The takin (Budorcas taxicolor) is one of the largest bovid herbivores across caprinae subfamily. The takin is at high risk of extinction, however, its taxonomic status is still unclear. In this study, we constructed the first reference genome of B. taxicolor using PacBio long High-Fidelity reads and Hi-C technology. The assembled genome is ~2.95 Gb with a contig N50 of 68.05 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 101.27 Mb, which were anchored onto 25+XY chromosomes. Compared to the common ancestral karyotype of bovidae (2n=60), we found the takin (2n=52) experienced four chromosome fusions and one large translocation. We also found that the takin was most closely related to muskox, not other caprinae species. Further, we re-sequenced nine golden takins from the main distribution area, Qinling Mountains, and identified 3.3 million SNPs. The genetic diversity of takin was very low (θπ=0.00028 and heterozygosity=0.00038), which was among the lowest detected in the domestic and wild mammals. We also found takin genomes showed high inbreeding coefficient (FROH=0.217) suggesting severe inbreeding depression. The genome analysis show that the effective population size of takins declined significantly from ~100,000 years ago. Our results provide valuable information for protection of takins and insights into its evolution.

Aim Scale up of rifampicin-based prevention regimens is an essential part of the global leprosy strategy. Daily rifampicin may reduce the effectiveness of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP), but little is known about rifampicin’s effects at the less frequent dosing intervals used for leprosy prophylaxis. Since many women of reproductive age who are eligible for rifampicin-based regimens rely on OCP for family planning, additional information characterising the interaction would enhance scalability and acceptability of leprosy prophylaxis. Methods We used a semi-mechanistic pharmacokinetic model to predict the expected induction effect of rifampicin on OCP oral clearance (CL/F) when used for leprosy prophylaxis. Rifampicin dosing schedules were selected based on WHO-recommended and investigational leprosy prophylaxis regimens. Uncertainty in the model was explored using a scenario analysis. Results Hormonal contraceptive CL/F with rifampicin given as a single 600mg dose, a single 1200mg dose, or as 600mg once every four weeks was predicted to increase by a maximum of 12%, 14% and 14%, respectively, and return to baseline before the next dose. Hormonal contraceptive CL/F was predicted to increase by >20% with once-weekly and once-daily dosing of 600mg rifampicin. Using a threshold of 20%, rifampicin used for leprosy prophylaxis does not have a clinically relevant interaction with OCP. Conclusion These modelling study findings suggest that women using OCP can expect efficacy to be maintained with coadministration of rifampicin-based leprosy prophylaxis and should provide reassurance to stakeholders that leprosy prophylaxis need not be accompanied by any additional specific recommendation about use of OCP.

Iroquois Homeobox 4 (IRX4) belongs to a family of homeobox TFs having roles in embryogenesis, cell specification and organ development. Recently, Large scale Genome-Wide Association studies and epigenetic studies have highlighted the role of IRX4 and its associated variants in prostate cancer. No studies have investigated and characterized the structural aspect of the IRX4 homeodomain and its potential to bind to DNA. The current study uses sequence analysis, homology modelling and molecular dynamics simulations to explore IRX4 homeodomain-DNA recognition mechanisms and the role of somatic mutations affecting these interactions. Using publicly available databases, gene expression of IRX4 was found in different tissues, including prostate, heart, skin, vagina, and the protein expression was found in cancer cell lines (HCT166, HEK293), B cells, ascitic fluid and brain. Sequence conservation of the homeodomain shed light on the importance of N- and C-terminal residues involved in DNA binding. The specificity of IRX4 homodimer bound to consensus human DNA sequence was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations, representing the role of conserved amino acids including R145, A194, N195, S190, R198 and R199 in binding to DNA. Additional N-terminal residues like T144 and G143 were also found to have specific interactions highlighting the importance of N-terminus of the homeodomain in DNA recognition. Additionally, the effects of somatic mutations, including the conserved Arginine (R145, R198 and R199) residues on DNA binding elucidated the importance of these residues in stabilizing the protein-DNA complex. Secondary structure and hydrogen bonding analysis showed the roles of specific residues (R145, T191, A194, N195, R198 and R199) in maintaining the homogeneity of the structure and its interaction with DNA. The differences in relative binding free energies of all the mutants shed light on the structural modularity of this protein and the dynamics behind protein-DNA interaction. We also have predicted that the C-terminal sequence of the IRX4 homeodomain could act as a potential cell-penetrating peptide, emphasizing the role these small peptides could play in targeting homeobox TFs.

