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Background: The level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) is positively correlated with pathological complete response. Aims: To investigate the relationship between ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and the level of CD8-positive TILs (CD8+-TILs) in patients with HER2-positive BC. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: This retrospective study included 155 consecutive women with HER2-positive BC. Patients were divided into two groups: CD8+-TILlow (< 35%) and CD8+-TILhigh (≥ 35%) groups. US and MRI features were evaluated using the BI-RADS lexicon, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value was calculated using RadiAnt software. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed the optimal US and MRI features for predicting CD8+-TIL levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and the Delong test were used to compare the diagnostic performance of US and MRI features. Furthermore, implementing a nomogram will increase clinical utility. Results: Univariate analysis of US features showed significant differences in shape, orientation, and posterior echo between the two groups; however, there were no significant differences in margins, internal echo, and microcalcification. Multifactorial analysis revealed that shape, orientation, and posterior echo were independent risk factors, with odds ratios of 11.62, 2.70, and 0.16, respectively. In terms of MRI features, ADC was an independent predictor of CD8+-TIL levels. These three US features and the ADC performed well, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.802 and 0.705, respectively. The combination of US and ADC values had higher predictive efficacy (AUC = 0.888) than either US or ADC alone (p = 0.009, US&lowbar;ADC vs. US; p < 0.001, US_ADC vs. ADC). Conclusion: US features (shape, orientation, and posterior echo) and ADC value may be a valuable tool for estimating CD8+-TIL levels in HER2- positive BC. The nomogram may help clinicians in making decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccinium usneoides (Ericaceae), a new species from Fugong County of Yunnan Province, China is described and illustrated. This new species belongs to Vaccinium sect. Calcicolus and is most similar to V. brachyandrum, but differs in its branches hanging down, much smaller leaf blades, shorter inflorescences and pedicels, non-glandular tomentellate or densely pubescent inflorescence rachis and pedicels, densely white-pubescent hypanthium and pilose filaments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new orchid species from southwestern China's Yunnan Province and the Tibetan Autonomous Region, Neottia lihengiae, Neottia chawalongensis, Papilionanthe motuoensis, Gastrochilus lihengiae, and Gastrochilus bernhardtianus, are described and illustrated. To confirm their identities, and to resolve phylogenetic relationships, we sequenced the complete plastomes of these taxa with their congeneric species, adding new plastomes of three Neottia species, two Papilionanthe species and nine Gastrochilus species. Combined with published plastid sequences, our well-resolved phylogeny supported the alliance of N. lihengiae with the the N. grandiflora + N. pinetorum clade. Neottia chawalongensis is now sister to N. alternifolia, while P. motuoensis is closely related to P. subulata + P. teres. Conversely, phylogenetic analyses based on complete plastomes and plastid sequences showed inconsistent relationships among taxa in the genus Gastrochilus, but the two new species, G. lihengiae and G. bernhardtianus were supported by all datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agro-food quality certification has been gaining greater importance, because it contributes to both agricultural sustainability and food quality. However, small-scale farmers in developing countries have difficulties in obtaining certification and the economic benefits acquired from certification are unclear. This paper investigates the effects of agro-food quality certification on the farm performance which is indicated by profit, yield and price. The impacts of agricultural organizations, farmer cooperatives and agricultural companies in particular, on the adoption of certification by farmers are explored. We also investigate the effects of organizations on the farm performance of certified farmers. A dataset of 410 vegetable farmers in China is applied, and the propensity score matching (PSM) method is employed in the empirical analysis to address selection bias and reverse causality. Our study finds that, overall, the adoption of certification does not significantly influence farm performance. Cooperative membership positively influences the adoption of certification and the farm performance of certified farmers, while contract farming does not generate additional benefits for certified farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in dogs. However, based on increasing evidence, male animals experience significant pain after castration. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS), one of the main bioactive components in A. membranaceus bunge, has been widely used as part of Fu‐Zheng therapy to enhance natural defense mechanisms. Introduction: This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementing different doses of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS; control, 0 mg/kg; APSL, 400 mg/kg; and APSH, 800 mg/kg) for 8 weeks on the haematology and serum chemistry profiles, immune response, and oxidative stress status in weanling beagle dogs. Methods: After adapting to the experimental environment for 1 week, 18 male beagle dogs (Sichuan Institute of Musk Deer Breeding, China; average initial weight, 3.80 ± 0.43 g; age, 3‐month‐old) were randomly allotted to diets supplemented with three doses of APS (Control, 0 mg/kg; low, 400 mg/kg; and high, 800 mg/kg), referred to as control, APSL, and APSH, respectively; six dogs were assigned to each treatment. The dogs were fed the respective diets twice daily at 08:30 and 16:30 h in sufficient quantity to supply the metabolizable energy requirements for 8 weeks. On day 43 (19 weeks old), the dogs were castrated. On days 42 (prior to castration, 19 weeks old), 50 (day 7 after castration, 20 weeks old), and 57 (day 14 after castration, 21 weeks old) to measure the haematology, blood chemistry, immune response, and oxidative stress status parameters. Results: Based on our findings, the APSH diet decreased weight gain and increased the feed to gain ratio in dogs (P < 0.05). At 14 days after castration, the wound was almost closed, slightly swollen, dry, and clean in the groups supplemented with APS. In addition, optimal APS supplementation was found to decrease erythrocyte count (RBC), haematocrit (HCT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) levels, and cortisol and protein carbonyl (PC) concentrations (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and platelet (PLT) levels, interleukin 10 (IL‐10) and glutathione (GSH) content, and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (Se‐GPx) activities were increased in the APS supplemented groups (P < 0.05) Conclusion: This study demonstrated that