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In the wake of the focus on improving the quality of education in the international community, the development of the cause of education in mainland China has entered the stage of high-quality development. Currently, the construction of internal governance structures for primary and secondary schools in mainland China exhibits three areas of difficulties and problems: In vertical governance structures, the configurations are overly hierarchical, and there is a high cost of communication and coordination, and difficulty forwarding reforms and innovations; in horizontal governance structures, professional organizations do not have high status, there is a low degree of coordination, and efforts for oversight and assurance are inadequate; in integrated network governance structures, there is a weak basis for consensus and low responsiveness, and the degree of coupling needs improvement. In order to adapt to the needs of high-quality development, primary and secondary schools in mainland China must make reforms to and tackle several aspects of their internal governance structures, vertically adhering to the logic of management reform, to improve the rationality of decision-making and promote flattening of vertical structures; horizontally adhering to the logic of intrinsic development, to improve the status, authority and influence of a school's professional organizations; and integratively abiding by the logic of systems integration, to build deliberative democratic network governance structures on the foundation of a consensus of ideas.

Thermally processed Buthus martensii Karsch scorpion is an important traditional Chinese medical material that has been widely used to treat various diseases in China for over one thousand years. Our recent work showed that thermally processed Buthus martensii Karsch scorpions contain many degraded peptides; however, the pharmacological activities of these peptides remain to be studied. Here, a new degraded peptide, BmTX4-P1, was identified from processed Buthus martensii Karsch scorpions. Compared with the venom-derived wild-type toxin peptide BmTX4, BmTX4-P1 missed some amino acids at the N-terminal and C-terminal regions, while containing six conserved cysteine residues, which could be used to form disulfide bond-stabilized α-helical and β-sheet motifs. Two methods (chemical synthesis and recombinant expression) were used to obtain the BmTX4-P1 peptide, named sBmTX4-P1 and rBmTX4-P1. Electrophysiological experimental results showed that sBmTX4-P1 and rBmTX4-P1 exhibited similar activities to inhibit the currents of hKv1.2 and hKv1.3 channels. In addition, the experimental electrophysiological results of recombinant mutant peptides of BmTX4-P1 indicated that the two residues of BmTX4-P1 (Lys22 and Tyr31) were the key residues for its potassium channel inhibitory activity. In addition to identifying a new degraded peptide, BmTX4-P1, from traditional Chinese scorpion medicinal material with high inhibitory activities against the hKv1.2 and hKv1.3 channels, this study also provided a useful method to obtain the detailed degraded peptides from processed Buthus martensii Karsch scorpions. Thus, the study laid a solid foundation for further research on the medicinal function of these degraded peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic on campus, universities in outbreak areas in China can implement closed-loop management. Objects: This study aimed to explore the relationship between mindfulness and mental health of college students under closed-loop management. Measures: 11,939 college students from a university in Changsha, China participated in the online survey during the closed-loop management period. The Chinese version of Perceived Stress Scale, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Cognitive Reappraisal, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire, and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire were administered to the college students. Results: We found that mindfulness was negative association with mental health during the closed-loop management period. Perceived stress mediated the relationship between mindfulness and mental health. Cognitive reappraisal moderated the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress. Specifically, when the level of mindfulness is the same, individuals with more cognitive reappraisal tend to experience a less perceived stress. Conclusion: The results of this study are of great significance to improve the mental health of college students during closed-loop management period. • Research conducted during closed-loop management period in universities • A large sample of 11,542 college students • Anxiety and depression levels were higher during the closed-loop management period. • The mediating role of perceived stress between mindfulness and mental health • The moderating role of cognitive reappraisal between mindfulness and perceived stress [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Vaccine is the most essential avenue to prevent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in infants and preschool children in China, with the largest populations carrying HBV in the world. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associating the response level of anti-HBs in children, providing instructions for HBV prevention clinically.Methods: The children taking physical examinations in the Third Xiangya Hospital from January 2013 to April 2020 were recruited. Telephone follow-up were adopted to collect further information. Univariate logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between age and anti-HBs expression. Grouping by age and anti-HBs expression, we used chi-square test and T test to compare qualitative and quantitative data between positive group and negative group in each age subgroup. The meaningful variables (P < 0.10) in chi-square test or T test were further assessed with collinearity and chosen for univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis by the stepwise backward maximum likelihood method (αin = 0.05, αout = 0.10).Results: A total of 5838 samples (3362 males, 57.6%) were enrolled. In total, the incidence of negative anti-HBs increased with age[OR = 1.037(1.022-1.051)]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis illustrated that anemia[OR = 0.392(0.185-0.835)], age[OR = 2.542(1.961-3.295)] and Vit D[OR = 0.977(0.969-0.984)] in 0.5-2.99 years subgroup, Zinc deficiency[OR = 0.713(0.551-0.923] and age[OR = 1.151(1.028-1.289)] in 3-5.99 years subgroup, Vit D[OR = 0.983(0.971-0.995)] in 12-18 years subgroup had significant association with anti-HBs.Conclusions: This retrospective study illustrated that age, anemia status, zinc deficiency and vitamin D were associated with anti-HBs expression in specific age groups of children, which could serve as a reference for the prevention of HBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a large agricultural country that is leading worldwide in the annual number of agricultural products and exports. However, the growth and harvest of fruits and vegetables are greatly affected by geographical conditions, climate and other factors, which will lead to their rotting in peak season and shortages in the off-season. Therefore, it is necessary to vigorously promote the development of drying technology. The explosion puffing technology at low temperature and high pressure is a kind of compound drying technology which can enable the puffed product to obtain the advantages of honeycomb, good rehydration, a short running time, etc. With the guidance of the theory of heat and mass transfer and relevant thermodynamics laws, this study has established high-pressure extruding technology in low-temperature heating; expanded the two-phase theoretical model, using mass conservation and the law of the conservation of energy to analyze the coupled heat and mass transfer process and influencing factors; and researched the influence of the operation