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Objective: We compared the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes after radical radiotherapy between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with early and late metastases based on a relatively large cohort, which provides valuable data for the planning of clinical surveillance strategies. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective analysis of 10,566 patients who received radical radiotherapy in China from January 2000 to December 2016. Overall survival was the primary endpoint. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were applied to investigate the association between early or late metastasis and the endpoints. The prognostic value of clinicopathological features was identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Results: The cutoff value for time to metastasis was based on ROC analysis. A total of 559 (5.3%) patients developed distant metastases, 297 (53.1%) of which developed early metastatic disease, with the rest (46.9%) developing late metastatic disease. The K-M analysis showed that the patients with late metastatic foci had significantly better post-metastatic OS (P = 0.0056). Multivariate analysis indicated that age, liver metastasis, the number of metastatic foci and time to metastasis (P = 0.013) are independent prognostic factors for OS. After analyzing the impact of different treatment methods, we found that local treatment was an independent protective factor for LM, while local treatment was not associated with a survival benefit for EM disease. Conclusions: The time to metastasis after radical radiotherapy affected the prognosis of NPC patients and local treatment was an independent protective factor that could improve the survival of late metastatic NPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei, China. Moreover, it has become a global pandemic. This is of great value in describing the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients in detail and looking for markers which are significant to predict the prognosis of COVID-19 patients.Methods: In this multicenter, retrospective study, 476 patients with COVID-19 were enrolled from a consecutive series. After screening, a total of 395 patients were included in this study. All-cause death was the primary endpoint. All patients were followed up from admission till discharge or death.Results: The main symptoms observed in the study included fever on admission, cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The most common comorbidities were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Patients with lower CD4+T cell level were older and more often male compared to those with higher CD4+T cell level. Reduced CD8+T cell level was an indicator of the severity of COVID-19. Both decreased CD4+T [HR:13.659; 95%CI: 3.235-57.671] and CD8+T [HR: 10.883; 95%CI: 3.277-36.145] cell levels were associated with in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients, but only the decrease of CD4+T cell level was an independent predictor of in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients.Conclusions: Reductions in lymphocytes and lymphocyte subsets were common in COVID-19 patients, especially in severe cases of COVID-19. It was the CD8+T cell level, not the CD4+T cell level, that reflected the severity of the patient's disease. Only reduced CD4+T cell level was independently associated with increased in-hospital death in COVID-19 patients.Trial Registration: Prognostic Factors of Patients With COVID-19, NCT04292964 . Registered 03 March 2020. Retrospectively registered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can be used as prognostic biomarkers in many types of cancer. Objective We sought to establish an lncRNA signature to improve postoperative risk stratification for patients with localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Design, setting, and participants Based on the RNA-seq data of 444 stage I–III ccRCC tumours from The Cancer Genome Atlas project, we built a four-lncRNA-based classifier using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operation (LASSO) Cox regression model in 222 randomly selected samples (training set) and validated the classifier in the remaining 222 samples (internal validation set). We confirmed this classifier in an external validation set of 88 patients with stage I–III ccRCC from a Japan cohort and using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in another three independent sets that included 1869 patients from China with stage I–III ccRCC. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Univariable and multivariable Cox regression, Harrell's concordance index (c-index), and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the association of the classifier with overall survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival. Results and limitations Using the LASSO Cox regression model, we built a classifier named RCClnc4 based on four lncRNAs: ENSG00000255774, ENSG00000248323, ENSG00000260911, and ENSG00000231666. In the RNA-seq and RT-PCR data sets, the RCClnc4 signature significantly stratified patients into high-risk versus low-risk groups in terms of clinical outcome across and within subpopulations and remained as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analyses (hazard ratio range, 1.34 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.03–1.75; p = 0.028] to 1.89 [95% CI, 1.55–2.31; p < 0.001]) after adjusting for clinical and pathologic factors. The RCClnc4 signature achieved a higher accuracy (mean c-index, 0.72) than clinical staging systems such as TNM (mean c-index, 0.62) and the stage, size, grade, and necrosis (SSIGN) score (mean c-index, 0.64), currently reported prognostic signatures and biomarkers for the estimation of survival. When integrated with clinical characteristics, the composite clinical and lncRNA signature showed improved prognostic accuracy in all data sets (TNM + RCClnc4 mean c-index, 0.75; SSIGN + RCClnc4 score mean c-index, 0.75). The RCClnc4 classifier was able to identify a clinically significant number of both high-risk stage I and low-risk stage II–III patients. Conclusions The RCClnc4 classifier is a promising and potential prognostic tool in predicting the survival of patients with stage I–III ccRCC. Combining the lncRNA classifier with clinical and pathological parameters allows for accurate risk assessment in guiding clinical management. Patient summary The RCClnc4 classifier could facilitate patient management and treatment decisions. Take Home Message Our RCClnc4 classifier could add prognostic value to existing clinicopathological risk factors for stage I–III clear cell renal cell carcinoma and provide a more accurate and individualized risk assessment beyond reported signature. The RCClnc4 classifier may facilitate patient management and treatment decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of a gas-fired CCHP can effectively solve seasonal shortages of electricity and gas. To realize providing investment decision for gas-fired CCHP in Beijing, first, the paper analyses the status of gas-fired CCHP systems in Beijing; second, the technology structure and economic benefits of gas-fired CCHP systems are analyzed; third, a technical economic evaluation framework of a gas-fired CCHP is built, which analyses the cascade utilization and energy saving effects of a heat and power energy system in a gas-fired CCHP system. Analysis of the gas-fired CCHP system economy and the factors that influence the economic performance is also performed, as well as a sensitivity analysis. In addition, the paper also analyses an energy efficiency sharing model of a cooling, heating and power system that considers the grid enterprises’ economic efficiency. Finally, an empirical analysis of a trigeneration project control center in the Beijing Gas Group is carried out. Research results show that gas-fired CCHP system is good to both customers and beneficial, fuel price and electricity price will influence revenue of Gas-fired CCHP system greatly, a reasonable energy efficiency sharing ratio will help to the recovery of investment in Gas-fired CCHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is substantial evidence to indicate that negative emotion can modulate cognitive control processing. However, only a few studies have investigated this effect with positive emotion. Therefore, the present study explored the electrophysiological correlates of the impact of positive emotional stimuli on cognitive control, using event-related potentials ( ERPs). Sixteen healthy young adults completed a modified Simon task (Simon, 1969). Behavioral data indicated that reaction times were faster for positive emotional stimuli than for neutral emotional stimuli in the incongruent condition, but not in the congruent condition, which suggested that positive emotion expedited conflict resolution. The ERP data showed that two negative ERP components (N300-400 and N450-550) were associated with the positive emotional stimuli in the incongruent minus congruent condition. It is suggested that these components may