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This research study aims to explore the factors that influence continuance intention in Blended learning (BL) among business school students in China. By employing a grounded theory approach and utilizing the Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (FsQCA) method, the research investigates the complex interplay of various variables that contribute to business school students’ intention to continue participating in BL programs. The study includes a comprehensive analysis of factors such as self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, task-technology fit, social influence, and satisfaction. The findings provide valuable insights into the factors that drive business school students’ continuance intention in BL, specifically within the business school context in China. Moreover, the study highlights the non-linear relationships and various configurations of these factors that result in high levels of continuance intention. The results contribute to the existing knowledge base and inform educational institutions in designing effective strategies to enhance business school students’ engagement and promote the long-term success of BL initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induction chemotherapy based on high-dose methotrexate is considered as the standard approach for newly diagnosed primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs). However, the best combination chemotherapeutic regimen remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and toxicities of rituximab with methotrexate (R-M regimen). Consecutive 37 Chinese patients receiving R-M regimen as induction chemotherapy were retrospectively identified from January 2015 to June 2020 from our center in eastern China. Fourteen patients receiving rituximab plus methotrexate with cytarabine (R-MA regimen) at the same period were identified as the positive control group. The response rates, survival, toxicities, length of hospital stay (LOS), and cost were compared. Compared with the R-MA regimen, the R-M regimen showed comparable response rate and survival outcomes, but had fewer grade 3–4 hematological toxicities, shorter LOS, lower mean total hospitalization cost and lower mean total antibiotic cost. Complete remission at the end of induction chemotherapy and ECOG > 3 were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. In conclusion, R-M regimen is an effective and cost-effective combination treatment for PCNSLs, which warrants further evaluation in randomized trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polarization information can greatly improve the ability of detection, parameter retrieval, and classification for entomological radar. In recent, the instantaneous fully polarimetric measurement technique is used in entomological radar, so as to relax the restriction of invariant orientation during observation compared to the typical vertical-looking radar with linear-polarized rotation configuration. However, the fully polarimetric measurement is based on a multichannels’ radar system, and the imbalance and crosstalk between channels, namely, polarimetric errors, will severely affect the measurement of the polarimetric scattering matrix (PSM). Thus, polarimetric calibration is essential to obtain the accurate polarization information of targets. In contrast to inefficient and manual calibration methods, a data-driven polarimetric calibration method is proposed based on the assumption of reciprocity and bilateral symmetry of insects in this article. The polarimetric errors are elaborately decomposed into two components, which could be estimated by reciprocity and bilateral symmetry, respectively. In addition, because the proposed method is data-driven, the calibration process could be automatically executed to compensate for the temporal-variant polarimetric errors induced by temperature change and, thus, suitable for the long-term operation of entomological radar. Simulations and experiments are carried out to evaluate the performance of the proposed calibration method. Results show that it could achieve high accuracy when the number of insects used as calibrators is large enough. The proposed method has been applied in Ku-band high-resolution fully polarimetric entomological radars for cross-border migratory insect observation in Yunnan province, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare form of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and a limited number of cases have been reported from China. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features of newly diagnosed PCNSLs from a single center in eastern China and to identify the potential prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). All consecutive patients with histopathologically diagnosed PCNSLs at our center between January 2003 and October 2017 were recruited. Demographic and clinicopathological data were collected and reviewed retrospectively. The potential risk factors for OS and PFS were identified using the log-rank test and Cox regression analysis. A total of 167 immunocompetent cases were enrolled. The median age was 58 years (range 17-96 years), and the male:female ratio was 3:2. Headache (n = 65; 39%) and cerebral hemisphere (n = 96; 57%) were the most common presenting complaint and location, respectively. Out of 167 cases, 150 cases were diffuse large B cell lymphomas. With a median follow-up of 25 months (range 1-152 ), the median OS and PFS were 37 months (95% CI, 25-49) and 17 months (95% CI, 13-20), respectively. Residual tumor after operation, chemotherapy without HD-MTX and palliative treatment was revealed as independent prognostic markers. Moreover, ECOG > 3, multifocal lesions, and palliative