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Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. Chinese medicine therapies have demonstrated effectiveness for PD in controlled settings. However, the utilization of Chinese medicine therapies for PD in real-world clinical practice and the characteristics of patients seeking these therapies have not been thoroughly summarized. Method: The study retrospectively analyzed initial patient encounters (PEs) with a first-listed diagnosis of PD, based on electronic medical records from Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine between July 2018 and July 2023. Results: A total of 3,206 PEs, each corresponding to an individual patient, were eligible for analyses. Approximately 60% of patients made initial visits to the Chinesemedicine hospital after receiving a PD diagnosis, around 4.59 years after the onset of motor symptoms. Over 75% of the patients visited the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic at their initial visits, while a mere 13.85% visited PD Chronic Care Clinic. Rest tremor (61.98%) and bradykinesia (52.34%) are the most commonly reported motor symptoms, followed by rigidity (40.70%). The most commonly recorded non-motor symptoms included constipation (31.88%) and sleep disturbance (25.27%). Integration of Chinese medicine and conventional medicine therapies was the most common treatment method (39.15%), followed by single use of Chinese herbal medicine (27.14%). The most frequently prescribed herbs for PD included Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (gan cao), Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (huang qi), Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (bai zhu), Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (dang gui), Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC. (di huang), Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (bai shao), Bupleurum chinense DC. (chai hu), Citrus aurantium L. (zhi qiao/zhi shi/chen pi), Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (ren shen), and Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf (fu ling). These herbs contribute to formulation of Bu zhong yi qi tang (BZYQT). Conclusion: Patients typically initiated Chinese medical care after the establishment of PD diagnosis, 4.59 years post-onset of motor symptoms. The prevalent utilization of CHM decoctions and patented Chinese herbal medicine products, underscores its potential in addressing both motor and non-motor symptoms. Despite available evidence, rigorous clinical trials are needed to validate and optimize the integration of CHM, particularly BZYQT, into therapeutic strategies for PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) sufferers frequently have psychotic symptoms, yet the underlying triggers remain elusive. Prior research suggests a link between insulin resistance (IR) and increased occurrence of psychotic symptoms. Hence, this study sought to investigate the potential association between psychotic symptoms in Chinese patients experiencing their firstepisode drug-naïve (FEDN) MDD and the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, an alternative measure of insulin resistance (IR). Methods: Between September 2016 and December 2018, 1,718 FEDN MDD patients with an average age of 34.9 ± 12.4 years were recruited for this crosssectional study at the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University in China. The study collected clinical and demographic data and included assessments of anxiety, depression, and psychotic symptoms using the 14-item Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), and the positive subscales of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), respectively. Measurements of metabolic parameters, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and thyroid hormones were also gathered. To assess the correlation between the TyG index and the likelihood of psychotic symptoms, the study used multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Additionally, twosegmented linear regression models were employed to investigate possible threshold effects in case non-linearity relationships were identified. Results: Among the patients, 9.95% (171 out of 1,718) exhibited psychotic symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed a positive correlation between the TyG index and the likelihood of psychotic symptoms (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.21-3.74, P = 0.01) after adjusting for confounding variables. Moreover, smoothed plots revealed a nonlinear relationship with the TyG index, revealing an inflection point at 8.42. Interestingly, no significant link was observed to the left of the inflection point (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.04-6.64, P = 0.60), whereas beyond this point, a positive correlation emerged between the TyG index and psychotic symptoms (OR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.31-4.48, P = 0.01). Particularly, a considerable 142% rise in the probability of experiencing psychotic symptoms was found with each incremental elevation in the TyG index. Conclusions: Understanding the non-linear link between the TyG index and the risk of psychotic symptoms in Chinese patients with FEDN MDD highlights the potential for targeted therapeutic approaches. By acknowledging the threshold effect observed, there is an opportunity to mitigate risk factors associated with IR-related psychiatric comorbidities through tailored interventions. These preliminary results stress the need for further longitudinal research to solidify these insights and contribute to more effective therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is