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Facial features are important sources of information about perceived trustworthiness. Masks and protective clothing diminish the visibility of facial cues by either partially concealing the mouth and nose or covering the entire face. During the pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment affected and redefined who trusts whom in society. This study used the classical investment game of interpersonal trust with Chinese participants to explore the impact of occlusion on interpersonal trust. Faces with moderate initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask or protective clothing in Experiment 1 and were digitally occluded by a square in Experiment 2, and faces with three levels of initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask in Experiment 3. Results showed that both undergraduates (Experiment 1a) and non-student adults (Experiment 1b) perceived the faces with protective clothing as more trustworthy than faces wearing standard masks and faces not wearing masks. Faces with the top halves showing were perceived as trustworthy as full faces, while faces with the bottom halves showing were perceived as less trustworthy. The effect of masks is weak and complex. Masks reduced participants' trust in faces with high initial trustworthiness, had no effect on faces with low and moderate initial trustworthiness, and only slightly increased the trust of undergraduates in faces with moderate initial trustworthiness. Our findings indicate that the lack of information caused by occlusion and the social significance associated with occlusion collectively affect people's trust behavior in Chinese society. We believe the findings of this study will be useful in elucidating the effects of personal protective equipment usage on perceptions of trustworthiness.

In the pivotal water resource region of the Yellow River Basin in China, precise prediction of water resources is essential for their effective and rational management. This study introduces a novel approach to water resource prediction by employing the Harris Hawks Optimization-Long Short-Term Memory (HHO-LSTM) model. This method overcomes the constraints faced by traditional techniques in processing time series data and various variable factors. It encompasses a comprehensive description of the multi-source hydrological data collection process within the Yellow River Basin, followed by meticulous data preprocessing. The data set for this study includes estimates of four critical water quality parameters, and the efficacy of the model is gauged through the mean squared error (MSE) and root mean squared error (RMSE) metrics. This facilitates the projection of future water quality trends in specific areas by leveraging historical water quality data. The HHO-LSTM model has demonstrated outstanding accuracy and robustness in predicting water quality across diverse temporal scales and water resource variables, marking a significant advancement in water resource management within the Yellow River Basin. This approach not only enhances current management strategies but also contributes valuable insights for ongoing water resource research and decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Both lung cancer and cardiometabolic diseases are leading causes of death in China, and they share some common risk factors. However, the prevalence and long-term effect of pre-existing cardiometabolic comorbidities (CMCs) on the survival of middle-aged and elderly lung cancer patients are still not clear. METHODS We consecutively recruited 3477 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients between January 2011 and December 2018 from four cancer specialty hospitals in China. Univariable and multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were conducted to evaluate the risk factors associated with mortality. Hazard ratio (HR) for mortality and corresponding 95% CI were calculated. RESULTS The prevalence of CMCs was 30.0% in middle-aged NSCLC patients and 45.5% in elderly NSCLC patients. Log-rank analysis presented statistically significant differences in median survival time between patients with CMCs and without CMCs in both the middle-aged group (21.0 months vs. 32.0 months, P < 0.01) and the elderly group (13.0 months vs. 17.0 months, P = 0.01). Heart failure (HR = 1.754, 95% CI: 1.436-2.144, P < 0.001) and venous thrombus embolism (HR = 2.196, 95% CI: 1.691-2.853, P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for the survival of middle-aged NSCLC patients, while heart failure (HR = 1.709, 95% CI: 1.371-2.130, P < 0.001) continued to decrease overall survival in the elderly group. Hyperlipidemia may be a protective factor for survival in middle-aged group (HR = 0.741, 95% CI: 0.566-0.971, P = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate for the first time the prevalence and prognostic value of pre-existing CMCs in Chinese middle-aged and elderly NSCLC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Achalinus sheni sp. nov., from central Hunan Province is described, based on the results of molecular systematics and morphological characters according to five specimens. Our molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial CO1 gene fragment revealed that this new species is most closely related to A. yunkaiensis, but a considerable amount of genetic divergence exists between them (p-distance ranging from 5.8% to 6.4%) and much distinct genetic divergence exists compared with other known Achalinus species (p-distance ranging from 10.4% to 15.8%), supporting its validity. Morphologically, it can be distinguished from its congeners by: (1) dorsal scales strongly keeled, 23 rows throughout the body, the outmost row smooth and significantly enlarged; (2) tail relatively short, TaL/TL 0.183 ~ 0.224; (3) the suture between internasals subequal to the suture between prefrontals; (4) loreal one, subrectangular, LorH/LorL 0.53 ~ 0.57; (5) ventrals 161-170, anal entire, subcaudals 55-61, not paired; (6) the length of supraocular equal to or longer than the length of upper anterior temporal; and (7) vertebral line inconspicuous and subcaudal streak absent. Currently, 27 species of Achalinus are known in the world, amongst which 20 species are distributed in China. Moreover, a key to species of the genus Achalinus is provided in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the fast response of East Asian summer precipitation to COVID-19–induced aerosol emission reductions is examined using the Community Earth System Model, version 2.2 (CESM2.2). The emission reductions decreased aerosol optical depth and cloud cover over northern China in June 2020. The troposphere became warmer, strengthening the land–sea thermal contrast and anomalous southerly winds. The subtropical westerly jet accelerated and shifted southward, favoring low-level convergence, upward air motions, and subsequent condensational heating over the Yangtze River basin (YRB). The feedback of condensational heating in return strengthened the convergence and ascent. The western North Pacific subtropical high was intensified, which further enhanced the moisture advection and convergence over the YRB. Both the enhanced moisture convergence and ascent increased precipitation over the YRB during June 2020. Furthermore, local and remote emission reductions show different impacts on convection and moisture transport over the YRB. The emission reductions over China caused stronger convective precipitation (1.15 vs 0.63 mm day-1 ) but weaker larger-scale precipitation (1.17 vs 2.24 mm day-1 ) than the emission reductions outside China. In addition to the emission reductions, the sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in 2020 also play an important role in increasing precipitation over the YRB, contributing about 42.8%. The relative contribution of SST anomalies also increases under the COVID-19–induced emission scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) are significant pests that result in considerable economic losses in global crop production. Due to the high toxicity of chemical nematicides, there is a need to develop new strategies for nematode control. In this context, nematophagous fungi may offer a viable option for biological control. Two fungal strains (GUCC2212 and GUCC2232) were isolated from cysts of Globodera sp., identified as Neocosmospora stercicola. The