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Little is understood about the relationship between marriage matching patterns and mental health. This study aims to examine the relationship between patterns of marriage matching and depressive symptoms among married Chinese adults, and respectively validate the effects of age, period, and cohort with hierarchical APC models. A total of 20,430 couples from the 2012, 2016 and 2018 wave of China Family Panel Studies were included in this study. We investigate patterns of marriage matching from age, personal education, parental education and especially, parental hukou status, which reflects an individual's residential status through urban-rural divide and has vital implications for socioeconomic status in China. Age gap is significantly associated with depressive symptoms both for men and women, yet sorting of parents' hukou status and education presented significant relationship with depressive symptoms only among women. In addition, we found strong age effects that changing trajectories of depressive symptoms across the life course vary among different genders and marital patterns. We did not find significant cohort effects after considering other factors, indicating the stability of depressive symptoms across birth cohorts. The CES-D is a widely used tool for depressive symptoms screening, the self-report instrument may produce results with lesser accuracy. Marriage matching patterns are significantly associated with depressive symptoms among Chinese adults, and these effects vary significantly across the life course. Our study sheds lights on the public mental health promotion programs from a marital perspective, suggesting that women in less satisfying marriage should be prioritized. • Age gap was associated with depressive symptoms both for men and women. • Parents' SES is related to depressive symptoms among women. • None cohort effects indicates the stability of depressive symptoms somewhat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delirium is a common complication among intensive care unit (ICU) patients that is linked to negative clinical outcomes. However, adherence to the Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Pain, Agitation/Sedation, Delirium, Immobility, and Sleep Disruption in Adult Patients in the ICU (PADIS guidelines), which recommend the use of the ABCDEF bundle, is sub-optimal in routine clinical care. To address this issue, AI-AntiDelirium, a nurse-led artificial intelligence-assisted prevention and management tool for delirium, was developed by our research team. Our pilot study yielded positive findings regarding the use of AI-AntiDelirium in preventing patient ICU delirium and improving activities of daily living and increasing intervention adherence by health care staff. Methods: The proposed large-scale pragmatic, open-label, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled study will assess the impact of AI-AntiDelirium on the incidence of ICU delirium and delirium-related outcomes. Six ICUs in two tertiary hospitals in China will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an AI-AntiDelirium or a PADIS guidelines group. A target sample size of 1,452 ICU patients aged 50 years and older treated in the ICU for at least 24 hours will be included. The primary outcome evaluated will be the incidence of ICU delirium and the secondary outcomes will be the duration of ICU delirium, length of ICU and hospital stay, ICU and in-hospital mortality rates, patient cognitive function, patient activities of daily living, and ICU nurse adherence to the ABCDEF bundle. Discussion: If this large-scale trial provides evidence of the effectiveness of AI-AntiDelirium, an artificial intelligence-assisted system tool, in decreasing the incidence of ICU delirium, length of ICU and hospital stay, ICU and in-hospital mortality rates, patient cognitive function, and patient activities of daily living while increasing ICU nurse adherence to the ABCDEF bundle, it will have a profound impact on the management of ICU delirium in both research and clinical practice. Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR1900023711 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pathogenesis of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) remained unclear. We aimed to profile the metabolic alterations in urine of SFTS patients and provide new evidence for its pathogenesis. Methods: A case–control study was conducted in the 154th hospital in China. Totally 88 cases and 22 controls aged ≥ 18 years were enrolled. The cases were selected from laboratory-confirmed SFTS patients. The controls were selected among SFTSV-negative population. Those with diabetes, cancer, hepatitis and other sexually transmitted diseases were excluded in both groups. Fatal cases and survival cases were 1:1 matched. Inter-group differential metabolites and pathways were obtained, and the inter-group discrimination ability was evaluated. Results: Tryptophan metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism were the top one important metabolism pathway in differentiating the control and case groups, and the survival and fatal groups, respectively. The significant increase of differential metabolites in tryptophan metabolism, including 5-hydroxyindoleacetate (5-HIAA), L-kynurenine (KYN), 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA), and the increase of phenylpyruvic acid and decrease of hippuric acid in phenylalanine metabolism indicated the potential metabolic alterations in SFTSV infection. The increase of 5-HIAA, KYN, 5-HTP, phenylpyruvic acid and hippuric acid were involved in the fatal progress of SFTS patients. Conclusions: Tryptophan metabolism and phenylalanine metabolism might be involved in the pathogenesis of SFTSV infection. These findings provided new evidence for the pathogenesis and treatment of SFTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The elderly patients admitted to cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) are at relatively high risk for developing delirium. A simple and reliable predictive model can benefit them from early recognition of delirium followed by timely and appropriate preventive strategies. To explore the role of frailty in delirium prediction and develop and validate a delirium predictive model including frailty for elderly patients in CICU. A prospective, observational cohort study. CICU at China–Japan Friendship Hospital from March 1, 2022 to August 25, 2022 (derivation cohort); CICU at Beijing Anzhen Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from March 14, 2023 to May 8, 2023 (external validation cohort). A total of 236 and 90 participants were enrolled in the derivation and external validation cohorts, respectively. Participants in the derivation cohort were assigned into either the delirium (n = 70) or non-delirium group (n = 166) based on the occurrence of delirium. The simplified Chinese version of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Diagnosis of Delirium in the Intensive Care Unit was used to assess delirium twice a day at 8:00–10:00 and 18:00–20:00 until the onset of delirium or discharge from the CICU. Frailty was assessed using the FRAIL scale during the first 24 h in the CICU. Other possible risk factors were collected prospectively through patient interviews and medical records review. After processing missing data via multiple imputations, univariate analysis and bootstrapped forward stepwise logistic regression were performed to select optimal predictors and develop the models. The models were internally validated using bootstrapping and evaluated comprehensively via discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility in both the derivation and external validation cohorts. The study developed D-FRAIL predictive model using FRAIL score, hearing impairment, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II score, and fibrinogen. