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Studies of the East Asian Neolithic have been conducted for more than a century and many attempts have been made to interpret the functions of prehistoric pottery, particularly the earliest ceramics. The unsophisticated pottery discovered in the Weijiawopu site opens a window for the study of early ceramic function. We conducted plant residue analyses of ceramics from the Weijiawopu Neolithic site; the largest Hongshan Culture settlement in Inner Mongolia, China. The site is thought to belong to the early to middle period of the Hongshan Culture, approximately 6500-5500 cal BP. Based on evidence from starch grains, we identified four main plant resources: 1) cereal grains; 2) Dioscorea plant tubers; 3) beans; and 4) nuts. None of the individual starch grains exhibit surface damage, indicating they did not undergo extensive processing such as grinding or cooking. Hence, we conclude that the pottery samples analyzed derive from food storage containers, indicating one major function of early pottery at the site. Furthermore, wild plants are thought to have been an essential part of the Weijiawopu people's subsistence base, suggesting a mixed economic pattern based upon both domestication activities and hunting-gathering-foraging lifeways.

One challenge in shape decomposition is to capture correct boundaries between different parts and get piecewise constant results. Based on the good edge-preserving and sparsity properties of total variation regularization, this paper introduces a novel diffusion model by minimizing weighted total-variation energy with Dirichlet boundary constraints. By the total variation diffusion model, we propose an edge-preserving shape decomposition optimization model, which can be solved effectively by augmented Lagrangian method with each subproblem having closed form solution. A number of experiments display that our method can produce segmentation results with piecewise constant parts and feature-preserving boundaries for both meshes and 3D point clouds, especially for shapes with sharp features. In addition, for mesh segmentation, our results compare favorably to those obtained by several existing techniques when evaluated on the Princeton Segmentation Benchmark. Furthermore, the quantitative errors show that the algorithm is robust numerically and the computational costs are reasonable.

The “Self-medication hypothesis” that has been developed to explain the effect of nicotine in improving aspects of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared cognitive functions between smoking and non-smoking schizophrenia patients. The PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically and independently searched. Basic demographic and clinical characteristics, smoking history and cognitive performance were recorded. Seven of the 11 studies included in the study, had meta-analyzable data. Compared to non-smoking schizophrenia patients, their smoking counterparts showed significant deficits on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS)-immediate memory (n = 739), the RBANS-total score (n = 739) and the Continuous Performance Test-Identical Pairs (n = 157). Two of the 4 studies without meta-analysable data did not report significant group difference in performance on the Wechsler Digit Span Task and the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, while the other 2 studies found that non-smokers outperformed than smokers in problem solving and visual learning. In conclusion, this systematic review and meta-analysis found that smoking schizophrenia patients had worse performance in certain cognitive tasks than non-smoking patients, casting doubts on the validity of the “self-medication hypothesis” that needs to be further examined.

Nimodipine might be effective in subcortical vascular dementia (VaD). Its benefit in preventing further cognitive decline in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) remains to be established. In this multicenter, double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 654 eligible patients to nimodipine 30 mg three times a day or placebo. The primary outcome was any cognitive decline defined by the changes on the Mini-Mental State Examination (ΔMMSE ≤ −3) or vascular AD assessment scale cognitive subscale (ΔADAS-cog ≥ 4) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included any distribution shift of ΔADAS-cog, ΔMMSE or cognitive improvement defined by ΔADAS-cog ≤ −2, or ΔMMSE ≥ 0. The primary outcome in the nimodipine group and placebo group were similar for ΔMMSE ≤ −3 (4.18% and 7.22%, respectively, P = 0.15) and ΔADAS-cog ≥ 4 (8.36% and 8.93% respectively, P = 0.88). The distribution shift of ΔADAS-cog and ΔMMSE differed significantly between the two groups (P = 0.03 and P = 0.05 respectively). Cognitive improvement occurred in 55.4% in the nimodipine group and 43.6% in the placebo group measured by ΔADAS-cog ≤ −2 (Odds Ratio, 1.54; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10–2.14, P ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT01220622. Nimodipine did not show benefit to prevent cognitive decline in AIS patients with VaMCI, but improved cognition moderately, especially measured in the memory domain.