closely related to the host infection status. China is a highly endemic area for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It is not clear whether HBV infection has a consistent effect on the prognostic implications of patients with DLBCL in different treatment settings. Materials and methods: We conducted a cohort study of 692 patients with DLBCL receiving three or more cycles of treatment with a CHOP or R-CHOP regimen from the First Hospital of Jilin University between July 2011 and July 2022. The patients were divided into two groups based on their hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status: HBsAg-positive (n = 84, 12.1%) and HBsAgnegative (n = 608, 87.9%) groups. Tumor specimens from 180 patients with primary DLBCL were collected for next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: The HBsAg-positive group had more frequent abnormal liver function (P = 0.003), hypoalbuminemia (P < 0.001), incidence of > 2 extranodal organs (P = 0.011), and spleen involvement (P < 0.001) than the HBsAg-negative group. HBsAg-positive patients had lower complete response (CR) and overall response rates (ORR) rates (all the p values < 0.05), in either the CHOP group or R-CHOP group. Among patients receiving R-CHOP, the rates of disease progression within 12 and 24 months were higher in the HBsAg-positive group than in the HBsAg-negative group (P=0.018, P=0.029). However, no significant difference in disease progression was observed between HBsAg-positive and HBsAg-negative patients in the CHOP group(P > 0.05). HBsAg positivity (OS: HR [95% CI] = 2.511 [1.214-5.192], P = 0.013) was only associated with poorer OS in the CHOP group. Whereas in the R-CHOP group, HBsAg positivity was associated with both poorer OS and PFS (OS: HR [95% CI] = 1.672 [1.050-2.665], P = 0.030; PFS: HR [95% CI] = 1.536 [1.013-2.331], P = 0.043). Additionally, HBsAg-positive patients with DLBCL also had a higher prevalence of mutations in MYC, ATM, PTPN6, and epigenetically regulated genes. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients may represent a distinct subgroup with a poorer prognosis. The standard therapies may be insufficient and new therapeutic strategies should be developed based on a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of chemoresistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Danggui Shaoyao San (DSS), a well-known formula, has been successfully applied in treating primary dysmenorrhea (PD) in China. However, its material basis and mechanism are still unrevealed. This current research aims to reveal the material basis and mechanism of DSS in treating PD by an integrative approach of serum pharmacochemistry, metabolomics, and network pharmacology. The results showed that DSS markedly relieved the physiological and pathological symptoms of PD as confirmed by the improvement of writhing behavior, inhibition of uterine edema, callback of clinical biochemical indexes, and metabolic profiles. Furthermore, a metabolomic analysis demonstrated that the therapeutic effect of DSS was attributed to the modulation of arachidonic acid metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and phenylalanine metabolism. Meanwhile, 23 blood ingredients were identified after the oral administration of DSS. By analyzing the correlation coefficient of the identified biomarkers and blood components, active compounds closely associated with core metabolic pathways were extracted. Taking these active compounds as a basis, network pharmacology prediction was executed. It was found that active components of DSS including alisol B,23-acetate, chlorogenic acid, levistilide A, cianidanol, senkyunolide A, atractylenolide II, and sedanolide, were germane to steroid hormone biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, sphingolipid signaling pathway, etc. Interestingly, PTGS2 and PTGS1 related to the arachidonic acid metabolism may be pivotal targets of DSS. The current study proved that the integration of serum pharmacochemistry, metabolomics, and network pharmacology, was a powerful approach to investigate the material basis and the molecular mechanisms of DSS, and provided a solid basis for DSS application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although sleep quality is clearly associated with job burnout as shown in the existing research, the mechanism underpinning such relationship remains undefined. This work, thus, aimed to assess the current situation of sleep quality and burnout in Chinese psychiatric nurses, and to analyze the relationships between sleep quality, burnout and coping style, in order to provide possible targets to enhance mental health and wellbeing among psychiatric nurses. Method: This cross-sectional study was carried out in seven rehabilitation centers located in four different regions of China. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleeping Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey, and the Coping Style Questionnaire were distributed to 853 nurses in various mental hospitals, with a total of 664 participants being recruited in the final research. Results: The results of this current study showed a high prevalence of sleep disorders and burnout in Chinese psychiatric nurses. Moreover, emotional exhaustion (r = 0.456), cynicism (r = 0.323) and negative coping style (r = 0.191) in nurses were all positively correlated with total Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, while professional efficacy (r = -0.079) and positive coping style (r = -0.140) were negatively correlated with total PSQI score. More interestingly, of all negative coping strategies, we found that self-blame had the most significant effect (β = 0.156). Conclusions: The above results showed that coping style mediates the association of poor sleep quality with job burnout in Chinese psychiatric nurses. This study claimed that there is an urgent need to development the coping skills to sustain a healthy work life for nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the long-term construction and development process of eliminating water disasters and promoting water conservancy in traditional settlements, a set of mature strategies that have simple ecological wisdom in water layout have been formed by adapting to the natural water environment and utilizing the regional water system. This study conducted a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the water layout strategies and their effects on Liukeng Village from three aspects: deciphering the water systematic pattern, calculating the spatial characteristics and quantifying the water environment, to explore the technical assistance and potential of water layout research in traditional rural settlements. The results indicated that Liukeng has an unambiguously systematic water layout pattern of source diversion, middle drainage and end purification of the water. Through 3D point cloud computing, it was shown that the site selection made accurate use of micro-topography and adopted the strategy of a multi-source water management. It formed an organic water system pattern, which provided sufficient water sources for all kinds of needs of Liukeng Village.The Dragon Lake in Liukeng held 83.0% of the precipitation, and the vegetation area accounted for 34.7% of the total area of Liukeng, which had high surface permeability and good middle drainage effects. Water detection showed that the Dragon Lake provided good water quality and purification. The purposes of this study are to fill the gap in previous non-quantitative research on water layout in traditional rural settlements, excavate the hidden information and value of settlements, and deepen our understanding of the ecological wisdom of the overall planning, layout and construction of water conservancy in traditional rural settlements. This knowledge can assist the win-win situation of water conservancy cultural heritage protection and modern utilization. It also provides useful inspiration and reference for properly dealing with the problems of rain and flooding, realizing the sustainability of water resources, and protecting the ecological environment in the process of the development and construction of village settlements in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical electrical impedance tomography (EIT) reconstruction algorithms are approximately forty years old and are now being used to treat patients. At the same time, many advanced concepts are still active research areas, and literature regarding EIT algorithms has been presented in different professional journals and scientific conferences. Bibliometrics analysis method is used to assess the 30 years of scientific output and activity regarding EIT algorithm research from a global perspective, covering global publications, cooperation between countries, and clustering of keywords. 2467 research articles, reviews, letters, and proceeding papers published from 1987 to 2021 in English on EIT reconstruction algorithm were analyzed. Literature statistics show that the worldwide growth trend is rising, and global geographic distribution of publications in this field indicates that USA, South Korea, and China ranked as the top three prolific contributors in terms of EIT algorithm. "inverse problem" "regularization""electrode models" were research focus. Overall, EIT algorithms bibliometric research provides the current hotspots and future directions of algorithm research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) applications have been progressed in technology and applications, and EIT began to be used in multiple clinical and experimental scenarios including pulmonary, brain,tissues monitoring etc. This study explores the emerging trends and hot topics concerning applications on EIT in extrapulmonary applications by bibliometrics analysis. 443 research articles, reviews, letters, and proceeding papers etc. published from 1987 to 2021 in English were analyzed from a global perspective, covering global publications, cooperation between countries, and clustering of keywords. The global annual publications on extrapulmonary applications gradually increased slowly in the last 30 years, and USA, UK and China ranked as the top three prolific contributors in keywords of EIT extrapulmonary applications. "cutaneous melanoma","breast cancer detection","brain" were research hotspots. Overall, EIT extrapulmonary applications bibliometrics analysis gives us a unique insight to identify scientific advances, hot spots, research trends, and provide future directions of EIT in extrapulmonary applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methane (CH4) emissions from freshwaters to the atmosphere have a profound impact on global atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations. Anthropogenic footprints such as dam construction and reservoir operation significantly changed the fate and transport of CH4 in freshwaters. The type of particulate organic carbon (POC) in reservoirs is a critical factor controlling CH4 production and emissions. However, little is known of how reservoir operation mediates the distribution of POC and regulates CH4 accumulation in cascade hydroelectric reservoirs. Here, spatial and temporal variations in POC and CH4 were explored in the Xiluodu (XLD) and Xiangjiaba (XJB) reservoirs