In this study, we investigated the occurrence of direct and indirect infectious disease transmission pathways among pig farms in Switzerland, as well as their specific relevance for the spread of African swine fever, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), and enzootic pneumonia. Data were collected using an adapted mental models approach, involving initial interviews with experts in the field of pig health and logistics, semi-structured interviews with pig farmers, and a final expert workshop, during which all identified pathways were graded by their predicted frequency of occurrence, their likelihood of spread of the three diseases of interest, and their overall relevance considering both parameters. As many as 24 disease pathways were identified in four areas: pig trade, farmer encounters, external collaborators, and environmental or other pathways. Two thirds of the pathways were expected to occur with moderate-to-high frequency. While both direct and indirect pig trade transmission routes were highly relevant for the spread of the three pathogens, pathways from the remaining areas were especially important for PRRS due to higher spread potential via aerosols and fomites. In addition, we identified factors modifying the relevance of disease pathways, such as farm production type and affiliation with trader companies. During the interviews, we found varying levels of risk perception among farmers concerning some of the pathways, which affected adherence to biosecurity measures and were often linked to the degree of trust that farmers had towards their colleagues and external collaborators. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating indirect disease pathways into existing surveillance and control strategies and in disease modelling efforts. We also propose that biosecurity training aimed at professionals and risk communication campaigns targeting farmers should be considered to mitigate the risk of disease spread through the identified pathways.

Background and Purpose: Pharmacological intervention to induce white adipose tissue browning provides a promising anti-obese therapy. The fruits of Garcinia cambogia (Clusiaceae) have been widely applied to manage body weight. The current study aims to uncover the chemical principles responsible for the anti-obese property of the fruits of G. cambogia and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Experimental Approach: The bioactivity-based molecular networking and Oil-red O staining on 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 adipocytes were applied for guided isolation. High-fat diet-induced obese mice were recruited to evaluate the anti-obese activity. Key Results: Guided by the bioactivity-based molecular networking, several polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols were targetedly isolated from the fruits of G. cambogia with lipid lowering effect on adipocytes, including guttiferone J (GOJ), garcinol and 14-deoxygarcinol. As the most potent one, GOJ (10 µM) reduced lipid accumulation by 70% and 76% in 3T3-L1 and C3H10T1/2 adipocytes, respectively. Furthermore, GOJ (2.5‒10 µM) activated the deacetylase Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), which, in turn, reduced the acetylation level of PPARγ coactivator-1α to boost mitochondrial biogenesis, and promoted uncoupling protein 1 expression and function to enhance thermogenesis, resulting in browning of adipocytes. In high-fat diet-induced-obese mice, GOJ (10 and 20 mg∙Kg-1) protected against adiposity, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance and liver lipotoxicity, through boosting SIRT3-mediated browning of inguinal white adipose tissue. Conclusions and Implications: The bioactivity-based molecular networking is a promising strategy for guided isolation of bioactive molecules, and GOJ represents a new scaffold of thermogenic inducer, which might be responsible for the anti-obese property of G. cambogia.

The nocturnal activities of predators and prey are influenced by several factors, including physiological adaptations, habitat quality and, we suspect, corresponds to changes in brightness of moonlight according to moon phase. In this study, we used a dataset from 102 camera traps to explore which factors are related with the activity pattern of North China leopards (Panthera pardus japonensis) in Shanxi Tieqiaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve (TPNR), China. We found that nocturnal activities of leopards were irregular during four different lunar phases, and while not strictly lunar philic or lunar phobic, their temporal activity was highest during the brighter moon phases (especially the last quarter) and lower during the new moon phase. On the contrary, roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) exhibited lunar philic activity, while wild boar (Sus scrofa) and Tolai hare (Lepus tolai) were evidently lunar phobic, with high and low temporal activity during the full moon, respectively. In terms of temporal overlap, that there was positive overlap between leopards and their prey species, including roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and Tolai hare (Lepus tolai), while leopard activity did not dip to the same low level of wild boar during the full moon phase. Generally, our results suggested that besides moonlight risk index (MRI), cloud cover and season have diverse effects on leopard and prey nocturnal activity. Finally, distinct daytime and nighttime habitats were identified, with leopards, wild boar and Tolai hare all using lower elevations at night and higher elevations during the day, while leopards and roe deer were closer to secondary roads during the day than at night.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) with concurrent BCR-ABL1 fusion gene and CALR mutation are especially rare.We report a patient with coexisting BCR-ABL1 fusion gene, CALR and TET2 mutations who was treated with the combination of the second-generation TKI nilotinib and JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib.

