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Introduction: Lucerne (Medicago sativa), is a cornerstone of China's livestock industry, however, due to the backward agronomic strategies and technology, lucerne in China faces cultivation challenges that result in lower productivity and quality than global standards. Therefore, we undertook a meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of five distinct fertilization types on lucerne yield and nutritional quality in various locations in China. The fertilizer practices included manure application, combined mineral fertilizer and manure application (FM), biological fertilizer application, unbalanced application of two or more mineral fertilizer types, and balanced mineral fertilizer application. Furthermore, we investigate influential factors of yield and quality of lucerne under fertilization, including climatic variables (mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature), initial soil properties (soil organic carbon; total nitrogen, pH), and agronomic factors (seeding rate, harvest frequency, and lucerne stand age). Methods: Our study analyzed 53 published papers to discern the most beneficial fertilizer for enhancing lucerne yield and nutritional quality. Results and discussion: The results showed that the fertilizer practices, on average, significantly improved yield by 31.72% and crude protein content by 11.29%, with FM emerging as the most effective, this is because mineral fertilizers provide available nutrients for lucerne, manure provides essential organic matter for microorganisms and improve soil properties. In addition, the fertilizer practices significantly reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber contents by 6.28% and 8.50%, respectively, while increasing ash content and relative feeding value. Furthermore, climatic variables, soil properties, and planting system factors such as sowing date and harvest frequency significantly affected yield and nutritional quality. The practical implications of our results emphasize the need for balanced and strategic fertilizer application to optimize lucerne production and highlight the potential to adjust cultivation practices according to environmental conditions. Balanced and strategic fertilizer application can simultaneously improve soil properties, enhance soil carbon sequestration, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from the soil, which is a vital measure for realizing sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has undergone several variations over the decades and contributed to the diversity of the clinical epidemic PRRSV strains. This has complicated the prevention and control of PRRS. In particular, the efficacy of the currently available commercial vaccines against the highly pathogenic NADC34-like strains is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the protection efficacy of three commercial PRRS modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines derived from classical PRRS VR2332 MLV and R98 MLV against challenge with a heterologous NADC34-like PRRSV strain, JS2021NADC34, which has high pathogenicity in pigs. PRRSVand antibody-free piglets were immunized with the PRRS VR2332 MLV vaccine or either of two R98 MLV vaccines (from different manufacturers) and were challenged with the JS2021NADC34 strain 28 days after immunization. Rectal temperature, clinical symptoms, viremia and viral shedding from the nose, gross lesions in the thymus and lungs, microscopic lesions and viral distribution in the lungs, as well as the humoral immune response and mortality rates were recorded over a 14-day post-challenge period. The results showed that PRRS VR2332 MLV had better efficacy against the JS2021NADC34 challenge than PRRS R98 MLV, with vaccinated piglets in the former group showing transient and mild symptoms, mild pathological lesions in the lungs, mild thymic atrophy, and low viral levels in sera and nasal swabs, as well as better growth performance and a 100% survival rate. In contrast, two PRRS R98 MLVs exhibited limited efficacy against the JS2021NADC34 challenge, with the piglets in two R98 groups showing obvious clinical symptoms and pathological changes in the lungs and thymus; moreover, there were two deaths caused by PRRS in two R98 groups, respectively. Despite this, the mortality rate was lower than that of the unvaccinated piglets that were challenged with JS2021NADC34. The cumulative results demonstrate that PRRS VR2332 MLV was partly effective against the highly pathogenic PRRSV NADC34-like strain based on the observations over the 14-day post-challenge period. Thus, it might be a viable option among the commercially available vaccines for control of NADC34-like virus infections in swine herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and widespread environmental oxidative stressor that causes a myriad of health problems, including osteoporosis and bone damage. Although nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its Cap ‘n’ Collar and basic region Leucine Zipper (CNC-bZIP) family member nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 1 (NRF1) coordinate various stress responses by regulating the transcription of a variety of antioxidant and cytoprotective genes, they play distinct roles in bone metabolism and remodeling. However, the precise roles of both transcription factors in bone loss induced by prolonged Cd exposure remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd-induced bone loss, focusing mainly on the roles of NRF2 and NRF1 in osteoclastogenesis provoked by Cd. METHODS: Male wild-type (WT), global Nrf2-knockout (Nrf2-/-) and myeloid-specific Nrf2 knockout [Nrf2(M)-KO] mice were administered Cd (50 or 100 ppm) via drinking water for 8 or 16 wk, followed by micro-computed tomography, histological analyses, and plasma biochemical testing. Osteoclastogenesis was evaluated using bone marrow-derived osteoclast progenitor cells (BM-OPCs) and RAW 264.7 cells in the presence of Cd (10 or 20 nM) with a combination of genetic and chemical modulations targeting NRF2 and NRF1. RESULTS: Compared with relevant control mice, global Nrf2-/- or Nrf2(M)-KO mice showed exacerbated bone loss and augmented osteoclast activity following exposure to 100 ppm Cd in drinking water for up to 16 wk. In vitro osteoclastogenic analyses suggested that Nrf2-deficient BM-OPCs and RAW 264.7 cells responded more robustly to low levels of Cd (up to 20 nM) with regard to osteoclast differentiation compared with WT cells. Further mechanistic studies supported a compensatory up-regulation of long isoform of NRF1 (L-NRF1) and subsequent induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin dependent 1 (NFATc1) as the key molecular events in the Nrf2 deficiency-worsened and Cd-provoked osteoclastogenesis. L-Nrf1 silenced (via lentiviral means) Nrf2-knockdown (KD) RAW cells exposed to Cd showed dramatically different NFATc1 and subsequent osteoclastogenesis outcomes compared with the cells of Nrf2-KD alone exposed to Cd, suggesting a mitigating effect of the Nrf1 silencing. In addition, suppression of reactive oxygen species by exogenous antioxidants N-acetyl-L-cysteine (2 mM) and mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ; 0.2 μM) mitigated the L-NRF1-associated effects on NFATc1-driven osteoclastogenesis outcomes in Cd-exposed Nrf2-KD cells. CONCLUSIONS: This in vivo and in vitro study supported the authors’ hypothesis that Cd exposure caused bone loss, in which NRF2 and L-NRF1 responded to Cd and osteoclastogenic stimuli in a cooperative, but contradictive, manner to coordinate Nfatc1 expression, osteoclastogenesis and thus bone homeostasis. Our study suggests a novel strategy targeting NRF2 and L-NRF1 to prevent and treat the bone toxicity of Cd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION The tobacco gift-giving culture in China poses a significant challenge to public health; however, there is limited research on effectively curbing the tobacco gift-giving culture and its associated tobacco gift consumption. This study examines the potential impact of two tobacco control measures that the Chinese government may consider adopting on cigarette gifting behavior in the future in Chinese society. METHODS This study employed a randomized survey experiment to examine the effects of cigarette price treatment and pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette gifting. The total sample size of this study is 1035. Four groups of participants were presented with representative cigarettes categorized into high-, medium-, and low-priced products, along with different prices (normal and double) or external packaging imagery (normal and pictorial HWL versions). RESULTS The price of cigarettes for personal consumption forms an L-shaped distribution, and the price of cigarette gifts forms a W-shaped distribution. Increasing cigarette prices reduces smokers' willingness to gift high-priced cigarettes but stimulates the consumption of low-price cigarettes as gifts. Pictorial HWLs do not directly influence smokers' intentions to gift cigarettes, but they enhance the effectiveness of price regulation concerning medium-priced cigarette products. CONCLUSIONS If the price