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Investing in entrepreneurship may be costly, and therefore risky, and entrepreneurship is also an economic endeavor that is highly dependent on entrepreneurial ability and risk appetite. In this study, data from 669 famers in southwest China were used as the sample, and we used three different methods to measure farmers' risk aversion level, including DOSPRET (Domain-Specific Risk-Taking), SOEP (Simple Self-Report), and BRET (Bomb Risk Elicitation Task). This paper studies the impact of farmers' risk aversion on entrepreneurial choices and the moderating impact of the migrant work experience (MWE) on the relationship between risk aversion and entrepreneurship. The results can be summarized as follows: Firstly, entrepreneurial farmers have lower average levels of risk aversion than non-entrepreneurial farmers. Secondly, risk aversion has a significant negative impact on farmers' choice of entrepreneurship, corporate entrepreneurship and portfolio entrepreneurship. Thirdly, MWE can reduces the negative impact of risk aversion on a decision to enter entrepreneurship or portfolio entrepreneurship. Fourth, MWE in local or nearby areas reduces the negative effects of risk aversion on entrepreneurship and portfolio entrepreneurship, while MWE in coastal and developed cities increases the negative effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about patients' intention for participation in end-of-life decisions (EOLD) in three coastal provinces in southern China. This study aimed to explore the willingness of patients with cancer pain to participate in EOLD and potential influencing factors. Methods: A multi-center cross-sectional study was performed in three coastal provinces in southern China. Two hundred and thirty patients with cancer pain were recruited and consented to fill out the questionnaires. The patients' willingness to participate in EOLD, demographic and disease-related data was surveyed. Results: In total, 223 patients completed and returned the survey (response rate = 96.95%). One hundred four cases (46.64%) were willing to participate in EOLD. 119 (54.36%) cases not willing to participate in EOLD, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis shows that educational level (OR: 0.683, 95% CI: 0.482–0.966), history of alcoholism (OR: 8.353, 95%CI: 2.535–27.525), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score (OR: 0.645, 95% CI: 0.450–0.925) and experience of explosive pain (OR: 6.367, 95% CI: 3.103–13.062) and clinical rescue (OR: 3.844, 95% CI: 1.722–8.577) had significant effects on EOLD intention (P < 0.05). Finally, a predictive model combined above five factors was established, which showed a good discrimination (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.849, 95% CI: 0.796–0.899, P < 0.001) and calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow Test: Chi-square = 10.103, P = 0.258) for which patients more willing to participate in EOLD. Conclusions: The willingness of patients with cancer pain to participate in EOLD is at a modest level in three coastal provinces in southern China. Patients with lower educational level, history of alcoholism, better health status and experience of explosive pain and clinical rescue may be more prone to participate in EOLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immune system dysregulation is associated with tumor incidence and growth. Here, we established an RNA-based individualized immune signature associated with prognosis for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to guide adjuvant therapy. We downloaded publicly accessible data on RNA expression and clinical characteristics of NSCLC from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). From immune-related genes (IRGs) retrieved from the immunology database and analysis portal (ImmPort) database, we then screened differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs). Using overall survival (OS) as a clinical endpoint, we identified 26 prognostic DEIRGs via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, and then developed a risk model based on these 26 IRGs with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.701, and its predictive ability independent from other clinical factors. We also downloaded tumor immune infiltrate data and analyzed the correlations between lymphocytic infiltration with our risk scores, but found no significant association. Furthermore, we retrieved 86 differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs) to assess their regulatory relationships with the 26 prognostic DEIRGs. In summary, we developed a robust risk model to predict survival in patients with NSCLC, based on the expression of 26 IRGs. It provides novel predictive and therapeutic molecular targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Humane treatment requires the provision of appropriate sedation and analgesia during medical diagnosis and treatment. However, limited information is available about the status of procedural analgesic interventions in Chinese hospitals. Therefore, a nationwide survey was established to identify challenges and propose potential improvement strategies. Methods: Forty-three members of the Pain Group of Chinese Society of Anesthesiology established and reviewed the questionnaire, which included (1) general information on the hospitals, (2) the sedation/analgesia rate in gastrointestinal endoscopy, labor, flexible bronchoscopy, hysteroscopy in China, (3) staff assignments, (4) drug use