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In cardiogenic shock, biomarkers should ideally help make the diagnosis, choose the right therapeutic options and monitor the patient in addition to clinical and echocardiographic indices. Among "old" biomarkers that have been used for decades, lactate detects, quantifies, and follows anaerobic metabolism, despite its lack of specificity. Renal and liver biomarkers are indispensable for detecting the effect of shock on organ function and are highly predictive of poor outcomes. Direct biomarkers of cardiac damage such as cardiac troponins, B-type natriuretic and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptides have a good prognostic value, but they lack specificity to detect a cardiogenic cause of shock, as many factors influence their plasma concentrations in critically ill patients. Among the biomarkers that have been more recently described, dipeptidyl peptidase-3 is one of the most interesting. In addition to its prognostic value, it could represent a therapeutic target in cardiogenic shock in the future as a specific antibody inhibits its activity. Adrenomedullin is a small peptide hormone secreted by various tissues, including vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelium, particularly under pathological conditions. It has a vasodilator effect and has prognostic value during cardiogenic shock. An antibody inhibits its activity and so adrenomedullin could represent a therapeutic target in cardiogenic shock. An increasing number of inflammatory biomarkers are also of proven prognostic value in cardiogenic shock, reflecting the inflammatory reaction associated with the syndrome. Some of them are combined to form prognostic proteomic scores. Alongside clinical variables, biomarkers can be used to establish biological "signatures" characteristic of the pathophysiological pathways involved in cardiogenic shock. This helps describe patient subphenotypes, which could in the future be used in clinical trials to define patient populations responding specifically to a treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: S100β is a biomarker of astroglial damage, the level of which is significantly increased following brain injury. However, the characteristics of S100β and its association with prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) remain unclear. Methods: Patients in this multicenter prospective cohort study were prospectively and consecutively recruited from 16 centers. Serum S100β levels were measured 24 h after IVT. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) were measured simultaneously. NIHSS at 7 days after stroke, final infarct volume, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 90 days were also collected. An mRS score ≥ 2 at 90 days was defined as an unfavorable outcome. Results: A total of 1072 patients were included in the analysis. The highest S100β levels (> 0.20 ng/mL) correlated independently with HT and higher NIHSS at 24 h, higher NIHSS at 7 days, larger final infarct volume, and unfavorable outcome at 3 months. The patients were divided into two groups based on dominant and non-dominant stroke hemispheres. The highest S100β level was similarly associated with the infarct volume in patients with stroke in either hemisphere (dominant: β 36.853, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.659–51.048, P < 0.001; non-dominant: β 23.645, 95% CI 10.774–36.516, P = 0.007). However, serum S100β levels at 24 h were more strongly associated with NIHSS scores at 24 h and 3-month unfavorable outcome in patients with dominant hemisphere stroke (NIHSS: β 3.470, 95% CI 2.392–4.548, P < 0.001; 3-month outcome: odds ratio (OR) 5.436, 95% CI 2.936–10.064, P < 0.001) than in those with non-dominant hemisphere stroke (NIHSS: β 0.326, 95% CI − 0.735–1.387, P = 0.547; 3-month outcome: OR 0.882, 95% CI 0.538–1.445, P = 0.619). The association of S100β levels and HT was not significant in either stroke lateralization group. Conclusions: Serum S100β levels 24 h after IVT were independently associated with HT, infarct volume, and prognosis in patients with IVT, which suggests the application value of serum S100β in judging the degree of disease and predicting prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the relationship between peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets and prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Methods: We enrolled 294 patients with AIS and collected peripheral blood samples for analysis of lymphocyte subsets. Prognosis was assessed at 3 months using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Association between lymphocyte count and poor outcomes (mRS score >2) was assessed using logistic regression. Individualized prediction models were developed to predict poor outcomes. Results: Patients in the mRS score ≤2 group had higher T‐cell percentage (odds ratio [OR] = 0.947; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.899–0.998; p = 0.040), CD3+ T‐cell count (OR = 0.999; 95% CI: 0.998–1.000; p = 0.018), and CD4+ T‐cell count (OR = 0.998; 95% CI: 0.997–1.000; p = 0.030) than those in the mRS score >2 group 1–3 days after stroke. The