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In previous taxonomic studies, identification of Atlanticus species was mainly based on male morphological features, such as cercus, tenth abdominal tergum and subgenital plate. In this study, we systematically revise eight Atlanticus species (61 individuals) in East China. We sequence COI genes of all samples for identification, and compare morphologies and male calling songs. The classification based on male cerci, calling songs, and COI genes is consistent. In contrast, the morphologies of male tenth abdominal tergum and subgenital plate varied among species. In addition, we regard A. jiangyei Liu, Wang & Cheng, 2016 as a junior synonym of A. pieli Tinkham, 1941, and A. helleri Liu, Wang & Cheng, 2016 as a junior synonym of A. kiangsu Ramme, 1939. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse drug events (ADEs) are common in clinical practice and can cause significant harm to patients and increase resource use. Natural language processing (NLP) has been applied to automate ADE detection, but NLP systems become less adaptable when drug entities are missing or multiple medications are specified in clinical narratives. Additionally, no Chinese-language NLP system has been developed for ADE detection due to the complexity of Chinese semantics, despite ˃10 million cases of drug-related adverse events occurring annually in China. To address these challenges, we propose DKADE, a deep learning and knowledge graph-based framework for identifying ADEs. DKADE infers missing drug entities and evaluates their correlations with ADEs by combining medication orders and existing drug knowledge. Moreover, DKADE can automatically screen for new adverse drug reactions. Experimental results show that DKADE achieves an overall F1-score value of 91.13%. Furthermore, the adaptability of DKADE is validated using real-world external clinical data. In summary, DKADE is a powerful tool for studying drug safety and automating adverse event monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most common malignancies, gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in China. GC is asymptomatic in early stages, and the majority of GC mortality is due to delayed symptoms. It is an urgent task to find reliable biomarkers for the identification of GC in order to improve outcomes. A combination of dried blood spot sampling and direct infusion mass spectrometry (MS) technology was used to measure blood metabolic profiles for 166 patients with GC and 183 healthy individuals, and 93 metabolites including amino acids, carnitine/acylcarnitines and their derivatives, and related ratios were quantified. Multiple algorithms were used to characterize the changes of metabolic profiles in patients with GC compared to healthy individuals. A biomarker panel was identified in training set, and assessed by tenfold cross-validation and external test data set. After systematic selection of 93 metabolites, a biomarker panel consisting of Ala, Arg, Gly, Orn, Tyr/Cit, Val/Phe, C4-OH, C5/C3, C10:2 shows the potential to distinguish patients with GC from healthy individuals in tenfold cross-validation model (sensitivity: 0.8750, specificity: 0.9006) and test set (sensitivity: 0.9545, specificity: 0.8636). This metabolomic analysis makes contribution to the identification of disease-associated biomarkers and to the development of new diagnostic tools for patients with GC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microgrid optimal dispatch to reduce costs, carbon emissions and power fluctuation. • The multi-objective optimization algorithm based on war strategy. • Pareto frontier sort based on membership degree. • Reasonable allocation of new energy and energy storage. This article introduces a novel metaheuristic multi-objective optimization algorithm to address the complex multi-objective optimization scheduling challenges of the microgrids for the first time. Comparing with common multi-objective optimization algorithms, the proposed Multi-Objective War Strategy Optimization (MOWSO) has the following highlights: 1) MOWSO only needs to set three parameters. The few parameters make the algorithm simple to debug and real-world implement in practical applications. 2) MOWSO avoids the local centralized distribution of Pareto frontier based on a random selection strategy. The selection range of multiple objectives is expanded properly. In addition, a comprehensive multi-objective optimization dispatch model for microgrids is established, concurrently considering operating costs, carbon emissions, and power fluctuations. Furthermore, the impact of new energy proportion and Energy Storage (ES) on microgrid optimal dispatch is thoroughly investigated. Finally, a case study about a village microgrid in North China is presented to validate the effectiveness and the superiority of proposed multi-objective optimization dispatch model and novel MOWSO algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ketamine, as a non-competitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, was originally used in general anesthesia. Epidemiological data show that ketamine has become one of the most commonly abused drugs in China. Ketamine administration might cause cognitive impairment; however, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. The glymphatic system is a lymphoid system that plays a key role in metabolic waste removal and cognitive regulation in the central nervous system. Focusing on the glymphatic system, this study evaluated the behavioral performance and circulatory function of the glymphatic system by building a short-term ketamine administration model in mice, and detected the expression levels of the 5-HT2c receptor, ΔFosb, Pten, Akt, and Aqp4 in the hippocampus. Primary astrocytes were cultured to verify the regulatory relationships among related indexes using a 5-HT2c receptor antagonist, a 5-HT2c receptor short interfering RNA (siRNA), and a ΔFosb siRNA. Ketamine administration induced ΔFosb accumulation by increasing 5-HT2c receptor expression in mouse hippocampal astrocytes and primary astrocytes. ΔFosb acted as a transcription factor to recognize the AATGATTAAT bases in the 5′ regulatory region of the Aqp4 gene (−1096 bp to −1087 bp), which inhibited Aqp4 expression, thus causing the circulatory dysfunction of the glymphatic system, leading to cognitive impairment. Although this regulatory mechanism does not involve the Pten/Akt pathway, this study revealed a new mechanism of ketamine-induced cognitive impairment in non-neuronal systems, and provided a theoretical basis for the safety of clinical treatment and the effectiveness of withdrawal. [Display omitted] • Ketamine administration causes circulatory dysfunction of glymphatic system. • Ketamine administration induces cognitive impairment in mice. • Ketamine induces ΔFosb accumulation by increasing the expression of 5-HT2c receptor. • ΔFosb acts as a transcription factor to recognize and inhibit Aqp4 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great significance to study the soil pore structure for soil reinforcement and ground treatment because it can be used to evaluate the solidification effect and explain the curing mechanism. The pore and compression characteristics of clay from Wuhan in China before and after solidification by ionic soil stabilizer (ISS) in different soil initial states were studied by the use of standard consolidation test, environmental scanning electron microscope analysis, specific surface area (SSA) test, and analysis by PCAS software. Results show that the influence sequence of soil initial states on the change of pore characteristics and ISS-solidification effectiveness was as follows: reducing initial water content + remolding soil > reducing initial water content > remolding soil > natural soil with high initial water content. Besides, loading can also increase the solidification effect. Compared to random and chaotic pore directions of natural clay, remolded solidified clay had a more certain direction after curing and compression. In addition, the total pore number and SSA decreased from 1190 to 