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Although carbonatite-alkaline complexes are the primary source of the world's niobium (Nb) supply, the mineralization style is largely variable in these complexes and the processes behind their formation are still poorly understood. Exemplifying with our new observations on the ~430 Ma Miaoya and Shaxiongdong carbonatite-syenite complexes in the southern Qinling orogenic belt, central China, show that disseminated Nb mineralization in these two deposits is pervasive throughout the entire complexes in both syenite and carbonatite. Both magmatic and hydrothermal processes have contributed to Nb mineralization in both deposits, despite differences in the mineralization style. The Nb-bearing minerals in the mineralized Miaoya syenites include magmatic U-poor pyrochlore, rutile, and ilmenite with minor amounts of columbite, and hydrothermal columbite and rutile, whereas those in the mineralized carbonatites are mainly magmatic U-poor pyrochlore, uranpyrochlore, U-rich betafite, and rutile with minor amounts of columbite, and hydrothermal columbite and rutile. On the other hand, the Nb-bearing minerals in the mineralized Shaxiongdong syenites include magmatic U-poor pyrochlore, titanite, rutile, and ilmenite, and hydrothermal fersmite, rutile, and ilmenite, whereas those in the mineralized carbonatites are mainly magmatic U-poor pyrochlore without any hydrothermal Nb-bearing minerals. Field observations, whole-rock chemical and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions strongly constrained that assimilation of U-rich rocks (e.g., the hosting Yaolinghe and Meiziya Groups) and magma differentiation are responsible for diverse magmatic Nb mineralization in the two deposits. On the other hand, the diverse assemblages of hydrothermal Nb minerals in Miaoya and Shaxiongdong are mainly controlled by variations in the nature of the fluids, which is constrained to be genetically related to ~220 and ~420 Ma hydrothermal events, respectively. In summary, both magma evolution (e.g., differentiation, assimilation) and late hydrothermal overprinting are responsible for the diverse Nb mineralogy in carbonatite-alkaline complexes, a situation that is commonly observed worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of associations between ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and risks of decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia is limited. We aimed to investigate the associations between long-term exposure to PM2.5 with decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia in China. We conducted a two-stage study based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2015. Cox proportional hazard regression models and restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the associations of PM2.5 with risks of decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia. Latent class trajectory models (LCTM) were used to identify trajectories of PM2.5 from 2011 to 2015 in the sensitivity analysis. A total of 9760 participants were included in baseline analysis, and 5902 participants were in follow-up analysis. PM2.5 was associated with the risks of decline of kidney function [hazard ratio (HR): 2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.03, 4.44)] and hyperuricemia [HR 1.40 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.79)] in the second quartile group versus the lowest quartile group of PM2.5. We also observed nonlinear relationships between PM2.5 and the risks of the decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia (Pnon-linear < 0.001). In sensitivity analysis, four trajectory groups were identified. "Maintaining a high PM2.5" [odds ratio (OR): 2.20; 95%CI: (1.78, 2.73)] and "moderately high starting PM2.5 then steadily decreased" [OR (95%CI): 5.15 (1.55, 16.13)] were associated with hyperuricemia risk, using "low starting PM2.5 then steadily decreased" trajectory as reference. In conclusion, improved air quality is essential for prevention of decline of kidney function and hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In south China, warm-sector rainstorms are significantly different from the traditional frontal rainstorms due to complex mechanism, which brings great challenges to their forecast. In this study, based on ensemble forecasting, the high-resolution mesoscale numerical forecast model WRF was used to investigate the effect of initial errors on a warmsector rainstorm and a frontal rainstorm under the same circulation in south China, respectively. We analyzed the sensitivity of forecast errors to the initial errors and their evolution characteristics for the warm-sector and the frontal rainstorm. Additionally, the difference of the predictability was compared via adjusting the initial values of the GOOD member and the BAD member. Compared with the frontal rainstorm, the warm-sector rainstorm was more sensitive to initial error, which increased faster in the warm-sector. Furthermore, the magnitude of error in the warm-sector rainstorm was obviously larger than that of the frontal rainstorm, while the spatial scale of the error was smaller. Similarly, both types of the rainstorm were limited by practical predictability and inherent predictability, while the nonlinear increase characteristics occurred to be more distinct in the warm-sector