Abstract: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare and fatal systemic illness arising secondary to an immune dysregulation .Primary HLH is due to genetic defects and secondary HLH is caused due to unchecked macrophage recruitment following an acquired trigger. It is often diagnosed late in view of its rarity and similarities of presentation to sepsis and SIRS. A compelete curative solution to this problem is hematopoietic stem cell transplant, though secondary cases are often seen to have sustained remission with immune-chemotherapy COVID 19 has also been postulated to cause a HLH like scenario with blunted NK cell number and function. Recent advances in this field comprising of various immunosuppressant based regimens, myeloablative therapies preceding stem cell transplant and improved techniques of stem cell transplant have improved the outcomes. Here we try to present the pathogenesis, etiology, diagnostic criteria and the dilemmas, various treatment strategies, prognostic markers and the most recent researches regarding this rare disease.

Background: Pulmonary metastasis(PM) form hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is a major indicator of a poor prognosis after liver resection. The study aimed to probe into the influencing factors for PM following open liver resection(OLR) and laparoscopic liver resection(LLR) with HCC. Method: All patients who suffered from LLR and OLR for primary HCC, who developed pulmonary metastasis, as first extrahepatic metastasis, were retrospectively analyzed in our department from January 2014 to August 2020. Results: Thirty-three cases were included (median age 50 years,81.8% male). The patients with a single tumor had 23 cases (69.7%), and a total of 10 patients(30.3%) has two and more tumors. 21 cases (63.6%) were smaller than 10 cm of tumor diameter. The median of operation time was 200 minutes (110-360), Portal vein occlusion occurred in 12 patients(36.4%). Patients with intrahepatic recurrence received vertebroplasty combined chemotherapy(VPCC), targeted therapy , trans-arterial chemo-embolization(TACE) and radio frequency catheter ablation(RFCA) in 1(3%),1(3%),10(30.3%) and 7(12.1%) cases respectively. The 2- and 3- year cumulative probability of overall survival (OS) were 63% and 41%. The median OS was 30.8 months. The median recurrence time was 6 months(1.7-4.8). The median of confirmed PM time from HCC was 12.5 months(1.5-61.1) and 17(51.5%) patients died. Conclusion: Early detection of intrahepatic recurrence and treatment can prolong PM time and overall survival time.

Species delimitation is essential to understanding and categorizing our planet’s biodiversity, particularly amidst rapid changes to environmental conditions and natural landscapes. However, the process of speciation is heterogenous and often complex, and robust characterization of species boundaries has remained a challenge for many taxa. Recent advances in both genomics and ecological modelling have been a boon for research focused on population dynamics, and present new, multidisciplinary opportunities for clarifying species boundaries in taxa that have been difficult to classify otherwise. Here, we present an approach to combining ecological niche models with next-generation sequence data to aid in integrated species delimitation. We apply this approach to the Speyeria atlantis-hesperis (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) species complex, which is notorious for its muddled species delimitations, morphological variation and mito-nuclear discordance. Using genomic SNPs, we recovered substantial divergence, not only between S. hesperis and S. atlantis, but also within S. hesperis, which may be attributed to a combination of past introgression with another species, S. zerene, and post-glacial range expansion. We then applied niche modelling to assess ecological divergence and barriers to gene flow among the recovered genomic lineages. Results of these analyses suggest that adaptation to ecological conditions is hindering contemporary gene flow between northern and southern populations of S. hesperis, contributing to and reinforcing their genetic integrity. We suggest that the current species delimitation of S. hesperis should be revised, and demonstrate the utility of an approach to integrated species delimitation that combines ecological and genomic data and reconciles related species concepts.

A document by samir elsayed. Click on the document to view its contents.