respectively be related to the conflict monitoring (N300-400) and response selection (N450-550) stages of cognitive control processing. Overall, our results indicated that positive emotion could facilitate cognitive control processing. These results are in line with the neuropsychological theory, according to which, positive emotion could modulate cognitive control mediated by increased dopamine levels in frontal brain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To explore the feasibility of using magnetic techniques for monitoring soil pollution in various particle size fractions, magnetic properties and heavy metals including Pb and Zn in the urban topsoils of Xuzhou, China, were investigated. Soils were partitioned into five size fractions (2000–300, 300–150, 150–75, 75–28, and <28μm). The magnetic properties and both metal (Zn and Pb) concentrations were measured in various fractions and the bulk soils. The magnetic measurements indicate that the dominant magnetic component is multidomain grains of ferrimagnetic minerals. Zinc exhibited a substantial enrichment in the finest particles whereas Pb seemed to be almost independent of the selected size fractions. Close associations between concentration-related parameters (χ, χARM, SIRM and SOFT) and both Pb and Zn concentrations were observed in the 75–150, 28–75 and <28μm size fractions. This result suggests that simple, rapid, and non-destructive magnetic measurements could provide useful information about Pb and Zn enrichment in fine particles in Xuzhou urban surface soils. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concentrations of 12 heavy metals (Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Mo, Sn, Sb, Tl, Pb, Bi) in the marine near-shore sediment cores of the Yellow Sea, China were investigated. Core A sediments had significantly lower concentrations of heavy metals than those of both Cores B and C according to the Bonferronic multiple comparison method. Based on multivariate statistic approaches (factor analysis and cluster analysis), two factors were identified controlling the heavy metal variability in the sediments. The enrichment factor (EF) and geo-accumulation index (Igeo) indicated Sb contamination from three sediment cores in this study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sphingomonas paucimobilis biomass has been successfully utilized to degrade several persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, few studies have been conducted to use it to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. In the present study, biosorption experiments for Cr (VI) were investigated using nonliving biomass of S. paucimobilis isolated from activated sludge, Lianyungang Dapu sewage treatment plant, China. The effects of several parameters including solution pH, contact time, and ionic strength, etc. on Cr (VI) uptake were studied. The biomass was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich models was tested. The correlation coefficients (R) of both models were greater than 0.95. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 28.5 mg/g for Cr (VI) at 20°C. The adsorption process was quick and found to follow the pseudo-second-order equation. The optimum adsorption was achieved at pH 2. The adsorption was also NaCl concentrations dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In China, more than 10 million rural migrants move to cities every year. Because of the Household Registration System, migrant workers are not entitled to subsidised housing, education, social security or medical benefits. Aims: Using a resilience perspective, this study attempted to explore not only the migration stress that is experienced by migrant workers, but also the protective function of meaning of migration in helping migrant workers withstand the stress of migration. Method: A survey design with multistage cluster sampling was used and 475 migrant workers were recruited. The questionnaire contained demographic data, the Brief Symptom Inventory, a migration stress scale and meaning of migration scale. Results: Financial and employment difficulties stood out as the most stressful issues for migrant workers. More financial and material gains and personal aspirations and achievement were the most common reasons for living in Shanghai. Regression analyses revealed that financial and employment difficulties and interpersonal tensions and conflicts significantly predicted the mental health of both male and female migrant workers. In addition, while marital status significantly predicted the mental health of male migrant workers, the subscale 'more financial and material gains' in the meaning of migration scale predicted the mental health of female migrant workers. Finally, there was a moderating effect of meaning of migration on the mental health of female migrant workers. Conclusion: There is a need to consolidate and develop policies to protect the rights of migrant workers in China. Mental health counselling for migrant workers who are experiencing difficulties living in Shanghai should be introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study challenged the current conceptualization of social support as a static process and attempted to explore how the sources and types of social support unfolded over time during mainland Chinese immigrant women's first year of resettlement in Hong Kong. A longitudinal qualitative method was used and 15 immigrant women were recruited. In-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted at three-monthly intervals. Results supported our view on the “stages within stage” assumption of the resettlement period of the migration-integration process. In the first quarter of resettlement, immigrant women mobilized a great deal of instrumental and information support from family members and kin to resolve survival issues such as finances, housing and childcare. However, the demand for instrumental support declined over time, and the need for emotional support appeared to peak at the second stage of the resettlement period. Fellow immigrant women were found to be the most significant providers of information, emotional and social companionship support to immigrant women throughout the resettlement period while the supporting roles of husbands and kin diminished. Lastly, immigrant women were less inclined to seek help from formal networks and rarely sought support from neighbors and co-workers. Socio-economic and cultural reasons were used to explain these differential support patterns during immigrants' first year of resettlement in Hong Kong, and implications for social work practices were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study challenged the current conceptualization of social support as a static process and attempted to explore how the sources and types of social support unfolded over time during mainland Chinese immigrant women's first year of resettlement in Hong Kong. A longitudinal qualitative method was used and 15 immigrant women were recruited. In-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted at three-monthly intervals. Results supported our view on the "stages within stage" assumption of the resettlement period of the migration-integration process. In the first quarter of resettlement, immigrant women mobilized a great deal of instrumental and information support from family members and kin to resolve survival issues such as finances, housing and childcare. However, the demand for instrumental support declined over time, and the need for emotional support appeared to peak at the second stage of the resettlement period. Fellow immigrant women were found to be the most significant providers of information, emotional and social companionship support to immigrant women throughout the resettlement period while the supporting roles of husbands and kin diminished. Lastly, immigrant women were less inclined to seek help from formal networks and rarely sought support from neighbors and co-workers. Socio-economic and cultural reasons were used to explain these differential support patterns during immigrants' first year of resettlement in Hong Kong, and implications for social work practices were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extensive literature survey of over 17 Journals was carried out on Chinese sponges and their natural products in the period from 1980 to 2001. This review is thus intended to provide the first thorough overview of research on marine sponges from China Ocean territories. Information is provided about the rather-limited taxonomic study of Chinese marine sponges, with an analysis on their distribution and diversity. Research findings on the natural products and their bioactivity screening from Chinese sponges are summarized. The weaknesses, gaps and problems in the past R&D program of Chinese sponges are identified, which point to the future opportunities in exploiting these huge untapped sponge resources. The report is expected to serve as an entry point for understanding Chinese sponges and for furthering R&D on their bioactive compounds for new drug development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recent