Sand fixation and human activities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau for ecological conservation and sustainable development.

The sand fixation ecosystem services and human activities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) play a crucial role in local sustainable development and ecosystem health, with significant implications for surrounding regions and the global ecological environment. We employed an improved integrated wind erosion modeling system (IWEMS) model for the QTP to simulate sand fixation quantities under the unique low temperature and low pressure conditions prevalent on the plateau. Using the human footprint index (HFI), the intensity of human activities on the plateau was quantified.

hsa_circ_0003596, as a novel oncogene, regulates the malignant behavior of renal cell carcinoma by modulating glycolysis.

Background: This research was planned to analyze hsa_circ_0003596 (circCOL5A1) and glycolysis-focused mechanisms in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods: circCOL5A1, miR-370-5p, and PRKCSH levels were determined in RCC tissues and selected cell lines by RT-qPCR and/or Western blot. RCC cells after corresponding transfection were tested by colony formation assay, EdU assay, Transwell assay, and flow cytometry to analyze cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis.

TSH levels within the normal range and risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality among individuals with diabetes.

Background: Evidence regarding thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels within the normal range and mortality in adults with diabetes is scarce. This study aimed to identify the association between TSH levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality among euthyroid patients with diabetes.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 1830 adults with diabetes from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

Non-Linear Association between Folate/Vitamin B12 Status and Cognitive Function in Older Adults.

Although folate and vitamin B12 status have long been implicated in cognitive function, there is no consensus on the threshold of folate and vitamin B12 for assessing their impacts on cognition. The goal of this study was to detail the association between folate and vitamin B12 with cognitive performance. We analyzed cross-sectional data of older adults (≥60 y; = 2204) from the NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys) cohort from 2011-2014.

Emerging Roles of Microglia in Neuro-vascular Unit: Implications of Microglia-Neurons Interactions.

Microglia, which serve as the defensive interface of the nervous system, are activated in many neurological diseases. Their role as immune responding cells has been extensively studied in the past few years. Recent studies have demonstrated that neuronal feedback can be shaped by the molecular signals received and sent by microglia.

Are the shoreline and eutrophication of desert lakes related to desert development?

Desert lakes are unique ecosystems found in oases within desert landscapes. Despite the numerous studies on oases, there are no reports regarding the spatiotemporal distribution and causes of eutrophication in the desert lakes that are located at the edge of the Linze Oasis in northwestern China. In this study, the seasonal shoreline and eutrophication of a desert lake were monitored using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and water sampling during three crop growth stages.

Graphene oxide regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress: autophagic pathways in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

During carcinogenesis, growth, proliferation, invasion and metastasis, increasing evidence shows that autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) are regulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a finding drawing more attention from physicians and scientists. As one of the carbon-based nano-materials, graphene oxide (GO) has been extensively used for its advantages, such as biocompatibility, an ultrahigh surface to volume ratio, abundant surface groups, and a special photothermal effect. The present study is designed to explore the effects of GO on autophagy and ER stress in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

The successful treatment of systemic toxic induced paraquat poisoning by skin absorption: case reports and a literature review.

Paraquat (PQ) poisoning is life-threatening, can cause acute organ damage, and has a high mortality. However, cases of skin absorption induced by PQ poisoning are rare. This report describes a case where PQ was absorbed by the patient's skin, causing severe organ damage.

The hidden costs of desert development.

Economic benefits and ecological restoration are the leading drivers of desert development through man-made oasis expansion. However, the sustainability of oasis expansion in combating desertification while promoting economic growth remains unclear, though such knowledge is critical for future desert development across the globe. To address this knowledge gap, a comprehensive assessment integrating meteorological, groundwater and remote-sensing data as well as groundwater simulation datasets was conducted to evaluate the spatial-temporal changes in the desert-oasis ecotone of northwest China over the past six decades.

Repeated cardiac arrest caused by an air embolism during hepatic resection: A case report.

Rationale: Although venous air embolism (VAE) during liver operation has been reported occasionally, fatal VAE in hepatic resection is uncommon. Prompt detection of VAE by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is crucial for effective therapy. We describe a case of fatal VAE that caused repeated cardiac arrest during hepatic resection and was confirmed by TEE.

Perioperative Single-Donor Platelet Apheresis and Red Blood Cell Transfusion Impact on 90-Day and Overall Survival in Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Background:: Although many previous studies have confirmed that perioperative blood transfusion is associated with poor outcomes after liver transplantation (LT), few studies described the influence of single-donor platelet apheresis transfusion in living donor LT (LDLT). This study aimed to assess the effect of blood products on outcomes for LDLT recipients, focusing on apheresis platelets.

Methods:: This retrospective study included 126 recipients who underwent their first adult-to-adult LDLT.

[Risk factors of pinhole infection in the fractured lower limbs after external fixation: a case-control study].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of pinhole infection in the fractured lower limbs after external fixation.

