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The fungal taxa belonging to the Clavicipitaceae (Hypocreales, Ascomycota) are widely distributed and include diverse saprophytic, symbiotic and pathogenic species that are associated with soils, insects, plants, fungi and invertebrates. In this study, we identified two new fungal taxa belonging to the family Clavicipitaceae that were isolated from soils collected in China. Morphological characterisation and phylogenetic analyses showed that the two species belong to Pochonia (Pochonia sinensis sp. nov.) and a new genus for which we propose Paraneoaraneomyces gen. nov. in Clavicipitaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the most important transcription factors in plants, the v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog (MYB) regulates the expression network of response genes under stresses such as fungal infection. In China, the canker disease Valsa mali threatens the survival of Malus sieversii, an ancestor of cultivated apples. Using the M. sieversii genome, we identified 457 MsMYB and 128 R2R3-MsMYB genes that were randomly distributed across 17 chromosomes. Based on protein sequence and structure, the R2R3-MsMYB genes were phylogenetically divided into 29 categories, and 26 conserved motifs were identified. We further predicted cis-elements in the 2000-kb promoter region of R2R3-MsMYBs based on the genome. Transcriptome analysis of M. sieversii under V. mali infection showed that 27 R2R3-MsMYBs were significantly differentially expressed, indicating their key role in the response to V. mali infection. Using transient transformation, MsMYB14, MsMYB24, MsMYB39, MsMYB78, and MsMYB108, which were strongly induced by V. mali infection, were functionally identified. Among the five MsMYBs, MsMYB14 and MsMYB78 were both important in enhancing resistance to diseases, whereas MsMYB24 inhibited resistance. Based on the results of this study, we gained a better understanding of the MsMYB transcription factor family and laid the foundation for a future research program on disease prevention strategies in M. sieversii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Apathy is attracting more and more attention in clinical practice. As one of the most common features of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD), the assessment of apathy still mainly relies on observers. With the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), new objective tools take part in the early detection of apathy. Objectives: To detect apathy in patients with CSVD and find out the relationship between apathy and actigraphic data sampled from the diurnal and nocturnal periods. Methods: A total of 56 patients with CSVD were recruited for a cross-sectional observational study. Apathy was diagnosed by the diagnostic criteria for apathy in neurocognitive disorders. The presence of lacunes, white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and perivascular spaces (PVS) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images were rated independently. Actigraph devices were worn in the non-dominant hands of each subject for 7 consecutive days to collect samples of raw data, and diurnal vector magnitude (VM) and a series of sleep quality variables were obtained. Results: We found that the frequency of apathy in Chinese patients with CSVD reached 37.50%. Patients in the Apathy+ group showed more lacunes and CMBs, and higher Fazekas scores in comparison to apathy-group individuals. Diurnal VM, instead of other sleep quality variables, was lower in CSVD patients with apathy relative to those without apathy. Lastly, we discovered that diurnal VM and total time in bed (TTB) correlated negatively with apathy severity in patients with CSVD. Conclusion: Actigraphy is a promising choice to evaluate apathy in patients with CSVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among adults worldwide, including China. After a hospital stay, transitional care could help to ensure improved patient care and outcomes, and reduce Medicare costs. Nevertheless, the results of the existing transitional care are not always satisfactory and our knowledge of how to perform effective transitional care for patients with coronary artery disease is limited in mainland China. Objectives To examine the effectiveness of a nurse-led transitional care program on clinical outcomes, health-related knowledge, and physical and mental health status among Chinese patients with coronary artery disease. Design Randomized controlled trial. Methods The Omaha system and Pender’s health promoting model were employed in planning and implementing this nurse-led transitional care program. The sample was comprised of 199 Chinese patients with coronary artery disease. The experimental group (n = 100) received nurse-led transitional care intervention in addition to routine care. The nurse-led transitional care intervention included a structured assessment and health education, followed by 7 months of individual teaching and coaching (home visits, telephone follow-up and group activity). The control group (n = 99) received a comparable length routine care and follow-up contacts. Evaluations were conducted at baseline and completion of the interventions using the perceived knowledge scale for coronary heart disease, the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey and clinical measures (blood pressure, blood glucose, lipids, body mass index). Data were collected between March and October 2014. Results Compared with the control group, participants in the experimental group showed significant better clinical outcomes (systolic blood pressure, t = 5.762, P = 0.000; diastolic blood pressure, t = 4.250, P = 0.000; fasting blood glucose, t = 2.249, P = 0.027; total cholesterol, t = 4.362, P = 0.000; triglyceride, t = 3.147, P = 0.002; low density lipoprotein cholesterol, t = 2.399, P = 0.018; and body mass index, t = 3.166, P = 0.002), higher knowledge scores for coronary artery disease (total knowledge score, t = −7.099, P = 0.000), better physical health status ( t = −2.503, P = 0.014) and mental health status ( t = −2.950, P = 0.004). Conclusions This study provides evidence for the value of a nurse-led transitional care program using both the Omaha system and Pender’s health promoting model as its theoretical framework. The structured interventions in this nurse-led transitional care program facilitate the use of this program in other settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the level of caregiver burden of Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with self-care deficit. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 65 caregivers (30 males, 35 females; mean age 52 years; range 20 to 79 years) of 65 RA inpatients (9 males, 56 females; mean age 59 years; range 20 to 85 years) with self-care deficit. Demographic data of patients and their respective caregivers were collected. The level of caregiver burden was defined using Caregiver Burden Inventory, a 24-item-five-domain survey tool. Correlation between different demographic factors and caregiver burden was analyzed. Predictive factors for burden level were also investigated. Results: A mean Caregiver Burden Inventory score of 44.0±4.0 was observed among caregivers of Chinese RA patients with self-care deficit. Among the five Caregiver Burden Inventory domains, developmental burden scored the highest (11.7±1.4), while physical burden scored the lowest (6.7±1.0). Among various demographic factors, patients' age (r=0.306, p=0.013) and health insurance coverage (r=-0.246, p=0.04) were correlated with the level of caregiver burden. Besides, caregiver's educational level (r=-0.316, p=0.01), relationship of caregiver with the patient (r=0.355, p=0.004), and whether or not the caregiver lived with the patient (r=0.362, p=0.003) were also significant factors. Predictive factors for caregiver burden of RA patients were identified as patient's health insurance coverage and caregiver's relationship with the patient, in agreement with the correlation analysis. Conclusion: Since caregiver burden may contribute to adverse health outcomes, supportive interventions should be established to target Chinese RA patients with self-care deficit and their caregivers to consolidate the sustainable care provided both at hospital and home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessibility has long been considered as an important factor that influences activity generation, especially nonwork activities. However, the conclusions on whether greater accessibility leads to more travel have been mixed. One reason for the conflicting results is that individual heterogeneity is not taken into account in the previous location-based accessibility measures. This paper fills this gap by operationalizing a person-based space-time accessibility (STA) measure based on the individual's spatial-temporal constraints. A discrete-continuous model of shopping activity participation and duration is developed incorporating this STA measure in order to investigate the influences of accessibility on activity generation. Using data from a global positioning system (GPS)--based activity travel survey from the Shangdi area of Beijing, China, this paper confirms that accessibility remains a significant positive effect on shopping activity generation. This implies that an individual's spatial-temporal constraints should be taken into consideration to explore the effect of land use on travel behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a 24-week Tai Chi exercise intervention on balance and other physical changes such as flexibility and reaction time (RT) among healthy older males. Methods: Thirty-eight male subjects aged 55–65 years without prior Tai Chi experience were recruited from a local community in Shanghai, China. A 60-min Tai Chi exercise session was performed three times a week for 24 weeks. Changes in RT, sit-and-reach flexibility and balance (static balance with eyes open and closed respectively) were measured before and after the Tai Chi intervention. Results: After the 24-week Tai Chi intervention, the choice RT (p <0.05) decreased, and sit-and-reach flexibility improved (p <0.01) over the pre-test (7.8±6.2 vs. 7.1±3.0cm). Sway length, area, X-axis deviation amplitude and Y-axis deviation amplitude performance decreased significantly after the intervention with a double-foot stance with eyes open (p <0.05). Sway length, area and average sway speed showed a statistically significant decrease after the intervention with the double-foot stance with eyes closed. In the single-foot stance with eyes open condition, sway length and average sway speed showed a statistically significant decrease (p <0.05). Conclusion: The 24-week Tai Chi exercise intervention had a positive influence on balance control in older males. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Because of terrain, geological structure, river down-incising and human activities, the upriver Minjiang Valley in Sichuan Province, Southwest China, constitutes a disaster area prone to frequent landslides. During the roadway rebuilding periods, the Xiaozongqu landslide reactivated on the G213 Roadway in Maoxian District of Sichuan Province. From the September to November in 2002, the landslide sped up, reaching a maximum movement rate of 32 mm/d. The rapid slide seriously threatened the road. To stabilize the landslide and eliminate the damage of landslide to the road, remedying its damage and monitoring further developments are crucial. Based on its kinematic behaviour, remediation was implemented in two phases from November 2002 to October 2003. Systematic monitoring has been carried out since 18 June 2003 to determine kinematic variations of the landslide during the post-remediation period and to assess the effects of remediation and the potential of the