Application of the improved dynamical–Statistical–Analog ensemble forecast model for landfalling typhoon precipitation in Fujian province

The forecasting performance of the Dynamical–Statistical–Analog Ensemble Forecast (DSAEF) model for Landfalling Typhoon [or tropical cyclone (TC)] Precipitation (DSAEF_LTP), with new values of two parameters (i.e., similarity region and ensemble method) for landfalling TC precipitation over Fujian Province, is tested in four experiments. Forty-two TCs with precipitation over 100 mm in Fujian Province during 2004–2020 are chosen as experimental samples. Thirty of them are training samples and twelve are independent samples. First, simulation experiments for the training samples are used to determine the best scheme of the DSAEF_LTP model. Then, the forecasting performance of this best scheme is evaluated through forecast experiments. In the forecast experiments, the TSsum (the sum of threat scores for predicting TC accumulated rainfall of ≥250 mm and ≥100 mm) of experiments DSAEF_A, B, C, D is 0.0974, 0.2615, 0.2496, and 0.4153, respectively. The results show that the DSAEF_LTP model performs best when both adding new values of the similarity region and ensemble method (DSAEF_D). At the same time, the TSsum of the best performer of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models is only 0.2403. The improved DSAEF_LTP model shows advantages compared to the NWP models. It is an important method to improve the predictability of the DSAEF_LTP model by adopting different schemes in different regions

A high-throughput phenotyping assay for precisely determining stalk crushing strength in large-scale sugarcane germplasm

Sugarcane is a major industrial crop around the world. Lodging due to weak mechanical strength is one of the main problems leading to huge yield losses in sugarcane. However, due to the lack of high efficiency phenotyping methods for stalk mechanical strength characterization, genetic approaches for lodging-resistant improvement are severely restricted. This study attempted to apply near-infrared spectroscopy high-throughput assays for the first time to estimate the crushing strength of sugarcane stalks. A total of 335 sugarcane samples with huge variation in stalk crushing strength were collected for online NIRS modeling. A comprehensive analysis demonstrated that the calibration and validation sets were comparable. By applying a modified partial least squares method, we obtained high-performance equations that had large coefficients of determination (R2 > 0.80) and high ratio performance deviations (RPD > 2.4). Particularly, when the calibration and external validation sets combined for an integrative modeling, we obtained the final equation with a coefficient of determination (R2) and ratio performance deviation (RPD) above 0.9 and 3.0, respectively, demonstrating excellent prediction capacity. Additionally, the obtained model was applied for characterization of stalk crushing strength in large-scale sugarcane germplasm. In a three-year study, the genetic characteristics of stalk crushing strength were found to remain stable, and the optimal sugarcane genotypes were screened out consistently. In conclusion, this study offers a feasible option for a high-throughput analysis of sugarcane mechanical strength, which can be used for the breeding of lodging resistant sugarcane and beyond

Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Rac1: A Role in Regulation of Cell Spreading

Rac1 influences a multiplicity of vital cellular- and tissue-level control functions, making it an important candidate for targeted therapeutics. The activity of the Rho family member Cdc42 has been shown to be modulated by tyrosine phosphorylation at position 64. We therefore investigated consequences of the point mutations Y64F and Y64D in Rac1. Both mutations altered cell spreading from baseline in the settings of wild type, constitutively active, or dominant negative Rac1 expression, and were accompanied by differences in Rac1 targeting to focal adhesions. Rac1-Y64F displayed increased GTP-binding, increased association with βPIX, and reduced binding with RhoGDI as compared with wild type Rac1. Rac1-Y64D had less binding to PAK than Rac1-WT or Rac1-64F. In vitro assays demonstrated that Y64 in Rac1 is a target for FAK and Src. Taken together, these data suggest a mechanism for the regulation of Rac1 activity by non-receptor tyrosine kinases, with consequences for membrane extension

