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Background: A significant cause of advanced renal failure is diabetic nephropathy (DKD), with few treatment options available. Calcitriol shows potential in addressing fibrosis related to DKD, though its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This research seeks to pinpoint the crucial genes and pathways influenced by calcitriol within the scope of DKD-related fibrosis. Methods: Single-cell gene expression profiling of calcitriol treated DKD rat kidney tissue and screening of fibrosis-associated cell subsets. Mendelian randomization and enrichment analyses (CIBERSORT, GSVA, GSEA, Motif Enrichment) were used to explore gene-immune cell interactions and signaling pathways. Key findings were validated using independent datasets and protein expression data from the Human Protein Atlas. Results: Calcitriol treatment reduced proliferative cell populations and highlighted the FoxO signaling pathway's role in DKD. SUMO3 and CD74 were identified as key markers linked to immune infiltration and renal function. These genes were significantly associated with creatinine levels and eGFR, indicating their potential role in DKD progression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that calcitriol modulates DKD fibrosis through the FoxO pathway, with SUMO3 and CD74 serving as potential biomarkers for kidney protection. These results provide fresh insights into strategies for treating DKD.

Cellular senescence, a permanent halt in cell division due to stress, spurs functional and structural changes, contributing to vascular aging characterized by endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling. This process raises the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) in older individuals, with its mechanisms still not completely understood despite ongoing research efforts. In this review, we have analyzed the impact of vascular aging on increasing susceptibility and exacerbating the pathology of IS. We have emphasized the detrimental effects of endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling influenced by oxidative stress and inflammatory response on vascular aging and IS. Our goal is to aid the understanding of vascular aging and IS pathogenesis, particularly benefiting older adults with high risk of IS.

IntroductionLucerne (Medicago sativa), is a cornerstone of China’s livestock industry, however, due to the backward agronomic strategies and technology, lucerne in China faces cultivation challenges that result in lower productivity and quality than global standards. Therefore, we undertook a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of five distinct fertilization types on lucerne yield and nutritional quality in various locations in China. The fertilizer practices included manure application, combined mineral fertilizer and manure application (FM), biological fertilizer application, unbalanced application of two or more mineral fertilizer types, and balanced mineral fertilizer application. Furthermore, we investigate influential factors of yield and quality of lucerne under fertilization, including climatic variables (mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature), initial soil properties (soil organic carbon; total nitrogen, pH), and agronomic factors (seeding rate, harvest frequency, and lucerne stand age).MethodsOur study analyzed 53 published papers to discern the most beneficial fertilizer for enhancing lucerne yield and nutritional quality.Results and discussionThe results showed that the fertilizer practices, on average, significantly improved yield by 31.72% and crude protein content by 11.29%, with FM emerging as the most effective, this is because mineral fertilizers provide available nutrients for lucerne, manure provides essential organic matter for microorganisms and improve soil properties. In addition, the fertilizer practices significantly reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber contents by 6.28% and 8.50%, respectively, while increasing ash content and relative feeding value. Furthermore, climatic variables, soil properties, and planting system factors such as sowing date and harvest frequency significantly affected yield and nutritional quality. The practical implications of our results emphasize the need for balanced and strategic fertilizer application to optimize lucerne production and highlight the potential to adjust cultivation practices according to environmental conditions. Balanced and strategic fertilizer application can simultaneously improve soil properties, enhance soil carbon sequestration, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from the soil, which is a vital measure for realizing sustainable agricultural development.

ObjectivesTo identify clinical characteristics and risk factors for pulmonary involvements in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by chest imaging analysis.MethodsDetailed data and chest computed tomography (CT) imaging features were retrospectively analyzed from asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients infected with Omicron between 24 April and 10 May 2022. We scored chest CT imaging features and categorized the patients into obvious pulmonary involvements (OPI) (score > 2) and not obvious pulmonary involvements (NOPI) (score ≤ 2) groups based on the median score. The risk factors for OPI were identified with analysis results visualized by nomogram.ResultsIn total, 339 patients were included (145 were male and 194 were female), and the most frequent clinical symptoms were cough (75.5%); chest CT imaging features were mostly linear opacities (42.8%). Pulmonary involvements were more likely to be found in the left lower lung lobe, with a significant difference in the lung total severity score of the individual lung lobes (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed age stratification [odds ratio (OR) = 1.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.548–2.383); p 8d) [OR = 1.842, 95% CI (1.104–3.073); p = 0.019], and pulmonary diseases [OR = 4.698, 95% CI (1.159–19.048); p = 0.03] as independent OPI risk factors.ConclusionAsymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients infected with Omicron had pulmonary involvements which were not uncommon. Potential risk factors for age stratification, prolonged NCT, and pulmonary diseases can help clinicians to identify OPI in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients infected with Omicron.

