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Summary: Olives, which are rich in bioactive compounds, are processed into beverages in China. We investigated the effect of fermentation by Limosilactobacillus fermentum NCU001464 on the physicochemical characteristics, biological activities and phenolic compounds of olive pulp. After fermentation for 48 h, pH and individual sugar content of olive pulp decreased. Lm. fermentum NCU001464 fermentation enhanced the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity and the inhibitory effect against xanthine oxidase (XO) of olive pulp. Total phenol content was not significantly different between olive pulp fermented for 0 and 48 h. However, the fermented olive phenol extract had a lower IC50 value than the unfermented phenol extract. Fluorescence spectroscopy results revealed that the olive phenol extract had a stronger XO inhibitory effect after fermentation. The dominant binding forces between olive phenols and XO were hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. There were 31 different phenolic compounds between the unfermented and fermented extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since its initial discovery in the Hunan province of China, genomic DNA of porcine circovirus 4 (PCV4) has been detected in pigs across multiple provinces in China, as well as in South Korea. However, the prevalence of porcine circovirus type 4 in Gansu Province, China, remains unknown. To address this gap, we undertook an extensive study where we gathered 121 clinical samples displaying diverse clinical manifestations from pig farms in Gansu Province between 2022 and 2023. Employing a real-time fluorescence quantification method, we identified the presence of PCV4 genome. Out of the 121 clinical samples analyzed, 13 samples tested positive for PCV4, resulting in a positive rate of 10.74% (13/121). This finding confirms the presence of PCV4 in pig farms within Gansu Province, China. Furthermore, we successfully sequenced and analyzed the complete genomes of two distinct PCV4 strains, comparing them with 60 reference sequences archived in the GenBank database. The results revealed a high nucleotide homology (98.2–98.8%) between the strains obtained in this study and the PCV4 reference strains, indicating a relatively low evolutionary rate of the PCV4 genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two strains in this study belong to PCV4a and PCV4c. As far as we know, this study marks the inaugural report on the molecular identification and genomic attributes of PCV4 in Gansu Province, China, offering valuable insights for devising preventive and control strategies against this emerging virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of nivolumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric, gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), or esophageal adenocarcinoma from the perspective of Chinese and US society. Methods: To conduct the analysis, a state-transitioned Markov model, which included three mutually exclusive health states (progression-free survival (PFS), progressive disease (PD), and death), was developed. Cycle length was set at 3 weeks and lifetime horizon was set at 10 years. Costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were calculated in the analysis. Willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds in the model were set at $37,653.00/QALY in China and $100,000.00/QALY in the US, respectively. Meanwhile, one-way sensitivity analyses and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to investigate the robustness of the model. Results: Over a lifetime horizon, the ICERs of nivolumab plus chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone were $430,185.04/QALY and $944,089.78/QALY in China and the US, respectively. Cost of nivolumab and utility for the PFS state had the most significant impact on ICERs both in the US and China based on the results of the one-way sensitivity analyses. In the probabilistic sensitivity analyses, the proportions of nivolumab plus chemotherapy being cost-effective compared with chemotherapy alone were 0%. Conclusions: In conclusion, nivolumab plus chemotherapy is unlikely to be a cost-effective treatment option compared with chemotherapy alone in the first-line setting of advanced gastric, GEJ, or esophageal adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the forecast skill of CMA-GD 3 km and CMA-GD 1 km with hourly Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) for five monsoon precipitation events in South China from 2018 to 2020, using the fraction skill score (FSS) of the neighborhood spatial verification method. The results revealed that, among the 24-lead-hour forecasts in CMA-GD 3 km, the FSS for the 0.1 mm precipitation threshold increased linearly with the lead time from 3 to 1 hour, while there was no significant improvement in other lead times. For the 5 mm precipitation threshold, the forecast skill was highest for the latest 1-hour lead time, while the FSS showed slight variation between lead times of 24 hours and 8 hours. The FSS for 10 mm and 20 mm precipitation thresholds were similar to that of 5 mm, with the difference that the best score occurred at the 2-hour lead time. Among the 6-lead-hour forecasts in CMA-GD 1 km, the forecasts of the latest 1-hour lead time were the best choices for four precipitation thresholds. When comparing CMA-GD 3 km and CMA-GD 1 km, it was found that CMA-GD 3 km had better skill for forecasts of 0.1 mm and 5 mm precipitation at 2-hour and 1-hour lead times, while CMA-GD 1 km had better skill for all other forecasts, including the forecast of 20 mm precipitation nearly all lead hours (including 3- to 6-hour, and 1-hour lead times). The results suggest that the increased resolution of the model may be beneficial for precipitation forecasts in South China, especially for short-duration heavy precipitation over a longer lead hours. However, the limited sample size of this study calls for further evaluation using more cases to validate the results′ generality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the relationship between cultural distance, classroom silence, and the performance of culturally responsive and inclusive education (CRIE) using a survey of 1051 college students in Shanghai in 2022. We found a significantly positive association between migrant students' cultural distance and their perceived learning gains in class. Students' cultural distance increased their classroom silence as a form of protection but had no significant effect on their classroom silence as a sign of power. The classroom silence as protection decreased students' perceived learning gains. However, classroom silence as power could be used by both local and migrant students as a hold-up strategy to strengthen their influence in class discussions, which could improve their perceived learning gains. Teachers' CRIE played the most important role in migrant students' perceived learning gains, while the effectiveness of CRIE was also actually dependent on the different channels and mechanisms of cultural distance and classroom silence. A cautious identification of classroom silence will improve the effectiveness of CRIE. Suggestions are offered to lighten the practice of educators, administrators, and instructors who face classroom silence from subnational migrant students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extreme monsoonal heavy rainfall event lasted for nine days and recurred in the interior of northern south China from June 13 to 21, 2022. Using regional meteorological stations and ERA5 reanalysis data, the causes of this extreme monsoonal rainfall event in south China were analyzed and diagnosed. The results are shown as follows. A dominant South Asian high tended to be stable near the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, providing favorable upper-level dispersion conditions for the occurrence of heavy rainfall in south China. A western Pacific subtropical high dominated the eastern part of the South China Sea, favoring stronger and more northward transport of water vapor to the northern part of south China at lower latitudes than normal. The continuous heavy precipitation event can be divided into two stages. The first stage (June 13-15) was the frontal heavy rainfall caused by cold air (brought by an East Asian trough) from the mid-latitudes that converged with a monsoonal airflow. The heavy rains occurred mostly in the area near a shear in front of the center of a synoptic-system-related low-level jet (SLLJ), and the jet stream and precipitation were strongest in the daytime. The second stage (June 16-21) was the warm-sector heavy rainfall caused by a South China Sea monsoonal low-level jet penetrating inland. The heavy rainfall occurred on the windward slope of the Nanling Mountains and in the northern part of a boundary layer jet (BLJ). The BLJ experienced five nighttime enhancements, corresponding well with the enhancement of the rainfall center, showing significant nighttime heavy rainfall characteristics. Finally, a conceptual diagram of inland-type warm-sector heavy rainfall in south China is summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudorabies (PR), also called Aujeszky's disease (AD), is a highly infectious viral disease which is caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV). It has been nearly 200 years since the first PR case occurred. Currently, the virus can infect human beings and various mammals, including pigs, sheep, dogs, rabbits, rodents, cattle and cats, and among them, pigs are the only natural host of PRV infection. PRV is characterized by reproductive failure in pregnant sows, nervous disorders in newborn piglets, and respiratory distress in growing pigs, resulting in serious economic losses to the pig industry worldwide. Due to the extensive application of the attenuated vaccine containing the Bartha-K61 strain, PR was well controlled. With the variation of PRV strain, PR re-emerged and rapidly spread in some countries, especially China. Although researchers have been committed to the design of diagnostic methods and the development of vaccines in recent years, PR is still an important infectious disease and is widely prevalent in the global pig industry. In this review, we introduce the structural composition and life cycle of PRV virions and then discuss the latest findings on PRV pathogenesis, following the molecular characteristic of PRV and the summary of existing diagnosis methods. Subsequently, we also focus on the latest clinical progress in the prevention and control of PRV infection via the development of vaccines, traditional herbal medicines and novel small RNAs. Lastly, we provide an outlook on PRV eradication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japanese puffer, Takifugu rubripes , is a commercially important fish species in China that is under serious threat from white spot disease (cyptocaryoniasis), which leads to heavy economic losses. We previously found that interleukin-1β (IL-1β), an important cytokine with a potential role in resistance against pathogens, was one of the most significantly differentially up-regulated proteins in the gills and spleen of T. rubripes infected by the protozoan parasite Cryptocaryon irritans. In this study, we assessed the potential function of T. rubripes IL-1β (TrIL-1β) in fish infected with C. irritans. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the TrIL-1β protein sequence was most closely related to that of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (67.2 %). The incubation experiments revealed that TrIL-1β may reduce trophont activity by destroying membranes. Immunofluorescence experiments showed that recombinant TrIL-1β promoted the expression of endogenous IL-1β, which penetrated and disrupted the cell membranes of trophonts. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the IL-1β group had less tissue damage compared with control groups of fish. IL-1β-small interfering RNA and IL-1β overexpression experiments were performed in head kidney primary cells, and challenge experiments were performed in vitro. Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that TrIL-1β regulated and activated MyD88/NF-κB and MyD88/MAPK/p38 signaling pathways during C. irritans infection. TrIL-1β also promoted the differential expression of IgM , showing that it was involved in humoral immunity of T. rubripes. The cumulative mortality experiment show that TrIL-1β could protect fish against C. irritans infection. These results enrich current knowledge about the molecular structure of TrIL-1β. They also suggested that recombinant TrIL-1β could be used as an adjuvant in a subunit vaccine against C. irritans infection, which is of profound importance for the prevention and control of parasitic diseases in T. rubripes. • The incubation experiments revealed that TrIL-1β may reduce trophont activity by destroying membranes. • Immunofluorescence experiments showed that recombinant TrIL-1β penetrated and disrupted the cell membranes of trophonts. • Transmission electron microscopy showed that the IL-1β group had less tissue damage compared with control groups of fish. • Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that TrIL-1β regulated and activated MyD88/NF-κB and MyD88/MAPK/p38 signaling pathways during C. irritans infection. • The cumulative mortality experiment show that TrIL-1β could protect fish against C. irritans infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic policy reform that started in China in early 1980s also affected its movie industry. Like other sectors, movie industry is also not fully liberalized. The industry is required to ensure that movie contents are consistent with core socialist and cultural values and locally produced movies are also financially viable. However, cultural and politically motivated regulation can adversely affect box-office revenues. Using a recently available dataset, which covers the period of 2009–2018, we investigate the box-office performance of Chinese domestic movies. We start by examining the role of movie quality signals (such as star power, internet media evaluation and industry recognition) in our empirical analysis of the relationship between family-friendly content of movies and box-office revenues. We then match the movie contents with its financial performance records. Our novel approach reveals that the explicit sex and profanity in movies have a negative and statistically significant impact on box-office revenues, which confirms the role of cultural values in financial success of motion pictures in China. However, in the case of large-budget movies involving celebrity superstars, the violent and gore (graphic violence) content attracts viewers and hence the box-office revenue increases. Our work highlights the contradictory nature of China's movie industry policy, which binds the industry to strict cultural and politically motivated regulation while insisting on financial success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic policies affect companies' production decisions. And the energy consumption volume is an intuitive reflection of the enterprise's production decisions. In China, coal is the main source of carbon emissions and the most important energy source. Therefore, the coal market and the uncertainty of economic policies are both directly tied to the carbon market. This study explores both the direct impact of economic policy uncertainty and coal price on carbon prices as well as the indirect impact of economic policy uncertainty on carbon prices through coal prices by utilizing the DCC-GARCH model and the NARDL model. The findings indicate that the dynamic correlations between coal prices and the CEPU are always negative and that those between the price of carbon and the CEPU vary by area. Meanwhile, the dynamic correlations between coal and carbon prices are only positive in Shenzhen and Beijing. Both coal prices and economic policy uncertainty produce asymmetrical impacts on carbon prices. Some policy implications are provided for developing the carbon markets in light of the results drawn from the study. • The linkage between coal and carbon prices are positive only in Shenzhen and Beijing. • The correlations between coal prices and EPU are negative most of the time. • The relationship between carbon prices and EPU vary from region to region. • Asymmetric effects of EPU and coal prices on carbon prices are revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal recycling of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries has caused severe environmental pollution and tax losses. Linear models and static strategies have difficulty capturing complex relationships and regional heterogeneity. Therefore, we aim to suggest an optimal subregional joint policy under fiscal constraints. This study uses agent-based modeling with geographic information systems to construct a cross-regional recycling system model that assesses the economic and environmental effects of policies. Based on actual data, the model considers four subsystems, multiple region types, two battery types, and six stakeholders. The results show that: (1) The optimal subregional joint policy can increase the average formal recycling rate from 28.44 % to 48.58 % and achieve an emission reduction rate of 19.81 %; (2) In underdeveloped regions, allocating 70–80 % of fiscal funds to supervision can achieve optimal economic and environmental benefits; and (3) For the local governments with few formal sectors, investing in a unit subsidy exceeding $1.4/kWh will diminish economic efficiency. Provincial governments in economically developed areas with formal business clusters should provide higher subsidies, while other regions should allocate more fiscal expenditure for supervision. This cross-regional recycling system model can improve solid waste management in countries with large areas and decentralized facilities. [Display omitted] • This model considers four subsystems, six various agents, and two batteries. • The economic, social, and geographic attributes of the agents are incorporated. • This study simulates the effects of subregional policies under limited funding. • Specific subsidies and supervision levels are provided based on benefit targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 3D pathways of IGF are identified with an assessment on flow rates. • IGF contributes 36%∼59% to the baseflow and 32%∼52% to the streamflow in the studied river. • Infiltration recharge and aquifer properties affect the development of IGF. Inter-basin groundwater flow (IGF), defined as groundwater flows across the topographic divides, occurs in nature as a common phenomenon, and seriously affect water balance and solute transport in a basin. Although the existence of IGF has been checked in drainage basins with indirect methods, such as using information of hydrogeochemistry, few studies are conducted to directly identify and quantify the IGF in the three-dimensional (3D) space using numerical modeling of groundwater flow. In this study, we identify, partition and quantify IGF based on a regional-scale 3D groundwater flow model covering several traditional surface water basins. The investigation is focused on the Hailiutu River, a groundwater-fed stream in the Ordos Plateau, China. It is the first time that the source zones and 3D paths of IGF as well as its contribution to the streamflow are fully captured for a groundwater-fed stream. Results indicate that the IGF contributes 36%∼59% to the baseflow and 32%∼52% to the streamflow of the Hailiutu River, through different groups of circulation paths with the maximum depth up to ∼ 1000 m. Uncertainty analyses of the model show that the contribution of IGF to the streamflow is positively correlated to the infiltration recharge and hydraulic conductivities of the aquifer media. Several indirect methods are also checked for comparison, but they could only be used to assess the potential contribution of IGF, not the IGF paths. This study will facilitate in deeply understanding the evolution mechanism of the inter-basin groundwater circulation and the interaction between surface water and groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and fatal neurodegenerative disease; accumulating evidence suggests that vitamin deficiency is associated with the risk of AD. However, studies attempting to elucidate the relationship between vitamins and AD varied widely.Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin levels and AD in a cohort of the Chinese population.Methods: A total of 368 AD patients and 574 healthy controls were recruited in this study; serum vitamin A, B1, B6, B9, B12, C, D, and E were measured in all participants.Results: Compared with the controls, vitamin B2, B9, B12, D, and E were significantly reduced in AD patients. Lower levels of vitamin B2, B9, B12, D, and E were associated with the risk of AD. After adjusting for age and gender, low levels of vitamin B2, B9, and B12 were still related to the risk of AD. In addition, a negative correlation was determined between vitamin E concentration and Activity of Daily Living Scale score while no significant association was found between serum vitamins and age at onset, disease duration, Mini-Mental State Examination, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire score.Conclusion: We conclude that lower vitamin B2, B9, B12, D, and E might be associated with the risk of AD, especially vitamin B2, B9, and B12. And lower vitamin E might be related to severe ability impairment of daily activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we utilized the prevailing economic policy uncertainty index (EPU) as the proxy of state economic fluctuation and investigated Sino–US economic fluctuation long horizon cross-correlation with a multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DCCA). With the MF-DCCA approach, we found a reliable long-range cross-correlation between China and US EPU changes. In addition, we discovered that a power law cross-correlation existed for the variation of most scaling orders. However, no persistence of cross-correlations was detected within the Sino–US EPU change series. Additionally, we implemented Rényi exponent and spectrum singularity checks. Both the examination results proved series multifractality with the presented arch-shaped curves. We further calculated the Hölder exponent bounds within each series and found that the China EPU changes had maximal multifractality with the largest exponent difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the China Family Panel Studies, we identify the subjects studied by vocational college and university graduates, with the latter group further divided into ordinary and key universities. While the returns are around 8–10% to attending colleges and ordinary universities, there are higher returns of 12–16% per annum to attending the more prestigious key universities. The recent massive expansion of the higher education sector resulted in reduced returns to all HE types, except for graduates who studied subjects other than LEM (law, economics, and management) or STEM (sciences, technology, engineering and math/medicine) at key universities. We further account for selection on observables into subjects and tiers using the doubly robust Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment method (IPWRA) approach. While these results are tentative, they suggest that pooled OLS and random-effect models substantially underestimate the effect of attending universities that are more prestigious for graduates of both genders in LEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Owing to the government's effective epidemic control measures, universities in some areas of China gradually resumed offline teaching six months after the COVID-19 outbreak. Although attention should now be paid to the experiences of students after they returned to campus, few studies have explored the factors and mechanisms that have influenced these students' school adaptation. The present study investigated the multiple roles of social support and resilience in mediating associations the relationship between Chinese university students' interpersonal relationships and their school adaptation during COVID-19 control period.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 4534 Chinese university students (Mage = 19.70, SD = 1.14) at two universities in Jiangxi provinces. The independent variable was interpersonal relationships; mediating variables were social support and resilience; and the dependent variable was school adaptation. Multiple mediation analysis was performed using the MPlus software.Results: Controlling for demographic variables, the quality of students' interpersonal relationships was significantly and positively related to their school adaptation, with students' ratings of social support and resilience mediating these associations. More interestingly, social support and resilience played multiple mediating roles in the relationship between interpersonal relationships and school adaptation.Limitations: The age stage of the sample and the methods in which the data were collected may affect the generalizability of the results.Conclusions: During COVID-19 control period, interpersonal relationships can influence school adaptation either directly or indirectly by enhancing social support or resilience (parallel mediation) or by activating resilience via the experience of social support (serial mediation). This study's results emphasize the role of interpersonal relationships, as well as the contributions of positive external and internal factors on students' school adaptation during the epidemic control period. Accordingly, these findings may have implications for the mental health education of college students in the post-epidemic era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The brown planthopper is a notorious rice pest in many areas of Asia. The evolution of insecticide resistance in Nilaparvata lugens has become a serious problem in the effective control of this pest in the paddy field. In this article, the current susceptibility of N. lugens field populations to novel mesoionic insecticide triflumezopyrim and major classes of chemical insecticides was determined and compared. The monitoring results indicated that field populations of N. lugens had developed low resistance to triflumezopyrim (resistance ratio, RR: 1.3‒7.3‐fold) during 2015‒2018 in China, and the median lethal concentration values varied from 0.05 to 0.29 mg/L. Additionally, during 2017 to 2018, field populations of N. lugens showed high resistance levels to thiamethoxam (RR: 456.1‒1025.6‐fold), imidacloprid (RR: 2195.3‒6899.0‐fold) and buprofezin (RR: 1241.5‒4521.7‐fold), moderate to high resistance levels to dinotefuran (RR: 97.6‒320.1‐fold), clothianidin (RR: 69.4‒230.1‐fold) and isoprocarb (RR: 44.1‒108.0‐fold), and low to moderate levels of resistance to chlorpyrifos (RR: 12.0‒29.7‐fold) and nitenpyram (RR: 6.9‒24.1‐fold). In contrast, N. lugens just showed low resistance to sulfoxaflor (RR: 3.3‒8.5‐fold) and etofenprox (RR: 5.0‒9.1‐fold) in the field. Additionally, the P450 gene CYP6ER1 was found to be significantly overexpressed in all five field populations of N. lugens collected in 2018 when compared with a laboratory susceptible strain. Our findings will provide useful information to delay the evolution of insecticide resistance in N. lugens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MAGEMin thermodynamic modeling was performed on Emeishan mafic-felsic igneous complex. • Early Fe-Ti-rich melt separation could have happened for the layered intrusions. • The isotopically depleted granitoids formed by fractionation and perthite cumulation. • The isotopically enriched granitoids formed by juvenile and ancient crust melting. Many Late Permian world-class Fe-Ti oxide-bearing layered intrusions in the Pan-Xi region, SW China are commonly considered to be fractionation products of the Emeishan mantle plume-related high-Ti basaltic melts. These layered intrusions coexist spatially and temporally with A-type granitoids, which consist of syenites and granites and are further classified into isotopically depleted metaluminous to peralkaline and isotopically enriched peraluminous to metaluminous groups. The petrogenesis of these mafic-felsic igneous complexes has been controversial. This study investigates geochemical correlations of the microgabbros at the margin of the Baima layered intrusions and the intruding isotopically enriched granitoids. The amphiboles at both sides of the contact zone are calcic (CaO = 10.4 to 12.5 wt.%) and display obvious mixing trends. Thermodynamical modeling using the MAGEMin program indicates that fractionation of basaltic melts compositionally similar to the Baima microgabbros seems incapable to crystallize olivine compositions comparable to those of the layered intrusions, but can be reconciled by early separation of 7.5 to 10 wt.% Fe-Ti-rich melts. Continued differentiation of the basaltic melts may lead to formation of the isotopically depleted granitoids, among which perthite accumulation in water-rich environments could result in the formation of metaluminous granitoids with high Na, K and Al contents and positive Eu anomalies. The isotopically enriched granitoids, on the other hand, can be produced by anatexis of the juvenile mafic lower crust together with the Yangtze ancient lower crust. Our study therefore provides a panoramic view on the complicated petrogenesis of the igneous complexes related to Emeishan mantle plume impingement through thermodynamic modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current research was to assess the relationship of the solute carrier family 44 member 4 (SLC44A4) rs577272, notch receptor 4 (NOTCH4) rs3134931 SNPs and serum lipid levels in the Han and Maonan ethnic groups. Methods: The genetic makeup of the SLC44A4 rs577272 and NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNPs in 2467 unrelated subjects (Han, 1254; Maonan,1213) was obtained by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism technique, combined with gel electrophoresis, and confirmed by direct sequencing. Results: The genotype frequencies of SLC44A4 rs577272 and NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNPs were different between Han and Maonan populations (P < 0.05); respectively. The SLC44A4 rs577272 SNP was associated with total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels in Maonan group. The NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNP was associated with triglyceride (TG) in Han; and TG and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in Maonan groups (P < 0.025–0.001). Stratified analysis according to gender showed that the SLC44A4 rs577272 SNP was associated with TC and HDL-C in Han and Maonan females; TC in Maonan males, meanwhile, the NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNP was associated with TG and HDL-C in Han males; TG in Han females; TG and LDL-C in Maonan males; and TG, HDL-C and LDL-C in Maonan females. Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that the most common haplotype was rs577272G-rs3134931A (> 50%) in both Han and Maonan groups. The haplotype of rs577272G-rs3134931A was associated with TG and HDL-C in Han; and TC, TG and HDL-C in Maonan ethnic groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that the relationship among SLC44A4 rs577272, NOTCH4 rs3134931 SNPs and serum lipid parameters may vary depending on the gender and/or ethnicity/race in some populations. Haplotypes could explain more changes in serum lipid parameters than any single SNP alone particularly for TC, TG and HDL-C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective: Teicoplanin is widely used for the treatment of infections caused by drug‐resistant Gram‐positive bacteria. Since there is a good correlation between trough levels and clinical outcome, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is recommended to achieve better clinical curative effects. However, TDM of teicoplanin is not routine in China. So, a programme was initiated in 2017, including both HPLC method establishment and interlaboratory quality assessment, for the measurement of teicoplanin. Methods: A main centre and a quality control centre were set up in the study. An HPLC‐based method of teicoplanin determination in plasma was developed by the main centre. Analysis was performed using a Waters Symmetry C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase was NaH2PO4 (0.01 mol/L) and acetonitrile (75:25 v/v; pH 3.3), with a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a detection wavelength of 215 nm. Piperacillin sodium was selected as an internal standard (IS). Twenty‐six additional TDM centres were then recruited to adopt this method. Then, all the centres were asked to take part in a quality control assessment evaluated by the quality control centre. Results: For all TDM centres, linearity of teicoplanin concentration ranges was between 3.125 and 100 µg/mL. Intraday and interday accuracies ranged from 87.1% to 118.4%. Intraday and interday precision ranged from 0.3% to 13.8%. Therapeutic drug monitoring centres all passed inter‐room quality assessment. All samples tested met the acceptance criteria. Then, 542 samples were collected. Patients with sub‐optimal (≤10 mg/L) plasma teicoplanin concentrations constituted 42% of the total study population. What is new and conclusions: For the first time, a simple, rapid and accurate HPLC method for determining teicoplanin levels was successfully applied to therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical practice for twenty‐seven TDM centres in China. The results demonstrated excellent interlaboratory agreement for teicoplanin testing and provide support for clinical laboratory quality management and results inter‐accreditation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to investigate the incidences of pre- and post-operative lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients with intertrochanteric fractures and to analyze the relevant risk factors. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between July 2014 and October 2016 in 218 intertrochanteric fracture patients who presented at Xi'an Honghui Hospital and underwent Doppler ultrasonography for DVT diagnosis. We divided DVT into distal, proximal, and mixed thrombosis. Patients were divided into either the thrombosis or no thrombosis group according to preoperative and postoperative ultrasonography results. All patients were evaluated for the risk factors associated with thrombosis. Results: A total of 37.61% of preoperative patients had DVT, and the postoperative incidence increased to 58.72%. The days between fracture and hospitalization and the days between fracture and surgery were independent risk factors for preoperative DVT. The days between fracture and hospitalization and d-dimer levels at postoperative 1 day were independent risk factors of postoperative DVT. In total 23.4% of the patients progressed from having no thrombosis preoperatively to having distal, proximal, or mixed DVT postoperatively (22.02%, 0.46%, and 0.92%, respectively). Distal DVT constituted 86.59% and 90.63% of all preoperative and postoperative DVTs, respectively. Conclusion: Intertrochanteric fracture is a common type of hip fracture in the elderly, and the incidence of DVT after intertrochanteric fracture may be underestimated. Early intervention (early admission and early surgery) might reduce the incidence of DVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the study was to find factors associated with overall survival (OS) and establish a nomogram predicting OS of patients with gastric cancer (GC) after D2R0 resection. Methods: Demographic and clinicopathologic factors of patients with GC underwent D2R0 surgical resection were retrospectively collected from medical records, telephone interview or outpatient follow‐up. To find factors significantly associated with OS, univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted. The concordance index (C‐index) was used to measure the accuracy of the nomogram. Discrimination and calibration of the nomogram were tested using the patients in the validation set. Results: Overall, patients with 890 GC underwent D2R0 surgical resection were included. Based on the results of univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, T stage, number of metastatic local lymph nodes, lymph node positive rate, adjuvant chemotherapy and diameter of tumour were used to construct a nomogram predicting OS of patients with GC after surgical resection. In the validation cohort, the C‐index was 0.73 and the nomogram performed well in predicting OS. Conclusion: The nomogram was able to accurately predict OS of patients with GC underwent curative surgery and performed well in internal validation, which would also be useful for the decision‐making of doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In this study, we investigated the effects of prior influenza exposure on vaccine-elicited humor immune responses to circulating influenza variants. Method We randomly selected 360 participants in previous clinical trials stratified by age. Blood samples were collected and tested by hemagglutination-inhibition tests during the 2015–2016 influenza seasons in China. The antigenic map was plotted and antigenic distance was calculated. Results Subjects with H1-priming had higher cross-reactive antibodies titers against A/JiangsuTinghu/11019/2015(H3N2) compared with subjects with B-priming did (P adjusted = .038). Subjects with H1-priming also had higher cross-reactive antibodies titers against A/Jiangsu Qinhuai/11059/2015(H3N2) than subjects with both H1 and B priming (P adjusted = .036). Nevertheless, subjects with no H1 and B-priming had higher cross-reactive antibodies titers against A/Jiangsu Qinhuai/11059/2015(H3N2) than subjects with both H1 and B priming (P adjusted =.012). Antigenic distance was well matched with serological results. Moeover, age-specific differences in human postvaccination responses against the identical circulating strain was noted. In addition, children had the most cross-reactive response to both H3N2 and B-yamagata subtypes. Conclusions Our results suggest that prior exposure to H1 or B influenza virus may influence cross-reactivity of H3-specific postvaccination responses and consequently could influence the vaccine effectiveness. Our findings also support that there are age-specific differences in human postvaccination responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This study is aimed at investigating the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the uninjured limb during hospitalization and 1 month after surgery in patients with lower extremity fractures. Methods. We collected the clinical data of patients with lower extremity fractures in Xi'an Honghui Hospital. Doppler ultrasonography was used to diagnose DVT. According to the results of ultrasonography, the patients were divided into two groups: uninjured limb with DVT group and uninjured limb without DVT group. Results. A total of 494 patients who met all inclusion criteria were included in this study. The incidence rate of DVT in the uninjured limb was 19.84% and 18.83% during hospitalization and 1 month after surgery, respectively. Age (OR = 1.035 , 95% CI: 1.013–1.059; P = 0.002) and D-dimer level 1 day after surgery (OR = 1.065 , 95% CI: 1.030–1.102; P < 0.001) were independent risk factors for DVT during hospitalization. Similarly, age (OR = 1.045 , 95% CI: 1.021–1.070; P < 0.001) and D-dimer level 1 day after surgery (OR = 1.048 , 95% CI: 1.014–1.083; P = 0.006) were independent risk factors for DVT 1 month after surgery. During hospitalization and 1 month after surgery, 15.79% and 12.35% of patients had double lower limb thrombosis and 4.04% and 6.48% of patients had DVT in the uninjured limb only, respectively. Conclusion. The actual incidence of DVT in the uninjured limb in patients with lower extremity fractures cannot be ignored despite the use of anticoagulants for prevention or treatment during hospitalization. We should also be aware of DVT in the uninjured limb while focusing on DVT in the injured limb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The site of Shuidonggou Locality 2 offers important evidence for the Late Paleolithic sequence of north China. The site not only contains one of the earliest instances of ornamental freshwater shell and ostrich eggshell beads in the region, but also stone artifacts with features arguably resembling the Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP) blade technology found farther north. The appearance of these innovative archaeological forms have been attributed to the arrival of hominin populations, possibly modern humans, into the region during Marine Isotope Stage 3. Yet, the chronology of the site remains debated due to ambiguities in the existing dates. In this study, we conduct a systematical radiocarbon analysis of charcoal and ostrich eggshell samples obtained throughout the site sequence. Both acid-base-acid and the more stringent acid-base-oxidation pretreatment methods were applied to the charcoal samples. The resulting ages follow an age-depth relationship that is consistent with the stratigraphic profile. In line with previous stratigraphic assessments, Bayesian age modeling suggests that site formation history can be split into two phases: an early phase 43–35 