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Background: Endometriosis is a common cause of female reproductive problems, and vitamin intake may affect its incidence. Therefore, we further explored the association between multivitamin intake and endometriosis in a large population-based study. Methods: This study included 3351 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2006. The dietary intake of eight vitamins was calculated as the average of two 24-h recall interviews, and information on endometriosis was obtained through questionnaires that included gynecological history. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between multivitamin intake and endometriosis. Smoothed curve fitting analysis was employed to assess the dose–response relationship between vitamins and endometriosis. Finally, subgroup analysis and interaction tests were conducted to determine the association of covariates between vitamins and endometriosis. Results: In this large-scale cross-sectional study, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the intake of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and folate was negatively associated with the occurrence of endometriosis. The odds ratios associated with a per-SD increase were 0.836 (95%CI: 0.702, 0.997), 0.817 (95%CI: 0.702, 0.951), 0.860 (95%CI: 0.746, 0.991), 0.784 (95%CI: 0.669, 0.919), 0.845 (95%CI: 0.718, 0.994), and 0.772 (95%CI: 0.660, 0.903), respectively. Smoothed curve fitting analysis revealed that the intake of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, and folate was negatively associated with the risk of endometriosis (P < 0.05). Vitamin E showed a saturating effect, with an optimal cutoff point at 13.18. Below this cutoff, the intake of vitamin E was negatively correlated with the risk of endometriosis (OR = 0.947, 95% CI: 0.906, 0.989), whereas above the cutoff, there was no significant correlation between vitamin E intake and the risk of endometriosis (OR = 1.001, 95% CI: 0.997, 1.005). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate a significant linear negative correlation between the intake of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, and folate, and the risk of endometriosis, and reveal a threshold effect for vitamin E intake on the risk of endometriosis. These findings could inform clinical dietary interventions and may support the development of preventive strategies for endometriosis, potentially aiding in its reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus (P) limitation of ecosystem processes is widespread in terrestrial habitats. While a few auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) in bacteriophages from aquatic habitats are reported to have the potential to enhance P-acquisition ability of their hosts, little is known about the diversity and potential ecological function of P-acquisition genes encoded by terrestrial bacteriophages. Here, we analyze 333 soil metagenomes from five terrestrial habitat types across China and identify 75 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) that encode 105 P-acquisition AMGs. These AMGs span 17 distinct functional genes involved in four primary processes of microbial P-acquisition. Among them, over 60% (11/17) have not been reported previously. We experimentally verify in-vitro enzymatic activities of two pyrophosphatases and one alkaline phosphatase encoded by P-acquisition vOTUs. Thirty-six percent of the 75 P-acquisition vOTUs are detectable in a published global topsoil metagenome dataset. Further analyses reveal that, under certain circumstances, the identified P-acquisition AMGs have a greater influence on soil P availability and are more dominant in soil metatranscriptomes than their corresponding bacterial genes. Overall, our results reinforce the necessity of incorporating viral contributions into biogeochemical P cycling. Soil viruses could have a disproportionate role in ecosystem functioning. Here, the authors combine multiple data and approaches to explore diversity and distribution of P-acquisition genes encoded by soil bacteriophages, suggesting the importance of viral auxiliary metabolism for nutrient cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines how digital finance affects energy efficiency in China using a dynamic panel model and data from 282 cities between 2011 and 2019. The study is based on the hypothesis which is related with digital finance, environmental regulation, and energy efficiency. The results indicate that: (1) Digital finance significantly improves energy efficiency, and this finding is consistent after several tests; (2) Digital finance has a positive effect on energy efficiency in non-resource-based cities, recession and regeneration resource-based cities, and old industrial base cities, but no significant effect on energy efficiency in growth and maturity resource-based cities and non-old industrial base cities; (3) Environmental regulation positively influences how digital finance affects energy efficiency; (4) The impact of digital finance on energy efficiency depends on the degree and tools of environmental regulation. This research offers valuable insights to local governments in China for promoting financial digitization and enhancing energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the composition of the oral microbial flora of adults with rampant caries in China to provide guidance for treatment. Patients and