supplementing weanling beagle dogs with optimum APS could positively affect wound healing by improving their haematological profile (decreased RBC and HCT content, increased MCH and PLT levels), serum biochemical parameters (decreased ALP and ALT content), immune status (decreased CRP, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α levels; increased IL‐10 content), and antioxidant defense (decreased cortisol and PC content; increased GSH content, and SOD1, CAT, and Se‐GPx activities). However, the detailed mechanism whereby APS regulates these changes requires further investigation. In addition, the results of this study suggest that 400 mg/kg diet is the optimum APS dose for beagle dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gynecological Endocrinology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Farmers' collective action via cooperatives is critical to achieving a wide range of economic and social benefits that lead to sustainable development and enhance the welfare of rural communities. Adopting a qualitative case study method, the paper compares the development and governance attributes of two cooperatives and seeks to identify how non-economic conditions explain their differences. The cases are selected from the United Kingdom and China, representing different cultural and legislation contexts, to explore the role of culture and legislation in formulating the governance of farmer cooperatives. The results demonstrate that: (1) the formation of member groups due to considerable member heterogeneity may lead to the skewed allocation of control rights and income rights; (2) legislation play an important role in formulating the governance of cooperatives; and (3) national culture potentially has influence on cooperative governance, but direct evidence is in insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased rapidly in recent years. Environmental factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ASD. These factors may include socioeconomic factors, nutritional factors, heavy metal exposure, air pollution, etc. Our aim is to analyze possible environmental factors associated with the severity of ASD.Methods: All participating children were divided into two groups (mild and moderate/severe) according to the severity of their symptoms, as determined by their Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores. The socioeconomic, demographic factors and the nutritional factors that may affect the severity of ASD were included in the logistic regression to analyze whether they were predictors that affected the severity of ASD.Results: Logistic regression showed that caregivers(P = 0.042), maternal education (P = 0.030), gastrointestinal problems (P = 0.041) and a high serum concentration of lead (P = 0.003) were statistically significantly associated with ASD severity.Conclusion: Many environmental factors affect the severity of ASD. We concluded that non-parental caregivers, low maternal education, gastrointestinal problems and high blood lead level maybe predictors that affected the severity of ASD in northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The application of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is generally restricted most likely due to limited prescriptions by doctors. Fear of cancer risk may be a critical factor. We investigated the views of Chinese obstetricians and gynecologists on the relationship between hormone therapy and cancer risk. Methods: A self-administered web-based nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire. Results: In total, 5243 medical workers responded to the questionnaire (response rate 94.5%); 4995 were certified obstetricians and gynecologists. Most were aged 36–55 years (70.9%), had > 10 years of working experience (68.5%), and worked at tertiary (34.8%) and secondary hospitals (49.1%); 70% of the clinicians were aware of the endometrial cancer risk caused by estrogen, and 20% considered progestogen to cause the same risk. Regarding breast cancer, while 67.9 and 74.8% of the clinicians viewed natural and synthetic estrogens as risk factors, respectively, only 41.7% identified the carcinogenic effect of progestins as higher than that of progesterone (26.7%). Approximately 75% of the participants believed synthetic estrogens and progestins constituted a risk for ovarian cancer (higher than the percentages for their natural counterparts); 13.0–21.1% of the respondents were worried about choriocarcinoma due to hormone treatment. Finally, 86.8% of obstetricians and gynecologists claimed to have poor knowledge regarding this field. Conclusion: Misconceptions and a lack of knowledge in this regard may result in the fear of cancer and could be the underlying causes of limited MHT prescriptions. We believe that scientific research, continued education, and the media all have roles to play in changing preconceived ideas regarding MHT prescriptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is associated with the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and contributes substantially to metabolic abnormalities in women with PCOS. The study aimed to describe and compare the practices of physicians in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of obesity in patients with PCOS. Methods: Reproductive endocrinologists (Repro-Endo) and obstetrician-gynecologists (non-reproductive medicine specialty, OB-Gyn) in China participated in a survey, and their responses were analyzed using χ2 tests, Fisher exact tests, and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: The study analyzed 1318 survey responses (85.8% OB-Gyn; 97.3% women). Body mass index was the most common diagnostic criterion for obesity; only 1.3% of participants measured waist circumference to identify abdominal obesity. More Repro-Endo participants (25% of all participants) enquired about the psychological problems of patients with obesity than OB-Gyn participants, and 42.5% of participants reported ordering both a lipid profile and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for patients with obesity and PCOS. Multivariable analysis, that included physician's specialty, age, hospital grade, and number of patients with PCOS seen annually, revealed that OB-Gyn participants were less likely to order OGTT (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.2–0.4) and lipid profile (OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1–0.3) than Repro-Endo participants. The most common treatments for patients with PCOS were lifestyle modification (> 95%) and metformin (> 80%). More Repro-Endo participants prescribed metformin at a dose of 1.5 g/day compared with OB-Gyn (47.6% vs. 26.3%), and more OB-Gyn participants reported being unclear about the appropriate dosage of metformin for patients with obesity and PCOS (8.9% vs. 1.6%). Conclusion: Our survey identified knowledge gaps in metabolic screening for patients with obesity and PCOS and a disparity in the evaluation and treatment of obesity in PCOS among different specialties. Similarly, it highlights the need to improve obesity management education for physicians caring for women with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the current status of screen time in children with ASD, its correlation with autistic symptoms and developmental quotient (DQ), and the factors affecting screen time. Method: One hundred ninety-three Chinese children with ASD were recruited. We collected the demographic and screen time data using a questionnaire. The ASD core symptoms and developmental quotient (DQ) were measured by the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2), Griffiths Development Scales-Chinese Language Edition (GDS-C), and Chinese Children's Parent-Child Relationship Questionnaire (CPCIS). Then, we analyzed the correlations between the screen time of children with ASD and the ABC, CARS, ADOS, GDS-C DQs, and CPCIS scores. Linear regression was used to analyze the risk factors that affect screen time. Results: The children's average daily screen time was 2.64 ± 2.24 h. Forty eight percent children were exposed to two or more types of electronic devices. Their favorite activity of screen time was watching cartoons. Only 34% children spent screen time accompanied by parents and with communication. 