756 by 36.47% and 109.690 m2/g to 87.837 m2/g by 19.92% respectively. Results indicate that ISS-clay solidification effect in practical engineering is closely related to the soil initial pre-curing state and can lead to the change of pore direction, decrease of pore number, reduction of pore size and porosity, and formation of larger aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • An evaluation system considering pressure and pressure-bearing was established. • Grid scale ecological security was evaluated using this system and entropy method. • County scale security level was evaluated based on entropy matter-element model. • Changes of ecological security situation between 2000 and 2015 were explored. Abstract Ecological security is important for social and economic sustainable development which needs stable resources and eco-environment support. In this study, we established an evaluation indicator system considering pressure and pressure-bearing to quantify the ecological security for Kunming city as it is a socioeconomic center in Southwest China with important ecological niche and rapid urbanization. According to the weights assigned by entropy method, we overlaid 13 indicators which were divided into 2 units, pressure indicators and pressure-bearing indicators, to evaluate the ecological security on grid scale. And then, ecological security level on district-county scale was evaluated based on the entropy matter-element model. On this basis, we explored their spatial distribution characteristics and the change trend from 2000 to 2015. Results showed that spatial distribution characteristic of ecological security evaluation was similar with the results of pressure evaluation, showing the scores and levels gradually increased from the urban area to the surrounding areas. Compared the ecological security levels in 2000 and in 2015, both of the highest value and the lowest value increased slightly. In general, the area with improved ecological security situation accounted for 89.10% of the total area. In terms of the change trend of ecological security levels, eight counties deteriorated while five counties remained unchanged which were driven by different deterioration reasons. The evaluation results of this study can provide comprehensive and targeted support for regional sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Aims To investigate the status of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) research and the characteristics of patients with FH in China. Methods Published papers in Chinese or English language from PubMed, SinoMed and CNKI databases from 1971 to March 2018 were searched using 'Familial hypercholesterolemia', 'Chinese' and 'Han' as keywords. A systematic review of studies on familial hypercholesterolemia was then conducted. Results A total of 391 articles were found, in which 22% were in English and 78% were in Chinese; approximately 43% are case reports and 34% are genetic reports according to the study type; 52% discussed the status of the disease and 11% investigated the subclinical status according to the study content. Furthermore, 96% of the articles were published by tertiary hospitals and 46% were conducted by cardiologists. The first expert consensus was issued in February 2018. Of the 163 case reports published before 2018, 48.7% used the Chinese FH clinical diagnostic criteria and 34.4% did not clearly indicate the diagnostic criteria. The incidence rates of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) mutations were 82% and 9%, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) mutations were rare in Chinese patients with FH. However, the data on lipid-lowering treatment rates, compliance rates and cardiovascular events in FH remain insufficient. Conclusions Large-scale epidemiological investigation of FH has not been demonstrated, the recognition of FH remains rudimentary, and the guidelines are incomplete in China. The diagnosis and management of Chinese FH needs to be improved. Highlights • Familial hypercholesterolemia is a common hereditary disorder in china. • Familial hypercholesterolemia is extremely underdiagnosed in china. • Familial Hypercholesterolemia is undertreated in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrapanax papyrifer, the rice‐paper plant, is an evergreen shrub and is traditionally used as a herbal medicine in China. In October 2021, a serious leaf spot disease was extensively observed on T. papyrifer in Guizhou, China. Given the limited information available about the aetiology of this disease, isolations were performed, the morphological characteristics and multi‐locus phylogenetic analysis of the fungus associated with the disease were described, and the pathogenicity tests and Koch's postulates were completed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot on T. papyrifer caused by Alternaria tenuissima in China. Among 11 fungicides tested, 10% difenoconazole WDG had the best inhibition effect in vitro with EC50 values at 0.1 μg mL−1. This study provides new information for the identification and chemical control of Alternaria leaf spot of T. papyrifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partitioning, a method considering environmental protection and development potential, is an effective way to provide regional management strategies to maintain ecological sustainability. In this study, we provide a large-scale regional division approach and present a strategy for Southwest China, which also has extremely high development potential because of the “Western development” policy. Based on the superposition of 15 factors, including species diversity, pattern restriction, agricultural potential, accessibility, urbanization potential, and topographical limitations, the environmental value and development benefit in the region were quantified spatially by weighting the sum of indicators within environmental and development categories. By comparing the scores with their respective median values, the study area was divided into four different strategy zones: Conserve zones (34.94%), Construction zones (32.95%), Conflict zones (16.96%), and Low-tension zones (15.16%). The Conflict zones in which environmental value and development benefit were both higher than the respective medians were separated further into the following 5 levels: Extreme conflict (36.20%), Serious conflict (28.07%), Moderate conflict (12.28%), Minor conflict (6.55%), and Slight conflict (16.91%). We found that 9.04% of nature reserves were in Conflict zones, and thus should be given more attention. This study provides a simple and feasible method for regional partitioning, as well as comprehensive support that weighs both the environmental value and development benefit for China's current Ecological Red Line and space planning and for regional management in similar situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to clarify the temporal and spatial changes in the internal photothermal environment in an open-field agrivoltaic system (OAVS), this paper took the OAVS in eastern China as the research object and divided the internal area into the southern area, middle area and northern area, according to the spatial structure. Further, a photothermal environment test was conducted in the above three areas in the summer and winter. The results showed that the summer average daylight rate (Rm-avg) in the middle area was 66.6%, while the Rm-avg in the other two areas was about 20%, with no significant difference. In the winter, the light environment in the southern area was slightly better, and the Rm-avg in the above three areas was 26.4%, 24.7% and 19.7%, respectively. On the whole, the relationship between the thermal environmental factors and the solar radiation intensity was consistent. Further, a 3D model of an OAVS was established using Autodesk Ecotect Analysis 2011, and the internal light environment was simulated. Compared with the measured values, the relative error was less than 10%, which verified the reliability of the OAVS model. Then, the model was used to reveal the temporal and spatial changes in the light environment of the