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• A nationwide, representative survey with a large sample size was performed in China. • Low coverage of tuberculosis (TB) awareness among rural-to-urban migrants in China was observed. • The study provides new insight into the role of TB control institutes in delivering TB information. • TB awareness levels are higher in regions with public health system. The aim of this study was to understand how tuberculosis (TB) control institutes raise awareness of TB among domestic migrants in China, specifically whether migrants have received TB information and how they received it. This multi-level analysis included both county-level data and individual-level data covering 31 provinces in mainland China. Multi-level logistic models were used to explore the factors associated with receiving TB information. This analysis included 205 990 migrants from 31 provinces and municipalities. Only 77 460 (37.60%) migrants reportedly received any TB information in mainland China. The center for disease control and prevention (CDC), the center for tuberculosis control (CTC), and the center for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases (CPTCD) were the most likely to provide TB information for migrants in comparison to other types of TB control institutes, such as general hospitals, specialized hospitals, and community healthcare centers. The odds ratios were calculated as: 1.563 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.246–1.959) for CDCs, 1.385 (95% CI 1.063–1.804) for CTCs, and 1.723 (95% CI 1.424–2.085) for CPTCDs. China has not achieved universal coverage of TB awareness. TB awareness levels are higher in regions with CDC, CTC, and CPTCD institutes. Domestic migrants who have moved to western areas are more likely to have received TB information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Despite the impact of urbanization on carbon emission has been extensively studied in recent years, the mechanisms by which urbanization, real estate investment affect carbon emissions are still unclear. Different from previous studies focused on direct effect, this paper investigated the impact of urbanization and real estate investment on China's carbon emissions with considering of the provincial contribution and spatial spillover effect. Using the multiplicative logarithmic mean Divisia index (M- LMDI) model, spatial panel data model and panel data of 30 provinces in China over the period 1997–2015, the results suggested that the contributions to carbon emissions and their driving mechanisms were significantly different across provinces. The top five provinces in China that contributed the most to the growths of carbon emissions in China were Shandong, Guangdong, Hebei, Jiangsu, and Henan, with cumulative effects of 10.28%, 10.28%, 5.44%, 5.19%, and 5.09% respectively. The direct impact of urbanization on carbon emissions was significantly negative, but its spatial spillover effect was significantly positive, which suggested that the effect of urbanization on carbon emissions shows significant "pollution transfer effect" after introducing the spillover effect. Due to the characteristics of non-movability and long investment period, the impact of real estate investment on carbon emissions was fixed in the local region, and there was no spillover effect to the adjacent regions. Because of the existence of mutual promotion mechanism between urbanization and real estate investment, the interaction between the two had significant positive direct and spillover effects on carbon emissions, which indicated that the interaction between the two created a reduction effect on both local and adjacent regions. The research can effectively identified the provinces that contribute a lot to China's carbon emissions, and made the decomposition and implementation of the national carbon emission reduction targets more targeted. At the same time, urbanization policies should be combined with real estate policies in the process of carbon emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Diesel truck park held higher air TSP and PCDD/F level than LPG bus/gasoline car park. [•] LPG-fueled vehicle in operation can also emit PCDD/Fs for the presence of Cl and Cu. [•] 2,3,7,8-PCDD/F congener profiles of parks and tailpipe exhaust studies were identical. [•] Unlike tailpipe study, park air show distinct gaseous and particulate PCDD/F profiles. [•] PCDD/F pollution in diesel-truck park is noteworthy for exceeding the air TEQ limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although discrimination has gained increasing attention in research and practice intervention for family caregivers of children with disabilities, little is known about the social determinants that associate with the perceived discrimination among caregivers, especially in non-Western contexts. This study aims to examine the socio-familial and child-level determinants of perceived discrimination among family caregivers of children with disabilities in China. This study drew from a population-based cross-sectional survey in Shenzhen, China. Proportional quota sampling was conducted to get data from 2500 family caregivers of children with disabilities in rehabilitation service centers (response rate = 94.9%, n = 2373), accounting for 25% of the total population of children with disabilities receiving service in Shenzhen. Latent