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Prostate cancer (PC) is an epithelial malignancy occurring in the prostate. PC ranks second in incidence among all male malignancies globally by the latest statistics from the World Health Organization. Notably, China has seen a more rapid increase in PC incidence compared to developed European and American nations. By 2022, the newly reported cases and deaths due to PC in China increased to 134,200 and 47,500, respectively. Thus, early diagnosis and standardized treatment for prostate cancer in China remain far-reaching objectives. Burgeoning research on advanced PC and castration-resistant prostate cancer in recent years have paved the way for a new era of integrated treatment methods including novel endocrine drugs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Future therapies involve precision treatment guided by genetic testing and individualized integrated treatment as part of a multidisciplinary integrated diagnosis and treatment model for PC. The Genitourinary Oncology Committee of the China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA-GU) has invited multidisciplinary experts across fields including surgery, oncology, pathology, radiology, herbal medicine, physiatry, and psychology to collaboratively write, discuss, and revise guidelines on managing PC. The CACA Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Prostate Cancer includes epidemiology, screening and diagnosis, treatment for localized PC, diagnosis and treatment of PC recurrence after radical prostatectomy, management of metastatic PC, traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment of PC, and rehabilitation from PC. This guideline aims to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment management of PC in China. It is more aligned with China's clinical practice, highlights Chinese characteristics, and bears significant clinical importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to examine the impact of PE/PPE gene mutations on the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) in China. Methods: We collected the whole genome sequencing (WGS) data of 3202 M. tuberculosis isolates in China from 2007 to 2018 and investigated the clustering of strains from different lineages. To evaluate the potential role of PE/PPE gene mutations in the dissemination of the pathogen, we employed homoplastic analysis to detect homoplastic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within these gene regions. Subsequently, logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the statistical association. Results: Based on nationwide M. tuberculosis WGS data, it has been observed that the majority of the M. tuberculosis burden in China is caused by lineage 2 strains, followed by lineage 4. Lineage 2 exhibited a higher number of transmission clusters, totaling 446 clusters, of which 77 were cross-regional clusters. Conversely, there were only 52 transmission clusters in lineage 4, of which 9 were cross-regional clusters. In the analysis of lineage 2 isolates, regression results showed that 4 specific gene mutations, PE4 (position 190,394; c.46G > A), PE_PGRS10 (839,194; c.744 A > G), PE16 (1,607,005; c.620T > G) and PE_PGRS44 (2,921,883; c.333 C > A), were significantly associated with the transmission of M. tuberculosis. Mutations of PE_PGRS10 (839,334; c.884 A > G), PE_PGRS11 (847,613; c.1455G > C), PE_PGRS47 (3,054,724; c.811 A > G) and PPE66 (4,189,930; c.303G > C) exhibited significant associations with the cross-regional clusters. A total of 13 mutation positions showed a positive correlation with clustering size, indicating a positive association. For lineage 4 strains, no mutations were found to enhance transmission, but 2 mutation sites were identified as risk factors for cross-regional clusters. These included PE_PGRS4 (338,100; c.974 A > G) and PPE13 (976,897; c.1307 A > C). Conclusion: Our results indicate that some PE/PPE gene mutations can increase the risk of M. tuberculosis transmission, which might provide a basis for controlling the spread of tuberculosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many older adult patients receive low-dose teicoplanin with varied regimens, leading to a lack of clarity on its optimal regimens and toxicity profiles in China. This study aimed to clarify these aspects by analyzing teicoplanin treatment concentrations and toxicities. Methods: We included older adult patients administered teicoplanin at four tertiary hospitals in Beijing from June 2021 to July 2023, targeting a trough concentration (Cmin) ≥ 10 mg/L. Teicoplanin concentrations and toxicities were monitored dynamically. Results: From 204 patients, we obtained 632 teicoplanin concentrations. Most patients (83.3%) received low-dose regimens. Suboptimal concentrations were found in 66.4% of patients within 7 days of treatment and 17.0% after 15 days. Cmin gradually increased with treatment duration and was influenced initially by creatinine and by both body weight and creatinine from days 8 to 14. The target concentration was achieved in 53.1%, 33.9%, 15.6%, and 5.5% of patients at 3, ≤ 7, 8–14, and ≥ 15 days after withdrawal, respectively. Slow elimination was associated with average Cmin and eGFR. Nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and thrombocytopenia occurred in 12.5%, 4.1%, and 31.5% of patients, respectively, without significant differences between concentrations. Conclusions: Most older adult patients were underdosed, indicating a need for dose adjustment. Given the varied risk factors for suboptimal concentrations in different treatment stages, a one-size-fits-all regimen was ineffective. We recommend an initial dose of 400 mg at 12-h intervals for the first three days, with subsequent doses from days 4 to 14 adjusted based on creatinine and body weight; after day 14, a maintenance dose of 200 mg daily is advised. Trial registration: ChiCTR2100046811; 28/05/2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the transient dynamics of interlinked social-ecological systems (SES) is imperative for assessing sustainability in the Anthropocene. However, how to identify critical transitions in real-world SES remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we present an evolutionary framework to characterize these dynamics over an extended historical timeline. Our approach leverages multidecadal rates of change in socioeconomic data, paleoenvironmental, and cutting-edge sedimentary ancient DNA records from China's Yangtze River Delta, one of the most densely populated and intensively modified landscapes on Earth. Our analysis reveals two significant social-ecological transitions characterized by contrasting interactions and feedback spanning several centuries. Initially, the regional SES exhibited a loosely connected and ecologically sustainable regime. Nevertheless, starting in the 1950s, an increasingly interconnected regime emerged, ultimately resulting in the crossing of tipping points and an unprecedented acceleration in soil erosion, water eutrophication, and ecosystem degradation. Remarkably, the second transition occurring around the 2000s, featured a notable decoupling of socioeconomic development from ecoenvironmental degradation. This decoupling phenomenon signifies a more desirable reconfiguration of the regional SES, furnishing essential insights not only for the Yangtze River Basin but also for regions worldwide grappling with similar sustainability challenges. Our extensive multidecadal empirical investigation underscores the value of coevolutionary approaches in understanding and addressing social-ecological system dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Previous studies have primarily focused on the transmissibility of multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Mtb. However, variations in virulence across Mtb lineages may also account for differences in transmissibility. In Mtb, polyketide synthase (PKS) genes encode large multifunctional proteins which have been shown to be major mycobacterial virulence factors. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the role of PKS mutations in TB transmission and assess its risk and characteristics. Methods: Whole genome sequences (WGSs) data from 3,204 Mtb isolates was collected from 2011 to 2019 in China. Whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles were used for phylogenetic tree analysis. Putative transmission clusters (≤10 SNPs) were identified. To identify the role of PKS mutations in TB transmission, we compared SNPs in the PKS gene region between "clustered isolates" and "non-clustered isolates" in different lineages. Results: Cluster-associated mutations in ppsA, pks12, and pks13 were identified among different lineage isolates. They were statistically significant among clustered strains, indicating that they may enhance the transmissibility of Mtb. Conclusion: Overall, this study provides new insights into the function of PKS and its localization in M. tuberculosis. The study found that ppsA, pks12, and pks13 may contribute to disease progression and higher transmission of certain strains. We also discussed the prospective use of mutant ppsA, pks12, and pks13 genes as drug targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that results in the loss of epidermal melanocytes. The treatments for patients with vitiligo remain lacking. Erzhiwan (EZW), a traditional Chinese Medicine composed of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Ecliptae Herba, was used to ameliorate depigmentation since ancient China. This study aims to investigate the effect of EZW on vitiligo-related depigmentation.Methods: A vitiligo-related depigmentation mouse model was induced by monobenzone and restraint stress. The experimental depigmentation mice were treated with EZW. Histological observation of skin was conducted. Cutaneous oxidative damage and inflammation were determined. A network pharmacology analysis was carried out.Results: EZW reduced depigmentation score (p< 