variance of cigarettes is not reduced, the effect of price regulation will be very limited. Implementing combined interventions of pictorial HWLs and price regulation or modifying the pricing structure of tobacco products may yield stronger control outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the prediction for the future air quality trends, the demand for low-cost sensor-based air quality gird monitoring is growing gradually. In this study, a low-cost multi-parameter air quality monitoring system (LCS) based on different machine learning algorithm is proposed. The LCS can measure particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and gas pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO and O3) simultaneously. The multi-dimensional multi-response prediction model is developed based on the original signals of the sensors, ambient temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH), and the measurements of the reference instrumentations. The performance of the different algorithms (RF, MLR, KNN, BP, GA-BP) with the parameters such as determination coefficient R2 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) are compared and discussed. Using these methods, the R2 of the algorithms (RF, MLR, KNN, BP, GA-BP) for the PM is in the range 0.68 - 0.99; the mean RMSE values of PM2.5 and PM10 are within 3.96 - 16.16 μgm-3 and 7.37 - 28.90 μgm-3, respectively. The R2 of the algorithms (RF, MLR, KNN, BP, GA-BP) for the gas pollutants (O3, CO and NO2) is within 0.70 -- 0.99; the mean RMSE values for these pollutants are 4.06 - 16.07 μgm-3, 0.04 - 0.15 mgm-3, 3.25 - 13.90 μgm-3, respectively. The R2 of the algorithms (RF, KNN, BP, GA-BP, except for MLR) for SO2 is within 0.27 - 0.97, and the mean RMSE value is in the range 1.05 - 3.22 μgm-3. These measurements are consistent with the national environmental protection standard requirement of China, and the LCS based on the machine learning algorithms can be used to predict the concentrations of PM and gas pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Chinese national strategic context of "Internet Plus", innovation of internet technologies and business models play crucial roles in driving economic growth. The research shows that gross domestic product (GDP), logistics infrastructure and internet penetration of the target countries rank the top 3 of factors that influence export scale via cross-border e-commerce, while the distance to China and tariff constitute negative roles. It is on this assumption that logistics information database of crossborder e-commerce export and foreign infrastructure construction is proposed to expedite trade between China and countries along the Belt and Road. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the practice of developed countries, countries with higher patent applications and PCT patent applications (such as the United States, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, etc.) have relatively higher outward foreign direct investment, and the actual data of provinces in China also show that with the improvement of the patent level in various provinces and cities, the intensity of outward foreign direct investment in each province and city has also increased. At present, there are relatively few research data and the research method is relatively single. Therefore, collecting panel data on China's 31 provinces from 2003 to 2016, this paper conducts an empirical analysis on the influence of patent level on outward foreign direct investment via analytical method of equal part linear regression and Grey Computing. By comparing analysis results with the model and the results with conventional linear regression model, the difference of different regression models is observed. Furthermore, the impact of China's patent level on China's inter-provincial outward foreign direct investment is further analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total saponins from Trillium tschonoskii Maxim (TSTT), a bioactive component of local natural herbs in the Enshi area, China, have been demonstrated to have functions of restoring cognitive capacity and promoting axonal regeneration post-stroke, but the mechanism of this process remains unclear. The hippocampus is a critical tissue for controlling learning and memory capacity, and the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway plays a major role in the patterning and synaptic plasticity of hippocampal neural circuits. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether TSTT could restore learning and cognitive functions by modulating the Shh pathway in rats with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). The ischemia model was established by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in 100 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and the model rats were administered using TSTT (100 mg/kg) or donepezil hydrochloride as the positive control (daily 0.45 mg/kg, DON) for 4 weeks after the operation. As assessed by the Morris water maze test, the cognitive function of PSCI rats was significantly improved upon TSTT treatment. Meanwhile, the cerebral infarct volume reduced with TSTT, as shown by HE and TTC staining, and the number of Nissl bodies and dendritic spine density were significantly increased, as shown by Nissl and Golgi staining. In addition, TSTT upregulated PSD-95, SYN, and GAP-43, and inhibited neuronal apoptosis, as evidenced by increased Bcl-2 levels along with decreased Bax and caspase-3 expression. TSTT could also significantly upregulate Shh, Ptch1, Smo, and Gli1 proteins, indicating the activation of the Shh signaling pathway. Therefore, TSTT can protect PSCI rats by inhibiting apoptosis and promoting neuronal synaptic remodeling. The Shh pathway is also involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the prevalence, molecular evolution, and coinfection of PCV2 and PCV3 in China, we collected samples from six large-scale swine herds located in Heilongjiang, Henan, Hebei, and Hubei provinces and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region from 2020 to 2021. Overall, 1,201 samples were analyzed and sequenced by PCR to identify the dominant genotypes of PCV2 and PCV3, and genetic variations in the capsid protein genes of PCV2 and PCV3 were evaluated. The major epidemic genotypes of PCV2 and PCV3 were different across different regions. The infection rate of PCV2 and PCV3 was 72.1% and 26.3%, respectively, and the coinfection rate was 18.6%. PCV2d was the dominant genotype across all herds. The PCV2d-positive rate in PCV2-positive samples was 93.5%-100% in five out of six herds, indicative of its predominance. PCV3 prevalence in China widely varied, and no dominant genotype was identified. Four, 21,11, and 11 strains with PCV2a, PCV2d, PCV3a, and PCV3c genotypes were detected, respectively, with the capsid protein containing four, five, eight, and three aa sites with mutations, respectively. Overall, our findings revealed the dominant epidemic genotypes of PCV2 and PCV3 in six herds across five provinces in China, in addition to the main aa sites with mutations in the capsid protein. We believe that these results will facilitate the diagnosis, prevention, and control of PCV2 and PCV3 in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Appraise the clinical features and influencing factors of the hospitalization times and length of stay in bipolar disorder (BD) patients. Methods: This is a multicenter, observational, cohort study of patients diagnosed of type I or type II bipolar disorder. Five hundred twenty outpatients in seven hospitals from six cities in China were recruited from February 2013 to June 2014 and followed up using a continuous sampling pattern. The research included a retrospective period of 12 months and the prospective period of 9 months. The demographic and clinical features of the patients were collected. The influencing factors that could aect the length of stay (number of days spent in the hospital in the prospective period) were analyzed by poisson’s regression and the hospitalization times (times of hospitalization in the prospective and retrospective period) was analyzed by general linear model. The selected variables included gender, age, years of education, occupational status, residence status, family history of mental disease, comorbid substance abuse, comorbid anxiety disorder, times of suicide (total suicide times that occurred in the retrospective and prospective period), polarity of the first mood episode, and BD type(I/II). Results: Poisson’s regression analysis showed that suicide times [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) = 1.20, p < 0.001], use of antipsychotic (IRR = 0.62, p = 0.011), and use of antidepressant (IRR = 0.56, p < 0.001) were correlated to more hospitalization times. Linear regression analysis showed that BD type II (β = 0.28, p = 0.005) and unemployment (β = 0.16, p = 0.039) which might mean longer duration of depression and poor function were correlated to longer length of stay. However, patients who experienced more suicide times (β = −0.21, p = 0.007) tended to have a shorter length of stay. Conclusion: Overall, better management of the depressive episode and functional