cal kBP associated with a lacustrine depositional environment, and a later phase 35–28 cal kBP associated with rapid terrestrial silt accumulation. The chronology of the archaeological layers containing IUP-like artifacts are placed at 43–39 cal kBP and 35–34 cal kBP respectively. This finding supports the interpretation that an IUP-like blade technology appeared in the SDG region by at least ~41 ka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, shale gas plays a significant role in hydrocarbon reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing is generally employed in the exploration and exploitation of shale gas. Economic and efficient hydraulic fracturing, known as volume fracturing, is largely associated with formation characteristics, including anisotropy and brittleness in rocks. Further research on the mechanical properties of rocks, particularly the anisotropy and brittleness behavior of shale, using hydraulic fracturing would be of practical significance. In this study, shale specimens were collected from an outcrop of the lower Silurian Longmaxi formation at Sichuan Basin in southwestern China, which is the most significant exploration area for unconventional gas in China. To better understand the size, type, and shape of brittle minerals, the matrix type (and rock texture), mineral composition, and microstructure of the shale matrix were tested through X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the anisotropic behavior of shale specimens, including strength, deformation, and failure behaviors, was tested and analyzed under conventional triaxial compression. In addition, the brittleness characteristics of shale specimens at different bedding inclinations under different confining pressures were analyzed based on the stress–strain curve characteristic and energy balance. Different brittleness indices, including a new one proposed in this study, were used to evaluate the brittleness of shale. The impacts of anisotropy and confining pressure on brittleness were discussed in detail. When compared with other brittleness indices, the proposed brittleness index demonstrates improved effectiveness and reflects the impact of confining pressure on brittleness significantly well. The relationship between brittleness and the failure mode was revealed using the new brittleness index, and the decreasing order of brittleness was concluded as follows: tensile splitting along bedding plane mode > tensile splitting through bedding plane mode > shear along bedding plane mode > shear through bedding plane mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The targeted observation is that the additional observation is implemented in important regions to improve a numerical forecast of a weather or climate event. These additional observations are aimed to reduce the uncertainties of the initial state with the data‐assimilation system. In the study, the targeted observation strategy is attempted in the uncertainties of the model's physical parameters to improve the numerical simulation and forecast skills of surface turbulent fluxes (sensible heat flux—SH and latent heat flux—LH). First, an approach for determining important parameter combinations based on conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation related to parameters (CNOP‐P) is employed to choose sensitive parameter combinations for the SH and LH. The characteristic of the new approach is to judge the sensitivity of the parameter combination and consider the nonlinear effect of the combination. The sensitivity of the parameter combination using the new approach is compared with that using the traditional one‐at‐a‐time (OAT) approach. The latter method ranks parameters one by one according to the sensitivity of each parameter and it fails to judge the sensitivity of the parameter combination. Within the Common Land Surface Model (CoLM), numerical results show differences between the sensitivity of the parameter combinations using the new approach and the top‐ranked sensitive parameter using the OAT approach in dry and wet regions of China for the SH and LH. Second, the benefits of forecast skills of the SH and LH are evaluated by reducing the parameter error within the sensitive parameter combination. It is found that the prediction skills of the SH and LH are improved in China. For example, elevated extents of the SH (84.3%) and LH (78.3%) calculated from the sensitive parameter combination using the new approach are greater than those of the SH (57.2%) and LH (48.5%) using the OAT approach in semi‐arid regions. This result suggests that it is practicable to apply the targeted observation to reduce the model physical parameters to improve the simulation skill. The new approach for determining parameter combinations based on the CNOP‐P is a promising method with which to explore the problems of the targeted observation to the model physical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The Hengduan Mountains (HDM) of southwest China is a biodiversity hotspot and harbours one of the world's richest temperate floras. However, the origin and evolution of its biota remain largely unresolved. Here we explore the impact of mountain uplift on the diversification process of biodiversity in this hotspot using alpine bamboos. Location: The HDM region, southwest China. Taxon: Alpine bamboos. Methods: We used ddRAD‐seq data from the most complete sampling of alpine bamboos undertaken to date (79% of the species diversity), to investigate their evolutionary history. The ancestral area of these bamboos was reconstructed using a time‐calibrated phylogeny in BioGeoBEARS and diversification rates were inferred using BAMM analyses. In addition, the impact of mountain uplift on the divergence of alpine bamboos was evaluated using trait‐dependent models of diversification. Results: The alpine bamboos were strongly supported as monophyletic, and the relationships within them were robustly resolved. Fargesia was found to be polyphyletic and Yushania was resolved as monophyletic. Alpine bamboos originated outside the HDM region during the late Miocene, and spread to this region in the Pliocene, undergoing a significant acceleration in net diversification, which is temporally congruent with the orogeny. The speciation rate increased with altitude and a high diversification rate, estimated to be 0.75 species per million years, was detected for alpine bamboos distributed in high elevations. Main Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that heterogeneous mountain habitats and geographical isolation of alpine bamboos, which have limited dispersal ability, are important drivers for their rapid diversification. This study also highlights the power of complementary analyses in revealing the link between species diversification and past geological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important to optimize the cooperative innovation network for the improvement of economic competence and innovative power. Based on the patent information services platform, we obtain invention patent data for the electronic information industry in Liaoning from 1985 to 2015. This paper analyzes the cooperative innovation network structure, its spatiotemporal evolution and the triple helix relationship of government-industry-university (GIU) by using the social network analysis method and the triple helix theory as well as UCINet, ArcGIS and NetDraw. The empirical results show that: 1) the number of the subjects of the electronic information industry GIU cooperative innovation network in Liaoning demonstrates a gradual increase from 1985 to 2015, with the same trend in concentration. In terms of its subject and its centrality, the universities have a higher position, and the industries have a lower position, while the status of the government is still unclear. 2) The cooperative innovation network presents a core-periphery structure, and the polarization effect of innovation subjects tends to be obvious. There is certain distance-decay regularity in the cooperative innovation network, and a strong geographical proximity to cooperative innovation. 3) The compactness shows a downward trend as a whole. In terms of the extent of participation, the industries are better than the government but worse than the universities. This means that the cooperative innovation network of GIU in the electronic information industry in Liaoning is in the initial stage of formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is a commercially important aquaculture species in inland China. Currently, the major constraint on the crayfish industry is the shortage of high-quality juveniles. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate ovarian development and maturation in female P. clarkii is crucial for the resolution of this problem. Through RNA-Seq technology, we first obtained the deep-coverage transcriptome sequencing data from the ovary of P. clarkii. A total of 31, 080, 133 clean reads were retrieved after removing the adapters in reads and filtering out low-quality data. All reads were assembled into 69, 261 unigenes with N50 of 1, 129 bp, of which 24, 014 unigenes matched sequences in the GenBank non-redundant database. From this transcriptome data, we obtained the full-length of one fragment that was previously identified to be differently expressed between precocious and normally grown P. clarkii ovaries. This gene encodes a peptide which shared the highest identity with RDH11 from other species, thus it was named PcRDH11 (P. clarkii retinol dehydrogenase 11). qRT-PCR analysis showed that PcRDH11 was highly transcribed in the ovary at the late vitellogenic stage. In situ hybridization exhibited specific expression of PcRDH11 in follicular cells around the early oocytes, but in the late vitellogenic stage, it moved to the ooplasm. Knockdown of PcRDH11 by injection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) resulted in decreased transcription of vitellogenin (Vg) and vitellogenin receptor (VgR). Treatment of early embryos with dsPcRDH11 caused arrest of the embryonic development and death of embryos. These results suggest that PcRDH11 may play an important role in ovarian development and embryogenesis. Our data provide insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms of ovarian development in P. clarkii and other crustaceans, and will be helpful for the development of new techniques