prediction model for poor prognosis based on the CD4+ T‐cell count showed good discrimination (area under the curve of 0.844), calibration (p > 0.05), and clinical utility. Conclusion: Lower T cell percentage, CD3+, and CD4+ T‐cell counts 1–3 days after stroke were independently associated with increased risk of poor prognosis. Individualized predictive model of poor prognosis based on CD4+ T‐cell count have good accuracy and may predict disease prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The involvement of left-behind children (LBC) in school bullying has raised concern in China. However, the susceptibility of LBC to engage in bullying is controversial, and comprehensive, representative studies covering the entire country are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of school bullying among LBC. The Chinese National Knowledge Network, WanFang, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and EBSCO databases were searched for literature on being left-behind and bullying before April 2022. The effect size was measured by odds ratio (ORs), standard mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Random-effects or fixed-effects models were selected for meta-analysis, and subgroup analysis was used to explore the sources of heterogeneity. The meta-analysis included 25 studies of school bullying among LBC and non-LBC (NLBC). The prevalence of bullying perpetration and victimization among LBC were 18.58% (95% CI [3.72%, 33.44%], p <.05) and 40.62% (95% CI [25.47%, 55.78%], p <.05), respectively. Compared with NLBC, the risk of bullying perpetration and victimization among LBC increased 1.97 times (OR = 1.97, 95% CI [1.77, 2.20], p <.05) and 2.17 times (OR = 2.17, 95% CI [1.43, 3.29], p <.05), respectively. The severity of bullying experienced by LBC was higher than that of NLBC (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI [0.20, 0.79], p <.05). The prevalence and severity of school bullying were higher in LBC than in NLBC, and left-behindness was positively associated with school bullying. LBC are a crucial population to protect when developing bullying interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To investigate the characteristics of dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and assess the relationship between dCA and prognosis. Methods: Patients with unilateral acute ischemic stroke receiving IVT were prospectively enrolled; those who did not were selected as controls. All patients underwent dCA measurements, by quantifying the phase difference (PD) and gain, at 1–3 and 7–10 days after stroke onset. Simultaneously, two dCA‐based nomogram models were established to verify the predictive value of dCA for patients with mild‐to‐moderate stroke. Results: Finally, 202 patients who received IVT and 238 who did not were included. IVT was positively correlated with higher PD on days 1–3 and 7–10 after stroke onset. PD values in both sides at 1–3 days after stroke onset and in the affected side at 7–10 days after onset were independent predictors of unfavorable outcomes in patients who received IVT. Additionally, in patients with mild‐to‐moderate stroke who received IVT, the dCA‐based nomogram models significantly improved the risk predictive ability for 3‐month unfavorable outcomes. Conclusion: IVT has a positive effect on dCA in patients with acute stroke; furthermore, dCA may be useful to predict the prognosis of patients with IVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies in animal experiments and a phase 1 study suggested remimazolam tosylate as an effective and safe sedation/anesthetic agent. However, the effects and safety dose of remimazolam for light sedation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients are not clear and should be confirmed in a phase 2 study. Methods: Sixty ICU patients requiring sedation treatment and undergoing mechanical ventilation will be enrolled and randomly assigned to a high dose group (HD group, 30 cases) and a low dose group (LD group, 30 cases) in a 1:1 ratio. Patients in both groups will be sedated using remimazolam tosylate in a primary dose of 0.08 mg/kg and a range of 0–2.0 mg/kg/h after randomization. Dose adjustment will be made at the range of every 0.1 mg/kg/h in the LD group and 0.2 mg/kg/h in the HD group to maintain the target Richmond Agitation and Sedation Score (RASS) at − 2 to + 1. The primary outcome will be the proportion of subjects that meet the following conditions: the time within the range of RASS (− 2 to + 1) accounts for 70% of the study drug administration time; without other rescue treatments. Secondary outcomes including the percentage time to reach the sedation goal; the proportion of subjects receiving rescue sedation and/or analgesic, and the mean dose of rescue drug throughout the study period; duration of mechanical ventilation; recovery time to full consciousness and nursing scores. Evaluations of safety including adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, physical examination, laboratory examination, etc. Outcome: The results of this study will provide crucial information for the use of remimazolam tosylate for ICU sedation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05152303. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, for the one-pot two-step coupling reaction of aryl halides with bis(pinacol)diboron, we first applied a phosphorus-free N,S-chelated triazole sulfide palladium-catalyzed system. At the same time, we also carried out careful ligand design to explore the effect of the environment around the coordinating sulfur atom on the reaction. Experiments have shown that the N 2-thioether substituted 1,2,3-triazlole palladium is an optimal catalyst The reaction could also reach up to quantitative yield in 4 h with only 1 mol% catalyst. Moreover, some low-activity aryl chlorides can also be coupled with bis(pinacolato)diboron under this catalytic system. We were able to obtain biaryls containing various functional groups in good to excellent yields. N,S-Chelating triazole-thioether palladium for the one-pot coupling of aryl halides with bis(pinacolato)diboron is reported for the first time. By changing the surrounding environment of the coordinating sulfur atom, we designed and synthesized oxidized and bulky thioether-substituted triazole ligands, and investigated the catalytic performance of the palladium/triazole system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose an image enhancement algorithm combining non-subsampled shearlet transform and gradient-domain guided filtering to address the problems of low resolution, noise amplification, missing details, and weak edge gradient retention in the X-ray image enhancement process. First, we decompose histogram equalization and nonsubsampled shearlet transform to the original image. We get a low-frequency sub-band and several high-frequency sub-bands. Adaptive gamma correction with weighting distribution is used for the low-frequency sub-band to highlight image contour information and improve the overall contrast of the image. The gradient-domain guided filtering is conducted for the high-frequency sub-bands to suppress image noise and highlight detail and edge information. Finally, we reconstruct all the effectively processed sub-bands by the inverse non-subsampled shearlet transform and obtain the final enhanced image. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has good results in X-ray image enhancement, and its objective index also has evident advantages over some classical algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal insulation materials with low price, excellent fire proof and thermal insulation performance have very important application value in the field of building energy conservation and emission reduction. In this paper, a geopolymer EPS insulation material based on metakaolin is prepared. In order to study its thermophysical properties and the thermal insulation performance to the room, the thermophysical parameters of geopolymer EPS insulation material and ordinary EPS insulation material are tested experimentally, and the heat transfer process of the outer wall room with two kinds of insulation materials is numerically simulated to study their insulation effect. The experimental results show that compared with the ordinary EPS insulation material, the average thermal conductivity of geoppolymer EPS insulation material decreases by 0.003 43 W/(m·K), the average specific heat capacity increases by 4 J/(kg·K), and the average thermal diffusion rate increases by 0.143 mm² /s in the temperature range of 25-65 °C. The numerical results show that the temperature uniformity, temperature stability and thermal insulation performance of the external wall system externally applied with geopolymer EPS insulation material are better than that applied with ordinary EPS insulation material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllite fragments are essential for accumulating and generating talus slope at the toes of hillslopes, however, how they are linked to slope failure remains unknown. This paper reports the directional arrangement of phyllite fragments (DAPF) in phyllite talus slope at the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Field investigation, mathematical statistics and model experiments were performed in order to systematically understand the influencing factors, which include fragment shape, flat ratio, dip angle (α), and fine particle content (c). The results show that the quadrilateral fragment generates a similar imbricate structure more easily than the triangular and rod fragments in the phyllite talus slope. Additionally, the flat phyllite fragments easily accumulate as imbricated structures on the phyllite talus slope. When the dip angle (α) is in the range of 20°–30°, the minimum orientation ratio (P) is more than 50%, which means that the DAPF phenomenon is more obvious in the phyllite talus slope. For the fine particle content (c) at the same dip angle (α), the minimum orientation ratio (P) is 54%, and the minimum orientation ratio (P) correlates positively with the fine particle content (c). Therefore, compared with the homogeneous talus slope, the phyllite talus slope displays a special DAPF phenomenon. This study provides a valuable reference and presents novel knowledge for risk assessment and engineering design against