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Background: The prognosis comparison between endoscopic therapy + partial splenic embolization (PSE) and Hassab's operation is unclear in the treatment of esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis. This study aimed to compare the outcome of endoscopic therapy + PSE (EP) with a combination of splenectomy + pericardial devascularization procedure, known as Hassab's operation (SH) for esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis with hypersplenism. Methods: We enrolled 328 patients, including 125 and 203 patients who underwent EP and SH, respectively. Each group consisted of 110 patients after propensity score matching (PSM). Subsequently, we recorded and analyzed bleeding episodes and mortality in 6 months and 1, 2, and 5 years after therapies. Results: The median follow-up time in the EP and SH groups was 53 and 64 months, respectively. Bleeding incidence 6 months after therapies in the EP group was lower than that in the SH group (1.8% vs. 10.0%, P = 0.010). Additionally, complications in the perioperative period were not significantly different (0% vs. 3.6%, P = 0.008). However, the bleeding rate between the two groups was not significantly different at 1, 2, and 5 years after therapies (7.3% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.157; 10.9% vs. 16.4%, P = 0.205; 30.6% vs. 31.8%, P = 0.801), as well as mortality rate (4.5% vs 7.3%, P = 0.571). Conclusion: Compared with SH therapy, the bleeding rate 6 months after EP therapy was lower, but the long-term bleeding rate was similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the high burden of disease caused by air pollution, the World Health Organization (WHO) released new Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) on September 22, 2021. In this study, the daily fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and surface ozone (O3) data of 618 cities around the world is collected from 2019 to 2022. Based on the new AQG, the number of attainment days for daily average concentrations of PM2.5 (≤ 15 µg m−3) and O3 (≤ 100 µg m−3) is approximately 10% and 90%, respectively. China and India exhibit a decreasing trend in the number of highly polluted days (> 75 µg m−3) for PM. Every year over 68% and 27% of cities in the world are exposed to harmful PM2.5 (> 35 µg m−3) and O3 (> 100 µg m−3) pollution, respectively. Combined with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is found that more than 35% of the world's cities face PM2.5‐O3 compound pollution. Furthermore, the exposure risks in these cities (China, India, etc.) are mainly categorized as "High Risk", "Risk", and "Stabilization". In contrast, economically developed cities are mainly categorized as "High Safety", "Safety", and "Deep Stabilization." These findings indicate that global implementation of the WHO's new AQG will minimize the inequitable exposure risk from air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rising surface ozone (O3) levels in China are increasingly emphasizing the potential threats to public health, ecological balance, and economic sustainability. Using a 1 km × 1 km dataset of O3 concentrations, this research employs subpopulation demographic data combined with a population-weighted quality model. Its aim is to evaluate quantitatively the differences in O3 exposure among various subpopulations within China, both at a provincial and urban cluster level. Additionally, an exposure disparity indicator was devised to establish unambiguous exposure risks among significant urban agglomerations at varying O3 concentration levels. The findings reveal that as of 2018, the population-weighted average concentration of O3 for all subgroups has experienced a significant uptick, surpassing the average O3 concentration (118 μg/m3). Notably, the middle-aged demographic exhibited the highest O3 exposure level at 135.7 μg/m3, which is significantly elevated compared to other age brackets. Concurrently, there exists a prominent positive correlation between educational attainment and O3 exposure levels, with the medium-income bracket showing the greatest susceptibility to O3 exposure risks. From an industrial vantage point, the secondary sector demographic is the most adversely impacted by O3 exposure. In terms of urban–rural structure, urban groups in all regions had higher levels of exposure to O3 than rural areas, with North and East China having the most significant levels of exposure. These findings not only emphasize the intricate interplay between public health and environmental justice but further highlight the indispensability of segmented subgroup strategies in environmental health risk assessment. Moreover, this research furnishes invaluable scientific groundwork for crafting targeted public health interventions and sustainable air quality management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a major agricultural insect pest that causes severe economic losses worldwide. Several insecticides have been applied to effectively control this key pest. However, owing to the indiscriminate use of chemical insecticides, B. tabaci has developed resistance against these chemical compounds over the past several years. RESULTS: From 2019 to 2021, 23 field samples of B. tabaci were collected across China. Twenty species were identified as the Mediterranean 'Q' type (MED) and three were identified as MED/ Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 mixtures. Subsequently, resistance of the selected populations to different insecticides was evaluated. The results showed that 13 populations developed low levels of resistance to abamectin. An overall upward trend in B. tabaci resistance toward spirotetramat, cyantraniliprole and pyriproxyfen was observed. In addition, resistance to thiamethoxam remained low‐to‐moderate in the 23 field populations. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the overall resistance of the field‐collected B. tabaci populations has shown an upward trend over the years in China. We believe our study can provide basic data to support integrated pest management and insecticide resistance management of field B. tabaci in China. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is uncertain how COVID-19 outbreak influences the hepatitis B epidemics. This study aims to evaluate the effects on hepatitis B owing to the COVID-19 outbreak and forecast the hepatitis B epidemiological trend in mainland China to speed up the course of the "End viral hepatitis Strategy". Methods: We estimated the causal impacts and created a forecast through adopting monthly notifications of hepatitis B each year from 2005 to 2020 in mainland China using the Bayesian structural time series (BSTS) method. Results: The hepatitis B epidemics fluctuates irregularly during the period 2005–2007(APC = 8.7, P = 0.246) and 2015–2020(APC = 1.7, P = 0.290), and there is a downturn (APC=-3.2, 95% CI -5.2 to -1.2, P = 0.006) from 2007 to 2015 in mainland China. The COVID-19 outbreak was found to have a monthly average reduction on the hepatitis B epidemics of 26% (95% CI 18–35%) within the first three months in 2020,17% (95% CI 7.7–26%) within the first six months in 2020, and 10% (95% CI19–22%) all year as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, (probability of causal effect = 96.591%, P = 0.034) and the forecasts showed an upward trend from 2021 to 2025 (annual percentage change = 4.18, 95% CI 4.0 to 4.3, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The COVID-19 has a positive effect on the decline of hepatitis B cases. And the potential of BSTS model to forecast the epidemiological trend of the hepatitis B can be applied in automatic public health policymaking in mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous promotion of urbanization in China, the economic level of small and medium-sized cities has been further improved. The transportation industry is crucial in promoting urban–rural integration and construction. Still, motor vehicle emissions also bring air pollution problems to cities, with heavy-duty diesel vehicle emissions severely impacting the urban environment. This study used a bottom-up approach to analyze the spatial emission characteristics of heavy-duty diesel vehicles under different road types in Kunming, a typical medium-sized city in China. A high-resolution emission inventory (1 km × 1 km) of heavy-duty diesel vehicles was developed using the vehicle emission inventory model (VEIN) and ArcGIS, and the vehicle emission standards were determined by the Weibull survival rate curve. The VEIN emission model was optimized using a velocity correction curve. The results showed that heavy-duty vehicles had a more significant impact on the emissions during the morning and evening peak hours, with low emission levels during the day and high emission levels at night and early morning. The total daily emissions of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) from heavy-duty diesel vehicles in Motorway, Trunk, Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary were 14.44 tons, 5.26 tons, 4.78 tons, 7.02 tons, and 3.83 tons, respectively. China III heavy-duty diesel vehicles mainly contributed to CO, HC, NOx, and PM emissions. This study can be used as an essential reference for controlling the exhaust emissions of HDDVs in Kunming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microorganisms are an important component of global biodiversity and play an important role in plant growth and development and the protection of host plants from various biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about the identities and communities of endophytic fungi inhabiting cultivated medicinal plants in the farmland ecosystem. The diversity and community composition of the endophytic fungi of cultivated medicinal plants in different hosts, tissue niches, and seasonal effects in the farmland of Northern China were examined using the next-generation sequencing technique. In addition, the ecological functions of the endophytic fungal communities were investigated by combining the sequence classification information and fungal taxonomic function annotation. A total of 1025 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of endophytic fungi were obtained at a 97% sequence similarity level; they were dominated by Dothideomycetes and Pleosporales. Host factors (species identities and tissue niches) and season had significant effects on the community composition of endophytic fungi, and endophytic fungi assembly was shaped more strongly by host than by season. In summer, endophytic fungal diversity was higher in the root than in the leaf, whereas opposite trends were observed in winter. Network analysis showed that network connectivity was more complex in the leaf than in the root, and the interspecific relationship between endophytic fungal OTUs in the network structure was mainly positive rather than negative. The functional predications of fungi revealed that the pathotrophic types of endophytic fungi decreased and the saprotrophic types increased from