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A series of wildfires broke out in Western Russia starting in late July of 2010. Harmful particulates and gases released into the local Russian atmosphere have been reported, as have possible negative consequences for the global atmosphere. In this study, an extremely hazy area and its transport trajectory on Russian wildfires were analysed using aerosol optical depth (AOD) images retrieved via the synergy method from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. In addition, we used trace gases (NO2 and SO2) and CO2 products measured using Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) data, vertical distribution of AOD data retrieved from Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) data, the mass trajectory analyses, synoptic maps from a HYSPLIT model simulation and ground-based data, including AERONET (both AOD and Ångström exponent) data and PM2.5. First, an Optimal Smoothing (OS) scheme was used to develop more precise and reliable AOD data based on multiple competing predictions made using several AOD retrieval models; then, integrated AOD and PM2.5 data were related using a chemical transport model (GEOS-Chem), and the integrated AOD and visibility data were related using the 6S radiative transfer code. The results show that the PM2.5 concentration is enhanced by a factor of 3-5 as determined from both satellite and in situ observations with peak daily mean concentrations of approximately 500 µgm³. Also, the visibility in many parts of Russia, for instance in Moscow, was less than 100 m; in some areas, the visibility was less than 50 m. Additionally, the possible impact on neighbouring countries due to long-transport was analysed for 31 July and 15 August 2010. A comparison of the satellite aerosol products and ground observations from the neighbouring countries suggests that wildfires in Western Russian had little impact on most european and asian countries, the exceptions being Finland, Estonia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan. However, a possible impact on the Arctic region was identified; such an effect would have a serious influence on the polar atmospheric enviroment, and on animals such as polar bears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article obtains complete genome sequences of 7 Canadian Plum pox virus (PPV) isolates from infected peach, plum and flowering almond and to compare them with other complete sequences reported in Europe and U.S. with the longer term of using the information for managing PPV in Canada. Comparison on the nucleotide sequences and amino acids of 7 isolates revealed that Canadian isolates fall into 2 subgroups, I and II, where subgroup I were from plum and II from peach and flowering almond.

Purpose: To evaluate the key topics and emerging trends in the field of cardiorenal syndrome type 4 (CRS-4) by bibliometrics and visual analysis., Methods: Citespace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix package were used to analyze the collected data from the Web of Science Core Collection, including publication trends, leading countries, active authors and institutions, co-cited references, journals, and keyword analysis., Results: Finally, 2267 articles were obtained. From 2004 to 2022, the number of publications was increasing year by year. A total of 735 authors from 543 institutions in 94 countries/regions participated in the publication of CRS-4 field, which were mostly from North America and Europe. Most of the co-cited references were reviews or guidelines from kidney/heart specialist journals or top journals. The journals concerning nephrology had a higher academic influence in this field. Oxidative stress and inflammation remained hot topics in CRS-4 research, as well as uremic toxins. Fibroblast growth factor 23 and klotho were emerging trends in recent years. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were the latest frontier hot spots. Future research advances may pay more attention to the prevention and prognosis assessment of CRS-4., Conclusion: Our study provides some key information for scholars to determine the direction of future research., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The aim of this study is to provide a more accurate representation of COVID-19's case fatality rate (CFR) by performing meta-analyses by continents and income, and by comparing the result with pooled estimates. We used multiple worldwide data sources on COVID-19 for every country reporting COVID-19 cases. On the basis of data, we performed random and fixed meta-analyses for CFR of COVID-19 by continents and income according to each individual calendar date. CFR was estimated based on the different geographical regions and levels of income using three models: pooled estimates, fixed- and random-model. In Asia, all three types of CFR initially remained approximately between 2.0% and 3.0%. In the case of pooled estimates and the fixed model results, CFR increased to 4.0%, by then gradually decreasing, while in the case of random-model, CFR remained under 2.0%. Similarly, in