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Previous experimental studies have regarded distraction, an emotional regulation strategy, as an attentional disengagement strategy and considered it to be maladaptive in the long term. This study intends to further examine the relationship between distraction and negative emotions by using a questionnaire and a multiple mediation model. A total of 723 college students completed the distraction, cognitive reappraisal and problem-solving subscales of the Measurement of Affect Regulation Styles, the Needs Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Meaningful Life Measure, and the Emotional Experience Questionnaire of Well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed, and mediation effects were tested. The results showed that (1) distraction was used significantly more frequently than problem-solving and cognitive reappraisal, with a large effect size (partial η2 = 0.321 > 0.138), and (2) distraction had an effect on negative emotions through two multiple mediation paths, i.e., positive emotion—cognitive reappraisal—meaning in life, and positive emotion—problem-solving—needs satisfaction. Distraction reduces negative emotions by enhancing positive emotions and facilitating cognitive reappraisal, problem-solving, meaning in life and needs satisfaction. It is not a kind of avoidance but a temporary rest to strive for a better life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to demonstrate that capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy is non-inferior to capecitabine conventional chemotherapy as maintenance treatment, in patients who have responded to 16-18 weeks first-line chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).Methods: The study design is a prospective, randomized, open label, phase II clinical trial. Those patients with mCRC who respond well after 16-18 weeks of standard doublet chemotherapy as induction may be enrolled into this study, and randomly assigned to the capecitabine metronomic group or standard dosage group. The duration of disease control after randomization and progression-free survival after enrollment are the primary endpoints. Overall survival, safety, and quality of life are the secondary endpoints. The sample size required to achieve the research objectives of this project is 79 patients in each group. The study recently started on 1 January 2018, and will last for 36 months.Discussion: This project is intended to study the efficacy and safety of capecitabine metronomic chemotherapy in the maintenance treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, and to explore the strategy of "low toxicity, high efficiency, economy, and individualization", which is suitable for China's national conditions and pharmacoeconomics. It has great prospects for clinical application and a clear socioeconomic value.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03158610. Registered on 15 May 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hitherto, a population-based analysis of the cause of death in urban areas of Western China has not been undertaken over an extended period. The aims of this study were to calculate the overall and annual cause-specific mortality rates by age and sex in urban areas of Western China from 2003 to 2012 and to evaluate the quality of the data.Methods: We used Excel software, cause-of-death registrations, and International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, codes to calculate the overall and yearly cause-specific crude mortality rates by age and sex, the Chinese age-standardized mortality rate, and life expectancies.Results: In the Jiulongpo District from 2003 to 2012, there was an increase in the number of death case reports in the census-registered population, a decrease in the number of omitted deaths, and rise in the crude mortality rate. Except for 2003, the Chinese age-standardized mortality rate was the lowest in 2012 (330.83/100,000) and highest in 2005 (390.08/100,000). Life expectancy increased from 78.36 years in 2005 to 81.67 years in 2012.Conclusions: With the development of its social economy, the Chinese government and public attach greater importance to cause-of-death surveillance. The quality of cause-of-death registrations has gradually increased, crude mortality rates have risen, the Chinese age-standardized mortality rate has fallen, and life expectancies have increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of marattialean raches are reported from the coal balls in Coal Seam No.7 in the upper part of the Taiyuan Formation (early Early Permian) from Taiyuan, Shanxi, China and are assigned to the genus Stipitopteris Grand'Eury (Psaroniaceae). The present specimens are different from all six reported species of the genus, and are therefore proposed as a new species: Stipitopteris shanxiensis. The raches