This study aims to evaluate the COVID-19 pandemic consultations requested from the division of hematology in the hospital. We recorded the following features of the patients: demographic information, the status of outpatient or inpatient, the clinic requested consultation, the result of the consultation, having a hematological disease, diagnosis and COVID-19 suspicion. In this study, 82 cases were evaluated. The median age of the patients was 49,5. Females were mild higher (56,1% vs. 43,9%). Eight of the patients was suspected with COVID-19. The frequency of suspicion in patients with the previously diagnosed hematological disorder was higher significantly than patients without previously diagnosed (42,9% vs. 6,7% p=0,018). The frequency of suspicion was higher significantly inpatients than outpatients (19,4% vs. 2,2%, p=0,019). Only two of the patients who was suspected with COVID-19 were PCR-positive and these patients were diagnosed with concomitant hematologic malignancy; CLL and MCL. The most common clinic and cause of this consultation of this clinic were gynecology and thrombocytopenia, respectively, and most of the patients were diagnosed with pseudothrombocytopenia. After the consultation for all patients, the diagnosis was drug-related cytopenia; however, detailed evaluation for cytopenia was delayed to period which after the pandemic because any patients had no deep levels of cytopenia. Although our study has some limitations, this study is remarkable because this is the first study that has investigated hematology consultation during the pandemic. We think that more significant results will be achieved as new data become available, as long as the pandemic continues.

The objective of this study was to analyze the combined effects of climate and land use/cover changes on livestock feed resources and livestock species composition. The land use/cover data were generated from Landsat images of 1986, 1995, 2010 and 2018. The images were classified using a maximum likelihood classifier algorithm. The result from meteorological data and the land use/cover change were compared with household perception on livestock feed availability and livestock species composition. The result showed that the dominant land use/cover in the eco-region throughout the study period was bush/shrub cover followed by woody vegetation. This study revealed transition of land use/cover from grassland, woody and forest vegetation cover to bush/shrub and cropland in the study areas. The analysis of time series meteorological data showed significantly increasing patterns of temperature, and the highly variable nature of rainfall during 1986-2018. The pattern of livestock population throughout the analysis period exhibited a significantly increasing trend. The land use/cover, temperature and rainfall significantly affected livestock feed availability and quality. Over the last 32 years, potential grazing resources had been declined with a resultant increase in the proportion of bush/shrub feed resources available for livestock. The inter-annual variation of rainfall during the analysis period was 40.45%, which implies that the rangeland is in non-equilibrium dynamics. The rangelands carrying capacity was significantly decreased from 3.76 TLU/ha/year in 1986 to 1.74 TLU/ha/year in 2018. However, the stocking rate was increased from 1.8 TLU/ha/year in 1986 into 7.15 TLU/ha/year during 1986-2018. It is recommendable to choose camel and goat more likely than cattle and sheep raising with increasing temperature and decreasing pattern of rainfall. Hence, available feed resources and the probability of choosing livestock species vary with eco-region and land use/cover that indicates the need for site-specific feed and rangeland management scheme.

Aim Tracheal tubes were placed together with bronchial blocker into trachea, which would result in increased airway resistance and hypoventilation in young children. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of laryngeal mask way (LMA) with the bronchial blocker for OLV in children undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Methods: Sixty children undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were randomly divided into two groups in this prospective, controlled clinical study. The group A received OLV using the bronchial blocker via LMA, while the group B received OLV using the extraluminal technique of the bronchial blocker. The placement time of LMA and the bronchial blocker was noted. Respiratory mechanic parameters [tidal volume (Vt), compliance of lung (CL) and PETCO2] were recorded. Postoperative complications were also recorded. Results: The placement time was shorter in group A than in the group B (3.9 ± 0.5 vs. 5.2± 0.7 min, P <0.01). Vt and CL 30 min after the initiation of OLV were increased in group A than in group B (97.3±7.4 vs 89.9±7.8 ml, 23.2±2.6 vs 20.3±3.5 ml/cmH2O, P < 0.01, respectively), while PETCO2 in group A were lower compared to the group B (39.4±4.3 vs. 43.5±4.8 mmHg, P = 0.01). At 30 min after the initiation of OLV, PaO2 was higher in group A (236.6±41.0 vs 208.2±45.9 mmHg, P =0.014), while PaCO2 were lower in group A (43.8± 2.5 vs 46.3± 4.1 mmHg, P = 0.006), there were statistical significant differences in PaO2 and PaCO2 between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Use of the bronchial blocker via LMA for OLV takes less placement time and improves ventilation and with fewer complications compared to the extraluminal technique. It provides a novel approach to lung isolation in pediatric thoracic anesthesia．

A document by Xiaoting Song. Click on the document to view its contents.

