Changes In Patterns Research Articles

Landscape and paleoenvironmental change in stream valleys of the Central Great Plains, North America, during Marine Isotope Stage 3 (ca. 59–27 ka)

Recent studies of late Quaternary landscape evolution in stream valleys throughout the central Great Plains of North America have identified thick packages of MIS 3-age alluvium and colluvium beneath terraces, alluvial fans, and footslopes. Here, we review and build on these studies to highlight the geomorphic history of river systems in the Central Plains during MIS 3 and reconstruct the paleoclimatic conditions and vegetation communities that existed in the region at that time.A suite of 50 radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence ages indicate that late MIS 3 was a period of widespread landscape stability and soil development in the Central Plains. In general, river systems were actively aggrading during early MIS 3, but aggradation slowed after ca. 40 ka, allowing soils to develop until ca. 30–27 ka. In some river valleys, a second pulse of aggradation occurred shortly after that time followed by a period of landscape stability and pedogenesis during early MIS 2 (ca. 24–19 ka). Evidence for widespread landscape stability in stream valleys implies that high magnitude flooding was minimal. Atmospheric circulation patterns that favor these conditions include zonal airflow that inhibits incursions of moist, maritime air from the Gulf of Mexico.Paleoenvironmental conditions during late MIS 3 were reconstructed using the stable carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopic composition of pedogenic phyllosilicates, carbonates, and organic matter. Estimated paleotemperatures ranged from 6 to 9 °C ± 3 °C and are approximately 4–7 °C lower than modern mean annual temperature. The estimated δ18O values of soil water from phyllosilicates range from −10.6‰ to −9.6‰. These estimates are lower (18O-depleted) by about 1.5–3‰ relative to modern meteoric δ18O values and we estimate that the δ18O of paleoprecipitation was likely 18O-depleted by up to 8.5‰ relative to modern values. Our estimated δ18O values for soil waters in the Central Plains during late MIS 3 can be explained by climatic conditions characterized by 1) cooler temperatures, 2) precipitation being sourced primarily from Pacific/Arctic air masses, 3) seasonal changes in precipitation patterns (i.e., predominantly winter precipitation), or 4) a combination of the above. δ13C values indicate the presence of a notable proportion of C4 vegetation in the Central Plains during late MIS 3. We suggest that C4 productivity was likely favored at that time by a low atmospheric CO2 environment that had sufficiently warm temperatures and effective precipitation during the growing season.

Evaluation of regional comprehensive development efficiency under low-carbon policy: based on optimized DDF-GML combined with unsupervised clustering method

In the study of urban development, it is very important to evaluate the influence of production factors reasonably and efficiently for the region to achieve efficient development. The principal aim of this investigation is to amalgamate the conventional measurement model characterized by robust interpretability with the non-parametric model characterized by limited interpretability, thereby enhancing the precision of research outcomes. Towards this objective, the study employs an optimized directional distance function integrated with a global Malmquist–Luenberger index to formulate a comprehensive total factor productivity measurement framework. In elucidating the homogeneous attributes of regions, departing from prior methodologies reliant on manual or direct algorithmic partitioning, this paper employs the K-means clustering algorithm for index discernment, abstracting the concept of K-means clustering centroids to encapsulate regional homogeneity, thereby delineating results through the visualization of regional development potential maps and the evolution of centroid-based clustering trend maps. The findings of the investigation illuminate common patterns of change across disparate regions, proposing a strategy for leveraging regional resource endowments towards a cohesive framework, thereby transcending constraints imposed by production efficiency limitations. Amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study draws upon provincial-level data spanning from 2000 to 2018 in China. The conclusive analytical outcomes underscore the pivotal role of energy factors in regional development efficiency, particularly within high-potential development regions, followed by the capital and labor factors. Concurrently, the study discerns a discernible hierarchical pattern among areas of development potential, which exhibits correlation with factor mobility dynamics.

