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The present study endeavors to unveil the progression of research subjects within the realm of China's ecotranslatology studies through the examination of journal papers in the databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science (WOS) from 2001 to 2022, utilizing CiteSpace software for mapping and analyzing cooccurrences among authors, institutions, and keywords. The findings indicate that within ecotranslatology studies, a prominent theory-founding research group represented by Hu Gengshen has been established, yet no comparable clusters have been identified among scholars engaged in debate or applied studies. Additionally, a lack of effective cooperation and diversity among research entities as well as inadequate responses to questions and concerns have been observed. Furthermore, research focuses have undergone a shift, progressing from theory founding studies (2001–2008) to confirmation and verification studies (2009–2014) and finally to revision and applied studies (since 2015). Additionally, research topics have transitioned from grand, abstract theoretical foundations to subtle, specific theory revisions and applied translation studies, yet a dearth of quantitative research, comparative studies, or field studies have been conducted. In conclusion, it is suggested that future ecotranslatology studies should be more responsive to doubts and questions, cultivate diverse research entities, and place greater emphasis on field investigation within qualitative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China emits unproportionately high concentrations of CO2 and, due to rapid population growth and industrialization, suffers from air, water, and soil pollution. However, many of these challenges for sustainable growth are being vigorously addressed, and China aims at a CO2 emission peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 ("dual carbon policy"). In addition, nation-wide programs attempt to achieve reforestation and ecological restoration. By 2025, core elements of a "bioeconomy" and a circular economy are expected to be ready. Many of these programs extend into China's international "belt-and-road" initiative (BRI). In this article, we briefly describe the present achievements of China's environmental solutions and the country's visions for a "digital, eco-friendly civilization." Key points: • China's steps towards environmental cleaning, eco-protection, and decarbonization. • Steps towards a future bioeconomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the association between the physical health (PH) and physical activity behavior (PAB) of children aged 3 to 6 years, and to provide a basis for the scientific planning of children's physical activity behavior in kindergarten. Methods: A total of 18041 children in China aged 3 to 6 years were selected as the research subject. The PH monitoring indicators were measured according to "The National Physical Fitness Measurement Standards Manual" (Preschool Children Version) (NPFMSM), and PAB was reported by teachers. The chi-square test was used to test for differences in PH and PAB across groups, the percentile method was used to rank PAB, correlation analysis was used to analyze the association between components of PH and PAB, and multiple linear regression was used to determine the independent association between PAB and PH. Results: Participants in this study exhibited poor PH status, and the detection rates of failure were 16.4% for boys and 16.8% for girls, and showed a decreasing trend with increasing age. The grade difference and sex difference in PH components were statistically significant (P<0.01). PAB changes to static activities with increasing age, mainly to static indoor physical activities (SIPAs). The regression effects of the total duration of physical activity (TDPA) and dynamic physical activity (DPA) on PH score and physical fitness (PF) score were significant (P < 0.01) but not statistically significant with static physical activity (SPA) (P>0.05). Dynamic outdoor physical activity (DOPA) is the core factor affecting children's PH, and is significantly positively correlated with the components of PH. Conclusion: PAB in kindergarten can improve children's PH, and reasonable planning of PAB in kindergarten has a targeted effect on PH promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subtropical forests play an important role in regulating global carbon storage, a substantial portion of these forest carbon pools are stored in biomass stocks. Yet, we do not fully understand how tree diversity, stand structure and functional trait identity influence biomass stocks along elevational gradients. Here we used forest inventory data from nine 1‐ha plots across different elevational gradients in subtropical forests of southern China. We analyzed the effects of tree diversity, structure and functional trait identity on biomass along elevational gradients, and tested the complementarity effect, selection effect, mass‐ratio hypothesis and specie‐energy hypothesis. We found that multiple metrics of diversity and structural attributes significantly promoted biomass. Forest biomass was improved by traits with greater maximum height, larger seed mass (SM) and lower wood density (WD). Specifically, large‐diameter trees were the strongest independent predictor of biomass relative to other single variables. A significant increase in tree diversity, density and biomass was observed with increasing elevational gradients; additionally, trees dominated by traits related to greater maximum tree height, larger SM and lower WD also increased. Elevation indirectly increased biomass by increasing diversity and community‐weighted mean traits, but indirectly decreased it by reducing structural attributes. Our results support the complementarity effect, selection effect and mass‐ratio hypothesis simultaneously, but not the species‐energy hypothesis. The selection effect had greater effects on stand biomass than the complementarity effect and mass‐ratio hypothesis. Our findings suggest that developing natural tree diversity and structural complexity as well as dominant resource‐acquisitive species is beneficial to maintain and enhance carbon storage capacity in species‐rich subtropical forests along elevational gradients. Plain Language Summary: Understanding the effects of both abiotic and biotic factors on forest biomass is important for forecasting the consequences of global change and for effectively managing carbon storage. We used forest inventory data from nine 1‐ha plots across sites and across different elevational gradients in subtropical forests of southern China to quantify the effects of tree diversity, stand structure and functional trait identity on stand biomass, and tested the complementarity effect, selection effect, mass‐ratio hypothesis and specie‐energy hypothesis. We found that multiple metrics of diversity and structural attributes significantly promoted biomass. Forest biomass was also improved by traits with greater maximum height, larger seed mass (SM) and lower wood density (WD). Specifically, large‐diameter trees had the strongest positive association with biomass relative to other single variables. Tree diversity, density and biomass increased significantly with increasing elevational gradients. Trees related to greater maximum tree height, larger SM and lower WD increased along elevational distributions. Elevation indirectly increased biomass through increasing tree diversity and community‐weighted mean traits, but indirectly decreased it through reducing structural attributes. Our results highlight that the selection effect had a greater influence on ecosystem functioning than the complementarity effect and the mass‐ratio hypothesis. Note that the study did not support the species‐energy hypothesis. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms that regulate carbon storage along local‐scale elevational gradients in species‐rich subtropical forests. Key Points: Larger‐diameter trees were the strongest independent predictor of stand biomass relative to other single factorsThe selection effect had a greater influence on the biomass of subtropical forests than the complementarity effect and the mass‐ratio hypothesisTree diversity, density, biomass and dominant trait identity increased along increasing elevational gradients, not supporting the species‐energy hypothesis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Super hybrid rice genotypes have transformed the rate of genetic yield gain primarily due to intersubspecific heterosis, although the physiological basis underpinning this yield transformation has not been well quantified. We assessed the radiation use efficiency (RUE) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of novel hybrid rice genotypes under four management practices representative of rice cropping systems in China. Y-liangyou 900 (YLY900), a new super hybrid rice widely adopted in China, was examined in field experiments conducted in Jingzhou and Suizhou, Hubei Province, China, from 2017 to 2020. Four management practices were conducted: nil fertilizer (CK), conventional farmer practice (FP), optimized cultivation with reduced nitrogen (OPT–N), and optimized cultivation with increased nitrogen (OPT+N). Yield differences across the treatment regimens were significant (p < 0.05). Grain yield of OPT+N in Jingzhou and Suizhou were 11 and 12 t ha–1, which was 14 and 27% greater than yields obtained under OPT–N and FP, respectively. Relative to OPT–N and FP, OPT+N had greater panicle numbers (9 and 18%), spikelets per panicle (7 and 12%), spikelets per unit area (17 and 32%), and total dry weight (9 and 19%). The average RUE of OPT+N was 2.7 g MJ–1, which was 5 and 9% greater than that of OPT–N and FP, respectively, due to higher intercepted photosynthetically active radiation (IPAR). The agronomic efficiency of applied N (AEN) of OPT+N was 17 kg grain kg–1 N, which was 9 and 68% higher than that of OPT–N and FP. These results show that close correlations exist between yield and both the panicles number (R 2 = 0.91) and spikelets per panicle (R 2 = 0.83) in OPT+N. We conclude that grain yields of OPT+N were associated with greater IPAR, RUE, and total dry matter. We suggest that integrated cropping systems management practices are conducive to higher grain yield and resource use efficiency through expansion of sink potential in super hybrid rice production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on land subsidence is a global topic. In recent years, the environmental problems caused by coal mining have received great attention. In particular, mining land subsidence caused damage to villages, buildings, farmland, etc., which seriously threatened the mining area's living environment and ecological environment. This study proposes a pressure-state-response concept model based on mining land subsidence to build an evaluation index system in coal mines. Based on this index system, given the uncertainty in the evaluation process, the cloud model is used to represent the index weight and comprehensive evaluation calculations, which fully consider the randomness and ambiguity in the evaluation process. The mining land subsidence of several mining areas in China was evaluated and classified into three grades (slight-medium-strong). The cloud model assessment results are compared with the result of the probability integration method and the actual situation. The assessment results of the cloud model are closer to the actual situation than the probability integration method. This shows that the established mining land subsidence evaluation method based on the cloud model in this study is reasonable and feasible. The mining width and height ratio, depth and height ratio, and coal seam dip angle affect mining land subsidence. Therefore, improving the mining method to deal with the goaf reasonably and optimizing the mining design to control the influence range of mining are essential measures to reduce mining land subsidence and protect the ecological environment of mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Old-growth forests are irreplaceable with respect to climate change mitigation and have considerable carbon (C) sink potential in soils. However, the relationship between the soil organic carbon (SOC) turnover rate and forest development is poorly understood, which hinders our ability to assess the C sequestration capacity of soil in old-growth forests. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the SOC turnover rate by calculating the isotopic enrichment factor β (defined as the slope of the regression between 13C natural abundance and log-transformed C concentrations) along 0–30 cm soil profiles in three successional forests in subtropical China. A lower β (steeper slope) is associated with a higher turnover rate. The three forests were a 60-year-old P. massoniana forest (PF), a 100-year-old coniferous and broadleaved mixed forest (MF), and a 400-year-old monsoon evergreen broadleaved forest (BF). We also analyzed the soil physicochemical properties in these forests to examine the dynamics of SOC turnover during forest succession and the main regulators. Results: The β value for the upper 30-cm soils in the BF was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that in the PF, in addition to the SOC stock, although there were nonsignificant differences between the BF and MF. The β value was significantly (p < 0.05) positively correlated with the soil recalcitrance index, total nitrogen, and available nitrogen contents but was significantly (p < 0.01) negatively correlated with soil pH. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that SOC has lower turnover rates in old-growth forests, accompanied by higher soil chemical recalcitrance, nitrogen status, and lower soil pH. This finding helps to elucidate the mechanism underlying C sequestration in old-growth forest soils, and emphasizes the important value of old-growth forests among global C sinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As China assumes a more and more dominant role in global science, this mini-review attempts to provide a bird's eye view on how the bio-digital revolution impacts China's biosciences and bioindustry. Triggered by top-down political programs and the buildup of an impressive infrastructure in science, information technology, and education, China's biomedical and MedTech industries prosper. Plant and animal breeding programs transform agriculture and food supply as much as the Internet of things, and synthetic biology offers new opportunities for the manufacturing of specialty chemicals within the Chinese version of a "bioeconomy." It is already becoming apparent that the new five-year period "145" (2021–2025) will further emphasize emission control, bioenvironmental protection, and more supply of biomass-derived energy. This review identifies key drivers in China's government, industry, and academia behind these developments and details many access points for deeper studies. Key points: Biotechnology in China Biomedical technology New five-year period [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confronting the outbreak of COVID-19, this cross-sectional study was aimed to assess psychological status of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) patients, orthodontic patients and the general population in China during the pandemic. An online anonymous questionnaire was developed in Chinese, including the individual background information, the perception of the epidemic, and level of anxiety and depression through Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). The respondents were divided into ORTHO group, TMD group and Control group. Descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression modelling were performed. In total, 1241 valid questionnaires were collected, covering 587 orthodontic patients and 220 TMD patients. It is shown that the overall mental health is not quite optimistic during the COVID-19 pandemic with the mean score of K10 being 18.65. TMD patients have higher level of anxiety and depression than orthodontic patients as well as the general population. Younger age, female gender, having close contact with individuals from Hubei province, higher self-rated infection possibility, concern about psychological barriers and distrust are negatively affecting patients' psychological status. Mental health care should be emphasized when hospitals and clinics reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially to patients with these relevant characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions of the sediment organic matter, fish feed and fish feces were measured to assess the impact of the aquaculture waste from the cage fish farm in Poyang Lake. The results provide evidence of the non-negligible effect of aquaculture waste on the sediment organic matter. The δ13C and δ15N of sediments varied from − 27.62 to − 25.66‰ and 4.83 to 6.92‰, respectively. The sediment organic matter had a mixed source of waste feed, fish feces and plankton. The average contribution ratio of waste feed and fish feces was 53.1% and 24.6%, respectively. The aquaculture derived organic matter ratio was high with ranging from 57.6 to 95.6%. The aquaculture waste seemed to disperse widely enough to influence the study site about 2.5 km distance from the cage. The dispersion and resuspension were the main two factors which can explain the great effect area found in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zhawulong granitic pegmatite lithium deposit is located in the Ganzi‐Songpan orogenic belt. Fluid inclusions in spodumene and coexisting quartz were studied to understand the cooling path and evolution of fluid within albite–spodumene pegmatite. There are three distinguishable types of fluid inclusions: crystal‐rich, CO2–NaCl–H2O, and NaCl–H2O. At more than 500°C and 350∼480 MPa, crystal‐rich fluid inclusions were captured during the pegmatitic magma‐hydrothermal transition stage, characterized by a dense hydrous alkali borosilicate fluid with a carbonate component. Between 412°C and 278°C, CO2–NaCl–H2O fluid inclusions developed in spodumene (I) and quartz (II) with a low salinity (3.3–11.9 wt%NaCl equivalent) and a high volatile content, which represent the boundary between the transition stage and the hydrothermal stage. The subsequentNaCl–H2O fluid inclusions from the hydrothermal stage, between 189°C and 302°C, have a low salinity (1.1–13.9 wt%NaCl equivalent). The various types of fluid inclusions reveal the P–T conditions of pegmatite formation, which marks the transition process from magmatic to hydrothermal. The ore‐forming fluids from the Zhawulong deposit have many of the same characteristics as those from the Jiajika lithium deposit. The ore‐forming fluid provided not only materials for crystallization of rare metal minerals, such as spodumene and beryl, but also the ideal conditions for the growth of ore minerals. Therefore, this area has favorable conditions for lithium enrichment and excellent prospecting potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 56-yr afforestation recovers soil carbon stock similar to the primary forest. • Afforested soil has lower carbon stabilization than the primary forest. • Afforestation with mixed trees may be a better choice from a long-term perspective. • Soil carbon sequestration potential is evaluated by C stock and recalcitrant index. Afforestation is considered as an effective method for alleviating the rising of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2) concentration through the accumulation and long-term storage of carbon (C) in the vegetation and soil. However, it is still unknown whether soil C accumulation in the restored forests could eventually recover to the equivalent level of the undisturbed forests and much less is known about how afforestation will affect C stabilization. Here we conducted a field study in degraded tropical forests of south China. The aim was to evaluate the recovery of soil C stock following afforestation by comparing different C fractions in soils (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) in two reforested forests [a restored secondary forest (RSF) and a managed Eucalyptus plantation (MEP)] to those in a bare land (BL) and a nearby undisturbed forest (UF). Results showed that after 56-year afforestation at the bare lands, C stocks in both soil layers were significantly increased with an increase greater in the RSF than the MEP, while C recalcitrant indices (RI) were reduced. Soil C stock in the RSF recovered to a similar level to the UF, but soil RI in the RSF was still lower than the UF particularly in the 10–20 cm layer. The calculated capacity of soil C sequestration with the product of soil C stock and its RI followed the order of UF > RSF > MEP > BL. Our results demonstrate that afforestation on degraded tropical lands could recover soil C stock within a few decades, but C stabilization would be reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. In China, Oldenlandia diffusa (OD) is a natural herb that is widely used and has been proven to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to preliminarily reveal the mechanism by which OD exerts its beneficial effect. Methods. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography photodiode array was applied to identify the absorbable compounds in the plasma of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model rats. After 2 weeks, an OD decoction or the identified absorbable compound was administered to CIA rats. Morphology, X-ray images of the joints, pathological images, arthritis index, and cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) levels were evaluated. Results. p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) was identified as the absorbed compound in plasma. After administration of p-CA solution or the OD decoction, symptoms in the treated rats were alleviated as compared to the untreated model rats, and inflammatory cell infiltration was suppressed. The arthritis index and serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were decreased as compared to the control group. Conclusions. OD may exert its anti-inflammatory effect on RA via its active ingredient, p-CA. This information sheds light on the mechanism by which OD exerts its anti-inflammatory effort in RA and forms the basis for further development of therapeutic agents for RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization and globalization are changing the conventional constraints of seasonality and geography on food consumption, such as that of fresh cherries. The rising demand for year-round cherry consumption in China is currently satisfied by open-field, greenhouse-produced, and imported products. This study conducted a spatial-temporal life cycle evaluation of the environmental performance of cherry consumption behaviors during different seasons of the year. Moreover, based on the definitions of global and local seasonality, the additional environmental costs of out-of-season cherry consumption were estimated. Results show that seasonality was an important factor affecting the environmental burdens of cherry consumption. Eating cherries imported from Chile by air in October resulted in the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 6.38 kg CO 2 -eq/kg, while eating domestic open-field cherries during May to July (the natural harvest season) was a relatively environmentally beneficial option. The total cherry consumption in China in 2019 generated GHG emissions of 126.99 × 104 t CO 2 -eq. Under the definitions of global and local seasonality, the out-of-season consumption led to additional environmental costs of 57.59 × 104 and 85.67 × 104 t CO 2 -eq, accounting for 45.35% and 67.46% of total emissions, respectively. Furthermore, the time-environment trade-off effect of cherry consumption illustrates the higher environmental costs are exchanged for satisfying the appetite for out-of-season fresh foods. Our findings emphasize the meaningful implications for developing a sustainable consumption pattern for all stakeholders involved in the entire food chain. • Spatiotemporal life cycle assessment was performed on cherry environmental impacts. • The environmental effects of consumption behavior at different times varied. • Seasonality was an important factor affecting cherry consumption-linked impacts. • Catering to year-round appetite for fresh food incurred time-environment trade-off. • Developing sustainable consumption requires joint effort from all stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Cognitive impairment is the leading cause of traumatic brain injury- (TBI-) related disability; however, the underlying pathogenesis of this dysfunction is not completely understood. Methods. Using an isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantitation- (iTRAQ-) based quantitative proteomic approach, serum samples from healthy control subjects, TBI patients with cognitive impairment, and TBI patients without cognitive impairment were analysed to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) related to post-TBI cognitive impairment. In addition, DEPs were further analysed using bioinformatic platforms and validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results. A total of 56 DEPs were identified that were specifically related to TBI-induced cognitive impairment. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that a wide variety of cellular and metabolic processes and some signaling pathways were involved in the pathophysiology of cognitive deficits following TBI. Five randomly selected DEPs were validated using ELISA in an additional 105 cases, and the results also supported the experimental findings. Conclusions. Despite limitations, our findings will facilitate further studies of the pathological mechanisms underlying TBI-induced cognitive impairment and provide new methods for the research and development of neuroprotective agents. However, further investigation on a large cohort is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China is actively promoting regulation of rare diseases, rare disease and orphan drugs have been formally incorporated into the national planning. However, few studies have been done to evaluate the affordability of rare disease patients in China. This study aims to provide policy recommendations for the establishment of social security mechanism for rare diseases in China, so as to address the problem of poverty caused by these diseases.Methods: A total of 7 rare diseases were selected by Delphi method. Affordability of treatment for the 7 rare diseases was assessed through annual per capital income, catastrophic expenditure and impoverishment expenditure among urban and rural residents in China.Results: Assessed through annual per capital income, health expenditure for the 7 rare diseases are all rather high. The highest health expenditure is equivalent to income of 69.34 years of one urban resident, and the burden is heavier for rural residents. Through catastrophic expenditure assessment, proportions of the population experiencing catastrophic expenditure caused by the 7 rare diseases are all under 0.167 ‰. However, once one is ill and taking medications, he will suffer from catastrophic health expenditure. Through impoverishment expenditure assessment, the proportions of impoverishment payment are low among both urban and rural residents, but the 7 rare diseases could lead nearly 4.6 million people into poverty on a national scale.Conclusion: The affordability of treatment for rare disease as well as orphan drugs is rather poor. Residents of different income levels all have difficulties to afford the treatment for rare diseases, so poverty caused by rare diseases is quite widespread. Therefore, social security mechanism for rare disease patients should be established and specific payment pattern for orphan drugs should be set up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hominin record from southern Asia for the early Late Pleistocene epoch is scarce. Well-dated and well-preserved fossils older than ∼45,000 years that can be unequivocally attributed to Homo sapiens are lacking. Here we present evidence from the newly excavated Fuyan Cave in Daoxian (southern China). This site has provided 47 human teeth dated to more than 80,000 years old, and with an inferred maximum age of 120,000 years. The morphological and metric assessment of this sample supports its unequivocal assignment to H. sapiens. The Daoxian sample is more derived than any other anatomically modern humans, resembling middle-to-late Late Pleistocene specimens and even contemporary humans. Our study shows that fully modern morphologies were present in southern China 30,000-70,000 years earlier than in the Levant and Europe. Our data fill a chronological and geographical gap that is relevant for understanding when H. sapiens first appeared in southern Asia. The Daoxian teeth also support the hypothesis that during the same period, southern China was inhabited by more derived populations than central and northern China. This evidence is important for the study of dispersal routes of modern humans. Finally, our results are relevant to exploring the reasons for the relatively late entry of H. sapiens into Europe. Some studies have investigated how the competition with H. sapiens may have caused Neanderthals' extinction (see ref. 8 and references therein). Notably, although fully modern humans were already present in southern China at least as early as ∼80,000 years ago, there is no evidence that they entered Europe before ∼45,000 years ago. This could indicate that H. neanderthalensis was indeed an additional ecological barrier for modern humans, who could only enter Europe when the demise of Neanderthals had already started. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Urban diet-linked GHG emissions and influencing factors were analyzed for China. • There presents great disparity of diet-linked GHG emissions among urban residents. • The non-demographic factors also have significant influences on urban DGHGEs. • Environmental sustainability should be considered when developing dietary guideline. Unprecedented urbanization is dramatically altering habitual food consumption in urban China, and consequently affecting diet-linked greenhouse gas emissions (DGHGEs). Building on the representative resident survey data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey, this study analyzed urban food consumption profiles and related GHG emissions from a life cycle perspective. Moreover, a CATREG (Categorical Regression) model was conducted to identify influencing factors. Results show that urban residents in China generate an average of 2.92 kg CO 2 e/capita/day, with 1.06 kg of foods consumed. Meat consumption has a dominant role in urban DGHGEs and is the main driver of variation in the DGHGEs. Urbanization level and most demographic factors with regard to household and individual characteristics have significant impacts on urban DGHGEs. However, the resident's awareness of the Chinese Dietary Guideline dose not significantly contribute to promoting low-GHG urban diets. A novel result of this analysis is that local ecological conditions, including geographical climate and resource endowments, have evident effects on urban food consumption and the related GHG emissions, despite the fact that urban areas heavily rely on food resources imported from other regions. Our findings offer knowledge-based inspiration geared to sustainable urban food consumption for both China and other developing countries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of covariates on the pharmacokinetic profiles of naringin in the total flavonoids of Drynaria fortunei (Kunze) J. Sm. in the Qianggu Capsule (强骨胶囊) by evaluating Chinese women with primary osteoporosis. Methods: A total of 98 female patients from the communities of Jingshan, Beixinqiao, Jiaodaokou, Chaoyangmen, and Donghuamen in Beijing, China, aged 40 to 80 years, were included in this study. Blood samples were collected before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 24 h after a single oral dose of Qianggu Capsule. The concentration in blood samples from 32 patients before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after drug administration were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, and full set of pharmacokinetic data was analyzed with nonlinear mixed-effect modeling (NONMEM) software. The mean of population parameters clearance (C1), central distribution volume (V), absorption rate constant (Ka1), inter-compartmental clearance (C2), peripheral distribution volume (V2) were set as parameters and estimated through base model, covariate model, and final model. Age, height, weight, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), hyperlipidemia, Liver (Gan) Kidney (Shen) yin insufficiency (GSYI), Kidney (Shen) yang insufficiency (SYI) were set as covariates. Results: The relationships between these parameters and covariates were analyzed. The results showed that C1 was the main parameter influenced by the selected covariates among the population parameters, and the relationships between the covariates and C1 were analyzed, among the selected covariates hyperlipidemia was identified as significant covariate of C1. Conclusion: The pharmacokinetic behaviors of naringin are altered with hyperlipidemia in Chinese women with primary osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, due to increasing carbon dioxide released, water acidification poses a series of serious impacts on aquatic organisms. To evaluate the effects of water acidification on crustaceans, we focused on the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis , which is a spawning migration and farmed species in China. Based on histological and oocyte transparent liquid observation, we found that the acidified environment significantly delayed the ovarian maturation of E. sinensis. Moreover, RNA-seq was applied to obtain gene expression profile from the crab's gills and ovaries in response to acidified environment. Compared with control groups, a total of 5471 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in acidified gills and 485 DEGs were identified in acidified ovaries. Enrichment analysis indicated that some pathways also responded to the acidified environment, such as PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Chemokine signaling pathway, apoptosis, and toll-like receptor signaling pathway. Subsequently, some DEGs involved in immune response (ALF , Cathepsin A , HSP70 , HSP90 , and catalase) and ovarian maturation (Cyclin B , Fem-1a , Fem-1b , and Fem-1c) were selected to further validate the influence of water acidification on gene expression by qRT-PCR. The results showed that the expression level of immune-related genes was significantly increased to response to the water acidification, while the ovarian maturation-related genes were significantly decreased. Overall, our data suggested that E. sinensis was sensitive to the reduced pH. This comparative transcriptome also provides valuable molecular information on the mechanisms of the crustaceans responding to acidified environment. [Display omitted] • Water acidification delays the oocyte maturation of Eriocheir sinensis. • Water acidification induces significant changes in gills and ovaries at transcriptomic level. • E. sinensis increased immune response to response in the water acidification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the emissions of air pollutants, acid rain in southern China poses a great threat to terrestrial ecosystems. However, its influences on ecological processes such as litter decomposition and soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation are still not clear. The aim of this study was to understand the potential mechanisms of carbon sequestration change in response to long-term acid rain in a subtropical forest. A field experiment with simulated acid rain (SAR) treatment was conducted in a monsoon evergreen broadleaf forest in southern China. Four levels of SAR treatment were implemented by irrigating the plots with water of different pH values (4.5 as a control, 4.0, 3.5, and 3.0). The results showed that the concentration of SOC and recalcitrant index for the SAR pH = 3.0 treatment were significantly higher compared to the control. Lignin fractions in litter residue layers were significantly increased, while soil microbial biomass carbon and soil ligninolytic enzyme activities were reduced under the SAR treatment. The concentration of SOC and recalcitrant index had positive relationships with the litter residue lignin fraction, but negative relationships with soil ligninolytic enzyme activity. These findings indicate that soil carbon accumulation could be enhanced with more stable lignin input under prolonged acid rain in forest ecosystems in southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reforestation on degraded land could recover soil carbon stock within a few decades. • Soil C turnover was still higher in the restored forests than in undisturbed forests. • Time rather than tree species constrains soil carbon dynamics following reforestation. • Afforestation has lower soil carbon turnover rate relative to natural restoration. • Changes in soil 13C natural abundance can be used to describe soil carbon turnover rate. As over half of the world's tropical forests are reforested or afforested, understanding the resilience of carbon (C) pool in these forests is critical for global C balance. While most previous studies on the reforested lands have focused on C stock recovery, soil C turnover has largely been overlooked. We evaluated soil C turnover rate by calculating the isotopic enrichment factors of α (defined as the slope of the regression between the δ13C difference and ln -transferred C concentrations in mineral soil samples relative to the surface litter) and β (defined as the slope of the regression between δ13C and log-transferred C concentrations) along 0–30 cm soil profiles in a 400-year-old monsoon evergreen broad-leaved forest (MEBF), a 51-year-old mixed-native plantation (NP1), a 31-year-old mixed-native plantation (NP2), a 31-year-old Acacia mangium plantation (AP), a 31-year-old mixed-conifer plantation (CP), and a 31-year-old secondary forest with natural restoration (SF). Results showed that soil C stocks did not differ among the six forests. The estimated α values ranged from 1.0023 to 1.0086 and increased in the order of MEBF = NP1 < NP2 = AP = CP < SF. The estimated β values ranged from −19.70 to −5.22 but showed an opposite trend to α values. Additionally, changes of the α and β values among these forests were mainly regulated by soil water content and bulk density. Our findings demonstrate that forest restoration could enhance soil C stock equivalent to the undisturbed old-growth forests within a few decades, but the rate of soil C turnover in these restored forests were still higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil carbon (C) sequestration and stabilization are determined by not only the C input to the soil but also the decomposition rate of soil organic matter (SOM), which is mainly mediated by soil microbes. Afforestation, an effective practice to restore forests from degraded or bare lands, may alter soil microbial properties, and thus soil C and nitrogen (N) dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of different afforestation strategies on soil microbial compositions and activities after afforestation for half a century. Soil samples were collected from two afforested sites (i.e., a restored secondary forest (RSF) and a managed Eucalyptus forest (MEP)) and two reference sites (i.e., a nearby undisturbed forest (UF), representing the climax vegetation and a bare land (BL), representing the original state before restoration) in south China. We quantified the soil microbial biomass, microbial community compositions, and activities of nine extracellular enzymes at different soil depths and in different seasons. Results showed that the soil microbial biomass, all the main soil microbial groups, and the activities of all extracellular enzymes were significantly increased after afforestation compared to the BL sites, while the ratios of fungi/bacteria (F/B), specific enzyme activities, and the ecoenzymatic stoichiometry were significantly decreased regardless of the season and soil depth. Between the two afforested sites, these microbial properties were generally higher in the RSF than MEP. However, the microbial properties in the RSF were still lower than those in the UF, although the differences varied with different seasons, soil depths, and microbial groups or enzymes. Our findings demonstrated that afforestation might significantly improve microbial properties. Afforestation is more effective in mixed-species plantation than in the monoculture Eucalyptus plantation but needs a much longer time to approach an equivalent level to the primary forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granitic pegmatite deposits, which are usually products of orogenic processes during plate convergence, can be used to demonstrate regional tectonic evolution processes. In the eastern Tibetan Plateau in China, the Jiajika, Dahongliutan, Xuebaoding, Zhawulong, and Ke'eryin rare metal pegmatite deposits are located in the southern, western, northern, midwestern, and central areas of the Songpan–Ganzê orogenic belt, respectively. In this study, we dated two muscovite Ar–Ar ages of 189.4 ± 1.1 Ma and 187.0 ± 1.1 Ma from spodumene pegmatites of the Dahongliutan deposit. We also dated one zircon U-Pb age of 211.6 ± 5.2 Ma from muscovite granite, two muscovite Ar–Ar ages of 179.6 ± 1.0 Ma and 174.3 ± 0.9 Ma, and one columbite–tantalite U-Pb age of 204.5 ± 1.8 Ma from spodumene pegmatites of the Zhawulong deposit. In addition, we dated one muscovite Ar–Ar age of 159.0 ± 1.4 Ma from spodumene pegmatite of the Ke'eryin deposit. Combining these ages and previous studies in chronology, we concluded that the granitic magma in the Jiajika, Xuebaoding, Dahongliutan, Zhawulong, and Ke'eryin deposits intruded into Triassic metaturbidites at approximately 223, 221, 220–217, 212, and 207–205 Ma, respectively, and that the crystallization of the corresponding pegmatite ceased at approximately 199–196, 195–190, 189–187, 180–174, and 159 Ma, respectively. In this study, we demonstrated that the peak in magmatic activity and the final crystallization age of the pegmatite lagged behind one another from the outer areas of the orogeny belt to the inner areas. The pegmatite–parented granitic magmas were sourced from Triassic metaturbidites that were melted by shear heating along the large-scale decollement resulting from Indosinian collisions along the North China block, Qiangtang–Changdu block, and Yangtze block. As a result, the above temporal and spatial regularities indicated that the tectonic–thermal stress resulting from the collisions of three blocks was transferred from the outer areas of the orogenic belt to the inner areas. A large amount of heat and a slow cooling rate at the convergent center of thermal stress in two directions will lead to crystallization and differentiation of magma in the Songpan–Ganzê orogenic belt, forming additional rare metal deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the SinoProbe, a deep exploration and multidisciplinary earth science research program in China, which was successfully conducted scientific deep drilling, named ZK01 in the Zhuanqiao district of the Luzong Basin. It mentions that three types of fluid inclusions including liquid-rich, gas-rich and daughter mineral-bearing fluid inclusions was observed. It also mentions that boiling are occurred in fluid evolution changing physical and chemical state.