Background: The present study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of using presystolic wave as an indicator of early myocardial damage in patients with essential hypertension. Methods: The present study included 90 patients diagnosed with hypertension. The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of whether they exhibited the presence of PSW (n = 64, age: 56 ±11 years) or its absence (n = 26, age: 58 ±13 years), as revealed by the results of left ventricular outflow Doppler echocardiography. The levels of Heart-type free fatty acid-binding protein were compared between the two groups. Results: In the 90 hypertensive patients included in the present study, the prevalence of presystolic wave was determined to be 71%. The Heart-type free fatty acid-binding protein levels in the non-PSW patients were observed to be statistically higher than those in the PSW patients [4.88 ng/mL (2.82–17.83) vs. 3.99 ng/mL (2.57–17.87), p = 0.041]. Even though the ejection fractions and the left ventricular diameters were within the normal limits for the patients of both the groups, the value for the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was observed to be statistically higher in the non-PSW group. No differences were observed in the mitral flow parameters between the two groups. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the absence of presystolic wave in the hypertensive patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction is an indicator of subclinical myocardial damage. The hypertensive patients exhibiting the absence of the presystolic wave should be strictly followed up for cardiac complications.

Both innovator and generic imatinib are approved for the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia-Chronic phase (CML-CP). Currently, there are no studies on the feasibility of treatment free remission (TFR) with generic imatinib. In a single center prospective Generic Imatinib Free Trial - in -CML-CP (GIFT-in-CML-CP) study, twenty-six patients on generic imatinib for more than 3 years and in sustained deep molecular response (BCR ABLIS <0.01% for more than 2 years) were included. After treatment discontinuation, patients were monitored with complete blood count and BCR ABLIS by real time quantitative PCR monthly for one year and three monthly thereafter. Generic imatinib was restarted at single documented loss of major molecular response. At a median follow-up of 20 months (range, 4-34 months), 42.3% patients (n=11) continued to be in TFR. Estimated TFR at 1 year was 44%. All patients restarted on generic imatinib regained major molecular response. On multivariate analysis, attainment of complete molecular remission (CMR) prior to TFR trial was predictive of TFR [p=0.022, HR 0.284 (0.096-0.837)]. We conclude that , generic imatinib can be safely discontinued in CML-CP patients who are in deep molecular remission.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a viral transboundary disease of small ruminants that causes significant damage to agriculture. The disease has not been previously registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK). This paper presents an assessment of the susceptibility of the RK territory to the spread of this disease in case of its importation from infected countries. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) models trained on the PPR outbreaks in China were used to rank municipal districts of the RK in terms of the risk of PPR spread. Spatial density of outbreaks was used as a risk indicator while a number of socio-economic, landscape and climatic indicators were considered as explanatory variables. The Exploratory Regression tool was used to reveal a best combination of independent variables based on specified thresholds of R-squared, variables’ multicollinearity and residuals’ normality and autocorrelation. The small ruminants’ density, the maximum green vegetation fraction, the annual mean temperature, the road length and density as well as the cattle density were the most significant factors. Both OLS and GWR demonstrated nearly similar model performance providing a global adjusted R-squared of 0.61. Applied to the RK, the models show the greatest risk of PPR spread in the south-eastern and northern regions of the country, especially within Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkistan, West Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan regions. As part of the study, a country-wise survey was carried out to collect data on the distribution of livestock population the RK, which resulted in compiling a complete geo-database of small ruminants’ holdings in the country. The research results can be used to form a national strategy for the prevention of the importation and spread of PPR in Kazakhstan through targeted monitoring in high-risk areas.