Dynamic changes in γδT cells and bone resorption markers after zoledronic acid in multiple myeloma: A prospective study

We conducted a prospective evaluation for the dynamic change of γδT cells in peripheral blood (PB) and N-telopeptide of type I collagen in urine (uNTX) of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) who underwent their initial treatment with zoledronic acid (ZOA; Zobonic®, TTY, Taiwan). Between March 2012 and November 2015, a total of 35 patients were enrolled, including 25 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients. The percentage of γδT cells in PB was assessed at 20 days prior to the first ZOA infusion, then at day 8, day 64, and day 85 after the infusion. Simultaneously, uNTX levels were measured as well. Thirty-three patients who had received at least one dose of ZOA were included in subsequent analysis. We identified three dynamic change patterns for γδT cells: fluctuated pattern, continuously increasing pattern, and continuously decreasing pattern. Among NDMM patients, those exhibiting a continuously increasing pattern showed a significantly shorter overall survival compared to those with the other two patterns combined (4.7 months vs. 92.9 months, p = 0.037). For uNTX, which levels significantly decreased following ZOA treatment. In conclusion, our findings reveal three distinct dynamic change patterns for γδT cells after ZOA initiation, with continuously increasing pattern being associated with a poor prognosis. These findings prompt further inquiry into the role of γδT cells in MM patients and support the suppressive nature of γδT cells and their associated tumor microenvironment.

Changes in femoral anteversion after intramedullary nailing for pediatric femoral shaft fracture: a multicenter study

BackgroundThe rotational change after using a flexible intramedullary (IM) nail for femoral shaft fractures has been a concern for many surgeons. Recently, a statistical shape model (SSM) was developed for the three-dimensional reconstruction of the femur from two-dimensional plain radiographs. In this study, we measured postoperative femoral anteversion (FAV) in patients diagnosed with femoral shaft fractures who were treated with flexible IM nails and investigated age-related changes in FAV using the SSM.MethodsThis study used radiographic data collected from six regional tertiary centers specializing in pediatric trauma in South Korea. Patients diagnosed with femoral shaft fractures between September 2002 and June 2020 and patients aged < 18 years with at least two anteroposterior (AP) and lateral (LAT) femur plain radiographs obtained at least three months apart were included. A linear mixed model (LMM) was used for statistical analysis.ResultsOverall, 72 patients were included in the study. The average patient age was 7.6 years and the average follow-up duration was 6.8 years. The average FAV of immediate postoperative images was 27.5 ± 11.5°. Out of 72 patients, 52 patients (72.2%) showed immediate postoperative FAV greater than 20°. The average FAV in patients with initial FAV > 20° was 32.74°, and the LMM showed that FAV decreased by 2.5° (p = 0.0001) with each 1-year increase from the time of initial trauma.ConclusionsThis study explored changes in FAV after femoral shaft fracture using a newly developed technology that allows 3D reconstruction from uncalibrated 2D images. There was a pattern of change on the rotation of the femur after initial fixation, with a 2.5° decrease of FAV per year.

Blood methylation pattern reflects epigenetic remodelling in adipose tissue after bariatric surgery

Studies on DNA methylation following bariatric surgery have primarily focused on blood cells, while it is unclear to which extend it may reflect DNA methylation profiles in specific metabolically relevant organs such as adipose tissue. Here, we investigated whether adipose tissue depots specific methylation changes after bariatric surgery are mirrored in blood. Using Illumina 850K EPIC technology, we analysed genome-wide DNA methylation in paired blood, subcutaneous and omental visceral AT (SAT/OVAT) samples from nine individuals (N=6 female) with severe obesity pre- and post-surgery. The numbers and effect sizes of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) post-bariatric surgery were more pronounced in AT (SAT: 12,865 DMRs from-11.5 to 10.8%; OVAT: 14,632 DMRs from-13.7 to 12.8%) than in blood (9267 DMRs from-8.8 to 7.7%). Cross-tissue DMRs implicated immune-related genes. Among them, 49regions could be validated with similar methylation changes in blood from independent individuals. Fourteen DMRs correlated with differentially expressed genes in AT post bariatric surgery, including downregulation of PIK3AP1 in both SAT and OVAT. DNA methylation age acceleration was significantly higher in AT compared to blood, but remained unaffected after surgery. Concurrent methylation pattern changes in blood and AT, particularly in immune-related genes, suggest blood DNA methylation mirrors AT's inflammatory state post-bariatric surgery. The funding sources are listed in the Acknowledgments section.