Background Aortic valve replacement is the gold standard treatment for severe symptomatic aortic valve disease. Recently, aortic valve reconstruction surgery (Ozaki procedure) emerges as a surgical alternative with good results in the medium term. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 38 patients who underwent aortic valve reconstruction surgery between January 2018 and June 2020 in a national reference center in Lima, Peru. The median age was 62 years, interquartile range 25. The main indication for surgery was aortic valve stenosis (63.1%), in most cases due to bicuspid valve (19 patients, 50%). Twenty-two (58%) patients had another pathology with surgical indication associated to AV disease, 8(21%) had dilatation of the ascending aorta with indication for replacement. Results One in-hospital death occurred (1/38, 2.6%) due to perioperative myocardial infarction. There was a significant reduction in the medians of the peak (66mmHg, CI95%=52.5-81.3 vs 15mmHg, CI95%=12.1-17.5, p<0.0001) and mean (41mmHg CI95%=31.8-50.1 vs 8mmHg, CI95%=6.0-9.6, p<0.0001) aortic valve gradients when we compared baseline characteristics with first 30-days results. In an average of 19 (±8.9) months of follow-up, survival, reoperation-free survival for valve dysfunction, and survival free of AV insufficiency> II were 94.6%, 94.6% y 91.7%, respectively. Significant reduction in the medians of the peak (66mmHg, CI95%=52.5-81.3 vs 14mmHg, CI95%=10.9-17.6, p<0.0001) and mean (41mmHg CI95%=31.8-50.1 vs 7mmHg, CI95%=5.2-9.1, p<0.0001) aortic valve gradients were maintained. Conclusions Mid-term outcome follow-up of aortic valve reconstruction surgery showed optimal results in term of mortality, reoperation free survival and hemodynamic characteristics of the neo-aortic valve.

Metal-containing liquid crystals and, in particular, Ln(III) complexes with unique structural, liquid-crystalline (LC), optical and magnetic properties are the examples of currently relevant multifunctional materials. Indirect structure-property relationships, their dependence on various factors and insufficiently studied determinant physicochemical mechanisms complicate the application of mesogenic Ln(III) complexes. While Ln(III) and ligand environment are selected prior to the synthesis, structural features of coordination polyhedra, especially upon photoexcitation, are not uniquely defined. Therefore, this work is focused on the development of theoretical approaches to the creation of multifunctional materials based on highly luminescent mesogenic Eu(III) complexes with β­diketones and Lewis bases. The relationships between their structure, parameters of Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra, luminescence efficiency and LC properties were considered. The calculated excited states and intramolecular energy transfer rates were used to determine intramolecular energy transfer channels. It was shown that their LC behavior is mainly defined by the ligand environment, while optical properties can also be determined by the coordination polyhedra.

The neurotransmitter dopamine has been shown to play an important role in modulating behavioural, morphological and life-history responses to food abundance. However, costs of expressing high dopamine levels remain poorly studied and are essential for understanding the evolution of the dopamine system. Negative maternal effects on offspring size from enhanced maternal dopamine levels have previously been documented in Daphnia. Here, we tested whether this translates into fitness costs in terms of lower starvation resistance in offspring. We exposed Daphnia magna mothers to aqueous dopamine (2.3 mg/L or 0 mg/L for the control) at two food levels (ad libitum versus 30% ad libitum) and recorded a range of maternal life history traits. The longevity of their offspring was then quantified in the absence of food. In both control and dopamine treatments, mothers that experienced restricted food ration had lower somatic growth rates and higher age at maturation. Maternal food restriction also resulted in production of larger offspring that had a superior starvation resistance, compared to ad libitum groups. However, although dopamine exposed mothers produced smaller offspring than controls at restricted food ration, these smaller offspring survived longer under starvation. Hence, maternal dopamine exposure provided an improved offspring starvation resistance. We discuss the relative importance of proximate and ultimate causes for why D. magna may not evolve towards higher endogenous dopamine levels despite the fitness benefits this appears to have.

We presented a multimodal imaging approach to identifying aortic arch aneurysm with a concurrent coarctation of the aorta in a 52-year-old woman. We successfully adopted a new operative method and described the management of whole process. The detailed imaging and intraoperative data have not been reported in the literature before. This case highlighted the feasibility and successful surgical intervention in a patient with coarctation of the aorta and a concurrent enormous aortic arch aneurysm. An extra-anatomical bypass is an innovative surgical technique that is proved effective and beneficial.

