Temperature vegetation dryness index (TVDI) for drought monitoring in the Guangdong Province from 2000 to 2019

Drought monitoring is crucial for assessing and mitigating the impacts of water scarcity on various sectors and ecosystems. Although traditional drought monitoring relies on soil moisture data, remote sensing technology has have significantly augmented the capabilities for drought monitoring. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of two temperature vegetation drought indices (TVDI), TVDINDVI and TVDIEVI, constructed using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) vegetation indices for drought monitoring. Using Guangdong Province as a case, enhanced versions of these indices, developed through Savitzky–Golay filtering and terrain correction were employed. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis and F-tests were utilized to determine the suitability of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in correlation with TVDINDVI and TVDIEVI. The results show that TVDINDVI had more meteorological stations passing both significance test levels (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05) compared to TVDIEVI, and the average Pearson’R correlation coefficient was slightly higher than that of TVDIEVI, indicating that TVDINDVI responded better to drought in Guangdong Province. Our conclusion reveals that drought-prone regions in Guangdong Province are concentrated in the Leizhou Peninsula in southern Guangdong and the Pearl River Delta in central Guangdong. We also analyzed the phenomenon of winter-spring drought in Guangdong Province over the past 20 years. The area coverage of different drought levels was as follows: mild drought accounted for 42% to 64.6%, moderate drought accounted for 6.96% to 27.92%, and severe drought accounted for 0.002% to 1.84%. In 2003, the winter-spring drought in the entire province was the most severe, with a drought coverage rate of up to 84.2%, while in 2009, the drought area coverage was the lowest, at 49.02%. This study offers valuable insights the applicability of TVDI, and presents a viable methodology for drought monitoring in Guangdong Province, underlining its significance to agriculture, environmental conservation, and socio-economic facets in the region

Clinical analysis of decision implementation by a multidisciplinary team in cervical cancer cases in Ganzhou, China

ObjectiveIn this study, we evaluated the role of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in clinical practice for cervical cancer by analyzing the development of a single-case multidisciplinary consultation for cervical cancer.MethodsPatients in MDT consultations for cervical cancer were retrospectively analyzed for clinical information, decision content of MDT discussion, implementation, and follow-up results.ResultsOf the 392 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 359 had a first episode, of which 284 were stage IA-IIA2 (79.11%) and 75 were stage IIB-IVB (20.89%). Of these 392, 33 had a recurrence (8.42%). A total of 416 cases were analyzed, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy with surgery was recommended in 43 cases, of which 40 cases were implemented, and 36 of the 40 achieved the expected outcome. Surgical treatment was recommended in 241 cases, of which 226 underwent surgery, and 215 of them achieved the expected outcome. Radiotherapy was recommended in 31 cases, of which 26 cases underwent it, and 22 of them achieved the expected efficacy. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy was recommended in 57 cases, of which 49 underwent it, and 39 of them achieved the expected efficacy. Other treatments were recommended in 44 cases, of which 23 cases were implemented, and 10 of them achieved the expected efficacy, with statistically significant differences compared with cases without implementation (P &lt;0.05). MDT decisions were correlated with age; the younger the patients, the higher the implementation efficiency (P &lt;0.05). The difference between MDT expectation in all implementation and partial implementation and age was statistically significant (P &lt;0.05). No significant difference was found between age and MDT expectation in all not fully implemented decisions (P &gt;0.05). Some decisions were not fully implemented due to economic status and fear of certain treatments of the patient.ConclusionThe MDT plays an important role in clinical practice such as clinical staging, treatment plan, and the complete treatment management of patients with cervical cancer, which can significantly improve the near-term treatment effect, whereas its effect on a long-term prognosis needs further clinical observation and active exploration

The impact of type 2 diabetes and its management on the prognosis of patients with severe COVID‐19

Background Although type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) develop a more severe condition compared to those without diabetes, the mechanisms for this are unknown. Moreover, the impact of treatment with antihyperglycemic drugs and glucocorticoids is unclear. Methods From 1584 COVID‐19 patients, 364 severe/critical COVID‐19 patients with clinical outcome were enrolled for the final analysis, and patients without preexisting T2DM but elevated glucose levels were excluded. Epidemiological data were obtained and clinical status evaluation carried out to assess the impact of T2DM and its management on clinical outcomes. Results Of 364 enrolled severe COVID‐19 inpatients, 114 (31.3%) had a history of T2DM. Twenty‐seven (23.7%) T2DM patients died, who had more severe inflammation, coagulation activation, myocardia injury, hepatic injury, and kidney injury compared with non‐DM patients. In severe COVID‐19 patients with T2DM, we demonstrated a higher risk of all‐cause fatality with glucocorticoid treatment (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 3.61; 95% CI, 1.14‐11.46; P = .029) and severe hyperglycemia (fasting plasma glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L; adjusted HR, 11.86; 95% CI, 1.21‐116.44; P = .034). Conclusions T2DM status aggravated the clinical condition of COVID‐19 patients and increased their critical illness risk. Poor fasting blood glucose (≥ 11.1 mmol/L) and glucocorticoid treatment are associated with poor prognosis for T2DM patients with severe COVID‐19

Emergency tracheal intubation in 202 patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China:lessons learnt and international expert recommendations