Abstract Objective A rapid and accurate forecast for the early prognosis of ICH patients is challenging. This study investigated whether heart rate variability (HRV) and skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) could prognosticate poor neurological outcomes in ICH patients. Methods Between November 2020 and November 2021, we studied 92 spontaneous ICH patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score at 2 weeks after the ICH was used to categorize patients into good and poor outcome groups. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) assessed patients' ability to live independently for 1 year. We utilized a portable high‐frequency electrocardiogram (ECG) recording system to record the HRV and SKNA information in ICH patients and control participants. Results 77 patients were eligible for the prediction of neurological outcome and were allocated into the good (n = 22) or poor (n = 55) outcome groups based on the GOS grade. In univariate logistic regression analysis, significant variables that could differentiate the outcomes were age, hypertension, tracheal intubation, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, existing intraventricular hemorrhage, white blood cells, neutrophil, lnVLF, lnTP, and aSKNA. Variables in the best fit multivariable logistic regression model were age, hypertension, GCS score, neutrophils, and aSKNA. The GCS score was the only independent risk factor for poor outcomes. At 30 days and 1 year of follow‐up, patients with lower aSKNA had poor outcomes. Interpretation ICH patients had reduced aSKNA, which could be a prognostic indicator. A lower aSKNA suggested a worse prognosis. The present data indicate that ECG signals could be helpful for prognosticating ICH patients.

IntroductionThe prevalence of ischemic heart disease has reached pandemic levels worldwide. Early revascularization is currently the most effective therapy for ischemic heart diseases but paradoxically induces myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury. Cardiac inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress are primarily involved in the pathology of MI/R injury. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been demonstrated to reduce cell injury by protecting against inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress in many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, but rarely on MI/R injury.MethodsThis study was designed to clarify whether LIPUS alleviates MI/R injury by alleviating inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Simultaneously, we have also tried to confirm which intensity of the LIPUS might be more suitable to ameliorate the MI/R injury, as well as to clarify the signaling mechanisms. MI/R and simulated ischemia/reperfusion (SI/R) were respectively induced in Sprague Dawley rats and human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs). LIPUS treatment, biochemical measurements, cell death assay, estimation of cardiac oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction, and protein detections by western blotting were performed according to the protocol.ResultsIn our study, both in vivo and in vitro, LIPUS of 0.1 W/cm2 (LIPUS0.1) and 0.5 W/cm2 (LIPUS0.5) make no significant difference in the cardiomyocytes under normoxic condition. Under the hypoxic condition, MI/R injury, inflammatory reaction, and oxidative stress were partially ameliorated by LIPUS0.5 but were significantly aggravated by LIPUS of 2.5 W/cm2 (LIPUS2.5) both in vivo and in vitro. The activation of the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in cardiomyocytes with MI/R injury was partly rectified LIPUS0.5 both in vivo and in vitro.ConclusionOur study firstly demonstrated that LIPUS of different intensities differently affects MI/R injury by regulating cardiac inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress. Modulations on the ASK1/JNK pathway are the signaling mechanism by which LIPUS0.5 exerts cardioprotective effects. LIPUS0.5 is promising for clinical translation in protecting against MI/R injury. This will be great welfare for patients suffering from MI/R injury.

