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Few studies have been conducted to explore medication non-adherence in persons with schizophrenia (PWS) and its influencing factors in rural China. This study aimed to investigate the medication non-adherence and its influencing factors among PWS in rural China. A total of 269 PWS and their family caregivers in Xinjin district, Chengdu, China were investigated on medication adherence and related factors. Logistic regression was employed to identify the influencing factors. The results showed that 37.6% of PWS had medication non-adherence. PWS living with family caregivers had significantly lower rate of medication non-adherence (34.7%) than those not living with family caregivers (60.0%) (p < 0.01). Family caregivers' affiliate stigma of mental illness, knowledge of mental illness and self-esteem were significantly related to patients' medication non-adherence (p < 0.05). PWS' employment status, living with family caregiver, present mental status and social support were significantly related to medication adherence. This study shows medication non-adherence is severe among PWS in rural China. Both patient- and family-related factors affect patients' medication adherence seriously. Except improving patients' treatment and mental status, development of family caregiving, social support network and intervention on reducing stigma of mental illness should be crucial for enhancing PWS' medication adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to identify the complications of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) associated with poor control of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postload plasma glucose (PPG) on the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This retrospective study included 997 singleton pregnancy GDM patients who were assigned to poor or good glycaemic control groups. Multivariate analysis indicated that poor FPG control and poor PPG control were both independent predictors of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (HDCP) (odd ratio (OR) of 2.551 (95% CI [1.146–5.682], p =.022) and OR of 2.084 (95% [1.115–3.894], p =.021) compared with good glycaemic control groups, respectively). Poor PPG control promoted the rate of caesarean delivery (1.534 (95% CI [1.063–2.214]), p =.022), whereas good PPG control increased the risk of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) (0.373 (95% CI [0.228–0.611]), p <.001). Conclusively, poor control FPG and PPG dissimilarly affect pregnancy complications in GDM; these findings may help clinicians in the effective implementation of measures to prevent pregnancy complications in GDM. What is already known on this subject? Previous studies displayed that GDM patients with 2-h PPG elevated at 24–28 week of gestation had a 2.254-fold increased risk of postpartum dysglycaemia. Abnormal plasma glucose in GDM mother increased the probability of childhood obesity in the offspring. With the implementation of China's second-child policy, the incidence of GDM is rising. What do the results of this study add? Our results indicated that the older patients with GDM, the greater the risk of abnormal plasma glucose control. In addition, maternal age and prenatal BMI were notably correlated with poor plasma glucose control of FPG and PPG, respectively. We also found that both poor FPG and PPG control notably increased the incidence of HDCP in pregnant women. The incidence of PROM was higher in the good PPG control group compared with the poor PPG control group. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study displayed that the effects of poor FPG and PPG control on pregnancy complications and newborn outcomes were heterogeneous, which might be related to the specificity of plasma glucose metabolism at different time points. Good glycaemic control, especially PPG control, was of great significance for improving pregnancy complications and perinatal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this prospective observational study was to establish a suitable model for the postnatal follow-up and management of prenatal renal and urinary tract anomalies in Shanghai, China.Methods: Minhang and Changning maternal child health care hospitals were selected to establish the integrated management model. Newborns with prenatal renal and urinary tract anomalies in these two centers were eligible to participate in the study from 2015 to 2017. All newborns were classified into three groups based on prenatal findings: (1) severe/complex urinary tract dilatation (UTD) with ureterectasia, (2) other renal and urinary tract abnormalities, and (3) isolated mild to moderate UTD. The newborns underwent their first postnatal ultrasound and follow-up according to the presumed management strategy. Demographic and clinical data were collected from all institutes.Results: A total of 129 newborns fulfilled the study criteria, and 121 completed the postnatal evaluation. Ten newborns in group 1 (n = 13) were diagnosed with obstructive uropathy, including 9 with ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and one with megaureter. All 13 newborns in group 2 had consistent postnatal results and were followed under previously established procedures. Sixty-seven cases in group 3 (n = 95) had a UTD at their first scan at 42 postnatal days, and two were diagnosed with UPJO. A total of 2 infants with UPJO underwent surgery, and 71 (65.7%, 71/108) of the UTD cases were resolved.Conclusions: The majority of the patients had a favorable outcome. Close multidisciplinary collaboration among obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatricians, and pediatric nephrologists and urologists is mandatory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effect of atmospheric particulates on the chemistry and acidity of rainwater during the washout process in areas with highly acidic rainfall, rainwater and particulates (before, during and after rain) were sampled and analyzed from June 2008 to June 2009 in the Yangtze River Delta region, China. The volume-weighted mean pH of the rainwater was only 4.44 in Hangzhou, and the average concentrations of TSP (total-suspended particulates) and PM10 (particulates with aerodynamic equivalent diameters of less than 10 μm) during the study period were 191 μg/m3 and 155 μg/m3, respectively. The measured acid buffering capacities of PM10 and TSP were 1.31 ± 0.45 and 1.61 ± 0.84 ml/mg, on average, respectively, indicating that both had a certain acid buffering capacity. Rain appeared to have a pronounced scouring effect on particulates, except for F− and Cl− in PM10. Upon combining the correlation analysis between ions in particulates and rainwater with Enrichment Factor and Principal Component Analysis of the rainwater chemistry, the results suggested that the components of rainwater were mainly derived from washout processes acting on particulates from crustal dust and building industry sources (Ca2+), marine sources (Na+, K+ (in spring), Mg2+ and Cl−) and anthropogenic sources, especially secondary aerosols emitted from agricultural land, motor vehicles and industrial plants (NO3−, SO42-, and NH4+). The F− in rainwater was mainly contributed by gaseous pollutants, such as HF from cooling systems, coal burning and surrounding factories. Implications: The interaction between particulates and rain in areas with highly acidic rainfall include the following: rain appears to have a pronounced scouring effect on most components in the particulates; the components of the rainwater are mainly derived from washout processes acting on PM contributed by crustal dust, sea salt and secondary aerosol subcloud; and the acid buffering capacities of PM10 and TSP in Hangzhou are 1.31 ± 0.45 and 1.61 ± 0.84 ml/mg, respectively, and had a certain acid buffering capacity toward rainwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sandaowanzi (>22t Au) and Beidagou (>5t Au) tellurium–gold deposits are located in the northeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (Heilongjiang Province, NE China). The ore-hosting volcanic rocks unconformably overly monzogranite and were intruded by adakitic granodiorite. In this study, we report new-age, geochemical, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic data to elucidate the genetic link between the igneous rocks and the Te–Au mineralization. New-age data indicate that local magmatism occurred in the Early Jurassic (ca. 177.2 Ma) and Early Cretaceous (ca. 118.7 − 122.0 Ma). Geochemically, the igneous rocks are enriched in LREEs, Pb, K, and U, and depleted in Nb, P, and Ti, showing calc-alkaline affinity. The Early Jurassic monzogranite rocks are featured by87Sr/86Sr = 0.7111−0.7118;εNd(t) = −4.6 to −4.7;206Pb/204Pb = 18.098−18.102,207Pb/204Pb = 15.558−15.580, and208Pb/204Pb = 37.781−37.928, whereas the Early Cretaceous adakitic granodiorite contains:87Sr/86Sr = 0.7071−0.7073;εNd(t) = − 3.4 to −3.2;206Pb/204Pb = 17.991−18.080,207Pb/204Pb = 15.483−15.508, and208Pb/204Pb = 37.938−37.985. Initial isotopic ratios for the Early Cretaceous volcanic rocks:87Sr/86Sr = 0.7061−0.7087;εNd(t) = − 3.6 to −2.9;206Pb/204Pb = 18.136−18.199,207Pb/204Pb = 15.512−15.628, and208Pb/204Pb = 38.064−38.155. The pyrite, chalcopyrite, and telluride grains yielded δ34S of −6.52 ‰ to 2.13 ‰ (mean = − 0.82 ‰) andδ13CPDBof the calcite samples are in the range of −6.64 ‰ to −5.24 ‰, implying the ore materials were derived from mantle. The geochemical and isotopic results indicate that primary melts of Late Mesozoic magmatic rocks have features by partial melting of the continental crust. The adakitic rocks may have been the products of the thickened lower crustal delamination and the subsequent asthenospheric upwelling during the intra-continental extension in NE China. Regionally, intrusive activity and molybdenum mineralization during the Jurassic was affected by subduction setting, whereas gold mineralization was controlled by the Early Cretaceous tectonothermal events associated with a superposition extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fertile rhyniophytoid is discovered from the Lower Devonian of Guangxi, southwestern China, which is characterised by small size, dichotomous branchings and terminal sporangia. This plant is similar to the genusAberlemniaGonez et Gerrienne and also, is comparable to some mesofossil morphotypes of early land plants from the Early Devonian (Lochkovian) Old Red Sandstone floras. This study adds new data to the generally zosterophyll-dominated Early Devonian floras of South China and sheds some lights on the palaeophytogeography of rhyniophytoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scientific approach to urban planning is required to ensure environmental protection and ecological sustainability. This paper presents a range of urban land-use scenarios and their implications for urban development and economic demand in the Old Town of Lijiang. Using geographic information system (GIS) and questionnaire