for artificial regulation of the reproductive process in crayfish aquaculture. Highlights • We obtained the deep-coverage transcriptome sequencing data from the ovary of P. clarkii. • A total of 31, 080, 133 clean reads were generated, and 69,261 unigenes were assembled. • Knockdown of PcRDH11 resulted in decreases of Vg and VgR expression levels in the ovary of P. clarkii. • Knockdown of PcRDH11 caused the arrest of embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to voluminous high-Ti and low-Ti basalts, plutonic complexes composed of gabbroic and A-type granitoid units are well preserved in the ∼260 Ma Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP) of the Yangtze Block, SW China. The genetic relationship between these gabbroic rocks and granitoids is important to understand the diversity of igneous rocks of LIPs and magma generation and evolution related to mantle plumes. We present whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions and zircon Hf O isotopes of granitoids from the well-known Panzhihua, Baima and Hongge igneous complexes of the ELIP. The granitoid units of these complexes are composed of variable proportions of syenites and granites. Some of these granitoids have depleted and others have enriched Sr Nd isotopic compositions. The isotopically depleted granitoids have low 87Sr/86Sr (t) (0.704331 to 0.706279) and positive ε Nd (t) (0.14 to 2.96) values and are peralkaline to metaluminous in composition with low Al 2 O 3 /(CaO + Na 2 O + K 2 O) (< ∼0.95) and low K 2 O/Na 2 O (0.19 to 1.07). They have similar Sr Nd isotopic compositions and fractional crystallization trends in terms of major and trace elements with coexisting gabbros, diorites and high-Ti basalts. These features indicate that these granitoids were probably produced by fractional crystallization of the high-Ti basaltic melts. Furthermore, their OIB-like Zr/Hf, Yb/Ta and Y/Nb ratios, low δ18O values (4.06 to 5.38‰) of zircons and low (206Pb/204Pb) t ratios (16.08 to 18.87) clearly indicate that they were formed from magmas derived from partial melting of the mantle plume with variable amounts of high temperature-altered oceanic crust. On the other hand, the isotopically enriched granitoids have high 87Sr/86Sr (t) (0.705124 to 0.709713), low ε Nd (t) (−2.09 to −4.56) and high (206Pb/204Pb) t (18.34 to 19.00) ratios and are metaluminous to peraluminous in composition with high Al 2 O 3 /(CaO + Na 2 O + K 2 O) (> ∼0.95) and high K 2 O/Na 2 O (1.5 to 1.98). A compositional gap between these rocks and the spatially associated basalts, and the deviation from the fractionation trend in Harker diagram indicate that these granitoids were not products of fractionation of basaltic melts. In addition, ε Hf (t) (−4.01 to 1.69) and δ18O (4.82 to 7.43‰) values of zircons are consistent with their derivation from partial melting of juvenile lower crust together with Yangtze ancient crust. Our study highlights the importance of the interaction of mantle plume with subducted slab, juvenile lower crust and ancient crust in the generation of diverse igneous rocks of the LIPs. • Granitoids in the ELIP can be classified into isotopically enriched and depleted groups. • The isotopically depleted granitoids were formed by fractional crystallization of mantle plume-derived basaltic melts. • High-temperature altered oceanic crust was involved in the source of the depleted granitoids. • The isotopically enriched granitoids were produced by partial melting of juvenile lower crust together with Yangtze crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shuidonggou (SDG) attracts scholars who are interested in Late Paleolithic of China, even east Asia, from generation to generation since 1923 when rich lithic artifacts and animal fossils were discovered at locality 1. During the past almost one century, many excavations have been conducted by different institutes at different localities of SDG. Numerous data has been obtained and tens of thousands of artifacts were yielded. The understanding of nature and context of SDG is increasing gradually with the repeated excavation and in-depth research. The present paper reviewed the formal excavations and achievements in SDG. Especially, a series investigations and excavations since 2002 have been emphasized. After this long-term fieldwork, the geographic range of SDG has extended far beyond the range suggested by previous findings. The presence of discrete cultural horizons at various SDG localities indicate repeated use and occupation of the area by early human groups between 50–10 kya with a gap in LGM. During the repeated occupations, diverse and complex behaviors including gathering various plants, heat treatment preparation for knapping, making ornaments, engraving were identified using different kinds of methods and techniques by scholars. Paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on pollen analysis suggests that late Pleistocene/early Holocene human utilization of the SDG area occurred primarily around 32–24 kya and 13–11 kya when climatic conditions were more favorable. Years of excavations and researches make progress with nature of SDG. However, the issues about Initial Upper Paleolithic assemblages in SDG, origin/disappearance of Levallois-like technology in China are still open to debate. Further excavation and research at SDG1 will clarify these issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reservoir impoundment and water fluctuations have endangered the stability of the reservoir bank slopes, which have experienced several small-scale shallow slides/collapses and few large-scale slopes with failures/deformations. Field investigations, unmanned aerial vehicle technology and site displacement monitoring dates are used to study the spatiotemporal distribution and mechanisms of the reservoir landslides within the Dagangshan reservoir. The reservoir landslides can be divided into two main types: shallow small-scale slides and unstable deformation slopes, which are clearly associated with reservoir impoundment and fluctuations of the water level. Small-scale slides/collapses are continually distributed along the river banks nearest to the water level, but deep-seated landslides have usually experienced a long history, and some obvious precursor phenomena may exist in the slopes. According to the recognition of deformational and failure evolutionary processes of large-scale slopes, and based on hydrology and geomechanics, two types of potential failure models (creep-shear-tension failure and toppling-tensile-shear model) are proposed to interpret the mechanisms of the deformation slopes in the Dagangshan reservoir. Furthermore, some preliminary discussion is presented concerning the non-significant development of landslides in the Dagangshan reservoir that are also associated with smaller water fluctuations due to the daily regulation type of the reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new cyclolanostane triterpenoid glycoside, soulieoside O (1), together with 25-O-acetylcimigenol-3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (2) and cimigenol-3-O-β-d-xylopyranoside (3), was isolated from the rhizomes ofSouliea vaginata. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. The new compound showed moderate inhibitory activity against three human cancer cell lines with IC50values of 9.3–22.5 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic is an edible hibiscus that is rich in flavonoids, and its use as Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of diseases and health maintenance dates back to ancient times. The chemical compositions of total flavonoid of A. manihot (L.) Medic flower extract (TFAE) were identified and determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The effects of TFAE on antioxidative activities in a d-galactose ( d-gal)-induced mouse model and Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses were evaluated. Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group, d-gal aging model group, d-gal+ascorbic acid group that served as a positive control, and d-gal+TFAE (40, 80, and 160 mg TFAE/kg) group. After 42 days, the antioxidant effects of these treatments were determined by biochemical studies, Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and histological analysis. The results showed that the groups administered TFAE exhibited significant elevation in liver activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) production in a dose-dependent manner compared with the d-gal-induced model group. Expression of Nrf2 and its target antioxidants (HO-1 and NQO1) was manifestly increased by TFAE treatment. TFAE also increased mRNA expression of GPx, SOD, and CAT and decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 β). Furthermore, the microstructure of livers in TFAE-administered mice was obviously improved as compared with the d-gal model group. These results suggest that TFAE protects mice against d-gal-induced oxidative stress, and the effect is related to the activation of Nrf2 signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the controversial association of CD147 expression with HCC prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics. Eight studies from PubMed (1966–2016), EMBASE (1980–2016), Cochrane Library (1996–2016), Web of Science (1945–2016), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (1982–2016), and Wanfang databases (1988–2016) were considered. The associations between CD147 expression and clinicopathological parameters and overall survival (OS) or DFS/RFS were reassessed using the meta-analysis for odds ratio (OR) or hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). CD147 expression was associated with DFS/RFS (HR = 3.26; 95% CI: 1.82–5.83; P<0.0001) but not with OS (HR = 1.35; 95% CI: 0.56–3.29; P=0.51). We also delved deeper into the association between median survival time and CD147 expression owing to significant heterogeneity and found significant differences between high and low CD147 expression groups with respect to median survival time. CD147 expression was closely associated with the TNM stage (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04–0.85; P=0.03) and venous invasion (OR = 6.29; 95% CI: 1.70–23.20; P=0.006). In contrast, there was no association between CD147 expression and tumor stage, cirrhosis, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, HBsAg, and