Objectives Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) has been recommended for diagnosing diabetes mellitus (DM). We aimed to assess the prevalence of newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus (NDDM) in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) using HbA1c criteria and to investigate the long-term prognosis of patients with ICH with NDDM. Materials and Methods Data of patients with ICH without a DM history were derived from the Abnormal Glucose Regulation in Patients with Acute Stroke across China. NDDM was defined as a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level of 7.0 mmol/L or higher, a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) result of 11.1 mmol/L or higher, or an HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher. The prevalence of NDDM with different screening methods was assessed. The association between NDDM and 1-year prognosis (mortality, stroke recurrence, and poor functional outcome [modified Rankin scale score of 3-6]) was estimated. Results There were 357 patients with ICH included in the analysis, and 131 (36.7%) were diagnosed as NDDM using the new criteria. NDDM was present in 31 (8.7%), 98 (27.5%), and 68 (19.0%) patients with ICH, based on FPG, 2-hour OGTT, and HbA1c criteria, respectively. NDDM was independently associated with 1-year poor functional outcome (odds ratio 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-3.38, P = .02). Nevertheless, NDDM showed no significant association with 1-year death and stroke recurrence (P > .05 for both). Conclusions More than one third of patients with ICH without a history of DM were diagnosed NDDM using the new criteria. NDDM by the new criteria was an independent risk factor of poor functional outcome, but not of death and stroke recurrence at 1 year after ICH onset.

Cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) 21A2 is the major steroid 21-hydroxylase, converting progesterone to 11-deoxycorticosterone and 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17α-OH-progesterone) to 11-deoxycortisol. More than 100 CYP21A2 variants give rise to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). We previously reported a structure of WT human P450 21A2 with bound progesterone and now present a structure bound to the other substrate (17α-OH-progesterone). We found that the 17α-OH-progesterone- and progesterone-bound complex structures are highly similar, with only some minor differences in surface loop regions. Twelve P450 21A2 variants associated with either salt-wasting or nonclassical forms of CAH were expressed, purified, and analyzed. The catalytic activities of these 12 variants ranged from 0.00009% to 30% of WT P450 21A2 and the extent of heme incorporation from 10% to 95% of the WT. Substrate dissociation constants (Ks) for four variants were 37–13,000-fold higher than for WT P450 21A2. Cytochrome b5, which augments several P450 activities, inhibited P450 21A2 activity. Similar to the WT enzyme, high noncompetitive intermolecular kinetic deuterium isotope effects (≥ 5.5) were observed for all six P450 21A2 variants examined for 21-hydroxylation of 21-d3-progesterone, indicating that C–H bond breaking is a rate-limiting step over a 104-fold range of catalytic efficiency. Using UV-visible and CD spectroscopy, we found that P450 21A2 thermal stability assessed in bacterial cells and with purified enzymes differed among salt-wasting- and nonclassical-associated variants, but these differences did not correlate with catalytic activity. Our in-depth investigation of CAH-associated P450 21A2 variants reveals critical insight into the effects of disease-causing mutations on this important enzyme.

Computing a bijective spherical parametrization of a genus-0 surface with low distortion is a fundamental task in geometric modeling and processing. Current methods for spherical parametrization cannot, in general, control the worst case distortion of all triangles nor guarantee bijectivity. Given an initial bijective spherical parametrization, with high distortion, we develop a non-linear constrained optimization problem to refine it, with objective penalizing the presence of triangles degeneration and maximal distortion. By using a dynamic adjusting parameter and a constrained, iterative inexact block coordinate descent optimization method, we efficiently and robustly achieve a bijective and low distortion parametrization with an optimal sphere radius. Compared to the state-of-the-art methods, our method is robust to initial parametrization and not sensitive to parameter choice. We demonstrate that our method produces excellent results on numerous models undergoing simple to complex shapes, in comparison to several state-of-the-art methods.