rainstorm, resulting in the lower inherent predictability. The comparison between the warm-sector rainstorm and the frontal rainstorm revealed that the forecast field was closer to the real situation derived from more accurate initial errors, but only the increase rate in the frontal rainstorm was restrained evidently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Early diagnosis and intervention of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is necessary to optimize therapy in order to delay the progression of diabetes. This research aimed to reveal the change of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in patients with DN, and to assess possible correlations with glycated hemoglobin (HbAlc) values. Methods: The present study was a retrospective, single-center study conducted at a teaching hospital in the northeast China. A total of 120 patients were divided into proteinuria-positive group (n = 40), the microalbuminuria group (n = 40), and the high proteinuria group (n = 40) according to the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER), and 40 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. The levels of VEGF, ET-1 and HbA1c were measured in all subjects and principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to classify and reveal correlations between VEGF, ET-1 and HbA1c. Results: Compared to the control group, a significant difference in the increase of HbA1c was detected in group I, II and III. A significant increase in the concentrations of serum VEGF and ET-1 was also observed. HbA1c in DN patients had proven to be positively correlated with VEGF (r = 0.7941; p < 0. 0001) and ET-1 (r = 0.8504; p < 0.0001) respectively. Conclusion: The elevated levels of VEGF and ET-1 in serum have been proposed as being able to supplement the additional information about the progression of DN. These data suggest that the decrease in endothelial function may be related to poor glycemic control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) combined with hypertension has a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between the surrogate indicators of insulin resistance (TyG, TG/HDL, and Mets-IR) with the risk of T2D combined with hypertension. Methods: This study is based on a functional community cohort from Beijing and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, comprising 4234 and 4658 participants respectively. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline regression were performed to assess the link between TyG, TG/HDL, and Mets-IR with T2D combined with hypertension. The cross-lagged panel analysis and the mediation analysis were used to examine the temporal relationship between insulin resistance and obesity and their temporal relationship with follow-up T2D combined with hypertension. Results: In multivariable-adjusted models, higher TyG was associated with a higher risk of developing T2D combined with hypertension, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 3.46 (2.43–4.93) and 2.02 (1.67–2.44), in two cohorts respectively. A similar positive association was shown for Mets-IR, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.04 (1.03–1.06) and 1.05 (1.03–1.07), in two cohorts respectively. However, the association between TG/HDL with T2D combined with hypertension was different in two cohorts. The restricted cubic spline regression showed a linear association between TyG and T2D combined with hypertension (P-nonlinear > 0.05). The cross-lagged path coefficient from baseline BMI to follow-up TyG index was significantly greater than the path coefficient from baseline TyG to follow-up BMI. TyG partially mediated the effect of BMI on the risk of T2D combined with hypertension and the percentage of mediated association was estimated at 41.58% and 48.41% in two cohorts, respectively. Conclusion: These findings indicated positive associations between TyG and Mets-IR with the risk of T2D combined with hypertension in two cohorts. In addition, BMI change may precede TyG index change, and the TyG index plays a mediating role in BMI induced T2D combined with hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of oral administration of Buxue Yimu Pills (BYP, 补血益母丸), ferrous sulfate (FS), and the combination of BYP and FS on gynecological anemia, and investigate the mechanisms using network pharmacology. Methods: A randomized, controlled, multi-center clinical trial was conducted. Totally 150 patients with hemoglobin of 70–110 g/L due to gynecological conditions were recruited and randomized (using the block randomization method) into Buxue Yimu Pills group (24 g/d), oral iron group (FS Tablets, 0.9 g/d), and combined treatment group (BYP, 24 g/d plus FS Tablets, 0.9 g/d), 50 patients in each group. At the enrollment and 4-week treatment, complete blood count, serum iron indexes were evaluated. Adverse events, liver and renal functions, as well as blood coagulation were observed. Network pharmacology was conducted to identify the active ingredients and explore the potential mechanisms of BYP. Results: Ten (20%) and 7 (14%) participants discontinued the therapy due to gastrointestinal symptoms in oral iron and combination treatment groups. All 3 groups showed elevated hemoglobin. The patients in the iron group exhibited typically elevated in serum iron and ferritin and decreased in total