Search

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRVS) is a major swine viral pathogen that affects the pig industry worldwide. Control of early PRRSV infection is essential, and different types of PRRSV-positive samples can reflect the time point of PRRSV infection. This study aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of PRRSV in China from Q4 2021 to Q4 2022, which will be beneficial for porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV)control in the swine production industry in the future. A total of 7518 samples (of processing fluid, weaning serum, and oral fluid) were collected from 100 intensive pig farms in 21 provinces, which covered all five pig production regions in China, on a quarterly basis starting from the fourth quarter of 2021 and ending on the fourth quarter of 2022. Independent of sample type, 32.1% (2416/7518) of the total samples were PCR-positive for PRRSV, including 73.6% (1780/2416) samples that were positive for wild PRRSV, and the remaining were positive for PRRSV vaccine strains. On the basis of the time of infection, 58.9% suckling piglets (processing fluid) and 30.8% weaning piglets (weaning serum) showed PRRSV infection at an early stage (approximately 90% of the farms). The sequencing analysis results indicate a wide range of diverse PRRSV wild strains in China, with lineage 1 as the dominant strain. Our study clearly demonstrates the prevalence, infection stage, and diversity of PRRSV in China. This study provides useful data for the epidemiological understanding of PRRSV, which can contribute to the strategic and systematic prevention and control of PRRSV in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The watershed habitat, especially floodplains, is often impacted by the interaction between the natural environment and human activities, and the fragile ecological balance is easily disturbed. Therefore, the study of the changes in habitat quality in floodplains is significant for the reconstruction of damaged habitats. In this study, the landscape patterns and habitat quality in the Yongding River floodplain from 1967 to 2018 were evaluated. We employed spatial analysis to explore the characteristics and correlation of its spatio-temporal pattern change. Our results show that, first, the overall landscape pattern of the Yongding River floodplain was dominated by arable land and forestland while the construction land expanded. Second, the landscape pattern tended toward fragmentation, and the degree of landscape complexity increased. Third, the habitat quality was generally above the medium level. However, the low-quality area continued to increase. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between habitat quality and the Aggregation Index, Diversity Index, and the area of water and forestland. In this context, the protection of the integrity and diversity of the landscape, reducing or even prohibiting the loss of water and forestland habitats, and restoring the ecological river, should be strengthened. The contribution of this paper provides a scientific reference to the comprehensive management and ecological restoration of river ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mining areas in Western China are characterized by water shortage and ecological fragility, and the coal resources in these areas are extracted in a large-scale and highly intensive manner, which is highly likely to induce ecological problems, such as soil erosion and grassland degradation. In addition, there is a secondary protection zone of Hongshixia water source near Guojiatan minefield. If the water resources loss of Salawusu Formation is too large, it will affect the normal water supply of Yulin city. To reasonably coordinate coal exploitation and water protection, the development characteristics of water-conducted fissures with different backfill ratios are obtained in combination with theoretical analysis, field test, and numerical modelling. The panel layout of the layered-backfill-based water protection working face and the parallel operation of mining and backfilling are designed, and a feedback regulation system integrating hydrological monitoring and backfill ratios is established, which assists in evaluating the effectiveness of water protection. The results indicated that when the slicing mining method was adopted with the roof naturally caving, the maximum development height of the water conducted fracture zone was 220.0 m (developed to the Yan'an Formation), and the water conducted fracture zone could only develop to the Yan'an Formation without crossing the Zhiluo Formation when the backfill ratio reached 80%. The water emission rates in the west of the field testing area reduced from 334.95 m3/h to 60.60 m3/h, dropping by 86.86%. Compared to the scene prior to the layered backfill mining, the shallow water outflow was reduced by 72.74 m3/h, and it helped annually reduce the shallow water loss of 637200 m3, which was equivalent to 1.74% of the actual water supply to Yunli city every year. The results of this study can provide guidance on effectively avoiding the loss of shallow water resources that are regarded as indispensable sources of domestic water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in China with unique advantages and functions. With the rapid development of separation and purification technologies, more and more polypeptide compounds with specific biological activity and medicinal value were isolated from natural plants. The plant polypeptides have a lot of biological activities, such as antitumor effect, antioxidize effect, antibacterial effect, hypoglycemic effect, blood pressure lowering effect, lipid-lowering effect, anti-fatigue effect, and so on. This review summarized the extraction method, purification method, biological activities, and prospects of plant polypeptides, providing a basis for further study of plant polypeptides. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute mountain sickness (AMS) usually occurs among non‐acclimated individuals after rapid ascending to high‐altitude environments (generally ≥2,500 m). However, the precise molecular mechanism of AMS remains unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and AMS susceptibility. Methods: In this work, sequencing data were obtained from 69 AMS patients and 95 matched acclimated Han Chinese individuals from southwest China. Five SNPs (rs1008438, rs150877473, rs1799983, rs2153364, and rs3025039) were systematically investigated in all the participants. Results: In our study, we found that allele frequencies of "A" (AMS 69.57% vs. non‐AMS 54.74%) and "C" (AMS 30.43% vs. non‐AMS 45.26%) in the HSPA1A gene rs1008438 were significantly different between the AMS and non‐AMS groups (p =.01). Genotypes "CC" and "CA" of the HSPA1A gene (rs1008438) were associated with lower risk of developing AMS than the genotype "AA." Comparing the genotypes "CC + CA" and "AA," we also observed that the "CC + CA" genotype of rs1008438 was associated with lower AMS risk. Conclusions: In our case‐control study, there was a significant association between the rs1008348 polymorphism and AMS susceptibility, suggesting that this particular SNP might be a Han‐specific risk factor for AMS. We believe that this study establishes a foundation for further elucidation of the genetic mechanisms underlying AMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world's largest carbon emitter, China is under great pressure to cut down carbon emissions. Understanding the evolution of carbon emissions across Chinese cities is important for policymakers when allocating carbon emission quota among these cities. This paper draws upon the Open-source Data Inventory for Anthropogenic CO2 to calculate city-level per capita carbon emissions in China from 2001 to 2016. Overall, we find that per capita carbon emissions of Chinese cities have been generally on the rise during the 2001–2016 period. However, there has been on average a modest decline in per capita carbon emissions of cities in China's Yangtze River Delta region and Pearl River Delta region from 2011 to 2016, after a remarkable increase during the 2001–2011 period. Besides, the average north-south gap has been enlarged, with northern cities having a relatively higher level of per capita carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the landscape of invention patents in China, based on data from China's National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA). Three key indicators of patent applications are considered, the patent quantity, density, and intensity. It suggests that small and medium-sized cities performed better than larger cities in terms of patenting activity on a per-capital basis.

[Display omitted] • Na 2 SO 3 replaces a part of CaO in the galena-pyrite mixed concentrate flotation separation.. • Na 2 SO 3 has a significant depression effect on EX-preadsorbed pyrite. • Na 2 SO 3 can desorbed xanthate species on pyrite surface. Galena, sphalerite, and pyrite are important metallic sulfide minerals and are often associated with one another. In the flotation separation of galena-pyrite mixed concentrate, large amounts of lime (CaO) are used for the depression of pyrite. In this study, the negative effects of lime were reduced by using an efficient depressant Na 2 SO 3 + CaO reagent in the flotation separation of galena from pyrite. Real ore sample flotation separation tests showed that the mixed depressant can efficiently depress pyrite from galena-pyrite mixed concentrate. The obtained galena concentrate had a Pb recovery and grade of 58.36% and 83.45%, respectively. Micro-flotation experiments showed that Na 2 SO 3 depressed the floatability of pyrite more strongly than that of galena. Moreover, the depression mechanism of Na 2 SO 3 was observed through contact angle measurements, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) analysis, and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS). This study provides an important reference for the depression of pyrite from a galena-pyrite mixed concentrate with low lime dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identify in this paper the sources and types of administrative monopoly and the possible harms that administrative monopoly causes to the Chinese economy in its current institutional environment. We review the arguments for