Objective: To evaluate the expectant management (EM) versus active management (AM) of PROM (Premature Rupture of Membranes) in pregnancies more than 34 weeks of gestation as a factor associated with a decrease of neonatal complications because of prematurity. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Pregnancy women with 34‒36.6 weeks of gestation with PROM attended in Carlos Andrade Marín Specialty Hospital, Quito-Ecuador; in the years 2016 and July 2019. Population: 209 patients: this sample was separately in two groups by inclusion and exclusion criteria; 103 cases were management expectantly and 106 cases were management actively. Methods: The risk was estimated calculation relative risk (RR) and Chi-square with p‒value less than 0.05, 95% CI. Main Outcome Measures: frequency of neonatal complications in both groups. Results: The prevalence of PROM was 1.95%, associated with preterm delivery in 13.59%. Caesarean delivery was 25.2% (EM) and 50.9% (AM) with p <0.05. There were no significant differences in variables: maternal infection RR: 1,324 (95% CI: 0.972‒1.885) in EM and AM: RR: 0.683 (95% CI: 0.398‒1.172); neonatal sepsis RR: 0.909 (95% CI: 0.608‒1359) in EM, and RR: 1.091 (95% CI: 0.773‒1540) in AM; respiratory distress syndrome RR: 0.993 (expectant) and RR: 1.01 (active), and prolonged hospitalization. The risk of neonatal mortality and necrotizing enterocolitis is higher in newborns of mothers under AM, with RR: 2,013 (95% CI: 1,723‒2351). Conclusions: There were no significant differences between both groups, but there was a significant increase in neonatal mortality, necrotizing enterocolitis, and caesarean after active management.

The frantic search for a cure or prophylactic treatment of COVID-19 has unfortunately led to a dropping of the guard of many medical specialists resulting in widespread adoption of unproven treatment modalities. The recent article regarding the inconsistent physician attitudes towards hydroxychloroquine paints a depressing picture of the actual practices during the so-called era of evidence-based medicine. On this backdrop, we comment on how Romania (where this survey took place) has imposed some of the most severe lockdown measures in Europe, including the forced hospitalization of all confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Additionally, a therapeutic guideline was written into law, endorsing concomitant use of several drugs with unproven antiviral efficiency. This unprecedented situation has resulted in the sometimes indiscriminate prescription of off-label drugs, with a non-negligible risk of adverse reactions, especially in fragile patients with coexisting conditions. In light of the experience accrued in a COVID-19 dedicated unit, the authors discuss the importance of avoiding polypharmacy and administering all antiviral drugs within the confines of rigorously conducted clinical trials.

Oceanic dimethylsulfide (DMS) is hypothesized to impact cloud formation and solar radiation budget at Earth’s surface. Ultrahigh seawater DMS concentrations, up to hundreds of nM, have been observed in the Southern Ocean, which are commonly attributed to concurrent high phytoplankton biomass. However, phytoplankton biomass cannot fully explain the mechanism leading to those extreme values. Herein, we show the results, including seawater DMS concentrations and other biological and environmental parameters, in the water column collected in austral summer of 2015-2016 at the tip of Antarctic Peninsula. Notably, large-scale ultrahigh seawater DMS (up to 85.2 nM and generally above 40 nM in the upper layer) were observed only in areas with co-existing phytoplankton blooms and abundant microzooplankton (indicated by ciliates, whose abundance and biomass were above 1000 ind L-1 and 2 μg L-1, respectively), suggesting the grazing of abundant microzooplankton cause the ultrahigh seawater DMS during the bloom seasons of Southern Ocean.