0.01), cutaneous inflammatory infiltration (p< 0.01), and CD8α-positive expression (p< 0.01), and increased cutaneous melanin content in experimental depigmentation mice. EZW reduced stress reaction in experimental depigmentation mice (p< 0.01). EZW inhibited 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-related DNA oxidative damage in the skin (p< 0.05, p< 0.01). In addition, EZW reduced cutaneous macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-CD74-NF-κB signaling (p< 0.01). The network pharmacology analysis demonstrated that EZW regulated necroptosis, apoptosis, and FoxO signaling pathways in vitiligo. An in vitro experiment showed that the main ingredient of EZW, specnuezhenide, protected against monobenzone and MIF-induced cell death in HaCaT cells (p< 0.01).Conclusion: EZW ameliorates restraint stress- and monobenzone-induced depigmentation via the inhibition of MIF and 8-OHdG signaling. The findings provide a data basis of an utilization of EZW in vitiligo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continental shale in China is a key exploration target with regard to unconventional hydrocarbons. Systematic research on the mineral composition, organic geochemistry, and hydrocarbon mobility has been performed in the Da'anzhai (J1dn) lacustrine shale oil reservoirs, clarifying the factors controlling shale oil accumulation. The results suggest that J1dn consists of three sub-members, with an organic-rich interval developed within the second sub-member. Three types of lithological associations have developed within the organic-rich interval: Type 1 represents the interbedding relationship between shale and shell limestone and Type 2 represents shale with intercalated limestone, followed by Type 3. The brittleness index of the J1dn continental organic-rich shale is relatively low. The porosity of the Da'anzhai lacustrine shale ranges between 0.5% and 10.5% (average value of 5.89%). The porosity is predominantly due to inorganic pores, with a small amount being attributable to nanoscale microfractures and organic pores. The average porosity of the shell limestone is only 1.2%, but fractures at the micron and centimeter scales are well developed. The organic matter in the J1dn continental shale is mainly II1–II2, with maturity in the oil generation stage. The average oil saturation of the J1dn continental shale is 3.15%, with most samples having oil saturation of less than 4%. The J1dn continental shale has great exploration potential with regard to shale oil. Type 1 shale oil is affected by multiscale fractures, including bedding fractures, and has the best mobility. The high hydrocarbon generation capacity of lacustrine shale, coupled with the multiscale fractures within shell limestone and shale, is the principal controlling factor for hydrocarbon enrichment. Based on exploration practices, the Type 1 shale association may represent the optimal interval for future shale oil exploration in the Da'anzhai Member. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small changes in soil aggregates-associated organic carbon and soil nitrogen (N) can induce huge fluctuations in greenhouse gas emissions and soil fertility. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the responses to long-term continuous rotation systems, especially in N-fixing and non-N-fixing crop wheat in terms of the distribution of soil aggregates and the storage of soil carbon (C) and N in aggregates in the semiarid calcareous soil of Central China. This information is critical for advancing knowledge on C and N sequestration of soil aggregates in rainfed crop rotation systems. Our aim was to determine which legume (soybean (Glycine max)– or mung bean (Vigna radiata)–wheat (Triticum aestivum) rotation practice is more conducive to the formation of good soil structure and C and N fixation. A 10-year field experiment, including a soybean (Glycine max)–winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) rotation (SWR) with yield increments of 2020 compared to 2010 achieving 18.28% (soybean) and 26.73% (wheat), respectively, and a mung bean (Vigna radiata)–winter wheat rotation (MWR) achieving 32.66% (mung bean) and 27.38% (wheat), as well as farmland fallow, was conducted in Henan Province, China. The soil organic carbon (SOC), N content in the soil, and the soil aggregates were investigated. Legume–wheat rotation cropping enhanced the proportion of the >2 mm soil fractions and reduced the <0.053 mm silt + clay in the 0–40 cm soil profile. In the 0–30 cm soil layer, the SWR had a greater increment of the >2 mm aggregate fractions than the MWR. Two legume–winter wheat rotations enhanced the C and N sequestration that varied with soil depths and size fractions of the aggregate. In contrast, the MWR had greater SOC stocks in all fractions of all sizes in the 0–40 cm soil layers. In addition, the greater storage of N in the macro-, micro-, and silt + clay fractions was observed in the 0–30 cm layers; the MWR enhanced the C/N ratios in most of the size aggregates compared with the SWR. The MWR cropping system is more beneficial to the formation of good soil structure and the increasement of C and N reserves in soil. Thus, these findings show that mung bean, in contrast with soybean in the legume–wheat rotation system of a semiarid temperate zone, may offer soil quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic education is not only an essential means for eliminating stratification and differences in society but also one of the main reasons for the enlargement of the gap between the rich and the poor. Because it faces pressure in the context of globalization, a balanced development of basic education would be a good way to relieve this pressure. This paper summarizes the international experience of balanced development of basic education in five aspects: policies and laws, educational funds, teacher resources, disadvantaged groups and conditions for running a school. On the basis of these, the authors put forward relevant suggestions concerning the balanced development of basic education in China.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease of the skin that targets pigment-producing melanocytes and results in patches of depigmentation that are visible as white spots. Recent research studies have yielded a strong mechanistic understanding of this disease. Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) has been used for premature graying of hair since ancient China and is currently used to treat vitiligo. However, the key biomarkers and mechanisms underlying FLL in vitiligo remain unclear. This study aimed to identify the potential biomarkers and mechanisms of FLL in vitiligo using network pharmacology analysis.Methods: The expression profiles of GSE65127 and GSE75819 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the vitiligo and healthy samples. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment of DEGs were performed using R analyses. We performed R to further understand the functions of the critical targets. Cytoscape tools have facilitated network topology analysis. Molecular docking was performed using Auto Dock Vina software.Results: The results showed that 13 DEGs were screened in vitiligo. Based on bioinformatics, network pharmacology and Western blot, we found that the critical targets of melanoma antigen recognized by 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid oxidase (TYRP1) may be related to the mechanism of action of FLL in the treatment of vitiligo.Conclusion: TYRP1, as a melanocyte molecular biomarker, may be closely related to the underlying mechanism of FLL in the treatment of vitiligo via the inhibition of melanocyte death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Health and Family Planning Commission of China (NHFPCC) issued the "Measures for the Management of Human Sperm Banks," which was revised in 2003 and is still in effect today. One of the standard guidelines is that potential donors undergo laboratory testing to exclude infectious and genetic diseases and karyotype analysis. However, patient demands for donor genetic testing have also increased, and only karyotype analysis to exclude genetic diseases is not sufficient to meet these demands. Objective: To examine donor genetic screening practices at sperm banks in China and to evaluate the qualifications and skills of genetic counselors at the banks. Materials and methods: An electronic survey was distributed to twenty-seven sperm banks to examine donor genetic screening practices at sperm banks in China and to evaluate the qualifications and skills of genetic counselors at the banks. Twenty-six human sperm banks responded to a 32-question survey about their current practices related to genetic testing of sperm donors. Results: The 26 sperm banks reported that all qualified sperm donors undergo karyotype analysis; 22 banks (84.6%) collected three generations of family history from each qualified sperm donor; 10 (38.5%) reported that they attempted to accommodate special requests from donor semen recipients for particular genetic tests. Only 2 of the 26 (7.7%) sperm banks reported that they performed whole-exome sequencing. At all the sperm banks, consent for genetic testing was obtained as part of the overall contract for sperm donors. Nineteen (73.1%) sperm banks had genetic counselors on their staff, while six (23.1%) had no genetic counselors on their staff but had access to genetic counselors at the hospital. Only one (3.8%) sperm bank had no genetic counselors on their staff or at the hospital. Conclusions: The need for larger scale genetic testing of donors and recipients and an extensive panel of genetic tests specific to the Chinese population. Additionally, professionally trained geneticists must be employed as genetic counsellors so that the results of genetic tests and their implications can be explained to donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are few large-scale studies evaluating the safety of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes. DONATE, a multicentre, single-arm, prospective, non-interventional study, is the first real-world study evaluating the safety of dapagliflozin in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes in routine clinical practice. Methods: Between August 2017 and July 2020, patients with type 2 diabetes who had initiated dapagliflozin therapy and received ≥1 dose were prospectively recruited from 88 hospitals in China. Patients were subsequently followed up for 24 weeks; if patients discontinued dapagliflozin they were followed up for an additional 7 days after treatment discontinuation. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with adverse events and serious adverse events, particularly key adverse events of special interest (AESI) including urinary tract infection, genital tract infection (typical symptoms with or without microbiological diagnosis) and hypoglycaemia (typical symptoms with or without blood glucose ≤3.9 mmol/L, or blood glucose ≤3.9 mmol/L without symptoms). Exploratory outcomes included the absolute change in metabolic parameters and the proportion of patients with other AESI including volume depletion, abnormal blood electrolytes, polyuria, renal impairment, diabetic ketoacidosis, hepatic impairment and haematuria. Results: A total of 3000 patients were enrolled, of whom 2990 (99.7%) were included in the safety analysis set. Mean (SD) age was 52.6 (12.0) years, and 65.8% of patients were male. Mean (SD) duration of type 2 diabetes at enrolment was 8.4 (7.1) years. Mean (SD) treatment duration of dapagliflozin was 209.1 (157.6) days. Adverse events were reported in 35.4% (n = 1059) of patients during the 24-week follow-up period. Overall, 9.0% (n = 268) were related to treatment and 6.2% (n = 186) were serious. Urinary tract infection, genital tract infection and hypoglycaemia were reported in 2.3% (n = 70), 1.3% (n = 39) and 1.1% (n = 32) of patients, respectively. The proportion of patients with other AESI was also low: polyuria (0.7%; n = 21), volume depletion (0.3%; n = 9), renal impairment (0.3%; n = 8), hepatic impairment (0.2%; n = 7), haematuria (0.2%; n = 6) and diabetic ketoacidosis (0.1%; n = 2). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that once-daily dapagliflozin was well tolerated in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes and the overall safety profile of dapagliflozin in clinical practice in China was consistent with that reported in clinical trials. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03156985. Registered on 16 May, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extensive knowledge of allergic multimorbidities is required to improve the management of allergic diseases with the industrialization of China. However, the demography and allergen distribution patterns of allergic multimorbidities in China remain unclear, despite the increasing prevalence of allergies. Methods: This was a real-world, cross-sectional study of 1273 outpatients diagnosed with one or more allergic diseases in Guangzhou, the most populated city of southern China, with leading industrial and commercial centers, between April 2021 and March 2022. Seven allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis (AR), asthma (AS)/cough variant asthma (CVA), atopic dermatitis (AD)/eczema, food allergy (FA), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), drug allergy (DA), and anaphylaxis) were assessed. Positive rates of sensitization to different allergens were measured using an allergen detection system of the UniCAP (Pharmacia Diagnostics, Sweden) instrument platform to compare the groups of allergic multimorbidities against a single entity. Results: There were 659 (51.8%) males and 614 (48.2%) females aged from 4 months to 74 years included in the analysis. The study participants who were diagnosed with allergic diseases had an average of 1.6 diagnoses. Overall, 46.5% (592 of 1273) of the patients had more than one allergic condition, and allergic rhinitis was the most common type of multimorbidity. Women were more likely to suffer from an allergic disease alone, whereas allergic multimorbidities were more likely to be diagnosed in men (p = 0.005). In addition, allergic multimorbidities were common in all age groups, with an incidence ranging from 37.1% to 57.4%, in which children and adolescents were more frequently diagnosed with allergic multimorbidities than adults (18–60 years old) (all p < 0.05). Allergic multimorbidity was observed throughout the year. A difference in the positive rate of allergens sensitization and total immunoglobulin E (tIgE) levels between different allergic multimorbidities was observed. Conclusions: Allergic multimorbidities were very commonly found in nearly half of all patients with allergies. The proportion of allergic multimorbidities varied with the type of disease, sex, age, and allergen distribution pattern. These findings may help clinicians to develop "One health" strategies for the clinical management of allergic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the needs of mechanism analysis of rainstorms and development of numerical prediction models in south China, the Guangzhou Institute of Tropical and Marine Meteorology of China Meteorological Administration and the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences jointly set up the Longmen Cloud Physics Field Experiment Base, China Meteorological Administration. This paper introduces the instruments and field experiments of this base, provides an overview of the recent advances in retrieval algorithms of microphysical parameters, improved understanding of microphysical characteristics, as well as the formation mechanisms and numerical prediction of heavy rainfalls in south China based on the field experiments dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to unveil the importance of knowledge management on a firm's strategic emergency response during the great negative shock from global public health threats. Through analyzing how representative firms in China's new economy industries dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic before, during and after the crisis, the significant problems confronted by these firms are pointed out, and the important role knowledge management capabilities played in solving these problems is proven. Design/methodology/approach: The open data of listed companies regarding the important role knowledge management played in firms' strategic emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic are qualitatively analyzed. Based on theoretical sampling, this paper selects representative samples of enterprises and analyzes the positive response measures they took after being hit by this public health event to gain qualitative insight into the importance of knowledge management capabilities in strategic emergency response. Findings: Three aspects of the important role of knowledge management capabilities in a firm's strategic emergency response during the COVID-19 pandemic are introduced: before the crisis, firms should strengthen the acquisition, sharing and integration of knowledge so that they can intensify their monitoring for uncertain risks; during the crisis, firms should boost the transmission, transformation and diffusion of knowledge to improve emergency cooperation; and after the crisis, companies should reinforce knowledge evaluation, creation and application to enhance "immunity" in similar emergencies. Research limitations/implications: This paper has important implications for bolstering strategic emergency management practice and knowledge management capability among firms. Future research must focus on the following two aspects for further investigation: the dynamic relationship between firm knowledge management capability and strategic emergency response ability; and the collaboration system between firm knowledge management and strategic emergency response behaviors. Originality/value: This paper discusses the important role knowledge management capabilities play in firms' strategic emergency responses based on insights gained from the significant changes that the COVID-19 pandemic caused to representative Chinese new economy firms. By analyzing the three stages of before, during and after the emergency, this paper proposes the exact efforts that new economy companies should make in improving knowledge management capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Chinese adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and treatment guidelines have increasingly focused on the comprehensive management of T2D and CVD. Here, we report data from the Chinese population within the CAPTURE study, including CVD prevalence in patients with T2D and insights into their management. Methods: CAPTURE (a multinational, non-interventional, cross-sectional study in adults with T2D) included data from eight centers in China from July to September 2019. Overall CVD prevalence estimates were calculated, and descriptive data regarding CVD subtypes and treatment were collected and reported here. Results: Of 805 adults with T2D enrolled in China (61.9% male, median age 59 years), 273 had established CVD, with an estimated prevalence (95% CI) of 33.9% (30.6%, 37.3%). Most CVD cases were atherosclerotic (94.9%). Coronary heart disease had the highest estimated prevalence (16.0%), followed by carotid artery disease (9.6%) and cerebrovascular disease (7.7%). Use of glucose-lowering agents (GLAs) with proven cardiovascular benefits (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and/or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors) was low in the China sample (7.7%). Approximately half of the CVD subgroup in the China sample was receiving cardiovascular medication, but use of guideline-directed agents was low (e.g., statins: 35.9%; angiotensin II receptor blockers: 15%; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: 2.6%). Conclusions: In the Chinese CAPTURE population, one-third of patients had established CVD, with atherosclerotic CVD largely accounting for the CVD burden; use of GLAs with proven cardiovascular benefits and cardiovascular medications was low, suggesting an unmet need for optimal management in this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data of domestic service enterprises in operation and domestic service network attention in 297 Chinese cities at and above the prefectural level, this paper establishes an assessment indicator system for the development and demand of domestic service industry, and analyzes the characteristics of spatial differentiation and the degree of coupling coordination of the development and demand of urban domestic service industry in China by means of mean square error decision method, coupling coordination degree model and spatial autocorrelation. The result shows that: 1) In general, the development of domestic service industry in Chinese cities is at a low level and exists relatively great regional difference, with a trend of stepped reduction from the east of China to the middle to the west, which shows a dotty pattern that the core city of an urban agglomeration is prominent, while the demand of domestic service industry exists relatively small regional difference but obvious agglomeration in space, which forms four high-value agglomeration areas including the Yangtze River Delta, the Bohai Rim, the Pearl River Delta, and the west coast of the Taiwan Straits. 