and against the inclusion of provisions on administrative monopoly in the ambit of the Anti-Monopoly Law and explain the weaknesses of such provisions. After analyzing the clauses against administrative monopoly in some countries' antitrust laws and two recent litigation cases on administrative monopoly in China, we detail the challenges in practicing anti-administrative monopoly law and provide a number of suggestions as to how the law and its enforcement can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The NADC-30 like v2016/ZJ/09-03 used in this study was a moderately virulent PRRSV. • The VR2332 vaccine reduced the percentage of viremic pigs as well as gross lung lesions and improved average daily weight gain. • The VR2332 vaccine had superior cross-protective efficacy against NADC30-like PRRSV infection compared to the TJM-F92. The emergence of novel and variant porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) strains has made controlling this disease a challenge in China. Several NADC30-like PRRSV outbreaks have occurred in mainland China since 2013. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cross-protection efficacy of two commercial PRRS modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines, derived from classical PRRSV (VR2332) and highly pathogenic (HP) PRRSV (TJM-F92), against an increasingly circulating NADC30-like lineage in pigs. Thirty-five PRRSV- and antibody-free pigs were randomly divided into the following four groups: strict control (SC), negative control (NC), Boehringer control (BC), and Zoetis control (ZC) groups. The NADC30-like PRRSV used in this study caused fever, clinical respiratory signs, and gross and microscopic lung lesions in inoculated pigs in the NC group. Vaccination with the VR2332 vaccine significantly reduced the percentage of viremic pigs as well as gross lung lesions and improved average daily weight gain compared to the ZC and NC groups, suggesting that this MLV vaccine provides cross-protection against the NADC30-like virus. There were no significant differences in the efficacy of the two MLV vaccines based on clinical scores, immunological responses, or pathological outcomes. This study demonstrated that VR2332 MLV was effective against circulating NADC30-like PRRSV and could be used to control NADC30-like virus infections in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Magnolia officinalis as a traditional Chinese herb has long been used for the treatment of anxiety, cough, headache and allergic diseases, and also have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of mental disorders including depression. Aim of the study: Magnolol, a hydroxylated biphenyl compound isolated from Magnolia officinalis, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of magnolol in modifying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced signal pathways in RAW264.7 cells. Material and methods: The purity of magnolol was determined by high performance liquid chromatography. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of magnolol. The expression of proinflammartory cytokines were determined by ELISA and reverse transcription-PCR. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), inhibitory kappa B (IκBα) protein, p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were determined by Western blot. Further analyses were performed on mTLR4 and mMD2 co-transfected HEK293 cells. Results: The result showed that the purity of magnolol used in this study was 100%. Magnolol inhibited the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that magnolol suppressed LPS-induced NF-κB activation, IκBα degradation, phosphorylation of ERK, JNK and P38. Magnolol could significantly down-regulated the expression of TLR4 stimulating by LPS. Furthermore, magnolol suppressed LPS-induced IL-8 production in HEK293-mTLR4/MD-2 cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that magnolol exerts an anti-inflammatory property by down-regulated the expression of TLR4 up-regulated by LPS, thereby attenuating TLR4 mediated the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that magnolol may be a therapeutic agent against inflammatory diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Paleoproterozoic syenite associated with carbonatite-clinopyroxenite-granite in Trans-North China orogen. • Mineralogical and geochemical constraints on syenite origin. • Clinopyroxene and feldspar in syenite show variable compositions. • Syenite formed by mixing of clinopyroxenite and granite melts. Syenites are commonly associated with alkaline silicate rocks and carbonatites. The origin of syenites, however, remains controversial. Here, we report an intrusive suite of carbonatite–clinopyroxenite–clinopyroxene syenite complexes and granites from the Trans-North China orogen in the North China craton and present the systematic mineralogy and geochemistry of the syenites and their associated clinopyroxenites and granites. The granite has an age of 1808 ± 6 Ma and εHf (t) ranging from −5 to −8.5, which is consistent with the clinopyroxene syenite. The syenite is composed mainly of Ba–Sr-rich alkali-feldspar and clinopyroxene, and is strongly associated with