Comparison on the mechanism and potency of hepatotoxicity among hemp extract and its four major constituent cannabinoids

Cannabidiol (CBD) has been reported to induce hepatotoxicity in clinical trials and research studies; however, little is known about the safety of other nonintoxicating cannabinoids. New approach methodologies (NAMs) based on bioinformatic analysis of high-throughput transcriptomic data are gaining increasing importance in risk assessment and regulatory decision-making of data-poor chemicals. In the current study, we conducted a concentration response transcriptomic analysis of hemp extract and its four major constituent cannabinoids [CBD, cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN)] in hepatocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Each compound impacted a distinctive combination of biological functions and pathways. However, all the cannabinoids impaired liver metabolism and caused oxidative stress in the cells. Benchmark concentration (BMC) analysis showed potencies in transcriptional activity of the cannabinoids were in the order of CBN > CBD > CBC > CBG, consistent with the order of their cytotoxicity IC50 values. Patterns of transcriptomic changes induced by hemp extract and its median overall BMC were very similar to CBD but differed significantly from other cannabinoids, suggesting that potential adverse effects of hemp extract were largely due to its major constituent CBD. Lastly, transcriptomic point-of-departure (tPoD) values were determined for each of the compounds, with the value for CBD (0.106µM) being concordant with a previously reported one derived from apical endpoints of clinical and animal studies. Taken together, the current study demonstrates the potential utility of transcriptomic BMC analysis as a NAM for hazard assessment of data-poor chemicals, improves our understanding of the possible health effects of hemp extract and its constituent cannabinoids, and provides important tPoD data that could contribute to inform human safety assessment of these cannabinoid compounds.

Targeting fear memories: Examining pharmacological disruption in a generalized fear framework

Labilization-reconsolidation, which relies on retrieval, has been considered an opportunity to attenuate the negative aspects of traumatic memories. A therapeutic strategy based on reconsolidation blockade is deemed more effective than current therapies relying on memory extinction. Nevertheless, extremely stressful memories frequently prove resistant to this process. Here, after inducing robust fear memory in mice through strong fear conditioning, we examined the possibility of rendering it susceptible to pharmacological modulation based on the degree of generalized fear (GF). To achieve this, we established an ordered gradient of GF, determined by the perceptual similarity between the associated context (CA) and non-associated contexts (CB, CC, CD, and CE) to the aversive event. We observed that as the exposure context became less similar to CA, the defensive pattern shifted from passive to active behaviors in both male and female mice. Subsequently, in conditioned animals, we administered propranolol after exposure to the different contexts (CA, CB, CC, CD or CE). In males, propranolol treatment resulted in reduced freezing time and enhanced risk assessment behaviors when administered following exposure to CA or CB, but not after CC, CD, or CE, compared to the control group. In females, a similar change in behavioral pattern was observed with propranolol administered after exposure to CC, but not after the other contexts. These results highlight the possibility of indirectly manipulating a robust contextual fear memory by controlling the level of generalization during recall. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the effect of propranolol on reconsolidation would not lead to a reduction in fear memory per se, but rather to its reorganization resulting in greater behavioral flexibility (from passive to active behaviors). Finally, from a clinical viewpoint, this would be of considerable relevance since following this strategy could make the treatment of psychiatric disorders associated with traumatic memory formation more effective and less stressful.

Developmental origins of parkinson's disease risk: perinatal exposure to the organochlorine pesticide dieldrin leads to sex-specific DNA modifications in critical neurodevelopmental pathways in the mouse midbrain.

Epidemiological studies show that exposure to the organochlorine pesticide dieldrin is associated with increased risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). Animal studies support a link between developmental dieldrin exposure and increased neuronal susceptibility in the α-synuclein preformed fibril (α-syn PFF) and MPTP models in adult male C57BL/6 mice. In a previous study, we showed that developmental dieldrin exposure was associated with sex-specific changes in DNA modifications within genes related to dopaminergic neuron development and maintenance at 12 weeks of age. Here, we used capture hybridization-sequencing with custom baits to interrogate DNA modifications across the entire genetic loci of the previously identified genes at multiple time points-birth, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 36 weeks old. We identified largely sex-specific dieldrin-induced changes in DNA modifications at each time point that annotated to pathways important for neurodevelopment, potentially related to critical steps in early neurodevelopment, dopaminergic neuron differentiation, synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and glial-neuron interactions. Despite large numbers of age-specific DNA modifications, longitudinal analysis identified a small number of DMCs with dieldrin-induced deflection of epigenetic aging. The sex-specificity of these results adds to evidence that sex-specific responses to PD-related exposures may underly sex-specific differences in disease. Overall, these data support the idea that developmental dieldrin exposure leads to changes in epigenetic patterns that persist after the exposure period and disrupt critical neurodevelopmental pathways, thereby impacting risk of late life diseases, including PD.