2) The degree of coupling coordination is at a moderate level on the whole, and the east-west direction is the main direction that spatial differentiation generates; meanwhile, the coupling coordination degree shows the significant characteristic of agglomeration, and typical agglomeration areas are the core of an urban agglomeration, its periphery and the provincial center, and the edge of the province. 3) With the decline of cities at level, the level of coupling coordination degree transforms from an extreme high level to a low level, and the proportion of cities with backward development in domestic service industry also rises gradually. However, the main reasons for the lower coupling coordination degree are the small quantity of domestic service enterprises and their lower service quality and scale. Finally, based on the type of coupling coordination degree, the paper puts forward specific solutions and suggestions to provide theoretical foundation for the realization of a higher level of dynamic balance between supply and demand of domestic service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of exotic breeds and the cultivation of new lines by breeding companies have posed challenges to native chickens in South China, including loss of breed characteristics, decreased genetic diversity, and declining purity. Understanding the population genetic structure and genetic diversity of native chickens in South China is crucial for further advancements in breeding efforts. In this study, we analyzed the population genetic structure and genetic diversity of 321 individuals from 10 different breeds in South China. By comparing commercial chickens with native ones, we identified selection signatures occurring between local chickens and commercial breeds. The analysis of population genetic structure revealed that the native chicken populations in South China exhibited a considerable level of genetic diversity. Moreover, the commercial lines of Xiaobai chicken and Huangma chicken displayed even higher levels of genetic diversity, which distinguished them from other native varieties at the clustering level. However, certain individuals within these commercial varieties showed a discernible genetic relationship with the native populations. Notably, both commercial varieties also retained a significant degree of genetic similarity to their respective native counterparts. In order to investigate the genomic changes occurring during the commercialization of native chickens, we employed 4 methods (Fst, ROD, XPCLR, and XPEHH) to identify potential candidate regions displaying selective signatures in Southern Chinese native chicken population. A total of 168 (identified by Fst and ROD) and 86 (identified by XPCLR and XPEHH) overlapping genes were discovered. Functional annotation analysis revealed that these genes may be associated with reproduction and growth (SAMSN1, HYLS1, ROBO3, FGF14, PRSS23), musculoskeletal development (DNER, MYBPC1, DGKB, ORC1, KLF10), disease resistance and environmental adaptability (PUS3, CRB2, CALD1, USP15, SGCD, LTBP1), as well as egg production (ADGRB3, ACSF3). Overall, native chickens in South China harbor numerous selective sweep regions compared to commercial chickens, enriching valuable genomic resources for future genetic research and breeding conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meat quality traits are essential for producing high-quality broilers, but the genetic improvement has been limited by the complexity of measurement methods and the numerous traits involved. To systematically understand the meat quality characteristics of different broiler breeds, this study collected data on slaughter performance, skin color, fat deposition, and meat quality traits of 434 broilers from 12 different breeds in South China. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the live weight and slaughter weight of various broiler breeds at their respective market ages. Commercial broiler breeds such as Xiaobai and Huangma chickens had higher breast muscle and leg muscle rates. The skin and abdominal fat of Huangma chickens cultivated in the consumer market in South China exhibited significantly higher levels of yellowness compared to other varieties. Concerning fat traits, we observed that Wenchang chickens exhibited a strong ability to fat deposition, while the younger breeds showed lower fat deposition. Additionally, there were significant positive correlations found among different traits, including traits related to weight, traits related to fat, and skin color of different parts. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed that fast-growing and large broiler Xiaobai chickens formed a distinct cluster based on carcass characteristics, skin color, and meat quality traits. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to extract multiple principal components as substitutes for complex meat quality indicators, establishing a chicken meat quality evaluation model to differentiate between different breeds of chickens. At the same time, we identified 46, 22, and 20 SNP loci and their adjacent genes that were significantly associated with muscle mass traits, fat deposition, and skin color through genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The above results are helpful for systematically understanding the differences and characteristics of meat quality traits among different breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of everolimus and sirolimus in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex-associated angiomyolipomas (TSC-AML).Materials and Methods: We performed a multi-institutional retrospective study of TSC-AML patients treated with oral everolimus 10 mg or sirolimus 2 mg per day for at least 3 months. Angiomyolipoma volume was estimated using orthogonal measurements by MRI or CT. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. All analyses were performed using SPSS 19.0 software.Results: Response rates were high in both groups. With the prolonged medication durations, the therapeutic efficacy of both agents became more significant. The TSC-AML volume reduction after 6 and 12 months was more pronounced in patients with everolimus than those with sirolimus. More than half of the patients treated with everolimus had ≥ 50% reduction, and approximately 80% of them had ≥ 30% reduction, which was higher than that in patients treated with sirolimus. Regarding safety, there was no significant difference in the incidence of AEs between the two groups.Conclusions: Both everolimus and sirolimus are excellent therapeutic options for TSC-AML. However, everolimus has a better therapeutic efficacy than sirolimus, particularly in reducing TSC-AML volume. Everolimus is therefore recommended as the first choice of therapy for TSC-AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Popularization of cervical ultrasound led to higher detection of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), as well as increasing percentage of asymptomatic PHPT in China. Although the coexistence of PTC and PHPT has been reported, it is unknown whether the clinicopathological features of PTC differ between asymptomatic and symptomatic PHPT patients. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 304 PHPT patients treated in our hospital between January 2009 and July 2020, including 217 females and 87 males with the average age of 53.27 ± 13.54 years. Of the 304 patients, 181 were symptomatic PHPT patients and 123 were asymptomatic PHPT patients. We analyzed the laboratory results, postoperative pathology, and the TNM stage of PTC between asymptomatic and symptomatic PHPT patients. Results. Concurrent thyroid nodules were found in 61.51% of PHPT patients, and the prevalence of PTC in thyroidectomized PHPT patients was 29.89% in our cohort. Lower serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) (p < 0.05) and calcium (p < 0.05) were found in PHPT patients with PTC compared to patients with benign thyroid lesion. Compared with the symptomatic PHPT patients, the asymptomatic PHPT patients showed lower serum calcium (p < 0.05), serum chlorine (p < 0.05), alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.05), PTH (p < 0.05), and bone turnover markers (p < 0.05) but higher prevalence of thyroid nodules (70.73% versus 55.24%, p < 0.05) and PTC (15.44% versus 3.87%, p < 0.05). All the PTC in symptomatic PHPT patients were papillary microcarcinoma limited to the thyroid, while 68.42% and 15.78% of the PTC in asymptomatic PHPT patients showed microscopic extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastases, respectively. Moreover, 36.84% (7/19) of the PTC patients in asymptomatic group showed multifocality, which was much higher than 14.29% (1/7) in the symptomatic group; however, no statistical significance was found (p = 0.24). Conclusions. The concomitant PTC in asymptomatic PHPT patients showed a higher rate of microscopic extrathyroidal invasion when compared to symptomatic PHPT patients. So the FNA is essential to the asymptomatic PHPT patients with suspicious thyroid nodules and once the PTC is confirmed, concurrent parathyroidectomy should be performed with thyroidectomy in asymptomatic PHPT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authoritarian leadership is of great significance to eastern countries, including China. Meanwhile, unethical employee behavior also exists in all types of social organizations. The relationship between authoritarian leadership and unethical employee behavior is worth studying. Senior leaders (managers) often do not have a direct influence on employees except for through their immediate supervisors. The leadership style of senior leaders also influences the leadership style of their subordinates (employees' direct supervisors). This paper studies how authoritarian manager leadership trickles down to unethical employee behavior through authoritarian supervisor leadership (through social learning theory and ASA theory) and discusses the moderating effect of leader member exchange (LMX) and an ethical climate. Through a questionnaire survey of 406 pairs of leaders, supervisors, and employees, the research results of the multilevel model show that (1) authoritarian supervisor leadership is positively related to unethical employee behavior, (2) authoritarian supervisor leadership mediates the relationship between authoritarian manager leadership and unethical employee behavior, (3) LMX positively moderates the relationship between authoritarian manager leadership and authoritarian supervisor leadership and moderates the mediating effect of authoritarian supervisor leadership, and (4), that an ethical climate negatively moderates the relationship between authoritarian supervisor leadership and unethical employee behavior and moderates the mediating effect of authoritarian supervisor leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research was to acquire a raindrop size distribution (DSDs) retrieved from C-band polarimetric radar observations scheme for the first time in south China. An observation period of the precipitation process was selected, and the shape-slope (μ-Λ) relationship of this region was statistically analyzed using the raindrop sample observations from the two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD) at Xinfeng Station, Guangdong Province. Simulated data of the C-band polarimetric radar reflectivity ZHH and differential reflectivity ZDR were obtained through scattering simulation. The simulation data were combined with DSD fitting to determine the ZDR-Λ and log10(ZHH/N0)-Λ relationships. Using Xinfeng C-band polarimetric radar observations ZDR and ZHH, the raindrop Gamma size distribution parameters μ, Λ, and N0 were retrieved. A scheme for using C-band polarimetric radar to retrieve the DSDs was developed. This research revealed that during precipitation process, the DSDs obtained using the C-band polarimetric radar retrieval scheme are similar to the 2DVD observations, the precipitation characteristics of rainfall intensity (R), mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) and intercept parameter (Nw) with time obtained by radar retrieval are basically consistent with the observational results of the 2DVD. This scheme establishes the relationship between the observations of the C-band polarimetric radar and the physical quantities of the numerical model. This method not only can test the prediction of the model data assimilation system on the convective scale and determine error sources, but also can improve the microphysical precipitation processes analysis and radar quantitative precipitation estimation. The present research will facilitate radar data assimilation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, due to the rapid development of Chinese textile industry, the domestic demand for cotton increases sharply. Conversely, the cotton plantation area increasingly dwindled, resulting in the constant rise of cotton imports. China, as a great cotton importer, has classified manually the cotton grades for a long time, which not only results in a consumption of labor and financial resources, but also leads to some mistakes generated b the labor s subjective evaluation. This paper presents a method for automatic cotton classification for different appearance grades. Based on a comprehensive comparison, our method performs better in the classification of cotton appearance grades. PCANet feature recognition with basic impurity identification achieves the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following previous studies of the rainfall forecast in Shenzhen owing to landfalling tropical cyclones (TCs), a nonparametric statistical scheme based on the classification of the landfalling TCs is applied to analyze and forecast the rainfall induced by landfalling TCs in the coastal area of Guangdong province, China. All the TCs landfalling with the distance less than 700 kilometers to the 8 coastal stations in Guangdong province during 1950-2013 are categorized according to their landfalling position and intensity. The daily rainfall records of all the 8 meteorological stations are obtained and analyzed. The maximum daily rainfall and the maximum 3 days'accumulated rainfall at the 8 coastal stations induced by each category of TCs during the TC landfall period (a couple of days before and after TC landfalling time) from 1950 to 2013 are computed by the percentile estimation and illustrated by boxplots. These boxplots can be used to estimate the rainfall induced by landfalling TC of the same category in the future. The statistical boxplot scheme is further coupled with the model outputs from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) to predict the rainfall induced by landfalling TCs along the coastal area. The TCs landfalling in south China from 2014 to 2017 and the corresponding rainfall at the 8 stations area are used to evaluate the performance of these boxplots and coupled boxplots schemes. Results show that the statistical boxplots scheme and coupled boxplots scheme can perform better than ECMWF model in the operational rainfall forecast along the coastal area in south China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon emissions in the power sector are an important part of China's total carbon emissions and have a significant impact on whether China can achieve the 2030 carbon peak target. Based on the three perspectives of decomposition, decoupling, and prediction, this paper studies the feasibility of carbon emission peaks in eight major regional power sectors in China. First, the generalized Divisia index model (GDIM) is used to decompose the carbon emissions of the eight regional power sectors, and the driving factors and their effects on carbon emissions in the power sector of each region are compared. Then, the decoupling index based on the generalized Divisia index model (GDIM-D) is used to study the decoupling relationship between the carbon emissions of the eight regional power sectors and economic growth. Finally, the carbon emissions and decoupling indices of the power sector from 2017 to 2030 are predicted. The results show the following. First, the gross domestic product (GDP) and output scale are the main factors contributing to the carbon emissions of the eight regional power sectors. The carbon intensity of the power sector in GDP (C/G) and output carbon intensity(C/E) are the main factors that contribute to the reduction. Second, the carbon emissions of the southern coast, the middle Yellow River, and the Southwest peaked in 2013 and have been decoupled from economic growth, while those in the other regions have not peaked or decoupled. Third, if the carbon emissions of the power sector in the Northeast, northern coast, eastern coast, middle Yangtze River, and Northwest reach a peak in 2030, they will face many emission reduction pressures. This paper provides a reference for studying the carbon emissions of China's regional power sectors and their relationship with economic growth and has important implications for peak carbon emissions at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. In recent decades, the prevalence rate of myopia has markedly increased, especially among teenagers. Our purpose was to determine the incidence of myopia and identify the related risk factors among schoolchildren in the experimental classes of the Air Force in China. Methods. In May 2015, this 3-year prospective cohort study enrolled 522 boys (age, 14–16 years) attending grade 10 in 16 high schools in 15 cities in China. Cycloplegic refraction was examined using retinoscopy in both eyes at the baseline and follow-up (3 years). A detailed questionnaire was completed by the students at the 3-year follow-up and included questions on parental myopia and on the total time spent doing near work and outdoor activities each week. Results. The incidence of myopia at the 3-year follow-up was 27.01% (141/522, 95% confidence interval (CI): 23.38% to 30.98%). The refractive change was −0.46 D (95% CI: −0.49 to −0.42 D). More hyperopic or less myopic baseline refraction, outdoor activity time per week ≥14 h (odds ratio (OR) = 0.464, 95% CI: 0.227 to 0.950), and reading/writing distance ≥ 30 cm (OR = 0.505, 95% CI: 0.270 to 0.944) were significant protective factors against incident myopia. Near-work time ≥28 h per week was a significant risk factor (OR = 2.579, 95% CI: 1.314 to 5.061). Parental myopia, age at the start of primary school, continuous reading/writing for ≥1 h, sleep duration per week <49 h, and one or more dietary biases were not significant risk factors (P>0.05). Conclusion. A more hyperopic baseline refraction, more time spent outdoors, and longer writing/reading distance were protected against myopia onset, while more near-work time was a risk factor. [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]