which are deep valley dammed cascade reservoirs located in the main channel of the upper Yangtze River. Based on the δ[sup 13]C-POC and N/C mole ratios of particulate organic matter, the results of multi-endmember stable isotope mixing models by a Bayesian model show that terrestrial POC and autochthonous POC accounted for approximately 56 ± 19% and 42 ± 19% (SD, n=181) of POC, respectively. CH4 concentrations and δ13C-CH4 in the cascade reservoirs were potentially influenced by CH4 oxidation. Together with other physicochemical parameters and structural equation model, these results suggested that the input of terrestrial POC was dominantly influenced by water level variations and flow regulation due to reservoir operation. The cumulative effect of POC caused by cascade reservoirs was not apparent at a bimonthly scale. Terrestrial POC was more likely to dominate CH4 accumulation in cascade reservoirs under reservoir operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The river‐reservoir continuum drives a separation of sedimentation along the longitudinal hydrodynamic gradients, potentially causing imbalanced stoichiometric sedimentation. However, there are still uncertainties regarding the contribution of imbalanced stoichiometric sedimentation to methane emissions along this continuum. A 2‐year field survey and in situ experiments were conducted in China's Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), a river‐valley‐dammed reservoir. Sediments were trapped and collected to analyze for particulate carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations of different sizes in the summer flooded and winter dry seasons along the mainstem. Large amounts of sediments were deposited in the middle part of the TGR, particularly in the summer flood season. Hydrodynamic gradients structured imbalanced stoichiometric sedimentation patterns. Averaged particulate C:N:P proportions in the sediment layer along the upper, middle, and lower parts of the TGR in the first 30 years of reservoir operation were estimated to be 68:7:1, 97:8:1, and 151:13:1, respectively. The middle part of the TGR, being the “control point” of methane accumulation based on seasons, exhibited a shift in stoichiometry and stable isotope signatures, indicating that there was likely a shift in sources of POM. P, specifically in smaller size particles (<10 μm), seemed to be the potential key driver that regulates particulate C:N:P in the sediment of the TGR. Its sedimentation, primarily in the middle part of the TGR, contributed to the significant decreases in particulate C/P ratios and could possibly regulate long‐term CH4 accumulation in the reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examination of relevant type materials and living plants has revealed that Rungia axilliflora, R. densiflora and R. evrardii are conspecific with R. stolonifera. A lectotype is designated for the name R. stolonifera. Rungia sect. Stoloniferae is thus recognised as including two species, viz. R. stolonifera and R. mina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has more than 300 million cigarette smokers and 1 million deaths every year attributed to smoking. Despite its huge economic implications, the lack of smoking and associated lifestyle-related data on China's outpatients makes it difficult for health care professionals to provide individualized assessments and targeted interventions. This study aimed to identify factors to inform nurse-led smoking behavioral assessments and cessation interventions. Clinical data from new patients attending the family medicine outpatient department from a large tertiary hospital in a major Southern China city were collected between March and December 2015. Data including basic demographics, medical history, vaccination history, current medication, and information on lifestyle risk factors were collected by frontline nurses during nursing assessment on their initial visit. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used as univariate analysis and post hoc regression analysis to explore which factors contributed toward smoking cessation. Of 7913 eligible visits, smokers and ex-smokers accounted for 13.5% and 2.4% of new patients, respectively, with a majority of them being young and male (gender ratio of 8:1) smokers. Multiple behavioral risks and comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus in smokers were common; for example, 17.9% of smokers were also current drinkers, making alcohol users 8.5 to 16.7 times more likely to have smoked. Ex-smokers were more likely to be divorced, to be ex-drinkers, or to have higher diastolic blood pressure and concurrent hypertension. Smoking and associated lifestyle risk assessments run by registered nurses should be incorporated into current outpatient health histories and in targeted smoking cessation intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vegetation water content (VWC) quantitative is useful for monitoring vegetation physiological growth. The relationship between VWC and vegetation water indices was analyzed. The optimal estimation model was established. The results show that: (1) Absorption bands primarily fell within 380 to 400 nm, 680 to 720 nm, 1420 to 1450 nm, 1900 to 1940 nm, and 2450 to 2500 nm; (2) comparing published vegetation water indices and developed vegetation indices, it showed that DVI(1712,1382), NDSI(2201,1870) and RSI(2259,1870) had a better correlation with VWC than the published vegetation water; and (3) NDSI(2201,1870) and RSI(2259,1870) performed well in estimating vegetation water content, DVI(1712,1382) had a rough estimate of its water content. Moreover, the linear