the clinopyroxenite and granite. The rock exhibits a plastic flow feature in the contact zone between the clinopyroxenite and granite. In the contact zone towards the granite margin, the alkali-feldspar shows gradual decreases in Ba, Sr, and rare earth elements (REE), whereas the clinopyroxene shows good transition from diopside to hedenbergite. The syenitic clinopyroxene has variable Fe–Mg and REE contents. Differences in the compositional zoning of the alkali-feldspar and clinopyroxene were observed such that the former mineral core contains relatively lower Sr (1864 vs. 11754 ppm), Ba (8590 vs. 41504 ppm), and REE (1.0 vs. 23 ppm, ∑La–Eu) abundances than the rim, whereas the clinopyroxene shows the opposite trend [1086 vs. 847 ppm for Sr, 178 vs. 85 ppm for REE (∑La–Lu) in the core and rim, respectively]. The mineral chemistry implies the clinopyroxene syenite was formed by mixing between the mantle-derived clinopyroxenite and crust-derived granite melts. The age of rock formation is close to the metamorphism age of high-pressure granulites in the Trans-North China orogen, indicating a post-collisional setting related to the inter-continental collision of the North China craton in the Paleoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric environment governance requires necessary cost input. Only by accurately calculating regional atmospheric environment governance cost and scientifically allocating it within a region can the operability and realization of the coordinated governance of the regional environment be ensured. Firstly, based on the consideration of avoiding the technological regression of decision-making units, this paper constructs a sequential SBM-DEA efficiency measurement model and solves the shadow prices of various atmospheric environmental factors, that is, their unit governance costs. Secondly, combined with the emission reduction potential, the total regional atmospheric environment governance cost can be calculated. Thirdly, the Shapley value method is modified to calculate the contribution rate of each province to the whole region, and the equitable allocation scheme of the atmospheric environment governance cost is obtained. Finally, with the goal that the allocation scheme based on the fixed cost allocation DEA (FCA-DEA) model converges with the fair allocation scheme based on the modified Shapley value, a modified FCA-DEA model is constructed to achieve the efficiency and fairness of the allocation of atmospheric environment governance cost. The calculation and allocation of the atmospheric environmental governance cost in the Yangtze River Economic Belt in 2025 verify the feasibility and advantages of the models proposed in this paper.

Presently, China is in a critical period of economic transformation and upgrading. At the same time, it is also facing the pressure of serious atmospheric environmental pollution, which seriously threatens human health and hinders the sustainable economic development. Air pollutants are closely related to economic sectors, which together constitute a complex network. Air pollutants form an input-output ecological metabolic relationship among different sectors. Therefore, from the perspective of complex metabolic network, this study first constructs an environmental input-output model and then comprehensively uses the relevant methods of ecological network analysis and complex network analysis to analyze the characteristics of China's air pollutant emission system. Secondly, the key joint sectors of NO x and PM emissions are determined from the supply side and the demand side, respectively. Finally, the corresponding emission reduction measures are proposed for the identified key sectors.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the presence of Rickettsia sp. and Coxiella burnetii in Hyalomma asiaticum collected from Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) in Inner Mongolia of China. A total of 385 H. asiaticum adults collected from Bactrian camels from Alxa in Inner Mongolia from 2017 to 2018 were examined using PCR combined with sequencing. The results indicated that 18 (4.7 %) and 5 (1.3 %) samples tested positive for Rickettsia and C. burnetii, respectively. The corresponding nucleotide identities among detected genes ranged between 99.7 % and 100 % for the sequences of 17 kD and ompB from Rickettsia and 16S rRNA and FtsX from C. burnetii. Two representative strains-Rickettsia IMA-1 strain and C. burnetii IMA-1 strain-were used for subsequent analysis. NCBI BLAST and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the detected strain Rickettsia IMA-1 may represent a novel species of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. The C. burnetii IMA-1 strain was grouped with Coxiella burnetii str. RSA439 (GenBank: CP040059.1). In addition, the Rickettsia sp. was successfully isolated from the ticks in Vero cells incubated at 28 °C. These findings indicate that the H. asiaticum collected off Bactrian camels in Inner Mongolia carried SFG Rickettsia species and C. burnetii and could contribute to the etiology of febrile illness in animals and humans., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier GmbH.)