treatment were revealed as unfavorable independent prognostic markers for PFS. In conclusion, Chinese patients with PCNSL have distinct characteristics. Further studies are warranted to confirm the prognostic value of these factors and to optimize treatments for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: AML with inv(3)(q21.3q26.2) or t(3;3)(q21.3;q26.2) [inv(3)/t(3;3)] was very rare. Currently, most reports of AML‐inv(3)/t(3;3) were from Western countries, and few reports were from Asian countries. Racial differences in patients with AML‐inv(3)/t(3;3) are still unknown. Methods: Between January 1996 and April 2018, a total of 37 AML cases with inv(3)/t(3;3) were studied retrospectively. They were collected from 2229 primary AML cases performed with conventional cytogenetic analysis (37/2229, 1.66%). Results: Here, some differences were found by comparing our data with those from Western countries. In our series, AML with inv(3)(q21q26) had a lower incidence than that with t(3;3)(q21;q26) (11 vs 26 cases). Our patients seemed to be more younger (median, 43 years) and have lower hemoglobin concentrations (median, 73 g/L) and higher platelet count (median, 351 × 109/L). A higher incidence of acute monoblastic and monocytic leukemia (45.9%) was observed in our patients. Immunophenotypic studies showed that CD38 (30.8%) was not so frequently expressed as that in the earlier reports. Mutations analysis showed a high frequency of NRAS mutations (45.0%), followed by SF3B1(15.0%), GATA2(15.0%), FLT3‐ITD(10.0%), C‐Kit/D816(5.0%), and CEBPA(5.0%), without mutation of NPM1(Exon12)or JAK2V617. Conclusion: Ethnic differences do exist between the Chinese and Western patients with AML‐inv(3)/t(3;3), and more attention should be paid involving different ethnic populations and geographic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ntroduction: The aim of the study was to analyze clinicopathologic characteristics and survival and to identify prognostic factors for Chinese patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Material and methods: A total of 243 patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, treated during the period 2002 to 2009, were followed up from initial disease diagnosis to death or date of last follow-up (December 2011). Cumulative survival curves were created using Kaplan-Meier analysis with the log-rank test. Prognostic factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: During follow-up, 205 patients died, with a median OS of 27 months (95% CI: 23.5, 30.5 months), and the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 84.4%, 38.6%, and 18.1%, respectively. The median OS of HR+ patients was significantly higher than that of HR- patients (p < 0.001). Surgery (hazard ratio = 0.60, p = 0.002), endocrine therapy (hazard ratio = 0.53, p < 0.01), and anti-HER2 therapy (hazard ratio = 0.63, p = 0.003) were favorable independent prognostic factors for patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Conclusions: These results indicated that surgical intervention, endocrine therapy, and anti-HER2 therapy were good for these HER2 positive patients with metastatic breast cancer, but ECOG performance status < 1 and metastasis to brain were unfavorable independent prognostic factors. HR status was not an independent prognostic factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Yunnan Province of China is one of the important centers for origin and evolution of cultivated rice worldwide. Wild rice is the ancestor of the cultivated rice. Many elite traits of wild rice have widened the genetic basis in cultivated rice. However, many populations of wild rice species have disappeared in the past few years. Therefore, the current status of wild rice resources should be updated and the genetic diversity of wild rice species should be examined for further germplasm preservation and utilization. Our investigations showed that the number of natural wild rice populations declined sharply in Yunnan Province during the past few years due to various reasons. Fortunately, one population of Oryza rufipogon, three of O. officinalis and ten of O. granulata have been newly found in different ecological sites, which were confirmed by inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker analysis in this study. ISSR analysis and investigation of some important traits of nutritional values indicated that the genetic diversity of the currently existing wild rice resources in Yunnan is still rich. The demonstration of genetic diversity of wild rice by a combined use of geographical distribution, morphological traits, nutrition contents and ISSR markers would be helpful for the conservation and exploration of these important wild rice resources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The burden of disease of hearing disorders among children is high, but a large part goes undetected. School-based screening programs in combination with the delivery of hearing aids can alleviate this situation, but the costs of such programs are unknown. Aim: To evaluate the costs of a school-based screening program for hearing disorders, among approximately 216,000 school children, and the delivery of hearing aids to 206 children at three different care levels in China. Methods: In a prospective study design, screening and hearing aid delivery costs were estimated on the basis of program records and an empirical assessment of health personnel time input. Household costs for seeking and undergoing hearing health care were collected with a questionnaire, administered to the parents of the child. Data were collected at three study sites representing primary, secondary and tertiary care levels. Results: Total screening and hearing aid delivery costs ranged