fungal filtrates of the strains were evaluated for their nematicidal activity against three species of PPNs: Aphelenchoides besseyi, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and Ditylenchus destructor. The fermentation filtrates of two strains exhibited substantial toxicity towards the evaluated nematodes, with mortality rates reaching up to 100% within 72 h. Concurrently, N. stercicola also demonstrated predatory and parasitic behavior. The eggs of Globodera sp. were parasitized by the two strains. N. stercicola represents a newly recorded species in China and a novel nematophagous species. In conclusion, the two strains of N. stercicola show promise as biocontrol agents for PPNs management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanic ash interbeds in the Late Ordovician strata in South China record high-frequency volcanic activity. To assess the impact of these volcanic events on the climate and marine biological evolutionary crisis during the Late Ordovician Mass Extinction (LOME), we present high-resolution measurements of mercury (Hg) concentrations and organic carbon isotope ratios (d13Corg) in an Ordovician-Silurian sedimentary succession (Muchanggou section). The results show that high-frequency volcanic ash layers and Hg enrichments developed synchronously in the Katian graptolite P. pacificus (Lower Subzone) and T. typicus biozones and are coupled with a negative shift of ~1? in d13Corg, which reflects the perturbation of the surface carbon and mercury cycles by intense volcanic activity. Based on volcanic Hg fluxes, it is estimated that more than 1.1 × 1013 tons of CO2 were emitted by the Katian volcanic activities in South China, which interrupted the growth of the polar ice sheet and the rapid cooling of tropical oceans in the mid-Boda event. As volcanism weakened, increased weathering led to the growth of the polar ice sheet and cooling in the Hirnantian. Both regional and global biodiversity declined rapidly with the end of volcanism, which suggests that the marine ecological crisis was related to a series of disruptions in biogeochemical cycles in the post-volcanic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subfamily Megophryinae, as a representative batrachian group of the Oriental Realm and one of the most diverse groups of amphibians, has attracted considerable attention due to continued conjecture regarding its generic classification and failure to reach a satisfactory consensus. China boasts the richest diversity of Asian horned toads, containing some two thirds of the total species cataloged. However, most species have a complicated taxonomic history, resulting in multiple misidentifications. As such, an overall clarification of historical records and regional checklists is required. In the current investigation, we established the phylogeny of the Asian horned toads and performed detailed examinations with redefinitions of several important morphological traits. Based on the phylogenetic relationships and morphological differences, we propose a new ten-genus classification for the Asian horned toad subfamily Megophryinae: i.e., Brachytarsophrys, Atympanophrys, Grillitschia, Sarawakiphrys gen. nov., Jingophrys gen. nov., Xenophrys, Megophrys, Pelobatrachus, Ophryophryne, and Boulenophrys. Revisions on the diagnosability, distribution, and content of each genus are provided. Furthermore, we present a careful review of the taxonomic history of Asian horned toad species from China and provide a monograph of congeners, including six species of Brachytarsophrys, four species of Atympanophrys, five species of Jingophrys gen. nov., 10 species of Xenophrys, two species of Ophryophryne, and 60 species of Boulenophrys. Finally, we discuss the importance of traditional morphological traits based on multiple populations in taxonomic work as well as taxonomic inflation caused by the genetic species delimitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is highly polarized to perivascular astrocytic endfeet. Loss of AQP4 polarization is associated with many diseases. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), AQP4 loses its normal location and thus reduces the clearance of amyloid-b plaques and tau protein. Clinical and experimental studies showed that moxibustion can improve the learning and memory abilities of AD. To explore whether moxibustion can affect the polarization of AQP4 around the blood-brain barrier (BBB), we used spatial transcriptomics (ST) to analyze the expression and polarization of Aqp4 in wild-type mice, APP/PS1 mice, and APP/PS1 mice intervened by moxibustion. The results showed that moxibustion improved the loss of abnormal polarization of AQP4 in APP/PS1 mice, especially in the hypothalamic BBB. Besides, the other 31 genes with Aqp4 as the core have similar depolarization in APP/PS1 mice, most of which are also membrane proteins. The majority of them have been reversed by moxibustion. At the same time, we employed the cerebrospinal fluid circulation gene set, which was found to be at a higher level in the group of APP/PS1 mice with moxibustion treatment. Finally, to further explore its mechanism, we analyzed the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex enzymes closely related to energy metabolism and found that moxibustion can significantly increase the expression of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes such as Cox6a2 in the hypothalamus, which could provide energy for mRNA transport. Our research shows that increasing the polarization of hypothalamic Aqp4 through mitochondrial energy supply may be an important target for moxibustion to improve cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids from Actinidia arguta Sieb. Zucc. can reduce uric acid in mice. However, the molecular basis of its biosynthesis is still unclear. In this paper, we used a combination of extensively targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis to determine the types and differences of flavonoids in the fruit ripening period (August to September) of two main cultivated varieties in northern China. The ethanol extract was prepared, and the potential flavonoids of Chrysin (Flavone1), Rutin (Flavone2), and Daidzein (Flavone3) in Actinidia arguta Sieb. Zucc. were separated and purified by HPD600 macroporous adsorption resin and preparative liquid chromatography. The structure was identified by MS-HPLC, and the serum uric acid index of male Kunming mice was determined by an animal model test.125 flavonoids and 50 differentially regulated genes were identified. The contents of UA (uric acid), BUN (urea nitrogen), Cr (creatinine), and GAPDH in mouse serum and mouse liver glycogen decreased or increased in varying degrees. This paper reveals the biosynthetic pathway of uric acid-reducing flavonoids in the fruit of Actinidia arguta Sieb. Zucc., a major cultivar in northern China, provides valuable information for the development of food and drug homologous functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Professional Master of Pharmacy (M. Pharm.) education program in China has undergone 10 years of development and has rapidly achieved great progress. The aim of this study was to summarize and introduce the development of M. Pharm. education in China. Materials and Methods: The data related to M. Pharm. education in China was obtained from literature retrieval, the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (MOE), and related university websites. Some data was obtained from the Chinese National Steering Committee for the Professional Degree of Pharmacy Graduate Education (NSCPDP). The NSCPDP data was a result of questionnaires sent to 113 training institutions in 2021 and from a survey of recent graduates of China Pharmaceutical University (CPU) in 2019. Results: The main findings are that the training goals, degree education, qualifications and admission standards of institutions, training fields, curriculum setting, teaching methods, professional practice, faculty teams, quality assurances and evaluations, degree awarding and employment direction in the M. Pharm. education system are relatively well developed, and that M. Pharm. education has become an important part of pharmacy education in China. Conclusion: M. Pharm. education in China not only draws lessons from foreign advanced experience in the administration of schools and universities, but also has formed its own Chinese characteristics and