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The activities in public places are becoming increasingly frequent, and public seats have become an important component of public space and an "auxiliary tool" for work, life, and leisure. The demand for such furniture in China is gradually increasing, but the design and research work of public seats is lagging behind the development status and speed of other civil and office furniture. Usually, public seats can be divided into two parts based on their usage: public indoor seats and public outdoor seats. How to understand the role and impact of public seats on the indoor environment, and how to establish a new design method for public seats in the context of the overall environmental system, are currently urgent issues to be solved. The chair furniture comfort design evaluation is a classical MADM issues. In such paper, the generalized weighted Bonferroni mean (WBM) operator and power average (PA) is constructed for MADM with single-valued neutrosophic sets (SVNSs). Then, the generalized single-valued neutrosophic number power WBM (GSVNNPWBM) operator is built and then the MADM decision methods are proposed based on the GSVNNPWBM operator. Finally, an example about chair furniture comfort design evaluation and some comparative analysis were given to demonstrate the GSVNNPWBM method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the functional results of different treatment approaches for the fracture of the coronoid process in terrible triad injury (TTI). Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial included participants from seven level-1 trauma centres in China. All patients were randomly assigned to three groups, wherein different approaches were applied to treat coronoid fracture: group A) internal fixation of the coronoid process without external fixation or splint (ORIF group), B) external fixation using a hinged fixator without internal fixation (Exfix group), and C) long-arm plaster for two to three weeks postoperatively without internal fixation of coronoid process (Plaster group). Early active motion exercises within the limits of pain were started immediately after surgery under the supervision of a physical therapist. Outcomes were evaluated at regular intervals over the subsequent 12 months. Results: A total of 65 patients (22 patients in Group A, 21 in Group B, and 22 in Group C) were included in this trial from January 2016 to January 2019. The average arc of elbow motion was 114.1° ± 8.92°. The average flexion and flexion contracture were 126.4° ± 11.2° and 12.3° ± 7.7°, respectively. The arcs of forearm rotation of the elbow for each group were 145.41° ± 9.36°, 143.38° ± 9.79°, and 143.86° ± 10.95°, respectively. The MEPS for each group were 86.82 ± 9.7, 86.67 ± 9.92, and 85.23 ± 8.66, respectively. The DASH score for each group were 18.26 ± 19.31, 18.85 ± 15.02, and 20.19 ± 13.59, respectively. Conclusion: All three approaches in our trial showed similar functional results in the long-term survey. Patients treated with external fixation without internal fixation of the coronoid process showed less pain during early mobilization and acquired maximum flexion within a short duration after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new Viola species from southern China, i.e. Viola qingruii, V. heyuanensis, V. chaozhouensis, and V. longissima, are described and illustrated based on morphology and molecular phylogeny. Viola qingruii is widely distributed in the coastal mountains of southeastern China, while V. heyuanensis, V. chaozhouensis, and V. longissima, are all narrow endemics in Guangdong Province, China. These species are described and compared with the morphologically related species V. lucens, V. tenuis, V. guangzhouensis and V. huizhouensis. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS confirmed that all of the four new species belong to Viola sect. Plagiostigma subsect. Diffusae. An identifcation key is provided to distinguish the four new species from other species of V. subsect. Diffusae in southern China. In addition, the origin and evolution of characters such as aerial stems, stolons, elaiosomes and tuberculate seeds in Viola are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Recently, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was identified as responsible for a novel wave of COVID-19 worldwide. We perform a retrospective study to identify potential risk factors contributing to radiological progression in the COVID-19 patients due to the Omicron variant infection. These findings would provide guiding information for making clinical decisions that could improve the Omicron infection prognosis and reduce disease-related death. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study from a single center in China. According to the radiological change within admissive one week, enrolled cases were divided into two groups: the progressive (1w-PD) and the stable or improved disease (1w-non-PD). Separate analyses were performed on patients stratified into subgroups using the Mann–Whitney U-test, the Fisher exact test, or the Chi-squared test and a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Both the 1w-non-PD and 1w-PD cohorts displayed comparable asymptomatic infection, have similar underlying disease, impairment in respiratory function, coagulation dysfunction, tissue injury, SARS-CoV-2 viral load, and disease severity. However, the 1w-PD cohort was more inclined to cluster in populations presented with age between 41 and 65, higher CURB-65 scores, undetectable SARS-CoV-2 IgG, and lung affection. Based on the multiple logistic regression analysis, complicated bilateral and ground-glass opacities (GGOs) like pneumonia at admission were independent risk factors to radiological progression within admissive one week. Conclusion: This study provided preliminary data regarding disease progression in Omicron-infected patients that indicated the development of pneumonia in the context of Omicron infection was worthy of potential risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the effects of initial water content and time during secondary compression on the strength behavior at low effective stresses of dredged clays obtained from two places in China. A suite of vane shear tests was conducted on clay samples consolidated at 16 kPa using the self-developed compression apparatus. Tests results showed that the shear angle corresponding to the peak shear stress almost increases with the decreasing time during secondary compression and the vane shear stress increases with decreasing initial water content at the same shear angle. A significant increase in peak strength with time during secondary compression was observed compared with the insignificant increase in residual strength. The normalized strength increases linearly with log time during secondary compression. The undrained strength of dredged clay specimens with different initial water contents consistently increases with time during secondary compression. The strength and time curve for specimens at lower initial water content lies above that at higher initial water content. A quantitative expression of normalized strength as functions of normalized water content and time during secondary compression was obtained. The proposed equation is verified by comparing the calculated results and measured results for other sources of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, online sales continue to grow against the generally adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic development. Although advertisers favor online targeted advertising for its precision, consumers may find it intrusive and avoid it. This study constructed a conceptual model based on Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) theory, Approach-Avoidance Theory, and Brand Avoidance Theory to investigate the influence mechanism of consumers' perceived risk on the avoidance behavior of online targeted advertising via an online survey. Collected 436 validated data was analyzed through structural equation method in AMOS statistical software. Results showed that the positively influenced advertising avoidance, and negative emotions mediated the relationship between perceived performance risk, time-loss risk, freedom risk, and advertising avoidance, but perceived privacy risk did not influence advertising avoidance through negative emotions. Perceived COVID-19 risk moderates the effect of negative emotions on advertising avoidance. The findings provide important insights for helping governments, advertisers and online platforms into which risk perceptions influence advertising avoidance, and suggests ways to mitigate consumers risk perceptions for the mutual benefit of brands and users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of social media information disclosure on crowdfunding rates. Using a sample of 1,844 projects from a music crowdfunding platform in China, we find that fundraisers who disclosed their social media accounts contributed to a greater funding rate. Social media account disclosure appears to be more significant for projects created by individuals and accompanied by videos and more images, as well as negative descriptions. Furthermore, the disclosure of social media presence information can improve the funding rate by enabling digital reputations and breaking geographical restrictions. Robust tests and 2SLS estimations support our conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macromotettixoides angustivertex Zha & Peng sp. nov. and M. hainanensis (Liang) (= Hyboella hainanensis Liang), collected from Hainan Island, PR China, are described, photographed and compared with their allies. Based on the morphological characters of the two species, generic characteristics of the genus Macromotettixoides are updated. Pseudomacromotettix taiwanensis Zheng, Li & Lin, syn. nov. is synonymized with M. taiwanensis (Liang) (= Hyboella taiwanensis Liang), and the monotypic Pseudomacromotettix Zheng, Li & Lin, syn. gen. is synonymized with Macromotettixoides Zheng, Wei & Jiang. We also give ecological information for the two described species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a destructive mulberry pest, causing great damage to mulberry in China. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are involved in various signal pathways and regulate lots of physiological processes in insects. The function of Hsps in G. pyloalis , however, has still received less attention. Here, we identified five Hsp genes from G. pyloalis transcriptome dataset including two Hsp70 family genes (GpHsp71.3 and GpHsp74.9) and three Hsp90 family genes (GpHsp82.4 , GpHsp89 , and GpHsp93.4). Quantitative Real-time PCR validation revealed that all Hsps of G. pyloalis have significant expression in pupal and diapause stage, at which the larvae arrest the development. Expressions of GpHsp71.3 and GpHsp82.4 were increased significantly after thermal treatment at 40°C, and this upregulation depended on heat treatment duration. Furthermore, silencing GpHsp82.4 by RNA interference led to a significant increase in mortality of G. pyloalis larvae under the heat stress compared to the control group. After starvation stress, the expression levels of GpHsp82.4 and GpHsp93.4 were significantly increased. At last, after being parasitized by the parasitoid wasp Aulacocentrum confusum , Hsp70 and Hsp90 genes of G. pyloalis were decreased significantly in the early stage of parasitization and this moderation was affected by time post-parasitization. This study highlights the function of G. pyloalis Hsps in response to environmental stress and provides a perspective for the control of this pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is an ecologically and economically important species. Here, we assessed the diversity of 78 accessions cultivated in northern China using 8 agronomic characteristics, oil traits (including oil content and fatty acid composition) in seeds and fruit pulp, and SSR markers at 23 loci. The 78 accessions included 52 from ssp. mongolica, 6 from ssp. sinensis, and 20 hybrids. To assess the phenotypic diversity of these accessions, 8 agronomic fruit traits were recorded and analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The first two PCs accounted for approximately 78% of the variation among accessions. The oil contents were higher in pulp (3.46–38.56%) than in seeds (3.88–8.82%), especially in ssp. mongolica accessions. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio was slightly lower in the seed oil of hybrids (76.06%) than that of in ssp. mongolica (77.66%) and higher than that of in ssp. sinensis (72.22%). The monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) ratio in the pulp oil of ssp. sinensis (57.00%) was highest, and that in ssp. mongolica (51.00%) was equal to the ratio in the hybrids (51.20%). Using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), we examined the correlation between agronomic traits and oil characteristics in pulp and seeds. Oil traits in pulp from different origins were correlated with morphological groupings (r = 0.8725, p = 0.0000). To assess the genotypic diversity, 23 SSR markers (including 17 loci previously reported) were used among the 78 accessions with 59 polymorphic amplified fragments obtained and an average PIC value of 0.2845. All accessions were classified into two groups based on the UPGMA method. The accessions of ssp. sinensis and ssp. mongolica were genetically distant. The hybrid accessions were close to ssp. mongolica accessions. The 8 agronomic traits, oil characteristics in seed and pulp oils, and 23 SSR markers successfully distinguished the 78 accessions. These results will be valuable for cultivar identification and genetic diversity analysis in cultivated sea buckthorn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the economic impacts of China's hukou system and propose the possible direction for future reform. Design/methodology/approach: The study develops a framework to incorporate the hukou system into the economic growth model. Using prefecture city-level panel data covering 241 cities over the period 2004–2016 and applying the fixed effects and instrumental variable regression techniques, the authors investigated empirically the impacts of the hukou system on city economic growth. Findings: The study provides three main findings. First, the city sector conditionally benefits from labour mobility deregulation that allows migrants to work in cities. Second, the hukou system has different impacts on economic growth among cities with different sizes and administrative levels. Third, to offset the costs of providing exclusive public services to the migrants, the big or high-administrative-level cities can use their high-valued hukou to attract the high-skilled migrants, but the small- or low-administrative-level cities do not have this advantage. Practical implications: This study suggests that the key for further hukou system reform is how to deal with the hukou–welfare binding relationship. Originality/value: The authors developed a theoretical framework and conducted an empirical analysis on the direct relationship between the hukou system and economic growth to reveal the mechanism of how does the hukou system influence the city economic growth and answer the question of why is the hukou system reform so hard in China. The framework also sheds some lights on explaining the success and failure of the hukou system reforms in the past 40 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the performance of the classic snowmelt runoff model (SRM) is evaluated in a daily discharge simulation with two different melt models, the empirical temperature-index melt model and the energy-based radiation melt model, through a case study from the data-sparse mountainous watershed of the Urumqi River basin in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China. Theclassic SRM, which uses the empirical temperature-index method, and a radiation-based SRM, incorporating shortwave solar radiation and snow albedo, were developed to simulate daily runoff for the spring and summer snowmelt seasons from 2005 to 2012, respectively. Dailymeteorological and hydrological data were collected from three stations located in the watershed. Snowcover area (SCA) was extracted from satellite images. Solarradiation inputs were estimated based on a digital elevation model (DEM). Theresults showed that the overall accuracy of the classic SRM and radiation-based SRM for simulating snowmelt discharge was relatively high. Theclassic SRM outperformed the radiation-based SRM due to the robust performance of the temperature-index model in the watershed snowmelt computation. Nosignificant improvement was achieved by employing solar radiation and snow albedo in the snowmelt runoff simulation due to the inclusion of solar radiation as a temperature-dependent energy source and the local pattern of snowmelt behavior throughout the melting season. Ourresults suggest that the classic SRM simulates daily runoff with favorable accuracy and that the performance of the radiation-based SRM needs to be further improved by more ground-measured data for snowmelt energy input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a theoretical model to explain the causality between China's energy transition and capital deepening found by the empirical study. We prove that in the equilibrium, China's energy transition is endogenously determined by capital deepening due to the homogeneity of electricity and the monopolistic competition features of China's electricity market. Price effect, which is the effect of change in relative factor price, will affect energy transition only if the policy intervenes electricity price in terms of the primary sources from which it is generated. We propose that investment can promote energy transition by stimulating capital deepening which is biased to clean energy development. In this regard, our paper provides a new way of thinking for other developing countries to design an effective energy transition policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Because of its high prevalence, severe disability and chronic course of disease, it has become one of the most important research focuses in modern medicine ranging from early diagnosis and treatment to prevention. During the period of Twelfth Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, our team made use of previously established PD Clinical Databse and applying basic research platform, focused on clinical and basic development of PD, and further extended our investigation into the field of pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment in PD with characteristics of translational medicine. Several progresses have been made in a multiple of aspects: 1) a novel cellular mechanism of mitochondrial fission with the involvement of VPS35 gene, dysregulation of which might be involved in the pathogenesis of familial and sporadic PD. 2) The predictive value of autonomic dysfunction and dopamine transporter (DAT) PET in identifying patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) with a high risk of progressing into neurodegenerative synucleinopathy diseases could form a basis for future disease - prevention trials. Additionally, we initiated the research on PD mortality rate and analyzed the common reasons of death, which added to the evidence of clinical prognosis and progression. 