50.26% children had no screen time before sleeping. The screen time of children with ASD had a negative correlation with the GDS-C CQ (r = −0.234, P = 0.001) and the CPCIS score (r = −0.180, P = 0.012) and a positive correlation with the CARS score (r = 0.192, P = 0.009). A low father's education level (P = 0.010), less restriction of the child's screen time by the guardian (P = 0.001), greater caregiver screen time (P < 0.001), the use of the screen as a tool for child rearing (P = 0.001), and the child's ownership of independent electronic equipment (P = 0.027) are risk factors for long screen time in children with ASD. Conclusion: The screen time of children with ASD in China is higher than the recommended standard, and the current situation is serious. The screen time of ASD children is related to their autism symptoms, DQ and parent-child interaction. Low paternal education levels, less restriction of children's screen time by guardians, greater guardian screen time, the use of screens in child rearing, and children's ownership of independent electronic equipment can lead to an increase in children's screen time. These findings may have implications for family intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hip joint is the largest weight‐bearing joint in the body and is surrounded by dense capsules and thick muscles. Hip arthroscopic techniques are suitable for the treatment of hip‐related conditions. These minimally invasive techniques have rapidly developed in China since 2007. Moreover, they have been used in the treatment of gluteal muscle contracture, snapping hip syndrome, femoral acetabular impingement, acetabular labral injury, hip labral calcification, synovial chondroma, osteoid osteoma, synovitis, osteonecrosis of the femoral head, and developmental dysplasia of the hip. This technique has showed its advantage in the total debridement of lesions, precision treatment, and less trauma. However, we lack understanding of the overall development of arthroscopic techniques in China. This review illustrates the recent development of hip arthroscopic techniques in China and related research progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducts the mid-long term predictions and assesses the multi-year average offshore wind energy in the China seas for the next five years based on CMIP5 wind data, in hope of providing reference for the long term prediction of wind energy. Results show that (1) large areas with multi-year average wind power densities (WPD) greater than 350 W/m² are mainly found throughout the Ryukyu Islands and the Taiwan and Luzon Straits in the southeastern area of the Indo-China Peninsula. (2) From 2015-2019, the WPD in the Bohai Sea, Taiwan Strait and Beibu Gulf will be lower than the multi-year average level and thus will be similar to the multi-year average in the Yellow Sea and Gulf of Thailand but greater than the multi-year average in the East China Sea and South China Sea. (3) The predicted occurrences of exploitable wind speeds of the East China Sea and South China Sea are promising for the next five years, exceeding 60%. A value above 40% is predicted for the Yellow Sea, and a lower value is anticipated for the Bohai Sea. (4) The predicted occurrences of WPD > 50 W/m² are more promising for the next five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present study, composition profiles and health risk of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in outdoor air and fly ash from domestic waste treatment center (DWTC) were studied. In addition, the composition profiles and health risk of PCDD/F in outdoor air from adjacent villages were researched and used to quantitatively analyze the difference between onsite workers and adjacent villagers. Moreover, the difference between old intake method and new inhalation dosimetry method in the process of assessing the health risk of PCDD/Fs in outdoor air was quantitatively compared and analyzed. The results of this study were summarized as follows. (1) The 95th percentile carcinogenic risk (CR) and non-carcinogenic risk (non-CR) for onsite workers and adjacent villagers were much lower than the threshold values of 10 − 6 and 1.0, respectively, suggesting no potential health risk. (2) The 95th percentile CR for onsite workers was 1.27 × 10 − 8 and was 64.8 times higher than that of adjacent villagers (1.99 × 10 − 10 ). (3) The 95th percentile non-CR for onsite workers and adjacent villagers were 1.37 × 10 − 4 and 1.31 × 10 − 7 , respectively. (3) Accidental ingestion of fly ash was the largest contributor to CR and non-CR for onsite workers, contributing 62.98% and 64.04% to CR and non-CR, respectively. (4) The CR and non-CR of PCDD/Fs in outdoor air for onsite workers and adjacent villagers which calculated by old intake method was much higher than the results from new inhalation dosimetry method. The results quantitatively showed the levels and potential risks of PCDD/Fs posed by a DWTC site, which can be helpful to predict the influence from DWTC sites and promote the management of DWTC in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burnout is a psychosomatic syndrome characterized by three dimensions (emotional exhaustion [EE], feelings of depersonalization [DP], and reduced personal accomplishment [PA]). We determined the prevalence of burnout and mental health status between HIV/AIDS healthcare workers and other healthcare workers, and determined the factors associated with burnout of HIV/AIDS healthcare workers.Methods: All participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. The participants were recruited from the departments of infectious diseases in four hospitals which treated HIV/AIDS. The questionnaire included demographics, the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ), and the Trait Coping Style Questionnaire (TCSQ).Results: A total of 512 questionnaires were distributed; 501 questionnaires were completed and collected (the response rate was 97.9 %). After eliminating nine invalid questionnaires (1.80 %), 264 physicians and nurses caring for HIV/AIDS and 228 physicians and nurses caring for other infectious diseases provided valid responses (98.2 %). The HIV/AIDS healthcare workers' scores on the emotional