of the new species are generally dorsi-ventrally flattened. The main raches usually exhibit scales of different forms on their surface. Beneath the epidermis is a zone of parenchymatous cells, some of which contain tannin-like contents. Inside this is a zone of small sclerenchymatous cells. Inward are the ground tissue and vascular bundles. The vascular bundles are continuous and are in two circles: the outer circle assumes a transversely elliptical shape with the gap and pinna trace, and the inner circle assumes a shallow C-shape with inrolled ends. The ground tissue located at the inner side of the vascular bundle is composed of thicker-walled parenchymatous cells. The cells of the ground tissue are vertically elongated in longitudinal sections. Subordered raches are smaller and have simpler structures than the main raches. The parenchyma zone beneath the epidermis is thinner, usually one to two cells wide and the sclerenchyma zone is usually absent. The scales are poorly developed and there is only one C-shaped vascular bundle. The new species is comparable to the crosiers of Psaroniaceae of the Euramerican Flora in some aspects, for example, it has a dorsi-ventrally flattened rachis and scales on the surface of the rachis. However, the other features and the preservative conditions of the present specimens indicate that they are not crosiers, but fully developed or mature raches. The new species is the first well-studied anatomically-preserved rachis of Psaroniaceae from the Cathaysian Flora and bears significance not only in understanding the anatomy and taxonomy of Psaroniaceae in the Cathaysian Flora, but also in the relationship between the Euramerican Flora and the Cathaysian Flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With Graph: Figure 3 (a) Mean vertical displacement velocities throughout the NCP derived from the Sentinel-1A (S1A) data by using persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PS-InSAR), (b) statistics of the subsidence rates at persistent scatterer (PS) points, (c) changes in the area with subsidence over 50 mm from 2016 to 2018, and (d) changes in the maximum subsidence rates from 2016 to 2018: PP, CP, and LP represent the piedmont alluvial-proluvial plain, central alluvial-lacustrine plain, and littoral plain, respectively. Replace Graph: Figure 3 (a) Mean vertical displacement velocities throughout the NCP derived from the Sentinel-1A (S1A) data by using persistent scatterer interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PS-InSAR), (b) statistics of the subsidence rates at persistent scatterer (PS) points, (c) changes in the area with subsidence over 50 mm from 2016 to 2018, and (d) changes in the maximum subsidence rates from 2016 to 2018: PP, CP, and LP represent the piedmont alluvial-proluvial plain, central alluvial-lacustrine plain, and littoral plain, respectively. Recent Ground Subsidence in the North China Plain, China, Revealed by Sentinel-1A Datasets. [Extracted from the article]

Groundwater resources have been exploited and utilized on a large scale in the North China Plain (NCP) since the 1970s. As a result of extensive groundwater depletion, the NCP has experienced significant land subsidence, which threatens geological stability and infrastructure health and exacerbates the risks of other geohazards. In this study, we employed multi-track Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) datasets acquired by the Sentinel-1A (S1A) satellite to detect spatial and temporal distributions of surface deformation in the NCP from 2016 to 2018 based on multi-temporal interferometric synthetic aperture radar (MT-InSAR). The results show that the overall ground displacement ranged from −165.4 mm/yr (subsidence) to 9.9 mm/yr (uplift) with a standard variance of 28.8 mm/yr. During the InSAR monitoring period, the temporal pattern of land subsidence was dominated by a decreasing tendency and the spatial pattern of land subsidence in the coastal plain exhibited an expansion trend. Validation results show that the S1A datasets agree well with levelling data, indicating the reliability of the InSAR results. With groundwater level data, we found that the distribution of subsidence in the NCP is spatially consistent with that of deep groundwater depression cones. A comparison with land use data shows that the agricultural usage of groundwater is the dominant mechanism responsible for land subsidence in the whole study area. Through an integrated analysis of land subsidence distribution characteristics, geological data, and previous research results, we found that other triggering factors, such as active faults, precipitation recharge, urbanization, and oil/gas extraction, have also impacted land subsidence in the NCP to different degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fertility desire for a second child has been a lively topic since the implementation of the two-child policy in China. Chinese researchers have explored various factors influencing the fertility desire for a second child. However, there have not been studies on the individual differences in the relative fertility costs and fertility benefits and their effects on fertility desire for a second child. Methods: A total of 396 participants rated four kinds of relative fertility costs, four kinds of fertility benefits and their fertility desire for a second child. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to explore the individual differences in the relative fertility costs and fertility benefits and their effects on fertility desire for a second child. Results: Stepwise regression analysis showed that parenting joy, health risks, mutual care among siblings, the flourishing of family, and time pressure and opportunity cost significantly predicted the fertility desire for the second child. According to the latent profile analysis, the participants were classified into four classes. Participants in the lowest-cost/lowest-benefit and high-cost/medium-benefit classes had low fertility desire for a second child, while those in the low-cost/high-benefit and highest-cost/highest-benefit classes had high fertility desire. Conclusion: Fertility benefits have a stronger effect on the fertility desire for a second child than relative fertility costs. Fertility benefits should be paid more attention to than relative fertility costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies exploring whether metastatic organotropism and risk in gastric cancer (GC) differ by primary anatomical site are scarce. Methods: This study included 15,260 and 1623 patients diagnosed with GC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry database and the Nanfang Hospital in China, respectively. Patients were stratified according to primary site of GC, and the incidence of metastasis to different organs was used to determine the metastatic organotropism for each GC subsite. Finally, the metastatic organotropism and risk were compared among the different subsite groups. Results: Liver metastasis was the most common metastasis site in cardia GC, whereas other‐site metastases were more common in the body, antrum, overlapping lesions, and unspecified GCs. Liver and other‐site metastases were also frequently observed in the fundus, pylorus, lesser curvature, and greater curvature GCs. Patients with GC with definite primary tumor sites in the SEER and validation Nanfang hospital cohorts were compared by grouping as proximal and distal GCs for further analysis. In the SEER cohort, the top three metastatic sites of proximal GC were liver (21.4%), distant lymph node (LN) (14.6%), and other‐site (mainly peritoneum, 11.9%), whereas those of distal GC were other‐site (mainly peritoneum, 19.5%), liver (11.8%), and distant LN (9.5%). The incidence of metastasis to the liver, distant LN, lung, and brain was significantly higher in patients with proximal GC than in those with distal GC in both the SEER and Nanfang cohorts (p < 0.05). However, metastasis to other‐site/peritoneum was significantly lower in patients with proximal GC compared to those with distal GC in the Nanfang Hospital and SEER cohorts, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Liver and distant LN are the preferred metastatic sites for proximal GC, whereas peritoneal metastasis is more common in distal GC. Proximal GC has a higher risk of lymphatic and hematogenous metastases, and a lower risk of transcoelomic metastasis than distal GC. Our findings highlight the need to stratify GC by its primary subsite to aid in planning and decision‐making related to metastatic management in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

aimed to describe in detail the prevalence of anemia in patients with TBM in Southern China and its association with the clinical forms of TB, as well as other characteristics of these patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with TBM at two tertiary hospitals in southern China. The demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and laboratory results of 114 patients with TBM were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for anemia in patients with TBM. Results: Electronic medical record data of adult patients diagnosed with TBM from January 2004 to December 2019 were reviewed. Among 134 patients with TBM, 20 were excluded and 114 were analyzed, of whom 33 had anemic, the prevalence rate of anemia was 28.9%. Among patients with anemia, 51.5% had hypochromic microcytic anemia, 33.3% had normochromic normocytic anemia, and 15.2% had macrocytic anemia. Fever duration, TBM grade III and ESR were found to be independent predictors of anemia. Conclusion: Anemia was highly prevalent in patients with TBM, mainly hypochromic microcytic anemia. Besides, Fever