Association of serum creatinine trajectories with one-year mortality after valvular heart surgery: a retrospective cohort study.

Acute renal dysfunction is defined by the maximum increase in serum creatinine (sCr) without considering the pattern of change in sCr. We aimed to identify longitudinal patterns (trajectories) of postoperative sCr concentrations and investigate their association with long-term outcomes in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. In this retrospective review of 3,436 patients who underwent valvular heart surgery, we applied trajectory projection cluster analysis to identify the trajectories of sCr changes from baseline during the seven postoperative days. Primary and secondary endpoints were to investigate the associations of sCr trajectories with mortality using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and a composite of major adverse kidney events (MAKEs) at one year after surgery, respectively. Four clusters were identified: Clusters 1 and 2, a minimal change in sCr (90.1% of patients); Cluster 3, a significant and persistent increase in sCr (4.1% of patients); and Cluster 4, a significant but transient increase in sCr (5.8% of patients). The one-year postoperative mortality rate was higher in Cluster 3 (18.4%) and Cluster 4 (11.6%) than in Cluster 1+2 (2.7%). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve demonstrated significant differences in mortality rates among the clusters (log-rank test, P<0.001). In the multivariable Cox analysis, the sCr trajectory cluster was an independent prognostic factor for mortality. Cluster 3 had a higher prevalence of MAKEs (37.6%) compared with Cluster 1+2 (6.8%, P<0.001) and Cluster 4 (24.1%, P=0.045). The cluster was an independent prognostic factor for MAKEs. The sCr trajectory clusters exhibited significantly different risks of mortality and MAKEs at one year after surgery. Through these sCr trajectories, we confirmed that both the extent of sCr increase and its sustainability during the first seven postoperative days were closely associated with the long-term prognosis after valvular heart surgery.

Drivers of future extratropical sea surface temperature variability changes in the North Pacific

Under anthropogenic warming, future changes to climate variability beyond specific modes such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) have not been well-characterized. In the Community Earth System Model version 2 Large Ensemble (CESM2-LE) climate model, the future change to sea surface temperature (SST) variability (and correspondingly marine heatwave intensity) on monthly timescales and longer is spatially heterogeneous. We examined these projected changes (between 1960–2000 and 2060–2100) in the North Pacific using a local linear stochastic-deterministic model, which allowed us to quantify the effect of changes to three drivers on SST variability: ocean “memory” (the SST damping timescale), ENSO teleconnections, and stochastic noise forcing. The ocean memory declines in most areas, but lengthens in the central North Pacific. This change is primarily due to changes in air-sea feedbacks and ocean damping, with the shallowing mixed layer depth playing a secondary role. An eastward shift of the ENSO teleconnection pattern is primarily responsible for the pattern of SST variance change.

The relationship between structure and ecosystem services of forest and grassland based on pattern analysis method: A case study of the Mongolian Plateau

Global warming has led to severe land desertification on the Mongolian plateau. It puts great environmental pressure on vegetation communities. This pressure leads to fragmentation of land use and landscape patterns, thus triggering changes in the spatial distribution patterns of vegetation. The spatial distribution pattern of vegetation is crucial for the performance of its ecosystem services. However, there is not enough research on the relationship between large-scale spatial distribution patterns of vegetation and ecosystem services. Therefore, this study is to construct an ecological spatial network on the Mongolian Plateau based on landscape ecology and complex network theory. Combining pattern analysis methods to analyze the network, we obtained the spatial and temporal trends of forest and grass spatial distribution patterns from 2000 to 2100, and explored the relationship between the topological properties of source patches and ecosystem services in different patterns. It was found that there are four basic patterns of spatial distribution of forest and grass in the Mongolian Plateau. The Core-Linked Ring pattern accounts for 40.74 % and exhibits the highest stability. Under the SSP5-RCP8.5 scenario, source patches are reduced by 22.76 % in 2100. Topological indicators of source patches showed significant correlations with ecosystem services. For example, the CUE of grassland patches in the Centralized Star pattern was positively correlated with betweeness centrality. The most significant improvement in WUE after optimization is 19.90 % compared to pre-optimization. The conclusion of the study shows that the spatial distribution pattern of vegetation can be used to enhance the stability of ecological spatial network and improve ecosystem services at a larger scale. It can provide a certain reference for the study of spatial patterns of vegetation distribution in arid and semi-arid areas.

