Evolution of scaling emergence in large-scale spatial epidemic spreading

Background

Zipf''s law and Heaps'' law are two representatives of the scaling concepts, which play a significant role in the study of complexity science. The coexistence of the Zipf''s law and the Heaps'' law motivates different understandings on the dependence between these two scalings, which has still hardly been clarified.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In this article, we observe an evolution process of the scalings: the Zipf''s law and the Heaps'' law are naturally shaped to coexist at the initial time, while the crossover comes with the emergence of their inconsistency at the larger time before reaching a stable state, where the Heaps'' law still exists with the disappearance of strict Zipf''s law. Such findings are illustrated with a scenario of large-scale spatial epidemic spreading, and the empirical results of pandemic disease support a universal analysis of the relation between the two laws regardless of the biological details of disease. Employing the United States domestic air transportation and demographic data to construct a metapopulation model for simulating the pandemic spread at the U.S. country level, we uncover that the broad heterogeneity of the infrastructure plays a key role in the evolution of scaling emergence.

Conclusions/Significance

The analyses of large-scale spatial epidemic spreading help understand the temporal evolution of scalings, indicating the coexistence of the Zipf''s law and the Heaps'' law depends on the collective dynamics of epidemic processes, and the heterogeneity of epidemic spread indicates the significance of performing targeted containment strategies at the early time of a pandemic disease.     

Technical modifications of double-J stenting for retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in children under 5 years old

Both antegrade stenting and retrograde stenting for retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in children have many disadvantages. In this work, we tried using an alternative technique of modified antegrade (MAG) double-J stenting for retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in children under 5 years old, analyzed our results using the conventional antegrade (CAG) and the MAG techniques of stent insertion for this procedure, and reported our experience with these techniques. Between December 2002 and July 2010, 77 children under 5 years old with ureteropelvic junction obstruction underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty. CAG and MAG double-J stenting were attempted, in the first 36 cases (mean age 27.1 months) and the following 41 cases (mean age 25.4 months), respectively. The stents were removed 4-6 weeks later via cystoscopy. Follow-up studies were performed with ultrasonography and intravenous urography at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The results showed that successful stent placement without malpositioning was achieved in 31 of 36 (86%) and all 41 (100%) cases, in the CAG and MAG groups, respectively. The common factor of unsuccessful stent was the inability to across the ureterovesical junction. The mean stent insertion time was 10 min 54 s and 12 min 46 s in the CAG and MAG groups, respectively. The mean operating time was 176 min and 185 min in the CAG and MAG groups, respectively. No stent malpositioning occurred in the MAG group; in the CAG group, two children had a malpositioned stent in the distal ureter and one child presented with a severe hematuria. Twelve months follow-up showed no new onset of hydroureteronephrosis and hydronephrosis. Thus we concluded that the MAG double-J stenting seems more reliable than CAG stenting for retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty in children under 5 years old, with greater success and lower complication rates.     

High-Areal-Capacity and Long-Cycle-Life All-Solid-State Lithium-Metal Battery by Mixed-Conduction Interface Layer

The rapid growth of lithium dendrites has seriously hindered the development and practical application of high-energy-density all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs). Herein, a soft carbon (SC)-nano Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ (LLZTO) (with high ionic conductivity and diffusion coefficient) mixed ionic and electronic conducting interface layer is designed to promote the rapid migration of Li⁺ at the interfacial layer, induce the uniform deposition of lithium metal on nanoscale (nano) LLZTO ion-conducting network inside the interface layer, effectively suppress the growth of lithium dendrites, and significantly improve the electrochemical performance of ASSLMBs. LiZrO₂@LiCoO₂(LZO@LCO)/Li₆PS₅Cl(LPSCl)-nano LLZTO/Li ASSLMB achieves high current density (12.5 mA cm⁻²), ultra-high areal capacity (15 mAh cm⁻², corresponding to LZO@LCO mass loadings of 111.11 mg cm⁻²), and ultra-long cycle life (20 000 cycles). Therefore, the introduction of SC-nano LLZTO mixed conducting interface layer can greatly improve the interfacial stability between solid-state electrolyte (SSE) and lithium metal anode to enable dendrite-free ASSLMBs.     