emphasis. M. Pharm. education in China has a bright future through a program of continuous quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study assessed the effects of esmolol injection in patients with in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) with refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF)/pulseless ventricular tachycardia (pVT). Methods: From January 2018 to December 2021, 29 patients with IHCA with refractory shockable rhythm were retrospectively reviewed. Esmolol was administered after advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS)-directed procedures, and outcomes were assessed. Results: Among the 29 cases, the rates of sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 24-h ROSC, and 72-h ROSC were 79%, 62%, and 59%, respectively. Of those patients, 59% ultimately survived to discharge. Four patients with cardiac insufficiency died. The duration from CA to esmolol infusion was significantly shorter for patients in the survival group (SG) than for patients in the dead group (DG) (12 min, IQR: 8.5-19.5 vs. 23.5 min, IQR: 14.4-27 min; p = 0.013). Of those patients, 76% (22 of 29) started esmolol administration after the second dose of amiodarone. No significant difference was observed in the survival rate between this group and groups administered an esmolol bolus simultaneously or before the second dose of amiodarone (43% vs. 64%, p = 0.403). Of those patients, 31% (9 of 29) were administered an esmolol bolus for defibrillation attempts ≤ 5, while the remaining 69% of patients received an esmolol injection after the fifth defibrillation attempt. No significant differences were observed in the rates of ≥ 24-h ROSC (67% vs. 60%, p = 0.73), ≥ 72-h ROSC (67% vs. 55%, p = 0.56), and survival to hospital discharge (67% vs. 55%, p = 0.56) between the groups administered an esmolol bolus for defibrillation attempts ≤ 5 and defibrillation attempts > 5. Conclusion: IHCA patients with refractory shockable rhythms receiving esmolol bolus exhibited a high chance of sustained ROSC and survival to hospital discharge. Patients with end-stage heart failure tended to have attenuated benefits from beta-blockers. Further large-scale, prospective studies are necessary to determine the effects of esmolol in patients with IHCA with refractory shockable rhythms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytes in the seeds of plants have shown plant growth promoting (PGP) properties. Highland barley is an economically important crop and a major part of the local diet in the Tibetan Plateau, China, with potential health benefits. We applied culture-dependent and culture-independent methods to study endophytic bacteria in the seeds of eight Highland barley varieties. Based on the seed properties, the variety Ali was clearly separated from the other varieties except the variety CM. Most of the 86 isolates were assigned into genus Bacillus. Approximately half of the isolates showed PGP properties in vitro. Compared to the not-inoculated plants, inoculation with the isolate Bacillus tequilensis LZ-9 resulted in greater length and number of roots, and in bigger aboveground and root weights. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the seed microbiome was majorly affiliated with the phylum Proteobacteria and the family Enterobacteriaceae. Overall, the bacterial community compositions in the different varieties were different from each other, yet the between variety differences in community composition seemed relatively small. The differences in community compositions were associated with differences in the total and reducing sugar contents and viscosity of the seeds, thus possibly connected to differences in the osmotic pressure tolerance of the endophytes. The results suggested that the seed endophytes are likely to promote the growth of Highland barley since germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease type 1(CMT1X) is the second most common form of inherited peripheral neuropathy that is caused by mutations in the gap junction beta-1 (GJB1) gene. Using targeted exome-sequencing, we investigated four CMT families from central-southern China and identified two novel missense variants (p.F31S and p.W44G) and two previously reported variants (p.R220Pfs*23 and p.R164Q) of GJB1. All four probands presented typical early-onset peripheral neuropathy, of which the R220Pfs*23 carrier also had neurologic manifestations in the central nervous system. We then constructed GJB1 expression vectors and performed cell biological analysis in vitro. Expression of FLAG-tagged GJB1 at various time points after transfection revealed evident protein aggregation with both wild-type and mutant forms, indicated with immunostaining and immunoblotting. Detergent-based sequential fractionation confirmed that all mutants were higher expressed and more prone to aggregate than the wild-type, whereas the R220Pfs*23mutant showed the greatest amount of SDS-solublemultimers and monomers among groups. Moreover, intracellular aggregation probably occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum compartment rather than the Golgi apparatus. Gap junction plaques were present in all groups and were only compromised in frameshift mutant. Further evidence reveals significant intracellular stress granule formation induced by mutated GJB1 and impaired cell viability indicative of cytotoxicity of self-aggregates. Together, our findings demonstrate novel GJB1 variants-induced cell stress and dysfunction and provide insights into understanding the pathomechanisms of GJB1-CMTX1 and other related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five ascomycetous strains were isolated from dead branches and leaves of Salix (Salicaceae) and Osmanthus fragrans (Oleaceae), respectively. BLAST searches with ITS sequences in GenBank suggested a high degree of similarity to Botryosphaeria dothidea. To accurately identify these strains, we further analysed their morphological characteristics of asci, ascospores, all conidiophore cells and conidia. Phylogenetic relationships, based on ITS, rpb2, tef1 and tub2 gene sequences, confirmed our strains represented two novel species, which are introduced here as B. salicicola and B. osmanthuse spp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In this study, three Neopestalotiopsis taxa were identified, associated with leaves of Zingiber officinale, Elaeagnus pungens and Salacca zalacca. New information Based on morphology and multi-gene analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin (TUB2) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1), the five strains of Neopestalotiopsis represent two novel and one known species. They are introduced with descriptions, illustrations and notes herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, four new species of Phragmidium were proposed based on morphological and molecular characters. In morphology, Phragmidium rosae-roxburghii sp. nov. was distinguished to related taxa by its unique square to diamond-shaped urediniospores; Ph. rubi-coreani sp. nov. differed from Ph. barclayi and Ph. cibanum because of teliospores with fewer cells and shorter pedicels; urediniospores of Ph. potentillaefreynianae sp. nov. were bigger than Ph. duchesneae-indica; and Ph. rosae-laevigatae sp. nov. produced bigger urediniospores than Ph. jiangxiense. The phylogenetic analyses based on the combination of two loci (ITS and LSU) also supported our morphological conclusion. In the meantime, three previously known species were also described herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar is considered as a soil amendment for enhancing crop productivity. However, limited information is available on the residual effect of biochar application on rice grain yield and yield attributes. In this study, a fixed field experiment was conducted in a double rice-cropping system from 2017 to 2019. The dynamics of rice grain yield and yield attributes were monitored in the six growing seasons with 0, 20, and 40 t/ha biochar application. The re- sults showed that the averaged grain yields in the first four seasons were increased by 2.56-16.84% and 6.15-10.77% with 20 and 40 t/ha biochar application. The trend of increased grain yield in rice with biochar application during the first seasons was mainly attributable to an increase in total biomass, panicles per m2 and spikelets per panicle. Nonetheless, the grain yields in