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Background: Childhoods in urban or rural environments may differentially affect the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, possibly through memory processing and neural response to emotional stimuli. Genetic factors may not only influence individuals' choices of residence but also modulate how the living environment affects responses to episodic memory. Methods: We investigated the effects of childhood urbanicity on episodic memory in 410 adults (discovery sample) and 72 adults (replication sample) with comparable socioeconomic statuses in Beijing, China, distinguishing between those with rural backgrounds (resided in rural areas before age 12 and relocated to urban areas at or after age 12) and urban backgrounds (resided in cities before age 12). We examined the effect of childhood urbanicity on brain function across encoding and retrieval sessions using an fMRI episodic memory paradigm involving the processing of neutral or aversive pictures. Moreover, genetic association analyses were conducted to understand the potential genetic underpinnings that might contribute to memory processing and neural mechanisms influenced by early-life urban or rural environments. Results: Episodic memory retrieval accuracy for more difficult neutral stimuli was similar between those with urban and rural childhoods, whereas aversive stimuli elicited higher retrieval accuracy in the urban group (P = 0.023). For aversive stimuli, subjects with urban childhood had relatively decreased engagement of the striatum at encoding and decreased engagement of the hippocampus at retrieval. This more efficient striatal encoding of aversive stimuli in those with urban childhoods was associated with common variation in neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 2 (NTRK2) (right striatum: P = 1.58×10−6). These findings were confirmed in the replication sample. Conclusions: We suggest that this differential striatal processing of aversive stimuli observed in individuals with urban or rural childhoods may represent mechanisms by which childhood urbanicity may affect brain circuits, heightening behavioral responses to negative stressors associated with urban environments. NTRK2-associated neural processes in the striatum may play a role in these processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: By analyzing the distribution of existing and newly proposed staging imaging features in pT1–3 and pT4a tumors, we searched for a salient feature and validated its diagnostic performance. Methods: Preoperative multiphase contrast-enhanced CT images of the training cohort were retrospectively collected at three centers from January 2016 to December 2017. We used the chi-square test to analyze the distribution of several stage-related imaging features in pT1–3 and pT4a tumors, including small arteriole sign (SAS), outer edge of the intestine, tumor invasion range, and peritumoral adipose tissue. Preoperative multiphase contrast-enhanced CT images of the validation cohort were retrospectively collected at Beijing Cancer Hospital from January 2018 to December 2018. The diagnostic performance of the selected imaging feature, including accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity, was validated and compared with the conventional clinical tumor stage (cT) by the McNemar test. Results: In the training cohort, a total of 268 patients were enrolled, and only SAS was significantly different between pT1–3 and pT4a tumors. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the SAS and conventional cT in differentiating T1–3 and T4a tumors were 94.4%, 81.6%, and 97.3% and 53.7%, 32.7%, and 58.4%, respectively (all p < 0.001). In the validation cohort, a total of 135 patients were collected. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the SAS and the conventional cT were 93.3%, 76.2%, and 96.5% and 62.2%, 38.1%, and 66.7%, respectively (p < 0.001, p = 0.021, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Small arteriole sign positivity, an indirect imaging feature of serosa invasion, may improve the accuracy of identifying T4a colon cancer. Clinical relevance statement: Small arteriole sign helps to distinguish T1–3 and T4a colon cancer and further improves the accuracy of preoperative CT staging of colon cancer. Key Points: • The accuracy of preoperative CT staging of colon cancer is not ideal, especially for T4a tumors. • Small arteriole sign (SAS) is a newly defined imaging feature that shows the appearance of tumor-supplying arterioles at the site where they penetrate the intestine wall. • SAS is an indirect imaging marker of tumor invasion into the serosa with a great value in distinguishing between T1–3 and T4a colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether the rare NLRP3-Associated Autoinflammatory Disease (NLRP3-AID) is associated with retinal changes and to assess the ocular involvement. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 20 patients(40 eyes) diagnosed with rare NLRP3-AID at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from April 2015 to August 2022. Patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure examination, slit-lamp examination, fundus photography, optical coherence tomography(OCT), and fluorescence angiography (FA). Some patients also underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Results: This study analyzed 40 eyes of 20 patients (11 [55.0%] male; median age, 25.0 years [range, 12–52 years]) and 13 patients (26 eyes, 65%) demonstrated ocular involvement. The most common ophthalmologic manifestation was conjunctivitis (22 eyes, 84.6%), followed by papilledema (14 eyes, 53.8%), retinopathy (10 eyes, 38.5%), optic atrophy (6 eyes, 23.1%), uveitis (4 eyes, 15.4%), reduced pupil light reflex (3 eyes, 11.5%) and cataracts (2 eyes, 7.7%). Ocular involvement was bilateral in 11 patients (55.0%). Five kinds of retinal lesions were seen in 5 patients (10 eyes, 25%) with NLRP3-AID, including peripheral retinal vascular leakage, microaneurysms, macular ischemia, macular epiretinal membrane formation and drusen. Conclusions: Peripheral retinal vascular leakage, macular ischemia, microaneurysms and drusen are newly identified retinal findings in patients with NLRP3-AID, which suggests the importance of detailed retinal examination in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine whether vascular index (VI; defined as the ratio of Doppler signal pixels to pixels in the total lesion) measured via superb microvascular imaging in breast cancer correlates with immunohistochemically defined subtype and is able to predict molecular subtypes. Methods: This prospective study involved 225 patients with 225 mass-type invasive breast cancers (mean size 2.6 ± 1.4 cm, range 0.4~5.9 cm) who underwent ultrasound and superb microvascular imaging (SMI) at Peking Union Medical College Hospital before breast surgery from December 2016 to June 2018. The correlations between primary tumor VI measured via SMI, clinicopathological findings, and molecular subtype were analyzed. The performance of VI for prediction of molecular subtypes in invasive breast cancer was investigated. Results: The median VI of the 225 tumors was 7.3% (4.2%~11.8%) (range 0%~54.4%). Among the subtypes of the 225 tumors, 41 (18.2%) were luminal A, 91 (40.4%) were luminal B human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-negative, 26 (11.6%) were luminal B HER-2-positive, 17 (7.6%) were HER-2-positive, and 50 (22.2%) were triple-negative, and the corresponding median VI values were 5.9% (2.6%~11.6%) (range 0%~47.1%), 7.3 (4.4%~10.5%) (range 0%~29.5%), 6.3% (3.9%~11.3%) (range 0.6%~22.2%), 8.2% (4.9%~15.6%) (range 0.9%~54.4%), and 9.2% (5.1%~15.3%) (range 0.7%~32.9%), respectively. Estrogen receptor (ER) negativity, higher tumor grade, and higher Ki-67 index (≥20%) were significantly associated with a higher VI value. Tumor size, ER status, and Ki-67 index were shown to independently influence VI. A cutoff value of 4.1% yielded 79.9% sensitivity and 41.5% specificity with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.58 for predicting that a tumor was of the luminal A subtype. A cutoff value of 16.4% yielded 30.0% sensitivity and 90.3% specificity with an AUC of 0.60 for predicting a triple-negative subtype. Conclusions: VI, as a quantitative index obtained by SMI examination, could reflect histologic vascular changes in invasive breast cancer and was found to be higher in more biologically aggressive breast tumors. VI shows a certain degree of correlation with the molecular subtype of invasive breast cancer and plays a limited role in predicting the luminal A with high sensitivity and triple-negative subtype with high specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antibiotic resistance is the main cause of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) treatment failure. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of antibiotic resistance of H. pylori isolates in Beijing in the last 8 years and to estimate the impact of previous eradication failure on resistance patterns. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included data from a single center in Beijing from 2013 to 2020. Antibiotic susceptibility of 365 clinical H. pylori isolates was tested for amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and tetracycline. The characteristics of the included patients and their previous eradication history were collected. Primary and secondary resistance rates of H. pylori to the six antibiotics and the impact of previous eradication failure on antibiotic resistance patterns were analyzed. Results: The overall primary resistance rates of amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and tetracycline were 0.7%, 55.2%, 68.0%, 49.7%, 64.5%, and 0%, with no significant increase during the observed period; while the secondary resistance rates were 3.2%, 96.7%, 90.7%, 93.1%, 80.0%, and 0%, respectively. The secondary resistance rate of clarithromycin (p <.001), metronidazole (p =.001), and levofloxacin (p <.001) significantly increased to 100% as the number of previous eradication therapies increased and exhibited a linear association. For strains naive to eradication, only 6.8% were susceptible to all the antibiotics, while 32.4% were single resistant, and 60.8% dual or multiple resistant. Clarithromycin+metronidazole+fluoroquinolone multiple resistance was the predominant pattern (0 course: 21.6%, 1 course: 37.5%, 2 courses: 56.1%, ≥3 courses: 71.1%; p <.001) for patients with treatment failure. The prevalence of dual or multiple‐resistance patterns increased significantly as the number of previous therapies increased. Conclusions: The prevalence of primary and secondary resistance rates of clarithromycin, metronidazole, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin were high in Beijing. Multiple‐resistance patterns were common after treatment failure. Resistance rates of amoxicillin and tetracycline remained low and stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles (NPs), owing to their ultrasmall size, have been extensively researched for potential applications in biomedicine. During their delivery and functionalization within the organism, they frequently interact with cells. The resulting nano-bio interfaces between the NPs and cell membrane play an important role in dominating the physiological effects of NPs. Therefore, understanding how the properties of NPs affect their nano-bio interface interactions with the cell membrane is important. Compared to experimental and theoretical analyses, simulations can provide atomic-level accuracy regarding dynamic changes in structure, which can reveal the mechanisms of nano-bio interface interactions for feasible modulation. Thus, we reviewed the current advances in nano-bio interfaces from the perspective of simulations. This study will determine how the properties of NPs affect their interactions with cell membranes to provide insights for the design of NPs and summarize their corresponding biomedical applications. Owing to their ultrasmall size effect, nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively researched in biomedicine for potential applications. They can frequently interact with cells in vivo, forming a series of nano-bio interfaces. The resulting nano-bio interfaces play an important role in dominating the physiological effects of NPs. This review will summarize the progress in nano-bio interface interactions based on theoretical models and simulations. The expected goal of this review is to determine how the properties of NPs affect their interaction with cell membranes, to guide the rational de novo design of NPs, and expand their potential biomedical applications. Bionanotechnology: Computer simulations help understand particle-membrane interfaces The cost and time need to develop nanoparticle-based drug delivery can be reduced using theoretical simulations. Cells typically prevent nanoparticles from accessing their interiors by encapsulating them inside membrane-bound sacs. Wei Wei from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing and colleagues review efforts to understand nanoparticle–membrane interfaces using atomically precise models and coarser simulations where groups of atoms are represented as 'beads' with specific properties such as hydrophobicity. These computations have revealed plausible design rules to improve cellular uptake: avoiding pointy shapes, for instance, or modifying particle surfaces with receptor-binding molecules. The modelling trials can also describe possible cytotoxicity effects and identify impacts on protein function that are difficult to quantify using experiments alone. New simulations that incorporate more complex biostructures promise to improve the reliability of these techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify that hypothalamus-pituitary dysfunction is one of the risk factors for postoperative central nervous system infections (PCNSIs). Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with sellar region lesions who underwent surgery between January 2016 and November 2019 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. In total, 44 age− and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for PCNSIs. Result: We enrolled 88 patients, 44 of whom had PCNSIs. Surgical approach (TCS) (P<0.001), previous surgery on the same site (P=0.001), intraoperative cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage (P<0.001), postoperative adrenal insufficiency (P=0.017), postoperative DI (P=0.004) and the maximum Na+ levels(<0.001) correlated significantly with PCNSIs. Multivariate analysis showed that Surgery approach (TCS)(OR: 77.588; 95%CI: 7.981-754.263; P<0.001), intraoperative CSF leakage (OR: 12.906; 95%CI: 3.499-47.602; P<0.001), postoperative DI (OR: 6.999; 95%CI:1.371-35.723; P=0.019) and postoperative adrenal insufficiency (OR: 6.115; 95%CI: 1.025-36.469; P=0.047) were independent influencing factors for PCNSIs. Conclusion: TCS, intraoperative CSF leakage, postoperative DI and postoperative adrenal insufficiency are risk factors for PCNSIs in patients with sellar region tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and predictive variables of sarcopenia. Methods: We recruited participants from the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Multicenter Prospective Longitudinal Sarcopenia Study (PPLSS). Muscle mass was quantified using bioimpedance, and muscle function was quantified using grip strength and gait speed. Logistic regression revealed the relationships between sarcopenia and nutritional, lifestyle, disease, psychosocial and physical variables. Results: The prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity was 9.2%‐16.2% and 0.26%‐9.1%, respectively. Old age, single status, undernourishment, higher income, smoking, low physical activity, poor appetite and low protein diets were significantly associated with sarcopenia. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age was a risk factor for all stages of sarcopenia, and participants above 80 years were greater than fivefold more susceptible to sarcopenia, while lower physical activity was an independent risk factor. The optimal cut‐off value for age was 71 years, which departs from the commonly accepted cut‐off of 60 years. Female participants were greater than twofold less susceptible to sarcopenia than male participants. The sterol derivative 25‐hydroxyvitamin D was associated with fourfold lower odds of sarcopenia in male participants. Several protein intake variables were also correlated with sarcopenia. Based on these parameters, we defined a highly predictive index for sarcopenia. Conclusions: Our findings support a predictive index of sarcopenia, which agglomerates the complex influences that sterol metabolism and nutrition exert on male vs female participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The deceleration of groundwater table decline was identified. • The trend of GWSA indicated groundwater recovery in the past decade. • The Groundwater Recharge Events occurred in 2016–2018. • The correlation and coherence between GWSA and precipitation were analyzed. • Quantitatively evaluate the effects of different factors on groundwater dynamics. Domestic water supply and agricultural irrigation are highly dependent on groundwater in Beijing. Groundwater table (GWT) decline and ecological issues caused by groundwater overexploitation have been of growing concern. However, some positive measures such as groundwater extraction control, improvement of water use efficiency, and South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project (SNWDMRP) have alleviated severe groundwater shortage situation in recent years. Therefore, quantifying the contributions of different factors to the deceleration of groundwater table decline contributes to guide groundwater resources. In this study, in-situ groundwater table data, climate data, and water use data were used to identify the deceleration and driving factors of GWT decline by comprehensively using water table fluctuation (WTF) method, Mann-Kendall (MK) trend test, wavelet analysis methods, and Random Forest Regression (RFR). Firstly, the MK trend test evaluated the trend of the defined groundwater stress index (GSI) and groundwater table decline rate (GTDR) changes, indicating the fact that GWT decline was decelerated during 1999–2018. Then, the WTF method combined with in-situ groundwater level data and specific yield were used to derive the monthly groundwater storage anomalies (GWSA), which revealed a slight GWS recovery in the past decade, especially a significant increase of GWS with a rate of 5.76 mm/month since the operation of South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project (SNWDMRP). Wavelet analysis identified a correlation and coherence between GWSA and precipitation in the time–frequency domain. Furthermore, correlation analysis indicated that the deceleration of GWT decline may be attributed to climatic factors (e.g., precipitation, temperature), the SNWDMRP, and water supply and use structure. The RFR quantitatively identified the greatest contribution of water use (e.g., agricultural and domestic water use) to GWT