Tracheal intubation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients creates a risk to physiologically compromised patients and to attending healthcare providers. Clinical information on airway management and expert recommendations in these patients are urgently needed. By analysing a two-centre retrospective observational case series from Wuhan, China, a panel of international airway management experts discussed the results and formulated consensus recommendations for the management of tracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients. Of 202 COVID-19 patients undergoing emergency tracheal intubation, most were males (n=136; 67.3%) and aged 65 yr or more (n=128; 63.4%). Most patients (n=152; 75.2%) were hypoxaemic (Sao2 &lt;90%) before intubation. Personal protective equipment was worn by all intubating healthcare workers. Rapid sequence induction (RSI) or modified RSI was used with an intubation success rate of 89.1% on the first attempt and 100% overall. Hypoxaemia (Sao2 &lt;90%) was common during intubation (n=148; 73.3%). Hypotension (arterial pressure &lt;90/60 mm Hg) occurred in 36 (17.8%) patients during and 45 (22.3%) after intubation with cardiac arrest in four (2.0%). Pneumothorax occurred in 12 (5.9%) patients and death within 24 h in 21 (10.4%). Up to 14 days post-procedure, there was no evidence of cross infection in the anaesthesiologists who intubated the COVID-19 patients. Based on clinical information and expert recommendation, we propose detailed planning, strategy, and methods for tracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients

Analysis on effective reservoirs and length optimization of horizontal wells in the Sulige Gasfield

By virtue of unique technical and economical advantages, horizontal well development has become a key technology in the high-efficiency development of tight gas reservoirs, however, this has worked unsatisfactorily in unstratified gas reservoirs. In this paper, the orientation and coverage of gas-bearing sand bodies (in isolated distribution) of Member 8 of Permian Lower Shihezi Fm in the Sulige Gasfield were analyzed by means of outcrop analogy, geostatistical analysis and pilot tests of dense well patterns. Then, four gas-bearing sand distribution patterns suitable for the deployment of horizontal wells in Member 8 were proposed according to the precise geological anatomy results of dense well patterns. These patterns include thick massive isolated pattern, vertically superimposed pattern with physical interlayers, vertically superimposed pattern with argillaceous interlayers and lateral sugar-coated haw string pattern. Based on the statistics on gas-bearing sand bodies drilled by horizontal well drilling, the drilled gas-bearing sand bodies are 670–1300 m long. Based on production data correction, numerical simulation and economic evaluation, the length of rational horizontal sections were optimized by performing a case study of the vertically superimposed reservoirs with physical interlayers in the typical well group SuX-18-36 of Su-X Block. It is indicated that the rational horizontal well length within 1200 m in the Sulige Gasfield under current economic and technical conditions. This paper provides a technical support for the high-efficiency development of the Sulige Gasfield in the future

Intermittent Fasting on Neurologic Diseases: Potential Role of Gut Microbiota

As the global population ages, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is surging. These disorders have a multifaceted pathogenesis, entwined with genetic and environmental factors. Emerging research underscores the profound influence of diet on the development and progression of health conditions. Intermittent fasting (IF), a dietary pattern that is increasingly embraced and recommended, has demonstrated potential in improving neurophysiological functions and mitigating pathological injuries with few adverse effects. Although the precise mechanisms of IF’s beneficial impact are not yet completely understood, gut microbiota and their metabolites are believed to be pivotal in mediating these effects. This review endeavors to thoroughly examine current studies on the shifts in gut microbiota and metabolite profiles prompted by IF, and their possible consequences for neural health. It also highlights the significance of dietary strategies as a clinical consideration for those with neurological conditions

Micro-CT Evaluation of Different Root Canal Irrigation Protocols on the Removal of Accumulated Hard Tissue Debris: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Accumulated hard tissue debris (AHTD) is an inevitable by-product during endodontic treatment and is difficult to remove completely using traditional syringe and needle irrigation (SNI). Adjunctive irrigation is proposed to assist the clean-up of AHTD. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the AHTD removal efficacy of different root canal irrigation devices using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT). A literature search was carried out within the main scientific databases until 20 June 2022. All results were screened with detailed eligibility criteria. Eleven studies were included for analysis. SNI, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), negative pressure systems, sonically activated irrigation (SAI), mechanical-activated system and laser-activated irrigation (LAI) were assessed. PUI is superior to SNI for debris removal and LAI has better AHTD removal performance than PUI. The negative pressure system and mechanical-activated system were proved to be less effective. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42021273892)

Resveratrol Mitigates Sevoflurane-Induced Neurotoxicity by the SIRT1-Dependent Regulation of BDNF Expression in Developing Mice

Various lines of evidence suggest that neonatal exposure to general anesthetics, especially repeatedly, results in neuropathological brain changes and long-term cognitive impairment. Although progress has been made in experimental models, the exact mechanism of GA-induced neurotoxicity in the developing brain remains to be clarified. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance, and its abnormal reduction is associated with cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of SIRT1 in GA-induced neurotoxicity is unclear to date. In this study, we found that the protein level of SIRT1 was inhibited in the hippocampi of developing mice exposed to sevoflurane. Furthermore, the SIRT1 inhibition in hippocampi was associated with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) downregulation modulated by methyl-cytosine-phosphate-guanine–binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). Pretreatment of neonatal mice with resveratrol nearly reversed the reduction in hippocampal SIRT1 expression, which increased the expression of BDNF in developing mice exposed to sevoflurane. Moreover, changes in the levels of CREB and MeCP2, which were considered to interact with BDNF promoter IV, were also rescued by resveratrol. Furthermore, resveratrol improved the cognitive performance in the Morris water maze test of the adult mice with exposure to sevoflurane in the neonatal stage, without changing motor function in the open field test. Taken together, our findings suggested that SIRT1 deficiency regulated BDNF signaling via regulation of the epigenetic activity of MeCP2 and CREB, and resveratrol might be a promising agent for mitigating sevoflurane-induced neurotoxicity in developing mice