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.937 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.907–0.967) and 0.889 (95%CI: 0.840–0.938) even after bootstrapping in the derivation cohort. Inclusion of frailty was demonstrated to improve the model performance greatly with the AUC increased from 0.851 to 0.937 (p < 0.001). In the external validation cohort, the AUC of D-FRAIL model was 0.866 (95%CI: 0.782–0.907). Calibration plots and decision curve analysis suggested good calibration and clinical utility of the D-FRAIL model in both the derivation and external validation cohorts. For elderly patients in the CICU, FRAIL score is an independent delirium predictor and the D-FRAIL model demonstrates superior performance in predicting delirium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the influence of budget hotel characteristics on room rates in Shanghai, China, using a hedonic price model. The data of hotels' characteristics and room rates were obtained from Qunar. The structure, location, and reputation characteristics of hotels are found to significantly influence room rates. There are significant differences in characteristics between budget hotels and high-end hotels, and the influences of these characteristics on room rates vary. The results of this study will not only be helpful for consumers' decision-making, but also contribute toward a better understanding of rational rating for the hotel managers, improving consumer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extending Fei's 'differential mode of association' (1992) and Cao et al.'s argument that Chinese trust is layered and hierarchical (2015), this study explores the differential confidence in the different levels of police agencies and brings various forms of trust into the study of confidence in the police. Results from a household random sample reveal that Shanghainese make a distinction between hierarchical levels of the police. Their confidence level toward their municipality police department is similar to that toward the Ministry of Public Security while their confidence levels toward the police at stations and Paichusuo are more alike. In addition, the multi-variate regression analyses indicate that institutional trust is the dominant factor for explaining confidence in both local and upper-level police. Media trust, sense of safety, financial satisfaction and collectivism are significant predictors in both models. Obeying the law, gender and class influence confidence in the local police but not the upper-level police while intermediate trust and education have a significant effect only on confidence in the upper-level police. It is concluded that assessment of local police is central to the understanding of public confidence in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To translate the instrument for measuring different types of cognitive load (MDT‐CL) into Chinese and assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the MDT‐CL. Background: The MDT‐CL is needed for hospital administrators to identify which nursing staff are prone to high cognitive load and to provide tailored interventions for specific types of cognitive load. Methods: The MDT‐CL was translated into Chinese using forward and back translation, cultural adaptation and pilot tested. The reliability and validity of the instrument were assessed with intensive care unit (ICU) nurses in three tertiary hospitals in China. Results: A total of 222 ICU nurses were recruited. The scale‐content validity index of the Chinese version of the MDT‐CL was 0.966. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that all the goodness‐of‐fit indicators were acceptable. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.818. Test–retest reliability was 0.785. Conclusions: The Chinese version of the MDT‐CL is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating the cognitive load of ICU nurses in China. Implications for nursing management: The validated Chinese version of the MDT‐CL is a feasible, quantitative tool for evaluating different types of cognitive load in busy clinical practice, suggesting significant clinical application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region experienced the most rainfall in 1994 and the least rainfall in 1997 during the last 20 years. Utilizing the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model coupled with a single-layer urban canopy model (UCM), we investigate the possible effects of urbanization on summer precipitation under different climate backgrounds using the two extreme years. By comparing the results of control and sensitivity runs, we find totally different effects in the 2 years. In 1994, the rainfall and rainfall frequency decrease in most areas due to urbanization, and decreases in the rainfall intensity occur in urban areas of Beijing, Tangshan, and Shijiazhuang. In 1997, the rainfall, rainfall frequency, and intensity are reduced in southwest of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, while the change is opposite in northeast. Urbanization alters the diurnal distribution of rainfall, the energy budget, and the water vapor content in the atmosphere. Due to the decrease in city evaporation and transpiration, the surface latent heat flux is reduced. The water vapor mixing ratio in urban area decreases apparently from surface to 850 hPa, while it increases from 850 to 600 hPa. Overall, the reduction of water vapor mixing ratio in 1994 is more than that in 1997, which implies that the “dry island effect” caused by urbanization is stronger in the wet year than that in the dry year. Results also show that the inhibition (enhancement) of deep convection may explain the modification of precipitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive water diversion projects that have been increasingly installed worldwide transport essential water resources as well as a large number of biota. However, studies of the dynamic processes of such transport have been limited. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project of China is the largest manmade water diversion system ever constructed. Here, in a year-long project, we used environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to assess fish biodiversity and assemblage composition along the Project's 1277-km main canal, while also investigating the temporal, spatial, and functional trait drivers of changes in the fish assemblages. Together, 45 fish taxa were detected, with substantial compositional variations between seasons. The number of detected species typically dropped upon entering the canal but remained relatively constant along the canal's length. Spatial variations in fish assemblages were generally dominated by the turnover component over nestedness, and a positive spatial autocorrelation of qualitative assemblage composition was detected within 80 km in all seasons. Furthermore, several functional traits, such as smaller body size, invertivorous diet, rheophilic living, and lithophilic and demersal spawning, were positive predictors of fish presence along the length of the canal and they may boost species chances of introduction to the recipient areas. Our results provide crucial information for ecological management of diversion projects and have key implications for modelling and predicting foreign species invasion through water transfers. [Display omitted] • Rich fish biodiversity was detected using eDNA along a water-transfer mega-project. • Fish assemblages varied spatially and temporally in the transfer canal. • The turnover component dominated fish assemblage β-diversity along the canal. • Fish biological and ecological traits affect their success of transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the natural resource-based view (NRBV), this paper analyzes the relationship between internal low carbon integration and external low carbon integration and firm performance, as well as the moderating role of quality management within low carbon supply chain, by researching 12 business departments of machinery, electronic, and transportation components industries in China. The results of this empirical study show that internal low carbon integration helps to improve firm's environmental performance, while hinder firm's financial performance. External low carbon integration improves both environmental performance and financial performance. In the meanwhile, quality management strengthens positive relationships that found in this study and weakens the negative relationship between internal low carbon