dynamics. Moreover, the effect of SNWDMRP is greater than climatic factors (e.g., precipitation, temperature). These findings have important implications for groundwater resource management in Beijing and other areas suffering from severe groundwater depletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To examine a potential association between longitudinal changes in intraocular pressure (IOP), arterial blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) in a population-based setting. Methods: The longitudinal population-based Beijing Eye Study included 2355 subjects with an age of 45+ years who were examined in 2006 and in 2011. The participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination including tonometry and measurement of arterial blood pressure and BMI. Results: Data on IOP, arterial blood pressure and BMI measured in 2006 and in 2011 were available for 2257 (95.8%) subjects with a mean age of 59.5±9.7 years. The mean change in IOP was −1.25±2.26 mm Hg, mean change in mean blood pressure −7.4±12.1 mmHg, and mean change in BMI was 0.01±2.04 kg/m2. In multivariate analysis, the 5-year change in IOP was significantly associated with a higher change in mean blood pressure (P<0.001; standardized regression coefficient Beta:0.11; regression coefficient B:0.02; 95% confidence interval (CI):0.01,0.03) after adjusting for younger age (P<0.001;Beta:−0.18;B:−0.04;95% CI:−0.05,−0.03), shorter body stature (P = 0.002;Beta:−0.06;B:−0.06;95% CI:−0.03,−0.01), thicker central corneal thickness (P<0.001;Beta:0.19;B:0.02;95% CI:0.01,0.02), deeper anterior chamber depth (P = 0.01;Beta:0.05;B:0.33;95% CI:0.07,0.60), and lower intraocular pressure at baseline (P<0.001;Beta:−0.56;B:−0.42;95% CI:−0.45,−0.39). If the analysis included only longitudinal parameters, the change in IOP was significantly associated with a higher change in mean arterial blood pressure (P<0.001;Beta:0.10;B:0.02;95% CI:0.01,0.03) and a higher change in body mass index (P<0.04;Beta:0.04;B:0.04;95% CI:0.01,0.09). Conclusions: In the 5-year follow-up of our population-based sample, a change in IOP was associated with a corresponding change in arterial blood pressure and with a corresponding change in body mass index. These longitudinal data support the notion of a physiological relationship between arterial blood pressure, intraocular pressure and body mass index. These findings may be of interest for the discussion of the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to investigate the effect of meteorological factors on PM2.5 in Beijing, the continuous observation data which from July to September of 2006-2008 of Baolian and Shangdianzi stations are used to analyze. The result showed that: the transportation of southerly wind aggravated the fine particulate pollution degree of urban, and it is also the primary reason of the pollution in rural area. PM2.5 concentration decreased as the northerly wind increased in both urban and rural areas. This indicates that the northerly wind is relatively clear, can dilute and disperses the pollutants in the Beijing area, but the southerly wind play the opposite role. Hourly precipitation above 1mm can eliminate PM2.5 effetely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Studied the concentration, seasonal variation, size distribution of water soluble organic matter in atmospheric aerosols in the Beijing and the Okinawa area. Size fractionate aerosols were sampled in Beijing city and Okinawa islands respectively in 2006, water-distilled samples were analyzed by total organic carbon (TOC) analysis to obtain the concentration level of organic carbon. Results showed that the concentration of total water soluble organics in Beijing area ranged from 8.31 ~ 20.03 µg ⋅ m-3 The concentration of total water soluble organics in Okinawa area was 3.39 µg ⋅ m-3. Water soluble organics mainly existed in fine particles (d<2.1 µm), which account for 42% ~ 53% of water soluble organics in total suspended particles in Beijing and 39% ~ 46% in Okinawa. The concentration of water soluble organics in Beijing area was the highest in winter, which was influenced by local emissions; while the concentration of water soluble organics in Okinawa area was the highest in spring, with the main influence from long range transport of pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using polymerase chain reaction and denaturating polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic techniques, we studied 53 cases of hydatidiform moles. Of these, 41 cases were genetically complete hydatidiform moles (g-CHM) whose genome were totally paternally derived. We investigated the distribution of the alleles in the short tandem repeat sequences at loci D16S539, D7S820, and D13S317 in these cases. In particular, we analyzed the allelic distribution and potential