Alteration of host gene and protein expression by manipulative parasites.

Host manipulation mechanisms remain poorly understood. We summarize recent studies using -omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics) to explore alteration in gene expression in hosts infected by manipulative parasites. To guide future research, we highlight the common pattern of neuromodulation, as well as other diverse combinations of functions targeted across different host manipulation systems.

Enhanced carbon use efficiency and warming resistance of soil microorganisms under organic amendment.

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including rapid temperature fluctuations, are increasing because of climate change. Long-term fertilization practices have been observed to alter microbial physiology and community structure, thereby affecting soil carbon sequestration. However, the effects of warming on the carbon sequestration potential of soil microbes adapted to long-term fertilization remain poorly understood.

Spatial-temporal evolution of soil gas Rn before two Ms ≥ 5.0 earthquakes in the mid-eastern of the Qilian fault zone (QLF).

The mid-eastern segment of the Qilianshan fault zone (QLF) on the northeastern margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is considered one of the key seismic hazard areas. The Zhangye Ms5.0 earthquake and Menyuan Ms6.

Efficacy and safety of short-term high dosage dual antiplatelet therapy after 0.6 mg/kg rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term high-dose of dual antiplatelet therapy after 0.6 mg/kg rt-PA intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: All 208 patients with AIS were randomized into group 1 (103 cases, after 0.

Geochemical precursory characteristics of soil gas Rn, Hg, H, and CO related to the 2019 Xiahe Ms5.7 earthquake across the northern margin of West Qinling fault zone, Central China.

The Xiahe Ms5.7 earthquake occurred in Xiahe county, Gannan prefecture, China (35.10°N, 102.

Soil microbial community shifts explain habitat heterogeneity in two species from a nutrient perspective.

and (as sister taxa) are dominant shrubs in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The former grows in inter-dune lowlands while the latter in sand dunes. However, little information is available regarding the possible role of soil microorganisms in the habitat heterogeneity in the two species from a nutrient perspective.

Density-Dependent Prophylaxis in Freshwater Snails Driven by Oxylipin Chemical Cues.

While animal aggregations can benefit the fitness of group members, the behaviour may also lead to higher risks of parasite infection as group density increases. Some animals are known to moderate their investment in immunity relative to the risk of infection. These animals exhibit density-dependent prophylaxis (DDP) by increasing their immune investment as group density increases.

Isotopic turnover rates and diet-tissue discrimination depend on feeding habits of freshwater snails.

Estimates of animal diets and trophic structure using stable isotope analysis are strongly affected by diet-tissue discrimination and tissue turnover rates, yet these factors are often unknown for consumers because they must be measured using controlled-feeding studies. Furthermore, these parameters may be influenced by diet quality, growth, and other factors. We measured the effect of dietary protein content on diet-tissue discrimination and tissue turnover in three freshwater snail species.

Phenological responses to nitrogen and water addition are linked to plant growth patterns in a desert herbaceous community.

Increases in nitrogen (N) deposition and variation in precipitation have been occurring in temperate deserts; however, little information is available regarding plant phenological responses to environmental cues and their relationships with plant growth pattern in desert ecosystems. In this study, plant phenology and growth of six annuals in response to N and water addition were monitored throughout two consecutive growing seasons in 2011 and 2012 in a temperate desert in northwestern China. The effects of N and water addition on reproductive phenology differed among plant species.

Two I84 family protease inhibitors from Chinese razor clams Sinonovacula constricta expressed in response to environmental challenges.

Protease inhibitors play critical roles in numerous biological processes including host defense in all multicellular organisms. Eighty three evolutionary families of protease inhibitors are currently accommodated in the MEROPS database and the I84 family currently consists of 3 novel serine protease inhibitors from the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica. In this study, we identified 2 new I84 family members from the Chinese razor clam Sinonovacula constricta, scSI-1 and scSI-2, using cDNA cloning and sequencing.

The efficacy of homemade tolcapone in the treatment of patients with Parkinsons disease.

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of homemade tolcapone in treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Eighty patients with PD were subjected to randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and parallel-group study. PD patients were randomly divided into the tolcapone treatment group (41 cases) and placebo group (39 cases).

Spatial distribution correlation of soil-gas radon (Rn) and mercury with leveling deformation in northern margin fault zone of West Qinling, China.