integration and financial performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Export coefficient models (ECM) with few parameters and simple structures have been widely used to estimate nonpoint source (NPS) pollution loads. However, they are unsuitable to simulate characteristics and distributions of NPS pollution over semiarid agricultural watersheds of intensive irrigation, infrequent precipitation, and shallow groundwater. In this study, field monitoring was conducted to identify key impact factors of total nitrogen (TN) loads from NPS pollution over a typical semiarid agricultural watershed in northern China. Sources and characteristics of TN loads were examined by integrating the monitoring, a Pearson correlation analysis, an agro-hydrologic model, and a genetic algorithm into an ECM framework. This study quantitatively revealed the relationship between agro-hydrologic features and NPS nitrogen pollution in semiarid agricultural areas; it also simplified quantification of nutrient distributions in various seasons under pollution-source diversity. An accurate ECM was constructed to simulate variation of TN loads with seasons. Compared with traditional ones, the developed model reduces the simulation error of TN loads from 16.2% to 8.9% and improves R2 from 0.072 to 0.692. Simulation results show that the dominant TN nutrient source, i.e., farmland, accounts for 49% of annual TN loads. If water use efficiency increases from 40% to 50%, the largest reduction of TN loads would occur on farmland (about 14.4%), followed by grassland (12.0%), construction land (11.5%), bare land (11.0%), and woodland (8.3%). Improving water use efficiency and optimizing irrigation schemes and land use types should be preferentially recommended for NPS pollution control over semiarid agricultural regions. • An agro-hydrologic process-based export coefficient model was innovated. • The model enhanced accuracy of total nitrogen (TN) loads (reaching R2 = 0.692). • The model quantitatively revealed variations of TN loads with seasons and sources. • Irrigation dominates emissions of TN in semiarid irrigation areas. • Increasing water use efficiency by 10% would reduce TN loads of farmland by 14.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unreasonable utilization of water resources cause serious water shortage and associated pollution problems. Improving water use efficiency (WUE) is helpful for alleviating water scarcity and mitigating water pollution. However, due to the conflict between water saving and economic development as well as uncertain parameter information, it is challenging to improve WUE. To address these problems, a water-footprint-based interval fuzzy robust fractional programming (WF-IFRFP) model was developed through integrating water footprint (WF), interval parameter programming (IPP) and fuzzy robust optimization (FRP) into a fractional programming (FP) framework. The developed WF-IFRFP model improved upon traditional methods by being able to tackle interval numbers and fuzzy sets under different system-violation risks. The developed model was applied to a water management case in the northwest of Inner Mongolia, China. The results of WF assessment showed that the water consumption of crop growth increased, water, whereas that used for reducing total nitrogen concentration decreased from 2012 to 2016. Then, specific benefit- and risk-explicit plans for cropping pattern adjustments were generated. The results showed that the water supply-demand ratio from WF-IFRFP would be [5.1, 10.7] % higher than that in the benchmark year of 2016. To assess its performance and merits, the optimal results from the WF-IFRFP model were compared to four alternative models. These comparisons reveal that the WF-IFRFP model is beneficial for improving irrigation WUE. • A novel framework was developed for improving irrigation water use efficiency. • Ecological water shortage risks and parameter uncertainties could be effectively handled. • The water footprint method was introduced to assess the water demand of economy and environment in semi-arid regions. • The developed model is beneficial for sustainable economic development and high-efficient water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particulate pollution is a serious environmental problem that affects regional air quality and the global climate. We developed an advanced joint chemical data assimilation system to improve atmospheric aerosol forecasting based on the nonlinear least squares four-dimensional variational (NLS-4DVar) method. The chemical initial conditions (ICs) and emission fluxes were optimized jointly every 24 h in the system by assimilating multi-time observations. The NLS-4DVar approach allows us to perform joint assimilation with a large state vector benefited from its high computational efficiency. Observed hourly surface fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) concentrations were assimilated into the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with the Community Multiscale Air Quality (WRF-CMAQ) model with 32-km spatial resolution. According to the results of sensitivity experiments, simultaneous adjustment of ICs and emissions brings more significant improvement of PM 2.5 48-h forecasting than optimizing only the ICs. The impact of joint assimilation on PM 2.5 mass concentration forecasting over China from 10 to November 24, 2018 was evaluated. In the Yangtze River Delta region, joint assimilation reduced the root mean square error by 48.4% for estimations of the initial concentration fields, 21.9% for 24-h forecasts, and 13.4% for 48-h forecasts. We also assessed the differences between optimized and prior emissions. These results indicate that the joint data assimilation system can effectively reduce the uncertainty in PM 2.5 predictions during pollution episodes by simultaneously optimizing ICs mass concentrations and emissions. • A joint data assimilation system was constructed to improve aerosol prediction. • Compared with optimizing only ICs, jointly adjustment of ICs and emissions can substantially improve PM 2.5 prediction. • The 48h forecasts of PM 2.5 was improved effectively after assimilation, especially in YRD and NCP areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents an integrated approach that has been successfully used in delineation of turbidite reservoirs in the Jiyang Sub-basin, Bohai Bay Basin, China. The techniques involve an integration of multi-disciplinary investigations, which comprise firstly the determination of depositional areas of turbidites using a sequence stratigraphic approach, then mapping the spatial distribution of turbidites using seismic velocity data, and finally, the selection of drilling prospects by an optimization process using available well logs and core data. Interpreted turbidites with a moderate burial depth and thickness of at least 10 m were targeted for drilling. The integrated approach has been proved to be quite successful in recent exploration activities with approximately 60 million tonnes (438 million bbls) of proven in place oil reserves had been discovered for the 6-year period of 1996 to 2001 in turbidite reservoirs, highlighting the importance of turbidite plays in current and future exploration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To explore the illness perception and treatment experience of gout patients in China. Methods: A descriptive qualitative approach was used. In-depth semi-structured individual interviews were conducted among 18 adults with gout between August 2020 and December 2020. The Common-Sense Model of Self-Regulation was used as the conceptual framework for developing interview guide and data analysis. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, independently coded, and analyzed for themes. Results: The 18 gout patients aged 23–77 years old, with 16 being male. Four themes were generated to reflect the experience of patients with gout: limited knowledge of gout, various but inadequate sources of gout knowledge, multifaceted influences of gout, and seeking for diversified disease treatment methods. Conclusion: There is a gap between patients' anticipation and practical service that is closely linked with subsequent poor gout management among the participants. The findings indicate a need of strengthening health education about gout by considering building nurse-led support groups and developing mobile health applications, as well as addressing the long-term influence of the Chinese alcoholic drinking culture to promote patients' effective disease management. Key Points: • This qualitative study fills a knowledge gap on illness perception and treatment experience among Chinese gout patients, exploring how these patients perceived gout and manage gout. • The gout patients in this study reported disparity between personal anticipation and healthcare service that largely contributes to their poor gout management. • The Chinese alcoholic drinking culture embedded in personal, professional, and social activities posed extra difficulties and challenges on modifying lifestyle for gout patients that needs to be addressed for promoting gout management among this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although community empowerment is an important component of sustainable tourism, few studies have examined how empowerment influences residents' support for sustainable tourism at nature-based destinations. We formed a conceptual framework to investigate the moderating effect of Chinese cultural values in the relationship between residents' perceived empowerment and their support for sustainable tourism. We collected 794 survey responses from residents of communities at a nature-based tourism destination in China. Results show there was a significant relationship between empowerment and support for sustainable tourism. The moderating role of cultural values was partially supported. Our findings provide implications on how to better empower residents with an East Asian cultural background, to make sustainable tourism achievable and maintainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the impact of nurse workloads on adherence to hand hygiene. Background: Adherence to hand hygiene and nursing workloads have been linked to quality of patient care. Therefore, it was important to understand the relationship to safe patient care. Design This cross‐sectional study was performed from January 2016 to June 2016. Methods: Workloads and adherence to hand hygiene for nurses on 3‐day shifts in a tertiary hospital were investigated in 2016. Actual hours worked per shift were timed using a stopwatch to assess nursing workloads. Descriptive and inferential statistics and multiple variable regression analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: Sixty‐four nurses from four wards were observed. The average adherence rate of hand hygiene was 26.6% and the average nursing workload per shift was 6.7 hours. Multiple regression revealed that nursing workload was negatively related to adherence rate of hand hygiene. Conclusion: Nurses in this study that had a low rate of adherence with hand hygiene frequently had high workloads. Adherence to hand hygiene was independently associated with actual hours worked per shift. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Adherence to proper hand hygiene by nurses is one of the most effective and efficient ways to prevent the spread of hospital‐acquired infections and the dissemination of multi‐antimicrobial resistance.Adherence to hand hygiene among clinical nurses has been continually substandard and nurses' high workload is their most common self‐reported reason for nonadherence.High workloads are a common problem worldwide because of the shortage of nurses. What this paper adds? Nurses on surgical wards worked long hours.Adherence to hand hygiene was negatively related with nursing workloads.Nurses prefer hand washing to alcohol‐based hand rub for hand hygiene. The implications of this paper: In the general ward, high workloads pose barriers to adherence to hand hygiene, and any improvement efforts should be considered in this context.In general, increased numbers of patients are to be cared for lead to more opportunities for hand hygiene, but this heavy workload contributes to a lack of adequate time to perform proper hand hygiene, with a resulting decrease in adherence to hand hygiene.This study highlights the need for improvement programmes focusing on the quality and adherence rates for proper hand hygiene.Measuring adherence rates with hand hygiene and nursing workloads are helpful for both proper allocation of nursing resources and enhancement of patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter is presented from a reader commenting on public health research in China.

Background: Cryptosporidium is a gastrointestinal protozoan that widely exists in nature, it is an established zoonotic pathogen. Infected cattle are considered to be associated with cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in humans. In the present study, we aimed to assess the prevalence and species distribution of Cryptosporidium in dairy cattle in Central Inner Mongolia. Methods: We focused on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rRNA) of Cryptosporidium and 60-kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60) of Cryptosporidium parvum. We collected 505 dairy cattle manure samples from 6 sampling sites in Inner Mongolia in 2021; the samples were divided into 4 groups based on age. DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequence analysis, and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using SspI and MboII restriction endonucleases were performed. RFLP analysis was performed to determine the prevalence and species distribution of Cryptosporidium. Results: SSU rRNA PCR revealed that the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 29.90% (151/505), with a prevalence of 37.67% (55/146) and 26.74% (96/359) in diarrheal and nondiarrheal samples, respectively; these differences were significant. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection at the 6 sampling sites ranged from 0 to 47.06% and that among the 4 age groups ranged from 18.50 to 43.81%. SSU rRNA sequence analysis and RFLP analysis revealed the presence of 4 Cryptosporidium species, namely, C. bovis (44.37%), C. andersoni (35.10%), C. ryanae (21.85%), and C. parvum (11.92%), along with a mixed infection involving two or three Cryptosporidium species. Cryptosporidium bovis or C. andersoni was the most common cause of infection in the four age groups. The subtype of C. parvum was successfully identified as IIdA via gp60 analysis; all isolates were identified as the subtype IIdA19G1. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of dairy cattle infected with four Cryptosporidium species in Inner Mongolia, China, along with a mixed infection involving two or three Cryptosporidium species, with C. bovis and C. andersoni as the dominant species. Moreover, this is the first study to identify C. parvum subtype IIdA19G1 in cattle in Inner Mongolia. Our study findings provide detailed information on molecular epidemiological investigation of bovine cryptosporidiosis in Inner Mongolia, suggesting that dairy cattle in this region are at risk of transmitting cryptosporidiosis to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giardia duodenalis is a gastrointestinal protozoan ubiquitous in nature. It is a confirmed zoonotic pathogen, and cattle are considered a source of giardiasis outbreaks in humans. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and multilocus genotype (MLG) of G. duodenalis in dairy cattle in Central Inner Mongolia. This study was based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), and beta-giardin (bg) genes of G. duodenalis. DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequence analysis were performed on 505 dairy cattle fecal samples collected in 2021 from six sampling sites and four age groups in Central Inner Mongolia to determine the prevalence and MLG distribution of G. duodenalis. The PCR results of SSU rRNA revealed that the overall prevalence of G. duodenalis was 29.5% (149/505) and that the overall prevalence of the diarrhea and nondiarrhea samples was 31.5% (46/146) and 28.5% (103/359), respectively; the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). SSU rRNA sequence analysis revealed that G. duodenalis assemblage E (91.1%, 133/146) was primarily detected and that assemblage A (8.9%, 13/146) was detected in 13 samples. The G. duodenalis—positive samples were PCR amplified and sequenced for gdh, tpi, and bg, from which 38, 47, and 70 amplified sequences were obtained, respectively. A combination of G. duodenalis assemblages A and E were detected in seven samples. Multilocus genotyping yielded 25 different assemblage E MLGs, which formed six subgroups. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding G. duodenalis infection in dairy cattle in Inner Mongolia, China. This study revealed that Inner Mongolian cattle pose a risk of giardiasis transmission to humans and that the distribution of local cattle G. duodenalis assemblage E MLGs is diverse. The findings of this study can bridge the knowledge gap in the molecular epidemiological investigation of giardiasis in Central Inner Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-proxy analysis of abrupt climate change during Ice Age Termination III (T-III) is necessary to understand Asian summer monsoon (ASM) characteristics and mechanisms. We present 230Th dates and δ 18O, δ 13C, with equilibrium diameter, carbonate deposition amount and lithological characteristics from an annually laminated stalagmite (No. YXB) in Yongxing Cave, central China. Our multi-proxy records span 243.90 to 239.20 ka before present, falling within T-III/Marine Isotope Stage 7e. The changes in δ 18O, equilibrium diameter, carbonate deposition amount, and lithological characteristics suggest a weak ASM interval during T III. By comparing these results with records from Ice Age Termination I (T-I), we find that the weakened ASM event during T-III is similar to the Younger Dryas (YD) event in terms of duration and structure. This result suggests that the YD-like event could be an inherent feature of glacial-interglacial climate cycles in the middle and late Pleistocene. The YXB δ 13C sequence, without YD-like events, is broadly similar to the δ 18O record on orbital timescale, indicating that variations in local vegetation could be driven by rising CO 2 during ice age terminations. • Stalagmite records based on layer counting chronology from Southern China. • Stalagmite δ 18O, lithological characteristics indicate a weak Asian summer monsoon interval during Termination III. • Duration and structure of weak monsoon interval during Termination III is similar to Younger Dryas. • δ 13C indicates no YD-III but driven by greenhouse gases during ice age terminations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J Oral Pathol Med (2012) 41: 748-754 Background: The development of betel-quid (BQ) processing industry in Hunan has increased the usage of this substance and may produce significant health consequences. However, the update data for the prevalence of BQ chewing and its effect on oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) are limited. Methods: A population-based survey was conducted to investigate the prevalence of BQ chewing and OSF in Hunan. A questionnaire interview and an oral examination were conducted. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to study the effect of socio-demographic characteristics on area-specific behaviors of BQ chewing. Results: A total of 2356 subjects participated in this survey, with a 78.5% of response rate. The lifetime prevalence of BQ chewing was 16.2% (2.9% for ex-chewers and 13.3% for current-chewers). The findings from multivariate logistic regression model showed that a higher prevalence of this habit was among individuals who were males, urban residents, 15-49 years old, educated for 9-12 years, smokers, and drinkers. Male chewers occupied a fairly higher percentage of the combined use of tobacco and/or alcohol (86.1-87.5%) than the non-chewers (50.6-56.7%). The overall prevalence of OSF was 1.0%. Compared with the subjects without OSF (1.7-23.2%), a significantly higher proportion of OSF patients were a current-chewer (62.3% in men and 100.0% in women). Conclusions: BQ chewing is a vital risk factor for OSF in Hunan. A high prevalence of BQ chewing found among the younger cohort (15-49 years old) is an urgent warning for this oral premalignant disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preterm complications and neonatal asphyxia are the leading causes of death in those under 5 years of age. However, little information exists for the province of Henan, China. The purpose of this study was to explore changes in the live birth profile in a provincial hospital over the past 32 years in Henan, China. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to reveal the characteristics of live neonates from 1987 to 2018. Results: There were 118 253 live births during the period, including 19 798 (16.74%) preterm births. The neonatal death rate was 6.45‰, and the top risk factor was preterm birth complications and birth asphyxia. Before 1998, neonatal death occurred primarily among term infants. Between 1999 and 2018, preterm infants, especially extreme and very preterm infants with very low birthweight, constituted more than half of all mortalities, and the preterm birth rate increased from 5.94% in 1999 to 16.69% in 2018. The risk factors associated with preterm birth were being male (aOR = 1.18, P < 0.001), advanced maternal age (>35 years old; aOR = 1.08, P = 0.008), gravidity ≥2 (aOR = 1.15, P < 0.001), parity ≥2 (aOR = 1.50, P < 0.001), placenta previa (aOR = 7.41, P < 0.001), twin or multiple births (aOR = 10.63, P < 0.001), hypertension (aOR = 2.08, P < 0.001), and rupture of membrane (aOR = 5.03, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The preterm birth rate has increased over the past 32 years from 4.98% to 16.69% in a provincial hospital in China. Preterm birth was the leading reason for neonatal death, and birth asphyxia was the major risk factor for death in term infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrene is a high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (HMW-PAHs). It is a ubiquitous, persistent, and carcinogenic environmental contaminant that has raised concern worldwide. This research explored synergistic bacterial communities for efficient pyrene degradation in seven typical Southern China mangroves. The bacterial communities of seven typical mangroves were enriched by pyrene, and enriched bacterial communities showed an excellent pyrene degradation capacity of > 95% (except for HK mangrove and ZJ mangrove). Devosia , Hyphomicrobium , Flavobacterium , Marinobacter , Algoriphahus , and Youhaiella all have significant positive correlations with pyrene (R >0, p < 0.05) by 16SrRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics analysis, indicated that these genera play a vital role in pyrene metabolism. Meanwhile, the functional genes were involved in pyrene degradation that was enriched in the bacterial communities, including the genes of nagAa , ndoR , pcaG , etc. Furthermore, the analyses of functional genes and binning genomes demonstrated that some bacterial communities as a unique teamwork to cooperatively participate in pyrene degradation. Interestingly, the genes related to biogeochemical cycles were enriched, such as narG , soxA , and cyxJ , suggested that bacterial communities were also helpful in maintaining the stability of the ecological environment. In addition, some novel species with pyrene-degradation potential were identified in the pyrene-degrading bacterial communities, which can enrich the resource pool of pyrene-degrading strains. Overall, this study will help develop further research strategies for pollutant removal. [Display omitted] • The bacterial communities can effectively degrade pyrene after pyrene enriched. • Devosia , Marinobacter and Flavobacterium are important roles in pyrene degradation. • Abundance of some functional genes is significantly increased after pyrene enriched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) administration on mortality and major neonatal complications in early life of preterm twins.Study Design: This study retrospectively enrolled 1 662 twins delivered at 25∼34+6gestational weeks in China from January 2013 to December 2014. They were divided into ACS group and no-ACS group according to weather their mothers received ACS or not. Moreover, they were subgrouped as 25∼27+6 and 28∼34+6gestational week groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of ACS on the incidence of mortality and major morbidities.Results: A total of 910 neonates (54.8 %) received one or more doses of ACS, and 752 neonates (45.2 %) did not receive any ACS. No significant difference in infant mortality was observed between the ACS and no-ACS groups (P = 0.321). The ACS group had decreased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and mild RDS compared with the no-ACS group (both P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, patent ductus arteriosus, sepsis and severe RDS between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The subgroup analysis showed that the incidence of RDS was lower in the ACS group than in the no-ACS group (P = 0.036) at 28∼34+6weeks. However, the incidence of mild ROP was higher in the ACS group than that in the no-ACS group (P = 0.047) at 25∼27+6 weeks. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated a decreasing risk of RDS (aOR = 0.661, 95 %CI:0.506-0.863, P = 0.002) after adjusting the gestational week, birth weight, small for gestational age, delivery mode, 5 min Apgar score, and maternal perinatal complications.Conclusion: In twin preterm infants, ACS administration is associated with a reduced risk of RDS. However, our data suggest that it may not have a beneficial effect on mortality and other short-term morbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Avicennia marina is a pioneer mangrove species widely distributed along the southeast coast of China. It suffers, especially in the seedling stage, from the tidal flooding and anaerobic surroundings as it closes to the seaward side. The aim of this study is to assess the ability of A. marina seedlings to withstand different tidal inundations by physiological and proteomic approaches. Methods: To accomplish this, the artificial tidal inundations were mimicked as 0, 4, and 8 h per tidal cycle about 1 week. The physiological approaches and two-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS technology were used to reveal the adaptive alterations of A. marina seedlings to tidal inundation. Results: There were profound changes in photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of A. marina seedling leaves under inundation treatment. Particularly, photosynthetic rate increased at 4 h inundation, while decreasing at 8 h inundation treatment compared with control (0 h). The results highlighted that A. marina seedlings could greatly upregulate the abundances of photosynthesis-related proteins, activate antioxidant and defense systems to efficiently suppress the reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst and cell damages, mobilize carbohydrate metabolism associated proteins, and then maintain cellular homeostasis, resulting in well adaptation to short-term tidal inundation. Conclusion: Overall, our results demonstrated that short-term inundation is beneficial, while long-term inundation is detrimental to A. marina. The results allow us to recognize the roles of specific proteins in molecular tolerance to tidal inundation in mangrove plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To ensure successful hosting of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, a comprehensive understanding of the wind field characteristics in the Chongli Mountain region is essential. The purpose of this research was to accurately simulate the microscale wind in the Chongli Mountain region. Coupling the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model with a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is a method for simulating the microscale wind field over complex terrain. The performance of the WRF-CFD model in the Chongli Mountain region was enhanced from two aspects. First, as WRF offers multiple physical schemes, a sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate which scheme provided the best boundary condition for CFD. Second, to solve the problem of terrain differences between the WRF and CFD models, an improved method capable of coupling these two models is proposed. The results show that these improvements can enhance the performance of the WRF-CFD model and produce a more accurate microscale simulation of the wind field in the Chongli Mountain region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A simulation-based inexact fractional programming model was proposed to control pollution. • This model can tackle ratio optimization problems with mixed-integer variables and uncertain parameters. • Placement plans for best management practices were optimized for both pollution abatement and cost saving. • The dual-objective model outperformed the single-objective one in cost efficiency. The implementation of best management practices (BMPs) is crucial for protecting and restoring watersheds from nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. BMP placement plans with a high pollution reduction to cost ratio are highly desired by decision makers. Nevertheless, few studies tackled such a ratio optimization problem in their efforts to identify BMP placement plans. BMP planning also faces challenges in handling inherent uncertainties and estimating NPS pollution loads. To address these gaps, a simulation-based inexact credibility-constrained mixed-integer fractional programming (SICMFP) model was proposed for supporting the placement of BMPs. This model was developed by integrating the export coefficient model (ECM), compound topographic index (CTI), inexact programming, and mixed-integer programming within a fractional programming framework. SICMFP extends the capability of previous BMP placement models by optimizing the ratio of conflicting objectives and handling uncertain parameters based on interval theory and credibility measure. It can also conveniently simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of pollution loads through the ECM, and efficiently identify potential wetland sites using CTI. SICMFP was applied to plan BMP placement in the Luan River Basin, located in northern China. The results showed that SICMFP could provide BMP placement plans with the optimal system efficiency between pollution reductions and cost savings under different credibility levels. These plans could help decision makers gain in-depth insights into the tradeoffs between expected system efficiency and the risk of constraint violation. As the credibility level rises from 0.6 to 0.9, the optimal ratio between pollution reduction and cost declined from [0.88, 1.66] kg/103 yuan to [0.70, 1.15] kg/103yuan, whereas the costs and pollution reductions increased. Compared with the least-cost single-objective model, SICMFP could lead to more pollution reductions and higher system efficiency. The developed SICMFP approach can also be extended to address the ratio optimization problems of water pollution management in other watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In arid and semi-arid regions, improper irrigation activities not only exacerbate water shortages, but also lead to environmental pollution such as soil salinization that hinders crop growth and agricultural sustainability. There has been a lack of agricultural water management tools that could support agricultural water management with salinization-related grey water footprints being considered and associated uncertainties being addressed. In this study, salinization-related grey water footprints were measured through accounting for relationships among irrigation, soil salinity, evapotranspiration and crop yield, and then incorporated into an agricultural water management model for supporting environmentally sound irrigation decisions. Such an agricultural water management model was also characterized by a newly proposed generalized fuzzy interval fractional programming (GFIFP) method that could address ratio problems of two objectives and dual uncertainties. The developed methodology coupling the GFIFP method and grey water footprints was applied to an irrigation region in northwestern China where water scarcity and soil salinization hindered local development. Five credibility levels corresponding to decision makers' varied satisfactory