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The cold winter weather in northern China influences the dietary habits of its residents, contributing to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. Key factors include low vegetable consumption and high salt and fat intakes. This study aims to investigate the relationships between northern dietary nutrient intake in northern China and cardiovascular disorders during the winter season.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemic intensity and characteristics of influenza in Changzhou City， Jiangsu Province from 2019 to 2023， and to provide scientific evidence for the formulation of influenza prevention and control strategies.MethodsThe surveillance data of influenza surveillance sentinel hospitals in Changzhou City from April 2019 to March 2023 were collected through the China influenza surveillance information system. Influenza-like illness （ILI） cases before and after the pandemic of COVID-19 in Changzhou City were analyzed， and the differences among qualitative data were compared by using χ² test.ResultsFrom April 2019 to March 2023 the percentages of ILI cases’ medical visits in the four-influenza surveillance year were 2.57%， 1.84%， 5.38%， and 3.66%， respectively， and the positive detection rates of influenza virus were 25.71%， 0.44%， 22.78%， and 24.32%， respectively. The number of influenza outbreaks was 61， 1， 23， and 128， respectively. ILI cases were mainly among adolescent children aged 5‒14 years. The percentage of ILI cases in 2020‒2021 after the pandemic of COVID-19 was significantly lower than that in 2019‒2020 （χ2=737.342， P

The arid region of Northwest China is a vital land resource reserve for China. However, restricted by water shortage and low land quality, high-quality agricultural development in this region is difficult to achieve. Therefore, it is urgent to explore a development path of modern ecological agriculture that is intensive and efficient. This study analyzed the current status and major problems of agricultural development in the arid region of Northwest China and constructed a theoretical framework for improving the quality and efficiency of modern agriculture in the region. The characteristics and functions of agricultural development in the grassland pastoral, agro-pastoral, rain-fed agricultural, and irrigated agricultural areas in this region were clarified. Based on the optimal allocation of natural, scientific, economic, and social resources of agriculture, the study proposed core technologies or methods for achieving breakthroughs in efficient use of water and soil resources, planting structure adjustment and mode optimization, technological innovation in precise control of agricultural production, industrialization, and sustainable development. Four development models with distinctive regional characteristics were formed: (1) modern ecological agriculture in pastoral areas emphasizing forage and green manure crop production; (2) modern ecological agriculture in agro-pastoral areas with equal emphasis on forage, grain, and cash crop production; (3) modern ecological agriculture in rain-fed areas emphasizing grain, forestry, and fruit production; and (4) modern ecological agriculture in irrigated areas emphasizing grain, cash crop, forestry, and fruit production. Thus, the production, ecological, teaching, research, and leisure functions of agriculture can be realized. To promote the high-quality development of the modern ecological agriculture in the arid region of Northwest China, the following countermeasures are proposed: (1) scientifically planning the agricultural development pattern by optimizing agricultural function zoning, (2) improving the compensation mechanism for ecological agriculture and creating a green accounting system, (3) promoting industrial integration and establishing a development concept of modern ecological agriculture, (4) constructing a green technology innovation and promotion service system for the development of modern ecological agriculture, and (5) cultivating agricultural and rural talents to improve the talent policy system.

The shipping industry, which undertakes over 90% of global trade and transportation, has rich digital scenarios. Empowering the shipping industry through smart port construction and integrating ports with virtual–real integration to form a smart port digital base has become an industry consensus. This study defines the smart ports and the virtual – real integration technology system, and analyzes the demand of port operation for virtual – reality integration technology from five aspects: operation planning, activity implementation, equipment operation and maintenance, safety and emergency response, and energy conservation. It also summarizes maps of six virtual – real integration technologies and their application scenarios in smart ports, the technologies being system simulation, extended reality, information-physical system, digital twin, parallel system, and metaverse. After sorting out the development idea and examining scientific issues, a system framework is proposed for the high-quality development of smart ports driven by virtual–real integration technologies, covering the development positioning of technology systems, key technology development directions, and research directions in key fields. Suggestions for development are proposed from the perspectives of deepening application, policy incentives, technological demonstration, and talent cultivation, thereby providing a reference for the engineering application of the virtual–real integration technology system in smart ports.

A new globalization initiative for strengthening economic integration and policy coordination provides new opportunities for trade cooperation between China and countries along the route. In this paper, the normalization method is used to assign values, determine weights based on the coefficient of variation of indicators, and carry out dimensionless processing of each indicator. The degree of data dispersion is determined, the equivalent time distribution is assigned, and the time cost coefficient ratio is used as the corresponding time cost. The weighted average is used to calculate the value of goods, considering the annual holding cost coefficient. And combined with relying on indirect measures to measure the overall trade cost, randomly perturbed error proxy terms, and alternative utility function elasticity invariant. The residual variance is predicted by replacing the effect of multilateral resistance, and the data-based model of “Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe” is constructed. To verify the practicality of the model, the cargo trade results show that the total export trade of the “Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe” train has increased significantly, and the value of foreign trade exports has increased by 18.72%. The volume of China’s trade decreased by 56.1% year-on-year. The volume of “Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe” trains increased by 15.467% year-on-year. From this, we can see the strategy to promote the high-quality development of the “Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe” China-Europe train in terms of market positioning, expanding the value of import and export cargo sources and improving the service level of the train.