significance in cases with traceable benign and invasive moles (i.e., persistent trophoblastic tumor [PTT]). Among 41 g-CHM cases, there were six alleles at D16S539, five alleles at D7S820 (the frequencies of alleles 9 and 10 were respectively lower and higher than those in Beijing population), and seven alleles at D13S317; the heterozygosity of loci D16S539, D7S820, and D13S317 was 0.0732, 0.0976, and 0.0732, respectively. Among 23 benign cases, there were six alleles at D16S539, four at D7S820, and six at D13S317; among 11 PTT cases, there were five alleles at D7S820 and four alleles each at D16S539 and D13S317. The frequencies of allele 9 at D16S539 and allele 10 at D7S820 were higher than in benign cases (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in frequencies of alleles 9 and 10 at D7S820 between the cases and the Beijing population, and heterozygosity at the three loci was lower in the cases than in the population. In addition, invasiveness of hydatidiform mole correlated to the frequency of allele 9 at loci D16S539 and allele 10 at D7S820. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dust weather conditions with strong wind often occur in Beijing during spring. The number of duststorms in Beijing has declined since 1954. In the last two years, however, the number of duststorms in Beijing has increased drastically due to frequent cold air movements and the deteriorated ecological environment. The heaviest duststorm in the last decade in Beijing occurred on 6 April 2000. It was caused by the development of a high-level small trough along with strong northwest wind behind a large trough that moved eastward and developed a strong cold air system. A non-hydrostatic meso-scale numerical model (MM5) gave a good forecast to the duststorm's major features and movement. Simulated results showed that there was a strong vertical ascending motion with a strong positive vorticity center in mid and low level. The mesoscale structure's formation and development and movement were consistent with the passage and moving direction of the duststorm. At the same time, the trajectories of air particles during this duststorm event and another case (on 27 March 2000) were estimated and analyzed, which had the comparable results with the real situation and the trajectory monitored by meteorological satellite. The trajectories analysis could help us study the transport track and sand source to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differentiating idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) from other neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. Only a portion of the patients clinically suspected of iNPH would respond to surgical intervention. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test is usually used to predict surgery outcomes and hence aid clinical decision-making, but the workup varies. We introduce the CSF tap test conducted at our center and examine its power by analyzing data from a series of iNPH cases that underwent shunt placement. We analyze common features in the past medical history of our patients and investigate whether they are related to the etiology of iNPH. Data from 20 patients who were positive in the tap tests preoperatively and received ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative performance data were analyzed. History of any underlying medical conditions was taken into consideration. Patients with negative tap test results of the same period were also followed up. We performed VPS placement in 20 NPH patients from October 2019 to February 2022. Of these, 90% exhibited improvement in at least 1 of the clinical triad, proving the predictive power of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital test workflow. The underlying conditions like hypertension, diabetes and insufficiency in cerebral blood supply were also found to be associated with the onset of NPH. Our evaluation system is a valid tool for NPH assessment and can guide clinical decision-making. Comorbidities should be taken into consideration as they contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of NPH. Better identification of potential iNPH patients will lower the burden exerted on the family and the aging society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming bacterium, which we designated as strain 03113T, was isolated from greenhouse soil in Beijing, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed strain 03113T is in the genus Bacillus and had the highest similarity to Bacillus solani CCTCC AB 2014277T (98.14%). The strain grew at 4 °C–50 °C (optimum 37 °C), with 0–10% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 5%), and in the range of pH 3.0–12.0 (optimum pH 8.0). Menaquinone was identified as MK-7, and the major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. The