the sixth season were not influenced by biochar addition due to decreases in panicles per m2 and spikelets per panicle. Thus, it can be seen that the positive effects of biochar application on rice yield and yield attributes depend on the duration of biochar application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All current global climate models (GCMs) only utilize grid-averaged surface heat fluxes to drive the atmosphere, and thus, their subgrid horizontal variations and partitioning are absent. This can result in many simulation biases. To address this shortcoming, a novel parameterization scheme considering the subgrid variations of the sensible and latent heat fluxes to the atmosphere and the associated partitioning is developed and implemented into the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Climate Earth System Model 1.2 (CESM1.2). The evaluations show that in addition to the improved boreal summer precipitation simulation over eastern China and the coastal areas of the Bay of Bengal, the longstanding overestimations of precipitation on the southern and eastern margins of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in most GCMs are significantly mitigated. The improved precipitation simulation on the southern and eastern margins of the TP is from suppressed large-scale precipitation. Moisture advection for precipitation production is blocked toward the southern edge of the TP, and the intensity of the moisture transport to the eastern edge is weakened. The corrected large-scale circulation in the lower atmosphere due to the realistic simulations of the grid-scale surface radiative and heat fluxes is responsible for the change in moisture transport. In terms of global annual mean states, some improvements are obtained by the new scheme compared to the default CESM1.2 and the scheme stochastically allocating the subgrid surface heat fluxes to the atmosphere (i.e., without subgrid partitioning included). This study highlights the importance of subgrid surface energy variations and partitioning to the atmosphere in the simulation of the hydrological and energy cycles in GCMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucommia ulmoides is a rare tree species in China with high medicinal and gum value. Nine strains of hyphomycetous fungi were isolated from the leaf litter of E. ulmoides in Guizhou Province. Preliminary identifications based on ITS indicated that they belong to the genus Cladosporium. Morphology and phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the nrDNA, the partial translation elongation factor 1-a (tef1) gene and partial of actin (act) gene confirmed that the strains represent four species, including two novel taxa, viz., Cladosporium eucommiae and C. guizhouense and two new substrate records for known species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) is a microsporidian parasite commonly detected in rabbits and can infect humans and cause encephalitozoonosis. And Toxoplasma gondii is a prevalent parasite distributed worldwide and can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The aim of the current study was to investigate the seroprevalence of E. cuniculi and Toxoplasma gondii, and risk factors of infection in pet rabbits reared in eastern coastal areas of China (Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Fujian). Total 222 blood samples of pet rabbits were collected from local veterinary hospitals. The seropositivity rates of E. cuniculi were 16.22% (36/222) according to an Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Female pet rabbits was significantly higher than that in males (P=0.002), Zhejiang were markedly higher than those in Jiangsu and Shanghai (P=0.017, P=0.022), and cross-breed rabbits were dramatically higher than those in Chinchilla, New Zealand white, Rex (P=0.02, P=0.006, P=0.008). The seroprevalence of T. gondii was 13.06% (29/222) by the method of ELISA. The seroprevalence in Zhejiang was significantly higher than that in Shanghai (P=0.017). No difference in seroprevalence was detected with respect to the gender, age, species, health status, or season. These findings show that E. cuniculi and T. gondii are present and spread in pet rabbits. Therefore, pet rabbits should be considered as an important reservoir of encephalitozoonosis for humans and maybe important implication for public health in eastern coastal areas of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The surface evapotranspiration (ET) process is the key link in the interaction between land and atmosphere. However, the influence of different environmental factors on ET over transitional climate zones and the physical pattern of the interaction between multiple factors remain unclear. Therefore, based on the continuous observation data during the vegetation growing season of a typical grassland in the Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observation of Lanzhou University (SACOL) station from 2007 to 2012, the influence pattern of multiple environmental factors on ET over China's transitional climate zone was analysed. Each environmental factor exhibited significant seasonal and interannual variations. The mean value of ET was 1.67 mm day-1. Although the maximum values of sensible heat flux and vapour pressure deficit occurred in April and June, respectively, the maximum values of other environmental factors appeared from July to August. Net radiation, soil moisture, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were the main controlling factors of ET over the grassland, with correlation coefficients of 0.54, 0.52, and 0.46, respectively. The analysis of multiple environmental factors showed that when soil moisture, wind speed, net radiation, and NDVI reached 0.2 m³ m-3, 2 m s-1, 100 W m-2, and 0.2, respectively, ET varied in contrast with vapour pressure, vapour pressure deficit, and air temperature under the influences of weather processes, land–atmosphere coupling, and drought stress. These findings deepen our understanding of the role of ET in the land–atmosphere coupling process over the transitional climate zone in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social stratum differences lay behind the winter sports body-building activities of Chinese residents. Guided by social stratification theory this paper takes heterogeneity research as the paradigm, and carries out in-depth interviews to explore the winter sports body-building behaviors and concepts of Chinese citizens in three classes, namely, middle class (white collar), working class (blue collar), and unemployed (jobless) class. In addition, the authors explored the correlation of participation and experience of each class with economy, education, and society dimensions of snow sports culture. This paper holds that: a. Difference in economic conditions determine the level, scope, and degree of the participation of winter sports; b. The improvement of education level accelerates the socialization progress of participants, but it also increases the differentiation of individual participation and intensifies social stratification; c. The bidding and holding of Beijing Winter Olympics greatly promotes the development of winter sports in China, and forms a feature of "middle-class consumers", while the consumption of the working class and unemployed (jobless) residents is more "rational". The paradigm of social stratification and heterogeneity research helps relevant researchers to break away from the narrow perspective of finding the individual-level causality behind winter sports body-building, laying the basis for social, and sports researchers to recognize and understand the unequal social structure of winter sports participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nidirana guangxiensis sp. nov., a new music frog species, is proposed, based on a series of specimens collected from Mt Daming, Guangxi, southern China. The new species is close to N. yeae, N. daunchina, N. yaoica, and N. chapaensis from southwestern and south-central China and northern Indochina, while the relationships among these species remain unresolved. Nidirana guangxiensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all known congeners by the genetic divergences in the mitochondrial 16S and COI genes, the behavior of nest construction, the advertisement call containing 6-11 rapidly repeated regular notes, and a combination of morphological