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Choleraesuis is rarely detected in Europe, but the clinical disease in pigs, was reported in wild boars. Salmonellosis caused by S. Choleraesuis has never been confirmed in Serbia, as in many other countries in Europe. In April 2019, on one large farrow-to-finish pig farm, an increase in mortality in weaned piglets with lethargy, anorexia, pyrexia and respiratory distress was reported. Gross pathology revealed dermal cyanosis, mesenteric lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, interstitial pneumonia and colitis. By direct culturing of lung, liver, spleen and lymph nodes S. Choleraesuis variant Kunzendorf was isolated. This is the first report on the detection of S. Choleraesuis in domestic pigs in Serbia and re-appearance of salmonellosis due to S. Choleraesuis after decades of absence of disease on pig farms in Europe, which provides useful information about the epidemiology of this agent on the European continent. However, the definitive source for this outbreak and origin of infection still have to be elucidated.

Aim To evaluate the consistency of adherence information given to clinicians by patients with obstructive lung disease and their relatives. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients and their relatives were independently questioned about the patients’ adherence to inhaler therapy. The consistency of the information given by the patients and their relatives in terms of patient’s adherence to the inhaler treatment was evaluated. Results Sixty-six patients, 42 followed up with a diagnosis of COPD, 24 with a diagnosis of asthma were included in the study. According to the patients’ own statements, the number of patients who regularly used the prescribed inhaler treatment was 59 (89.4%) while 7 (10.6%) patients reported that they used their inhalers irregularly. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, gender, education level, smoking, diagnosis, and duration of disease between adherents and non-adherents according to the patient’s own statement. According to the statements of their relatives, 17 (28.8%) of 59 patients who stated that they used the prescribed inhaler treatment regularly used their treatment irregularly. Conclusion The discrepancy determined between the statements given by the patients and their relatives about the adherence of the patients in our study revealed a serious problem in the assessment of adherence according to the patients’ statement. In this context, an approach that includes patient relatives in the assessment of adherence to inhaler therapy may help to evaluate adherence more accurately and to increase patient adherence.

This paper deals with localized waves in the (2+1)-dimensional Caudrey-Dodd-Gibbon-Kotera-Sawada (CDGKS) equation in the incompressible fluid. Based on Hirota’s bilinear method, N-soliton solutions related to CDGKS equation are constructed. For the case N = 5 and N = 6, the exact expression of multiple localized wave solutions comprising lump solitons are obtained by using the long wave limit method. A variety of interactions are illustrated analytically and graphically. The influence of parameters on propagation is analyzed and summarized. The results and phenomena obtained in this paper enrich the dynamic behavior of the evolution of nonlinear localized waves.

Background: Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is a first-line therapy for sleep-related breathing disorders and chronic respiratory insufficiency. Evidence about predictors that may impact long-term NIV outcomes, however, is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine demographic, clinical, and technology-related predictors of long-term NIV outcomes. Methods: A ten-year multi-centred retrospective review of children started on long-term continuous or bilevel positive airway pressure (CPAP, BPAP) in Alberta. Demographic, technology-related, and longitudinal clinical data was collected. Long-term outcomes examined included ongoing NIV use, discontinuation due to improvement in underlying condition, switch to invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) or death, patient/family therapy declination, transfer of services, and hospital admissions. Results: 622 children were included. Both younger age and CPAP use predicted higher likelihood for NIV discontinuation due to improvement in underlying conditions. Children with upper airway disorders or bronchopulmonary dysplasia were less likely to require NIV continuation while presence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders resulted in higher likelihood of hospitalizations and switch to IMV or death. The presence of obesity/metabolic syndrome and early NIV-associated complications predicted higher risk for NIV declination. Children with more co-morbidities or use of additional therapies required more hospitalizations and the latter also predicted higher risk to be switched to IMV or death. Conclusions: Demographic, clinical data, and NIV type impact long-term NIV outcomes and need to be considered during the initial discussions about therapy expectations with families. Knowledge of factors that may impact long-term NIV outcomes might help to better monitor at-risk patients and minimize adverse outcomes.