Three different herbivore grazing assemblages, namely, yak grazing (YG), Tibetan sheep grazing (SG) and yak and Tibetan sheep co-grazing (MG), are practiced in alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP), but the effects of the different herbivore assemblages on soil microbes are relatively unknown. The microbial community plays an important role in the functional stability of alpine grassland ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to understand how the microbial community structure of grassland ecosystems changes under different herbivore grazing assemblages to ensure their sustainable development. To fill this gap, a field study was carried out to investigate the effects of YG, SG, and MG on plant communities, soil physico-chemical properties and microbial communities under moderate grazing intensity in alpine meadows. Grazing increased the β-diversity of the bacteria community and decreased the β-diversity of the fungal community. The herbivore assemblage affected the microbial community diversity, but not the plant community diversity. Total phosphorus, soil bulk density, root biomass, and plant α-diversity were correlated with both the bacterial and fungal community composition, available phosphorus and soil moisture were correlated only with the bacterial community composition, while available potassium and above-ground net primary production (ANPP) were correlated only with the fungal community composition. Soil available nitrogen, soil available phosphorus and soil bulk density were highest in SG, while ANPP was highest in MG. It was concluded that MG can improve ANPP and stabilize the soil microbial community, suggesting that MG is an effective method for sustainable use and conservation of alpine meadows on the QTP.

Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals are thought to play major roles in virus transmission. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of asymptomatic carriers with COVID-19 to control the spread of the virus. We retrospectively investigated the clinical characteristics of 648 consecutive subjects who were enrolled in the study and were divided into asymptomatic carriers, mild cases, ordinary cases, severe or critical cases, and evaluated their impact on disease severity by means of Spearman correlation and multiple regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted to determine the optimum cutoff levels of laboratory findings for diagnostic predictors of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19. In our study, a total of 648 subjects on admission with a mean age of 45.61 y including 345 males and 303 females were enrolled in our study. The leukocyte, lymphocyte, eosinophil, platelet, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8 + T lymphocyte levels, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate differed significantly among the groups (all p ≤ 0.05). Disease severity was negatively associated with the CD3+ (r = −0.340; p

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) printing is widely used in medicine. Most research remains focused on forming rigid anatomical models, but moving from static models to dynamic functionality could greatly aid preoperative surgical planning. This work reviews literature on dynamic 3D heart models made of flexible materials for use with a mock circulatory system. Such models allow simulation of surgical procedures under mock physiological conditions, and are; therefore, potentially very useful to clinical practice. For example, anatomical models of mitral regurgitation could provide a better display of lesion area, while dynamic 3D models could further simulate in vitro hemodynamics. Dynamic 3D models could also be used in setting standards for certain parameters for function evaluation, such as flow reserve fraction in coronary heart disease. As a bridge between medical image and clinical aid, 3D printing is now gradually changing the traditional pattern of diagnosis and treatment.

Disgust, as a part of the behavioral immune system, leads people to avoid behaviors of pathogens so as to reduce the probability of infection. Disgust also shows the source effects based on familiarity. However, these source effects have not been tested on the older population. Thus, we tested the source effects of emotional and behavioral reactions from the disgust toward older adults and the possible moderating effects of filial piety on disgust. In the first study, we employed the self-report method to test the source effects of emotional feelings of disgust amongst undergraduates. In the second study, we measured whether filial piety among community adults produced moderating effects of the disgust toward older adults. In the third study, we employed the shape discrimination task to test the source effects of behavioral avoidance to older adults among undergraduates. The first and third studies show stronger negative emotional/avoidance reactions towards unfamiliar older adults than familiar older adults, affirming the source effects of disgust towards older adults that we expected. However, we did not find moderating effects of filial piety associated with disgust. These findings can help us understand the evolutionary origin of disgust toward older adults, which is likely activated more intensely and quickly in response to unfamiliar individuals as compared with familiar individuals.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between red blood cell transfusion and clinical outcome in patients after cardiac surgery.Methods: Demographic, clinical characteristics, treatment with/without transfusion, and outcomes of patients after cardiac surgery from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care—III database were collected. Patients were divided into two groups according to perioperative transfusion. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was utilized to adjust for the effect of red blood cell transfusion on outcomes for baseline and covariates and to determine its association with outcomes.Results: In total, 6,752 patients who underwent cardiac surgery were enrolled for the analysis. Among them, 2,760 (40.9%) patients received a perioperative transfusion. Compared with patients without red blood cell transfusion, transfused patients demonstrated worse outcomes in inhospital mortality, 1-year mortality, and all-cause mortality. Adjusting odds ratios (ORs) for the significant characteristic, patients with perioperative transfusion remained significantly associated with an increased risk of inhospital mortality [OR = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–5.1, P = 0.001], 1-year mortality (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.4–2.7, P < 0.001), and long-term mortality (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.8–2.8, P < 0.001).Conclusion: Perioperative red blood cell transfusion is associated with a worse prognosis of cardiac surgery patients. Optimal perioperative management and restricted transfusion strategy might be considered in selected patients.