the phyllite talus slope failure mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dual-inverter fed open-end winding permanent magnet synchronous motor (OEW-PMSM) driving system with a common dc bus is attracting more attention in electric vehicle applications due to its simple structure, wide speed range, and strong fault-tolerant capability. To improve the fault-tolerant capability of the OEW-PMSM driving system for multiple open-leg faults, a fault-tolerant control (FTC) method based on winding reconnection is proposed in this article. Based on the idea of leg sharing, five-leg operation, four-leg operation, and even three-leg operation can be realized by winding reconnection, hence providing fault-tolerant operation for open-circuit fault in up to three legs. Since all three windings can work and the three-phase voltages are practically unchanged in FTC mode, the output capacity in the FTC mode is not reduced. By adopting the phase shift decoupled space vector pulsewidth modulation, the pulsewidth modulation strategy used in different operation modes can be unified, resulting in a simpler FTC method. The effect of the dead time is analyzed to explain the variation of the zero-sequence current in different operation modes. Experimental results are established to validate the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work addresses the integrated assessment of rockfall (including landslides) hazards and risk for S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, which are important transportation corridors to the world heritage site Jiuzhai Valley National Park in Sichuan, China. The highways are severely threatened by rockfalls or landslide events after the 2017 Ms 7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake. Field survey (September 14–18th, 2017, May 15–20th, 2018, and September 9–17th, 2018), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and satellite image identified high-relief rockfalls and road construction rockfalls or landslides along the highway. Rockfall hazard is qualitatively evaluated using block count, velocity, and flying height through a 3D rockfall simulation at local and regional scales. Rockfall risk is quantitatively assessed with rockfall event probability, propagation probability, spatial probability, and vulnerability for different block volume classes. Approximately 21.5%, 20.5%, and 5.3% of the road mileage was found to be subject to an unacceptable (UA) risk class for vehicles along S301, Z120, and Z128 highways, respectively. Approximately 20.1% and 3.3% of the road mileage belong to the UA risk class for tourists along Z120 and Z128 highways, respectively. Results highlighted that high-relief rockfall events were intensively located at K50 to K55 (Guanmenzi to Ganheba) and K70 to K72 (Jiudaoguai to Shangsizhai Village) road mileages along S301 highway and KZ18 to KZ22 (Five Flower Lake to Arrow Bamboo Lake) road mileages, KZ30 (Swan Lake to Virgin Forests), and KY10.5 kilometers in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these locations were classified under the UA risk class and medium to very high hazard index. Road construction rockfalls were located at K67 (Jiuzhai Paradise) and K75–K76 kilometers along S301 highway and KZ12 to KZ14 (Rhino Lake to Nuorilang Waterfall), KZ16.5 to KZ17.5 (Golden Bell Lake), KY5 (Lower Seasonal Lake), and KY14 (Upper Seasonal Lake) kilometers along Z120 and Z128 highway in Jiuzhai Valley. Rockfalls in these areas were within a reasonable practicable risk to UA risk class and very low to medium hazard index. Finally, defensive measures, including flexible nets, concrete walls, and artificial tunnels, could be selected appropriately on the basis of the rockfall hazard index and risk class. This study revealed the integration between qualitative rockfall hazard assessment and quantitative rockfall risk assessment, which is crucial in studying rockfall prevention and mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Determining high‐resolution three‐dimensional (3‐D) crustal structures of the Qinling Orogenic Belt (QOB) can reveal significant evidences to enhance our understanding of its tectonic evolution. By jointly inverting group and phase velocity dispersion curves, we obtain a high‐resolution 3‐D shear wave velocity model for the QOB. According to the obviously layered features, which include an E‐W trending high‐velocity structure in the upper crust (0–10 km), a transitional zone in the middle crust (10–30 km), and an approximately N‐S trending low‐velocity zone in the middle‐lower crust (20–40 km), we elucidate the crustal structure as a flyover model to explain how the crust beneath the QOB was deformed under the perpendicular force systems from the NE‐SW and E‐W directions during the Meso‐Cenozoic. First, the apparent NE‐SW trending low‐velocity zone in the middle‐lower crust indicates that the low‐viscosity crustal materials beneath the northeastern Tibetan Plateau did not flow eastward into the eastern Qinling terrane during the Cenozoic. Second, the extension in the northern Qinling Mountains and Weihe Basin was not largely affected by the lateral crustal growth of the NE Tibetan