Objective Long-term respiratory consequences of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants born in the post-surfactant era (“new” BPD) remain partially unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate respiratory outcomes of “new” BPD in adolescents who were born preterm. Methods This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 286 adolescents born between 2003 and 2005 (mean age: 14.2 years); among them, 184 and 102 were born extremely preterm (EP) (< 28 weeks’ gestation) and moderate-late preterm (32 to < 37 weeks’ gestation), respectively. Among EP adolescents, 92 had BPD, and 92 did not. All participants underwent lung function tests, skin prick testing, and questionnaires on asthma symptoms and quality of life. Results EP adolescents with BPD had significantly lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and forced expiratory flow between 25%–75% of FVC than other included adolescents. FEV1/FVC ratios were below the lower limit of normal (z-score < −1.645) in 30.4% of EP adolescents with BPD, 13.0% of EP adolescents without BPD, and 11.8% of adolescents who were born moderate-late preterm. Bronchodilator response and air-trapping were significantly higher in BPD adolescents than in other adolescents. Diffusion capacity was significantly lower in EP adolescents than in moderate-late preterm adolescents. Asthma symptoms and quality of life scores were similar among groups. Conclusion EP adolescents with “new” BPD had poorer pulmonary function than EP adolescents without BPD or moderate-late preterm adolescents. Further studies are needed to determine whether “new” BPD is associated with early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in adulthood.

This study presents the results of a long-term paired catchment experiment in south central Chile (mean annual precipitation = 2,500 mm, 5% falling in summer, mean annual temperature = 10 °C) in which fast-growing plantations of exotic Eucalyptus spp. were clearcut and replaced with native temperate rainforest species as part of an ecological restoration project. Precipitation, streamflow, and vegetation were measured starting in 2006 in four small (3 to 5 ha) catchments with Eucalyptus globulus plantations and native riparian buffers in the Valdivian Coastal Reserve. In 2011, the 12-yr-old Eucalyptus plantations were harvested in three catchments, and the clearcut area was planted with native trees (Nothofagus dombeyi), and diverse native forest species regenerated vigorously. In the restoration period (2011 to 2019), annual streamflow increased in average by 21 – 73% compared to the 2006-2010 pre-treatment period, and as much as 100% in wet years and by more than 150% in fall and summer of some years. Streamflow was 50 to 100% lower than before treatment in two dry summers (2014-2015. Base flow increased by 28 to 87% during the restoration period (2011 to 2019) compared to the pre-treatment period, and remained elevated in later years despite low summer precipitation. Streamflow increases persisted through the first decade of restoration. Overall, these findings indicate that removal of Eucalyptus plantations immediately increased streamflow, and native forest restoration gradually restored deep soil moisture reservoirs that sustain base flow during dry periods, and these flows showed steady positive values in the last three years contributing to water provision ecosystem services. The results of this study are relevant to efforts to restore native forest ecosystems on land currently intensively managed fast-growing forest plantations. They also provide useful information to inform policy and decision-making related to options for climate change mitigation under a drying trend in South-central Chile. To our knowledge this study is the first to test streamflow response to native forest restoration in former fast-growing Eucalyptus forest plantations.

Objectives To investigate the use and association of epidural analgesia (EA) on neonatal short-term outcome in vaginal childbirth at term of primiparous parturients. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Data of the National Birth Registry of Austria between 2008 and 2017. Population Primiparous women with spontaneous vaginal birth at term of singleton pregnancies in Austria. Methods Linear and logistic regression models to investigate an association of epidural analgesia on short-term neonatal outcome in propensity score adjusted cohorts. Main outcome measures: Short-term morbidity assessed by arterial cord pH and base excess. Secondary outcomes were admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, APGAR scores, and perinatal mortality. Results: Of 247 536 included deliveries, 52 153 received EA (21%). Differences in pH (7.24 vs. 7.25; 97.5% CI -0.0066 to -0.0047) and BE (-5.89 ± 3.2 mmol/l vs. 6.15 ± 3.2 mmol/l; 97.5% CI 0.32 to 0.40) with EA could be shown. APGAR score at 5 minutes below 7 was more frequent with EA (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.63). Admission to a neonatological intensive care unit occurred more often with EA (4.7% vs. 3.4%) with an OR for EA of 1.2 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.26). EA was not associated with perinatal mortality (OR 1.33; 95% CI 0.79 to 2.25). Conclusions EA showed no relevant association with short-term morbidity. Higher rates of NICU admission and APGAR score after 5 minutes below 7 were observed with EA. Overall use of EA in Austria is low, and investigation of causes may be indicated.

