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In this study we analyze the impact of a regulatory change in disclosure on private in-house meetings on stock liquidity. In July 2012, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (SZSE) in China required that all listed firms publish a summary report for each in-house meeting within two working days of the event. Based on a sample of 55,816 firm-day observations between 2014 and 2017, we find that the mandatory disclosure levels the playing field for all investors by revealing information previously known to sophisticated investors, resulting in decreased information asymmetry component of the bid-ask spread. Furthermore, the effect is more pronounced for firms with a greater information gap between their investors and when meeting reports are less similar to the ones released in the previous 90 days. Our findings have implication for policymakers, regulators as well as investors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pore-fracture structure of deep coal reservoirs is highly important for evaluating, exploring, and developing coalbed methane (CBM) resources. This study considers three coal samples from the DJ57 well in the Benxi Formation in the Daning–Jixian block on the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin as the research object. Based on the coal quality parameters of the coal samples, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), gas adsorption experiments, high-pressure mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) scanning were used to quantitatively characterize the nanoscale pores and microscale fractures in deep coal reservoirs and to evaluate the pore-fracture structure at different scales. The results reveal that the pore types in the Benxi Formation coal samples are diverse and include mainly organic matter (OM) pores, inorganic pores (intraparticle and interparticle pores), and microfractures. The organic pores are diverse in shape and mainly exhibit round, oval, and wedge shapes, while the microfractures exhibit slender stripes or serrated curves. The multiscale quantitative characterization of deep coal reservoir pores and fractures is based on a variety of pore characterization methods, and the pore and fracture volume distributions are mainly U-shaped, revealing the coexistence of micropores and microfractures. The volumes of micropores (0.3–2 nm), mesopores (2–50 nm), macropores (50 nm to 10 μm), and microfractures (>10 μm) account for 78.00%, 6.78%, 2.08%, and 13.14%, respectively, of the total pore volume (PV). Based on a full-scale pore-fracture splicing calculation, the total permeability of the Benxi Formation coal samples ranges from 5.77 to 28.22 mD. The observation results indicate that the microfractures are connected to each other, forming a network structure with strong connectivity. The microfractures are mainly associated with pore diameters > 100 μm, accounting for approximately 95% of the total permeability. Moreover, micropores in deep coal reservoirs provide a large space for CBM adsorption, and microfractures enhance the seepage capacity of CBM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dementia has become one of the leading causes of death across the world. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, prevalence, and mortality of dementia in China between 2010 and 2020, and to investigate any geographical, age, and sex differences in the prevalence and incidence of dementia. Methods: Five databases were searched. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool was used to assess the quality of the included studies. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled prevalence of dementia. Subgroup analysis was based on the type of dementia. The incidence and mortality of dementia were synthesized qualitatively. Results: A total of 19 studies were included. The meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of dementia was 6% (95%CI 5%, 8%), the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was 5% (95%CI 4%, 6%), and the prevalence of vascular dementia (VaD) was 1% (95%CI 0%, 2%). The subgroup analysis showed that the prevalence rates of dementia in rural (6%, 95%CI 4%, 8%) and urban areas were similar (6%, 95%CI 4%, 8%). Deaths due to dementia increased over time. Conclusion: The prevalence, incidence, and mortality of dementia increased with age and over time. Applying consistent criteria to the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia is necessary to help with disease monitoring. Promoting dementia knowledge and awareness at the community level is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Dementia is recognized globally as a massive burden on public health and wider society. It is a major cause of disability and mortality amongst older people. China has the largest population of people with dementia worldwide, accounting for approximately 25% of the entire global population of people with dementia. The study investigated the perceived experiences of care giving and care receiving in China, with one area identified in the data concerning the extent to which the participants discussed death. The research also explored the meaning of living with dementia in modern China, where the economy, demography and culture are rapidly changing. Method: The qualitative approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for this study. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Finding: The paper reports on one specific finding concerning death as a way out of the situation that participants found themselves in. Conclusion: The study described and interpreted one of the specific issues, 'death', in the participants' narratives. This finding reflects how psychological and social factors, such as stress, social support, healthcare cost, caring burden and medical practice have created the participants' thoughts of 'wishing to die' and the reasons why they believe 'death is a way to reduce burden'. It calls for an understanding, supportive social environment and a reconsideration of a culturally and economically appropriate family-based care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using listed firms in China over the period 2010–2018, we investigate the association between directors' network and quality of corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure from the lens of resource-based view. We find a significantly positive effect of directors' network centrality on the CSR disclosure quality, and the effect is more pronounced when the firm (1) invests less in advertising; (2) is followed by less analysts; (3) is less financially constrained; and (4) has no assurance of sustainability report. Furthermore, we document that independent directors' network centrality is positively associated with CSR disclosure quality. Our findings have important implication for practitioners, policy makers, and regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In China, most HCC patients are diagnosed with advanced disease and in these cases surgery is challenging. Conversion therapy can be used to change unresectable HCC into resectable disease and is a potential breakthrough treatment strategy. The resection rate for unresectable advanced HCC has recently improved as a growing number of patients have benefited from conversion therapy. While conversion therapy is at an early stage of development, progress in patient selection, optimum treatment methods, and the timing of surgery have the potential to deliver significant benefits. In this article, we review the current evidence and clinical experience of conversion therapy in HCC. General conversion modalities such as systemic treatments (systemic chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy), locoregional therapy (transarterial chemoembolization, hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy, or selective internal radiation therapy), and combination therapy were summarized. We also discuss the current challenges of conversion therapy and provide identify areas for future research to improve the development of conversion therapy in advanced HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erlian Basin is a Mesozoic oil and gas-bearing basin in northeast of China. The extension rate, extension direction, and stratum thickness of this rift basin have a clear control on its shape and extension. In this study, we design three sandbox models of the Erlian Basin to represent the effects of changing these three factors. The extension rate controls the timing of secondary fault formation inside the rift basin; a high extension rate promotes faster deformation inside the rift. The extension direction controls the strike of the fault inside the rift; a greater angle between the extension direction and the normal direction of the strike of the rift favors rapid evolution of internal secondary faults. The stratum thickness represents the control of sedimentation on the rift basin; the thinner the brittle layer, the wider the rift. The simulation results also show that the extension direction is the major factor controlling tectonic deformation in the basin. Stratum thickness and extension rate are secondary controlling factors. Additionally, according to geometric and kinematic similarities between typical Mesozoic rift basins in eastern and adjacent areas of China, we suggest that southeastward extension is a possible kinematic mechanism for basin formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Despite many studies on 'life after care' for family caregivers with dementia in Western societies, little is known about the bereavement experiences of family caregivers in China. The aim of this study was to explore the experience of bereavement on family members of people with dementia in China. It also hopes to inform end-of-life care within communities, providing a theoretical basis for improving the quality of life of bereaved family caregivers. Methods: Interpretative phenomenological analysis approach was adapted for this study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit former family caregivers of people with dementia. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 12 bereaved family caregivers were collected. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Findings: Five themes were identified: recalling the past life, lack of support, uncertainty of the future, social withdrawal and acceptance and release. Conclusion: The experiences of bereavement on family members of people with dementia in China are socially and culturally complex. This article recommends that bereavement should be supported throughout the palliative process of community services and healthcare services. Providing all-round support and education on death and dying can help the family caregivers to pass through grief and help them to maintain their normal life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of asymptomatic, non-severe presymptomatic, and severe presymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients may help optimize risk-stratified clinical management and improve prognosis. This single-center case series from Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital, China, included 2,980 patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalized between February 4, 2020 and April 10, 2020. Patients were diagnosed as asymptomatic (n = 39), presymptomatic (n = 34), and symptomatic (n = 2,907) upon admission. This study provided an overview of asymptomatic, presymptomatic, and symptomatic COVID-19 patients, including detection, demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes. Upon admission, there was no significant difference in clinical symptoms and CT image between asymptomatic and presymptomatic patients for diagnosis reference. The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the differential diagnosis model to discriminate presymptomatic patients from asymptomatic patients was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81-0.98). Importantly, the severe and non-severe presymptomatic patients can be further stratified (AUC = 0.82). In conclusion, the two-step risk-stratification model based on 10 laboratory indicators can distinguish among asymptomatic, severe presymptomatic, and non-severe presymptomatic COVID-19 patients on admission. Moreover, single-cell data analyses revealed that the CD8+T cell exhaustion correlated to the progression of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare form of histiocytosis with a broad, non-specific clinical spectrum. Here, we retrospectively evaluated the clinical and pathologic characteristics, presence of the BRAF V600E mutation, treatment options, and outcomes of Chinese patients diagnosed with ECD at our center. Patients diagnosed with ECD between January 2010 and April 2015 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were included for study. We evaluated baseline characteristics, reviewed histological material, and tested for the presence of the BRAF V600E mutation using immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sixteen patients were diagnosed with ECD. Median disease duration (from the first symptom to diagnosis) was 22.5 months (range, 3-100 months). The main sites of involvement included bone (93.8 %), cardiovascular region (43.8 %), skin (31.3 %), central nervous system (25 %), and "hairy kidney" (25 %). The BRAF V600E mutation was detected in 68.8 % patients using PCR and 50 % patients with immunohistochemistry. Three patients could not be diagnosed using histological analysis owing to similarities with Rosai-Dorfman disease, and diagnosis in these cases was confirmed based on the BRAF V600E mutation status. Ten patients (62.5 %) received IFN-α as first-line treatment. Thirteen patients (81.3 %) were still alive at median follow-up of 14.5 months. ECD remains a largely overlooked disease, and increased recognition by clinicians and pathologists is necessary for effective diagnosis and treatment. The presence of the BRAF V600E mutation may facilitate discrimination of ECD from other non-Langerhans cell histiocytoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new staurosporine analog, 10'-{5''-[(methoxycarbonyl)amino]-2''-methyl}-phenylaminocarbonylstaurosporine (1), together with staurosporine (2), was obtained from the culture broth of Actinomycetes Streptomyces sp. (172614). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis including UV, MS, NMR, and CD spectra. Pharmacological experiments revealed that 1 and 2 showed significant cytotoxicity against human colon tumor cell HCT-116. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the association between board centrality and corporate environmental disclosure using hand-collected data from Chinese-listed firms in heavily polluting industries. We find that board centrality has a positive effect on corporate environmental disclosure. We also show that this positive effect emanates from the critical role of the board in monitoring and resource distribution, and its incentive to promote information transparency. Our results, which are robust to a set of robustness checks, have important implications for both regulators and investors. • We provide evidence that board centrality influences corporate environmental disclosure. • We find a positive association between board centrality and environmental disclosure using a sample of Chinese firms. • The effect is more pronounced for firms with CEO duality, and those with no directors' and officers' liability insurance. • Our results are robust to alternative estimation methods and proxies for board centrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new oxysporidinone analogue (1) and a new 3-hydroxyl-2-piperidinone derivative (2), along with the known compounds (−)-4,6′-anhydrooxysporidinone (3), (+)-fusarinolic acid (4), gibepyrone D (5), beauvercin (6),cerevisterol (7), fusaruside (8), and (2S,2′R,3R,3′E,4E,8E)-1-O-D-glucopyranosyl-2-N-(2′-hydroxy-3′-octadecenoyl)-3-hydroxy-9-methyl-4,8-sphingadienine (9) were isolated from Fusarium oxysporum. Compounds 1–9 were evaluated for cytotoxicity using the MTT method against cancer cell lines, PC-3, PANC-1, and A549. Beauvericin showed cytotoxicity against PC-3, PANC-1, and A549 with IC50 value of 49.5±3.8, 47.2±2.9, and 10.4±1.6μM, respectively. Beauvericin also exhibited anti-bacterial activity towards methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MIC=3.125μg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis (MIC=3.125μg/mL). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To explore the coupling of dry-wet seasonal variations of soil respiration with their environmental factors in the alpine meadow under the background of increasing nitrogen (N) deposition, we conducted an experiment in the typical degraded Poa pratensis meadow in the Napahai, Yunnan. There were four treatments, i.e ., control (0 g·m -2 ·a -1 ), low (5 g·m -2 ·a -1 ), medium (10 g·m -2 ·a -1 ), and high (15 g·m -2 ·a -1 ) levels. We examined the effects of aboveground biomass, plant diversity, and soil physicochemical properties on soil respiration. The results showed that N deposition significantly promoted soil respiration. Compared with that in the control, soil respiration rates increased by 21.9%-53.9% and 27.3%-51.2% in dry and wet seasons, respectively. The maximum value of soil respiration rate was recorded in the medium N treatment. N deposition dramatically elevated aboveground biomass (52.2%-66.4%). Plant diversity declined with increasing N addition levels, with the maximum value (13.5%-24.2%) being recorded in high treatment in wet season. The values of ammonium nitrogen, organic matter, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen, temperature and moisture in the three N treatments were elevated by 14.3%-333.5% compared with the control, while those of soil pH were decreased by 9.0%-34.6%. Results of the structural equation modelling showed that plant biomass, Shannon diversity, microbial biomass, soil temperature, and moisture showed a positive effect on soil respiration, while bulk density had a negative effect. Soil nitrogen pool and pH were main factors driving soil CO 2 emissions, accounting for 55.7% and 45.1% of the variations, respectively. Therefore, short-term atmospheric N deposition stimulated soil respiration primarily via altering soil pH and nitrogen pool components in the degraded alpine meadow.

