Biological parameters estimate for the sickle pomfret (Taractichthys steindachneri) in the west-central and eastern Pacific Ocean

373-381This study was undertaken to provide some preliminary biological information for Sickle pomfrets Taractichthys steindachneri from length frequency data (LFD) obtained through the Chinese Longline Fisheries Observer Programme in the Pacific Ocean obtained from August 2016 to March 2017. We fitted the seasonally oscillating von Bertalanffy Growth Function (so VBGF) by applying two optimized ELEFAN approaches ('simulated annealing' ELEFAN S.A. and 'genetic algorithm' ELEFAN G.A.). ELEFAN S.A. presented the best score and was later used to obtain the following results:  FL∞ = 101 cm, k = 0.52 yr−1, t_anchor = 0.73, C = 0.75, ts = 0.2, and growth performance index of ∅ = 3.72; natural mortality  M = 0.55 yr−1, total mortality Z = 1.37 yr−1, fishing mortality F = 0.82 yr−1, exploitation rate E = 0.59, length at first sexual maturity Lm = 67.5 cm corresponding to 2.47 years (age at first sexual maturity); major recruitment and highest catch rate occurred in January. F and E at maximum sustainable yield were Fmsy = 1.7 yr-1 and Emsy = 0.754, respectively. In this study, E and results of yield-per-recruit models indicate that these fisheries are sustainably harvested, and maximum sustainable yield could be acquired, if F is increased to Fmsy

Lifestyle interventions to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes in women at high risk for gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of lifestyle interventions, including dietary guidance, health education and weight management, on pregnancy outcomes in women at high risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsOur study included 251 women at high risk of GDM and 128 randomized to lifestyle interventions (dietary guidance, health education, and weight management); One hundred and twenty-three people were randomly assigned to a control group (regular pregnancy check-ups). Counts between groups were compared using either chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.ResultsCompared with the control group, the risk of GDM was reduced by 46.9% (16.4% vs 30.9%, P = 0.007) and the risk of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) was reduced by 74.2% (2.3% vs 8.9%, P = 0.034) in the intervention group. There were no significant differences in macrosomia, cesarean section, or preterm birth (P >0.05).ConclusionThe lifestyle intervention in this study helped pregnant women to better understand knowledge related to pregnancy, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase intake of adequate prenatal nutrition. This intervention prevented metabolic abnormalities that may occur due to inadequate nutrient intake during pregnancy. In addition, it helped women to control weight gain, maintain appropriate weight gain during pregnancy, and reduce the risk of excessive or insufficient weight gain, ultimately lowering the incidence of GDM and PIH. This highlights the importance of early screening and intervention for high-risk pregnant women.Clinical Trial Registrationhttps://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2300073766

Warming changes the composition and diversity of fungal communities in permafrost

Abstract Purpose It is the data support and theoretical basis for the response mechanism of soil fungi to climate warming in permafrost areas in the Greater Xing’an Mountains. Methods We collected permafrost from the Greater Xing’an Mountains for indoor simulation experiments and took the natural permafrost as the control (CK) and the test groups of 0 °C (T1), 2 °C (T2), and 4 °C (T3) were set. Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing technology was used to understand the changes in characteristics of fungal communities, and the correlations were analyzed combined with the soil physicochemical properties. Results Compared with CK, the value of pH and the content of available potassium (AK) in the three warming treatment groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05), and the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content was significantly higher (P < 0.05). The content of total nitrogen (TN) and available nitrogen (AN) in the T1 and T3 groups was significantly lower than that in the CK group (P < 0.05). A total of 11 phyla, 39 classes, 89 orders, 187 families, 361 genera, and 522 species were obtained through fungal sequencing and divided into 1463 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs). Ascomycota and Dimorphospora were the dominant phylum and genus, respectively, and there were differences in the response of relative abundance of various groups at the phylum and genus levels to warming. Warming significantly decreased the Sobs and ACE indexes of the treatment groups (P < 0.05), and the Shannon and Shannoneven indexes also showed a downward trend. Moreover, warming significantly changed the fungal beta diversity (P < 0.01), while the value of pH and the content of TN, MBC, and AK could significantly affect the community structure (P < 0.05), and the correlation between fungi at different phyla levels and soil physicochemical properties was different. Conclusions These results can provide a reference for further study on the changes in composition and structure of fungal communities and the influence factor in permafrost in the Greater Xing’an Mountains under the background of warming

