Large-scale circulation features associated with the heat wave over Northeast China in summer 2018

In late July and early August 2018, Northeast China suffered from extremely high temperatures, with the maxium temperature anomaly exceeding 6°C. In this study, the large-scale circulation features associated with this heat wave over Northeast China are analyzed using station temperature data and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data. The results indicate that strong anomalous positive geopotential height centers existed from the lower to upper levels over Northeast China, and the related downward motions were directly responsible for the extreme high-temperature anomalies. The northwestward shift of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and the northeastward shift of the South Asian high concurrently reinforced the geopotential height anomalies and descending flow over Northeast China. In addition, an anomalous Pacific–Japan pattern in the lower troposphere led to the northwestward shift of the WPSH, jointly favoring the anomalous geopotential height over Northeast China. Two wave trains emanating from the Atlantic region propagated eastwards along high latitudes and midlatitudes, respectively, and converged over Northeast China, leading to the enhancement of the geopotential height anomalies

Geniposide Attenuates Post-Ischaemic Neurovascular Damage via GluN2A/AKT/ ERK-Dependent Mechanism

Background/Aims: Calcium-permeable ionotropic NMDAR-mediated hyperactivity is regarded as the critical factor in modulating the development of ischaemic stroke. Recently, there has been increasing interest in preventing post-stroke neuronal death by focusing on intervening in the function of subpopulations of NMDARs and their downstream signalling. Geniposide, an iridoid glycoside, has been found to have cytoprotective functions in various conditions. However, it is still unclear whether and how geniposide affects neuronal insult under experimental stroke. Methods: We demonstrate that dose-dependent geniposide significantly decreased the infarct volume in tMCAO models. Results: A medium level of geniposide improved anti-apoptotic functions and inhibited BBB leakage/haemorrhage via elevating GluN2A-containing NMDAR expression in tMCAO rats. Importantly, these effects could be eliminated by co-treatment of geniposide with the GluN2A antagonist NVP but not the GluN2B inhibitor ifenprodil. Moreover, geniposide’s protection was due to the enhancement of GluN2A-dependent survival signals, including pAKT, pERK and PSD-95. Conclusion: The results suggest that geniposide protects neurons against post-ischaemic neurovascular injury through the activation of GluN2A/AKT/ERK pathways. As a very promising natural agent, geniposide may be a future therapeutic for stroke patients

The trans-omics landscape of COVID-19.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health emergency. Various omics results have been reported for COVID-19, but the molecular hallmarks of COVID-19, especially in those patients without comorbidities, have not been fully investigated. Here we collect blood samples from 231 COVID-19 patients, prefiltered to exclude those with selected comorbidities, yet with symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to critically ill. Using integrative analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic and lipidomic profiles, we report a trans-omics landscape for COVID-19. Our analyses find neutrophils heterogeneity between asymptomatic and critically ill patients. Meanwhile, neutrophils over-activation, arginine depletion and tryptophan metabolites accumulation correlate with T cell dysfunction in critical patients. Our multi-omics data and characterization of peripheral blood from COVID-19 patients may thus help provide clues regarding pathophysiology of and potential therapeutic strategies for COVID-19