temperature, pressure and time on the properties of dried fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic assumption of radiogenic isotope tracing is that isotope systems maintain equilibrium between melt and source. However, this assumption is not naturally correct, particularly for S-type granites, which are formed by partial melting of metasedimentary rocks. The S-type metagranites from the North Qinling Terrane show various degrees of Hf Nd isotope decoupling and discrepancies between whole-rock and zircon Hf isotopes. Zircon U Pb dating yields emplacement ages from 946 to 890 Ma. Their high δ18O values, (87Sr/86Sr) i ratios, and negative ε Nd (t) values overlapped with metasedimentary rocks in the Qinling Group imply that they are derived from partial melting of the Qinling Group. The low Rb/Ba, Rb/Sr, Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 , and high CaO/Na 2 O ratios indicate that their sources are metagraywackes. The negative correlation between decoupling degrees of Hf Nd isotopes and Zr concentrations suggests that the incomplete dissolution of zircon during partial melting results in the decoupling. The discrepancy between whole-rock and zircon Hf isotopes can be attributed to the combined effect of incomplete dissolution of zircons and the release of various Hf isotope compositions from partly dissolved inherited zircons to local melts. The compiled literature data suggest that whole-rock Hf Nd isotope decoupling of most metagraywacke-derived S-type granites is caused by incomplete melting of zircons, whereas those of metapelite-derived S-type granites may be controlled by both incomplete melting of zircons and source inheritance. • Incomplete melting of zircon causes Hf Nd isotope decoupling of S-type granites. • Partly dissolution of inherited zircon leads to whole-rock and zircon Hf difference. • Disequilibrium melting causes Hf Nd decoupling of all metagreywacke-derived granites. • Disequilibrium melting and sediment sorting both work for metapelite-derived granites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the arid shrub Amygdalus pedunculata to better understand biogeographic histories and the impact of climate fluctuations during the Quaternary in shaping genetic variation and in northwest China. Three chloroplast DNA intergenic spacers (psbK‐psbI, trnL‐trnF and trnV) were sequenced in 129 individuals from 10 populations across the range of A. pedunculata, and 17 haplotypes were identified, with one haplotype that was distributed across all sampled populations. High levels of total gene diversity (HT = 0.965) and within‐population diversity (HS = 0.669) were identified. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that most genetic variation occurred within populations. Neutrality tests and mismatch distribution analysis suggested past range expansions of A. pedunculata. As such, A. pedunculata has likely undergone a substantial postglacial range expansion northward and southward along the margins of the northern Yin Mountains and Mu Us Desert, respectively. Principal coordinate analyses, median‐joining network analysis and Beast analysis revealed that 17 haplotypes mainly formed three clusters, corresponding to the Northern (Damao Banner) and Central (Wula Mountains and Guyang County) regions of Inner Mongolia and the Southern region (Bulang Township) in northern Shannxi. The local adaptative differentiation is speculated to have occurred among the three regions mainly resulting from geographical isolation caused by the uplift and extension of the Yinshan Mountains during the Quaternary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) is considered to be a reliable indicator for evaluation of visceral adipose dysfunction and cardiovascular disease risk. However, no previous studies have reported the VAI variation after bariatric surgery and the predictive effect of preoperative VAI on diabetes remission. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether preoperative VAI is useful to predict diabetes remission in low BMI Chinese patients after bariatric surgery. Methods: Eighty-seven type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with BMI < 35 kg/m2 underwent bariatric surgery from May 2010 to March 2018 in our hospital. VAI, glycolipid metabolic parameters, and anthropometric variables were measured before and 4 years after surgery. Complete remission was defined as follows: HbA1c < 6%, FPG < 5.6 mmol/L, achieved without anti-diabetic medication. Analysis included using binary logistic regression to identify predictors and ROC curves to determine clinically useful cutoff values. Results: Seventy-four patients (85.1%) underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), while the remaining 13 patients (14.9%) underwent sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Patients' weight, glycemic control, and lipid profiles were improved significantly after surgery (p < 0.05). Complete remission of T2DM was found in 35 patients (40.2%) 1 year after surgery. VAI decreased from baseline 4.41 to 1.74 in 3 months after surgery (p < 0.05) and showed a downward trend over the period from 6 months to 4 years. Patients with complete remission had a significantly shorter duration of diabetes, lower HbA1c level, and higher VAI, in comparison to those without remission. Binary logistics regression and ROC curves analysis confirm that VAI, HbA1c, and duration of diabetes can predict diabetes remission after bariatric surgery, and the VAI of 4.46 is a useful threshold for predicting surgical efficacy. Conclusion: VAI is a significant predictor of diabetes remission for lower BMI patients with T2DM following bariatric surgery in China. The VAI of 4.46 is a useful threshold for predicting surgical efficacy. Multi-center and larger prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary care may be an avenue to increase coverage of HIV testing but it is unclear what challenges primary healthcare professionals in low- and middle-income countries face. We describe the HIV testing practices in community health centres (CHCs) and explore the staff's attitude towards further development of HIV testing services at the primary care level in China.Methods: We conducted a national, cross-sectional survey using a stratified random sample of CHCs in 20 cities in 2015. Questionnaires were completed by primary care doctors and nurses in CHCs, and included questions regarding their demographics, clinical experience and their views on the facilitators and barriers to offering HIV testing in their CHC. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between staff who would offer HIV testing and their sociodemographic characteristics.Results: A total of 3580 staff from 158 CHCs participated. Despite the majority (81%) agreeing that HIV testing was an important part of healthcare, only 25% would provide HIV testing when requested by a patient. The majority (71%) were concerned about reimbursement, and half (47%) cited lack of training as a major barrier. Almost half (44%) believed that treating people belonging to high-risk populations would scare other patients away, and 6% openly expressed their dislike of people belonging to high-risk populations. Staff who would offer HIV testing were younger (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.97 per year increase in age, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.97-0.98); trained as a doctor compared to a nurse (aOR 1.79, 95%CI:1.46-2.15); held a bachelor degree or above (aOR 1.34, 95%CI:1.11-1.62); and had previous HIV training (aOR 1.55, 95%CI:1.27-1.89).Conclusions: Improving HIV training of CHC staff, including addressing stigmatizing attitudes, and improving financial reimbursement may help increase HIV testing coverage in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new secoiridoid named chinensisol (1) along with twenty known compounds were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of Cortex fraxini. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR, MS, IR and UV spectral evidences. The quinone reductase (QR) inducing activities of the compounds were evaluated and the results showed that compounds 1, 9 and 14 had moderate QR inducing activities with CD values (concentration required to double the specific activity of QR) of 72.4±7.7, 34.3±3.3 and 42.0±0.4μM respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our study aimed to examine the predictive role of mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) on mortality in an elderly male cohort. From January 2004, 1759 retired male military officers in Nanjing, China, underwent detailed clinical evaluations, which included assessments of MPS using an abbreviated Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale at baseline. Data on deaths attributed to any cause were collected over a 4-year period of follow-up visits. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the effect of MPS and chronic diseases on mortality. Of the 1759 participants, 278 (15.8%) had MPS at baseline. The participants with MPS and those without did not differ significantly with respect to the prevalence of chronic illness. The multivariate-adjusted relative risk of death (risk ratio, RR) for MPS was 1.77. After adjustment for the other MPS domains and chronic illnesses, only axial function abnormality was associated with an increased risk of death (RR 2.07). The presence of MPS in elderly subjects at baseline is a significant predictor of risk, even after adjustment for chronic illness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Long-term changes of the ring-widths of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) growing at polluted and unpolluted sites in the Pearl River Delta of south China were compared to evaluate the growth patterns in response to the atmospheric pollution since the late 1970s. Trees at the currently polluted sites had statistically lower ring-widths than those at the unpolluted site since the early 1980s. Standard chronologies at the polluted sites showed consistent decrease in growth since the 1990s. Climate-growth model developed by the multi-stepwise regression at the unpolluted site explained 91.1% of the tree growth variation from year to year and thus it was suggested to be a control chronology index to predict the growth patterns of the pine trees in the study. Growth patterns at the polluted sites estimated by the model revealed negative departure from the control chronology index since the 1980s. The actual and estimated tree-ring indices even at the polluted sites showed synchronousness and statistical correlation in growth patterns prior to the 1980s. The significant increase of the mean differences between the actual and estimated indices and the statistical decrease of the correlation between the control index and the polluted ones after 1980 (especially after 1990) also demonstrated that the growth of pine trees deceased during the most recent years and the atmospheric pollution might be the main factor contributing to the growth decrease. The method of tree-ring analysis demonstrated high suitability and urgent necessity to assess the pine forest health and to improve the forest management in south China where potential forest decline (in particular, current die back) of Masson pine was on process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The sediments in the Qinling Group were deposited in an accretionary or collisional setting during the Early Neoproterozoic. • The main provenance of sediments in the Qinling Group was the North Qinling Terrane itself and East Laurentia. • The North Qinling Terrane was located between the North China Craton and East Laurentia in Rodinia. • The microcontinent may provide a missing link in supercontinent reconstruction. The North Qinling Terrane was a microcontinent in the Late Neoproterozoic and then subducted northwards beneath the North China Craton for regional metamorphism in the Early Paleozoic. In order to constrain its location in supercontinent Rodinia, metasedimentary rocks were sampled from it for a combined study of whole-rock major and trace elements as well as zircon U-Pb ages and Lu-Hf isotopes. The metasedimentary rocks show greywacke compositions with A/CNK ratios of 0.99–1.28 and upper continental crust-like trace element patterns. They have metamorphic ages of ca. 510–490 Ma, recording continental collision for the regional metamorphism. The youngest detrital zircon U-Pb ages from three metasedimentary rocks are 1161 ± 54 Ma, 954 ± 15 Ma, 861 ± 10 Ma, respectively. In combination with ages of granitic intrusions of 960 to 890 Ma in the target region, their deposition ages are constrained to be 1110–960 Ma, ca. 960 Ma and ca. 860 Ma, respectively. The cumulative proportions of the difference between the detrital zircon crystallization ages and the deposition ages for the sediments of ca. 960 Ma and ca. 860 Ma suggest their deposition in a collisional setting. Detrital zircon age spectrum from the Qinling Group yields two major populations at 1000–900 Ma and 1700–1400 Ma and three subordinate populations at 900–800 Ma, 1300–1200 Ma and 1800–1700 Ma with rare Neoarchean grains. Neoproterozoic detrital zircons mainly have negative ε Hf (t) values, consistent with Neoproterozoic granitoids in the North Qinling Terrane. On the other hand, Mesoproterozoic detrital zircons mainly have positive ε Hf (t) values, similar to those in East Laurentia and East Greenland. This means that the major provenance of sediments in the Qinling Group was the North Qinling Terrane itself and East Laurentia, supporting the connection between the North Qinling Terrane and East Laurentia in Rodinia prior to its breakup. In combination with the coeval strata in the southern margin of the North China Craton, we propose that the North Qinling Terrane is a missing piece connecting the southern margin of the North China Craton with the northern part of East Laurentia in Rodinia in the early Neoproterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary health care workers (PHCWs) are a major force in delivering basic public health services (BPHS) in rural China. It is necessary to take effective training approaches to improve PHCWs' competency on BPHS. Both electronic learning (e-learning) and blended learning have been widely used in the health workers' education. However, there is limited evidence on the effects of blended learning in comparison with pure e-learning.Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a blended-learning approach for rural PHCWs in improving their knowledge about BPHS as well as training satisfaction in comparison with a pure e-learning approach.Methods: The study was conducted among PHCWs in 6 rural counties of Hubei Province, China, between August 2013 and April 2014. Three counties were randomly allocated blended-learning courses (29 township centers or 612 PHCWs-the experimental group), and three counties were allocated pure e-learning courses (31 township centers or 625 PHCWs-the control group). Three course modules were administered for 5 weeks, with assessments at baseline and postcourse. Primary outcomes were score changes in courses' knowledge. Secondary outcome was participant satisfaction (5-point Likert scale anchored between 1 [strongly agree] and 5 [strongly disagree]).Results: The experimental group had higher mean scores than the control group in knowledge achievement in three course modules: (1) module 1: 93.21 (95% CI 92.49-93.93) in experimental group versus 88.29 (95% CI 87.19-89.40) in the control group; adjusted difference, 4.92 (95% CI 2.61-7.24; P<.001); (2) module 2: 94.05 (95% CI 93.37-94.73) in the experimental group vs 90.22 (95% CI 89.12-91.31) in the control group; adjusted difference, 3.67 (95% CI 1.17-6.18; P=.004); (3) module 3: 93.88 (95% CI 93.08-94.68) in the experimental group versus 89.09 (95% CI 87.89-90.30) in control group; adjusted difference, 4.63 (95% CI 2.12-7.14; P<.001). The participants in the experimental learning group gave more positive responses with