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulates the functions of white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) tightly. Carotid baroreceptor stimulation (CBS) efficiently inhibits SNS activation. We hypothesized that CBS would protect against obesity. We administered CBS to obese rats and measured sympathetic and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/ PPAR pathway responses as well as changes in perirenal WAT (PWAT), epididymal WAT (EWAT), and interscapular BAT (IBAT). CBS alleviated obesity-related metabolic changes, improving insulin resistance; reducing adipocyte hypertrophy, body weight, and adipose tissue weights; and decreasing norepinephrine but increasing acetylcholine in plasma, PWAT, EWAT, and IBAT. CBS also downregulated fatty acid translocase (CD36), fatty acid transport protein (FATP), phosphorylated and total hormone sensitive lipase, phosphorylated and total protein kinase A, and PPARγ in obese rats. Simultaneously, CBS upregulated phosphorylated adipose triglyceride lipase, phosphorylated and total AMPK, and PPARα in PWAT, EWAT, and IBAT. However, BAT and WAT responses differed; although many responses were more sensitive in IBAT, responses of CD36, FATP, and PPARγ were more sensitive in PWAT and EWAT. Overall, CBS decreased chronically activated SNS and ameliorated obesity-related metabolic disorders by regulating the AMPK/PPARα/γ pathway.

The development of optical fiber communication system was reviewed and the demand and possible solutions of optical fiber communication technology in the next 20 years were introduced by reviewing the development of optical fiber communication system in the past 20 years and the current research status of “ultra-high speed,ultra-large capacity and ultra-long distance” optical fiber communication system.

BackgroundTelomere length and telomerase are associated in development of cardiovascular diseases. Study aims to investigate the associations of TERC and TERT gene polymorphism and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) in the prognosis of acute heart failure (AHF).MethodsTotal 322 patients with AHF were enrolled and divided into death and survival group according to all-cause mortality within 18 months. Seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TERC and TERT were selected. Baseline characteristics, genotype distribution and polymorphic allele frequency, and genetic model were initially analyzed. Genotypes and the LTL were determined for further analysis.ResultsCompared to carrying homozygous wild genotype, the risk of death in patients with mutated alleles of four SNPs- rs12696304(G>C), rs10936599(T>C), rs1317082(G>A), and rs10936601(T>C) of TERC were significantly higher. The dominant models of above were independently associated with mortality. In recessive models, rs10936599 and rs1317082 of TERC, rs7726159 of TERT were independently associated with long-term mortality. Further analysis showed, in haplotype consisting with TERC - rs12696304, rs10936599, rs1317082, and rs10936601, mutant alleles CCAC and wild alleles GTGT were significant difference between groups (P

The new bamboo shoots do not generate leaves during the explosive growth period. Thus, they cannot perform photosynthesis during this period. The water use profile and control mechanism of water transport during the explosive growth period of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) shoots are still unclear. This study applied thermal dissipate probe (TDP) technology for monitoring the sap flow rate (Fs) dynamics in Moso bamboo during explosive growth phases (2008¬2010). We investigated the underlying mechanism of rapid growth by analyzing the water transport profile in a system consisting of the stem, rhizome, and shoot. We found that the Fs increase during explosive growth periods was consistent with the grow rate of bamboo shoots, the explosive growth phase was controlled by the sap flow. Water flew mainly from the rhizome toward the stem before shoot development but switched to the shoot during shooting. The water flow direction shifted from the stem and rhizome to the new shoot, ensuring the water and nutrient transport needed for growth and metabolisms. Diurnal Fs variations during growth periods followed a typical “single-peak” pattern with a daytime peak, resulting in a higher growth rate of bamboo shoots during the daytime. On the annual scale, Fs has an on-off-year alternation with higher on¬year rates than off¬year rates, which was consistent with the regulation of the bamboo shoot emergence. Correlation analysis found that leaf area index variations could explain the observed Fs variations of 95–97%. Economic bamboo forest management should ensure sufficient water supply during the explosive growth period of bamboo shoots. Further research should strengthen our knowledge about the hydraulic characteristics of Moso bamboo during explosive growth periods to ensure efficient forest management.