main major cellular fatty acids detected were anteiso-C15:0 (51.35%) and iso-C15:0 (11.06%), which are the predominant cellular fatty acids found in all recognized members of the genus Bacillus. The 16S rRNA gene sequence and core-genome analysis, the average nucleotide identity (ANI), and in silico DNA—DNA hybridization (DDH) value between strain 03113T and the most closely related species were 70.5% and 22.6%, respectively, which supported our conclusion that 03113T represented a novel species in the genus Bacillus. We demonstrated that type strain 03113T (=ACCC 03113T=JCM 33017T) was a novel species in the genus Bacillus, and the name Bacillus telluris sp. nov. was proposed. Strain 03113T secreted auxin IAA and carried the nitrogenase iron protein (nifH) gene, which indicated that strain 03113T has the potential to fix nitrogen and promote plant growth. Bacillus telluris sp. nov. 03113T is a potential candidate for the biofertilizers of organic agriculture areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The annual land cover maps of Beijing from 2001 to 2020 were generated. • The land cover dynamics of Beijing during the past two decades were investigated. • The classification method combining CCDC algorithm and MRF model was proposed to achieve the temporally and spatially consistent land cover mapping. Compared to change detection using two-dates satellite images, monitoring the changes at high temporal frequencies using dense observations can provide more comprehensive understanding of the land cover dynamics for a given place. Beijing, the capital of China, has undergone fast urban growth in the past decades. The existing studies on Landsat-derived land cover dynamics in Beijing mainly focus on 5- or 10-year intervals, or annual mapping of single land cover type; however, the dynamics of all-types land cover in Beijing at one-year scale were rarely investigated. To fill this research gap, we presented a time-series land-cover mapping approach by combining the Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) algorithm with Markov random field (MRF) model to explore the annual dynamics of land cover in Beijing from 2001 to 2020 using Landsat time series. First, the annual land cover maps for Beijing were generated using CCDC algorithm. Then, the MRF model was applied to annual land cover maps to alleviate the salt and pepper noise arising from the classification of CCDC at the pixel level. Results showed that CCDC-MRF proposed in this study could produce temporally and spatially consistent results which have higher annual average overall accuracy (81.93%) than the results derived from CCDC (79.18%). In addition, the accuracy of annual land cover changes for CCDC-MRF was 92.50% in spatial domain and 80.49% in temporal domain, which were higher than the results for CCDC with 89.36% in spatial domain and 78.38% in temporal domain. The major land cover change in Beijing over the last two decades was characterized by urban expansion with the replacement of cultivated land, leading to 13.53% of cultivated land being replaced by artificial impervious surface, mainly occurring between the fifth and sixth ring roads. The method proposed in this study could generate accurate land cover maps at high temporal frequencies and the findings of this research could provide a better understanding for sustainable urban development and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since NOx has decreased significantly, ozone formation sensitivity in urban areas has gradually shifted from VOC-limited to NOx-limited. Ozone is usually formed at high altitudes. However, due to a lack of vertical gradient observation data support, the evidence of high-altitude sensitivity change is still not conclusive. To confirm this issue, ozone and NOx were observed at three heights (8 m, 160 m, and 280 m) from a 325 m tower in Beijing from 2019 to 2020. Combined with the NO 2 and HCHO column concentrations, the ozone formation sensitivity transition was determined, and it was proposed that NOx control could effectively deal with high ozone concentrations. By comparing the observations from 2009 to 2010, near-surface NOx and ozone concentrations were found to have changed. A large decrease in NOx (−20 ppbv) and increase in ozone (19 ppbv) indicated that the weakening of the NO titration effect was the main cause of the increase. To remove the influence of the titration effect, the change in Ox (Ox = O 3 +NO 2) was analyzed and found to have increased by 6 ppbv. Local formation was not the main reason for Ox growth. After strict emission standards, the proportion of primary NO 2 and southward short-distance transport increased, which were two key reasons for the Ox increase. In addition, the boundary layer height increased by 208 m, and the surface relative