Europe, initially, the two types of CFR peaked at 9.0% and 10.0%, respectively. The random-model results showed an increase near 5.0%. In high-income countries, pooled estimates and fixed-model showed gradually increasing trends with a final pooled estimates and random-model reached about 8.0% and 4.0%, respectively. In middle-income, the pooled estimates and fixed-model have gradually increased reaching up to 4.5%. in low-income countries, CFRs remained similar between 1.5% and 3.0%. Our study emphasizes that COVID-19 CFR is not a fixed or static value. Rather, it is a dynamic estimate that changes with time, population, socioeconomic factors, and the mitigatory efforts of individual countries., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer, and the fifth most common cause of cancer-related mortality among male patients, worldwide. In Europe and Japan, the incidence of PC in men in 2020 exceeded that of lung cancer. Although national and regional clinical guidelines for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) are available in Europe and Japan, a literature review did not identify a published comparison of differing guidelines, but identified a lack of studies reporting treatment patterns of approved mCRPC treatments in Europe and Japan in normal clinical practice. The objective of this real-world study was to compare national treatment guidelines and real-world treatment for mCRPC in Europe and Japan., Methods: Physician-reported demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment data of patients with mCRPC were drawn from the Adelphi Prostate Cancer Disease Specific Programme™, conducted in five European countries and Japan (2020) and analysed descriptively., Results: All current treatment guidelines recommended the use of novel hormonal agents (NHA-abiraterone/enzalutamide) and chemotherapy (mainly docetaxel), with some intercountry differences, with NHA rechallenge accepted in Germany, Italy and Japan, but not in France, Spain or the United Kingdom. Overall, 271 physicians provided data for 1753 patients. At 1st-line (1L), the most common treatment was NHAs followed by (→) chemotherapy, in all countries. Chemotherapy was the most common 2nd-line (2L) treatment, except in Japan, where 2L NHA use was preferred, and Spain, where both were used equally. NHA → chemotherapy and chemotherapy → NHA were the first and second usual 1L → 2L sequence in most countries, except for France, where the second most common sequence was NHA → NHA, and Japan, with androgen deprivation therapy alone → NHA., Conclusion: Real-world mCRPC treatment patterns largely reflected national guidelines. It is expected that guidelines and treatment patterns will change with the development of new treatment options., (© 2022. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA and Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK [2022].)

Aim: To assess homologous recombination repair mutation (HRRm) testing patterns in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Methods: A point-in-time, international survey conducted January-August 2020. Results: Three-quarters of physicians (oncologists, urologists, specialist surgeons) globally reported access to genetic/genomic testing and just over half were HRRm testers. Surveyed physicians reported HRRm testing and positivity rates for 1913 patients, which were 18.1% and 33.7%, respectively. Of patients tested (n = 347), the most common HRR genes tested were BRCA (91.6%) and ATM (47.3%). Conclusion: Overall testing rates were low, with physicians mostly testing patients they considered higher risk. Increased awareness and education are needed to encourage broader testing, to understand familial risk and to identify patients with worse outcomes or those eligible for life-prolonging treatments.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Plants of the genus Inula have long been used as an ethnomedicine in Asia, Europe, and North America for its high medicinal value and health benefits. Inula japonica Thunb. (I. japonica) and Inula britanica L. (I. britanica) are included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020 edition) as the traditional Chinese medicine Flos inulae (FI). In TCM, FI tastes bitter, pungent, and salt, with warm nature and has the functions of water removal, reduction in nausea, and prevention of vomiting and is often used for cold-related coughs, sputum, wheezing coughs, vomiting, belching and other related diseases. In addition, Inula japonica Thunb is used as a botanical medicine in Korea and Inula britannica L. is also used as a traditional plant medicine in Iran., Aim of the Study: This paper collects the relevant research literature (1970-2021) and provides a systematic summary of the botany, ethnopharmacology, processing, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, analytical methods and quality control of FI to explore its potential and expand its scope for better clinical application., Materials and Methods: Information on Inula japonica Thunb. and Inula britanica L. was collected from scientific databases (1970-2021), including Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Springer, PubMed, CNKI and Wan Fang DATA. Information was also collected from classic books of Chinese herbal medicine and Ph.D. and M.Sc. theses., Results: More than 200 chemical compounds have been isolated from Inula japonica Thunb. and Inula britanica L., including sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, volatile oils, triterpenoids, diterpenoid glycosides, monoterpenoids, polysaccharides, steroid and small molecule acids. Based on a wide variety of chemically active ingredients, FI has a wide range of pharmacological effects. Modern pharmacological research has proven that the pharmacological effects of FI include anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antioxidant, antiallergy, antidiabetic, blood lipid reduction, skin whitening, liver protection, anticonstipation, and antinociceptive effects., Conclusions: FI is a very important traditional Chinese herbal medicine with anti-inflammatory antitumor, antioxidant, antiallergy, antidiabetic and other pharmacological effects that can treat a variety of related diseases. This paper summarizes the botany, ethnopharmacology, processing, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, analytical methods, and quality control of FI. However, the research on the processing, toxicity and quality control of FI is currently too shallow, especially concerning the relationship between the changes in active components before and after processing and the changes in its pharmacological action, which remains unclear. There are few toxicity experiments conducted with FI, so it is impossible to evaluate the safety of FI objectively and impartially. There are also few studies on the material basis and doses of FI causing toxicity and side effects, and more in-depth and concrete researches should be carried out in the future regarding these aspects. Furthermore, to ensure effective and safe clinical medication, we should also pay attention to the mixed use of FI in various regions of China to control the quality of the FI plant., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Controversial results of the association between green tea consumption and risk for esophageal cancer (EC) were reported by previous meta-analysis. Thus, the aim of this study was to quantitatively investigate the association., Methods: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant studies. We used a "one-stage approach" with a restricted cubic spline model to summarize the dose-specific relationships between green tea and risk for EC. Odds ratios (ORs) were used to measure the effects. Fourteen studies were included with a total of 5057 ECs among 493 332 participants., Results: In the dose-response analysis, the summary OR for a 1 cup/d increase in green tea was 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-1.04; I 2  = 77%). No nonlinearity association was observed between tea consumption and risk for EC (P = 0.71 for nonlinearity). In the subgroup of sex, the summary OR for a 1 cup/d increase in green tea was 1.03 (95% CI, 0.95-1.11, I 2  = 67%) for men and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.68-0.91; I 2  = 0%) for women., Conclusion: Contrary to previous studies, based on current evidence, the present dose-response study suggested no association between green tea and risk for EC. However, there might be a protective effect of green tea in women. Notably, our conclusion might be influenced by limited studies and potential bias, such as dose of green tea assessment and select bias of case-control studies. Further larger number, prospective, and well-designed larger-scale studies are needed to provide more precise evidence, especially in women and more regions (United States and Europe)., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Eurasian avian-like H1N1 (EA H1N1) swine influenza virus (SIV) outside European countries was first detected in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong, SAR) of China in 2001. Afterwards, EA H1N1 SIVs have become predominant in pig population in this country. However, the epidemiology and genotypic diversity of EA H1N1 SIVs in China are still unknown. Here, we collected the EA H1N1 SIVs sequences from China between 2001 and 2018 and analyzed the epidemic and phylogenic features, and key molecular markers of these EA H1N1 SIVs. Our results showed that EA H1N1 SIVs distributed in nineteen provinces/municipalities of China. After a long-time evolution and transmission, EA H1N1 SIVs were continuously reassorted with other co-circulated influenza viruses, including 2009 pandemic H1N1 (A(H1N1)pdm09), and triple reassortment H1N2 (TR H1N2) influenza viruses, generated 11 genotypes. Genotype 3 and 5, both of which were the reassortments among EA H1N1, A(H1N1)pdm09 and TR H1N2 viruses with different origins of M genes, have become predominant in pig population. Furthermore, key molecular signatures were identified in EA H1N1 SIVs. Our study has drawn a genotypic diversity image of EA H1N1 viruses, and could help to evaluate the potential risk of EA H1N1 for pandemic preparedness and response.

