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To explore the quality evaluation indicators of walnut and pecan varieties cultured in Yunnan, the contents of 12 nutritional indicators which included in mineral elements, protein, crude fat, and vitamin C of 27 walnut varieties were determined. 12 indicators were comprehensively explored by correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis to reveal variation and comprehensive quality of walnut resources in Yunnan Province. Results showed that the variation of the content of 12 indicators was relatively rich, the variation coefficient ranged from 5% to 83%, among which the variation coefficient of vitamin C was the largest and the variation coefficient of crude fat was the smallest. The order of the average contents of 9 mineral elements was K>P>Mg>Ca>Mn>Na>Fe>Zn>Cu. The average contents of protein, fat and vitamin C were 15.62%, 68.63% and 4.66 mg/100 g, respectively. As demonstrated by the results of correlation analysis on 12 indicators, there was a significant positive correlation between protein and P, Fe, Mg, Ca, and Cu. The principal component analysis was used to comprehensively evaluate, showed that the comprehensive quality of walnut varieties 'Xiangcha' 'Yongping' 'Wanshu' and 'Xiaoyuanguo' were the best and the pecan variety 'Kaduo' was the better. The clustering analysis results showed that it can be divided into two major categories, namely the group rich in mineral elements and the group with high fat content. Subsequently, by combining with cluster analysis, K, Fe, Mg, Ca, Cu, protein and fat were determined as the critical indicators to evaluate the quality of walnut and pecan varieties cultured in Yunnan. Pecan varieties were suitable for extracting oil, and 22 main walnut varieties were suitable for direct consumption or the development of functional beverages rich in mineral elements and protein. The study clarified the critical indicators for evaluating the quality of Yunnan walnut and explored its quality characteristics, providing a scientific classification method, and laying a theoretical basis for the construction of the Yunnan walnut quality evaluation system.

Abstract Background This study aimed to evaluate the performance of myocardial blood flow (MBF) and myocardial flow reserve (MFR) for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) using dynamic single‐photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) with a dual‐head rapidly rotating gantry (RRG) and to compare this method with conventional myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), which can be obtained in a one‐stop manner. Methods A total of 93 patients with suspected or confirmed CAD who underwent RRG SPECT/CT were retrospectively enrolled. They underwent invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and conventional MPI within 3 weeks. Based on the ICA results, the performance of MBF quantitative and semi‐quantitative parameters were compared at patient and vessel levels using ≥50% and ≥75% stenosis as the criteria for CAD diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of two types of parameters. Results For patient‐level analysis, the area under ROC curves (AUCs) for stress MBF (sMBF), MFR, summed stress score (SSS), and summed different score (SDS) were 0.971, 0.939, 0.612, and 0.546, respectively, for ≥50% stenosis as positive, and were 0.983, 0.932, 0.735, and 0.509, respectively, for ≥75% stenosis as positive criteria. For vessel‐level analysis, the AUCs of sMBF, MFR, SSS, and SDS were 0.981, 0.933, 0.636, and 0.560, respectively, for ≥50% stenosis as positive and were 0.984, 0.933, 0.767, and 0.583, respectively, for ≥75% stenosis as positive criteria. Conclusions Compared with semi‐quantitative parameters of conventional MPI, MBF quantitative parameters of dual‐head RRG SPECT had higher diagnostic performance for CAD.

The ecological relationships between tree growth and climate factors are important for the adaptation, growth prediction, and forest management of tree species against a background of global warming. Yet how these relationships for drought-sensitive conifer trees are changed and affected by elevation remains unclear. To investigate the effect of elevation on spruce tree growth–climate interactions, we collected a total of 1886 tree-ring cores (two cores per tree) from four spruce species, including Picea crassifolia Kom., Picea meyeri Rehd. et Wils., Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey., and Picea wilsonii Mast., in 10 pure forests at a pair of high- and low-elevation alpine sites with the same slope across two aridity zones in China. We then constructed 20 stand tree-ring chronologies for the low- and high-elevation sites. Overall, the growth of spruce trees was more sensitive to drought variability at sites in the semi-arid zone whereas it was weakly limited by drought in the semi-humid zone. Further, spruce trees growing at high-elevation sites were sensitive to temperature unlike the stronger positive drought responses of those at low-elevation sites. In the latter half of the 20th century, the positive drought–growth relationships of spruce were enhanced at both high and low elevation across both aridity zones due to warming and increased drought intensity. Our dendrochronology-based findings suggest that spruce trees’ radial growth in stands at high elevation may have faced drought stress during three recent decades. Nevertheless, the low-elevation trees incurred stronger drought stress compared to the first half of the 20th century.