In the era of Internet of Things, so many wireless networked sensors and smart devices are embedded in infrastructures. For so many different wireless sensors, accurate times tamps are important to interpret data. In general, time stamps can be obtained by atomic clocks and GPS. The paper used the natural timestamping which is based on the grid frequency estimation. For grid frequency estimation, the paper proposed maximum merging model in fractional cepstrum domain for dealing with complicated power grid channel interference in China grids with data measured by the wireless sensor networks. The proposed method outperforms existing power grid frequency measurement algorithms, because the existing do not consider the facts that harmonic is time-varying and the pass band of some recording devices do not cover grid frequency. Through analyzing the results of analog frequency measurement, actual voice frequency measurement and recording audio tampering detection, this method is better than the one Bykhovsky proposed. It can be preferably applied to the grid frequency measurement, recording location recognition and audio tamper detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is important to the management of diabetes mellitus, yet most patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) do not perform SMBG as recommended. The current status and influential factors of SMBG in China have not been well investigated. This study aimed to describe the present status of SMBG adherence in China and investigate the influential factors based on electronic questionnaires. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to July of 2017 at hospitals in Changsha, China. Seven hundred and twenty-one patients with T2DM completed the information‑motivation‑behavioral (IMB) skills questionnaire and other electronic questionnaires composed of demographic and clinical characteristics as well as diabetes-related and psychological scales. Univariate comparisons and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the relationships among SMBG adherence and related factors. Results: Seven hundred and twenty-one patients with valid questionnaires were included. Only 27.5% (198/721) of the patients with T2DM were SMBG adherent based on the guideline of the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) in 2017. Among all groups of treatment regimens, the rate of SMBG adherence was highest at 36.6% (82/224) in patients on oral hypoglycaemic drugs (OHAs). In multivariable analysis, the treatment of OHAs (OR =3.731, CI 2.162–6.437) and diet/exercise (OR =3.534, CI 1.841–6.783), the patient having their own blood glucose meter (OR =6.916, CI 4.054–11.800) and a higher education level (OR =3.780, CI 1.688–8.466) were significantly associated with SMBG adherence. Conclusion: Most Chinese patients with T2DM did not perform SMBG as recommended. The treatment of OHAs and diet/exercise, the patient having their own blood glucose meter, a higher education level and other factors were correlates of SMBG adherence. There is clearly a need for prospective, multicenter, large-scale studies to explore the reasons for patients' failure to practice SMBG adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prefabricated construction has been widely accepted as an alternative to conventional cast-in-situ construction, given its improved performance. However, prefabricated concrete building projects frequently encounter significant delays. It is, therefore, crucial to identify key factors affecting schedule and explore strategies to minimise the schedule delays for prefabricated concrete building projects. This paper adopts the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) model and analytic network process (ANP) method to quantify the cause-and-effect relationships and prioritise the key delay factors in terms of their importance in the Chinese construction industry. The DEMATEL model evaluates the extent to which each factor impacts other factors. The quantified extents are then converted into a prioritisation matrix through ANP. The delay factors of prefabricated construction projects are selected and categorised based on a literature review and an expert interview. Questionnaires are then implemented to collect the data. The results reveal that the issue of inefficient structural connections for prefabricated components is found to be the most significant factor and most easily affected by other delay factors. This research also suggests prioritising major delay factors, such as 'lack of communication among participants' and 'low productivity', in the Chinese construction industry during scheduling control. Overall, this research contributes an assessment framework for decision making in the scheduling management of prefabricated construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive logging in China is the major cause of poor forest quality, degraded ecosystem functions, and near exhaustion of harvestable resources of the country’s natural forests. An overall extended moratorium on logging in the country’s natural forests has been launched since 2015, which is a suggested method for the gradual recovery of the structure and functions of these forests. However, the main purpose to manage the degraded natural forest after the moratorium remains not yet clear. This paper firstly reviews China’s natural forest management history and clarifies the causes accounting for natural status duo, and then analyses changes in domestic natural forests and timber supply and demand in China, identifies the problems related to the sustainable operation of natural forests, especially those requiring immediate attention. Results shows that as the demand for timber continues to increase rapidly, China will experience a severe imbalance between timber supply and demand. In the long run, timber imports alone cannot meet increasing domestic demands, natural forests remain the primary source of wood products. Many issues concerning management practices and operations technology remain, including ineffective overall spatial zoning, rough operation and management of timber forests, and financial difficulties in forested areas. All of these issues have prevented natural forests from realizing both their ecological functions and timber resource potential. A moratorium on timber harvesting would offer a valuable opportunity for natural forests to recover from decades of excessive logging, as well as an exciting chance to develop sustainable operational practices, ecological functions promotion and relevant technologies. In summary, strategies for the sustainable management and ecosystem services promotion of natural forests during a harvesting moratorium are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several organic phosphorus compounds (Po) in sediment from a representative eutrophic lake were surveyed using a sequential fractionation procedure, which included microbial biomass phosphorus (Biomass-P), fulvic acid phosphorus (FA-P), humic acid phosphorus (HU-P), and residual phosphorus (Res-P). In addition, several organic compounds including orthophosphate monoesters, orthophosphate diesters, and pyrophosphate were simultaneously measured using P nuclear magnetic resonance (P NMR). Results showed that Po contributed over 50% of total phosphorus (TP), and the average concentration of Po species generally decreased from Res-P > FA-P > HU-P > Biomass-P. Additionally, the relative proportions of phosphorus compounds in the sediment followed the decreasing order of orthophosphate monoesters > orthophosphate diesters > pyrophosphate. In general, Po was the dominant phosphorus species. Residual P was not a single species but comprised of a group of species, and tended to be stable. Although orthophosphate monoesters had the highest concentrations and ratios in Po, orthophosphate diesters displayed a more distinct remineralization trend. Principal component analysis (PCA) coupled with correlation analysis suggested that a greater amount of orthophosphate diesters resided in Res-P, than HU-P or FA-P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anxiety and depression are common in Parkinson disease and both are important determinants of quality of life in patients. Several risk factors are identified but few research have investigated general and Parkinson's disease (PD)-specific factors comprehensively. The aim of this work was to explore PD-specific and -non-specific risk factors for PD with depression or anxiety.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in 403 patients with PD. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for the depression and anxiety in PD. The data of patients included demographic information, medicine history, disease duration, age at onset (AAO), family history, anti-parkinsonism drug, modified Hoehn and Yahr staging (H-Y) stage, scales of motor and non-motor symptoms and substantia nigra (SN) echogenic areas.Results: 403 PD patients were recruited in the study. Depression and anxiety were present in 11.17% and 25.81% respectively. Marital status, tumor, higher Movement Disorder Society-sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) II score, dyskinesia, higher Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) score and lower the Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS) score were associated with depression in PD. female gender, higher rapid eye movement behavior disorder Questionnaire-Hong Kong (RBD-HK) score, higher Hamilton Deprssion Rating Scale (HAMD) score, higher the scale for outcomes in PD for autonomic symptoms (SCOPA-AUT)score and larger SN echogenic areas were associated with anxiety. Neither depression nor anxiety was related to any anti-parkinsonism drugs.Conclusions: The prevalence of depression and anxiety in the current PD patients was 11.17% and 25.81% respectively. Disease of tumor, currently having no partner, severer motor function, dyskinesia, poorer sleep quality and anxiety were risk factors for PD with depression. Female, depression, rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD), autonomic dysfunction and larger SN area were risk factors for PD with anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: T1 ventral renal hilar tumors (VRHTs) represent a very special type of tumor, for which laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) by the retroperitoneal approach is challenging. In this study, we report our surgical technique and Trifecta results.Methods: Renal rotation technique has been established for retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (RLPN) for VRHTs in our institution. Trifecta was used as a composite outcome measure for assessing quality of PLPN using this technique. A retrospective analysis of RLPN cases in 12 patients with VRHTs was performed.Results: Mean tumor size was 3.4 cm and median R.E.N.A.L. score was 8 (range 7-9). Mean warm ischemia time was 23.1 minutes, suture time 28.1 minutes, estimated blood loss 139.2 mL, operation time 122.8 minutes, and median hospital stay was 4 days. Three patients (25.0%) had Clavien-Dindo grade I-II complications. Seven patients (58.3%) achieved Trifecta. Postoperative pathological examination showed renal cell carcinoma in all cases with negative surgical margin. A median follow-up of 7 months revealed no local recurrence or distant metastases.Conclusions: Our Trifecta outcomes demonstrate that RLPN with renal rotation technique is feasible, safe, and effective for moderately complex VRHTs. The short-term functional and oncologic outcomes are promising; however, long-term follow-up is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the East Asian monsoon region, eolian deposits widely distributed in the middle-lower reaches of the Yantgze River are among the best materials available for studies on Quaternary climate change in the subtropical zone of Southern China. Typical eolian deposits in this region include upper Xiashu Loess (XL) and underlying Vermiculated Red Soil (VRS) layers. In this paper, chronological and paleoclimatic studies are conducted on an eolian deposit sequence near Jiujiang (JJ) city in northern Jiangxi province. A magnetostratigraphic study, combined with optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating, is conducted on the JJ section and provides further evidence that eolian deposits in the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River have been formed since the late Early Pleistocene, and that the boundary age between the XL and VRS layers is about 300-400 kaBP. In grain-size records of the JJ section, the median grain-size and content of the >30 μm size fraction increase sharply after 300-400 kaBP, representing an East Asian winter monsoon intensification event. Further pollen analysis reveals differing pollen assemblages before and after 300-400 kaBP: there is an evident increase in plants adapted to grow in a warm humid environment after 300-400 kaBP, implying an increase in precipitation caused by intensification of the East Asian summer monsoon. Global ice volume and uplift of the Tibet Plateau (TP) are regarded as crucial factors influencing variations of the East Asian monsoon on a long-term scale. The deep-sea δ18O record, which reflects variations in global ice volume, shows no obvious change after 300-400 kaBP. Moreover, the influence of global ice volume changes on the East Asian summer and winter monsoons is inverse; the global ice volume increase (decrease) implies a strengthened (weakened) winter monsoon and weakened (strengthened) summer monsoon. We therefore interpret the coupled intensifications of the East Asian summer and winter monsoons at about 300-400 kaBP to the uplift of the TP in the Middle Pleistocene. This climate event is also documented in eolian deposits from the southern margin of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) and from the desert-loess transitional belt. However, it is not recorded in the loess-paleosol sequences from the central part of the CLP, thereby indicating differing climate responses to TP uplift in different regions, which requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest conversion influences soil organic carbon (SOC) decomposition through cascading effects on forest structure, soil properties, and soil microbial communities. However, interactive effects of these drivers and the key pathways that mediate forest SOC decomposition remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we compared relative importance of variables describing forest structure, soil properties, and soil microbial community on affecting SOC decomposition response to the conversion of a broadleaved Korean pine mixed forest into three other forests in the Changbai Mountains of China. We quantified SOC decomposition rate of these four forest types by measuring incubation soil respiration (SR). We then employed univariate regressions to quantify effect size of individual factor on SOC decomposition rate. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to analyze pathways, relative importance, and interactive effects of these factors on SR. Our results showed strong marginal effects of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) content, fungal Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) to bacterial PLFAs ratio (F/B), broadleaved to conifer ratio (B/C), and total PLFAs content (TPC) on SR. Measured SOC decomposition rate was most closely related to F/B, which was in turn influenced primarily by soil C/N ratio and fraction of non-oxidized carbon (NOC%). Our study identified 'Aboveground forest composition → SOC chemistry → Soil microbial composition → SOC decomposition' as the key pathway by which forest conversion affected SOC decomposition. This research work highlights the critical role of soil microbial community composition in altering SOC decomposition response to forest conversion. [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 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]

Background: The prolonged and frequent use of laparoscopic equipment raises ergonomic risks that may cause physical distress for surgeons. We aimed to assess the prevalence of urologic surgeons’ physical distress associated with ergonomic problems in the operating room (OR) and their awareness of the ergonomic guidelines in China. Methods: A sample of 300 laparoscopic urologists in China was assessed using a questionnaire on demographic information, ergonomic issues in the OR, musculoskeletal symptoms, and awareness of the ergonomic guidelines for the OR. Results: There were 241 survey respondents (86.7%) with valid questionnaires. Among the respondents, only 43.6% placed the operating table at pubic height during the actual operation. The majority of the respondents (63.5%) used only one monitor during the procedure. Only 29.9% placed the monitor below the eye level. More than half of the respondents (50.6%) preferred to use manual control instead of the foot pedal. Most of the respondents (95.0%) never used the body support. The respondents experienced discomfort in the following regions, in ascending order: leg (21.6%), hand (30.3%), wrist (32.8%), shoulder (33.6%), back (53.1%), and neck (58.1%). The respondents with over 250 total operations experienced less discomfort than those with less than 250 total operations. Most of the respondents (84.6%) were unaware of the ergonomic guidelines. However, almost all of the respondents (98.3%) regarded the ergonomic guidelines to be important in the OR. Conclusions: Most of the laparoscopic urologists were not aware of the ergonomic guidelines for the OR; hence, they have been suffering from varying degrees of physical discomfort caused by ergonomic issues. There is an urgent need for education regarding ergonomic guidelines in the OR for laparoscopic urologists in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In general, total organic carbon (TOC) is directly used as a proxy for paleoproductivity, however, it is not only affected by paleoproductivity, but also controlled by redox conditions and terrigenous detrital matter influx. Major and trace elements were analysed with the purpose of investigating the redox potential and paleoproductivity during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation. In the present study, C-S relationship, V/Cr ratio and Mo concentration indicate that the dolomites were deposited in oxic environments, however, most of the black shales were accumulated in euxinic environments. P/Ti values in the Hongshuizhuang samples can be compared with those in the Japanese Ubara Permian-Triassic section which were regarded to be deposited under a moderate to high paleoproductivity. Ba/Al values are slightly lower than that of the laminated sediments from the continental margins of Central California (CCAL) which were thought to be accumulated under a high paleoproductivity. These results indicate that the paleoproductivity was moderate to high during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation. Burial organic carbon shows positive correlations with V/Cr and Mo, but shows only weakly or no correlation with P/Ti and Ba/Al, respectively, suggesting that although the paleoproductivity was moderate to high during deposition of the Hongshuizhuang Formation, its organic-rich sediments were predominantly controlled by redox conditions and had no direct relationship with paleoproductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the observational data from Marine and Meteorological Observation Platform (MMOP) at Bohe, Maoming and buoys located in Shanwei and Maoming are used to study the characteristics of air-sea temperature and specific humidity difference and the relationship between wind and wave with the tropical cyclones over the South