duration, TBM grade III and ESR are predictors of anemia in patients with TBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between normal thyroid function and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been a particular focus for concern. The present study determined the relationship between thyroid hormone levels and the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in T2DM patients. A cross-sectional study (n = 633) was performed in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China. Subjects were evaluated for anthropometric measurements, thyroid function, and diabetic retinopathy. Logistic regression models were used to assess the relationships between thyroid hormones and DR. Of 633 patients, 243 (38.4%) patients suffered from DR. The prevalence of DR showed a significantly decreasing trend across the quartiles based on free triiodothyronine (FT3) (FT3 quartile 1 group [FT3-Q1] <4.35 pmol/L, FT3 quartile 2 group [FT3-Q2] 4.35–4.70 pmol/L, FT3 quartile 3 group [FT3-Q3] 4.70–5.08 pmol/L, and FT3 quartile 4 group [FT3-Q4] ≥5.08 pmol/L) (56.7%, 42.5%, 33.1%, 23.8%, P < 0.001). In comparison with all participants categorized in FT3-Q1, the multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of DR in FT3-Q2, FT3-Q3, and FT3-Q4 were 0.587 (0.340–1.012), 0.458 (0.258–0.813), and 0.368 (0.201–0.673), (P = 0.055 , P = 0.008 , P = 0.001), respectively. FT3 levels within the normal range are negatively associated with DR in euthyroid patients with type 2 diabetes. Further studies should be aimed at clarifying the relationship between thyroid hormones and T2DM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mythimna separata (Walker) moths captured in light traps were monitored in Luohe, central‐northern China, from 1980 to 2016. Annual average temperature recorded an increase of 0.298°C/10 years in this region in the period. Our results indicate that a rising April and May average temperature and earlier occurrences of days recording the highest day temperature (30°C) caused an advanced peak and increasing proportion of high ovarian development levels of first‐generation females in earlier summers. Results using Johnson's formulation of "oogenesis‐flight syndrome" indicate that increasing sexual maturity proportion has resulted in more emigrant individuals in the local first‐generation moth becoming residents, and then increased individuals rapidly in the local second‐generation moth since 2006. Consequences of this action have a boom in corn damage since 2007 in this region. Advanced peak dates of the first and second‐generation moth revealed the same response to increasing average monthly temperatures in the monitoring period. Increasing temperatures, the average May temperature exceeds or equal to 22°C, during the early 2000's may represent a physiological threshold for M. separata development. Our results suggest that climate warming may impact M. separata migratory status and cause a problem of crop production in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A review to summarize the studies of chemical constituents, pharmacological activities and clinical studies et al. of Ixeris sonchifolia. • Traditional uses of IS, covering 19 TCM classics and 19 traditional uses containing IS, were presented in the form of Table. • All known chemical constituents isolated from IS and their chemical structures were enumerated in this review. • So far there are 11 methods used for analysis of IS, but the development of more advanced analysis methods is indispensable. • The assistant therapy action and curative effect evaluation of IS were discussed in detail. The assistant therapy action and curative effect evaluation of IS were discussed in detail. Ixeris sonchifolia (IS), principally its dried form, is widely used as traditional and folk medicines in some Asian countries, especially China. In this review, we summarized its traditional uses, chemical constituents, quality control measures, pharmacological activities, therapeutic evaluation, toxicity evaluation and clinical applications. 130 chemical constituents isolated from IS have been reported, including flavones, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, phenylpropanoids, organic acids and others. They showed various pharmacological activities, such as protecting cardiocerebral vascular system, anticancer effect and antiviral etc. The quality control evaluation studies, clinical applications, other possible applications and suggestions for future research also were discussed. The aim of this review is to critically appraise the available literature and suggest directions for further development of IS to improve its medical value and use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land subsidence is the ground surface response to underground space development, utilization and evolution. Presently, land