology to conduct a study on the digital collection, storage, processing, display and dissemination of Liben Building, revealing the problems with digital regeneration of cultural heritage. Then, the questionnaire with 20 questions was designed, and 158 valid completed copies of the questionnaire were collected. Combining influence relationship with sample clustering analysis methods, this paper explored the findings of a study of the historical sites under blockchain digital heritage preservation and protection in the metaverse.

In this paper we establish existence and multiplicity solutions for a class of Choquard-Kirchhoff type equations with variable exponents and critical reaction. Because of the critical reaction, we can use the concentration-compactness principle to deal with the lack of compactness. The results are also based on the combination of the mountain pass theorem and the Hardy-Littlewood-Sobolev inequality for variable exponents. And we discuss the results in non-degenerate and degenerate cases.

We investigate Schwarz lemma in the framework of bicomplex numbers, which are pairs of complex numbers making up a commutative ring with zero-divisors. The bicomplex is a generalization of complex which has closed relation with Frac- tal geometry, Minkowski Space-Time, Maxwell’s equations, Schrödinger equation and Gaussian pulse wave. In this paper, we first construct a type of bicomplex Möbius transformation and obtain some results : the mapping properties on bicom- plex spheres and bicomplex ball, preserving the inverse points with respect to the bicomplex sphere (0,1). Then we obtain the Poisson integral formula in bicom- plex setting, and by using the Poisson integral formula, we give the Schwarz lemma for bicomplex holomorphic functions in bicomplex setting. Finally, we shall give the Schwarz lemma and the Schwarz-Pick type lemma for holomorphic functions in bicomplex analysis. These results may give new energy for the development of quan- tum mechanics.

We report  8-year follow-up of a home-based exercise rehabilitation program combined traditional Chinese medicine for a patient with triple vessel disease patient complicated with heart failure without invasive intervention. Improvements were observed in all outcomes.

Background: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is an emerging technology that can comprehensively assess the diversity of the immune system. We explored the feasibility of NGS in detecting minimal residual disease (MRD) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) based on immunoglobulin and T cell receptor. Methods: Bone marrow samples were collected pre- and post-treatment with pediatric ALL admitted to Shenzhen Children’s Hospital from February 1st, 2020 to January 31st, 2021. We analyzed the MRD detected by NGS, multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) and real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR), and analyzed risk factors of positive NGS-MRD at the end of B-ALL induction chemotherapy. Results: A total of paired 236 bone marrow samples were collected from 64 children with ALL (58 B-ALL and 6 T-ALL). The decrease in the clonal rearrangement frequency of IGH, IGK, and IGL was generally consistent after treatment. Positive MRD was detected in 57.5% (77/134) of B-ALL and 80% (12/15) of T-ALL by NGS after chemotherapy, which was higher than those detected by MFC and RQ-PCR. In B-ALL patients, MRD results detected by NGS were consistent with MFC（r = 0.708, p < 0.001）and RQ-PCR（r = 0.618, p < 0.001）. At the end of induction, NGS-MRD of 40.4% B-ALL was >0.01% and multivariate analysis indicated that ≧2 clonal rearrangement sequences before treatment were an independent factor of negative NGS-MRD. Conclusions: NGS is more sensitive than MFC and RQ-PCR for MRD measurement. B-ALL children with ≧2 clonal rearrangements detected by NGS before treatment are difficult to switch to negative MRD after chemotherapy.

‎In this paper‎, ‎we introduce the concepts of derivation of degree $n$‎, ‎generalized derivation of degree $n$ and ternary derivation of degree $n$‎, ‎where $n$ is a positive integer‎, ‎and then we study algebraic properties of these mappings‎. ‎For instance‎, ‎we study the image of derivations of degree $n$ on algebras and in this regard we prove that‎, ‎under certain conditions‎, ‎every derivation of degree $n$ on an algebra maps the algebra into its Jacobson radical‎. ‎Also‎, ‎we present some characterizations of these mappings on algebras‎. ‎For example‎, ‎under certain assumptions‎, ‎we show that if $f$ is an additive generalized derivation of degree $n$ with an associated mapping $d$‎, ‎then either $f$ is a linear generalized derivation with the associated linear derivation $d$ or $f$ and $d$ are identically zero‎. ‎Some other related results are also established‎.

Plant vacuoles serve as the primary intracellular compartments for phosphorus (P) storage and play a central role to maintain P homeostasis. The Oryza sativa (rice) genome contains three genes that encode SPX (SYG1/PHO81/XPR1)-MFS (Major Facility Superfamily) proteins (OsSPX-MFS1, 2, 3). OsSPX-MFS1 and OsSPX-MFS3 were shown previously to have vacuolar phosphate (Pi) transporter activities, but the physiological role of the three transporters under varying P conditions and under field grown conditions for a crop plant is not known. To address this knowledge gap, we generated single, double, and triple mutants (7 mutants with at least two lines of each) for the three rice Os SPX-MFS genes. All the mutants except osspx-mfs2 display lower vacuolar Pi concentrations and all Os SPX-MFSs overexpression plant lines display higher Pi accumulation, demonstrating that all three OsSPX-MFSs are vacuolar Pi influx transporters. OsSPX-MFS3 plays the dominant role based on the phenotypes of three single mutants in terms of growth, vacuolar and tissue Pi concentrations. OsSPX-MFS2 is the weakest and only functions as vacuole Pi sequestration under osspx-mfs1/3 background. The vacuolar Pi sequestration was severely impaired in osspx-mfs1/ 3 and osspx-mfs1/2/ 3, which led to Pi toxicity and subsequently increased Pi allocation to aerial organs. High Pi in the panicle result in necrotic symptoms on husks and impaired panicle and grain development in osspx-mfs1/ 3 and osspx-mfs1/2/ 3 mutant lines. The mutation in the weak vacuolar Pi transporter OsSPX-MFS2 resulted more stable yield compared to the wildtype under low P field conditions. The results suggest that alteration of vacuolar Pi sequestration may be a novel effective strategy to improve rice (crop) tolerance to low phosphorus field conditions and maintain yield.