degrees over water availability, and nine weight coefficients of possibility and necessity measures were considered. Results showed that, in order to reduce negative environmental impacts while increasing economic benefits, more irrigation water should be allocated to wheat and sunflower rather than corn. When the credibility level is 0.5 and weight coefficient is 0.9, the system efficiency would be the highest. Compared to the benchmark year of 2018, this scenario would generate [0.330, 6.647] billion yuan more benefits and [16.0, 133.9] million m3 less grey water footprints. Compared to three conventional approaches, GFIFP could provide decisions with more flexibility and less environmental impacts. The developed approach could also be applied to agricultural water management problems in other areas aiming at reducing grey water footprints and enhancing environmental benefits under uncertainty. • Grey water footprint was used to quantify negative environmental impacts related to soil salinization. • Grey water footprint related to soil salinization was integrated into a GFIFP method. • GFIFP was applied to agricultural water management in an arid and salinized area. • Economic benefits from unit grey water footprint were increased under different credibility levels and weight coefficients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing demands for water, energy, and food put many systems at a composite risk of resource shortages. There was a lack of approaches capable of effectively assessing tridimensional composite risk and describing non-linear correlations among subsystem risks within a Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus system. In this study, an integrated approach was developed to assess the composite risk of WEF nexus systems and generate risk-based plans. Specifically, a composite risk assessment model that could capture the interdependence among the risk for water, energy, and food shortage was proposed. Furthermore, a generalized Copula-based chance-constrained programming model and its solving algorithm were developed. The proposed approach has been applied to an agricultural WEF nexus system in northern China, where the shortage of water, energy and / or land affected agricultural outputs. Results show that the composite risk of the entire system would be higher than the maximum value among subsystem risks, but less than their sum. Higher composite risks could bring higher benefits. Under a certain composite risk, the overall system benefit would vary with different combinations of subsystem risks; and it could be promoted through coordinating resources supplied by different subsystems. A risk - benefit frontier consisting of optimal solutions corresponding to different combinations of composite and subsystem risks was identified through Monte Carlo simulation. The scheme that could generate 12.76 billion Yuan under a moderate composite risk level of 0.22 was recommended for the study problem. Accordingly, net irrigation water, energy for agriculture, and effective irrigation area should be no less than 1.66 × 109 m3, 81.08 × 103 tce, and 509.12 × 103 hm2, respectively. • A novel risk management approach was proposed under Water-Energy-Food nexus. • It can assess composite risk induced by random input resources. • Composite risk-based planning schemes are provided. • System benefits are promoted through coordinating the supply of multiple resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detection accuracy of electrical interface by mine transient electromagnetic method (MTEM) affects the geological surveying results. Authors first discussed the theory of transient electromagnetic field transforming, proposed the algorithm of mine transient electromagnetic field transforming and calculated wave filed with actual surveying data, and then created the method of wave-field data processing and imaging, realized the transformation from mine transient electromagnetic section into pseudo-seismic section and accurate detection of the electrical interface. At last,the practicability and effective of the wave-field transforming and data processing were proved by the actual exploration on the water-containing of coal roof. The conclusion show that the wave-field transforming and pseudo-seismic imaging and data processing can extract the electrical interface information of MTEM and supplement the deficiencies of the MTEM on detecting accurately the electrical interface, highlight the weak anomalies and improve the resolution and increase exploration accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We investigated the population burden of betel quid abuse and its related impact on oral premalignant disorders (OPDs) in South, Southeast, and East Asia. Methods. The Asian Betel-Quid Consortium conducted a multistage sampling of 8922 representative participants from Taiwan, Mainland China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Participants received an interviewer-administered survey and were examined for oral mucosal disorders. Results. The prevalence of betel quid abuse was 0.8% to 46.3% across 6 Asian populations. The abuse frequency was over 40.5% for current chewers, with the highest proportion in Nepalese and Southeast Asian chewers (76.9%-99.6%). Tobacco-added betel quid conferred higher abuse rates (74.4%-99.6%) among Malaysian, Indonesian, and Sri Lankan men than did tobacco-free betel quid (21.8%-89.1%). Gender, lower education level, younger age at chewing initiation, and clustering of familial betel quid use significantly contributed to higher abuse rates. Indonesian betel quid abusers showed the highest prevalence of OPDs and had a greater risk of OPDs than did nonabusers. Conclusions. Betel quid abuse is high in regions of Asia where it is customarily practiced, and such abuse correlates highly with OPDs. By recognizing abuse-associated factors, health policies and preventive frameworks can be effectively constructed to combat these oral preneoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since April 2006, swine herds have experienced the outbreaks of a highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in China. To explore the possible mechanism of the emergence of the highly pathogenic PRRS and more fully understand the extent of genetic diversity of PRRSV in China, we analyzed the ORF5 gene sequences of 159 representative PRRSV isolates in 16 provinces from 2006 to 2008. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that all these 159 isolates belonged to the North American genotype and were further divided into six subgenotypes; 140 of 159 isolates were closely related to the highly pathogenic PRRSV with 98.5–100% nucleotide and 98.3–100% amino acid sequence identities and belonged to Subgenotype I; and 3, 8, 4, 3, 1 of 159 isolates were part of Subgenotypes II–VI, respectively. Amino acid analysis of the GP5 protein revealed that all the isolates in Subgenotypes I–III were found to be highly variable in the primary neutralizing epitope; most of the isolates in Subgenotypes I and IV had more glycosylation sites than those in Subgenotypes II, III, V and VI; and 1, 5, and 9 unique amino acid mutations were observed in Subgenotypes I, IV and VI, respectively. In conclusion, our study provides the evidence of coexistence of six different subgenotype isolates in pigs in China from 2006 to 2008, and emphasizes the importance of reinforcing PRRSV surveillance, especially after the emergence of highly pathogenic PRRS in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