rehabilitation may help to reduce the length of stay. BD patients with more hospitalization times were characterized by higher risk of suicide and complex polypharmacy. Patients at high risk of suicide tended to have inadequate therapy and poor compliance, which should be assessed and treated adequately during hospitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The superficial reason for the existence of the thesis black market is the glut of theses and the shortage of publishing space; behind that is the skewed academic assessment system. Today, the following circumstances can be found in virtually all institutions of higher education in China: (1) A master's degree student must, during the two or three years of his or her studies, independently publish at least one academic thesis in a key journal confirmed by the school; and (2) A Ph.D. student must independently publish every year at least two academic theses in one or more key journals confirmed by the school. This article describes the need for thesis publication among professors at institutions of higher education. It observes that no less than 150,000 theses are published annually and that key journals are able to absorb only 100,000 of these, leaving the rest to be similarly published by illegal and pirated "key journals" via the black market. The larger backdrop to this situation is the fact that the number of theses included in academic journals has already become an important criterion for measuring the quality of an institute of higher learning or a research institution. Educational administrative departments link the assessments and ranking of institutes of higher learning with the number of theses they publish. Schools link the number of theses published with their professors' professional titles and yearly assessments, and even insist on regarding the number of theses published in academic journals as a mandatory criterion for the graduation of postgraduate students. This has further swollen the ranks of those who wish to publish theses, created an enormous buyers' market, and turned academic journal page space into a rarity. The enormous pressure on the academic journal market can well be imagined if such an enormous volume of theses were to be shifted onto that market. [This article was translated by Ted Wang.]

Background: Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a biliary tract tumor with a high mortality rate. The objectives of this study were to explore the risk factors of GBC in patients with gallstones and to establish effective screening indicators. Methods: A total of 588 patients from medical centers in two different regions of China were included in this study and defined as the internal test samples and the external validation samples, respectively. We retrospectively reviewed the differences in clinicopathologic data of the internal test samples to find the independent risk factors that affect the occurrence of GBC. Then, we constructed three different combined predictive factors (CPFs) through the weighting method, integral system, and nomogram, respectively, and named them CPF-A, CPF-B, and CPF-C sequentially. Furthermore, we evaluated these indicators through calibration and DCA curves. The ROC curve was used to analyze their diagnostic efficiency. Finally, their diagnostic capabilities were validated in the external validation samples. Results: In the internal test samples, the results showed that five factors, namely, age (RR = 3.077, 95% CI: 1.731-5.496), size of gallstones (RR = 13.732, 95% CI: 5.937-31.762), course of gallstones (RR = 2.438, 95% CI: 1.350-4.403), CEA (RR = 9.464, 95% CI: 3.394-26.392), and CA199 (RR = 9.605, 95% CI: 4.512-20.446), were independent risk factors for GBC in patients with gallstones. Then, we established three predictive indicators: CPF-A, CPF-B, and CPF-C. These models were further validated using bootstrapping with 1,000 repetitions. Calibration and decision curve analysis showed that the three models fit well. Meanwhile, multivariate analysis showed that CPF-B and CPF-C were independent risk factors for GBC in patients with gallstones. In addition, the validation results of the external validation samples are essentially consistent with the internal test samples. Conclusion: Age (≤58.5 vs. >58.5 years), size of gallstones (≤1.95 vs. >1.95cm), course of gallstones (≤10 vs. >10 years), CEA (≤5 vs. >5 ng/ml), and CA199 (≤37 vs. >37 U/ml) are independent risk factors for GBC in patients with gallstones. When positive indicators were =2 among the five independent risk factors or the score of the nomogram was >82.64, the risk of GBC was high in gallstone patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The Aristolochia, as an important genus comprised of over 400 species, has attracted much interest because of its unique chemical and pharmacological properties. However, the intrageneric taxonomy and species identification within Aristolochia have long been difficult because of the complexity of their morphological variations and lack of high-resolution molecular markers. Methods: In this study, we sampled 11 species of Aristolochia collected from distinct habitats in China, and sequenced their complete chloroplast (cp) genomes. Results: The 11 cp genomes of Aristolochia ranged in size from 159,375bp (A. tagala) to 160,626 bp (A. tubiflora), each containing a large single-copy (LSC) region (88,914-90,251 bp), a small single-copy (SSC) region (19,311-19,917 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IR) (25,175-25,698 bp). These cp genomes contained 130-131 genes each, including 85 protein-coding genes (CDS), 8 ribosomal RNA genes, and 37-38 transfer RNA genes. In addition, the four types of repeats (forward, palindromic, reverse, and complement repeats) were examined in Aristolochia species. A. littoralis had the highest number of repeats (168), while A. tagala had the lowest number (42). The total number of simple sequence repeats (SSRs) is at least 99 in A. kwangsiensis, and, at most, 161 in A. gigantea. Interestingly, we detected eleven highly mutational hotspot regions, including six gene regions (clpP, matK, ndhF, psbT, rps16, trnK-UUU) and five intergenic spacer regions (ccsAndhD, psbZ-trnG-GCC, rpl33-rps18, rps16-trnQ-UUG, trnS-GCU-trnG-UCC). The phylogenetic analysis based on the 72 protein-coding genes showed that 11 Aristolochia species were divided into two clades which strongly supported the generic segregates of the subgenus Aristolochia and Siphisia. Discussion: This research will provide the basis for the classification, identification, and phylogeny of medicinal plants of Aristolochiaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe the annual variation in the etiology of acute pancreatitis (AP) and its relationship with seasons and festivals. Methods: From 2011 to 2017, 5146 adult patients with AP were studied, including 4110 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University (South center) and 1036 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University (North center). We analyzed the overall annual variation in the etiology of AP and then compared the differences in etiology between the two regions, as well as the effects of seasons and festivals on the etiology of AP. Results: Gallstones, hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and alcohol were the top three etiologies of AP. Gallstone AP showed a downward trend (P<0.001), and HTG-AP and alcohol AP showed an upward trend (both P<0.01). Among the etiologies of AP, gallstones and HTG were affected by seasons and festivals. The composition ratio of HTG-AP increased, while gallstone AP decreased in winter and in months with long holidays (all P<0.01). The composition ratio of gallstone AP in the south center was higher than that in the north center (59.5% vs. 49%), especially in summer (62.9% vs. 44.0%) and autumn (61.5% vs. 45.7%, all P<0.001). Conclusions: The composition ratio of HTG-AP increased while gallstone AP decreased in the past 7 years, and they were affected by seasons and festivals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The epidemiological characteristics of MAFLD and its relationship with atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited in China. Therefore, we explored the epidemiological characteristics of MAFLD from adults along with the association of MAFLD and 12-ECG diagnosed AF in a nationwide population from health check-up centers. Methods: This observational study used cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with 2,083,984 subjects from 2009 to 2017. Age-, sex-, and regionalstandardized prevalence of MAFLD was estimated. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify subclusters of MAFLD. Multivariable logistic regression and mixed-effects Cox regression models were used to analyze the relationship between MAFLD and AF. Results: The prevalence of MAFLD increased from 22.75% to 35.58% during the study period, with higher rates in males and populations with high BMI or resided in northern regions. The MAFLD population was clustered into three classes with different metabolic features by LCA. Notably, a high proportion of MAFLD patients in all clusters had overweight and prediabetes or diabetes. The MAFLD was significantly associated with a higher risk of AF in the crosssectional study and in the longitudinal study. In addition, the coexistence of prediabetes or diabetes had the largest impact on subsequent AF. Conclusion: Our findings suggested a high prevalence of MAFLD and a high prevalence of other metabolic diseases in the MAFLD population, particularly overweight and glucose dysregulation. Moreover, MAFLD was associated with a significantly higher risk for existing and subsequent subclinical AF in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Thrombocytopenia was common in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during the infection, while the role of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 pathogenesis and its relationship with systemic host response remained obscure. The study aimed to systematically evaluate the relationship between thrombo- cytopenia in COVID-19 patients and clinical, haematological and biochemical markers of the disease as well as adverse outcomes. Methods. To assess the relationship between abnormal platelet levels and disease progression, a multi-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. COVID-19 patients with thrombocytopenia and a sub-cohort of matched patients without thrombocytopenia were compared for their clinical manifestations, haematological disorders, biochemical parameters, inflammatory markers and clinical outcome. Results. Thrombocytopenia was present in 127 of 2,209 analyzed patients on admission. Compared with the control group, thrombocytopenia patients developed significantly higher frequency of respiratory failure (41.9% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.020), intensive care unit entrance (25.6% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.012), disseminated intravascular coagulation (45.2% vs. 10.6%, P < 0:001), more altered platelet morphology indexes and coagulation perturbation, higher levels of inflammatory markers. In addition, a significantly increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 3.08, 95% confidence interval 2.26-4.18, P <0.001) was also observed in the patients with thrombocytopenia. Late development of thrombocytopenia beyond 14 days post-symptom was observed in 61 patients, from whom a comparable mortality rate yet longer duration to death was observed compared to those with early thrombocytopenia. Conclusions. Our finding from this study adds to previous evidence that thrombo- cytopenia is associated with adverse outcome of the disease and recommend that platelet count and indices be included alongside other haematological, biochemical and inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients' assessment during the hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The finite element model of suspension bridge was established according to the actual bridge engineering in Southwest area of China. In order to simulate the random ground motion model accurately and efficiently, the orthogonal random function ground motion modeling method based on Priestley evolution spectrum theory is adopted. The dimensionality reduction simulation of random ground motion is realized, and the simulated ground motion samples are input into the finite element model to carry out the time history analysis. Finally, the seismic response of the bearing and pylon is analyzed and important conclusions are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation tillage with maize stalk retention is an effective method to replenish soil nutrients. Nutrient availability plays a major role in the control of soil respiration (SR). However, it is not known how different degrees of maize stalk retention control SR and its temperature sensitivity (Q10). To investigate the effect of maize stalk retention amount on SR and Q10, four maize (Zea mays L.) stalk retention treatments, including (i) control treatment (CT) without maize stalk retention, (ii) standing maize stalk retention (SCR), (iii) partial maize stalk retention with 'three-year cycle' (TYR) and (iv) chopped maize stalk retention (CCR) was set up. In order to investigate the differences in soil nutrient, soil organic carbon (SOC) quality and soil microbial biomass among four treatments, soil analysis with 6 replicates was conducted. The experimental results showed that SR rates were 1.07, 0.88, 0.59 and 0.37 g/kg of dry soil, and the average Q10 was 1.535, 1.585, 1.62 and 1.725 for CT, SCR, TYR and CCR, respectively. Increasing maize stalk retention led to the reduction of soil microbial abundance and labile carbon compositions. Pearson correlation analysis showed that soil microbial abundance had a positive correlation with SR, while labile carbon fraction had a negative correlation with Q10. In short, increasing the amount of maize stalk retention decreases SR while increasing Q10 in northeast China. This research could provide a reference value for balancing carbon sequestration and carbon decomposition in farming practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study describes the psychological experience of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. These patients went through 3 psychological stages: extremely uncertainties during the initial diagnostic stage, complicated feelings of negativity during the treatment stage, and positive growth in the recovery stage. It is important for nurses to provide holistic care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe 3 similar cases of rickettsial disease that occurred after tick bites in a mountainous rural area of Shandong Province, China. Next-generation sequencing indicated the etiologic agent of 1 patient was Rickettsia conorii subspecies indica. This agent may be more widely distributed across China than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the global pandemic of COVID-19, with the epidemic epicenter located in the Wuhan City, China, patients with severe mental illness have also been deeply affected by the epidemic. In this paper, two patients with schizophrenia who recovered from COVID-19 were reported. Because of the long-term positive results of the SARS-CoV-2 serum antibody IgM test, they had to undergo medical isolation and social restrictions for a long time. After the situation was effectively identified by the medical staff and they were eliminated as a potential virus carrier and released from the medical isolation center. Since psychiatrists often lack systematic knowledge of infectious diseases, the authors hope that this paper can provide a reference to avoid unnecessary wastage of medical resources and prevent placing serious mental burden on such patients in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Mangrove ecosystems play an important role in mitigating climate change with their capacity to sequester and store carbon. Mangrove can store larger amount of carbon in their soil than any other tropical forests in the same latitude. The coastline is a highly dynamic environment, mangroves can develop at the mudflat with stands of different ages paralleling the shoreline. Hence, this study aimed to assess the role of mangrove growth on ecosystem carbon stock. Methods: Four sites, including natural mangrove stands with different ages (15, 45 and 80-yr-old) and mudflat were selected. Vegetation biomass and the soil carbon content from 0 to 100 cm were analyzed. Results: Ecosystem carbon stocks (including biomass carbon stocks and 0–100 cm soil organic carbon stocks) of 15-yr-old, 45-yr-old and 80-yr-old stands are 171.57 t ha−1, 274.53 t ha−1 and 380.72 t ha−1,respectively, and are 1.76, 2.82 and 3.91 times higher, than that of the bare mudflat ecosystem (111.23 t ha−1). Moreover, the vegetation carbon stocks in 15-yr-old, 45-yr-old and 80-yr-old forest stands account for 33.78%, 17.74%, and 12.33% of the ecosystem carbon density, respectively. The annual accumulation rates of the ecosystem carbon stocks are 3.61 t ha−1, 3.43 t ha−1 and 2.78 t ha−1 for 15-yr-old, 45-yr-old and 80-yr-old stands, respectively. Conclusions: The mangrove stand characteristics and its soil properties were changed with the mangrove ages. The contribution of vegetation biomass carbon stock to ecosystem carbon stock increased along the chronology, while the soil showed the opposite pattern. The annual accumulation rate of ecosystem carbon stocks decreased along the chronology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spiny frog Quasipaa robertingeri is endemic to a narrow region of southwest China and its taxonomic validation is still controversial. Based on COI gene sequences of 110 individuals from seven populations of Q. robertingeri and its related species, we investigated the phylogenetic position and population genetic structure of the species. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that Q. robertingeri was deeply genetically separated from its closely related species Q. boulengeri, indicating the validation of the species. All samples of Q. robertingeri were clustered into two divergent lineages. Haplotype network, AMOVA, and genetic distance estimations also supported the separations of the two groups. Neutrality tests indicated that one lineage has been likely independently experienced a recent population expansion, leading to a secondary contact area between the two lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Democracy movements in authoritarian regimes usually fail and are repressed, but they may still affect attitudes and norms of participants and bystanders. We exploit several features of a student movement to test for enduring effects of social movements on democratic attitudes. College students were the core of the movement and had wide exposure to the ideas and activities of the movement, as well as the suppression of the movement. College-bound high school students had limited exposure to the movement and its activities. Time of college entry could in theory be manipulated and endogenous, so we also use birthdate as an exogenous instrument for enrollment year. Applying a fuzzy regression discontinuity, we test for the impact of exposure to the movement on long-term attitudes. We find significant attitudinal differences between those in college during the movement, and those who started college post-movement. These results are strongest for alumni of the four universities that were most connected to the movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The Yancheng coastal natural wetlands (YCNR) are well-preserved silty tidal flat wetlands in China. Due to the severe invasion of Spartina alterniflora, the native ecosystem has undergone great changes. The successful invasion of S. alterniflora reduced the biodiversity of the YCNR, changed the structure and function of the local ecosystem, and eventually led to the degradation of the ecosystem and the loss of ecosystem function and service. Fully understanding the impact of an alien species invasion on YCNR succession is an important prerequisite for protecting and restoring the wetlands. Methods. In this study, remote sensing, GIS technology, and a cellular-automaton Markov model were used to simulate the natural succession process of native ecosystems without being affected by alien species. By comparing the landscape of the YCNR with the model simulation results, we gained a better understanding of how alien species affect native landscape-scale ecosystems. Results. During the natural succession of the coastal native wetland ecosystem in the YCNR, the pioneer species S. alterniflora occupied the mudflats and expanded seaward. The whole area expanded and moved seaward with an average annual movement of 58.23 m. Phragmites australis seemed to dominate the competition with S. salsa communities, and the area gradually expanded with an average annual movement of 39.89 m. The invasion of S. alterniflora changed the native ecosystem's spatial succession process, causing the S. salsa ecosystem to be stressed by ecosystems on the side of the sea (S. alterniflora) and that of land (P. australis). The area of the seaward-expanding P. australis ecosystem has been declining. Under a reasonable protected area policy, human activities have enhanced the succession rate of the P. australis ecosystem and have had a small impact on the ecological spatial succession of S. salsa and S. alterniflora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postpartum hypocalcemia is an important nutrient metabolic disease which occurs frequently in dairy cows. Parameters for early risk prediction of hypocalcemia have not been investigated previously in dairy cows on farms in China. To predict the occurrence of hypocalcemia and obtain the critical thresholds of various parameters related to the prevalence and risk of hypocalcemia in dairy cows. 61 Holstein Friesian cows from one farm were randomly selected and monitored using a plasma calcium (Ca) concentration of 2.0 mmol/L as the cutoff point of hypocalcemia. The risk prediction thresholds for hypocalcemia were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis using prenatal plasma Ca concentration and other electrolyte concentrations. The results showed that the plasma thresholds were more than 2.12 mmol/L for Ca before calving, with 98.7% sensitivity and 88.5% specificity, and more than 1.90 mmol/L for phosphorus (P), with 98.7% sensitivity and 65.4% specificity, respectively. Furthermore, there was a prominent positive correlation between the plasma concentration of Ca and that of P or magnesium (Mg) before calving in dairy cows. Levels of Ca and P in the plasma of dairy cows before calving are useful parameters for risk prediction of postpartum hypocalcemia incidents in dairy cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the tide of artificial intelligence, automobile, the most commonly used means of transportation, is about to enter a new era of automation and driverless driving. Road testing of driverless cars designed by many companies in China and other countries has begun and is imminent. However, there is still a gap in the study of the legal adaptation of driverless vehicles, especially the existing road traffic safety laws for driverless enterprises. To promote the rapid application of new technology of driverless vehicles, this paper considers the influence of people, vehicles, roads and traffic management on driverless vehicles, and constructs a highway safety evaluation model based on support vector machine. In 2003, the model parameters were optimized to reduce the possible criminal dilemma of driverless vehicles. The simulation results show that the research has good theoretical value and practical space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important multifunctional protein involved in regulation of mitochondrial metabolism, CHCHD2 was identified as a causative gene for Parkinson's disease (PD), yet the relationship between CHCHD2 and neurodegenerative dementia is not well understood. We directly sequenced the entire coding region of CHCHD2 gene in 150 AD patients, 84 FTD patients, and 417 controls. Four rare putative pathogenic variants of CHCHD2, including rs142444896 (c.5C>T, p.P2L), rs752705344 (c.15C>G, p.S5R), rs145190179 (c.94G>A, p.A32T), and rs182992574 (c.255T>A, p.S85R) were identified from a cohort composed of 150 AD and 84 FTD patients. These results suggest that CH CHD2 gene play an important role in other neurodegenerative disorders from our dementia study in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the impact of diameter of needles on the effect of dry needling treatment of chronic lumbar myofascial pain syndrome. Design: Forty-eight patients with chronic lumbar myofascial pain syndrome were randomly allocated to 3 groups. They received dry needling with needles of diameter 0.25 (group A), 0.5 (group B), and 0.9 mm (group C). Visual analog scale evaluation and health survey were conducted at baseline and 3 months after the treatment. Results: Visual analog scale scores were significantly different in all groups from baseline to 3 months. Visual analog scale scores at 3 months showed differences between group C and the other 2 groups. When baseline and 3 months after treatment (0 day and 3 months) in each of the 3 groups was compared, there was a difference between group C and group B. The Short Form (36) Health Survey scores from baseline to 3 months were different within the treatment groups. Conclusions: Visual analog scale score evaluations at 3 months showed efficacy in all groups. Results of 3 months showed that efficacy of treatment with larger needles (0.9-mm diameter) was better than that of smaller ones (0.5-mm diameter). The Short Form (36) Health Survey scores at 3 months indicated that treatments with needles of varying diameters were all effective, and when the results of 3 months were compared, there was no difference between the 3 groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of paliperidone extended-release (ER) were evaluated in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. Methods: Patients (aged ?18 years) with schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition criteria) who had completed run-in (8-week), stabilization (6-week), and double-blind (DB) phases (variable) of a phase-3, placebo-controlled study entered this 24-week, open-label extension (OLE) study. These patients, who had either experienced a relapse or remained relapse-free through DB phase of the study, were treated with flexible-dose paliperidone-ER (3-12 mg/day) during the OLE phase. Major safety evaluations included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and extrapyramidal symptoms. Efficacy endpoints included changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total score, Clinical Global Impression-Severity scale, and Personal and Social Performance scale from OLE baseline to OLE endpoint. Results: Out of 106 patients who entered the OLE phase (placebo: 59, paliperidone-ER: 47), a total of 85 (80%) completed it. Thirty-five (33%) patients experienced at least one TEAE; most common were akathisia, somnolence, nasopharyngitis, and constipation (3.8% each). Serious TEAEs were noted in two patients (completed suicide; schizophrenia worsening). No TEAEs with an onset during the OLE phase led to discontinuation. Extrapyramidal symptoms related-TEAEs were reported in eight (7.5%) patients. Mean (standard deviation) changes in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale total scores (-10.4 [13.2]), Clinical Global Impression-Severity scores (-0.6 [0.96]) and Personal and Social Performance scores (7.4 [13.2]) from OLE baseline to OLE endpoint showed patients who had been treated with placebo during the DB phase experienced more pronounced improvements. Conclusion: In this OLE study, flexibly dosed paliperidone-ER (3-12 mg/day) was tolerable and efficacious in Chinese patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: You-Gui pills (You-Gui-Wan; YGW) can promote T lymphocyte proliferation and differentiation, and restore Th1/Th2 balance in the treatment of asthma, but their mechanism of action is not fully known. This study aims to explore whether YGW can induce histone deacetylation or acetylation in memory T lymphocytes (Tm) for improvement of airway inflammation in asthma. Methods: CD4+CD45RBlow cells, as Tm, were obtained by magnetic-activated cell sorting and flow cytometry from the spleens of BALB/c mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. Tm were cocultured with hydrocortisone (CORT; 1000 nM), serum containing low (0.225 g/kg), moderate (0.9 g/kg), or high (3.6 g/kg) doses of YGW, or medium only, and then adoptively transferred into naïve mice (n = 5 per group). Recipient mice were challenged with aerosolized OVA. The levels of IL-4, IL-5,IL-13, and IFN-γ in culture supernatants and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from the OVA-challenged mice were measured by ELISA. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activities and protein expressions of T-bet, GATA-3, and HDAC1-11 in lung tissue were measured by western blotting analyses. The alveolar eosinophilic inflammation index (AEII) was evaluated in the lungs of adoptive transfer recipient mice. Results: YGW reduced inflammation and eosinophil infiltration into the lung tissues as evidenced by histology, with similar effects to those of CORT. High-, moderate-, and low-YGW increased HDAC (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0009 and P = 0.0253 respectively) and decreased HAT (P = 0.0001, P = 0.0000 and P = 0.0039, respectively) activities in dose-dependent manners in the lung tissues of adoptive transfer recipient mice. Increased histone deacetylation of Tm by YGW reduced the AEII by reducing GATA-3 (P = 0.014),IL-4 (P = 0.0004), IL-5 (P = 0.0067), and IL-13 (P = 0.0002), and inducing IFN-γ release (P= 0.0375). Moreover, YGW reduced inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 by upregulating the activities of HDAC7 (P= 0.003)/10 (P = 0.003), HDAC11 (P< 0.0001), and HDAC9-11 (P< 0.0001, P< 0.0001 and P< 0.0001, respectively), respectively, and increased IFN-γ release by increasing HDAC9 (P< 0.0001). Conclusions: Histone deacetylation of Tm was observed during alleviation of allergen-induced eosinophilic airway inflammation in asthma by YGW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptococcus suis is a serious threat to swine industry and public health. In this work, a total of 62 S. suis isolates recovered from infected and healthy pigs from four provinces in northern China were classified by multilocus sequence typing into nine sequence types (STs), including six novel ones, namely, ST417, ST418, ST419, ST420, ST421, and ST422.The majority (64.5%) of these 62 isolates belong to serotype 2; all of these serotype 2 isolates can be assigned into ST1 or ST28 clonal complex, indicating at least two parallel routes of clonal dissemination of these isolates. In these serotype 2 isolates, 23 (20 from healthy pigs and three from diseased pigs) were identified as ST7 strains, which were previously characterized as the cause of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome.The novel ST strains lack 89 K pathogenicity island but can cause septicemia and meningitis in a mouse model, showing remarkable differences in virulence. The ST421 strain named HLB causes suppurative encephalitis. Our results highlighted the need for increased surveillance of S. suis in farm-raised pigs in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Several previous studies have reported the role variant of ERCC1 rs3212986 and ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphisms in the risk of glioma, but the results of these studies are inconsistent. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to investigate the role of ERCC1 rs3212986 and ERCC2 rs13181 on the risk of glioma. Methods: A comprehensive research was conducted through the databases of Pubmed, EMBASE and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) platforms until June 1, 2014, including 14 eligible casecontrol studies. Results: Our meta-analysis found that ERCC1 rs3212986 AA genotype was significantly associated with increased risk of glioma compared with CC genotype, and the pooled OR (95%CI) was 1.29(1.07-1.55). By subgroup analysis, ERCC1 rs3212986 AA genotype was found to be significantly correlated with increased glioma risk in Chinese population (OR=1.37, 95%CI=1.07, 1.55), Similarly, we found that ERCC2 rs13181 GT and TT genotypes were significantly associated with increased risk of glioma in Chinese population, with ORs(95%CI) of 1.47(1.17-1.85) and 1.50(1.02-2.22). But ERCC1 rs3212986 and ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphisms had no significant association with glioma risk in Caucasian populations. By begg's funnel plot, we found that no publication bias was existed in this meta-analysis. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis suggested that ERCC1 rs3212986 and ERCC2 rs13181 polymorphism play an important risk factor for brain tumor development in Chinese population, but no association in Caucasian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Little is known about the clinical features and treatment of Chinese patients with Parkinson disease (PD). Methods A large cross-sectional survey of clinical features, medication use, and motor complications was conducted in 901 consecutive PD patients, from 42 randomly selected university affiliated hospitals in four urban economic regions of China, between December 2006 and May 2007. Results The 901 PD patients had age range 30 to 88, and median disease duration 50 months. Most (737, 81.8%) used L-dopa (median 375 mg/day), and often added low doses of other antiparkinsonian agents. Among L-dopa-treated patients, the prevalence of motor complications was low (dyskinesias: 8.5%; motor fluctuations: 18.6%), even among patients with disease duration ⩾11 years (dyskinesias: 18.1%; motor fluctuations: 42.2%). Higher Ldopa use was associated with higher occurrence of dyskinesias (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.20-5.13) and motor fluctuations (OR 2.48; 95% CI 1.49-4.14). Initiating PD treatment with L-dopa alone (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.22-0.95) or in combination with other medications (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.19-0.87) was associated with less dyskinesia than treatment initiated with non-L-dopa medication. Conclusions Many Chinese PD patients are treated with low-dose L-dopa and added low-dose antiparkinsonian agents, with a low prevalence of motor complications, which might be influenced by Chinese culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of temperature on chronic trapezius myofascial pain syndrome during dry needling therapy. Sixty patients were randomized into two groups of dry needling (DN) alone (group A) and DN combined with heat therapy group (group B). Each patient was treated once and the therapeutic effect was assessed by the visual analogue scale (VAS), pressure pain threshold (PPT), and the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) at seven days, one month, and three months after treatment. Evaluation based on VAS and PPT showed that the pain of patients in groups A and B was significantly (P < 0.05) relieved at seven days, one month, and three months after treatment Compared to before treatment. There was significantly (P < 0.05) less pain in group B than group A at one and three months after treatment. The SF-36 evaluation demonstrated that the physical condition of patients in both groups showed significant (P < 0.05) improvement at one month and three months after treatment than before treatment. Our study suggests that both DN and DN heating therapy were effective in the treatment of trapezius MPS, and that DN heating therapy had better long-term effects than DN therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes are insects of the Diptera, Nematocera, and Culicidae families, some species of which are important disease vectors. Identifying mosquito species based on morphological characteristics is difficult, particularly the identification of specimens collected in the field as part of disease surveillance programs. Because of this difficulty, we constructed DNA barcodes of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1, the COI gene, for the more common mosquito species in China, including the major disease vectors. A total of 404 mosquito specimens were collected and assigned to 15 genera and 122 species and subspecies on the basis of morphological characteristics. Individuals of the same species grouped closely together in a