Environmental stresses are the main constraints on agricultural productivity and food security worldwide. This issue is worsened by abrupt and severe changes in global climate. The formation of sugarcane yield and the accumulation of sucrose are significantly influenced by biotic and abiotic stresses. Understanding the biochemical, physiological, and environmental phenomena associated with these stresses is essential to increase crop production. This review explores the effect of environmental factors on sucrose content and sugarcane yield and highlights the negative effects of insufficient water supply, temperature fluctuations, insect pests, and diseases. This article also explains the mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the role of different metabolites under environmental stresses, and highlights the function of environmental stress-related resistance genes in sugarcane. This review further discusses sugarcane crop improvement approaches, with a focus on endophytic mechanism and consortium endophyte application in sugarcane plants. Endophytes are vital in plant defense; they produce bioactive molecules that act as biocontrol agents to enhance plant immune systems and modify environmental responses through interaction with plants. This review provides an overview of internal mechanisms to enhance sugarcane plant growth and environmental resistance and offers new ideas for improving sugarcane plant fitness and crop productivity.

Abstract Background In China, data on the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid stroke and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in real-world populations are still lacking but of paramount importance for the evidence-based prevention and control of the comorbidity of the two diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of comorbid stroke and TBI in a real-world population. Methods In 2013, a nationally representative, door-to-door survey on stroke and TBI using a complex, multistage, probability sampling design was conducted among approximately 600,000 participants from 155 urban and rural areas in China (Ethic ID: KY2013-006-01). The weighted prevalence of comorbid stroke and TBI was estimated using individuals’ final weight. A Poisson regression analysis was used to compare the rate ratio of the comorbidity prevalence among different subgroups of the population, including age, sex, place of residence, and geographic location subgroups. For analyses of associations between the comorbidities and predictors of interest, all other variables were adjusted for in a multinomial logistic regression model. Results Among the 596,536 people, 219 patients with comorbid stroke and TBI were identified. The point prevalence of comorbid stroke and TBI weighted to the China 2010 census population was 29.30 (95% CI: 22.69–37.84) per 100,000 population in China. The adjusted prevalence of post-TBI stroke in patients with previous TBI was significantly higher than that of post-stroke TBI in patients with previous stroke (6021.3 vs. 811.1 per 100,000 people; rate ratio: 11.001; 95% CI: 8.069–14.998). Patients with nonconcussion had significantly higher rates of both pre-stroke TBI (odds ratio: 4.694; 95% CI: 3.296–6.687) and post-stroke TBI (odds ratio: 6.735; 95% CI: 3.719–12.194) than patients with concussion. Compared to patients with ischaemic stroke, patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage (odds ratio: 2.044; 95% CI: 1.097–3.809) and intracerebral haemorrhage (odds ratio: 1.903; 95% CI: 1.296–2.795) had significantly higher rates of post-TBI stroke. Conclusions The high prevalence of stroke among TBI patients is becoming a new public health issue. TBI patients, especially those with nonconcussion TBI, are more likely to develop comorbid stroke and TBI than stroke patients, especially ischaemic stroke patients.