Mechanical forces exerted on floral primordia with a novel experimental system modify floral development in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Mechanical forces play a crucial role in plant development, including floral development. We previously reported that the phyllotactic variation in the staminate flowers of Ceratophyllum demersum may be caused by mechanical forces on the adaxial side of floral primordia, which may be a common mechanism in angiosperms. On the basis of this result, we developed a novel experimental system for analysis of the effects of mechanical forces on the floral meristem of Arabidopsis thaliana, aiming to induce morphological changes in flowers. In this experimental system, a micromanipulator equipped with a micro device, which is shaped to conform with the contour of the abaxial side of the young floral primordium, is used to exert contact pressure on a floral primordium. In the present study, we conducted contact experiments using this system and successfully induced diverse morphological changes during floral primordial development. In several primordia, the tip of the abaxial sepal primordium was incised with two or three lobes. A different floral primordium developed an additional sepal on the abaxial side (i.e., two abaxial sepals). Additionally, we observed the fusion of sepals in some floral primordia. These results suggest that mechanical forces have multiple effects on floral development, and changes in the tensile stress pattern in the cells of floral primordia are induced by the mechanical forces exerted with the micro device. These effects, in turn, lead to morphological changes in the floral primordia.

Seasonal variations in soil microbial community co-occurrence network complexity respond differently to field-simulated warming experiments in a northern subtropical forest

Global warming may reshape seasonal changes in microbial community diversity and co-occurrence network patterns, with significant implications for terrestrial ecosystem function. We conducted a 2-year in situ field simulation of the effects of warming on the seasonal dynamics of soil microbial communities in a northern subtropical Quercus acutissima forest. Our study revealed that warming had no significant effect on the richness or diversity of soil bacteria or fungi in the growing season, whereas different warming gradients had different effects on their diversity in the nongrowing season. Warming also changed the microbial community structure, increasing the abundance of some thermophilic microbial species and decreasing the abundance of some symbiotrophic microorganisms. The co-occurrence network analysis of the microbial community showed that warming decreased the complexity of the intradomain network in the soil bacterial community in the growing and nongrowing seasons but increased it in the fungal community. Moreover, increasing warming temperatures increased the complexity of the interdomain network between bacteria and fungi in the growing season but decreased it in the nongrowing season, and the keystone species in the interdomain network changed with warming. Warming also reduced the proportion of positive microbial community interactions, indicating that warming reduced the mutualism, commensalism, and neutralism of microorganisms as they adapted to soil environmental stress. The factors affecting the fungal community varied considerably across warming gradients, with the bacterial community being significantly affected by soil temperature, MBC, NO3−-N and NH4+-N, moreover, SOC and TN significantly affected fungal communities in the 4 °C warming treatment.. These results suggest that warming increases seasonal differences in the diversity and complexity of soil microbial communities in the northern subtropical region, significantly influencing soil dynamic processes regulating forest ecosystems under global warming.

Change in the Distribution Pattern of Dirofilaria immitis in Gran Canaria (Hyperendemic Island) between 1994 and 2020

Change in the Distribution Pattern of Dirofilaria immitis in Gran Canaria (Hyperendemic Island) between 1994 and 2020

Using a digital data analytic tool to capture dynamic change in coordination patterns: An exploratory study of the Apollo 13 mission

The operational environment of complex sociotechnical systems is inherently uncertain, demanding constant coordination restructuring to adapt to dynamic situational demands. However, coordination changes in the Human Factors and Ergonomics Field have primarily been studied using static methods, overlooking moment-by-moment adjustments. In the current study, we address coordination restructuring by using THEME, a digital analytical tool capable of visualising and exploring coordination restructuring from a multi-layered perspective. We examine restructuring in coordination patterns during NASA's Apollo 13 Mission, revealing significant shifts from stable, long-duration ‘coordination hubs' in routine operations to shorter-duration patterns during a crisis situation. Additionally, the results highlight the importance of flexible switching between reciprocal and one-directed coordination, along with enhanced role distribution. This study underscores how exploring temporality-sensitive phenomena like coordination through digital technologies such as THEME, advances our understanding of incident analysis and resilient performance within complex systems.