基于分布式水文模型的水源涵养不同功能评估方法——以渭河涵养区为例

为了实现水源涵养量计算和不同功能的综合评估,基于分布式水文模型(WEP-L)提出了一种新方法,即利用WEP-L模型计算次降水过程中降水量和地表产流、冠层截留量的差值作为水源涵养量,并分别评估削洪(地表径流量)、补枯(地下径流量)、维持植被生态系统用水(植被蒸腾量)等不同水源涵养功能的评估方法。为了验证该方法的合理性,以渭河流域咸阳站以上区域为例,对比了该方法和InVEST模型方法的计算结果,由于两种方法在评估内容和使用模型上都存在差异,为了保证计算结果的可比性,先对比了基于相同评价内容的WEP-L模型法I和InVEST模型方法,再对比了基于不同评价内容的WEP-L模型法I和WEP-L模型法II,结论如下:基于相同评价内容的WEP模型法I和InVEST模型法计算结果数值接近,研究区2000-2018年水源涵养量年均值分别为12.43 mm(5.76亿m³)和12.08 mm(5.6亿m³),两种方法所得结果空间分布特征相似,稍有差异之处与InVEST模型的参数没有经过本地化处理有关;基于不同评价内容的WEP-L模型法Ⅰ和WEP-L模型法II计算结果数值相差较大,研究区2000-2018年水源涵养量均值分别为12.43 mm和432.57 mm,空间分布特征上有差异的地方分布于研究区的北部、东部及东北部,主要与两种方法评价时是否考虑蒸散发有关。WEP-L模型法II评估结果中削洪、补枯、维持植被生态系统用水等功能多年变化趋势分别为:2006-2010年期间增加、2012年以后下降以及增加。2012年后补枯功能和维持植被生态系统用水功能之间可能存在权衡关系。通过不同方法计算结果差异原因分析,证明了基于WEP-L模型的不同涵养功能评估方法的合理性,其结果也可为渭河涵养区水资源和生态保护策略的制定提供更多依据。     

Dorsal root ganglia P2X4 and P2X7 receptors contribute to diabetes-induced hyperalgesia and the downregulation of electroacupuncture on P2X4 and P2X7

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is highly common in diabetes patients. P2X receptors play critical roles in pain sensitization. We previously showed that elevated P2X3 expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) contributes to DNP. However, the role of other P2X receptors in DNP is unclear. Here, we established the DNP model using a single high-dose streptozotocin (STZ) injection and investigated the expression of P2X genes in the DRG. Our data revealed elevated P2X2, P2X4, and P2X7 mRNA levels in DRG of DNP rats. The protein levels of P2X4 and P2X7 in DNP rats increased, but the P2X2 did not change significantly. To study the role of P2X4 and P2X7 in diabetes-induced hyperalgesia, we treated the DNP rats with TNP-ATP (2’,3’-O-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-adenosine 5’-triphosphate), a nonspecific P2X1–7 antagonist, and found that TNP-ATP alleviated thermal hyperalgesia in DNP rats. 2 Hz electroacupuncture is analgesic against DNP and could downregulate P2X4 and P2X7 expression in DRG. Our findings indicate that P2X4 and P2X7 in L4–L6 DRGs contribute to diabetes-induced hyperalgesia, and that EA reduces thermal hyperalgesia and the expression of P2X4 and P2X7.     