Alkylating agents can form O(6)-methylguansine (O(6)-MeG). To study the intrinsic kinetic behaviors of bypassing O(6)-MeG, we used the catalytic core of yeast DNA polymerase η (Pol ηcore, residues 1-513), instead of the full-length Pol η, to study their elementary steps, eliminating the effects of the C-terminal C2H2 motif on dNTP incorporation. The misincorporation frequencies were 10(-4) for G and 0.055-0.446 for O(6)-MeG. O(6)-MeG does not affect the extension efficiency. Pol ηcore showed no fast burst phase for any incorporation opposite G or O(6)-MeG. Primer extension was greatly blocked by O(6)-MeG and about 67% dTTP, 31% dCTP and 2% dATP were incorporated opposite O(6)-MeG. This study provides further understanding of the mutation mechanism of alkylated lesion for yeast DNA polymerase η.

The environmental innovation of traditional enterprises is an important measure of their sustainable development. This paper takes China Gezhouba Group Co., Ltd. (CGGC), a large traditional enterprise with a successful environmental transformation, as a case study. Based on many texts and the grounded theory, we build a driving mechanism model of CGGC’s environmental innovation. The model shows an interaction mechanism that includes the three driving orientations of government, market and resource integration, as well as 20 driving factors beneath them. Using expert scoring, we find that CGGC’s resource integration orientation makes the greatest contribution to its environmental innovation, followed by its market and government orientation. Additionally, the driving factors of national strategy, national policy, response to needs, government support, market strategy, and talent strategy are the top six contributing factors. The findings of this paper can help other traditional Chinese enterprises with backgrounds similar to CGGC. Based on the resource advantages of traditional enterprises, managers should reserve talents for the transformation and make the most of government-enterprise cooperation and market strategies, such as "acquisitions, mergers, reorganization and joint ventures", to promote environmental innovation in their enterprises.

In this work, polymer waveguide based optical switching devices integrated with visible optical amplifying waveguides based on an organic gain material are designed and fabricated. The gain compound is a red emissive oligomer, with good dispersibility in organic polymer matrices. Optical characteristics and thermal stabilities of the active polymer waveguide core and cladding materials are analyzed. Optical gain of the amplifier operating at 650 nm red signal wavelength with 0.1 mW input power is found to be over 3.5 dB under only 1.6 mW pumping power with 532 nm green excitation light. The on-off response time of the integrated thermo-optic switch applied is measured to be 600 μs, with switching extinction ratio of 20 dB and electric switching power of 18.5 mW. The integrated switching device capable of optical gain will be suitable for applications to optical communications at the visible wavelength range involving plastic optical fiber systems.

To investigate the potential benefits of inpatient statin therapy on mortality of acute stroke patients with very low admission low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (1.81 mmol/L).The acute stroke patients with admission LDL-C level less than 1.81 mmol/L were enrolled from the China National Stroke Registry. The patients were divided into statin group and non-statin group during hospitalization. The association between statin therapy and mortality of participants in 1 year was analyzed by multivariable binary logistic regression models.A total of 1018 patients were enrolled, and the cumulative mortality rate was 10.1% at 3 months, 13.1% at 6 months, and 15.9 % at 1 year. The all-cause mortality rate in statin group was significantly lower than that in non-statin group (3.6% versus 13.7% at 3 months, P.001; 6.2% versus 16.9% at 6 months, P.001; 8.4% versus 20% at 1 year, P.001). The logistic analyses showed that statin therapy during hospitalization was independently associated with decreased mortality at 3 months (odds ratio [OR], .35; 95% confidence interval [CI], .18-.67), at 6 months (OR, .42; 95% CI, .25-.73) and at 1 year (OR, .47; 95% CI, .29-.76).Statin use during hospitalization could decrease mortality of acute ischemic stroke patients with very low admission LDL-C.