Background: Malnutrition is a widespread problem in critically ill patients with neurological disorders., Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a multidisciplinary collaborative nutritional treatment mode based on a standardized unit for nutritional support on the outcome metrics in patients with neurological disorders who are critically ill., Methods: We enrolled 84 participants who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Yancheng No. 1 People's Hospital for neurological disorders between June 2018 and December 2021. The participants were randomly assigned to the control group and the test group. The control group received traditional nutritional support, while the test group was treated with a multidisciplinary collaborative nutritional treatment mode based on a standardized unit for nutritional support. We collected the general information, feeding tolerance (FT), nutritional risk score, and laboratory indicators before intervention, after intervention for one week, and after intervention for 2 weeks, and other data of the participants., Results: After the intervention, the test group scored significantly lower than the control group in the incidence of gastroparesis and diarrhea, as well as the NUTRIC score, with statistically significant differences (P< 0.001). The prealbumin levels in the test group increased progressively prior to intervention, after intervention for one week, and after intervention for two weeks. Compared to the control group, the test group had higher prealbumin levels prior to intervention, after intervention for one week, and after intervention for two weeks, with statistically significant differences (P< 0.001)., Conclusion: We developed a multidisciplinary collaborative nutritional treatment model based on a standard unit for nutritional support. This model can improve neural function, FT, and pertinent outcome indicators and is generally applicable.