iron-binding capacity. No change in iron indexes was observed in BYP group. The patients in the combination treatment group neither showed significant changes in serum ferritin nor total iron-binding capacity. No significant adverse reactions were observed in the BYP group. The network pharmacology identified 27 bioactive compounds and 145 targets of BYP on gynecological anemia. Biological processes and pathways including regulation of inflammation, hormone, angiogenesis and hemostasis, response to decreased oxygen levels, effects on myeloma cell, and response to metal ions were identified. Conclusion: BYP contributes to the practical improvement on gynecological anemia potentially through multi-target mechanisms and optimized iron re-distribution. (Trial registration: No. NCT03232554) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Injury is an important cause of death in China. In the present study, we systematically analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and trends of injury death in Xi'an residents from 2005 to 2020.Methods: Data on injury deaths from 2005 to 2020 were obtained from the "Xi'an Center for Disease Control and Prevention", injury deaths were classified according to the International Classification Disease-10th Revision (ICD-10). The data were stratified by gender, age groups, injury types, and then overall and type-specific injury mortality rates were estimated. Joinpoint regression analysis was conducted to estimate annual percent change (APC). The grey interval predicting method was used to predict the future characteristics of injury deaths in Xi'an city.Results: From 2005 to 2020, injury caused 32,596 deaths (5.79% of all deaths; 35.71/100000 population). Injury mortality rates were higher among males than females. Motor vehicle traffic accidents were the commonest injury type. The highest injury mortality rates were in those aged 85 years or older. Overall, Joinpoint regression analysis revealed that injury mortality had significantly (p < 0.05) decreasing trends. GM (1,1) model estimated that injury mortality will be on a declining curve.Conclusions: Motor vehicle traffic accidents, transport accidents other than motor vehicles, unintentional falls, suicide, and accidental poisoning are the main causes of injury. The injury death rate is projected to decline over the next decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Chinese medicine Dingkun Pill (定坤丹) alone or in combination with Diane-35 on patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial conducted at Peking Union Medical College Hospital Beijing, China, from December 2016 to September 2017. Totally 117 PCOS patients were randomly assigned to the Dingkun Pill group (38 cases), Diane-35 group (40 cases), or combined group (39 cases). Patients in the Dingkun Pill group or Diane-35 group took daily 7 g of oral Dingkun Pill or 1 tablet of oral Diane-35, respectively, for 21 consecutive days followed by 7 drug-free days. And the combined group received a combination of Dingkun Pill and Diane-35. The treatment course was 3 months. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), free fatty acids (FFA) and sex hormones were analyzed, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was calculated, and menstruation and acne scores were recorded at baseline and after 3-month treatment. Results: Compared with before treatment, QUICKI decreased significantly in the Dingkun Pill and combined groups after 3-month treatment (P<0.05); TC, LDL-C and FFA decreased significantly in the Dingkun Pill group (P<0.01), LDL-C also decreased obviously in the Diane-35 group (P<0.01), while TC increased significantly in the combined group (P<0.01), TG increased significantly in all groups (P<0.01); total testosterone (TT) and menstruation regularity was improved significantly in the Diane-35 and combined groups (P<0.01); acne scores were improved in all groups (P<0.01). After treatment, TC and FFA in the Dingkun Pill group were significantly lower than the Diane-35 group (P<0.05 or P<0.01); TT was lower and regular menstruation rate was higher in the Diane-35 and combined groups than the Dingkun Pill group (P<0.01), and no differences were observed between Diane-35 group and combined group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Dingkun Pill showed better effects than Diane-35 in improving insulin sensitivity, lowering TC and FFA. Diane-35 was more efficient in regulating menstruation and lowering androgen than Dingkun Pill. Combination of Dingkun Pill and Diane-35 may be a better choice to regulate menstruation, lower androgens while improve glucose metabolism in PCOS patients. (Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, registration No. NCT03264638) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among patients in China, and cardiac computed tomography (CT) is one of the most commonly used examination methods for CVD. Coronary artery CT angiography can be used for the morphologic evaluation of the coronary artery. At present, cardiac CT functional imaging has become an important direction of development of CT. At present, common CT functional imaging technologies include transluminal attenuation gradient, stress dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging, and CT-fractional flow reserve. These three imaging modes are introduced and