Background The DRAGON score predicts functional outcome of ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Our aim was to evaluate its utility in a Chinese stroke population. Methods Patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis were prospectively registered in the Thrombolysis Implementation and Monitor of acute ischemic Stroke in China. We excluded patients with basilar artery occlusion and missing data, leaving 970 eligible patients. We calculated the DRAGON score, and the clinical outcome was measured by the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months. Model discrimination was quantified by calculating the C statistic. Calibration was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient. Results The C statistic was .73 (.70-.76) for good outcome and .75 (.70-.79) for miserable outcome. Proportions of patients with good outcome were 94%, 83%, 70%, and 0% for 0 to 1, 2, 3, and 8 to 10 score points, respectively. Proportions of patients with miserable outcome were 0%, 3%, 9%, and 50% for 0 to 1, 2, 3, and 8 to 10 points, respectively. There was high correlation between predicted and observed probability of 3-month favorable and miserable outcome in the external validation cohort (Pearson correlation coefficient, .98 and .98, respectively, both P Conclusions The DRAGON score showed good performance to predict functional outcome after tissue-type plasminogen activator treatment in the Chinese population. This study demonstrated the accuracy and usability of the DRAGON score in the Chinese population in daily practice.

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 21A2 is the major steroid 21-hydroxylase, and deficiency of this enzyme is involved in ~ 95% of cases of human congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a disorder of adrenal steroidogenesis. A structure of the bovine enzyme we previously published (Zhao, B. et al. (2012) J. Biol. Chem. 287, 10613-10622), containing two molecules of the substrate 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, has been used as a template for understanding genetic deficiencies. We have now obtained a crystal structure of human P450 21A2 in complex with progesterone, a substrate in adrenal 21-hydroxylation. Substrate binding and release were fast for human P450 21A2 with both substrates, and pre-steady-state kinetics showed a partial burst but only with progesterone as substrate and not 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. High intermolecular non-competitive kinetic deuterium isotope effects on both kcat and kcat/Km (5-11) were observed with both substrates, indicative of rate-limiting C-H bond cleavage and suggesting that the juxtaposition of the C21 carbon in the active site is critical for efficient oxidation. The estimated rate of binding of the substrate progesterone (kon 2.4 x 107 M-1 s-1) is only ~ 2-fold greater than the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km 1.3 x 107 M-1 s-1) with this substrate, suggesting that the rate of substrate binding may also be partially rate-limiting. The structure of the human P450 21A2-substrate complex provides direct insight into mechanistic effects of genetic variants.

T2*-weighted gradient echo magnetic resonance imaging is sensitive in detecting cerebral microbleeds (MBs), but there are few reports on the risk factors of MBs in different brain regions. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the risk factors associated with the presence of MBs in strictly deep or lobar brain regions were different.This study consisted of 696 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients from 6 hospitals in the Chinese IntraCranial AtheroSclerosis Study. We evaluated the number and location of MBs, severity of lacune and leukoaraiosis (LA), and etiologic subtype of ischemic stroke. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors of MBs in different brain regions.Among 696 acute ischemic stroke patients, 162 patients (23.3%) had MBs. Of them, 62 patients had strictly deep brain MBs, 49 patients had strictly lobar MBs. There was a significant correlation between the number of MBs, the number of lacune, and the severity of LA (P.0001). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, both strictly deep and strictly lobar brain, MBs were significantly associated with history of cerebral hemorrhage (P = .037 and P = .026, respectively), presence of lacune (P = .004 and P = .032, respectively), and severe LA (P = .002 and P = .008, respectively). However, MBs in strictly deep regions were significantly associated with higher mean arterial pressure (P = .030), and those in strictly lobar brain regions were significantly associated with older age (P = .023).The risk factors of MBs in strictly deep or lobar regions differ modestly, which may be related to heterogeneous vascular pathologic changes.

Background Leukoaraiosis (LA) is an indicator of small vessel disease, but little is known about the relationship between the severity of LA and etiologic subtype of ischemic stroke. Our study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the severity of LA and the relationship between the severity of LA and etiologic subtype of ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 791 patients with first-ever ischemic stroke within 7 days were enrolled in our study. We evaluated cranial magnetic resonance imagings including severity of LA in periventricular and deep white matter, severity of silent lacunar infarcts (SLIs), etiologic subtype of ischemic stroke, and topographic patterns of acute cerebral infarcts. Severity of LA was graded as grade 0 when Fazekas scores = 0, grade 1 when Fazekas scores ranged from 1 to 2, and grade 2 when Fazekas scores were greater than or equal to 3. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze the factors associated with the severity of LA. Results A total of 748 patients (94.6%) had LA, the numbers and proportions of grade 0, grade 1, and grade 2 LA were 43 patients (5.4%), 413 patients (52.2%), and 335 patients (42.4%), respectively. In multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis, increasing age, higher diastolic blood pressure, admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores less than or equal to 3, presence of SLIs, and small artery occlusion (SAO) subtype of ischemic stroke were found to be independently associated with higher grade of LA. Conclusions LA is prevalent in first-ever ischemic stroke patients. Severe LA is more frequently associated with higher grades of SLIs and ischemic stroke due to SAO.