methods: Sixty human salivary and supragingival plaque samples were collected. They were characterized into four groups: patients with rampant caries with Sjogren's syndrome (RC-SS) or high-sugar diet (RC-HD), common dental caries (DC), and healthy individuals (HP). The 16S rRNA V3-V4 region of the bacterial DNA was detected by Illumina sequencing. PCoA based on OTU with Bray–Curtis algorithm, the abundance of each level, LEfSe analysis, network analysis, and PICRUSt analysis were carried out between the four groups and two sample types. Clinical and demographic data were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) or the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis rank-sum test, depending on the normality of the data, using GraphPad Prism 8 (P < 0.05). Results: OTU principal component analysis revealed a significant difference between healthy individuals and those with RC-SS. In the saliva of patients with rampant caries, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased significantly at the phylum level. Further, Streptocpccus, Veillonella, Prevotella, and Dialister increased, while Neisseria and Haemophilus decreased at the genus level. Veillonella increased in the plaque samples of patients with rampant caries. Conclusion: Both salivary and dental plaque composition were significantly different between healthy individuals and patients with rampant caries. This study provides a microbiological basis for exploring the etiology of rampant caries. Clinical relevance: This study provides basic information on the flora of the oral cavity in adults with rampant caries in China. These findings could serve as a reference for the treatment of this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 24 October 2023, the 6th Session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress published the newly revised Marine Environment Protection Law of the People's Republic China ("2023 Revised China's MEPL"), which became effective on 1 January 2024. Compared with the previous version, the 2023 Revised China's MEPL mainly involves four changes. Firstly, the 2023 Revised China's MEPL clarifies the legislative purpose and basic principles; secondly, it further strengthens the government's supervision and control over the marine environment; thirdly, it improves the system design of marine environmental management; fourthly, it incorporates stricter legal liability for violations. It is expected that the 2023 Revised China's MEPL will not only help China address many environmental problems and fulfill its legal obligations under treaties with respect to the marine environment, but also contribute to the advancement of global ocean governance. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that further efforts are necessary to achieve the legislative objectives of the 2023 Revised China's MEPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China developed its Digital Television (DTV) standard in 2006, known as Digital Television Terrestrial Multimedia Broadcasting (DTMB), which employs time-domain synchronous orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (TDS-OFDM) as the modulation method. In contrast to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs), DTV signals have higher transmitting power, wider coverage, larger bandwidth, and fixed transmitter location. This paper explores the positioning performance of DTMB signals, and the potential to improve GNSS positioning accuracy in urban environments. Specifically, a solution is proposed, and a software-defined radio receiver is developed for wireless localization. Without changing the current signal structure, the pseudorandom noise (PN) sequences in the signal are used for signal acquisition and carrier phase ranging. The carrier phase of the first arrived path is extracted by the least squares matching pursuit method. Both static and dynamic field tests were conducted to verify the proposed ranging and positioning method. Centimeter-level ranging accuracy was achieved in the static scenario, while meter-level ranging accuracy was achieved in the dynamic scenario. As one possible application, the proposed ranging method was combined with GPS pseudorange measurements to achieve higher accuracy position results in an urban pedestrian scenario, especially when there is only a limited number of visible satellites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the effects of spatial abilities on behaviour have recently been a hot topic, wayfinding has received little attentions. Here, the reasons for route selection differences during wayfinding were studied from the perspective of individual competence. The mental rotation (A-MR), abstract reasoning (A-AR), visual short-term memory (A-VSTM), spatial perception (A-SP) and spatial orientation (A-SO) abilities of 52 college students were assessed, and their route selection behaviours were tested in homogeneous and heterogeneous three-dimensional virtual scenes. Finally, the relationships between five abilities and the lengths (R-L) and angles (R-A) of the selected routes were analysed and the R meants route here. The path complexity (weighted combination of R-L and R-A) was also fitted using a partial least-squares model with the five abilities. The A-MR and A-AR had obvious relationships with R-L and R-A, whereas A-SP showed little correlation. Moreover, the A-VSTM and A-SO had a significantly higher impact on route selection in