A Complete Analysis of HA and NA Genes of Influenza A Viruses

BACKGROUND: More and more nucleotide sequences of type A influenza virus are available in public databases. Although these sequences have been the focus of many molecular epidemiological and phylogenetic analyses, most studies only deal with a few representative sequences. In this paper, we present a complete analysis of all Haemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) gene sequences available to allow large scale analyses of the evolution and epidemiology of type A influenza. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: This paper describes an analysis and complete classification of all HA and NA gene sequences available in public databases using multivariate and phylogenetic methods. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We analyzed 18,975 HA sequences and divided them into 280 subgroups according to multivariate and phylogenetic analyses. Similarly, we divided 11,362 NA sequences into 202 subgroups. Compared to previous analyses, this work is more detailed and comprehensive, especially for the bigger datasets. Therefore, it can be used to show the full and complex phylogenetic diversity and provides a framework for studying the molecular evolution and epidemiology of type A influenza virus. For more than 85% of type A influenza HA and NA sequences into GenBank, they are categorized in one unambiguous and unique group. Therefore, our results are a kind of genetic and phylogenetic annotation for influenza HA and NA sequences. In addition, sequences of swine influenza viruses come from 56 HA and 45 NA subgroups. Most of these subgroups also include viruses from other hosts indicating cross species transmission of the viruses between pigs and other hosts. Furthermore, the phylogenetic diversity of swine influenza viruses from Eurasia is greater than that of North American strains and both of them are becoming more diverse. Apart from viruses from human, pigs, birds and horses, viruses from other species show very low phylogenetic diversity. This might indicate that viruses have not become established in these species. Based on current evidence, there is no simple pattern of inter-hemisphere transmission of avian influenza viruses and it appears to happen sporadically. However, for H6 subtype avian influenza viruses, such transmissions might have happened very frequently and multiple and bidirectional transmission events might exist

Wild Bird Migration across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: A Transmission Route for Highly Pathogenic H5N1

BACKGROUND: Qinghai Lake in central China has been at the center of debate on whether wild birds play a role in circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1. In 2005, an unprecedented epizootic at Qinghai Lake killed more than 6000 migratory birds including over 3000 bar-headed geese (Anser indicus). H5N1 subsequently spread to Europe and Africa, and in following years has re-emerged in wild birds along the Central Asia flyway several times. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: To better understand the potential involvement of wild birds in the spread of H5N1, we studied the movements of bar-headed geese marked with GPS satellite transmitters at Qinghai Lake in relation to virus outbreaks and disease risk factors. We discovered a previously undocumented migratory pathway between Qinghai Lake and the Lhasa Valley of Tibet where 93% of the 29 marked geese overwintered. From 2003-2009, sixteen outbreaks in poultry or wild birds were confirmed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and the majority were located within the migratory pathway of the geese. Spatial and temporal concordance between goose movements and three potential H5N1 virus sources (poultry farms, a captive bar-headed goose facility, and H5N1 outbreak locations) indicated ample opportunities existed for virus spillover and infection of migratory geese on the wintering grounds. Their potential as a vector of H5N1 was supported by rapid migration movements of some geese and genetic relatedness of H5N1 virus isolated from geese in Tibet and Qinghai Lake. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study to compare phylogenetics of the virus with spatial ecology of its host, and the combined results suggest that wild birds play a role in the spread of H5N1 in this region. However, the strength of the evidence would be improved with additional sequences from both poultry and wild birds on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau where H5N1 has a clear stronghold

Cleidocranial dysplasia syndrome with epilepsy: a case report

Abstract Background Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare autosomal dominant disorder resulting in skeletal and dental abnormalities due to the disturbance in ossification of the bones. The prevalence of CCD is one in a million of live births, and epileptic seizures are rarer in this disease. Case presentation Herein, we present a case of a 10-year-old girl, who not only suffered with cleidocranial dysplasia, but experienced frequent seizures. We initiated an anti-epileptic treatment for this patient with dose adjustments to her weight of levetiracetam (10 mg/kg, bid) for 3 months. The epileptic seizures were controlled, but the intelligence level and control of epilepsy need to be followed up for a longer duration. Conclusions In clinical practice, if a patient has unusual facies, typical clavicle defect, skull bone enlargement, and unclosed anterior fontanelle, we should consider the possibility of cleidocranial dysplasia, genetic detection are helpful to make a confirmed diagnosis. In such cases, early diagnosis and treatment is important to correct deformities and improve the quality of life of patients

Cytosolic delivery of HBsAg and enhanced cellular immunity by pH-responsive liposome