3) We issued the first, second and third versions of "Chinese guidelines for treatment of Parkinson's disease", as well as the "Diagnostic criteria of Parkinson's disease in China (2016 edition)", which could help improve the diagnostic ability and optimize the clinical treatment of PD in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guizhou Province, located in southwest China, is famous for its wholly karst landforms, in which many pygmy locusts with poor dispersal ability have been isolated and preserved. Species diversity of Tetrigidae from Guizhou is introduced, which deals with six sub-families, 28 genera and 69 species, among them, 33 species are endemic to Guizhou. Two new species,Paragavialidum prominemarginatusZha & Ding sp. nov. andTeredorus jinshaensisZha & Ding sp. nov. are described and illustrated with photographs.Flatocerus chishuiensis,Flatocerus nigritibialisandFlatocerus nigrifemuraare considered as synonyms ofFlatocerus wuyishanensis.Flatocerus wuyishanensisis redescribed and photographed based on our collections. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:334D6268-E3C1-450E-A3A2-31F9839B4EE6 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Fly ash, a by-product of high temperature combustion of coal in coal-fired power plants, is one of the most complex and largest amount of industrial solid wastes generated in China. Its improper disposal has become an environmental problem. Now it is widely realized that fly ash should be considered as a useful and potential mineral resource. Fly ash is rich in alumina, making it a potential substitute for bauxite. With the diminishing reserves of bauxite resources, as well as the increasing demand for alumina, recovery of alumina from fly ash has attracted extensive attention world-wide. The present review describes, firstly, the generation and physicochemical properties of high alumina fly ash found in northern China and then focuses on the various alumina recovery technologies, the advantages and disadvantages of these processes, and in particular, the latest industrial developments. Finally, the directions for future research are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits are among the important iron ores in China. However, the nature of primary magma and petrogenesis associated with these iron ores remains controversial. Here, we report iron-rich fragments (IRF) from the Yamansu iron deposit in Eastern Tianshan Mountains, NW China, which occurs in association with volcanic breccia, submarine volcanic breccia and ignimbrite. The IRF is composed of five types including oligoclase-iron oxide type (OIO), oligoclase-albite-iron oxide type (OAIO), albite-iron oxide type (AIO), albite-K-feldspar-iron oxide type (AKIO) and K-feldspar-iron oxide type (KIO). These fragments display typical volcanic fabric features, such as porphyritic texture, hyalopilitic texture of the groundmass and vesicles filled by minerals to form amygdales. The feldspar phenocrysts of IRF are dominantly albite. The groundmass of IRF consists of magnetite and feldspar. The magnetite is distributed in between the feldspar laths, and together display hyalopilitic texture which could be observed only in volcanic rocks. The vesicles are filled with magnetite, feldspar, chlorite and calcite from the margin to the interior. The IRF has high Si, Al, Fe, Ca, Ti, Na and K contents and low Mg content. The average total Fe is 26 wt.%. The magnetite is mostly titanium–vanadium magnetite, with the TiO 2 content ranging up to 4.86 wt.% and V 2 O 3 content up to 3.20 wt.%. The IRF probably came from iron-rich melts and represent the products of the Fenner magma evolution. The basaltic magma evolved into the Fe–Na-rich residual melts by crystallization under low oxygen fugacity condition in a closed magma chamber after intruding into the shallow crust. The Fe–Na-rich residual melts were emplaced in hypabyssal environments or erupted generating the orebodies or providing the material source for the generation of the high-grade iron ores which were subsequently enriched by the late-stage hydrothermal fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The pediatric patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) was developed to provide self-reported item banks and short forms for children and adolescents (aged 8-17 years) experiencing a chronic illness to assess their quality of life and symptoms. The pediatric PROMIS short forms have been translated into Chinese and applied in children with cancer in China. This study aimed to describe psychometric properties of the Anxiety and Depression measures. Methods: A total of 232 children and adolescents with cancer were recruited in hospital-based inpatient and outpatient clinics. Eight Chinese versions of pediatric PROMIS (C-Ped-PROMIS) measures were administered. Categorical confirmatory factor analysis (CCFA) were conducted to evaluate scale dimensionality and item local dependence of the C-Ped-PROMIS Anxiety and Depression items. Multiple indicator multiple cause models were used to analyze differential item functioning (DIF), item response theory parameters were calculated, and test information against T scores was reported for each measure. Results: The results of the CCFA confirmed that both C-Ped-PROMIS Anxiety and Depression scales appropriately measure the theoretical constructs as designed. No significant DIF was found for the items of the two scales according to age and gender. Both scales have high test reliability as long as their T scores are not on the low or high extremes. Conclusions: The pediatric PROMIS Anxiety and Depression measures were developed to provide efficient and flexible assessment of emotional distress domains. Our results provide evidence that the two C-Ped-PROMIS measures can be readily applied to measure anxious and depressive symptoms in Chinese children with cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoirs play a vital role in agricultural irrigation, food security, and ecological protection in arid and semi–arid areas where water resources are scarce. In the Tarim Basin (TB) in northwestern China, a large number of reservoirs have been built or are being built, resulting in significant evaporation losses. However, information about the distribution, area and evaporation rate of the reservoirs in TB is limited. To contribute, we present an inventory of reservoirs and calculate their monthly surface area and evaporation rate during the study period of 1990–2019, using the TerraClimate dataset, Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, Landtrendr algorithm, Penman method, and Landsat images. The results suggest: (1) The inventory of 167 reservoirs in TB consists of 142 existing reservoirs (built before 1990), 5 new reservoirs (mountain reservoirs, built during 1990–2019), and 20 dried–up reservoirs (plain reservoirs that went extinct during 1990–2019). (2) The reservoir types in TB are mainly plain reservoirs with an altitude of less than 1500 m and an area of less than 10 km2, accounting for about 88% of the total number of reservoirs. (3) The surface area of the reservoirs increased at a significant rate (p < 0.05) of 12.45 km2/y from 401 km2 in 1990 to 766 km2 in 2019. (4) The evaporation rate of the reservoirs increased at a slight trend of 0.004 mm/d/a and varied from 2.57 mm/d in 1990 to 2.39 mm/d in 2019. Lastly, (5) The evaporation losses of reservoirs in TB significantly increased (p < 0.05) from 4.72 × 108 m3 to 4.92 × 108 m3 due to the significant increase in reservoir surface area (p < 0.05) and the slight increase in evaporation rate from 1990 to 2019. This study provides essentials of the reservoir inventory, surface area, and evaporation rate with considerable baseline inferences for TB that may be beneficial for long–term investigations and assist in local water resources decision support and sustainable management in arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea oil camellia (Camellia oleifera), an important woody oil tree, is a source of seed oil of high nutritional and medicinal value that is widely planted in southern China. However, there is no report on the identification of the miRNAs involved in lipid metabolism and seed development in the high- and low-oil cultivars of tea oil camellia. Thus, we explored the roles of miRNAs in the key periods of oil formation and accumulation in the seeds of tea oil camellia and identified miRNA–mRNA regulatory modules involved in lipid metabolism and seed development. Sixteen small RNA libraries for four development stages of seed oil biosynthesis in high- and low-oil cultivars were constructed. A total of 196 miRNAs, including 156 known miRNAs from 35 families, and 40 novel miRNAs were identified, and 55 significantly differentially expressed miRNAs were found, which included 34 upregulated miRNAs, and 21 downregulated miRNAs. An integrated analysis of the miRNA and mRNA transcriptome sequence data revealed that 10 miRNA–mRNA regulatory modules were related to lipid metabolism; for example, the regulatory modules of ath-miR858b–MYB82/MYB3/MYB44 repressed seed oil biosynthesis, and a regulation module of csi-miR166e-5p–S-ACP-DES6 was involved in the formation and accumulation of oleic acid. A total of 23 miRNA–mRNA regulatory modules were involved in the regulation of the seed size, such as the regulatory module of hpe-miR162a_L-2–ARF19, involved in early seed development. A total of 12 miRNA–mRNA regulatory modules regulating growth and development were identified, such as the regulatory modules of han-miR156a_L+1–SPL4/SBP2, promoting early seed development. The expression changes of six miRNAs and their target genes were validated using quantitative real-time PCR, and the targeting relationship of the cpa-miR393_R-1–AFB2 regulatory module was verified by luciferase assays. These data provide important theoretical values and a scientific basis for the genetic improvement of new cultivars of tea oil camellia in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentation model tests were carried out on four clays in China for investigating the sedimentation behavior of slurries. The sedimentary process can be divided into fluid state and consolidation state. The consolidation state of slurries can be divided into Non-Terzahi soil and Terzaghi soil. The void ratio responsible for the intersect point of fluid state and consolidation state is determined as 8.6 times the void ratio at liquid limit based on the difference of settling type which can be divide into Consolidation settling and Zone settling with the initial void ratio increase. According to the relationship between the stable void ratio (at the end of consolidation) and the initial void ratio, the suggested value of void ratio at the transition point from Non-Terzaghi soil to Terzaghi soil is 2.8 times its value at liquid limit. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Based on the existing study results of the development potential of tourism industry both at home and abroad, the paper sums up the connotation and features of development potential and establishes evaluation index system containing self-growth potential and external-supported potential. The paper then makes spatial-temporal analysis of tourism development potential in China' s 31 provinces and municipalities by using weighted principal components TOPSIS valuation function model. The study indicates that development potential of China's regional tourism industry is on the rise. In terms of space distribution, there appears non-balanced situation, with eastern region displaying stronger, followed by middle region and north-eastern region, while western region is weaker and tourism development potential in quite a lot of provinces has not been brought into full play. Finally, the paper summarizes two suggestions on how to speed up the development of China's tourism industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships between measures of oxidative stress and adaptive antioxidant defenses were studied in red sea bream (Pagrus major, RSB) caged at eight locations along the Fujian coast, China. Oxidative damage in tissues was investigated by measuring concentrations of protein carbonyl (CP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation (LPO), acetyl cholinesterase activity (AChE), concentration of thiol groups and activities of enzymes associated with antioxidant defense. Magnitudes of antioxidant defense parameters were significantly, positively correlated with oxidative stress. Significantly greater ROS, LPO and CP content was observed in most tissues of RSB caged at three locations relative to those at the other locations. RSB caged at one location, Meizhou, exhibited significantly more DNA damage than did RSB caged at other locations. AChE activities in liver, kidney and muscle were statistically different among locations. Multivariate analyses were used to categorize the environmental quality of different locations. The battery of measures of oxidative stress proved to be a useful integrator of oxidative stresses that could be compared among locations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

LINGO2, a member of LRR gene family, has been linked with both Essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, there is a lack of conclusive evidence regarding the etiologic role of LINGO2 genetic variants. We investigated the association of LINGO2 variants with ET and PD in two independent Asian countries. A total of 1,262 subjects comprising 499 controls, 436 PD patients, and 327 ET patients were included. Eight LINGO2 variants, including four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and four coding variants, were initially analyzed in one Asian population. SNPs that showed positive association were then replicated in the second independent Asian population, and a pooled analysis was carried out. Out of the eight variants, two SNPs (rs7033345 and rs10812774) revealed significant or strong positive trend in the first Asian population, and these were analyzed in the second Asian population. In the pooled analysis, the CC genotype at rs7033345 had a higher risk of developing PD (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.18, 2.35, p = 0.003) and ET (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.02, 2.20, p = 0.04) under a recessive model. The C allele at rs10812774 increased the risk of ET (OR = 1.56 95% CI = 1.10, 2.22, p = 0.01) via a recessive model. The effect size and direction of trend were in the same direction in each of the two populations. Our study demonstrated for the first time that rs7033345 is associated with PD and ET and rs10812774 with ET among Asians, suggesting that LINGO2 might act as a susceptibility gene for both conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea oil camellia (Camellia oleifera) is an important woody oil tree in southern China. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms that contribute to high oleic acid accumulation in tea oil camellia. Herein, we measured the oil content and fatty acid compositions of high- and low-oil tea oil camellia seeds and investigated the global gene expression profiles by RNA-seq. The results showed that at the early, second and third seed developmental stages, a total of 64, 253, and 124 genes, respectively, were significantly differentially expressed between the high- and low-oil cultivars. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the identified differentially expressed transcription factors (TFs; ABI3, FUS3, LEC1, WRI1, TTG2 and DOF4.6) revealed some critical GO terms associated with oil biosynthesis and fatty acid accumulation, including glycolysis, zinc ion binding, positive regulation of fatty acid biosynthetic process, triglyceride biosynthetic process, seed coat development, abscisic acid-mediated signaling pathway and embryo development. Comprehensive comparisons of transcriptomic profiles and expression analysis of multigenes based on qRT-PCR showed that coordinated high expression of the upstream genes HAD, EAR and KASI directly increased the relative levels of C16:0-ACP, which provided enough precursor resources for oleic acid biosynthesis. Continuous high expression of the SAD gene accelerated oleic acid synthesis and accumulation, and coordinated low expression of the downstream genes FAD2, FAD3, FAD7, FAD8 and FAE1 decreased the consumption of oleic acid for conversion. The coordinated regulation of these multigenes ensures the high accumulation of oleic acid in the seeds of tea oil camellia. Our data represent a comprehensive transcriptomic study of high- and low-oil tea oil camellia, not only increasing the number of sequences associated with lipid biosynthesis and fatty acid accumulation in public resource databases but also providing a scientific basis for genetic improvement of the oleic acid content in woody oil trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Genetic diversity and structure within and between 17 populations of invasive Conyza sumatrensis (Asteraceae) around the world’s biggest hydroelectric dam (Three Gorges Dam (TGD) on the Yangtze River in China) and nearby localities were surveyed using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers to determine the spread pattern of this invader in TGD and nearby regions. A total of 434 individuals were analysed, for which 15 ISSR primers amplified 81 bands, with 54 (66.7%) being polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic loci within a population ranged from 31% to 58%, Nei’s gene diversity was 0.385 ± 0.056, and mean Shannon’s Index was 0.5815 ± 0.0833, indicating a high genetic variation in this self-fertile plant. Mass seed production and multiple introductions associated with dam construction and local development were thought to be responsible for the high level of genetic variation. Analysis of Molecular Variance revealed 36.5% of genetic variation residing within populations, 35.0% among populations within regions, and 28.5% among the three regions: TGD, upper reaches of TGD, and lower reaches of TGD. Most populations were genetically related to their nearest neighbors, while gene flow (mainly via seed movement) across TGD existed. Long-distance dispersal of seeds and pollen such as by water current, wind and human transportation could explain the low level of geographic structure of genetic variation. The highest genetic variation was found in a population in TGD, and most populations from TGD showed closer genetic relationship to the lower reaches population, which indicated that C. sumatrensis at TGD has likely experienced multiple introductions mainly from lower reaches, which is near the area of primary introduction (southern China) of C. sumatrensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An odorous tap water crisis that affected two million residents for several days occurred in Wuxi, China in the summer of 2007. Volatile sulfide chemicals including methyl thiols, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide were the dominant odorous contaminants in Lake Taihu and in tap water during the crisis. These contaminants originated from the decomposition of a massive cyanobacterial bloom that was triggered by illegal industrial discharges and inadequately regulated domestic pollution. A specific emergency drinking water treatment process was quickly developed using a combination of potassium permanganate oxidation and powdered activated carbon adsorption. The emergency treatment process removed the odor from the tap water and solved the crisis successfully in several days. This experience underscores the suggestion that a combination of stresses associated with eutrophication and industrial and domestic wastewater discharges can push an aquatic system to the tipping point with consequences far more severe than would occur if the system were subjected to each stress separately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium Bunge) is a woody oil species that is widely distributed in northwestern China. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the drought and heat tolerance response of yellowhorn seedlings, changes in protein abundance were analyzed via comparative proteomics. Drought and heat treatment of seedlings was applied in growth chamber, and the leaves were harvested after 7 days of treatment. The total protein was extracted, and comparative proteomic analysis was performed via isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). The abundance of most of the proteins associated with oxidative phosphorylation, NADH dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was reduced. The differential proteins associated with photosynthesis enzymes indicated that stress had different effects on photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). After comprehensively analyzing the results, we speculated that drought and heat stress could hinder the synthesis of riboflavin, reducing NADH dehydrogenase content, which might further have an impact on energy utilization. Yellowhorn seedlings relied on Fe–Mn SOD enzymes rather than Cu/Zn SOD enzymes to remove reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, heat-shock proteins (HSPs) had significant increase and played a key role in stress response, which could be divided into two categories according to their transcription and translation efficiency. Over all, the results can provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanism underlying resistance to drought and heat stress in yellowhorn and for subsequent research of posttranslational modification-related omics of key proteins. • Yellowhorn relied on Fe–Mn SOD rather than Cu/Zn SOD to remove ROS under drought heat stress. • Drought heat stress hindered riboflavin synthesis, reduced NADH dehydrogenase content, further influenced energy utilization. • Drought and heat stress had different effects on photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII). • The transcription and translation efficiency of different heat shock proteins were different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphodes pyloalis Walker is a destructive pest on mulberry trees and poses a significant threat to the sericultural industry in China. Phoxim and chlorfenapyr are two commonly used insecticides in mulberry fields. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) comprise a multifunctional protein superfamily that plays important roles in the detoxification of insecticides and xenobiotic compounds in insects. However, whether GSTs participate in the tolerance of phoxim and chlorfenapyr in G. pyloalis is still unknown. To better understand the mechanism of insecticide tolerance in G. pyloalis , the enzymatic activity of GSTs was evaluated under phoxim and chlorfenapyr exposure, respectively. GST enzyme activity was significantly increased after 12, 36 and 48 h of phoxim treatment and 12, 24, 36 and 48 h of chlorfenapyr treatment. Subsequently, eighteen GST genes were identified from the larvae transcriptome of G. pyloalis. Among these, ten GpGSTs had GSH-binding sites and fifteen GpGSTs had variable hydrophobic substrate-binding sites. The expression levels of Delta-GpGST and Epsilon-GpGST genes were significantly influenced by phoxim and chlorfenapyr treatment, and by the time post insecticide application. Furthermore, after silencing GpGST-E4 , the mortality rate of G. pyloalis larvae was increased when they were exposed to chlorfenapyr, but it did not significantly alter when the larvae were exposed to phoxim. Our results indicated the vital roles of GpGSTs in the tolerance of insecticides and this action depends on the categories of insecticides. The present study provides a theoretical basis for elucidating insecticide susceptibility and promotes functional research on GST genes in G. pyloalis. [Display omitted] • The roles of GSTs in the insecticides tolerance in a major mulberry pest were studied. • Ten GSTs were identified in Glyphodes pyloalis. • GSTs can be induced when the G. pyloalis exposed to insecticides. • Silencing GSTs resulted in higher mortality after treated with insecticides. • GSTs contributed to the tolerance of G. pyloalis towards insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) in surface water was surveyed monthly at 6 sampling sites along the entire length of the lower reaches of the Xijiang River, a subtropical monsoon river in China, and at the mouths of its major tributaries, over a whole hydrological year from April 2005 to March 2006, to reveal the seasonal and spatial dynamics of pCO2. Intensive sampling and measurements were also conducted at Wuzhou gauge station in June and July to investigate the impact of floodwater on pCO2 and to further explore the relationship between river discharge and pCO2. The pCO2 levels were well above atmospheric equilibrium (380 μatm) during the entire survey period with obvious seasonal and spatial variations, ranging from 600 μatm to 7200 μatm for the mainstream and from 700 to 11000 μatm for tributaries, respectively. The pattern of pCO2 seasonal variation across 6 sites was almost consistent with each other with little difference. The pCO2 levels in the dry season were relatively low, with relatively slight temporal and spatial fluctuations that were predominantly controlled by in situ biogenic activities. While the pCO2 in the wet season greatly varied with river discharge, both annual maximum and minimum pCO2 levels occurring in this period. The much higher pCO2 in the early wet season were mainly induced by increasing baseflow and interflow that flushed significant soil CO2 into the streams, whereas the lower pCO2 observed after floods from July to September, some even lower than pCO2 levels in the dry season, potentially resulted from in situ plankton blooms. The annual minima pCO2 levels occurring in this period were caused by the dilution effect of floodwater. There was no obvious downstream trend in pCO2 variation during the whole survey period, probably a consequence of disturbance from tributaries or spatially distinct channel characteristics and water environments. Based on measurements, we estimate that the water-to-air CO2 flux in the lower reaches of the Xijiang River is about 8. 3–15. 6 Mg C ha−1y−1. The role of the Xijiang River as a net source of atmospheric CO2 is undoubted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To analyze the risk factors that affect the prognosis of patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma（HPSCC） and to compare the efficacy of surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy（SR） with that of neoadjuvant therapy consisting of platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil combined with either cetuximab or nimotuzumab, followed by SR. The study also aimed to evaluate the overall survival（OS） of patients, their postoperative eating function, tracheostomy decannulation rate, and tumor response to the two neoadjuvant chemotherapies. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the medical records of HPSCC patients who received SR or neoadjuvant therapy followed by SR treatment at the Shanghai General Hospital from 2012 to 2019 and had not undergone any prior treatment. The prognostic factors were analyzed, and the survival analysis of patients who underwent SR treatment with two neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens was performed. Results: A total of 108 patients were included in the study. The results of the univariate analysis showed that gender（ P =0.850） had no significant correlation with the survival rate of HPSCC patients who underwent SR. However, age, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio（PLR）, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio（NLR）, T stage, N stage, neoadjuvant therapy with either cetuximab or nimotuzumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil, and histological grade were significantly associated with prognosis（ P <0.05）. The multivariate analysis revealed that smoking history, histological grade, and neoadjuvant therapy with either cetuximab or nimotuzumab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy and fluorouracil were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of HPSCC（ P <0.05）. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy had longer OS than those who underwent SR only（ P <0.001）. There was no significant difference in tumor response to the two neoadjuvant therapies and in OS（ P >0.05）, and there was no significant difference in the rate of oral feeding and tracheostomy decannulation among the three treatment groups（ P >0.05）. Conclusion: Univariate analysis showed that age at tumor onset, smoking history, alcohol consumption history, NLR, PLR, T stage, N stage, whether receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and pathological grade were associated with the prognosis of HPSCC patients receiving SR treatment. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking history, pathological grade, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cetuximab or nimotuzumab can prolong the OS of patients, providing a certain basis and reference for the treatment of HPSCC., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.)