Plant resistance against biotic stressors is significantly influenced by pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) proteins. This study examines the systematic identification and characterization of PR1 family genes in sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum Np-X) and the transcript expression of selected genes in two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and Zhongtang3) in response to Ustilago scitaminea pathogen infection. A total of 18 SsnpPR1 genes were identified at the whole-genome level and further categorized into four groups. Notably, tandem and segmental duplication occurrences were detected in one and five SsnpPR1 gene pairs, respectively. The SsnpPR1 genes exhibited diverse physio-chemical attributes and variations in introns/exons and conserved motifs. Notably, four SsnpPR1 (SsnpPR1.02/05/09/19) proteins displayed a strong protein–protein interaction network. The transcript expression of three SsnpPR1 (SsnpPR1.04/06/09) genes was upregulated by 1.2–2.6 folds in the resistant cultivar (Zhongtang3) but downregulated in the susceptible cultivar (ROC22) across different time points as compared to the control in response to pathogen infection. Additionally, SsnpPR1.11 was specifically upregulated by 1.2–3.5 folds at 24–72 h post inoculation (hpi) in ROC22, suggesting that this gene may play an important negative regulatory role in defense responses to pathogen infection. The genetic improvement of sugarcane can be facilitated by our results, which also establish the basis for additional functional characterization of SsnpPR1 genes in response to pathogenic stress.

Based on the seismic, logging, drilling and other data, the distribution, structural types and mound-shoal hydrocarbon accumulation characteristics of platform margins of the Sinian Dengying Formation in the Deyang—Anyue Rift and its periphery were analyzed. Four types of platform margins are developed in the Dengying Formation, i.e., single-stage fault-controlled platform margin, multi-stage fault-controlled platform margin, gentle slope platform margin, and overlapping platform margin. In the Gaoshiti West—Weiyuan East area, single-stage fault controlled platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 Member, which trend in nearly NEE direction and are shielded by faults and mudstones, forming fault-controlled—lithologic traps. In the Lezhi—Penglai area, independent and multi-stage fault controlled platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 Member, which trend in NE direction and are controlled by synsedimentary faults; the mound-shoal complexes are aggraded and built on the hanging walls of the faults, and they are shielded by tight intertidal belts and the Lower Cambrian source rocks in multiple directions, forming fault-controlled—lithologic and other composite traps. In the Weiyuan—Ziyang area, gentle slope platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 Member, which trend in NW direction; the mound-shoal complexes are mostly thin interbeds as continuous bands and shielded by tight intertidal belts in the updip direction, forming lithologic traps. In the Gaoshiti—Moxi—Yanting area, overlapping platform margins are developed in the Deng 2 and Deng 4 members; the mound-shoal complexes are aggraded and overlaid to create platform margin buildup with a huge thickness and sealed by tight intertidal belts and the Lower Cambrian mudstones in the updip direction, forming large-scale lithologic traps on the north slope of the Central Sichuan Paleouplift. To summarize, the mound-shoal complexes on the platform margins in the Dengying Formation in the Penglai—Zhongjiang area, Moxi North—Yanting area and Weiyuan—Ziyang area are large in scale, with estimated resources of 1.58×1012 m3, and they will be the key targets for the future exploration of the Dengying Formation in the Sichuan Basin.

Abstract Over the past decade, a proliferation of research has used nanoparticles to deliver gaseous signaling molecules for medical purposes. The discovery and revelation of the role of gaseous signaling molecules have been accompanied by nanoparticle therapies for their local delivery. While most of them have been applied in oncology, recent advances have demonstrated their considerable potential in diagnosing and treating orthopedic diseases. Three of the currently recognized gaseous signaling molecules, nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), are highlighted in this review along with their distinctive biological functions and roles in orthopedic diseases. Moreover, this review summarizes the progress in therapeutic development over the past ten years with a deeper discussion of unresolved issues and potential clinical applications.

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), a major cash crop that is an important source of sugar and bioethanol, is strongly influenced by the impacts of biotic and abiotic stresses. The intricate polyploid and aneuploid genome of sugarcane has shown various limits for conventional breeding strategies. Nonetheless, biotechnological engineering currently offers the best chance of introducing commercially significant agronomic features. In this study, an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system that uses the herbicide-resistant CP4-EPSPS gene as a selection marker was developed. Notably, all of the plants that were identified by PCR as transformants showed significant herbicide resistance. Additionally, this transformation protocol also highlighted: (i) the high yield of transgenic lines from calli (each gram of calli generated six transgenic lines); (ii) improved selection; and (iii) a higher transformation efficiency. This protocol provides a reliable tool for a routine procedure for the generation of resilient sugarcane plants.

