Genotypic and Environmental Effects on the Volatile Chemotype of Valeriana jatamansi Jones

Valeriana jatamansi Jones is an aromatic medicinal herb and important alternative to V. officinalis, which is utilized for medicinal purposes in China and India and also as spices in India. Bioactive ingredients of V. jatamansi vary in different regions. However, no information is currently available on influence of genotype and environmental factors in the volatile compounds, especially when germplasms and planting locations need to be selected. Based on the results of SNP and volatile constituents from GC-MS analysis, this study found various genotypes and chemotypes of V. jatamansi for wild plants from seven regions in China and common-garden samples; correlations between genotype and chemotype were revealed for the plants. Two distinct populations (PX, FY) were distinguishable from five others (GJ, YL, SY, DD, DY) according to their genotypes and volatile profiles, the consistency of which was observed showing that genotype could significantly influence chemotype. Wild populations and common-garden samples were also separated in their volatile profiles, demonstrating that environmental factors strongly affected their chemotypes. Compounds contributing to the discrimination were identified as discriminatory compounds. This investigation has explored and provided essential information concerning the correlation between genotype and chemotype as well as environmental factors and chemotype of V. jatamansi in some regions of China. Feasible plantation and conservation strategies of V. jatamansi could be further explored based on these results

XYZ states at BESIII

In this proceeding, I report the most recent experimental results from BESIII about the XYZ sates. Two new X(3872) decay modes are observed, which is X(3872) → ωJ/ψ and X(3872) → π0χc1(1P). Precise measurement of cross sections of various channels reveal more fine structure about Y states. To study the property of Zc states, the Jp of Zc(3900) is determined with partial wave analysis, and a hint of new decay mode of Zc±(3900) → ρ±ηc are observed

Development of freeway service patrol program in china: a new Perspective from funds and institutional management

This paper analyzed institutional issues especially on funding sources and institutional management that are very critical to successful building up and operating freeway service patrols (FSPs) Programs. The goal of this research was to determine the suitable funding sources and institutional management structures for FSPs considering the real institutional situation in different provinces. To achieve this objective, we first classified the freeway financial and investment institutional structures (FFIIS) into four types i.e., DOT centralized management structure (DOTCMS), state-owned enterprise centralized management structure (SOECMS), Hybrid of DOT and state-owned enterprise management structure (HMS), and Decentralized management structure (DMS). Based on the FFIIS, the most suitable tollway fees structures and the FSPs institutional management structures were identified. In order to deal with the drawbacks of other structures which already adopted in provinces, the authors suggested establishing the Provincial Freeway Cooperation Commission (PFCC). PFCC intensively managed the tollway fees revenues and expense, and set coordinators for multi-agencies cooperation. In this way, the drawbacks of institutional management of freeway would be significantly reduced and incident management system and FSPs would be successfully implemented. This paper provided a new perspective to fully understanding the FSPs institutional issues which are critical to FSPs program successful implementation. The research could be also directly aid policy-makers from different provinces in China and also be useful to other countries

Multi-Objective Optimization Model for P + R and K + R Facilities’ Collaborative Layout Decision

In order to reduce the pressure on urban road traffic, multi-modal travel is gradually replacing single-modal travel. Park and ride (P + R) and kiss and ride (K + R) are effective methods to integrate car transportation and rail transit. However, there is often an imbalance between supply and demand in existing car occupant transfer facilities, which include both P + R and K + R facilities. Therefore, we aim to conduct a research on P + R and K + R facilities’ collaborative decision. It first classifies car occupant transfer facilities into types and levels and sets the service capacity of each category. On the premise of ensuring the occupancy of parking spaces, our model aims to maximize the intercepted vehicle mileage and transfer utility and establishes an optimal decision model for car occupant transfer facilities. The model collaboratively decides the facilities in terms of location selection, layout arrangement, and overflow demand conversion to balance the supply and demand. We choose Chengdu as an example, apply the multi-objective optimization model of car occupant transfer facilities, give improved schemes, and further explore the influence of the quantity of facilities on the optimization objectives. The results show that the scheme obtained by the proposed model is significantly better than the existing scheme

