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Within the global architecture, engineering, and construction industry, the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology has significantly expanded. However, given the unique characteristics of road infrastructure, the application of BIM technology is still being explored. This article focuses on the Yuanchen Expressway, exploring innovative applications of BIM technology in comprehensive construction management. The project employs advanced technologies, including BIM, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Internet of Things (IoT), to precisely identify critical nodes and breakthroughs. Supported by a detailed BIM model and a multi-level, diversified digital management platform, the project effectively addresses construction challenges in multiple tunnels, bridges, and complex interchanges, achieving intelligent construction innovation throughout the Yuanchen Expressway with BIM technology. By guiding construction through BIM models, utilizing a BIM+GIS-based management cloud platform system, and employing VR safety briefings, the project effectively reduces the difficulty of communication and coordination in project management, shortens the project measurement cycle, improves on-site work efficiency, and ensures comprehensive control and safety management. This article provides an exemplary case for the application of full-line construction management using BIM technology in the highway sector both in China and globally, offering new perspectives and strategies for highway construction management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving carbon productivity is of great significance to China's "30 · 60" carbon target, while the development of the digital economy is a driving force for green transformation. However, few studies discuss the relationship between the digital economy and carbon productivity. We investigate the influence of digital economic development on carbon productivity using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces from 2011 to 2020. Spatial econometric and moderating effects are considered. The results show that (i) digital economy has a positive direct and negative spatial spillover effect on carbon productivity, and this conclusion is still valid after the robustness test and endogeneity test; (ii) digital infrastructure has a greater impact on carbon productivity than digital industrialization and industrial digitalization; (iii) the mechanism analysis shows that environmental regulation negatively moderates the relationship between the digital economy and carbon productivity; (iv) heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of the digital economy on carbon productivity is more obvious in the central region compared to the western region, while it is not significant in the eastern region. Overall, this paper not only provides a new analytical perspective for understanding the improvement of carbon productivity in the digital economy but also provides policy inspiration for promoting carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isinglass is a kind of edible and medicinal tonic, which has gained popularity due to its good efficacy in supplying collagen, beautifying health, regulating endocrine, enhancing immunity, etc. However, little efforts are made in relevant study on isinglass, especially the questions that user concerned about. In order to promote the sustainable development of isinglass industry in China, this paper describes the types and characteristics of the popular isinglass from retail market, main components, main functions, and the problems of developing isinglass industry, and proposes that it is necessary to enhance the study of isinglass about identification, classification, functions, quality standards, aiming to provide valuable references for researching the proper edible method and developing products of isinglass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the variation in soil nutrients found in coastal shelterbelt forests in response to periodic flooding is crucial for restoring the soil quality of flooded stands. In this study, we examined soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK) contents and their ecological stoichiometry, as well as soil organic matter and soil-available N, P, and K contents at three soil depths (0–10, 10–20 and 20–30 cm), in a shelterbelt forest of eastern China that was affected by periodic flooding. Results showed that soil C, N, and P contents all had a clear decreasing trend after being flooded, with significant decreases in SOC, TN and hydrolyzable N of 0–10 cm soil, as well as TP of 10–20 cm soil. Soil K content, however, had minimal changes after flooding across different soil layers. Soil C:N ratio increased significantly in 0–10 cm layer, while soil C:P, C:K, N:P, N:K, and P:K ratios decreased notably in both 0–10 cm and 20–30 cm layers following the flooding. Additionally, periodic