summer to winter in the root, while both pathotrophic and saprotrophic types of endophytic fungi increased in the leaf. This study improves our understanding of the community composition and ecological distribution of endophytic fungi inhabiting scattered niches in the farmland ecosystem. In addition, the study provides insight into the biodiversity assessment and management of cultivated medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Screening for hyperthyroidism using gold-standard diagnostic criteria in the general population is not cost-effective, leading to a relatively high rate of undiagnosed and untreated patients. This study aimed to establish a deep learning-based system to detect hyperthyroidism based on retinal photographs. Methods: The multicenter, observational study included retinal photographs taken from participants in two hospitals and 24 health care centers throughout China. We first trained two models to identify hyperthyroidism: in model #1, the non-hyperthyroidism individuals were randomly selected, while in model #2, the non-hyperthyroidism group was matched for age and gender with the hyperthyroidism group. After internal validation, we selected the better model for further evaluation using external validation datasets. Results: The study included 22,940 retinal photographs of 11,409 participants for the model development, and 3862 retinal photographs (1870 participants) which were obtained from two hospitals and four medical centers as the external validation datasets. Model #1 achieved a higher area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) than model #2 (0.907, 95% CI: 0.894–0.918 versus 0.850, 95% CI: 0.832–0.866) in the internal validation so that model #1 was used for further evaluation. In external datasets, model #1 reached AUCs ranging from 0.816 (95% CI 0.789–0.846) to 0.849 (95% CI 0.824–0.874) and achieved accuracies between 0.735 (95% CI 0.700–0.773) and 0.796 (95% CI 0.765–0.824). Heatmaps showed a focus of the DL-algorism on large fundus vessels and the optic nerve head. Conclusions: Retinal fundus photographs may serve for DL systems for a cost-effective and non-invasive method to detect hyperthyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quantitative assessment of the spatial and temporal variability and drivers of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) fraction concentrations are important for pollution control and public health preservation in China. In this study, we investigated the spatial temporal variation of PM2.5 chemical component based on the PM2.5 chemical component datasets from 2000 to 2019 and revealed the driving forces of the differences in the spatial distribution using geodetector model (GD), multi-scale geographically weighted regression model (MGWR), and a two-step clustering approach. The results show that: the PM2.5 chemical fraction concentrations show a trend of first increasing (2000–2007) and then decreasing (2007–2019). From 2000 to 2019, the change rates of PM2.5, organic matter (OM), black carbon (BC), sulfates (SO2– 4), ammonium (NH+ 4), and nitrates (NO– 3) were −0.59, −0.23, −0.07, −0.15, −0.02, and 0.04μg/m3/yr in the entirety of China. The secondary aerosol (i.e., SO2− 4, NO− 3, and NH+ 4; SNA) had the highest fraction in PM2.5 concentrations (55.6–68.1% in different provinces), followed by OM and BC. Spatially, North, Central, and East China are the regions with the highest PM2.5 chemical component concentrations in China; meanwhile, they are also the regions with the most significant decrease in PM2.5 chemical fraction concentrations. The GD and MGWR model shows that among all variables, the number of enterprises, disposable income, private car ownership, and the share of secondary industry non-linearly enhance the differences in the spatial distribution of PM2.5 component concentrations. Electricity consumption has the strongest influence on NH+ 4 emissions in Northwest China and BC and OM emissions in Northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the physical and chemical properties of gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine particulate matter (PM). The physical properties mainly included the particulate aggregate morphology, primary particle size, and internal nanostructure. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to obtain particle morphology information and to conduct image processing and analysis. The chemical characterization tests included X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy dispersive scanning (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). XPS can be used to observe the content of carbon and oxygen components and the surface carbon chemistry status, EDS can be used to obtain the elemental composition of particles, and TGA is used to analyze the oxidative kinetics of particles. Samples were collected from the exhaust emissions of a passenger vehicle compliant with China's VI emission standards under China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) test conditions. The study found that the particle morphology mainly comprised primary particles stacked on top of each other to form agglomerate structures, and the primary particles exhibited a core–shell structure. Analysis showed that carbon and oxygen were the predominant components of the particles, with other metallic elements also present. The XPS observations agreed with the FTIR results, indicating a small amount of oxygen was present on the particle surface and that the carbon components consisted mainly of sp2 hybridized graphite and sp3 hybridized organic carbon. The TGA results indicated high characteristic temperatures and low oxidation activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High concentration of surface ozone (O3) will cause health risks to people. In order to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of O3 and assess O3 exposure and health risks for different age groups in China, we applied multiple methods including standard deviation ellipse, spatial autocorrelation, and exposure–response functions. Results show that O3 concentrations increased in 64.5% of areas in China from 2013 to 2018. The central plain urban agglomeration (CPU), Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH), and Yangtze River Delta (YRD) witnessed the greatest incremental rates of O3 by 16.7%, 14.3%, and 13.1%. Spatially, the trend of O3 shows a significant positive autocorrelation, and high trend values primarily in central and east China. The proportion of the total population exposed to high O3 (above 160 μg/m3) increased annually. Compared to 2013, the proportion of the young, adult, and old populations exposed to high O3 increased to different extents in 2018 by 26.8%, 29.6%, and 27.2%, respectively. The extent of population exposure risk areas in China expanded in size, particularly in north and east China. The total premature respiratory mortalities attributable to long-term O3 exposure in six urban agglomerations were about 177,000 in 2018 which has increased by 16.4% compared to that in 2013. Among different age groups, old people are more vulnerable to O3 pollution, so we need to strengthen their relevant health protection of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution is closely associated with human health and the economy. Therefore, it is important to understand variations in the spatiotemporal and sectoral emission distributions of major air pollutants and their drivers. The policies (APAPPC) promulgated by China in 2013 have also achieved remarkable results. Rate of change, trend analysis, and a geographically and temporally weighted regression model were used to study the effects of socioeconomic factors on NOx, SO2, and dust emissions in China during 2011–2017. During the study period, annual average emissions of NOx, SO2, and dust decreased by 11.45, 13.42, and 4.82 Mt (−47.64, −60.53, and −39.05%), respectively. Pollutant emissions were concentrated in North China, with Shandong and Hebei provinces exhibiting the highest NOx and SO2 and dust emissions, respectively. Pollutant emissions from the power and industrial sectors were mainly distributed in East (27.08 and 28.00%, respectively) and North China (23.57 and 20.04%, respectively), whereas emissions from the residential sector were mainly concentrated in North (22.48%) and Southwest China (20.07%). Pollutant emissions were positively correlated with electricity generation, urban population density, urban green spaces, private car ownership, the secondary industry as a share of regional GDP, and steel production and negatively correlated with disposable income and gross construction output. Per capita disposable income was the dominant driving factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) dementia risk score is a recognised tool for dementia risk stratification. However, its application is limited due to the requirements for multidimensional information and fasting blood draw. Consequently, an effective and non-invasive tool for screening individuals with high dementia risk in large population-based settings is urgently needed. Methods a deep learning algorithm based on fundus photographs for estimating the CAIDE dementia risk score was developed and internally validated by a medical check-up dataset included 271,864 participants in 19 province-level administrative regions of China, and externally validated based on an independent dataset included 20,690 check-up participants in Beijing. The performance for identifying individuals with high dementia risk (CAIDE dementia risk score ≥ 10 points) was evaluated by area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results the algorithm achieved an AUC of 0.944 (95% CI: 0.939–0.950) in the internal validation group and 0.926 (95% CI: 0.913–0.939) in the external group, respectively. Besides, the estimated CAIDE dementia risk score derived from the algorithm was significantly associated with both comprehensive cognitive function and specific cognitive domains. Conclusions this algorithm trained via fundus photographs could well identify individuals with high dementia risk in a population setting. Therefore, it has the potential to be utilised as a non-invasive and more expedient method for dementia risk stratification. It might also be adopted in dementia clinical trials, incorporated as inclusion criteria to efficiently select eligible participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the health risks of diseases attributed to PM2.5 and SO2 exposure and analyzing the differences in their distribution over emissions can provide useful insights for decision-makers to reduce premature mortality due to PM2.5 and SO2 exposure. This study used exposure-response functions, health risk inequality curve (HRICU, based on Lorenz curve), and the health risk inequality coefficient (HRICO, based on Gini coefficient) to estimate population health risks of PM2.5 and SO2 exposure in China from 2013 to 2017 based on a full-coverage, high-precision PM2.5 and SO2 concentration and emission dataset. The inequality in the distribution