subsidence has developed into a global, comprehensive and interdisciplinary complex systems problem. More than half a century has passed since the discovery of subsidence in the Beijing Plain in the 1960s. In this study, we investigate the land subsidence in the Beijing Plain over the period of 2003–2015 using ENVISAT ASAR and RADARSAT-2 interferometric datasets and the small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SBAS-InSAR) technique. Furthermore, we introduced the data field model and index-based built-up index (IBI) to obtain the dynamic and static load information of the Beijing Plain. Then, based on a machine learning method, we selected the gradient lifting decision tree (GBDT) model to quantitatively analyze the contributions of groundwater level change, compressible deposit thickness and dynamic and static loads to land subsidence. The results showed that the maximum land subsidence rate was 122 and 141 mm/year in 2003–2010 and 2010–2015, respectively. Comparisons between the SBAS-InSAR results and leveling measurements showed that the minimum absolute error achieved was only 0.2 mm/year. We suggest that the groundwater exploitation in the third confined aquifer has greater impacts on land subsidence in the Beijing Plain than the other factors. The land subsidence likely occurred in compressible deposit thicknesses exceeding 90 m. Moreover, we found that the compressible thickness and groundwater level contributions to land subsidence exceeded 60%. Our results provide a scientific basis for the regulation and control of regional land subsidence. Unlabelled Image • The causes of land subsidence in Beijing Plain are complex. • The maximum land subsidence rate is 122 and 141 mm/year in 2003–2010 and 2010–2015. • The dynamic load by using a spatial data mining method of data field model. • The third confined aquifer groundwater has greater impacts on land subsidence. • Compressible thickness and groundwater contribution to land subsidence exceed 60%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Discrete structural styles and mineral assemblages from auriferous quartz-ankerite-pyrite-arsenopyrite veins (Q2 and Q3) suggest superimposing gold mineralization at Tuanshanbei. • Comprehensive geological and H-O-Nd isotopic composition evidences are features that better adhere to metamorphic devolatilization models, indicating that the two-staged gold mineralization events both formed from metamorphic hydrothermal fluids originated from Cangxiyan Group metamorphic rocks. The Jiangnan Orogen is China's third largest gold province, and has undergone complex orogenic processes and tectonic overprinting, forming multistage magmatism, deformation, metamorphism, and gold mineralization. Our field studies indicate that the Tuanshanbei gold ores (central Jiangnan Orogen) have two generations of auriferous quartz-ankerite-pyrite-arsenopyrite veins (Q2 and Q3), with the latter containing abundant ankerite and base metal sulfides. Both Q2 and Q3 veins are younger than the emplacement of the Tuanshanbei granodiorite vein-ore host, and cut by post-ore diabase dikes. Q2 veins were likely associated with the Early Devonian near N-S-directed shortening, along sub-horizontal EW-/WNW-striking transpressive faults, whereas Q3 veins (hosting ∼ 70% of the total Au resource), were primarily hosted in the Early Triassic moderately-/steeply-dipping NW-striking tensional/transtensional faults and moderately-dipping NE-/NNE-striking transpressive faults, associated with NW-SE-directed shortening. Discrete structural styles and mineral assemblages from Q2 and Q3 suggest superimposing gold mineralization at Tuanshanbei. To determine the source(s) of the ore-forming aqueous-carbonic fluids, we conducted mineralogical and in-situ LA-(MC)-ICP-MS Nd-isotope analyses on two generations of hydrothermal monazite, and H-O isotope analyses on the quartz from Q2 and Q3 veins. The results suggest that the Tuanshanbei ore fluids have δD = −66.7 to −57.6‰ (Q2) and −66.8 to −66.2‰ (Q3), and calculated δ18O H2O = 4.5–9.7‰ (Q2) and 6.1–7.8‰ (Q3). The H-O isotopic data suggest a metamorphic and/or magmatic water source for the ore fluids. Hydrothermal monazite (coexists with native gold and auriferous sulfides) from Q2 and Q3 veins displays subtle heterogeneous BSE response along cracks and grain margin, suggesting alteration there. The 147Sm/144Nd and 143Nd/144Nd ratios of altered parts of Q2 and Q3 monazite grain are significantly perturbed via dissolution–recrystallization by the hydrothermal fluids, whereas their initial Nd isotope compositions seem to be less affected. The unaltered Q2 and Q3 monazite samples have similar initial εNd values (Q2: −8.07 to −7.36, Q3: −10.87 to −9.99) to the Neoproterozoic Cangxiyan Group greenschist–amphibolite-facies metamorphic rocks. Geological and structural evidence suggest both Q2 and