Methods: The case-control study was designed. From May 2009 to May 2014, the clinical data of 272 patients with lower limb fracture treated by external fixation device were collected.

[Anesthetic management of Stanford type A aortic dissection operation].

Objective: To explore the anesthetic management experiences of patients with Stanford A aortic dissection undergoing surgical treatment through moderate or deep hypothermia circulatory arrest (DHCA).

Methods: From June 2008 to December 2011, a total of 77 patients undergoing surgical treatment of Stanford A aortic dissection was recruited.

Results: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established under general anesthesia in all patients.

The effect of nitrous oxide on intracuff pressure of the size 2 ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway.

Study Objective: To investigate intracuff pressure changes in the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway (PLMA) during 50% nitrous oxide (N₂O) anesthesia.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Setting: Operating room of a university-affiliated hospital.

Activating killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors 3DS1 and 2DS1 protect against developing the severe form of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

The polymorphic killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) control natural killer (NK) cell response against viral infection and tumor transformation. Here we investigated if select KIR genes are associated with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare disease of the larynx and upper airway caused by human papillomaviruses (HPV)-6/11. DNA from 66 RRP patients and 195 healthy controls were characterized for KIR and HLA gene polymorphism.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors in HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis, with and without axial spondyloarthropathy.

Purpose: To determine associations between polymorphic genes that encode KIRs and their HLA class I ligands in patients with HLA-B27-associated acute anterior uveitis (AAU), with and without axial spondyloarthropathy (axial SpA).

Methods: Molecular DNA typing methods were used to define the frequencies of variable KIR genes and their relevant HLA class I ligands in HLA-B27(+) (B27(+)) Caucasian subjects with AAU and 429 healthy Caucasian control subjects. The patients were evaluated for axial SpA based on their histories using published criteria.

Effects of osmoprotectants on hyperosmolar stress in cultured human corneal epithelial cells.

Purpose: Increased tear osmolarity in dry eye disease has been found to stimulate production of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases by ocular surface epithelial cells. Prokaryotic and mammalian organ system cells maintain normal function under hypertonic conditions by the synthesis or accumulation of osmoprotectant compounds. This study assessed the effect of osmoprotectant compounds on the activation state of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in human corneal epithelial cells incubated in hyperosmolar conditions.

Distinct diversity of KIR genes in three southern Indian populations: comparison with world populations revealed a link between KIR gene content and pre-historic human migrations.

By interacting with polymorphic HLA class I molecules, the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) influence the innate and adaptive immune response to infection. The KIR family varies in gene content and sequence polymorphism, thereby, distinguishing individuals and populations. To investigate KIR diversity in the earliest settlers of India, we have characterized the KIR gene content in three Dravidian-speaking populations (Mollukurumba, Kanikar, and Paravar) from the state of Tamil Nadu, southern India.

Chain-terminating natural mutations affect the function of activating KIR receptors 3DS1 and 2DS3.

To determine the nucleotide polymorphism of activating killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (aKIR) 3DS1 and 2DS3, we developed a novel direct-sequencing method and analyzed DNA samples of 175 KIR3DS1(+) individuals and 72 KIR2DS3(+) individuals from the white population. The putative ligand-binding extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains of these aKIR receptors are highly conserved, a scenario contrary to inhibitory KIRs that recognize polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules. Null alleles 3DS1*049N and 2DS3*003N that do not express cell-surface receptors were discovered, and they occur commonly in whites (3DS1*049N = 2%; 2DS3*003N = 0.

Hyperosmolarity-induced apoptosis in human corneal epithelial cells is mediated by cytochrome c and MAPK pathways.

Purpose: To study whether hyperosmolarity induces apoptosis in human corneal epithelial cells through cytochrome c-mediated death pathways and by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs).

Methods: Primary human corneal epithelial cells cultured in normal osmolar media (312 mOsM) were switched to hyperosmolar media (450, 500, and 550 mOsM) by adding 70, 90, and 120 mM NaCl, respectively, with or without the c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SB202190 or the extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor PD98059. Apoptosis was assessed by the ApopTag In Situ Oligo Ligation (ISOL) assay.

Stress-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in dry eye and ocular surface disease.

Inflammation is recognized as a key component in the pathogenesis of dry eye and a variety of ocular surface diseases. Stress-activated protein kinases have been identified as pathways signaling ocular surface stresses, such as increased tear film osmolarity and ultraviolet light exposure. Activation of these stress pathways results in transcription of stress related genes, including inflammatory cytokines (e.

Plasminogen kringle 5 inhibits alkali-burn-induced corneal neovascularization.

Purpose: Plasminogen kringle 5 (K5) is a potent angiogenic inhibitor. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of K5 on alkali-burn-induced corneal neovascularization (NV) and to investigate its mechanism of action.

Methods: Corneal NV was induced in rabbits by NaOH.