OAVS. The simulation results showed that the daylighting rate in the summer from the ground to the height of the fig canopy inside the system was 20.7% to 61.5%. In the winter, the daylighting rate from the ground to the height of the fig canopy inside the system was 17.7% to 36.4%. The effectiveness of the OAVS in reducing the level of solar radiation intensity depended on the time of day and the angle of the sun. At the spatial scale, due to the strong consumption of light by photovoltaic panels, there was a strong horizontal and vertical light environment gradient inside the system. In conclusion, the photothermal environment research of an OAVS based on Autodesk Ecotect Analysis 2011 can not only provide a basis for agricultural production and structural design such as span, height and the laying density of PV panels, but also expand its application to regions with different latitudes and longitudes and specific climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• DOM in Dianchi Lake were dominated by humic-like substances. • DOM in Dianchi Lake is affected by the macrophytes and algae distribution as well as inflowing rivers. • DOM components had high relevance to water quality indicators. • The DOM components of Dianchi Lake are prone to humification. Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is an important part of the material cycle in the water environment, and it plays an important role in the nutrient cycle of nitrogen and phosphorus in eutrophic water and biological processes. Dianchi Lake is a heavily eutrophic plateau lake in China. To investigate the fluorescence characteristics of DOM and the influences of DOM on water quality of rivers and lakes in the Dianchi Lake basin, three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry were employed to determine the features of dissolved organic matter (DOM) components. According to the research results, the DOM components in rivers and lakes in the Dianchi Lake basin were dominated by humic-like substances and affected by seasonal changes to a certain extent. DOM in Dianchi Lake is affected by the macrophytes and algae distribution as well as inflowing rivers, but the dominant factors are different in dry and rainy seasons. PCA results indicated that DOM components had relatively high relevance to water quality indicators, especially COD and TN. In conclusion, Lake ecosystem status and pollution levels can be characterized by DOM to some extent, the DOM components in the Dianchi Lake are prone to humification with the implementation of wastewater treatment and aquatic ecological restoration projects, as reflected in the improved water quality index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder disease among women in reproductive-age. Since follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) exerts important biological functions, the association between PCOS and FSH receptor (FSHR) polymorphisms attracts wide attention. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether polymorphisms of FSHR at 307 and 680 codons are associated with PCOS patients in China. Methods: Patients with PCOS ( n = 215) and controls ( n = 205) were recruited from Shanxi Province in north China. They are Han ethnics. Genomic DNA was isolated from the venous blood. The Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms of FSHR were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and direct DNA sequencing. Results: The distributions of genotype and allele of Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms of FSHR were not statistically different between the PCOS patients and the controls. Analysis of the frequency of FSHR polymorphisms showed no statistical difference among the PCOS patients with different obesity standards. Although there were no statistical differences in the most of the endocrine parameters including LH, LH/FSH, E2, P and T as well as the clinical pregnancy rate, there were significant differences in the levels of FSH and PRL among PCOS patients carrying different genotypes of Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms. Conclusion: The Ala307Thr and Ser680Asn polymorphisms of FSHR are not associated with PCOS in Han ethnic Chinese women in north China. The FSHR polymorphisms was related to the levels of FSH and PRL but not other PCOS-associated endocrine hormones as well as clinical pregnancy rate in PCOS patients of Han Chinese ethnical population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the conditions of scarce soil water availability, high UV exposure and huge temperature fluctuation, plant growth in desert is extremely limited. In the last three decades, reclaiming desertified land for agricultural use via the application of solar greenhouse has been developing in the arid regions, northwestern China. However, the soil microbiome shift driven by the transformation of land use remains largely unexplored. To this end, we examined the diversity and composition of the bacterial community in the vineyard soil at the edge of Tengger desert, using the high-throughput quantitative 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Two types of agricultural managed soils, including those near the plant (PLT) and the others on the fertilization furrow (FTL), were collected. Soils from the open desert land without agricultural practices were used as the control (CON). The results showed that agricultural reclamation significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the desert soil bacterial diversity while promoted the total bacterial abundance from 106 copies up to 108 per ng of DNA, which increased up to 90 folds. Among the dominant bacteria Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria, Bacilli and Actinobacteria were found to be the keystone taxa responding to the agricultural practices especially to the nutrient inputs from fertilization. The functional prediction of the microbiome suggested that amino acid and carbohydrate transport and metabolism were the most important metabolic pathways differed between the three types of soils. Overall, our findings provide deep insights into the understanding of desert soil microbial responses to agricultural reclamation on the processes of human urbanization and reversion of desertification. • Agricultural reclamation reduces desert soil bacterial diversity. • Fertilization has stronger impact than planting on soil bacterial community. • Agricultural reclamation increases desert soil bacterial abundance up to 89 folds. • Bacilli and Actinobacteira are the keystone taxa in reclaimed desert soil. • Nutrient inputs exclusively influence the bacterial abundance positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a project aiming to isolate strains with the ability to produce nonribosomal peptides, a Gram-negative, endospore-forming, rod-shaped strain, designated B5T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from Tianmu Mountain national natural reserve in Hangzhou, China. Strain B5T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in the cell wall peptidoglycan. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0. The DNA G+C content was 42.5 mol%. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain B5T fell within the genus Bacillus, with highest sequence similarity values to Bacillus barbaricus DSM 14730T (96.4%) and Bacillus macauensis JCM 13285T (95.5%). The isolate, however, could be distinguished from Bacillus strains with validly published names by low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values, distinct phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. On the basis of these polyphasic evidences, it is demonstrated that the isolate B5T represents a novel species of the genus Bacillus, for which the name Bacillus tianmuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is B5T (=DSM 22111T=CGMCC 1.8879T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Twenty autosomal short tandem repeat loci were genotyped in Zhangzhou Han population. • A total of 262 alleles were found among 1555 unrelated individuals. • The 20 autosomal loci in Zhangzhou Han population are useful in forensic medicine. • The structure of Zhangzhou Han was similar with that of the southern Han. China harbors 56 ethnic groups and Han is the largest population. It is informative and useful to explore the available population genetic characteristics of Chinese Han population from Fujian Province, Southeast China. In our study, we explored the genetic characteristics of 20 autosomal Short tandem repeat (STR) loci in 1555 unrelated Chinese Han individuals from Zhangzhou City, Southeastern China using the SureID® 21G Human STR Identification Kit. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis was performed between the Zhangzhou Han population and other relevant populations based on the shared autosomal STR genotyping. The neighbor-joining tree and multidimensional scaling analysis were analyzed based on the Nei's standard genetic distance. We found 262 alleles among 1555 unrelated individuals and the corresponding allele frequencies ranged from 0.5521 to 0.0003. The combined power of discrimination and exclusion of the 20 autosomal STR loci were 0.99999999999999999999999943 and 0.999999996166537, respectively. Population comparison revealed that the Zhangzhou Han population were lining up together with the southern Han populations in China while showed significant differences from other China populations. Our results found that the 20 autosomal STR loci in Zhangzhou Han population are meaningful for forensic medicine and human genetic. The genetics characteristic of Zhangzhou Han population is similar with the southern Han population in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the effects of different types of interference on nurses' working memory, and the role of attention control. Design: A repeated measures design. Methods: A single‐factor, four‐level within‐subjects design was adopted. Thirty‐one nurses completed a delay‐recognition task with four blocks in September 2020: Interrupting Stimulus (stimuli requiring attention), Distracting Stimulus (stimuli to‐be‐ignored), No Interference and Passively View. Behavioural responses of the participants and EEG data were recorded. MATLAB 21b and EEGLAB 21b were used for electroencephalogram data preprocessing and data extraction. Results: Firstly, when nursing information system was used as task material, the accuracy rate and false alarm rate of primary tasks under interruption condition was statistically significantly different with that of distraction and no interference condition. There is a statistically significant difference in electroencephalogram measurement between correct and wrong response under interruption. Secondly, the role of attention control was different under interruption and distraction. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the average amplitude distraction attention control index and task accuracy, and statistically significant negative correlation between the latency interruption attention control index and the accuracy of working memory task. Conclusions: There were different effects of interruptions and distractions on nurses' working memory and the role of attention control were also different. Measures can be designed according to these results to reduce the negative impact of interference on nurses, so as to improve work efficiency and reduce patient risk. Impact: This study has implications for clinical nursing during human‐computer interaction. Resumption of the speed of the target information after an interruption affected task performance. Therefore, interventions should be designed to reduce the time needed for nurses to extract task information after an interruption, such as providing key clues in the information system interface. Patient or Public Contribution: Registered nurses participated in the study as subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) and ozone can greatly affect human health and the Earth's ecological environment. By deploying a UV radiometer aboard a stratospheric balloon released at Qaidam (QDM) during the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) period in 2019, we provided in situ measurement of the UV profiles from the surface to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere over the Tibetan Plateau (TP), China, for the first time. Based on two in situ UV profiles accompanied by four ozonesonde measurements, this study exhibited detailed variations of downwelling UV and vertical ozone distributions over the TP during the ASM period. The UV differences between the surface and stratospheric balloon flight altitudes were 16.7, 15.8, 12.6 and 18.0 Wm−2 during the four ozonesonde launches. Due to the diurnal variations in photochemical production and the stratosphere-troposphere exchange, the integrated ozone columns below 30 km ranged from 184.4 to 221.6 DU from four ozonesonde measurements. A positive correlation between UV attenuation and ozone column was exhibited under low cloud cover and clear sky conditions. The results of this study are expected to improve our understanding of UV and ozone properties, as well as their potential effects on terrestrial ecosystems and living environments over this significant plateau. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent increases in concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD‐Cr) in Dianchi Lake, China, is an important factor affecting its water quality. Large volumes of cyanobacteria algae have also been recorded in this lake; its growth, distribution and metabolism are believed to directly or indirectly affect water quality. The relationship between metabolism of cyanobacteria and COD‐Cr in Dianchi Lake, and the causes of this relationship, are examined in this study. Results show that the increase of COD‐Cr concentration is closely related to the metabolism of algae, and that organic substances containing nitrogen and sugars, produced by metabolism, contribute to an increase of COD‐Cr to a certain extent. The characteristics of fluorescence spectra of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the Waihai area of Dianchi Lake are similar to those of algae culture water, and their dominant substances are protein‐like substances. Algae release organic substances into water during its growth cycle and extracellular organic substances are mainly released during its normal growth and metabolism stages. Once algae cells enter the decline stage, internal organic matter is released during the dying and decomposition stages, resulting in a distinct increase of COD‐Cr. A high concentration of organic matter is present in Dianchi Lake sediments, dominated by native organic matter predominantly derived from aquatic plants and plankton. This finding indicates a potential long‐term risk of organic pollutants being released from dead algae cells into the lake. Practitioner points: There is a distinct positive correlation between COD‐Cr and Chl‐a concentration in Dianchi Lake.Organic substances containing nitrogen and sugars produced by algae metabolism contributed to COD‐Cr.The cells die and decompose organic matter content in the water substantially increases, resulting in a distinct increase of COD‐Cr.Weight >20 kDa are mainly released into the water body during the decomposition of algae cells after mortality.Organic matter content in the water substantially increases, resulting in a distinct increase of COD‐Cr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the interactions between posaconazole (POS) and intravenously/orally administered cyclosporine A (CsA) in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Methods: We included 118 allogeneic HSCT patients who received CsA and POS simultaneously between January 2017 and June 2020 in this study. The ratio of CsA blood concentration (ng/mL) to dosage (mg/day) (C/D) before and after POS initiation was compared. Results: After the initiation of POS, the level of CsA increased 1 to 2 times in 66% (78/118) of patients compared to those without POS. However, the CsA C/D ratio increased by more than threefold in 6% (7/118) of patients after POS initiation, with an increase of more than fourfold in two patients. The median C/D ratio of CsA increased from 0.89 to 1.23 (P < 0.001) and 0.78 to 1.22 (P < 0.001) after POS initiation when CsA was administered intravenously and orally, respectively. In patients who received POS at the time of transition from intravenous to oral CsA, the value increased from 1.01 to 1.38 (P = 0.001). The route of administration had no significant effect on the change in the CsA C/D ratio (P = 0.615). Additionally, we observed the time required for the C/D ratio to reach a plateau after POS initiation was similar on days 13, 8, and 15 under various scenarios. Conclusion: POS treatment increased blood CsA levels. A large variability was found in the fold-change in the CsA C/D ratio. Therefore, CsA doses should be adjusted by closely monitoring the blood levels of CsA after POS initiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home quarantine due to the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a significant impact on children. Lifestyle changes have led to an increase in precocious puberty (PP) among girls, and the underlying risk factors for this remain unclear. Thus, we aimed to assess the influence of environmental, genetic, nutritional, and other lifestyle factors on the risk of PP in girls. We evaluated the incidence of new-onset PP in girls during home quarantine for COVID-19 and analyzed the potential risk factors. This was a retrospective questionnaire and medical record-based study involving 22 representative medical units from 13 cities in Henan Province, China. Girls with new-onset PP (central precocious puberty, 58; premature thelarche, 58; age, 5–9 years) between February 2020 and May 2020 were included, along with 124 healthy, age-matched controls. The number of new-onset PP cases reported during the study period was compared with that reported between February and May in 2018 and 2019. Patients' families completed a questionnaire to assess potential risk factors. There was a 5.01- and 3.14-fold increase in the number of new-onset PP cases from 2018 to 2020 and from 2019 to 2020, respectively; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.01). High-risk factors for PP included longer time spent using electronic devices, decreased exercise time, higher body mass index, vitamin D deficiency, young age (<12 years) of mother during menarche, consumption of fried food and processed meat, residence in rural areas, and consumption of off-season fruits. Thus, we found that lifestyle changes caused due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in PP in girls. Management of the risk factors identified in this study may help in PP prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose versatile risks to the environment and human health. However, studies on their occurrences, spatial distributions, seasonal variations, possible sources and potential risks of the Han River are still not clear. In this study, 16 PAHs were investigated in the surface water and sediments from 15 sampling sites of the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Han River during the dry, normal, and flood seasons. It was found that the sum concentration of PAHs (ΣPAHs) determined by GC-MS ranged from 18.3 to 146.8 ng/L (mean 77.4 ng/L) in surface water, while it was 137.1–1478.4 ng/g (mean 679.6 ng/g) in sediments. The two to three rings PAHs in surfer water and four-five-ring in sediments PAHs comprised the majority of the detected compounds. The level of PAHs in dry season was higher than that in the flood and normal seasons, and the distributions of PAHs varied substantially along the river without clear trend in surface water and sediments. The sources of PAHs in surface water and sediments were mainly from biomass and coal combustion, followed by petroleum combustion. The human health risk of PAHs were evaluated using the risk entropy method of Kalf in surface water, and the mean effects range-median quotient method in sediments, respectively. Overall, the potential health risks caused by PAHs are still acceptable with special concerns about certain specific issues. [Display omitted] • Anthracene in surface water and benzo[ a ]anthracene in sediment are the most predominant PAHs. • The sum concentration of PAHs show the highest concentration in dry season. • The main sources of PAHs are biomass and coal combustion. • Potential health risks of PAHs are acceptable with concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tea trees originated in southwest China 60 million or 70 million years ago. Written records show that Chinese ancestors had begun drinking tea over 3000 years ago. Nowadays, with the aging of populations worldwide and more people suffering from non-communicable diseases or poor health, tea beverages have become an inexpensive and fine complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapy. At present, there are 3 billion people who like to drink tea in the world, but few of them actually understand tea, especially on its development process and the spiritual and cultural connotations. Methods: We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, and other relevant platforms with the key word "tea", and reviewed and analyzed tea-related literatures and pictures in the past 40 years about tea's history, culture, customs, experimental studies, and markets. Results: China is the hometown of tea, tea trees, tea drinking, and tea culture. China has the oldest wild and planted tea trees in the world, fossil of a tea leaf from 35,400,000 years ago, and abundant tea-related literatures and art works. Moreover, tea may be the first Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) used by Chinese people in ancient times. Tea drinking has many benefits to our physical health via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anticancer, cardiovascular-protective, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity activities. At the moment, COVID-19 is wreaking havoc across the globe and causing severe damages to people's health and lives. Tea has anti-COVID-19 functions via the enhancement of the innate immune response and inhibition of viral growth. Besides, drinking tea can allow people to acquire a peaceful, relaxed, refreshed and cheerful enjoyment, and even longevity. According to the meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, different kinds of tea can activate different meridian systems in the human body. At present, black tea (fermented tea) and green tea (non-fermented tea) are the most popular in the world. Black tea accounts for over 90% of all teas sold in western countries. The world's top-grade black teas include Qi Men black in China, Darjeeling and Assam black tea in India, and Uva black tea in Sri Lanka. However, all top ten famous green teas in the world are produced in China, and Xi Hu Long Jing tea is the most famous among all green teas. More than 700 different kinds of components and 27 mineral elements can be found in tea. Tea polyphenols and theaflavin/thearubigins are considered to be the major bioactive components of black tea and green tea, respectively. Overly strong or overheated tea liquid should be avoided when drinking tea. Conclusions: Today, CAM provides an array of treatment modalities for the health promotion in both developed and developing countries all over the world. Tea drinking, a simple herb-based CAM therapy, has become a popular man-made non-alcoholic beverage widely consumed worldwide, and it can improve the growth of economy as well. Tea can improve our physical and mental health and promote the harmonious development of society through its chemical and cultural elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the major subtype of pancreatic cancer and head PDACs show distinct characteristics from body/tail PDACs. With limited studies based on Asian population, the mutational landscape of Asian PDAC remains unclear.Methods: One hundred fifty-one Chinese patients with head PDAC were selected and underwent targeted 425-gene sequencing. Genomic alterations, tumor mutational burden, and microsatellite instability were analyzed and compared with a TCGA cohort.Results: The genomic landscape of Chinese and Western head PDAC had identical frequently-mutated