AbstractAims: Many treatment trials for Helicobacter pylori have been reported but few have evaluated treatment in terms of both cost and effectiveness. It is important to find a therapy with a high eradication rate and low cost, especially in China. The aim of the study is to assess the efficiency of therapy for duodenal ulcers, including ulcer healing, H. pylori eradication and ulcer recurrence. Methods: Ninety-six consecutive patients with duodenal ulcers and H. pylori infection were randomly allocated into two groups: AMT group (amoxycillin + metronidazole + tagamet); OA group (omeprazole + amoxycillin). Side-effects were recorded during the treatment period. Endoscopic examinations were repeated at the 7th or 8th week to assess ulcer healing. Patients were followed up for 6 months and repeat endoscopy was performed. Ulcer healing rate, H. pylori eradication rate and ulcer recurrence rate were compared. All costs were recorded and a cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted. Results: In the AMT and OA groups, the ulcer healing rate was 83.7 and 93.5%, respectively (P = 0.27). The eradication rate of H. pylori was 65.1 and 69.6%, respectively and was significantly higher in patients with an ulcer diameter ≤ 1 cm compared with those with an ulcer diameter > 1 cm, irrespective of treatment group. There was no difference in recurrence rate, duration of pain or the time lost because of the disease. Moderate or severe side-effects were found in 8.9% in AMT group and 6.5% in OA group. The cost of treatment for ulcer healing, H. pylori eradication and reduction in ulcer recurrence were all lower in the AMT group than in the OA group. Sensitivity analysis supported the result that AMT was more cost effective than OA. Conclusions: The AMT therapy was more effective and less costly than the OA therapy, especially in patients with H. pylori-related duodenal ulcers < 1 cm diameter. © 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• C. perfringens was found in 23.4 % of chickens and 72.0 % of pigs. • All 322 C. perfringens isolates belonged to toxin type A and 45.7 % carried beta-2 toxin-encoding gene cpb2. • Most strains showed high-level resistance to gentamicin and sulfonamides, and low resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanate and cephalosporins. • Genetic diversity was observed and high nucleotide sequence identity to C. perfringens plasmids suggested that horizontal gene transfer may occur. • Isolates from the same farms and areas were found to be phylogenetically close. The prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) in chickens and pigs were investigated in Beijing and Shanxi, China. In total, 322 C. perfringens (chicken n = 60 and pig n = 262) were obtained from 620 feces of chickens (n = 256) and pigs (n = 364). Multiplex PCR for toxin typing of C. perfringens revealed that all the isolates belong to type A, with 45.7 % (147/322) isolates carrying beta-2 toxin-encoding gene cpb2. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 27 antimicrobial agents showed that 91.0 % of the tested C. perfringens isolates were resistant to gentamicin and sulfonamides (sulfisoxazole and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), and little resistance was showed to amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftiofur, doxycycline, vancomycin and linezolid. Additionally, nosiheptide, avilamycin, virginiamycin and bacitracin exhibited good activity against the tested C. perfringens with low MIC 50 (0.06 to ≤4 μg/mL) and MIC 90 values (0.25–8 μg/mL). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of 48 representative isolates from each farm indicated that the C. perfringens contained diverse antimicrobial resistance genes [ tetA (P), ant(6)-Ib , erm (Q), etc.] and toxin genes (cpb2 , colA , cloSI , pfoA , etc.). By comparative analysis, four C. perfringens isolates from three different pig farms harboured cpb2 -carrying plasmid p1 with 100 % nucleotide sequence identity, suggesting horizontal gene transfer among these microorganisms. The further phylogenomic reconstruction, based on the core-genome single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the representatives, demonstrating that C. perfringens from the same farms and regions were closely related. These findings expanded our knowledge of C. perfringens isolated from animals in China, which provided scientific basis for efficient intervention or prevention measures of antimicrobial resistance in animal husbandry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water, energy, and food have complex and dynamic interactions, forming water-energy-food nexus (WEFN) systems with tradeoffs and synergies. To fill the gap in quantitatively analyzing the synergies of WEFN, coupled assessment-optimization models for synergies were developed. First, based on investigations over the key variables and interconnections among different subsystems, an assessment model based on the synergy theory and information entropy was developed for measuring the synergies of WEFN systems. Then a synergy evolution model with the aid of a logistic model and an improved constrained genetic algorithm was developed to analyze and search the steady states of WEFN systems. To validate the developed assessment-optimization methodology, it has been applied to analyze WEFN in a case of China. The results indicated that water supplies might be the most critical factor affecting the stability of the study system. Moreover, the order degrees of water, energy, and food subsystems could be improved by conducting integrated water-fertilizer irrigation, adjusting the structure of energy supplies, improving the efficiency of energy utilization, stabilizing food prices, and adjusting crop planting structure. Also, the results indicated that coordinated, dependent, and competitive relationships could exist within WEFN systems. The development of renewable energies would greatly alleviate water conflicts and contribute to guiding WEFN systems towards the steady state. Without loss of generality, the coupled assessment-optimization methodology is also applicable to analyze other complex systems across the world that involve multiple sectors. • Coupled assessment-optimization methodology was proposed to assess WEFN synergies. • Order parameters manipulating the states of subsystems and the entire system were identified. • Current and steady states of WEFN system were obtained. • Water supplies might be the most critical factor affecting the system stability. • Utilization of renewable energies would help WEFN systems evolve into a steadier state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 1,153 mastitic milk samples were collected from 15 large Chinese dairy farms. • S. aureus , CoNS and Streptococcus spp. were the most commonly isolated bacteria. • Bovine mastitis prevention and control programs should differ in risk factors. The primary objective of this study was to determine the distribution of major pathogens causing mastitis and analyze the association of the main pathogens with the type of milk {milk samples collected from cows with mastitis of different severities, which consisted of subclinical mastitis (Lanzhou Mastitis Test weak positive, positive, and strong positive) and clinical mastitis}, region, season, bedding material, parity and lactation stage on large dairy farms. Fifteen large dairy farms in twelve major milk-producing provinces of China were enrolled in the study for approximately one year; 1,153 mastitis milk samples were collected and processed. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Staphylococcus spp. (39.03 %), Streptococcus spp. (11.01 %), Bacillus spp. (8.24 %), Aerococcus viridans (6.76 %), and Acinetobacter spp. (3.38 %), and most of these pathogens were environmental bacteria (67.53 %). Contagious pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae) were more prevalent in milk samples from bovine clinical mastitis cases than in milk samples from bovine subclinical mastitis cases. The percentages of Staphylococcus spp. and Bacillus spp. might be higher in northeastern farms than in farms located in other regions. A higher percentage of Staphylococcus spp. was observed in summer, while a lower proportion of Streptococcus spp. was detected in fall. Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus uberis were more frequently isolated in farms using sand bedding, whereas Staphylococcus aureus , Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Bacillus licheniformis were more prevalent in farms using organic bedding. No obvious associations were found between the main mastitis pathogens and parity or lactation stage. Based on these findings, the dominant pathogens, types of milk, regions, seasons and bedding materials should be considered when designing mastitis prevention and control programs at large Chinese dairy farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]