serum AFP levels. Thus, CD147 expression is potentially closely related to HCC survival and associated clinicopathological parameters, paving the way for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The variation characteristics of permafrost for 36 years has been identified. • The relationship between n in the Budyko framework and DDF is quantified. • Permafrost degradation contributes more than 20% to runoff change. To quantitatively investigate the permafrost degradation and its effects on hydrological processes in the upper reaches of Heihe River, a surface frost number model was firstly constructed to simulate the permafrost distribution and degradation from 1980 to 2015. The variation characteristics of the DDF, permafrost area, low limit of permafrost, and active layer thickness were then determined in the study area. Furthermore, the Budyko framework was applied to quantify the contribution of permafrost degradation to runoff. The results indicated that the permafrost degradation was significant in the past 36 years, with an average decreasing rate of 80.4 km2/a in the permafrost area, an average increasing rate of 13 m/a and 0.61 cm/a in the low limit elevation and in the active layer thickness, respectively. It is also found that basin characteristic parameter in the Budyko framework is closely related to permafrost degradation in cold regions, 40% of whose change is contributed by permafrost degradation. In addition, it is revealed that permafrost degradation contributed more than 20% to runoff change in study area. This investigation also indicated that the runoff response to permafrost degradation has a 3 months delayed effect. This study deepens the understanding of the impact of permafrost degradation on hydrological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of growing environmental pollution, developing a PEMFC driving shunting locomotive is a great challenge in China for environmental protection and energy saving, it combines the environmental advantages of an electric locomotive with the lower infrastructure costs of a diesel electric locomotive. In this paper, through innovation of the power system using PEMFC, an experiment prototype of a PEMFC shunting locomotive has been developed which will reduce the effects on the environment. The performance of the fuel cell power plant and the integrated locomotive are experimentally investigated. It is the first locomotive to use a PEMFC power plant in China. Staring from October 2012, we started to test the PEMFC locomotive on the test rail-line in Chengdu, Sichuan. The achieved encouraging results can provide fundamental data for further modification of the locomotive powered by individual PEMFC stack or even development of hybrid ones powered by PEMFC and other power sources in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Parallel cooperation search algorithm is proposed for parameter optimization. • Evolutionary method and parallel computing improve the ELM performance. • Real-world applications demonstrate the superiority of the presented model. Reliable streamflow prediction is an important productive information in the hydrology and water resources management fields. As used to forecast the nonlinear streamflow time series, the conventional artificial intelligence model may suffer from local convergence defect and fail to track the dynamic changes of the hydrological process when the model parameters and network structure are not well identified. Thus, this research develops a practical hydrological forecasting model based on parallel cooperation search algorithm (PCSA) and extreme learning machine (ELM), where the standard ELM method is chosen as the basic forecasting model, and then the PCSA method using several smaller and independent subswarms for parallel computation is used to determine satisfying input-hidden weights and hidden biases of the ELM model. The proposed model is used to forecast the nonlinear streamflow time series of several real-world hydrological stations in China. The results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms the standard ELM model in various evaluation indicators. Thus, the key contributions of this study lie in two aspects: (1) for the first time, the parallel computing technique is developed to improve the global search ability and resources utilization efficiency of the emerging cooperation search algorithm; (2) an artificial intelligence model coupled with parallel evolutionary optimizer is proposed to improve the prediction accuracy of hydrological time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cognition and symbolic thinking are viewed as important features of modern human behavior. Engraved objects are seen as a hallmark of cognition and symbolism, and even as evidence for language. Accumulated evidences including engraved bones, ochre, ostrich eggshells and stone artifacts were unearthed from Africa, Europe, Levant even Siberia Paleolithic sites. But the archaeological evidence for this, including beads, ornaments, burials, performed objects and engraved objects, is rarely discovered in the Pleistocene of East Asia. The present paper reports an engraved stone object unearthed in the Early Late Paleolithic levels about 30 ka BP at the Shuidonggou site (SDG) in northwestern China. It was unearthed in the 1980's excavation from Lower culture unit of SDG1 but was identified in 2011 when the first author of this article observed the collection from the 1980's excavations stored in the Institute of Archaeology of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region for further detailed lithic analysis. This lithic artifact is the first engraved non-organic object of the Paleolithic period found in China. In order to clarify the details of the incisions and to document the human intentional modifications, we used a KEYENCE VHX-600 Digital Microscope to measure and observe all the incisions in 3-dimensional perspective. Comparing the natural cracks and analyzing many details of the incisions, we argue that incisions on this stone artifact are the result of intentional behaviors by ancient humans. Also, we exclude the possible other causes including animal-induced damages, post-depositional phenomenon and unintentional by-products. Combining all these features, we suggest that the incisions were made by an intentional behavior and were probably of a non-utilitarian character. Because the nature of most other engraved objects in China is debate, we cannot get a clear scenario of the emergence and progress of modern human behavior in North China. But we infer the possible existence of a counting or recording system, or other symbolic behaviors, which reflect considerably evolved cognitive capacities or modern human behavior in the Early Late Paleolithic of East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cao Vit gibbon is a critically endangered species with only about 110 individuals remaining in a degraded karst forest along the China- Vietnam border. Behavioral data from this site are particularly useful in understanding gibbon behavioral adaptations to different sets of ecological conditions and will contribute to the conservation of the species. We studied seasonal variation in the time budget and diet of the Cao Vit gibbon in response to variation in food availability and ambient temperature by observing two groups for 1,379 hr between January and December 2009. We used 5-min scan samples to record the activity of gibbons. Both ambient temperature and food availability varied from month to month. Gibbon groups increased resting time and huddled together in sleeping places in cold months. Gibbons spent more time feeding on fruit when fruit was more abundant suggesting that fruit was their preferred food. Alternatively, leaf eating was negatively correlated with leaf availability which suggested that leaves may be used as a fallback food. Gibbons increased their diet diversity when they ate more leaves. This might be a strategy to cope with toxins or digestion inhibitor accumulation associated with feeding from a limited number of leaf species. Individuals consumed more buds when Broussonetia papyrifera produced buds in March and April. During this period, they decreased traveling time and engaged in less frequent social interactions. Gibbons spent more time searching for and feeding on invertebrates during June and October. However, we did not collect data on invertebrate abundance and therefore cannot determine the relationship between invertebrate feeding and availability. We conclude that flexibility in consuming diverse food types and food species, and in responding to the availability of preferred foods, has enabled the Cao Vit gibbon to survive in a degraded karst forest habitat. Am. J. Primatol. 74:632-641, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To evaluate the ecological consequences of engineered use of water hyacinths in Lake Taihu, China, we conducted a systematic survey of the dynamics of the zooplankton community (mainly copepods, cladocerans, and rotifers) inside (INE), around (ARE), and far-outside (FAE) a large-scale enclosure of water hyacinths in Zhushan Bay, Lake Taihu from August to November 2009 and calculated five response variables for the zooplankton community for each area. INE, ARE, and FAE differed little in their zooplankton composition at the genus level: the 16 of 21 identified genera were common and the same 6 zooplankton genera were dominant in all three areas, and only 5 sparse zooplankton genera were not collected from all three areas. The average abundance of each zooplankton faunal group and their annual trends displayed similar patterns in INE, ARE, and FAE. The only significant difference (p <0.05) detected was between INE and FAE in the average abundance of cladoceran fauna (INE>FAE) and rotifer fauna (INE

