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Rice is one of most important crops in China, accounting for approximately 18% of total cultivated area. Rice productivity is significantly affected by undergoing climate change and vulnerable with water stress. Therefore, investigating the responses of rice growth and water resources utilization to more pronounced climate change is of great importance for water resources planning and management in terms of maintaining the ecosystem integrity and ensuring the food security. In this study, the changes of rice yield, water consumption (ET), irrigation water requirement (IWR), water use efficiency (WUE) and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) from 1961 to 2010 in three typical sites (Kunshan and Nanjing in the Yangtze River Basin, and Kaifeng in the Yellow River Basin) in rice plantation region of China were evaluated by means of validated rice crop model ORYZA2000. Their responses to future climate scenarios of 21 century were investigated by driving ORYZA2000 with downscaling climatic data from HadCM3 (Hadley Centre Coupled Model version 3) under A2 and B2 emission scenarios with the help of a statistical downscaling method (SDSM). The results exhibit a significant decline in rice yield was identified by 49.3 kg ha −1 , 32.0 kg ha −1 and 45.8 kg ha −1 for Kunshan station, Nanjing station and Kaifeng station, respectively, in the past 50 years due to obviously shortened rice growth duration (0.20 day a −1 , 0.15 day a −1 and 0.27 day a −1 , respectively). While changes of ET and IWE were different for three stations representing by significant increase of ET and IWE in Kunshan, non-significant increase in Nanjing and significant decrease in Kaifeng. Whereas accompanying production reduction, simulated WUE and IWUE for three stations all presented significant deceasing trends ranging from 0.06 kg ha −1 mm −1 to 0.16 kg ha −1 mm −1 . The future projection results under IPCC SRES A2 and B2 emission scenarios indicated the generally negative effect of climate warming to rice yield (maximum by −18.9% decline in 2090s in Kunshan) during the 21 century due to remarkable shortened growth period, resulting in generally depressed WUE and IWUE, although there would be the distinct response of the ET and IWR to future climate change for the three stations. Meanwhile, the increase of CO 2 concentration under future climate is beneficial to raise the rice yield, alleviate crop water consumption and irrigation water requirements and improve the water use efficiencies of rice in a certain degree. Further works should be carried out to capture simulation uncertainties in climate change impact assessment with consideration of interactions among anthropogenic activities, environmental and biological factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early enteral nutrition is crucial for preventing malnutrition and improving outcomes in patients with severe stroke, but previous trials have provided conflicting results regarding the optimal nutritional strategy. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of three enteral feeding strategies in patients with severe stroke.Methods: The Optimizing Early Enteral Nutrition in Severe Stroke (OPENS) study was a multicentre, investigator-initiated, prospective, open-label, randomised controlled trial, with blinded outcome assessment, in 16 tertiary and district general hospitals in the west of China. Adult patients with acute severe ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤12 or National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score ≥11 on admission) who were expected to receive enteral nutrition for more than 7 days were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to full enteral nutrition (70-100% of estimated caloric requirements), modified full enteral nutrition (full enteral nutrition plus prokinetic agents), or hypocaloric enteral nutrition (40-60% of estimated caloric requirements) via a centralised web-based randomisation system. The assigned nutrition was initiated within 24 h after enrolment and continued for 7 days. The computer-generated randomisation sequence was prepared by a statistician not involved with the rest of the study. Randomisation was done with an automated permuted block size of six. The allocation was unblinded to participants and investigators. The primary efficacy outcome was the proportion of participants with poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score ≥3) at day 90 and the prespecified primary safety outcome was mortality at day 90, assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02982668.Findings: Between Jan 15, 2017, and Sept 23, 2020, 321 patients were randomly assigned (107 in each group) and 315 patients (175 [56%] men, median age 71 years, IQR 60-78) were included in the final analysis. The study was terminated ahead of schedule on Sept 23, 2020, because a significant difference between groups was detected in mortality. The proportion of participants with poor outcomes at 90 days did not differ (modified full enteral nutrition 86 [82%] of 105 patients vs full enteral nutrition 85 [80%] of 106 patients, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·87, 95% CI 0·41-1·86, p=0·721; hypocaloric enteral nutrition 76 [73%] of 104 patients vs full enteral nutrition 0·61, 0·30-1·27, p=0·186; hypocaloric enteral nutrition vs modified full enteral nutrition 0·70, 0·34-1·46, p=0·340). Hypocaloric enteral nutrition showed significantly higher 90-day mortality than did modified full enteral nutrition (35 [34%] of 104 patients vs 18 [17%] of 105 patients, adjusted OR 2·89, 95% CI 1·46-5·72; p=0·0023), whereas the difference was not significant between hypocaloric enteral nutrition and full enteral nutrition (24 [23%] of 106 patients; adjusted OR 1·92, 95% CI 1·00-3·69; p=0·049), and between modified full enteral nutrition and full enteral nutrition (adjusted OR 0·61, 0·29-1·28; p=0·187). The most common adverse event was pneumonia, the incidence of which showed no significant difference among groups (full enteral nutrition 82 [78%] of 105 patients, modified full enteral nutrition 83 [81%] of 103 patients, hypocaloric enteral nutrition 78 [75%] of 104 patients; p=0·625).Interpretation: In the early phase of severe stroke, modified full enteral nutrition or hypocaloric enteral nutrition did not significantly reduce the risk of a poor outcomes compared with full enteral nutrition over a 90-day period. Hypocaloric enteral nutrition might be associated with increased mortality compared with modified full enteral nutrition. Further studies are needed to investigate whether modified full enteral nutrition might be the optimal strategy.Funding: Shaanxi province Key Research and Development Project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although SARS-CoV-2 infection often causes milder symptoms in children and adolescents, young people might still play a key part in SARS-CoV-2 transmission. An efficacious vaccine for children and adolescents could therefore assist pandemic control. For further evaluation of the inactivated COVID-19 vaccine candidate BBIBP-CorV, we assessed the safety and immunogenicity of BBIBP-CorV in participants aged 3-17 years.Methods: A randomised, double-blind, controlled, phase 1/2 trial was done at Shangqiu City Liangyuan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Henan, China. In phases 1 and 2, healthy participants were stratified according to age (3-5 years, 6-12 years, or 13-17 years) and dose group. Individuals with a history of SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV infection were excluded. All participants were randomly assigned, using stratified block randomisation (block size eight), to receive three doses of 2 μg, 4 μg, or 8 μg of vaccine or control (1:1:1:1) 28 days apart. The primary outcome, safety, was analysed in the safety set, which consisted of participants who had received at least one vaccination after being randomly assigned, and had any safety evaluation information. The secondary outcomes were geometric meant titre (GMT) of the neutralising antibody against infectious SARS-CoV-2 and were analysed based on the full analysis set. This study is registered with www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2000032459, and is ongoing.Findings: Between Aug 14, 2020, and Sept 24, 2020, 445 participants were screened, and 288 eligible participants were randomly assigned to vaccine (n=216, 24 for each dose level [2/4/8 μg] in each of three age cohorts [3-5, 6-12, and 13-17 years]) or control (n=72, 24 for each age cohort [3-5, 6-12, and 13-17 years]) in phase 1. In phase 2, 810 participants were screened and 720 eligible participants were randomly assigned and allocated to vaccine (n=540, 60 for each dose level [2/4/8 μg] in each of three age cohorts [3-5, 6-12, and 13-17 years]) or control (n=180, 60 for each age cohort [3-5, 6-12, and 13-17 years]). The most common injection site adverse reaction was pain (ten [4%] 251 participants in all vaccination groups of the 3-5 years cohort; 23 [9·1%] of 252 participants in all vaccination groups and one [1·2%] of 84 in the control group of the 6-12 years cohort; 20 [7·9%] of 252 participants in all vaccination groups of the 13-17 years cohort). The most common systematic adverse reaction was fever (32 [12·7%] of 251 participants in all vaccination groups and six [7·1%] of 84 participants in the control group of the 3-5 years cohort; 13 [5·2%] of 252 participants in the vaccination groups and one [1·2%] of 84 in the control group of the 6-12 years cohort; 26 [10·3%] of 252 participants in all vaccination groups and eight [9·5%] of 84 in the control group of the 13-17 years cohort). Adverse reactions were mostly mild to moderate in severity. The neutralising antibody GMT against the SARS-CoV-2 virus ranged from 105·3 to 180·2 in the 3-5 years cohort, 84·1 to 168·6 in the 6-12 years cohort, and 88·0 to 155·7 in the 13-17 years cohort on day 28 after the second vaccination; and ranged from 143·5 to 224·4 in the 3-5 years cohort, 127 to 184·8 in the 6-12 years cohort, and 150·7 to 199 in the 13-17 years cohort on day 28 after the third vaccination.Interpretation: The inactivated COVID-19 vaccine BBIBP-CorV is safe and well tolerated at all tested dose levels in participants aged 3-17 years. BBIBP-CorV also elicited robust humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 infection after two doses. Our findings support the use of a 4 μg dose and two-shot regimen BBIBP-CorV in phase 3 trials in the population younger than 18 years to further ascertain its safety and protection efficacy against COVID-19.Funding: National Program on Key Research Project of China, National Mega projects of China for Major Infectious Diseases, National Mega Projects of China for New Drug Creation, and Beijing Science and Technology Plan.Translation: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The modular modeling method was used to develop CRHM. [•] We investigate snow accumulation/ablation and snowmelt–runoff processes with CRHM. [•] We simulate the influence of frozen soil and its thaw on runoff with CRHM. [•] CRHM is encouraging for predicting hydrology in ungauged cold regions basins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has recently become a popular approach in measuring the energy and environmental performance at the macro-economy level. A common limitation of several previous studies is that they ignored the undesirable outputs and did not consider the separation of inputs into energy resources and non-energy resources under the DEA framework. Thus, within a joint production framework of considering both desirable and undesirable outputs, as well as energy and non-energy inputs, this study analyzes China’s regional total-factor energy and environmental efficiency. This paper utilizes improved DEA models to measure the energy and environmental efficiency of 29 administrative regions of China during the period of 2000–2008. In addition, the DEA window analysis technique is applied to measure the efficiency in cross-sectional and time-varying data. The empirical results show that the east area of China has the highest energy and environmental efficiency, while the efficiency of the west area is worst. All three areas of China have similar trends in the variation of efficiency and in general the energy and environmental efficiency of China slightly increased from 2000 to 2008. The regions of the east area have a more balanced development than the regions of the central area and west area according to energy and environmental efficiency. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Government investment subsidies effectively promote PPP-EER projects. • Deferred option value significantly impacts the subsidy strategy. • Sequential calculation is used to calculate the value of options. • With different retrofit measures, the deferred option becomes zero at different interest rates. To reduce energy consumption, governments have introduced public-private partnerships in energy-efficient retrofits (PPP-EER) of existing public buildings. However, this initiative has received a mixed response from private investors. Government investment subsidies effectively attract private investors, but the current literature does not specify how to choose an appropriate subsidy strategy. To address this gap, this study aims to develop a new and reasonable subsidy strategy for promoting immediate investment and sustainable implementation of PPP-EER projects from a government perspective. Real option theory was adopted to simulate and evaluate the subsidy strategy in PPP-EER projects. The results of the simulation show that the deferred option has a significant impact on the project value and helps attract immediate private investment. Subsidies should be implemented according to certain retrofit measures. This research is the first attempt to calculate the project deferred option value in a subsidised PPP-EER project and improves knowledge of government subsidy strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steroidal alkaloids are the main bioactive components of the bulbs of Fritillaria , which have been used as traditional Chinese medicine, known as "Beimu", for the treatment of cough for thousands of years in China. Cough and dyspnea are the most common symptoms observed in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. However, the antifibrotic activity of steroidal alkaloids has not been reported yet. In this study, two previously unreported cevanine-type steroidal alkaloids (1 and 2), four previously undescribed cevanine-type alkaloid glycosides (3 – 6), and 19 known steroidal alkaloids (7 – 25) were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria unibracteata var. wabuensis. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by comprehensive HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic data analysis, as well as DP4+ NMR calculations. The biological evaluation showed that compounds 2 , 7 – 10 , 14 , 15 , and 17 downregulated fibrotic markers induced by transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β) in MRC-5 cells. Moreover, compounds 14 and 17 dose dependently inhibited TGF- β -induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in A549 cells, alleviated TGF- β -induced migration and proliferation of fibroblasts, and decreased the expression of fibrotic markers, fibronectin, and N-cadherin in TGF- β -induced MRC-5 cells. The research showed the potential of cevanine-type alkaloids as a class of natural antifibrotic agents. Six undescribed and nineteen known cevanine-type alkaloids were isolated from the bulbs of Fritillaria unibracteata var. wabuensis and eight alkaloids exhibited antifibrotic activities in vitro. [Display omitted] • 25 cevanine-type alkaloids were isolated from Fritillaria unibracteata var. wabuensis. • The antifibrotic activities of steroidal alkaloids were evaluated for the first time. • Compounds 14 and 17 inhibited TGF- β -induced EMT in A549 cells. • Compounds 14 and 17 inhibited TGF- β -induced migration and proliferation of fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An updated comprehension of landslide kinematics is a prerequisite for developing effective risk assessment and emergency management in the context of climate variability and anthropogenic disturbances. This study employs a multidisciplinary approach, taking the Outang landslide in China's Three Gorges Reservoir area as a case study. We examined the spatiotemporal surface processes and time- and subzone-dependent hydrometeorological factors from 2007 to 2021, particularly identifying rainfall regimes and reservoir water levels that trigger landslide movements. Given the uneven distribution of GNSS surface markers, we introduced weighted monthly mean displacement (D) and weighted marker frequency (f), enhancing the accuracy of our insights into distinct active subzones of the landslide. Preliminary results revealed July, September and June as months of higher susceptibility, as well as months with low water levels. The early-stage deformation control by reservoir water levels is being increasingly overshadowed by rainfall, due to extreme weather events and localized anti-slip measures. Long-term surface processes have also highlighted the transformation of landslide failure modes towards a compound pattern, from a predominantly retrogressive to a thrust-dominated pattern, and even overall translation coupled with localized rotation. Furthermore, the comparative analysis of normalized displacement/strain demonstrates the power and potential of integrating multi-source monitoring data. By revisiting the evolution processes and potential deformation mechanisms of the Outang landslide, we are getting closer to understanding more about the dynamics of giant landslides in reservoir areas, and illuminate the pathway towards enhanced risk management and emergency response strategies. • Revisiting of a case study brings new awakening to the kinematics and drivers of giant reservoir landslides. • Introducing weighted monthly mean displacement and weighted marker frequency to tackle spatial heterogeneity in subzones. • Precipitation has increasingly outperformed and even replaced reservoir water in controlling landslide deformation. • Comparative analysis of normalized surface displacement and subsurface strain illuminates the path towards robust early warning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The soil aggregate multifunctionality (SM) is influnced by aggregate size (AS). • The relation between bacterial diversity and SM is affected by AS and afforestation. • Afforestation enhances the complexity and stability of aggregate bacterial community. • The complexity of bacterial community is the key factor mediating aggregate SM. The multifunctionality of soil ecosystems depends on the soil structure and microenvironment because soil is a multi-structured, interconnected system. However, how the microenvironments of different aggregate affect the soil microbial community and soil multifunctionality remains unknown, which hinders our ability to understand the sustainability of afforestation ecosystems. To address this, we investigated three paired afforestation sequences accosted 629.3 km on the Loess Plateau, China. Our results showed that afforestation significantly increased the stability of soil aggregates and the macroaggregates increased soil multifunctionality, including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycle functions. In addition, soil enzyme (BG, PO, LAP, and NAG) activities were enhanced by the soil aggregate size, which played a major role in supporting soil multifunctionality. This change was directly affected by soil aggregate size or indirectly affected by the complexity of bacterial co-network and was regulated by carbon restriction and the abundance of core species. In addition, macroaggregate increased the complexity of soil bacterial communities and afforestation enhanced the complexity crossed aggregates with different sizes and consequently affected soil multifunctionality during afforestation. Therefore, the responses of soil microbes in different soil aggregates to afforestation should be considered when assessing the sustainability of afforestation, as different soil structures have varied response to forest ecosystems in semiarid and arid climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Seafloor seepage oils are acquired by piston coring in the Beikang Basin, southern South China. • Sea (SCS). • Seafloor seepage oils are probably originated from coal-related source rocks. • Hydrocarbons at depths were expelled to the subseabed driven by fluid overpressure. • Oil seepage induces the reaction of AOM, which modifies geochemical signatures in subsurface sediments. • Oil seepage contains valuable information in enlightening hydrocarbons and hydrates exploration. Seafloor oil seepage, resulting from fluids migration from depth, provides valuable insights into the characteristics of potential source rocks and hydrocarbons. For the first time, seafloor seepage oils were obtained by piston coring in the Beikang Basin, southern South China Sea (SSCS). Based on integrated analysis of the seismic data, core sediments, porewater, headspace gas and heat flow, the geochemical characteristics of seafloor seepage oils and their geological implications were elucidated. Results indicate that deep-sourced hydrocarbons intruded into subsurface sediments via paleo-uplift-related faults, fluid seepage pipes and mixed with in-situ modern marine sediments. Biomarkers suggest the presence of both marine and terrestrial organic matter, as well as a diverse range of thermal maturity levels from immature to mature. The seafloor seepage oil was most likely originated from coal-related source rocks in the Oligocene-Lower Miocene. Deep hydrocarbons were expelled through fractures induced by hydrocarbon-generating overpressure, as well as source rock-connecting faults and finally accumulated atop the paleo-uplift beneath the T3 unconformity. The gradually increased fluid pressure ultimately leads to the fracturing of overlying caprocks, resulting in the formation of fluid seepage pipe and the occurrence of oil seepage on the seafloor. Seafloor oil seepage and the accompanied high methane flux caused biogeochemical process, elements cycling and shoaled the depth of sulfate-methane transition zone (SMTZ), which provides valuable information in indicating gas hydrates occurrence. This study offers significant geological and geochemical information to reveal potential origin of source rocks and hydrocarbons, particularly in the case of limited drilling wells in the SSCS. In addition, this study also advances the understanding of gas-bearing fluids activity and the coupling relationship between deep and shallow strata under a focused fluid seepage background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, wind power prediction has so many problems in the ultra-short-term time scale (0–4h), which is difficult to improve the deterministic prediction and probability prediction accuracy of the wind farm cluster because it can not fully explore the spatio-temporal correlation between the physical change process and the wind farm. In this paper, a method of ultra-short-term deterministic and probability prediction of wind farm cluster power based on Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) considering fluctuation correlation (FC) is proposed. Firstly, the adjacency matrix is constructed based on the power sequence fluctuation information of each wind farm, and the GCN is designed. Secondly, the spatio-temporal features of power and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) wind speed are extracted and fused based on the network model of dual-channel and dual-adjacency matrix. Thirdly, in order to effectively improve the prediction accuracy, a trend switching mechanism is designed based on the effective trend of NWP. When the fluctuation information of NWP is not accurate, the graph structure is constructed by the adjacency matrix based on geographical location to achieve effective prediction. Finally, the method proposed in this paper is applied to wind farm clusters in three provinces of China, compared with some commonly used methods, the average RMSE is reduced by 1.34 %, 1.62 %, 2.07 %, respectively, and the average CWC is reduced by 6.12 %, 4.49 %, 6.62 %, which verifies the effectiveness of this method. • A method for calculating FCC is proposed. • Combined with FCC, the graph structure of wind farm cluster is constructed. • A two-module GCN is designed. • A trend-switching mechanism is designed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are ubiquitous soil fungi in orchard ecosystem, conferring a diverse array of benefits to citrus plants. However, how natural grass coverage, a common phenomenon in citrus orchards in southern China, shifts AM fungal communities in subtropical citrus orchards is far from being understood, especially on a regional scale, which impedes the understanding of the indigenous AM fungal adaptations. In this study, natural grass coverage rate, soil chemical properties, and soil AM fungal community in 80 sampling sites spanning 179, 700 km2 area in subtropical citrus orchards were investigated. The result of 18S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing revealed that a total of eight AM fungal genera were identified and Glomus (90.15 %) was dominant genus in the community in citrus orchards. Natural grass coverage significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM), soil available phosphorus, and AM fungal alpha diversity, especially Glomus. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that grass coverage rate explained more variation in AM fungal alpha diversity than SOM. All the contrasting AM fungal species between different grass coverage rates and all the core AM fungal species belonged to Glomus. Null model analysis revealed that determinism played a slightly larger role in the assembly process of AM fungal communities than stochasticity with a distance-decay relationship. Moreover, natural grass coverage increased the relative importance of stochasticity in the community assembly. Taken together, these results suggest that maintaining natural grass coverage (naturally growing grass) is an effective nature-based solution for enriching AM fungal communities, which is essential for the sustainability of citrus production. • Glomus predominated in the AM fungal community in subtropical citrus orchards. • Natural grass coverage enriched AM fungal richness and diversity. • All of the contrasting and core AM fungal species belonged to Glomus. • Natural grass coverage increased the stochasticity of AM fungal community assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing proportion of renewable energy being integrated into the power system, the stable operation of the power system is facing great challenges. Breaking through the limitation and prolonging the time period of power prediction will help to improve the consumption ability of wind power (WP), adjust the power generation plan, and ensure the safe operation of the power system. Based on the availability of long-foresight-term numerical weather prediction (NWP) and fluctuation trend mining, a wind farm cluster power forecasting method based on dynamic perception of fluctuation trend is proposed for the long-foresight-term wind power prediction (WPP). The method first matches historical power based on the fluctuation trend of NWP wind speed (WS), and then obtains statistical characteristics of similar processes in order to construct new input features. Secondly, after the prediction results are obtained, the predicted power is corrected according to the fluctuation trend to improve the prediction reliability. This method is applied to a wind farm cluster in Gansu Province, China, and the overall prediction accuracy is 2.23 % higher than that of the direct prediction method. It is verified that this method can achieve long-foresight-term prediction and increase the reliability of prediction. • A new prediction time scale (8–15 days) is developed in wind power prediction. • Proposed a two step perception method of NWP fluctuation trends to construct feature. • Proposed a method to correct the prediction result without extra prior information. • Provides a new idea to improve the prediction accuracy without prediction model. • Proposed power prediction idea reduces the RMSE and MAE on average 2.23 % at least. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Flavor characteristics of Qingpi from four regions were evaluated by flash GC E-nose. • More than one hundred and twenty-four volatile components are identified by GC–MS. • Chemometrics and algorithms were explored to discriminate Qingpi geographical origins. • The study can provide a reference for the quality control in food and other agricultural commodities. The present study has successfully established a scientific and precise approach for distinguishing the geographical origins of young citrus fruits (Qingpi) from four primary production regions in China, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and flash gas chromatography electronic nose (flash GC e-nose) to analyze the volatile composition and odor characteristics. Through the application of chemometric analysis, a clear differentiation among Qingpi samples was established using GC–MS. Additionally, the application of flash GC e-nose facilitated the extraction of flavor information, which enabled the discrimination of geographical origins. Several flavor components were identified as significant factors for origin certification. Furthermore, two pattern recognition algorithms were employed to achieve high accuracy in regional identification. The results of this investigation demonstrate that the amalgamation of multivariate chemometrics and algorithms can proficiently discern the sources of those young citrus fruits. The findings of this research can provide a reference for the assessment of quality control in food and other agricultural commodities in the times ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The complete genome sequence of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus PHEA-2, a non-pathogenic phenol-degrading bacterium previously isolated from industrial wastewater of an oil refinery in China, has been established. This is the first sequence of an A. calcoaceticus strain. We report here a comparative genomic analysis of PHEA-2 with two other Acinetobacter species having different lifestyles, Acinetobacter baumannii AYE, a pathogenic human-adapted strain, and Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1, a soil-living strain. For a long time, A. calcoaceticus could not be easily distinguished from A. baumannii strains. Indeed, whole-genome comparison revealed high synteny between A. calcoaceticus and A. baumannii genomes, but most genes for multiple drug resistance as well as those presumably involved in pathogenicity were not present in the PHEA-2 genome and phylogenetic analysis showed that A. calcoaceticus differed from A. baumannii antibiotic-susceptible strains. It also revealed that many genes associated with environmental adaptation were acquired by horizontal gene transfer, including an 8-kb phenol degradation gene cluster. A relatively higher proportion of transport-related proteins were found in PHEA-2 than in ADP1 and AYE. Overall, these findings highlight the remarkable capacity of A. calcoaceticus PHEA-2 to effectively adapt to a phenol-polluted wastewater environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We conduct an audit study in which a pair of simulated patients with identical flu-like complaints visits the same physician. Simulated patient A is instructed to ask a question that showcases his/her knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use, whereas patient B is instructed to say nothing beyond describing his/her symptoms. We find that a patient who displays knowledge of appropriate antibiotics use reduces both antibiotic prescription rates and drug expenditures. Such knowledge also increases physicians’ information provision about possible side effects, but has a negative impact on the quality of the physician–patient interactions. Our results suggest that antibiotics abuse in China is not driven by patients actively demanding antibiotics, but is largely a supply-side phenomenon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The seeds of Gleditsia sinensis Lam., widespread in China, are an important source of galactomannans. G. sinensis gum was extracted from whole seeds using baking, boiling water and acid dehulling pretreatment, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the three isolated G. sinensis gums were studied to evaluate three pretreatment methods. The results illustrated that the properties of G. sinensis gum were significantly influenced by dulling method (p < 0.05) including the yield, M/G ratio, viscosity, chemical composition and molecular weight. Power-law model () was applied to the rheological measurements, which indicated that solutions of Gb, Gw and Ga gum behaved as pseudoplastic fluids at the concentration of 0.5% (w/v). The gum obtained by acid pretreatment (Ga) had the lowest yield of 20–24% (w/w). However Ga showed a pronounced shear-thinning behavior and particularly higher viscosity compared with the gums extracted by baking pretreatment (Gb) and boiling water dehulling method (Gw). The mannose to galactose ratios (M/G ratio) for Gb, Gw and Ga were found to be 4.5, 4.4 and 6.9, respectively. The highest molecular weight of 3.31 × 106 Da was observed for the galactomannans of Gb. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In long-term developed countries socioeconomic position across the life course is positively associated with health. We examined these associations in a developing country with a history of efforts to reorganize the social hierarchy. Taking a life course perspective, we used multi-variable logistic regression to assess the association of socioeconomic disadvantage at four life stages (measured by parental possessions, education, longest-held occupation and current household income) with self-rated health, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and metabolic syndrome in 20,086 Chinese adults aged ≥50 years from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (2005–2008). Model comparisons were used to determine whether the number of exposures to disadvantage (accumulation of risk) was more important than the life stage of exposure (critical periods). Socioeconomic disadvantage across the life course was associated with poor self-rated health, COPD and, in women only, with metabolic syndrome. Adjusting for adult health-related behavior (smoking, alcohol use and physical exercise) altered these associations very little. Associations between socioeconomic disadvantage and health in this Southern Chinese population were broadly similar to those found in Western countries in terms of the accumulation of disadvantage across the life course. However, longest-held occupation was not independently associated with adult health and socioeconomic disadvantage was not associated with metabolic syndrome in men. This suggests that the mechanisms linking socioeconomic position to health in China may be different from those in Western populations and may require context-specific policy interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The iron-pillared bentonite (Fe-Ben) was prepared by ion-exchange using the natural bentonite (GZ-Ben) from Gaozhou, China, at room temperature without calcination. Both Fe-Ben and GZ-Ben were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the d(001) value and surface area of the bentonite material increased after iron pillaring. Fe-Ben adsorbed much more Rhodamine B (RhB) than GZ-Ben, which can be ascribed to the special surface properties and large surface area of Fe-Ben. The optimum pH value for the adsorption of RhB on Fe-Ben is 5.0. The adsorption of RhB onto Fe-Ben can be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the intraparticle diffusion kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm of RhB onto Fe-Ben matches well with the Langmuir model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Intergenerational ‘mismatch’ between maternal and adult environments, common in developing economies, has been hypothesized as contributing to obesity. In a rapidly developing population, we examined whether maternal conditions, proxied by maternal literacy, were associated with adult adiposity, proxied by body mass index (BMI) and waist–hip ratio (WHR) and whether these associations were modified by later life conditions, proxied by socio-economic position (SEP) at three life stages. We also examined if maternal conditions had sex-specific associations with adult adiposity. In a cross-sectional study of 19,957 adults (≥50 years) from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (phases 2 and 3 in 2005–2008), we used multivariable linear regression to assess the association of maternal literacy with BMI and WHR, and whether the associations varied with sex, age or SEP. The adjusted association of maternal literacy with WHR varied with sex. In women, but not men, maternal illiteracy was associated with higher WHR and BMI, adjusted for age; these associations remained, although attenuated, after adjusting for lifestyle, life course SEP and paternal literacy. There was little evidence that associations varied with SEP at any stage, although continuity of poor conditions into early life may have exacerbated the association of maternal illiteracy with higher WHR in women. Poor maternal conditions in developing populations may increase vulnerability to adiposity in women. Whether such sex-specific intergenerational effects are driven by epigenetics, maternal sex hormones or other mechanisms, remains to be determined. However, mismatched maternal and later life conditions do not appear to be associated with adiposity. Our findings, although preliminary, imply that a transient epidemic of obesity may occur in the first generation of women who experience economic development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation plays a key role in the process of atherosclerosis. We therefore study the role of smoking and smoking cessation on the levels of inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) count, in older Chinese men. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 2999 men aged 50–85 years who received a medical check-up including measurement of fasting plasma vascular risk factors. Information on smoking status, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors was collected by standardized interview. Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, both CRP and WBC increased linearly across never, former and current smokers (both p <0.01). The odds ratios of elevated CRP and WBC (upper tertiles) were also increased across never, former and current smokers (both p <0.01). Dose–response relationships were observed among current smokers. Compared to current smokers, the odds ratios of elevated CRP and WBC and means of CRP and WBC declined with longer duration of smoking cessation (all p <0.01). Conclusions: Smoking is associated with increased CRP and WBC levels, and smoking cessation is associated with the reduction of the increase, confirming the benefits of quitting. Inflammation may be a potential mechanism by which smoking promotes atherosclerotic disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Water splitting for renewable energy technologies necessitates the creation of low-cost, highly active, and stable electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which remains a challenging issue. Oxide-based catalysts, especially perovskites (ABO 3), ruddlesden–popper perovskite (A 2 BO 4) and pyrochlore-type oxides (A 2 B 2 O 7), have attracted gotten much interest as electrocatalysts for water splitting because of their distinctive physical, chemical, and electronic properties. In this work, a scientometric analysis is conducted on developing various oxide-based catalysts for water splitting to explore further developments. Up to now, a total of 29,761 publications (between the years 1990–2020) have been obtained from the Web of Science (WoS) website by searching for these written documents on this subject with a variety of linking keywords. The derived documents were subjected to a scientometric study, which included a look at the contributing authors, publications, contributing countries, top citation bursts, and topic categories. Based on the information obtained, in this research area, the publications started to increase dramatically since 2012. In terms of scientific output on oxide-based catalysts for water splitting, China and the United States were discovered to be the world leaders. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The microbial diversity was analyzed in Chinese high-salt fermented Suanyu. • The Lactobacillus plantarum B7 strain as the most suitable strain was isolated from Chinese high-salt fermented Suanyu. • The strain B7 can effectively improve the safety and nutrition of Suanyu products. Traditional high-salt fermented Suanyu is an ethnic fermented fish product in southwest China. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most appropriate strains because of their technological properties during ripening fermentation. The diversity of LAB in high-salt fermented Chinese Suanyu was examined through high-throughput sequencing (HTS), and the most suitable LAB strain was acquired through strain isolation and characterization, surimi simulation fermentation system, and principal component analysis (PCA). The processing adaptability of the strain was examined via Suanyu fermentation. Results showed that Lactobacillus, Tetragenococcus, and Weissella were the dominant bacteria in Suanyu, and their contributions were 53.99%, 35.60%, and 4.10%, respectively. The most suitable strain (Lactobacillus plantarum B7) rapidly produced acid, exhibited a strong antibacterial activity, showed salt tolerance, and had no amino acid decarboxylase activity. pH decreased to about 3.6. Eventually, the ability to tolerate 20% salt was observed, and the activity of amino acid decarboxylase was negative. Fermented Suanyu with B7 rapidly produced acid (11.7% d-1). The non-protein nitrogen (NPN) and total free amino acid (FAA) contents of fermented Suanyu were higher and its total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), and biogenic amines (BAs) levels were lower than those of naturally fermented Suanyu. Therefore, B7 is a potential microbial starter for Suanyu industrial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • TP, OP, labile P and EHOP in the WLFZ soil decreased after frequent DRW. • P mic , OM and Fe ox are key factors affecting the increase of labile P after DRW. • DRW changed the proportions of the various fractions of soil organic P. • Source proportions for the increased labile P after DRW were determined. The water-level fluctuation zone (WLFZ) of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) in China has been frequently subjected to drying and rewetting (DRW) since the construction of the Three Gorges Dam. The increased soil labile phosphorus (P) after DRW potentially increases the risk of the release of soil P from the WLFZ to the reservoir water. Our study explored the effects of DRW on the P status of WLFZ soils. In June 2018, surface soil (0–2 cm) samples were taken in the WLFZ at two altitudes of in a tributary (Pengxi River) of the TGR. The labile P and the soil properties were determined in both field-moist and air-dried soils, and the organic P fractions in the bicarbonate extracts were determined through enzymatic hydrolysis. In addition, the contributions of various sources to the increase of soil labile P after DRW were quantified by using the improved organic P fractions tracing method. The results showed that the contents of TP, OP, Olsen-TP, Olsen-IP, Olsen-OP and the proportion of bioavailable P in the field-moist soils at 145 m were significantly lower than those at 165 m. Inorganic P was the main contributor to the increase in P in the bicarbonate extractants following DRW. P mic , OM and Fe ox were found to be the main factors influencing the increase in soil labile P after DRW. The organic P fractions, such as diester P, phytate-like P and unknown P, also increased significantly after DRW. The transformation of slowly cycling P contributed 78% and 51% to the increase in Olsen-TP at 145 m and 165 m, respectively, and the death of microorganisms contributed 16% and 18%. The proposed method to quantify the source of increased soil labile P after DRW potentially contributes to reduce the release risk of P from the continent to the receiving aquatic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A granitic regolith profile was investigated for mineralogy and geochemistry. • Low CIA values of the top-soils are due to physical and biological processes. • High precipitation can lead to vertical leaching and translocation of minerals. • Petrographic and mineralogical proxies are useful for weathering degree evaluation. Continental weathering plays a crucial role in the evolution of the Earth's surface by linking Earth's spheres, shaping landscapes and regulating chemical cycles and global climate. Regolith weathering studies in some cases ideally assume successive and progressive bottom-up physicochemical variation trends. To validate this assumption, we target a granitic regolith profile in a subtropical monsoon climate-dominated region (southeast China). We present mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical data from soil, saprolite and bedrock samples to characterize physical and chemical alterations. The petrographic and mineralogical results indicate that both plagioclase and K-feldspar are depleted and kaolinite is the major neoformed mineral phase in top-soil samples, revealing intensive chemical weathering on the regolith. However, these top-soil samples have much lower chemical index of alteration (CIA, ca. 64–67) values than the underlying oxidized-soil samples (CIA values ranging 65–80). Some chemically immobile elements, such as Al, Ti, Zr and Hf, are depleted in top-soil samples but are comparatively enriched in oxidized-soil samples. This is attributed to vertical leaching and translocation of fine-grained minerals (e.g., kaolinite, illite and zircon) through the soils. Furthermore, the analyzed top-soil samples are comparatively rich in elements K and P, which are most likely due to the evident biological fixation process. These physical and biological processes in the unconsolidated, porous and biotic top-soil layer can be responsible for the unexpected low CIA values. Our findings demonstrate the complex physical, chemical and biological alterations on soils and the differential behaviors between weathering and pedogenic processes, especially for those tropical–subtropical high rainfall regions. This case study also highlights the importance of petrographic and mineralogical proxies to chemical weathering intensity evaluation for regolith profiles and siliciclastic sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polyphasic characterization of 54 indigenous mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) rhizobia from different geographic regions of China was determined by analyzing the variability of 16S rRNA gene RFLP, 16S–23S rRNA gene Intergenetic Spacer (IGS) RFLP, G-C rich RAPD and phenotype assays. Based on these characteristics, mung bean rhizobia were clustered into four groups. Group I comprised 16 slow-growing isolates from a variety of geographic regions. This group was genetically distinct from Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium liaoningense, and may represent a new species. Group II was composed of 18 isolates, which could be sub-divided into two sub-groups that were respectively related to B. japonicum and B. liaoningense. Group III comprised 12 isolates from South China and clustered together with Bradyrhizobium elkanii. Group IV formed a miscellany of 8 fast-growing isolates variously related to the genera Sinorhizobium, Rhizobium and Mesorhizobium. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) has been introduced as an alternative treatment for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). We report on the acute, short- and long-term results of our experiences in 119 patients from a single center in China. Methods and results: PTSMA was performed in 119 patients with symptomatic HOCM (mean age 35.4±14.8 years, male 80, female 39). All patients had echocardiography performed prior to the procedure, 2-week post-PTSMA, and 6-month post-PTSMA, and 65 patients had echocardiography repeated at 2-year follow-up. The average left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient was 67.3±7.8 mm Hg before the procedure, and 15.9±6.8 mm Hg after the procedure (p<0.05). The thickness of interventricular septum (IVS) was 23.3±5.6 mm before the procedure, 18.6±4.8 mm 2-week post-PTSMA (p<0.05), and 16.8±3.4 mm 6-month post-PTSMA in all of the patients, and 15.6±3.1 mm 2-year post-PTSMA in 65 patients. The mean width of LVOT was 6.7±2.0 mm before the procedure, 8.2±3.4 mm 2-week post-PTSMA (p<0.05), 13.7±6.3 mm 6-month post-PTSMA and 15.1±2.4 mm 2-year post-PTSMA. The incidence of right bundle branch block development post-PTSMA was 52.9%, and three patients (2.5%) had complete heart block. There was no death. Conclusions: PTSMA is a promising non-surgical procedure for symptomatic patients with HOCM because of its low risk and its significant hemodynamic, echocardiographic and clinical improvement. The significant therapeutic remodeling period was up to 6 months rather than 2 years following the procedure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• We assessed the safety/immunogenicity of full-/half-dose subunit NAIIV4 in 6–35 months subjects. • We compared the safety/immunogenicity of this subunit vs. a licensed split-virion NAIIV4 in ≥ 3 years subjects. • We assessed the effect of the dose of subunit NAIIV4 in 6–35 months toddlers. • The full-dose subunit NAIIV4 is safe and can elicit robust immune response in ≥ 6 months subjects. Quadrivalent influenza inactivated vaccine (IIV4) is more likely to provide wider protection against yearly circulating influenza viruses than trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3). In this study, a total of 320 participants were allocated to four age cohorts (6–35 months, 3–8 years, 9–17 years, and ≥ 18 years; 80 participants/cohort) according to their actual date of birth. Participants in each cohort were randomly assigned to two groups to receive intramuscular injection of the trial vaccine or the comparative vaccine in a one-dose (3–8 years, 9–17 years,and ≥ 18 years) schedule on day 0 or two-dose (6–35 months cohort) schedule on day 0 and 28. The first objective is to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the full-dose subunit non-adjuvanted IIV4 (FD-subunit NAIIV4) we developed versus an active-control, China-licensed split-virion NAIIV4, in people ≥ 3 years. The second objective is to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of FD-subunit NAIIV4 versus the half-dose (HD-subunit NAIIV4) in toddlers aged 6–35 months. Results showed that all adverse reactions noted were rare, mild, and self-limited. In ≥ 3 years cohorts, systemic adverse reactions in FD-subunit NAIIV4 groups were less than the active control split-virion NAIIV4 groups ([Systemic adverse reaction rates (95%CI)], 15.0 (8.6–21.4) versus 19.2(12.1–26.2), p = 0.391). The overall seroprotection efficacy after vaccination were comparable between FD-subunit NAIIV4 and the active control split-virion NAIIV4([Seroprotection rates (95%CI)], H1N1, 99.2(81.3–100.0) versus 94.9(90.9–98.9), p = 0.117; H3N2, 81.7(74.7–88.6) versus 82.1(75.1–89.0), p = 0.939; BV, 75.8(68.2–83.5) versus 74.4(66.4–82.3), p = 0.793; BY, 94.2(90.0–98.4) versus 92.3(87.5–97.1), p = 0.568). Additionally, FD-subunit NAIIV4 has comparable safety and better seroprotection versus that of the half-dose in 6–35 months toddlers groups ([Total adverse reaction rates (95%CI)], 37.5(18.5–56.5) versus 47.5(26.1–68.9), p = 0.366) ([Seroprotection rates (95%CI)], H1N1, 85(56.4–100.0) versus 75.7(47.6–100.0), p = 0.117; H3N2, 50(28.1–71.9) versus 29.7(12.2–47.3), p = 0.070; BV, 75(48.2–100.0) versus 29.7(12.2–47.3), p < 0.001; BY, 75(48.2–100.0) versus 56.8(32.5–81.0), p = 0.091). As a result, the FD-subunit NAIIV4 we developed is safe and effective to provide broader and adequate protection against the circulating influenza viruses during 2018–2019, which could be an essential component of the global preventive strategy for influenza pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk factors and outcomes of patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Acinetobacter baumannii are major concerns in clinical therapy. Multicenter case–control studies were performed to compare the clinical characteristics of 47 A. baumannii BSI patients and 124 matched controls with nonbloodstream A. baumannii infections and the clinical and molecular characteristics of BSI survivors and nonsurvivors. Additionally, the mortality of BSIs was assessed. The clinical characteristics, including neutropenia, ICU admission prior to positive culture, primary infection in the central nervous system, and carbapenem use prior to positive culture, were independently associated with BSI caused by A. baumannii. The mortality of the BSI patients was significantly higher than that of the controls. A high Pitt bacteremia score was found to be an independent predictor of mortality in the BSI patients. The healthcare-associated factors, disease severity level, or antibiotic usage increased the risks of A. baumannii BSI and related mortality. • Multicenter case–control studies on AB BSI patients collected from 2009 to 2018 in China • Risk factors for BSIs due to AB compared to nonbloodstream Ab infections • Mortality of BSIs due to AB compared to nonbloodstream Ab infections • Clinical and molecular comparison between BSI survivors and nonsurvivors • Resistance and virulence determinant comparison of BSI survivors and nonsurvivors [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has received increased attention as a major public health problem among adolescents. However, there is a lack of evidence testing the longitudinal association between cybervictimization and NSSI as well as its underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms. The current study investigated the potential mediator (i.e., anxiety symptoms) and moderator (i.e., self-control) of the relation between cybervictimization and NSSI over a 12-month period.Methods: Three waves of data (called T1, T2 and T3) were collected 6 months apart, between November 2018 and 2019. 1987 Chinese adolescents completed self-report measures in their classrooms. SEM was used to test a moderated mediation model, with gender, age and childhood trauma and baseline measures as covariates.Results: The results found a longitudinal association between cybervictimization and NSSI as well as the mediating role of anxiety symptoms in explaining this association. Moderated mediation analyses revealed that greater cybervictimization contributed to anxiety symptoms, which in turn predicted increased levels of NSSI only among adolescents with lower self-control.Limitations: Measures of study variables were self-reported, and generalizability may be limited by a sample of adolescents from school in China.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the indirect effect of anxiety symptoms in the association between cybervictimization and NSSI was conditioned by self-control. These results have implications for preventative interventions aimed toward reducing NSSI for at-risk adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Juvenile COVID-19 patients had faster times to re-detectable positive (RP) results than any other age groups. • Sampling from the digestive tract may be better for identifying RP. • No marked difference in imaging changes between RP and no RP patients were observed. • Nearly three-quarters of patients had protective antibodies 6 months post-discharge. • The disappearance rate of antibodies was more rapid in juveniles than adults. Almost a year after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many hospitalized COVID-19 patients have recovered. However, little is known about the long-term follow-up (> 2 months) of discharged patients. This study enrolled 527 discharged COVID-19 patients from 05 February to 11 March 2020. Basic characteristics, imaging features, nucleic acid detection results, and antibody levels of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 527 discharged patients, 32 (6.1%) had re-detectable positive (RP) nucleic acid results for SARS-CoV-2 during follow-up examinations, with 11 and four detections entailing stool samples and anal swabs, respectively, rather than respiratory samples. Juveniles were more susceptible to "infection recurrence" than other age groups, with shorter time spans for re-detectable positive (RP) RNA tests (an average of 8.8 days [6.0–9.0 days]), while the reverse was true for the middle-aged group (17.5 days on average [14.0–17.5 days]). Similar improvements in the imaging features of both RP and no RP (NRP) groups were observed. Negative antibody detections in patients at 3 and 6 months after discharge were 14.2% and 25.0%, respectively. Cases evidencing negative antibodies were more common among juvenile patients (40% vs. 15.6%, P = 0.03) 6 months post-discharge. A total of 6.1% of 527 discharged patients showed RP status, which may be easier to be identified from stool samples than from other samples. Given the dropping rate of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, reinfection may happen, especially in juvenile patients (aged < 18 years). These findings have implications for the long-term management of recovered COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is the first of its kind in China to explore the factors influencing the stigma of depression in persons living with MDD from the multidimensional perspective of individuals, their families, and society. • The study investigated the association of IS and PS with medication adherence based on a longitudinal cohort. • This study introduces a testable hypothesis from our data, proposing that strategies targeting IS in individuals with major MDD could significantly increase adherence to antidepressant treatment. This study sought to evaluate internalized stigma (IS) and perceived stigma (PS), in persons (n = 522) living with major depressive disorder (MDD), with a view to analyzing the association of IS and PS with medication adherence in a cohort of participants with MDD in China. Perceived stigma is the awareness of societal negative views and attitudes towards depression, and IS is applying others' attitudes to oneself, both measured by the Depression Stigma Scale (DSS). Medication adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). We observed that 76.0 % of participants reported IS and 84.5 % reported PS. Factors associated with increased IS included older age, marital status, disease history, and a higher baseline Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Higher education level, family income, and scores on the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were associated with lower levels of IS. Higher education levels, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) scores, and living with others were also associated with higher PS, while engagement in exercise and higher number of prior episodes were associated with lower PS. IS had a negative association with medication adherence, whereas PS did not significantly associate with adherence. In conclusion, a testable hypothesis is derived from our data that strategies targeting IS amongst persons with MDD may improve overall rates of adherence to antidepressant treatment, a necessary prelude to improving recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil-rock interfaces are identified by using electrical resistivity tomography. • Soil probe measurements are likely to underestimate soil thickness in karst areas. • Soil thickness/stock in karst forests decreases from high to low latitudes. • The rock outcrop coverage rate explains 52 % of the variation in soil thickness. Soils provide storage space for nutrients and water, which governs many hydrological processes and functions in the natural ecosystems. Due to the complex soil-rock structures and localized climate, soil thickness and stock vary distinctly in different karst areas in southwest China. The difficulties of soil detection and the non-transparent underground soil-rock structures limit a deeper understanding of the spatial distribution of soils and their ecological functions. In this study, we employed electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) combined with soil probes to detect the spatial distribution of soils on hillslopes in karst forests in southwest China. The ERT surveys were conducted at six sites with 19 plots (20 × 30 m2) along latitudinal gradients. The results show that the ERT method performs well in visualizing the complex soil–bedrock interfaces and patchy distribution of soils in karst hillslopes, with remarkable consistency with the observed soil thickness and rock outcrops. Soil probes often hit rocks in soils (which we call a "rock barrier effect"), resulting in an underestimation of the mean soil thickness within the one-meter exploration depth by ∼0.18 m. This indicates that soil stock