the four issues than control group participants: (1) the increase of interest in learning, 1.85 (95% CI 1.22-2.80; P=.003); (2) the increase of interaction with others, 1.77 (95% CI 1.20-2.60; P=.004); (3) the satisfaction with learning experience, 1.78 (95% CI 1.11-2.88; P=.02); and (4) achievement of learning objectives, 1.63 (95% CI 1.08-2.48; P=.02).Conclusions: Among PHCWs in rural China, a blended-learning approach to BPHS training could result in a higher knowledge achievement and satisfaction level compared with a pure e-learning approach. The findings of the study will contribute knowledge to improve the competency of PHCWs in similar settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian influenza H7N9 virus has first emerged in 2013 and since then has spread in China in five seasonal waves. In humans, influenza H7N9 virus infection is associated with a high fatality rate; thus, an effective vaccine for this virus is needed. In the present study, we evaluated the usefulness of dissolving microneedles (MNs) loaded with influenza H7N9 vaccine in terms of the dissolution time, insertion capacity, insertion depth, and structural integrity of H7N9 virus in vitro. Our in vitro results showed MNs dissolved within 6 mins. The depth of skin penetration was 270 µm. After coating with a matrix material solution, the H7N9 proteins were agglomerated. We detected the H7N9 delivery time and humoral immune response in vivo. In a mouse model, the antigen retention time was longer for MNs than for intramuscular (IM) injection. The humoral response showed that similar to IM administration, MN administration increased the levels of functional and systematic antibodies and protection against the live influenza A/Anhui/01/2013 virus (Ah01/H7N9). The protection level was determined by the analysis of pathological sections of infected lungs. MN and IM administration yielded results superior to those in the control group. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the use of dissolving MNs to deliver influenza H7N9 vaccines is a promising immunization approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Phase III study of ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) plus metronidazole for complicated intra-abdominal infection in China. • C/T plus metronidazole was noninferior to meropenem for clinical response. • Safety was comparable between C/T plus metronidazole and meropenem groups. • C/T plus metronidazole had efficacy against extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive Enterobacterales. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) plus metronidazole versus meropenem plus placebo for the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infection (cIAI) in Chinese adult participants. In this phase III clinical trial (NCT03830333), Chinese adult participants with cIAI were randomized 1:1 to receive C/T plus metronidazole or meropenem plus placebo. The primary objective was to assess C/T plus metronidazole for noninferiority versus meropenem for clinical response rate at the test of cure (TOC; 28 ± 2 days after study start) visit in the clinically evaluable population. Secondary endpoints included clinical and microbiologic responses at the TOC and end-of-treatment (≤24 hours after last dose) visits and adverse event rates. Clinical cure at the TOC visit in the clinically evaluable population was 95.2% and 93.1% for C/T plus metronidazole and meropenem, respectively (between-treatment difference: 2.1% [95% confidence interval: -4.7%, 8.8%]); thus, noninferiority was met. Clinical responses at the TOC and end-of-treatment visits and microbiologic responses at the TOC visit were consistent with the primary efficacy endpoint. Safety was comparable between study treatment groups. In Chinese adult participants with cIAI, C/T plus metronidazole was noninferior to meropenem, with comparable safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Taihu is the third largest freshwater lake located in eastern China. In recent years, it has experienced extensive cyanobacterial (Microcystis spp.) blooms that produce toxic microcystins (MCs), which may have acute and chronic hepatotoxic effects in animals and humans. Although the impact of MCs on both terrestrial and aquatic plants is well documented, the effects and underlying mechanisms of the harmful toxin MC-LR on Euryale ferox Salisb seedlings have rarely been reported. Thus, herein, the antioxidant response mechanisms and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites during the exposure of E. ferox Salisb seedlings to varying MC-LR concentrations (0.05, 0.2, 1, and 5 μg/L) were thoroughly investigated after exposure periods (7, 14, 21 d). Our study revealed that the seedling growth was inhibited with increasing MC-LR exposure concentration that significantly induced at 1 μg/L and reached a maximum level at 5 μg/L, whereas the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) in the seedling cells increased gradually with increasing MC-LR concentration and longer exposure time. The maximum malondialdehyde (MDA) content was 4.3-fold higher than that of the control group under an MC-LR concentration of 5.0 μg/L after 7 days of exposure treatment. The study of the seedling detoxification mechanism revealed that the content of total glutathione (tGSH) and reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as the activities of GSH sparse transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR), increased to varying degrees and reached a maximum level at 1 μg/L. Therefore, the exposure to MC-LR can promote the accumulation of secondary metabolites and increase the activities of secondary metabolic enzymes in the seedlings. Further investigation of these antioxidative mechanisms will provide additional information for the identification and development of bio-indicators to evaluate the environmental impact of MCs on aquatic ecosystems. Image 1 • Microcystin-LR exposure can inhibit the growth of seedlings and cause serious oxidative stress. • Microcystin-LR exposure enhanced the antioxidant enzymes activities of seedlings. • Secondary metabolic-associated signaling are key events in detoxification process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Newly identified colloform pyrite from Jinshandian is of hydrothermal origin. • Non-magmatic fluids have been involved in the formation of the colloform pyrite. • Colloform pyrite is related to variation in physical and chemical conditions. Colloform pyrite occurs widely in many ore deposits in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt (MLYRMB) in eastern China, but its genesis is still debated. In this study, we present detailed textures and geochemical compositions of newly identified colloform pyrite (Py1) and late coarse-grained pyrite (Py2) from the Jinshandian iron skarn deposit in the Daye district to decipher the genesis of the pyrite grains. Colloform pyrite is composed of nanometer-sized (<1 μm) grains, showing typical colloform textures, and occurs as interstitial fillings between magnetite grains. In contrast, Py2 commonly has a large grain size (up to 200 μm) and is usually distributed along the margins of colloform pyrite. These two types of pyrite have relatively high Co/Ni (1.24–13.36) ratios. δ34S CDT values of Py1 (17.22‰–20.63‰, mean 19.42‰) and Py2 (18.96‰–19.95‰, mean 19.43‰) are close to those of gypsum (anhydrite) from evaporites in the Daye district, indicating the incorporation of evaporite-derived materials into the formation of colloform pyrite. On the basis of the textures, trace-element compositions, and sulfur isotope characteristics of the colloform pyrite, it is inferred that this pyrite from the Jinshandian iron deposit is of hydrothermal origin. The sulfur isotope composition of colloform pyrite from Jinshandian is heavier relative to other magmatic-hydrothermal colloform pyrites, which indicates colloform pyrite could formed in diverse hydrothermal fluids (magmatic to no-magmatic fluid). Our study further confirmed