combination of DVI(1712,1382), NDSI(2201,1870) and RSI(2259,1870) improved the estimation of VWC. The best vegetation indices for estimating VWC were found to be the linear combination of DVI(1712,1382), NDSI(2201,1870) and RSI(2259,1870) in arid area of northwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop and validate the large intestine dampness-heat syndrome questionnaire (LIDHSQ) for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The domains and items of the LIDHSQ were developed according to standard procedures, namely, construct definition, item generation, language testing, content validity, pilot study, and validation study. At first, a total of 20 items in 3 domains were generated based on literature review and expert consultation. After the item selection, the LIDHSQ contains 11 items in three domains: disease-related domain (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloody purulent stool, and mucus stool), heat domain (fever, dry mouth, red tongue, yellow fur, and anal burning), and dampness domain (greasy fur and defecation disorder). The Cronbach's alphas of all domains were greater than 0.6. All of the intraclass correlation coefficients were greater than 0.8. The LIDHSQ and domain scores of the patients with LIDHS were higher than those of the patients with other syndromes (P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the LIDHSQ was 0.900, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.872–0.928. When the cut-off value of the LIDHSQ was ≥ 7, the sensitivity and specificity were 0.867 and 0.854, respectively. The LIDHSQ is valid and reliable for measuring LIDHS in UC patients with good diagnostic efficacy. We recommend the use of the LIDHSQ in Chinese UC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rungia sinothailandica (Acanthaceae), a new species from Yunnan, China and Chiang Rai, Thailand is described and illustrated. A colour plate, line drawing and distribution map of R. sinothailandica are provided. Rungia sinothailandica is similar to R. pinpienensis H. S. Lo, but differs in the broadly ovate sterile bracts and obovate-elliptic fertile bracts, the crispate and tawny bracts margin, the 2-lobed upper lip of the corolla and puberulent capsule. It is also similar to R. burmanica (C. B. Clarke) B. Hansen, but is easily distinguished by pubescent stems and leaves, the cymbiform-oblong bracteoles and the 2-lobed upper lip of corolla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to test the applicability of the "financial accelerator" mechanism to China. Using the Chinese Industrial Enterprises Database, we find strong evidence suggesting that the employment and investment of leveraged firms are less responsive to aggregate fluctuations. This finding goes against the implications of the "financial accelerator". To make sure our empirical result is reliable, we have done several robustness checks using different estimation methods and subsamples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Lysimachia huangsangensis (Primulaceae), from Hunan, China is described and illustrated. The new species is closely related to L. carinata because of the crested calyx, but differs in the leaf blades that are ovate to elliptic and (3–)4.5–9 × 2–3.4 cm, 2–5-flowered racemes, and the calyx lobes that are ovate-lanceolate and 5–6 × 3–4 mm. The systematic placement and conservation status are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) iswidely used in clinical treatment of coronary artery disease.However, the effects of PCI on preventing restenosis after revascularization and improving the quality of life were not satisfying. Huxin Formula is formulated by modifying an experienced Chinese medicine formula and has been widely used in clinical practice due to its marked effects on coronary heart disease. A multicentre double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effects and safety of Huxin Formula in patients undergoing PCI. Our results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in main outcomes. For patients with ejection fraction (EF) >50%, score of the quality of life scale was higher in treatment group compared with control group. For patients with unstable angina, score of the quality of life scale in 360 days was significantly higher in treatment group compared with control group (P < 0.05). No obvious adverse reaction was found in the use of Huxin Formula. In conclusion, Huxin Formula, believed to be a safe treatment for patients after PCI, has benefits in improving the quality of life in patients with unstable angina though it failed to show superiority in primary and secondary outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic risk factors and abnormalities such as obesity and hypertension are rapidly rising among the Chinese population following China's tremendous economic growth and widespread westernization of lifestyle in recent decades. Limited information is available about the current burden of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in China. Methods: We analyzed data on metabolic risk factors among 22,457 adults aged = 32 years participating in the "Zhabei Health 2020" survey (2009-2010), a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of community residents in Zhabei District. We defined MetS using Chinese-specific cut-off points for central obesity according to consensus criteria recently endorsed by several international and national organizations in defining MetS in different populations worldwide. We used a multiple logistic regression model to assess the associations of potential risk factors with MetS. Results: The unadjusted prevalence of the MetS was 35.1% for