This study concerns measurement of Rn and mercury concentrations in soil-gas in the northern margin fault zone of West Qinling, Tibet (China). Based on profiles crossing perpendicularly the different segments of the fault at six different locations, the relations between the gas measurements, fault deformation, and seismic activity in each segment of the studied fault were analyzed, determining seismic risks in the fault zone. Soil-gas data are heterogeneous, but appear relatively organized along the three segments of the fault.

Low cholesterol level associated with severity and outcome of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: Results from Taiwan Stroke Registry.

The relationship between cholesterol level and hemorrhagic stroke is inconclusive. We hypothesized that low cholesterol levels may have association with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) severity at admission and 3-month outcomes. This study used data obtained from a multi-center stroke registry program in Taiwan.

Profile Changes in the Soil Microbial Community When Desert Becomes Oasis.

The conversion of virgin desert into oasis farmland creates two contrasting types of land-cover. During oasis formation with irrigation and fertilizer application, however, the changes in the soil microbial population, which play critical roles in the ecosystem, remain poorly understood. We applied high-throughput pyrosequencing to investigate bacterial and archaeal communities throughout the profile (0-3 m) in an experimental field, where irrigation and fertilization began in 1990 and cropped with winter wheat since then.

Efficacy and Safety of Intravenous Thrombolysis for the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Saccular Intracranial Aneurysms of ≤3 mm.

To explore the effectiveness and safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in treating acute ischemic stroke patients with concomitant intracranial aneurysms (IA) of ≤3 mm. Clinical data of patients who were treated in Tianjin Huanhu Hospital from June 2012 to September 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the following groups: (a) IVT group, in which there were 30 acute ischemic stroke patients with IA of ≤3 mm and 30 patients without aneurysms; and (b) IA group, in which there were 30 patients who did not receive IVT and 30 patients who received IVT.

Automated segmentation and quantification of white matter hyperintensities in acute ischemic stroke patients with cerebral infarction.

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) of presumed vascular origin are common in ageing population, especially in patients with acute cerebral infarction and the volume has been reported to be associated with mental impairment and the risk of hemorrhage from antithrombotic agents. WMHs delineation can be computerized to minimize human bias. However, the presence of cerebral infarcts greatly degrades the accuracy of WMHs detection and thus limits the application of computerized delineation to patients with acute cerebral infarction.

[Effect of long-term fertilizing regime on soil microbial diversity and soil property].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of long-term fertilization on soil microbial community and soil chemical and physical properties.

Methods: Using a high-throughput pyrosequencing technique, we studied microbial community in the 0-300 cm soil samples covering a 20-year field-experiment with different fertilization applications including inorganic fertilizer alone (N 300 kg/hm2, P2O5 150 kg/hm2 and K2O 60 kg/hm2) and inorganic fertilizer combined with straw (same application rate of N and P fertilizer combined with 5.4 t straw).

Proteinuria independently predicts unfavorable outcome of ischemic stroke patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis.

Background And Purpose: Patients with low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and proteinuria may be at increased risk for stroke. This study investigated whether low eGFR and proteinuria are outcome predictors in stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

Methods: We studied 432 consecutive stroke patients who received thrombolysis from January 2006 to December 2012, in Taiwan.

Eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis in an adolescent with mental retardation and pica disorder.

Eosinophilic meningitis or encephalitis is a rare disorder and is most commonly caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Humans are accidentally infected when they ingest raw snails or vegetables contaminated with the parasite larvae. Because of the improvement in sanitary food handling practices, the occurrence of A.

Detecting nuclear materials smuggling: performance evaluation of container inspection policies.

In recent years, the United States, along with many other countries, has significantly increased its detection and defense mechanisms against terrorist attacks. A potential attack with a nuclear weapon, using nuclear materials smuggled into the country, has been identified as a particularly grave threat. The system for detecting illicit nuclear materials that is currently in place at U.

[Eighteen cases of 2009 influenza A H1N1 associated with respiratory failure in adults].

Objective: To investigate the clinical feature, treatment and outcome of respiratory failure in patients with 2009 influenza A H1N1 infection in critically ill adults.

Methods: A prospective observational study of 18 patients with respiratory failure suffering from 2009 influenza A H1N1 infection admitted between November 22, 2009 and January 16, 2010. Their clinical data were analyzed.

[Clinical effects of low-stretch ventilation on acute respiratory distress syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of low-stretch as compared with low-tidal-volume strategy in the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: Eighty-five cases of ARDS patients were randomly divided into low-stretch group (42 cases) and low-tidal-volume group (43 cases). The former group of patient received pressure assist control mode with not higher than 35 cm H(2)O (1 cm H(2)O=0.