In this paper, we present an efficient approach for parameterizing a genus-zero triangular mesh onto the sphere with an optimal radius in an as-rigid-as-possible (ARAP) manner, which is an extension of planar ARAP parametrization approach to spherical domain. We analyze the smooth and discrete ARAP energy and formulate our spherical parametrization energy from the discrete ARAP energy. The solution is non-trivial as the energy involves a large system of non-linear equations with additional spherical constraints. To this end, we propose a two-step iterative algorithm. In the first step, we adopt a local/global iterative scheme to calculate the parametrization coordinates. In the second step, we optimize a best approximate sphere on which parametrization triangles can be embedded in a rigidity-preserving manner. Our algorithm is simple, robust, and efficient. Experimental results show that our approach provides almost isometric spherical parametrizations with lowest rigidity distortion over state-of-the-art approaches.

Background This study was designed to assess the neuroprotective effect of xenon-induced delayed postconditioning on spinal cord ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) and to determine the time of administration for best neuroprotection in a rat model of spinal cord IRI. Methods Fifty male rats were randomly divided equally into a sham group, control group, and three xenon postconditioning groups (n=10 per group). The control group underwent spinal cord IRI and immediately inhaled 50% nitrogen/50% oxygen for 3 h at the initiation of reperfusion. The three xenon postconditioning groups underwent the same surgical procedure and immediately inhaled 50% xenon/50% oxygen for 3 h at the initiation of reperfusion or 1 and 2 h after reperfusion. The sham operation group underwent the same surgical procedure without aortic occlusion, and inhaled 50% nitrogen/50% oxygen. Neurological function was assessed using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan score at 4, 24, and 48 h of reperfusion. Histological examination was performed using Nissl staining and immunohistochemistry, and apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labelling staining. Results Compared with the control group, the three xenon postconditioning groups showed improvements in neurological outcomes, and had more morphologically normal neurones at 48 h of reperfusion. Apoptotic cell death was reduced and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax immunoreactivity increased in xenon-treated rats compared with controls. Conclusions Xenon postconditioning up to 2 h after reperfusion provided protection against spinal cord IRI in rats, but the greatest neuroprotection occurred with administration of xenon for 1 h at reperfusion.

The relationship between anemia and intracerebral hemorrhage is not clear. We investigated the associations between anemia at the onset and mortality or dependency in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) registered at the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR).The CNSR recruited consecutive patients with diagnoses of ICH in 2007-2008. Their vascular risk factors, clinical presentations, and outcomes were recorded. The mortality and dependency at 1, 3, and 6 months and at 1 year were compared between ICH patients with and without anemia. A favorable outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 2 or less and a poor outcome as an mRS score of 3 or more. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between anemia and the 2 outcomes after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, history of smoking and heavy drinking, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission, random glucose value on admission, and hematoma volume.Anemia was identified in 484 (19%) ICH patients. Compared with ICH patients without anemia, patients with anemia had no difference in mortality rate at discharge and at 1 month. The rate of mortality at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and dependency at 1 year were significantly higher for those patients with anemia than those without (P.05, P.001, P.001, and P.05, respectively). After adjusting for potential confounders, anemia was an independent risk factor for death at 6 months and 1 year (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.338, 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.78, and adjusted OR=1.326, 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.75) in ICH patients.Anemia independently predicted mortality at 6 months and 1 year after the initial episode of intercerebral hemorrhage.