Objective: Thymoma is a slow-growing epithelial tumor of thymus gland. Its size is associated with its prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the prognostic correlation of tumor volume and complete resection of thymoma at different Masaoka-Koga stages., Methods: A retrospective study was carried out, using the data of 502 patients who underwent complete resection of thymectomy at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, in Shanghai, China, from February 2009 to February 2016. The characteristics of the patients were collected. Using Masaoka-Koga staging system, patients were divided into four different subcohorts: Stage I, stage II, stage III and stage IVa/IVb. The relationship between tumor volume and postoperative recurrence was analyzed for each subcohort, using receiver operating curves, cutoff values were obtained. and patients were grouped according to the cutoff values. Survival analysis was performed with the help of Kaplan-Meier method, and the difference between the two survival curves was compared using log-rank test. Whether tumor volume could be used as an independent risk factor for thymoma prognosis was analyzed, using a univariate Cox proportional hazards model., Results: The area under the curve was 0.718, 0.740, 0.798, and 0.804 for the stage I, II, III, and IVa/IVb subcohorts, respectively, and the cutoff values of tumor volume for predicting recurrence were 47.90 cm 3 , 53.70 cm 3 , 76.35 cm 3 , and 89.05 cm 3 , respectively. Patients with tumor volumes greater than the cutoff values had significantly shorter recurrence-free survival than those with tumor volumes less than the cutoff values ( p < 0.001). The results of the univariate Cox proportional hazards model indicated that tumor volume was an independent risk factor for thymoma prognosis and for postoperative prognosis of thymoma in Masaoka-Koga stage I ( p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Tumor volume is significantly correlated with the postoperative prognosis of thymoma in Masaoka-Koga stage I and can serve as an independent risk factor for predicting postoperative tumor recurrence.

Anticancer drug discovery has yielded unprecedented progress in recent decades, resulting in the approval of innovative treatment options for patients and the successful implementation of personalized medicine in clinical practice. This remarkable progress has also reshaped the research scope of pharmacological research. This article, as a tribute to cancer research at Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica in celebration of the institute's 90th birthday, provides an overview of the conceptual revolution occurring in anticancer therapy, and summarizes our recent progress in the development of molecularly targeted therapeutics and exploration of new strategies in personalized medicine. With this review, we hope to provide a glimpse into how antitumor pharmacological researchers have embraced the new era of personalized medicine research and to propose a future path for anticancer drug discovery and pharmacological research., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Pharmacological Society.)

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP), the most common physical disability of childhood, is a nonprogressive movement disorder syndrome. Eighty percent of cases are considered idiopathic without a clear cause. Evidence has shown that cytokine abnormalities are widely thought to contribute to CP., Methods: An association between 6 SNPs (rs12244380, rs2025345, rs12722561, rs4749926, rs2104286 and rs706778) in IL2RA (interleukin 2 receptor subunit alpha) and CP was investigated using a case-control method based on 782 CP cases and 778 controls. The allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies of SNPs were assessed using the SHEsis program. Subgroup analyses based on complications and clinical subtypes were also conducted., Results: Globally, no differences in genotype or allele frequencies for any SNPs remained significant after Bonferroni correction between patients and controls, except rs706778, which deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and was excluded from further analyses. However, subgroup analysis revealed a significant association of rs2025345 with spastic tetraplegia (P genotype = 0.048 after correction) and rs12722561 with CP accompanied by global developmental delay (P allele = 0.045 after correction), even after Bonferroni correction., Conclusions: These findings indicated that genetic variations in IL2RA are significantly associated with CP susceptibility in the Chinese Han population, suggesting that IL2RA is likely involved in the pathogenesis of CP. Further investigation with a larger sample size in a multiethnic population is needed to confirm the association., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Tetrix gibberosa (Wang Zheng) is a high-backed pygmy grasshopper species from eastern PR China. Due to its reduced hind wings and pleomorphism (length changes of hind wings and the hind pronotal process, which is generally called macropterous and brachypterous morphs), the species have been described into different species which involve several taxonomically confused genera. This study clarifies its taxonomy and distribution and provides ecological information for the species. At the same time, we comment the relationships of related genera in the subfamily Tetriginae, including Tetrix Latreille, Exothotettix Zheng Jiang, Alulatettix Liang, Aalatettix Zheng Mao, Formosatettix Tinkham, and Formosatettixoides Zheng. Additionally, we report for the first time that nematodes can parasitize pygmy grasshoppers. New synonyms are proposed: Tetrix gibberosa (Wang Zheng, 1993) = Alulatettix bulbosus Zheng Zhong, 2001, syn. nov., = Exothotettix jiangxiensis Liang Jia, 2008, syn. nov., = Tetrix glochinota Zhao, Niu Zheng, 2010, syn. nov., = Alulatettix nigromarginalis Zhang, Deng Zha, 2014, syn. nov., = Alulatettix flavotibialis Zhang, Deng Zha, 2014, syn. nov..

