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The present study examined temporal variations in water and sediment discharges in the Red River basin from 1958 to 2021 resulting from climate change and anthropogenic factors, with projections extended to 2100. The 64-year observational period was divided into five distinct stages: 1958–1971 (Stage I: natural conditions); 1972–1988 (Stage II: onset of human activities); 1989–2010 (Stage III: post Hoa Binh dam construction); 2011–2016 (Stage IV: series of new dam constructions); and 2017–2021 (Stage V: combined effects of human activities and climate change). Attribution analysis revealed that human activities accounted for 62% and 92% of the dramatic declines in sediment loads in Stages III and IV, respectively. Projection results of fluvial sediment loads over an approximate 150-year timeframe (1958–2100) indicate an overriding impact from human activities. Climate change projections based on four scenarios (−5%, +5%, +10%, and +15% change per year) suggest associated decreases or increases in river flows. This study predicts that projected 21st century increases in river flow attributable to climate change will offset up to eight percent of the human-induced sediment load deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene mutations play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS). The present study aimed to assess the association between some gene mutations and certain blood cell indices in patients diagnosed with MDS. The present study was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients newly diagnosed with MDS, who underwent next-generation sequencing, and which revealed 51 gene mutations, were enrolled in the present study. The peripheral blood cell indices were recorded before commencing treatment. There were 18 mutations to be found. The ASXL1 mutation was the most frequently encountered, followed by the RUNX1, TET2, SF3B1 and TP53 mutations. Patients with the U2AF1 mutation had a lower hemoglobin level, those with BCOR or SRSF2 mutations had a higher percentage of peripheral blood blasts, and those with the SF3B1 mutation had a higher platelet count compared to the group without this mutation. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal cut-off value for hemoglobin level, platelet count and the percentage of peripheral blood blasts. The optimal cut-off value for the hemoglobin level to separate the presence of U2AF1 mutation was 56.5. The optimal cut-off value for the percentage of peripheral blood blasts to separate the presence of BCOR and SRSF2 mutations was 7.5 and 5.5, respectively. The optimal cut-off value for the platelet count to separate the presence of the SF3B1 mutation was 228.5. The results also revealed that a hemoglobin level <56.5 g/l, platelet count >228.5 G/l, and a percentage of peripheral blood blasts >7.5 and >5.5% was associated with U2AF1, SF3B1, BCOR and SRSF2 mutations. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that there is an association between gene mutations and blood cell indices in patients diagnosed with MDS. The U2AF1 mutation is associated with severe anemia, and BCOR and SRSF2 mutations are associated with MDS with increased blast numbers. However, the SF3B1 mutation is related to a good platelet count. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brandy is a traditional European spirit distilled from fermented fruit juice and stored in oak barrels for a long period to have distinctive flavor of fruits and oak wood. Pineapple brandy gained from the distillation of pineapple wine and elimination of impurities becomes colorless, transparent, with slightly fruity aroma, slightly harsh taste and no distinctive flavor of brandy. The role of oak wood (dry bars and imported powder) in the brandy aging process was evaluated. Results showed that pineapple brandy stored with semi-roasted dry bars of oak (10 g/1) for 24 months had amber color, smooth and harmonious taste, with a sensory score of 17/20 (i.e. average quality brandy); while pineapple brandy stored with commercial imported oak powder (4g/l) had darker amber color, harmonious harsh taste, attractive aroma and a sensory score of 18.5/20 (i.e. standard quality brandy). Beside 16 aroma compounds identified in the pineapple brandy stored without oak wood, fourteen new aroma compounds, including 3 terpenes, 2 benzene ring compounds, 5 aldehydes, an acid and an ester, have been identified in pineapple brandy stored with commercial oak powder, making up 99.31% of total aroma compound weight in brandy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]