flooding partially decoupled the correlations among SOC, TN, TP, TK and their ratios. For example, the connection between TK and N:P reversed into a negative correlation in 10–20 cm soil, while SOC and TK became negatively correlated with TP and P:K in the 20–30 cm layer. Principal component analysis revealed the effects of periodic flooding on soil C, N, P, and K availability, in which the total explained variance was decreased from 94% to 86.6%. Specifically, flooding significantly reduced the SOC and soil TN contents on the first axis, influencing C- and N-related ratios. On the second axis, flooding mainly affected soil TK content, which subsequently influenced the correlation between SOC and TK. Thus, periodic flooding notably affected the soil C, N, P, and K ecological stoichiometries of the coastal forest, but the variation patterns were depth-dependent. The insights gained from these results can contribute to the restoration of soil quality in degraded stands caused by flooding in the coastal shelterbelts regions of Eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Rhododendron is one of the top ten traditional flowers in China, with both high ornamental and economic values. However, with the change of the environment, Rhododendron suffers from various biological stresses. The WRKY transcription factor is a member of the most crucial transcription factor families, which plays an essential regulatory role in a variety of physiological processes and developmental stresses. (2) In this study, 57 RsWRKYs were identified using genome data and found to be randomly distributed on 13 chromosomes. Based on gene structure and phylogenetic relationships, 57 proteins were divided into three groups: I, II, and III. Multiple alignments of RsWRKYs with Arabidopsis thaliana homologous genes revealed that WRKY domains in different groups had different conserved sites. RsWRKYs have a highly conserved domain, WRKYGQK, with three variants, WRKYGKK, WRKYGEK, and WRKYGRK. Furthermore, cis-acting elements analysis revealed that all of the RsWRKYs had stress and plant hormone cis-elements, with figures varying by group. Finally, the expression patterns of nine WRKY genes treated with gibberellin acid (GA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), heat, and drought in Rhododendron were also measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the expression levels of the majority of RsWRKY genes changed in response to multiple phytohormones and abiotic stressors. (3) This current study establishes a theoretical basis for future studies on the response of RsWRKY transcription factors to various hormone and abiotic stresses as well as a significant foundation for the breeding of new stress-tolerant Rhododendron varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It remains unsolved that whether blood uric acid (UA) is a neuroprotective or neurotoxic agent. This study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal association of blood UA with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among older adults in China. Methods: A total of 3,103 older adults (aged 65+ years) free of MCI at baseline were included from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS). Blood UA level was determined by the uricase colorimetry assay and analyzed as both continuous and categorical (by quartile) variables. Global cognition was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination four times between 2008 and 2017, with a score below 24 being considered as MCI. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine the associations. Results: During a 9-year follow-up, 486 (15.7%) participants developed MCI. After adjustment for all covariates, higher UA had a dose-response association with a lower risk of MCI (all P for trend < 0.05). Participants in the highest UA quartile group had a reduced risk [hazard ratio (HR), 0.73; 95% (CI): 0.55–0.96] of MCI, compared with those in the lowest quartile group. The associations were still robust even when considering death as a competing risk. Subgroup analyses revealed that these associations were statistically significant in younger older adults (65–79 years) and those without hyperuricemia. Similar significant associations were observed when treating UA as a continuous variable. Conclusions: High blood UA level is associated with reduced risks of MCI among Chinese older adults, highlighting the potential of managing UA in daily life for maintaining late-life cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifty different kinds of wheat from 10 provinces in China were chosen as samples to be milled into flour. Dumpling wrappers were made from the flour and their texture qualities and rheological properties, disulfide content, sulfhydryl content, and gluten secondary structure were determined. The web structure formed by the gluten was observed under scanning electron microscopy. These results showed that the flour’s rheological properties, apart from