men and 32.5% for women according to the consensus criteria for Chinese. The prevalence increased progressively from 12.1% among participants aged 32-45 years to 45.4% among those aged = 75 years. Age, smoking, family history of diabetes, and education are significantly associated with risk of MetS. Conclusions: The MetS is highly prevalent and has reached epidemic proportion in Chinese urban adult community residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The number of elderly individuals living alone is rising, especially in rural areas of China, and their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an increasing public health concern. However, little is known about factors that influence HRQoL and the need for long-term care services. The aim of the study was to identify these factors and the long-term care requirements of persons aged 60 and older living alone in rural areas of Shaanxi Province, China. Methods: The study included 424 older subjects, selected by stratified random sampling. Logistic regression adjusted for age was conducted to analyze factors influencing HRQoL and the need for long-term care services. Pearson correlative analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between HRQoL score and long-term care needs. Results: HRQoL among elderly subjects living alone declined with age in both males and females. The main diseases influencing HRQoL among the elderly were hypertension, cardiac disease, chronic bronchitis, neurological disease and cancer. Cataract disease was the most important factor related to HRQoL. This was followed by long-term care needs, living conditions, economic status, Cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and age. Factors affecting long-term care needs were economic status, education level, alcohol intake, living conditions, general health and age. HRQoL and long-term care needs among this elderly population were significantly correlated (r=-0.204, p<0.01). Conclusions: For elderly persons living alone, factors such as chronic disease, lower income level and living in a rural area may limit their ability to form social relationships. Reducing the level of loneliness, with better care and support, may be helpful in improving their HRQoL. There is a need for an overall improvement in the planning, provision and financing of long-term care and psychogeriatric services for elderly individuals living alone in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of hydrofluoric acid (HFA) on the upgrading and structure of oil shale from Yilan county, Heilongjiang province, China was investigated by the ultrasonic treatment of the shale in a mild water bath. The oil shale samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and scanning electron (SE) microscopies, as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and densimetry. The results of the study indicate that the HFA-based ultrasonic treatment exhibited a better performance in upgrading oil shale than the ordinary mechanical stirring method. It was also found that the concentration of HFA significantly influenced upgrading performance and the separation degree of inorganic minerals. The kerogen content in oil shale increased with increasing concentration of HFA. The total content of C, H, O and N in oil shale reached 98.2% when 40% HFA was used. Oil shale is composed mainly of a chainlike cyclic saturated organic material called kerogen, and inorganic minerals such as quartz, kaolinite, illite, siderite and pyrite. These materials integrate into a smooth lithified sandwich by the hydrogen bond and intermolecular forces. Via the ultrasonic treatment under mild conditions, kaolinite and siderite can be removed from oil shale with the use of a weak HFA, while a stronger HFA is needed to leach illite and quartz. Then kerogen with a loose porous structure is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Begonia gigabracteata H.Z. Li & H. Ma sp. nov. ( Begonia section Diploclinium, Begoniaceae) is described and illustrated from North Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, south-west China. Its chromosome number (2 n = 30) and pollen and seed micromorphology are reported. This species grows in ravines on damp or slightly moist limestone. It is morphologically similar to B. summoglabra T.T. Yü (section Reichenheimia) and B. labordei H. Lél. (section Diploclinium). However, it differs by its sparse glandular hairs, number of perianth segments, colour of venation on the abaxial blade, and unique heteromorphous bracts. A line drawing and plate of B. gigabracteata and a photograph of the type of B. summoglabra are presented as an aid to identification. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 157, 83–90. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a proxy to trace the impact of anthropogenic activity, sedimentary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are compared between the early industrialized and newly industrialized countries of Germany and China, respectively. Surface sediment samples in the Ammer River of Germany and the Liangtan River of China were collected to compare concentration levels, distribution patterns, and diagnostic plots of sedimentary PAHs. Total concentrations of 16 PAHs in Ammer sediments were significantly higher by a factor of ∼4.5 than those in Liangtan. This contrast agrees with an extensive literature survey of PAH levels found in Chinese versus European sediments. Distribution patterns of PAHs were similar across sites in the Ammer River, whereas they were highly varied in the Liangtan River. Pyrogenic sources dominated in both cases. Strong correlations of the sum of 16 PAHs and PAH