Effects of short-term nitrogen addition on the recovery of alpine grassland in the Tianshan Mountains of Xinjiang, China.

The restoration of alpine grasslands has garnered significant attention across various sectors. Historically, natural restoration has been the primary approach for grassland recovery, characterized by its prolonged duration. To expedite the recovery of degraded grasslands, it is essential to identify the limiting factors of restoration, enabling efficient and rapid recovery.

Leaf carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus ecological stoichiometry of grassland ecosystems along 2,600-m altitude gradients at the Northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains.

Ecological stoichiometry of terrestrial ecosystems has been a hot issue in current research, with intense focus on the proportional relationships of nutritional elements within plants and between plants and their environment. To clarify these relationships along continuous environmental gradients is essential for a more comprehensive understanding how plants adapt to a changing environment. In arid regions, the varying plant and soil types along altitude gradients offer a unique opportunity to examine the vertical spectrum of plant and soil ecological stoichiometry.

The Relationship between Angiotensin-Neprilysin Treatment, Echocardiographic Parameters, and NT-proBNP Levels in HFpEF Patients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: The valsartan-sacubitril therapy improved the outcomes of patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) of a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In ADHF patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), it is not yet clear whether the same treatment regimen may be safely used to treat ADHF.

Methods: For this study, HFpEF patients hospitalized due to ADHF were enrolled.

Alterations in Immune Response Profile of Tumor-Draining Lymph Nodes after High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation of Breast Cancer Patients.

Previous studies have revealed that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation can trigger an antitumor immune response. The aim of this study was to investigate immune response in tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) after HIFU treatment. Forty-eight female patients with biopsy-confirmed breast cancer were divided into a control group and an HIFU group.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mechanical Reperfusion in ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Multicenter Retrospective Study From a Non-epicenter Region.

The COVID-19 pandemic placed heavy burdens on emergency care and posed severe challenges to ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treatment. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mechanical reperfusion characteristics in STEMI undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) in a non-epicenter region. STEMI cases undergoing PPCI from January 23 to March 29 between 2019 and 2020 were retrospectively compared.

Spatial variation characteristics of vegetation phenology and its influencing factors in the subtropical monsoon climate region of southern China.

Understanding the response mechanism of ecosystems to climate change and human disturbance can be improved by analyzing the spatial patterns of vegetation phenology and its influencing factors. Because the diverse phenological patterns are impacted by cloud cover contamination issues in the satellite observations, there are few remote sensing phenological research data in subtropical monsoon climate regions. To better understand the horizontal and vertical changes of vegetation phenology in these regions and how it may be affected by climatic factors and topographical features, we first extracted vegetation phenological information (such as start of growth season (SOS), end of growth season (EOS) and length of growth season (LEN)) from a reconstructed MODIS EVI time-series data.

Characteristics and sources of atmospheric pollutants in typical inland cities in arid regions of central Asia: A case study of Urumqi city.

The arid zone of central Asia secluded inland and has the typical features of the atmosphere. Human activities have had a significant impact on the air quality in this region. Urumqi is a key city in the core area of the Silk Road and an important economic center in Northwestern China.

The diagnostic value of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for coronary artery disease: A meta‑analysis.

Objective: In recent years, research on microRNAs (miRNAs) associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) has attracted considerable attention. However, findings of these studies on the validity of circulating miRNAs in CAD diagnosis are controversial. A meta-analysis was therefore conducted to determine the potential value of miRNAs as biomarkers in CAD diagnosis.

DPP-4 Inhibitor Linagliptin Ameliorates Oxidized LDL-Induced THP-1 Macrophage Foam Cell Formation and Inflammation.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of cardiovascular diseases. Lipid uptake and accumulation in macrophages play a major role in atherosclerotic plaque formation from its initiation to advanced atheroma formation. The dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor Linagliptin is commonly used to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes patients.

Effects of a High Dose of the Contrast Medium Iodixanol on Renal Function in Patients Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Iodixanol is associated with lower rates of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). However, the effects of high volumes of iodixanol on renal function after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have not been fully elucidated. This study evaluates the effects of high-dose (>300 mL) iodixanol on renal function within 72 hours of PCI.

Correction: Climatic and topographic variables control soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen: Phosphorus ratios in a Picea schrenkiana forest of the Tianshan Mountains.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Climatic and topographic variables control soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and nitrogen: Phosphorus ratios in a Picea schrenkiana forest of the Tianshan Mountains.

Knowledge about soil nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, stocks, and stoichiometric ratios is crucial for understanding the biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem function in arid mountainous forests. However, the corresponding information is scarce, particularly in arid mountainous forests. To fill this gap, we investigated the depth and elevational patterns of the soil N and P concentrations and the N: P ratios in a Picea schrenkiana forest using data from soil profiles collected during 2012-2017.

Nowhere to invade: Rumex crispus and Typha latifolia projected to disappear under future climate scenarios.