Q3 ore-forming events were related to metamorphism, typical of orogenic gold deposits. We interpreted that various parts of the basement were metamorphosed (to near the greenschist-amphibolite-facies boundary) at different times, during which the gold-bearing metamorphic fluids produced migrated into the same structural conduits and deposited the ores there in two ore-forming episodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Folate deficiency is an independent risk factor for congenital heart disease (CHD); however, the maternal plasma folate level is paradoxically not a good diagnostic marker. Genome-wide surveys have identified variants of nonfolate metabolic genes associated with the plasma folate level, suggesting that these genetic polymorphisms are potential risk factors for CHD.Methods: To examine the effects of folate concentration-related variations on CHD risk in the Han Chinese population, we performed 3 independent case-control studies including a total of 1489 patients with CHD and 1745 control subjects. The expression of the Fidgetin (FIGN) was detected in human cardiovascular and decidua tissue specimens with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The molecular mechanisms were investigated by luciferase reporter assays, surface plasmon resonance, and chromatin immunoprecipitation. FIGN-interacting proteins were confirmed by tandem affinity purification and coimmunoprecipitation. Proteasome activity and metabolite concentrations in the folate pathway were quantified with a commercial proteasome activity assay and immunoassays, respectively.Results: The +94762G>C (rs2119289) variant in intron 4 of the FIGN gene was associated with significant reduction in CHD susceptibility (P=5.1×10-14 for the allele, P=8.5×10--13 for the genotype). Analysis of combined samples indicated that CHD risks in individuals carrying heterozygous (GC) or homozygous (CC) genotypes were reduced by 44% (odds ratio [OR]=0.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.47-0.67) and 66% (OR=0.34; 95% CI=0.23-0.50), respectively, compared with those with the major GG genotype. Minor C allele carriers who had decreased plasma folate levels exhibited significantly increased FIGN expression because the transcription suppressor CREB1 did not bind the alternative promoter of FIGN isoform X3. Mechanistically, increased FIGN expression led to the accumulation of both reduced folate carrier 1 and dihydrofolate reductase via inhibition of their proteasomal degradation, which promoted folate absorption and metabolism.Conclusions: We report a previously undocumented finding that decreased circulating folate levels induced by increased folate transmembrane transport and utilization, as determined by the FIGN intronic variant, serves as a protective mechanism against CHD. Our results may explain why circulating folate levels do not have a good diagnostic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment dredging is an effective means to control the endogenous pollution of lakes, which could significantly change the concentration and composition of organic matter, especially dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the lake. DOM is particularly important for the release of endogenous pollutants, which will inevitably bring an impact on aquatic biodiversity. Nevertheless, in recent research little attention has been paid to the desorption mechanism of DOM on pollutants and the change of biodiversity during dredging. This study investigated the physicochemical properties of DOM in the sediment by taking a sediment dredging project in Dianchi Lake in China for example. The correlations of DOM properties with the desorption behavior of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and the biodiversity of aquatic organisms were analyzed. The results show that the aromaticity and humification of DOM were improved after dredging, and the high molecular weight DOM was degraded into low molecular weight substance. The desorption amount of N, P and heavy metals (Cd, Pb) were decreased as the pH values increased. Moreover, NH 4 +-N promoted the release of Pb2+ from DOM, while the release of PO 4 3--P was inhibited. Correlation analysis shows that the physicochemical properties of DOM exactly affected the release of N, P, Cd and Pb. It was easier to desorb pollutants with low aromaticity and humification of DOM, leading to a decrease in the diversity of aquatic organisms. This study identified the desorption mechanism of endogenous pollutants in DOM and the ecological risk to aquatic organisms, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of water pollution. [Display omitted] • Possible desorption mechanism of N, P and heavy metals from DOM are proposed. • Correlations of DOM properties and desorption behavior of pollutants was analyzed. • The relationship between DOM and biodiversity