for procedural analgesic interventions, and (5) difficulties in procedural analgesic interventions. The data were obtained using an online questionnaire sent to the chief anesthesiologists of Chinese hospitals above Grade II or members of the Pain Group of Chinese Society of Anesthesiology. Results: Valid and complete questionnaires were received from 2198 (44.0%) hospitals, of which 64.5% were Grade III. The overall sedation/analgesia rates were as follows: gastroscopy (50.6%), colonoscopy (53.7%), ERCP (65.9%), induced abortion (67.5%), labor (42.3%), hysteroscopy (67.0%) and fiber bronchoscopy (52.6%). Compared with Grade II hospitals, Grade III hospitals had a higher proportion of procedural analgesic interventions services except for induced abortion. On average (median [IQR]), each anesthesiologist performed 5.7 [2.3—11.4] cases per day, with 7.3 [3.2—13.6] performed in Grade III hospitals and 3.4 [1.8—6.8] performed in Grade II hospitals (z = -7.065, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Chinese anesthesiologists have made great efforts to achieve procedural analgesic interventions, as evidenced by the increased rate. The uneven health care provided by hospitals at different levels and in different regions and the lack of anesthesiologists are the main barriers to optimal procedural analgesic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OSAHS is a common disease with many factors related to the etiology. Airflow plays an important role in the pathogenesis of OSAHS. Previous research has not yielded a sufficient understanding of the relationship between airflow in upper airway and the pathophysiology of OSAHS. Therefore, a better understanding of the flow inside the upper airway in an OSAHS patient is necessary. In this study, ten Chinese adults with OSAHS were recruited. We used the software MIMICS 13.1 to construct 3-dimensional (3-D) models based on the computer tomography scans of them. The numerical simulations were carried out using the software ANSYS 12.0. We found that during the inhalation phase, the vortices and turbulences were located in both the anterior part of the cavity and nasopharynx. But there is no vortex in the whole nasal cavity during the expiratory phase. The airflow velocity is much higher than that of the normal models. The distributions of pressure and wall shear stress are different in two phases. The maximum velocity, pressure and wall shear stress (WSS) are located in velopharynx. It is notable that a strong negative pressure region is found in pharyngeal airway. The maximum velocity is 19.26 ± 12.4 and 19.46 ± 13.1 m/s; the average pressure drop is 222.71 ± 208.84 and 238.5 ± 218.56 Pa and the maximum average WSS is 0.72 ± 0.58 and 1.01 ± 0.61 Pa in inspiratory and expiratory, respectively. The changes of airflow due to the structure changes play an important role in the occurrence of collapse and obstruction of the upper airway, especially, the abnormal pressure changes in velopharyngeal during both inspiratory and expiratory phases. We can say that the airway narrowing in the pharynx may be one of the most important factors driving airway collapse. In addition, the most collapsible region of the pharyngeal airway of the patient with OSAHS may be the velopharynx and oropharynx. In spite of limitations, our results can provide a basis for the further research. On this basis, more about the secret of the pathogenesis of the OSAHS will be revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • 7 varieties of corn silk were distinguished using molecular identification methods. • Untargeted metabolomics approach of corn silk was performed. • Among 199 metabolites, 67 metabolites were identified and 27 metabolites chosen as difference indicators. • Genetic material differences and metabolite differences in corn silk are correlated. Corn silk is commonly consumed in teas, food ingredients, and herbal medicines. Several varieties of corn silk are grown in different habitats in China. However, as information regarding their phytochemistry and genetic diversity is limited, their medicinal potential has not been utilized thoroughly. Thus, we aimed to use a combination of DNA barcoding based on specific primer ITSC sequences and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear trap quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS) approach for identifying and evaluating corn silk. ITSC barcoding helped us to identify that 52 samples could be classified into 7 groups of corn silk varieties, but the widely used nrITS and psb A- trn H barcodes failed to identify these varieties. UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS was used to study the components in alcohol extracts derived from different corn silk varieties, and the detected chemical components were analyzed via bioinformatics techniques. We proposed 199 components using untargeted UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS-based metabolomics analysis and identified 67 components. PCA and OPLS-DA analysis revealed two distinct chemotypes by selecting 27 components that could act as difference indicators. KEGG analysis showed that the 199 components were enriched in 12 metabolic pathways. The results showed that corn silk is rich in many types of chemicals and DNA barcoding is better than UPLC-LTQ/Orbitrap MS in distinguishing the differences between different varieties of corn silk. Our findings provide new insights into the chemical and molecular characteristics of different varieties of corn silk, which play a crucial