between RMB70,000 (US$9,000) and RMB133,000 (US$17,000) in the three study sites. Health care cost per child fitted ranged from RMB5,900 (US$760) at the primary care level, RMB7,200 (US$940) at the secondary care level, to RMB8,600 (US$1,120) at the tertiary care level. Household costs were only a small fraction of the overall costs. Cost per child fitted ranged between RMB1,608 and RMB2,812 (US$209-US$365), depending on perspective of analysis and study site. The program was always least costly in the primary care setting. Conclusion: Hearing screening and the delivery of hearing aids in China is least costly in a primary care setting. Important questions remain concerning its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Transcription factor 21 (TCF21, epicardin, capsuling, pod-1) is expressed in the epicardium and is involved in the regulation of cell fate and differentiation via epithelial-mesenchymal transformation during development of the heart. In addition, TCF21 can suppress the differentiation of epicardial cells into vascular smooth muscle cells and promote cardiac fibroblast development. This study aimed to explore whether TCF21 gene (12190287G/C) variants affect coronary artery disease risk. Methods: We enrolled 381 patients who had stable angina, 138 with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 276 healthy subjects. Genotyping of rs12190287 of the TCF21 gene was performed. Results: Higher frequencies of the CC genotype were found in the patients with stable angina/STEMI than in the healthy controls. After adjusting for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, age, sex, smoking, body mass index and hyperlipidemia, the patients with the CC genotype of the TCF21 gene were associated with 2.49- and 9.19-fold increased risks of stable angina and STEMI, respectively, compared to the patients with the GG genotype. Furthermore, TCF21 CC genotypes showed positive correlations with both stable angina and STEMI, whereas TCF21 GG genotypes exhibited a negative correlation with STEMI. Moreover, the stable angina and STEMI patients with the CC genotype had significantly elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels than those with the GG genotype. In addition, significant associations were found between type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia with TCF21 gene polymorphisms (p for trend < 0.05). Conclusion: TCF21 gene polymorphisms may increase susceptibility to stable angina and STEMI., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is an uncommon non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with poor prognosis. This study aimed to depict the genetic landscape of Chinese PCNSLs. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 68 newly diagnosed Chinese PCNSL samples, whose genomic characteristics and clinicopathologic features were also analyzed. Structural variations were identified in all patients with a mean of 349, which did not significantly influence prognosis. Copy loss occurred in all samples, while gains were detected in 77.9% of the samples. The high level of copy number variations was significantly associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). A total of 263 genes mutated in coding regions were identified, including 6 newly discovered genes (ROBO2, KMT2C, CXCR4, MYOM2, BCLAF1, and NRXN3) detected in ⩾ 10% of the cases. CD79B mutation was significantly associated with lower PFS, TMSB4X mutation and high expression of TMSB4X protein was associated with lower OS. A prognostic risk scoring system was also established for PCNSL, which included Karnofsky performance status and six mutated genes (BRD4, EBF1, BTG1, CCND3, STAG2, and TMSB4X). Collectively, this study comprehensively reveals the genomic landscape of newly diagnosed Chinese PCNSLs, thereby enriching the present understanding of the genetic mechanisms of PCNSL., (© 2023. Higher Education Press.)

Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been associated with an increased risks of corrected QT (QTc) prolongation and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), both of which are associated with the development of cardiovascular disease. Rotating night shift work and a higher risk of incident NAFLD have been reported in male steelworkers. This study aimed to investigate the association of the severity of NAFLD with a prolonged QTc interval and LVH in a large cohort of Chinese male steelworkers., Methods: We examined baseline data of 2998 male steel workers aged 26 to 71 years at two plants. All workers at both plants received regular health assessments, including 12-lead ECG and echocardiography. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the severity of NAFLD. QTc prolongation was defined as follows: normal ≤ 430 ms, borderline 431-450 ms, and abnormal ≥ 451 ms. LVH was defined as a left ventricular mass index (LVMI) >131 g/m 2 . Associations of NAFLD with an abnormal QTc interval and LVH were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses., Results: The QTc interval and the LVMI were significantly correlated with the NAFLD fibrosis score, and the severity of NAFLD was correlated with an abnormal QTc interval and LVH ( p for trend < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that in comparison to the workers without NAFLD, the odds ratios of having an abnormal QTc interval and LVH were 2.54 (95% CI: 1.22-5.39, p = 0.013) times and 2.23 (95% CI: 1.02-5.01, p = 0.044) times higher in the workers with moderate/severe NAFLD., Conclusions: NAFLD may be closely associated with the risks of an abnormal QTc interval and LVH, suggesting that regular electrocardiogram and echocardiogram monitoring could be used to evaluate the risk of arrhythmia and LVH in male steelworkers with NAFLD.