of aquatic organisms were explored. • The effects of dredging on pollutant release and biodiversity were evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We provided more evidence on associations between legacy PFASs and PFAS alternatives and glucose-homeostasis. • We explored the joint associations of legacy PFASs and PFAS alternatives. • 6:2 Cl-PFESA contributed the most in the joint associations. • Sex-specific associations were observed. Epidemiological studies on the associations of legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and glucose homeostasis remain discordant. Understanding of PFAS alternatives is limited, and few studies have reported joint associations of PFASs and PFAS alternatives. To investigate associations of novel PFAS alternatives (chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids, Cl-PFESAs and perfluorobutanoic acid, PFBA) and two legacy PFASs (Perfluorooctanoic acid, PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate, PFOS) with glucose-homeostasis markers and explore joint associations of 13 legacy and alternative PFASs with the selected outcomes. We used cross-sectional data of 1,038 adults from the Isomers of C8 Health Project in China. Associations of PFASs and PFAS alternatives with glucose-homeostasis were explored in single-pollutant models using generalized linear models with natural cubic splines for PFASs. Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models were applied to assess joint associations of exposures and outcomes. Sex-specific analyses were also conducted to evaluate effect modification. After adjusting for confounders, both legacy (PFOA, PFOS) and alternative (Cl-PFESAs and PFBA) PFASs were positively associated with glucose-homeostasis markers in single-pollutant models. For example, in the total study population, estimated changes with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of fasting glucose at the 95th percentile of 6:2Cl-PFESA and PFOS against the thresholds were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.59, 1.21) and 0.44 (95% CI: 0.26, 0.62). Positive joint associations were found in BKMR models with 6:2Cl-PFESA contributing most. Sex-specific associations existed in both single- and multi-pollutant models. Legacy and alternative PFASs were positively associated with glucose-homeostasis markers. 6:2Cl-PFESA was the primary contributor. Sex-specific associations were also identified. These results indicate that joint associations and effect modification should be considered in risk assessment. However, further studies are recommended to strengthen our findings and to elucidate the mechanisms of action of legacy and alternative PFASs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Schistosomiasis transmission is typically focal. Understanding spatial variations of Schistosoma infections and their associated factors is important to help to invent site-specific intervention strategies. Methods: A five-year longitudinal study was carried out prospectively in 12 natural villages, Guichi district of Anhui province. A GIS-based spatial analysis was conducted to identify geographic distribution patterns of schistosomiasis infections at the household scale. Results: The results of the spatial autocorrelation analysis for 2005 showed that there were significant spatial clusters of human infections at the household level, and these results were in agreement with that of the spatial scan statistic. As prevalence of infections in humans decreased over the course of control, the spatial distribution of these infections became less heterogeneous. Conclusions: The findings imply that it may be necessary to re-assess risk factors of S. japonicum transmission over the course of control and to adjust accordingly control measures in the communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface displacement is an common environmental geological phenomenon in the Beijing Plain. Research on surface displacement in the Beijing Plain has mainly focused on vertical surface displacement, whereas the horizontal displacement has scarcely been studied. To investigate the 3-D surface displacement in the Beijing Plain, we construct a leveling-constrained multidirectional PS-InSAR 3-D surface displacement estimation method to obtain the 3-D surface displacement information. The results show that the surface displacement in the study area during 2016–2018 was mainly vertical displacement with two main northern and southern subsidence centers; the vertical displacement ranged from −150 mm/year (down) to 5 mm/year (up), and the east–west horizontal displacement ranged from 20 mm/year (east) to 22 mm/year (west). Validation results show that the 3-D surface displacement estimation results agree well with leveling data and GPS data, indicating the reliability of the 3-D surface displacement datasets. The 3-D