analyzed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Some studies have shown that a high level of bilirubin is a protective factor against metabolic syndrome (MS), while a high level of transaminase is a risk factor for MS. However, the existing results are inconsistent and few cohort studies have been published. Methods: Using an ambispective cohort study, 565 Kazakhs from Xinjiang, China were selected as the study subjects. The baseline serum bilirubin and transaminase levels of the subjects were divided into quartiles and the relationship between these values and the incidence of MS was analyzed. The definition of MS was based on the Joint Interim Statement (JIS) diagnostic criteria. Results: The average follow-up time for the subjects was 5.72 years. The cumulative incidence of MS was 36.11% (204 of the 565 subjects), and the incidence density was 63.10/1000 person-years. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the levels of total bilirubin (TBIL) and indirect bilirubin (IBIL) were negatively correlated with the occurrence of MS, Compared to the lowest quartile level (Q1), the hazard ratios of MS the TBIL levels at the Q2-Q4 quartiles were: 0.47 (0.31–0.71), 0.53 (0.35–0.79), and 0.48 (0.32–0.72), respectively, while IBIL levels at the Q2-Q4 quartiles showed an MS hazard ratio of 0.48 (0.32–0.72), 0.54(0.36–0.81), and 0.52 (0.35–0.77), respectively, all at a 95% confidence level. However, no relationship was found between transaminase levels and the incidence of MS. Conclusion: Serum TBIL and IBIL levels were negatively correlated with the incidence of MS in a Kazakh population in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exploration of the association of frailty on T2D and dyslipidemia in combination with phenotypic frailty and frailty index (FI). • The first discovery that depressive symptoms play a mediating role in the association of frailty levels with T2D and dyslipidemia. • The prognostic value of frailty levels on T2D and dyslipidemia in middle-aged and elderly people. Frailty, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dyslipidemia are highly prevalent in middle-aged and elderly populations. However, evidence on the longitudinal association of frailty with T2D and dyslipidemia is limited. The aim of our study was to explore the cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of frailty levels on T2D and dyslipidemia in combination with phenotypic frailty and frailty index (FI). Multivariate logistic regression model was used to explore the association of frailty status with T2D and dyslipidemia. Area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) to estimate the predictive values of phenotypic frailty and frailty index for T2D and dyslipidemia. In addition, depressive symptom was used as a mediating variable to examine whether it mediates the association between frailty and T2D or dyslipidemia. 10,203 and 9587 participants were chosen for the longitudinal association analysis of frailty with T2D and dyslipidemia. Frailty was associated with T2D (phenotypic frailty: OR=1.50, 95 %CI=1.03, 2.17; FI: OR=1.17, 95 %CI=1.08, 1.26) and dyslipidemia (phenotypic frailty: OR=1.56, 95 %CI=1.16, 2.10; FI: OR=1.17, 95 %CI=1.10, 1.25). Phenotypic frailty and frailty index significantly improved the risk discrimination of T2D and dyslipidemia (p <0.05). Depressive symptoms played a mediating role in the association between frailty and long-term T2D or dyslipidemia (p <0.05). Frailty had adverse effects on type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia, with depressive symptoms acting as the mediator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leukoaraiosis (LA) is shown as white matter hyperintensities on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging brain scans. Together with candidate gene association studies (CGAS), multiple genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to be associated with LA in European populations. To date, no replication studies have been reported in independent Chinese samples. Methods: Here, we performed a candidate gene association study comprising 220 Chinese subjects with LA and 50 controls. Thirty-nine polymorphisms on 32 risk genes were selected from previous studies, and they were genotyped through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Genetic association analysis was firstly performed in all subjects with LA. Then, the same analysis was conducted in the six random sampling cohorts of 50 LA patients, respectively. Data analyses on the associations of SNPs with LA risk were evaluated through Pearson's χ2 and multivariate logistic regression tests. Results: We found that eight polymorphisms in six genes (PMF1 , ICAM1 , TRIM65 , AGT , FBF1 , and ACOX1) were significantly associated with LA in the genetic association tests. Except for those eight gene variants, 24 other polymorphisms were not found to be significantly associated with LA in general genetic model, dominant model, recessive model, or multiplicative model. Among those eight polymorphisms, rs2984613 in PMF1 showed significant association with LA in the cohort of 220 LA subjects, and such significant association remained in both general genetic model (OR: 0.262, 95% CI: 0.091–0.752, p adj = 0.030) and recessive model (OR: 0.323, 95% CI: 0.119–0.881, p adj = 0.038) when controlling for