advances in hydrocarbon exploration have been made in the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex reservoirs of the Dengying Formation in the western Sichuan Basin, SW China, where the depositional process is regarded confusing. The microfacies, construction types, and depositional model of the Member Deng-2 marginal microbial mound-bank complex have been investigated using unmanned aerial vehicle photography, outcrop section investigation, thin section identification, and seismic reflections in the southwestern Sichuan Basin. The microbialite lithologic textures in this region include thrombolite, dendrolite, stromatolite, fenestral stromatolite, spongiostromata stone, oncolite, aggregated grainstone, and botryoidal grapestone. Based on the comprehensive analysis of "depositional fabricselithologyemicrofacies", an association between a fore mound, mound framework, and back mound subfacies has been proposed based on water depth, current direction, energy level and lithologic assemblages. The microfacies of the mound base, mound core, mound flank, mound cap, and mound flat could be recognized among the mound framework subfacies. Two construction types of marginal microbial mound-bank complex have been determined based on deposition location, mound scale, migration direction, and sedimentary facies association. Type Jinkouhe microbial mound constructions (TJMMCs) develop along the windward margin owing to their proximity to the seaward subfacies fore mound, with a northeastwardly migrated microbial mound on top of the mud mound, exhibiting the characteristics of large-sized mounds and small-sized banks in the surrounding area. Type E'bian microbial mound constructions (TEMMCs) primarily occur on the leeward margin, resulting from the presence of onshore back mound subfacies, with the smaller southwestward migrated microbial mounds existing on a thicker microbial flat. The platform margin microbial mound depositional model can be correlated with certain lateral comparison profile and seismic reflection structures in the 2D seismic section, which can provide references for future worldwide exploration. Microbial mounds with larger buildups and thicker vertical reservoirs are typically targeted on the windward margin, while small-sized microbial mounds and flats with better lateral connections are typically focused on the leeward margin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Content of black carbon in soils close to a cement plant of Xuzhou, China, was determined to investigate its association with the concentration of heavy metals and the values of magnetic parameters. Black carbon content varied from 4. 4 to 25.2 mg/g, with an average value of 12.4 mg/g. The concentration of Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn was, on average, 0.8, 22.3, 235.8, 71.08, 1796.9, 88.4, 56.6 and 216.5 mg/kg, respectively. The average values of magnetic parameters such as the mass specific magnetic susceptibility, frequency susceptibility, susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization were 83.5 × 10−8 m3/kg, 6.1%, 135.0 × 10−8 m3/kg and 1067.0 × 10−5 Am2/kg, respectively. Black carbon content showed significant positive correlation with the concentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils, indicating that these metals were likely to be retained by black carbon. Significant correlations between black carbon content and magnetic parameters including magnetic susceptibility, susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization, saturation isothermal remanent magnetization together with interparametric ratios were also found. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to further demonstrate the relationships between the above-mentioned variables, showing that cement plant emissions are the main source of black carbon in soils. These results provide the possibility for monitoring black carbon pollution with environmental magnetism methods. • Black carbon content positively correlated with magnetic parameters. • Soil black carbon could be monitored by environmental magnetism. • The origin of black carbon was proved to be cement plant emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study cross-culturally adapted and psychometrically validated a simplified Chinese version of the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain Questionnaire (SC-EILP) for evaluating the severity of symptoms and sports ability among individuals with exercise-induced leg pain. One hundred and fourteen participants with exercise-induced leg pain were included. To assess reliability, we calculated Cronbach's α and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was analysed by assessing the correlations between SC-EILP and visual analogue scale (VAS), University of California Los Angeles activity score (UCLA), and short form (36) health survey (SF-36). Factorial validity was used to establish the factor structure of the questionnaire. The EILP was cross-culturally well-adapted and translated into simplified Chinese. Each item was appropriately correlated with the total items. SC-EILP had nearly good reliability [Cronbach's α = 0.798, ICC = 0.897, 95% confidence interval 0.851–0.929]. The elimination of any one item in all did not result in a value of Cronbach's α of <0.80. SC-EILP had a very good correlation with VAS (−0.607, p < 0.01) and a moderate correlation with UCLA (0.581, p < 0.01) and physical domains of SF-36 (0.499–0.528, p < 0.01). Exploratory factor analysis revealed the 3-factor loading explained 74.736% of the total variance [Kaiser–Mayer–Olkin (KMO) = 0.672, C2 = 665.34, p < 0.001]. SC-EILP showed excellent acceptability, internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity, and could be recommended for individuals in Mainland China. This study translated and cross-culturally adapted Exercise-Induced Leg Pain Questionnaire into a Simplified Chinese version, and evaluated its reliability and validity in individuals with exercise-induced leg pain. Moderate to substantial correlations between the Simplified Chinese version of the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain Questionnaire and VAS, UCLA, as well as physical subscales of SF-36 were observed. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the 3-factor loading explained 74.736% of the total variance [Kaiser–Mayer–Olkin (KMO) = 0.672, C2 = 665.34, p < 0.001]. Simplified Chinese version of the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain Questionnaire was demonstrated to have acceptable simplicity, good reliability, and validity in individuals with exercise-induced leg pain, which could be recommended for patients in Chinese mainland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiotherapy-related toxicities of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) caused by a standard dose of 70 Gy remain a critical issue. Therefore, we assessed whether a radiotherapy dose of 60 Gy was non-inferior to the standard dose in patients with low-risk stage III NPC with a favourable response to induction chemotherapy (IC). We did a single-arm, single-centre, phase II clinical trial in China. Patients with low-risk (Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] DNA level <4000 copies/ml) stage III NPC were treated with two cycles IC. Patients with complete/partial response and undetectable EBV DNA level were assigned 60 Gy intensity-modulated radiotherapy concurrently with three cycles of cisplatin. The primary end-point was 2-year progression-free survival (PFS). This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov , number NCT 03668730. One patient quit because of withdrawal of informed consent after IC. In total, 215 patients completed two cycles of IC, after which 116 (54.0%) and 99 (46.0%) patients were assigned 60 and 70 Gy radiotherapy, respectively. For 215 patients, the 2-year PFS was 90.7% (95% CI, 86.8%–94.6%) with a median follow-up of 43.9 months (interquartile range [IQR], 39.8–46.2). For patients treated with 60 Gy radiotherapy, the 2-year PFS rate was 94.8% (95%CI 90.7%–98.9%) with a median follow-up of 43.9 months (IQR 40.2–46.2). The most common late toxicity was grade 1–2 dry mouth (incidence rate: 54.3%). No grade 3+ long-term adverse event was observed, and most quality-of-life items, domains, and symptom scores returned to baseline by 6 months. Reduced-dose radiation (60 Gy) is associated with favourable survival outcomes and limited treatment-related toxicities in patients with low-risk stage III NPC sensitive to IC. • A total of 216 patients with low-risk stage III NPC were enroled in this study. • One hundred and sixteen patients had CR/PR and undetectable EBV DNA after IC. • Sixty Gy RT is non-inferior to the 70 Gy RT in low-risk stage III NPC. • No grade 3+ long-term adverse event was found in 60 Gy cohort. • The 2-year PFS rate of the whole cohort was 90.7%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which explores the similarities and differences between marine and the continental shale gas found in China. It provides information about brittle mineral content as well as the organic matter in marine shale based on sapropelic and the strength of tectonic activity. The adsorption capacity of the shale gas is mentioned.