Mangroves, which have extremely high primary productivity, are efficient coastal blue carbon ecosystems. Aboveground biomass (AGB) is an important component of vegetation carbon pools. Thus, accurate estimation of mangrove AGB is critical for studying carbon cycle and climate change. While the practical significance and application of information obtained on mangrove AGB in China is apparent, studies of this nature in China at a national scale have rarely been reported. Remote sensing technology is convenient, efficient, has a wide observational range, and can be used for large-scale ecosystem monitoring. Canopy height is a structural parameter that is positively correlated with the AGB of vegetation. The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) spaceborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) satellite, launched in recent years, is able to obtain vegetation canopy height. This study employed forest canopy height derived from GEDI satellite-based LiDAR and an allometric equation based on the allometric theory to estimate mangrove AGB in China in 2019, and the quantitative and spatial distribution of mangrove biomass and their main influencing factors were analyzed. The results showed that the total and mean AGB of mangroves in China in 2019 were about 1,974,827 t and 73.0 t/hm2, respectively. Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao area showed the largest total mangrove AGB, reaching 843,836 t. The mean values of AGB in each province (region) with mangrove ecosystems nationwide ranged from 53.3 to 92.1 t/hm2, of which the largest was found in Hainan Province, reaching 92.1 t/hm2. In Hainan, Taiwan, and Fujian provinces, mean mangrove AGB was higher than the national mean. Considering nature reserves, the mean AGBs of mangroves in Neilingdingdao-Futian and Mai Po mangrove nature reserves in Shenzhen Bay in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao area and Dongzhaigang mangrove nature reserve in Hainan province were relatively high, with values greater than 110 t/hm2. The accumulation and distribution of mangrove AGB in China are affected by latitude and anthropogenic factors. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of mangrove AGB in China based on remote sensing and an allometric equation and can provide a database and technical reference for estimating carbon storage in mangrove ecosystems. It will also contribute to the implementation of ecological restoration and protection measures for coastal mangroves, as well as carbon emission control in China.

Accurate mangrove biomass measurement is necessary for the management and protection of mangrove ecosystems. Sonneratia apetala was the first high-quality mangrove species to be introduced for mangrove restoration in China. Compared with other mangrove species, Sonneratia apetala has higher productivity and can store large amounts of carbon in its living biomass. However, accurate depiction of the single-wood canopy of Sonneratia apetala is challenging because of its high clumping density and intricate canopy structure. While traditional satellite remote sensing focuses on regional or larger-scale monitoring needs, the newly emerged Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) remote sensing has significant advantages for monitoring mangroves at finer scales. However, few studies have used UAV data for mangrove biomass analyses. In this study, we successfully used consumer-grade UAV data to estimate the height and aboveground biomass (AGB) of Sonneratia apetala on Qi'ao Island, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. We used a variable window filter algorithm to detect the treetops. Individual tree canopy segmentation was performed using the seed region-growing algorithm. Additionally, we constructed a regression equation for height (H) and diameter at breast height (DBH) of Sonneratia apetala in the study area and optimized the traditional allometric equation. Finally, mangrove AGB was estimated at the tree level using the optimized allometric equation, and the results indicated that the AGB of Sonneratia apetala could be accurately extracted using UAV images. The accuracy of the tree delineation was 67%, the correlation between H and DBH was DBH = 2.2726H-6.4415, and the correlation coefficient R2 was 0.8713. The aboveground mass of a single wood of Sonneratia apetala in the study area ranged from 29.60 to 388.44 kg, with a mean value of 145.72 kg and a total aboveground mass of 368.97 t. Partial spatial clustering was observed in the distribution of the aboveground mass of Sonneratia apetala in the study area, with a Moran's I index value of 0.594. The aboveground mass of Sonneratia apetala at the edge of the area and in the window part of the area was found to be smaller, mainly for two possible reasons. First, the natural death of Sonneratia apetala in part of the study area created a window, but its surrounding seedlings were still in the biomass accumulation stage. Second, the aboveground mass of Sonneratia apetala at the edges of the study area is often lost due to its vulnerable nature and anthropogenic factors. The average number of Sonneratia apetala in each quadrat was 6.3 and the AGB in the study area ranged from 2.99 to 247.24 t/hm2, with a mean value of 92.14 t/hm2. The estimated AGB based on UAV data was consistently lower than that generated from field data. The methods described in this study offer the possibility of easily repeatable, low-cost UAV surveys, providing a faster and more economical approach for monitoring mangrove forests than traditional ground surveys. These results may assist in decision-making regarding ecological monitoring, resource use, mangrove introduction, and scientific advancement of mangroves in China.

