Latent profile analysis of multiple symptom distress in children and adolescents with cancer and its effect on their physical activity

Objective·To describe the level of multiple symptom distress and physical activity in children and adolescents with cancer, analyze symptom distress profiles, and explicit the relationship between latent profiles and physical activity.Methods·From November 2021 to March 2023, the convenient sample method was used to recruit children and adolescents with cancer aged 10－18 years old, who had been treated for more than 1 month in the Departments of Hematology/Oncology, Shanghai Children′s Medical Center and Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The questionnaires, including General Information Questionnaire, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale 10-18 (MSAS 10-18) and Modified Chinese Version of Children′s Leisure Time Activities Study Survey (CLASS-C), were used. Latent profile analysis was used to identify whether the level of multiple symptom distress in children and adolescents with cancer was population heterogeneity and its explicit characteristics. Whether there were differences in physical activity levels among different profiles of symptom distress was also analyzed.Results·A total of 165 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 91.7%. The symptom distress scores of the top five occurrence rates of symptoms in children and adolescents with cancer were lack of energy with a median of 1 (1, 2) point, nausea 1 (1, 2) point, lack of appetite 2 (2, 3) points, sweat 1 (1, 2) point, and pain 1 (1, 2) point. The physical activity level of the patients was mainly light, with a median of 2 530.00 (1 577.50, 3 721.00) min/week, and moderate to vigorous physical activity was relatively lower [70.00 (10.00, 197.50) min/week]. The patients with cancer could be divided into two latent profiles: "high fatigue-high nausea-high hair loss-high sleepy" and "high fatigue-low nausea-low vomiting-low sleepy", which were named as high symptom distress (n=47, 30.6%) and low symptom distress (n=118, 69.4%) separately. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were more likely to be classified as high symptom distress group, and outpatients in the latest hospital visit were more likely to classified as low symptom distress group (both P<0.05). In addition, patients with high symptom distress had a higher level of light physical activity (P<0.05), and had a lower level of moderate to vigorous physical activity, but the difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion·There is population heterogeneity in the multiple symptom distress in children and adolescents with cancer. Disease type (acute leukemia) and the way of the latest hospital visit (through outpatient department) are the predictors of symptoms profiles of patients with cancer. Patients who experience high symptom distress have higher level of light physical activity, and perhaps lower level of moderate to vigorous physical activity

Synergistic catalytic removal of NO_x and chlorinated aromatics via atomically dispersed asymmetric Mn-O-Ce sites on montmorillonite

The synergistic catalytic removal of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOC) is in significant demand from both ecological and economic perspectives. Breaking the trade-off between synergistic catalytic activity and selectivity is a big challenge. In this study, we developed a catalyst named MnCeOx/MMT-Ti, which features an atomically dispersed MnCeOx supported on montmorillonite. It exhibited superior performance from 260 to 330 °C, achieving over 80 % conversion of NOx and chlorobenzene (CB), as well as over 80 % selectivity for N2 and CO2. Atomically dispersed asymmetric Mn-O-Ce sites were constructed and evidenced. The isolated asymmetric Mn-O-Ce sites in MnCeOx/MMT-Ti stimulated exceptional O2 adsorption and activation, facilitating CB oxidation through a variant Mars-van Krevelen mechanism while improving the N2 selectivity of NOx reduction. In addition, the abundant Brønsted acid sites from montmorillonite ensured the Cl-resistance and high stability of the catalyst. This study presents a novel approach for the synergistic removal of NOx and VOCs via tailoring atomically dispersed active sites of synergistic catalysts composed of complex oxides.</p

Cl-Resistant Synergistic Removal of NO_xand Chlorobenzene over SmMn₂O₅-Zeolite Composite Catalysts

Synergistic catalytic removal (SyCR) of NOxand chlorinated volatile organic compound (CVOCs) emission from nonelectric industries is effective to suppress PM2.5and ozone complex air pollution. Catalysts with balanced competence to reduce NOxand oxidize CVOCs, as well as the resistance to chlorine poisoning, are critical to SyCR. Here, neighboring effects over SmMn2O5mullite (SMO) modified by HZSM-5 composite catalysts (SMO-Z) were demonstrated in the Cl-resistant SyCR of NOxand chlorobenzene (CB, a representative CVOCs). Characterizations demonstrated that HZSM-5 modification did not alter the crystal structure of SMO and retained Mn–O–Mn–Mn active sites for the SyCR of NOxand CB. HZSM-5 regulated the redox ability of SMO-Z to reduce the formation of inert nitrate species and to promote the N2selectivity. Acidic HZSM-5 acted as dechlorination sites to promote the breakage of the C–Cl bond via the nucleophilic substitution reaction and accelerated the formation of HCl to avoid Cl poisoning on catalysts. The fine-tuned compensation of surface acidity by HZSM-5 suppressed the competitive adsorption of NH3and CB on SMO-Z, which promoted NOxreduction at high temperatures, whereupon neighboring effects between HZSM-5 acidic dechlorination sites and SMO active redox sites on SMO-Z capitally promoted the SyCR efficiency and antichlorination poisoning performance.</p