exhaustion (F = 6.350, p = 0.012) and depersonalization dimensions (F = 8.533, p = 0.004) were significantly higher than other healthcare workers. The HIV/AIDS healthcare workers had higher total scores and positive items on the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) compared with other healthcare workers. Low job satisfaction, serious somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, poor quality of sleep, high psychoticism scores, and use of negative coping styles were frequently associated with burnout.Conclusions: Burnout was shown to be highly prevalent in HIV/AIDS healthcare workers, 76.9 % of whom met the accepted criteria for burnout. In addition, compared with other healthcare workers, HIV/AIDS healthcare workers experienced lower levels of psychological health. Interventions should be targeted at reducing the occurrence of burnout and alleviating psychological pressure amongst HIV/AIDS healthcare workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Yersinia pestis is the pathogen of the plague and caused three pandemics worldwide. Pneumonic plague is rarer than bubonic and septicemic plague. We report detailed clinical and pathogenic data for all the three sporadic cases of pneumonic plagues in China in 2014.Case Presentation: All the three patients are herders in Gansu province of China. They were all infected by Yersinia pestis and displayed in the form of pneumonic plague respectively without related. We tested patient specimens from the upper (nasopharyngeal swabs) or the lower (sputum) respiratory tract and whole blood, plasma, and serum specimens for Yersinia pestis. All patients had fever, cough and dyspnea, and for patient 2 and 3, unconscious. Respiratory symptoms were predominant with acute respiratory failure. The chest X-ray showed signs consistent with necrotizing inflammation with multiple lobar involvements. Despite emergency treatment, all patients died of refractory multiple organ failure within 24 h after admission to hospital. All the contacts were quarantined immediately and there were no secondary cases.Conclusions: Nowadays, the plague is epidemic in animals and can infect people who contact with the infected animals which may cause an epidemic in human. We think dogs maybe an intermediate vector for plague and as a source of risk for humans who are exposed to pet animals or who work professionally with canines. If a patient has been exposed to a risk factor and has fever and dyspnea, plague should be considered. People who had contact with a confirmed case should be isolated and investigated for F1 antigen analysis and receive post-exposure preventive treatment. A vaccination strategy might be useful for individuals who are occupationally exposed in areas where endemically infected reservoirs of plague-infected small mammals co-exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reconceptualizes the history of intellectual property in China since the 1970s, with a focus on the making and amending of the Copyright Law. It argues that intellectual property is a deliberate policy choice and a key part of China’s market and media reform. Chinese reformers’ pursuit of a Western developmental model as well as the rise of intellectuals and private businesses both contributed to and shaped copyright development, while the roles of ideological conflicts and foreign trade frictions were less significant than generally assumed. This research argues that intellectual property must be conceptualized historically against China’s contested reintegration with global capitalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methane (CH4) uptake by steppe soils is affected by a range of specific factors and is a complex process. Increased stocking rate promotes steppe degradation, with unclear consequences for gas exchanges. To assess the effects of grazing management on CH4 uptake in desert steppes, we investigated soil-atmosphere CH4 exchange during the winterspring transition period. Methodology/Main Finding: The experiment was conducted at twelve grazing plots denoting four treatments defined along a grazing gradient with three replications: non-grazing (0 sheep/ha, NG), light grazing (0.75 sheep/ha, LG), moderate grazing (1.50 sheep/ha, MG) and heavy grazing (2.25 sheep/ha, HG). Using an automatic cavity ring-down spectrophotometer, we measured CH4 fluxes from March 1 to April 29 in 2010 and March 2 to April 27 in 2011. According to the status of soil freeze-thaw cycles (positive and negative soil temperatures occurred in alternation), the experiment was divided into periods I and II. Results indicate that mean CH4 uptake in period I (7.51 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1) was significantly lower than uptake in period II (83.07 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1). Averaged over 2 years, CH4 fluxes during the freeze-thaw period were 284.76 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1 (NG), 288.76 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1 (LG), 264.77 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1 (MG) and 228.80 mg CH4-C m-2 h-1 (HG). Conclusions/Significance: CH4 uptake activity is affected by freeze-thaw cycles and stocking rates. CH4 uptake is correlated with the moisture content and temperature of soil. MG and HG decreases CH4 uptake while LG exerts a considerable positive impact on CH4 uptake during spring freeze-thaw cycles in the northern desert steppe in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Genetic data were used to measure the phylogeographic distribution of the limpet, Cellana toreuma along the China coast in order to acsertain impacts of historic events, ocean currents and especially freshwater discharge from the Yangtze River on the connectivity of intertidal species with limited larval dispersal capability. Methodology/Principal Findings: Genetic variation in 15 populations of C. toreuma (n = 418), ranging from the Yellow Sea (YS), East China Sea (ECS) and South China Sea (SCS), were determined from partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. Genetic diversity and divergence based on haplotype frequencies were analyzed using CONTRIB, and AMOVA was used to examine genetic population structure. Historic demographic expansions were evaluated from both neutrality tests and mismatch distribution tests. Among the 30 haplotypes identified, a dominant haplotype No. 1 (H1) existed in all the populations, and a relatively abundant private haplotype (H2) in YS. Pairwise FST values between YS and the other two groups were relatively high and the percentage of variation among groups was 10.9%. Conclusions: The high nucleotide and gene diversity in the YS, with large pairwise genetic distances and relatively high percentages of variation among groups, suggests that this group was relatively isolated from ECS and SCS. This is likely driven by historic events, ocean currents, and demographic expansion. We propose that freshwater discharge from the Yangtze River, which may act as physical barrier limiting the southward dispersal of larvae from northern populations, is especially important in determining the separation of the YS group from the rest of the Chinese populations of C. toreuma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of