Polyamide 66 was extensively utilized in various applications contributed by its excellent mechanical performance and outstanding durability. However, its high crystallinity renders it to have low transparency, which seriously limits its application in optical devices. Herein, a highly transparent polyamide (PA) 66-based copolymer was reported using 4,4′-diaminodicyclohexylmethane (PACM), adipic acid, and polyamide 66 salt as the reaction monomers. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analysis revealed that the crystal phase of the synthesized PA66/PACM6 displayed a clear transition from α to γ as the PACM6 increased accompanied by a decreased intensity in the diffraction peak of the copolymer, whose transmittance was successfully adjusted reaching as high as 92.5% (at 550 nm) when the PACM6 was 40 wt%. Moreover, the copolymer with a higher content of PACM6 exhibited larger toughness. On the other hand, the biaxially oriented films of PA66/PACM6 (20 wt%) were also prepared, and it was found that the transparency of the PA66/PACM6 copolymer could be further enhanced via adjusting the stretching ratio of the film. Furthermore, the mechanical strength of the biaxially oriented PA66/PACM6 was also improved with the increase in the orientation degree in the stretching process, indicating that the physical properties of the transparent PA66 were significantly influenced by its alicyclic structure, and the introduction of PACM into PA66 was capable of effectively improving the optical and crystalline characteristics of PA66, revealing that the synthetic strategy has great potential for guiding the design and development of transparent polyamide materials.

Abstract Implant-associated infection (IAI) is increasingly emerging as a serious threat with the massive application of biomaterials. Bacteria attached to the surface of implants are often difficult to remove and exhibit high resistance to bactericides. In the quest for novel antimicrobial strategies, conventional antimicrobial materials often fail to exert their function because they tend to focus on direct bactericidal activity while neglecting the modulation of immune systems. The inflammatory response induced by host immune cells was thought to be a detrimental force impeding wound healing. However, the immune system has recently received increasing attention as a vital player in the host’s defense against infection. Anti-infective strategies based on the modulation of host immune defenses are emerging as a field of interest. This review explains the importance of the immune system in combating infections and describes current advanced immune-enhanced anti-infection strategies. First, the characteristics of traditional/conventional implant biomaterials and the reasons for the difficulty of bacterial clearance in IAI were reviewed. Second, the importance of immune cells in the battle against bacteria is elucidated. Then, we discuss how to design biomaterials that activate the defense function of immune cells to enhance the antimicrobial potential. Based on the key premise of restoring proper host-protective immunity, varying advanced immune-enhanced antimicrobial strategies were discussed. Finally, current issues and perspectives in this field were offered. This review will provide scientific guidance to enhance the development of advanced anti-infective biomaterials.

Objective To understand the current situation of blood components distribution in domestic prefecture-level blood stations through analyzing the components distribution data of 24 prefecture-level blood stations in China. Methods The data of components distribution of 24 blood stations from 2017 to 2020 as well as the data of blood deployment of 24 blood stations from 2019 to 2020 were collected and analyzed. Results From 2017 to 2020, positive annual growth in red blood cells, plasma and cryoprecipitate was observed in 22, 19 and 15 out of the 24 blood stations, and the annual growth median rate of above three components was 5.24%, 3.80% and 3.25%, respectively. Among the 24 prefecture-level blood stations, 23 carried out the preparation of cryoprecipitate. Conclusion The distribution of red blood cells, cryoprecipitate and plasma in prefecture-level blood stations is increasing year by year. However, there is a overstock of plasma, and most blood stations need blood employment.