Background: After the eradication of smallpox in China in 1979, vaccination with the vaccinia virus (VACV) Tiantan strain for the general population was stopped in 1980. As the monkeypox virus (MPXV) is rapidly spreading in the world, we would like to investigate whether the individuals with historic VACV Tiantan strain vaccination, even after more than 40 years, could still provide ELISA reactivity and neutralizing protection; and whether the unvaccinated individuals have no antibody reactivity against MPXV at all. Results: We established serologic ELISA to measure the serum anti-MPXV titer by using immunodominant MPXV surface proteins, A35R, B6R, A29L, and M1R. A small proportion of individuals (born before 1980) with historic VACV Tiantan strain vaccination exhibited serum ELISA cross-reactivity against these MPXV surface proteins. Consistently, these donors also showed ELISA seropositivity and serum neutralization against VACV Tiantan strain. However, surprisingly, some unvaccinated young adults (born after 1980) also showed potent serum ELISA activity against MPXV proteins, possibly due to their past infection by some self-limiting Orthopoxvirus (OPXV). Conclusions: We report the serum ELISA cross-reactivity against MPXV surface protein in a small proportion of individuals both with and without VACV Tiantan strain vaccination history. Combined with our serum neutralization assay against VACV and the recent literature about mice vaccinated with VACV Tiantan strain, our study confirmed the anti-MPXV cross-reactivity and cross-neutralization of smallpox vaccine using VACV Tiantan strain. Therefore, it is necessary to restart the smallpox vaccination program in high risk populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial root-zone irrigation (PRI) has been practiced worldwide, but little information is available on nitrogen (N) supply methods influence on fate of applied N fertilizer for crop production under PRI. A field experiment was conducted to investigate effect of N supply methods on the uptake, residual, and loss of applied N fertilizer in maize (Zea mays L.) under alternate PRI at Wuwei, northwest China in 2014. 15N-labeled urea was used as N fertilizer. Two irrigation methods included alternate furrow irrigation (AI) and conventional furrow irrigation (CI). Two N fertilizer supply methods included conventional N supply (CN) and alternate N supply (AN), were applied in combination with each irrigation method. Grain yield, root length density (RLD), N uptake by maize at the maturity stage, and atom % of 15N excess, residual 15N and residual NO3-N in the 0-100 cm soil layer after maize harvest were determined. Results shown that compared to CI coupled with CN, AI coupled with AN or CN significantly increased the grain yield, harvest index, RLD, N uptake by maize, 15N accumulation in grain, atom % of 15N excess in the 0-60 cm soil layer, the residual 15N and 15N uptake rates; but significantly decreased the residual NO3-N in the 0-100 cm soil layers and 15N loss rate. Moreover, the synchronized rather than separation supply of N fertilizer and water enhanced the most above parameters under AI. 15N uptake rate was positively correlated with RLD in the 0-40 cm soil layer, suggesting that the enhanced RLD contributed to the improved 15N uptake rate. Therefore, alternate furrow irrigation coupled with conventional or alternate nitrogen supply (synchronized supply of N fertilizer and water) could help improve 15N uptake rate and reduce the 15N loss rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in China has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. The cardiac injury is a common condition among the hospitalized patients with COVID-19. However, whether N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) predicted outcome of severe COVID-19 patients was unknown.Methods: The study initially enrolled 102 patients with severe COVID-19 from a continuous sample. After screening out the ineligible cases, 54 patients were analyzed in this study. The primary outcome was in-hospital death defined as the case fatality rate. Research information and following-up data were obtained from their medical records.Results: The best cut-off value of NT-proBNP for predicting in-hospital death was 88.64 pg/mL with the sensitivity for 100% and the specificity for 66.67%. Patients with high NT-proBNP values (> 88.64 pg/mL) had a significantly increased risk of death during the days of following-up compared with those with low values (≤88.64 pg/mL). After adjustment for potential risk factors, NT-proBNP was independently correlated with in-hospital death.Conclusion: NT-proBNP might be an independent risk factor for in-hospital death in patients with severe COVID-19.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials, NCT04292964. Registered 03 March 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As wind power resources are abundant, China’s wind power industry has entered a period of rapid growth since 2005, and constantly facing new challenges at the same time. In this paper, the general situation of China’s wind power resource and wind power industry development are introduced. On this basis, future development potential and target of wind power industry are analyzed combining with the recent introduction of the policy and the “Twelfth Five-Year Plan”. The main obstacles prevailing in the development such as grid integration, price mechanism, industry standard system, and supporting policies are discussed. In addition, strategy advice for promoting the further development of China’s wind power is proposed. In general, the development prospect of China’s wind power industry will be even brighter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the development of economy and the improvement of living standards, both power demand and power grid capacity are increasing in China. Meanwhile, power consumption structure has undergone great changes which makes the peak–valley difference of power grid is growing, and the contradiction between peaking regulation capacity with peak-load dispatching demand is more outstanding. Recently, with construction of power stations, national regulation for macro-economy and limitations to high energy-consuming enterprises, power consumption declines in low-load hours, causes thermal power units idle which is low efficiency and not environmentally friendly and these problems could be solved if there are sufficient peaking power like pumped storage station. Therefore, based on the development status of peak-load dispatching power source in China, developing pumped storage and gas-fired generation peaking units are of great realistic significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.Objective: To translate and cross-culturally adapt back pain function scale (BPFS) into a simplified Chinese version (SC-BPFS), and evaluate the reliability and validity of SC-BPFS in patients with low back pain.Summary Of Background Data: The BPFS is a reliable and valid evaluation instrument for low back pain. However, simplified Chinese version of BPFS has not been validated.Methods: Cross-cultural adaptation was performed according to the internationally recognized guidelines of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Outcome Committee. One-hundred and sixty-two participants with low back pain (LBP) were included in this study. Reliability was tested based on test-retest reliability and internal consistency. We calculated Cronbach alpha and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was analyzed by evaluating the correlations between SC-BPFS and the Oswestry disability index (ODI), the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the short form (36) health survey (SF-36).Results: The original version of the BPFS was cross-culturally well adapted and translated into simplified Chinese. Each item of the SC-BPFS was properly responded and correlated with the total items. SC-BPFS had good reliability (Cronbach alpha = 0.847, intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.891, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.864-0.914). Elimination of any one item in all did not result in a value of Cronbach alpha of <0.80. SC-BPFS had a high correlation with ODI (0.712, P < 0.01) and a moderate correlation with VAS (0.484, P < 0.01). And it was also fairly to very well correlated with physical domains of SF-36 (0.334-0.632, P < 0.01), and not correlated with mental domains of SF-36 (0.022-0.119, P > 0.05).Conclusion: SC-BPFS demonstrated outstanding acceptability, internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity, and could be recommended for patients with LBP in Mainland China.Level of Evidence: 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To analyse the predictive factors for worse pathological outcome (muscle invasive pT2+, non-organ-confined pT3+ or N+ and histological Grade 3) of upper tract urothelial carcinoma ( UTUC) in a Chinese population from a nationwide high-volume centre in China., Patients and Methods Predictors were studied by