extensibility, were significantly correlated with several aspects of the texture of the dumpling wrapper, and the degree of softening showed negative correlations, most closely with the texture quality of the dumpling wrapper. Disulfide played an important role in forming the gluten web, its content showing significant correlations with the rheological properties of the flour and the texture quality of the dumpling wrapper. The disulfide content in gluten was positively correlated with the hardness and quality of the cooked product; the sulfhydryl content showed no significant correlations with the rheological properties of the flour and the texture of the dumpling wrapper. The gluten secondary structure showed some correlation with the rheological properties of the dough, but little with the texture quality of the dumpling wrapper. Under observation by scanning electron microscopy, the weak structure was loose with large interspaces, while the strong structure was compact with few interspaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carya cathayensis, an important economic nut tree, is narrowly endemic to eastern China in the wild. The complete cp genome of C. cathayensis was sequenced with NGS using an Illumina HiSeq2500, analyzed, and compared to its closely related species. The cp genome is 160,825 bp in length with an overall GC content of 36.13%, presenting a quadripartite structure comprising a large single copy (LSC; 90,115 bp), a small single copy (SSC; 18,760 bp), and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs; 25,975 bp). The genome contains 129 genes, including 84 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. A total of 252 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 55 long repeats were identified. Gene selective pressure analysis showed that seven genes (rps15, rpoA, rpoB, petD, ccsA, atpI, and ycf1-2) were possibly under positive selection compared with the other Juglandaceae species. Phylogenetic relationships of 46 species inferred that Juglandaceae is monophyletic, and that C. cathayensis is sister to Carya kweichowensis and Carya illinoinensis. The genome comparison revealed that there is a wide variability of the junction sites, and there is higher divergence in the noncoding regions than in coding regions. These results suggest a great potential in phylogenetic research. The newly characterized cp genome of C. cathayensis provides valuable information for further studies of this economically important species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between the multidimensional health status of one spouse and the onset of depressive symptoms in partner, and whether the associations differed by gender and residence. We analyzed data from 2401 females and their husbands (scenario 1), and 2830 males and their wives (scenario 2) who participated in the 2011/2012 and 2015 waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Multidimensional health indicators included mobility disability, activities of daily living disability, frailty, global cognition, depressive symptoms, comorbidity, and self-reported health. Principal component analysis was used to construct a composite health indicator reflecting overall health status that was then categorized into three groups (poor, moderate, and excellent). Logistic regression models were performed. We observed strong associations of spouse's health status with the onset of depressive symptoms in partner. For instance, females whose husbands had poor overall health status reported more depressive symptoms than those having husbands with excellent overall health after four years (OR: 1.75; 95 % CI: 1.35, 2.26). These associations were statistically significant in rural females and urban males, but surprisingly disappeared in rural males and urban females. No exact timing of depressive symptoms onset. In Chinese middle-aged and older adults, spouse's health status is associated with depressive symptoms in partner and the associations vary by gender and residence. The findings underscore the importance of considering partner's health status to manage one spouse's mental health. • Spouse's health status is associated with the onset of depressive symptoms in partner • Associations between spouse's health status and depressive symptoms in partner vary by gender and residence in China • Considering partner's health status in a couple may improve one spouse's mental health [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the discovery of bamboo texts which outlines the ancient Chinese civilization. It notes that these texts greatly influence the history of scholarship in the civilization. It explains that bamboo and silk manuscripts can be divided into books and documents. However, it points out that the structure and form of the strips vary greatly.

Examines the 'doubting of antiquity' era in China. Kinds of archaeological evidence; Understanding of the history of ancient learning; Evidence for ancient books.