The COVID-19 pandemic has remarkably impacted the hospital management and the profile of patients suffering from acute cardiovascular syndromes. Among them, acute infective endocarditis (AIE) represented a rather frequent part of these urgent/emergent procedures. The paper by Li and colleagues has clearly shown the higher risk features which patients with diagnosis of AIE presented at hospital admission during the first part (first and second waves) of the outbreak, often requiring challenging operations, but fortunately not associated with worse outcome if compared to results obtained prior to the SARS-2 pandemic. The report discussed herein presents several other aspects worth of discussion and comments, particularly in relation to hospital management and post-discharge outcome which certainly deserve to be highlighted, but also further investigations.

Despite miRNAs regulate the defense response against multiple pathogenic fungi in diverse plant species, few efforts had been devoted to deciphering the involvement of miRNA in resistance to Fusarium verticillioides ( F. verticillioides), a major pathogenic fungal in maize production. In this study, we discovered a novel F. verticillioides-responsive miRNA designated zma-unmiR4 in maize kernels. The expression levels of zma-unmiR4 were significantly repressed in the resistant maize line but induced in the susceptible lines upon F. verticillioides exposure, whereas its target gene ZmGA2ox4 exhibited the opposite pattern of expression. Heterologous overexpression of zma-unmiR4 in Arabidopsis resulted in enhanced growth and compromised resistance to F. verticillioides. By contrast, transgenic plants overexpressing ZmGA2ox4 or the homolog AtGA2ox7 showed impaired growth and enhanced resistance to F. verticillioides. Moreover, zma-unmiR4-mediated suppression of AtGA2ox7 disturbed the accumulation of bioactive gibberellin (GA) in transgenic plants and perturbed a set of defense-related genes in response to F. verticillioides. Exogenous application of GA or GA biosynthetic inhibitor could modulate F. verticillioides resistance in different plants . Taken together, our results suggest that zma-unmiR4- ZmGA2ox4 module might act as a major player in balancing growth and the resistance to F. verticillioides pathogen in maize.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) of Cochlodinium polykrikoides exert pressure on nutritional resources; however, little is known about how they affect bacterial diversity. To investigate this, 110 water samples were collected from the Southern Sea of South Korea. Samples were divided into three groups based on environmental factors and phytoplankton data with a similarity of 85% using non-metric multidimensional scaling. Group I represented high-severity blooms and had a mean C. polykrikoides abundance of 1,560 cells mL-1. Groups II and III represented low-severity blooms, with mean densities of 68 and 57 cells mL-1, respectively. Inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous and dissolved organic carbon concentrations increased with C. polykrikoides density. This may reflect the change in biogeochemical cycling due to HAB release of extra polymeric substances. Furthermore, a total of 88 core bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs, with relative abundance > 1%) were identified. These included Gammaproteobacteria (36 OTUs), Flavobacteriia (24), Alphaproteobacteria (18), and other taxa (11). In Group I, the relative abundances of Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria were higher, and the relative abundance of Flavobacteriia was lower compared those in Groups II and III. Functional analysis based on the core bacterial OTUs revealed that chemoheterotrophy-related functions were more common in Group I than in Groups II and III. OTU #030, which was selected as strong indicator species, was strongly positive correlated with C. polykrikoides abundance (r = 0.95). Our results demonstrate that there are complex interactions between HABs, environmental factors, and core bacteria and functions, which could have important implications for biogeochemical cycling.

Temporary freshwater pools or pans are known for their nature value and socio-economic importance especially in arid and semi-arid regions, but it is still poorly known how they develop in a natural setting. The ecologically valuable temporary freshwater pans of the Save Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe, are studied in order to gain insights into their formation. Field observations of 17 existing pans and in situ measurements at one possible site of pan formation were done. It was observed that in most cases trees were bordering existing pans with Diospyros mespiliformis being present at eight locations and Colophospermum mopane at five. These two species were co-existing at two locations which had also dead trees present. On the basis of these observations, a suspected developing pan was followed up using hydrological field observations to understand processes that are important in pan formation. In situ infiltration tests as well as penetrometer tests, before and after a rainfall event, were completed on a grid covering 25 m2. The measurements were taken at one-metre interval and the data were krigged in order to visualise the contours. Initial insights point towards the areas in the immediate vicinity of trees acting as preferential pathways for infiltration, which is in contrast to what is needed for ponding. Based on these findings, we propose a possible theory for the formation of pans in the study area and suggest techniques for monitoring pan formation.

