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Soil copper (Cu) pollution is a serious environmental risk in the Panax notoginseng planting area. However, the effect of Cu on soil microbial metabolism and nutrient cycling in this area remains unknown. Therefore, Biolog ECO-plate and enzyme stoichiometry methods were utilized in this study to investigate the impact of exogenous Cu (control: 0 mg·kg-1; Cu100: 100 mg·kg-1; Cu400: 400 mg·kg-1; and Cu600: 600 mg·kg-1) on the metabolic function of soil microbial and nutrient limitation in the P. notoginseng soil. The results indicated that Cu100 significantly increased soil organic carbon (SOC), total phosphorus (TP), soil C:N, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) 9.89%, 15.65%, 17.91%, 61.87%, and 90.56% higher than the control, respectively. Moreover, the carbon source utilization ratio of carbohydrates, amino acids, and amphiphilic compounds of Cu100 also increased by 7.16%, 25.47%, and 84.68%, respectively, compared with the control. The activities of b-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohyrolase, leucine amino peptidase, b-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and phosphatase significantly decreased with increasing Cu concentration. Soil enzyme stoichiometry showed that all treatments were limited by nitrogen (vector angle < 45°; 19.045-22.081). Cu600 led to the lowest carbon limitation (1.798) and highest carbon use efficiency (CUE:0.267). The PLS-SEM model also showed that MBC, MBN, MBP, and microbial diversity positively affected carbon and nitrogen limitation (0.654 and 0.424). Soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, stoichiometric ratio, MBC, MBN, and MBP positively affected CUE (0.527 and 0.589). The microbial diversity index significantly negatively affected CUE (-1.490).Multiple linear stepwise regression analyses showed that CUE wasmainly influenced byMBC, AP, C:P, and LAP. Thus, P. notoginseng soil can benefit soil microbial carbon and nitrogen limitations at low Cu concentrations. Clarifying the metabolic activity and nutritional status of microorganisms under Cu stress can provide some theoretical basis for realizing China's comprehensive and effective management and control policies for environmental risks from metals by 2035. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal pathogens are a major threat to public health, as they are becoming increasingly common and resistant to treatment, with only four classes of antifungal medicines currently available and few candidates in the clinical development pipeline. Most fungal pathogens lack rapid and sensitive diagnostic techniques, and those that exist are not widely available or affordable. In this study, we introduce a novel automated antifungal susceptibility testing system, Droplet 48, which detects the fluorescence of microdilution wells in real time and fits growth characteristics using fluorescence intensity over time. We concluded that all reportable ranges of Droplet 48 were appropriate for clinical fungal isolates in China. Reproducibility within ±2 two-fold dilutions was 100%. Considering the Sensititre YeastOne Colorimetric Broth method as a comparator method, eight antifungal agents (fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin, amphotericin B, and 5-flucytosine) showed an essential agreement of >90%, except for posaconazole (86.62%). Category agreement of four antifungal agents (fluconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin) was >90%, except for voriconazole (87.93% agreement). Two Candida albicans isolates and anidulafungin showed a major discrepancy (MD) (2.60%), and no other MD or very MD agents were found. Therefore, Droplet 48 can be considered as an optional method that is more automated and can obtain results and interpretations faster than previous methods. However, the optimization of the detection performance of posaconazole and voriconazole and promotion of Droplet 48 in clinical microbiology laboratories still require further research involving more clinical isolates in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is the largest kiwifruit producer in the world, accounting for more than half of the total. However, in terms of yield per unit area, China is much lower than the global average and lags behind that of other countries. Yield improvement is of critical importance for the current kiwifruit industry in China. In this study, an improved overhead pergolas trellis (OPT) system, namely, the umbrella-shaped trellis (UST) system, was developed for Donghong kiwifruit, which is now the second most popular and widely cultivated red-fleshed kiwifruit in China. Surprisingly, the estimated yield on the UST system was more than two times higher than that with a traditional OPT, while the external fruit quality was maintained and the internal fruit quality was improved. One of the mechanisms contributing to the yield improvement was the significant promotion of the vegetative growth of canes at 6 ~ 10 mm in diameter by the UST system. The upper canopy of the UST treatment served as a natural shading condition for the lower fruiting canopy and thus had positive effects on the accumulation of chlorophylls and total carotenoids in the fruiting canopy. The most productive zones on the fruiting canes (6 ~ 10 mm in diameter) contained significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of zeatin riboside (ZR) and auxin (IAA) and ratios of ZR/gibberellin (GA), ZR/abscisic acid (ABA), and ABA/GA. A relatively high carbon/nitrogen ratio may promote the flower bud differentiation process of Donghong kiwifruit. The outcomes of this study provide a scientific basis for manifold increase in production of kiwifruit and contribute to the sustainability of the kiwifruit industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community participation in research involving stigmatized populations has been sub-optimal, and digital tools could potentially increase participation in qualitative research. This study aims to describe the implementation of an online chat-based FGD (Focus Group Discussion) with men who have sex with men (MSM) in China as part of formative research for the PIONEER project, determine the advantages and limitations associated with the approach, and assess the feasibility of deepening community participation in STI research. Participants were involved in four days of asynchronous FGDs on sexually transmitted diseases and answered questions about the online FGD method. Online FGDs allowed us to deepen participant engagement through bidirectional communication channels. Data from online FGDs directly informed recruitment strategies and community participation for a clinical trial. Overall, 63% (29/46) of men who had never participated in offline LGBTQ + activities joined online FGDs. Many participants (89%, 41/46) noted that online FGDs were more convenient, less socially awkward, and more anonymous than in-person qualitative research. We highlighted potential risks as well as mitigation strategies when using online FGDs. Online FGDs were feasible among this group of sexual minorities and may be particularly useful in many cities where stigma limits in-person research participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the bacterial distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of clinical isolates from Gram-negative bacteria bloodstream infections (GNBSI) in China. Methods: The clinical bacterial strains isolated from blood culture were collected during April 2019 to December 2021 in 21 member hospitals of China Bloodstream Gram-negative Pathogens Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Surveillance Network (CARVIS-NET). Antibiotic susceptibility test was conducted by broth microdilution method recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI, United States). WHONET 2021 and SPSS 22.0 were used to analyze data. Results: During the study period, 1939 Gram-negative bacteria were collected from 21 hospitals, among which 1,724 (88.9%) were Enterobacteriaceae, 207 (10.7%) were non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria and 8 (0.4%) were others. The top five bacterial species were Escherichia coli (46.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (31.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.9%), Acinetobacter baumannii (4.2%) and Enterobacter cloacae (3.0%). For K. pneumoniae, antibiotic resistance was mainly prevalent in hospital-associated bloodstream infections, while for A. baumannii, antibiotic resistance was mainly prevalent in community-associated bloodstream infections. It is worth mentioning that 94.1% of the 1939 Gram-negative isolates were susceptible to polymyxin B. The sensitivity of the strains involved in our investigation to polymyxin B is highly correlated with their sensitivity to colistin. Conclusion: The surveillance results in CARVIS-NET-2021 showed that the main pathogens of GNBSI in China were Enterobacteriaceae, while E. coli was the most common pathogen. The resistance rates of K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and E. cloacae to multiple antibiotics kept on a high level. In many cases, polymyxin B and colistin has become the last-resort agents to combat bloodstream infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been extensively studied in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the clinical evidence remains inconsistent. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of rTMS on global cognitive function in patients with AD. Methods: An integrated literature search using 4 databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library) was performed to identify English language articles published up to October 6, 2021. We pooled Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores using a random-effects model via RevMan 5.4 software. We calculated estimates of mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The primary outcomes were pre-post treatment changes in global cognition as measured using MMSE and ADAS-Cog immediately after rTMS treatment, and the secondary outcome was duration of cognitive improvement (1-1.5 and ≤3 months). Results: Nine studies with 361 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that rTMS significantly improved global cognitive function immediately following rTMS treatment [(MD) 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.41-2.22, p < 0.00001, MMSE; 2.72, 95% CI, 1.77-3.67, p < 0.00001, ADAS-Cog], and the therapeutic effects persisted for an extended duration (2.20, 95% CI, 0.93-3.47, p =0.0007, MMSE; 1.96, 95% CI, 0.96-2.95, p = 0.0001, ADAS-Cog). Subgroup analyses showed that high frequency rTMS targeted to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for over 20 sessions induced the greatest cognitive improvement, with effects lasting formore than 1 month after the final treatment. There were no significant differences in dropout rate (p > 0.05) or adverse effect rate (p > 0.05) between the rTMS and control groups. Conclusions: Repetitive TMS is a potentially effective treatment for cognitive impairment in AD that is safe and can induce long-lasting effects. Our results also showed that ADAS-cog and MMSE differed in determination of global cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the incidence of infertility has been increasing gradually, while the natural rate of population growth is declining or even at zero growth. China is observed to enter a depth of aging society, leading to more severe infertility. Infertility patients face many predicaments, and many unreasonable behaviors existed in seeking medical diagnosis and treatment, of which the main influencing factor is economic condition. In China, Beijing has taken the lead in providing medical insurance for 16 assisted reproductive technology items. Assuming that all infertile couples with the option of assisted reproduction are treated, there would be a huge market gap. The reimbursement rate can be adjusted based on some factors within the affordable range of the medical insurance fund. Progress on infertility coverage in other countries was also reviewed. This paper cited the data of medical insurance funds in China in the recent 4 years as a reference. Based on the data, it is not currently able to cover all the costs of infertility diagnosis and treatment during the research period, but it is feasible to access selective reimbursement and subsidies for those in particular need as well as to develop some commercial insurances. There is a big gap in the application of assisted reproductive technology between China and developed countries. More comprehensive and constructive policies should be formulated countrywide to standardize the market. Assisted reproduction-related technologies and acceleration of the domestic medical apparatus and instrument replacement should be improved to reduce the cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Progressive conditions characterized by cognitive decline, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are clinical conditions representing a major risk factor to develop dementia, however, the diagnosis of these pre-dementia conditions remains a challenge given the heterogeneity in clinical trajectories. Earlier diagnosis requires data-driven approaches for improved and targeted treatment modalities. Methods: Neuropsychological tests, baseline anatomical T1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), and diffusion weighted scans were obtained from 35 patients with SCD, 19 with MCI, and 36 age-matched healthy controls (HC). A recently developed machine learning technique, Hollow Tree Super (HoTS) was utilized to classify subjects into diagnostic categories based on their FC, and derive network and parcel-based FC features contributing to each model. The same approach was used to identify features associated with performance in a range of neuropsychological tests. We concluded our analysis by looking at changes in PageRank centrality (a measure of node hubness) between the diagnostic groups. Results: Subjects were classified into diagnostic categories with a high area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC), ranging from 0.73 to 0.84. The language networks were most notably associated with classification. Several central networks and sensory brain regions were predictors of poor performance in neuropsychological tests, suggesting maladaptive compensation. PageRank analysis highlighted that basal and limbic deep brain region, along with the frontal operculum demonstrated a reduction in centrality in both SCD and MCI patients compared to controls. Conclusion: Our methods highlight the potential to explore the underlying neural networks contributing to the cognitive changes and neuroplastic responses in prodromal dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and physical activity (PA) in different domains among male coal miners of Shanxi Province in China. Method: The study was conducted from July 2013 to December 2013. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling method was used. Data regarding the general information of participants were collected by well-trained interviewers. MetS was denned according to IDF criteria. Self-reported PA was obtained with the IPAQ and categorized into three tertiles of intensity levels across occupation, transportation, household, and leisure-time domains. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to compute the odds ratios and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 3076 males aged 18-65 years old were recruited in this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of MetS was 40.5% in the study subjects. The percentages of vigorous-intensity PA in MetS and non-MetS groups were 70.07% and 62.92%, respectively. Participants spent most of their time on occupation (2034 MET-min/w) and transportation (693MET-min/w) domains. Higher-intensity levels in occupation domains were significantly associated with lower risk of MetS (OR: 0.759,95% CI: 0.633-0.911; OR: 0.627, 95% CI: 0.516-0.762). Conclusions: Across four types of workers, the relationships between PA domains and MetS were different. For underground and underground auxiliary workers, the negative relationship was found between occupation PA and MetS. For office workers, the negative relationship was found between household PA and MetS. For ground workers, only leisure-time PA had positively related to MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evidence on potential cardiovascular benefits of personal-level intervention among the elderly exposed to high levels of particulate matter (PM) remains limited. We aimed to assess improvements in surrogate markers of cardiovascular injury in vulnerable populations at risks by using indoor air filtration units. Methods: We conducted a randomized crossover trial for 2 separate 2-week air filtration interventions in 20 households of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their partners in the winter of 2013, with concurrent measurements of indoor PM. The changes in biomarkers indicative of cardiac injury, atherosclerosis progression and systemic inflammation following intervention were evaluated using linear mixedeffect models. Results: In the analysis, average levels of indoor PM with aerodynamic diameters < 2.5 μm (PM 2.5) decreased significantly by 59.2% (from 59.6 to 24.3 μg/m 3, P < 0.001) during the active air filtration. The reduction was accompanied by improvements in levels of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I by - 84.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 90.7 to - 78.6), growth differentiation factor-15 by - 48.1% (95% CI: - 31.2 to - 25.6), osteoprotegerin by - 65.4% (95% CI: - 56.5 to - 18.7), interleukin-4 by - 46.6% (95% CI: - 62.3 to - 31.0) and myeloperoxidase by - 60.3% (95% CI: - 83.7 to - 3.0), respectively. Conclusion: Indoor air filtration intervention may provide potential cardiovascular benefits in vulnerable populations at risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The exact biological mechanism whereby exposure to ambient ozone (O3) may contribute to clinical onset of cardiovascular events remains unclear. In this study, we aim to examine the impacts of O3 exposure on cardiac arrhythmias and potential pathways involved through autonomic dysfunction and myocardial injury. Methods: Seventy-three non-smoking healthy adults were followed with 4 repeated measurements of 24-hour ambulatory arrhythmias, heart rate variability, ST-segment deviation, and blood pressure (BP) in Beijing, China, 2014 ‒2016. Generalized additive mixed models coupled with distributed lag nonlinear models were constructed to evaluate the associations and potential interlinks between O3 exposure and outcome measurements. Results: During the study period, 24-hour average concentrations of ambient O3 were 47.4 μg/m³ (ranging from 1.0 to 165.9 μg/m³). Increased risks of premature ventricular contraction and ventricular tachycardia were associated with interquartile range increases in O3 exposure during the last 5 days before each participant's clinic visit, with relative risks of 2.14 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.95 to 2.32) and 5.47 (95% CI: 3.51 to 7.43), respectively. Mediation analyses further showed that sympathetic activation, parasympathetic inhibition, and elevated BP levels, as well as heightened risks of ST-segment depression could mediate up to 47.74% of the risks of arrhythmias attributable to O3 exposure. Conclusion: Our results suggest that short-term exposure to ambient O3 could prompt the genesis of arrhythmias partially through worsening autonomic function and myocardial burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of the "Belt and Road" strategy not only promotes the coordinated development of China's regional economy but also generates a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The research and policy recommendations on agricultural carbon emissions are of great significance for China toward engendering sustainable agricultural development and appreciably contributing to the alleviation of global climate change. In this paper, agricultural carbon emissions in the Belt and Road region of China from 2003-2018 are calculated, and its spatial-temporal characteristics are analyzed. Then, we modified the logarithmic mean Divisia index model from the original four factors to six to analyze the drivers of agricultural carbon emissions. The research results obtained are as follows: (1) Total carbon emission reached a peak of 26.6326 million tons in 2016, representing a 54.53% increase from the 17.2342 million tons in 2003. Moreover, it indicated a downward trend in 2017 and dropped by approximately 4% to 25.5685 million tons in 2018. (2) Spatially, agricultural carbon emission varies greatly, with the highest value recorded in Heilongjiang and the lowest in Tibet, thereby exhibiting the characteristics of "northwest>northeast>southwest>southeast." (3) Overall, the economic factor was the most important driving factor, whereas the subsidy factor was the strongest inhibiting factor for the growth of agricultural carbon emissions. Notably, the foreign trade factor had both promoting and inhibiting effects on it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a public speaking course taught at Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute. The first session is a "theory time" when skills in the course book are discussed, using sample speeches and presentations. The second is "do-it-yourself time" when students view videotaped homework speeches made by peers and then comment on the positive and negative aspects. (Author/VWL)