The Xia-Shang-Zhou Chronology Project is a multidisciplinary research program that began in 1996. The ultimate goal of the Chronology Project is to provide a scientifically based absolute chronology of the Xia, Shang, and Western Zhou, the three earliest dynasties in Chinese history. The Chronology Project has involved the collaboration of more than 200 specialists in the fields of archaeology, history, astronomy, and radiocarbon dating from about 30 institutes and universities. Forty-four topics organized under nine themes, each with explicit, realizable goals, were set up to implement the Chronology Project. After more than four years of study,a new chronological chart of the Three Dynasties was derived and disseminated in the autumn of 2000. The new chart offers the exact reigns of nine late Shang kings and ten Western Zhou kings, and a framework for the chronology of early Shang and Xia. Some important datum points of the chronology are: the beginning of Xia and that of Shang are dated to ca. 2070 BC and ca. 1600 BC respectively; the date King Pan Geng moved the Shang capital to Yin is estimated to be ca. 1300 BC; and the Zhou conquest of the Shang, that is, the beginning of Zhou Dynasty, is set to 1046 BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semisteel, the main by-product of titania slag-smelting process of ilmenite with an electric furnace, cannot be widely used in the steel-making process because of its high sulfur and low carbon contents. Hoganas and water atomization processes are currently the major iron powder production techniques in China, but both have obvious drawbacks. A novel and clean iron powder production process is suggested to enhance the added value of semisteel, improve the production efficiency, and reduce the energy and water consumption. A circle of water curtain was set around a rotary cup atomizer. The iron powders and hot vapor produced in this new process can be applied in the reducing and leaching steps of sulfate process, respectively, which is propitious to cut down the manufacturing cost of titanium dioxide and realize optimized resource allocation and highly effective utilization. The effect of rotating speed on the obtained iron granules was investigated. Result shows that the median diameter of the obtained granules decreases with the increase in rotating speed and varies from 0.55 mm to 0.49 mm when the rotating speed is in the range of 600 rpm to 1000 rpm. The atomization mechanism of the molten semisteel was calculated to follow the ligament formation mode under the given experimental conditions. The obtained iron granules were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The surfaces of the iron granules are smooth and are covered with a layer of iron oxides, including Fe 3 O 4 , FeO, and relatively small amounts of Fe 2 O 3. Reduction experiments in hydrogen atmosphere at 1173 K (900 °C) were conducted to remove the iron oxides on the surfaces of the iron granules. The oxidation degree of iron powders decreases from 14.06% to 4.33% when the particle size varies from 0.3–0.35 mm to 0.6–0.65 mm. After reduction, the iron powders have dramatically rough surfaces and large specific surface areas, which benefit their reaction as reducing agents in the sulfate process. Unlabelled Image • The atomizing behavior of semisteel follows the ligament formation mode. • The surface of iron granules are smooth and covered with a layer of iron oxides. • After reduction, the main phase on the iron powders' surface is Fe. • After reduction, the iron powder has a larger specific surface area. • A process route of optimal allocation of iron powder and hot vapor is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The atomizing behavior of ferrosilicon alloy agreed with Rayleigh's mechanism. • The surface tension played an important role on the formation of droplet. • The model of the traveling trajectories of the alloy droplet was established. • The model of the heat transfer of the alloy droplet was established. Nowadays, ferroalloys are mainly produced by mold casting and crushing process in China which have obvious drawbacks like low efficiency and high energy consumption. In the present study, a novel process which was based on a rotary multi-nozzles cup atomizer (RMCA) was suggested on FeSi75 (alloy containing 75 wt.% Si). A circle of water curtain was set around the rotary multi-nozzles cup atomizer. According to the calculation results of atomization mechanism, the granulation process agreed with Rayleigh's mechanism. During the breakup of the alloy ligament, the surface tension plays an important role on the formation of droplet, and the effect of centrifugal force on the diameter of the alloy droplets becomes obvious with the increasing of the rotating speed. In the current study, the models of the traveling trajectories and the heat transfer of the alloy droplet are established. It is found that the solidification time of droplet with different thickness of solidification layer increase with the increase the alloy droplets' diameter. And the thickness of water curtain required for cooling the alloy increases with increasing the rotating speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co 3 O 4 @rGO were facilely prepared by template free self-assemble in this study. The