Unraveling PTSD: Symptom cluster change during and 1 year after veterans' residential PTSD treatment.

Although treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is effective in reducing symptom severity, remission rates are low. One potential underlying reason for treatment ineffectiveness is differential response of specific PTSD symptom clusters. Using data from a national Veterans Affairs (VA) residential PTSD treatment cohort, we conducted a longitudinal study to examine changes in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition PTSD symptom clusters from admission to 1-year follow-up. PTSD symptom data were analyzed from a national cohort of veterans who completed VA PTSD residential treatment between October 2019 and September 2020 (n = 1,648; 13% women; median age 44.2 years). Endorsement (%) and severity (M[SD]) of PTSD clusters and individual symptoms were compared at admission, discharge, 4-month and 1-year follow-ups. Large magnitude reductions in all four PTSD symptom clusters were observed from admission to discharge and both follow-ups; however, endorsement of all symptom clusters remained high. Intrusions (Cluster B) were the most highly endorsed at discharge and follow-up, whereas avoidance symptoms (Cluster C) were the least highly endorsed. Differential patterns of change were observed among the 20 individual PTSD symptoms; for example, flashbacks decreased during treatment, but increased to near admission levels by 1-year postdischarge. Results suggest that intrusive symptoms may be more resistant to residential treatment for PTSD and contribute to lower likelihood of treatment success. Future work is needed to examine differential treatment response for PTSD clusters, to inform the improvement of current and creation of novel treatment interventions, and to better address intrusive symptoms to maximize PTSD treatment gains. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Insights into changing patterns of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in North India

PurposeTuberculosis is one of the dreadful infections and India contributes to substantial burden of TB cases globally. Though majority of cases are pulmonary, extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) share significant burden, more in HIV-positive persons. Despite the striking burden, very few studies have been conducted in India and present study was undertaken to determine trends of EPTB at our tertiary care centre. MethodsThis was a retrospective study conducted over a period of 4 years 3 months. Diagnosis of EPTB was based on suspected clinical features, with positive micobiological evidence with cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test (CBNAAT) with/without microscopy. ResultsA total of 10,560 samples (pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) were received during the study period, of which 3972 were extrapulmonary. Of these, a total of 18% were noted to be positive for EPTB. Trend of positivity revealed highest burden in 2018 and a decline was noted over the years, however, rise in cases was noted in 2022. Pleural, meningitis, musculoskeletal, peritoneal and pericardial TB was more common in males, while lymphadenitis was more common in females (p value: <0.0001). Pleural TB (31%) was the most common presentation, followed by lymphadenitis. A gradual decline in lymphadenitis was noted with significantly increasing trend only for musculoskeletal TB. Rifampicin resistance was detected in 7.45% of positive samples, of which the maximum rate of resistance was noted in lymph node aspirates (11.11%), followed by musculoskeletal and pleural samples. ConclusionThe present study showed a gradual decline in positivity of EPTB cases over the years. Younger productive age group with more propensity to transmit infection was the most commonly affected, with pleural TB as the most common presentation. Rare presentations of EPTB also contributed major share. Higher rates of resistance underline requisite to strengthen ongoing programs, to achieve the End TB strategy by 2025.

Integrating Future Multi-Scenarios to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Ecological Restoration: A Case Study of the Yellow River Basin

Ecological restoration is an important strategy for mitigating environmental degradation, and the effectiveness evaluation of ecological restoration is of profound significance for the scientific implementation of restoration projects. This study improved the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model. It was used to simulate the land use patterns under multi-scenarios such as natural development (ND), economic priority (EP), and ecological restoration (ER) in 2030. An evaluation framework covering ecological “Restoration–Monitoring–Effectiveness” (RME) was proposed. Based on 30 m high-resolution remote-sensing data from 2000 to 2020, the land use distribution, landscape pattern changes, and ecosystem services under different scenarios were evaluated and predicted in the Yellow River Basin of Sichuan to verify the effectiveness of the evaluation framework. The results showed the following: (1) Under the ER scenario, the transfer of land use types in 2020–2030 was mainly characterized by an increase in the area of wetlands and a decrease in the area of built-up land. (2) There were obvious differences in land use and landscape patterns under different scenarios. Compared with the ND and EP scenarios, the growth of the construction rate was suppressed in the ER scenario, and the coverage of grassland and wetlands increased significantly. (3) The mean values of ecosystem services in the ER scenario were higher than those in the ND and EP scenarios. These findings clearly indicate that the RME evaluation system can accurately evaluate the ecological restoration effects under multi-scenarios in the future, providing a new perspective for ecological restoration evaluation in other regions.