the homogeneous spatial environment than in the heterogeneous one. Although the models passed the significance test, the fitting effect was not satisfactory. The routes were affected by many factors, and these five abilities could not fully explain the route selection behaviour of the individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to measure and discuss the relationship of ambient air precipitations with respect to mercury wet depositions at suburban, agriculture and traffic three characteristic sampling sites during the year of 2019. In addition, the mercury volume weighted mean concentrations (VWM) at three characteristic sampling sites were also calculated. Finally, the ambient mercury wet depositions data obtained in this study to various world sampling sites were also compared and discussed in this study. The results indicated that the average mercury wet depositions for suburban, agriculture and traffic areas were 0.62, 0.55 and 2.32 ng/m2 min, respectively. And the average mercury VWM values were 0.9, 0.72 and 1.85 ng/m2 min for suburban, agriculture and traffic sites, respectively. In addition, the highest VWM and wet depositions for mercury both occurred in March at traffic and suburban areas. And the mercury wet depositions displayed a declined trend when the month was moved from March to July at both traffic and suburban sampling sites. In addition, the relationship between wet depositions and precipitations was low to moderate correlated in traffic area, while the relationship between wet depositions and precipitations was insignificant at both suburban and agriculture areas. Moreover, the average highest mercury wet deposition occurred in Nepal when compared to the other world sites. In addition, the average value of mercury wet depositions in Nepal was about 17.23 times to that of data obtained in this study during the period of 2007–2019. Finally, the average highest VWM (ng/L) occurred in the China. In addition, the average value mercury VWM in China was about 14.82 times to that of data obtained in this study during the period of 2007–2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the requirements of on-orbit service and maintenance technology for module replacement of spacecrafts in space engineering, the research progresses and achievements of docking interface technology of ORUs at home and abroad were reviewed. The technical requirements, functional principles and performance indexes were summarized on the basis of the action characteristics for the robotic arms and docking interfaces. The gaps of docking interface technology of ORUs were compared and analyzed between China and foreign countries. The main development directions were proposed for the key technologies of the ORU docking interfaces in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid urban expansion in China, there is considerable development of road networks, mainly comprising arterial roads, expressways, and loop-lines in urban regions. In addition to typical short trips, certain number of long trips are also included in the driving behavior for urban areas. In view of the new characteristics of urban mixed roads, a driving cycle construction methodology combining k -means clustering and Markov model method is proposed based on about 2.4 million seconds of driving data collected from seven passenger cars without route planning. In order to cluster micro trips into appropriate categories corresponding to different types of roads, the Silhouette equation is introduced to determine the appropriate clustering strategy and the error of artificial factors is restrained. The constructed driving cycle, comprising a 1200 s speed-time series, is developed based on the assessment of speed–acceleration frequency distribution and estimation of six characteristic parameters. According to the results, the average difference rate of six characteristic parameters is only 4.31%, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

purpose of this study is to evaluate contributors of fatigue and effects of fatigue on the quality of life in Chinese SLE patients.Methods: A survey of 119 SLE patients using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) to assess the severity of fatigue was carried out. SLE patients completed the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Short Form 36 health survey and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Meanwhile, 105 healthy individuals completed FSS, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Short Form 36 health survey. We used chi-squared analysis, independent samples t-tests and logistic regression models to analyze data.Results: Our results found that the FSS score of patients with SLE was higher than that of healthy controls. The disease duration, anxiety, depression, subjective sleep quality and sleep disorders significantly correlated with fatigue in SLE patients. Moreover, logistic regression models showed depression and sleep disorders as predictors of fatigue. In SLE patients, fatigued patients had lower quality of life than those who were non-fatigued.Conclusion: This is the first time to explore contributors of fatigue and the influence of fatigue on SLE patients' quality of life in China. Our study showed that depression and sleep disorders were predictors of fatigue, and fatigue seriously damaged SLE patients' quality of life. The results indicate that it is necessary to conduct holistic assessment