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of single-agent programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor in the neoadjuvant treatment of patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) locally advanced colorectal cancer (LACRC) through single-center large⁃sample analysis based on real⁃world data in China., Methods: This study was a retrospective, single-center, case series study. 33 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with clinical stage of T3~4N0~2M0 treated in Yunnan Cancer Hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 32 patients were dMMR or MSI-H or both dMMR and MSI-H, and one patient was both dMMR and microsatellite stability (MSS) (excluded in the final analysis). All 32 patients received neoadjuvant immunotherapy (nIT) with single-agent PD⁃1 inhibitor., Results: Among the 32 patients, 8 (25%) were locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) and 24 (75%) were locally advanced colon cancer (LACC); 4 (12.55%) were stage II and 28 (87.5%) were stage III. The median number of cycles of 32 patients with dMMR/MSI-H LACRC receiving nIT with single-agent PD-1 blockade was 6 (4~10), and the median number of cycles to achieve partial response (PR) was 3 (2~4). Among them, three LARC patients achieved clinical complete response (cCR) and adopted the watch-and-wait (W&W) strategy. The objective response rate (ORR) of the other 29 patients with radical surgery was 100% (29/29), the pathological response rate was 100% (29/29), the rate of major pathological response (MPR) was 86.2% (25/29), and the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) was 75.9% (22/29). The incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in 32 patients during nIT was 37.5% (12/32), while the incidence of irAEs in 22 patients with operation during adjuvant immunotherapy was 27.3% (6/22), all of which were grade 1~2. No grade 3 or above irAEs were occured. The median time from the last nIT to surgery was 27 (16~42) days. There were no delayed radical resection due to irAEs in these patients. All 29 patients achieved R0 resection. The incidence of surgical-related adverse events (srAEs) in perioperative period was 10.3% (3/29)., Conclusions: Neoadjuvant monoimmunotherapy with PD-1 inhibitor has favorable ORR and pCR rate, and relatively low incidences of irAEs and srAEs for patients with dMMR/MSI-H LACRC, suggesting that this nIT regimen of single-agent PD-1 inhibitor is significantly effective and sufficiently safe., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Zhang, Yang, Wu, Cai, Li, Yu, Li, Ding, Dong, Li, Hu, Feng and Li.)