The relationship between rainfall intensity, duration, frequency helps hydrologist to analyze the structural and hydraulic design of control structures. This relationship was determined by statistical analysis of sample records collected from different meteorological stations in Colombo district. The hydrological design was considered at different discharge rate for 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 years period of time. In order to carry out this study, short durational rainfall data in wet zone were collected from Metrological Department. Three frequency analysis methods have been deployed to develop the curves. After analyzing the IDF relationship with different approaches, the best approach has chosen from the comparison. Selected best option could be used to identify IDF relationships for the areas whereas there are no rainfall data. The developed IDF curves are useful for safe design of efficient hydraulic structures and for flood management in Wet Zone.

Process understanding of the interaction between streamflow, groundwater and water usages under drought are hampered by a limited number of gauging stations, especially in tributaries. Recent technological advances facilitate the application of non-commercial measurement devices for monitoring environmental systems. The Dreisam River in the South-West of Germany was affected by several hydrological drought events from 2015 to 2020, when parts of the main stream and tributaries fell dry. A flexible longitudinal water quality and quantity monitoring network was set up in 2018. Among other measurements it employs an image based method with QR codes as fiducial marker. In order to assess under which conditions the QR-code based water level loggers (WLL) deliver data according to scientific standards, we present a comparison to conventional capacitive based WLL. The results from 20 monitoring stations reveal that the riverbed was dry for > 50 \% at several locations and even for > 70 \% at most severely affected locations during July and August 2020, with the north western parts of the catchment being especially concerned. Thus, the highly variable longitudinal drying patterns of the stream reaches could be monitored. The image-based method was found to be a valuable asset for identification of confounding factors and validation of zero level occurrences. Nevertheless, a simple image processing approach (based on an automatic thresholding algorithm) did not compensate for errors due to natural conditions and technical setup. Our findings highlight that the complexity of measurement environments is a major challenge when working with image-based methods.

We examined changes in catchment-scale annual and seasonal evapotranspiration after 50% strip thinning, using runoff data from headwater catchments. The short-term water balance (STWB) method between periods from 8 to 100 days was applied to the treated (KT) and control (KC) catchments. The estimated evapotranspiration during the pre- and post-thinning periods were 840 and 910 and 780 and 860 mm/year in the catchments KT and KC, respectively. According to a paired catchment analysis of estimated evapotranspiration, monthly evapotranspiration increased from 3 to 20 mm from June to December, while it decreased from 7 to 31 mm from January to May. The estimated annual and monthly evapotranspiration was compatible with the values monitored in the plot-scale interception, canopy transpiration, and ground surface evapotranspiration. Our findings showed that the decreases in evapotranspiration due to 50% thinning were similar or different in different methods of measurement when compared with thinning in the other catchments around the world. The STWB model can evaluate the effects of timber harvesting on changes in evapotranspiration (ET), including the reproduction of seasonal patterns of ET.

Urban waterlogging becomes a challenge with the higher urbanization. This paper aims to assess waterlogging risk in the high-tech district of Zhengzhou city in China by coupling land surface hazard-pregnant (LSHP) features and underground pipe network operation (UPNO) characteristics. The LSHP risk is assessed according to the regional surface features firstly, and then with the UPNO characteristics by the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM), the conduit, junction and inundation risk indices are proposed to evaluate UPNO risk. Based on the LSHP risk and UPNO risk, the integrated waterlogging risks of different land use types are evaluated with rainstorm in different return periods (such as 1, 3, 5 and 10 years) and the “7.20 rainstorm event”. The results show that the LSHP risk is not matched with the UPNO risk of each sub-region. From downtown to suburb, the LSHP risk increases first and then decreases, while the UPNO risk decreases. Combing with the LSHP and UPNO risk indices, the urban waterlogging risk is fully revealed, and it indicates that the study area can effectively resist rainstorm with return periods of 1 and 3 years. But for rainstorm with return period of more than 3 year, the rainwater will occur in the whole area. With the situation of the “7.20 rainstorm event”, the anti-waterlogging engineering will be almost lost their functions. Generally, the waterlogging risk is higher in the northwest and southeast of the downtown and it becomes smaller in the suburbs.