clinical variables. Seven other significant variants (rs5498 in ICAM1 , rs699 in AGT , rs2305913 in FBF1 , rs1135640 in ACOX1 , and rs3760128, rs7214628, and rs7222757 in TRIM65) were identified in those six random sampling tests that were conducted in the adjusted cohorts of 50 LA patients. In addition, except for rs699 which showed detrimental effect and represented a risk variant for LA, seven other polymorphisms seemed to exert protective effects on LA and to reduce the risk of LA. It is necessary to confirm these associations in an independent cohort. Conclusions: This first replication study on multiple genes in an independent Chinese population did not replicate any risk polymorphisms for LA other than rs 699 in AGT but revealed the significantly negative associations of PMF1 , ICAM1 , TRIM65 , FBF1 , and ACOX1 polymorphisms with LA. It not only supported the strong ethnic differences in the genetics of LA but also indicated that those six identified genes may be involved in Chinese white matter lesions. Larger scales of CGAS and GWAS are necessary to confirm and decipher those ethnic-Han specific risk genes for LA in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Clinicopathologic and prognostic significance of body mass index (BMI) in breast cancer (BC) patients remained conflicting. We aimed to investigate and modify the impact of BMI on clinicopathological significance and survival in western Chinese BC patients. Materials and Methods. 8,394 female BC patients from Western China Clinical Cooperation Group (WCCCG) between 2005 and 2015 were identified. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportion hazard regressions were used to examine the difference of clinicopathologic and survival characteristics between BMI categories. Results. For the premenopausal, overweight and obese (OW) patients tended to have large tumor size (>5cm) (odds ratio [OR], 1.30, P<0.01) and triple-negative BC (OR, 1.31; P=0.01) compared with normal weight (NW) patients. Premenopausal underweight (UW) patients had a significantly higher risk of HER2 positive (OR, 1.71; P=0.02) and distant metastasis (OR, 2.59; P=0.01). For postmenopausal patients, OW patients showed higher risks of large tumor size (>5cm) (OR, 1.46; P=0.01), nuclear grade III (OR, 1.24; P=0.04), and lymphovascular invasion (OR, 1.46; P=0.01) compared with NW patients. An "U" shaped relationship between BMI and DFS was found (UW versus NW, adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.80, P<0.001; OW versus NW, adjusted HR, 1.40, P=0.02), whereas no significant difference of disease-free survival (DFS) between OW and NW premenopausal patients (adjusted HR=1.34, P=0.18) was revealed. Conclusion. We concluded that UW and OW were associated with aggressively clinicopathological characteristics, regardless of menopausal status. An "U" shaped association of BMI and DFS was revealed, and no significant difference of DFS between OW and NW in postmenopausal subgroup was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To study the correlation between Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) constitution and dyslipidemia. Methods. CNKI, VIP, Wanfang database, CBMdisc, PubMed, and Embase were searched, and meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.2 software. Results. Altogether 11 studies were included with 12890 individuals. The results showed that balanced constitution was a protective factor of dyslipidemia (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.47~0.82) while phlegm-dampness constitution was a risk factor of it (OR = 2.50, 95% CI 2.22~2.80), and the effect of phlegm-dampness constitution in South China (OR = 3.31, 95% CI 1.71~6.43) was more obvious than that in East (OR = 2.40, 95% CI 2.06~2.80) and North China (OR = 2.24, 95% CI 1.81~2.78). Conclusion. This study provides evidence for the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in TCM. However, most of the studies included are of moderate quality; more high quality, multicenter, large-sample studies are expected to provide higher level evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia mingii is a recently described and critically endangered new species from Southeast Yunnan Province, China. Genetic information of C. mingii would provide guidance for the conservation of this wild yellow camellia. Here, we reported and characterized its complete chloroplast (cp) genome using Illumina pair-end sequencing data. The total chloroplast genome size was 156,806 bp, including inverted repeats (IRs) of 26,020 bp, separated by a large single copy (LSC) and a small single copy (SSC) of 86,536 and 18,230 bp, respectively. A total of 132 genes, including 37 tRNA, eight rRNA, and 87 protein-coding genes were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C. mingii was closely related to the clade containing C. huana and C. impressinervis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenza is still a serious threat to human health with significant morbidity and mortality. The emergence of drug-resistant influenza viruses poses a great challenge to existing antiviral drugs. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) may be an alternative to overcome the challenge. Here, 10 oral proprietary Chinese medicines were selected to evaluate their anti-influenza activities. These drugs exhibit potent inhibitory effects against influenza A H1N1, influenza A H3N2, and influenza B virus. Importantly, they demonstrate potent antiviral activities against drug-resistant strains. In the study of mechanisms, we found that Xiaoqinglong mixture could increase antiviral interferon production by activating p38 MAPK, JNK/SAPK pathway, and relative nuclear transcription factors. Lastly, our studies also indicate that some of these medicines show inhibitory activities against EV71 and CVB strains. In conclusion, the 10 traditional Chinese medicines, as kind of compound combination medicines, show broad-spectrum antiviral activities, possibly also including inhibitory activities against strains resistant to available antiviral drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on low-income rural and nomadic minority people residing in China’s far west and investigated their relationship between inflammatory markers (IL-6, hsCRP, FFA, and adiponectin) and MS and ethnic differences. And it found that improving behavioral lifestyle by education or using drugs to control inflammation may prevent MS. These observations may benefit low-income populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, CELSR1 was identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) as a susceptibility gene for ischaemic stroke (IS) in Japanese individuals. Aim: The goal was to examine whether CELSR1 variants are associated with IS in the Chinese Han population. Subjects and methods: This study genotyped two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CELSR1, rs6007897 and rs4044210, in a Chinese sample of 569 IS cases and 581 controls and assessed their genotype and allele associations with IS. Results: The results showed that rs6007897 and rs4044210 variants of CELSR1 were significantly ( p < 0.01) associated with IS. These associations remained after adjustment for age, gender, smoking status, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. In addition, a significant association was observed of rs6007897 and rs4044210 of CELSR1 with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA), a sub-type of IS ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: Taken together, the present study has proven for the first time that CELSR1 is a susceptibility gene for IS in the Chinese Han population, especially for LAA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the role of nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidasedependent formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs), and the effect of Astragalus injection (AGI) intervention. Methods: Primary RPMCs were cultured to the second generation in vitro. After synchronization for 24 h, the cells were randomly assigned to the following groups: control (Group A), AGI (2 g/mL; Group B), TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL; Group C), TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL) + AGI (2 g/mL; Group D; pretreated for 1 h with AGI before TGF-β1 stimulation). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were employed to evaluate the mRNA and protein expression of the NADPH oxidase subunit p67phox, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin. The dichlorofluorescein-sensitive cellular ROS levels were measured by a fluorometric assay and confocal microscopy. Results: TGF-β1 significantly induced NADPH oxidase subunit p67phox mRNA and protein expression in RPMCs, as well as inducing the production of intracellular ROS. AGI inhibited this TGF-β1-induced up-regulation by 39.3% and 47.8%, respectively ( P<0.05), as well as inhibiting the TGF-β1-induced ROS generation by 56.3% ( P<0.05). TGF-β1 also induced α-SMA mRNA and protein expression, and down-regulated E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression ( P<0.05). This effect was suppressed by AGI ( P<0.05). Conclusions: NADPH oxidase-dependent formation of ROS may mediate the TGF-β1-dependent EMT in RPMCs. AGI could inhibit this process, providing a theoretical basis for AGI in the prevention of peritoneal fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder affecting older individuals. There is inconsistent evidence about the prevalence and incidence of PD in China at present. The aim of the meta-analysis was to estimate the prevalence and incidence of PD and its relation to age, gender, and stage in China. The literature search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Biological Medical Literature database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI), Chinese Wanfang and Chongqing VIP database for studies investigating the prevalence and incidence of PD in China from the commencement of the database until August 2012; both English and Chinese publications were included. We estimated the prevalence and incidence of PD using meta-analysis. Thirteen eligible articles were collected. The results showed that the pooled prevalence and incidence of PD were 2 per 100,000 population and 797 per 100,000 person-years. A higher prevalence of PD was found in males than in females (OR 1.29, 95 % CI 1.05-1.57). The prevalence of PD increased with age: the highest was 1,663 per 100,000 in those aged 80 and older. The overall prevalence of PD is lower in China than in developed countries, but the incidence is higher than in some developed countries. Overall, the prevalence of PD appears