Future climate change has been predicted to affect the potential distribution of plant species. However, only few studies have addressed how invasive species may respond to future climate change despite the known effects of plant species invasion on nutrient cycles, ecosystem functions, and agricultural yields. In this study, we predicted the potential distributions of two invasive species, Rumex crispus and Typha latifolia, under current and future (2050) climatic conditions.

[Cu30I16(mtpmt)12(μ(10-S4))]: an unusual 30-membered copper(I) cluster derived from the C-S bond cleavage and its use in heterogeneous catalysis.

The Cu(I)-mediated C-S bond cleavage of 5-methyl-4-(p-tolyl)pyrimidine-2-thiol (mtpmtH) gave one 30-nuclear cluster [Cu30I16(mtpmt)12(μ10-S4)], one polymeric complex [(bmtpms)Cu-(μ-I)]n and one tetranuclear complex [(bmptmds){Cu(μ-I)}2]2; the 30-nuclear cluster displayed excellent catalytic performances in the coupling reactions of N-heterocycles and arylboronic acids and could be recycled and reused.

[Water storage capacity of qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) forest canopy in Qilian Mountains].

By the methods of direct measurement and regression analysis, this paper estimated the water storage capacity of Picea crassifolia forest canopy in Guantan in Qilianshan Mountains, based on the observed throughfall and the laboratory experimental data about the water storage capacity of various canopy components in 2008. Due to the impacts of various factors, differences existed in the canopy water storage capacity estimated by the two methods. The regression analysis was mainly impacted by the measurement approaches of the throughfall, the maximum water storage capacity estimated being 0.

[Spatial distribution characteristics of the biomass and carbon storage of Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) forests in Qilian Mountains].

This paper estimated the biomass and carbon storage and their spatial distributions of Qinghai spruce (Picea crassifolia) forests in Qilian Mountains, based on the field investigation, forest map, and meteorological data, and with the help of GIS technology. In 2008, the biomass of the forests was averagely 209.24 t x hm(-2), with a total biomass of 3.

[Spatial distribution of Tamarix ramosissima aboveground biomass and water consumption in the lower reaches of Heihe River, Northwest China].

Based on the field observation on the Tamarix ramosissima populations in the lower reaches of Heihe River, the relationship models between the aboveground biomass of T. ramosissima and its morphological features (basal diameter, height, and canopy perimeter) were built. In the mean time, the land use/cover of the study area was classified by the decision tree classification with high resolution image (QuickBird), the distribution of T.

Increased infiltration of activated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes after high intensity focused ultrasound ablation of human breast cancer.

Background: Previous studies have shown that high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation can induce a distinct inflammatory reaction with marked infiltration of lymphocytes after direct tumor destruction. In this study, we investigated the status of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) after HIFU ablation of human breast cancer and explored mechanisms that may be involved in HIFU-triggered, antitumor immune response.

Methods: A total of 48 female patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer were divided randomly into 1 of 2 groups: control group (n = 25), in which only modified radical mastectomy was performed, or HIFU group (n = 23), in which HIFU ablation of the primary breast cancer was performed prior to modified radical mastectomy.

Activation of tumor-infiltrating antigen presenting cells by high intensity focused ultrasound ablation of human breast cancer.

Previous studies have shown that high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation can trigger activation of host antitumor responses after direct tumor destruction. The goal of this study was to investigate the status and functions of tumor-infiltrating antigen presenting cells (APCs) after HIFU ablation of human breast cancer, and to explore the mechanisms regarding HIFU-enhanced antitumor response. Forty-eight women with biopsy-proven breast cancer were divided randomly into a control group (n = 25) and a HIFU group (n = 23).

Changes in circulating immunosuppressive cytokine levels of cancer patients after high intensity focused ultrasound treatment.

Immunosuppression in a patient with malignant tumor is a major obstacle in cancer treatment. In this study, we investigated changes in the circulating level of all measured immunosuppressive cytokines in patients with malignancy before and after high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment. Fifteen patients with solid malignancy were enrolled in this study and an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 10 (IL-10), respectively before and 1 wk after HIFU treatment.

Expression of tumor antigens and heat-shock protein 70 in breast cancer cells after high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation.

Background: Previous results have shown that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation can potentially activate a host antitumor immunity. The goal of this study was to investigate whether the tumor antigens expressed on breast cancer cells may be preserved after HIFU treatment, and to explore the potential mechanisms regarding the enhanced antitumor response.

Methods: The primary lesion in 23 patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer were treated with HIFU, then submitted to modified radical mastectomy.

Heat fixation of cancer cells ablated with high-intensity-focused ultrasound in patients with breast cancer.

Background: High-intensity-focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a noninvasive thermal ablation technique. This study reports the use of histological techniques for the pathological assessment of HIFU effects in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer underwent HIFU treatment for primary breast lesion.