genes including KRAS, TP53, SMAD4, and CDKN2A. KRAS hotspot in both cohorts was codon 12 but Chinese PDACs containing more G12V but fewer G12R variants. Potentially pathogenic fusions, CHD2-BRAF and KANK1-MET were identified in two KRAS wild-type patients. Serum cancer antigens CA125 and CA19-9 were positively associated with SMAD4 alterations while high CEA was enriched in wild-type CDKN2A subgroup. The probability of vascular invasion was lower in patients with RNF43 alterations. The nomogram developed including histology grade, the mutation status of SMAD4, TGFBR2, and PREX2 could calculate the risk score of prognoses validated by Chinese and TCGA cohort.Conclusions: Chinese head PDAC contained more KRAS G12V mutation than Western population. The well-performed nomogram may improve post-operation care in real-world practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A high turnover rate has become a critical issue in the field of nursing and how to tackle the problem of nursing turnover has received increased attention worldwide. Hope, career identity, job satisfaction may be useful for reducing turnover. The aim of this study is to explore the relationships among career identity, hope, job satisfaction, and the turnover intention of nurses, and to test the mediating role of job satisfaction on the associations of hope and career identity with turnover intention. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A total of 500 nurses were recruited from five comprehensive tertiary hospitals using convenience sampling. The questionnaire included items about sociodemographic information as well as the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale, Nursing Career Identity Scale, Job Satisfaction Index Scale, and Nurse Turnover Intention Scale. Pearson's correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. We describe the study in accordance with the STROBE statement. Results: Hope (r = − 0.227, p < 0.001) and career identity (r = − 0.342, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with turnover intention. Job satisfaction played a completely mediating role on the associations of hope and career identity with turnover intention (β1 = − 0.09, β2 = − 0.33). Conclusions: Job satisfaction mediated the associations of career identity and hope with turnover intention. Thus, effective measures can be taken to enhance nurses' hope and career identity in order to improve their job satisfaction and thereby reduce their turnover intention. Providing nurses with more support, helping them find a spiritual foundation, and holding mindful activities that stimulate positive emotions are helpful. In addition, colleges should pay more attention to instilling nursing students with career identity and nursing values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients who receive neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), there are no reliable indicators to accurately predict pathological complete response (pCR) before surgery. For patients with clinical complete response (cCR), a "Watch and Wait" (W&W) approach can be adopted to improve quality of life. However, W&W approach may increase the recurrence risk in patients who are judged to be cCR but have minimal residual disease (MRD). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a major tool to evaluate response to nCRT; however, its ability to predict pCR needs to be improved. In this prospective cohort study, we explored the value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in combination with MRI in the prediction of pCR before surgery and investigated the utility of ctDNA in risk stratification and prognostic prediction for patients undergoing nCRT and total mesorectal excision (TME).Methods and Findings: We recruited 119 Chinese LARC patients (cT3-4/N0-2/M0; median age of 57; 85 males) who were treated with nCRT plus TME at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (China) from February 7, 2016 to October 31, 2017. Plasma samples at baseline, during nCRT, and after surgery were collected. A total of 531 plasma samples were collected and subjected to deep targeted panel sequencing of 422 cancer-related genes. The association among ctDNA status, treatment response, and prognosis was analyzed. The performance of ctDNA alone, MRI alone, and combining ctDNA with MRI was evaluated for their ability to predict pCR/non-pCR. Ranging from complete tumor regression (pathological tumor regression grade 0; pTRG0) to poor regression (pTRG3), the ctDNA clearance rate during nCRT showed a significant decreasing trend (95.7%, 77.8%, 71.1%, and 66.7% in pTRG 0, 1, 2, and 3 groups, respectively, P = 0.008), while the detection rate of acquired mutations in ctDNA showed an increasing trend (3.8%, 8.3%, 19.2%, and 23.1% in pTRG 0, 1, 2, and 3 groups, respectively, P = 0.02). Univariable logistic regression showed that ctDNA clearance was associated with a low probability of non-pCR (odds ratio = 0.11, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.01 to 0.6, P = 0.04). A risk score predictive model, which incorporated both ctDNA (i.e., features of baseline ctDNA, ctDNA clearance, and acquired mutation status) and MRI tumor regression grade (mrTRG), was developed and demonstrated improved performance in predicting pCR/non-pCR (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.886, 95% CI = 0.810 to 0.962) compared with models derived from only ctDNA (AUC = 0.818, 95% CI = 0.725 to 0.912) or only mrTRG (AUC = 0.729, 95% CI = 0.641 to 0.816). The detection of potential colorectal cancer (CRC) driver genes in ctDNA after nCRT indicated a significantly worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 9.29, 95% CI = 3.74 to 23.10, P < 0.001). Patients with detectable driver mutations and positive high-risk feature (HR_feature) after surgery had the highest recurrence risk (HR = 90.29, 95% CI = 17.01 to 479.26, P < 0.001). Limitations include relatively small sample size, lack of independent external validation, no serial ctDNA testing after surgery, and a relatively short follow-up period.Conclusions: The model combining ctDNA and MRI improved the predictive performance compared with the models derived from individual information, and combining ctDNA with HR_feature can stratify patients with a high risk of recurrence. Therefore, ctDNA can supplement MRI to better predict nCRT response, and it could potentially help patient selection for nonoperative management and guide the treatment strategy for those with different recurrence risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prognosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is optimistic with a 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate of 70-85%. However, the major causes of mortality are chemotherapy toxicity, infection and relapse. The Guangdong (GD)-2008-ALL collaborative protocol was carried out to study the effect of reduced intensity on treatment related mortality (TRM) based on Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) 2002 backbone treatment. The study was designed to elucidate whether the reduced intensity is effective and safe for children with ALL.Methods: The clinical data were obtained from February 28, 2008 to June 30, 2016. A total of 1765 childhood ALL cases from 9 medical centers were collected and data were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to bone marrow morphology, prednisone response, age, genotype, and karyotype information: standard risk (SR), intermediate risk (IR) and high risk (HR). For SR group, daunorubicin was decreased in induction IA while duration was reduced in Induction Ib (2 weeks in place of 4 weeks). Doses for CAM were same in all risk groups - SR patients received one CAM, others got two CAMs.Results: The 5-year and 8-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were 83.5±0.9% and 83.1±1.0%, 71.9±1.1% and 70.9±1.2%, and 19.5±1.0% and 20.5±1.1%, respectively. The 2-year treatment-related mortality (TRM) was 5.2±0.5%. The 5-year and 8-year OS were 90.7±1.4% and 89.6±1.6% in the SR group, while the 5-year and 8-year EFS were 81.5±1.8% and 80.0±2.0%. In the SR group, 74 (15.2%) patients measured minimal residual disease (MRD) on Day 15 and Day 33 of induction therapy. Among them, 7 patients (9.46%) were MRD positive (≥ 0.01%) on Day 33. The incidence of relapse in the MRD Day 33 positive group (n=7) was 28.6%, while in the MRD Day 33 negative group (n=67) was 7.5% (p=0.129).Conclusions: The results of GD-2008-ALL protocol are outstanding for reducing TRM in childhood ALL in China with excellent long term EFS. This protocol provided the evidence for further reducing intensity of induction therapy in the SR group according to the risk stratification. MRD levels on Day 15 and Day 33 are appropriate indexes for stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the influence of budget hotel characteristics on room rates in Shanghai, China, using a hedonic price model. The data of hotels' characteristics and room rates were obtained from Qunar. The structure, location, and reputation characteristics of hotels are found to significantly influence room rates. There are significant differences in characteristics between budget hotels and high-end hotels, and the influences of these characteristics on room rates vary. The results of this study will not only be helpful for consumers' decision-making, but also contribute toward a better understanding of rational rating for the hotel managers, improving consumer satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impatiens macrantha S. X. Yu&Ying Qin (Balsaminaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. Phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data shows the new species to belong to I. subg. Clavicarpa and to be closely related to I. tubulosa with which it shares succulent stems and racemose inflorescences, but it can be easily distinguished by having a 4 – or 5 – ridged stem, obovate or elliptic leaf blade, and saccate lower sepal. Furthermore, I. macrantha is distinguishable from other Impatiens in China by its obviously larger leaves and flowers. The evidence from morphology and molecular data both support I. macrantha as new to science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine whether patient–provider communication interacts with treatment outcomes to influence patients' risk perception. Background: Medical uncertainties and risks are among the most serious problems faced by patients. This is exacerbated by communication failure in patient–provider relationships and poor treatment outcomes. However, we do not know how communication and treatment outcomes shape patients' risk perception and concern about uncertainty. Design The study is a two‐by‐two between‐subjects design. Methods: Two studies were conducted and data were collected in 2019. Each study used a different research design and different samples: Study 1 used a scenario experiment with 120 undergraduate students; and Study 2 surveyed 200 inpatients in clinical settings. Results: The convergent results found a significant interaction between patient–provider communication and treatment outcome on the perception of medical risks among the participants. Conclusion: Patient–provider communication interacts with treatment outcome to influence patients' perceived risk about uncertainties for healthcare. Clinicians and nurses should be aware of the effects of patient–provider communication on patients' risk perception in their concerns about the uncertainties of treatment and pay much more attention to good healthcare relationship building in addition to the improvement of objective treatment outcome. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Medical uncertainties and risks are exacerbated by communication failure in healthcare relationship.Communicating information to patients is important when they are evaluating the risks and benefits of treatment.Current theories to explain medical risk assume particular psychological processes to reproduce empirical observations of financial risk‐sensitive behaviour. What this paper adds? A scenario experiment explored the interaction effect of patient‐provider communication and treatment outcomes on the perceived risk of medical treatment.We verified the results in the clinical context and revealed a significant interaction of patient‐provider communication with patients' perceived risk of treatment outcomes.Our model predicts that patients' risk perceptions are both path dependent and affected by the patient‐provider communication and treatment outcome. The implications of this paper: Healthcare providers, for example, physicians and nurses, are reminded to adhere to preferred communication and relationship building methods, in support of good treatment outcomes.Providing patients with humanized support and compassion from healthcare professionals may help them understand their illness and symptoms as well as improve their concerns about the uncertainties of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of melanoma is rising globally including China. Comparing to Caucasians, the incidence of non‐cutaneous melanomas is significantly higher in Chinese. Herein, we performed genomic profiling of 89 Chinese surgically resected primary melanomas, including acral (n = 54), cutaneous (n = 22), and mucosal (n = 13), by hybrid capture‐based next‐generation sequencing. We show that mucosal melanomas tended to harbor more pathogenic mutations than other types of melanoma, though the biological significance of this finding remains uncertain. Chromosomal arm‐level alterations including 6q, 9p, and 10p/q loss were highly recurrent in all subtypes, but mucosal melanoma was significantly associated with increased genomic instability. Importantly, 7p gain significantly correlated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in non‐cutaneous melanomas, representing an intriguing prognostic biomarker of those subtypes. Furthermore, focal amplification of 4q12 (KIT, KDR, and PDGFRα) and RAD51 deletion were more abundant in mucosal melanoma, while NOTCH2 amplification was enriched in acral melanoma. Additionally, cutaneous melanomas had higher mutation load than acral melanomas, while mucosal melanomas did not differ from other subtypes in mutation burden. Together, our data revealed important features of acral and mucosal melanomas in Chinese including distinctive driver mutation pattern and increased genomic instability. These findings highlight the possibilities of combination therapies in the clinical management of melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, industry is responsible for 88.15% of the sulfur dioxide emissions, of which coal-fired power plants account for around 35.62%. Moreover, over 90% of power plant had installed FGD implementers. On the road to an optimal economic emission control, this article develops an ILP algorithm to optimize the sorting SO 2 emission control technology costs, based on a detailed database that contains large amounts of information for 1,966 thermal power plants, such as unit installed capacity and annual generating capacity, coal consumption, sulfur content, emission control technologies, operation duration and geographical location. The results demonstrate that the total operating costs will increase along with emission abatement. When the average desulfurization efficiency reaches 95%, 98% and 99%, the total operating cost in China is 54.4 billion CNY, 64.8 billion CNY and 78.6 billion CNY, respectively. Under the scenario that every power plant reaches the SO 2 emission limitation, the total operating cost of following the least-cost retrofitting laws could reduce by 5.05% to 15.31% nationwide. Finally, the study suggests that desulfurization equipment with high removal efficiency should be installed primarily in larger units, and policymakers could develop cost-effectiveness control strategies for coal-fired power plants using the results of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine whether mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations are associated with schizophrenia, 313 patients with schizophrenia and 326 unaffected participants of the northern Chinese Han population were included in a prospective