Background: COVID-19 has resulted in high mortality worldwide. Information regarding cardiac markers for precise risk-stratification is limited. We aim to discover sensitive and reliable early-warning biomarkers for optimizing management and improving the prognosis of COVID-19 patients., Methods: A total of 2954 consecutive COVID-19 patients who were receiving treatment from the Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital in China from February 4 to April 10 were included in this retrospective cohort. Serum levels of cardiac markers were collected after admission. Coronary artery disease diagnosis and survival status were recorded. Single-cell RNA-sequencing and bulk RNA-sequencing from different cohorts of non-COVID-19 were performed to analyze SARS-CoV-2 receptor expression., Results: Among 2954 COVID-19 patients in the analysis, the median age was 60 years (50-68 years), 1461 (49.5%) were female, and 1515 (51.3%) were severe/critical. Compared to mild/moderate (1439, 48.7%) patients, severe/critical patients showed significantly higher levels of cardiac markers within the first week after admission. In severe/critical COVID-19 patients, those with abnormal serum levels of BNP (42 [24.6%] vs 7 [1.1%]), hs-TNI (38 [48.1%] vs 6 [1.0%]), α- HBDH (55 [10.4%] vs 2 [0.2%]), CK-MB (45 [36.3%] vs 12 [0.9%]), and LDH (56 [12.5%] vs 1 [0.1%]) had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to patients with normal levels. The same trend was observed in the ICU admission rate. Severe/critical COVID-19 patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease (165/1,155 [10.9%]) had more cases of BNP (52 [46.5%] vs 119 [16.5%]), hs-TNI (24 [26.7%] vs 9.6 [%], α- HBDH (86 [55.5%] vs 443 [34.4%]), CK-MB (27 [17.4%] vs 97 [7.5%]), and LDH (65 [41.9%] vs 382 [29.7%]), when compared with those without coronary artery disease. There was enhanced SARS-CoV-2 receptor expression in coronary artery disease compared with healthy controls. From regression analysis, patients with five elevated cardiac markers were at a higher risk of death (hazards ratio 3.4 [95% CI 2.4-4.8])., Conclusions: COVID-19 patients with pre-existing coronary artery disease represented a higher abnormal percentage of cardiac markers, accompanied by high mortality and ICU admission rate. BNP together with hs-TNI, α- HBDH, CK-MB and LDH act as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients with or without pre-existing coronary artery disease.

Twelve undescribed jatrophane diterpenoids, euphpepluones A-L ( 1 - 12 ), together with seven known analogues ( 13 - 19 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Euphorbia peplus , and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic studies. The absolute configurations of 1 and 4 were assigned by X-ray crystallographic analysis. All isolates were investigated for their inhibitory effects against the ATR-Chk1 pathway using a Western blotting assay. As a result, 1 , 2 , 5 , 8 , 10 , and 16 were found to suppress the camptothecin (CPT)-induced phosphorylation of Chk1, indicating that these compounds inhibit the activation of the ATR-Chk1 pathway. A preliminary structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of the isolates was conducted. When compound 10 and CPT were combined, apoptosis was induced in A549 cells with PARP cleavage, while there was no apoptotic effect by treatment with CPT or 10 alone. The data obtained indicate that 10 potentiates the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of A549 cells to CPT.

Background: Infection with SARS-CoV-2 has been associated with liver dysfunction, aggravation of liver burden, and liver injury. This study aimed to assess the effects of liver injuries on the clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19., Methods: A total of 1520 patients with severe or critical COVID-19 from Huoshenshan Hospital, Wuhan, were enrolled. Chronic liver disease (CLD) was confirmed by consensus diagnostic criteria. Laboratory test results were compared between different groups. scRNA-seq data and bulk gene expression profiles were used to identify cell types associated with liver injury., Results: A total of 10.98% of patients with severe or critical COVID-19 developed liver injury after admission that was associated with significantly higher rates of mortality (21.74%, p < 0.001) and intensive care unit admission (26.71%, p < 0.001). Pre-existing CLDs were not associated with a higher risk. However, fatty liver disease and cirrhosis were associated with higher risks, supported by evidences from single cell and bulk transcriptome analysis that showed more TMPRSS2 + cells in these tissues. By generating a model, we were able to predict the risk and severity of liver injury during hospitalization., Conclusion: We demonstrate that liver injury occurring during therapy as well as pre-existing CLDs like fatty liver disease and cirrhosis in patients with COVID-19 is significantly associated with the severity of disease and mortality, but the presence of other CLD is not associated. We provide a risk-score model that can predict whether patients with COVID-19 will develop liver injury or proceed to higher-risk stages during subsequent hospitalizations.