Plateau, which might be the result of deep mantle upwelling and/or residual effects from the subduction of the western Pacific plate. Third, during the Mesozoic, the high‐velocity structures beneath the Hannan‐Micang and Shennongjia‐Huangling domes served as anchors resisting the northward subduction, rotation, and continuous collision of the Yangtze Block. The eastward extruding Hannan‐Micang dome served as an indenter that eventually shaped the present‐day asymmetric style of the Dabashan Orocline during the Cenozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autophagy, part of the innate immune defense mechanisms, is activated during the initial phase of septic insult. Previous studies indicated that micro (mi)RNAs are additionally involved in the host response to sepsis; however, the association between miRNAs and autophagy during this process is not fully understood. To study the role of miRNA (miR)‑23a in autophagy initiated by sepsis, macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharides, in addition to blood samples from patients, were evaluated for miR‑23a expression levels. Cell viability, inflammatory mediators and autophagic markers were investigated following overexpression or inhibition of miR‑23a. The results suggested that miR‑23a was suppressed subsequent to septic insult, promoting autophagy and suppressing a hyper inflammatory response, leading to enhanced cell viability. A luciferase assay and western blot analysis confirmed ubiquitin‑like protein ATG12 to be the target of miR‑23a. The present study revealed that the downregulation of miR‑23a regulates an inflammatory response during septic insult via autophagy promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following long‑term exposure to endotoxins, macrophages enter an immunosuppressive state that renders them unable respond to subsequent exposures to endotoxin, a phenomenon that is termed ʻendotoxin toleranceʼ. Endotoxin tolerance increases the risks of secondary infection and mortality in patients with sepsis. In endotoxin‑tolerant macrophages, the mixed variation of gene transcription is referred to as macrophage reprogramming. The mechanisms underlying macrophage reprogramming remain unclear at present. Interferon‑induced double‑stranded RNA‑dependent protein kinase (PKR) is a widely expressed serine/threonine protein kinase. In addition to antiviral effects, PKR regulates the transcription of inflammatory cytokines by affecting transcription factors. However, the role of PKR in macrophage reprogramming remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the expression of inflammatory cytokines differed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑tolerant RAW264.7 macrophages compared with LPS‑activated macrophages. Specifically, reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction results demonstrated that the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor‑α, interleukin‑1β (IL‑1β), C‑X‑C motif chemokine ligand 11, C‑C motif chemokine ligand (CCL17), CCL22 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 were decreased, and mRNAs levels of arginase‑1 (Arg1) and nitric oxide synthase 2 (iNOS) were increased, in LPS‑tolerant macrophages compared with LPS‑activated macrophages. Furthermore, western blot analysis demonstrated that the protein levels of phosphorylated (p)‑PKR were significantly decreased in the LPS‑tolerant cells. PKR activation with rotenone (10 μM) abrogated endotoxin tolerance by increasing the levels of the IL‑1β, CCL17 and CCL22 mRNAs and decreasing the levels of the Arg1 and iNOS mRNAs. Furthermore, western blotting demonstrated that AKT was markedly inactivated in endotoxin‑tolerant cells, as indicated by reduced p‑AKT levels. However, levels of p‑AKT were markedly increased following rotenone‑induced PKR activation in endotoxin‑tolerant cells. Ly294002 (10 μM), a phosphatidylinositol‑4,5‑bisphosphate 3‑kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling inhibitor, partially reversed the rotenone‑induced alleviation of endotoxin tolerance. These results demonstrated that PKR inhibition mediated endotoxin tolerance in macrophages, and these effects were partially mediated by PI3K/AKT signaling. PKR may be a potential target for the treatment of endotoxin tolerance in patients with sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly efficient atom-economic method for the preparation of chiral 3,3′-bis(indolyl)methanes (3,3′-BIMs) was developed. A chiral phosphoric acid (1 mol %) was found to promote the formation of structurally divers BIMs with quaternary stereogenic carbon centers in excellent yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Control experiments indicated that the simultaneous formation of two hydrogen bonds between the catalyst and the substrate was the key factor to obtain a good stereoselective outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inland boundary conditions have significant impacts on seawater intrusion (SWI) due to sea-level rise (SLR). This study investigated the impacts of three inland boundary conditions (flux-controlled (FC), head-controlled (HC) and general-head boundary (GHB)) on modeling SWI due to SLR