The newly emerged Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is responsible for considerable economic loss in waterfowl-raising areas in China since 2010. Meanwhile, the virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has also caused sporadic outbreaks in waterfowl. The individual vaccines against both diseases are available, however, there is no bivalent or combined vaccine for either disease. Here, we constructed a recombinant NDV-vectored vaccine candidate that expresses the pre-membrane (prM) and envelope (E) genes from DTMUV, designated as aGM/prM + E. The foreign prM and E proteins were stably expressed in aGM/prM + E and exhibited similar pathogenicity but higher growth kinetics than those of the parental virus. The aGM/prM + E carries a fusion cleavage site in accordance with avirulent viruses that have been frequently isolated from waterfowl, and induced remarkably (p < 0.001) higher NDV-specific hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers than commercially available live NDV vaccines (LaSota strain). The aGM/prM + E also elicited significantly higher (p < 0.05) virus neutralization (VN) titers than commercially available DTMUV inactivated vaccines (HB strain). The aGM/prM + E not only provided complete protection against NDV challenge but also reduced the gross lesions on ovarian folliculi and provided 80% protection against DTMUV in ducks. We note that the aGM/prM + E vaccine can prevent challenged ducks from shedding of NDV and DTMUV. Our results suggest that the candidate vaccine aGM/prM + E would help decrease NDV and DTMUV transmissions in waterfowl raising areas in China., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Acinetobacter baumannii is considered an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide owing to its increasing antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the complete genome sequence of A. baumannii strain A1296 and to perform a comparative analysis among A. baumannii., Methods: The complete genome sequence of A. baumannii A1296 was sequenced on two SMRT cells using P6C4 chemistry on a PacBio Single Molecule, Real-Time (SMRT) RS II instrument. The A1296 genome sequence was annotated using Prokaryotic Genome Automatic Annotation Pipeline (PGAAP), and the sequence type and resistance genes of the strain were analysed., Results: Here we present the complete genome sequence of A. baumannii strain A1296, belonging to a novel sequence type (ST1469) and isolated from patient in China, that was sensitive to multiple antibiotics. The genome of A. baumannii A1296 was 3810701bp in length, including one circular chromosome and two plasmids. The tet(39) resistance gene was located on the small plasmid in this A. baumannii strain., Conclusions: The genome sequence of A. baumannii strain A1296 can be used as a reference sequence for comparative analysis aimed at elucidating the acquisition, dissemination and mobilisation of resistance genes among A. baumannii., (Copyright © 2017 International Society for Chemotherapy of Infection and Cancer. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To conduct a review of the systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)., Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), Wanfang, and other databases from database inception to May 2014 for systematic reviews and meta-analyses on TCM treatment of T2DM. Manuscripts were read by two investigators if they met the inclusion criteria, and data were extracted. A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) was used to classify research quality, and the evidence quality was graded by the Grade of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system., Results: Eighteen systematic reviews and meta-analyses were considered. Fifteen analyzed the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicines, and three investigated the efficacy of acupuncture. AMSTAR evaluation ranged from 3-10, and re-evaluation of the main results implied that treatment of T2DM with TCM has certain advantages when compared with conventional Western medicine. However, the evidence quality was generally low., Conclusion: This work shows favorable evidence for the clinical treatment of TCM on T2DM. However, it is recommended that evidence-based decisions are made based on clinical trials because of the GRADE scores of the studies. To achieve higher quality of clinical research, clinical research on TCM requires specific and suitable research methods. Further trials may increase the quality of evidence to evaluate the clinical efficacy of TCM for T2DM.

In view of the public academic papers of Professor LIU Zhicheng, his academic track is analyzed, including validating effect, exploring mechanism, improving efficacy, expanding disease variety, deepening mechanism, optimizing program and seeking breakthrough. On this basis, combined with the self-character of TCM, the potential path for the academic cultivation of young scholars is refined: focusing on clinical practice, confirming clinical efficacy, deepening mechanism exploration, improving clinical therapeutic effect, optimizing clinical program, extending clinical disease spectrum, inheriting, seeking, breaking through, innovating, expecting and topping over. It is believed that during the academic cultivation, the importance is to form the stable research direction and continuity, organize research team, absorb actively new knowledge and thoughts, and adopt multidisciplinary cross and coordination so as to achieve the greater success ultimately.