Background: As a country with one-fifth of the global population, China has experienced explosive growth in ischaemic stroke (IS) burden with significant ethnic and geographic disparities. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in potentially modifiable risk factors for ischaemic stroke among the Han population and two ethnic minorities (Tujia and Miao)., Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 324 cases of first-ever ischaemic stroke from the hospitals of the Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and 394 controls from communities covering the same area between May 1, 2018, and April 30, 2019. Structured questionnaires were administered, and physical examinations were performed in the same manner for cases and controls. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to examine the association between risk factors and ischaemic stroke. An additive model was used to study the interaction between the modifiable risk factors and ethnicity with R software., Results: Higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (OR 50.54, 95%CI 29.76-85.85), higher monthly family income (4.18, 2.40-7.28), increased frequency of hot pot consumption (2.90, 1.21-6.93), diabetes mellitus (2.62, 1.48-4.62), a higher apolipoprotein (Apo)B/ApoA1 ratio (2.60, 1.39-4.85), hypertension (2.52, 1.45-4.40) and moderate-intensity physical activity (0.50, 0.28-0.89) were associated with ischaemic stroke. There was an additive interaction between the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and ethnicity in the Tujia and Miao populations with first-ever ischaemic stroke (the relative excess risk due to the interaction was 5.75, 95% CI 0.58 ~ 10.92; the attributable proportion due to the interaction was 0.65, 95% CI 0.38 ~ 0.91; the synergy index was 3.66, 95% CI 1.35 ~ 9.93)., Conclusions: This is the first case-control study examining modifiable risk factors for ischaemic stroke among the Han population and two ethnic minorities (Tujia and Miao) in China. Some differences were observed in the impact of risk factors among these ethnic groups. Our results may help interpret health-related data, including surveillance and research, when developing strategies for stroke prevention.

Using solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, antibiotics belonging to four classes (i.e. sulfonamides, quinolones, tetracycline, and macrolides) in the surface water of Taihu Lake were monitored monthly for a year. Moreover, the potential ecological risks of antibiotics in Taihu Lake were assessed. During the one-year monitoring, all the eighteen target antibiotics were detected to some extent in the surface water. The detection rates of five sulfonamides (sulfamethoxazole, sulfathiazole, sulfadiazine, sulfadimethazine, and trimethoprim) were higher than 50%. The concentrations of quinolones in the surface water were relatively higher. The average and medium concentrations of ciprofloxacin were 13.0 ng·L -1 and 13.5 ng·L -1 , respectively. There were significant differences in the antibiotic pollution during the different months, with the average concentrations of the target antibiotics ranging from 7.3 to 33.5 ng·L -1 . The concentration levels were lower from June to October, while higher concentrations were observed from February to May and in November. In the surface water of Taihu Lake, the spatial variations of antibiotics among the 20 sampling sites were not significant, with the average concentrations ranging from 13.0 to 14.3 ng·L -1 . During the one-year monitoring, the rates of medium and high risks that the antibiotics posed to algae reached 57.5%. The ecological risks of antibiotics were more severe in April and November, and the quinolones may be the dominant risk factor. This issue should be carefully considered by management authorities.

Background: New therapies are urgently needed for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sodium oligomannate (GV-971) is a marine-derived oligosaccharide with a novel proposed mechanism of action. The first phase 3 clinical trial of GV-971 has been completed in China., Methods: We conducted a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in participants with mild-to-moderate AD to assess GV-971 efficacy and safety. Participants were randomized to placebo or GV-971 (900 mg) for 36 weeks. The primary outcome was the drug-placebo difference in change from baseline on the 12-item cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-cog12). Secondary endpoints were drug-placebo differences on the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change with caregiver input (CIBIC+), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scale, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Safety and tolerability were monitored., Results: A total of 818 participants were randomized: 408 to GV-971 and 410 to placebo. A significant drug-placebo difference on the ADAS-Cog12 favoring GV-971 was present at each measurement time point, measurable at the week 4 visit and continuing throughout the trial. The difference between the groups in change from baseline was - 2.15 points (95% confidence interval, - 3.07 to - 1.23; p < 0.0001; effect size 0.531) after 36 weeks of treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse event incidence was comparable between active treatment and placebo (73.9%, 75.4%). Two deaths determined to be unrelated to drug effects occurred in the GV-971 group., Conclusions: GV-971 demonstrated significant efficacy in improving cognition with sustained improvement across all observation periods of a 36-week trial. GV-971 was safe and well-tolerated., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0229391 5. Registered on November 19, 2014.

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused ever-increasing attention and public panic all over the world. Until now, data are limited about the risk factors to virus shedding in COVID-19 infected patients., Methods: In this retrospective study, data were collected from 87 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection in Suzhou. Using Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the risk factors to COVID-19 RNA shedding was to be established according to demographic information, clinical characteristics, epidemiological history, antiviral medicine and corticosteroid administration., Results: The median duration of COVID-19 RNA shedding from admission was 13.11 ± 0.76 days. There was no significant difference in viral shedding duration in terms of gender, age, history of Hubei province stay, characteristics of chest CT on admission, lymphocytopenia and clinical severity. By Cox proportional hazards model, excessive 200 mg cumulative corticosteroid (HR, 3.425 [95% CI, 1.339-7.143]), time from illness onset to hospitalization (<5 days) (HR, 2.503 [95% CI, 1.433-4.371]) and arbidol-included therapy (HR, 2.073 [95% CI, 1.185-3.626]) were the independent risk factors to delay COVID-19 RNA shedding. Besides of excessive 200 mg of cumulative corticosteroid (HR, 2.825 [95% CI, 1.201-6.649]), admission within 5 days from illness onset (HR, 2.493 [95% CI, 1.393-4.462]) and arbidol-included therapy (HR, 2.102 [95% CI, 1.073-4.120]), lymphocytopenia (HR, 2.153 [95% CI, 1.097-4.225]) was further identified as another unfavorable factor to 10-day viral shedding., Conclusions: The potential risk factors could help clinicians to identify patients with delayed viral shedding, thereby providing the rational strategy of treatment and optimal anti-viral interventions., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Sodium oligomannate (GV-971), a marine-derived oligosaccharide, is a novel agent that may improve cognition in AD patients., Methods: The 24-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo parallel controlled clinical trial was conducted in AD in China between 24 October 2011 and 10 July 2013. The study included a 4-week screening/washout period, followed by a 24-week treatment period. Patients were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive GV-971 900 mg, 600 mg, or placebo capsule in treatment period, respectively. The primary outcome was cognitive improvement as assessed by changes in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale 12-item (ADAS-cog12) scores from baseline to week 24. The secondary efficacy outcomes included CIBIC-Plus, ADCS-ADL, and NPI at 24 weeks after treatment compared with baseline. A subgroup study was assessment of the change in cerebral glucose metabolism by fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography measurements., Results: Comparing with the placebo group (n = 83, change - 1.45), the ADAS-cog12 score change in the GV-971 600-mg group (n = 76) was - 1.39 (p = 0.89) and the GV-971 900-mg group (n = 83) was - 2.58 (p = 0.30). The treatment responders according to CIBIC-Plus assessment were significantly higher in the GV-971 900-mg group than the placebo group (92.77% vs. 79.52%, p < 0.05). The GV-971 900-mg subgroup showed a lower decline of cerebral metabolic rate for glucose than the placebo subgroup at the left precuneus, right posterior cingulate, bilateral hippocampus, and bilateral inferior orbital frontal at uncorrected p = 0.05. The respective rates of treatment-related AEs were 5.9%, 14.3%, and 3.5%., Conclusions: GV-971 was safe and well tolerated. GV-971 900 mg was chosen for phase III clinical study., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01453569 . Registered on October 18, 2011.