and effective intervention, such as systemic psychiatric screening, psychological care and practical sleep guidance, to relieve symptoms of fatigue and finally improve their quality of life in SLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, ambient air total suspended particulates and PM2.5 concentration data were collected and discussed during the years of 1998-2015 in this study. The aim of the present study was to (1) investigate and collect ambient air total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM2.5 concentrations for Asian countries during the past two decades. (2) Discuss, analyze and compare those particulates (TSP and PM2.5) annual concentration distribution trends among those Asian countries during the past two decades. (3) Test the mean concentration differences in TSP and PM2.5 among the Asian countries during the past decades. The results indicated that the mean TSP concentration order was shown as China > Malaysia > Pakistan > India > Taiwan > Korea > Japan. In addition, the mean PM2.5 concentration order was shown as Vietnam > India > China > Hong Kong > Mongolia > Korea > Taiwan > Japan and the average percentages of PM2.5 concentrations for Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Other (India and Vietnam) were 8, 21, 6, 8, 14, 13 and 30%, respectively, during the past two decades. Moreover, t test results revealed that there were significant mean TSP and PM2.5 concentration differences for either China or India to any of the countries such as Taiwan, Korea and Japan in Asia during the past two decades for this study. Noteworthy, China and India are both occupied more than 60% of the TSP and PM2.5 particulates concentrations out of all the Asia countries. As for Taiwan, the average PM2.5 concentration displayed increasing trend in the years of 1998-1999. However, it showed decreasing trend in the years of 2000-2010. As for Korea, the average PM2.5 concentrations showed decreasing trend during the years of 2001-2013. Finally, the average PM2.5 concentrations for Mongolia displayed increasing trend in the years of 2004-2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essence of efficiency measurement is to model and estimate the performance of a complex system in a comparable form, and the key to modeling is to make the model as close to reality as possible. Based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) methods, this research proposes a layer-by-layer investigation framework for the black box. To illustrate the rationality of this logical framework, this paper presents a triple-opened dynamic recycling model with a series-parallel structure that allows us to assess the efficiency of the industrial water-related system in China. We obtain and compare the system efficiency under different scenarios for opening the black box. The results show that: (1) China's efforts to improve the performance of the resource use sub-stage through industrial production technology and management have been effective. (2) The performance of China's industrial water-related system strongly relates to the water supply subunit with a positive linear correlation. (3) The water supply subunit is the main foot-dragger in the system, and the government needs to place particular attention on improving the performance of labor in this subunit. • Propose a logical framework of a layer-by-layer investigation of the black box. • Construct a triple opened dynamic recycling model with a series-parallel structure. • Analyze and compare system efficiency under four scenarios. • Reveal the foot-dragger and key influencing indicators of system efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzes the concentrations of ambient fine particulates and particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) at sampling sites in various areas in central Taiwan during a sampling period from January to April 2015. A Wilbur PM2.5sampler was used to collect PM2.5from ambient air and a DMA-80 direct mercury analyzer was used to analyze the concentration of mercury Hg(p) that was attached to PM2.5. The results show that the mean PM2.5and Hg(p) concentrations were highest in March. The Chinese Lantern Festival and the “Faithful Pilgrims Who Follow Matsu through Taiwan” are hosted in this month. Many fireworks and firecrackers are let off at this time, releasing particulate matter into the atmosphere, increasing the concentrations of atmospheric particulate pollutants. The highest average PM2.5concentrations were measured in January. A dust storm in Mainland China may have been responsible for this result. February saw the lowest mean PM2.5recorded in this study, possibly because commercial districts and factories were closed in February for Chinese Lunar New Year. April saw the highest mean wind speed, diluting particulate pollutants in ambient air. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study concerns the concentrations of particulates in ambient air, dry deposited particulates, particulate-bound mercury (Hg(p)), and Hg(p) that is dry deposited in both total suspended particulates and on a dry deposition plate at Long Cyuan Elementary School (LCYES), Lung Ching Elementary School (LCHES), and Long Shan Primary School (LSPS) in Longjing. The LCHES site had the highest particulate Hg(p) concentrations in October and November, and the least dry deposition of particulates in October. The LSPS site had the lowest Hg(p) dry depositions in October. The LCYES site had the lowest particulate and Hg(p) concentrations in November and October, and had the highest dry deposition of particulates and Hg(p) in November and December. These particulates originated from the northwest of Taiwan and were transported by way of mainland China in October. A back trajectory analysis supported this finding. Therefore, particulate concentrations in ambient air were highest in October and the major sources of particulate-bound mercury Hg(p) in ambient air were in mainland China, especially in October and December. Mainland China and Taichung Thermal Power Plant were the main sources of particles and Hg(p) in ambient air. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Researchers have gone beyond identity status and been putting more and more emphases on the dynamic process of identity development and its contextual embeddedness. Study of individual's adaptation to the multicultural background is a good point of penetration. Because of the differences in regional conditions and cultural traditions, the minority youths who go to university in the mainstream culture would have special experiences and challenges in the development of their self-identities. Semi-structured interview and narrative were used in this research to discover the characteristics of the self-identity constructing processes of Mongolian undergraduates in a Shanghai university context. Their identity constructing process could be divided into three stages: difference-detecting, self-doubting and self-orienting. The main efforts of identity constructing in each stage could all be described as self-exploring and support-seeking. Special contents of internal explorations and sources of support were distinguished at different stages. As relative results, three main types of self-orientation were revealed: goal-oriented, self-isolated and unreserved assimilated. The characteristics of them are quite similar to those of three identity processing styles proposed by Berzonsky, which indicates there are some common elements lying in all self-development processes of adolescences and young adults. Ethnicity and culture could be background and resource or what Côté called identity capital that impacts the special course of self-identity constructing under similar principles. Different attitudes towards and relationships with their own ethnicity and new surroundings separated the three types of students from each other and interacted with the developmental characteristics and tendencies of their ethnicity identifications and self identities. It was found that minority youths' self-identity constructing was based on their needs of self-value and interacted with their ecological niche constructing. Take ethnicity attachment and ethnicity responsibility as a typical example: the setting up of bi-direction relationship between individuals and their ethnicity (or other identity-related factors) was very important for minority youths to expand and integrate themselves. We also presented in detail our methodological exploring process so as to illuminate the limitation of traditional methods and the necessity and importance of methodological reform. Methodologically, both emic and etic positions were taken, interview and narrative approaches were adopted and individual angle of analysis was kept in the research. They were all proved to be effective to provide insight into the dynamic process of self identity constructing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving water use efficiency from a recycling perspective is claimed to be a better way to ensure prosperity in a water-stressed world. Although many studies have focused on the efficiency of integrated water use system, such as a water use and wastewater treatment (WUWT) system, few studies have observed the dynamic change involving a two-stage recycling structure. This research thus proposes a dynamic two-stage recycling model within the directional distance function (DDF) by taking reused water in the WT stage as a recycled product for WU stage's input in the next period. This paper reveals the dynamic evolution and spatial migration path of this efficiency in China. Results are as follows. (1) The average overall efficiency of the urban WUWT system for 30 provinces during 2011–2018 was 0.78. The central region's lower WUWT efficiency was caused by the expanding provincial differences in WU efficiency. (2) The urban WU sub-system performed poorer than that of the urban WT sub-system due to underutilizing reused water, such as in Jiangxi, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Jilin. (3) Narrowing the spatial imbalance of economic development and water use between the eastern and western regions is of great importance for promoting China's spatial imbalance of urban WUWT efficiency. • A dynamic recycling DEA model within directional distance function is proposed. • The urban WUWT system from a recycling dynamic perspective is assessed in China. • Dynamic evolution and spatial migration path of efficiencies are further revealed. • Urban WU system performs poorer than WT system due to underutilizing reused water. • Spatial imbalance of efficiencies between the eastern and western regions is large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The impact of track error on TC QPFs increases with track error up to 500 km. • The decline of TC QPFs with lead time is mainly caused by the growing track error. • A post-processing method is developed and can improve the TC QPFs in general. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of the impact of track forecast error on tropical cyclone (TC) quantitative precipitation forecasts (QPFs) are presented in this study. The original and track-error-corrected QPFs extracted from the Global Forecast System (GFS) of 52 TCs over the coastal region of China during 2015–2017 were compared with the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) observations. The track forecast error was corrected by shifting the QPF according to the difference between the forecasted and observed TC centers. Qualitative evaluations revealed that large track forecast error tends to cause severe under-forecast of total rainfall volume over a region. Quantitative assessments showed that the impact of track forecast error generally increases with track forecast error up to 500 km. The rapid decline of QPF skill with lead time is mainly attributed to the fast-growing track forecast error. Track forecast error has large impact on moderate to heavy rainfall and little impact on extremely heavy rainfall. Based on the assessments, a new operational post-processing method was developed to reduce the impact of track forecast error on QPFs from numerical models. The new technique was able to improve the TC QPFs in general and especially at longer lead times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The lumbar puncture (LP) technique is widely used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In recent years, the paramedian approach technique (PAT) has gained increasing interest due to its advantages over the conventional midline approach technique (MAT) that has been traditionally employed in clinical practice for LP. However, there have been inconsistent discussions regarding the efficacy of different LP techniques. Based on digital virtual human and computer simulation techniques, a new approach called computerised modified PAT (CMPAT) was proposed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to discuss a randomised controlled trial (RCT) protocol to investigate and compare the effects of CMPAT and MAT in patients undergoing LP., Methods and Analysis: We will conduct a prospective, multicentre RCT. The study will recruit 84 patients aged 18-99 years who require LP. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the CMPAT treatment group (group A) or the MAT treatment group (group B). The primary outcome measure will be the number of needle insertion attempts required for a successful LP. Secondary outcomes will include the puncture success rate, pain assessment in the back, head, and legs, and the occurrence of complications. The measurement of these secondary outcomes will be taken during the procedure, as well as at specific time points: 30 min, 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after the procedure. Pain levels will be assessed using a Numerical Rating Scale., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval (2022YF052-01) has been obtained from the Ethics Committee of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China. The research findings will be published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at scientific conferences., Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2300067937., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Source characteristics and health risks of indoor organophosphate esters (OPEs) are limited by the lack of knowledge on emission processes. This study attempted to integrate the contents and emissions of OPEs from indoor building materials to assess human health effects. Thirteen OPEs were investigated in 80 pieces of six categories of building materials. OPEs are ubiquitous in the building materials and ∑ 13 OPE contents varied significantly ( p < 0.05) from 72.8 ng/g (seam agent) to 109,900 ng/g (wallpaper). Emission characteristics of OPEs from the building materials were examined based on a microchamber method. Depending on the sample category, the observed initial area-specific emission rates of ∑ 13 OPEs varied from 154 ng/m 2 /h (carpet) to 2760 ng/m 2 /h (wooden floorboard). Moreover, the emission rate model was developed to predict the release levels of individual OPEs, quantify source contributions, and assess associated exposure risks. Source apportionments of indoor OPEs exhibited heterogeneities in multiple environmental media. The joint OPE contribution of wallpaper and wooden floorboard to indoor dust was up to 94.8%, while latex paint and wooden floorboard were the main OPE contributors to indoor air (54.2%) and surface (76.1%), respectively. Risk assessment showed that the carcinogenic risks of tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (3.35 × 10 -7 ) were close to the acceptable level (1 × 10 -6 ) and deserved special attention.