morphology of Co 3 O 4 @rGO was actiniaria-like core-shell structural nanocomposites. The formation mechanism of Co 3 O 4 @rGO core-shell nanocomposite was discussed according to its significant time-dependent morphology evolution course. To evaluate the application potential of Co 3 O 4 @rGO, its adsorption performance toward highly toxic antimony ions were studied. The Co 3 O 4 @rGO nanocomposite exhibit high anti-interference ability and high adsorption ability. The maximum adsorption capacities towards Sb(III) and Sb(V) are 151.04 and 165.51 mg/g, respectively. River water samples containing antimony violating the limit were used to evaluate the practical application of Co 3 O 4 @rGO, and high performance was achieved. The EU and China limits for antimony in drinking water can be met by using mesoporous Co 3 O 4 @rGO treating the actual river water samples with original antimony concentration lower than 50 μg/L. Adsorption isotherm, adsorption kinetics, pH and co-existing ions effects were also studied in details. The results indicate that mesoporous Co 3 O 4 @rGO is an excellent adsorbent for antimony removal. Mesoporous Co 3 O 4 @rGO nanocomposite is a potential candidate for antimony removal from waste water. Image 1 • High performance core-shell structure Co 3 O 4 @rGO nanocomposites were synthesized. • The actiniaria-like core-shell structure was self-assembled without template. • The time-dependant self-assembling process was detailly investigated. • Co 3 O 4 @rGO exhibits high antimony removal performance by adsorption. • The different adsorption mechanisms for Sb(III) and Sb(V) were discussed in details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Whether household air pollution is associated with dementia risk remains unknown. This study examined the associations between solid fuel use for cooking and heating (the main source of household air pollution) and dementia risk., Methods: This analysis included data on 11,352 participants (aged 45+ years) from the 2011 wave of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, with follow-up to 2018. Dementia risk was assessed by a risk score using the Rotterdam Study Basic Dementia Risk Model (BDRM), which was subsequently standardized for analysis. Household fuel types of cooking and heating were categorized as solid (e.g., coal and crop residue) and clean (e.g., central heating and solar). Multivariable analyses were performed using generalized estimating equations. Moreover, we examined the joint associations of solid fuel use for cooking and heating with the BDRM score., Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, we found an independent and significant association of solid (vs. clean) fuel use for cooking and heating with a higher BDRM score (e.g., β = 0.17 for solid fuel for cooking; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.19). Participants who used solid (vs. clean) fuel for both cooking and heating had the highest BDRM score (β = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.29-0.36). Subgroup analysis suggested stronger associations in participants living in rural areas., Conclusions: Solid fuel use for cooking and heating was independently associated with increased dementia risk in Chinese middle-aged and older adults, particularly among those living in rural areas. Our findings call for more efforts to facilitate universal access to clean energy for dementia prevention., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nitrogen (N) enrichment from excessive fertilization in managed forests affects biogeochemical cycles on multiple scales, but our knowledge of how N availability shifts multi-nutrient stoichiometries (including macronutrients: N, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and micronutrients: manganese, iron and zinc) within and among organs (root, stem and leaf) remains limited. To understand the difference among organs in terms of multi-nutrient stoichiometric homeostasis responding to N fertilization, a six-level N supply experiment was conducted through a hydroponic system to examine stem growth, multi-nutrient concentrations and stoichiometric ratios in roots, stems and leaves of 2-year-old Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis Sarg.) saplings. Results showed that N supply significantly enhanced leaf length, width, basal diameter and sapling height. Increasing the rates of N also significantly altered multi-nutrient concentrations in roots, stems and leaves. Macronutrients generally respond more positively than micronutrients within organs. Among organs, leaves and stems generally responded more actively to N supply than roots. The stoichiometric ratios of nutrients within different organs changed significantly with N supply, but their direction and degree of change varied by organ. Specifically, increased N supply reduced the ratios of both macronutrients and micronutrients to N in plant organs, while increased N supply elevated the ratios of P to other nutrients. With N fertilization, ratios of micronutrients decreased in leaves and stems and increased in roots. In particular, leaf N and stem Mn stoichiometries responded strongly to N availability, indicating stimulated N uptake but a decreased risk of Mn2+ accumulation to excessive N. Overall, Chinese hickory saplings responded