It remains a major challenge to prime the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) response for the treatment of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Inspired by an important natural biological behavior, membrane fusion, we constructed a pH-responsive nanocarrier (HBsAg&CpG@Lip) with a membrane fusion capacity for HBsAg intracellular delivery and subsequent process of CTLs. In the in vitro experiments, HBsAg&CpG@Lip greatly promoted the cellular uptake of HBsAg and the activation of BMDCs. It induced the cytosolic release of HBsAg in BMDCs, which was in conformity with the membrane fusion capacity of HBsAg&CpG@Lip. Such a capacity was improved by 4.4-fold in pH = 5.0 than that in pH = 7.4 at 60 min, which was calculated through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency. Furthermore, the cross-presentation activity induced by liposome at 1 mu g/mL was equivalent to that by soluble antigen at 2000 mu g/mL, which indicated an advantage for the liposome in cytosolic antigen delivery and potent CTLs activation. In respect of the transport of liposomes into draining lymph nodes (DLNs), the recruitment of liposome(+)migratory DCs at 24 h raised 11-fold than that at 3 h, suggesting that liposomes were mainly carried by migratory DCs. Meanwhile, HBsAg&CpG@Lip also elicited the activation of DCs and the generation of T-fh cells in DLNs. After immunization, HBsAg&CpG@Lip induced a higher anti-HBsAg IgG and ratio of IgG2c/IgG1 than that by HBsAg or Alum+HBsAg group. It also augmented a strong CTLs response as expected. Specifically, stimulation with HBsAg&CpG@Lip increased the number of IFN-gamma-secreting splenocytes, the proportion of CD107 alpha(+)CD8(+)and FasL(+)CD8(+) T cells and the secretion of Granzyme B, which verified the design of membrane fusion in vivo. In summary, this design for HBsAg cytosolic delivery exhibits great benefits for triggering CTLs, opening an avenue for the development of a potent therapeutic HBV vaccine

The incorporation of cationic property and immunopotentiator in poly (lactic acid) microparticles promoted the immune response against chronic hepatitis B

Biodegradable microparticles (MPs) as vaccine adjuvants have sparked the passion of researchers in recent decades. However, it is still a huge challenge to develop an efficient vaccine delivery system to reverse chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Herein, we integrated a physiochemical merit and an immunopotentiator property in poly (lactic acid) (PLA) MPs and verified the therapeutic effect on CHB model mice. We prepared uniform MPs with insertion of cationic lipid didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), which endowed a physiochemical merit for MPs. Such a DDAB-PLA (DP) group raised the recruitment of immune cells to the injection site along with the secretion of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, promoting the activation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Further combination of stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) (DP-D) elevated 5.8-fold higher interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF-7) expression compared to that for DP group. The DP group showed preferred lysosome escape advantage, which was in line with the DMXAA release behavior and the intracellular target of DMXAA. In addition, DP-D vaccine augmented the IFN-gamma secreting splenocytes and motivated Th1-biased antibodies in a more efficient way than that for the DP group. In the CHB model, the MPs based vaccines achieved 50% HBsAg seroconversion rate, and HBcAg in the liver also got a reduction. DP-D produced higher amount of memory T/B cells to confer protection in a sustained manner. Present work thus provided a promising strategy, via integrating a fine-tuned physiochemical property and an immunopotentiator virtue in the MPs, which synergistically reinforced both humoral and cellular immune responses against CHB

Parallel Attribute Reduction Algorithm for Complex Heterogeneous Data Using MapReduce

Parallel attribute reduction is one of the most important topics in current research on rough set theory. Although some parallel algorithms were well documented, most of them are still faced with some challenges for effectively dealing with the complex heterogeneous data including categorical and numerical attributes. Aiming at this problem, a novel attribute reduction algorithm based on neighborhood multigranulation rough sets was developed to process the massive heterogeneous data in the parallel way. The MapReduce-based parallelization method for attribute reduction was proposed in the framework of neighborhood multigranulation rough sets. To improve the reduction efficiency, the hashing Map/Reduce functions were designed to speed up the positive region calculation. Thereafter, a quick parallel attribute reduction algorithm using MapReduce was developed. The effectiveness and superiority of this parallel algorithm were demonstrated by theoretical analysis and comparison experiments