Abstract: Knowledge of habitat and feeding ecology is essential for developing an effective conservation management plan for threatened primates. Despite having been rediscovered nearly a decade ago, very little is known of the critically endangered cao vit gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) or its habitat. We analysed forest cover, made direct observations and conducted interviews of local elders to better understand forest changes and to determine the forest characters and species important to the survival of the gibbon. Interviews indicated human-induced forest resource exploitation focused on species-specific and larger trees most easily accessed. Gibbon forest habitat comprised four primary forest types. The mean canopy height over the whole site was 10.52m. Gibbons consumed 81, or nearly half of the tree and liana species recorded in the site; however, only 19 species provide 77.8% of the diet. Six of the 19 food species were logged for different reasons throughout the history of the site. We conclude that effective conservation management of primates with highly limited distributions, focused dietary needs, and in degraded ecosystems will require active forest restoration, such as planting important food species in degraded sites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were employed to detect the genetic variation among 28 sweet kernel apricot and related Armeniaca accessions from China. Fifteen SRAP primer combinations were used and 252 polymorphic bands out of 286 with an average of 16.8 per primer combination were observed. The unweighted pair-group method (UPGMA) analysis demonstrated that the accessions had a similarity range from 0.55 to 0.91 with a mean of 0.7, and there were three clusters with two groups of sweet kernel apricots distinctly separated from the related Armeniaca vulgaris and Armeniaca sibirica at the similarity level of 0.58, indicating more extensive genetic variation among sweet kernel apricot. The origin of sweet kernel apricot has also been discussed. This suggested there are abundant germplasm resources of sweet kernel apricot from China for further breeding and biodiversity conservation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We conducted an intensive survey of the Vulnerable eastern hoolock gibbon Hoolock leuconedys along the west bank of the Salween River in southern China, covering all known hoolock gibbon populations in China. We found 40–43 groups, with a mean group size of 3.9, and five solitary individuals. We estimated the total population to be < 200. In the nine groups for which we recorded composition, seven comprised one adult pair and 0–3 offspring and the other two groups both comprised one adult male and two adult females. The population is severely fragmented, in 17 locations, with the largest subpopulation containing only five family groups. Compared with the population in 1985 and 1994 five subpopulations have declined and gibbons have been extirpated from nine localities, although we discovered two previously unknown subpopulations. Commercial logging, illegal hunting, agricultural encroachment and population fragmentation pose serious threats to the future of H. leuconedys in China. An integrated conservation plan, including nature reserve establishment/expansion, enforcement of existing laws, conservation education, translocation and conservation-oriented research are needed to ensure the survival of H. leuconedys in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many short-term studies have reported groups of black crested gibbons containing ≥2 adult females ( Nomascus concolor). We report the stability of multifemale groups in this species over a period of 6 yr. Our focal group and 2 neighboring groups included 2 breeding females between March 2003 and June 2009. We also habituated 1 multifemale group to observers and present detailed information concerning their social relationships over a 9-mo observation period. We investigated interindividual distances and agonistic behavior among the 5 group members. The spatial relationship between the 3 adult members (1 male, 2 females) formed an equilateral triangle. A subadult male was peripheral to the focal group, while a juvenile male maintained a closer spatial relationship with the adult members. We observed little agonistic behavior among the adult members. The close spatial relationship and lack of high rates of agonistic behavior among females suggest that the benefits of living in a multifemale group were equal to or greater than the costs for both females, given their ecological and social circumstances. The focal group occupied a large home range that was likely to provide sufficient food sources for the 2 females and their offspring. Between March 2003 and June 2009, 1 adult female gave 2 births and the other one gave 1 birth. All individuals in the focal group survived to June 2009. A long-term comparative study focused on females living in multifemale groups and females living in pair-living groups would provide insight into understanding the evolutionary mechanisms of the social system in gibbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used data on loud duetted and solo songs collected from one habituated polygynous group of black-crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) on Mt. Wuliang, Yunnan, to test several hypotheses about the functions of these songs. The major functions proposed for loud gibbon songs include resource defense, mate defense, pairbonding, group cohesion and mate attraction. Duet bouts are generally initiated by adult males, who select the highest trees near to ridges or on steep slopes as singing trees. Such trees facilitate voice transmission and inter-group communication. Singing trees tended to be located near important food patches and sleeping sites, which supports the resource defense hypothesis. The adult male and two adult females always sang interactively, alternating male phrases with the females' stereotyped great calls, to produce the duets, and females rarely produced great calls if they were more than 30 m from the male. The two females usually produced great calls synchronously during the duet, especially when they were close together. These features support both the mate defense and pairbonding hypotheses. The number of great calls and their degree of synchrony transmit information about spatial relationships and possibly pairbond strength to members to neighboring groups and floating animals. During or after the duet bouts, the adult females and juvenile moved toward to the adult male; and group members maintained a close spatial relationship, which supports the group cohesion hypothesis. Other incidents observed suggest a mate competition role for duets. The adult male always sang when the females started duetting with the subadult male. The subadult male sang solo bouts, but they were not more frequent or longer than bouts initiated by the adult male. Although mate attraction is the likely function of subadult solos, it was not convincingly demonstrated. In conclusion, all hypotheses concerning the function of singing are supported by at least some of the data, and none can be excluded. Am. J. Primatol. 71:539–547, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Critically Endangered black crested gibbon Nomascus concolor of China, Laos and Vietnam is threatened by deforestation and habitat destruction but there have been no studies of how it uses its forest habitat, probably because of the typically rugged topography and the species' shyness of humans. We studied the forest use of one habituated group between March 2005 and April 2006 on the border of Wuliangshan Nature Reserve, Wuliang Mountain, Yunnan, southern China. The group spent most of its time in the primary forest but preferred secondary forest in February when Leucosceptrum canum blossomed. They used dwarf forest occasionally but never used Eupatorium adenophorum grassland. Primary forest provided sleeping and singing trees, most food resources, safe cover and suitable locomotion supports. This forest is crucial for their survival but regenerates slowly. Even though secondary forest in the area has been regenerating for .50 years it provides only limited food resources for the gibbons. It may, however, comprise a good corridor for their dispersal. Dwarf forest provides a potential corridor for the group to disperse to a population on the other side of the mountain. Selective logging and agriculture encroachment should be forbidden in the primary forest on Wuliang Mountain. We recommend Alnus nepalensis, Myrica esculenta, L. canum and Betula alnoides as the pioneer species to recover the E. adenophorum grassland and for dispersal corridors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Bone mineral density (BMD) and its association with body mass index (BMI) are uncertain in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in mainland China. This study was performed to assess this association including 1,042 postmenopausal women with T2DM and 919 non-diabetic control subjects. Bone mineral density of the posteroanterior spine and of the left hip was measured by use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Diabetic participants were divided into three groups according to BMI, i.e. low BMI (DML 2), intermediate BMI (DMM 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), and high BMI (DMH ≥ 25 kg/m2). The BMD values of diabetic subjects between groups exhibited a significant gradient difference, with DML  DMM ≈ control > DMH. The osteoporosis risk was higher for the hip than for the lumbar spine, especially in DML. This study indicated that postmenopausal women with T2DM had higher BMD and lower osteoporosis risk in the lumbar spine, and that lower BMI was an indicator of osteoporosis in mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the ranging behavior of a habituated group of black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor jingdongensis) in a high, seasonal habitat on Mt. Wuliang, central Yunnan, China, between March 2005 and April 2006. Our results indicated that the total home range size for the study group was 129 ha, or 151 ha if the lacunae within the borders in which gibbons were not observed were included. This is a much bigger range size than that of other gibbon species. However, 69.7% of their activities occurred within 29 ha. The intensity of quadrant use was significantly correlated with the distribution of important food patches. The mean yearly daily path length was 1,391 m. Gibbons traveled farther when they spent more time feeding on fruit. To avoid often passing through ridges with little food, gibbons usually stayed in the same valley for successive days, and then moved on to another valley for another several days, which resulted in a concentrated ranging pattern. Am. J. Primatol. 70:871–878, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]