copyright in cultural control and resistance in Chinese cyberspace is an under-researched topic. This article studies the copyright controversy of an online video in 2006, as well as the dynamics and features of a social mobilization triggered by the video. It argues that Chinese copyright law has very stringent limitations on ‘fair use’, the use of copyrighted works for public or non-market interest and purposes. Under specific technological and regulatory environments, video-sharing as a new media form showed unique power in resisting cultural control in China, yet it is faced with restraints from a pro-control system of copyright. With the rise of capitalist interests and proprietary control mechanisms in Chinese communications sectors, intellectual property is coming to the core of cultural resistance and repression in China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Load model is one of the most important elements in power system simulation and control. Based on more than 20 years of practice using load characteristic recorders in the measurement-based load modeling, this paper proposes the Expectation Composite Load Model to predict unseen data. The methods for load bus classification and parameter identification are also provided. The generalization capability of the proposed load modeling is validated by the measured load dynamics and system dynamics during two three-phase short circuit tests of the NE power grid in China. In order to evaluate the measurement-based load model, the Probabilistic Collocation Method (PCM) is applied to quantitatively analyze uncertainties of the simulation responses raised by the parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The viral lytic gene BZLF1 triggers replication of the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), which is commonly found in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, RT-PCR revealed five new BZLF1 variants in 8 of 12 NPC and 4 of 12 non-NPC nasopharyngeal biopsies from an NPC-endemic area in southern China. The deduced peptide sequence of the dominant BZLF1 variant differed by 11 amino acids from that of the prototypical strain B95.8 (V01555). Anti-ZEBRA antibody levels were higher in NPC than that in non-NPC patients ( P < 0.001). These findings demonstrated a dominant BZLF1 variant in southern Chinese EBV-associated NPC and non-NPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A load model is one of the most important elements in power system simulation and control. Recently, the constant impedance, constant current, and constant power load in combination with the induction motor load have been widely used as the composite load model, whose parameters are all identified from the field measurements in measurement-based load modeling practices so far. However, there is virtually no research conducted on whether all these parameters could really be identified. This paper investigates the possibility on reducing the number of composite load model parameters to be identified from field measurements. This paper first shows that direct application of the IEEE load motor parameters in the composite load model may be inadequate on describing the load dynamics over different operating status. Then the perturbation method is used to derive the trajectory sensitivities of the equivalent motor parameters, based on which the reduction on the identified parameters of the composite load model is presented. Two cases of measurement-based load modeling in North China and Northeast China are studied to illustrate the validity of the reduction method. It is shown that the reduction does not lose the model's capability on describing the load dynamics. The reduction on the number of identified parameters not only provides a possible way to solve the multi-valued load model problem based on the current practices on measurement-based load modeling, but it also facilitates building of the load model with more components included in it. Meanwhile, reducing the identified parameters reduces the identification time; thus, the proposed strategy significantly enhances the efficiency of the load modeling work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With increasing cases of iatrogenic premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), more clinicians are required to counsel patients regarding the gonadotoxic effects of iatrogenic treatments. This survey aimed to explore obstetricians and gynaecologists' knowledge regarding iatrogenic POI. A national online questionnaire survey was conducted across China. Respondents were asked to select the iatrogenic condition(s) that can cause POI based on their experience and knowledge. Results: Of the 5523 returned questionnaires, 4995 were analysed. Among tumour therapies causing POI, most respondents agreed that radiotherapy (73.5% of respondents) and chemotherapy (64.1%) are risk factors for POI. While only 6.5 and 7.8% of the gynaecological oncologists believed that tumour immunotherapy and tumour-targeting therapy, respectively, may cause ovarian impairment, 31.8 and 22.2% of the non-gynaecologic oncologists believed that these therapies could affect ovarian health. Most respondents believed that ovarian cystectomy (54.4%) was a risk factor for POI. In contrast, only a few respondents believed that hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy (39.6%) and uterine artery embolisation (33.5%) could cause ovarian impairment. Only 30.5% of respondents believed that immunosuppressants (ISs) increased the risk of POI. Views differed with experience and hospital setting. Conclusions: The knowledge of gonadal toxicity due to traditional tumour treatments is generally high among Chinese obstetricians and gynaecologists. A misunderstanding may exist in primary care hospitals and general gynaecologists regarding a link between novel tumour treatments and POI, owing to the lack of convincing evidence. Knowledge of POI caused by hysterectomy and ISs should be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was conducted to identify the cost of care associated with utilization of village clinics and membership of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in 2 counties of Shandong province, PR China. A total of 397 community members and 297 patients who used the village clinics were interviewed. The average cost for primary care treatment of 1 episode of illness was about 55 yuan (about US$8). Although more than 50% of people had NCMS membership, many consider the monetary reimbursements as insufficient. The low insurance reimbursement rates and inability to pay out-of-pocket expenses compromise access to care. Delays can cause more serious illnesses with potential to overburden the secondary care at the township and county hospitals. Those rural people who have not yet enjoyed the benefits of China’s economic development may not benefit from recent health care reform and finance mechanisms unless schemes such as the NCMS provide more substantial subsidies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: East–west extension has been a prominent feature of Cenozoic tectonics in central-southern Tibet, and the onset of this extension has been interpreted as indicating the surface