The effect of freeze-thaw weathering cycles caused by diurnal and seasonal temperature changes is a significant disadvantage in the stability of rock engineering in cold regions. To investigate the evolution rule of rock strength and infrared radiation characteristics of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rock subjected to freeze-thaw weathering cycles, freeze-thaw weathering cycle treatment was conducted on coarse-grained granite, fine-grained marble and soft red sandstone from cold regions in Western China. The nondestructive detection technique of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used for rock damage detection. Infrared thermography was used to monitor the rock debris movement, crack propagation and average infrared radiation temperature (AIRT) during unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing. The mechanisms of rock damage and change in AIRT induced by freeze-thaw weathering cycles were carefully analyzed. According to the UCS evolution rule, the ranking order (from high to low) of the results of rock resistance to freeze-thaw weathering processes is as follows: marble, granite and sandstone. An indicator called the infrared radiation rate was proposed to measure the rate of increase in infrared radiation temperature with increasing stress during the UCS tests. The rank order (from high to low) of the infrared radiation rate results is as follows: sandstone, marble and granite. Based on the infrared images and photographs of the failed rock specimens, the failure patterns and processes of the different rock types are investigated. • The ranking order (from high to low) of rock resistance to freeze-thaw weathering is marble, granite and sandstone. • Infrared radiation characteristics for three main types of rock subjected to freeze-thaw weathering cycles were presented. • Infrared radiation rate is proposed to measure the rate of infrared radiation temperature increase with increasing stress. • The failure pattern and process of different rock types are investigated based on infrared images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution in water seriously affects human health. The disadvantages of traditional metal ion detection methods involve long and cumbersome chemical pretreatment in the early stage, and large volume of samples. In this study, microalgae were used as the medium, and terahertz spectroscopy technology was employed to collect the changes of material components in it, so as to deduce the types and concentrations of heavy metal pollution in water. Through the partial least square(PLS), we establish the prediction model of heavy metal concentration, and the results show that the best detection time for Pb2+ is 6 h and Ni2+ is 18 h. The principal component analysis(PCA) shows that β-carotene is the most affected substance. Afterward we collect five real surface waters in East China and verify that the judgment accuracy of Pb2+ and Ni2+ are 100% and 93.2% respectively. The results indicate that the time is shorter than the traditional pretreatment time from more than 20–6 h, the sample volume is reduced from 50 mL to 10 mL, the detection accuracy is improved from 10 ng/mL to 1 ng/mL. In a word, we provide a new fast and real-time method for biological monitoring of heavy metal pollution in water. [Display omitted] • Detection of heavy metal pollution in water by terahertz spectroscopy combined with microalgae. • The accuracy of detecting the concentration of Pb2+ and Ni2+ is 0.1 ng/mL. • The prediction accuracy of Pb2+ is 100%, The prediction accuracy of Ni2+ is 93.2%. • The prediction time of Pb2+ is 6 h. • The consumed sample size is 10 mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How the Northeast Revitalization Plan is reshaping the socioeconomic and energy system of this rustbelt region in China remains unclear to date. In this study, an ecological network model based on environmentally extended input-output tables was developed to quantify the changes in the energy metabolic process of Jilin Province under the implementation of the revitalization policy from 2002 to 2012. The results showed that large investments under the revitalization policy triggered substantial increases in embodied energy consumption, from 314.25 Mtce in 2002 to 651.33 Mtce in 2012. The transportation equipment and chemical products sectors achieved evident scale expansion and strengthened their dominant influence on the energy metabolic system, indicated by the increase of both pulling and driving force indicators. However, the construction and service group sectors presented a stagnant energy consumption trend, which suggested that this revitalization process had failed to fuel urbanization and social development. In addition, the dominance of exploitation relationships among the sectors remained unchanged. The robustness index decreased from 0.32 to 0.28 due to the increase in redundancy and the decrease in efficiency in the system, which is an unfavorable trend for sustainable regional development. This research revealed the complicated effect of revitalization efforts on the energy metabolic system of a rustbelt region, which is informative for effective energy policy making as well as revitalization plan adjustment. • The energy metabolic system of Jilin Province was analyzed using ENA model. • Revitalization policy triggers significant changes of energy metabolic system. • The decline of robustness index shows unfavorable trend for sustainability. • Policy adjustment is needed to achieve real revitalization of rustbelt as NECR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fifteen autosomal STRs loci were analyzed from two samples of 178 healthy unrelated autochthonous individuals of Chinese Dongxiang and Salar ethnic minority groups using a multiplex PCR system. Allele frequencies distribution and statistical parameters for all STR loci, D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA, were determined by the AmpFISTR Identifiler Kit. The observed genotype frequencies and expected of genotype frequencies were evaluated by χ 2-test and the Fisher exact tests. χ 2-test showed that the agreement with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (p >0.05) was for all studied STR loci of two populations. The data in the present study can be used greatly for routine forensic application in the region, and enrich Chinese ethnical genetic informational resources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report allele frequencies and statistical parameters of 15 short tandem repeats (STR) loci (D8S1179, D21S11, D7S820, CSF1PO, D3S1358, TH01, D13S317, D16S539, D2S1338, D19S433, vWA, TPOX, D18S51, D5S818 and FGA) determined in 850 unrelated individuals of Chinese Tibetan, an ethnic group residing in Qinghai Province, China. We observed 155 alleles with allele frequencies ranging from 0.0006 to 0.5682. The distribution of these observed genotypes were not significantly different from the expected distribution according to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The forensic parameters from the data showed high values. In conclusion, the 15 STR loci are useful for forensic analysis, paternity tests for Tibetans in the region, and population genetic studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study employed an input-output approach to measure household CO 2 emissions (HCEs) in Sichuan province, China from 2010 to 2017. A ZSG-DEA model with a factor constraint cone was built, to allocate such emission allowances to provincial subordinate cities and investigate their spatiotemporal heterogeneity. Using Tapio decoupling analysis, this study further examined the nexus between regional economic performance and HCEs. The results indicated that HCEs in Sichuan province initially increased and then decreased, peaking at 69.60 million tons in 2015. The structure of the HCEs changed from coal- to petroleum-dominated from 2010 to 2017. Indirect emissions from consumption-related sectors accounted for 60% of the total HCEs, including food, transportation, communication, and accommodation. The capital city of Chengdu, with the largest economic scale, overwhelmingly dominated the total household CO 2 emissions, whereas Panzhihua, a heavy-industry-dominated city, had the highest HCEs  per capita. The Tapio decoupling results suggested that seven cities, led by Chengdu, had strong decoupling statuses, indicating that these cities performed well in the trade-off between economic growth and HCEs reduction. These results indicated that HCEs had a head effect centered on cities with advanced urbanization, but there was a virtuous cycle between CO 2 emissions reduction and economic development. Given the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of HCEs, differentiated policymaking on emissions reduction is the key to facilitating green transformations., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

As an important basis for the optimization of territorial space, ecological management zoning is of great significance for maintaining regional ecological security and promoting the construction of ecological civilization. With 10 ecosystem services, such as wind break and sand fixation, water conservation, and forest and grass supply, we built a supply index system for Xinjiang. Modelling and ecological economics methods were used to quantify ecosystem service supply. Ecosystem service demand of Xinjiang in 2020 was quantitatively assessed by combining land use intensity, population, and economic status. Based on the ecosystem service supply-demand ratio model and quadrant matching method, we explored the matching relationship and spatial differentiation of ecosystem ser-vice supply and demands on the 1 km grid scale. The breaking point formula and field intensity formula were used to evaluate the flow range and intensity of ecosystem services, and then ecological management zones were divided and corresponding control measures were proposed. The results showed obvious spatial differences in the supply and demand of ecosystem services in Xinjiang in 2020. The high-supply areas were mainly distributed in river valleys and along river systems, while the demand was concentrated in oasis-central cities. The overall supply of ecosystem services was less than the demand. The spatial distribution was dominated by low supply-low demand areas and high supply-high demand areas. There were seven output zones of ecosystem services in Xinjiang, namely Fuyun County, Fuhai County, Yizhou District, Shanshan County, Alashankou City, Keping County and Qira County. The rests were input zones. According to the comprehensive analysis, Xinjiang could be divided into five ecological management areas, i.e ., mountain ecological barrier area, oasis ecological restoration area, desert ecological improvement area, desert-oasis ecological protection area, and patch ecological transport area.