Desert plants have evolved different strategies to cope with the harsh environmental conditions. Trichomes are defensive epidermal protrusion of many plants, which provide a model to gain insight into the control of cell fate and morphogenesis. S. ferganica, a desert halophyte, develops thick, long trichomes on true leaf in seedling stage to ensure its survival. In the present study, we investigated the trichome on the morphogenesis along with related gene expression, the cell wall composition, and the preliminary function in salt accumulation and maintenance of the condensed water as well, results revealed that the trichome of S. ferganica was initiated from the epidermal primordium followed by two to three times of cell division to form a multicellular trichome, which was affected by abiotic stress; meanwhile, some genes associated with trichome development were positively involved. Analysis of cell wall composition showed that different polysaccharides including heavily methyl-esterified and fully de-esterified pectins (before maturation, probably in the primary wall), xyloglucans (in the middle early and middle stages, probably in the secondary wall), and extension proteins (during whole developmental period) were detected, which were different from trichomes of Arabidopsis and cotton. Moreover, trichomes presented functions to accumulate salt from the mesophyll cell and secrete it to the outer space; and retain larger amount of the condensed water in the complex web system formed by the thick, long hairs. Our findings should contribute to further understanding of the biogenesis and functions of plant accessory structures such as trichomes in deserts plants.

Recent progress has shown that vacuolar Pi transporters (VPTs) are important for cellular Pi homeostasis against external Pi variations in Arabidopsis and rice, while it is poorly understood for the identity and regulatory mechanism of VPTs in Brassica napus ( B. napus). Here, we identified two vacuolar Pi influx transporters BnA09PHT5;1b and BnCnPHT5;1b in B. napus and uncovered their necessity for cellular Pi homeostasis through functional analysis. BnPHT5;1bs are the homologs of Arabidopsis AtPHT5;1 with the similar sequence, structure, tonoplast localization, and VPT activity. BnPHT5;1b double mutants had smaller shoot growth and higher shoot cellular Pi than the wild-type B. napus, which are largely different from the report in At PHT5;1 mutant, suggesting PHT5;1-VPTs play a distinct mechanism of cellular Pi homeostasis in seedlings of B. napus and Arabidopsis. By contrast, disruption of BnPHT5;1b genes slowed vegetative growth accompanied by Pi toxicity in floral organs, reduced seed yield and impacted seed traits, agreeing with the role of AtPHT5;1 in floral Pi homeostasis. Taken together, our studies identified two vacuolar Pi influx transporters in B. napus and revealed the distinct and conserved regulatory mechanisms of BnPHT5;1bs in cellular Pi homeostasis in this plant species.

Pandemic influenza viruses may emerge from animal reservoirs and spread among humans in the absence of cross-reactive antibodies in the human population. Immune response to highly conserved T cell epitopes in vaccines may still reduce morbidity and limit the spread of the new virus even when cross-protective antibody responses are lacking. We used an established epitope content prediction and comparison tool, EpiCC, to assess the potential for emergent H1N1 G4 swine influenza A virus (G4) to impact swine and human populations. We identified and computed the total cross-conserved T cell epitope content in HA sequences of human seasonal and experimental influenza vaccines, swine influenza vaccines from Europe and the United States (US) against G4. The overall T cell epitope content of US commercial swine vaccines was poorly conserved with G4, with an average T cell epitope coverage of 35.7%. EpiCC scores for the comparison between current human influenza vaccines and circulating human influenza strains were also very low. In contrast, the T cell epitope coverage of a recent European swine influenza vaccine (HL03) was 65.8% against G4. Poor T cell epitope cross-conservation between emergent G4 and swine and human influenza vaccines in the US may enable G4 to spread in swine and spillover to human populations in the absence of protective antibody response. One European influenza vaccine, HL03, may protect against emergent G4. This study illustrates the use of the EpiCC tool for prospective assessment of existing vaccine strains against emergent viruses in swine and human populations.

The information about the domain architecture of proteins is useful for studying protein structure and function. However, accurate prediction of protein domain boundaries (i.e., sequence regions separating two domains) from sequence remains a significant challenge. In this work, we develop a deep learning method based on multi-head U-Nets (called DistDom) to predict protein domain boundaries utilizing 1D sequence features and predicted 2D inter-residue distance map as input. The 1D features contain the evolutionary and physicochemical information of protein sequences, whereas the 2D distance map includes the structural information of proteins that was rarely used in domain boundary prediction before. The 1D and 2D features are processed by the 1D and 2D U-Nets respectively to generate hidden features. The hidden features are then used by the multi-head attention to predict the probability of each residue of a protein being in a domain boundary, leveraging both local and global information in the features. The residue-level domain boundary predictions can be used to classify proteins as single-domain or multi-domain proteins. It classifies the CASP14 single-domain and multi-domain targets at the accuracy of 72.7%, 8.02% more accurate than the state-of-the-art method. Tested on the CASP14 multi-domain protein targets with expert annotated domain boundaries, the average per-target F1 measure score of the domain boundary prediction by DistDom is 0.241, 18.72% higher than the state-of-the-art method.