Soil fungal community and co-occurrence network patterns at different successional stages of black locust coppice stands

Background and aimsBlack locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) plantations transition from seedling to multi-generation coppice systems, leading to declines in productivity and biodiversity. However, the structural and functional reorganization of soil fungal communities during this transition remains poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize fungal community dynamics across successional stages of black locust stands and assess their implications for soil health and ecosystem resilience.MethodsSoil fungal communities in three black locust stands (first-generation seedling forest, first- and second-generation coppice forests) were analyzed over one year using ITS high-throughput sequencing. We evaluated fungal diversity, guild composition, and co-occurrence networks, integrating statistical analyses (PERMANOVA, ANOSIM, FUNGuild) and network theory to assess seasonal and successional shifts.ResultsFungal richness and diversity remained stable across stand types and seasons. However, these factors dramatically altered the soil fungal community structure. Shifts in fungal community composition were observed from seedling to coppice stands: Ascomycota dominance decreased (72.9 to 57.9%), while Basidiomycota increased (6.5 to 11.6%). Significant changes in the relative abundance of certain fungal guilds were observed by both stand conversion and seasonal variation (p &lt; 0.05). However, the overall fungal guilds composition was only significantly affected by the seasonal variation, rather than stand conversion (p &gt; 0.05). Furthermore, saprotrophic fungi dominated in autumn/winter (66.49–76.01%), whereas symbiotic fungi peaked in spring (up to 7.27%). As forests transition from seeding to coppice stands, the percentage of negative edges, average degree, and relative modularity of the fungal community co-occurrence networks all gradually decreased. Those suggested that the conversion of black locust stands decreased the connectivity between fungal species, formed less organized structure, increased homogeneity of function among microbial communities, reduced ecological functionality, and decreased resistance to environmental changes. Seasonal temperature fluctuations further modulated network complexity, with summer samples showing heightened edge density but reduced cooperation.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the conversion of forests can significantly shift the soil fungal community structure and assembly, favoring Basidiomycota over Ascomycota and reducing network stability. These shifts signal progressive soil nutrient depletion and functional homogenization, potentially compromising ecosystem resilience. Seasonal guild dynamics highlight fungi’s role in nutrient cycling, with saprotrophs driving litter decomposition in colder months. This understanding suggest that forest management practices must prioritise the preservation of early successional stages. This is vital to support diverse fungal communities and complex community networks and ensure the stability, functionality and resistance of fungal communities. Restoration efforts must focus on promoting fungal resilience through targeted soil amendments and habitat diversification to enhance ecosystem stability and functionality

Effects of Chemical Fertilizer Reduction Combined with Straw and Organic Fertilizer Application on Soil Acidification Mitigation and Erosion Control

[Objective] To demonstrate that appropriate application of straw and organic fertilizer can effectively improve soil quality, have a positive effect on soil acidification mitigation and erosion control. [Method] Acidified red soil was used as the research object and a comparative analysis was performed for the effects of conventional fertilization (CK), chemical fertilizer reduction (30%), straw returning (6 000 kg/hm2, FSM0), and the combination of chemical fertilizer reduction (30%) coupled with straw returning (6 000 kg/hm2) and different gradients of organic fertilizers (1 500, 3 000, 4 500 and 6 000 kg/hm2) (FSM1, FSM2, FSM3, and FSM4) on soil properties at different stages of rapeseed growth and rapeseed yield. [Results] The reduction of chemical fertilizers combined with straw and organic fertilizer application significantly (p < 0.05) improved soil acidity and nutrient status. Compared with CK, soil pH increased by 0.05~0.25 unit under the five treatments, while exchangeable H+, exchangeable Al3+, and exchangeable acids decreased by 10.82%~39.81%, 5.18%~22.10% and 5.67%~23.90%, respectively. Additionally, the total exchangeable base increased by 7.63%~34.68%, and the total nitrogen and organic matter contents in the soil also significantly increased (by 19.22%~62.86% and 18.43%~61.50%, respectively). Analysis of soil mechanics properties indicated that with the increase of organic fertilizer application, soil shear strength was significantly enhanced, while the cohesion and internal friction angle exhibited a trend of first increasing and then decreasing. Under FSM2 treatment, the shear strength, cohesion, and internal friction angle all reached their peak values, with a respective increase of 22.22%, 20.06% and 11.38% relative to CK. Economic benefit analysis revealed that FSM2 had the highest net income. [Conclusion] Based on soil acidification improvement, fertility enhancement, structural improvement, and rapeseed economic benefits, chemical fertilizer reduction (30%) coupled with straw returning (6 000 kg/hm2) and 3 000 kg/hm2 organic fertilizer application can be recommended as the optimal management strategy. The results of this study can provide a scientific foundation for improving soil acidification and increasing crop yields