uplift of the Tibetan Plateau to a critical level. Previous studies suggested that extension started in the Neogene between 18–13Ma and 8Ma, based on dating results from north–south trending normal faults, grabens or rifts, and dikes. We report here the discovery of widespread north–south trending diabase and andesitic porphyry dikes in and around the Shuang Hu graben, central Tibet, where crustal extension has previously been argued to start from 13.5Ma based on mineral ages from graben-bounding faults. Our results show that dikes in this area were mainly formed in the Eocene (47–38Ma). Geochemical and Nd–Sr isotopic data suggest that the diabase dikes originated from partial melting of an enriched lithospheric mantle source metasomatized by melts from subducted continental crust, and the andesitic porphyry dikes were probably derived from interactions between the subducted continental crust-derived melts and the mantle. Given that north–south trending Eocene dikes are found widely dispersed in central Tibet, we argue that the onset of east–west extension, and likely regional uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, began much earlier than previously thought. Our study implies that a large part of the Tibetan Plateau had already attained near-maximum elevation in the Eocene and is consistent with recent investigations regarding the Middle–Late Eocene (47–34Ma) initiation of aridification in Asia, evidence from contemporary global oceanic O–Sr isotope curves and temperatures, and the carbon cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Changes in oceanic O–Sr isotopic compositions and global cooling beginning in the Eocene are considered to have been caused by the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau. The specific timing and uplift mechanism, however, have long been subjects of debate. We investigated the Duogecuoren lavas of the central-western Qiangtang Block, which form the largest outcrops among Cenozoic lavas in northern-central Tibet and have widely been considered as shoshonitic. Our study demonstrates, however, that most of these lavas are high-K calc-alkaline andesites, dacites and rhyolites. Moreover, they are characterized by high Sr (367–2472 ppm) and Al2O3 (14.55–16.86 wt.%) and low Y (3.05–16.9 ppm) and Yb (0.31–1.48 ppm) contents and high La/Yb (27–100) and Sr/Y (48–240) ratios, similar to adakitic rocks derived by partial melting of an eclogitic source. They can be further classified as either peraluminous and metaluminous subtypes. The peraluminous rocks have relatively high SiO2 (>66 wt.%) contents, and low MgO (<1.0 wt.%), Cr (4.94–23.3 ppm) and Ni (2.33–17.0 ppm) contents and Mg# (20–50) values, while the metaluminous rocks exhibit relatively low SiO2 (55–69 wt.%) contents, and high MgO (1.41–6.34), Cr (25.7–383 ppm), Ni (14.13–183 ppm) and Mg# (46–69) values, similar to magnesian andesites. 40Ar/39Ar and SHRIMP zircon U–Pb dating reveal that both peraluminous and metaluminous adakitic rocks erupted in the Eocene (46–38 Ma). Paleocene–Early Miocene thrust faults and associated syn-contractional basin deposits in the Qiangtang Block suggest that this region was undergoing crustal shortening within a continent during the Eocene. The low ε Nd (−2.81 to −6.91) and high 87Sr/86Sr (0.7057–0.7097), Th (11.2–32.3 ppm) and Th/La (0.23–0.88) values in the Duogecuoren adakitic rocks further indicate that they were not derived by partial melting of subducted oceanic crust. Taking into account tectonic and geophysical data and the compositions of xenoliths in Cenozoic lava in northern-central Tibet, we suggest that the peraluminous adakitic rocks were most probably derived by partial melting of subducted sediment-dominated continent of the Songpan-Ganzi Block along the Jinsha suture to the north at a relatively shallow position (the hornblende+garnet stability field), but the metaluminous adakitic rocks likely originated from the interaction between peraluminous adakitic melts generated at greater depths (the garnet+rutile stability field) and mantle. Because the Duogecuoren adakitic rocks must have originated from a garnet-bearing (namely, eclogite facies) source, Eocene continental subduction along the Jinsha suture caused the thickening of the Qiangtang crust. Given that crustal thickening generally equates with elevation, the uplift of the Central Tibetan Plateau probably began as early as 45–38 Ma, which provides important evidence for tectonically driven models of oceanic O–Sr isotope evolution during global cooling and Asian continental aridification beginning in the Eocene. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To assess the progression of ocean acidification in the South Yellow Sea (SYS), the aragonite saturation state (Ω arag ) was determined from dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA) in the surface and bottom waters of the SYS in spring and autumn. The Ω arag exhibited large spatiotemporal variations in the SYS; DIC was a major factor controlling the Ω arag variations, whereas temperature, salinity, and TA were minor factors. Surface DIC concentrations were mainly influenced by the lateral transport of the DIC-enriched Yellow River waters and DIC-depleted East China Sea Surface Water; bottom DIC concentrations were affected by aerobic remineralization in spring and autumn. Ocean acidification is now seriously progressing in the SYS, particularly in the Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water (YSBCW) where the mean value of Ω arag substantially decreased from 1.55 in spring to 1.22 in autumn. All Ω arag values measured in the YSBCW in autumn were lower than the critical threshold value of 1.5 necessary for the survival of calcareous organisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has impacted the mental health of healthcare providers at the frontline. Therefore, we conducted this study to estimate the prevalence rate of anxiety and insomnia and identify associated risk factors among healthcare workers in Jilin, China, during the period from January 25 to February 25, 2020. Zung's Self-Reported Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scale were used to diagnose anxiety and insomnia, respectively. Associated risk factors were identified through a multivariate logistic regression model. A total of 300 healthcare workers were invited and 236 completed the study. Of them, 234 (99.15%) were medical workers, 197 (83.47%) were working at frontline departments, and 159 (67.37%) were fighting against COVID-19. Fifty-seven respondents (24.15%) had anxiety (SAS index score ≥45) and 94 (39.83%) had insomnia (ISI score ≥8). Based on the multivariate analysis, contact with people from Hubei province during work (no vs not clear) [OR=0.25, 95%CI: 0.10-0.61] and personal protective equipment (PPE) (not in place vs in place) [OR=6.22, 95%CI: 2.23-17.40] were significantly correlated with anxiety. PPE (not in place vs in place) was the only significant risk factor of insomnia [OR=10.56, 95%CI: 4.00-27.87]. The prevalence of anxiety and insomnia was high in our study, reflecting the psychological impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers. The unavailability of PPE in place was a significant risk factor of both anxiety and insomnia.