Neighborhood-Joining tree based on COI sequence similarity, regardless of collection site. COI gene sequence divergence was approximately 30 times higher for species in the same genus than for members of the same species. Divergence in over 98% of congeneric species ranged from 2.3% to 21.8%, whereas divergence in conspecific individuals ranged from 0% to 1.67%. Cryptic species may be common and a few pseudogenes were detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four H7N3 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) were isolated from domestic ducks in live-poultry markets in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China, in 2011. All viruses were characterized by whole-genome sequencing with subsequent phylogenetic analysis and genetic comparison. Phylogenetic analysis of all eight viral genes showed that the viruses clustered in the Eurasian lineage of influenza viruses. The hemagglutinin cleavage site of all viruses indicated that the four strains were low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the characterization of seven H5N1 avian influenza viruses from domestic ducks in Eastern China in 2011. Phylogenetic analysis showed these viruses were closely related to an H5N1 virus circulating in wild birds in Hong Kong. Some characteristics of these viruses were similar to those of an H5N1 strain that circulated in China and Vietnam (2003-2004). The virulence of three isolates was examined in chickens and mice, and they were found to be highly pathogenic in chickens but showed low pathogenicity in mice. These results suggest that continued H5N1 surveillance in poultry should be used as an early warning system for avian influenza outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to provide an overview of clinical and demographical features and neuropathological research on frontotemporal dementia (FTD) from China over the past decade. We reviewed the demographic features, clinical presentations, and neuropathology of the FTD-spectrum disorders from the 49 cases in China published since 1998. On the basis of these findings, we retrospect the history and speculate on future progress in terms of FTD in China. We found that most published papers comprise case reports with a few retrospective studies with small sample sizes. Behavior variant FTD (bvFTD) was the most common diagnostic subtype, of which 35% were associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Parkinsonian syndrome. More than 47% patients with FTD had age onset before 65. There were no differences in age of onset and sex distribution between diagnostic subtypes. The spectrum of neuropathological diagnosis of bvFTD was frontotemporal lobe degeneration (FTLD) with tau protein or ubiquitin-immunopositive inclusions, and FTLD without intracellular inclusions. Median survival in bvFTD was 14 years. This paper provides an overview of the current status and pointers for future research directions of FTD in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) disease is one of the most destructive soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.) diseases worldwide, causing yield losses and significant deterioration in seed quality. 'Qihuang No.1' has a wide resistance spectrum and is extensively used in breeding programs in China. The dominant SMV resistance gene R from the cultivar Qihuang No.1 was previously mapped to a 4.2 cM region on soybean chromosome 13 (formerly linkage group (LG) F). Fine mapping of R is essential for high efficiency of marker-assisted selection (MAS) and its map-based cloning. Residual heterozygous lines (RHLs) derived from a soybean recombinant inbred line (RIL) were used to fine map R. The RILs were obtained from a cross between 'Qihuang No.1' (resistant) and 'Nannong1138-2' (susceptible). The genomic sequence in an approximately 6 cM interval between the markers Satt334 and Sct_033 flanking R was used to develop five simple sequence repeats and two InDel markers. Linkage analysis between inoculation phenotype and genetic markers localized R to the interval between Satt334 and MY750, with genetic distances of 0.6 and 0.5 cM, respectively, corresponding to a physical distance on the 'Williams 82' draft assembly (Glyma1.13) of 1.18 Mb. Based on the genes sequences in the R locus region with predicted functions for resistance, one SNP marker, MY525, was developed between Satt334 and MY750. Thus, the genomic region containing the R was further narrowed to a 616 kb interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Based on knowing the mechanism of urbanization and urban resource coupling situation, this article constructs urbanization composite index and urban resources comprehensive index, and build Static and dynamic coupling coordination degree evaluation model, calculate and distinguish the two systems in coordination development and coupling situation of Beijing in the past 24 years. It turns out that the degree of coupling the earlier Beijing urbanization and urban resource systems is being strengthen, but overall is being and balanced. But from now then, the degree of coupling is more strengthened, with the lower coordination and unbalanced. So strengthening resource protection, coordinate organization and urban resources have become the center of future urban construction in Beijing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Shanghai is the largest industrial and commercial city in China, and its air quality has been concerned for several years. However, scarce study had been made on the seasonal levels of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), together with their gas-particle partitioning and potential emission sources. Based on an intensive sampling campaign at urban and suburban areas in Shanghai during four seasons of 2005-2006, this study presented the measurement of PAH concentrations in both particulate and gaseous phases, as well as seasonal and spatial variability. The results showed that the annual PAH levels (gas + particle) were 167±109 ng m at the urban site and 216±86.5 ng m at the suburban site. Gaseous PAHs (>70%) dominated the total PAH mass at both sites, while particulate PAHs contributed more than 90% of the toxic power according to benzo( a)pyrene-equivalent carcinogenic parameter. Different seasonal trend of PAH concentrations was observed between the two sites, and it may be explained by complicated factors such as sampling heights, local/regional emission sources, and climatic conditions. The gas-particle partitioning of PAHs in all samples was calculated, and strong linear correlations between log K and log $P_{\rm L}^{\,\,\,\rm o}$ were observed, with shallower slopes ( m) at the suburban site than the urban one and in warm season than the cold months, indicating the different equilibrium conditions of PAHs in spatial and seasonal scales in Shanghai. The slope ( m = − 0.96) and correlation coefficient ( R = 0.81) for four-ring PAHs were closest to theoretical equilibrium conditions among compounds with various aromatic rings. Finally, the potential PAH sources were estimated based on principal factor analysis with multiple linear regressions. Ground volatilization dominated the PAH pollutions at both sites, while vehicles and coal consumption were the other main emission sources, which totally contributed 32.0% (suburban) to 49.2% (urban) of PAH mass in Shanghai atmosphere. The effects of wood and biomass burning were also detected, but their contributions to PAHs were negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To derive age- and sex-specific reference values for waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) for Han Chinese children and adolescents and to establish the prevalence of excess central adiposity in our study population. Design: Cross-sectional study of schoolchildren attending randomly selected primary and secondary schools in south-west China in October 2003 and April 2004. Anthropometry was measured using standard procedures. The LMS method was used to construct smoothed WC and WHtR percentile curves. Overweight and obesity were defined by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria and the Working Group on Obesity in Children. Excess central adiposity fat was defined by previously published WC cut-points and a WHtR ≥ 0·5. Setting: Primary and secondary schools in Chongqing, south-west China. SubjectsA total of 7326 (49·2 % boys) Han Chinese students at 5–17 years old. Results: On the basis of the IOTF criteria, 26·4 % of boys were overweight or obese compared with 16·4 % of girls (P < 0·001). WC cut-points identified 31 % of boys and 28 % of girls as having excess central adiposity, whereas using the WHtR criterion, 14·8 % of boys and 5·6 % of girls were identified. Young boys (5–12 years) had a significantly (P < 0·001) higher WHtR than girls.Conclusions: We have constructed WC and WHtR percentile curves for Han Chinese children and adolescents living in Chongqing. Our measurements were based on a student population with a relatively high rate of overweight and obesity. These data will provide a point of reference for future studies measuring the prevalence of overweight and obesity in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In