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Lithocarpus dahuensis, a new Fagaceae species from Fujian Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to L. konishii, but its oblanceolate leaf blade has more pairs of acute teeth on the margin, denser lateral veins, smaller cupules enclosing up to 1/4-1/3 of the nut, and its nut is only half as long as those of L. konishii. The plastome of L. dahuensis was 161,303 bp in length and displayed the typical quadripartite structure. Phylogenetic analyses distinguished L. dahuensis from L. konishii with strong support based on whole plastome and nrITS, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Danxiaorchis mangdangshanensis, a new mycoheterotrophic species from Fujian Province, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to D. singchiana, but its callus of labellum is a less distinctive Y-shape with three auricles on the apex, four pollinia that are narrowly elliptic in shape and equal in size, and it lacks fine roots. The plastome of D. mangdangshanensis is highly degraded. Phylogenetic analyses distinguished D. mangdangshanensis from its congeners, D. singchiana and D. yangii, with strong support based on nrITS + matK and plastomes, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human thermal comfort measures the combined effects of temperature, humidity, and wind speed, etc., and can be aggravated under the influences of global warming and local human activities. With the most rapid urbanization and the largest population, China is being severely threatened by aggravating human thermal stress. However, the variations of thermal stress in China at a fine scale have not been fully understood. This gap is mainly due to the lack of a high-resolution gridded dataset of human thermal indices. Here, we generate the first high spatial resolution (1 km-1 km) dataset of monthly human thermal index collection (HiTIC-Monthly) over China from 2003 to 2020. In this collection, 12 commonly used thermal indicators are generated by the LGBM machine learning algorithm from multisource gridded data, including MODIS land surface temperature, topography, land cover and land use, population density, and impervious surface fraction. Their accuracies were comprehensively assessed based on observations at 2419 weather stations across the mainland of China. The results show that our dataset has desirable performance, with mean R2, root mean square error, mean absolute error, and bias of 0.996, 0.693°C, 0.512°C, and 0.003°C, respectively, by averaging the 12 indicators. Moreover, the predictions exhibit high agreements with observations across spatial and temporal dimensions, demonstrating the broad applicability of our dataset. The comparison with two existing datasets also suggests that our high-resolution dataset can describe a more explicit spatial distribution of the thermal information, showing great potentials in fine-scale (e.g., intra-urban) study. Further investigation reveals that nearly all indicators exhibit increasing trends in most parts of China during the year 2003~2020. The increase is especially stronger in North China, Southwest China, the Tibetan Plateau, and parts of Northwest China, and in the spring and summer seasons. The HiTIC-Monthly dataset is publicly available via https://zenodo.org/record/6895533 (Zhang et al., 2022a). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Overconsumption of drinks containing fructose increases the risk for hyperuricemia and gout. Comparative analysis evaluating the indicators of serum uric acid (SUA) load caused by natural food-derived fructose and pure fructose in sweeteners is lacking. We aimed to uncover the effect of fructose from apple and honey and pure fructose powder on the SUA concentration of healthy young Chinese individuals.Methods and Study Design: Two randomized crossover trials were performed. The participants were randomly assigned to consume apple or honey (test food) or pure fructose powder (reference food); one week later, the groups' dietary intervention was switched. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min after meal to measure the SUA and blood glucose concentrations.Results: At 30 and 60 min, the SUA concentration in participants consuming apple or honey was lower than in those consuming fructose powder. At 120 min, the SUA concentration of participants consuming apple returned to baseline. The areas under the curve (AUC) within 2 h (2h- AUCs) of SUA exhibited the trend of fructose >honey >apple. The 2h-AUC ratio between test food and reference food was determined using the uric acid index to assess the efficiency of food-derived fructose in increasing the SUA concentration. The uric acid index of honey was higher than that of apple. Men had higher postprandial SUA concentration than women.Conclusions: Food-derived fructose caused a lighter load on uric acid metabolism than pure fructose. Uric acid index can be useful for distinguishing fructose-containing foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Maoershi Sn polymetallic deposit was closely related to Indosinian granitic magmatism. • The W–Sn polymetallic deposit in the Dupangling region formed in an extensional tectonic setting after late Indosinian collision. Nanling is located in central South China and contains the most important area of W–Sn polymetallic deposits worldwide. However, a lack of geochronological data hinders our understanding of the timing and mechanisms of W–Sn mineralization in the Dupangling area of western Nanling. The Maoershi Sn polymetallic deposit is located in the western body of Dupangling complex pluton, and is a significant hydrothermal vein deposit. Cassiterite U–Pb dating shows that the Maoershi Sn mineralization occurred during the Late Triassic (206.2 ± 2.6 Ma). This age is different from the age of granite in the western Dupangling pluton and similar to the age of the eastern Dupangling pluton. The cassiterite is enriched in Sc (4.5105–18.4049 ppm), V (37.2267–88.9671 ppm), Nb (62.0104–194.1846 ppm), Ta (11.1965–85.6881 ppm), Hf (22.0511–30.7650 ppm), U (2.8870–17.9187 ppm), Th (0.0005–0.0908 ppm), Ti (3873–6170 ppm), and other high-field-strength elements. Based on Nb/Ta and Y/Ho ratios, and the W–Fe discriminant diagram, Sn and the other mineralizing materials were mainly derived from hidden Indosinian granitic rocks. Tungsten–Sn mineralization in the Dupangling pluton exhibits a clear spatial–temporal relationship with Indosinian granitic magmatism, and occurred in an extensional setting after the continent–continent collision that marked the late Indosinian Orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meiogyne kwangtungensis is a rare species endemic to Hainan, China, known just from two fruiting collections made in the 1930s. Although it was published under the name Meiogyne in 1976, it was suggested that it might be better placed within Pseuduvaria or Mitrephora. For decades, this species was never collected again, thus its true generic affinity remained unresolved due to the lack of flowers. During a field exploration in Hainan, we re-discovered this species and collected a flowering specimen for the first time. The flower immediately confirmed its affinity with Pseuduvaria. Phylogenetic analyses of five chloroplast regions (psbA-trnH, trnL-F, matK, rbcL, and atpB-rbcL; ca. 4.2 kb, 70 accessions) also unambiguously placed Meiogyne kwangtungensis in the Pseuduvaria clade (PP = 1.00, ML BS = 99%). Morphologically, it is most similar to P. multiovulata which is endemic to Myanmar and Thailand, both with often-paired flowers, long pedicels and short peduncles, and often 1-2 monocarps. However, it differs in having smaller flowers with kidney-shaped glands on the inner petals, fewer stamens and carpels, smaller ovoid monocarps with an apicule and fewer seeds. On the basis of the combined molecular phylogenetic and morphological data, we propose a new combination, Pseuduvaria kwangtungensis (P.T.Li) Qing L. Wang & B.Xue. A full description including floral characters and a color plate are provided here for this species. A key to species in the genus Pseuduvaria in China is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest reform of China’s agricultural land property rights system has achieved the separation of rural land ownership, contracting rights, and management rights (the “three rights separation” reform), which is an important means for the Chinese government to achieve the rational allocation of agricultural land resources and plays an important role in improving the green and high-quality development of agriculture. Based on the panel data of 30 sample provinces in China from 2001 to 2020, this paper explores the impact of the latest rural land property rights system reform (the “three rights separation” reform) on the high-quality green development of agriculture. Research has found that, firstly, the reform of the agricultural land property rights system that separates the collective ownership of land, the contracting rights of farmers, and the management rights of land can effectively improve the green development of agriculture. Secondly, the “three rights separation” reform can enhance the green development of agriculture through three paths: expanding the scale of agricultural economy, promoting the upgrading of agricultural industrial structure, and innovating agricultural technology. In addition, fiscal investment in supporting agriculture has played a positive regulatory role in the impact of the “three rights separation” reform