River estuaries are characterized by mixing processes between isotopically depleted freshwater inflows and isotopically more enriched marine water masses. Therefore, they often show linear correlation between salinity and water isotopes (δ18O and δ2H values). Here we evaluated spatial and seasonal isotope dynamics along three estuarine lagoon transects at the northern German Baltic Sea coast. The data show strong seasonality of isotope values even at locations located furthest from the river mouths. They further reveal a positive and linear salinity-isotope correlation in spring, but hyperbolic and partially even reverse correlation in summers. We conclude that additional physical processes, such as evaporation from the shallow lagoons, overprint the two-phase mixing correlation during summers. Understanding of those water isotope dynamics are crucial in context of ecological studies, for example when interpreting oxygen and hydrogen isotope data in aquatic organisms that depend on ambient estuarine waters.

A document by Iqra Munir. Click on the document to view its contents.

In the present study, a 3-year pot experiment was conducted to investigate the agronomic performance of different generation hybrids between genetically modified (GM) soybean and wild soybeans as well as inheritance of the CP4-EPSPS transgene and its effects on the seed germination rate, aboveground biomass, and fecundity in F1, F2 and F3 populations. Furthermore, the expression of transgenic proteins in various hybrids was also investigated. The results showed that the F1 hybrids had higher germination rates (weaker dormancy) and lower pod and seed numbers than the wild soybean. The F2 and F3 populations also had higher germination rates than wild soybean, but the F2 and F3 populations had nearly the same biomass, pod and seed yield as their maternal parents across the whole life cycle; while the seed germination rate, biomass, and fecundity were similar in EPSPS negative, homozygous and heterozygous plants of F2 and F3 populations. Furthermore, EPSPS proteins were detectable in F1, F2 and F3 progeny at different growth stages. While EPSPS genes had little effect on crop growth and reproduction, hybridization between GM soybean to wild soybean may have more impact on hybrid growth and fecundity, especially the seed germination rate and fecundity. F1, F2 and F3 had lower seed germination but higher pod and seed production than GM soybeans, and these parameters were close to those of wild soybean. Such characteristics acquired by gene flow have the potential to promote the adaptability of hybrids and may increase the possibility of dispersal of transgenes through seed systems.

Background Cold urticaria (coldU) is associated with substantial morbidity and risk of fatality. Data on coldU in children are sparse. We aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management, risk of associated anaphylaxis, and resolution rate of coldU in a pediatric cohort. Additionally, we sought to compare these metrics to children with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). Methods We prospectively enrolled children with coldU from 2013-2021 in a cohort study at the Montreal Children’s Hospital and an affiliated allergy clinic. Data for comparison with participants with solely CSU were extracted from a previous study. Data on demographics, comorbidities, severity of presentation, management, and laboratory values were collected at study entry. Patients were contacted yearly to assess for resolution. Results Fifty-two children with cold urticaria were recruited, 51.9% were female and the median age of symptom onset was 9.5 years. Most patients were managed with second generation H1-antihistamines (sgAHs). Well-controlled disease on sgAHs was negatively associated with concomitant CSU (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=0.69 [95%CI: 0.53, 0.92]). Elevated eosinophils were associated with cold-induced anaphylaxis (coldA) (aOR=1.38 [95%CI: 1.04, 1.83]), which occurred in 17.3% of patients. The resolution rate of coldU was 4.8 per 100 patient-years, which was lower than that of CSU (adjusted hazard ratio=0.43 [95%CI: 0.21, 0.89], P<10-2). Conclusion Pediatric coldU bears a substantial risk of anaphylaxis and a low resolution rate. Absolute eosinophil count and co-existing CSU may be useful predictive factors.

Phytoplankton functional traits can represent particular environmental conditions in complex aquatic ecosystems. Categorizing phytoplankton species into functional groups is challenging and time-consuming, and requires high-level expertise on species autecology. In this study, we introduced an affinity analysis to aid identification of candidate associations of phytoplankton from two datasets comprised of phytoplankton and environmental information. In the Huaihe River Basin with a drainage area of 270,000 km2 in China, samples were collected from 217 selected sites during the low-water period in May 2013; monthly samples were collected during 2006-2011 in a man-made pond, Dishui Lake. Our results indicated that the affinity analysis can be used to define some meaningful functional groups. The identified phytoplankton associations reflect the ecological preferences of phytoplankton in terms of light and nutrients acquisition. Advantages and disadvantages of applying the affinity analysis to identify phytoplankton associations are discussed with perspectives of their utility in ecological assessment.