of premature mortality was explored in terms of pollutant emissions. The results showed that (1) premature mortalities from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and respiratory disease (RD) due to PM2.5 and SO2 exposure decreased by 21% and 54%, respectively, from 2013 to 2017. (2) At a national scale, the HRICO value for the distribution of PM2.5 and SO2 health risks on emissions were lower than 0.10 and 0.20, respectively. (3) More than 20% of provinces had HRICO values above 0.1 for PM2.5 or SO2. The provinces near the national borders generally had higher HRICO for PM2.5, while the province with the most severe inequity in the distribution of SO2 health risks on emissions appeared in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Hainan Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbial communities associated with desert plants are influenced by many abiotic (such as soil factors, seasonal variations, etc.) and biotic factors, resulting in different microbial taxa. This study investigated the soil factors, microbial communities and microbial catabolism of Gymnocarpos przewalskii roots at different soil compartments (near-rhizosphere, far-rhizosphere, and blank soil) in three seasons (summer, autumn, and winter) from two sites in the hyperarid desert, northwest China. Microbial biomass and activity were relatively high in summer in the near-rhizosphere, whereas the fungal-bacterial ratio was dominant in autumn. Gram-negative bacterial biomass was the highest irrespective of season, and catabolic activity was dominated by carbohydrate, amino acid, and polymer metabolism for all three seasons and soil compartments. The influence of seasons and soil compartments on soil microbial composition mainly depended on their interactions with soil factors. Temperature, soil saccharase, alkaline phosphatase, and NO 3 −-N content were the main factors determining microbial composition and carbon source metabolism. Moreover, environmentally induced changes in soil humidity increased glomalin content by affecting the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) PLFA biomass, which affected carbon sequestration, ultimately influencing AMF colonization. Understanding the feedback processes among organisms in desert soils was important for exploring the survival and protection strategies of desert relict plants. • Soil type and season affected microbial composition and metabolism, respectively. • Saccharase, alkaline phosphatase, and NO3− mainly affected microbial composition. • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi affected glomalin to regulate SOC, affecting its colonization. • Microbial communities and catabolic functions were decoupled in this arid desert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The toxicity of lead (Pb) in water is known to affect cellular components, enzymatic machinery and genomic instability. The detection of lead in water is of great significance. In this study, a method called resonant surface-enhanced LIBS (R-SENLIBS) was proposed to improve the LoD of lead in aqueous solutions. RLIBS was coupled with SENLIBS in this method. Lead in aqueous solutions was compounded in a concentration range of 0.01 to 0.6 mg L−1. The calibration curve of these solutions was built. The value of coefficients of determination (R2) was as high as 0.996 and an LoD of 0.0021 mg L−1 was achieved for the linear calibration range of 0.01 to 0.2 mg L−1. Compared to previously published studies involving lead detection by LIBS, the analysis capability of R-SENLIBS proposed in this study is superior to that of those approaches in these studies. Moreover, the calibration range and LoD in this study meet the drinking water sanitation standard of China (0.01 mg L−1 for Pb, GB5749-2006) and WHO guidelines on lead. Trueness evaluation was carried out by spike and recovery experiments in a real sample of tap water, resulting in recovery values in the range of 101–110%. Spectral comparison indicated that impurities in the substrate and real aqueous solution had little influence on the lead signal in R-SENLIBS. The enhancement mechanism of R-SNELIBS was discussed. The on-resonance excitation and stratified structure of the sample are the two main reasons that lead to a valid signal of Pb. In summary, the method proposed in this study can be an alternative for lead analysis in drinking-water monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore dark septate endophytes (DSE) that may improve the cultivation of medicinal plants in arid ecosystems. We isolated and identified eight DSE species (Acremonium nepalense , Acrocalymma vagum , Alternaria chartarum , Alternaria chlamydospora , Alternaria longissima , Darksidea alpha , Paraphoma chrysanthemicola , and Preussia terricola) colonizing the roots of wild licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) in the desert areas of northwest China. Moreover, we investigated the osmotic stress tolerance of the DSE using pure culture, along with the performance of licorice plants inoculated with the DSE under drought stress in a growth chamber, respectively. Here, five species were first reported in desert habitats. The osmotic-stress tolerance of DSE species was highly variable, A. chlamydospora and P. terricola increased the total biomass and root biomass of the host plant. All DSE except A. vagum and P. chrysanthemicola increased the glycyrrhizic acid content; all DSE except A. chartarum increased the glycyrrhizin content under drought stress. DSE × watering regimen improved the glycyrrhizic acid content, soil organic matter, and available nitrogen. Structural equation model analysis showed that DSE × watering regimen positively affected soil organic matter, and total biomass, root length, glycyrrhizic acid, and glycyrrhizin (Shapotou site); and positively affected soil organic matter, available phosphorus, and glycyrrhizin (Minqin site); and positively affected the root length (Anxi site). DSE from the Shapotou site accounted for 8.0, 13.0, and 11.3% of the variations in total biomass, root biomass, and active ingredient content; DSE from the Minqin site accounted for 6.6 and 8.3% of the variations in total biomass and root biomass; DSE from the Anxi site accounted for 4.2 and 10.7% of the variations in total biomass and root biomass. DSE × watering regimen displayed a general synergistic effect on plant growth and active ingredient contents. These findings suggested that the DSE–plant interactions were affected by both DSE species and DSE originating habitats. As A. chlamydospora and P. terricola positively affected the total biomass, root biomass, and active ingredient content of host plants under drought stress, they may have important uses as promoters for the cultivation of licorice in dryland agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to global climate change and intensifying anthropogenic pollution, China confronts the dual challenge of controlling particulate matter 2.5 μm (PM 2.5) pollution and reducing carbon emissions. Quantifying the characteristics of PM 2.5 concentrations and CO 2 emissions, as well as identifying the driving factors and synergistic effects of PM 2.5 reduction and CO 2 mitigation, are crucial steps in promoting sustainable urban development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in China. In this study, we selected 168 cities as our case-study, and quantified spatial characteristics of PM 2.5 concentrations and CO 2 emissions from 2015 to 2020 in China. Then we analyzed driving factors affecting the spatial heterogeneity of PM 2.5 reduction and CO 2 mitigation applying Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model. By employing coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, we further detected the spatiotemporal evolution patterns of the synergistic effects between PM 2.5 reduction and CO 2 mitigation in key Chinese cities. The result showed that: (a) From 2015 to 2020, PM 2.5 concentrations experienced a significant reduction from 59.78 μg/m3 to 49.83 μg/m3, while CO 2 emissions increased from 44.88 × 106 t in 2015 to 45.77 × 106 t in 2020; (b) Green economy efficiency (gee), government attention (gover), and environmental regulation (envir) demonstrate the most pronounced synergistic effect on pollution reduction and carbon mitigation, with the drivers exhibiting obvious spatial heterogeneity; (c) The overall coupling coordination level of PM 2.5 pollution and CO 2 emissions in China dropped from 0.49 in 2015 to 0.46 in 2020, and the coupling coordination grade in northern cities was notably higher than that in southern cities. The result enhances our understanding of spatiotemporal patterns of synergistic effects between PM 2.5 reduction and CO 2 mitigation, and provides the theoretical basis for policy decision-making to realize pollution decrease and carbon neutral and regional environment governance. [Display omitted] • Identifying synergistic effect of PM 2.5 reduction and CO 2 mitigation is essential. • Coupling coordination level of PM 2.5 and CO 2 in China decreased from 2015 to 2020. • Results help to decision-making to realize pollution decrease and carbon neutral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigated the molecular epidemiology and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of Cryptococcus isolates from West China Hospital from HIV and non-HIV patients between 2009 and 2015. A total of 132 C. neoformans and C. gattii were subjected to antifungal susceptibility testing by E-test method. Among the 132 isolates, 42 C. neoformans and C. gattii were analyzed by mating type and URA5-RFLP. A total of 113 C. neoformans and C. gattii were subjected to multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). MLST results revealed that ST5 was the major molecular type. The wild-type (WT) phenotype was seen in 91.5–100% of C. neoformans isolates for amphotericin B, 5-flucytosine, fluconazole, and voriconazole. However, 72.3% (94/130) of C. neoformans isolates were non-wild-type (non-WT) to itraconazole by E-test method. In the sixth study year, the geometric mean, MIC50 and MIC90 of fluconazole were the highest (P < 0.001). Among 132 patients. 