Evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell Complex in Patients with Optic Neuritis or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders Using Optical Coherence Tomography in a Chinese Cohort

We evaluate a cohort of optic neuritis and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders patients in a territory hospital in China. The peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) were measured using spectral-domain OCT after 6 months of acute onset. The results showed that both the peripapillary RNFL and macular GCC were significantly thinner in all optic neuritis subtypes compared to controls. In addition, the recurrent optic neuritis and NMO groups showed more severe damage on the RNFL and GCC pattern

Co-benefits for net carbon emissions and rice yields through improved management of organic nitrogen and water

Returning organic nutrient sources (for example, straw and manure) torice fields is inevitable for coupling crop–livestock production. However,an accurate estimate of net carbon (C) emissions and strategies tomitigate the abundant methane (CH4) emission from rice fields suppliedwith organic sources remain unclear. Here, using machine learning and aglobal dataset, we scaled the field findings up to worldwide rice fields toreconcile rice yields and net C emissions. An optimal organic nitrogen (N)management was developed considering total N input, type of organicN source and organic N proportion. A combination of optimal organic Nmanagement with intermittent flooding achieved a 21% reduction in netglobal warming potential and a 9% rise in global rice production comparedwith the business-as-usual scenario. Our study provides a solution forrecycling organic N sources towards a more productive, carbon-neutral andsustainable rice–livestock production system on a global scale

Retinal Dystrophy Diagnosed in a Biopsy and Gene Proven Neuronal Intranuclear Inclusion Disease Patient

Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by eosinophilic hyaline intranuclear inclusions found in central and peripheral nervous system and other tissues [1]. Retina dysfunctions as night blindness, retina dystrophy, and abnormal electroretinogram without blindness were only reported in several cases until now [2,3,4]

Deformation Characteristics and Microstructure Analysis of Aluminum Alloy Component with Complex Shape by Cold Orbital Forming

This work aimed to study the deformation characteristics and microstructure of AA6063 aluminum alloy component with complex shape manufactured by cold orbital forming processing. The material flowing behavior was analyzed by Finite Element (FE) simulation and forming experiments were carried out using bar blank with different lengths. The microstructure of the boss zone cut from the formed samples was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD). FE simulation and experiment results both showed the aluminum base can be formed using cold orbital forming process. The distributions of the effective strain of the component with different blank lengths were almost the same, and the effective strain was bigger at the boss and the flash as the forming finished. The material flow is complex, especially in the boss, and the folding defect was observed at the root of the boss. The distribution of Mg2Si strengthening precipitate is more homogeneous in the matrix, has a different shape, and shows directivity at different position of boss zone. The grains are elongated, and the extent is different at different positions of the boss zone after cold orbital forming, and the crystal orientation discrepancy is smaller in the component main body and bigger in the boss zone. Subsequent forming process and blank optimization need to be further researched to improve forming quality

Is shared decision-making a determinant of polypharmacy in older patients with chronic disease? A cross-sectional study in Hubei Province, China

Abstract Background Shared decision-making(SDM) is recognized as an important means of managing polypharmacy among older people with chronic diseases. However, no studies have quantitatively measured the effect of SDM on polypharmacy. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of SDM and other factors on polypharmacy in inpatients and community patients. Additionally, the study aimed to compare the impact of different decision types on polypharmacy in community patients. Methods This is a population-based multicenter retrospective study conducted in Hubei Province, China. A cluster sampling approach was used to recruit 536 chronic disease inpatients from March to April 2019, and 849 community patients were recruited from April to June 2021. Propensity score weighting was used to control the confounding variables and determine the net effect of SDM on polypharmacy. Results Among the 536 hospitalized patients, the prevalence of polypharmacy was 56.3%. A high level of SDM was significantly associated with a lower risk of polypharmacy. Patients with chronic illnesses aged 76 years and older and with an annual family income of 24,001–36,000 yuan were associated with a lower likelihood of polypharmacy (p < 0.05). Multimorbidity was often accompanied by the occurrence of multiple medication use. Among 849 community patients, the prevalence of polypharmacy was 21.8%. Among types of decision-making, informed and paternalistic decision-making showed a higher likelihood of polypharmacy compared with shared decision-making (P < 0.05). Male, older patients over 76 years of age, urban residents, annual household income of 12,001–24,000 yuan, and multimorbidity were associated with higher likelihood of polypharmacy (P < 0.05). Patients with an annual household income of 24,001–36,000 yuan, 36,001 yuan or more, and good medication compliance showed a lower likelihood of polypharmacy (P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of polypharmacy is high among China's older population with chronic disease who should be paid more atthention by the healthcare providers. Additionaly, encouraging the patients' attendance in SDM, reducing paternalistic and informed decision-making during prescribing, improving patient medication compliance, and increasing the promotion and guidance of rational medication use for patients are essential to reduce polypharmacy in Chinese chronic disease patients

Evaluation of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer and Ganglion Cell Complex in a Cohort of Chinese with Optic Neuritis or Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders Using SD-OCT

"To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) in eyes of patients with typical multiple sclerosis related optic neuritis (MS-ON), relapsing optic neuritis(R-ON) or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMO-SD) using SD-OCT.

The Glutamate Receptor Plays a Role in Defense against Botrytis cinerea through Electrical Signaling in Tomato

Plant glutamate-like receptor genes (GLRs) are homologous to mammalian ionotropic glutamate receptors genes (iGluRs). Although GLRs have been implicated in plant defenses to biotic stress, the relationship between GLR-mediated plant immunity against fungal pathogens and electrical signals remains poorly understood. Here, we found that pretreatment with a GLR inhibitor, 6,7-dinitriquinoxaline-2,3-dione (DNQX), increased the susceptibility of tomato plants to the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Assessment of the glr3.3, glr3.5 and glr3.3/glr3.5 double-mutants upon B. cinerea infection showed that tomato GLR3.3 and GLR3.5 are essential for plant immunity against B. cinerea, wherein GLR3.3 plays the main role. Analysis of the membrane potential changes induced by glutamate (Glu) or glycine (Gly) revealed that amplitude was significantly reduced by knocking out GLR3.3 in tomato. While treatment with Glu or Gly significantly increased immunity against B. cinerea in wild-type plants, this effect was significantly attenuated in glr3.3 mutants. Thus, our data demonstrate that GLR3.3- and GLR3.5-mediated plant immunity against B. cinerea is associated with electrical signals in tomato plants