Background While some case–control studies have showed the correlation between the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype (increased WC and hypertriglyceridemia) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, there are few data regarding this correlation in cohort studies, especially in Asian populations that have a higher prevalence of central obesity than other populations. Objective The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between HTGW phenotype and risk of incident CVD events among men and women in China. Methods We analyzed 95,015 participants (18–98years old) in the Kailuan Study. CVDs developed in 1958 people during follow-up. The cutoffs for defining HTGW phenotype were a waist circumference (WC) of 90cm or more and a triglyceride level of 2.0mmol/L or more for men and a WC of 85cm or more and a triglyceride level of 1.5mmol/L or more for women. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated from Cox regression models. Results Compared with participants who had a normal WC and a normal triglyceride level (NWNT), those with HTGW phenotype had a higher WC, body mass index, prevalence of hypertension and diabetes mellitus; and a lower level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The HTGW group had an unadjusted HR of 1.76 (95% CI=1.55–1.99) for future CVDs compared with the NWNT group. After adjustment for confounders, the HR still remained significant (HR=1.24, 95% CI=1.07–1.44). Conclusions HTGW phenotype was associated with the risk of CVDs independently. HTGW phenotype might be a simple but useful tool to screen the individuals at a high risk for future CVDs, and it might be recommended in most clinical practices.

Background Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) but is often underused in clinical practice. We aimed to examine the current state of warfarin use in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients with first-ever ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in China and to analysis factors causing such underuse. Methods By accessing the China National Stroke Registry, data on consecutive patients with known NVAF who developed first-ever IS or TIA were studied. Proportion of warfarin use was estimated in those patients with known NVAF who should be eligible for anticoagulation therapy. Factors associated with warfarin underuse were identified by multivariate logistic regression. Results Of 11,080 patients with first-ever IS or TIA, 996 (9.7%) had NVAF and no contraindications to anticoagulation therapy and 592 of them had history of AF. Among these patients, only 96 (16.2%) were on warfarin and 496 (83.8%) were not. In those patients on warfarin, only 1 of his international normalized ratios on admission was in the therapeutic range of 2.0-3.0. Based on the CHADS 2 scores, about 20.2% low-risk AF patients took warfarin; however, only 15.2% moderate and 16.4% high-risk patients were on warfarin. Older patients and patients with history of coronary heart disease (CHD) were less likely to be given warfarin, whereas patients with history of prestroke antiplatelet use were more likely to take warfarin. Conclusions We found that warfarin was significantly underused in patients with known NVAF in China. Age and CHD and prestroke antiplatelet therapy were related factors.

Sea worm, Amphitrite ornata, has evolved its globin (an O(2) carrier) also to serves as a dehaloperoxidase (DHP) to detoxify haloaromatic pollutants generated by competing species. A previous mutagenesis study by our groups on both DHP and sperm whale myoglobin (SW Mb) revealed some structural factors that influence the dehaloperoxidase activities (significantly lower for Mb) of both proteins. Using an isocyanide/O(2) partition constant measurement method in this study, we have examined the effects of these structural factors on the O(2) equilibrium constants (KO2) of DHP, SW Mb, and their mutants. A clear trend of decreasing O(2) affinity and increasing catalytic activity along with the increase in the distal His N(ε)-heme iron distance is observed. An H93K/T95H Mb double mutant mimicking the DHP proximal His positioning exhibited markedly enhanced O(2) affinity, confirming the essential effect of proximal His rotation on the globin function of DHP. For DHP, the L100F, T56G and M86E variants showed the effects of distal volume, distal His flexibility and proximal electronic push, respectively, on the O(2) affinity. This study provides insights into how DHP has evolved its heme environment to gain significantly enhanced peroxidase capability without compromising its primary function as an O(2) carrier.