role in the utilization of corn silk resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This research aimed to assess the levels of cognitive function and its contributing factors among individuals experiencing cancer pain (CP) in mainland China., Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional study., Setting: The investigation was undertaken within three tertiary oncology hospitals., Participants: We included 220 hospitalised individuals who reported experiencing cancer-related pain and consented to complete the research questionnaires., Outcome Measures: The collected data encompassed sociodemographic and clinical variables, augmented by results from validated questionnaires. Cognitive impairment (CI) was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive (FACT-Cog) scale, with scores ranging from 0 to 148. Sleep quality, depression and anxiety were assessed through the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7, respectively. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with CI in individuals with CP., Results: Of the 225 individuals approached, 220 (97.8%) participated in the study. The mean FACT-Cog score for those with CP was 101.29 (SD=25.24; range=25-148). The prevalence of CI among these individuals was 35.90%. Sleep quality was rated below medium in 45% of participants with CP. More than moderate pain was reported by 28.2%, with 64.6% experiencing depression and 38.6% experiencing anxiety. Increased odds of developing CI were observed in those with CP (OR 1.422, 95% CI 1.129 to 1.841), depression (OR 1.119, 95% CI 1.029 to 1.2117), anxiety (OR 1.107, 95% CI 1.005 to 1.220), advancing age (OR 1.042, 95% CI 1.013 to 1.073), poor sleep quality (OR 1.126, 95% CI 1.013 to 1.252) and a history of smoking (OR 3.811, 95% CI 1.668 to 8.707)., Conclusions: CI associated with CP is notably prevalent in China. Those older, with a smoking history, inadequate sleep, more severe pain, depression and anxiety, have a heightened risk of CI. Consequently, interventions need to be personalised, addressing these key determinants., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: In China, lung cancer remains the cancer with the highest incidence and mortality rate. Among early-stage lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD), the micropapillary (MPP) component is prevalent and typically exhibits high aggressiveness, significantly correlating with early metastasis, lymphatic infiltration, and reduced five-year survival rates. Therefore, the study is to explore the similarities and differences between MPP and non-micropapillary (non-MPP) components in malignant pulmonary nodules characterized by GGOs in early-stage LUAD, identify unique mutational features of the MPP component and analyze the relationship between the ZNF469 gene, a member of the zinc-finger protein family, and the prognosis of early-stage LUAD, as well as its correlation with immune infiltration., Methods: A total of 31 malignant pulmonary nodules of LUAD were collected and dissected into paired MPP and non-MPP components using microdissection. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed on the components of early-stage malignant pulmonary nodules. Mutational signatures analysis was conducted using R packages such as maftools, Nonnegative Matrix Factorization (NMF), and Sigminer to unveil the genomic mutational characteristics unique to MPP components in invasive LUAD compared to other tumor tissues. Furthermore, we explored the expression of the ZNF469 gene in LUAD using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to investigate its potential association with the prognosis. We also investigated gene interaction networks and signaling pathways related to ZNF469 in LUAD using the GeneMANIA database and conducted Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Lastly, we analyzed the correlation between ZNF469 gene expression and levels of immune cell infiltration in LUAD using the TIMER and TISIDB databases., Results: MPP components exhibited a higher number of genomic variations, particularly the 13th COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer) mutational signature characterized by the activity of the cytidine deaminase APOBEC family, which was unique to MPP components compared to non-MPP components in tumor tissues. This suggests the potential involvement of APOBEC in the progression of MPP components in early-stage LUAD. Additionally, MPP samples with high similarity to APOBEC signature displayed a higher tumor mutational burden (TMB), indicating that these patients may be more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The expression of ZNF469 was significantly upregulated in LUAD compared to normal tissue, and was associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients (P<0.05). Gene interaction network analysis and GO/KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that COL6A1, COL1A1, COL1A2, TGFB2, MMP2, COL8A2 and C2CD4C interacted with ZNF469 and were mainly involved in encoding collagen proteins and participating in the constitution of extracellular matrix. ZNF469 expression was positively correlated with immune cell infiltration in LUAD (P<0.05)., Conclusions: The study has unveiled distinctive mutational signatures in the MPP components of early-stage invasive LUAD in the Asian population. Furthermore, we have identified that the elevated expression of mutated ZNF469 impacts the prognosis and immune infiltration in LUAD, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in LUAD.