positively to increasing N availability in terms of stem growth, but the multi-nutrient stoichiometric homeostasis was distinctively organ-dependent. These results are expected to enhance our understanding of N-induced changes in homeostasis of multiple nutrients at the organ level and may offer new insights into how plants adapt to increasing N fertilization., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: This study aimed to explore the relationship between iron markers and metabolic obesity phenotypes and the role of age., Methods: Data were from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2009. Metabolic obesity phenotypes included metabolically healthy with normal weight (MHNW), metabolically unhealthy with normal weight (MUNW), metabolically healthy with overweight/obesity (MHO), and metabolically unhealthy with overweight/obesity (MUO). Iron markers including ferritin, transferrin, and soluble transferrin receptor were calculated as Log and quartered. The linear regression and multinomial logistic regression were used to explore the association of iron markers with age and metabolic obesity phenotypes, respectively., Results: Ferritin was linearly related with age, with β (95% confidence interval, CI) of 0.029 (0.027 to 0.032) and -0.005 (-0.007 to -0.002) for women and men. Transferrin was negatively associated with age in both men and women (β < -0.011). Furthermore, compared with participants in the quartile 1 ferritin group, those in the quartile 4 had increased odds of MUNW, MHO, and MUO, with odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (OR, 95% CI) of 3.06 (2.20 to 4.25), 1.66 (1.35 to 2.05), and 5.27 (4.17 to 6.66). Transferrin showed similar relationships with MUNW, MUO, and MHO; whereas transferrin receptor showed no significance. We also found joint associations of ferritin and transferrin with MUNW, MUO, and MHO. The interactive effect of ferritin and transferrin on MUO was significant ( P = 0.015)., Conclusion: Increased ferritin and transferrin were associated with MUNW, MHO, and MUO. Age should be considered when investigating iron., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Ren, Cao, Li, Zhang, Li, Song, Zhu and Liu.)

Background: This study aimed to examine the associations of plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, an indicator of oxidative stress, with disability in activities of daily living (ADL) and objective physical functioning among Chinese older adults., Methods: We used cross-sectional data of 2223 older adults (≥65 years, including 1505 adults≥80 years) from the 2011/2012 main survey of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and the 2012 biomarker sub-study. Plasma SOD activity was assessed by the T-SOD assay kit based on the hydroxylamine method. Outcomes included ADL disability and disability in three objective physical tasks (standing up from a chair, picking up a book from the floor, and turning around 360°). Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of plasma SOD activity with outcomes., Results: After controlling for age and sex, compared with participants in the lowest quartile group of SOD activity, those in the highest quartile group had 31% lower odds of ADL disability (odds ratio [OR]: 0.69; 95%CI: 0.48, 0.98); 60% lower odds of disability in standing up from a chair (OR: 0.40; 95%CI: 0.25, 0.63); and 57% lower odds of disability in picking up a book from a floor (OR: 0.43; 95%CI: 0.28, 0.65). The results did not change substantially after controlling for additional covariates. We did not observe statistically significant age and sex differences., Conclusions: Overall, plasma SOD activity was associated with subjectively and objectively measured disability in Chinese older adults, highlighting the potential of SOD activity to serve as a biomarker of physical functioning., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is common among older adults, but its association with physical function is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and disability in activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, and objective physical functioning among Chinese older adults., Methods: We used cross-sectional data of 2225 older adults (≥65 years) who participated in the 2011/2012 main survey of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and the 2012 biomarker sub-study. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Outcomes included ADL disability, mobility disability, and disability in three objective physical examinations (standing-up from a chair, picking-up a book from the floor, and turning-around 360°)., Results: The multiple regression models suggested that participants in the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency group had higher odds of ADL disability (OR: 4.