profile analysis was conducted to categorize three perceived discrimination groups among caregivers (i.e., severe perceived discrimination group, moderate perceived discrimination group, and low perceived discrimination group). The multinomial logistic regression models were conducted to test the association between these social determinants and perceived discrimination. Most caregivers (82.9%) reported moderate or severe levels of perceived discrimination. Caregivers of children with moderate and severe impairments and children with mental and multiple disabilities were more vulnerable to perceiving severe social discrimination. Socio-familial characteristics, particularly the intersectionality between gender and employment, influence caregivers' perceived discrimination. Caregivers of children with disabilities experience pervasive social discrimination in contemporary urban China. Our study demonstrates that the social construction of disablism and the affiliate discrimination against family caregivers of children with disabilities is complex and multidimensional and depends upon the children's disability and the caregivers' socio-demographic characteristics. • 80% disabled children's parents report moderate/severe perceived discrimination. • Mental and more severe disability are related to greater perceived discrimination. • Being female and unemployed are associated with greater perceived discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of emerging mobility services, such as ride-hailing, has greatly changed urban mobility modes. However, the whole ride-hailing industry experienced significant disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and there are still few studies investigating the associated lockdown's impacts on income levels and the derived inequality issues concerning disadvantaged stakeholders within the ride-hailing industry. Viewing this gap, this study utilizes a comprehensive dataset from a ride-hailing company in China and investigates the city-wide fluctuations in drivers' income across demographic subgroups during the pandemic. The results show that drivers' income quickly recovered to pre-pandemic levels after the lockdown ended. The income inequality (measured by the Gini Index) among drivers remained stable before and after the lockdown. Counterintuitively, groups that typically face systemic challenges in the workplace (i.e., female and older drivers) experienced less income loss during the lockdown and earned more than male and young drivers in the post-lockdown period. Working efficiencies across demographic subgroups were also found to be similar, and the underlying reason for higher income among female and older drivers is their commensurate working time. These demonstrate the limited long-term impacts of lockdowns on the ride-hailing industry and highlight its inclusivity by showing equal working efficiency and income for all demographic groups. The amount of working time, rather than other demographic factors like gender or age, is the major determinant of income level in the ride-hailing industry. Findings herein empirically investigate the influences of government lockdown regulations on the drivers' benefits and carry significant policy implications: involving potentially unprivileged communities in ride-hailing employment could be considered to promote overall social equality and welfare, especially in the post-COVID recovery era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: In Chinese medicine practice, Radix rubiae, the dry root of Rubia cordifolia L. is commonly used for the treatment of psoriasis. Aim of the study: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by hyperproliferation and aberrant differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes. Our previous studies identified Radix rubiae to have potent antiproliferative action on cultured HaCaT keratinocytes and to induce keratinocyte differentiation in mouse tail model. The present study aimed to investigate whether Radix rubiae could also induce terminal differentiation in cultured human keratinocytes. Methods and results: The cornified envelope (CE) formation assay showed that ethyl acetate (EA) fraction of Radix rubiae significantly accentuated the CE formation, a well-recognized marker of terminal differentiation, in cultured HEK and HaCaT cells in a dose and time dependent manner. Western blot analyses demonstrated that EA fraction of Radix rubiae at a concentration of 3.2μg/ml significantly increased transglutaminase type I and involucrin expression in both HEK and HaCaT keratinocytes after 96h treatment, a response similar to that of Ca2+ positive control. Moreover, the expression level of cytokeratin 5/14, which is specifically related to cell proliferation, was significantly downregulated while terminal differentiation markers cytokeratin 1/10 were markedly increased by Radix rubiae treatment in both HEK and HaCaT cells. Conclusion: The present experimental findings unequivocally confirmed the keratinocyte terminal differentiation promoting capacity of Radix rubiae, and strongly suggest that Radix rubiae is a promising antipsoriatic agent warranting further clinical development for psoriasis treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: As cardiovascular diseases have become the leading cause of death in many countries including China, nurses are increasingly required to be abreast