Zha-xun is widely used in Tibetan medicine and is also an international traditional medicine. This study believes that the black organic matter constituting Zha-xun is mainly stored in the rocks. The exudation points of Zha-xun mostly distribute on the cliffs of high mountains, which makes it difficult to evaluate its resource distribution and storage area. This paper was aimed at the exudation environment of Tibetan medicine Zha-xun in Sichuan province and 6 ecological environmental factors of the Zha-xun were determined via the field investigation. Combining with these 6 factors as well as the GIS data of Sichuan province, ArcGIS software was used to extract ideal environmental factors which are suitable for exudation of Zha-xun, including geology types, geomorphological types, altitude, slope, vegetation types, and mean annual temperature. The spatial overlay analyses on the extracted environmental factors were carried out to predict the distribution area of Zha-xun in Sichuan province. Afterwards, field investigation was conducted to verify the prediction. The prediction showed that the exudation spots of Zha-xun in Sichuan province mainly located in 29 counties including 12 in Aba Prefecture, 15 in Ganzi Prefecture, and Muli County and Dechang County in Liangshan Prefecture. The deposit areas of Zha-xun were located in the Triassic, Devonian and Silurian strata and were basically distributed in 9 basins, including Dingqu River, Yalong River, Xianshui River, Dadu River, Suomo River, Minjiang River and Baishui River, characterized by a fragmented patch-like distribution along the mountain ranges, and the exudation spots of Zha-xun were mainly scattered among the rain-free cliffs' concavities of river valleys at a certain altitude. The prediction was consistent with the field investigation results, which suggested that it is possible and feasible to predict distribution of Zha-xun resources based on GIS-analysis. The study may provide a scientific basis for comprehensive investigations into Zha-xun's distribution and formation mechanism, thus promoting rational development and utilization of Zha-xun resources.

Constructing evaluation indicator for rice heat damage based on hot weather process (occurring time of hot weather and its duration) can realize the dynamic identification of rice high-temperature heat damage level, which is of great importance to the precisely monitoring, warning and assessment of rice heat. Meteorological, historical disaster and phenological data on double-early rice in Jiangxi Province were integrated to retrieve the historical heat of double-early rice. The dynamic index of high temperature heat injury on early rice based on high temperature weather process was constructed based on K-S distribution fitting test and confidence interval method. The results were verified with reserved independent samples. A rice heat index (M) was calculated, with which rice heat risk was analyzed. The results showed that the starting time and duration of hot weather were key factors affecting the occurrence of rice heat damage, with the effect of starting time greater than the duration. Light, moderate, and severe rice heat for 3-5 d was identified at 10-12, 5-9 and 2-4 d after heading respectively. Similarly, light, moderate and severe rice heat lasting for 6-8 d and >8 d started at 11-18, 8-10, 1-7 d after heading and 12-18, 8-11, 0-7 d after heading respectively. The coincident rate of rice heat damage indicator was 73.7%, and that verified to be identical or one grade different was 89.5%. The linear tendency rate of M from 1981 to 2015 was 0.04·a -1 , with abrupt change from low to high around 1999. A high M (>0.18) was mainly found in the middle and the northeast part of the study area. Increasing trends of a high M occurred in the middle, northeast and south of Jiangxi, with tendency rates > 0.04·a -1 . In general, the indicators constructed in this study realized the dynamic identification of process-based rice heat. The middle and northeast parts of Jiangxi Province were identified as high risk areas for double-early rice heat.

Background: The principal aim of this study was to investigate the clinical, epidemiological and pathologic features for a series of 79 cases of adipositas cordis sudden death., Methods: We analyzed clinical and autopsy pathological features of 79 patients (43 females and 36 males) with adipositas cordis who died suddenly between 1975 and 2010. Data were extracted from China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wan Fang Database., Results: The average age of the 79 cases was 36.6 ± 1.4 years old ranging from 13 to 68, and 82.3% of them were between 20 to 50 years old. Sudden death was the first symptom in 62 (78.5%) of the cases, only 17 (21.5%) had a history of chest distress or dyspnea. More than 4/5 (87.3%) of the cases had no any past medical history. At autopsy, the subjects' heart weight was mild or moderately increased, and a large amount of fatty tissues but not fibrous or fibro fatty was accumulated underneath the epicardium and infiltrated toward the right ventricle walls, and even infiltrated to all layers of the cardiac walls. Regional epidemiological data showed that about 80% of cases were living north and only 20% were living south of the Yangzi River, but not any familial heredity., Conclusion: Adipositas cordis sudden death is a very severe disease, it occurs mostly in youth and middle-aged and sudden death is often the first symptom. There is a significant regional difference, but not any genetic correlation. The pathogenesis of adipositas cordis sudden death should to be further explored.