52 were coinfected with HIV and 80 were HIV-negative. Isolates from HIV and non-HIV patients showed no differences in susceptibility to amphotericin B (P = 0.544), 5-flucytosine (P = 0.063), fluconazole (P = 0.570), voriconazole (P = 0.542), and itraconazole (P = 0.787). Our study showed that Cryptococcus in southwest China showed a low degree of genetic diversity. The increased MIC values of fluconazole are noted. Cryptococcus isolates from HIV and non-HIV patients have shown no differences in susceptibility to five antifungal agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Apple snails from the genus Pomacea have spread widely in paddy fields and other wetlands of southern China since their introduction in the 1980s. Pomacea spp. are commonly identified using mitochondrial COI sequences. However, sequencing the nuclear elongation factor 1‐alpha (EF1α) gene revealed genetic introgression between field populations of P. canaliculata and P. maculata, which produce surviving hybrids in laboratory crossbreeding experiments. RESULTS: In this study, we sequenced 1054 EF1α clones to design specific primers and established a fast and accurate multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for genotyping EF1α. Combined with genotyping P. canaliculata and P. maculata based on mitochondrial COI and nuclear EF1α, we revealed the genetic introgression patterns of 30 apple snail populations in China. Purebred and hybrid individuals of P. canaliculata were widely distributed, while pure maculata‐EF1α type was detected only in a few individuals identified as P. canaliculata based on COI sequences. Each egg clutch had one to three genetic patterns, indicating multiple paternity or segregation in the progeny of hybrids. The higher percentages of hybrids in both wild populations and progeny than the homozygotes indicated a potential heterosis in the apple snail populations. Additionally, egg size and clutch size of the apple snails became homogeneous among the non‐native populations exhibiting introgression hybridization. CONCLUSION: Our findings emphasize the value of apple snails as a model to study the mechanisms and impacts of introgressive hybridization on fitness traits. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonum perfoliatum L. (synonym: Polygonum knotweed L.; Persicaria perfoliata ; family: Polygonaceae) is a kind of folk traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of wide use in the treatment of ancient internal, surgical, and gynecological diseases. At present, 80 chemical constituents have been isolated from P. perfoliatum , including flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, and alkaloids, among which flavonoids are the main active components. Modern studies have shown that P. perfoliatum has pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-liver fibrosis, antitussive and expectorant, anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, and so on. By consulting and sorting out a large number of related literatures at home and abroad in recent years, this paper systematically reviewed the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and quality control of P. perfoliatum , and discussed its development potential in new drug research and clinical application in the future, in order to provide a reference basis for further research and promote the in-depth development and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to assess whether licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) can benefit from dual inoculation by Trichoderma viride and dark septate endophytes (DSE) isolated from other medicinal plants. Methods: First, we isolated and identified three DSE (Paraboeremia putaminum, Scytalidium lignicola, and Phoma herbarum) and Trichoderma viride from medicinal plants growing in farmland of China. Second, we investigated the influences of these three DSE on the performance of licorice at different T. viride densities (1 × 106, 1 × 107, and 1 × 108 CFU/mL) under sterilised condition in a growth chamber. Results: Three DSE strains could colonize the roots of licorice, and they established a positive symbiosis with host plants depending on DSE species and T. viride densities. Inoculation of P. putaminum increased the root biomass, length, surface area, and root:shoot ratio. S. lignicola increased the root length, diameter and surface area and decreased the root:shoot ratio. P. herbarum increased the root biomass and surface area. T. viride increased the root biomass, length, and surface area. Structural equation model (SEM) analysis showed that DSE associated with T. viride augmented plant biomass and height, shoot branching, and root surface area. Variations in root morphology and biomass were attributed to differences in DSE species and T. viride density among treatments. P. putaminum or P. herbarum with low- or medium T. viride density and S. lignicola with low- or high T. viride density improved licorice root morphology and biomass. Conclusions: DSE isolated from other medicinal plants enhanced the root growth of licorice plants under different densities T. viride conditions and may also be used to promote the cultivation of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution is widespread in China, particularly in its mining regions. Mercury (Hg) concentrations in birds from Guizhou Province were recently reported to be above adverse effect levels, even in nonmining areas. We sampled birds to investigate whether Hg might be a threat near lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and tin (Sn) mines in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We measured concentrations of 8 metals/metalloids in feathers of 627 resident birds representing 60 species sampled across 14 sites on 5 rivers. We found that Hg concentrations (mean ± standard deviation, 1.27 ± 2.02 ppm) were lower than in the recent Guizhou study. Mercury had the fewest correlations with other metals/metalloids; the mined metals (Pb, Sn, Zn) had the most such correlations. Levels of cadmium (Cd; 1.12 ± 2.64 ppm), arsenic (As; 4.78 ± 17.11 ppm), and Pb (17.18 ± 24.49 ppm) were closer to thresholds of adverse effects or relatively high compared to other studies. With the exception of a few hot spots for Hg, Cd, and As near mines, metal/metalloid levels were fairly evenly distributed among sites, consistent with the regional occurrence of mineable ore deposits. It appears that Hg is not threatening to all avian species in China, although it may be problematic for some species near Hg mines. In addition to Hg, however, other metals/metalloids may pose wildlife health hazards. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:371–380. © 2019 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have been isolated from various organisms in extreme environments and have yielded a variety of activities. The present study evaluated the immunomodulatory capabilities of an EPS (termed PH-EPS) derived from the fungus Paecilomyces lilacinus PH0016, which was isolated from a tropical and hyperhaline environment in southern China. The macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line was used to investigate the mechanism of PH-EPS-induced macrophage activation. The results indicated that RAW 264.7 macrophages were activated by PH-EPS, in an effect slightly inferior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), as evidenced by secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and nitric oxide (NO), and by significantly increased phagocytosis in the cells treated with PH-EPS. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 was significantly translocated into the nucleus in the PH-EPS-treated cells. In addition, expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and IκB-α degradation were enhanced in PH-EPS-treated cells. The phosphorylation levels of p38, JNK and ERK were also significantly increased in the PH-EPS-treated cells. Furthermore, IL-1β and TNF-α production was markedly decreased in PH-EPS-treated cells when the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were blocked by the inhibitor Dectin-1 and by antibodies against Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The present results indicated that PH-EPS from Paecilomyces lilacinus possessed the capability of activating RAW 264.7 cells via the TLR4/NF-κB/MAPKs signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Responses of tunnels induced by river excavation in soft soils is evaluated. • Various protection measures of excavation-induced tunnel deformation are studied. • An effective soil reinforcement for mitigating tunnel deformation is proposed. • A well-documented case history is presented. The excavation of river channel in soft soils has an inevitable influence on adjacent metro tunnels. This paper investigates the effect of river channel excavation on the underlying metro tunnels and corresponding protective measures based on an engineering project in Fuzhou city, China. A three-dimensional finite element model is developed to calculate the vertical and horizontal displacements and diametrical distortion of tunnels under different excavation sequences and soil reinforcement measures. Real-time monitoring of the vertical and horizontal displacements and diametrical distortion of tunnels is carried out and analyzed in detail. The results show that the vertical displacements and diametrical distortion of tunnels are primarily caused by the excavation of the river directly above the tunnels, while the horizontal displacements are induced by the excavation of the river next to the tunnels. A combination of cement slurry with a portal form and concrete with a plate form is recommended to reinforce the bottom soil of rivers and protect the operational tunnels. The accuracy of the calculation model and the effectiveness of the protection measure are confirmed by using on-site measurements. The findings can provide useful reference for the safety assessment and protection measures of similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In extreme habitats, plants can survive mutually with their beneficial colony partners. How dark septate endophytes (DSE) assist the relict plant Gymnocarpos przewalskii survive in extremely desert environment and maintain the stability of the ecosystem remains unclear. Studying distribution, seasonal changes and functional physiological responses of DSE colonized in roots of G. przewalskii can help understand symbiosis mechanism of these endophytes associated to relict plants in extremely arid desert environments. DSE colonization, species diversity and soil properties of G. przewalskii were measured in Anxi and Minqin sites, Northwest China in July, September and December 2019. Subsequently, the functional metabolism of DSE strain was measured, and the response of DSE strain to drought stress was performed in vitro. DSE hyphal colonization (23.3 % - 39.2 %) and DSE isolation frequency (6.0 % - 27.6 %) varied sharply among seasons and sites. Soil alkaline phosphatase, nitrate nitrogen and total phosphorus were main factors affecting the DSE composition. Twenty-six DSE isolates produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the medium, while 50 % of DSE showed a potential for IAA production in L-tryptophan-dependent. Additionally, the composition of functional metabolites of DSE strains varied greatly with different drought levels and DSE isolates, which may indirectly reflect the complementarity between different strains in helping hosts cope with drought stress. This study confirmed the temporal and spatial dynamics and growth-promoting and drought-tolerant potential of DSE community in desert environment, and provided a new perspective for exploring the survival strategy and vegetation protection of desert relict plants. • Gymnocarpos przewalskii is a zonal relict plant in extreme arid desert of Northwest China. • DSE exhibited pronounced location and season preferences. • Changes in season and location drove specific soil properties