of technological advances and the skills necessary to manage this increasing health care problem. Chinese nurses are under pressure to provide skilled electrocardiography monitoring, and be sufficiently skilled to detect myocardial ischemia and infarction, in this large patient population. This presents a challenge for the nursing profession in China, particularly for nurses working in coronary care in a country where advancement has been so rapid, yet little research has been conducted or reported in the literature. Objectives: The two main objectives were: to explore the demographic and educational factors that affect the use of ST-segment monitoring and correct electrode placement by CCU/ICU nurses in China; and to explore the factors both individual and institutional that affect monitoring and lead placement. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to nurses in 126 randomly selected tertiary hospitals, which were stratified into three homogeneous regions across China. The instrument examined demographics, information about hospitals, electrocardiogram devices, current practice patterns and perceptions toward monitoring and lead placement. Data from 734 nurses and 59 nurse managers from 59 hospitals were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, Chi-square test and logistic regression. Results: Electrocardiogram monitoring was used to detect myocardial ischemia by 43.7% of respondents, and 35.1% selected leads according to electrocardiogram or angiography findings. Most (70%) agreed that monitoring for acute coronary syndrome was important, while 39.2% did so, and 15.7% were able to identify correct placement. Logistic regression revealed a significant relationship between the uses of ST-segment monitoring and number of hospital beds, continuing education and a belief in its use and ease of use. Correct electrode placement was significantly correlated with respondents from university hospitals, hospitals with more acute coronary syndrome admissions and more independent thinking nurses. Conclusions: Despite best practice evidence, less than half of the sample used electrocardiogram monitoring to detect myocardial ischemia and the majority could not identify correct electrode placement, while ST-segment monitoring was not used routinely. This paper highlights the need for improvements in education both in universities and hospitals and discussion addresses conventions in units, which inhibit development of nurses’ skills. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, the serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance of S. pneumoniae from pediatric patients with upper respiratory infections in Beijing, 2010 were described. 140 pneumococcal isolates were obtained, and the prevailing five serotypes were 19F (18.6%), 23F (9.3%), 14 (9.3%), 15 (9.3%), and 6A (7.1%). The vaccine coverage of PCV7, PCV10, and PCV13 were 43.6%, 43.6%, and 60.0%, respectively. According to the CLSI 2010 criteria, 99.3% of the S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to penicillin. The resistance rates to erythromycin and azithromycin were 96.4% and 97.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, 64.3% (90/140) of all pneumococcal isolates were multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae (MDRSP). PCV13 covered 68.9% (62/90) of MDRSP strains, whereas it was 47.8% (43/90) for PCV7. ErmB was the dominant macrolide-resistance gene, whereas 30.4% pneumococcal isolates expressed both ermB and mefA. No isolate expressed ermTR. The potential coverage of PCV13 is higher than PCV7 and PCV10 because high rates of serotypes 6A and 19A, and the conjugate vaccines could prevent the spread of MDRSP. S. pneumoniae is still sensitive to penicillin. The resistance rate of S. pneumoniae to macrolides is high and ermB is the dominant macrolide-resistance gene in China, so continued surveillance of the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. pneumoniae may be necessary. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With current decentralization trends and polycentric planning efforts, the urban spatial structures of Chinese cities have been changing tremendously. To detect the true urban polycentric pattern of Chinese cities, this article analyzed the urban polycentricity characteristics of 294 cities. The natural cities were delineated by points of interest (POIs), and road networks constituted street blocks. Based on check-in data and new spatial units, centers within both metropolitan areas and central cities were identified and examined. We discovered that all Chinese cities have at least one natural city in their metropolitan areas because of rapid urban sprawl. Although a monocentric structure is still the most common urban spatial structure, 110 Chinese cities displayed different degrees of polycentricity at the metropolitan level. Many natural cities beyond central cities contribute to polycentric development at the metropolitan level. Central cities have maintained their original vitality and importance, most Chinese cities have dispersed urban structures in central cities, and 45 central cities are polycentric. The spatial structures in metropolitan areas are more polycentric than those in central cities. The only 36 cities with polycentric urban structures at both the metropolitan and central city levels are all national or regional central cities in eastern China. • All