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81, 5.92), mobility disability (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.41), and disability in standing-up from a chair (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.60, 3.69), picking-up a book from the floor (OR: 3.09; 95% CI: 2.07, 4.60), and turning-around 360° (OR: 3.09; 95% CI: 2.07, 4.60). Subgroup analyses revealed that some of the above associations (particularly those with mobility disability and disability in turning-around 360°) were only statistically significant among the oldest-old., Conclusions: Among the oldest-old in China, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was associated with disability in ADL, mobility, and objective physical functioning, highlighting the importance of managing the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level to promote healthy aging., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics and viral shedding kinetics of asymptomatic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).The data of 38 asymptomatic patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid were collected from February to March 2020 in Tuanfeng County, Huanggang, Hubei, China. The epidemiology, laboratory examination, chest imaging, viral nucleic acid test results, clinical characteristics, and viral shedding time were summarized in this retrospective study.The study included 20 family members of patients with COVID-19, 10 medical personnel participating in COVID-19 treatment or working in a fever clinic, 6 personnel from quarantine places, 1 individual with a close contact history with confirmed patients, and 1 local epidemic prevention personnel. All were positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. The white blood cell (WBC) count, the absolute value of lymphocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), and D-dimer were normal. Pneumonia manifestations were not found in the chest computed tomography (CT) scan of 36 patients; the remaining 2 cases included a 1-year-old child and a pregnant woman, and they did not undergo chest CT. The viral shedding time was 6 days.All asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 had a history of close contact or exposure. Laboratory tests were normal. Chest imaging did not show any pneumonia manifestation. The viral shedding time was <10 days, which is shorter than that of patients with COVID-19. A timely discovery of such asymptomatic infections is crucial for blocking the spread of the virus and strengthening the prevention and control measures., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2020 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

As specific clinical manifestations and detection tools for early neonatal infections are lacking, early detection and treatment are ongoing challenges. The present study aimed to investigate the role and clinical significance of the CD64 index in comparison with conventional examination indices (WBC, PCT and CRP) for the early diagnosis of neonatal infection. Of 74 in-patient newborns, non-sepsis (non-specific infection but free of sepsis), sepsis and control [newborns with ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn (ABOHDN) but without infection] groups involved 32, 16 and 26 cases, respectively. Peripheral blood WBC, PCT, CRP and CD64 indices were acquired for all groups. The sepsis group showed significantly higher WBC, PCT and CRP levels than the control group. Compared with the non-sepsis group, the sepsis group demonstrated significant increases in PCT but not in WBC or CRP. Compared with the control group, the non-sepsis and sepsis groups had higher CD64 indices. Combined, compared with the WBC, PCT and CRP indices, the CD64 index is unique in its capacity to diagnose neonatal infections early. The CD64 index combined with other conventional indices may lay a basis for the future early diagnosis and effective treatment of neonatal infections.

The objective of this paper is to correlate the MRI distribution of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis in HIV-1 infection patients with CD4 T cell count and immune reconstitution effect.A large retrospective cohort study of HIV patients from multi-HIV centers in China was studied to demonstrate the MRI distribution of cryptococcal meningoencephalitis and its correlation with the different immune status.The consecutive clinical and neuroimaging data of 55 HIV-1-infected patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis collected at multi-HIV centers in China during the years of 2011 to 2014 was retrospectively analyzed. The enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups based on the distribution of lesions. One group of patients had their lesions at the central brain (group 1, n = 34) and the other group of patients had their lesions at the superficial brain (group 2, n = 21). We explored their MRI characterization of brain. In addition, we also compared their CD4 T cell counts and immune reconstitution effects between the 2 groups based on the imaging findings.No statistical difference was found in terms of age and gender between the 2 groups. The medians of CD4 T cell counts were 11.67 cells/mm (3.00-52.00 cells/mm) in group 1 and 42.00 cells/mm (10.00-252.00 cells/mm) in group 2. Statistical difference of CD4 T cell count was found between the 2 groups (P = 0.023). Thirteen patients in group 1 (13/34) and 12 patients in group 2 (12/21) received highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Patients of group 2 received HAART therapy more frequently than patients of group 1 (P = 0.021).Central and superficial brain lesions detected by MR imaging in HIV-1-infected patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis are in correlation with the host immunity and HAART therapy.