China is challenged with the simultaneous goals of improving air quality and mitigating climate change. The "Beautiful China" strategy, launched by the Chinese government in 2020, requires that all cities in China attain 35 µg/m³ or below for annual mean concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 µm) by 2035. Meanwhile, China adopts a portfolio of low-carbon policies to meet its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) pledged in the Paris Agreement. Previous studies demonstrated the cobenefits to air pollution reduction from implementing low-carbon energy policies. Pathways for China to achieve dual targets of both air quality and CO2 mitigation, however, have not been comprehensively explored. Here, we couple an integrated assessment model and an air quality model to evaluate air quality in China through 2035 under the NDC scenario and an alternative scenario (Co-Benefit Energy [CBE]) with enhanced low-carbon policies. Results indicate that some Chinese cities cannot meet the PM2.5 target under the NDC scenario by 2035, even with the strictest end-of-pipe controls. Achieving the air quality target would require further reduction in emissions of multiple air pollutants by 6 to 32%, driving additional 22% reduction in CO2 emissions relative to the NDC scenario. Results show that the incremental health benefit from improved air quality of CBE exceeds 8 times the additional costs of CO2 mitigation, attributed particularly to the cost-effective reduction in household PM2.5 exposure. The additional low-carbon energy polices required for China's air quality targets would lay an important foundation for its deep decarbonization aligned with the 2 °C global temperature target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective Segmentectomy can retains more healthy lung tissue than lobectomy, but it remains controversial in oncology for early stage lung cancer. The aim of this study is to discuss the problems of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) segmentectomy in early stage lung cancer, by analyzing the clinical and pathological data of 35 cases and reviewing the literature. Methods There were 35 patients who received segmentectomy by complete video-assisted thoracic surgery, from May 2013 to July 2017, in single operation group in the Third Hospital of Peking University. We analyzed the patient's clinical and pathological data, intraoperative and postoperative complications, lymph node number and metastasis its situation, and compared postoperative pathology and preoperative computed tomography (CT) imaging type. In 35 cases of segmentectomy, there were 11 males and 24 females, with an average age of 57.7 years old. The lesions located in the right upper lobe were 8 cases, in the right lower lobe were 8 cases, in the left upper lobe were 13 cases, in the left lower lobe were 6 cases. The mean maximum diameter of CT imaging was 12.7 mm, and the largest diameter of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes was less than 10 mm. 23 of them were ground glass predominating and 12 were solid components predominating. Results All 35 cases were successfully completed VATS anatomical segmentectomy. The average operation time was 153 minutes, the amount of bleeding was 51 mL. There were 10 cases of air leakage after operation, all of which were not more than 3 days. There was contralateral atelectasis in 1 case, chylothorax in 1 case. The average length of hospitalization was 6.1 days. There was no other complications outpatient related to surgery, in 30 days after discharge. The pathological changes were as follow, 2 cases of metastatic tumor, 8 cases of benign lung disease and 25 cases of primary lung cancer. In the 25 cases of primary lung cancer, there were 14 cases of invasive lung adenocarcinoma (7 cases were groundglassopacity (GGO) predominating in CT imaging), 4 cases of micro-invasive adenocarcinoma (3 cases were GGO predominating in CT imaging), 6 cases of adenocarcinoma in situ (all were pure GGO in CT imaging), 1 case of lung squamous cell carcinoma (mainly composed of solid in CT imaging). An average of 7.2 lymph nodes were removed in 25 cases of lung cancer, and all lymph nodes had no metastasis. Conclusion VATS anatomical segmentectomy is technically safe and reliable, and the indications for lung cancer need to be strictly controlled. Its advantages still need to be confirmed by prospective randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: For a therapeutic intervention after spinal cord injury (SCI), it is important to take accurate and objective assessment tools. OBJECTIVE: To explore the practicability of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) scale and describe the rehabilitation value of SEPs in different degrees of SCI. METHODS: Thirty-six SCI patients were enrolled in this study. All the patients received comprehensive rehabilitation treatment, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, functional electrical stimulation, and psychotherapy. The nerve function of the spinal cord was assessed by SEPs, the activities of daily living (ADL) was evaluated by MBI scale, and SEP recordings and MBI scores were obtained before and after treatment. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in SEPs latency among different grades of SCI before treatment. The SEPs latency after treatment was better than that before treatment in every grade (p < 0.05). Comparable differences among different grades were also detected by MBI scores before treatment (p < 0.05), and the MBI scores increased significantly after treatment (p < 0.05), higher in each group than another from grade A to B, C, and D. There was a linear correlation between SEPs latency and MBI scores before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: SEPs combined with MBI scale could objectively reflect the SCI degree and accurately monitor therapeutic intervention in SCI. SEPs have a greater value in monitoring SCI than MBI and their rehabilitation value varies in different grades of SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. There is debate concerning the effect of acupuncture on rehabilitation following stroke, with key reviews unable to find evidence of benefit. This lack of evidence may be due to poor study design, small sample size, and insufficient theoretical background. Objective. The present study was designed to determine whether acupuncture combined with conventional physical therapy improves motor function and activities of daily living in patients with subacute stroke compared with conventional physical therapy alone. Design. A multicenter, single-blinded, randomized study was conducted. Setting. Four rehabilitation centers in the Jiangsu province of China participated in this study. Patients. One hundred eighty-eight patients with subacute stroke admitted to the hospital were randomized into an acupuncture group and a conventional rehabilitation group. Interventions. A combination of body and scalp acupuncture was used for 3 months in the acupuncture group. All patients underwent conventional stroke rehabilitation. Measurements. The Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) and Barthel Index (BI) were performed at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months after inclusion in the study. Results. No statistically significant differences were found at baseline between the groups. No statistically significant differences were found between the groups using the FMA motor scores and the BI scores at baseline or at 1, 3, or 6 months. Significant improvements were found in each group following treatment. Conclusions. In patients with subacute stroke, the addition of body and scalp acupuncture to a regimen of conventional physical therapy does not result in further improvement in either motor function or ADL beyond the effect of conventional physical therapy alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sequence stratigraphy of the Jurassic coal measures of northwestern China has been studied based on data from outcrop and borehole sections. Because of the geological background and the diversity of basin types, such as isochronisms of coal seams and recognition of key sequence boundaries, it is rare to summarize and correlate sequence structure and framework. The types and recognition characteristics of the sequence boundaries of the Jurassic coal measures are revealed by comparing climatic characteristics, structural styles and the base level cycle. A total of five third-order sequences and 15 systems tracts have been subdivided and the sequence stratigraphic framework has been reconstructed confirming that the thick coals accumulated in the late stage of transgression system tracts of sequence I (SQ I) and sequence III (SQ III). This idea is of important academic significance for instructing coal resources exploration, and enhancing geological effects of prospecting engineering. It is also of practical significance for guaranteeing construction of the large-scale coal production base in northwestern China, accelerating the westward development of the coal industry stratagem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the findings of a national survey conducted in 2004 designed to examine the support systems for both learners and tutors engaged in tertiary-level Web-based English education in mainland China, this paper reports the findings of secondary analysis by identifying the tensions in the current learner and tutor support systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the two articles including "The Lancet. Ending violence against doctors in China. Lancet 2012" and "The Lancet. Chinese doctors are under threat. Lancet 2010" in the May 12, 2012 issue.

The article analyzes the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and genetic polymorphism of cell cycle control genes and chromosomal aberrations in Chinese vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)-exposed workers. It states that 77 occupationally-exposed workers and 43 unexposed controls. It revealed that mRNA expressions of p53 and p21 are changed with VCM-exposure status.