Background: Presently, the global spread of COVID-19 is still going on, with more than 0.6 million new cases confirmed per day (as of November 20, 2021). However, since China entered a post-epidemic phase in mid-March 2020, the daily number of new domestic infections in the Chinese mainland has been maintained at almost zero or single digits, which was attributed to a series of effective measures for COVID-19 prevention and control adopted by the Chinese government. Among these measures, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing holds key role for the timely confirmation and isolation of the infections to prevent further transmission., Methods: Referring to the national policy requirements, since April 30, 2020, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University has conducted SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing in its PCR laboratory for patients and social workers, as well as for environmental monitoring and employee screening. As of mid-November 2020, the daily amount of single-tube samples for nucleic acid testing rose above 4,000., Results: In this article, a rapid and highly effective approach for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid daily testing is presented, allowing five technicians to complete nucleic acid testing in 6,500 single-tube samples in one day with a high level of quality. Using this approach, since the samples entered the PCR laboratory, all testing results were reported in 2.5-3 h with satisfactory quality control and precise reporting criterion as prerequisites., Conclusion: This testing approach provides a referable workflow for other testing institutions and is expected to play an important role in COVID-19 prevention and control., (© 2021 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: Increased triglyceride glucose (TyG) index appears to be linked to carotid and coronary atherosclerosis and calcifications and possesses an elevated future risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation is associated with ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, and a high prevalence of prolonged QTc interval was previously reported in blue-collar workers. The purpose of this study was to find the possible causal inter-relationship between TyG index and QTc interval in a large population of Chinese male steelworkers. Methods: A total of 3189 male workers from two steel plants were enrolled. They responded to a cross-sectional questionnaire on basic attributes and lifestyle, including sleep patterns. All workers in the two plants underwent periodic health checkups, including twelve-lead electrocardiography. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess the direct and indirect effects of TyG index on QTc interval. Results: With increasing TyG index tertile, the male steelworkers had an increased QTc interval. Applying multivariate analysis, TyG index was associated independently with the odds of QTc prolongation (adjusted odds ratio = 2.73, 95% confidence interval = 1.39-5.24, p = 0.004). SEM revealed that TyG index, hypertension, obesity, lifestyle, white blood cell (WBC) count, and liver function had statistically significant direct effects on QTc interval. Furthermore, TyG index also had an indirect effect on QTc interval through hypertension, obesity, WBC count, and liver function. Moreover, lifestyle had an indirect effect on QTc interval through TyG index. The final model explained 14% of the variability in QTc interval. Conclusions: An increased TyG index was associated with QTc interval prolongation in this study, and SEM delineated possible causal pathways and inter-relationships of the risk factors contributing to the occurrence of QTc prolongation among Chinese male steelworkers.

Background: The current deep learning diagnosis of breast masses is mainly reflected by the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions. In China, breast masses are divided into four categories according to the treatment method: inflammatory masses, adenosis, benign tumors, and malignant tumors. These categorizations are important for guiding clinical treatment. In this study, we aimed to develop a convolutional neural network (CNN) for classification of these four breast mass types using ultrasound (US) images., Methods: Taking breast biopsy or pathological examinations as the reference standard, CNNs were used to establish models for the four-way classification of 3623 breast cancer patients from 13 centers. The patients were randomly divided into training and test groups (n = 1810 vs. n = 1813). Separate models were created for two-dimensional (2D) images only, 2D and color Doppler flow imaging (2D-CDFI), and 2D-CDFI and pulsed wave Doppler (2D-CDFI-PW) images. The performance of these three models was compared using sensitivity, specificity, area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), positive (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV), positive (LR+) and negative likelihood ratios (LR-), and the performance of the 2D model was further compared between masses of different sizes with above statistical indicators, between images from different hospitals with AUC, and with the performance of 37 radiologists., Results: The accuracies of the 2D, 2D-CDFI, and 2D-CDFI-PW models on the test set were 87.9%, 89.2%, and 88.7%, respectively. The AUCs for classification of benign tumors, malignant tumors, inflammatory masses, and adenosis were 0.90, 0.91, 0.90, and 0.89, respectively (95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.87-0.91, 0.89-0.92, 0.87-0.91, and 0.86-0.90). The 2D-CDFI model showed better accuracy (89.2%) on the test set than the 2D (87.9%) and 2D-CDFI-PW (88.7%) models. The 2D model showed accuracy of 81.7% on breast masses ≤1 cm and 82.3% on breast masses >1 cm; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). The accuracy of the CNN classifications for the test set (89.2%) was significantly higher than that of all the radiologists (30%)., Conclusions: The CNN may have high accuracy for classification of US images of breast masses and perform significantly better than human radiologists., Trial Registration: Chictr.org, ChiCTR1900021375; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=33139., (Copyright © 2021 The Chinese Medical Association, produced by Wolters Kluwer, Inc. under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.)