Background: Studies related to the SARS-CoV-2 spikes in the past few months, while there are limited studies on the entire outbreak-suppressed cycle of COVID-19. We estimate the cause-specific excess mortality during the complete circle of COVID-19 outbreak in Guangzhou, China, stratified by sociodemographic status., Methods: Guangzhou Center for Disease Control Prevention provided the individual data of deaths in Guangzhou from 1 January 2018 through 30 June 2020. We applied Poisson regression models to daily cause-specific mortality between 1 January 2018 and 20 January 2020, accounting for effects of population size, calendar time, holiday, ambient temperature and PM 2.5 . Expected mortality was estimated for the period from 21 January through 30 June 2020 assuming that the effects of factors aforementioned remained the same as described in the models. Excess mortality was defined as the difference between the observed mortality and the expected mortality. Subgroup analyses were performed by place of death, age group, sex, marital status and occupation class., Results: From 21 January (the date on which the first COVID-19 case occurred in Guangzhou) through 30 June 2020, there were three stages of COVID-19: first wave, second wave, and recovery stage, starting on 21 January, 11 March, and 17 May 2020, respectively. Mortality deficits were seen from late February through early April and in most of the time in the recovery stage. Excesses in hypertension deaths occurred immediately after the starting weeks of the two waves. Overall, we estimated a deficit of 1051 (95% eCI: 580, 1558) in all-cause deaths. Particularly, comparing with the expected mortality in the absence of COVID-19 outbreak, the observed deaths from pneumonia and influenza substantially decreased by 49.2%, while deaths due to hypertension and myocardial infarction increased by 14.5 and 8.6%, respectively. In-hospital all-cause deaths dropped by 10.2%. There were discrepancies by age, marital status and occupation class in the excess mortality during the COVID-19 outbreak., Conclusions: The excess deaths during the COVID-19 outbreak varied by cause of death and changed temporally. Overall, there was a deficit in deaths during the study period. Our findings can inform preparedness measures in different stages of the outbreak.

Heavy metals in coastal sediments and seagrass (Enhalus acoroides) were studied to assess the pollution level and to understand the bioaccumulation of metals on different organs. The mean of metal concentrations in sediments were in the following order: Cr > Ni > As>Zn > Cu > Co > Pb > Cd > Hg. The results of principal component analysis indicate that Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As and Hg are derived from natural sources but Cd and Pb seems to be of anthropogenic sources. Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb in the coastal sediments were at low ecological risk level. As and Hg presented the highest ecological risk among all metals. The mean concentrations of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Hg were higher in leaves of E. acoroides than in roots. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb in between sediments and in E. acoroides both leaves and roots. High bioconcentration factor (BCF) were calculated for Zn, Cd, and Hg., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

To understand prokaryotic responses during a spring bloom in offshore shelf waters, prokaryotic parameters were measured daily at a station located in the middle of the East China Sea over a six-week period from March 25 to May 19. The site experienced a phytoplankton bloom in late April, triggering changes in prokaryotic abundance and production after a lag of approximately one week. Before the bloom, changes in prokaryotic composition were small. Both during the bloom and in the post-bloom period, successive changes among bacterial groups were apparent. A SAR11 group became more dominant during the bloom period, and diverse groups belonging to the Flavobacteriia occurred dominantly during both the bloom and post-bloom periods. However, bacterial community changes at the species level during the bloom and post-bloom periods occurred rapidly in a time scale of a few days. Especially, NS5, NS4 and Formosa bacteria belonging to Flavobacteriia and bacteria belonging to Halieaceae and Arenicellaceae families of Gammaproteobacteria showed a successive pattern with large short-term variation during the period. The changes in prokaryotic composition were found to be related to phytoplankton biomass and composition, as well as seawater temperature and variations in nutrients.

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) was a common infection associated with lifelong harassment of woman's social and sexual life. The purpose of this study was to describe the species distribution and in vitroCandidaCandida spp.) isolated from patients with VVC over 8 years., Methods: Species which isolated from patients with VVC in Peking University First Hospital were identified using chromogenic culture media. Susceptibility to common antifungal agents was determined using agar diffusion method based on CLSI M44-A2 document. SPSS software (version 14.0, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis, involving statistical description and Chi-square test., Results: The most common strains were Candida (C.) albicans, 80.5% (n = 1775) followed by C. glabrata, 18.1% (n = 400). Nystatin exhibited excellent activity against all species (<4% resistant [R]). Resistance to azole drugs varied among different species. C. albicans: clotrimazole (3.1% R) < fluconazole (16.6% R) < itraconazole (51.5% R) < miconazole (54.0% R); C. glabrata: miconazole (25.6% R) < clotrimazole (50.5% R) < itraconazole (61.9% R) < fluconazole (73.3% R); Candida krusei: clotrimazole (0 R) < fluconazole (57.7% R) < miconazole (73.1% R) < itraconazole (83.3% R). The susceptibility of fluconazole was noticeably decreasing among all species in the study period., Conclusions: Nystatin was the optimal choice for the treatment of VVC at present. The species distribution and in vitroCandida spp. isolated from patients with VVC had changed over time.