characteristics. Furthermore, the Nidirana populations recorded in Guangxi are clarified in this work, providing valuable new information on the knowledge of the genus Nidirana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Karst landform is the main geographic characteristic in South China. Such areas arerich in vegetation and especially suitable for growth of shrubs and herbaceous plants. In this study,11Septoriastrains were obtained from different plants’ leaves collected in the Kunming BotanicalGarden, Yunnan Province, China. Based on single-gene and multi-gene analyses of five gene loci(tef1,rpb2,tub2, ITS, andLSU) and four gene regions (withoutLSU), these strains were found tobelong to three independent phylogenetic lineages representing five species, including four noveltaxa, and one new record for China. Five single gene trees were also provided to evaluate theeffectiveness of each gene for discriminating the species, as a result of whichtub2was found to havethe most suitable DNA barcode for rapid identification. Morphological descriptions, illustrations,and comparisons are provided for a more comprehensive assessment. Genealogical ConcordancePhylogenetic Species Recognition (GCPSR) with a pairwise homoplasy index (PHI) test was used toevaluate the conclusions of the phylogenetic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new toad species of the genus Leptobrachella are described from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau of China, based on the combination of molecular and morphological data. The description of Leptobrachella aspera Wang, Lyu, Qi & Wang, sp. nov. from Huanglianshan Nature Reserve represents the thirteenth Leptobrachella species known from Yunnan Province, and the description of Leptobrachella dorsospina Wang, Lyu, Qi & Wang, sp. nov. from Yushe Forest Park represents the sixth Leptobrachella species known from Guizhou Province. These new discoveries further emphasize the extremely high diversity of the Leptobrachella toads in these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3), first identified in the United States, has been detected in many other countries. Porcine circovirus is associated with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome, reproductive failure, congenital tremors, and other clinical symptoms. In this study, we established a double polymerase chain reaction assay for detecting both porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and PCV3. This is the first study to detect and characterize the PCV3 genome in the Tianjin region of North China. We collected a total of 169 tissue samples from seven farms between 2016 and 2018. The PCV3-positive rate of all tissue samples was 37.3% (63/169) and the rate of PCV2 and PCV3 coinfection was 14.8% (25/169). PCV2 and PCV3 coinfections with more serious clinical symptoms were found in only three farms. We sequenced three PCV3 strains selected from tissue samples that were positively identified. The complete genome sequences of the three strains shared 97.6--99.4% nucleotide identities with the PCV3 strains in GenBank. Our results showed the extent of PCV3's spread in Tianjin, and the need to further study PCV3's pathobiology, epidemiology, isolation, and coinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of colubrid snake, Lycodon cathaya sp. nov., is described based on two adult male specimens collected from Huaping Nature Reserve, Guangxi, southern China. In a phylogenetic analyses, the new species is shown to be a sister taxon to the clade composed of L. futsingensis and L. namdongensis with low statistical support, and can be distinguished from all known congeners by the significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene fragment (p-distance = 7.9%), and morphologically by the following combination of characters: (1) dorsal scales in 17-17-15 rows, smooth throughout; (2) supralabials eight, third to fifth in contact with eye, infralabials nine; (3) ventral scales 199-200 (plus two preventral scales), subcaudals 78; (4) loreal single, elongated, in contact with eye or not, not in contact with internasals; (5) a single preocular not in contact with frontal, supraocular in contact with prefrontal, two postoculars; (6) maxillary teeth 10 (4+2+2+2); (7) two anterior temporals, three posterior temporals; (8) precloacal plate entire; (9) ground color from head to tail brownish black, with 31-35 dusty rose bands on body trunk, 13- 16 on tail; (10) bands in 1-2 vertebral scales broad in minimum width; (11) bands separate ground color into brownish black ellipse patches arranged in a row along the top of body and tail; (12) elliptical patches in 3-6 scales of the vertebral row in maximum width; (13) ventral surface of body with wide brownish black strip, margined with a pair of continuous narrow greyish white ventrolateral lines. With the description of the new species, 64 congeners are currently known in the genus Lycodon, with 16 species occurring in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bamboo is a widespread plant with medicinal value. During our taxonomic study on medicinal plants, three collections of Distoseptispora were made from China and Thailand. Phylogenetic analyses of combined LSU, ITS and RPB2 sequence data showed that two collections represented a new species, phylogenetically distinct from other described species in Distoseptispora. New information This new species has macronematous, mononematous conidiophores, polyblastic or monoblastic conidiogenous cells and acrogenous, solitary, straight, obclavate, multiseptate, thick-walled conidia. Distoseptispora bambusae sp. nov. is introduced with illustrations and a comprehensive description. The third collection on dead wood from Thailand was identified as D. tectona with newly-generated molecular data for this taxon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus-level recognition of monophyletic shortlegged toads (Brachytarsophrys) has been recently implicated in the taxonomic debate of Megophrys sensu lato. In the present study, Brachytarsophrys is reasonably regarded as a distinct genus based on significant morphological differentiations and recent molecular analyses. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of this genus is performed, with two species groups proposed based on morphological differences and phylogenetic relationships. Particularly, Brachytarsophrys platyparietus is removed as a synonym of Brachytarsophrys carinense and considered a valid species due to significant genetic divergence and distinct morphological differences. In addition, a new species, Brachytarsophrys orientalis sp. nov., is described based on a series of specimens collected from southeastern China. This work takes the member species of the genus Brachytarsophrys to seven, suggesting that the diversity of Brachytarsophrys is underestimated. In addition, the genus levels of other monophyletic groups within the subfamily Megophryinae are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five Curvularia strains isolated from diseased leaves of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) in Guangxi Province, China, were examined. NCBI-Blast searches of ITS sequences suggested a high degree of similarity (99-100%) to Curvularia akaii, C. akaiiensis, C. bothriochloae, C. heteropogonis and C. sichuanensis. To accurately identify these strains, we further analysed their morphology and phylogenetic relationships based on combinations of ITS, GAPDH, and tef1 gene sequences. Morphological observations indicated that the key character differing from similar species was conidial size, whereas phylogenetic analyses indicated that the five strains represent one species that is also distinct from C. akaii, C. akaiiensis and C. bothriochloae by conidial size and conidiophore length. Thus, the strains examined are found to represent a new species described herein as Curvularia nanningensis. The pathogenicity test on the host and detached leaves confirmed the new species to be pathogenic on Cymbopogon citratus leaves. Standardised requirements for reliable identification of Curvularia pathogens are also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic status of the previous record of Opisthotropis maculosa Stuart & Chuaynkern, 2007 from Guangdong and Guangxi, southern China, is revised based on the comparison of morphological and molecular data collected from the Chinese specimens and the holotype of