Background Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is classified in children according to response to initial corticosteroid therapy into steroid-sensitive (SSNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), and in adults according to histology into minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). However, there is well-recognised phenotypic overlap between these entities. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown a strong association between SSNS and variation at HLA, suggesting an underlying immunological basis. We sought to determine whether a risk score generated from genetic variants associated with SSNS could be used to gain insight into the pathophysiology of INS presenting in other ways. Methods We developed an SSNS genetic risk score (SSNS-GRS) from the five variants independently associated with childhood SSNS in a previous European GWAS. We quantified SSNS-GRS in independent cohorts of European individuals with childhood SSNS, non-monogenic SRNS, MCD, and FSGS, and contrasted them with SSNS-GRS quantified in individuals with monogenic SRNS, membranous nephropathy (a different immune-mediated disease-causing nephrotic syndrome), and healthy controls. Results The SSNS-GRS was significantly elevated in cohorts with SSNS, non-monogenic SRNS, MCD, and FSGS compared to healthy participants and those with membranous nephropathy. The SSNS-GRS in all cohorts with non-monogenic INS were also significantly elevated compared to those with monogenic SRNS. Conclusions The shared genetic risk factors among patients with different presentations of INS strongly suggests a shared autoimmune pathogenesis when monogenic causes are excluded. Use of the SSNS-GRS, in addition to testing for monogenic causes, may help to classify patients presenting with INS. Graphical abstract, Author(s): Mallory L. Downie [sup.1] [sup.2] , Sanjana Gupta [sup.1] , Melanie M. Y. Chan [sup.1] , Omid Sadeghi-Alavijeh [sup.1] , Jingjing Cao [sup.3] , Rulan S. Parekh [sup.3] [sup.4] [...]

Abstract Background Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), is nowadays associated with a number of diseases known as porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD), especially postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). The epidemiological investigation of PCV2 infection was usually conducted by PCR, nested PCR, PCR-RFLP, TaqMan-based assay and nucleotide sequencing. However, there is still no rapid, sensitive and practical method for detecting PCV2 genotypes. As a novel nucleic acid amplification method, the loop-mediated isothermal amplification method (LAMP) has been used to detect a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. Results Herein, a LAMP method is developed to detect the genotypes of PCV2. The diagnostic sensitivity of LAMP is 1 copy/reaction for differentiating genotypes PCV2a and PCV2b. The reaction process was completed at 65°C for 1 hour in a water bath. Cross-reactivity assay shows that this method is specific for PCV2a and PCV2b and no reactive for PCV2c and other swine-origin viruses (i.e. CSFV, PRRSV, BVDV, TGEV and PEDV, etc). Identity between LAMP and nested PCR was 92.3% on 52 field clinical samples. Conclusions LAMP method provides a rapid, sensitive, reliable way to detect PCV2a and PCV2b, and a better means for the large scale investigation of PCV2a and PCV2b infection.

Abstract Background Taihu Lake is a typical plain eutrophic shallow lake. With rapidly economic development of the lake area, the petroleum products and oil wastewater produced in various processes have been inevitably discharged into Taihu Lake. As the major fresh water resource in the economically developed region of Yangtze River Delta, the water quality and environmental condition of Taihu Lake have the direct bearing on the natural environment and sustainable development of economy in this region. For this reason we carried out the study to explore the composition, distribution characteristics and sources of petroleum contaminants in Taihu Lake. The aim of this study was to provide the basis for standard management and pollution control of the Taihu Lake environment. Results The result showed that water samples from near industrial locations were of relatively higher petroleum contaminants concentrations. The oil pollutants concentrations in different areas of Lake Taihu ranged from 0.106 mg/L to 1.168 mg/L, and the sequence of total contents distribution characteristics of petroleum pollutants from high to low in different regions of Taihu Lake was: “Dapu”, “Xiaomeikou”, “Zhushan Bay”, “Lake center”, “Qidu”. The results showed that total concentrations of n-alkanes and PAHs ranged from 0.045 to 0.281 mg/L and from 0.011 to 0.034 mg/L respectively. In the same region, the concentrations of hydrocarbon pollutants in the surface and bottom of the lake were higher than that in the middle. Conclusion This paper reached a conclusion that the petroleum contaminants in Taihu Lake mainly derived from petroleum pollution caused by human activities as indicated by OEP, bimodal distribution, CPI, Pr/Ph ratio, the LMW/HMW ratio and other evaluation indices for sources of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).