Abstract Background 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) has been extensively studied as a potential therapeutic drug with free radical scavenging, antioxidant and anti-angiogenic effects. However, whether DIM has similar effects on cardiomyocytes remains unknown. Here we evaluated DIM’s influence on inflammation and apoptosis of H9C2 cardiomyocytes induced by LPS and to explore the possible mechanism of the effects. Methods H9C2 cells were incubated with DIM (10, 20 and 30 μM) with or without LPS for 24 h. The cytotoxicity of DIM was detected by CCK-8. The levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were then measured using RT-qPCR and ELISA. Cell apoptosis rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) content after DIM treatment were measured by flow cytometry. Expressions of NFκB, P-NFκB, IκBa, P-IκBa, Bax and Bcl-2 after DIM treatment were detected by western blot. The rate of NFκB nuclear translocation after DIM treatment was determined by immunocytochemical analysis. Results LPS stimulation promoted TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression. After treatment with various concentrations of DIM (10, 20 and 30 μM), TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression was clearly impaired, especially in the LPS + DIM30(μM) group. ELISA was used to measure TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in cellular supernatant, and the result was verified to be consistent with RT-qPCR. Additionally, DIM treatment significantly blocked LPS-induced oxidative stress and inhibited LPS-induced apoptosis in H9C2 cardiomyocytes according to the results detected by flow cytometry. Moreover, compared with LPS alone, DIM significantly inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of NFκB (p-NFκB) and Bax expression and increased Bcl-2 expression. Conclusions DIM may have a protective effect for H9C2 cardiomyocytes against LPS-induced inflammatory response and apoptosis. DIM may be a new insight into the treatment of septic cardiomyopathy.

Transcriptome data provide only a partial picture of disease states. Here, via integration of transcript-, protein abundance and protein turnover data for a mouse model of cardiac hypertrophy, the authors uncover additional disease gene signatures, and show that turnover data sheds unique light on posttranslational regulation.

BACKGROUND: A novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus has caused great morbidity as well as mortality since its emergence in Eastern China in February 2013. However, the possible risk factors for death are not yet fully known. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Patients with H7N9 virus infection between March 1 and August 14, 2013 in Jiangsu province were enrolled. Data were collected with a standard form. Mean or percentage was used to describe the features, and Fisher's exact test or t-test test was used to compare the differences between fatal and nonfatal cases with H7N9 virus infection. A total of 28 patients with H7N9 virus infection were identified among whom, nine (32.1%) died. The median age of fatal cases was significant higher than nonfatal cases (P

BACKGROUND: Most of the deaths among patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are caused by progressive right ventricular (RV) pathological remodeling, dysfunction, and failure. Nicorandil can inhibit the development of PAH by reducing pulmonary artery pressure and RV hypertrophy. However, whether nicorandil can inhibit apoptosis in RV cardiomyocytes and prevent RV remodeling has been unclear. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: RV remodeling was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline (MCT). RV systolic pressure (RVSP) was measured at the end of each week after MCT injection. Blood samples were drawn for brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) ELISA analysis. The hearts were excised for histopathological, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical, and Western blotting analyses. The MCT-injected rats exhibited greater mortality and less weight gain and showed significantly increased RVSP and RV hypertrophy during the second week. These worsened during the third week. MCT injection for three weeks caused pathological RV remodeling, characterized by hypertrophy, fibrosis, dysfunction, and RV mitochondrial impairment, as indicated by increased levels of apoptosis. Nicorandil improved survival, weight gain, and RV function, ameliorated RV pressure overload, and prevented maladaptive RV remodeling in PAH rats. Nicorandil also reduced the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes, with a concomitant increase in Bcl-2/Bax ratio. 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD) reversed these beneficial effects of nicorandil in MCT-injected rats. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Nicorandil inhibits PAH-induced RV remodeling in rats not only by reducing RV pressure overload but also by inhibiting apoptosis in cardiomyocytes through the activation of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) (mitoK(ATP)) channels. The use of a mitoK(ATP) channel opener such as nicorandil for PAH-associated RV remodeling and dysfunction may represent a new therapeutic strategy for the amelioration of RV remodeling during the early stages of PAH.