水稻覆膜旱作对根叶性状、土壤养分和土壤微生物活性的影响

研究了水稻覆膜旱作、裸地旱作、常规水作处理对根系形态、叶片水势、土壤养分、土壤微生物数量和土壤酶活性的影响。结果表明,覆膜旱作能改善水稻田间的生态环境,提高早季土壤温度1～3℃。与裸地旱作相比,覆膜旱作能增加抽穗期水稻根系的总根长、比根长,而这些指标与常规水作差别不大。在水稻抽穗期,无论是剑叶还是倒2叶的水势,均有如下趋势：水作〉覆膜旱作〉裸地旱作,但均未达到显著水平。不同处理对叶片叶绿素含量的影响在分蘖期差异不大,中后期覆膜旱作明显高于裸地旱作和常规水作,抽穗期分别增加29．44％和15．15％,成熟期则为74．4％、38．9％。覆膜旱作能显著增加水稻的有效穗数,早季和晚季产量比裸地旱作增产10．6％和12．5％,而与常规水作差别不大。与裸地旱作和常规水作相比,覆膜旱作土壤养分含量在分蘖期除了全磷、速效氮显著增加外,其他指标差异不大。而抽穗期则由于覆膜后作物对养分的消耗加大从而使土壤养分含量下降,特别是总磷、速效磷、速效钾与常规水作相比显著下降,分别降低25．9％,31．9％,16．2％。而成熟期则大多指标与常规水作相比有所下降,但未达到显著水平。与常规水作栽培相比,覆膜旱作能增加土壤微生物细菌、真菌、放线菌2．5倍,显著增加土壤过氧化氢酶和蔗糖酶的活性,而土壤脲酶活性则差异不大。土壤过氧化氢酶活性在分蘖期、抽穗期、成熟期分别增加13．8％,81．3％,17．4％,蔗糖酶活性则分别增加42．8％,28．8％和69．9％。     

Liproxstatin-1 attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting renal tubular epithelial cells ferroptosis

Renal fibrosis is a common pathological process that occurs with diverse etiologies in chronic kidney disease. However, its regulatory mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Ferroptosis is a form of non-apoptotic regulated cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It is currently unknown whether ferroptosis is initiated during unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis and its role has not been determined. In this study, we demonstrated that ureteral obstruction induced ferroptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) in vivo. The ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1 (Lip-1) reduced iron deposition, cell death, lipid peroxidation, and inhibited the downregulation of GPX4 expression induced by UUO, ultimately inhibiting ferroptosis in TECs. We found that Lip-1 significantly attenuated UUO-induced morphological and pathological changes and collagen deposition of renal fibrosis in mice. In addition, Lip-1 attenuated the expression of profibrotic factors in the UUO model. In vitro, we used RSL3 treatment and knocked down of GPX4 level by RNAi in HK2 cells to induce ferroptosis. Our results indicated HK2 cells secreted various profibrotic factors during ferroptosis. Lip-1 was able to inhibit ferroptosis and thereby inhibit the secretion of the profibrotic factors during the process. Incubation of kidney fibroblasts with culture medium from RSL3-induced HK2 cells promoted fibroblast proliferation and activation, whereas Lip-1 impeded the profibrotic effects. Our study found that Lip-1 may relieve renal fibrosis by inhibiting ferroptosis in TECs. Mechanistically, Lip-1 could reduce the activation of surrounding fibroblasts by inhibiting the paracrine of profibrotic factors in HK2 cells. Lip-1 may potentially be used as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of UUO-induced renal fibrosis.Subject terms: Cell death, RNAi, Urinary tract obstruction     

Progress on Potential Strategies to Target Brain Tumor Stem Cells

The identification of brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) leads to promising progress on brain tumor treatment. For some brain tumors, BTSCs are the driving force of tumor growth and the culprits that make tumor revive and resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Therefore, it is specifically significant to eliminate BTSCs for treatment of brain tumors. There are considerable similarities between BTSCs and normal neural stem cells (NSCs), and diverse aspects of BTSCs have been studied to find potential targets that can be manipulated to specifically eradicate BTSCs without damaging normal NSCs, including their surface makers, surrounding niche, and aberrant signaling pathways. Many strategies have been designed to kill BTSCs, and some of them have reached, or are approaching, effective therapeutic results. Here, we will focus on advantages in the issue of BTSCs and emphasize on potential therapeutic strategies targeting BTSCs.