in coastal aquifers. First, we used the TOUGH2/EOS7 software program to solve the standard Henry's problem and compared the results with those from the literatures. Numerical simulations were performed to investigate the impacts of the three inland boundary conditions on SWI induced by SLR in confined coastal aquifers (standard Henry's problem) and unconfined coastal aquifers (Henry's problem extended to unconfined domains). The simulation results show that HC systems in both confined and unconfined coastal aquifers are remarkably vulnerable to the effects of SLR owing to the resulting decreased head difference, while FC systems are relatively insensitive to SLR because the equivalent freshwater head at the inland boundary can increase by a similar magnitude to the SLR. The GHB boundary is more realistic than the other two boundary conditions: the recharge decreases because of SLR depending on the aquifer properties and the head difference between the reference head and the equivalent freshwater head at the seaside boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new prenylated benzoic acid derivatives, leptoic acid A and (+)-S-anodendroic acid (1–2), along with one known compound, 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-carboxylic acid (3) were isolated from the stem of Euodia lepta (spreng.) Merr. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of the chemical and spectroscopic evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the nitrogen atoms is derived from the 1,2,3-triazole ring and the other derived from pyridine moiety of the organic ligand [[11]]. 1,2,3-Triazole compounds could serve as efficient ligands for Pd-catalyzed Suzuki reaction [[10]]. The crystal structure of dichlorido-(2-((4-phenyl-2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)methyl)pyridine- 2N,N')palladium(II), C14H12Cl2N4Pd. [Extracted from the article]

Background: In China, childhood obesity is a growing health issue. Eating behaviors among children can be influenced by both the family and school environment. We examine the association between these environments and eating habits among children. Methods: A total of 11 270 fourth to sixth grade school children, 11 270 of their fathers or mothers, and 1348 teachers from 48 schools were sampled using a multistage cluster random sampling method. Questionnaires collected information on eating behaviors among children, non-communicable chronic disease (NCD)-related health knowledge and behaviors among teachers, and education levels among parents. Mixed effect logistic regression models were used to describe the key associations between eating behaviors among children and teacher and parental characteristics. Results: Health awareness, positive health attitudes, never-smoking and regular-exercise among teachers was positively associated with healthy eating behaviors among their students (having breakfast, vegetables and dairy products every day; P < 0.05), and negatively associated with the unhealthy behaviors (daily intake of fried foods and desserts and sugary beverages; P < 0.05). More than one parent having a high school level or above was positively related to healthy eating behaviors among their children (P < 0.05), but its associations with high-calorie eating habits were negative in urban and positive in rural areas (P < 0.05). Conclusions: School-based interventions which target health-related awareness, attitude and behaviors among school teachers may help improve school-aged children’s eating behaviors. Parental education levels may help guide efforts to target children at higher risk of unhealthy eating habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the knowledge on many genetic variants present in osteosarcoma, the complexity of this disease precludes placing its biology into a simple conceptual framework. RECQL is a DNA helicase involved in DNA mismatch repair and has been reported to be associated with many human cancers. We aimed to investigate the association of RECQL genetic polymorphism with osteosarcoma in a Chinese population. We selected three polymorphisms of the RECQL5 gene (rs820196, rs820200, and rs4789223) in the present study. TaqMan method was utilized for genotyping these three SNPs in 212 patients with osteosarcoma and 240 age- and sex-matched noncancer controls. In our study, we found that CC genotype in rs820196 (17.5 vs 8.3 %, P = 0.005) and AA genotype in rs4789223 (21.7 vs 14.2, P < 0.001) were more frequent in osteosarcoma group compared to the control group, respectively. We also found that the C allele of rs820196 (OR = 1.492, 95 % CI 1.138∼1.951; P = 0.004) and A allele of rs4789223 (OR = 1.767, 95 % CI: 1.354 ∼ 2.301; P < 0.001) were common in the osteosarcoma patients than those in the control subjects, respectively. Haplotype analysis showed that TTA (OR = 3.469, 95 % CI 1.798∼6.695; P < 0.001) was associated with increased risk for osteosarcoma. However, the TTG (OR = 0.578, 95 % CI 0.442∼0.756) was associated with decreased risk for osteosarcoma. Our results suggested that RECQL5 genetic polymorphisms were associated with osteosarcoma in a Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new flavonol glycosides (1–4), polygalins D–G, together with 12 known flavonoids (5–16) were isolated from the aerial parts ofPolygala sibiricaL. . The chemical structures of these compounds were characterised by NMR and ESI–MS spectroscopic data and acid hydrolysis results. This report is a continuous research work on the systematic chemical investigations of plants of the genusPolygalain our laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three new triterpene saponins, clematochinenosides H–J (1–3), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes ofClematis chinensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic means including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and hydrolysis products. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Three new triterpene saponins, clematochinenosides H-J (1-3), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis chinensis. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic means including 1D and 2D NMR experiments and hydrolysis products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One new guaianolide, anomalactone A (), and one new norcadinane sesquiterpene, anomallenodiol (), along with two germacranolides, anomalactones B and C ( and , resp.), were isolated from the aerial part of Artemisia anomala S. . Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four prostaglandin-like fatty acid derivatives anomalone A-D (1-4) were isolated from the aerial part of Artemisia anomala S. Moore. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new triterpene saponins, ilekudinosides T-V (1-3), along with six known saponins were isolated from the 70% ethanolic extract of the leaves of Ilex kudingcha. The new saponins were characterized as 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-3β,19α-dihydroxy-urs-12(13)-en-28,20β-lactone (1), 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-3β,19α-dihydroxy-12-ethoxy-urs-13(18)-ene-28,20β-lactone (2), 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-3β,19α-dihydroxy-11-oxo-urs-13(18)-ene-28,20β-lactone (3), respectively. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of the chemical and spectroscopic evidence, and the structures of known compounds were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With prefabricated construction method deemed as an effective way to improve the environmental performance and sustainable development of the building industry, it is inevitably adopted in the scaled residence in the process of residential industrialization. However, the development of prefabricated residential buildings is still immature under the current market economy system, because the stakeholders involved in the process are not yet able to form a good cooperation mechanism and they are more inclined to keep their own interests. As a result, the market share of prefabricated residential buildings is relatively low. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the stakeholders involved. By analyzing their costs and benefits, the reasons that really impede the population of prefabricated residential buildings can be found. In this paper, incremental cost allocation coefficient is introduced, the incremental cost difference under different assembly rates is considered, and the allocation ratio of the incremental cost input of the prefabricated building is analyzed based on game theory. The evolutionary game theory for government and real estate companies is established under the condition of bounded rationality with consumer participation. Then the effectiveness of the game theory is verified using empirical analysis, so as to provide reference for the authorities to promote the large-scale development of prefabricated residential buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated building constitutes the development trend of the construction industry in the future. However, many uncertainties in the construction process will surely lead to a higher cost. Therefore, it is necessary to study the cost risk evolution and transfer mechanism in the implementation process of this project. A dynamic evolution model for the cost risk of prefabricated buildings has been established in this paper. First of all, a matrix for cost risk of prefabricated buildings was established based on the WSR (Wuli-Shili-Renli) model, and all risk factors in the implementation stage were classified in accordance with the WSR principle. Second, a DBN-based dynamic evolution model was established based on the risk matrix, and the structure and node parameters of the Dynamic Bayesian Network were determined with the aid of the K2 structure learning algorithm and parameter learning method. In view of the probability change process of risks over time, the dynamic evolution path of risks was predicted in different cases through causal reasoning and diagnostic reasoning. Eventually, the model was applied into construction projects. The research results show that: because prefabricated components need to be made by prefabricated component factories, the management systems of prefabricated component factories are usually not perfect, and the probability of management risks is higher. The occurrence