Chinese cities have at least one natural city in their metropolitan areas because of rapid urban sprawl. • The spatial structures in metropolitan areas are more polycentric than those in central cities. • There are only 36 cities with polycentric structures in both metropolitan areas and central cities.. • Central cities have maintained their original vitality and importance, and most Chinese cities have dispersed urban structures in their central cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global offshore wind power is rapidly developing and has a broad market. China has the advantage of developing offshore wind power, which is the direction of future development of China's power generation industry. Because of the high maintenance and repair costs as well as the large sizes of wind power structures, damage to them could cause loss of lives and property. In this paper, a health monitoring method for analyzing offshore wind power structures based on a genetic algorithm and an uncertain analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed. The uncertain analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to establish the hierarchical model. After calculating the weight range of each part, the optimal weight is obtained through the training and optimization of genetic algorithm, and the comprehensive weight table is obtained. Finally, the grading of health condition of the whole structure can be obtained by inputting the health indicators of each part based on the statistical distribution for weighted calculation. Based on the qualitative analysis of the uncertain analytic hierarchy process and the quantitative analysis of the genetic algorithm, the method is shown to reliably monitor the health of offshore wind power structures, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure staff safety. Both simulation and actual measurement experiments are performed in this study. The simulation based on the vibration data proves that the proposed structural health monitoring method for offshore wind power structures can evaluate the grading of health condition rapidly and accurately, using data in real time. Through the training and verification of simulation data, the accuracy of prediction after training can exceed 98%. Through a verification experiment using actual measured data, the vibration data measured by the offshore wind power structure during the healthy service period are evaluated. The evaluation results are found to be consistent with the actual operation state of the wind power structure. The proposed method can be used for quick, real-time evaluations. • The method can quickly and accurately assess the health status in the absence of fault data. • The method combines the qualitative analysis of uncertain analytic hierarchy process and genetic algorithm. • The method can continuously optimize and update the weights based on the actual measured data. • The method has been verified by actual and simulation data to enhanced its credibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind energy plays an important role in the field of renewable energy due to its lower cost and the maturity of its manufacturing technology. During the last few years, there has been an increase in offshore wind turbine (OWT) projects especially in China. Considering the fact that ocean environment where these offshore wind turbines operate usually has a negative impact on their structural health, the demand for investigating the dynamic characteristics of offshore wind turbines based on sea test is increasing. However, current studies are mainly focused on method development, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, and few attention has been given to the study of the dynamic characteristics of an actual OWT in different operational states based on sea test. To improve the current studies, in September 2016, November 2016 and April 2017 a series of monitoring campaigns of an actual in service OWT and its monopile were conducted at an offshore wind farm in the sea area near Jiangsu Province, China. For the purpose of acquiring high-quality vibration signal, one type of artificial excitation was adopted to excite the OWT vibration. In these monitoring campaigns, with the help of a group of wireless health monitoring sensor nodes developed by Ocean University of China (OUC), we successfully acquired the vibration signal of the wind turbine in parked state and normal operational state and acquired the vibration signal of the monopile in construction, which means no tower was installed. Afterwards, two modal analysis methods, the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA) and stochastic subspace identification (SSI), were used to obtain the modal parameters of the tested structure using the vibration signal under artificial excitation and random wave excitation, respectively. The results show that the ERA method can successfully identify the first two order modal parameters of the monopile and the first three order modal parameters of the wind turbine in parked or operational state. However, the SSI method failed to identify the third-order modal parameters of the wind turbine, regardless of whether it is in parked state or operational state (only the first two order modal parameters can be identified); meanwhile, SSI failed to identify the modal parameters of the monopile. Concerning the high-level environmental