The Roads to Haploid Embryogenesis

Although zygotic embryogenesis is usually studied in the field of seed biology, great attention has been paid to the methods used to generate haploid embryos due to their applications in crop breeding. These mainly include two methods for haploid embryogenesis: in vitro microspore embryogenesis and in vivo haploid embryogenesis. Although microspore culture systems and maize haploid induction systems were discovered in the 1960s, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying haploid formation. In recent years, major breakthroughs have been made in in vivo haploid induction systems, and several key factors, such as the matrilineal (MTL), baby boom (BBM), domain of unknown function 679 membrane protein (DMP), and egg cell-specific (ECS) that trigger in vivo haploid embryo production in both the crops and Arabidopsis models have been identified. The discovery of these haploid inducers indicates that haploid embryogenesis is highly related to gamete development, fertilization, and genome stability in ealry embryos. Here, based on recent efforts to identify key players in haploid embryogenesis and to understand its molecular mechanisms, we summarize the different paths to haploid embryogenesis, and we discuss the mechanisms of haploid generation and its potential applications in crop breeding. Although these haploid-inducing factors could assist egg cells in bypassing fertilization to initiate embryogenesis or trigger genome elimination in zygotes after fertilization to form haploid embryos, the fertilization of central cells to form endosperms is a prerequisite step for haploid formation. Deciphering the molecular and cellular mechanisms for haploid embryogenesis, increasing the haploid induction efficiency, and establishing haploid induction systems in other crops are critical for promoting the application of haploid technology in crop breeding, and these should be addressed in further studies

The Roads to Haploid Embryogenesis

Although zygotic embryogenesis is usually studied in the field of seed biology, great attention has been paid to the methods used to generate haploid embryos due to their applications in crop breeding. These mainly include two methods for haploid embryogenesis: in vitro microspore embryogenesis and in vivo haploid embryogenesis. Although microspore culture systems and maize haploid induction systems were discovered in the 1960s, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying haploid formation. In recent years, major breakthroughs have been made in in vivo haploid induction systems, and several key factors, such as the matrilineal (MTL), baby boom (BBM), domain of unknown function 679 membrane protein (DMP), and egg cell-specific (ECS) that trigger in vivo haploid embryo production in both the crops and Arabidopsis models have been identified. The discovery of these haploid inducers indicates that haploid embryogenesis is highly related to gamete development, fertilization, and genome stability in ealry embryos. Here, based on recent efforts to identify key players in haploid embryogenesis and to understand its molecular mechanisms, we summarize the different paths to haploid embryogenesis, and we discuss the mechanisms of haploid generation and its potential applications in crop breeding. Although these haploid-inducing factors could assist egg cells in bypassing fertilization to initiate embryogenesis or trigger genome elimination in zygotes after fertilization to form haploid embryos, the fertilization of central cells to form endosperms is a prerequisite step for haploid formation. Deciphering the molecular and cellular mechanisms for haploid embryogenesis, increasing the haploid induction efficiency, and establishing haploid induction systems in other crops are critical for promoting the application of haploid technology in crop breeding, and these should be addressed in further studies.</jats:p

Simulation analysis of biomass pyrolysis based on the improved CPD model with chain reaction dynamics

The complex composition and molecular structure of biomass lead to more complex and diversified chemical reactions in the pyrolysis. According to the structural characteristics of the reactants, this paper simplifies the pyrolysis process and extends the research focus from the micro-molecular elementary reactions to the macro reaction kinetics. The wheat straw is chosen as the investigated biomass, and the promoted chemical percolation devolatilization (CPD) with modified pseudo-grid and chain reaction kinetics (CRK) pyrolysis models were constructed for predicting the pyrolysis characteristics. Compared with the experimental results, the prediction errors of char, oil and gas production are in a reasonable range of &lt; 10 %. Moreover, the reliability of the model is verified by comparing with the experimental thermogravimetric curve, which shows that the model could well predict the mass loss, product distribution and component characteristics, and provides a reasonable prediction for the pyrolysis of biomass.</jats:p