2019 has been a milestone year for catalyzing changes to improve health equity in the WHO European Region through concomitant progress in the sustainable development goal (SDG) targets. The WHO European Health Equity Status Report Initiative (HESRi) has captured and analyzed the relationships between inequities in health and the conditions that are essential for all to be able to live healthy and prosperous lives. The five essential conditions map directly onto a number of SDG targets, with a much broader span than SDG3 on health. They are: (i) Universal access to good-quality, affordable health services; (ii) Basic income security and social protection; (iii) Safe and decent living conditions; (iv) Inclusive social and human capital building opportunities; and (v) Decent and non-discriminatory employment and working conditions. There is certainly room for improvement in the way ahead, particularly in the availability of fine-grained and disaggregated data, and in the quality of monitoring and analysis of policy options that this would allow. However, the work of the HESRi shows that by harnessing such data it is possible to show what actions policymakers can take in the present to ensure that no one is left behind. This equity framing allows to measure whether the progress on SDGs benefits all, including those who need them most., (© World Health Organization, 2020. All rights reserved. The World Health Organization has granted the Publisher permission for the reproduction of this article.)

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are recognized as one emerging group of environmental contaminants, capturing worldwide attention. These chemicals, closely connected to anthropogenic activities, are mainly transported through aquatic environments and reach coastal areas, eventually entering ocean offshore. Thus, this study concentrated on the 30 PPCPs in coastal waters of the Yellow and Bohai seas (77 sites), a fast-growing area with intensive anthropogenic activities. In general, the total concentrations of PPCPs in Chinese coastal waters (0.880-1194 ng L -1 ) greatly varied and were relatively greater than those (9.91-442 ng L -1 ) in Korean coastal waters. Sulfamethoxazole, sulfamethazine, oxytetracycline, ofloxacin, roxithromycin, anhydro-erythromycin, and caffeine were the seven predominant PPCPs in the coastal waters of study area. Further, we established the Predicted PPCPs Contamination Indicator (PPCI) to address potential anthropogenic activities being associated with site-specific PPCPs contamination. Three anthropogenic factors to PPCPs contamination were proven as the most influential, including (1) quantity of wastewater discharge, (2) gross product of meat, poultry, eggs and milk, and (3) gross aquatic product. The relatively high PPCI values appeared in Tianjin, Dalian, Tangshan, Yantai, and Qingdao in China and Gyeonggi and Jeonbuk in South Korea, which exhibited fairly good consistency with the corresponding PPCPs concentrations. A mini-review of the global PPCPs distributions revealed that seven priority PPCPs found in this study distributed widely in Asia rather than Europe, North America, and Australia. In general, global PPCPs contamination also reflected site- and region-specific distributions, suggesting varying usages and sources cross the region and/or country. Finally, the risk assessment suggested that ofloxacin and anhydro-erythromycin, with 36.4% and 23.4% sites higher than medium risks respectively, posed relatively high risks to sensitive algal species, Microcystis aeruginosa and Selenastrum capricornutum. Overall, the ecological risks of exposure of PPCPs in the Yellow and Bohai seas were higher compared to other regions of the world, thus the bilateral management of PPCPs between China and South Korea needs an immediate attention., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The genetic variation in Northern Asian populations is currently undersampled. To address this, we generated a new genetic variation reference panel by whole-genome sequencing of 175 ethnic Mongolians, representing six tribes. The cataloged variation in the panel shows strong population stratification among these tribes, which correlates with the diverse demographic histories in the region. Incorporating our results with the 1000 Genomes Project panel identifies derived alleles shared between Finns and Mongolians/Siberians, suggesting that substantial gene flow between northern Eurasian populations has occurred in the past. Furthermore, we highlight that North, East, and Southeast Asian populations are more aligned with each other than these groups are with South Asian and Oceanian populations.