analysis, three future urban planning scenarios were created based on data and storylines for the Lijiang region. In all scenarios, urban growth arises from population increase due to tourism and economic change. However, the spatial patterns differ due to varying assumptions about urban development processes or purposes. The modelling results are successfully illustrated in the scope of possible land-use scenarios for the future and provide useful input for starting discussions on future urban development planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of an association between acute air pollution exposure and lung function in the elderly is limited. This study is cross-sectional. We quantified the effects of air pollution exposure on lung function among 256 elderly by using a linear mixed model. The results revealed that air pollutants had lag effects on lung function after adjusting for confounders. PM2.5 (Lag03, Lag 03 was defined three-day moving average, and so forth), PM10, NO2 (Lag04-Lag05) were significantly associated with reduced FEV1. PM2.5 (Lag01-Lag02), PM10 (Lag0-Lag07), NO2 (Lag0, Lag04), and SO2 (Lag0) were significantly associated with reduced Forced vital capacity (FVC). PM2.5 (Lag04-Lag07) and NO2 (Lag01-Lag07) were significantly associated with reduced FEF25%–75%. The results showed the adverse change was stronger after adjusting for other pollutants in the PM models, and women were more susceptible to air pollutants. Therefore, we should pay attention to the problem of air pollution in the elderly, especially in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To provide a detailed review on the therapeutic efficacy of conbercept for the management of ocular vasculopathies. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of various electronic databases was performed. Results: Ocular vasculopathy is one of the major causes of visual impairment and blindness which includes a range of disorders. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates angiogenesis, enhances vascular permeability, and drives the formation of neovascularization. Anti-VEGF therapy has been shown to prevent vision loss or potentially improve vision in patients with exudative or neovascular retinal disease. The most recent anti-VEGF drug in China is conbercept. In the USA and Europe, bevacizumab is the most recently approved anti-VEGF agent. Conclusions: Conbercept serves as another anti-VEGF option for patients with neovascular AMD and other retinal vascular disorders. There have not been many clinical trials that study conbercept as compared with other currently available anti-VEGF drugs. There is a need for large-scale, well-designed, randomized clinical trials to ensure its long-term safety and efficacy and to determine if it has any advantages over other anti-VEGF agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fully cored CSDP-2 Well, drilled in the central uplift region of the South Yellow Sea, China, provides indispensable and very significant research opportunities to understand the evolution of life, paleoclimate, paleogeography, and tectonics during the Permian in the South Yellow Sea area of the Yangtze paleoblock. We here analyze 118 samples from 893.7 to 1798.8 m depth of the CSDP-2 borehole core and recognize three Permian palynological assemblages, Laevigatosporites minimus – Florinites florini (MF) for the Kungurian mid-lower Qixia Formation, Crucisaccites quadratoides – Limitisporites rhombicorpus (QR) for the Capitanian lower Longtan Formation and Macrotoispora media – Anticapipollis tornatilis (MT) for the Wuchiapingian upper Longtan Formation, in an ascending order. These palynological assemblages indicate a warm and semi-humid rainforest paleoenvironment and a drying tendency of the paleoclimate. The present study area belongs to the Yangtze paleoblock in paleogeography and is a part of the Cathaysia flora based on mega-plant fossil records. However, our palynological assemblages show similarities to those of both South China and North China subzones and, especially, their pollen contents with arid coniferous affinities highly similar to those in the north part of the South China subzone. The presence of conifers might suggest a more arid climate in the North China subzone had started to affect the Yellow Sea area in the Lopingian (Permian). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Yellow Sea basin in eastern China has experienced a multi-stage tectonic evolution history. The major structures were created when the basin was a foreland basin during the Mesozoic. However the geological evolution of the basin has not yet been corroborated by direct evidence from the underlying basement rocks. Qianliyan Island in the southern Yellow Sea provides an opportunity to study the formation and evolution of the basin by means of direct geochronological and geochemical evidence. On Qianliyan Island, basement rocks are exposed that consist of granitic gneiss, felsic gneiss and minor mylonite, and lenses of eclogite. Major and trace element characteristics of these four types of gneiss indicate that they originated from crustal material, varying in composition from pelite to greywacke. SHRIMP U-Pb zircon dating results of a felsic gneiss sample show that this rock crystallized between 659 and 796 Ma and underwent a metamorphic overprint at 229 ± 4 Ma. This age pattern resembles that of gneisses from the ultra-high-pressure terrain in the Dabie–Sulu belt. We conclude that the study area was part of the northern margin of the Yangtze Block during the Neoproterozoic. Neoproterozoic magmatic activity occurred along this margin and the basement sequence underwent Triassic metamorphic overprint during the northward subduction of the Yangtze Block beneath the North China Block. We further conclude that the deformation associated with this metamorphic event led to the formation of the southern Yellow Sea foreland basin. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The grand jackknife clam Solen grandis is a commercially important mollusk species, but has been suffering from severe population decline due to over-exploitation and habitat destruction in China. To promote a conservation program for this species, it is necessary to evaluate its genetic diversity and population genetics. In this study, 10 novel polymorphic microsatellite makers were developed and characterized from the S. grandis through high throughput sequencing. The number of alleles at each locus ranged from 10 to 34 with an average of 20.8 alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities varied from 0.433 to 1.000 and from 0.696 to 0.976, with an average of 0.793 and 0.884, respectively. The polymorphism information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.633 (Sg43838) to 0.958 (Sg3754), with an average of 0.858. The cross-species amplification transferability of 10 loci to three closely related species ranged from 4.17 to 62.5%. These microsatellite loci will be useful for further investigation of population structure and conversation genetics of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is a rare genetic disease characterized by distal tubular dysfunction leading to metabolic acidosis and alkaline urine. Growth retardation is a major concern in these children. The disease is caused by defects in at least three genes (SLC4A1, ATP6V0A4, and ATP6V1B1) involved in urinary distal acidification. Several series of dRTA patients from different ethnic backgrounds have been genetically studied, but genetic studies regarding Chinese population is rare. Our aim was to investigate the clinical features and genetic basis of primary dRTA in Chinese children. Methods: Three unrelated patients with dRTA participated in our study. Next-generation sequencing was performed, and the findings were validated using the Sanger sequencing method. Results: All patients exhibited hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis, abnormally high urine pH, hypokalemia, and nephrocalcinosis. Growth retardation was observed in all patients. During the follow-up (range 1-4 years), alkali replacement therapy corrected the systemic metabolic acidosis, and two patients demonstrated normal growth. rhGH therapy was administered to patient-3 at the age of 6 years, and his growth rate was significantly improved (growth velocity 9.6 cm/yr). In total, 5 mutations were identified in our cohort of three patients, and four mutations were novel. Conclusions: We report the clinical and molecular characteristics of dRTA patients from China. The four novel mutations detected in our study extend the spectrum of gene mutations associated with primary dRTA. Furthermore, our study confirms the effect of early treatment in improving growth for dRTA patient and provides insight into the effects of rhGH on dRTA patients who were diagnosed late and exhibiting a persistent growth delay despite appropriate therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the “weekend warrior” pattern of physical activity (PA) where people perform all their PA in 1 or 2 sessions per week. We investigated the relationship of weekend warrior and other PA patterns with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its associated diseases. Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics were collected from the Nantong Metabolic Syndrome Study that included 13,505 women and 6,997 men between 2007 and 2008. Compared with inactive participants, weekend warriors were at lower risk of MS, diabetes, and hypertension; respective odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for men and women were 0.58 (0.43-0.79) and 0.67 (0.52-0.86), 0.52 (0.34-0.79) and 0.52 (0.33-0.83), and 0.79 (0.63-0.99) and 0.71 (0.57-0.89). Similar results were observed with regular activity, at a frequency of >3 sessions per week. Both weekend warrior and regular PA patterns showed a 10-60% decrease in abnormal triglycerides, glucose, and blood pressure in both sexes; abnormal waist circumference in men only; and abnormal high-density lipoprotein in women only. Our observed cross-sectional relationships reflect that >150 min/week of moderate PA or 75 min/week vigorous-intensity PA is needed to prevent MS and its component diseases, even if in a short-bout, intermittent PA pattern. Abbreviations: MS: Metabolic syndrome; WC: Waist circumference; TG: Triglycerides; HDL-c: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol; BP: Blood pressure; SBP: Systolic blood pressure, DBP: Diastolic blood pressure; PA: Physical activity; JIS: Joint Interim Statement; CVD: Cardiovascular disease; ATP III: US Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program, the Adult Treatment Panel; IDF: International Diabetes Federation; IPAQ: International Physical Activity Questionnaire; BMI: Body mass index; CDC: the Nantong Centers for Disease Control; OR: Odds ratio; CI: Confidence interval; SD: Standard deviation; IQR: Interquartile range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]