of management risks not only has an impact on other risks at the current time node, but also causes other risks to occur in the subsequent transportation and construction phases at the next moment, which eventually leads to the occurrence of risk events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated building is an objective requirement to achieve sustainable development of the construction industry. However, it should be noted that Chinese enterprises are characterized by an immature supply chain management mechanism, and weak environmental protection awareness and social responsibility awareness. Therefore, from the perspective of sustainable development, a performance evaluation system for a prefabricated building supply chain was established based on SEM (Structural Equation Model) and virtual frontier SBM–DEA (Slacks-Based Measure and Data Envelopment Analysis). Upon summarization of a great deal of literatures, the most influential 34 indexes were selected, after which the weight calculation and index screening were performed using SEM method. Second, the performance evaluation was conducted using the virtual SBM–DEA method. Horizontally, a comparison is made on the performance and total performance of the four sub-units (supply chain operation, economic benefit, environmental protection and social liabilities) in the supply chain; vertically, the dynamic changes of the supply chain in time dimension are assessed. After the evaluation system was applied into enterprises, research results show that factors affecting the performance of the corporate supply chain are ranked as: supply chain operation > economic benefits > environmental protection > social responsibility. At the same time, the performance of 14 supply chains was evaluated, in order to provide guidance for supply chain management in enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photoperiodic flowering pathway is essential for plant reproduction. As blue and ultraviolet-A light receptors, cryptochromes play an important role in the photoperiodic regulation of flowering. Lilium × formolongi is an important cut flower that flowers within a year after seed propagation. Floral induction is highly sensitive to photoperiod. In this study, we isolated the CRYPTOCHROME2 gene (LfCRY2) from L. × formolongi. The predicted LfCRY2 protein was highly homologous to other CRY2 proteins. The transcription of LfCRY2 was induced by blue light. LfCRY2 exhibits its highest diurnal expression during the floral induction stage under both long-day and short-day photoperiods. Overexpression of LfCRY2 in Arabidopsis thaliana promoted flowering under long days but not short days, and inhibited hypocotyl elongation under blue light. Furthermore, LfCRY2 was located in the nucleus and could interact with L. × formolongi CONSTANS-like 9 (LfCOL9) and A. thaliana CRY-interacting basic-helix-loop-helix 1 (AtCIB1) in both yeast and onion cells, which supports the hypothesis that LfCRY2 hastens the floral transition via the CIB1-CO pathway in a manner similar to AtCRY2. These results provide evidence that LfCRY2 plays a vital role in promoting flowering under long days in L. × formolongi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Ilex hainanensisMerr. led to the isolation of four new ursane- and oleanane-based triterpenoids, ilexhainanins A–D (1–4), as well as two known compounds, 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyurs-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid and 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyolean-12-ene-23,28-dioic acid. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence, and by comparison with literature data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyse the influence of genetically modified (GM) rice (Oryza sativa) containing the exogenous choline oxidase (codA) gene on physiological metabolism and genetic horizontal transformation in the fed rats, the animals were divided randomly into two groups. One group was fed with the feedstuff containing 30% of transgenic rice. The remaining (control) group was fed with the feedstuff containing 30% of non-transgenic rice. After 30 days, growth, physiological metabolism parameters such as growth hormone (GH), insulin, glucagon, 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and the genetic horizontal transformation were analysed. Results indicated that the weight of all rats from the two groups was similar (P>0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in the level of GH, insulin, glucagon, T4, T3 and TSH between the treated and untreated rats. The serum urea nitrogen (SUN), glucose, the glutamate–pyruvate transaminase (GTP), as well as the total cholesterol, of treated rats were almost identical to those of the control (P>0.05). Moreover, no target DNA sequence of rice endogenous sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) gene or exogenous choline oxidase (codA) gene was detected in organs (liver, muscle, pancreas, etc.) except the stomach, gastrointestinal and rectum contents, and no genetic horizontal transformation was observed in rats fed with transgenic rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]