Background: Overweight and obesity are increasing worldwide. To help assess their relevance to mortality in different populations we conducted individual-participant data meta-analyses of prospective studies of body-mass index (BMI), limiting confounding and reverse causality by restricting analyses to never-smokers and excluding pre-existing disease and the first 5 years of follow-up., Methods: Of 10 625 411 participants in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and North America from 239 prospective studies (median follow-up 13·7 years, IQR 11·4-14·7), 3 951 455 people in 189 studies were never-smokers without chronic diseases at recruitment who survived 5 years, of whom 385 879 died. The primary analyses are of these deaths, and study, age, and sex adjusted hazard ratios (HRs), relative to BMI 22·5-<25·0 kg/m(2)., Findings: All-cause mortality was minimal at 20·0-25·0 kg/m(2) (HR 1·00, 95% CI 0·98-1·02 for BMI 20·0-<22·5 kg/m(2); 1·00, 0·99-1·01 for BMI 22·5-<25·0 kg/m(2)), and increased significantly both just below this range (1·13, 1·09-1·17 for BMI 18·5-<20·0 kg/m(2); 1·51, 1·43-1·59 for BMI 15·0-<18·5) and throughout the overweight range (1·07, 1·07-1·08 for BMI 25·0-<27·5 kg/m(2); 1·20, 1·18-1·22 for BMI 27·5-<30·0 kg/m(2)). The HR for obesity grade 1 (BMI 30·0-<35·0 kg/m(2)) was 1·45, 95% CI 1·41-1·48; the HR for obesity grade 2 (35·0-<40·0 kg/m(2)) was 1·94, 1·87-2·01; and the HR for obesity grade 3 (40·0-<60·0 kg/m(2)) was 2·76, 2·60-2·92. For BMI over 25·0 kg/m(2), mortality increased approximately log-linearly with BMI; the HR per 5 kg/m(2) units higher BMI was 1·39 (1·34-1·43) in Europe, 1·29 (1·26-1·32) in North America, 1·39 (1·34-1·44) in east Asia, and 1·31 (1·27-1·35) in Australia and New Zealand. This HR per 5 kg/m(2) units higher BMI (for BMI over 25 kg/m(2)) was greater in younger than older people (1·52, 95% CI 1·47-1·56, for BMI measured at 35-49 years vs 1·21, 1·17-1·25, for BMI measured at 70-89 years; pheterogeneity<0·0001), greater in men than women (1·51, 1·46-1·56, vs 1·30, 1·26-1·33; pheterogeneity<0·0001), but similar in studies with self-reported and measured BMI., Interpretation: The associations of both overweight and obesity with higher all-cause mortality were broadly consistent in four continents. This finding supports strategies to combat the entire spectrum of excess adiposity in many populations., Funding: UK Medical Research Council, British Heart Foundation, National Institute for Health Research, US National Institutes of Health., (Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC-BY license. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The D3 dopamine receptor gene is an important candidate gene for schizophrenia, since (because of its almost exclusive expression in the limbic system) it combines the dopamine receptor hypothesis with the limbic system hypothesis of schizophrenia. A BalI restriction fragment length polymorphism of the D3 dopamine receptor gene has been typed in 107 schizophrenic patients and 98 normal controls from Sichuan (China). With regard to alleles or genotypes, no significant differences were obtained between controls from Europe and China, between patients and controls, and between patient subgroups and controls. These results indicate a lack of association between schizophrenia and the D3 dopamine receptor gene in our sample. Our findings are at variance with reports of a significant excess of homozygosity at the D3 dopamine receptor gene in schizophrenic patients from Wales (United Kingdom) and Alsace (France). In conclusion, further studies will be needed with larger samples of patients from Wales and Alsace as well as with samples of different racial groups to prove or disprove the initial positive association between schizophrenia and genotypes of the D3 dopamine receptor gene.