on the green development of agriculture. Thirdly, the impact of the “three rights separation” reform on agricultural green development is characterized by regional heterogeneity and production structure heterogeneity, with a more significant promoting effect on the eastern and central regions, as well as the main grain producing areas. The research conclusion provides new ideas for promoting sustainable agricultural development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the China Social Survey 2013 and statistics from the Ministry of Environment Protection of China and the Institute of Public & Environment Affairs, this study empirically examines the relationship between actual and perceived air pollution and the moderating effect of environmental transparency on that relationship with a multilevel ordered logistic strategy. Estimations indicate a significant congruence of actual (both particulate matter less than 10 µm in diameter and sulfur dioxide) and perceived air pollution. More importantly, environmental transparency of local government is found to moderate the relationship between actual and perceived air pollution by neutralizing the halo effects and building more alert perceptions when local air quality deteriorates. Our findings not only challenge the work of identifying a mismatch of actual-perceived air pollution in some developed countries but also suggest that, apart from abating actual air pollution, environmental transparency should be emphasized and strengthened in institutional buildings to help address pollution challenges in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate in vitro susceptibilities of aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacterial (GNB) isolates from intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) to 12 selected antimicrobials in Chinese hospitals from 2012 to 2014.Methods: Hospital acquired (HA) and community acquired (CA) IAIs were collected from 21 centers in 16 Chinese cities. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) status and antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined at a central laboratory using CLSI broth microdilution and interpretive standards.Results: From all isolated strains the Enterobacteriaceae (81.1%) Escherichia coli accounted for 45.4% and Klebsiella pneumoniae for 20.1%, followed by Enterobacter cloacae (5.2%), Proteus mirabilis (2.1%), Citrobacter freundii (1.8%), Enterobacter aerogenes (1.8%), Klebsiella oxytoca (1.4%), Morganella morganii (1.2%), Serratia marcescens (0.7%), Citrobacter koseri (0.3%), Proteus vulgaris (0.3%) and others (1.0%). Non- Enterobacteriaceae (18.9%) included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.8%), Acinetobacter baumannii (6.7%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (0.9%), Aeromonas hydrophila (0.4%) and others (1.1%). ESBL-screen positive Escherichia coli isolates (ESBL+) showed a decreasing trend from 67.5% in 2012 to 58.9% in 2014 of all Escherichia coli isolates and the percentage of ESBL+ Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates also decreased from 2012 through 2014 (40.4% to 26.6%), which was due to reduced percentages of ESBL+ isolates in HA IAIs for both bacteria. The overall susceptibilities of all 5160 IAI isolates were 87.53% to amikacin (AMK), 78.12% to piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) 81.41% to imipenem (IMP) and 73.12% to ertapenem (ETP). The susceptibility of ESBL-screen positive Escherichia coli strains was 96.77%-98.8% to IPM, 91.26%-93.16% to ETP, 89.48%-92.75% to AMK and 84.86%-89.34% to TZP, while ESBL-screen positive Klebsiella pneumoniae strains were 70.56%-80.15% susceptible to ETP, 80.0%-87.5% to IPM, 83.82%-87.06% to AMK and 63.53%-68.38% to TZP within the three year study. Susceptibilities to all cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones were less than 50% beside 66.5% and 56.07% to cefoxitin (FOX) for ESBL+ Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains respectively.Conclusions: The total ESBL+ rates decreased in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae IAI isolates due to fewer prevalence in HA infections. IPM, ETP and AMK were the most effective antimicrobials against ESBL+ Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae IAI isolates in 2012-2014 and a change of fluoroquinolone regimens for Chinese IAIs is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comments on the position of the Chinese government regarding North Korea's nuclear program as of September 2005. Reaction of the U.S. government regarding the issue; Factors behind the perceived reluctance of China to get tough with North Korea; Approach adopted by the Chinese government in addressing the nuclear issue.

Background: Recently, the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities (CA) increased as the increasing proportion of mothers with advanced age. We aimed to explore the prevalence of CA in relation to maternal age and perinatal features. Methods: A retrospective study was performed based on provincial birth defects surveillance data. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to calculate maternal age-specific rates of CA. Socio-demographic characteristics of mothers and perinatal features were listed. Results: The total prevalence of CA was 6.38 per 10,000 births, which increased per 10,000 births linearly from 4.02 in 2011 to 9.13 in 2015 (χ²line-trend =52.69, p < 0.001). During this period, the prevalence for CA per 10,000 births among women over 35 years old increased from 15.34 in 2011 to 33.82 in 2015 (χ²line-trend =115121.6, p < 0.001). The RR for overall CA, trisomy 21(T21), trisomy 18(T18) and others in mothers 35 years or older were 6.64 (95% CI 5.55 ~ 7.93), 6.83 (95% CI 5.63 ~ 8.30), 4.06 (95% CI 2.09 ~ 7.90) and 7.54 (95% CI 4.02 ~ 14.11) respectively in comparison to mothers aged 25-29 years old. The stillbirths rate for total CA was 76.45%. T21 and T18 were strongly associated with multiple anomalies, especially congenital heart abnormalities. Conclusions: The prevalence of CA increased as maternal age increased. Cases with CA were associated with other congenital defects and high mortality risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A special type of meniscal lesion involving the peripheral attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus (PHMM), termed a "ramp lesion," is commonly associated with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However, its treatment is still controversial. Recently, stable ramp lesions treated with abrasion and trephination alone have been shown to have good clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction. Hypothesis: Stable ramp lesions treated with abrasion and trephination alone during ACL reconstruction will result in similar clinical outcomes compared with those treated with surgical repair. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.Methods:A prospective randomized controlled study was performed in 91 consecutive patients who had complete ACL injuries and concomitant stable ramp lesions of the medial meniscus. All patients were randomly allocated to 1 of 2 groups based on whether the stable ramp lesions were surgically repaired (study group; n = 50) or only abraded and trephined (control group; n = 41) during ACL reconstruction. All surgical procedures were performed by a single surgeon who was blinded to the functional assessment findings of the patients. The Lysholm score, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, and stability assessments (pivot-shift test, Lachman test, KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference, and KT-1000 arthrometer differences of <3, 3-5, and >5 mm) were evaluated preoperatively and at the last follow-up. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the healing status of the ramp lesions. Results: All consecutive patients who were screened for eligibility from August 2008 to April 2012 were enrolled and observed clinically. There were 40 patients in the study group and 33 patients in the control group who were observed for at least 2 years. At the final follow-up, there were no significant differences between the study group and the control group in terms of the mean Lysholm score (88.7 ± 4.8 vs 90.4 ± 5.8, respectively; P = .528), mean subjective IKDC score (83.6 ± 3.7 vs 82.2 ± 4.5, respectively; P = .594), pivot-shift test results (P = .658), Lachman test results (P = .525), KT-1000 arthrometer side-to-side difference (1.6 ± 1.2 vs 1.5 ± 1.1, respectively; P = .853), or KT-1000 arthrometer grading (P = .738). Overall, for both groups (n = 73), 67 patients showed completely healed (38 study, 29 control), 3 showed partially healed (1 study, 2 control), and 3 showed nonhealed (1 study, 2 control) signals on follow-up MRI when evaluating the healing status of the ramp lesions. There was no significant difference regarding the healing status of the ramp lesions between the 2 groups (P = .543). Conclusion: This prospective randomized controlled trial showed that, in terms of subjective scores, knee stability, and meniscal healing status, concomitant stable ramp lesions of the medial meniscus treated with abrasion and trephination alone during ACL reconstruction resulted in similar clinical outcomes compared with those treated with surgical repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution and susceptibility of aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacilli isolated from Chinese patients with UTIs collected within 48 