that hydrothermal colloform pyrite has widely occurred in Fe and Cu-Au deposits associated with the Cretaceous magmatism in the MLYRMB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ca. 780–750 Ma Tiewadian granitoid and the overlain 750 Ma rhyolites have significant 18O-depleted signature with zircon δ18O value of −7.7–4.0‰. • They have positive εHf(t) values of 4.6–11.2, suggesting derivation from reworking of juvenile crust. • A low-δ18O magmatic belt is identified in the north margin of the South China Block, consistent with a continental rifting associated with breakup of Rodinia. • The development of coeval low-δ18O magmatism in different blocks provides a possible geographic link between them in Rodinia. Low δ18O felsic igneous rocks are reported for the first time in the northwestern margin of the South China Block. Zircon U-Pb dating indicates that intermediate to felsic plutons were emplaced at 780 Ma and 750 Ma, respectively, and rhyolite was erupted at about 750 Ma. Compared with other rock-forming minerals that have variable δ18O values (−2.3‰ to 8.7‰ for quartz; −5.4‰ to 6.3‰ for plagioclase, −7.6‰ to 2.5‰ for K-feldspar), zircon δ18O values mainly range from 1.0‰ to 4.7‰ with a few negative values of −7.7‰ to −2.9‰. A two-stage 18O-depletion scenario was proposed, 1) high-temperature meteoric water–rock reaction in a continental rift setting, generating low δ18O melt from which precipitated zircons with significant lower δ18O values than normal mantle; 2) post-crystallization sub-solidus high-T meteoric-hydrothermal alteration, resulting in varying δ18O values for rock-forming minerals that leads to δ18O-disequilibrium between zircon and other minerals. In addition, zircons from these rocks show positive ε Hf (t) values of 4.6 to 11.2 with Hf model ages of ca. 1.0–1.4 Ga, suggesting a magma source of juvenile crust due to mantle melting during the Grenvillian subduction of oceanic lithosphere in response to accretion of the South China Block to Rodinia in the Late Mesoproterozoic. The occurrence of low δ18O felsic rocks in the northwestern margin of the South China Block indicates the development of a low δ18O magmatic belt during the rifting of the South China Block away from Rodinia at about 750 Ma. The coeval occurrence of Neoproterozoic low δ18O magmatism in NW India, South China, Madagascar and Seychelles suggests a link between these continental blocks in the Rodinia configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can result in adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Predicting those at high risk of GDM and early interventions can reduce the development of GDM. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between first-trimester prenatal screening biomarkers and maternal characteristics in relation to GDM in Chinese women., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of singleton pregnant women who received first-trimester aneuploidy and preeclampsia screening between January 2019 and May 2021. First-trimester prenatal screening biomarkers, including pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A), free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, and placental growth factor (PLGF), along with maternal characteristics, were collected for analysis in relation to GDM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate variables associated with GDM., Results: Of the 1452 pregnant women enrolled, 96 developed GDM. PAPP-A (5.01 vs. 5.73 IU/L, P < 0.001) and PLGF (39.88 vs. 41.81 pg/mL, P = 0.044) were significantly lower in the GDM group than in the non-GDM group. The area under the ROC curve of combined maternal characteristics and biomarkers was 0.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68-0.79, P < 0.001). The formula for predicting GDM was as follows: P = 1/[1 + exp (-8.148 + 0.057 x age + 0.011 x pregestational body mass index + 1.752 x previous GDM history + 0.95 x previous preeclampsia history + 0.756 x family history of diabetes + 0.025 x chronic hypertension + 0.036 x mean arterial pressure - 0.09 x PAPP-A - 0.001 x PLGF)]. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher pregestational body mass index (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 - 1.06, P = 0.012), previous GDM history (aOR 9.97, 95% CI 3.92 - 25.37, P < 0.001), family history of diabetes (aOR 2.36, 95% CI 1.39 - 4.02, P = 0.001), higher mean arterial pressure (aOR 1.17, 95% CI 1.07 - 1.27, P < 0.001), and lower PAPP-A level (aOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 - 1.00, P  = 0.040) were independently associated with the development of GDM. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test demonstrated that the model exhibited an excellent discrimination ability (chi-square = 3.089, df = 8, P = 0.929)., Conclusion: Downregulation of first-trimester PAPP-A and PLGF was associated with the development of GDM. Combining first-trimester biomarkers with maternal characteristics could be valuable for predicting the risk of GDM., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Lu, Chen, Sun, Chen, Wang and Chen.)

As the number of foreign patients and the frequency of international academic exchanges increase, English proficiency has become increasingly essential for Chinese nurses in the treatment and nursing processes, clinical academic exchanges, and ongoing education. However, the overall English proficiency of Chinese nurses is generally inadequate, greatly depending on the English that they acquire during their nursing education. This study aims to explore the challenges encountered by Chinese EFL (English as a Foreign Language) nursing students in the process of learning Nursing English, along with the effective self-regulated learning strategies they adopt to overcome these challenges. Data were collected from nine Chinese EFL nursing students through their reflective journals and thematic analysis was applied. Data analysis revealed the variety of challenges EFL nursing students encountered, including language-related challenges, which are linguistic difficulties that relate to Nursing English learning itself, such as Nursing English vocabulary and terminology, English-to-English translation, limited listening comprehension, and the gap between textbook knowledge and its practical application; learner-related challenges, which are difficulties that affect students' emotional, affective, and mental state, primarily caused by uncertainty about the significance of Nursing English, the unexpected difficulty of Nursing English, and failing quizzes; and context-related challenges, which are difficulties relate to social, cultural, and educational context, such as insufficient learning resources, a lack of language environment, and peer pressure. To surmount these challenges, the participants adopted diverse self-regulated learning strategies, including setting goals, previewing in advance and reviewing in time, utilizing word roots, prefixes, and suffixes to facilitate vocabulary learning, repeating, practicing with sounds and writing systems, translating, highlighting and using imagery to overcome language-related challenges; believing in the usefulness and significance of Nursing English, keeping a growth mindset, enjoying Nursing English learning and teacher support and maintaining grit in learning Nursing English to overcome learner-related challenges; and integrating resources, creating supportive language environments and seeking assistance from teachers and cooperating with peers to overcome context-related challenges. Based on these findings, implications are drawn for Nursing English teachers, material designers, curriculum developers, and program designers. We suggest incorporating explicit strategy instruction into regular Nursing English education to enhance nursing students' self-regulated learning., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Studies on the epidemiology of liver metastases (LM)-related mortality are rare. we aimed to describe the burden and trend of liver metastases