groups with TOC contents in the Liangtan River may indicate coemission of PAHs and TOC. Poor correlations of PAHs with TOC in the Ammer River indicate that other factors exert stronger influences. Sedimentary PAHs in the Ammer River are primarily attributed to input of diffuse sources or legacy pollution, while sediments in the Liangtan River are probably affected by ongoing point source emissions. Providing further evidence of a more prolonged anthropogenic influence are the elevated black carbon fractions in sedimentary TOC in the Ammer compared to the Liangtan. This implies that the Liangtan River, like others in newly industrialized regions, still has a chance to avoid legacy pollution of sediment which is widespread in the Ammer River and other European waterways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a neurotoxin that can cause gastrointestinal ulcers by affecting dopamine levels. Therefore, MPTP has been considered a toxic substance that causes gastric ulcer disease in experimental animals. In this study, tree shrews were used as the animal model of gastric mucosa injury, and MPTP was intraperitoneally injected at a lower MPTP dosage 2 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks, while tree shrews were not injected as the control group. Under the light microscope, local congestion or diffuse bleeding points of gastric mucosa and multiple redness and swelling bleeding symptoms on the inner wall were observed in the treatment group, as well as immune cell infiltration was found in HE staining, but no such phenomenon was observed in the control group. In order to explore the molecular basis of changes in MPTP induced gastric mucosa injury, the transcriptome and proteome data of gastric mucosa were analyzed. We observed significant differences in mRNA and protein expression levels under the influence of MPTP. The changes in mRNA and proteins are related to increased immune infiltration, cellular processes and angiogenesis. More differentially expressed genes play a role in immune function, especially the candidate genes RPL4 and ANXA1 with significant signal and core role. There are also differentially expressed genes that play a role in mucosal injury and shedding, especially candidate genes GAST and DDC with certain signaling and corresponding functions. Understanding the factors and molecular basis that affect the expression of related genes is crucial for coping with Emotionality gastric mucosa injury disease and developing new treatment methods to establish the ability to resist disease., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

China has more than 300 million cigarette smokers and 1 million deaths every year attributed to smoking. Despite its huge economic implications, the lack of smoking and associated lifestyle-related data on China's outpatients makes it difficult for health care professionals to provide individualized assessments and targeted interventions. This study aimed to identify factors to inform nurse-led smoking behavioral assessments and cessation interventions. Clinical data from new patients attending the family medicine outpatient department from a large tertiary hospital in a major Southern China city were collected between March and December 2015. Data including basic demographics, medical history, vaccination history, current medication, and information on lifestyle risk factors were collected by frontline nurses during nursing assessment on their initial visit. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used as univariate analysis and post hoc regression analysis to explore which factors contributed toward smoking cessation. Of 7913 eligible visits, smokers and ex-smokers accounted for 13.5% and 2.4% of new patients, respectively, with a majority of them being young and male (gender ratio of 8:1) smokers. Multiple behavioral risks and comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus in smokers were common; for example, 17.9% of smokers were also current drinkers, making alcohol users 8.5 to 16.7 times more likely to have smoked. Ex-smokers were more likely to be divorced, to be ex-drinkers, or to have higher diastolic blood pressure and concurrent hypertension. Smoking and associated lifestyle risk assessments run by registered nurses should be incorporated into current outpatient health histories and in targeted smoking cessation intervention programs.

The selection and breeding of pollution-safe cultivars (PSCs) is a practicable and cost-effective approach to minimize the influx of heavy metal to the human food chain. In this study, both pot-culture and field experiments were conducted to identify and screen out cadmium pollution-safe cultivars (Cd-PSCs) from 50 pakchoi (Brassica rapa L. ssp. chinensis) cultivars for food safety. When treated with 1.0 or 2.5 mg/kg Cd, most of the pakchoi cultivars (>70%) showed greater or similar shoot biomass when compared with the control. This result indicates that pakchoi has a considerable tolerance to soil Cd stress. Cd concentrations in the shoot varied significantly (P<0.05) between cultivars: in two Cd treatments (1.0 and 2.5 mg/kg), the average values were 0.074 and 0.175 mg/kg fresh weight (FW), respectively. Cd concentrations in the shoots of 14 pakchoi cultivars were lower than 0.05 mg/kg FW. In pot-culture experiments, both enrichment factors (EFs) and translocation factors (TFs) of six pakchoi cultivars were lower than 1.0. The field studies further confirmed that the Hangzhouyoudonger, Aijiaoheiye 333, and Zaoshenghuajing cultivars are Cd-PSCs, and are therefore suitable for growth in low Cd-contaminated soils (≤1.2 mg/kg) without any risk to food safety.