humidity decreased by 6%. Meteorological conditions have become more conducive to ozone formation. This study shows that NOx emission reduction is conducive to controlling high-level ozone pollution. With the in-depth development of NOx emission reduction, the near-surface ozone will also significantly decrease. This study also highlights the importance of strict controls on diesel vehicles and motor vehicle numbers. • Meteorological conditions have become more favorable for ozone formation. • Primary NO 2 and southward short-distance transport increased. • Continuous NOx reduction can control ozone pollution. • VOCs should be controlled throughout the year, and NOx in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Ambient particulate matter (PM) exposure has been associated with short- and long-term effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD). Telomere length (TL) is a biomarker of CVD risk that is modified by inflammation and oxidative stress, two key pathways for PM effects. Whether PM exposure modifies TL is largely unexplored. Objectives: To investigate effects of PM on blood TL in a highly-exposed population. Methods: We measured blood TL in 120 blood samples from truck drivers and 120 blood samples from office workers in Beijing, China. We measured personal PM2.5 and Elemental Carbon (EC, a tracer of traffic particles) using light-weight monitors. Ambient PM10 was obtained from local monitoring stations. We used covariate-adjusted regression models to estimate percent changes in TL per an interquartile-range increase in exposure. Results: Covariate-adjusted TL was higher in drivers (mean=0.87, 95%CI: 0.74; 1.03) than in office workers (mean=0.79, 95%CI: 0.67; 0.93; p=0.001). In all participants combined, TL increased in association with personal PM2.5 (+5.2%, 95%CI: 1.5; 9.1; p=0.007), personal EC (+4.9%, 95%CI: 1.2; 8.8; p=0.01), and ambient PM10 (+7.7%, 95%CI: 3.7; 11.9; p<0.001) on examination days. In contrast, average ambient PM10 over the 14days before the examinations was significantly associated with shorter TL (−9.9%, 95%CI: −17.6; −1.5; p=0.02). Conclusions: Short-term exposure to ambient PM is associated with increased blood TL, consistent with TL roles during acute inflammatory responses. Longer exposures may shorten TL as expected after prolonged pro-oxidant exposures. The observed TL alterations may participate in the biological pathways of short- and long-term PM effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Air pollution has been a serious health issue in Beijing for years. Airborne antibiotic-resistant bacteria could be a potential health crisis as reserve of antibiotic resistance transmission in environment. The composition and antibiotic resistance pattern of culturable bacterial community and how these are affected by air pollution remain unclear. This study aimed to compare the compositions and antibiotic resistance patterns of culturable bacteria in polluted and non-polluted weather conditions in Beijing. Air samples were collected indoors and outdoors during polluted and non-polluted weather using six-stage Andersen Samplers. For each isolated bacterium, the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was amplified, sequenced, and blasted against the National Center for Biotechnology Information database Antibiotic resistance was conducted by antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Bacterial concentration in polluted weather was significantly higher than in non-polluted weather, both indoors and outdoors (P < 0.05). Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) were dominant in both weathers but gram-negative bacteria (GNB) were more abundant in polluted weather than non-polluted weather both indoors and outdoors. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria occupied 23.7% of all bacterial isolates, 22.4% of isolates from polluted weather and 27.8% of isolates from non-polluted weather. Penicillins were resisted by 72.4% and 83.3% of isolates from polluted and non-polluted weather, respectively. The bacterial concentration was significantly higher in polluted weather, compared to non-polluted weather. Polluted weather is correlated with changes in the bacterial composition in the air, with a greater abundance of GNB. Penicillins was resisted by over 70% of bacterial isolates. The abundance of MDR bacteria suggested potential risks for human health. • Bacterial concentration was significantly higher in polluted weather. • Multidrug-resistant bacteria occupied approximately one fourth of bacteria in both weathers. • Gram-negative bacteria had greater abundance in polluted weather. • Multidrug-resistance was more severe in gram-negative bacteria. • Penicillins was resisted by over 70% culturable airborne bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]