surface displacement results show that horizontal displacement is obvious in the areas with a large vertical displacement in the eastern Beijing Plain. Additionally, the horizontal displacement is directed toward the center of vertical displacement. The compressive strain is observed close to the centers of vertical displacement, whereas tensile strain occurs far from the centers of vertical displacement. The main cause of the 3-D surface displacement in the study area is the long-term groundwater overexploitation, especially deep groundwater exploitation. The spatial and temporal extents of displacement do not exactly match the locations of the groundwater sinks in different aquifers; instead, geological structures and stratigraphic/lithological conditions may have a combined effect. Moreover, the spatial and temporal distributions of surface displacement are closely related to ground fissure activity, and both influence each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a universal chronic disease in China. The balance of the gut microbiome is highly crucial for a healthy human body, especially for the immune system. However, the relationship between the gut microbiome and CKD has not yet been clarified.Methods: A total of 122 patients were recruited for this study. Among them, 24 patients were diagnosed with CKD5 but did not receive hemodialysis therapy, 29 patients were diagnosed with CKD5 and received hemodialysis therapy and 69 were matched healthy controls. The gut microbiome composition was analyzed by a 16S rRNA (16S ribosomal RNA) gene-based sequencing protocol. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) technology was used to evaluate the levels of microbiome-related protein-binding uremic toxins level, indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), in the patients.Results: We compared the gut microbiome results of 122 subjects and established a correlation between the gut microbiome and IS and PCS levels. The results indicated that alpha and beta diversity were different in patients with CKD5 than in the healthy controls (p < 0.01). In comparison to healthy controls, CKD5 patients exhibited a significantly higher relative abundance of Neisseria (p < 0.001), Lachnoclostridium (p < 0.001) and Bifidobacterium (p < 0.001). Faecalibacterium (p < 0.001) displayed a notably lower relative abundance for CKD5 patients both with and without hemodialysis than for controls. It was also found that the concentrations of IS and PCS were correlated with the gut microbiome.Conclusions: Our results indicate that CKD5 patients both with and without hemodialysis had dysbiosis of the gut microbiome and that this dysbiosis was associated with an accumulation of IS and PCS. These results may support further clinical diagnosis to a great extent and help in developing potential probiotics to facilitate the treatment of CKD5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land subsidence is a global environmental geological hazard caused by natural or human activities. The high spatial resolution and continuous time coverage of interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) time series analysis techniques provide data and a basis for the development of methods for the investigation and evolution mechanism study of regional land subsidence. Beijing, the capital city of China, has suffered from land subsidence for decades since it was first recorded in the 1950s. It was reported that uneven ground subsidence and fractures have seriously affected the normal operation of the Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) in recent years before the overhaul of the middle runway in April 2017. In this study, InSAR time series analysis was successfully used to detect the uneven local subsidence and ground fissure activity that has been gradually increasing in BCIA since 2010. A multi-temporal InSAR (MT-InSAR) technique was performed on 63 TerraSAR-X/TanDem-X (TSX/TDX) images acquired between 2010 and 2017, then deformation rate maps and time series for the airport area were generated. Comparisons of deformation rate and displacement time series from InSAR and ground-leveling were carried out in order to evaluate the accuracy of the InSAR-derived measurements. After an integrated analysis of the distribution characteristics of land subsidence, previous research results, and geological data was carried out, we found and located an active ground fissure. Then main cause of the ground fissures was preliminarily discussed. Finally, it can be conducted that InSAR technology can be used to identify and monitor geological processes, such as land subsidence and ground fissure activities, and can provide a scientific approach to better explore and study the cause and formation mechanism of regional subsidence and ground fissures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]