Graphene quantum dots: preparations, properties, functionalizations and applications

Zero-dimensional graphene quantum dots (GQDs) exhibit many different properties, such as strong fluorescence, nonzero bandgap and solubility in solvents, compared to two-dimensional graphene. GQDs are biocompatible and have low toxicity; hence, they are widely used in the biomedical field. The edge effect of GQDs is of particular interest because edge modification can regulate the performance of nanomaterials. In this review, various preparation methods for GQDs, which can be divided into three main categories, namely top-down, bottom-up and chemical methods, are discussed. The unique optical, electrical, thermal and magnetic properties of GQDs are reviewed. The functionalization of GQDs by doping with heteroatoms and forming composites with other materials is studied, and the characteristics of these GQDs are also discussed. The applications of these GQDs in the fields of optics, electricity, optoelectronics, biomedicine, energy, agriculture and other emerging interdisciplinary fields are reviewed to highlight the enormous potential of nanomaterials. This review reports on the recent advancement in GQD research and suggests future directions for the development of GQDs

Giant gastrointestinal stromal tumor with predominantly cystic changes: a case report and literature review

Abstract Background Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) rarely present with predominantly cystic changes. Here, we report a case of giant GIST of the stomach with predominantly cystic changes in a 74-year-old female patient. Case presentation The tumor was 10 cm × 15 cm in size and positive for CD117, H-caldesmon, and DOG-1. Complete surgical resection was performed without regional lymphadenectomy. The patient recovered uneventfully and no recurrence occurred. Conclusions The case illustrates that GIST with cystic changes should be considered in the diagnoses of hepatic and pancreatic lesions. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry with CD117, DOG1, and other molecular markers is critical for diagnosis of GIST of the stomach and facilitates optimization of treatments for GIST

Environmental Characteristics Associated with the Presence of the Pelagic Stingray (<i>Pteroplatytrygon violacea</i>) in the Pacific High Sea

The pelagic stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea), perhaps the only stingray to inhabit open ocean waters, is highly interactive with longline and purse seine fisheries. The threat to P. violacea posed by high bycatch mortality has received widespread attention. To date, the environmental preference of P. violacea, which is important in designing conservation and management measures, has not been well studied. Based on data collected during a 2016–2019 survey in the Pacific Ocean by national observers of tuna longline fisheries, the relationship between the presence of P. violacea and spatiotemporal and environmental variables was first analyzed using the Generalized Additive Model. The results showed that geographic location (latitude and longitude) was the most influential variable. Monthly, P. violacea is frequently present in the Pacific high sea from December to May. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation had a significant impact on the presence of P. violacea in the Pacific high sea, with both the cold (Ocean Nino Index 1) phases leading to a decrease in its presence. Regarding the environmental factors, we found that high presence was associated with low salinity (33.0~34.5 psu), a relatively high concentration of chlorophyll (0.2–0.35 mg/m3), and warm water (>20 °C). P. violacea was most likely observed in the waters offshore, closer to seamounts, and with water depths between 4000 and 5000 m. Four areas, including those east of the Solomon Islands and east of Kiribati, areas west of the Galapagos Islands, and areas near the coastal upwelling of northern Peru, related to upwelling systems or seamounts, were identified as the potential key habitats of P. violacea. Predicted distribution maps showed a significant seasonal variation in the presence of P. violacea. Moreover, the yearly change in the presence of P. violacea in the Pacific high sea indicated a possible decreasing trend in recent years. The information first provided here is essential for developing conservation and management measures for P. violacea to prevent the unavoidable ecological consequences of bycatch or other anthropogenic factors