estimates derived from soil probes may be obviously underestimated in karst areas where the rock barrier effects are widespread. Meanwhile, the concept of equivalent soil thickness is proposed to remove the impact of scattered bedrock on soil stock estimation. For the six selected sites, the ERT-inferred mean soil thickness, equivalent soil thickness, and stock are 0.86 m, 0.60 m, and 0.10 m3/m3 respectively, with a trend of decreasing from high to low latitudes. Moreover, the rock outcrop coverage rate explains 52 % (60 %) of the variation in soil thickness (stock), followed by the annual mean temperature. This study emphasizes the importance of considering bedrock topography and its distribution in improving the detection of soil distribution, and the implications of the findings in this study are perhaps most profound for soil thickness-related soil erosion, soil water storage, and carbon storage in karst critical zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protecting coastal wetlands and preventing the erosion of tidal flats are major challenges in the most coastal regions of China because of strong anthropogenic influence and ongoing sediment reduction from upstream sources. The Jiuduansha Wetland holds both national and international value. However, there has been a decrease in the accretion rate, leading to the occurrence of marsh and bank erosion along the southern bank section of the wetland. In this study, we examined the effects of various nature-based solutions (Nbs) on the marsh-edge erosion belt, including fencing (F) with environmentally friendly bamboo piles; vegetation planting (V) using native species; fencing and vegetation planting (FV); fencing and sediment addition (FS) using dredged soil; and fencing, vegetation planting, and sediment addition (FSV). The results show that the flat elevation in the early erosion belt continuously declined without any treatment, and the mitigation functions of the different approaches were comparable. The F treatments with single wave barriers could not protect the bank and could even aggravate the degree of erosion over one year. Although exogenetic sediments filled the FS experimental plots, the flat elevation level did not notably increase. When the marsh vegetation was established in the experimental plots (V treatment), notable elevation accretion occurred (2.4 cm year−1), and the FV and FSV treatments further enhanced sedimentary accretion (4.5 cm and 6.4 cm year−1, respectively) and vegetation growth (based on density and biomass), showing positive feedback of hydro-sedimentary and biological processes. The synthesized approach to utilize environmentally friendly wave barriers, establish native vegetation and replenish dredged sediment is recommended to be used in the Nbs that aim at preserving the biogeomorphology of coastal salt marshes in the early erosion stage. • Nature-based solutions were conducted to mitigate erosion trend of coastal wetland. • Single wave barriers could not protect the bank and could even aggravate erosion. • Elevation accretion occurred when vegetation and sediment settled on the mudflat. • Synthesized mitigation approaches are recommended to preserve coastal wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the incidence of thyroid cancer has been on a significant rise worldwide, and a number of environmental factors have been suspected to be risk factors for thyroid cancer, especially the relationship between iodine intake and thyroid cancer has attracted attention. In this study, we want to assess the relationship between different water iodine exposures and thyroid cancer incidence before and after water alteration in areas with high water iodine in China. Thyroid cancer patients (2009–2020) were enrolled at two hospitals, both in Heze City, Shandong Province, an area with high water iodine levels. According to the criteria of the study, 5826 cases out of 8785 cases were selected for inclusion in the study. Before and after water alteration, the incidence of thyroid cancer was highest in areas with water iodine concentrations of 200–300 μg/L in high iodine areas. In areas where water iodine decreased to adequate iodine levels, there was a strong negative correlation between the decreased level of water iodine and the incidence of thyroid cancer. In addition, in cases with pathology reports, we found that the greater the decrease in water iodine values, the markedly smaller the maximum diameter of the thyroid cancer lesions. Taken together, these findings suggest that we should continue to monitor the incidence of thyroid cancer in areas with high water iodine and continue to optimize population iodine intake to reduce the incidence of thyroid cancer. [Display omitted] • Highest incidence of thyroid cancer found in areas with 200–300 μg/L water iodine. • Water iodine decline values negatively correlated with thyroid cancer incidence. • The lower water iodine levels, the smaller the diameter of thyroid cancer lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An AGPP data was generated through building its yearly mapping schemes. • Chinese total AGPP was 7.39 ± 0.62 PgC yr−1 with a growth rate of 0.095 PgC yr−2. • Chinese AGPP trends spatially decreased from east to west. • Ecosystem responses dominate AGPP trends via structural properties in north regions. • Ecosystem responses dominate AGPP trends in west and south regions via functional properties. The annual gross primary productivity (AGPP) forms the foundation for terrestrial carbon sink. AGPP trends stem from the combined impacts of environmental factors and ecosystem responses to those factors. These responses include model structure modifications altering both the structural properties (represented by leaf area index) and the functional properties (represented by per leaf AGPP). Understanding the contributions of ecosystem responses to AGPP trends is crucial for accurately assessing spatiotemporal variations in AGPP, which aids in effective carbon management. Based on eddy covariance measurements of AGPP in China, we generated AGPP during 2000–2020 by constructing yearly AGPP mapping schemes from site measurements and analyzed AGPP trends. The roles of ecosystem responses and their pathways were further elucidated by employing analysis of variance. Results showed that the total AGPP in China was 7.39 ± 0.62 PgC yr−1, with an increasing trend of 0.095 PgC yr−2. This increase primarily sourced from the total AGPP in Subtropical Evergreen Needleleaf Forest. AGPP trends spatially decreased from east to west, with most regions showing positive values. Structural and functional properties contributed similarly to AGPP trends, with varying regional contributions. The structural properties played a dominant role in north regions while the functional properties were more important in south and west regions. Ecosystem responses similarly determined the trends of ecosystem properties, which decreased from west to east. Ecosystem responses thus dominated AGPP trends through the structural properties in north regions but through the functional properties in south and west regions. Therefore, Chinese AGPP exhibited a spatially varied increasing trend during 2000–2020. Ecosystem responses dominated AGPP trends through divergent properties across regions. Our results highlight the significanc of ecosystem responses in AGPP trends and their divergent pathways across regions. This also provides independent data support for quantifying regional carbon budgets. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Allergic rhinitis patients with high baseline sIgE levels of Der p 1 demonstrate better efficacy in subcutaneous immunotherapy. • Patients classified as treatment effective and treatment ineffective exhibit opposite changes in dust mite component-specific sIgE levels. • HDM-allergic rhinitis patients in the Central China region show a higher sensitization rate to Der p 1 (94.74%) and Der p 2 (94.74%), while demonstrating lower sensitization rates to Der p 23 (36.84%) and Der p 10 (5.26%). The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of sensitization to house dust mite (HDM) components among allergic rhinitis patients receiving subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), and to assess the correlation between SCIT efficacy and specific IgE (sIgE) levels for allergenic HDM components. Serum samples and clinical data were collected from 38 allergic rhinitis patients receiving HDM-SCIT at baseline and after 1 year of treatment. Effective treatment was defined as a therapeutic index (TI) of at least 50% after 1 year. Cytokine levels were analyzed using commercial ELISA kits, while serum total and specific IgE levels were determined by the fluoroenzymeimmunoassay technique. The ALLEOS 2000 magnetic particle chemiluminescence system was used to measure sIgE levels for Der f, Der p 1, Der p 2, Der p 10, and Der p 23. Allergic rhinitis patients undergoing HDM-SCIT had a high rate of allergic sensitization to the HDM major allergens Der p (100%), Der f (100%), Der p 1 (94.74%), Der p 2 (94.74%), and Der p 23 (36.84%). Patients who responded to SCIT had higher levels of IgE for HDM components at baseline, while those with ineffective treatment showed an opposite performance, particularly for Der p 1 (P＜0.05). After 1 year of treatment, effective and ineffective patients showed opposite trends in sIgE for dust mite components (decreased in effective patients, increased in ineffective patients). HDM-SCIT led to a significant reduction in IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and EOS% (P＜0.05). IgE for Der p, Der f, Der p 1, Der p 2, and HDM sIgE were significantly positively correlated (P < 0.001). The correlation heatmap analysis based on changes in values reveals a negative correlation between CSMS score changes and sIgE for Der f and Der p 1, and a positive correlation with IL-2, IL-10, and TNF (P < 0.05). The molecular sensitization profiles during HDM-SCIT are variable and relate to treatment efficacy. Molecular diagnosis can assist allergists in identifying patients eligible for HDM-SCIT, thereby enhancing the treatment's clinical efficacy. Serum cytokine levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6，and EOS% may serve as useful biomarkers for monitoring HDM-SCIT efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Debao deposit is a skarn type Sn-Cu deposit in South China. • Cassiterite U-Pb dating yielded the exact mineralization timing of ∼ 440 Ma. • The Qinjia granites were emplaced at ∼ 440 Ma. • The Qijia granites have strong Sn mineralization potential. Numerous W-Sn deposits are developed in South China. While the majority of these deposits are related to the Yanshanian granites, a few of them are associated with the Early Paleozoic granites, and their geological significance is poorly understood. The Debao deposit is a typical skarn Sn-Cu polymetallic deposit that is spatially related to the Early Paleozoic Qinjia granites. Zircon U-Pb dating of three lithofacies (coarse-grained biotite granite, medium-grained porphyritic biotite granite and fine-grained porphyritic biotite granite) of the Qinjia granites yielded emplacement ages of 437.8 ± 3.0 Ma, 440.2 ± 2.0 Ma and 441.0 ± 3.0 Ma, respectively, consistent with cassiterite U-Pb ages of skarn ore (439.6 ± 2.7 Ma), indicating a close genetic relationship between the granitic magmatism and Sn mineralization. Biotite from the Qinjia granites belong to the ferro-biotite series with relatively high F contents (up to 0.70 wt. %). The Biotite compositions plot near the Ni-NiO (NNO) buffer on a Fe3+-Fe2+-Mg2+ diagram, suggesting formation under relatively low oxygen fugacity. The Qinjia granites are characterized by highly silicious (70.37–72.88 wt. %), high alkali (Na 2 O + K 2 O = 6.98–8.88 wt. %) and metaluminous to strongly peraluminous with the A/CNK ratios of 0.92–1.21, belonging to the I-S transform-type granites. They are enriched in U, Th, Zr, Nd and Hf, and depleted in Ba, Sr, Nb, Ta and Ti. They display right-declining chondrite-normalized REE patterns with significant negative Eu anomalies (Eu N /Eu* = 0.33–0.66), and have low Nb/Ta and K/Rb ratios, indicating that the Qinjia granites experienced a high degree of fractional crystallization. The zircon ε Hf (t) values (−2.7 to +1.4), together with T DM C of 1.59 to 1.33 Ga, indicate that the granites formed via partial