h (community acquired, CA) or after 48 h (hospital acquired, HA) of hospital admission.Methods: From 2010 to 2014, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 12 antibiotics for 4,332 aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacilli, sampled in 21 hospitals in 16 cities, were determined by the broth microdilution method.Results: Enterobacteriaceae composed 88.5% of the total isolates, with Escherichia coli (E. coli) (63.2%) the most commonly isolated species, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) (12.2%). Non-Enterobacteriaceae accounted for only 11.5% of all isolates and included mainly Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (6.9%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) (3.3%). Among the antimicrobial agents tested, the susceptibility rates of E.coli to the two carbapenems, ertapenem and imipenem as well as amikacin and piperacillin-tazobactam ranged from 92.5 to 98.7%. Against K. pneumonia, the most potent antibiotics were imipenem (92.6% susceptibility), amikacin (89.2% susceptibility) and ertapenem (87.9% susceptibility). Although non-Enterobacteriaceae did not show high susceptibilities to the 12 common antibiotics, amikacin exhibited the highest in vitro activity against P. aeruginosa over the 5-year study period, followed by piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, ceftazidime, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin. The Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) rates decreased slowly during the 5 years in E. coli from 68.6% in 2010 to 59.1% in 2014, in K. pneumoniae from 59.7 to 49.2%, and in Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) from 40.0 to 26.1%. However, the ESBL rates were different in 5 regions of China (Northeast, North, East, South and Middle-China).Conclusion: E. coli and K. pneumonia were the major pathogens causing UTIs and carbapenems and amikacin retained the highest susceptibility rates over the 5-year study period, indicating that they are good drug choices for empirical therapies, particularly of CA UTIs in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary unit of tuberculosis (TB) medical care in China is the county TB dispensary or county designated hospital (CTD), where patients can receive free diagnosis and treatment. However, a substantial number of patients seek their anti-TB treatment from general health facilities (Non-CTDs). This study aimed to investigate the first anti-TB treatment experience and choice of health facilities of retreated TB patients and their determinants.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jiangsu, Shandong and Sichuan provinces. All registered re-treated TB patients were investigated using a structured questionnaire covering information on demographics, socio-economic characteristics, and previous anti-TB treatment experiences.Results: Totally, 75.3% of 544 patients visited CTD directly for initial treatment. Patients who were female (OR:1.71, 95% CI: 1.01-2.87), over 40 years of age (OR:2.80, 95% CI: 1.24-6.33), from Jiangsu (OR:3.07, 95% CI: 1.57-6.01) and Sichuan (OR:4.47, 95% CI: 2.29-8.73) and those diagnosed before 2005 (OR:6.87, 95% CI: 4.24-11.13) had a significant higher risk receiving their initial treatment at a non-CTD. Patients were more likely to have standardized diagnosis and treatment regimens in CTD (89.8%) than in non-CTDs (65.9%). Patients treated in non-CTDs versus in CTD had a lower possibility to complete their treatment course during first TB episode (χ 2 = 3.926, P = 0.048), but there was no significant difference in the cure rate between different facilities (CTD 60.8%, Non-CTDs 59.1%). Patients in non-CTDs incurred higher costs (1,360 CNY) than those treated in CTD (920CNY).Conclusion: CTD play a key role in the National Tuberculosis Control Program. Patients should be guided to seek health care in county designated hospital, where they are more likely to receive appropriate examinations, treatment regimens and rigorous supervision, and to bear a lighter economic burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known about the association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of rs364585 near serine palmitoyl-transferase long-chain base subunit 3 gene (SPTLC3) and serum lipid profiles. The present study was detected the association of the SPTLC3 rs364585 SNP and several environmental factors with serum lipid profiles in the Han and Jing populations. Methods: Genotyping of the SPTLC3 rs364585 SNP was performed in 824 unrelated individuals of Han and 783 participants of Jing by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism combined with gel electrophoresis, and then confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: There was no significant difference in either genotypic or allelic frequencies between Han and Jing, or between males and females of the both ethnic groups. The levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the ratio of apolipoprotein (Apo) A1 to ApoB in Han; and total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C in Jing were different between the A allele carriers and the A allele non-carriers (P < 0.05-0.001). Subgroup analysis according to sex showed that the levels of LDL-C in Han males; TC and LDL-C in Jing males; and HDL-C and LDL-C in Jing females were different between the A allele carriers and the A allele non-carriers (P < 0.05-0.001), the A allele carriers had higher LDL-C and TC levels, and lower HDL-C levels than the A allele non-carriers. Serum lipid traits were also associated with several environmental factors in the Han and Jing populations, or in males and females of the both ethnic groups. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the association between the SPTLC3 rs364585 SNP and serum TC, HDL-C and LDL-C levels in our study populations. These associations might have ethnic- and/or sex-specificity. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since two large specimens of Chinese paddlefish Psephurus gladius were found unexpectedly in December 2002 and January 2003, a series of measures have been undertaken to attempt to save this critical endangered species. As a part of the rescue plan, a total of eight hydroacoustic and capture surveys were conducted in the upper Yangtze River between 2006 and 2013. Preliminary results from the first four surveys (2006-2008) were reported in 2009. The later four surveys were conducted in the same area and consisted of 578 setlines, 8 anchored setlines and 2003 drift net catches. A total of 1982 fish belonging to 38 species were captured. For the hydroacoustic surveys, a BioSonics echo sounder with a vertically down looking 199 kHz split-beam transducer was applied, both for data recording, and for guiding the capture trials by drift nets and setlines. Post processing applying automatic tracking identified 7217 single targets from the eight acoustic surveys. Body size was estimated from TS values of single targets. No P. gladius were captured. The acoustic data, however, revealed at least a few observations that are difficult to interpret as something other than large P. gladius. Although not conclusive, this gives hope that this species may still exist in the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) patients in China still face a number of barriers in seeking diagnosis and treatment. There is evidence that the economic burden on TB patients and their households discourages treatment compliance. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three cities of China. Patients were selected using probability proportional to size (PPS) cluster sampling of rural townships or urban streets, followed by list sampling from a patient register. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with TB patients to gain an understanding of the economic burden of TB and implications of this burden for treatment compliance. Results: A total of 797 TB patients were surveyed, of which 60 were interviewed in-depth following the survey. More than half had catastrophic health expenditure. TB patients with higher household incomes were less likely to report non-compliance (OR 0.355, 95% CI 0.140-0.830) and patients who felt that the economic burden relating to TB treatment was high more likely to report non-compliance (OR 3.650, 95% CI 1.278-12.346). Those who had high costs for transportation, lodging and food were also more likely to report non-compliance (OR 4.150, 95% CI 1.804-21.999). The findings from the qualitative studies supported those from the survey. Conclusion: The economic burden associated with seeking diagnosis and treatment remains a barrier for TB patients in China. Reducing the cost of treatment and giving patients subsidies for transportation, lodging and food is likely to improve treatment compliance. Improving doctors' salary system to cut off the revenue-oriented incentive, and expanding current insurance's coverage can be helpful to reduce patients' actual burden or anticipated burden. Future research on this issue is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Doha Climate Gateway launched the second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol and restated the vision of a new global agreement binding all countries. To reach the goal of the new agreement and further to save the Earth, the principles regarding CBDR of UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol may need a reflection and reinterpretation. The common responsibility would be emphasized more than before, and the differentiated