Objective: Aerobic vaginitis (AV) is a recently proposed term for genital tract infection in women. The diagnosis of AV is mainly based on descriptive diagnostic criteria proposed by Donders and co-workers. The objective of this study is to report AV prevalence in southwest China using an objective assay kit based on preformed enzymes and also to determine its characteristics., Materials and Methods: A total of 1948 outpatients were enrolled and tested by a commercial diagnostic kit to investigate the AV prevalence and characteristics in southwestern China. The study mainly examined the vaginal ecosystem, age distribution, Lactobacillus amount, and changes in pH. Differences within groups were analyzed by Wilcoxon two-sample test., Results: The AV detection rate is 15.40%. The AV patients were usually seen in the sexually active age group of 20-30 years, followed by those in the age group of 30-40 years. The vaginal ecosystems of all the patients studied were absolutely abnormal, and diagnosed to have a combined infection [aerobic vaginitis (AV) + bacterial vaginitis (BV) 61.33%; 184/300]. Aerobic bacteria, especially Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, were predominantly found in the vaginal samples of these women., Conclusion: AV is a common type of genital infection in southwestern China and is characterized by sexually active age and combined infection predominated by the AV and BV type., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

By the method of geostatistics, this paper studied the spatial heterogeneity of plant community species diversity in Ejina Oasis at the lower reaches of Heihe River. In the study area, the Margalef richness index (Ma), Simpson diversity index (Ds), Shannon diversity index (H') and Pielou evenness index (J') were in normal distribution, and the coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 55.8% to 67.8%, suggesting a moderate variability. The Ma and H' were accorded with exponential models, and the Ds and J' were accorded with spherical models. The H' had the highest extent of spatial variation, followed by Ma, J' and Ds. Within the variable range, the structural factors in the spatial variation of Ma, Ds, H', and J' were dominant, ranging from 81.1% to 93.0%. The indices changed obviously parallel to the river, with significantly high values near Dalaihubu Town (42 degrees N, 101 degrees E), and obviously low values within the strips 100 degrees-101 degrees E and 102 degrees-102 degrees 30' E, mainly including east and west Gobi and the hinterland of Badain Jaran Desert.

Massive numbers of palm civets were culled to remove sources for the reemergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Guangdong Province, China, in January 2004, following SARS coronavirus detection in market animals. The virus was identified in all 91 palm civets and 15 raccoon dogs of animal market origin sampled prior to culling, but not in 1,107 palm civets later sampled at 25 farms, spread over 12 provinces, which were claimed to be the source of traded animals. Twenty-seven novel signature variation residues (SNVs) were identified on the spike gene and were analyzed for their phylogenetic relationships, based on 17 sequences obtained from animals in our study and from other published studies. Analysis indicated that the virus in palm civets at the live-animal market had evolved to infect humans. The evolutionary starting point was a prototype group consisting of three viral sequences of animal origin. Initially, seven SNV sites caused six amino acid changes, at positions 147, 228, 240, 479, 821, and 1080 of the spike protein, to generate low-pathogenicity viruses. One of these was linked to the first SARS patient in the 2003-2004 period. A further 14 SNVs caused 11 amino acid residue changes, at positions 360, 462, 472, 480, 487, 609, 613, 665, 743, 765, and 1163. The resulting high-pathogenicity groups were responsible for infections during the so-called early-phase epidemic of 2003. Finally, the remaining six SNVs caused four amino acid changes, at positions 227, 244, 344, and 778, which resulted in the group of viruses responsible for the global epidemic.