O. maculosa from Thailand and O. haihaensis Ziegler, Pham, Nguyen, Nguyen, Wang, Wang, Stuart & Le, 2019 from Vietnam. Results reveal that the population from Shiwandashan Nature Reserve in southern Guangxi, China belongs to O. haihaensis, and represents the first national record for China; the populations from western Guangdong and southeastern Guangxi are described as a new species, Opisthotropis hungtai sp. nov. We suggest that O. maculosa should be removed from the Chinese herpetofauna checklist. The new national record of O. haihaensis and the description of the new species bring the total number of Opisthotropis to 13 in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how foreign subsidiaries' local networks with clients, suppliers, and research institutes in emerging markets affect their innovative performance by incorporating resource- based view with local embeddedness perspective. Utilizing a survey dataset of 381 multinational corporation subsidiaries in China, we explore both quality and quantity of subsidiaries' relations with local clients, suppliers, and research institutes and their impact on subsidiaries' innovative performance. Specifically, we find that high-quality relations with local clients, broader network with local suppliers, and collaboration with local research institutes all contribute to subsidiaries' innovative performance. The follow-up on-site interviews with senior executives of foreign subsidiaries provide strong support to all of our empirical findings. This study provides theoretical and practical implications in understanding subsidiaries' innovative performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's unique energy reserve structure abundant in coal and scarce in crude oil and natural gas has promoted heavy investment on the research and development of clean coal chemical technologies during last two decades, which has turned China into a heartland for demonstrating, developing, and commercializing virtually every aspect of new coal chemical process technologies. Consequently, breakthroughs in coal gasification, indirect and direct coal-to-liquid (CTL) processes, and methanol-to-olefins (MTO) technologies are catching attention worldwide. Gasification technology for syngas production is the key to high plant availability and economic success for most coal chemical projects. During the past 20 years, both international and Chinese gasifier vendors have reaped great successes in licensing their technologies in the domestic market. Notably, the local vendors have been investing heavily on inventing and improving their technologies to suit the specific requirement of gasifying a variety of coals. The opposed multinozzle gasification technology from East China University of Science and Technology was taken as an example to demonstrate the recent development in this field. The coal chemical industry in China has witnessed several notable achievements in chemical engineering progress, namely CTL (indirect and direct) and MTO. Comprehensive reviews on topics such as catalysis, kinetics, and reactor design and process integration will be provided by leading scientists in related fields with firsthand information to showcase the contributions of Chinese researchers to chemical engineering science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bamboo snout beetle Cyrtotrachelus buqueti is a widely distributed wood-boring pest found in China, and its larvae cause significant economic losses because this beetle targets a wide range of host plants. A potential pest management measure of this beetle involves regulating olfactory chemoreceptors. In the process of olfactory recognition, pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) play an important role. Homology modeling and molecular docking were conducted in this study for the interaction between CbuqPBP1 and dibutyl phthalate to better understand the relationship between PBP structures and their ligands. Site-directed mutagenesis and binding experiments were combined to identify the binding sites of CbuqPBP1 and to explore its ligand-binding mechanism. The 3D structural model of CbuqPBP1 has six a-helices. Five of these a-helices adopt an antiparallel arrangement to form an internal ligand-binding pocket. When docking dibutyl phthalate within the active site of CbuqPBP1, a CH-π interaction between the benzene ring of dibutyl phthalate and Phe69 was observed, and a weak hydrogen bond formed between the ester carbonyl oxygen and His53. Thus, Phe69 and His53 are predicted to be important residues of CbuqPBP1 involved in ligand recognition. Site-directed mutagenesis and fluorescence assays with a His53Ala CbuqPBP1 mutant showed no affinity toward ligands. Mutation of Phe69 only affected binding of CbuqPBP1 to cedar camphor. Thus, His53 (Between α2 and α3) of CbuqPBP1 appears to be a key binding site residue, and Phe69 (Located at α3) is a very important binding site for particular ligand interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Madhuca hainanensis Chun & F.C.How is an endangered and endemic species in Hainan Island, and it was ranked as a VU (Vulnerable) species in China. In this study, we reported its complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence based on high throughput sequencing data. The complete cp genome was 159,630 bp in length, containing two short inverted repeat (IRs) of 26,093 bp, a large single copy (LSC) region of 88,846 bp and a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,598 bp. Totally, the cp genome contained 131 genes, including 86 protein coding genes (PCG), eight rRNA genes and 37 tRNAs. The GC contents of this genome was 36.8%. A maximum likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis indicates that M. hainanensis is closely related to Sinosideroxylon wightianum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three strains of the genus Diaporthe were isolated from different plant hosts in south-western China. Phylogenetic analyses of the combined ITS, ß-tubulin, tef1 and calmoudulin dataset indicated that these strains represented three independent lineages in Diaporthe. Diaporthe millettiae sp. nov. clustered with D. hongkongensis and D. arecae, Diaporthe osmanthi sp. nov. grouped with D. arengae, D. pseudomangiferae and D. perseae and Diaporthe strain GUCC9146, isolated from Camellia sinensis, was grouped in the D. eres species complex with a close relationship to D. longicicola. These species are reported with taxonomic descriptions and illustrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Takydromus yunkaiensis J. Wang, Lyu, & Y.Y. Wang, sp. nov. is described based on a series of specimens collected from the Yunkaishan Nature Reserve located in the southern Yunkai Mountains, western Guangdong Province, China. The new species is a sister taxon to T. intermedius with a genetic divergence of 8.0-8.5% in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and differs from all known congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) body size moderate, SVL 37.8-56.0 mm in males, 42.6-60.8 mm in females; (2) dorsal ground color brown; ventral surface green to yellow-green, but light blue-green on chin and throat, posteriorly green in adult males; (3) dorsolateral lines paired, strikingly yellowish-white bordered by black above and below, invisible or indistinct in juveniles and adult females; (4) flanks of body blackish brown with light brown marks in adult males; (5) presence of four pairs of chin-shields; (6) four supraoculars on each side; (7) presence of a row of supracilary granules that separate supracilaries from supraoculars; (8) two postnasals; (9) enlarged dorsal scales in six longitudinal rows on trunk of body, with strong keel; (10) enlarged ventral scales in six longitudinal rows, strongly keeled in males, smooth but outermost rows weakly keeled in females; (11) enlarged and keeled lateral scales in a row above ventrals; (12) femoral pores 2-3 on each side; (13) subdigital lamellae 20-23 under the fourth finger, 23-30 under the fourth toe; and (14) the first 2-3 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe divided. The discovery of Takydromus yunkaiensis sp. nov. brings the total number of species of this genus to 24, of which nine occur in mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Braconid parasitoids reared from Malus sieversii and Malus domestica trees in NW China infested by Agrilus mali