Impact of Maternal Pre-Pregnancy Underweight on Cord Blood Metabolome: An Analysis of the Population-Based Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNiP)

Intrauterine growth restriction leads to an altered lipid and amino acid profile in the cord blood at the end of pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy underweight is an early risk factor for impaired fetal growth. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI) of &lt;18.5 kg/m2, as early as at the beginning of pregnancy, is associated with changes in the umbilical cord metabolome. In a sample of the Survey of Neonates in Pomerania (SNIP) birth cohort, the cord blood metabolome of n = 240 newborns of mothers with a ppBMI of &lt;18.5 kg/m2 with n = 208 controls (ppBMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) was measured by NMR spectrometry. A maternal ppBMI of &lt;18.5 kg/m2 was associated with increased concentrations of HDL4 cholesterol, HDL4 phospholipids, VLDL5 cholesterol, HDL 2, and HDL4 Apo-A1, as well as decreased VLDL triglycerides and HDL2 free cholesterol. A ppBMI of &lt;18.5 kg/m2 combined with poor intrauterine growth (a gestational weight gain (GWG) &lt; 25th percentile) was associated with decreased concentrations of total cholesterol; cholesterol transporting lipoproteins (LDL4, LDL6, LDL free cholesterol, and HDL2 free cholesterol); LDL4 Apo-B; total Apo-A2; and HDL3 Apo-A2. In conclusion, maternal underweight at the beginning of pregnancy already results in metabolic changes in the lipid profile in the cord blood, but the pattern changes when poor GWG is followed by pre-pregnancy underweight.

Ten-year trajectory of coronary artery calcification and risk of cardiovascular outcomes: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BackgroundWhether and how coronary artery calcium (CAC) progress contributes to cardiovascular outcomes has not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to identify different patterns of CAC change and evaluate the associations with different cardiovascular outcomes.MethodsData from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis study were analyzed. Participants with at least three CT measurements were included. The main study outcome is hard cardiovascular disease (CVD). CAC scores were determined as phantom-adjusted Agatston scores. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify latent groups and estimated the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox proportional regression models.ResultsA total of 3,616 participants were finally enrolled [mean age 60.55 (SD 9.54) years, 47.76% men and 39.30% Caucasian]. Four distinct trajectories in CAC were identified: class 1, low-stable (24.17%); class 2, low-increasing (27.60%); class 3, moderate-increasing (30.56%); and class 4, elevated-increasing (17.67%). During 13.58 (SD 2.25) years of follow-up, 291 cases of hard CVD occurred. The event rates of hard CVD per 1,000 person-years were 2.23 (95% CI 1.53–3.25), 4.60 (95% CI 3.60–5.89), 7.67 (95% CI 6.38–9.21) and 10.37 (95% CI 8.41–12.80) for classes 1–4, respectively. Compared to participants assigned to class 1, the full-adjusted HRs of hard CVD for classes 2–4 were 2.10 (95% CI 1.33–3.01), 3.17 (95% CI 2.07–4.87), and 4.30 (95% CI 2.73–6.78), respectively. The graded positive associations with hard CVD were consistently observed in subgroups of age, sex, and race, with the presence or absence of hypertension or diabetes. By analyzing potential risk factors for distinctive CAC trajectories, risk factors for the onset and progression of CAC could possibly differ: age, male sex, history of hypertension, and diabetes are consistently associated with the low-, moderate-, and elevated-increasing trajectories. However, Caucasian race, cigarette smoking, and a higher body mass index was related only to risk of progression but not to incident CAC.ConclusionIn this multi-ethnic population-based cohort, four unique trajectories in CAC change over a 10-year span were identified. These findings signal an underlying high-risk population and may inspire future studies on risk management.