landslide for further destructive influences on the roadway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: QTLs for quality traits of northern-style hand-made Chinese steamed bread (CSB) were mapped based on recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross between two Chinese winter wheat varieties, Chuang 35050 and Shannong 483. We detected eight putative QTLs for eight quality traits on seven chromosomes, 2B, 2D, 4A, 5B, 5D, 6B and 7B. The contributions of QTLs ranged from 9.88 to 64.87%. The additive effects of QTLs for color, elasticity, and stickiness were positive, with Chuan 35050 increasing the effects. Additive effects for volume, specific volume, appearance, smell, and total score were negative, with Shannong 483 increasing the effects. Two co-location QTLs were detected in the marker region Xgwm644–Xgwm193–Xgwm608b on chromosome 6B. The contributions of four QTLs for appearance, stickiness, smell and total score were very high (29.80–64.87%), indicating that these traits are controlled by major gene loci. The contribution of the smell QTL in Xissr25b–Xissr23b–Xwmc308–Xsrap7c on chromosome 4A was the highest (64.87%). We speculate that a major gene related to the smell or taste is located on chromosome 4A. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concept of state vector stems from statistical physics, where it is usually used to describe activity patterns of a physical field in its manner of coarsegrain. In this paper, we propose an approach by which the state vector was applied to describe quantitatively the damage evolution of the brittle heterogeneous systems, and some interesting results are presented, i.e., prior to the macro-fracture of rock specimens and occurrence of a strong earthquake, evolutions of the four relevant scalars time series derived from the state vectors changed anomalously. As retrospective studies, some prominent large earthquakes occurred in the Chinese Mainland (e.g., the M 7.4 Haicheng earthquake on February 4, 1975, and the M 7.8 Tangshan earthquake on July 28, 1976, etc) were investigated. Results show considerable promise that the time-dependent state vectors could serve as a kind of precursor to predict earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: A cross-sectional study.Objective: Th aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt Copenhagen Neck Function Disability Scale into a Simplified Chinese version (CNFDS-C), and evaluate the reliability and validity of CNFDS-C in patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain.Summary Of Background Data: The CNFDS is a reliable and valid evaluation instrument for chronic neck pain. However, Simplified Chinese version of CNFDS hasn't been validated.Methods: A total of 150 participants were included in this study. Internal consistency was estimated according to Cronbach alpha. Test-retest reliability was assessed by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was analyzed by correlations between CNFDS-C and the Neck Disability Index (NDI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) as well as the short form (36) health survey (SF-36).Results: The original version of the CNFDS was cross-culturally adapted and translated into Simplified Chinese. CNFDS-C was indicated to have excellent reliability (Cronbach alpha = 0.810, ICC = 0.927). Moderate to substantial correlations between CNFDS-C and NDI (r = 0.642, P < 0.001), VAS (r = 0.581, P < 0.001), as well as Physical Function (r = -0.583, P < .001), Role Physical (r = -0.478, P < 0.001), Bodily Pain (r = -0.610, P < 0.001), and General Health (r = -0.439, P < 0.001) subscales of SF-36 were observed.Conclusion: CNFDS-C was demonstrated to have acceptable reliability and validity in patients with nonspecific chronic neck pain, which could be recommended for patients in Chinese mainland.Level of Evidence: 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Soil and water loss have become a critical problem on sloping croplands in Northern China. Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) hedges have been suggested to be effective in preventing soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions but appear to be ineffective in temperate regions because they cannot withstand the low temperatures in winter time. Here we evaluated the soil and water conservation function of two native grass hedges, Pennisetum alopecuroide (Pennisetum alopecuroides (Linn.) Spreng.) and Arundinella hirta (Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) C. Tanaka), in Northern China. Three hydrologically isolated plots were used to test each combination of hedges and slope gradients (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) under different levels of rainfall intensities (i.e. 14, 22, 36 and 63mmh−1). The experiments were carried out on a different type of croplands (i.e. soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and no crops) alternatively in a four-year period (2006–2009). Comparing to the case of using no grass hedges, on average Pennisetum hedges reduced soil loss by 84% and overland flow by 68%, and Arundinella hedges reduced soil loss and overland flow by 55% and 38%, respectively. These results suggested that both Pennisetum and Arundinella hedges provided effective protection against soil and water loss, and Pennisetum hedges had almost doubled efficacies over Arundinella hedges. Their protection efficacies varied across different types of croplands. However grass hedges action alone, under the experimental conditions, did not provide sufficient protection under steep slope and intense rain conditions. It was found that the impact of grass hedges on the control of runoff and erosion is more significant than rain intensity and slope gradient. The influence of root architecture on overland flow was assessed. One empiric model was derived to describe the influence of the independent variables (including slope gradient, rainfall intensity, age and type of grass hedges, and type of crops) on overland flow and soil transport and simulated the extent of protection under the range of experimental conditions. These findings may be helpful in the remediation of serious soil and water losses on sloping croplands in northern China and similar regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background and Objectives: The adverse effects of plasma donation on the body has lowered the odds of donation. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of abnormal serum calcium and total serum protein related to plasma donation, identify the influencing factors, and come up with suggestions to make plasma donation safer., Methods: Donors from 10 plasmapheresis centers in five provinces of China participated in this study. Serum samples were collected before donation. Serum calcium was measured by arsenazo III colorimetry, and the biuret method was used for total serum protein assay. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to conduct serum calcium and total serum protein tests., Results: The mean serum calcium was 2.3 ± 0.15 mmol/L and total serum protein was 67.75 ± 6.02 g/L. The proportions of plasma donors whose serum calcium and total serum protein were lower than normal were 20.55% (815/3,966) and 27.99% (1,111/3,969), respectively. There were significant differences in mean serum calcium and total serum protein of plasma donors with different plasma donation frequencies, gender, age, regions, and body mass index (BMI), (all p  < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that donation frequencies, age, BMI and regions were significantly associated with a higher risk of low serum calcium level, and donation frequencies, gender, age and regions were significant determinants factors of odds of abnormal total serum protein., Conclusions: Donation frequencies, gender, age, regions, and BMI showed different effects on serum calcium and total serum protein. More attention should be paid to the age, donation frequency and region of plasma donors to reduce the probability of low serum calcium and low total serum protein., Competing Interests: Demei Dong and Yang Gao are employees of Beijing Tiantan Biological Products Co., LTD. Ding Yu is an employee of Chengdu Rongsheng Pharmaceuticals Co., LTD. The authors declare there are no competing interests., (©2022 Liu et al.)

To investigate the duration of humoral immune response in convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, we conduct a 12-month longitudinal study through collecting a total of 1,782 plasma samples from 869 convalescent plasma donors in Wuhan, China and test specific antibody responses. The results show that positive rate of IgG antibody against receptor-binding domain of spike protein (RBD-IgG) to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors exceeded 70% for 12 months post diagnosis. The level of RBD-IgG decreases with time, with the titer stabilizing at 64.3% of the initial level by the 9th month. Moreover, male plasma donors produce more RBD-IgG than female, and age of the patients positively correlates with the RBD-IgG titer. A strong positive correlation between RBD-IgG and neutralizing antibody titers is also identified. These results facilitate our understanding of SARS-CoV-2-induced immune memory to promote vaccine and therapy development.

Lomefloxacin (LOM) and pefloxacin (PEF) are synthetic antibiotics that have been used in the treatment of infectious diseases in both human and animals. In the People's Republic of China, the use of LOM and PEF in livestock has been prohibited because of the concern that the residues of these drugs may pose a risk to public health. Despite this prohibition, these drugs are still being used in the poultry industry illegally, and so far there has been no systematic study of the persistence of LOM and PEF residues in chickens. In this study, laying hens were treated with a daily dose (10 mg/kg of body weight) of LOM or PEF for five consecutive days, and the drug residues in various tissues and eggs were determined over a 15-day period after the last drug administration. The highest LOM and PEF residual concentrations were found in the tissues 4 h after the last drug administration, and concentrations gradually decreased over time. Plasma had the lowest and liver had the highest residual concentrations throughout the 15-day study period. At the end of the 15 days, 3.64 ± 0.74 μg/kg LOM and 1.78 ± 0.28 μg/kg PEF were detected in the liver, with slightly lower residual concentrations in the kidney. No LOM or PEF residue was detected in the ovarian follicle, plasma, and muscle at the end of the 15 days. In eggs, the depletion rate of LOM was slower than that of PEF. LOM and PEF residues were detected in whole eggs for up to 10 and 8 days, respectively, after drug administration ceased. These findings suggest that the liver and, to a lesser extent, the kidney may be the sites where LOM or PEF residues would persist. This information can be a reliable reference for governmental agencies with respect to the screening of LOM and PEF residues in food products derived from laying hens.

Objective: To study the difference in the frequencies of interleukin-1B (IL-1) +3954, -511, -31 and IL-1RN gene polymorphism between gastric cancer patients and normal subjects in Shaanxi Province, a high risk area of gastric cancer of China., Methods: The genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of 169 normal subjects and 86 gastric cancer patients in Shaanxi Province. IL-1 polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP)., Results: T/T genotype frequencies of IL-1 in +3954, -511, -31 and IL-1RN loci were similar between gastric cancer patients and normal subjects (x(2) = 0, 0.04, 0.3 and 0, P>0.05, respectively)., Conclusion: IL-1 gene polymorphism may be not associated with the risk of gastric cancer in this high-risk area.