to increase with age and there are sex differences evident in Chinese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Recent genome-wide association studies ( GWAS) have identified 3 loci in or near PRDM16 (1p36.32, rs2651899), LRP1 (12q13.3, rs11172113) and TRPM8 (2q37.1, rs10166942) in the population-based Women's Genome Health Study ( WGHS) of migraine, and 2 loci in or near TRPM8 and LRP1 were repeated in European GWAS study. To evaluate whether the same variants are related to migraine in Chinese population, we investigated migraine with aura ( MA) and migraine without aura ( MO) patients of Chinese Han ethnicity in mainland China. Methods A case-control study in a cohort of 207 migraine cases and 205 ethnically matched controls was conducted by using the dual-color fluorescence resonance energy transfer ( FRET) probes analysis. Results The genotypes of all polymorphisms in 2 groups followed the Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium. We found significant differences in allele distribution of rs2651899 variant in PRDM16 between MO patients and control subjects ( P = .049, OR = 1.335, 95% CI 1.001-1.782), and there were no difference between MA patients and controls in the frequency of genotype and allele. Also, no significant differences in genotypic and allelic distributions between MA or MO patients and controls were observed in the polymorphisms of rs10166942 of TRPM8 and rs11172113 of LRP1, and there was no significant difference comparing male with female in all loci. Conclusion Our data suggested that rs2651899 variant in PRDM16 plays a potential role in Chinese MO migraine susceptibility, and gender may not play a role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We report our initial experience with the first series of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) radical cystectomy and urinary diversion performed by a single surgeon using a homemade single-port device at a single institution in China. Patients and Methods: Between December 2010 and February 2011, we performed five LESS radical cystectomis using a homemade single-port device composed of an inverted cone device of polycarbonate and a powder-free surgical glove. The port was placed into a 5-cm periumbilical incision. The conventional laparoscope and laparoscopic instruments were inserted through the single-port. No additional ports were needed for radical cystoprostatectomy and bilateral standard pelvic lymphadenectomy. Cutaneous ureterostomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion were used for our patients, respectively. Perioperatively, oncologic data and complications were collected and analyzed. Results: All the procedures were completed successfully. The mean extirpative operative time was 208.2 (168-280) minutes, estimated blood loss was 270 (100-500) mL, bowel recovering time was 9.75 (6-12) days, and postoperative hospital stay was 19.5 (14-28) days. One patient needed a transfusion of 400 mL of red blood cells. The pathologic evaluation revealed negative margins and negative lymph node involvement. After the operations, one patient had a bowel obstruction, while another patient died from cardiac disease. Mean follow-up time was 143 (110-173) days. Conclusions: In our experience, LESS radical cystectomy is clinically feasible and safe for selected patients, but requires a learning curve. Our homemade single-port device is a cost-effective and convenient device. Although the initial outcomes have been promising, the long-term oncologic evaluation of these patients awaits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper reports the results of the study on HACCP implementation in China based on analyzing the findings of a survey on 27 food enterprises involved. The results indicate that large- and medium-sized food enterprises dominate over the implementation of HACCP system in China. The product types produced by food enterprises in China that implement HACCP system are those with a hold in international market. China’s food enterprises take the implementation of HACCP system as a strategy to gain market competition advantage. The top incentives for China’s food enterprises implementing HACCP system are that HACCP system can provide them more chances to access to new markets, improve product quality and increase market share, showing that the major incentives of HACCP implementation in China are market-oriented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aimed at describing some characteristics of financial return sequence such as volatility cluster and conditional heteroscedasticity, we propose a method for estimating VaR and related risk measures describing the tail of the conditional distribution of a heteroscedastic financial return series. GARCH models to estimate the current volatility and the extreme value theory (EVT) for estimating the tail of the innovation distribution of the GARCH model are combined. The proposed method was used to estimate VaR and conditional expected shortfalls. The backtesting of Shanghai stock market shows that there is serious ARCH effect on return rate of the stock market and GARCH -EVT model gives better estimates than GARCH -- Normal and GARCH -- t models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to determine the protection provided by Shenfu injection (a traditional Chinese