in Pudong of Shanghai, which could be beneficial to cancer prevention., Methods: We performed a retrospective population-based analysis of cancer mortality data with liver metastases in Shanghai Pudong from 2005 to 2021. Long-term trends in crude mortality rates (CMRs), age-standardized mortality rates worldwide, and rate of years of life lost (YLL) were analyzed by the Join-point regression model. In addition, we evaluate the impact of the demographic and nondemographic factors on the mortality of disease by the decomposition method., Results: Cancer with liver metastases accounted for 26.68% of all metastases. The CMR and age-standardized mortality rates by Segi's world population (ASMRW) of cancer with liver metastases were 15.12/105 person-years and 6.33/105 person-years, respectively. The YLL from cancer with liver metastases was 84 959.87 years, with the age group of 60-69 years having the highest YLL of 26 956.40 years. The top three cancer types in liver metastases are colorectal, gastric, and pancreatic cancer. The long-term trend of ASMRW significantly decreased by 2.31% per year ( P <0.05). The ASMRW and YLL rates of those over 45 decreased year by year. Particularly striking was the 70-79 age group. Although the overall mortality of cancer with liver metastases decreased, there was still a significant upward trend toward an increased mortality rate caused by cancer with liver metastases in aging patients., Conclusion: Liver metastases were a common site of metastases in patients with cancers originating from the digestive system. The disease burden caused by cancer with liver metastases provides valuable evidence for cancer management., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study examined knowledge and practice of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) management among general practitioners (GPs) providing palliative care in Shanghai., Design: Cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire., Setting and Participants: A total of 393 GPs providing palliative care in 32 community health service centres in Shanghai were recruited by stratified cluster random sampling between 1 May and 30 June 2022., Outcome Measures: Knowledge and practice concerning BTcP management., Results: A total of 375 questionnaires were collected and declared valid. The median knowledge score was 11 out of 21 points. Only 36.3% (n=136) of the participating GPs scored 11 points or more, which was categorised as good knowledge. Only 24.8% (n=93) of the GPs used Davies' adapted diagnostic algorithm as the gold standard for diagnosis. All of the GPs assessed the intensity of BTcP; however, less than a quarter of the GPs evaluated the relationship between background pain and BTcP (22.1%, n=83), the impact of BTcP on activities of daily living (24.0%, n=90), the impact of BTcP on social relationships (14.4%, n=54) and the impact of BTcP on mood (10.1%, n=38). 56.5% (n=212) of the GPs reported that they used pain tools in the assessment of BTcP. All of the GPs prescribed immediate-release morphine as rescue medication for relieving BTcP; however, 60.5% (n=227) prescribed the dose based on their personal experiences, irrespective of the basal opioid dose, and 57.3% (n=215) did not conduct dose titration after providing the initial dose. No GPs reported that they ever administered interventional treatment to their patients., Conclusions: Insufficient knowledge and inappropriate behaviours in BTcP diagnosis, assessment and treatment were identified. There is an urgent need to improve BTcP management among GPs providing palliative care in Shanghai., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading around the world. The COVID-19 vaccines may improve concerns about the pandemic. However, the roles of inactivated vaccines in older patients (aged ≥60 years) with infection of Delta variant were less studied., Methods: We classified the older patients with infection of Delta variant into three groups based on the vaccination status: no vaccination (group A, n = 113), one dose of vaccination (group B, n = 46), and two doses of vaccination (group C, n = 22). Two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines (BBIBP-CorV or CoronaVac) were evaluated in this study. The demographic data, laboratory parameters, and clinical severity were recorded., Results: A total of 181 older patients with infection of Delta variant were enrolled. 111 (61.3%) patients had one or more co-morbidities. The days of "turn negative" and hospital stay in Group C were lower than those in the other groups ( P < 0.05). The incidences of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute kidney injury, and cardiac injury in Group A were higher than those in the other groups ( P < 0.05). The MV-free days and ICU-free days during 28 days in Group A were also lower than those in the other groups ( P < 0.05). In patients with co-morbidities, vaccinated cases had lower incidences of MODS ( P = 0.015), septic shock ( P = 0.015), and ARDS ( P = 0.008)., Conclusions: The inactivated COVID-19 vaccines were effective in improving the clinical severity of older patients with infection of Delta variant.

Introduction: Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is the most commonly used treatment for patients suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, data on its applications in Asian countries remain lacking. This pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of applying Mandarin-translated DBT among suicidal Chinese patients with BPD in Taiwan., Methods: An open-label trial design was implemented for the 1-year standard DBT model. Patients from a psychiatric outpatient department in a general hospital in Taiwan with a history of ≥2 episodes of suicidal behavior within the previous year and who scored >40 on the Borderline Symptom List were invited to participate in this trial. Outcomes of suicidal behaviors, severity of BPD and depression symptoms, suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and quality of life were assessed at the beginning of the treatment and every 3 months until 12 months., Results: Eighteen patients participated, three of whom (16.7%) dropped out. Significant improvements were found in the frequency and severity of suicidal behaviors and ideations, depressive symptoms, and BPD symptoms beginning as early as the third month after initiating DBT., Discussion: This pilot study found that DBT may be an effective and feasible intervention for Mandarin-speaking individuals with a recent history of suicidal behaviors with BPD. Future randomized controlled trials with comparison groups are needed to further determine the efficacy of DBT on this population., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is an effective potassium binder for patients with hyperkalemia. This single-center, open-label, phase I study (NCT03283267) characterized the pharmacodynamics and safety of SZC in Chinese individuals. Twenty-two healthy Chinese adults (mean age, 33.5 years) randomized 1:1 received daily oral SZC 5 or 10 g for 4 days, following 4 days on a low-sodium, high-potassium diet (continued throughout the study). End points were mean change from baseline in 24-hour urinary potassium (primary) and sodium excretion, and serum potassium concentration. Urinary potassium excretion significantly decreased with SZC 5 g (mean change [mmol], -13.0; P < .001) and 10 g (-15.4; P < .001). Although urinary sodium excretion decreased significantly with SZC 5 g (-11.5; P = .030), there was no significant change with SZC 10 g (-5.1; P = .299). Serum potassium concentrations decreased significantly with SZC 5 g (-0.14; P = .031) and 10 g (-0.20; P = .002). All treatment-emergent adverse events were mild, and none were considered causally related to SZC. Over 4 days, the pharmacodynamics and safety of SZC were consistent in healthy Chinese adults with global studies and patients of Japanese ethnicity., (© 2022 The Authors. Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Clinical Pharmacology.)

An outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had emerged in 2019 and rapidly posed a global epidemic. Here, we report the breadth of concomitant virological features of a family cluster with COVID-19. The period of virus shedding is significantly different between upper respiratory and feces samples. Even the SARS-CoV-2 virus titers were undetectable in feces, it could be positive again soon and likely related to fluctuated inflammation levels (interleukin-6, etc.) and lowered immune responses (CD4 + T lymphocyte, etc.). Our findings expand the novel understanding of the breadth of concomitant virological features during a non-severe family cluster of COVID-19., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: It is necessary to analyze the characteristics and risk factors of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) in newborns with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)., Methods: Newborns undergoing PICC catheterization in the neonatal department of our hospital from January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021 were included. The characteristics of newborns with and without CRBSI newborns were compared and analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk factors of CRBSI in newborns with PICC., Results: Three hundred eighty-six newborns with PICC were included, of whom 41 newborns had the CRBSI, the incidence of CRBSI in newborns with PICC was 10.62%. There were significant differences regarding the birth weight, durations of PICC stay, 5-min Apgar score, site of PICC insertion of PICC between CRBSI and no CRBSI group (all P < 0.05), and there were no significant differences regarding the gender, gestational age, cesarean section, mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay between CRBSI and no CRBSI group (all P > 0.05). Escherichia coli (26.08%) and Staphylococcus aureus (23.92%) were the most common CRBSI pathogens in newborns with PICC. Logistic regression analysis indicated that birth weight ≤ 1500 g (OR 1.923, 95% CI 1.135-2.629), durations of PICC stay ≥ 21 days (OR 2.077, 95% CI 1.024-3.431), 5-min Apgar score ≤ 7 (OR 2.198, 95% CI 1.135-3.414) and femoral vein insertion of PICC (OR 3.044, 95% CI 1.989-4.306) were the independent risk factors of CRBSI in neonates with PICC (all P < 0.05)., Conclusion: For newborns with low birth weight, longer durations of PICC stay and femoral vein PICC insertion, they may have higher risks of CRBSI, and medical staff should take targeted measures to reduce the development of CRBSI., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: In recent years, many reports have highlighted that metabolic surgery may ameliorate the cardiovascular risk in morbidly obese patients with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, few studies have evaluated the long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk after metabolic surgery in T2D patients with a low body mass index (BMI)., Objectives: To use the Prediction for ASCVD Risk in China (China-PAR) equations and United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) risk engine to assess the 10-year CVD risk in low-BMI T2D patients after metabolic surgery., Setting: University hospital, China., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our prospectively collected data of T2D patients who underwent metabolic surgery at our hospital between 2010 and 2018. We included patients who met the criteria for calculating a 10-year cardiovascular risk score by the China-PAR equations and UKPDS risk engine. Demographic characteristics, anthropometric variables, and glycolipid metabolic parameters were assessed preoperatively and during a 4-year follow-up period. Patients with a BMI < 30 kg/m 2 were compared with those with a BMI > 30 kg/m 2 ., Results: We evaluated 117 patients, of whom 62 (53%) had a BMI < 30 kg/m 2 and 55 (47%) had a BMI > 30 kg/m 2 . Patients with a BMI < 30 kg/m 2 were significantly older and had a longer duration of diabetes. The rate of complete T2D remission in the group of patients with BMIs < 30 kg/m 2 was significantly lower than that in the group with BMIs > 30 kg/m 2 (35.2% versus 56.1%, respectively; P = .042). The overall 10-year and lifetime atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risks were reduced from 4.2% to 2.3% and 25.3% to 13.9%, respectively (both P < .05), at 1 year postoperatively using the China-PAR equation. The overall 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) and fatal CHD risks were reduced by 48.1% and 53.1%, respectively, at 1 year after surgery using the UKPDS risk engine. The advantages of metabolic surgery in reducing CVD risks are similar in both BMI groups, whether using the China-PAR equation or the UKPDS risk engine., Conclusion: The 10-year CVD risk in T2D patients with BMIs < 30 kg/m 2 and BMIs > 30 kg/m 2 were significantly reduced after metabolic surgery, although the rate of complete T2D remission T2Din patients with BMIs < 30 kg/m 2 was lower than that in patients with BMIs > 30 kg/m 2 . The China-PAR equation is a reliable and useful clinical tool for CVD risk evaluation in Chinese patients after metabolic surgery., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the incidence rate of infectious diseases during hospitalization in late preterm infants in Beijing, China, as well as the risk factors for infectious diseases and the effect of breastfeeding on the development of infectious diseases., Methods: Related data were collected from the late preterm infants who were hospitalized in the neonatal wards of 25 hospitals in Beijing, China, from October 23, 2015 to October 30, 2017. According to the feeding pattern, they were divided into a breastfeeding group and a formula feeding group. The two groups were compared in terms of general status and incidence rate of infectious diseases. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for infectious diseases., Results: A total of 1 576 late preterm infants were enrolled, with 153 infants in the breastfeeding group and 1 423 in the formula feeding group. Of all infants, 484 (30.71%) experienced infectious diseases. The breastfeeding group had a significantly lower incidence rate of infectious diseases than the formula feeding group (22.88% vs 31.55%, P =0.033). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that breastfeeding was an independent protective factor against infectious diseases ( OR =0.534, P =0.004), while male sex, premature rupture of membranes, gestational diabetes mellitus, and asphyxia were risk factors for infectious diseases ( OR =1.328, 5.386, 1.535, and 2.353 respectively, P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Breastfeeding can significantly reduce the incidence of infectious diseases and is a protective factor against infectious diseases in late preterm infants. Breastfeeding should therefore be actively promoted for late preterm infants during hospitalization.

Adjunctive psychosocial interventions are part of the preferred method to treat bipolar disorder (BD). This study aimed to conduct a randomized control and protocol-guided trial, in order to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of adjunctive group-based treatments for Chinese outpatients with BD. A single-blind trial in which 68 outpatients with BD were randomly assigned to either treatment as usual (TAU) or to an experimental group with 12 additional weekly sessions and 3 monthly booster sessions. Participants were assessed at baseline for mood condition, suicidal ideation, medication adherence, and quality of life (QoL), with follow-up assessments every 3 months over a 1-year period. The overall retention rate of this study was 89.7%. The results showed significant differences between groups for the variables evaluated, which included achieving euthymia, decrease of depression symptoms, and improvement of QoL. No improvements in medication adherence, reduction in manic symptoms, or suicidal ideation was observed. The results of this study support the transcultural validity and efficacy of group-based psychosocial intervention as anadjunct to TAU among Chinese outpatients with BD to promote improvements during the course of the illness including achieving euthymia, reducing depressive symptoms, and improving QoL., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The ongoing outbreak of viral pneumonia in China and across the world is associated with a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 1 . This outbreak has been tentatively associated with a seafood market in Wuhan, China, where the sale of wild animals may be the source of zoonotic infection 2 . Although bats are probable reservoir hosts for SARS-CoV-2, the identity of any intermediate host that may have facilitated transfer to humans is unknown. Here we report the identification of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses in Malayan pangolins (Manis javanica) seized in anti-smuggling operations in southern China. Metagenomic sequencing identified pangolin-associated coronaviruses that belong to two sub-lineages of SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses, including one that exhibits strong similarity in the receptor-binding domain to SARS-CoV-2. The discovery of multiple lineages of pangolin coronavirus and their similarity to SARS-CoV-2 suggests that pangolins should be considered as possible hosts in the emergence of new coronaviruses and should be removed from wet markets to prevent zoonotic transmission.

Previous studies show that Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) stands grown at the industrially-polluted site have experienced unprecedented growth decline, but the causal mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, to understand the mechanisms of growth decline of Mason pine strands under pollution stresses, we determined the reactive oxygen species levels and chemical composition of the current-year (C) and one-year-old (C + 1) needles, and calculated the needle construction costs (CCmass) of Masson pine trees grown at an industrially-polluted site and an unpolluted remote site. Pine trees grown at the polluted site had significantly higher levels of hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion in their needles than those grown at the unpolluted site, and the former trees eventually exhibited needle early senescence. The contents of lipids, soluble phenolics and lignins in C and C + 1 needles were significantly higher at the polluted site than at the unpolluted site, but the total amounts of non-construction carbohydrates were lower in non-polluted needles than in polluted needles. Elevated levels of the reactive oxygen species and early senescence in polluted needles together led to significant increases in CCmass and a longer payback time. We infer that the lengthened payback time and needle early senescence under pollution stress may reduce the Masson pine tree growth and consequently accelerate tree decline.