affecting DSE community. • DSE can produce IAA and has a more prominent ability to produce IAA under drought stress. • Chemical components of DSE might be effective indexes to evaluate their desert adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insomnia occurs frequently in modern society, and its common symptoms include difficulty in falling asleep and decreased sleep quality and time, memory, and attention. With the advantages of having few side-effects and reduced drug-dependence, a compound traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription called Huaxiang Anshen Decoction (HAD) has been widely used in clinical practice in China mainly for primary insomnia treatment. Although the effects of volatile oils from TCM herbs have been increasingly reported, volatile oils in HAD are conventionally neglected because of its preparation process and clinical usage. Therefore, exploring the anti-insomnia effects of volatile oils from HAD is of great importance. The sedative and hypnotic effects of the conventional aqueous extracts, the volatile oils from HAD, and their combinations were investigated. The main components in HAD volatile oils (HAD-Oils), were analyzed through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HAD volatile oil inclusion complex (HAD-OIC) was prepared with β-cyclodextrin, and characterized. P -chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) was used to induce insomnia mice model and the test groups of HAD aqueous extract (HAD-AE), HAD-OIC and their combination (AE-OIC). An open field test was used in evaluating the mice's activities, and the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in mice sera, glutamate (Glu) in the hypothalamus, and γ-aminobutyric acid (γ-GABA) and dopamine (DA) in the brain tissues were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total 74 components in HAD-Oil were determined by GC/MS, and cyperenone (20.46%) and α-cyperone (10.39%) had the highest relative content. The characterization results of the physical phase showed that volatile oils were successfully encapsulated by β-cyclodextrin and HAD-OIC was produced. The average encapsulation rates of cyperenone and α-cyperone were 79.93% and 71.96%, respectively. The results of pharmacology study showed that all the test groups increased the body weight and decreased voluntary activity when compared with the model group (P < 0.05). The HAD-AE, HAD-OIC, and AE-OIC groups increased the levels of 5-HT in the sera and DA and Glu/γ-GABA in the brains, and AE-OIC groups showed better performance than the other test groups. HAD-Oil exerts sedative and hypnotic effects, which are increased when it is used with HAD-AEs. This result provides a favorable experimental evidence that volatile oils should be retained for the further development of HAD. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automatic weather station (AWS) observations are used to select tropical cyclones (TCs) affecting the Taiwan Strait during 2007–2016. Applying these data, the influence of TCs on the Taiwan Strait is measured and TCs with weak or no impact are removed. Objective statistical properties of the remaining TCs are analysed by clustering them into three groups using the fuzzy C‐means method. Clusters are differentiated as (a) TCs affecting the Taiwan Strait but recurving at the edge of the TC alert area, (b) TCs moving straight across The Philippines and the South China Sea, and (c) TCs striking Taiwan and eastern China and recurving after landfall. Differences among the clusters include in the spatial range and duration of gales monitored by AWS, and the track, intensity, and genesis location of TCs. Also analysed are the influence of large‐scale atmospheric environments on TC motion, sea‐surface temperature responses to TCs, and the influence of El Niño‐Southern Oscillation on TC classifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human‐mediated habitat transformation is increasingly evident around the world. Yet, how this transformation influences species' niche width and overlap remains unclear. On the one hand, human‐mediated habitat transformation promotes increased species similarity through trait‐based filtering, and an increased prevalence of generalist species with broad niches, resulting in functional homogenization. On the other hand, species that colonize transformed habitats could use empty niches, resulting in decreased species similarity and an expansion of assemblage‐level niche space. Here we explore these two alternatives in eight highly diverse passerine assembles in natural, rural and urban habitats in south and southwest China, a rapidly developing region of the world. Based on stable isotopes, we found that species' niche width increased from natural to human‐made habitats, but there were no differences in niche overlap among habitats. Therefore, we found evidence for niche expansion, with generalists appearing to use empty niches created by human habitat modification, and with assemblages being comprised of complementary species. Further research is needed to determine whether increased between‐ or within‐individual niche variation is the main driver of niche expansion in transformed habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Daily precipitation data from 21 Chinese Surface Stations for Global Exchange in South China and historical tracks of tropical cyclones (TCs) from International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS) during 1955–2013 are analysed to study changes in extreme precipitation and TC‐related precipitation with respect to global mean temperature. On annual and seasonal bases, there have been significant enhancements in heavy precipitation and suppressions of light and moderate precipitation under global warming conditions. Except in winter, the enhancements in heavy precipitation dominate over the suppressions of light and moderate precipitation, leading to increases of seasonal total precipitation. A significant increase of consecutive dry‐day episodes has been observed, especially in winter and early spring, which is detrimental to spring planting. The top 10% heavy precipitation associated with TCs has increased significantly under global warming conditions, despite a reduction in TC frequency. Finally, we find that TC‐related precipitation per TC storm in South China has increased by an alarming rate of about 50% during the period of 1955–2013. Under global warming conditions, significant enhancements in heavy precipitation and suppressions of light and moderate precipitation, which is controlled by long‐term trend, have been observed on both annual and seasonal bases in South China during 1955–2013. With reduction of light and moderate precipitation, consecutive dry‐day episodes increase significantly, especially in winter and early spring. Although the frequency of tropical cyclones (TCs) has a substantial downward trend, the top 10% heavy precipitation associated with TCs increased significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globalization and advances in technology have created a context where knowledge changes and circulates faster than ever. In high-performance sport coaching, coaches increasingly move from country to country to join national teams – becoming ‘migrant coaches’. From a coach development perspective, it becomes relevant to investigate how coaches from different countries learn to coach and what would be their ideal sources of knowledge acquisition. Unfortunately, there is a major gap in the English literature regarding Asian coaches. Thus, a study with Chinese gymnastics (Gym) and rhythmic gymnastics (R-Gym) coaches has been conducted. Eighty coaches completed a questionnaire on their actual and ideal sources of knowledge acquisition; 16 of these were interviewed. Data show that the coaches acquired their knowledge (actual) mainly through ‘being an athlete’ and ‘having a mentor’. Ideally, they would like to have a better balance between these two sources and formal learning situations (courses, seminars, etc.). Another key finding is the barrier resulting from the lack of English knowledge, which is an important limit for Chinese coaches wishing to gather information from abroad, especially through the Internet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern China Summer Rainfall (ECSR) has a strong interannual variability, and the leading mode of interannual ECSR variability is characterized by either meridional triple or dipole structures as claimed by previous studies. In this study, decadal differences of the leading ECSR modes are investigated, using observational data and long-term integrations of climate models. Observational analyses show that the leading mode of ECSR is characterized by a meridional triple structure during 1979-1993 whereas a meridional dipole structure during 1994-2014. In the 200-year air-sea coupled simulation of Community Climate System Model version 4 (CCSM4), the leading mode of ECSR is characterized by triple structure in some decades whereas dipole structure in other decades, and decadal shifts between the triple and dipole structures are seen. In the 200-year simulation of the stand-alone atmospheric component of CCSM4 (i.e., CAM4) forced by fixed SST annual cycle, the triple mode and dipole mode are also identified, suggesting both of these two modes and their decadal shift can be generated by atmospheric internal dynamics without air-sea interaction. As agreed by observation, CCSM4 and CAM4 simulations, the positive (negative) phase of the triple leading mode is associated with enhanced (weakened) western north Pacific subtropical high, southward (northward) shifted East Asian jet, and meridional wave train along the East Asian coast. The positive (negative) phase of the dipole leading mode is associated with enhanced (weakened) western north Pacific subtropical high, enhanced (weakened) East Asian jet, and zonal wave train over mid-latitude Eurasian continent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a near real–time 10 km × 10 km resolution black carbon (BC) concentration dataset, this study investigated the spatial patterns, trend variations, and drivers of BC concentrations in China from 2001 to 2019 with spatial analysis, trend analysis, hotspot clustering, and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR). The results indicate that Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, the Chengdu–Chongqing agglomeration, Pearl River Delta, and East China Plain were the hotspot centers of BC concentration in China. From 2001 to 2019, the average rate of decline in BC concentrations across China was 0.36 μg/m3/year (p < 0.001), with BC concentrations peaking around 2006 and sustaining a decline for the next decade or so. The rate of BC decline was higher in Central, North, and East China than in other regions. The MGWR model revealed the spatial heterogeneity of the influences of different drivers. A number of enterprises had significant effects on BC in East, North, and Southwest China; coal production had strong effects on BC in Southwest and East China; electricity consumption had better effects on BC in Northeast, Northwest, and East China than in other regions; the ratio of secondary industries had the greatest effects on BC in North and Southwest China; and CO 2 emissions had the strongest effects on BC in East and North China. Meanwhile, the reduction of BC emissions from the industrial sector was the dominant factor in the decrease of BC concentration in China. These findings provide references and policy prescriptions for how cities in different regions can reduce BC emissions. [Display omitted] • The regions of high BC concentration in China are located east of the Hu line. • The BC decreased at a rate of 0.36 μg/m3 (p < 0.001) per year from 2001 to 2019 in China. • Multiscale geographically weighted regression indicated a spatial heterogeneity in driving factors. • The pronounced decrease in BC emissions is the dominant contributor to the falling BC concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was aimed to determine the factors associated with antihypertensive adherence based on the Health Belief Model (HBM).