A novel fusion framework embedded with zero-shot super-resolution and multivariate autoregression for precipitable water vapor across the continental Europe

Precipitable water vapor (PWV), as the most abundant greenhouse gas, significantly impacts the evapotranspiration process and thus the global climate. However, the applicability of mainstream satellite PWV products is limited by the tradeoff between spatial and temporal resolutions, as well as some external factors such as cloud contamination. In this study, we proposed a novel PWV spatio-temporal fusion framework based on the zero-shot super-resolution and the multivariate autoregression models (ZSSR-ARF) to improve the accuracy and continuity of PWV. The framework is implemented in a way that the satellite-derived observations (MOD05) are fused with the reanalysis data (ERA5) to generate accurate and seamless PWV of high spatio-temporal resolution (0.01°, daily) across the European continent from 2001 to 2021. Firstly, the ZSSR approach is used to enhance the spatial resolution of ERA5 PWV based on the internal recurrence of image information. Secondly, the optimal ERA5-MOD05 image pairs are selected based on the image similarity as inputs to improve the fusion accuracy. Thirdly, the framework develops a multivariate autoregressive fusion approach to allocate weights adaptively for the high-resolution image prediction, which primely addresses the non-stationarity and autocorrelation of PWV. The results reveal that the accuracies of fused PWV are consistent with those of the GPS retrievals (r = 0.82–0.95 and RMSE = 2.21–4.01 mm), showing an enhancement in the accuracy and continuity compared to the original MODIS PWV. The ZSSR-ARF fusion framework outperforms the other methods with R$^2$ improved by over 24% and RMSE reduced by over 0.61 mm. Furthermore, the fused PWV exhibits similar temporal consistency (mean difference of 0.40 mm and DSTD of 3.22 mm) to the reliable ERA5 products, and substantial increasing trends (mean of 0.057 mm/year and over 0.1 mm/year near the southern and western coasts) are observed over the European continent. As the accuracy and continuity of PWV are improved, the outcome of this paper has potential for climatic analyses during the land-atmosphere cycle process

Preventing intimal thickening of vein grafts in vein artery bypass using STAT-3 siRNA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play a key role in neointimal formation which leads to restenosis of vein graft in venous bypass. STAT-3 is a transcription factor associated with cell proliferation. We hypothesized that silencing of STAT-3 by siRNA will inhibit proliferation of VSMCs and attenuate intimal thickening.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Rat VSMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro by applying tissue piece inoculation methods. VSMCs were transfected with STAT 3 siRNA using lipofectamine 2000. In vitro proliferation of VSMC was quantified by the MTT assay, while in vivo assessment was performed in a venous transplantation model. In vivo delivery of STAT-3 siRNA plasmid or scramble plasmid was performed by admixing with liposomes 2000 and transfected into the vein graft by bioprotein gel applied onto the adventitia. Rat jugular vein-carotid artery bypass was performed. On day 3 and7 after grafting, the vein grafts were extracted, and analyzed morphologically by haematoxylin eosin (H&E), and assessed by immunohistochemistry for expression of Ki-67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Western-blot and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression in vivo and in vitro. Cell apoptosis in vein grafts was detected by TUNEL assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>MTT assay shows that the proliferation of VSMCs in the STAT-3 siRNA treated group was inhibited. On day 7 after operation, a reduced number of Ki-67 and PCNA positive cells were observed in the neointima of the vein graft in the STAT-3 siRNA treated group as compared to the scramble control. The PCNA index in the control group (31.3 ± 4.7) was higher than that in the STAT-3 siRNA treated group (23.3 ± 2.8) (P < 0.05) on 7d. The neointima in the experimental group(0.45 ± 0.04 μm) was thinner than that in the control group(0.86 ± 0.05 μm) (P < 0.05).Compared with the control group, the protein and mRNA levels in the experimental group in vivo and in vitro decreased significantly. Down regulation of STAT-3 with siRNA resulted in a reduced expression of Bcl-2 and cyclin D1. However, apoptotic cells were not obviously found in all grafts on day 3 and 7 post surgery.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The STAT-3 siRNA can inhibit the proliferation of VSMCs in vivo and in vitro and attenuate neointimal formation.</p

QTL analysis of eating quality and cooking process of rice using a new RIL population derived from a cross between Minghui 63 and Khao Dawk Mali105