Objective: To observe the risk factors and prevalence of cardiovascular disease, and predict the 10-year risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease (ICVD) of a rural residents in Xianghe of Hebei province., Methods: Two thousand five hundred and thirty two adults ( ≥ 35 years old) were surveyed at internal medicine outpatient department of Xianghe asthma hospital in Hebei province by face-to-face interview, physical examination and biochemical test. Subjects aged 35 to 59 were also evaluated using the National 10-year Risk Assessment for ICVD., Results: The prevalence of stroke and coronary heart disease was 2.2% (56/2532) and 6.9% (176/2532) respectively, the age- and sex-standardized prevalence was 1.3% and 5.9% respectively. The prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, overweight, obese and central obesity was 59.9% (1516/2532), 26.9% (682/2532), 68.5% (1735/2532), 40.9% (1038/2532), 14.8% (374/2532) and 49.5% (1254/2532) respectively, the age- and sex-standardized prevalence was 43.8%, 19.9%, 56.5%, 35.1%, 15.6%, 41.9%, respectively. Ten-year ICVD risk was higher than 10% in 14.1% (188/1336) residents aged between 35 to 59 years., Conclusions: Risk factors and prevalence of cardiovascular disease as well as 10-year risk of ICVD are high in this rural population in Xianghe of Hebei province. Intensive prevention and therapy strategies are urgently needed to attenuate the ICVD risk factors and treat ICVD in rural area of China.

Objective: The types and risk factors of arrhythmia were analyzed on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients under the age of 44 years who were hospitalized in Henan province between September 2009 to June 2012., Methods: Medical records of eligible patients were obtained from the information system of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University teleconsultation information center. Middle aged and elderly ACS patients who were hospitalized at the same period served as controls. Data on arrhythmia types, blood pressure, thyroid disease, respiratory sleep apnea syndrome, smoking history, history of alcohol consumption, eating habits, family history of early-onset arrhythmia, laboratory tests were analyzed., Results: (1) Arrhythmia was detected in 110 out of young ACS patients (55%), which was significantly lower than that in the elderly ACS patients (71.05%, P < 0.01). (2) The top three arrhythmias in young ACS patients were: sinus tachycardia (30.50%), the premature ventricular contractions (19.00%), atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation (16.50%). Incidence of sinus tachycardia, atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation were significantly higher while incidence of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia were significantly lower in young ACS patients than in middle-aged ACS patients (all P < 0.05). The incidence of sinus tachycardia was higher while incidence of ventricular premature accelerated ventricular spontaneous cardiac rhythm, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, non-paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, nodal escape, atrioventricular block were significantly lower in young ACS patients than in elderly ACS patients (all P < 0.05). (3) Body mass index, incidence of smoking, coronary three-vessel disease, drinking, eating salty foods, thyroid dysfunction, sleep apnea were significantly higher in youth ACS patients with arrhythmia than in young ACS patients without arrhythmia (all P < 0. 05). (4) Logistic regression analysis found that number of diseased coronary vessels (OR = 24.293), smoking (OR = 1.112) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.039) were independent risk factor for developing arrhythmia in young ACS patients from Henan province., Conclusions: The main types of arrhythmia are sinus tachycardia, premature ventricular contractions, atrial flutter/atrial fibrillation and the major risk factors related to the arrhythmia are number of diseased coronary vessels, smoking and alcohol consumption in young ACS patients from Henan province.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, awareness, control status and associated risk factors of hypertension in a rural population in Xianghe county in North China., Methods: A total of 830 adults (aged ≥ 35) from Xianghe county were examined during July to August, 2011. Blood pressure was obtained using a standardized sphygmomanometer after a 5-minute sitting rest. Information on gender, age, education level, marital status, smoking, drinking, income, family history of hypertension and use of antihypertensive medications was obtained., Results: A total of 42.4% of all subjects had hypertension. Among those with hypertension, the awareness rate was 54.8% and 50.0% of the patients were taking antihypertensive medication with the control rate of 11.9% [BP < 140/90 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa)]. Lower age and education level, lower body mass index, negative family history of hypertension were associated with poor awareness of hypertension and worse compliance with the treatment. Older age, positive family history and alcohol consumption were associated with poor blood pressure control., Conclusions: Hypertension is highly prevalent in Xianghe rural area. The awareness, treatment and control rate are all low. There is an urgent need for comprehensive strategies to improve prevention, screening, and treatment of hypertension in rural China.

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the change of quality of life in patients with acute coronary syndrome following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stents and explore the influencing factors of quality of life., Methods: There hundred and thirty four consecutive patients with acute coronary syndrome receiving drug-eluting stents implantation between September 2008 and December 2009 were enrolled. Of them, two hundred and ninety three patients completed 36-item short form health survey at baseline and 6 months after PCI procedure. Change of quality of life and influencing factors on quality of life were analyzed., Results: Compared with baseline, quality of life improved significantly after PCI in terms of both physical component summary and mental component summary [ (51.07 ± 20.39) scores vs. (61.69 ± 19.73) scores and (63.27 ± 20.00) scores vs. (68.81 ± 18.71) scores, respectively; all P < 0.01]. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that female, diabetes and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were independent predictors of physical component summary improvements post PCI (β values were -0.310, -3.880 and 1.302, respectively; P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Previous PCI and diabetes were independent predictors of mental component summary improvements post PCI (β values were -1.483 and -2.790, respectively; all P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Quality of life of acute coronary syndrome patients is significantly improved at 6 months after drug-eluting stents implantation. The predictors of physical quality of life improvement are female, diabetes, and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Predictors of mental quality of life improvement are previous PCI and diabetes.