A severe public health crisis has been declared worldwide since coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was classified as a pandemic of acute respiratory infectious disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO). China has taken strict measures to curb the spread of the disease to save lives, and has managed to control the outbreak. COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets and close physical contact, so it is challenging to prevent nosocomial infection and possible spread during dental treatment. Since the initial phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, a disease prevention and control strategy based on the new concept of population risk classification and rational use of personal protective equipment has been implemented by the Peking University Hospital of Stomatology. Nosocomial infection prevention and control concepts and measures relating to dental diagnosis and treatment are critically checked in the hospital. Our experiences in handling this situation are shared here and may have wide-ranging implications for infection prevention and control (IPC) for COVID-19 in dental practices worldwide.

To estimate the risk of metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) exposure of tree sparrows through food at different life stages (including nestling, juvenile, adult in summer, and adult in winter), metal daily intake (MDI), metal daily intake per unit of body weight (MDI BW ), and exposure risks (hazard quotient and hazard index) of tree sparrows at different life stages from a polluted area, Baiyin, and a control area, Liujiaxia, were assessed. Metal daily intakes and MDI BW s of tree sparrows from Baiyin were higher than those from Liujiaxia, which can be attributed to higher metal concentrations of food sources in Baiyin than those in Liujiaxia. Metal daily intakes and MDI BW s of nestlings were higher than those of adults and juveniles. This difference is observed probably because nonphytophagous invertebrates, the predominant food fed to nestlings, possessed the highest metal concentrations. In addition, adults in summer had higher MDIs and MDI BW s than juveniles and adults in winter. This finding is probably observed because juveniles and adults in winter consumed a higher proportion of maize, which had the lowest metal concentrations. In addition, the biomagnification of 4 metals through the food chain increased the health risks of tree sparrows. Exposure risks of tree sparrows to metals were comparable to those of waterfowl and raptors, even when soil metals were below threshold. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2785-2796. © 2019 SETAC., (© 2019 SETAC.)

Environmental metal pollution is known to adversely affect bird reproduction, for which the variations of egg characteristics are considered very important. Our study explored whether variations in egg characteristics, such as egg volume, eggshell spotting pattern, eggshell coloration, and eggshell thickness, were correlated with heavy metal levels (Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd) and Ca levels in the eggshells of tree sparrows (Passer montanus), a widespread passerine species. Eggs were collected from a long-term heavy metal polluted area (Baiyin, BY, northwest China) and a relatively unpolluted area (Liujiaxia, LJX, northwest China). Our results showed that the embryonated (eggshell: Cu: p = 0.003, Pb: p = 0.002) and non-embryonated (egg contents: Pb: p = 0.044, Ca: p = 0.045) eggs collected from BY contained relatively higher metal concentrations than those from LJX. Eggs from BY were smaller in volume (p < 0.01) and thinner in eggshell thickness (p < 0.01) than those from LJX. Mean egg volume increased with clutch size in BY (p = 0.017), which was also accompanied by an increase in the within-clutch coefficient of variation (CV) for egg volume (p = 0.045). Clutches with a higher CV for egg volume tended to contain higher concentrations of Zn and Pb (Zn: p = 0.084; Pb: p = 0.081) in the eggshells from BY. No differences were found in the eggshell spotting coverage ratio of eggs; however, eggshells were much darker in BY than in LJX. A more aggregated eggshell spotting distribution indicated higher eggshell Zn and Pb levels (BY: Zn: p = 0.040, Pb: p = 0.076; LJX: Pb: p = 0.066). The results demonstrate that the egg characteristics of tree sparrows can be used as indicators of metal pollution, especially for the within-clutch CV for egg volume, eggshell spotting pattern and eggshell coloration., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Environmental pollution is known to adversely affect amphibian reproduction and survival, however, the knowledge of environmental heavy metal pollution on fitness of male amphibian is largely unknown. The present study aimed to explore the variation in fitness of male Bufo raddei, a widespread anuran in northwest China, subjected to long-term heavy metal stress in Baiyin (BY) city. BY is heavily polluted by heavy metals mainly copper, zinc, lead and cadmium; meanwhile, Liujiaxia (LJX), a relatively unpolluted area, was chosen as control. Differences in advertisement call, larynx size, breeding glands size, as well as forearm force during courtship and amplexus in male B. raddei between the two populations were analyzed. The results revealed a competitive advantage in advertisement call in BY population, together with larger breeding glands size and forearm force, which demonstrated a relatively higher fitness. Using skeletochronological analysis, we found that more than 40% of males from BY began to breed at 2 years old, which was only 6.93% for males from LJX. Correspondingly, the average age for all males participate in breeding was younger from BY than from LJX. Not surprisingly, males from BY showed a relatively lower body condition. All these results illustrated males from BY invested more in reproduction to increase fitness at the cost of health and survival. This reproductive trade-off might ultimately influence stability of B. raddei population because of the environmental heavy metal pollution., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Three new drimane sesquiterpenoids, 12-hydroxyalbrassitriol (1), drim-8(12)-en-6β,7α, 9α,11-tetraol (2), and drim-68(12)-dien-9α,11-diol (3), along with one known analog albrassitriol (4), were isolated from cultures of the tin mine tailings-associated fungus Penicillium sp. The new structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. All compounds were tested for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines.

To evaluate the relationship between the growth hormone 1 (GH1) T1663A polymorphism, recreational physical activity and body mass index (BMI) with reference to breast cancer, we conducted a case-control study with 669 cases of breast cancer and 682 population-based controls in Jiangsu Province, China. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit detailed information. All subjects completed an in-person interview. GH1 genotypes were identified using PCR-RFLP methods. Odds ratios (ORs) were estimated with an unconditional logistic model. The distribution of GH1 genotypes was not significantly different between controls and cases (χ2=2.576, P=0.276). Results of stratified analysis by the participation status of the recreational physical activity showed that the persons with GH1 A allele were at a decreased risk of breast cancer (adjusted-OR=0.66; 95% CI, 0.50-0.87) only among inactive individuals. Stratified analysis by BMI showed that the genotype A/A was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer only among individuals of the BMI<25 (adjusted-OR=0.80; 95% CI, 0.66-0.98). The findings of this study suggest that recreational physical activity and BMI may modify any association between the GH1 T1663A polymorphism and breast cancer risk.

Background: White tea and albino tea have their own nutritional characteristics, but from the appearance they are quite similar to each other. It is not easy to distinguish them with existing analytical tools or by visual inspection. The current study proposed a rapid method to discriminate them based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy associated with supervised pattern recognition methods., Results: For this purpose, discriminant partial least-squares (DPLS) and discriminant analysis (DA) were employed to build classification models on the basis of a reduced subset of wavenumbers and different pretreatment methods. A completely independent validation set was also used to test the model performance. The results of the DA model showed that with the SNV Karl Norris derivative spectral pre-treatment samples from the two different origins could be 100% correctly discriminated. Similarly, for the DPLS model, the best classification results were obtained with the multiplicative scattering correction (MSC) + first derivative spectral pre-treatments; the accuracy of identification was 98.48% for the calibration set and 100% for the validation set., Conclusion: The overall results demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy with pattern recognition could be successfully applied to discriminate white tea and albino tea quickly and non-destructively without the need for various analytical determinations., (© 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.)