Abstract The cooking and eating quality of the rice grain is one of the most serious problems in many rice producing areas of the world. In this study, QTL analysis was performed for rice cooking and eating quality using a new recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from a cross between Minghui 63 (MH63), the Chinese best male sterility restorer in the hybrid rice programs, and Khao Dawk Mali105 (KDML105), the Thai jasmine rice, known as the best quality rice. The traits analyzed included amylose content (AC), gel consistency (GC), alkali spreading value (ASV), and 13 parameters from the viscosity profile. Comparison of the QTLs identified revealed 11 QTL clusters for these traits distributed on six chromosomes. The QTLs for the traits in the same class often clustered into the same chromosomal regions. A total of 29 QTLs were identified for 16 traits (or parameters) in the two years at P≤0.01 level. Our results clearly showed that the QTL cluster (six QTLs) corresponding to the Wx locus controlled six of the viscosity parameters such as BAtime-time needed from initial viscosity increase to peak viscosity (PKV), hot paste viscosity (HPV), final viscosity (FV), setback viscosity (SB) and consistency viscosity (CS), and had no effect on AC, GC, and ASV. The QTL cluster (13 QTLs) corresponding to the Alk locus played a role in ASV, GC, AC and all of the viscosity parameters except for PKV, FV and CS. In this study both AC and GC were not influenced by the Wx gene region. Our study investigated QTL analysis for the seven parameters of the viscosity profile, namely, Atemp, Atime, Btemp, Btime, BAtime, V95, and FV. Most of the QTLs previously found for these parameters on chromosome 6 in the Wx and Alk loci and on chromosome 5 and chromosome 7 were confirmed in the present study. Furthermore, new minor and major QTLs were also mapped on the chromosomes 5, 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 for these parameters. However, we noted the instability of some of these QTLs across the environments and their small phenotypic variation value. Further investigation of these new QTLs or locus could bring more specific and comprehensive and probably complete information about them. Keywords: QTL, Recombinant inbred line, Rice quality, SSR markers, Viscosity profile. Abbreviations: AC-amylose content; Add-additive effect; Alk-alkali gene locus; Atemp-pasting temperature; Atime-pasting time; BAtime-time needed from initial viscosity increase to PKV; BD-breakdown viscosity; Btemp-peak temperature; Btime-peak time; Chrs-chromosome; CPV-cool paste viscosity; CS-consistency viscosity; FV-final viscosity at 40°C; GC-gel consistency; GTgelatinization temperature; HPV-hot paste viscosity; KDML105-Kkao Dawk Mali105; MH63-Minghui 63; PKV-peak viscosity ; QTL-quantitative trait loci; RIL-recombinant inbred lines; RVA-rapid visco analyzer; SB-setback viscosity; SD-standard deviation; SSR-simple sequence repeats; V95-viscosity at 95°C; Var%-phenotypic variation percentage; Wx-waxy gene locus

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes with an MT-TL1 m.3243A>G point mutation: Neuroradiological features and their implications for underlying pathogenesis

ObjectiveMitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke−like episodes (MELAS) is one of the most common inherited mitochondrial disorders. Due to the high clinical and genetic heterogeneity of MELAS, it is still a major challenge for clinicians to accurately diagnose the disease at an early stage. Herein, we evaluated the neuroimaging findings of MELAS with an m.3243A&gt;G mutation in MT−TL1 and analyzed the possible underlying pathogenesis of stroke-like episodes.Materials and methodsFifty-nine imaging studies in 24 patients who had a confirmed genetic diagnosis of m.3243A&gt;G (MT-TL1; tRNALeu) associated with MELAS were reviewed in our case series. The anatomic location, morphological features, signal/intensity characteristics and temporal evolution of lesions were analyzed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) images. The supplying vessels and metabolite content of the lesions were also evaluated by using MR angiography (MRA)/CT angiography (CTA), and MR spectroscopy (MRS), respectively.ResultsThe lesions were most commonly located in the posterior brain, with 37 (37/59, 63%) in the occipital lobe, 32 (32/59, 54%) in the parietal lobe, and 30 (30/59, 51%) in the temporal lobe. The signal characteristics of the lesions varied and evolved over time. Bilateral basal ganglia calcifications were found in 6 of 9 (67%) patients who underwent CT. Cerebral and cerebellar atrophy were found in 38/59 (64%) and 40/59 (68%) patients, respectively. Lesion polymorphism was found in 37/59 (63%) studies. MRS showed elevated lactate doublet peaks in 9/10 (90%) cases. MRA or CTA revealed that the lesion-related arteries were slightly dilated compared with those of the contralateral side in 4 of 6 (67%) cases.ConclusionThe imaging features of MELAS vary depending on the disease stage. Polymorphic lesions in a single imaging examination should be considered a diagnostic clue for MELAS. Stroke-like episodes may be involved in a complex pathogenetic process, including mitochondrial angiopathy, mitochondrial cytopathy, and neuronal excitotoxicity

Epigenetic control of embryo–uterine crosstalk at peri-implantation

Abstract(#br)Embryo implantation is one of the pivotal steps during mammalian pregnancy, since the quality of embryo implantation determines the outcome of ongoing pregnancy and fetal development. A large number of factors, including transcription factors, signalling transduction components, and lipids, have been shown to be indispensable for embryo implantation. Increasing evidence also suggests the important roles of epigenetic factors in this critical event. This review focuses on recent findings about the involvement of epigenetic regulators during embryo implantation

Common susceptibility variants are shared between schizophrenia and psoriasis in the Han Chinese population

Previous studies have shown that individuals with schizophrenia have a greater risk for psoriasis than a typical person. This suggests that there might be a shared genetic etiology between the 2 conditions. We aimed to characterize the potential shared genetic susceptibility between schizophrenia and psoriasis using genome-wide marker genotype data

Cortex phellodendri

Cortex phellodendri is used to reduce fever and remove dampness and toxin. Berberine is an active ingredient of C. phellodendri. Berberine from Argemone ochroleuca can relax airway smooth muscle (ASM); however, whether the nonberberine component of C. phellodendri has similar relaxant action was unclear. An n-butyl alcohol extract of C. phellodendri (NBAECP, nonberberine component) was prepared, which completely inhibits high K+- and acetylcholine- (ACH-) induced precontraction of airway smooth muscle in tracheal rings and lung slices from control and asthmatic mice, respectively. The contraction induced by high K+ was also blocked by nifedipine, a selective blocker of L-type Ca2+ channels. The ACH-induced contraction was partially inhibited by nifedipine and pyrazole 3, an inhibitor of TRPC3 and STIM/Orai channels. Taken together, our data demonstrate that NBAECP can relax ASM by inhibiting L-type Ca2+ channels and TRPC3 and/or STIM/Orai channels, suggesting that NBAECP could be developed to a new drug for relieving bronchospasm