Aim: To define the benefits of three-dimensional video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy (3D-VATE) over 2D-VATE for esophageal cancer., Methods: A total of 93 patients with esophageal cancer including 45 patients receiving 3D-VATE and 48 receiving 2D-VATE were evaluated. Data related to patient and cancer characteristics, operating time, intraoperative bleeding, morbidity and mortality, postoperative inflammatory markers, Numerical Rating Scale for postoperative pain, Constant-Murley rating system for shoulder recovery and oxygenation index (OI) were collected. All medical records were retrieved from a prospectively maintained oncological database at our institution. A retrospective study was performed to compare the short-term surgical outcomes between the two groups., Results: No significant differences were found between the two groups in either morbidity or mortality (P = 0.328). An enhanced surgical recovery was noted in the 3D group as indicated by shortened thoracoscopic operation time (3D vs 2D: 68 ± 13.79 min vs 83 ± 13 min, P < 0.01), minor intraoperative blood loss (3D vs 2D: 68.2 ± 10.7 mL vs 89.8 ± 10.4 mL, P < 0.01), earlier chest tube removal (3D vs 2D: 2.67 ± 1.01 vs 3.75 ± 1.15 d, P < 0.01), shorter length of hospital stay (3D vs 2D: 9.07 ± 2.00 vs 10.85 ± 3.40 d, P < 0.01), lower in-hospital expenses (3D vs 2D: 74968.4 ± 9637.8 vs 86211.1 ± 8519.7 RMB, P < 0.01), lower pain intensity (P < 0.01) and faster recovery of the left shoulder function (P < 0.01). Better preservation of the pulmonary function was also found in the 3D group as the decline of the OI post operation was significantly lower than that of the 2D group (P < 0.01). Changes of postoperative inflammatory markers, including procalcitonin [postoperative days (PODs) 4 and 7: P < 0.01], peripheral granulocytes (PODs 1, 4 and 7: P < 0.01) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (POD 4: P < 0.01) in 3D-VATE patients were less than those in the 2D group. Moreover, utilization of the 3D technique extended the dissection of the thoracic lymph nodes (P < 0.01), with better exposure of nodes in the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (P = 0.031)., Conclusion: 3D-VATE could be a more viable technique over 2D-VATE in terms of short-term outcomes for patients with esophageal cancer.

Background: Conducted in Wuhan China, this study examined follow-up and health markers in HIV patients receiving care in two treatment settings. Participants, all men who have sex with men, were followed for 18-24 months., Method: Patients in a "one-stop" service (ACC; N = 89) vs those in standard care clinics (CDC; N = 243) were compared on HIV treatment and retention in care outcomes., Results: Among patients with CD4 cell count ≦350 cells/µL, the proportion receiving cART did not differ across clinic groups. The ACC was favored across five other indicators: proportion receiving tests for CD4 cell count at the six-month interval (98.2% vs. 79.4%, 95% CI 13.3-24.3, p = 0.000), proportion with HIV suppression for patients receiving cART for 6 months (86.5% vs. 57.1%, 95% CI 14.1-44.7, p = 0.000), proportion with CD4 cell recovery for patients receiving cART for 12 months (55.8% vs. 22.2%, 95% CI 18.5-48.6, p = 0.000), median time from HIV confirmation to first test for CD4 cell count (7 days, 95% CI 4-8 vs. 10 days, 95% CI 9-12, log-rank p = 0.000) and median time from first CD4 cell count ≦350 cells/µL to cART initiation (26 days, 95% CI 16-37 vs. 41.5 days, 95% CI 35-46, log-rank p = 0.031). Clinic groups did not differ on any biomedical indicator at baseline, and no baseline biomedical or demographic variables remained significant in the multivariate analysis. Nonetheless, post-hoc analyses suggest the possibility of self-selection bias., Conclusions: Study findings lend preliminary support to a one-stop patient-centered care model that may be useful across various HIV care settings.

The distribution of microbial communities in the Menggulin (MGL) and Ba19 blocks in the Huabei Oilfield, China, were studied based on 16S rRNA gene analysis. The dominant microbes showed obvious block-specific characteristics, and the two blocks had substantially different bacterial and archaeal communities. In the moderate-temperature MGL block, the bacteria were mainly Epsilonproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria, and the archaea were methanogens belonging to Methanolinea, Methanothermobacter, Methanosaeta, and Methanocella. However, in the high-temperature Ba19 block, the predominant bacteria were Gammaproteobacteria, and the predominant archaea were Methanothermobacter and Methanosaeta. In spite of shared taxa in the blocks, differences among wells in the same block were obvious, especially for bacterial communities in the MGL block. Compared to the bacterial communities, the archaeal communities were much more conserved within blocks and were not affected by the variation in the bacterial communities.

The investigation on the food selenium content in Guangzhou City of Guangdong Province showed that viscera of animal foods, aquatic products, eggs, and mutton were abundant with selenium ( > 150.0 microg x kg(-1)), followed by cereals and beans (46.5-98.3 microg x kg(-1)), vegetables (15.8 microg x kg(-1)), and fruits (4.97 microg x kg(-1)). Among vegetable foods, mushroom had the highest selenium content (46.0 microg x kg(-1)). The daily selenium intake of residents in Guangzhou was 98.5 microg, in which, 73.7% was contributed by animal foods, and 26.3% was from vegetable foods. Aquatic products, pork and rice contributed 24.8%, 22.3% and 17.2%, respectively. The food selenium content and resident daily selenium intake in Guangzhou could meet the demand of human health in the City.