retrospectively reviewing the clinicopathological data of 729 consecutive patients with UTUC treated in our centre from January 2002 to December 2010., Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used., Results There were more female patients (56.4%) than males and more tumours were located in the ureter (52.7%) than in the pelvis., In multivariate analysis, male gender (hazard ratio [ HR] 1.898, P = 0.001), sessile architecture ( HR 3.249, P < 0.001), high grade ( HR 5.007, P < 0.001), ipsilateral hydronephrosis ( HR 4.768, P < 0.001), renal pelvis location ( HR 2.620, P < 0.001) and tumour without multifocality ( HR 1.639, P = 0.028) were predictive factors for muscle-invasive UTUC., Male gender ( HR 2.132, P < 0.001), renal pelvis location ( HR 3.466, P < 0.001), tumour without multifocality ( HR 2.532, P = 0.001), sessile tumour architecture ( HR 3.274, P < 0.001), and high grade ( HR 3.019, P < 0.001) were predictive factors for non-organ-confined disease., Chronological old age ( HR 1.047, P < 0.001), sessile tumour architecture ( HR 25.192, P < 0.001), ipsilateral hydronephrosis ( HR 1.689, P = 0.024), and positive urinary cytology ( HR 1.997, P = 0.006) were predictive factors for histological Grade 3 UTUC., Conclusions There was a predominance of female patients and ureteric tumours in UTUCs of this Chinese population., Male gender, sessile architecture, tumour location, tumour without multifocality, high histological grade and preoperative ipsilateral hydronephrosis were independent predictive factors for worse pathological outcome of UTUCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is estimated that approximately 20 million migrant school-aged children have accompanied their parents in relocating to cities in China. However, little research on the lives of these children has been conducted. The purpose of the present study is to identify the risk factors associated with the psychological wellbeing of children of migrant workers in Shanghai, China. A total of 625 children of migrant workers were recruited from ten primary and secondary schools in Shanghai through a survey design using the multistage cluster sampling method. Children of migrant workers were identified as mentally healthy or unhealthy using The revised child anxiety and depression scale. Socio-demographic characteristics, parent–child relationship, peer relationship and relationships in schools were explored as correlates of the psychological wellbeing of children of migrant workers. Compared to overseas studies, children of migrant workers suffered from symptoms of separation anxiety, depression and generalized anxiety disorder. They were male (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 0.99–3.60), older in age (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.99–1.40), experiencing parent–child conflicts (OR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.28–2.89), discipline from teacher (OR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.26–4.16) and discrimination in school (OR = 4.53, 95% CI 1.11–18.48). The findings provide information for the prevention of mental ill-health among children of migrant workers in China. The implications and limitations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green tea is one of the main teas in China, which is unfermented and retains more natural substances of fresh tea leaves. This is the preliminary study of application of 'fingerprints' based on differences in component composition of green tea. Five green teas from different areas in eastern China are analyzed, which are processed by microwave-assisted solvent (ethanol) extraction method to obtain tea polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, pigments (thearubigins, theaflavins, theabrownins). The results show that the component composition of five green teas are varied from each other; based on these contents varieties, we have constructed a 'fingerprint' and applied linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to assist in the identification of these five green teas. This method does not require large, expensive instruments (such as high performance liquid chromatograph, gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer, etc.), and is easy to use, which provides a new avenue for the identification of tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salvia miltiorrhiza is one of the most commonly used medicinal materials in China. In recent years, the quality of S. miltiorrhiza has attracted much attention. Biotic and abiotic elicitors are widely used in cultivation to improve the quality of medicinal plants. We isolated an endophytic fungus, Mucor fragilis, from S. miltiorrhiza. We compared the effects of endophytic fungal elicitors with those of yeast extract together with silver ion, widely used together as effective elicitors, on S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. Seventeen primary metabolites (amino acids and fatty acids) and five secondary metabolites (diterpenoids and phenolic acids) were analyzed after elicitor treatment. The mycelium extract promoted the accumulation of salvianolic acid B, rosmarinic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. Additionally, qPCR revealed that elicitors affect the accumulation of primary and secondary metabolites by regulating the expression of key genes (SmAACT , SmGGPPS , and SmPAL). This is the first detection of both the primary and secondary metabolites of S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots, and the results of this work should help guide the quality control of S. miltiorrhiza. In addition, the findings confirm that Mucor fragilis functions as an effective endophytic fungal elicitor with excellent application prospect for cultivation of medicinal plants. • 5 primary metabolites, 17 secondary metabolites, and 3 key genes were simultaneously detected in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. • A novel endophytic fungal elicitor derived from S. miltiorrhiza was isolated and prepared. • The fungal elicitor exhibited a similar effect with YE + Ag+ when up-regulating C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1 contents. • The effects of elicitors on primary and secondary metabolite accumulations in S. miltiorrhiza were investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To describe the diagnostic criteria used and their application accuracy in the practice of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) caring among obstetricians and gynaecologists across China. Methods: This was an Online cross-sectional survey of Obstetricians and gynecologists involved in PCOS caring conducted via the largest continuing education platform of obstetrics and gynecology across China from September 2019 to November 2019. Results: A total of 2,328 respondents were eligible for the final analysis. Of these, 94.5 % were general obstetricians and gynaecologists (Ge-ObGyn), and 5.5 % were reproductive endocrinologists (Re-ObGyn). Overall, the most frequently used criteria were the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society (AE-PCOS) criteria (48.2 %), followed by the Rotterdam criteria (35.7 %) and NIH criteria (12.1 %). Of the respondents, 31.3 % used their diagnostic criteria in their clinical practice. More respondents who chose the Rotterdam criteria could accurately apply the diagnostic criteria than those who chose the AE-PCOS criteria (41.2 % vs. 32.1 %, P < 0.001). Compared with Ge-ObGyn, Re-ObGyn were less likely to use the AE-PCOS criteria (adjusted odds ratio, 0.513; 95 % CI, 0.328–0.802; P < 0.05) and 1.492 times more likely to accurately use their criteria (95 % CI, 1.014–2.196; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Less than one-third of obstetricians and gynaecologists across China could accurately use the diagnostic criteria they choose to diagnose PCOS. There is an urgent need to train obstetricians and gynaecologists on PCOS diagnosis in an effort to improve the medical care quality of patients with PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green tea is one of the main teas in China, which is unfermented and retains more natural substances of fresh tea leaves. This is the preliminary study of application of 'fingerprints' based on differences in component composition of green tea. Five green teas from different areas in eastern China are analyzed, which are processed by microwave-assisted solvent (ethanol) extraction method to obtain tea polyphenols, flavonoids, polysaccharides, pigments (thearubigins, theaflavins, theabrownins). The results show that the component composition of five green teas are varied from each other; based on these contents varieties, we have constructed a 'fingerprint' and applied linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) to assist in the identification of these five green teas. This method does not require large, expensive instruments (such as high performance liquid chromatograph, gas chromatograph, mass spectrometer, etc.), and is easy to use, which provides a new avenue for the identification of tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Internalized