The customs service plays a crucial role in keeping threats that endanger national security and social stability outside a country's borders. However, illegal infiltration at the ports of entry is becoming more diverse and covert in its methods, which poses a greater challenge in effectively defending and controlling both traditional and non-traditional security threats. Additionally, with the intensification of competition in international trade and economic cooperation, and the growing demand for a better quality of life, enterprises are striving for fair competition, reduced trade costs and assurance of trade quality. This has resulted in a conflict between the goals of 'supervision' and 'facilitation'. To address these challenges and improve customs operations, Customs should consider incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies to develop 'intelligent customs clearance and inspection' methods. This study analyses the current deployment status and effectiveness of 'intelligent customs inspection' (ICI) in China, using it as a case study to highlight the need for innovative practices in customs clearance inspection supervision and to explore the future direction of ICI. The study demonstrates that the application of innovative intelligent technology practices could substantially improve the efficiency of customs clearance inspection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lucerne (Medicago sativa), is a cornerstone of China's livestock industry, however, due to the backward agronomic strategies and technology, lucerne in China faces cultivation challenges that result in lower productivity and quality than global standards. Therefore, we undertook a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of five distinct fertilization types on lucerne yield and nutritional quality in various locations in China. The fertilizer practices included manure application, combined mineral fertilizer and manure application (FM), biological fertilizer application, unbalanced application of two or more mineral fertilizer types, and balanced mineral fertilizer application. Furthermore, we investigate influential factors of yield and quality of lucerne under fertilization, including climatic variables (mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature), initial soil properties (soil organic carbon; total nitrogen, pH), and agronomic factors (seeding rate, harvest frequency, and lucerne stand age). Methods: Our study analyzed 53 published papers to discern the most beneficial fertilizer for enhancing lucerne yield and nutritional quality. Results and discussion: The results showed that the fertilizer practices, on average, significantly improved yield by 31.72% and crude protein content by 11.29%, with FM emerging as the most effective, this is because mineral fertilizers provide available nutrients for lucerne, manure provides essential organic matter for microorganisms and improve soil properties. In addition, the fertilizer practices significantly reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber contents by 6.28% and 8.50%, respectively, while increasing ash content and relative feeding value. Furthermore, climatic variables, soil properties, and planting system factors such as sowing date and harvest frequency significantly affected yield and nutritional quality. The practical implications of our results emphasize the need for balanced and strategic fertilizer application to optimize lucerne production and highlight the potential to adjust cultivation practices according to environmental conditions. Balanced and strategic fertilizer application can simultaneously improve soil properties, enhance soil carbon sequestration, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from the soil, which is a vital measure for realizing sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the challenges associated with difficult casing running, limited annular space, and poor cementing quality in the completion of ultra-deep wells, the extreme line casing offers an effective solution over conventional casings. However, due to its smaller size, the joint strength of extreme line casing is reduced, which may cause failure when running in the hole. To address this issue, this study focuses on the CST-ZT F139.7 mm x 7.72 mm extreme line casing and employs the elastic-plastic mechanics to establish a comprehensive analysis of the casing joint, taking into account the influence of geometric and material nonlinearities. A finite element model is developed to analyze the forces and deformations of the extreme line casing joint under axial tension and external collapse load. The model investigates the stress distribution of each thread tooth subjected to various tensile forces and external pressures. Additionally, the tensile strength and crushing strength of the extreme line casing joint are determined through both analytical and experimental approaches. The findings reveal that, under axial tensile load, the bearing surface of each thread tooth experiences uneven stress, with relatively high equivalent stress at the root of each thread tooth. The end thread teeth are valuable spots for failure. It is observed that the critical fracture axial load of thread decreases linearly with the increase of thread tooth sequence. Under external pressure, the circumferential stress is highest at the small end of the external thread, leading to yield deformation. The tensile strength of the joint obtained from the finite element model exhibits a relative error of less than 7% compared to the analytical and experimental values, proving the reliability of the finite element model. The tensile strength of the joint is 3091.9 kN. Moreover, in terms of anti-collapse capability, the joints demonstrate higher resistance to collapse compared to the casing body, which is consistent with the test results where the pipe body experiences collapse and failure while the joints remain intact during the experiment. The failure load of the casing body under external collapse pressure is 87.4 MPa. The present study provides a basic understanding of the mechanical strengths of extreme line casing joint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]