Objective: This study aims to summarize the characteristics of diagnosed pneumoconiosis and pneumoconiosis death in the Hubei Province of China, between the years 1949 and 2019, and provide clues for the scientific prevention of pneumoconiosis., Methods: We recruited 23,069 pneumoconiosis cases in Hubei Province, China, from 1949 to 2019. Basic information and occupational surveillance information were obtained from the Hubei Occupational Diseases and Health Risk Factors Information Surveillance System., Results: The annually diagnosed pneumoconiosis cases showed an overall increasing trend from 1949 to 2019 in Hubei Province. The major types of pneumoconiosis were coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP, 49.91%) and silicosis (43.39%). Pneumoconiosis cases were mainly engaged in mining (75.32%) and manufacturing (12.72%), and were distributed in Huangshi (35.48%), Yichang (16.16%), and Jingzhou (7.97%). CWP (47.50%) and silicosis (44.65%) accounted for most of the deaths., Conclusions: The number of pneumoconiosis cases and deaths in Hubei increased in the period of 1949 to 2019. Silicosis and CWP contributed to the predominant types of pneumoconiosis. Prevention and control measures should continue to be taken to reduce the morbidity and mortality of pneumoconiosis.

Imidazoles (IMs) are potential contributors to brown carbon; they may notably contribute to climate radiative forcing. However, only a few studies have assessed the mixing state, seasonal and spatial distributions of IMs, and influencing factors for IM formation in urban aerosols. In this study, two single-particle aerosol mass spectrometers were employed to investigate the IM-containing particles in the urban areas of Beijing and Guangzhou, China. IM-containing particles were identified in the size range (d va ) of 0.2-2.0 μm, accounting for 0.7-21.7 % of all the detected particles. The number fractions of IM-containing particles in both cities were the lowest in winter and the highest in spring, probably owing to the difference in the abundance of precursors and the particle acidity. Majority of (60-80 % by number) the IM-containing particles were mixed with organic carbon (OC), with the lowest fractions found in summer. Although the number fractions of IM-containing particles in Beijing were generally higher (~1.5-3 times) than those in Guangzhou, the mixing states of the IM-containing particles at these two sites were only slightly different. Potassium-rich (K-rich) and potassium-sodium (KNa) particles were rarely found in Guangzhou; they accounted for ~15 % of the IM-containing particles in Beijing. Additionally, our results indicate that particles with higher acidity are favorable for IM formation. These findings help improving our knowledge of the mixing state, seasonal variation, and spatial distribution of IMs in urban aerosols, and the insights in influencing factors into IM formation provide valuable information for future studies of the atmospheric chemical processes associated with IMs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aim: To explore associations between sleep duration and physical fitness (PF) of children aged 3−6 years. Methods: This study investigated the sleep duration and PF data of children aged 3−6 years by stratified random sampling. The restricted cubic spline model and binary logistic regression analysis were mainly used for the empirical analysis of the correlation effect between sleep duration and PF. The final data had a total of 21,857 children, of which 11,245 (51.45%) were boys and 10,612 (48.55%) were girls. Results: The PF level of the children in this study showed a relatively positive level (pass rate = 93.6%), and 19.7% of them had abnormal sleep duration; the results of the restricted cubic spline showed an inverted U-shaped association between the level of PF and the risk of abnormal sleep duration (X2 = 28.13, p < 0.0001). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that children with abnormal sleep duration were more likely to have a low PF, body morphology and motor ability levels at an OR (95% CI) of 1.077 (1.023−1.133), 1.077 (1.016−1.142) and 1.035 (1.08−1.062), respectively. The results of the bias correlation analysis showed varying degrees of correlation between sleep duration and various components of children’s PF. Conclusion: Insufficient or excessive amounts of sleep were significantly associated with PF in children, with abnormal sleep duration leading to reduced levels of PF and its components.

Introduction: Orthodontic students need to accurately identify cephalometric landmarks to perform cephalometric measurements, which is the prerequisite to proper orthodontic diagnosis and treatment. To provide insights into future cephalometric education, we compared the performance of different methods that can be used in tracing practice, including a novel online game-based method, the cephalometric training module of Uceph (version 948; Uceph, Chengdu, China)., Methods: A total of 45 first-year orthodontic graduate students were divided into 3 groups to receive different kinds of cephalometric training (module group, practicing with the cephalometric training module of Uceph; teaching group, practicing under the teacher's guidance; self-training group, practicing with traced cephalogram as reference). After training with 4 cephalograms, students completed 2 test samples in which the tracing accuracy and time were recorded and a questionnaire concerning their feelings., Results: Both the teaching and module group offered performance advantages on increasing the tracing accuracy and speed of students. The module group provided a better performance on improving tracing accuracy than the teaching group. Students in the module group showed improved concentration, interest, satisfaction toward the teaching method and confidence of correctly identifying landmarks than self-training group, and enhanced interest than students in the teaching group., Conclusions: The shooting game-based cephalometric training module of Uceph has demonstrated better performance than traditional face-to-face teaching and self-learning, proving to be a viable online tool to train cephalometric tracing, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic., (Copyright © 2022 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak impacts the mental health of patients, health workers, and the public. The level of impact on the mental health of orthodontic patients in treatment is unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the mental health of orthodontic patients in China during the early stage of the pandemic., Methods: An online survey was conducted on a convenience sample of anonymous participants. The questionnaire, in Chinese (Mandarin), comprised 5 sections. Sections 1-3 included demographic, epidemical, and orthodontic status of the patients. Section 4 assessed mental health-related to orthodontics. Section 5 was the Kessler-10 Mental Distress Scale. A total of 48 orthodontists were invited to distribute the questionnaires to their patients. Descriptive statistics, principal component analysis, K-means cluster analysis, and bivariate logistics regression analysis were performed with significance set at P <0.05., Results: Questionnaires were collected from 558 patients (104 males, 354 females; mean age 24.78 ± 6.33 years). The prevalence of mental distress was 38% (174/458). Higher odds ratios were associated with female participants, missed appointments, and Hubei residence. The type of orthodontic appliance was associated with the anxiety of prolonged treatment duration. The manner of communication with patients regarding the postponement of appointments was associated with patients' concerns of prolonged treatment duration. The frequency of contact from dentists was associated with patients' independence., Conclusions: Over one-third of orthodontic patients experienced mental distress during the pandemic. Multiple factors affected the level of anxiety of orthodontic patients, such as the type of orthodontic appliance, time since last dental visit, manner of communication with the orthodontist, and the localities of the pandemic progression., (Copyright © 2020 American Association of Orthodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To obtain the distribution of different maxilla-mandibular characteristics in Chinese skeletal class II mixed dentition patients and to compare the differences of cephalometric variables among different maxilla-mandibular types., Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 skeletal class II patients in mixed dentition. The patients were divided into 6 groups according to SNA and SNB angle of the cephalogram. A total of 38 cephalometric measurements were measured on their cephalograms. Differences among groups were tested by one-way analysis of variance., Results: There were 34 (10.97%) patients in group I, 10 (3.23%) in group II, 4(1.29%) in group III, 69 (22.26%) in group IV, 133 (42.90%) in group V, and 60 (19.35%) in group VI. In all, 14.19% of the patients exhibited maxillary protrusion (MxP), and 62.26% exhibited mandibular retrusion (MnR) with either normal or retruded maxilla. Groups II and III were excluded for statistical comparison due to a limited sample size. Statistical differences were found in 25 cephalometric measurements among the other 4 groups. Patients with MnR (groups V and VI) exhibited bigger sella angle, gonial angle, Frankfort mandibular plane angle, and smaller mandibular body length and ramus height than patients without MnR ( p value < 0.05)., Conclusion: The most common etiology forming skeletal class II malocclusion in Chinese children was MnR, which was mainly caused by the small size and hyperdivergent growth direction of mandible., Clinical Significance: The study presents various cephalometric characteristics of Chinese skeletal class II malocclusions. The results indicated that for the early orthodontic treatment of Chinese class II children with mixed dentition, orthodontists might emphasize more importance to mandibular length augmentation and growth direction change in mandible.