melting of Mesoproterozoic crustal with minor addition of mantle materials. The reduced (f O 2 near NNO and Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios of zircon < 100), fractionated and volatile-rich magma facilitated the enrichment of Sn in the residual melt and hydrothermal fluids. Combined with previous studies on the Early Paleozoic magmatic rocks and tectonic activities in South China, we suggest that the Qinjia granites and associated Sn-Cu mineralization were likely formed in the post-collisional extensional environment during the Wuyi-Yunkai orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Vegetation structure changes the process of rainfall redistribution. • Upper soil nitrogen increased, lower soil increased first then decreased. • Rainfall redistribution affects nitrogen components and distribution pattern. • Litter interception affects upper soil nitrogen. • Moisture entering the soil affects lower soil nitrogen. The effects of vegetation restoration on soil moisture dynamics and nutrient content have been widely studied; however, the knowledge on variation in rainfall redistribution and soil nitrogen component characteristics remain limited, particularly with respect to their relationship in restored ecosystems. Therefore, the characteristics of plant community structure, rainfall redistribution, and soil nitrogen components from farmland and Robinia pseudoacacia (RP) plantations of four restoration ages (12, 20, 30, and 45 a) were investigated and measured in the Wuliwan watershed in the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that changes in plant community structure affected the rainfall redistribution processes. The throughfall and moisture entering the soil (MES) had the largest proportions (79.50 % and 60.25 %) in the initial and second distributions of atmospheric rainfall, respectively. With the increase in restoration age, the content of soil total nitrogen (STN), soil nitrate nitrogen (SNN), soil soluble total nitrogen (SSTN), soil soluble organic nitrogen (SSON), and soil soluble inorganic nitrogen (SSIN) all increased with restoration age in the upper soil (0–40 cm), fluctuated in the middle soil (40–100 cm), and increased and then decreased in the deeper soil (100–200 cm). In addition, the vegetation restoration process can indirectly affect soil nitrogen content and distribution patterns by affecting the rainfall redistribution process. In the upper soil, litter interception (LI) had a significant effect on STN by affecting SSIN and SSON. In the middle soil, both LI and MES had significant effects on STN through SSIN and SSON, respectively. In the deeper soil, LI had no significant effect on any nitrogen component, whereas MES had a significant effect on STN by affecting SSIN. Overall, this study indicates that RP plantation restoration has the potential to transform rainfall redistribution and soil nitrogen distribution, providing an important reference for the reciprocal feedback relationship between water and nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposed a technical framework for ecological restoration zoning from the hydro-ecological perspective. • Proposed an zoning method which embedding landscape pattern models and hydrological models. • Emphasis on dynamic evolution process of hydro-ecology. • There is significant improvement of hydro-ecology and the regional differentiation was enlarged during 2000–2022. To prevent the degradation and destruction of ecosystems, ecological restoration has become a worldwide issue. In recent years, China has been comprehensively carrying out relevant work on national spatial ecological restoration planning, among which the work on ecological restoration zoning can provide strong support for the implementation of ecological restoration strategies. We propose a theoretical framework and technical route for ecological restoration zoning from the hydro-ecological perspective, and suggest forming a regional ecological restoration zoning system based on the watershed as the basic unit and the dynamic evolution process of hydro-ecology as the core. We conduct an empirical study in Yanqing District, Beijing. The results show that: (i) From 2000 to 2022, the hydro-ecological comprehensive index of Yanqing District shows an upward trend. In terms of spatial pattern changes, it roughly shows a rising trend in the northeastern and southern mountainous areas, and a downward trend in the central-western and southwestern basins. (ii) Six types of ecological restoration zones are formed with the watershed as the basic unit. Zone Ⅰ accounts for the largest area (26.87%), and Zone Ⅵ accounts for the smallest proportion (7.14%). (iii) The proportion of areas with good or superior hydro-ecology in the Ecological Policy Zone of Yanqing District increased by 15.89% from 2000 to 2022, which is significantly higher than the average level, confirming the effectiveness of ecological policies such as nature reserves. This study provides a paradigm for ecological restoration zoning from the hydro-ecological perspective, and provides assistance for regional ecological restoration and sustainable development in China and even globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent boom in solar photovoltaics has intensified global competition for land use. Water-surface photovoltaics (WSPV) has also increased globally as an efficient alternative to land-based photovoltaics. Determining the spatio-temporally distribution of WSPVs is essential for estimating renewable energy capacity, evaluating the associated socio-environmental impacts, and managing and planning WSPV projects. However, a comprehensive inventory of WSPV locations and extent on the global scale is still lacking. To address these issues, we developed a workflow for identifying WSPVs using time-series optical satellite images and generated the first global-scale WSPV inventory map. The results demonstrate that WSPV has experienced rapid expansion with an average annual growth rate of 20.6% between 2019 and 2021. By 2021, a total of 1027 WSPV projects in 27 countries were detected, covering a water area of 272.0 km2. Asia dominates the fast-emerging WSPV development, with eleven countries that rank in the top fourteen for WSPV are located in Asia. The development of WSPV in China far exceeds that of all other countries, accounting for 95.1% of the total global WSPV area. The global installed capacity of WSPVs is estimated at 12.9 GWp, >20% of which are floating WSPVs (2.6 GWp). The results advanced the understanding of the global spatial-temporal dynamics of the recent WSPV development and will be useful for informing future global and regional renewable planning and management for policymakers and project stakeholders. It also provides a basis for further studies on assessing the potential impact of WSPVs. [Display omitted] • A mapping method with remote sensing for WSPVs is proposed. • A spatio-temporally inventory of global WSPVs is established • The geographic distribution and characteristics of global WSPV are assessed. • The estimated global installed capacity of WSPV is 12.9 GWp by 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Natural and managed vegetation restoration were compared in a karst region in China. • PLFAs in topsoil were higher after 15 years of restoration than in cropland. • AMF was significantly higher in natural than in managed restored vegetation. • SOC and the SOC:N ratio affected the abundance of soil microbial communities. • Natural vegetation restoration has more potential to improve soil fertility. The soil microbial community is a key indicator to evaluate the effectiveness of vegetation restoration in degraded ecosystems. However, few studies have simultaneously compared the effects of managed and natural vegetation restoration strategies on the soil microbial community in the ecologically fragile karst region using signature lipid biomarker analysis to provide information on a variety of microbial properties. Here, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) in the soil microbial community were measured following different restoration strategies in a karst region of southwest China. Managed vegetation restoration (including restoration with plantation forest, forage grass, and a combination of plantation forest and forage grass) and natural vegetation restoration (spontaneous regeneration to natural grassland) were compared, using cropland as a reference. The abundance of total PLFAs and the PLFAs of four microbial functional groups (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi [AMF]) significantly increased in the topsoil (0–5 cm soil depth) following vegetation restoration. In the sub-topsoil layer (5–10 cm soil depth), the abundance of PLFAs was not significantly higher than that in the cropland, except in AMF in natural vegetation restoration. Principal component analysis indicated that the microbial PLFA composition differed between the restoration strategies, and the abundance of AMF PLFAs was significantly higher in natural than in managed vegetation restoration for both soil depths. The ratio of soil organic carbon to total nitrogen and dissolved organic carbon content were the primary factors affecting the abundance of soil microbial communities in the topsoil and sub-topsoil, respectively. In addition, soil pH served as another explanatory variable for the topsoil. Our findings suggest that vegetation restoration over a relatively short period (15 years) mainly improved topsoil fertility. Moreover, natural vegetation restoration may be superior to managed vegetation restoration for the maintenance of multiple ecosystem functions in the short term in the karst regions, owing to the potentially significant role of AMF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the "resource curse" hypothesis has been supported by many empirical studies focusing on the transnational and regional levels, there has always been a point of contention about the proper method of estimating and selecting natural resource indicators in literature. This paper proposes a mixed estimation method for panel data of 10 typical oil and gas resource-based cities in China from 1998 to 2015. The results show that resource industry agglomeration can mirror the distribution and dependence on the resource industry by location rather than by merely measuring the influence of the relative scale of resource extraction on economic growth. Using resource industry agglomeration as the main explanatory variable for regional economic growth verifies the resource curse hypothesis and shows the nonlinear characteristics of the negative correlation between resources and economic growth. Despite mostly similar indicator parameter estimates, marked differences exist in measured effects for material capital investments and technological innovation investments. The result of using resource industry agglomeration as the main explanatory variable is basically consistent with the economic theory and is more in line with observed reality than the alternative indicator. The research conclusions can provide evidence and data for index selection in the studies on the mediating effect of resource curse transmission and international comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the modification of DSM-5 mixed features specifier, a brief scale to screen mixed features in patients with mood disorders is needed in clinical practice. This study aimed to explore the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Clinically Useful Depression Outcome Scale supplemented with DSM-5 Mixed subtype (CUDOS-M-C) for the Chinese patients with mood disorders.Methods: Overall, 300 patients with major depressive episode were recruited. All participants were assessed using CUDOS-M-C, Young Mania Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to calculate the optimal cut-off values of CUDOS-M-C score. The reliability and validity of CUDOS-M-C were examined using Cronbach's alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and principal component analysis (PCA).Results: The results of PCA indicated two-factor structure as the best solution for CUDOS-M-C, which explained 54.82% of cumulative variance. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.892 and the ICC was 0.853. The area under the ROC curve of the CUDOS-M-C for participants with mixed depression was 0.927 (p<0.001) and the suitable cut-off value was 8, with a sensitivity of 91.6% and specificity of 79.9%.Limitations: Most of the patients were recruited from eastern China and further research with larger sample is warranted. And this study did not perform confirmatory factor analysis to identify the generalization of factor structure of CUDOS-M-C. Besides, the study performed the test-retest reliability of CUDOS-M-C and further analysis is needed to ascertain the patient's post-treatment changes.Conclusion: The CUDOS-M-C demonstrated to have satisfactory psychometric properties as a self-report scale, and could be applied to screen patients with mixed depression in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the effects of hot air drying pretreatment (HAD), freeze drying pretreatment (FD) and vacuum drying pretreatment (VD) on the physicochemical properties and structural characterizations of starch isolated from canistels. X-ray diffraction displayed that the starches separated from canistel by different drying pretreatments showed a typical A-type crystal structure. The SEM image showed that cracks and debris appeared on the surface of HVD and VD particles. The molecular structure of starches obtained by different drying pretreatments was studied using Fourier infrared and solid state 13C CP/MAS NMR analysis. The results indicated that vacuum drying pretreatment could promote the formation of the double helix of starch granules, and hot air drying and freeze drying destroyed the ordered structure of starch granules. These structural changed to affect the physicochemical properties of starch granules. The study of different drying pretreatments to separate starches provided practical value for drying pretreatments. Furthermore, the current study affords information for canistel starches cultivated in China that would be convenient for commercial applications. • Different drying pretreatments impact properties of canistel starches. • Hot-air drying pretreatments had the least impact on structure of canistel starches. • Freeze-drying disrupted the ordered structure of starch granules. • Vacuum drying could improve the formation of double helix within the granules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic warrants accelerated efforts to test vaccine candidates. We aimed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of an inactivated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine candidate, BBIBP-CorV, in humans.Methods: We did a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial at Shangqiu City Liangyuan District Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Henan Province, China. In phase 1, healthy people aged 18-80 years, who were negative for serum-specific IgM/IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 at the time of screening, were separated into two age groups (18-59 years and ≥60 years) and randomly assigned to receive vaccine or placebo in a two-dose schedule of 2 μg, 4 μg, or 8 μg on days 0 and 28. In phase 2, healthy adults (aged 18-59 years) were randomly assigned (1:1:1:1) to receive vaccine or placebo on a single-dose schedule of 8 μg on day 0 or on a two-dose schedule of 4 μg on days 0 and 14, 0 and 21, or 0 and 28. Participants within each cohort were randomly assigned by stratified block randomisation (block size eight) and allocated (3:1) to receive vaccine or placebo. Group allocation was concealed from participants, investigators, and outcome assessors. The primary outcomes were safety and tolerability. The secondary outcome was immunogenicity, assessed as the neutralising antibody responses against infectious SARS-CoV-2. This study is registered with www.chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR2000032459.Findings: In phase 1, 192 participants were enrolled (mean age 53·7 years [SD 15·6]) and were randomly assigned to receive vaccine (2 μg [n=24], 4 μg [n=24], or 8 μg [n=24] for both age groups [18-59 years and ≥60 years]) or placebo (n=24). At least one adverse reaction was reported within the first 7 days of inoculation in 42 (29%) of 144 vaccine recipients. The most common systematic adverse reaction was fever (18-59 years, one [4%] in the 2 μg group, one [4%] in the 4 μg group, and two [8%] in the 8 μg group; ≥60 years, one [4%] in the 8 μg group). All adverse reactions were mild or moderate in severity. No serious adverse event was reported within 28 days post vaccination. Neutralising antibody geometric mean titres were higher at day 42 in the group aged 18-59 years (87·7 [95% CI 64·9-118·6], 2 μg group; 211·2 [158·9-280·6], 4 μg group; and 228·7 [186·1-281·1], 8 μg group) and the group aged 60 years and older (80·7 [65·4-99·6], 2 μg group; 131·5 [108·2-159·7], 4 μg group; and 170·87 [133·0-219·5], 8 μg group) compared with the placebo group (2·0 [2·0-2·0]). In phase 2, 448 participants were enrolled (mean age 41·7 years [SD 9·9]) and were randomly assigned to receive the vaccine (8 μg on day 0 [n=84] or 4 μg on days 0 and 14 [n=84], days 0 and 21 [n=84], or days 0 and 28 [n=84]) or placebo on the same schedules (n=112). At least one adverse reaction within the first 7 days was reported in 76 (23%) of 336 vaccine recipients (33 [39%], 8 μg day 0; 18 [21%], 4 μg days 0 and 14; 15 [18%], 4 μg days 0 and 21; and ten [12%], 4 μg days 0 and 28). One placebo recipient in the 4 μg days 0 and 21 group reported grade 3 fever, but was self-limited and recovered. All other adverse reactions were mild or moderate in severity. The most common systematic adverse reaction was fever (one [1%], 8 μg day 0; one [1%], 4 μg days 0 and 14; three [4%], 4 μg days 0 and 21; two [2%], 4 μg days 0 and 28). The vaccine-elicited neutralising antibody titres on day 28 were significantly greater in the 4 μg days 0 and 14 (169·5, 95% CI 132·2-217·1), days 0 and 21 (282·7, 221·2-361·4), and days 0 and 28 (218·0, 181·8-261·3) schedules than the 8 μg day 0 schedule (14·7, 11·6-18·8; all p<0·001).Interpretation: The inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BBIBP-CorV, is safe and well tolerated at all tested doses in two age groups. Humoral responses against SARS-CoV-2 were induced in all vaccine recipients on day 42. Two-dose immunisation with 4 μg vaccine on days 0 and 21 or days 0 and 28 achieved higher neutralising antibody titres than the single 8 μg dose or 4 μg dose on days 0 and 14.Funding: National Program on Key Research Project of China, National Mega projects of China for Major Infectious Diseases, National Mega Projects of China for New Drug Creation, and Beijing Science and Technology Plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During times of public crises, governments must act swiftly to communicate crisis information effectively and efficiently to members of the public; failure to do so will inevitably lead citizens to become fearful, uncertain and anxious in the prevailing conditions. This pioneering study systematically investigates how Chinese central government agencies used social media to promote citizen engagement during the COVID-19 crisis. Using data scraped from 'Healthy China', an official Sina Weibo account of the National Health Commission of China, we examine how citizen engagement relates to a series of theoretically relevant factors, including media richness, dialogic loop, content type and emotional valence. Results show that media richness negatively predicts citizen engagement through government social media, but dialogic loop facilitates engagement. Information relating to the latest news about the crisis and the government's handling of the event positively affects citizen engagement through government social media. Importantly, all relationships were contingent upon the emotional valence of each Weibo post. • This study investigates how to promote citizen engagement through government social media during the COVID-19 crisis. • Media richness negatively predicts citizen engagement, but dialogic loop facilitates engagement. • Information relating to the latest news and the government's handling positively affects citizen engagement. • All relationships were contingent upon the emotional valence of each Weibo post. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The mycelium of F. velutipes was sensitive to bacterial contamination in cultivation. • Two natural biopolymers, ε-poly- l- lysine and chitosan, can effectively inhibit bacteria co-cultured with F. velutipes. • The antibacterial activity was enhanced by combining ε-poly- l - lysine with chitosan. • Hurdle technology was first applied to the control of bacteria in a submerged culture of F. velutipes for liquid spawn production. • The models were established to predict the growth of bacteria in the submerged production of F. velutipes liquid spawn. Flammulina velutipes is a commercially important mushroom that widely cultivated in East Asia. Sawdust spawn is extensively adopted in the cultivation of mushrooms including F. velutipes. Recently, the use of liquid spawn has become increasingly popular in mushroom cultivation in China and many other countries. Owing to the high risk of bacterial contamination in a submerged culture of mushroom mycelium, an attempt was made to examine the feasibility of using the hurdle technology to prevent and control bacteria with Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis as indicator strains during the production of F. velutipes liquid spawn. Two food-grade natural biopolymers, i.e. ε-poly-lysine (ε-PL) and chitosan, were selected as antimicrobials. Results showed that the mycelial colonization of F. velutipes was poor or inhibited completely by both indicator strains at the density higher than 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL present in the liquid spawn. In submerged cultures, F. velutipes was greatly suppressed by ε-PL at 0.25 mg/mL, and this was 0.30 mg/mL for chitosan. When combined, ε-PL and chitosan did not result in a significant enhancement of activity against the fungus. The antibacterial effects were enhanced when ε-PL and chitosan were combined at an ε-PL/chitosan mass ratio of 3:2. For effectively inhibiting the bacteria co-cultured with F. velutipes , ε-PL, chitosan, and temperature were designed as hurdles. Two mathematical models relating inhibition of E. coli and B. subtilis , respectively, were established by response surface methodology, and could be used to predict the behavior of the culture system. This study provides useful guidelines for the production of a reliable and high-quality liquid spawn of F. velutipes or other mushrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: KMT2B-related dystonia is a recently discovered hereditary dystonia that mostly occurs in childhood. This dystonia usually progresses to generalized dystonia with cervical, cranial, pharynx and larynx involvement. Our study summarizes genotype-phenotype features and deep brain stimulation (DBS) efficacy observed with KMT2B-related dystonia patients in China.Methods: We identified 20 patients with KMT2B variations from dystonia samples with a gene panel and whole exome sequencing. Genetic, clinical and treatment analyses of these patients with KMT2B mutations were further conducted.Results: We summarized the genotype and phenotypic characteristics of KMT2B-related patients in China, including 16 sporadic patients and 3 pedigrees (including 4 patients). Thirty-five percent (7/20) of patients had been published previously. The age of onset was between 1 month and 24 years (average 6.90 ± 5.72 years). Sixty-five percent (13/20) of patients had onset from lower limbs. Upper limbs or larynx accounted for 15% (3/20) and 20% (4/20) of patients, respectively. In the same family, male patients tended to have more severe symptoms than female patients. Carriers of KMT2B variants may present with nonmotor symptoms without dystonia. Abnormal endocrine metabolism could also be seen in our patients, including advanced bone age that had never been reported previously. Nine of our patients underwent DBS surgery. The mean follow-up time was 4.9 (range 1.3-16) months after DBS, and perceptible improvement of clinical symptoms were observed.Conclusions: The genotypic and phenotypic spectra of Chinese KMT2B-related dystonia patients were further expanded. DBS surgery might be the preferred option for severe KMT2B-related dystonia patients till now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]