responsibility might improve the feasibility to be operated considering the principles of equity and respective capabilities. In climate change conferences, China has shown its flexibility on the issue of a new agreement. As a developing responsible power, China should contribute to addressing climate change upon the call of common responsibility, but it also needs an appropriate differentiated treatment according to its capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's photovoltaic (PV) enterprises have experienced difficulties under the influence of the growth slowdown of international market and trade protectionism since 2012. In this paper, from a new perspective of building a hierarchical network model, by using the minimum spanning tree (MST) technique, the market characteristics of China's PV enterprises was researched. The economic distance in the MST was calculated by using PV enterprises' daily closing price of stocks during the years 2007-2013. With the analysis of the topology of hierarchical network, the community structures of the network are derived and some influential enterprises are identified. It is necessary for PV enterprises to deeply connect and cooperate with each other to cope with market risk. What's more, the key factors that affect the hierarchical network were also studied; the result indicates that assets expansion and the core technology competitiveness are important factors for the development of PV enterprises. In the end, some suggestions are put forward to promote sustainable development of China's PV industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background China scaled up a tuberculosis control programme (based on the directly observed treatment, short-course [DOTS] strategy) to cover half the population during the 1990s, and to the entire population after 2000. We assessed the effect of the programme. Methods In this longitudinal analysis, we compared data from three national tuberculosis prevalence surveys done in 1990, 2000, and 2010. The 2010 survey screened 252 940 eligible individuals aged 15 years and older at 176 investigation points, chosen by stratified random sampling from all 31 mainland provinces. All individuals had chest radiographs taken. Those with abnormal radiographs, persistent cough, or both, were classified as having suspected tuberculosis. Tuberculosis was diagnosed by chest radiograph, sputum-smear microscopy, and culture. Trained staff interviewed each patient with tuberculosis. The 1990 and 2000 surveys were reanalysed and compared with the 2010 survey. Findings From 1990 to 2010, the prevalence of smear-positive tuberculosis decreased from 170 cases (95% CI 166--174) to 59 cases (49--72) per 100 000 population. During the 1990s, smear-positive prevalence fell only in the provinces with the DOTS programme; after 2000, prevalence decreased in all provinces. The percentage reduction in smear-positive prevalence was greater for the decade after 2000 than the decade before (57% vs 19%; p<0·0001). 70% of the total reduction in smear-positive prevalence (78 of 111 cases per 100 000 population) occurred after 2000. Of these cases, 68 (87%) were in known cases--ie, cases diagnosed with tuberculosis before the survey. Of the known cases, the proportion treated by the public health system (using the DOTS strategy) increased from 59 (15%) of 370 cases in 2000 to 79 (66%) of 123 cases in 2010, contributing to reduced proportions of treatment default (from 163 [43%] of 370 cases to 35 [22%] of 123 cases) and retreatment cases (from 312 [84%] of 374 cases to 48 [31%] of 137 cases; both p<0·0001). Interpretation In 20 years, China more than halved its tuberculosis prevalence. Marked improvement in tuberculosis treatment, driven by a major shift in treatment from hospitals to the public health centres (that implemented the DOTS strategy) was largely responsible for this epidemiological effect. Funding Chinese Ministry of Health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) ZHENG as the key pathological principle is to understand the human homeostasis and guide TCM treatment. Here, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) were utilized to differentiate between ZHENGs including liver-gallbladder dampness-heat syndrome (LGDHS) and liver-kidney yin deficiency syndrome (LKYDS) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Sera samples of CHB patients with LGDHS (n = 35), LKYDS (n = 24), and healthy controls (Ctrls, n = 21) were analyzed by microarray and real-time RT-PCR. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were established to evaluate the levels of serum miRNA for discriminating LGDHS and LKYDS. The target genes of miRNAs were predicted by Target Scan. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathways were analyzed using DAVID tool. The results showed that 22 miRNAs were differentially expressed between LGDHS and LKYDS (fold change >2.0 and P < 0.01). Circulating miR-583 and miR-663 were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in CHB patients with LGDHS than those with LKYDS and Ctrls. ROC curve analysis revealed that miR-583 and miR-663 were sensitive and specific enough to distinguish LGDHS from LKYDS. Pathway enrichment analysis indicated that 354 putative targets for miR-583 and 68 putative targets for miR-663 were mainly involved in Axon guidance, Neurotrophin, and MAPK signaling pathway. miR-583 and miR-663 may be potential markers for ZHENG differentiation in CHB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The American Diabetes Association and World Health Organization have recently adopted the HbA1c measurement as one method of diagnostic criteria for diabetes. The change in diagnostic criteria has important implications for diabetes treatment and prevention. We therefore investigate diabetes using HbA1c and glucose criteria together, and assess the prevalent trend in a developing southern Chinese population with 85 million residents. Methods: A stratified multistage random sampling method was applied and a representative sample of 3590 residents 18 years of age or above was obtained in 2010. Each participant received a full medical check-up, including measurement of fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour post-load plasma glucose, and HbA1c. Information on history of diagnosis and treatment of diabetes was collected. The prevalence of diabetes obtained from the present survey was compared with the data from the survey in 2002. Results: The prevalence of diabetes based on both glucose and HbA1c measurements was 21.7% (95% CI: 17.4%-26.1%) in 2010, which suggests that more than 1 in 5 adult residents were suffering from diabetes in this developing population. Only 12.9% (95% CI: 8.3%-17.6%) of diabetic residents were aware of their condition. The prevalence of pre-diabetes was 66.3% (95% CI: 62.7%-69.8%). The prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes which met all the three diagnostic thresholds (fast plasma glucose, 2 hour post-load plasma glucose, and HbA1c) was 3.1% and 5.2%, respectively. Diabetes and pre-diabetes as determined by HbA1c measurement had higher vascular risk than those determined by glucose levels. The prevalence of diabetes increased from 2.9% (95% CI: 2.0%-3.7%) in 2002 to 13.8% (95% CI: 10.2%-17.3%) in 2010 based on the same glucose criteria. Conclusions: Our results show that the diabetes epidemic is accelerating in China. The awareness of diabetes is extremely low. The glucose test and HbA1c measurement should be used together to increase detection of diabetes and pre-diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the late effects of radiation on child-bearing women, a follow-up study was performed on a 39-year-old survivor 16 years after a 60Co radiation accident. The woman, Fang, was 19 weeks pregnant at the time of exposure. Physical examinations, a full range of clinical laboratory and imaging tests, as well as cytogenetic analyses were conducted to evaluate Fang's current health conditions. Fang shows the appearance of premature ageing and has a decreased menstrual period. Laboratory studies and imaging tests suggest nodular goitre disease and osteoporosis. Otherwise, no apparent abnormalities were found in the major organs. No malignant tumours were detected by either tumour markers or imaging tests. However, the existence of chromosome aberrations warrants long-term follow-up for tumour incidence in the future. Fang became pregnant 8 years after the accident, but suffered a miscarriage due to the death of the foetus at 6 months into the pregnancy. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the intrauterine death of the foetus might be associated with the previous exposure. There is no evidence of malignant tumours as of the date of the follow-up study. Non-cancerous diseases, i.e. thyroid disease and osteoporosis, which may be related to radiation exposure, are the major manifestations of the long-term effects of the accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A follow-up study of the late effects of intrauterine exposure to irradiation has been made on a 16-year-old girl whose mother was exposed to external 60Co irradiation during the Xinzhou radiation accident 16 years previously. The outcomes of the general medical examinations, conventional chromosome aberration analyses and fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) are presented and the China-revised Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (C_WISC) was used to identify her IQ level, which was well below normal for her age. The biological dose of the radiation to which she was exposed when she was in her mother's uterus was inferred to be 1.85 Gy. Although there is no evidence of any other developmental changes or tumour induction at this stage in her life, the child's total intelligence level does appear to have been affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virus isolates HaNHK7 and HaNHK8 were obtained from tomato plants showing leaf curl symptoms in Hainan Province of China. The complete DNA sequences of both isolates were determined to be 2748 nucleotides, with all the characteristic features of begomovirus genome organization. The two isolates share 99.8% identity with each other but have <88.3% nucleotide sequence identity with other begomoviruses. Consequently, HaNHK7 and HaNHK8 are considered to be isolates of a novel Begomovirus species, for which the name Tomato leaf curl Hainan virus (ToLCHnV) is proposed. ToLCHnV is most closely related to Papaya leaf curl China virus (PaLCuCNV, ) (88.3% in total nucleotide sequences). However, the AC2 gene more resembles that of Ageratum leaf curl virus (ALCuV, ) and AC1 and AC4 genes resemble those of Tomato leaf curl Vietnam virus (ToLCVV, ). Sequence analyses suggest that ToLCHnV may have arisen by recombination between viruses related to PaLCuCNV, ALCuV and ToLCVV. Neither the DNA-B component nor the DNA-β molecule was found to be associated with ToLCHnV isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that examined home range, daily movement and seasonal variations of male Reeves' pheasants Syrmaticus reevesii in the Dabie Mountains in central China. It aims to estimate home range, quantify daily movements and examine home range fidelity among seasons and years. The researchers found that daily movements in spring were almost twice than that of winter. It mentions that estimating home range size can provide an important insight into important ecological processes.

1 A network of light-traps, an aerial net carried by kytoon (balloon) and two entomological radars were used to investigate whether ground beetles migrate nocturnally through China. The network-wide, simultaneous sudden increase in light trap catches, and after subsequent decrease, indicated a seasonal long-distance night migration of ground beetles, with Pseudoophonus griseus (Panzer) predominant, in August. 2 Aerial net trapping indicated that carabids were able to ascend to altitudes of at least 200 m and become windborne. Radar observations indicated that the migratory beetles formed high-density layer concentrations at approximately 200–300 m. 3 These concentrations were coincident with the top of the temperature inversion and a wind speed maximum, which suggested that the carabids tended to select warm, fast moving air for their long-distance migration. 4 The ground beetles orientated and displaced towards the downwind direction in southerly winds. Their air speed decreased as the tailwind increased and, thus, migrating beetles appeared to be conserving energy. 5 The mean ± SD displacement speed (ground speed) and air speed were 6.85 ± 1.73 m/s ( n= 172) and 4.45 ± 1.54 m/s ( n= 172), respectively. The duration of flight, estimated from the variation in area density derived from radar data, was approximately 9–10 h, indicating that the beetles might migrate hundreds of kilometres in a single flight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assimilable organic carbon (AOC) test and bacterial regrowth potential (BRP) analysis were used to investigate the effect of phosphorus on bacterial regrowth in the drinking water that was made from some raw water taken from a reservoir located in northern China. It was shown that AOC of the drinking water samples increased by 43.9%-59.6% and BRP increase by 100%-235% when 50 µg/L PO43-P(as NaH2 PO4) was added alone to the drinking water samples. This result was clear evidence of phosphorus limitation on bacteria regrowth in the drinking water. This investigation indicated the importance of phosphorus in ensuring biological stability of drinking water and offered a novel possible option to restrict microbial regrowth in drinking water distribution system by applying appropriate technologies to remove phosphorus efficiently from drinking water in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of informationization and industrialization increases continuously with the gradual progress brought by Industry 4.0 and Made in China 2025. Enterprises become positive in exploring an information management system conforming to their characteristics. High-efficiency information construction has gradually become one of the leading development directions of enterprises. It also plays a vital role in lowering operation costs, increasing market shares, and improving enterprise competitiveness. However, information management system development is characterized by high input, long periods, and multiple risk factors. Enterprises have relatively weak consciousness in informationization risk control. Thus, project development may fail in case of improper risk management and inadequate control in the implementation process. Scientific and effective risk factor identification of an information technology (IT) project can determine the implementation effect of the information management system and subsequent improvement directions. In this study, a risk factor system for the information technology (IT) project was established through the expert consultation method. The weights of the IT project risk factors were estimated through decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory analysis (DEMATEL-ISM). The hierarchical relations among the IT project risk factors were depicted by using interpretive structural modeling. Results demonstrate that the causality of the factors inaccurate need analysis (F3), lack of user support (F5), contract risk (F10), and political and legal risks (F15) is higher than 0. These factors occupy the top four positions and directly influence other factors. IT project risk factors can be divided into five levels. The factor inaccurate need analysis (F3) is at the bottom level and is the fundamental influencing factor. It is also crucial to the risk control of IT projects. The obtained conclusions can provide important references to explore the risk factors of enterprise IT projects, evaluate risk levels accurately, and lower risks during IT project development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intercomparison of neutron personal dose equivalent measured by the Harshaw thermoluminescence neutron dosimeters (TLDs) between the National Institute of Metrology of China (NIM) and the Institute for Nuclear Science and Technology of Vietnam (INST) was performed. Three sets of TLDs (each set consisting of five TLDs) were prepared for each laboratory. Each set was then irradiated to the corresponding same nominal standard value of neutron personal dose equivalent, H p (10) n−std i , of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mSv, respectively at these two laboratories. The irradiated TLDs were then read-out at the INST using the Harshaw 4500-type TLD reader to obtain neutron personal dose equivalents at the NIM, H p (10) n−NIM i and at the INST, H p (10) n−INST i , which are corresponding to different values of H p (10) n−std i . The TLDs' responses to different scattered components of neutrons in these two fields are also discussed. Comparisons between the corresponding pair values of H p (10) n−NIM i and H p (10) n−INST i show good agreements within 10% with the standard uncertainty of 12.5% (k = 1). The measured values of H p (10) n−NIM i and H p (10) n−INST i are satisfied the Trumpet curve criteria. This implies that the TLDs can be used for safety assessment of occupational neutron personal dose equivalents. This intercomparison result also confirms the capabilities of these two laboratories (i.e., NIM, INST) on deliveries of neutron personal dose equivalent standard values for calibrations. • A comparison of H p □ (10) for neutrons was performed between INST and NIM. • The H p □ (10) discrepancy is within 10% with the standard uncertainty of 12.5%. • The discrepancy is ascribed to the algorithm for different scattering components. • The algorithm is advised to be more qualified in complicated radiation fields. • INST and NIM are capable to deliver standard values of H p □ (10) for neutrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many plants have been widely used in monitoring and assessing heavy metal pollution in soil, air and water. However, few studies have considered the unique value of bryophyte communities in monitoring manganese ore pollution and the diversity characteristics of bryophytes in different natural succession stages. Tongluojing Manganese Mine in Guizhou Province, China, was chosen for identifying bryophytes and statistical analyses. In total 61 species of mosses in 21 genera of 7 families were identified, including 8 dominant species, primarily representing the turf life-form. Following the successive stages from bare rock to woodland, single-species moss communities decreased while multi-species communities increased, with increment of the α diversity index. However, the β diversity index showed the opposite trend. The moss similarity index was the highest (0.43) and Cody index lowest (7.5) on bare rock, while the indices were the lowest (0.17) and the highest (18), respectively, in woodland. The Nemerow pollution index decreased gradually with the successive stages, with the bare rock area being the most polluted. The soil was polluted by Pb, Cr, Zn, Cd and Mn to varying degrees, among which Mn was the biggest pollutant with a concentration 129 times higher than the background value of the soil in Guizhou Province. There was a positive correlation between the contents of Cd, Cr, Zn and Mn in Weissia planifolia Dix and those in the substrate, suggesting that W. planifolia can be used as an indicator plant. This study highlighted multiple effects of mosses on heavy metal absorption, which could be used as pioneer plants for vegetation restoration in the manganese ore waste rock accumulation area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study on the effects of rare earth elements (REE) on population from south Jiangxi, China as well as an estimation of daily REE intake allowance. REE contents and distribution in food chains; Geological setting and methodology of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