noise in an offshore site, we applied weak-mode identification (WMI) for the first time to obtain the modal parameters of OWT using vibration signal under both artificial excitation and random wave excitation. The results indicated that WMI has achieved the same good performance as the ERA when the vibration signal under artificial excitation is used. When the vibration signal under random wave is used, WMI successfully identified the first order modal parameters of the monopile and the first three order modal parameters of the wind turbine in parked or operational state, which indicated a better ability than that of the SSI method. We can conclude that the modal parameters of the wind turbine can be obtained by the WMI method and ERA method, and the ERA method is the best way to obtain the modal parameters of monopile under artificial excitation. These monitoring campaign of an actual OWT not only provide modal information support for structural maintenance and operation safety assessment, but also provide a real data reference for wind turbine design. • Vibration signals of an offshore wind turbine under artificial and ambient excitations are obtained, respectively. • Three methods are emplyed to obtain the modal parameters of the tested offshore wind turbine. • ERA is effective in identifying modal parameters from vibration signal under artificial excitation. • SSI and weak-mode identification can obtain modal parameters from vibration signal under ambient excitaiton. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epoxiconazole is an effective pesticide to control Fusarium head blight (FHB), and the application will increase. To investigate the ecotoxicity of epoxiconazole to soil microbiome, we carried out an indoor experiment in which soils from two main regions of wheat production in China (Nanjing and Anyang) were treated with epoxiconazole (0, 0.0625, 0.625, or 6.25 mg kg–1) and incubated for 90 days. Under epoxiconazole stress, for bacteria and fungi, the abundance was increased and the diversity and community were impacted. In Anyang soil, the half-life of epoxiconazole was short with more increased species (linear discriminant analysis effect size biomarkers) and more increased xenobiotics biodegradation pathways in epoxiconazole treatments. The increased species mostly due to high abundance in initial state and more positive connections of the species. Co-occurrences revealed that epoxiconazole tightened bacterial connection, and increased positive correlations in Anyang soil. The N transformation was influenced with increased nifH and amoA; and the contents of NH 4 +-N and NO 3 –-N were also increased. The functions of C, S, and manganese metabolisms were also impacted by epoxiconazole. This work expands our understanding about epoxiconazole degradation and help us to properly assess the risk of epoxiconazole in soil. [Display omitted] • Soil microbial ecology was impacted by epoxiconazole. • The degradation efficiency is based on the abundance and the related connection of some species. • Increased xenobiotics biodegradation pathways increased epoxiconazole degradation. • N, C, S, and Mu metabolisms were influenced by epoxiconazole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Our evidence has shown that active case-finding of tuberculosis might be effective in high prevalence area with a low economic level, particularly among the elderly and people with a history of TB. • New rapid diagnosis technology should be considered to decrease the TB prevalence in people with a history of TB. • ACF screening could identify more active TB cases than PCF by a TB surveillance system in high prevalence area with underdeveloped economics. Tuberculosis (TB) is a critical global public threat, and limited epidemiology studies have been performed to explore the efficacy of active TB screening. Three sites located in eastern China were chosen in 2013, and three rounds of systematic screenings were performed in permanent residents aged older than 15 years. The TB incidence showed a downtrend after several rounds of active screening at the three sites, and a significant change was observed at site A in the overall population. In the target population at sites A and B, both the elderly and people with a history of TB had a remarkable decline through the first or second round of screening. The implementation of active case-finding identified 2.36 [1.47,3.81] (2013 vs. 2012) and 1.49 [1.1,2.03] (2013–2015 vs. 2010–2012) more potential cases than the passive case-finding by the surveillance system at site A. Active case-finding of tuberculosis might be effective in high prevalence area with a low economic level, particularly among the elderly and people with a history of TB. Additionally, new rapid diagnosis technology should be considered to decrease the prevalence among people with a history of TB. Ultimately, active screening identified more active TB cases than passive case-finding, particularly in high prevalence area with underdeveloped economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new aromatic compounds, designed as lucidumins A-D (1–4) and lucidimine E (9), along with seven known aromatic compounds (5–8 , 10–12) were isolated from Ganoderma lucidum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic method. Bioactive evaluation showed that compounds 2–4 and 6–10 displayed remarkable neuroprotective activities against corticosterone-induced PC12 cell damage, with the cell viability ranging from 69.99% to 126.00%; and compounds 1–4 , 9 and 10 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities against LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages, with IC 50 values ranging from 4.68 to 15.49 μM. In particular, compound 10 showed remarkable neuroprotection with EC 50 value of 2.49 ± 0.12 μM, and potent anti-inflammation with IC 50 value of 4.68 ± 0.09 μM. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing joint distribution between express service providers is important in order to achieve operational efficiency and reduce operational cost. Joint distribution centers (JDCs) are an important part of the modern urban logistics system for online shopping, and selecting the location for a JDC has become a key problem for stakeholders considering sustainability. In this paper, we present a new hybrid fuzzy multiple-criteria decision-making method for selecting the location of a JDC considering sustainability. First, we identify the evaluation criteria for location selection integrating the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of sustainability. Secondly, a fuzzy set is used to translate linguistic preferences into triangular fuzzy numbers. Subjective criteria weights are calculated by combining the decision makers’ superiority linguistic ratings with a fuzzy AHP method. Objective criteria weights are determined by combining superiority linguistic ratings with a fuzzy-entropy method. Then, improved fuzzy TOPSIS is achieved by using weighted criterion distances to rank these alternatives. This permits a more stable ranking order to be obtained compared to traditional fuzzy TOPSIS which uses Euclidean distance. Finally, an empirical location selection and sensitivity analysis study is conducted to illustrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method. This new method allows the location of a JDC to be selected considering sustainability, and will contribute to promoting the sustainable development of China’s express industry and, to some extent, the sustainability and harmony of city development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment accumulation and budget in the continental margins provides abundant information of source-sink processes from the land to the sea, including weathering, human activities and sedimentary environment. Here we show the distribution of mud areas, modern sedimentation rates and sediment budget in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea and East China Sea. Using grain size data of > 18,000 surface sediment samples and 210 Pb data from 413 sites, we identify five areas with sediments mainly composed of fine-grained fractions (mean grain size > 6 φ) and find a relatively high sedimentation rates of > 1.5 mm/yr in the mud areas. Near the Yellow and Yangtze River deltas sedimentation reaches > 95.0 mm/yr. Approximately 1185.4 × 10 6 tons of fine-grained sediment accumulate annually in the mud areas of the east China seas. Atmospheric deposition contributes < 2% (18.37 × 10 6 tons/yr), while the riverine sediment inputs account for > 75% (917 × 10 6 tons/yr). The remainder comes from all other sources including coastal erosion and resuspension of bottom sediments. In addition, ~ 45% of the fluvial sediment supply deposits on the subaerial delta, ~ 40–50% is trapped on the subaqueous delta and shelf, and the remainder < 5% escapes the shelf edge. The results will be a strong foundation for understanding of the transport, deposit and preservation of sediment and other relevant material (e.g. carbon and nutrient etc.) of terrestrial materials in the sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Combination of nifuroxazide and CpG ODN inhibited the HCC growth in mice. • Combination treatment prompted T cell anti-tumor immune response in mice. • Combination treatment increased M1 macrophage infiltration in tumor-tissues. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumour in China that remains a major challenge to the medical community, and effective treatment is urgently needed. Due to complex tumorigenesis, monotherapy shows poor therapeutic effects, and combined treatment becomes a necessary option. YW002, a CpG ODN-containing sequence, has been proven to enhance antitumor effects in tumour-bearing mouse models. Moreover, as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial drug, nifuroxazide exhibited an anti-HCC effect through activation of p-Stat3. Here, we tested the effect of nifuroxazide on HCC in vitro and then explored the therapeutic effect of combined nifuroxazide and CpG ODN on HCC in vivo. Nifuroxazide inhibited proliferation, induced apoptosis and suppressed migration and invasion in HepG2 cells in vitro. The combination therapy using nifuroxazide and CpG ODN significantly suppressed the growth of tumours in tumour-bearing mice with few side effects and achieved better therapeutic effects on HCC than monotherapy. Moreover, combined nifuroxazide and CpG ODN therapy significantly induced apoptosis, enhanced the infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes and macrophages in tumour tissue, and increased the ratio of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the spleens of tumour-bearing mice. The introduction of this combination therapy combining nifuroxazide and CpG ODN provided a new strategy for HCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Beta-Hemolytic group G streptococci cause a considerable invasive disease burden and sometimes disease outbreaks. Little is known about the critical epidemiologic parameter of genetic relatedness between isolates. We determined the emm types of 65 Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis isolates. We formulated multilocus sequence typing (MLST) primers with 6 of the 7 loci corresponding to the Streptococcus pyogenes MLST scheme. We performed MLST with 69 S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis isolates to represent each emm type identified. These strains were further analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing. Sixteen emm types were observed. Eighteen unique combinations of allelic profiles (sequence types [STs]) were obtained with 12 profiles each accounting for multiple isolates. Forty-one MLST STs were observed. Analysis of the PFGE patterns generated revealed 10 clones. Over 80% of the isolates were distributed in 3 large clones. Isolates within 16 redundantly represented S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis emm types shared identical or nearly identical STs and subtypes of PFGE, demonstrating concordance between the emm type and genetic relatedness. It is conceivable that some particular characteristics in the genomes of these strains are responsible for their predominance in different regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recently, the (GGC) n repeat expansion in the NOTCH2NLC gene has been identified to be associated with neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID). Given the clinical overlap of dementia-dominant NIID with neurodegenerative dementia, we therefore hypothesized that the NOTCH2NLC repeat expansion might also contribute to these diseases. In the present study, repeat primed polymerase chain reaction (RP-PCR) and GC-rich PCR were conducted to detect the repeats of NOTCH2NLC in a cohort of 1004 patients with neurodegenerative dementias from mainland China. As a result, 4 sporadic patients were found to carry the NOTCH2NLC repeats expansion, totally accounting for 0.4% of all dementia individuals, and the accurate repeated sizes were 110, 133,120 and 76 respectively. Of 4 mutation carriers, three and one were clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) respectively. In addition, 3 out of them revealed leukoencephalopathy in T2-Flair imaging. This study revealed that although rare, the NOTCH2NLC repeat expansions may be associated with AD or FTD-like phenotype as well as leukoencephalopathy. • The GGC repeat expansions in the NOTCH2NLC gene were identified in patients with.AD and FTD. • Of cases with repeats expansions, three showed leukoencephalopathy in T2-Flair imaging. • The repeat expansions in NOTCH2NLC may be associated with AD or FTD-like phenotypes as well as leukoencephalopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven undescribed C21 steroids, namely cynanchin A – G , together with thirteen known analogues, were isolated from the roots of cynanchum otophyllum. Their structures were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR and MS spectra, as well as chemical methods. Meanwhile, all of isolates were tested for their anti-hepatic fibrosis activity. Among them, compounds 4–6 , 10–12 and 14–17 showed moderate or significant inhibitory effects for the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induced by transforming growth factor- β 1 (TGF- β 1) in vitro. Seven undescribed steriods together with thirteen known compounds were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum otophyllum. Some of them showed moderate or marked anti-hepatic fibrosis activity. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mutations of 3 causative genes, namely presenilin 1 (PSEN1), presenilin 2 (PSEN2), and amyloid precursor protein (APP), have been identified as the major causes of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD). Recently, a GGGGCC repeat expansion in the noncoding region of C9orf72 was also detected in some patients with clinically diagnosed familial Alzheimer's disease. The prevalence of causative gene mutations in patients with EOFAD has been reported in previous studies but their prevalence remains unclear in Mainland China. The aim of this study was to characterize the common causative gene mutation spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations in Chinese patients with EOFAD. Genetic screening for mutations in PSEN1, PSEN2, and APP was conducted in a total of 32 families with clinical diagnoses of EOFAD from Mainland China. Subsequently, a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 was detected in all patients. Four novel mutations in PSEN1 (p.A434T, p.I167del, p.F105C, and p.L248P) were identified in 4 respective families, and 1 previously recognized pathogenic mutation in APP (p.V717I) was detected in another 2 unrelated families. The PSEN2 mutation and pathogenic repeat expansions of C9orf72 were not detected in all patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first cohort report of a causative gene screen in patients with EOFAD in Mainland China. The analysis of the genetic-clinical correlations in this cohort supports the idea that the clinical phenotype might be influenced by specific genetic defects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]