China Sea (SCS). The heat and momentum fluxes from eddy covariance measurement (EC) are compared with these fluxes calculated by the COARE 3.0 algorithm for Typhoon Koppu. The results show that at the developing and weakening stages of Koppu, both these differences between the sea surface and the near-surface atmosphere from the MMOP are negative, and data from the buoys also indicate that the differences are negative between the sea surface and near-surface atmosphere on the right rear portion of tropical cyclones (TCs) Molave and Chanthu. However, the differences are positive on the left front portion of Molave and Chanthu. These positive differences suggest that the heat flux is transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere, thus intensifying and maintaining the two TCs. The negative differences indicate that the ocean removes heat fluxes from the atmosphere, thus weakening the TCs. The wind-wave curves of TCs Molave and Chanthu show that significant wave height increases linearly with 2-min wind speed at 10-m height when the wind speed is less than 25 m/s, but when the wind speed is greater than 25 m/s, the significant wave height increases slightly with the wind speed. By comparing the observed sensible heat, latent heat, and friction velocity from EC with these variables from COARE 3.0 algorithm, a great bias between the observed and calculated sensible heat and latent heat fluxes is revealed, and the observed friction velocity is found to be almost the same as the calculated friction velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on tropical cyclone datasets from Shanghai Typhoon Institute of China Meteorological Administration, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP, USA) reanalysis data and the rainfall records from 743 stations in China, the impacts of cyclogenesis number over the South China Sea and the western Pacific are studied on the 30-60-day oscillations in the precipitation of Guangdong during the flooding period. The year with more-than-normal (less-than-normal) tropical cyclogenesis is defined as a 'high year' ('low year'). In light of the irregular periodic oscillations, the method used to construct the composite life cycle is based on nine consecutive phases in each of the cycles. Phases 1, 3, 5, and 7 correspond to, respectively, the time when precipitation anomalies reach the minimum, a positive transition (negative-turning-to-positive) phase, the maximum, and a negative transition phase. The results showed that the precipitation of the 30-60-day oscillations is associated with the interaction between a well-organized eastward propagation system from the Arabian Sea/Bay of Bengal and a westward-propagating system (with cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies in the northwest-southeast direction) from the South China Sea to western Pacific during the high years, whereas the precipitation is affected during a low year by the circulation over the South China Sea and western Pacific (with cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies in the northeast-southwest direction). During the high year, the warm and wet air mass from the ocean to the west and south are transported to Guangdong by westerly anomalies and an enclosed latitudinal cell, which ascends in the Northern Hemisphere low latitudes and descends in the Southern Hemisphere low latitudes. During the low year, the warm and wet air mass from the ocean to the south is transported to Guangdong by southwesterly wind anomalies and local ascending movements. Because the kinetic energy, westerly, easterly shift, vertical velocity and vapor transportation averaged over (109-119° E, 10-20° N) is stronger in high years than those in low years, the precipitation of the 30-60-day oscillations in Guangdong is higher in high years than that in low years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we introduce China's major forest types and discuss the historical development of forest management in China, including actions taken over the last decade toward achieving SMF. Major challenges are identified, and a strategy for SFM implementation in China is presented. China's forests consist of a wide variety of types with distinctive distributional patterns shaped by complex topography and multiple climate regimes. How to manage this wide array of forest resources has challenged forest managers and policy-makers since the founding of the country. Excessive exploitation of China's forest resources from the 1950s to the late 1990s contributed to environmental problems and calamities, such as floods, soil erosion, and desertification. At the start of the new millennium, the Chinese government decided to shift its emphasis from timber production towards the achievement of sustainable forest management (SFM). With a series of endeavors such as the implementation of the 'Six Key Forestry Projects' and the reform of forest tenure policies, and the adoption of a classification system for China's forests, a beginning has been made at reversing the trend of environmental degradation that occurred throughout the latter half of the last century. At the same time, huge challenges remain to be tackled for the development of forestry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid aging of China's population, economic reshuffling and social transformation, the model of home-based community care has emerged accordingly, which combines the advantages of family-supporting systems and nursing houses. Together with the income security system, the new model is an indispensable part of the social security system for the aged and it will become a main pattern of caring for the elderly in the future. Based on an analysis of several typical models, this paper probes into the hidden problems and puts forward several measures of as well as proposals on the sustainable development of the home-based community caring model from the perspectives of responsibility sharing, designing principles of multi-tiered development and supporting, as well as some technical solutions including integrating resources, expanding financing channels and improving professional skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which described Schisandra macrocarpa, a species of subgenus Sphaerostema in Yunnan Province, China. Particular focus is given to the major clades found in Schisandraceae, including one composed of Schisandra species and another containing both Schisandra and Kadsura Kaempf. ex Juss. species. Results of the study showed that the new species has T type cuticular intrusions between the ends of guard cells.

Introduction: The old-growth forests on Changbai Mountain have been well protected from human activities and provide a living laboratory for studying forest carbon sequestration under natural environmental conditions. Objectives: We used data from permanent plots measured periodically in 1981 and 2010 to quantify carbon densities for Korean pine-broadleaf mixed forest, coniferous forest and Erman's birch forest on Changbai Mountain. Results: Carbon pools were divided into tree stems, leaves, branches, coarse woody debris, tree roots, and soil. Although the mixed forest experienced minor wind damage, every forest component except for coarse woody debris experienced increases in carbon density, and the total forest carbon density increased from 233 to 317 t C ha. The coniferous forest was severely damaged by wind, so carbon content in trees decreased but the total forest carbon density still increased from 298 to 327 t C ha. The birch forest gained much carbon in trees but the soil carbon pool remained relatively stable, and its total carbon density increased from 226 to 281 t C ha. The old-growth forest was more resilient to disturbance than previously thought. The positive increases in carbon for the three old-growth forests suggest that forest landscapes on Changbai Mountain are indeed carbon sinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Long-term ecological studies are essential for understanding the dynamics of natural systems. However, describing long-term dynamics in old-growth forests is often hindered by a lack of archival data. Methods: In this study, we investigated (1) changes in forest structure and tree species composition and (2) population dynamics of the dominant tree species over a 29-year period (1981-2010) in two old-growth forests with stand ages exceeding 200 years on Changbai Mountain in Northeast China. Results: Results showed that the stem density of the broad-leaved/conifer mixed forest at 740 m asl increased slightly from 510 to 515 trees per hectare and the total basal area increased significantly from 36.19 to 46.53 m ha, suggesting that the forest was still maturing over the study period. However, the coniferous forest at 1,680 m asl displayed structural changes in the form of a significantly decrease in both stem density and total basal area over the study period. No changes in tree species composition in the two forests were observed. Discussion: Wind was considered to be a frequent natural disturbance affecting the forest structure and dynamics, especially for the coniferous forest at the higher altitude. Dominant tree species in the two forests exploited different biological characteristics in maintaining their respective populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the radioprotective effect of flavonoids extracted from the seeds of Astragalus complanatus R.Br. (FAC) and their protective mechanism against radiation damage. FAC increased the survival rate of mice and made the damaged organ injured by 60Co γ-irradiation recovered to normal appearance with the mechanism of enhancing immune function and blood-producing function in vivo. The molecule mechanism of FAC against radiation is involved in the reduction of DNA injury and mutation in vitro. Eleven monomers of the FAC were analyzed by HPLC. These results seem to support the use of FAC in relieving radiation damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]