Objective: To report the status and trend of cardio-cerebral-vascular disease (CCVD) mortality in China between 2004 and 2008., Methods: The mortality data from population-based survey of National Disease Surveillance System in 2004 and 2008 were analyzed. This surveillance system is consisted of 161 disease surveillance points (DSPs) located in 31 provinces of China including 64 urban and 97 rural DSPs. The total population of surveillance is over 73 millions and accounted for around 6% of the whole population of China. CCVD included ischemic heart diseases (ICD-10: I05-I09, I11, I20-I27, I30-I52) and cerebral-vascular disease (ICD-10: I60-I69). The status and trend of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cerebral-vascular disease (CD), ischemic heart disease (IHD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) mortalities from 2004 to 2008 were analyzed by age, gender, and urban/rural regions., Results: The mortality of CCVD was higher in 2008 (229/100 000) than in 2004 (223.5/100 000), which was decreased in urban region (-11.7/100 000) while increased in rural region (+16.0/100 000). The mortality of CD decreased from 134.8/100 000 (2004) to 128.3/100 000 (2008). Mortality of IHD and AMI increased from 66.1/100 000 and 40.4/100 000 (2004) to 71/100 000 and 45.7/100 000 (2008), which remained stable in urban region (+0.98/100 000 and -1.96/100 000) while significantly increased in rural region (+6.7/100 000 and +9.2/100 000). The mortality rates for CVD, CD and AMI were higher in rural population than that in urban population. The age-standardized mortality rates of CVD, CD and IHD were lower in 2008 than in 2004. The mortality rates of CD and IHD decreased in 40-, 60-, and over 80 age groups (except for IHD) in 2008 than in 2004. However, IHD mortality was significantly higher in age of 80 and over group from 2004 to 2008. There were a net 5.5/100 000 increase, 6.4/100 000 decrease and 4.9/100 000 increase for CCVD, CD and IHD between 2004 and 2008. The mortality rate rise in CCVD was mainly due to the increased mortality of IHD and CD in rural population. The CCVD mortality increased with age and was significantly higher in male than in female population., Conclusions: Despite decreased mortality in CD, CCVD mortality increased from 2004 to 2008, mainly due to the increased mortality of IHD and AMI in rural population. Enhanced CCVD primary and secondary prevention, particular for stressing on primary prevention, is necessary in China, especially in rural areas. Meanwhile, they will give the greatest contributions for a raise of the healthy life expectancy in China.

Objective: To explore the relationship and interaction of elevated fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease., Methods: 10 054 males and females were recruited for our cross-sectional study during May 2007 to August 2007. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analysis the relationship between fasting glucose and hypertension on cardiocerebral vascular disease. A product of fasting glucose and hypertension was added to the logistic regression model to evaluate the multiplicative interaction and relative excess risk of interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP) of interaction and synergy index (S) was applied to evaluate the additive interaction of the two factors. Bootstrap was used to calculate 95% confidence intervals (CI) of RERI, AP and S., Results: After adjusting age, gender, smoking, drinking, body mass index (BMI) and region, the product of fasting glucose and hypertension was not statistically significant, which means there was no multiplicative interaction between the two. But the additive indexes RERI, AP and S with 95%CI of diabetes and hypertension were 0.64 (0.03, 1.25), 0.27 (0.01, 0.47) and 1.83 (1.02, 5.13) respectively, which means significant additive interaction was shown between the two on cardiovascular disease but not no stroke. And there were no additive interaction between impaired fasting glucose on cardiovascular disease or stroke., Conclusions: Hypertension was independently related to cardiovascular disease and stroke in Beijing citizens, and diabetes were independently related to stroke. There was additive interaction between diabetes and hypertension on cardiovascular disease.

Based on the daily data under B2 climate scenario (2011-2050) and baseline climate condition (1961-1990) extracted from the regional climate model PRECIS, and by using the Agro-Ecological Zone (AEZ) model, a prediction was conducted on the possible spatiotemporal changes of the climatic potential productivity of the two crops in the Huanghuaihai Plain in 2011-2050. Under baseline climate condition, the climatic potential productivities of winter wheat and summer maize presented a regional differentiation, i.e., higher in southeast and lower in northwest regions, and higher along coast and lower in inland at the same latitudes, and fluctuated within the ranges of 3893-11000 kg x hm(-2) and 5908-12000 kg x hm(-2), respectively. Under B2 climate scenario, the climatic potential productivity of winter wheat and summer maize would have a greater inter-annual change, due to the different matching degrees of light, temperature and water during the growth periods of the crops. The climatic potential productivity of winter wheat in 2011-2030 and summer maize in 2021-2040 would have an obvious increase, with great potential for development. Under the conditions of maintaining the present production, the climatic potential productivity of winter wheat in 2011-2050 would present an overall regional differentiation of reverse change in southeast and northwest regions and the same change in coastal and inland areas, whereas the climatic potential productivity of summer maize in 2011-2050 would have little regional differentiation.