medicine) against development of organ dysfunction in critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Trial Design: This study is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, open-label, two-arm ratio 1:1, parallel group clinical trial.Participants: The patients, who are aged from 18 to 75 years old, with a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of severe or critical COVID-19, will be consecutively recruited in the study, according to the guideline on diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 (the 7th version) issued by National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China. Exclusion criteria include pregnant and breastfeeding women, atopy or allergies to Shenfu Injection (SFI), severe underlying disease (malignant tumor with multiple metastases, uncontrolled hemopathy, cachexia, severe malnutrition, HIV), active bleeding, obstructive pneumonia caused by lung tumor, severe pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, alveolar proteinosis and allergic alveolitis, continuous use of immunosuppressive drugs in last 6 months, organ transplantation, expected death within 48 hours, the patients considered unsuitable for this study by researchers. The study is conducted in 11 ICUs of designated hospitals for COVID-19, located in 5 cities of China.Intervention and Comparator: The enrolled patients will randomly receive 100 ml SFI (study group) or identical volume of saline (control group) twice a day for seven consecutive days. Patients in the both groups will be given usual care and the necessary supportive therapies as recommended by the latest edition of the management guidelines for COVID-19 (the 7th version so far).Main Outcomes: The primary endpoint is a composite of newly developed or exacerbated organ dysfunction. This is defined as an increase in the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score of two or more, indicating sepsis and involvement of at least one organ. The SOFA score will be measured for the 14 days after enrolment from the baseline (the score at randomization). The secondary endpoints are shown below: • SOFA score in total • Pneumonia severity index score • Dosage of vasoactive drugs • Ventilation free days within 28 days • Length of stay in intensive care unit • Total hospital costs to treat the patient • 28-day mortality • The incidence of adverse drug events related to SFI RANDOMISATION: The block randomization codes were generated by SAS V.9.1 for allocation of participants in this study. The ratio of random distribution is 1:1. The sealed envelope method is used for allocation concealment.Blinding (masking): The patients and statistical personnel analyzing study data are both blinded. The blinding of group assignment is not adopted for the medical staff.Numbers To Be Randomised (sample Size): This study is expected to recruit 300 patients with COVID-19, (150 in each group).Trial Status: Protocol version 2.0, February 15, 2020. Patient recruitment started on February 25, and will end on August 31, 2020.Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000030043. Registered February 21, 2020, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=49866 FULL PROTOCOL: The full protocol is attached as an additional file, accessible from the Trials website (Additional file 1). In the interest in expediting dissemination of this material, the familiar formatting has been eliminated; this letter serves as a summary of the key elements of the full protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil-tea camellia fruit shell (CFS) is a considerable waste lignocellulosic resource. The current treatment of these wastes are composting and burning. Burning may pose a threat to air and since CFS contains 5–14% saponins, the composting may lead to water foaming and toxicity. CFS contains a large amount of hemicelluloses, which has the potential to be extracted and valorized. The chemical structures of CFS hemicelluloses have not been extensively analyzed, which limits their application. In this study, hemicelluloses were extracted by dimethyl sulfoxide and alkali solution from eight species of CFS in Southern China. The detailed compositional and structural characteristics of the separated hemicellulose components were studied. The content of hemicelluloses in CFS ranges from 40% to 55%. The hemicelluloses consist of l -rhamnose, L -arabinose, L -fucose, D -xylose, D -mannose, D -glucose, D -galactose and D -glucuronic acid units, among which xylose is the major component. The existence of the sugars that are rare in lignocellulosic materials, i.e. fucose and rhamnose, are confirmed as the minor components. From 2D NMR analysis, the major chemical structures/types of CFS hemicelluloses are found to be L -arabinose-4-O-methyl-α- D -glucuronic acid- D -xylose and galacto-glucomannan. The application potentials of the CFS hemicelluloses in fine chemicals were evaluated. • CFS have abundant hemicelluloses and lignin, but very little cellulose. • Xylose is the major component of CFS hemicelluloses. • The existence of fucose and rhamnose in CFS hemicelluloses is confirmed. • The major chemical structure is L -arabinose-4-O-methyl-α- D -glucuronic acid- D -xylose. • The second major chemical structure of CFS hemicelluloses is galacto-glucomannan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]