Rapidly rising wealth and increased urbanization are driving a global urban dietary transition, which is closely related to global climate change and human health. In light of large urban population, preference for fine foods, and serious environmental challenges, such trends are particularly important for China. This study investigated changes in urban diet and related carbon footprint (CF) of Beijing from 1980 to 2017. Meanwhile, the deviation index was devised to examine the interconnection between diet-related CF and nutritional quality, using dietary pattern recommended by Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS) as benchmark. Results showed that urban Beijing has experienced substantial dietary transition, shifting from traditional grain-based diet to the one higher in non-staple and animal-sourced foods. Correspondingly, the diet-related CF has increased by 41%, from 2.15 in 1980 to 3.04 kg CO 2 -eq in 2017 per capita per day, mainly due to the rising consumption of animal products. In regard to recommended intake level, the unnecessary CF due to over-consumption of food, accounted for about 15-30% of the total diet-related CF during the concerned period. The trade-off and synergy trends can be identified by phase when examining the interconnection between dietary CF and nutritional quality. The synergy trend offers the opportunity of synchronously alleviating the adverse impacts of urban diet on the environment and human health, by adopting responsible and sustainable dietary pattern. It calls for the joint efforts from both the government and urban consumers., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

There are differences in individual cardiovascular responses to the administration of dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α 2A -adrenergic receptor (ADRA2A) agonist. The aim of this study was to investigate ADRA2A gene polymorphisms in the Chinese Han population and their association with the cardiovascular response to intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion. Sixty elective surgery patients of Chinese Han nationality were administered 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine intravenously over 10 min as a premedication. ADRA2A C-1291G and A1780G polymorphism status was determined in these patients, and their relationships to changes in blood pressure and heart rate after dexmedetomidine administration were analyzed. There were neither significant differences in systolic or diastolic blood pressure changes in individuals with different A1780G and C-1291G genotypes after dexmedetomidine administration, nor in heart rates among the different A1780G genotypes. However, there were significant differences in changes in heart rates in patients with different C-1291G genotypes. There were no significant differences in the sedative effects of dexmedetomidine among different A1780G and C-1291G genotypes. Logistic regression revealed that the C-1291G polymorphism was associated with differential decreases in heart rate after intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine. These findings indicate that the ADRA2A C-1291G polymorphism can affect heart rate changes in patients after intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is widely used in forensic genetics to study short tandem repeats (STRs). Recently, next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have facilitated the development of new strategies for forensic DNA typing. Several studies have shown that NGS successfully analyzes challenging samples. However, because NGS is complicated and time-consuming, it remains unclear whether NGS platforms offer significant advantages over CE for all forensic cases. Here, the MiSeq FGx system was used to test some cases that had previously been analyzed using CE. These cases included paternity test cases in which some samples exhibited locus inconsistencies; samples with off-ladder (OL) alleles; samples with triallelic patterns; and samples with amelogenin test abnormalities. The results generated by MiSeq FGx were compared to those previously generated by CE. The MiSeq FGx and CE results were consistent with the exception of three samples, where inconsistencies were observed at the Penta D locus. For all three incongruent samples, the MiSeq FGx results were correct. Sequence analysis indicated that, in two cases, mismatches were due to undetected alleles rather than mutations. In two additional cases, mutation sources were identified, and in a fifth case, mutation step size was reconsidered. MiSeq FGx was used to identify OL alleles and samples with amelogenin test abnormalities. For cases where verification was required via CE analysis, the simultaneous NGS amplification of several types of multiple genetic markers improved testing efficiency. In addition, we identified additional sequence variants at autosomal, Y chromosomal, and X chromosomal STR loci in the Han Chinese population from northern China. Our results will be useful for future forensic analyses of STR genotypes in Chinese populations. It is likely that NGS would be more widely used in forensic genetics if costs and procedure complexity were reduced.

Pure breed dogs of Western origin are increasingly more popular in China as is a need to differentiate breeds and individual dogs for personal and forensic reasons. Research on genetic diversities of the canine population in China is rarely conducted. In this study, genetic distributions and forensic efficiencies of 19 canine STR loci in Labrador Retriever population from China were evaluated by using one available commercial canine kit in China. This panel was used to genetically define 214 Labrador Retrievers in China, as an example of one of the most important Western breeds and to compare them with Labrador Retrievers from America based on three overlapping STR loci. Moreover, genetic relationship analyses between Labrador Retriever population and two reference populations in America were performed. All 19 STR loci were polymorphic and conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the studied population. The STR panel was able to discern individual dogs with a high degree of accuracy. Breed-wide genetic heterozygosity comparisons based on present and published allele frequencies revealed that the studied population had the lower genetic heterozygosity than canine populations in America. Principal component analysis among Labrador Retriever population and other reference populations showed that the studied Labrador Retrievers were genetically close to the retriever breeds in America. Population genetic structure analyses among these canine breeds further revealed genetic differentiations between the studied Labrador Retriever population and other compared breeds. In conclusion, these STR loci had relatively high forensic values in Labrador Retriever population in China, which could be employed for individual identification and kinship testing.