Objectives: The emergence of the plasmid-mediated colistin resistance 1 (mcr-1) of Escherichia coli has become a global health concern. This study reports the prevalence of mcr-1 among E. coli isolates from patients with diarrheal disease in Shanghai and the genetic characterization of mcr-1-harbouring plasmids., Methods: A total of 1723 E. coli strains were collected from the faeces of patients with diarrheal disease in all sentinel hospitals in Shanghai from 2016 to 2021. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution and plasmid conjunction transfer assay was carried out using E. coli C600 as the recipient. The mcr-1-positive E. coli strains (MCRPEC) were subjected to molecular characterization and bioinformatic analysis of the mcr-1-bearing plasmids that they harboured., Results: Only 5 (0.28%) strains were found to harbour the mcr-1 gene using PCR screening. Plasmid conjugation assay and whole-genome sequencing indicated that EC16500, one MCRPEC strain that co-exhibited mcr-1, bla TEM-1 , bla OXA-1 , qnrS1, qnrS2, arr-3, and catB3, could be conjugated to EC C600 by horizontal transfer with an average efficiency of 3.2 × 10 -5 . The plasmid pEC16500 harboured similar backbones as p70&#95;2&#95;15, pECGD-8-33, pNCYU-29-19-1&#95;MCR1, and pIBMC&#95;mcr1, and was shown to be encoded within a type IV secretion system (T4SS)-containing 32.6 kbp IncX4, next to the pap2-like membrane-associated gene, to form a 2.4-kb cassette. Furthermore, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed a similarity between other MCR-1-homolog proteins, indicating that the five E. coli isolates were colistin-resistant., Conclusion: Our data represents a significant snapshot of colistin resistance mcr-1 genes and highlights the need to increase active surveillance, especially among children under five years of age, in Shanghai. Great effort needs to be taken to avoid further dissemination of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance among clinically relevant Gram-negative bacterial pathogens., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Co-existence of colistin, β-lactam and carbapenem in multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates poses a serious threat to public health. In this study, we investigated and characterized the co-occurrence of bla CTX-M-65 , bla OXA-1 , and mcr-1.1 strain isolated from a clinical extensively-drug-resistant Escherichia coli ST744 in Shanghai., Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by agar dilution methods. Whole genome sequencing was conducted, and resistance genes, and sequence types of colistin in E. coli isolates were analyzed. Plasmid stability and amino acid mutations were assessed in E. coli isolates., Results: A colistin resistant E. coli ST744, named ECPX221, was identified out of 145 fecal samples collected. The strain carries a 60,168 IncI2 plasmid with the mcr-1.1 gene. The strain also has bla CTX-M-65 , bla OXA-1 , dfrA 14, qnrS1 , cmlA5 , arr2 , ampC , aph(4)-Ia , sul1 , and aadA5 resistance genes. The plasmid pECPX221 was capable of conjugation with an efficiency of 2.6 × 10 -2 . Notably, 45% of the transconjugants were determined as mcr-1.1 -harboring in the colistin-free environment after 60 generation of passage. No mutations occurred in pmrB , mgrB , and phoPQ gene in the mcr-1.1 -harboring transconjugants. Bioinformatic analysis indicated pECPX221 shared highly similar backbone with the previously reported mcr-1.1 -harboring pAH62-1, pMFDS1339.1, pSCZE4, and p2018-10-2CC. Furthermore, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses revealed a similarity between other MCR-1-homolog proteins, indicating that ECPX221 was colistin resistant., Conclusion: The stable transferable mcr-1.1 -harboring plasmid found in the E. coli ST744 strain indicated the high risk to disseminate the extensively-drug-resistance phenotype among Enterobacteriaceae ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Feng, Wu, Zhuang, Luo, Chen, Wu, Fei, Shen, Yuan and Chen.)

Numerous studies have divided industrial water use system into stages of industrial water use (IWU) and wastewater treatment (IWT) subsystems, named as the IWUWT system, yet scant studies have examined its dynamic recycling efficiency with non-discretionary variables. This paper proposes a dynamic two-stage recycling model with non-discretionary variables to compare and analyze the basin differences of the efficiency, and further reveal the driving forces of this efficiency in the Yangtze River basin and Yellow River basin. The results are as follows. (1) The average overall efficiency of the IWUWT system for the 30 provinces during 2011-2018 was 0.79 due to the bad performance of the IWT subsystem with an efficiency score of 0.74, especially for Yunnan and Guangxi. (2) The influence of economic policy uncertainty on circulating industrial water use is more significant in the south basin. (3) Economic development and water use intensity were the main drivers of IWUWT efficiency in the Yangtze River basin, while economic development and environmental consciousness were for the Yellow River basin. The results have important implications for Chinese government and different provinces to improve IWUWT efficiency by policy-making., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prepared procedure for universal plasma in the Chinese population has been developed. However, the immunological safety with the level of antibodies, soluble immune complexes and complements is necessary to investigate., Methods: The universal plasma was pooled at the optimal ratio of A:B:AB=6:2.5:1.5 at 22°C for 1 hour. The titer of IgM antibodies was detected by saline agglutination, and the titer of IgG antibodies was detected by a Polybrene test after IgM destroyed by 2-mereaptoethanol. The hemolysis extent of RBC was investigated by an extracorporal hemolysis test, and the concentration of free-hemoglobin was determined by the ortho-tolidine method. The levels of CIC-C1q, C3b and TCC (C5-9) were tested