In this study, we introduce datasets that include both hydrological and meteorological records at the Nučice experimental catchment (0.53 km2) which is representative for an intensively farmed landscape in the Czech Republic. The Nučice experimental catchment was established in 2011 for the observation of rainfall-runoff processes, soil erosion processes, and water balance of a cultivated landscape. The average altitude is 401 m a.s.l., the mean land slope is 3.9%, and the climate is humid continental (mean annual temperature 7.9 °C, annual precipitation 630 mm). The catchment is drained by an artificially straightened stream and consists of three fields covering over 95 % of the area which are managed by two different farmers. The typical crops are winter wheat, rapeseed, and alfalfa. The installed equipment includes a standard meteorological station, several rain gauges distributed across the basin, and an H-flume that monitors stream discharge, water turbidity, and basic water quality indicators. Additionally, the groundwater level and soil water content at various depths near the stream are recorded. Recently, large-scale soil moisture monitoring efforts have been introduced with the installation of two cosmic-ray soil moisture sensors. The datasets consist of measured precipitation, air temperature, stream discharge, and soil moisture and are available online for public use. The cross seasonal, open access runoff generation datasets at this small-scale agricultural catchment will benefit not only hydrologists but also local farmers.

The Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed (WGEW) is the primary outdoor hydrologic laboratory for the USDA-ARS’ Southwest Watershed Research Center (SWRC). This site represents the Southwest semiarid environment within the Long-term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network. The SWRC maintains a collection of long-term hydro-climatic measurements from WGEW, featuring an extensive archive of rainfall and runoff observations from an ephemeral network of streams within the 149 km2 watershed. The WGEW was established in 1953, and has continually developed and improved quality assurance and quality control procedures to aid in the accuracy and curation of the constantly growing datasets obtained from more than 100 rain gauges and 18 flumes, weirs, and gauged ponds. These efforts have led to the development of a state-of-the-art database and data visualization tools to aid in the curation of research-grade hydrometeorologic datasets. This required development of automated quality assurance and quality control tools to check and maintain the data for 21st century research needs. We developed five tools to improve the quality of rainfall and runoff database based on conventional hydrologic principles and the relationships between them: 1) precipitation is spatially correlated; 2) there is a temporal relation between rainfall and runoff; 3) runoff is only a limit portion of rainfall; and, 4) closer took of extreme events. Hence, we developed the following methods that included the analysis of interpolated rainfall maps at a daily time step, the association between rainfall and runoff events, lag time, runoff coefficients, and multiple regression methods to identify problematic events in the data archive. To visually inspect and verify the errors, we developed a graphical tool that displays relevant event hyetographs and hydrographs within a specific time window. After flagging anomalous events, we evaluated the types of errors using the original records and metadata information. The implementation of these approaches resulted in developing a suite of semi-automated QAQC tools that correctly detected 813 rainfall and 24 runoff events with erroneous timestamps that had passed all previous quality checks.

Studies had confirmed that the abnormal proliferation and activation of FLS play a key role in the process of arthropathy. Inhibiting the abnormal proliferation and activation of FLS may be an effective method to control the development of RA. Many studies showed that EBP50 was a powerful factor in inhibiting the abnormal tumor cell proliferation and activation, but the expression characteristics and function of EBP50 in FLS had not yet been reported. In this study we showed that overexpression of EBP50 in CIA-FLS can inhibit the proliferation, which had no effect on the autophagy, and promoted the cell apoptosis by activating caspase-3. At the same time, relative results revealed that EBP50 overexpression markedly down-regulated the expression of MMP-9, but had no effect on MMP-2, E-cadherin and β-catenin, suggesting that one of the mechanisms for EBP50-regulated aggressive behavior of FLS is reducing MMP-9 production.