OBJECTIVE Orthohantaviruses (genus Orthohantavirus, family Hantaviridae of order Bunyavirales) are rodent-borne viruses causing 2 human diseases: hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) and hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which are mainly prevalent in Eurasia and the Americas, respectively. We initiated this study to investigate and analyze the Orthohantaviruses infection in rodent reservoirs and humans in the Hubei Province of China from 1984 to 2010. SAMPLE The study included 10,314 mouse and 43,753 human serum samples. PROCEDURES In this study, we analyzed the incidence of Orthohantavirus infection in humans and observed changes in rodent reservoirs in Hubei Province. RESULTS The results indicated that although the incidence of HFRS declined from the 1990s, the human inapparent infection did not decrease dramatically. Although elements of the disease ecology have changed over the study period, Apodemus agrarius and Rattus norvegicus remain the major species and a constituent ratio of Rattus norvegicus increased. Rodent population density fluctuated between 16.65% and 2.14%, and decreased quinquennially, showing an obvious downward trend in recent years. The average orthohantaviruses-carrying rate was 6.36%, of which the lowest rate was 2.92% from 2006 to 2010. The analysis of rodent species composition showed that Rattus norvegicus and Apodemus agrarius were the dominant species over time (68.6% [1984 to 1987] and 90.4% [2000 to 2011]), while the composition and variety of other species decreased. The density of rodents was closely related to the incidence of HFRS (r = 0.910, P = .032). CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our long-term investigation demonstrated that the occurrence of HFRS is closely related to rodent demographic patterns. Therefore, rodent monitoring and rodent control measures for prevention against HFRS in Hubei are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION The All Causes of Death Surveillance (ACDS) system was used to measure smoking-attributed mortality by inserting questions on smoking on death certificates. Smoking status information of the deceased has been routinely collected in death certificates since 2010. We describe a death registry-based case-control study using smoking and cause-of-death data for the period 2010--15. METHODS From 2010, three questions about the smoking status of the deceased were inserted in a revised death certificate: 1) Smoking status (current smoker, quit smoking, never smoker); 2) Number of cigarettes per day smoked; and 3) Number of years of smoking. A data-accuracy survey of 1788 telephone interviews of the family of the deceased was also conducted. Smoking habits (current/ex-smoker vs non-smoker) were compared in study cases (persons who died of lung cancer and other diseases known to be caused by smoking) and the controls (never smokers). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate relative risks, RR (odds ratios) for smoking-attributed mortality, for lung cancer and all causes of death related to smoking, adjusted for 5-year interval age groups, education, marital status, and year of death. RESULTS During the study period (2010--15), the annual crude death reporting rates ranged from 6.5‰ to 7.0‰. The reporting rates of smoking status, smoking history and the number of cigarettes smoked daily were 95.5%, 98.6% and 98.6%, respectively. Compared to never smokers, the RR of ever smoking in males was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.33--1.43) for all causes of smoking-related deaths and 3.07 (95% CI: 2.91--3.24) for lung cancer, while in females the values were 1.46 (95% CI: 1.39--1.54) for all causes of smoking-related deaths and 4.07 (95% CI: 3.81--4.35) for lung cancer. The results in Tianjin are in accord with published results from previous studies. CONCLUSIONS Levels and trends in smoking attributed mortality can be measured at low cost by using the stable, complete and effective ACDS system in Tianjin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Many controversies still exist regarding ventilator parameters during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study aimed to investigate the CPR ventilation strategies currently being used among physicians in Chinese tertiary hospitals. METHODS: A survey was conducted among the cardiac arrest team physicians of 500 tertiary hospitals in China in August, 2018. Surveyed data included physician and hospital information, and preferred ventilation strategy during CPR. RESULTS: A total of 438 (88%) hospitals completed the survey, including hospitals from all 31 mainland Chinese provinces. About 41.1% of respondents chose delayed or no ventilation during CPR, with delayed ventilations all starting within 12 minutes. Of all the respondents who provided ventilation, 83.0% chose to strictly follow the 30:2 strategy, while 17.0% chose ventilations concurrently with uninterrupted compressions. Only 38.3% respondents chose to intubate after initiating CPR, while 61.7% chose to intubate immediately when resuscitation began. During bagvalve-mask ventilation, only 51.4% of respondents delivered a frequency of 10 breaths per minute. In terms of ventilator settings, the majority of respondents chose volume control (VC) mode (75.2%), tidal volume of 6-7 mL/kg (72.1%), PEEP of 0-5 cmH2O (69.9%), and an FiO2 of 100% (66.9%). However, 62.0% of respondents had mistriggers after setting the ventilator, and 51.8% had high pressure alarms. CONCLUSION: There is a great amount of variability in CPR ventilation strategies among cardiac arrest team physicians in Chinese tertiary hospitals. Guidelines are needed with specific recommendations on ventilation during CPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of diagnostic taxonomic characteristics in some species complexes leave the species delimitation of Oxytropis DC. unresolved. Seed morphological features have proved to be useful diagnostic and taxonomic characteristics in Fabaceae. However, there are few systematic studies on the seed characteristics of Oxytropis. Here, we used scanning electron and stereoscopic microscopy to investigate the seed characteristics of 35 samples obtained from 21 Oxytropis species from northwest China. Our examination showed two main types of hilum positions, terminal and central, and five different types of seed shapes: prolonged semielliptic, reniform, prolonged reniform, quadratic, and cardiform. Seven different sculpturing patterns were identified: scaled, regulated, lophate with stellated testa cells, simple reticulate, rough, compound reticulate, and lophate with rounded testa cells. The seeds ranged from 1.27 to 2.57 mm in length and from 1.18 to 2.02 mm in width, and the length-to-width ratio ranged from 0.89 to 1.55 mm. The seed shape was constant within species and was useful for species delimitation within the genus Oxytropis when combined with other macroscopic traits. In contrast, the sculpturing patterns were highly variable at the species level and could not be used for species identification. Results of the cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the seed traits of Oxytropis species are useful for taxa identification at the species level, but have low taxonomic value at the section level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The age of apatite, cassiterite, columbite-tantalite (coltan) from five zones in Nanping No.31Li–Cs–Ta-rich type pegmatite deposit show remarkable two group ages (370–390 Ma and 145–160 Ma). The older age represents the emplacement time of this pegmatite vein, and the much younger age record this pegmatite experienced a severe thermal disturbance event. • Only coltan have a consistent age (380 ± 10 Ma) in five zones. The results show that the sequence of minerals suitable for Li–Cs–Ta-rich type pegmatite is as follows: coltan > cassiterite ≈ zircon > apatite. • The zone dominated by fine-grained sodic plagioclase (zone II in Nanping No.31 pegmatite vein) is more easily disturbed by later geological processes. Accurate dating of the pegmatite is a challenge due to the uncertainty and controversy of crystallization temperature, fractionation model, and cooling mechanism. In this study, the sizable Nanping No.31 pegmatite vein (southeast China) contain five structural zones that is considered as an ideal example for assessing credible dating method on rare metals pegmatite deposit. The CMS (Chemical composition-Mineral assemblage-Structural geology) classification is applied on the Nanping pegmatite. The No. 31 vein is identified as pegmatite by CMS features. New U–Pb dating CGMs (columbite-tantalite group minerals) in five zones have a consistent age (380 ± 10 Ma). Whilst U–Pb dating of apatite and cassiterite from different structural zones show remarkable two group isotopic ages (370–390 Ma and 145–160 Ma). The much younger age indicated the pegmatite vein has experienced a severe Yanshanian tectono-thermal event at Eastern China. By comparison with apatite, cassiterite and zircon, CGMs is the most suitable mineral for accurate dating of the pegmatite because the dating results of the minerals are much stable, even having metamictization caused by high U content or overprinting by late hydrothermal activity. This study provided new insight into the dating methods for rare metals pegmatites to accurate restrict its metallogenetic geodynamical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that acute myeloid leukaemia is a heterogeneous disease that has been explored in depth using cytogenetic and molecular techniques. Topics include examines allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a curative therapy for AML and considered relapse remains an important problem as extensive evidence has shown that Wilms' tumor gene 1 expression is a useful biomarker for measurable/minimal residual disease monitoring in AML.