Background: The serum level of osteoprotegerin (encoded by OPG or TNFRSF11B) was previously shown to be increased in patients with ischemic stroke. A single nucleotide polymorphism rs3134069 in the TNFRSF11B gene was previously associated with ischemic stroke in a population of diabetic patients in Italy. It remains to be determined whether rs3134069 is associated with ischemic stroke in the general population or populations without diabetes., Materials and Methods: We genotyped rs3134069 and performed a case-control association study to test whether rs3134069 is associated with ischemic stroke in 2 independent Chinese Han populations, including a China-Central population with 1629 cases and 1504 controls and a China-Northern population with 1206 cases and 720 controls., Results: rs3134069 showed significant association with ischemic stroke in the China-Central population (P = 9.24 × 10 -3 , odds ratio [OR] = 1.50). The association was replicated in the independent China-Northern population (P = 2.45 × 10 -4 , OR = 1.53). The association became more significant in the combined population (P = 7.09 × 10 -6 , OR = 1.41). The associations remained significant in the male population, female population, and population without type 2 diabetes. Our expression quantitative trait loci analysis found that the minor allele C of rs3134069 was significantly associated with a decreasedexpression level of TNFRSF11B (P = .002)., Conclusions: This study demonstrates that rs3134069 in TNFRSF11B increases risk of ischemic stroke by decreasing TNFRSF11B expression., (Copyright © 2018 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The CAV1 gene encodes caveolin-1 expressed in cell types relevant to atherosclerosis. Cav-1-null mice showed a protective effect on atherosclerosis under the ApoE(-/-) background. However, it is unknown whether CAV1 is linked to CAD and MI in humans. In this study we analyzed a tagSNP for CAV1 in intron 2, rs3807989, for potential association with CAD., Methods and Results: We performed case-control association studies in three independent Chinese Han populations from GeneID, including 1249 CAD cases and 841 controls in Population I, 1260 cases and 833 controls in Population II and 790 cases and 1212 controls in Population III (a total of 3299 cases and 2886 controls). We identified significant association between rs3807989 and CAD in three independent populations and in the combined population (Padj = 2.18 × 10(-5), OR = 1.19 for minor allele A). We also detected significant association between rs3807989 and MI (Padj = 5.43 × 10(-5), OR = 1.23 for allele A). Allele A of SNP rs3807989 was also associated with a decreased level of LDL cholesterol. Although rs3807989 is a tagSNP for both CAV1 and nearby CAV2, allele A of SNP rs3807989 was associated with an increased expression level of CAV1 (both mRNA and protein), but not CAV2., Conclusions: The data in this study demonstrated that rs3807989 at the CAV1/CAV2 locus was associated with significant risk of CAD and MI by increasing expression of CAV1 (but not CAV2). Thus, CAV1 becomes a strong candidate susceptibility gene for CAD/MI in humans., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the relationship between IL-33/ST2 signal pathway gene polymorphisms and myocardial infarction (MI) in Han Chinese. A case-control association analysis was performed on a total of 490 MI patients (MI group) and 929 normal subjects (NC group). Sequenom Mass Array and Taqman genotyping technique were used to analyze the tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding IL-33, ST2, and IL-1RaP (rs11792633, rs1041973 and rs4624606). The results showed that the frequencies of rs4624606 genotypes AA, TT, AT were 0.031, 0.647, 0.322 in MI group and 0.026, 0.712, 0.263 in NC group, and the allele frequencies of A and T were 0.192, 0.808 in MI group and 0.157, 0.843 in NC group. There were significant differences in rs4624606 genotypes and allele frequencies between MI group and NC group (P<0.05). For rs11792633, the allele frequencies of C and T were 0.45, 0.55 in MI group and 0.454, 0.546 in NC group with no significant differences found between the two groups. Compared with genotype CC+TC, rs11792633 genotype TT had an increased risk of hypertension (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the frequencies of rs11792633 genotypes between the two groups. No significant differences were noted in the frequencies of rs1041973 genotype and allele between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that rs4624606 genotypes AT and AA+AT were both significantly associated with MI (AT: OR=1.325, P=0.029, 95% CI=1.03-1.705; AA+AT: OR=1.316, P=0.028, 95% CI=1.03-1.681) after factors such as age, gender, smoking, drinking, body mass index (BMI), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol were adjusted. Those carrying rs4624606 genotype AT or AA+AT had an increased risk of MI. No associations were found between the polymorphisms of the other two loci with MI. It was concluded that, in the IL33/ST2 signal pathway, the A allele of rs4624606 polymorphism of IL-1RaP gene is a potential independent risk factor for MI, and the genotypes AA+AT and AT are associated with the incidence of MI.

Background: Genomic variants identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) explain <20% of heritability of coronary artery disease (CAD), thus many risk variants remain missing for CAD. Identification of new variants may unravel new biological pathways and genetic mechanisms for CAD. To identify new variants associated with CAD, we developed a candidate pathway-based GWAS by integrating expression quantitative loci analysis and mining of GWAS data with variants in a candidate pathway., Methods and Results: Mining of GWAS data was performed to analyze variants in 32 complement system genes for positive association with CAD. Functional variants in genes showing positive association were then identified by searching existing expression quantitative loci databases and validated by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. A follow-up case-control design was then used to determine whether the functional variants are associated with CAD in 2 independent GeneID Chinese populations. Candidate pathway-based GWAS identified positive association between variants in C3AR1 and C6 and CAD. Two functional variants, rs7842 in C3AR1 and rs4400166 in C6, were found to be associated with expression levels of C3AR1 and C6, respectively. Significant association was identified between rs7842 and CAD (P=3.99×10(-6); odds ratio, 1.47) and between rs4400166 and CAD (P=9.30×10(-3); odds ratio, 1.24) in the validation cohort. The significant findings were confirmed in the replication cohort (P=1.53×10(-5); odds ratio, 1.37 for rs7842; P=8.41×10(-3); odds ratio, 1.21 for rs4400166)., Conclusions: Integration of GWAS with biological pathways and expression quantitative loci is effective in identifying new risk variants for CAD. Functional variants increasing C3AR1 and C6 expression were shown to confer significant risk of CAD for the first time., (© 2014 American Heart Association, Inc.)

Objective: Based on a retrospective analysis of the drunk driving cases, to explore the drunk drivers' personnel composition, occurrence time and psychology., Methods: As a result of punishment of the drunk driving by criminal law for one year from May 1st, 2011 to April 30th, 2012, 91 drunk driving cases were statistically analyzed the easy-happening time of drunk driving, the drunk drivers' age, gender, occupational characteristics, domicile and psychological factors., Results: In 97 drunk driving cases, 26-40 years old, non-local domiciled and non-professional male drivers were prone to drunk driving at night from 22:00 to 5:00., Conclusion: The behavior of drunk driving is relevant to time, age, genders and occupation. The psychological characteristics of most drivers are fluky, making-life-easy, competitive and peacockish.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) causes more than 700,000 deaths each year in China. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in populations of European ancestry identified several genetic loci for CAD, but no such study has yet been reported in the Chinese population. Here we report a three-stage GWAS in the Chinese Han population. We identified a new association between rs6903956 in a putative gene denoted as C6orf105 on chromosome 6p24.1 and CAD (P = 5.00 × 10⁻³, stage 2 validation; P = 3.00 × 10⁻³, P = 1.19 × 10⁻⁸ and P = 4.00 × 10⁻³ in three independent stage 3 replication populations; P = 4.87 × 10⁻¹², odds ratio = 1.51 in the combined population). The minor risk allele A of rs6903956 is associated with decreased C6orf105 mRNA expression. We report the first GWAS for CAD in the Chinese Han population and identify a SNP, rs6903956, in C6orf105 associated with susceptibility to CAD in this population.

Background and Purpose: Genome-wide association studies found that the common allele T of single nucleotide polymorphism rs11206510 on chromosome 1p32 was associated with increased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels (LDL-C) and with risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in white populations. The goals of this study are to determine whether rs11206510 is associated with LDL-C and CAD in a different ethnic population, namely a Chinese cohort, and to investigate whether rs11206510 is associated with ischemic stroke., Methods: The association of rs11206510 with LDL-C was analyzed in 1415 Chinese Han subjects. The CAD study utilized a GeneID cohort with 1543 CAD patients and 1240 controls. For stroke studies, 2 independent cohorts were used and included the GeneID North cohort, with 1205 cases and 1205 controls, and the GeneID Central cohort, with 692 cases and 882 controls., Results: Different from white populations, the minor allele C of rs11206510 was associated with increased LDL-C levels in the Chinese Han population (adjusted P=0.002) and conferred risk of early-onset CAD (380 cases vs 1240 controls; adjusted P=0.002, odds ratio, 1.89), but not with overall CAD (adjusted P=0.82). The allelic association with ischemic stroke was highly significant in 2 independent cohorts, with adjusted P=1.13x10(-5) (odds ratio,1.71) in the GeneID North cohort and adjusted P=9.32x10(-5) (odds ratio, 1.70) in the GeneID Central cohort. Genotypic association was also significant for both early-onset CAD and ischemic stroke., Conclusions: Our results indicate that single nucleotide polymorphism rs11206510 is associated with LDL-C levels and early-onset CAD in the Chinese Han population. For the first time to our knowledge, this study also demonstrates that rs11206510 confers a significant risk of ischemic stroke.