China, most patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are usually treated with Tanreqing injection plus conventional Western medicine. However, the value of its use remains uncertain. The objective of this systematic review is to compare the efficacy of Tanreqing injection plus conventional Western medicine with that of conventional Western medicine alone (therapy A versus therapy B, respectively) in the management of acute exacerbations of COPD. Methods: Literature retrieval was conducted using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE,® EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), and other electronically available databases from respective inception to August 2009. In addition, manual search of some traditional Chinese journals was performed to identify potential studies. Review authors independently extracted the trial data and assessed the quality of each trial. The following outcomes were evaluated: (1) forced expiratory volume in 1 second as a percentage of the predicted value; (2) arterial partial pressure of oxygen (P o2); (3) arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (P co2); (4) length of hospital stay; (5) marked efficacy rate; (6) interleukin-8; and (7) adverse events. Results: Based on the search strategy, 14 trials involving 954 patients were finally included. Our results showed that compared with therapy B, therapy A improved P o2, clinical efficacy, and lung function, reduced P co2, shortened the length of hospital stay, and was thus more therapeutically beneficial. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this systematic review, we can conclude that compared with therapy B, therapy A may provide more benefits for patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. Further large-scale high-quality trials are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Longjing (Dragon Well) tea from the West Lake region of Hangzhou, China, is one of the highest quality green teas prized for drinking and is often called the national drink of China. However, the ever-increasing accumulation of lead (Pb) in Westlake Longjing tea has been continually reported in the recent decades, while the exact Pb sources still remain unclear. Our purpose is to investigate the key factors that account for the concentration increase of Pb accumulated in Longjing tea based on a broad regional scale. Eighty-one young tea leaves and corresponding soil and air samples where the tea plants grow in and around, respectively, were collected from three typical Longjing tea gardens for illustrating the sources of Pb that accumulated in Longjing tea. The sampling lines were arranged with the proximity to the traffic area. Pb concentrations in the tea leaves and soil and air samples were determined, respectively. Wash procedures were also conducted to trace the removable possibility and rates of Pb in young tea leaves. Simple statistical analysis and spatial geostatistics were further applied for the investigation of the potential relationship of Pb levels among young tea leaves and the relevant soil and air samples. The regional differences and seasonal variation of Pb concentration were found for young tea leaves, with the order of Longwu > Meijiawu > Longjing and spring > summer ( p < 0.05), respectively. The significant positive correlation was found only for the Pb concentration between young tea leaves and air samples ( r = 0.34, p < 0.01). The results from wash experiment showed that a substantial portion of Pb in young tea leaves could be removed by wash, and the removable rates of Pb showed an obvious decrease with the increasing distance from the traffic area in Longwu and Meijiawu. A similar geographic distribution tendency of Pb between young tea leaves and air was also revealed by further geographic spatial analysis taking Longwu as a case. The significant correlations and similar distribution tendency of Pb concentration between young tea leaves and air suggested that atmospheric deposition could be an important, even predominant, source for Pb accumulated in Longjin tea. This non-edaphic contribution was further validated in wash experiment and testified to be distance dependent on the proximity to the main traffic area. This might be attributed to the large rough pubescent surface of tea leaves which are conducive to foliar deposition and/or absorption of Pb. The lack of correlations between young tea leaves Pb and soil Pb indicated that the contribution of soil Pb would be limited (especially near the traffic area where the influence of atmospheric Pb was dominant) and might be attributed to the low bioavailability of Pb in soils and finite uptake and transport of Pb from roots to shoots. Meanwhile, the higher Pb concentration in spring teas (compared with summer teas) might be due to the long growth period that allowed for a long time interception of Pb by young tea leaves through atmospheric deposition. The Pb that rooted in air was suggested as the main source accounting for the accumulation of Pb in Longjing Tea of the tested tea gardens. This non-edaphic contribution of atmospheric deposition was distance dependent on the proximity to the main traffic area. For alleviating the accumulation and elevation of Pb amount in Longjing Tea, efforts should be made especially during the period of spring tea growth. The additional wash procedure was also recommended before the tea leaf processing in factories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied seasonal dynamics of seed banks along an altitudinal gradient in three alpine meadows on the Tibetan Plateau, as well as seed size distribution relative to depth. Seed bank density and species richness decreased significantly with altitude increase in both April and July. The highest elevations showed highest seed bank depletion. Although species composition of the vegetation changed along the altitudinal gradient, seed bank composition was almost unvaried from April to July. This indicated that seed bank density has an obvious seasonal change but composition does not. We found a low degree of similarity between the species composition of vegetation and of the seed bank along the whole gradient, and this similarity decreased with altitude increase. These suggest that the role of the seed bank decreased gradually with altitude increase. The hypothesis that a species seed bank strategy is an inherited trait was not confirmed because for some species seed bank strategy changed with altitude. We found that persistent seed banks were the most frequent strategy at all three altitudes. Species with persistent seeds tended to have smaller seeds than those with transient seeds only in highest altitude, while the other two altitudes did not show difference. There was no trend in seed size distribution with altitudes and soil depths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to language limitations, the abstract of journal article may be the only way for people of non-Chinese speaking countries to know about trials in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). However, little is known about the reporting quality of these trial abstracts. Our study is to assess the reporting quality of abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in four leading Chinese medical journals of TCM, and to identify any differences in reporting between the Chinese and English version of the same abstract publication. Method: Two reviewers hand-searched the Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, the China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica and the Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion for all abstracts of RCTs published between 2006 and 2007. Two reviewers independently assessed the reporting quality of the Chinese and English version of all eligible abstracts based on a modified version of the CONSORT for reporting randomised trials in journal and conference abstracts (CONSORT for abstracts). Results: We identified a total of 345 RCTs of TCM with both a Chinese and English abstract. More than half of Chinese abstracts reported details of the trial participants (68%; 234/345), control group intervention (52%; 179/345), the number of participants randomized (73%; 253/345) and benefits when interpreting the trial results (55%; 190/345). Reporting of methodological quality or key features of trial design and trial results were poor; only 2% (7/345) included details of the trial design, 3% (11/345) defined the primary outcome, 5% (17/345) described the methods of random sequence generation, and only 4% (13/345) reported the number of participants analyzed. No abstracts provided details on allocation concealment and trial registration. The percentage agreement in reporting (between the Chinese and English version of the same abstract) ranged from 84% to 100% across individual checklist item. Conclusion: The reporting quality of abstracts of RCTs published in these four TCM journals needs to be improved. Since none of the four journals adopted CONSORT for Abstracts, we hope that the introduction and adoption of CONSORT for Abstracts by TCM journals will lead to an improvement in reporting quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]