Based on the 2011-2050 A2 climate scenario derived from the regional climate model PRECIS and the daily data of 1961-1990 baseline climate condition, this paper analyzed the possible changes of the agricultural thermal resources in China from 2011 to 2050. Comparing with the baseline climate condition in 1961-1990, the average frost-free periods in most parts of China in 2011-2050 under A2 climate scenario would have an obvious extension, mainly manifested in the advance of last frost date and the postpone of first frost date. The days with the daily average temperature stably passing 0 degrees C would also prolong significantly, and extend from 1 day to 14 days in most parts of the country. Especially from 2041 to 2050, the days with the daily average temperature stably passing 0 degrees C in most regions of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River, and western and southwestern regions of Gansu and Xinjiang could be extended by 49 days. The > or = 0 degrees C accumulated temperatures in most parts of the country would have increasing trends. In order to meet the future change trend of our agricultural thermal resources and to realize the sustainable development of agriculture in China, some countermeasures should be formulated, e.g., further adjusting agricultural cropping system, optimizing agricultural production distribution, developing biotechnology, and so on.

Objective: To research identification methods of the Dai Medicine "Pokou" (the rhizome of Homalomena gigantea) and its processing product, and provide basis for identification of the drug in further research and application., Methods: Macroscopic, microscopic observation and TLC and FTIR techniques were used to authenticate this raw medicine and its processing product., Results: There were certain differences in the macroscopic features. The TLC result and infrared spectra of the samples had also obvious differences. The methods for identification of this raw medicine and its processing product were established, The detailed tissue and powder of this medicine were drawn., Conclusion: The results provided the basis for identification of the medicine and establishment of its quality standard.

Objective: To establish methods for identification of Dai medicine, the heartwoods and leaves of Cassia siamea., Methods: Macroscopic, microscopic observation and TLC technique were used to anthenticate this crude drug, and the identification characteristics were studied., Results: Macroscopic and microscopic identification methods and TLC characters of the ethnomedicine were re-ported, and the simple and detailed drawings of the transections of the heartwoods and leaves, as well as microscopic drawings of their powders were drawn in this paper., Conclusion: The results can serve as evidence for identification of the ethnomedicine in the utilization.

Objective: To establish a method to analyze HPLC fingerprint characteristics of 10 plants from Selaginella., Method: HPLC was applied for establishment of fingerprints, which were used to evaluate and distinguish the different species of Selaginella., Result: The different species from Selaginella showed different HPLC fingerprint characteristic. The samples of the same species but collected in different period, different environment or different locations showed certain difference in fingerprints, Conclusion: 2 important mutual fingerprint peaks were found in the 10 plants of Selaginella species and 5 peaks can be used as "main fingerprint peaks". The dates of these peaks can used for assessment of phylogenetic relation among species and evaluation of quality.

The root, bark, leaf and fruit of Zanthoylum armatum are used as traditional crude drugs by Dai and some other minority nationalities in China, and the Dai drug name is "ge ga". This paper reported microscopic, physical and chemical characters of the bark and leaf The abbreviated and detailed diagrams of the transections of the bark and leaf, and the powder diagram of the bark were drawn in the study. The result showed that there were distinct microscopic characters of the transection and the powder, and these characters could be used as evidence for identification of the ethnomedicine in the exploitation and utilization.

The present paper reports descriptions and microscopical studies on Dai medicine" Guo sha" (Broussonetia papyrifera) , which is also the ethnomedicines of some minority nationalities in China. The diagram and the detailed drawing of the transection of the root, as well as microscopic drawing of its powder, were drawn in the studies. It was found that there are distinct microscopic characters of the transection and the powder which can serve as evidence for identification of the ethnomedicine.

Objective: To investigate the species, the distribution and the utilization of the medicinal plants from Selaginellaceae in Hubei Province., Method: Through field investigations and comparing the collected specimens and literatures, the classification and identification of the species in Hubei Province were studied., Result: The results indicated that 15 species of plants from Selaginellaceae in Hubei, including 14 medicinal and 1 newly recorded species existed. The distribution and use in folk medicine were investigated. And the morphological description of several species was appended., Conclusion: The results provided a basis for the exploitation and utilization of the medicinal plant resources of Selagingellaceae.

Islet amyloid has been suggested to be an important link between insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. To investigate the prevalence and clinicopathological characteristics of islet amyloid, we examined consecutive autopsies of 235 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and 533 nondiabetic subjects. Islet amyloid deposits were identified using Congo red staining and quantitated by image analysis. We found that 3.0% of the nondiabetic subjects versus 39.6% of the diabetic patients displayed islet amyloid (P < 0.001). In diabetic patients, the amyloid deposits occupied a mean islet area of 36.2%, which was positively associated with BMI, blood pressure, and glycemic control. Pancreatic fibrosis and fat infiltration were more frequently found in diabetic patients with islet amyloid than those without islet amyloid, whereas pancreatic arteriosclerosis was identified in all diabetic patients. These findings suggest that islet amyloid deposits reflect greater insulin resistance and islet failure in a subgroup of type 2 diabetic patients. Islet failure may also have been exacerbated by fat infiltration, fibrosis, and arteriosclerosis. Optimal blood pressure and metabolic control may reduce these pathological changes and help preserve islet cell mass.