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural area of China in 2014. The questionnaire included information about demographics, a scale based on the HBM, and the four-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale.Results: 745 hypertensive patients participated in the study (345 men, 400 women). Patients' mean age was 56.4±10.8years. The prevalence of adherence was 43.5%. Structural equation modeling showed that men, older participants, and those with greater knowledge of hypertension showed better medication adherence than did other participants. Based on the HBM, higher levels of self-efficacy and perceived severity and a lower level of perceived barriers were associated with better antihypertensive adherence. Self-efficacy was one of the most important mediating variables affecting antihypertensive adherence.Conclusions: Antihypertensive adherence was not optimal among patients in Beijing. Given that many factors are associated with medication adherence, individualized intervention strategies should be carried out in Beijing, China, especially in community settings.Practice Implications: Medication adherence can be improved by enhancing patients' self-efficacy because it was the most important influence and mediating variable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of forestation on the hydrological process is crucial to protecting water resources. In this study, the upstream Heihe River Basin is selected as the study area, which is the water source area of the whole basin. The grassland and forest are the main land use types, the proportion of which in the total land area is 21% and 50%, respectively. Firstly, a scenario of forestation was designed with the actual land cover data in 1980. Then a scenario with simulated land cover data in 1980 was established, in which the forest area increases by 12%. Thereafter a hydrological simulation was carried out with the actual and simulated land cover maps and the climate observation data during 1980–2010. The results suggested that the total water yield increased by 12.57 mm under the scenario with land use change during 1980–2010 compared with the simulation with the actual land cover in 1980. However, the results also indicated that the surface runoff reduced by 22.17 mm during the same period, indicating the forest land has “sponge” effects on the water resource in the mountainous watershed. These results may provide important information that supports operational practices, such as forest regeneration programs and watershed restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This multicentre, single arm, phase II study was aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of pazopanib as second-line treatment after failure of sunitinib in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and explore biomarkers for pazopanib response. Patients received pazopanib 800 mg per day. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end-points included objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS) and safety. Serum proteins (Delta-like ligand (DLL4), Notch1, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), HIF-2α, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRB)) levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 86 patients with clear cell mRCC were enrolled from December 2009 to March 2012 from three centres in Southern China. Of 85 evaluable patients, the median PFS was 5.6 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.1–6.7 months) by independent review. No complete response (CR) was observed in all patients. 13 (15.3%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.2–23.9%) patients achieved partial responses (PR) (ORR 15.3%). Median OS was 18.1 months (95% CI, 13.2–19.8 months). The most common adverse events (AEs) were mild to moderate and clinically manageable, including hypertension (37.6%), diarrhoea (36.5%), increased AST (51.8%), and anaemia (60%). AEs resulted in dose reduction in 24.7% of patients. Multivariable analysis showed that higher baseline levels of DLL4 and VEGFA and lower baseline level of HIF-2α were associated with shorter PFS; only lower baseline level of HIF-2α was correlated with shorter OS. The lower expression level of DLL4 after pazopanib treatment was associated with higher response rate probability. In conclusion, pazopanib was clinically active and well tolerated as second-line treatment after sunitinib in mRCC patients. Baseline levels of serum DLL4, VEGFA and HIF-2α may have potential utility as biomarkers of clinical efficacy in this setting (chiCTR-TRC-13004016). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To protect the limited forest resources, forestry soils for Panax ginseng cultivation is gradually replaced by farmland, but the extent to which soil type and cultivation age affects soil microbiome in the ginseng rhizosphere is not well known. By using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S and ITS2 rRNA genes, we tested the effects of two soil types (forest, and farmland) and three cultivation ages (four, five, and six years) on soil microbiome in the ginseng rhizosphere from nine locations in Jilin Province, China. Relative abundance and diversity of rhizosphere microbes differed among soil samples, and Ascomycota, Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi were the dominant phyla. Soil type positively influenced fungal community, while cultivation age had more positive effect on bacterial than on fungal community. Richness and diversity of fungal community was greater in forest than in farmland soils, while these parameters for bacterial communities were lower in forest than in farmland soils. A deterioration of soil fertility and continuous cultivation increased the proportion of pathogens such as Fusarium , Cylindrocarpon , but reduced the proportion of beneficial and neutral fungi and bacteria. The observed changes in soil properties (pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total potassium) caused by soil type and cultivation age could be explained by the variations in the microbiome. A network analysis indicated that farmland and increasing cultivation age augmented the proportion of pathogens but diminished the proportion of beneficial and neutral fungi and bacteria. The present study showed that the rhizosphere microbiome differed between forest and farmland soils. Cultivation age had a stronger influence on bacterial than on fungal community. These findings suggested that soil microbiome dynamics may be a bioindicator of soil quality, and defining the microbial players involved in various cultivation ages will promote the selection and adoption of favorable ginseng cultivation lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The two-gram salt-restriction-spoons, which can be used to reduce the salt intake of people, had been handed out for free by the Chinese government to the citizens several years ago, but only a small fraction of residents use such a spoon currently. Since no studies have been conducted to investigate relevant influencing factors, this study was designed to explore the determinants of salt-restriction-spoon using behavior (SRB) in China. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Beijing, China. Altogether 269 rural residents and 244 urban residents aged over 18 were selected by convenience sampling method in 2012. Variables measured in a questionnaire designed according to the Health Belief Model (HBM) included socio-demographics, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived objective barriers, perceived subjective barriers, self-efficacy, knowledge of hypertension, cues to action, and SRB. Answers to the questionnaire were obtained from all the participants, and 24-hour urine samples were collected to determine the 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (24HUNa). Path analyses were used to explore the determinants of SRB. Results: Approximately 22.7% and 45.3% of residents used a salt-restriction-spoon everyday in the rural and urban areas, respectively. The average 24HUNa was 211.19±98.39 mmol for rural residents and 109.22±58.18 mmol for urban residents. Path analyses shown that perceived objective barriers, perceived benefits, perceived severity, knowledge and age were related to SRB and 24HUNa for both rural and urban participants, among which perceived objective barrier (β =  − 0.442 and β =  − 0.543, respectively) was the most important determinant. Conclusion: Improvement of the current salt-restriction-spoon and education on the right usage of the salt-restriction-spoon, the severity of hypertension, and the benefit of salt reduction are necessary, especially among those who are relatively young but at risk of hypertension, those who have lower education levels, and those who live in the rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intense harmful algal blooms (HABs) can occur in the backwaters of tributaries supplying large-scale reservoirs. Due to the characteristics of process-based models and difficulties in modelling complex nonlinear processes, traditional models have difficulties disentangling the driving factors of HABs. In this study, we used data-driven methods (i.e., correlation analysis and machine-learning models) to identify the most important drivers of HABs in the Xiangxi River, a tributary of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China (2017–2018), for the dry season (from October to mid-April) and wet season (from April to September). We utilized the maximal information coefficient (MIC) combined with a time lag strategy and prior knowledge to quantitatively identify the driving variables of HABs. An extra trees regression (ETR) model was developed to assess the relative importance of causal variables driving algal blooms for the different periods. The results showed that water temperature was the most important driver for the duration of the study, followed by total nitrogen. Nitrogen had a stronger effect on algal blooms than phosphorus during both the wet and dry seasons. HABs were mainly affected by ammonia nitrogen in the wet season and by other forms of nitrogen in the dry season. In contrast, rather than the water temperature and nutrients, the operation of the Three Gorges Dam (difference between inflow and outflow discharge rate) was the most significant factor for algal blooms during the dry season, but its influence sharply declined during the wet season. This study showed that the key drivers of HABs can differ between seasons and suggests that HAB management should take seasonality into account. [Display omitted] • We analysed the importance of different driving factors for HABs. • Machine learning utilizing MIC combined with a time lag strategy was applied in the analysis. • The relative importance of environmental factors was analysed. • Nitrogen has a stronger effect than phosphorus on HABs. • Dam operation was an important factor for HABs, especially in the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an improved salt-restriction spoon on the attitude of salt-restriction, the using rate of salt-restriction-spoon, the actual salt intake, and 24-hour urinary sodium excretion (24HUNa). Design: A community intervention study. Setting: Two villages in Beijing. Participants: 403 local adult residents being responsible for home cooking. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group. Those in the intervention group were provided with an improved salt-restriction-spoon and health education, and were informed of their actual salt intake and 24HUNa. Not any intervention was given to those in the control group. Main Outcome Measures: The scores on the variables of Health Belief Model, the using rate of salt-restriction-spoon, the actual salt intake, and 24HUNa. Analysis: Covariance analyses, Chi-square tests, Student’s t tests, and repeated measures analyses of variance. Results: After 6 months of intervention, the intervention group felt significantly less objective barriers, and got access to significantly more cues to action as compared to the control group. The using rate and the correctly using rate of salt-restriction-spoon were significantly higher in the intervention group. The daily salt intake decreased by 1.42 g in the intervention group and by 0.28 g in the control group, and repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant change over time (F = 7.044, P<0.001) and significant difference between groups by time (F = 2.589, P = 0.041). The 24HUNa decreased by 34.84 mmol in the intervention group and by 33.65 mmol in the control group, and repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant change over time (F = 14.648, P<0.001) without significant difference between groups by time (F = 0.222, P = 0.870). Conclusions: The intervention effect was acceptable, therefore, the improved salt-restriction-spoon and corresponding health education could be considered as an alternative for salt reduction strategy in China and other countries where salt intake comes mainly from home cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of major depression. Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) have a high prevalence of major depression and low levels of BDNF. We therefore explored whether the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with co-morbid depression and whether depression affects the serum levels of BDNF in a Han Chinese subjects with T2DM. Methods: A Total of 296 T2DM patients and 70 healthy volunteers (Health control, HC group) were recruited in this study. T2DM patients were divided into two subgroups: depressive diabetes group (DDM group, n = 64) and non-depressive diabetes group (NDDM group, n = 232), according to the presence or the absence of depression assessed by Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Val66Met polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP). Serum BDNF levels were measured by ELISA kit. Results: In this study, 21.6% (64/296) patients with T2DM had depression. The BDNF Val66Met genotype distributions were statistically different among the three groups (χ2 = 7.39, p < 0.05). DDM group carried the highest frequencies of Met allele (53.9%) compared to HC group (39.3%) and NDDM group (38.8%). Subjects with Met/Met had lowest serum BDNF levels (76.59 ± 5.12 pg/ml, F = 7.39, p < 0.05) compared to subjects with Val/Met (79.04 ± 5.19 pg/ml) and Val/Val (83.83 ± 3.97 pg/ml). Within T2DM group, it was also observed that the serum BDNF levels in DDM group were significantly lower than those in NDDM group (76.67 ± 5.35 vs. 79.84 ± 3.97 pg/ml, p < 0.05). In type 2 diabetes subjects, BDNF serum levels were significant correlations with genotypes (r = −0.346, p < 0.01), depression scores (r = −0.486, p < 0.01) and HbA1c (r = −0.168, p < 0.05). After adjustment for gender, HbA1c, BMI and numbers of complications, BDNF Val/Met genotype distributions (OR = 2.105, p < 0.05) and decreased serum BDNF levels (OR = 0.835, p < 0.01) were independently associated with depression in T2DM. Conclusions: The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism might be implicated in the pathogenesis of depression in T2DM by decreasing serum BDNF levels in Han Chinese Subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ADAMTS12 in colorectal cancer progression and to examine whether ADAMTS-12 can be considered as a prognostic indicator for colorectal cancer.Methods: This study was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded resected specimens obtained from 112 patients with colorectal cancer. The expression level of ADAMTS12 was investigated by immunohistochemical staining to assess the relationship between ADAMTS12 expression and the clinicopathologic factors and to study the prognostic significance of ADAMTS12 in colorectal cancer patients.Results: ADAMTS12 expression was mainly localized in the fibroblasts adjacent to the tumor cells or in macrophages in front of the invasive cancer margins. The ADAMTS12 expression was significantly correlated with the tumor histological grade, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, and Dukes' stage. Patients with low or no ADAMTS12 expression in the tumor stroma had a significantly poor overall survival or disease-free survival.Conclusion: The expression of ADAMTS12 in colorectal cancer stroma plays an important role in inhibiting tumor development. Patients with ADAMTS12 expression showed better prognosis than those without ADAMTS12 expression. Thus, ADAMTS12 expression may be a good prognostic marker for colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of resistance genes and the clonal relationship amongst imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from ten hospitals in Western China as well as to compare the molecular epidemiological data with those of isolates from two hospitals in Hangzhou and Beijing. Genes encoding OXA carbapenemases, metallo-β-lactamases, AmpC cephalosporinase and carbapenem resistance-associated outer membrane protein (CarO) were screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. PCR mapping was performed to determine whether insertion sequence ISAba1 elements preceded OXA carbapenemases and AmpC cephalosporinase. International clonal lineages were identified by sequence type multiplex PCR. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to determine the sequence types (STs), and then eBURST algorithm was applied to assign clonal complexes (CCs). In this study, dissemination of acquired ISAba1 preceding the bla OXA-23-like gene was the predominant enzymatic resistance mechanism amongst 272 imipenem-resistant isolates. Five isolates harboured the carO gene disrupted by insertion of ISAba1 and three isolates lacked carO. All of the 36 representative isolates belonged to European clone II. Ten STs, including three novel types, were identified. These STs were clustered into CC92 and two distinct singletons. These observations suggest that imipenem-resistant A. baumannii of European clone II, which carries acquired ISAba1 preceding the bla OXA-23-like gene and belongs to CC92, has spread within Western China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mercury (Hg) is a neurotoxic element with severe effects on humans and wildlife. Widely distributed by atmospheric deposition, it can also be localized near point sources such as mines. Mercury has been shown to reduce the reproduction of bird populations in field observations in North America and Europe, but studies are needed in Asia, where the majority of emissions now occur. We investigated the reproduction of two passerines, Japanese Tit (Parus minor) and Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans), in a large-scale Hg mining district, and a non-mining district, both in Guizhou, southwest China. Concentrations of Hg were elevated in the mining district (blood levels of 2.54 ± 2.21 [SD] and 0.71 ± 0.40 μg/g, in adult tits and sparrows, respectively). However, we saw no evidence of decreased breeding there: metrics such as egg volume, nestling weight, hatching and fledgling success, were all similar between the different districts across two breeding seasons. Nor were there correlations at the mining district between Hg levels of adults or juveniles, and hatching or fledgling success, or nestling weight. Nest success was high even in the mining district (tit, 64.0%; sparrow: 83.1%). This lack of reproductive decline may be related to lower blood levels in nestlings (means < 0.15 μg/g for both species). Concentrations of selenium (Se), and Se-to-Hg molar ratio, were also not correlated to breeding success. Although blood levels of 3.0 μg/g have been considered as a threshold of adverse effects in birds, even leading to severe effects, we detected no population-level reproductive effects, despite ~25% of the adult tits being above this level. Future work should investigate different locations in the mining district, different life-stages of the birds, and a wider variety of species. The hypothesis that bird populations can evolve resistance to Hg in contaminated areas should also be examined further. [Display omitted] • Studies of Hg and bird breeding are lacking in Asia, where emissions are highest. • We studied breeding success of 2 species in mining and non-mining parts of SW China. • Mine-impacted birds showed no decline in 7 metrics of breeding success. • Within mine populations, there were no correlations between Hg levels and breeding. • Results were unexpected as 25% of adult tits at mines had blood Hg > 3.0 μg/g. Bird reproduction in a highly contaminated Hg mining district did not show a statistically significant reproductive decline across two years compared to a reference district, although some of the Hg concentrations in birds in the mining district were above 3.0 μg/g, levels that have been previously associated with adverse reproductive effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the intensification of desertification in northwest China, drought has become a serious environmental problem restricting plant growth and ecological restoration. Recently, dark septate endophytes (DSEs) have attracted more attention because of their ability to improve plants' resistance to drought. Here, we investigated DSE colonization and species diversity in roots of Lycium ruthenicum collected from Anxi and Minqin, in northwest China, during July, September, and December 2019. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of seasonality and sampling sites on DSEs. In different seasons, DSE colonization varied with the phenology of L. ruthenicum. At different sites, DSE colonization significantly differed. Four isolates were reported in desert ecosystems for the first time. The results showed microsclerotial colonization was directly affected by changing seasons, while hyphal colonization and species diversity were directly affected by sampling sites. The soil organic carbon, pH, alkaline phosphatase, and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen were the main predictors of DSE colonization and species diversity. We conclude that DSE colonization and diversity showed significant spatial–temporal heterogeneity and were closely related to soil factors. This research provides a basis for the further understanding of the ecological functions of DSEs and their application potential for vegetative restoration and agricultural cultivation in drylands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Real-time observations were used to analyze impact of COVID-19 on NOx emission. • The impact in China is mainly concentrated in four industrial sectors. • Operating vent numbers and emission concentration are effective indicators. • COVID-19 significantly reduced the industrial NOx emissions of China. The unprecedented cessation of human activities during the COVID-19 pandemic has affected China's industrial production and NOx emissions. Quantifying the changes in NOx emissions resulting from COVID-19 and associated governmental control measures is crucial to understanding its impacts on the environment. Here, we divided the research timeframe into three periods: the normal operation period (P1), the Spring Festival period (P2), and the epidemic period following the Spring Festival (P3). We then calculated the NOx operating vent numbers and emission concentrations of key polluting enterprises in 29 provinces and 20 industrial sectors and compared the data for the same periods in 2020 and 2019 to obtain the impacts of COVID-19 on industrial NOx emissions. We found that spatially, from P1 to P2 in 2020, the operating NOx vent numbers in North China changed the most, with a relative change rate of –33.84%. Comparing the operating vent numbers in P1 and P3, East China experienced the largest decrease, approximately –32.72%. Among all industrial sectors, the mining industry, manufacturing industry, power, heat, gas, and water production and supply industry, and the wholesale and retail industry, were the most heavily influenced. In general, the operating vent numbers of key polluting enterprises in China decreased by 24.68%, and the standardized NOx (w) 5-day decreased by an average of −9.54 ± −6.00 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that COVID-19 significantly reduced the NOx emission levels of the key polluting enterprises in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loquat fruit is one of the most perishable fruits in China, and has a very limited shelf life because of mechanical injury and microbial decay. Due to an increasing concern about human health and environmental security, antagonistic microorganisms have been a potential alternative for fungicides to control postharvest diseases. In this work, the antifungal effect of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Bacillus methylotrophicus BCN2 and Bacillus thuringiensis BCN10 against five postharvest pathogens isolated from loquat fruit, Fusarium oxysporum, Botryosphaeria sp., Trichoderma atroviride, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Penicillium expansum were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. As a result, the VOCs released by BCN2 and BCN10 were able to suppress the mycelial growth of all targeted pathogens according to inhibition ratio in the double petri-dish assay as well as disease incidence and disease diameter on loquat fruits. The main volatile compounds were identified by solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-gas chromatography. These VOCs produced by the two strains played complementary roles in controlling these five molds and enabled loquat fruits to keep fresh for ten days, significantly. This research will provide a theoretic foundation and technical support for exploring the functional components of VOCs applicable in loquat fruit preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biodiesel was from diseased swine by ultrasound-assisted two-step catalyzed process. • Optimal condition was methanol/oil molar ratio of 7.42, 1.11 wt% KOH, 62.3 °C, 116.14 min. • The highest biodiesel purity (98%) was obtained in 176.14 min, reducing time by 63.3%. In order to enhance the yield of high quality biodiesel form diseased swine fat, the ultrasound-assisted two-step catalyzed process was employed. First, three-dimensional ultrasound-assisted concentrated sulfuric acid pre-esterification experiment was carried out. Then, the transesterification reaction catalyzed by KOH was performed, and four parameters (catalyst concentration, reaction time, methanol/oil molar ratio and reaction temperature) were optimized using response surface methodology. The results showed that the optimal transesterification reaction conditions were catalyst concentration of 1.11 wt%, reaction temperature of 62.3 °C, methanol/oil molar ratio of 7.42:1, and reaction time of 116.14 min. The most significant factor affecting biodiesel purity was identified as catalyst concentration. Under the optimal conditions, the maximum biodiesel purity reached to 98% with the reaction time of 176.14 min, shortened by 63.3% compared with previous works. Furthermore, most of the biodiesel properties agreed the quality requirements established by Official Regulations of GB/25199-2017 of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many fields where wheat is grown in northern China are co-polluted by arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd). Thus, remediation of As and Cd-contaminated alkaline soils is crucial for safe wheat production. In this study, a pot experiment was carried out to investigate the impact of 1% and 2% maize straw (MS) incorporation on As and Cd bioavailability, binding forms, uptake by winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and bacterial communities in smelter (SS) and irrigation (IS) alkaline contaminated soils. The results indicated that 2% MS incorporation significantly (p < 0.05) increased bioavailable-As by 37% (SS) and 39% (IS) with no significant change in the bioavailable-Cd in SS2% (31.95%) from 31.95% (SSCK) and IS2% (33.33%) from 32.82% (ISCK). Incorporation of 2% MS increased the grain As concentration from 0.22 mg kg−1 (SSCK) to 0.51 mg kg−1 (SS2%) and from 0.59 mg kg−1 (ISCK) to 0.84 mg kg−1 (IS2%) which is above the acceptable standard of 0.5 mg kg−1 (GB2726-2017). In contrast, the Cd content in grains was maintained at 0.09 (SS1%), 0.04 (SS2%) and 0.03 (IS1%), 0.02 (IS2%) below the acceptable standard of 0.10 mg kg−1 (GB2762–2017). The amendment through dissolved organic carbon mediated As desorption enhanced As transfer to wheat grain, decreasing DTPA-Cd in the soils and its consequent translocation to wheat leaves and grain. The 2% MS incorporation increased the active As fractions, reduced mobile Cd into immobile fractions, and promoted the abundance of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes in the two soils. These attributes of MS in decreasing the accumulation of Cd in wheat leaves and grains signified its potential as a suitable ingredient for Cd sequestration and food safety in Cd-contaminated soils. [Display omitted] • An increase in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) regulates As and Cd mobility • Maize straw incorporation led to Cd sequestration, which reduces the risk of Cd accumulation in wheat grains. • MS incorporation enhances the available As, thereby increasing the possibility of As accumulation in wheat tissues • Transformations of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes influenced Cd sequestration and As mobility in alkaline soil [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banxia Xiexin Decoction (BXD) was first recorded in a Chinese medical classic, Treatise on Febrile Diseases and Miscellaneous Diseases , which was written in the Eastern Han dynasty of China. This ancient prescription consists of seven kinds of Chinese herbal medicine, namely, Pinellia ternata , Rhizoma Coptidis , Radix scutellariae , Rhizoma Zingiberis , Ginseng , Jujube, and Radix Glycyrrhizaepreparata. In clinic practice, its original application in China mainly has focused on the treatment of chronic gastritis for several hundred years. BXD is also effective in treating other gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs) in modern medical application. Despite available literature support and clinical experience, the treatment mechanisms or their relationships with the bioactive compounds in BXD responsible for its pharmacological actions, still need further explorations in more diversified channels. According to the analysis based on the five-flavor theory of TCM, BXD is traditionally viewed as the most representative prescription for pungent-dispersion, bitter-purgation and sweet-tonification. Consequently, based on the flavor-oriented analysis, the compositive herbs in BXD can be divided into three flavor groups, namely, the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups, each of which has specific active ingredients that are possibly relevant to GID treatment. This paper summarized recent literatures on BXD and its bioactive components used in GID treatment, and provided the pharmacological or chemical basis for the further exploration of the ancient prescription and the relative components. ology: Relevant literature was collected from various electronic databases such as Pubmed, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Citations were based on peer-reviewed articles published in English or Chinese during the last decade. Multiple components were found in the pungent, bitter, and sweet groups in BXD. The corresponding bioactive components include gingerol, shogaol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol in the pungent group; berberine, palmatine, coptisine, baicalein, and baicalin in the bitter group; and ginsenosides, polysaccharides, liquiritin, and glycyrrhetinic acid in the sweet group. These components have been found directly or indirectly responsible for the remarkable effects of BXD on GID. This review provided some valuable reference to further clarify BXD treatment for GID and their possible material basis, based on the perspective of the flavor-oriented analysis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]