Matsumura (Coleoptera, Buprestidae) are illustrated and discussed. Six species were found parasitising Agrilus mali in NW China, namely, Atanycolus ivanowi (Kokujev) (Braconinae), Doryctes undulatus (Ratzeburg), Pareucorystes varinervis Tobias, Polystenus rugosus Foerster, Spathius sinicus Chao, and Spathius brevicaudis Ratzeburg (Doryctinae). All listed species are newly recorded parasitoids of Agrilus mali. Pareucorystes varinervis and Spathius brevicaudis are new records for the Chinese fauna, but Spathius brevicaudis has been recorded from Taiwan before. Both sexes of Spathius brevicaudis are redescribed here to allow inclusion in the recent revision of the Chinese Spathius species. An identification key to the six braconid parasitoids of Agrilus mali in NW China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Music frogs, Nidirana yaoica sp. nov. is described based on a series of adult male specimens collected from Mt Dayao, Guangxi, southern China, providing valuable new information on the phylogeny, bioacoustics, and biogeography of related species within the genus Nidirana. The new species forms the sister taxon to N. daunchina from western China and together the sister taxon to N. chapaensis from northern Vietnam. Nidirana yaoica sp. nov. can be distinguished from all known congeners by a significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial 16S and CO1 genes, the advertisement call containing 1-3 rapidly repeated regular notes, and the combination of morphological characteristics including a medium-sized body with SVL 40.4-45.9 mm in adult males; lateroventral grooves on every digit, not meeting at the tip of disk; tibio-tarsal articulation reaching the nostril; the presence of a pair of subgular vocal sacs in males; and one single developed nuptial pad on dorsal surface of first finger in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of the subgenus Panophrys within the genus Megophrys has been revealed to be extremely underestimated from southeastern China. Herpetological surveys coupled with extensive sampling in a longitudinal mountain belt located in southeastern China resulted in the discoveries of six new species of the subgenus Panophrys. Furthermore, the new discoveries support the findings of "micro-endemism", "sympatric phenomenon" and "sympatric but distant phylogenetically" which appear to be common among Panophrys species, and also indicates that the Asian horned toads would be good candidates for studies on speciation and biogeography, and additionally emphasizes the conservation difficulties of these toads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Leptobrachella Smith, 1925, L. bijie J. Wang, Y.L. Li, Y. Li, H.H. Chen & Y.Y. Wang, sp. nov. and L. purpuraventra J. Wang, Y.L. Li, Y. Li, H.H. Chen & Y.Y. Wang, sp. nov., were described from northwestern Guizhou Province, China based on a combination of acoustic, molecular, and morphological data. The new discoveries bring the total number of this genus to 73, with 16 congeners recorded in China, and represent the second and third species of the genus reported from Guizhou Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a clinical emergency with an increased incidence of occurrence in recent years. Hyperbaric oxygen has been widely used in the clinical treatment of sudden hearing loss. However, prognostic factors related to its curative effects are still not clear, which hinders its clinical application. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and prognostic factors of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) plus drug therapies in the treatment of sudden hearing loss. Method: Patients with sudden hearing loss who were treated with hyperbaric oxygen from April to October 2017 were retrospectively included. Clinical information was collected, including pure-tone audiometry data before and after hyperbaric oxygen treatment, age, gender, hearing curve classification, concomitant symptoms, history of diseases (diabetes and hypertension), history of hormone therapy, start time of hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and total number of hyperbaric oxygen treatments. The prognostic factors were analyzed with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Sixty-four patients with sudden hearing loss were enrolled, including 7 cases of low-frequency loss, 4 cases of high-frequency loss, 32 cases of flat loss, and 21 cases of complete hearing loss. After HBOT, there were 16 cases (25%) of complete recovery, 15 cases (23.43%) of partial recovery, 7 cases (10.93%) of slight improvement, and 26 cases (40.63%) of no improvement. The total effective rate was 59.37%. Twelve of 21 cases (57.14%) of complete hearing loss showed recovery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the start time of HBOT ≤ 7 days from disease onset was independently associated with hearing recovery (OR = 27.763, 95% CI [4.209, 183.115], p = .001). Conclusion: Combined HBOT can improve the hearing impairment of sudden hearing loss. The early HBOT showed the most promising therapeutic effects, especially among patients with complete hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The morphology, ecology, and phylogenetic relationships of specimens of the family Boletaceae from subtropical and tropical China were investigated. Four species, Butyriboletus huangnianlaii, Lanmaoa macrocarpa, Neoboletus multipunctatus, and Sutorius subrufus, are new to science. Chalciporus radiatus and Caloboletus xiangtoushanensis are redescribed. Caloboletus guanyui is proposed to replace Boletus quercinus Hongo, an illegitimate later homonym. The recently described Tylopilus callainus is synonymized with the Japanese Boletus virescens, and the new combination T. virescens (Har. Takah. & Taneyama) N.K. Zeng et al. is proposed. Moreover, Neoboletus is treated as an independent genus based on evidence from morphology and molecular phylogenetic data in the present study, and many previously described taxa of Sutorius are recombined into Neoboletus: N. ferrugineus (G. Wu et al.) N.K. Zeng et al., N. flavidus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., N. hainanensis (T.H. Li & M. Zang) N.K. Zeng et al., N. obscureumbrinus (Hongo) N.K. Zeng et al., N. rubriporus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., N. sanguineoides (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., N. sanguineus (G. Wu & Zhu L. Yang) N.K. Zeng et al., and N. tomentulosus (M. Zang et al.) N.K. Zeng et al. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil wind erosion is one of the critical drivers of land degradation in the black soil region of northeastern China. In this study, 137Cs background value and soil wind erosion rate was studied by using 137Cs nuclide tracing technique in the black soil region of northeastern China, and wind erosion characteristics such as background value and soil erosion rate over the years were clarified, which has guiding significance for soil and water conservation and agricultural sustainable development in the black soil region of northeast China. The mean area activity of the Hilltop area was 1541 Bq·m-2, which was lower than the background value of 1879.7 Bq·m-2 in the study area. At the top of the hill, soil erosion occurred to some extent. The 137Cs profile has distributional characteristics that can be divided into three categories. Most of the 137Cs area activity in Hilltop area is evenly distributed in 0-15 cm, and the 137Cs area activity below 15 cm decreased gradually until it disappeared. The spatial difference of wind erosion rate is significant in the study area, mainly between 7.17-10.13 t·hm-2a-1. The average wind erosion rate of hilltops with different tillage quality depths has little difference. The average wind erosion rate is 8.60 t·hm-2a-1, which belongs to mild erosion. However, its erosion rate is higher than the tolerable soil loss of 2 t·hm-2a-1 in the black soil region of northeast China. As a result, soil erosion control in the black soil region of northeast China still requires attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the associations of the actinin alpha 3 gene (ACTN3) R577X polymorphism with physical performance and frailty in an older Chinese population. Methods: Data from 1,463 individuals (57.8% female) aged 70-87 years from the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study were used. The associations between R577X and