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporotic hip fractures have posed a significant burden to society, and more epidemiological data is required. OBJECTIVE: To compare the epidemiological differences of hip fracture patients in Spain and China. METHOD: This was a retrospective comparative study. Comparisons were made in terms of morbidity, demographic and anthropometric characteristics, length of stay, cost of hospitalization, and mortality by consulting the medical histories of osteoporotic hip fractures in two hospitals. The t test was used for measurement data, and the X2 test was used for count data. The difference is statistically significant when p< 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 757 patients were enrolled in this study, with 426 from Virgen Macarena University Hospital (HUVM) and 331 from Xi'an Daxing Hospital (XDH). The average age was 81.4 ± 9.26 and 76.0 ± 8.08 years; the proportion of women was 74.9% and 68.0%, respectively. The incidence of osteoporotic hip fractures in Seville residents over 50 years old was approximately 239 per 100,000 residents, compared to 158 per 100,000 residents in Xi'an. The timing of surgery in Spanish patients was significantly longer than in Chinese patients, 78.7 ± 48.2 vs. 60.7 ± 43.1 hours, p= 0.000. There were 81 deaths in Spain and 43 deaths in China during the one-year follow-up period (p= 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: In terms of incidence, demographics, surgical methods, and mortality, there are significant differences between hip fracture patients in Seville, Spain and Xi'an, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe Polypleurum chinense, a new species of Podostemaceae from Yunxiao County, Fujian Province, China, based on morphological and molecular data and the genus Polypleurum is recorded here for the first time from China. Polypleurum chinense has a gross morphology similar to P. longistylosum, but it can be distinguished from the latter by its narrower roots, more numerous and longer leaves, shorter stigmas and more numerous ovules per locule. To distinguish the new Polypleurum species and study its phylogenetic position, its complete plastome was sequenced and characterised. The plastome is 132,110 bp in length, including a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 20,389 bp divided by the large single-copy (LSC) and small single-copy (SSC) regions of 79,022 bp and 12,310 bp, respectively. The plastome size of P. chinense is relatively smaller compared to most angiosperms due to the absence of the ycf1 and ycf2 genes in the IR regions. The phylogenetic analyses also strongly support the separation of the new species from other taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is unclear if current programmes in China can achieve the post-2015 global targets for tuberculosis -- 50% reduction in incidence and a 75% reduction in mortality by 2025. Chinese policy-makers need to maintain the recent decline in the prevalence of tuberculosis, while revising control policies to cope with an epidemic of drug-resistant tuberculosis and the effects of ongoing health reform. Health reforms are expected to shift patients from tuberculosis dispensaries to designated hospitals. We developed a mathematical model of tuberculosis control in China to help set appropriate targets and prioritize interventions that might be implemented in the next 10 years. This model indicates that, even under the most optimistic scenario -- improved treatment in tuberculosis dispensaries, introduction of a new effective regimen for the treatment of drug-susceptible tuberculosis and optimal care of cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis -- the current global targets for tuberculosis are unlikely to be reached. However, reductions in the incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis should be feasible. We conclude that a shift of patients from tuberculosis dispensaries to designated hospitals is likely to hamper efforts at tuberculosis control if cure rates in the designated hospitals cannot be maintained at a high level. Our results can inform the planning of tuberculosis control in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The report of the fifth national tuberculosis (TB) epidemiological survey in P. R. China, 2010, roughly showed that pulmonary TB (PTB) prevalence was higher in western China than in central and eastern China. However, accurately estimating the continuous spatial variations of PTB prevalence and clearly understanding factors impacting on spatial variations of PTB prevalence are important for allocating limited resources of national TB programme (NTP) in P. R. China. Methods: Using ArcGIS Geostatistical Wizard (ESRI, Redlands, CA), an evaluation was performed to decide that which kriging and cokriging methods along with different combinations of types of detrending, semivariogram models, anisotropy and covariables (socio-economic and geographic factors) can accurately construct spatial distribution surface of PTB prevalence using statistic data sampled from the fifth national TB epidemiological survey in P. R. China, 2010, and then the evaluation results were used to explore factors of spatial variations. Results: The global cokriging with socio-economic and geographic factors as covariables proved to be the best geostatistical methods for accurately estimating spatial distribution surface of PTB prevalence. The final continuous surfaces of PTB prevalence distribution demonstrated that PTB prevalence were lower in Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai and southeastern coast China, higher in western and southwestern China, and crossed between low and high in central China. Conclusions: The predicted continuous surface perspicuously illustrated the spatial variations of PTB prevalence that were co-impacted by socio-economic and geographic factors, which can be used to better allocate the always limited resources of NTP in P. R. China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Lifestyle factors have been well-established as essential targets for fighting individual chronic diseases, but little research has concentrated on multimorbidity from the perspective of multiple lifestyle factors in the Chinese population. Thus, this study aimed to explore the associations of lifestyle factors with the occurrence of multimorbidity. Methods and results Cross-sectional data retrieved from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used for analysis. Multimorbidity was calculated on a simple count of self-reported chronic conditions. Lifestyle factors included sleep duration, physical activity, alcohol intake, smoking status, and body mass index. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the independent and accumulating effects of lifestyle factors on multimorbidity. Latent class analysis was performed to explore the lifestyle patterns. Six thousand, five hundred, and ninety-one valid subjects were included for analysis. Overall, the community dweller's median number of chronic conditions was 1 (range 1-11) and median number of high-risk lifestyle factors was 2 (range 0-5). All lifestyle factors were associated with the occurrence of multimorbidity but varied between genders. We also identified that participants who accumulated more unhealthy lifestyle factors having a higher likelihood of multimorbidity. 'Physical activity and weight', 'smoke and drink', and 'sleep and weight' dominated high-risk lifestyles were the most common lifestyle patterns. Conclusion This study revealed the associations of unhealthy lifestyle factors and their accumulating effect with multimorbidity in Chinese community dwellers. Three common lifestyle patterns indicated that a holistic approach focused on engaging and changing multiple modifiable lifestyle behaviours within an individual might be more effective in managing multimorbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A special type of repairable meniscal lesion involving the peripheral attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus is commonly associated with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and is termed a ‘‘ramp lesion.’’ However, there are no previously published articles reporting the epidemiologic characteristics of ramp lesions.Hypothesis: The ramp lesion is a special type of medial meniscal tear with high prevalence associated with anterior cruciate ligament rupture; the prevalence increases with time from anterior cruciate ligament injury. Age and gender are risk factors affecting the prevalence of the ramp lesion.Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: From April 2002 to October 2007, 868 consecutive knees were diagnosed as having an anterior cruciate ligament injury and received arthroscopic surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. All the patients had verified tears of the ramp area under arthroscopy. The prevalence of the ramp lesion was evaluated retrospectively. Then, all cases were divided into different groups depending on the time interval from anterior cruciate ligament injury to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and other relevant risk factors such as age and gender. The effects of age, gender, and time from injury on the prevalence of ramp lesions were analyzed.Results: Among 868 knees that underwent surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, 144 knees were diagnosed as having a ramp lesion. The mean age was 24.7 years; there were 113 male and 31 female patients. The mean time from injury to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was 27.2 months. The prevalence of ramp lesions was 16.6%, which was analyzed as a logarithmic correlation with time from injury. Patients younger than 30 years of age and male patients had a significantly higher prevalence of ramp lesions.Conclusion: The ramp lesion is a common meniscal injury that can occur at the time of anterior cruciate ligament rupture or as a result of knee laxity associated with anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. The prevalence of ramp lesion in this patient group was 16.6%, which increased with time until 24 months after initial injury. Patients younger than 30 years of age and male patients had a higher prevalence of ramp lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2004, the Ministry of Health issued the policy of decentralising microscopy services (MCs) to one third of all township hospitals in China. The study was conducted in Gansu Province, a poor western one in China. Ganzhou was one county in Gansu Province. Ganzhou County was identified as a unique case of further decentralisation of tuberculosis (TB) treatment services in township hospitals. The study evaluated the impact of the MC policy on providers and patients in Gansu Province. The second objective was to assess the unique case of Ganzhou County compared with other counties in the province. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. All 523 MCs in the province completed an institutional survey regarding their performance. Four counties were selected for in-depth investigation, where 169 TB suspects were randomly selected from the MC and county TB dispensary registers for questionnaire surveys. Informant interviews were conducted with 38 health staff at the township and county levels in the four counties. Results: Gansu established MCs in 39% of its township hospitals. From January 2006 to June 2007, 8% of MCs identified more than 10 TB sputum smear positive patients while 54% did not find any. MCs identified 1546 TB sputum smear positive patients, accounting for 9% of the total in the province. The throughputs of MCs in Ganzhou County were eight times of those in other counties. Interviews identified several barriers to implement the MC policy, such as inadequate health financing, low laboratory capacity, lack of human resources, poor treatment and management capacities, and lack of supervisions from county TB dispensaries. Conclusion: Microscopy centre throughputs were generally low in Gansu Province, and the contribution of MCs to TB case detection was insignificant taking account the number of MCs established. As a unique case of full decentralisation of TB service, Ganzhou County presented better results. However, standards and quality of TB care needed to be improved. The MC policy needs to be reviewed in light of evidence from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2004, the Ministry of Health issued the policy of decentralising microscopy services (MCs) to one third of all township hospitals in China. The study was conducted in Gansu Province, a poor western one in China. Ganzhou was one county in Gansu Province. Ganzhou County was identified as a unique case of further decentralisation of tuberculosis (TB) treatment services in township hospitals. The study evaluated the impact of the MC policy on providers and patients in Gansu Province. The second objective was to assess the unique case of Ganzhou County compared with other counties in the province. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. All 523 MCs in the province completed an institutional survey regarding their performance. Four counties were selected for in-depth investigation, where 169 TB suspects were randomly selected from the MC and county TB dispensary registers for questionnaire surveys. Informant interviews were conducted with 38 health staff at the township and county levels in the four counties. Results: Gansu established MCs in 39% of its township hospitals. From January 2006 to June 2007, 8% of MCs identified more than 10 TB sputum smear positive patients while 54% did not find any. MCs identified 1546 TB sputum smear positive patients, accounting for 9% of the total in the province. The throughputs of MCs in Ganzhou County were eight times of those in other counties. Interviews identified several barriers to implement the MC policy, such as inadequate health financing, low laboratory capacity, lack of human resources, poor treatment and management capacities, and lack of supervisions from county TB dispensaries. Conclusion: Microscopy centre throughputs were generally low in Gansu Province, and the contribution of MCs to TB case detection was insignificant taking account the number of MCs established. As a unique case of full decentralisation of TB service, Ganzhou County presented better results. However, standards and quality of TB care needed to be improved. The MC policy needs to be reviewed in light of evidence from this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the prevalence and transmission of NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae in fecal samples of geese and environmental samples from a goose farm in southern China. The samples were cultivated on MacConkey agar plates supplemented with meropenem. Individual colonies were examined for blaNDM, and blaNDM-positive bacteria were characterized based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from the Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platforms. Of 117 samples analyzed, the carriage rates for New Delhi metallo-b-lactamase (NDM)-positive Enterobacteriaceae were 47.1, 18, and 50% in geese, inanimate environments (sewage, soil, fodder, and dust), and mouse samples, respectively. Two variants (blaNDM-1 and blaNDM-5, in 4 and 40 isolates, respectively) were found among 44 blaNDM-positive Enterobacteriaceae; these variants belonged to eight species, and Escherichia coli was the most prevalent (50%). WGS analysis revealed that blaNDM coexisted with diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Population structure analysis showed that most E. coli and Enterobacter sp. isolates were highly heterogeneous, while most Citrobacter sp. and P. stuartii isolates possessed extremely high genetic similarities. In addition, blaNDM-5-positive ST4358/ST48 E. coli isolates were found to be clonally spread between geese and the environment and were highly genetically similar to those reported from ducks, farm environments, and humans in China. Plasmid analysis indicated that IncX3 pHNYX644-1-like (n=40) and untypeable pM2-1-like plasmids (n = 4) mediated blaNDM spread. pM2-1-like plasmids possessed diverse ARGs, including blaNDM-1, the arsenical and mercury resistance operons, and the maltose operon. Our findings revealed that the goose farm is a reservoir for NDM-positive Enterobacteriaceae. The blaNDM contamination of wild mice and the novel pM2-1-like plasmid described here likely adds to the risk for dissemination of blaNDM and associated resistance genes. Carbapenem-resistant bacteria, in particular NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae, have become a great threat to global public. These bacteria have been found not only in hospital and community environments but also among food animal production chains, which are recognized as reservoirs for NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae. However, the dissemination of NDM-producing bacteria in waterfowl farms has been less well explored. Our study demonstrates that the horizontal spread of blaNDM-carrying plasmids and the partial clonal spread of blaNDM-positive Enterobacteriaceae contribute to the widespread contamination of blaNDM in the goose farm ecosystem, including mice. Furthermore, we found a novel and transferable blaNDM-1-carrying multidrug resistance (MDR) plasmid that possessed multiple environmental adaptation-related genes. The outcomes of this study contribute to a better understanding of the prevalence and transmission of blaNDM-carrying Enterobacteriaceae among diverse niches in the farm ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]