study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including C5178A, A10398G, G13708A, and C13928G were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP). Hypervariable regions I and II (HVSI and HVSII) were analyzed by sequencing. The results showed that the 4 SNPs and 11 haplotypes, composed of the 4 SNPs, did not differ significantly between patient and control groups. No significant association between haplogroups and the risk of schizophrenia was ascertained after Bonferroni correction. Drawing a conclusion, there was no evidence of an association between mtDNA (the 4 SNPs and the control region) and schizophrenia in the northern Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Southern China has one of the world's largest population of patients needing transfusions. Transfusion and chelation are not uniformly available and no magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment data exists to date. A total of 153 young β-thalassemia major (β-TM) patients were assessed using a validated 1.5T scanner in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China (PRC). Their median age was 13 (range 7 to 30), and most patients were young (22.0% age <10, 73.0% age <15, 88.0% age <18). Erratic health care made estimation of total transfusion and chelation exposure impossible. Despite their early age, 24.0% had severe cardiac hemosiderosis [T2*<10 milliseconds (ms)], at ages as early as 8 years old. Median heart iron was 1.68 mg/g dry weight (range 0.19-7.66) and increased with age ( p = 0.017), while liver iron was 22.2 mg/g dry weight (range 3.15 to 39.2). Serum ferritin levels were poor predictors of heart and liver, or pancreatic R* and pituitary R* values. Magnetic resonance imaging scans are needed to screen very young β-TM patients with immediate risk of premature cardiac death in developing nations and triage them to more intensive treatment. This is particularly important in countries with a large number of patients and limited resources. Our data suggests that in developing countries, there is no lower limit for thalassemia MRI scanning programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: In traditional Chinese medicines, Cortex Dictamni is prescribed for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases such as acute rheumatoid arthritis, skin inflammation and jaundice. Aim of the study: This study was designed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Cortex Dictamni on treatment of hepatic fibrosis and its possible mechanisms. Materials and methods: The in vivo effect of Cortex Dictamni extract (CDE) was evaluated by measuring histological changes and collagen content in CCl4-indcued hepatic fibrosis mice. Viability, apoptosis and protein expression of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) were analyzed by MTT, Annexin V staining and Western blot respectively. Results: CDE alleviated CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice and showed a much stronger inhibition of cell viability in activated HSC cell line HSC-T6 than that in normal hepatocyte L02 cells. Furthermore, CDE induced apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells associated with increased expressions of cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3. Interestingly, CDE activated STAT1 in HSC-T6 cells and the effect of CDE on apoptosis of HSC-T6 cells could be neutralized using JAK/STAT1 signaling inhibitor AG490. Conclusions: These findings suggest that CDE possesses anti-fibrosis activity with selectively induction of activated HSC apoptosis via activating STAT1, which might be a novel strategy for hepatic fibrosis therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Water balance and groundwater dynamics in the oasis and desert sites were altered. • Soil water and groundwater level patterns in the oasis-desert system were reshaped. • Regional groundwater availability is changing and approaching hydrological limits. • Over-development is the dominant control on regional hydrological regimes change. Irrigated agriculture greatly affects the hydrological systems and thereby eco-environment and food security in arid and semi-arid regions. However, a comprehensive assessment of the hydrological system dynamics in response to irrigated agriculture is still scarce, especially in oasis-desert systems of arid inland regions. Thus, we investigated the impact of irrigated agriculture on hydrological regimes in an oasis-desert system of northwest China. Temporal variations in water balance and lateral groundwater flow in oasis and desert experimental fields (i.e. oasis plot and desert plot) were quantified using the water balance analysis method. Soil water variations, groundwater dynamics and surface water and groundwater interactions in the oasis-desert system were determined by combining line transect survey methods and stable isotope (18O, 2H) techniques using the USGS MODFLOW software. The results showed that water exchange fluxes and groundwater dynamics were altered by the application of water-saving irrigation techniques and the increase in total precipitation. In particular, the downward total exchanging flux above groundwater table and the outward total lateral groundwater flow reduced significantly in the oasis plot. Spatial heterogeneity and profile variability of soil moisture along the soil water content (SWC) transect significantly reduced. Simultaneously, the depth dependence of SWC in oasis cropland and the deep soil moisture at the edge of desert were improved under water-saving irrigation scenario. Temporal variations in groundwater table depths (GTDs) exhibited three different patterns (i.e. stable, metastable and fluctuating) and maintained a continuously downward trend except for the oasis-desert ecotone along the GTD transect, and an abrupt change was found to have occurred during 2006–2012, prompting changes in the seasonality of groundwater resource availability. Groundwater recharge and discharge processes changed dramatically due to large-scale land reclamation and groundwater pumping. Groundwater depletion is approaching hydrological limits although the process is largely compensated by precipitation and streamflow variability. Water-saving irrigation in conjunction with restriction of land reclamation and adaptation of water management practices is, at least for the present, the most effective way to maintain the coexistence of oasis and desert ecosystems in arid inland regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traditional incision repair and minimally invasive repair for acute Achilles tendon repair have limitations. This study aimed to present our series of 23 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture that was repaired using two small incisions to assist the anchor repair of the tear and a new “circuit” suture technique. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 23 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with the new technique at Changhai Hospital between January 2015 and December 2016 and followed up for 14–33 months. Clinical outcome was assessed using the AOFAS, Leppilahti, and Arner-Lindholm scores. Complications, range of motion (ROM), and time to return to work and light sport activity were assessed. Results: The AOFAS score was 85–96 at 3 months and 92–100 at 12 months. The 3-month ROM was 27°–37°, and the 12-month ROM was 36°–48°. The Leppilahti score was 85–95 at 3 months and 90–100 at 12 months. The recovery time of the patients was 10–18 weeks. The postoperative recovery time to exercise was 16–24 weeks. There was only one case of deep venous thrombosis. According to the Arner-Lindholm assessment criteria, patient outcomes were rated as excellent in 20 (87.0%) cases, good in three (13.0%) cases, and poor in 0 cases. The excellent-to-good rate was 100%. Conclusion: The limited-open procedure combined with a single-anchor and “circuit” suture technique could be used to repair torn Achilles sites, with a low occurrence of complications. This new and minimally invasive technique could be an alternative in the management of acute Achilles tendon rupture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]