Background: Obesity paradox has been reported because of the inverse relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and mortality in stroke patients. The relationship between BMI and functional recovery in stroke survivors is less well established. We explored the impact of BMI on functional recovery and mortality in stroke patients in the China National Stroke Registry (CNSR). Methods: Patients were consecutively recruited based on a standard protocol and prospectively followed up for outcomes at 3 months after disease onset. Patients were divided into 5 groups according to their BMI: underweight (,18.5 kg/m 2 ), normal weight (18.5-22.9 kg/m 2 ), overweight (23-27.4 kg/m 2 ), obese (27.5-32.4 kg/m 2 ), or severely obese ($32.5 kg/m 2 ). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the association between BMI and functional recovery or mortality. Results: CNSR enrolled 22,216 patients hospitalized for acute cerebrovascular events, and 10,905 eligible acute ischemic stroke patients were analyzed in our study. Favorable functional recovery (modified Rankin Scale score 0-1) was seen in 52.4% of underweight, 55.0% of normal weight, 61.0% of overweight, 59.2% of obese, and 60.3% of severely obese stroke survivors (P ,.001). Overweight was independently associated with favorable 3-month functional recovery (odds ratio [OR] 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-1.38). Mortality rate was 14.9% in underweight, 7.8% in normal weight, 7.1% in overweight, 7.2% in obese, and 11.5% in severely obese patients (P ,.001). Severe obesity was independently associated with higher 3-month mortality (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.10-3.69). Conclusions: The stroke obesity paradox can be extended to include functional recovery but should not be interpreted as the fatter the

Background It has been shown that patients with atrial fibrillation have a poor prognosis in the early recovery phase after ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA). The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors associated with poor outcome, including mortality, 3 months after the onset of IS in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods We have prospectively investigated the characteristics of patients selected from the China National Stroke Registry. Poor outcome was defined as the modified Rankin scale score of 3 or more or death at 3-month follow-up. Association between the relevant risk factors and poor outcome was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Additionally, the interaction between multiple risk factors was also analyzed. Results Each year of age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.031; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.017-1.045), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at admission (OR: 1.219; 95% CI 1.185-1.254), and female gender (OR: 1.710; 95% CI 1.296-2.256) were independent risk factors for poor outcome at 3 months after IS. Independent risk factors for 3-month mortality included age (OR: 1.024; 95% CI 1.007-1.041), NIHSS at admission (OR: 1.122; 95% CI 1.100-1.144), and history of heart failure (OR: 1.855; 95% CI 1.141-3.015). Conversely, heavy alcohol intake was associated with protective effect on mortality poststroke (OR: .400; 95% CI .173-.928). There was no significant interaction between age and gender (for mortality, P = .16; for poor outcomes, P = .91), age and NIHSS (for mortality, P = .38; for poor outcomes, P = .11), and gender and NIHSS (for mortality, P = .33; for poor outcomes, P = .80). Conclusions Age, gender, and NIHSS score were independently associated with poor outcome for IS or TIA patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in the early recovery stage.

To assess whether the fasting glucose level on admission, day 14 or their variation in patients with aSAH was associated with 1-year mortality.A prospective study was undertaken to analyze the effects of fasting glucose on admission, day 14 and their variation on the 1-year mortality rate after aSAH. Patients with aSAH were enrolled to assess the mortality rate relationship with fasting glucose, medical history, clinical and radiological grades. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to assess risk factors for 1-year mortality.A total of 239 aSAH patients without history of diabetes were followed up, with the 1-year mortality being 11.7%. Admission glucose levels were found to be associated with 1-year mortality after being adjusted for other confounding factors in Cox regression (HR: 1.524 per mmol/L; 95%CI, 1.250-1.859). Within 14 days, fasting glucose levels of 85 patients had increased. Patients who died also exhibited higher levels of glucose (dead vs. survival: 61.54% vs. 33.66%, p0.01). In addition, higher blood glucose levels were associated with an elevated 1-year mortality (HR: 1.350 per mmol/L; 95%CI, 1.153-1.580).Glucose levels at admission as well as their variation after aSAH are predictive of an elevated 1-year mortality rate.

Hutouliang site, located at Nihewan Basin (North China), was radiocarbon dated to 11,600 to 10,690 years ago. From nine localities of the site, thousands of artifacts including lithic tools, animal bone fragments and features were discovered during the late 1970s field seasons. This research focuses on the stone tool functions by employing use-wear analysis. Based on the use-wear data and combined with evidences from typology, ethnoarchaeology, and replicate experiments, the study suggests that the use of stone tools at Hutouliang tends to become specialized and standardized. The data from integrated analysis from localities 73101, 65309 and 72117 suggests that there are three types of site functions. It is suggested that the Hutouliang occupants were inclined to select base camps, making full use of all available resources as “collectors”.