Aim: Connexin 43 (Cx43) and E-cadherin are important biomarkers related with cancer. Their expression at protein and mRNA levels was here investigated in 50 primary lung carcinoma tissues and 20 samples of adjacent normal tissue of Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)., Methods: Protein and mRNA expression were evaluated by ABC immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR., Results: (1) The positive expression rates of Cx43 and E-cadherin protein were higher in the adjacent normal tissues than those in the primary lung carcinoma tissues; (2) the positive expression rates of Cx43 and E-cadherin protein decreased with NSCLC progression; (3) the expression of E-cadherin protein was not related with the pathological type of NSCLC; and (4) the relative quantity of the Cx43 or E-cadherin mRNA expression was correlated with the the histological type, clinical stage, cancer cell differentiation and the lymph node metastasis., Conclusion: The data suggested that the Cx43 and E-cadherin are reduced with NSCLC progression, and might be important biomarkers for judging the metastasis and prognosis.

Two extremely halophilic archaea, strains RO1-28(T) and RO1-22, were isolated from a marine solar saltern in Jiangsu, China. Both strains required at least 0.05 M Mg(2+) and 1.7 M NaCl for growth. They were able to grow over a pH range of 6.0-8.5 and a temperature range of 25-55 degrees C, with optimal pH of 7.0 and optimal temperature of 37-40 degrees C. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strains RO1-28(T) and RO1-22 were closely related to Haladaptatus paucihalophilus, the single species of the genus Haladaptatus, with similarities of 94.0-95.2 %. The major polar lipids of the two strains were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol phosphate methyl ester, phosphatidylglycerol sulfate and three glycolipids chromatographically identical to the glycolipids of Haladaptatus paucihalophilus JCM 13897(T). Both strains RO1-28(T) and RO1-22 had a DNA G+C content of 54.0 mol% (HPLC). The DNA-DNA hybridization value between the two strains was more than 70 % (92 %) and both strains showed low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness (32 % and 33 %) with Haladaptatus paucihalophilus JCM 13897(T). It was concluded that strains RO1-28(T) and RO1-22 represent a novel species of the genus Haladaptatus, for which the name Haladaptatus litoreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is RO1-28(T) (=CGMCC 1.7737(T) =JCM 15771(T)).

Background: Recent epidemiological studies have proposed that male circumcision reduces the relative risk of acquiring HIV-1. Here, we evaluated the density of Langerhans' cell and degree of keratinization in the foreskins of Chinese preschool boys and adults., Methods: Sixty preschool boys and 20 healthy men without infectious history following male circumcisions were included. The keratin thickness and Langerhans' cells were quantified by using keratin staining, immunohistochemistry, and image analysis., Results: The extent of keratinization was much greater in the inner foreskin than in the outer foreskin in adults and boys with infectious history. It was likely to be less keratinized in boys' foreskins compared with those of adults. The density of Langerhans' cells was higher in the outer foreskin than in the inner foreskin of adults and healthy boys. Furthermore, an increased density of Langerhans' cells of inner foreskin was also found in boys with infectious history compared with healthy boys. There was much higher Langerhans' cell density in boys' foreskin compared with those of adults., Conclusions: These findings suggest that Chinese men may have a different feature of keratin in the foreskin, and a higher Langerhans' cells density in boys' foreskin may be due to it being less keratinized.

To investigate the spectrum of common mitochondrial mutations in Northern China during the years of 2000-2005, 552 patients of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies clinically diagnosed as MELAS, MERRF or Leigh's syndrome, 14 cases of LHON and 46 cases of aminoglycoside induced deafness along with their family members, accepted routine point mutation tests at nucleotide positions 3243, 8344, 8993, 11778 or 1555 in mitochondrial genome. PCR-RFLP analysis, site-specific PCR and PCR-sequencing methods were used to identify the mutations. Fifty-seven cases with A3243G mutation, 4 cases with A8344G, 2 cases with T8993C and 1 case with T8993G were identified from the 552 encephalomyopathy patients. In addition, one case with G11778A was found from the 14 cases of LHON, and 5 cases with A1555G from the 46 cases of aminoglycoside ototoxicity patients. Additional screening for T8356G and T3271C merely had limited significance for the diagnosis of MERRF and MELAS. Differential diagnosis among mitochondrial encephalomyopathies was often complicated due to many similar clinical manifestations. For A3243G mutation, the proportion of mutant mtDNA was not related to severity of the disease but to the age of onset.

Methylmalonic aciduria is a common organic aciduria disease. Recently, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been used to diagnose methylmalonic aciduria in China. Often, however, the diagnosis of methylmalonic aciduria is delayed because of a lack of technical expertise and the limited experience of general clinicians in China. In this study, the natural history, clinical features, and outcome of 77 Chinese patients with methylmalonic aciduria were investigated. Of the 77 patients, 31 (40.3%) had isolated methylmalonic aciduria and 46 (59.7%) had methylmalonic aciduria combined with homocystinemia. Thus, we observed a higher rate of the combined disease than studies conducted in other countries, suggesting that it might be more common in China. Total plasma homocysteine measurement might enable differential diagnoses of methylmalonic aciduria to be distinguished. The clinical spectrum of these 77 patients with methylmalonic aciduria ranged from neonatal death and severe symptoms to benign asymptomatic organic aciduria. Neonatal and infantile onset, which was a characteristic of the majority of cases, was associated with a greater severity relative to later-onset cases. Among the 17 cases who had onset after 3 years of age, only 1 patient had isolated methylmalonic aciduria and 16 had combined methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinemia. Nine of the patients with combined methylmalonic aciduria and homocystinemia completely recovered and exhibited normal intelligence, whereas seven improved, with a mild handicap.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the blood lead level of 3 - 5 year old children living in the cities in China and to provide scientific data for making policy on environmental lead pollution for children health protection., Methods: Six thousand five hundred and two vein blood samples from 3 - 5 year old children in nineteen cities of nine provinces were sampled. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were employed to determine lead level in whole blood after microwave digestion for sample preparation and questionnaire survey was also performed. Data were analyzed with multiple regression on factors which affecting blood lead levels., Results: Results showed that mean blood lead level was 88.3 micro g/L for 3 - 5 year old children living in the cities in China and mean blood lead level of boys (91.1 micro g/L) was higher than that of girls (87.3 micro g/L). Twenty-nine point nine one per cent of the children's blood lead level exceeded 100 micro g/L. The research finding showed: (1) higher blood lead levels had negative effects on children's physical growth, language ability etc. (2) behavior of parents had certain effects on children's blood lead levels. (3) blood lead levels of children were affected by unhealthy habits., Conclusions: Problem of childhood lead poisoning in China has become more serious. During the past ten years, blood lead levels of children has been increased in China while decreasing in developed countries. Blood lead levels of children in China are higher than that of developed countries, which called for special concern by government and society.