timed 5-m walk, grip strength, timed Up and Go test, and frailty index (FI) based on deficits of 23 laboratory tests (FI-Lab) were examined. Analysis of variance and linear regression models were used to evaluate the genetic effects of ACTN3 R577X on physical performance and FI-Lab. Results: The XX and RX genotypes of the ACTN3 R557X polymorphism accounted for 17.1 and 46.9%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that in men aged 70-79 years, the ACTN3 577X allele was significantly associated with physical performance (5-m walk time, regression coefficient (β) = 0.258, P = 0.006; grip strength, β = -1.062, P = 0.012; Up and Go test time β = 0.368, P = 0.019). In women aged 70-79 years, a significant association between the ACTN3 577X allele and the FI-Lab score was observed, with a regression coefficient of β = 0.019 (P = 0.003). These findings suggest an age- and gender-specific X-additive model of R577X for 5-m walk time, grip strength, Up and Go Test time, and FI-Lab score. Conclusion: The ACTN3 577X allele is associated with an age- and sex-specific decrease in physical performance and an increase in frailty in an older population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In-situ carbon dioxide (CO2) huff-'n'-puff (ISCHP) is a promising enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) technique that could overcome some major drawbacks associated with continuous CO2 flooding such as early CO2 breakthrough, high operation costs, and demand for CO2 source. The application in Jiangsu Oil Field triggered the augmentation of well productivity and indicated the preliminary potential of this technique. Our work is to establish a prediction model for gas generation and to examine the mechanisms of ISCHP/EOR through sandpack tests and reservoir simulation. A salt solution with surfactant additives was selected to be the gas-forming agent, the gas-generating performance was tested in a high-temperature/high-pressure reactor first, and a kinetics-derived equation for gas-volume prediction was then verified by use of the experimental results. The displacement performance and efficiency were determined with sandpack testswith three different concentrations of a gas-forming agent. A reservoir model of ISCHP was established and calibrated on the basis of the sandpack-test results and past-production observations of the candidate well. The sensitivity analysis on the main-operation parameters was conducted to determine the optimal scheme, including injected volume, concentration, and soaking time. The results indicate that gas volume predicted by the theoretical model is well-matched to experimental data of the gas-forming reaction, the sandpack test makes clear the synergy of CO2 and chemical flooding in ISCHP, and a higher concentration of reagent tends to produce more oil than a lower one. Reservoir simulation shows a large amount of CO2 generated near the wellbore, an average growth of 61% in oil production, an regent usage of 0.91 ton/ton of oil, and a temperature decline of 2.5°C in the region of 20m from the wellbore as a result of the endothermic reaction of reagent. On the basis of the reservoir model, the optimal scheme is achieved with a reagent concentration 16.4 wt%, an injected volume of 250 tons, and a soaking time of 7 days. This study can provide an improved understanding of ISCHP for EOR in Jiangsu Oil Field, including the gas-volume prediction, EOR potential in laboratory, and main operating parameters of ISCHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate in vitro susceptibilities of aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacterial (GNB) isolates from intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) to 12 selected antimicrobials in Chinese hospitals from 2012 to 2014.Methods: Hospital acquired (HA) and community acquired (CA) IAIs were collected from 21 centers in 16 Chinese cities. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) status and antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined at a central laboratory using CLSI broth microdilution and interpretive standards.Results: From all isolated strains the Enterobacteriaceae (81.1%) Escherichia coli accounted for 45.4% and Klebsiella pneumoniae for 20.1%, followed by Enterobacter cloacae (5.2%), Proteus mirabilis (2.1%), Citrobacter freundii (1.8%), Enterobacter aerogenes (1.8%), Klebsiella oxytoca (1.4%), Morganella morganii (1.2%), Serratia marcescens (0.7%), Citrobacter koseri (0.3%), Proteus vulgaris (0.3%) and others (1.0%). Non- Enterobacteriaceae (18.9%) included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.8%), Acinetobacter baumannii (6.7%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (0.9%), Aeromonas hydrophila (0.4%) and others (1.1%). ESBL-screen positive Escherichia coli isolates (ESBL+) showed a decreasing trend from 67.5% in 2012 to 58.9% in 2014 of all Escherichia coli isolates and the percentage of ESBL+ Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates also decreased from 2012 through 2014 (40.4% to 26.6%), which was due to reduced percentages of ESBL+ isolates in HA IAIs for both bacteria. The overall susceptibilities of all 5160 IAI isolates were 87.53% to amikacin (AMK), 78.12% to piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) 81.41% to imipenem (IMP) and 73.12% to ertapenem (ETP). The susceptibility of ESBL-screen positive Escherichia coli strains was 96.77%-98.8% to IPM, 91.26%-93.16% to ETP, 89.48%-92.75% to AMK and 84.86%-89.34% to TZP, while ESBL-screen positive Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were 70.56%-80.15% susceptible to ETP, 80.0%-87.5% to IPM, 83.82%-87.06% to AMK and 63.53%-68.38% to TZP within the three year study. Susceptibilities to all cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were less than 50% beside 66.5% and 56.07% to cefoxitin (FOX) for ESBL+ Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains respectively.Conclusions: The total ESBL+ rates decreased in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae IAI isolates due to fewer prevalence in HA infections. IPM, ETP and AMK were the most effective antimicrobials against ESBL+ Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae IAI isolates in 2012-2014 and a change of fluoroquinolone regimens for Chinese IAIs is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dengue was regarded as a mild epidemic in mainland China transmitted by Aedes albopictus. However, the 2014 record-breaking outbreak in Guangzhou could change the situation. In order to provide an early warning of epidemic trends and provide evidence for prevention and control strategies, we seek to characterize the 2014 outbreak through application of detailed cases and entomological data, as well as phylogenetic analysis of viral envelope (E) gene. Methods: We used case survey data identified through the Notifiable Infectious Disease Report System, entomological surveillance and population serosurvey, along with laboratory testing for IgM/IgG, NS1, and isolation of viral samples followed by E gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to examine the epidemiological and molecular characteristics of the outbreak. Results: The 2014 dengue outbreak in Guangzhou accounted for nearly 80% of total reported cases that year in mainland China; a total of 37,376 cases including 37,340 indigenous cases with incidence rate 2908.3 per million and 36 imported cases were reported in Guangzhou, with 14,055 hospitalized and 5 deaths. The epidemic lasted for 193 days from June 11 to December 21, with the highest incidence observed in domestic workers, the unemployed and retirees. The inapparent infection rate was 18.00% (135/750). In total, 96 dengue virus 1 (DENV-1) and 11 dengue virus 2 (DENV- 2) strains were isolated. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the DENV-1 strains were divided into genotype I and V, similar to the strains isolated in Guangzhou and Dongguan in 2013. The DENV-2 strains isolated were similar to those imported from Thailand on May 11 in 2014 and that imported from Indonesia in 2012. Conclusions: The 2014 dengue epidemic was confirmed to be the first co-circulation of DENV-1 and DENV-2 in Guangzhou. The DENV-1 strain was endemic, while the DENV-2 strain was imported, being efficiently transmitted by the Aedes albopictus vector species at levels as high as Aedes aegypti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]