Background Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common consequence of stroke that negatively interferes with the rehabilitation outcome in patients. It remains unclear what relationship exists between the site and size of brain infarcts and the development of PSD and the risk factors for PSD. We conducted a MRI-based cohort study to examine the radiological correlations for PSD in Chinese patients with ischemic stroke. Methods Our study included 163 patients with acute ischemic stroke. The diagnosis of PSD was made with World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WHO-CIDI), which is based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) during a follow-up exam at 3-month post stroke. The demographic, clinical, and detailed radiological variables (e.g., lesion location, and degree of white matter lesions) were also examined. Results The univariate analyses suggested that the frequency of multiple acute infarcts, the total number and volume of acute infarcts were higher in the PSD group than those in the non-PSD group. In particular, PSD patients showed higher rates of infarcts in cortical–subcortical area of the frontal and temporal lobe as well as in internal capsule (including genu, anterior and posterior limb). The multivariate analysis suggested that independent radiological risk factors for PSD may include the presence of multiple acute infarcts, the infarct affecting either side of posterior limb of internal capsule, genu of internal capsule, and cortical–subcortical areas in the temporal lobe. Conclusion Our study on ischemic stroke patients suggested that certain neuroanatomical factors (i.e., lesions at posterior limb and genu of internal capsule and cortical–subcortical area of the temporal lobe, as well as the presence of multiple acute infarcts) may correlate with the PSD development.

Ma’anshan is a Paleolithic cave site in the Guizhou province of southern China. The total area of the excavations is ca. 48 m 2 , and the cultural deposit is divided into two layers representing the Chinese Late Paleolithic and the later part of the Early Paleolithic. The upper layer dates between 19,295 BP and 31,155 BP by AMS technique, and the lower layer is dated to around 53,000 BP by U-Series technique. Thousands of bone fragments were recovered from the two layers. Species abundance, bone surface modifications, skeletal element representation, and mortality patterns were studied in an investigation of assemblage formation history and patterns of prey selection and meat consumption by hominins. Interpretations of the faunal data are strengthened by reference to experimental studies and ethnoarchaeological data. The zooarchaeological data indicate that the later occupants of Ma’anshan Cave hunted mainly medium and small game animals, while the earlier occupants tended to prey upon larger animals. In the later period, hominins also made fuller use of the carcasses. The breadth of the meat diet increased with time, due to the inclusion of quick small animals (bamboo rats and birds) in the later period. The differences between the two faunal assemblages are consistent with the chronologic boundary currently drawn between the Chinese Early and Late Paleolithic ca. 30–27 ka BP, based on technological and other evidence.

Background We focus on the current resource level for UK/rt-PA therapy in hospitals in Beijing to design strategies for improving treatment for stroke patients. Methods The data were collected through surveys of 124 grade II or higher hospitals in Bejing, which provide stroke treatment, from July to September 2006. Results Of the surveyed hospitals, 50% and 92.6% were capable in providing intravenous UK/rt-PA treatment and head CT service, respectively. Eight (7.4%) hospitals have specialized stroke units and 106 (98.1%) hospitals have EDs. We found significant differences between hospitals that can provide UK/rt-PA therapy and the hospitals that cannot in the levels of specialists and clinical care capacity as follows: CT (100% vs 85.2%; P = 0.01), CTA (46.3% vs 22.2%; P = .014), MRI (66.7% vs 22.2%; P = .000), MRA (57.4% vs 20.4%; P = .000), DWI (48.1% vs 9.3%; P = .000), PWI (31.5% vs 5.6%; P = .001), DSA (63.0% vs 25.9%; P = .000), neurologists (100% vs 79.6%; P = .001), neurosurgeons (75.9% vs 44.4%; P = .002), carotid stenting (33.3% vs 5.6%; P = .000), stroke unit (14.8% vs 0%; P = .01), and acute stroke care system (31.5% vs 0%; P = .000). Conclusion The thrombolysis treatment facilities in Beijing are not sufficient. Hospitals in Beijing should organize stroke-related medical sources.