A Meta-Analysis of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Remedy for Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

<div><p>Background</p><p>Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) associates with severe vision outcome and no proven beneficial treatment. Our meta-analysis intended to appraise the efficacy and safety of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents in macular edema (ME) following CRVO.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Data were collected and analyzed by Review Manager 5.2.1. We employed a random-effects model to eliminate between-study heterogeneity. N_fs (called fail-safe number) was calculated to evaluate the publication bias.</p><p>Results</p><p>We included 5 trials consisting 323 cases and 281 controls. Primary outcomes showed that overall comparison of anti-VEGF agents with placebo control yielded a 374% and 136% increased tendency for a gain of 15 letters or more on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.43–9.23; P<0.00001; <i>I²</i> = 59%, 95% CI: 1.60–3.49; P<0.0001; <i>I²</i> = 0%, respectively) at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes showed that a 90% and 77% decreased risk at 6 and 12 months for a loss of 15 letters or more. The overall mean difference showed a statistically significance in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) on each time point. However, changes of central retinal thickness (CRT) lost significance at 12 months after 6-month as-needed treatment. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) had no statistical difference between anti-VEGF and placebo groups. Subgroup analyses indicated that patients receiving Aflibercept got the highest tendency to gain 15 letters or more (OR = 9.78; 95% CI: 4.43–21.56; P<0.00001). Age controlled analysis suggested a weaken tendency of BCVA improvement in age over 50 (MD = 12.26; 95% CI: 7.55–16.98; P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis by clinical classification showed a strengthen difference of BCVA changes at 6 months in ischemic type (MD = 19.65 letters, 95% CI: 13.15 to 26.14 letters, P<0.00001).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Our results showed that anti-VEGF agents were superior to placebo in CRVO-ME treatment with no statistically significant AEs, especially in younger people and for ischemic type.</p></div

Quality assessment of included RCTs in this meta-analysis.

<p>The modified Jadad scoring system for randomized controlled trials (Crowther M et al. Blood. 2010; 116∶3140–3146).</p><p><b>Question 1.</b> Was the study described as randomized? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 2.</b> If yes to question 1, was an appropriate randomization sequence described and used (eg, table of random numbers, computer generated, etc.)? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 3.</b> If yes to question 1, was an inappropriate method to generate the sequence of randomization used (patients were allocated alternately, or according to date of birth, hospital number, etc.)? If yes, subtract 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 4.</b> Was the study described as double blinded? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 5.</b> If yes to question 4, was an appropriate method of blinding used (eg, identical placebo, active placebo, dummy, etc.)? If yes, score 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 6.</b> If yes to question 4, was an inappropriate method for blinding used (eg, comparison of tablet vs. injection with no double dummy)? If yes, subtract 1 point.</p><p><b>Question 7.</b> Were the withdrawals and dropouts described? If yes, score 1 point.</p

Forrest plots for the proportion of patients with a loss from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of greater than or equal to 15 letters on Early Treatment in Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Chart at six and twelve months between anti-VEGF and placebo group.

<p>Forrest plots for the proportion of patients with a loss from baseline in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of greater than or equal to 15 letters on Early Treatment in Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Chart at six and twelve months between anti-VEGF and placebo group.</p

The baseline characteristics of all qualified studies in this meta-analysis.

<p>BCVA: best-corrected visual acuity, CRT: central retinal thickness, RVO: retinal vein occlusion, CRVO-ME: macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion, RRD: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, AMD: age-related macular degeneration, MI: myocardial infarction, CVA: cerebrovascular accident, letter: ETDRS (Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study) letter score, wks: weeks, mos: months, yrs: years.</p

Forrest plots for the mean visual acuity change on Early Treatment in Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Chart at one, six and twelve months between anti-VEGF and placebo group.

<p>Forrest plots for the mean visual acuity change on Early Treatment in Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) Chart at one, six and twelve months between anti-VEGF and placebo group.</p