stigma, an adverse psychological process, severely impedes the lives of people diagnosed with schizophrenia and restricts them from social integration and recovery. The aim of this study was to empirically evaluate an integrative model of relationship between internalized stigma and patients' recovery-related outcomes among people diagnosed with schizophrenia in a rural Chinese community.Method: A total of 232 people diagnosed with schizophrenia in Xinjin, Chengdu, participated in this study and completed measures of internalized stigma, social interaction, perceived social support, social functioning, and symptoms. The internalized stigma of mental illness scale (ISMI) was used to measure the internalized stigma. Path analysis was used to test the association between internalized stigma and recovery-related outcomes.Results: There were no significant differences in mean scores of ISMI by gender, age (18-64 years and ≥ 65 years), education, marital status, or economic capacity. Internalized stigma was negatively associated with perceived social support and social interaction. Furthermore, higher level of internalized stigma was associated with impaired social functioning, and a lower level of social functioning was significantly associated with more severe symptoms.Conclusion: Internalized stigma is associated with poor social interaction and weakened perceived social support in people diagnosed with schizophrenia, and is linked negatively to outcomes in their recovery. It is essential to tailor interventions related to reducing internalized stigma within a Chinese context and evaluate the effectiveness of anti-stigma intervention on recovery for people diagnosed with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of periods of extreme weather events, including heat waves that are harmful to arthropod natural enemies. We studied the thermotolerance of the ladybeetle Serangium japonicum Chapin (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), an important native predator of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) in China. Serangium japonicum eggs, first‐ and fourth‐instar larvae, pupae, and adults were subjected to a range of high temperatures (36, 39, 42, 43.5, and 45 °C) at intervals between 15 and 720 min. Survival was compromised and declined sharply for all life stages at temperatures of 42 °C and higher. First instars were the least heat tolerant, and eggs were typically the most resistant. Egg predation by S. japonicum did not differ whether the adult beetles were subjected to either heat shock or starvation first. Heat shock treatments at 36 °C did not impede adult egg consumption, treatments at 39 °C crippled ladybeetle's egg consumption for 8 h following treatment but recovered predatory capacity within 24 h after treatment. However, treatments at 42 °C greatly impaired ladybeetle's predatory capacity. After experiencing heat shock at 39 and 42 °C, adults significantly increased the amount of time they spent resting, which is the probable cause of predation decline after heat exposure. These results demonstrate that short periods of extreme heat exposures have a detrimental impact on S. japonicum survival and predation, but the effect was dependent on duration and life stage. Overall, these findings can help predict population dynamics and success of biological control of whitefly by S. japonicum in a warming world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need for more detailed spatial information on soil organic carbon (SOC) for the accurate estimation of SOC stock and earth system models. As it is effective to use environmental factors as auxiliary variables to improve the prediction accuracy of spatially distributed modeling, a combined method (HASM_EF) was developed to predict the spatial pattern of SOC across China using high accuracy surface modeling (HASM), artificial neural network (ANN), and principal component analysis (PCA) to introduce land uses, soil types, climatic factors, topographic attributes, and vegetation cover as predictors. The performance of HASM_EF was compared with ordinary kriging (OK), OK, and HASM combined, respectively, with land uses and soil types (OK_LS and HASM_LS), and regression kriging combined with land uses and soil types (RK_LS). Results showed that HASM_EF obtained the lowest prediction errors and the ratio of performance to deviation (RPD) presented the relative improvements of 89.91%, 63.77%, 55.86%, and 42.14%, respectively, compared to the other four methods. Furthermore, HASM_EF generated more details and more realistic spatial information on SOC. The improved performance of HASM_EF can be attributed to the introduction of more environmental factors, to explicit consideration of the multicollinearity of selected factors and the spatial nonstationarity and nonlinearity of relationships between SOC and selected factors, and to the performance of HASM and ANN. This method may play a useful tool in providing more precise spatial information on soil parameters for global modeling across large areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the global environmental pollution and fossil energy shortage problems getting increasingly serious, renewable energy sources (RES) are drawing more and more attention. In China, RES are experiencing rapid development. However, because of the randomness of RES and the volatility of power output, energy storage technology is needed to chip peak off and fill valley up, promoting RES utilization and economic performance. So to speak, energy storage is the precondition of large-scale integration and consumption of RES. However, China's energy storage industry is at the exploration stage and far from commercialization. This restricts the development of RES to certain extent. For this reason, this paper will concentrate on China's energy storage industry. First, it summarizes the developing status of energy storage industry in China. Then, this paper analyzes the existing problems of China's energy storage industry from the aspects of technical costs, standard system, benefit evaluation and related policies. Finally, solutions are proposed based on the above problems to promote the sound development of China's energy storage industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new diterpenoids named 1-epi-9-hydroxydepressin (1), 1-epi-8-hydroxydepressin (2), 2,13,9-trihydroxy-labda-8(17),12(E),14-triene (3) and tagalsin I (4) were isolated fromEuphorbia rapulum.The structures of these compounds were elucidated by means of various spectroscopic methods. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activities against HepG2, MCF-7, and C6 cell lines, and compound4showed moderate selective activity against MCF-7 cell line with an IC50value of 31.8 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

With the increasingly severe global environmental problems and the decrease of the storage of the fossil energy, renewable energy sources (RES) are drawing more and more attention. In China, renewable energy generation (REG) is experiencing a rapid development; however, its investment, transmission and management remain immature and deficient compared with those of the developed countries. First, this paper summarises the developing situation of REG in China through taking the booming wind power and photovoltaic power as examples, indicating that the grid connection rate of REG has yet to be improved. Then, this paper focuses on the grid connection management mode of REG in China which includes the following aspects: operation management, organisation management and grid connection incentive policy. Third, based on the above research, this paper analyses the existing problems of the grid connection management mode of REG. Finally, a coordinated management mechanism is proposed to solve the problems impeding large-scale grid connection of REG in China, including the coordinated management mechanism of integrated planning and transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chalukou porphyry Mo deposit (2.46 Mt @ 0.087% Mo), located in the northern Great Xing'an Range, NE China, is the largest Mo deposit discovered in China so far. The host rocks consist of aplite porphyry, granite porphyry and quartz porphyry, and are intruded into Lower Ordovician intermediate-felsic volcanic-sedimentary rocks and pre-ore monzogranite and are cut by post-ore feldspar porphyry, diorite porphyry and quartz monzonite porphyry. Here, we present the zircon U-Pb ages, whole-rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd isotopic and zircon Hf isotopic data for the pre-ore, syn-ore and post-ore intrusive rocks. The Chalukou ore-forming porphyries intruded during 147-148 Ma and have high-silica, alkali-rich, metaluminous to slightly peraluminous compositions and are oxidized. They are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. K, Rb, U and Th), light REE and depleted in high-field strength elements (e.g. Nb, P and Ti). Depletions in Eu, Ba, Sr, Nb, Ta, P and Ti suggest that they have experienced strong fractional crystallization of plagioclase, biotite, hornblende and accessory minerals. The pre-ore monzogranite (~ 172 Ma) also belongs to the high-K calc-alkaline series. Highly fractionated REE patterns ((La/Yb) N = 19.6-21.7), high values of Sr/Y (54-69) and La/Yb (29-32), are adakite-like geochemical features. The post-ore rocks (~ 141-128 Ma) have similar geochemical characteristics with ore-forming porphyries except that quartz monzonite porphyry shows no Ba-Sr negative anomaly. All intrusive rocks have relative low initial 87Sr/86Sr (0.705413-0.707889) and εNd (t) values (- 1.28 to + 0.92), positive εHf (t) values (+ 2.4 to + 10.1) and young two-stage Nd and Hf model ages (TDM2 (Nd) = 863-977 Ma, TDM2 (Hf) = 552-976 Ma). These geochemical and isotopic data are interpreted to demonstrate that the ore-forming porphyries formed by partial melting of the juvenile lower crust caused by underplating of mafic magmas in an intra-plate extensional setting. The pre-ore monzogranite formed by partial melting of thickened lower crust in a collisional setting caused by closure of Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean. The post-ore feldspar porphyry shares a similar magma source with ore-forming porphyry, but the quartz monzonite porphyry has a relatively deeper magma source region and has not experienced as much fractional crystallization. The transformation from middle Jurassic compression to late Jurassic extension created favorable conditions for the generation and emplacement of the ore-forming magma. The juvenile lower crust provided the main source of molybdenum for Chalukou deposit. Enrichment of Mo by fractional crystallization played an important role in concentrating Mo during formation of the Chalukou Mo deposit. The age (~ 147 Ma), high fluorine, and associated Pb-Zn deposits are all different from other major porphyry Mo deposits in NE China; Chalukou is a new mineral deposit type in the Great Xing'an Range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, there are over 170 million people suffering from mental illness. However, there is a lack of a critical review of the policies governing the provision of mental health services. Drawing on the framework of mental health policy developed by the WHO, this article critically examines mental health policies regarding legislation, financing, model of care and delivery, as well as manpower and the training of mental health professionals in China. This analysis raises a number of policy-related questions concerning the lack of community-based psychiatric services, inadequate coverage of mental health services in the rural areas, poor standard of education and an insufficient number of trained mental health professionals, and insufficient protection of the human rights of people with mental illness. The article ends by urging the various levels of governments to make a firm commitment to improve mental health care for people with mental illness in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries in which the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is intact, there is controversyabout whether reconstructing the popliteus tendon (POP), the popliteofibular ligament (PFL), or both structures (POP + PFL) isrequired to restore normal external tibial rotation.Hypothesis: Three reconstruction techniques, POP, PFL, and POP 1 PFL, are able to restore external tibial rotation to normal.Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.Methods: Six nonpaired human knees were tested under the following states: POP and PFL intact and sectioned. The 3 differentsurgical techniques were used to reconstruct the sectioned structures, and the knees were retested. Each knee was subjected toa 5-N⋅m external rotation torque and tested at 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of flexion. A navigation system was used to measuremotion changes of the tibia with respect to the femur.Results: There were small but significant increases in external rotation after sectioning both the POP and PFL. Sectioning of eitherone of these structures alone produced smaller increases that were not significant. After comparing all of the tested reconstructedstates to the intact state, there were significant differences at knee flexion angles from 30° to 90°. The PFL procedure restoredexternal tibial rotation without significant differences compared with the intact knee at 30° to 90° of flexion. The POP and POP +PFL techniques significantly overconstrained external tibial rotation at all tested angles.Conclusion: In an LCL-intact PLC injury model, the POP and PFL function as a unit in resisting external rotation. All surgical proceduresdescribed and tested were able to reduce the increased external rotational laxity found in the sectioned state. The PFLreconstruction technique was able to restore external rotation to near normal. However, the techniques involving POP reconstructionoverconstrained external rotation during laxity testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports a study which was conducted to quantitatively evaluate the early clinical outcomes of patients with valgus instability of knee joints who had undergone superficial medial collateral ligament (sMCL) reconstruction using Achilles tendon allografts. The result revealed that surgical management with sMCL reconstruction effectively restored the valgus laxity of the knee. The subjective functional results significantly improved at early-stage follow-up postoperatively.

Abstract: Hymeniacidon sinapium (De Laubenfels, 1930) (Demospongiae, Halichondrida, Halichondriidae) collected from China''s Yellow Sea has been a model sponge species for extensive studies of in vitro cultures of sponge cells and explants in our group since 2002. To better understand its reproductive cycle, the aim of this study is to elucidate the temporal changes in microbial community, the spiculogenesis activity (in terms of silicatein gene expression) and the stress response (in terms of hsp70 gene expression) during its annual life cycle. Histological studies by light microscopy revealed that H. sinapium is a characteristic seasonal species with four distinctive developmental stages of resuscitation, bloom, decline and dormancy during its annual life cycle. The sexual reproductive processes were observed from August to October (summer), with all the reproductive elements (oocytes, sperm cysts, embryos and larvae) documented. There is no direct correlation between seawater temperature and gametogenesis. The gene expression of silicatein and hsp70 was investigated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR during its annual life cycle. Silicatein expression correlated with the histogenesis and reached the highest value in late July (bloom stage). While hsp70 expression correlated with the seawater temperature and also reached the highest value at the same time. We hypothesize that after reaching the maximum biomass growth, sponge should adjust energy distribution to meet the need of gametogenesis and embryogenesis in the reproductive season. Bacterial community variability in a life cycle ranged from 18% to 98% (dice similarity of each two samples) using DGGE, and formed four distinctive clusters consistent with seasons. After sequencing, twelve typical bands from DGGE were compared to GenBank and basically clustered into five phyla: Actinobacteria, α-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Cyanobacteria. This study reported, for the first time, high temporal variability in silicatein, hsp70 and bacterial community during the annual life cycle of H. sinapium. This knowledge is significant for the development of sponge explants culture under controlled laboratory conditions and large-scale sponge seed-rearing technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Observational studies from Asia suggest that maxingshigan–yinqiaosan may be effective in the treatment of acute H1N1 influenza. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of oseltamivir and maxingshigan–yinqiaosan in treating uncomplicated H1N1 influenza. Design: Prospective, nonblinded, randomized, controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00935194) Setting: Eleven hospitals from 4 provinces in China. Patients: 410 young adults aged 15 to 59 years with laboratoryconfirmed H1N1 influenza. Intervention: Oseltamivir, 75 mg twice daily; maxingshigan– yinqiaosan decoction (composed of 12 Chinese herbal medicines, including honey-fried Herba Ephedrae), 200 mL 4 times daily; oseltamivir plus maxingshigan–yinqiaosan; or no intervention (control). Interventions and control were given for 5 days. Measurements: Primary outcome was time to fever resolution. Secondary outcomes included symptom scores and viral shedding determined by using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Significant reductions in the estimated median time to fever resolution compared with the control group (26.0 hours [95% CI, 24.0 to 33.0 hours]) were seen with oseltamivir (34% [95% CI, 20% to 46%]; P < 0.001), maxingshigan–yinqiaosan (37% [CI, 23% to 49%]; P < 0.001), and oseltamivir plus maxingshigan– yinqiaosan (47% [CI, 35% to 56%]; P < 0.001). Time to fever resolution was reduced by 19% (CI, 0.3% to 34%; P = 0.05) with oseltamivir plus maxingshigan–yinqiaosan compared with oseltamivir. The interventions and control did not differ in terms of decrease in symptom scores (P = 0.38). Two patients who received maxingshigan–yinqiaosan reported nausea and vomiting. Limitations: Participants were young and had mild H1N1 influenza virus infection. Missing viral data precluded definitive conclusions about viral shedding. Conclusion: Oseltamivir and maxingshigan–yinqiaosan, alone and in combination, reduced time to fever resolution in patients with H1N1 influenza virus infection. These data suggest that maxingshigan– yinqiaosan may be used as an alternative treatment of H1N1 influenza virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A special type of repairable meniscal lesion involving the peripheral attachment of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus is commonly associated with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and is termed a ‘‘ramp lesion.’’ However, there are no previously published articles reporting the epidemiologic characteristics of ramp lesions.Hypothesis: The ramp lesion is a special type of medial meniscal tear with high prevalence associated with anterior cruciate ligament rupture; the prevalence increases with time from anterior cruciate ligament injury. Age and gender are risk factors affecting the prevalence of the ramp lesion.Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods: From April 2002 to October 2007, 868 consecutive knees were diagnosed as having an anterior cruciate ligament injury and received arthroscopic surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. All the patients had verified tears of the ramp area under arthroscopy. The prevalence of the ramp lesion was evaluated retrospectively. Then, all cases were divided into different groups depending on the time interval from anterior cruciate ligament injury to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and other relevant risk factors such as age and gender. The effects of age, gender, and time from injury on the prevalence of ramp lesions were analyzed.Results: Among 868 knees that underwent surgery for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, 144 knees were diagnosed as having a ramp lesion. The mean age was 24.7 years; there were 113 male and 31 female patients. The mean time from injury to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was 27.2 months. The prevalence of ramp lesions was 16.6%, which was analyzed as a logarithmic correlation with time from injury. Patients younger than 30 years of age and male patients had a significantly higher prevalence of ramp lesions.Conclusion: The ramp lesion is a common meniscal injury that can occur at the time of anterior cruciate ligament rupture or as a result of knee laxity associated with anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency. The prevalence of ramp lesion in this patient group was 16.6%, which increased with time until 24 months after initial injury. Patients younger than 30 years of age and male patients had a higher prevalence of ramp lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Acute kidney injury (AKI) following surgery is a major complication, but the prevalence and risk factors in the Asian population are unclear. Recently, a consensus definition of AKI (AKIN) was proposed. We studied a cohort of cardiac surgery patients and identified AKI by AKIN and associated risk factors. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 1,056 consecutive patients undergoing cardiac surgery in Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China from January 1, 2004 to June 30, 2007. We recorded AKIN stage, clinical characteristics, perioperative variables and complications, as well as clinical outcomes. Univariate and multivariate regression as well as survival analysis was performed. Results: AKI occurred in 328 (31.1%) patients, stage 1 in 21.1%, stage 2 in 6.3% and stage 3 in 3.7%. Patients with AKI were older (65.8 vs. 53.5 years, p < 0.001), more often male (66.8 vs. 54.1%, p < 0.001), and had higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (CCI >2: 22.6 vs. 7.8%, p < 0.001). In logistic regression, advanced age (OR 1.48 per decade, 95% CI 1.32-1.67), CCI >2 (OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.80-4.41), hypertension (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.47-3.09), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <45% (OR 1.97, 95% CI 1.14-3.40), postoperative central venous pressure (CVP) <6 cm H2O (OR 13.28, 95% CI 8.72-20.14) and postoperative use of ACEI/ARB (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.27-2.85) were risk factors of AKI. Mortality rose progressively with increased AKIN stage (non-AKI 0.7%, stage 1 4.9%, stage 2 12.1% and stage 3 48.7%). In ROC analysis, AKIN classification was identified to be associated with in-hospital mortality with an AUC of 0.865 (95% CI 0.801-0.929, sensitivity 0.884, specificity 0.714, p < 0.001). Finally, in a Cox proportional hazards model, AKIN stage (HR 2.40, p < 0.001), re-exploration (HR 6.30, p = 0.002) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (HR 4.42, p = 0.001) were associated risk factors for in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: We evaluated AKIN as a marker of AKI and mortality risk in a large, unselected Chinese cohort of incident patients undergoing cardiac surgery. AKI following cardiac surgery was diagnosed by AKIN criteria in around one third of the patients, and AKI may be associated with outcome. The value of preventative strategies to reduce AKI and their effect on in-hospital mortality should be studied. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF) is the first third-generation synchrotron facility in China and operated at an electron energy of 3.5 GeV. One of the seven beamlines in the first construction phase is devoted to soft x-ray spectromicroscopy and is equipped with an elliptically polarized undulator light source, a plane grating monochromator, and a scanning transmission x-ray microscope end station. Initial results reveal the high performance of this beamline, with an energy resolving power estimated to be over 10 000 at the argon L-edge and a spatial resolution better than 30 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tang, Y.; Feng, J.; Fu, Y., and Xue, S., 2020. Experimental study on shrinkage and creep of high-strength concrete used in a coastal complex environment bridge under a cyclic load. In: Liu, X. and Zhao, L. (eds.), Today's Modern Coastal Society: Technical and Sociological Aspects of Coastal Research. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 111, pp. 63–69. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In recent years, the construction of expressway road networks in China's coastal areas has been accelerating. Numerous coastal, offshore, and cross-sea bridges have appeared. Under the complex environment of marine erosion, typhoons, waves, etc., most bridges use high-strength concrete as a building material. Shrinkage and creep, two of the basic characteristics of high-strength concrete, can cause abnormal growth of structural deformation and even concrete cracking, which affects the safety of bridge structures. Numerous studies have focused on the shrinkage and creep characteristics of high-strength concrete under a constant load, but there are few reports on the shrinkage and creep of high-strength concrete under a cyclic load. Using standard concrete creep specimens and prestressed reinforced concrete beam members as the test objects, the authors carried out a creep test of high-strength concrete under a cyclic load and obtained the elastic modulus and creep coefficient. Comparative analysis of the creep coefficient and an existing shrinkage and creep model shows that the creep of high-strength concrete under a cyclic load is significantly greater than that creep a constant load. In addition, the creep development of high-strength concrete under a cyclic load shows a uniform increasing characteristic, suggesting that a coupling relationship between the prestress loss and the creep process of high-strength concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Compact Materials Irradiation Facility (CMIF) project will provide a high-energy, high-flux neutron source for material irradiation research which will be indispensable for the long-term Accelerator-Driven Advanced Nuclear Energy (ADANE) project in China. CMIF is a Be(d, xn) neutron source driven by a 10 mA @ 50 MeV continuous wave (CW) deuteron beam with a granular flow target. This paper presents numerical studies of a granular beryllium target which adopts inclined granular flow to serve as both the target body and also the heat carrier. First of all, the flow constancy of the chute flow is investigated. Next the relationship between the irradiation conditions and the beam-target parameters is studied. To investigate the heat processing ability of this kind of target, the heat deposition and transfer in the target are simulated numerically. Finally, the heat removal for the backplate and also irradiation damage are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]