Objectives: Gastric cancer (GC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of GC remain unclear. This study investigated the role of the miR-877-AQP3 axis in GC tumorigenesis., Methods: The levels of miR-877 expression were measured in GC tissues and cell lines by qRT-PCR. Functional assays were performed to elucidate the role of miR-877 in GC development., Results: Our results showed that miR-877 levels were lower in GC tissues and cell lines compared with the corresponding controls. Additionally, reduced miR-877 levels were associated with unfavorable prognoses. Increased miR-877 expression suppressed proliferation, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition, while promoting apoptosis in GC cells. Luciferase reporter assays showed that aquaporin 3 (AQP3) was a direct downstream target of miR-877. Overexpression of AQP3 partially rescued the tumor suppressive effects of miR-877 in GC cells. Moreover, miR-877 was negatively correlated with AQP3 mRNA expression in GC tissues., Conclusions: This study demonstrated that miR-877 plays a suppressive role in GC tumorigenesis by regulating AQP3.

Background: In December 2019, a few coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were first reported in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Soon after, increasing numbers of cases were detected in other parts of China, eventually leading to a disease outbreak in China. As this dreadful disease spreads rapidly, the mass media has been active in community education on COVID-19 by delivering health information about this novel coronavirus, such as its pathogenesis, spread, prevention, and containment., Objective: The aim of this study was to collect media reports on COVID-19 and investigate the patterns of media-directed health communications as well as the role of the media in this ongoing COVID-19 crisis in China., Methods: We adopted the WiseSearch database to extract related news articles about the coronavirus from major press media between January 1, 2020, and February 20, 2020. We then sorted and analyzed the data using Python software and Python package Jieba. We sought a suitable topic number with evidence of the coherence number. We operated latent Dirichlet allocation topic modeling with a suitable topic number and generated corresponding keywords and topic names. We then divided these topics into different themes by plotting them into a 2D plane via multidimensional scaling., Results: After removing duplications and irrelevant reports, our search identified 7791 relevant news reports. We listed the number of articles published per day. According to the coherence value, we chose 20 as the number of topics and generated the topics' themes and keywords. These topics were categorized into nine main primary themes based on the topic visualization figure. The top three most popular themes were prevention and control procedures, medical treatment and research, and global or local social and economic influences, accounting for 32.57% (n=2538), 16.08% (n=1258), and 11.79% (n=919) of the collected reports, respectively., Conclusions: Topic modeling of news articles can produce useful information about the significance of mass media for early health communication. Comparing the number of articles for each day and the outbreak development, we noted that mass media news reports in China lagged behind the development of COVID-19. The major themes accounted for around half the content and tended to focus on the larger society rather than on individuals. The COVID-19 crisis has become a worldwide issue, and society has become concerned about donations and support as well as mental health among others. We recommend that future work addresses the mass media's actual impact on readers during the COVID-19 crisis through sentiment analysis of news data., (©Qian Liu, Zequan Zheng, Jiabin Zheng, Qiuyi Chen, Guan Liu, Sihan Chen, Bojia Chu, Hongyu Zhu, Babatunde Akinwunmi, Jian Huang, Casper J P Zhang, Wai-Kit Ming. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (http://www.jmir.org), 28.04.2020.)

Background: Giant pulmonary bullae (GPB) is rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional results of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of GPB and the factors associated with complications following VATS resection for GPB., Materials and Methods: From January 2010 to January 2015, 44 GPB patients underwent surgery with VATS. Individual GPB patient characteristics and surgical outcomes were evaluated. The patients were separated into two groups (an emphysematous group and a nonemphysematous group), and differences between the respective groups were investigated., Results: Although there were no mortalities within a 30-d postoperative period among the 44 GPB patients treated surgically with VATS, 28 experienced postoperative complications, of which the most common were air leaks. VATS for GPB resulted in obvious improvements in symptoms and lung function in the majority of cases. Among 26 patients with preoperative dyspnea, the symptoms of 22 patients (84.62%) improved after treatment with VATS resection for GPB, and the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s increased from 2.24 L preoperatively to 2.5 L postoperatively (P = 0.02). The complication rate of patients aged >48 y, who smoked and had emphysema, was significantly higher than that of those who did not smoke and did not have emphysema (79.2% versus 45%, P = 0.019; 85.7% versus 25%, P < 0.05; 88% versus 31.6%, P < 0.05). These characteristics could be associated with complications., Conclusions: VATS resection is a safe and effective treatment for GPB and leads to improvements in symptoms and lung function. Patients >48 y, who smoked and had emphysema, were more likely to experience postoperative complications. There could be a relationship between these characteristics and the patients' postoperative complications., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)