using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)., Results: The titer of IgM and IgG in universal plasma was lower than 2 and 4, respectively. The hemolysis of the universal plasma with A, B and AB group RBCs was negative with values of 5.5, 6.8 and 5.7, respectively. The level of CIC-C1q and TCC (C5-9) in universal plasma was comparable to that in A or B type pooled plasma, but CIC-C1q was lower than that and TCC (C5-9) was higher than that in AB type pooled plasma. The level of complement C3b was comparable to that in A type pooled plasma, but lower than that in B type pooled plasma and higher than that in AB type pooled plasma., Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that the immunological levels were within an acceptable range and confirmed the safety in vitro., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Universal plasma proves its importance in emergency situations where it simplifies the logistics by eliminating the need for ABO-match. There are now two available products of ABO-universal plasma internationally. Such product is not available in China yet. Besides the titers of anti-A and anti-B antibodies were different among ethnic populations for the same blood type, the distribution of blood types was also different. To improve the current status of plasma usage, this study was carried to explore optimal preparation procedures of universal plasma from Chinese Han population., Methods: The optimal plasma ratios of A:B, A:AB and B:AB were evaluated by saline agglutination and the optimal ratio of A:B:AB was established. Three factors influencing the preparation of universal plasma including the proportion of plasma, reaction temperature and time were analyzed by an orthogonal design., Results: The optimal plasma ratios between the two kinds of plasma were A:B=1:3, B:AB=1:3 and A:AB=1:2, respectively. Orthogonal design showed that the preparation of universal plasma in Chinese Han population could be carried by pooling plasma with the ratio of A:B:AB=6:2.5:1.5 at 22°C within 1h., Conclusion: We have found an optimal ratio of pooled plasma for the preparation of universal plasma from Chinese Han population. Our study might provide preliminary evidence that Chinese Han donor plasma could contribute to a Uniplas product being Asian populations and world-wide applicable. The Uniplas anti A and B titers of (below) 1:2 is even lower than currently accepted., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In order to promote the understanding of sulfate enrichment on the growth and succession of phytoplankton communities in eutrophic freshwater body, laboratory experiment of phytoplankton in a landscape water body was conducted. Three treatment groups were set up in experiment:control (G0), step by step enrichment (G1) and enrichment at a time (G2). The result indicated that the addition of sulfate promoted the increase of Chlorophyta species and biomass, while inhibited the growth of native Cyanobacteria and diatom species. Species and biomass of G0, G1 group were similar and much higher than those of G2 group. Average biomass of GO, Gland G2 group was 98.46, 96.09 and 81.19 mg x L(-1), respectively. G0 group was almost always dominated by Cyanobacteria species such as P. corium and O. amphibia, dominant species in G1 and G2 groups changed from Cyanobacteria species to Chlorophyta species including S. quadricauda, G. radiate and S. obliqus. Compared with that of control group G0 (1.49 +/- 0.32, the average community diversity indices of G1 (1.70 +/- 0.18) and G2 groups (1.68 +/- 0.40) were elevated.

To evaluate the seasonal dynamics of phytoplankton and its relationships with aquatic habitat factors in polluted urban landscape lakes, annual investigations have been carried out in the West zone of Xinkai Lake. The results showed that the lake belongs to the eutrophic-supertrophic type in terms of key habitat factors measurement. The seasonal succession of phytoplankton community was determined. The dominant cyanobacterial species Oscillatoria tenuis Ag. bloomed in autumn, although the other species with higher degrees of dominance never bloomed in the year investigated. Significant correlations between some habitat factors and phytoplankton biomass were observed.

Sewage sludge was used to develop an effective carbon adsorbent. This adsorbent was employed for the removal of azo dye such as Direct Dark Brown M and Acid Mordant Brown RH. The adsorption of dyes on this adsorbent was studied as a function of contact time, concentration, pH and temperature by batch method. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of a carbonaceous adsorbent prepared from city wastewater treatment plant was 502, and 329.7 mg/g of Direct Dark Brown M and Acid Mordant Brown RH, respectively. The experimental data were analyzed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models of adsorption. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model. The rates of adsorption were found to conform to the Lagergren second-order kinetics with good correlation. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of the carbonaceous adsorbents was determined with the Langmuir equation as well as the Lagergren second-order rate equation. The most ideal pH for adsorption of two dyes onto adsorbents was found to be 3 and below. The results indicate that the carbonaceous adsorbents could be employed as a low cost adsorbent in the removal of dyes from wastewater.