Ship recognition with optical remote sensing images is currently widely used in fishery management, ship traffic surveillance, and maritime warfare. However, it currently faces two major challenges: recognizing rotated targets and achieving fine-grained recognition. To address these challenges, this paper presents a new model called Related-YOLO. This model utilizes the mechanisms of relational attention to stress positional relationships between the components of a ship, extracting key features more accurately. Furthermore, it introduces a hierarchical clustering algorithm to implement adaptive anchor boxes. To tackle the issue of detecting multiple targets at different scales, a small target detection head is added. Additionally, the model employs deformable convolution to extract the features of targets with diverse shapes. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model, a new dataset named FGWC-18 is established, specifically designed for fine-grained warship recognition. Experimental results demonstrate the excellent performance of the model on this dataset and two other public datasets, namely FGSC-23 and FGSCR-42. In summary, our model offers a new route to solve the challenging issues of detecting rotating targets and fine-grained recognition with remote sensing images, which provides a reliable foundation for the application of remote sensing images in a wide range of fields.

The advent of 5G technology presented new challenges regarding the high-frequency characteristics of electrical signals and their impact on the cover glass properties of electronic devices. This study aimed to analyze the effect of the Li/Na molar ratio on the dielectric and mechanical properties, as well as the structural characteristics, of lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramics. Using the melting method, we prepared lithium aluminosilicate base glasses and subsequently crystallized them by adjusting the molar ratio. XRD and TEM analyses were employed to investigate the resultant structures and crystal formation in the five base glasses. It was observed that Li2Si2O5 and LiAlSi4O10 crystals precipitated, exhibiting varying degrees of crystallinity and crystal ratios. Through a comparison of dielectric properties before and after crystallization, it was found that the dielectric constants of the glass-ceramics were consistently reduced. This decrease can be attributed to the lower dielectric constants exhibited by both crystalline phases compared to the parent lithium aluminosilicate glasses. Furthermore, the presence of glass crystals effectively immobilized the alkali metal ions within the glass phase, impeding their movement under an electric field. Consequently, the dielectric loss value of the glass-ceramics decreased with the increasing amount of precipitated crystals. By carefully adjusting the composition and optimizing the crystallization process, we successfully produced lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramics, demonstrating excellent mechanical and optical properties, coupled with low dielectric properties.

Background: Angiogenesis is the formation of blood vessels by sprouting from mature blood vessels and is regulated by multiple factors; however, the role of centrosome and centrosomal proteins (CEP) in angiogenesis needs further study. centrosomal protein 135 (CEP135) is an important centrosome-associated protein that can affect a variety of cellular processes, such as the cell cycle, but its effect on angiogenesis is still unknown. Methods: Tube formation and in vivo angiogenesis assays were performed to confirm the effects of CEP135 on endothelial cell (EC) angiogenesis in vitro and in mice. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometry (FCM) and immunoblot assays were performed to confirm the effects of CEP135 on the proliferation and cell cycle of endothelial cells. Wound healing, transwell, and fluorescence staining were performed to confirm its effects on EC cell migration, polarization, and spindle orientation, and a tubulin turbidity assay was performed to confirm its effects on microtubule stabilization. Results: We conducted a series of experiments to explore the potential role of CEP135 in angiogenesis. CEP135 siRNA obviously inhibits angiogenesis in vivo compared with the control. CEP135 could mediate cell proliferation and the cell cycle by mediating spindle orientation. Moreover, we showed that CEP135 is involved in the regulation of angiogenesis by affecting the migration of endothelial cells using wound closure and transwell assays. We further demonstrated that CEP135 promotes endothelial polarization and microtubule stability, thus affecting cell migration. Conclusions: CEP135 was involved in the polarization of centrosomes, which is important for the migration of human umbilical vein ECs (HUVECs). These findings indicated that CEP135 may promote the polarization of HUVECs and accelerate migration, which in turn promotes angiogenesis.

Reconstructing karst palaeogeomorphology is a useful approach to identifying target areas for oil and gas exploration. This study used the elevation method to reconstruct the karst palaeogeomorphology at the top of the 4th member (Z 2 dn 4 ) of the Dengying Formation (Z 2 dn) in the Central Sichuan Basin based on 2D and 3D seismic and drilling data. The bottom of the Longwangmiao Formation and the top of the 2nd member (Z 2 dn 2 ) of the Z 2 dn were optimized as the upper and lower base levels, respectively. The reconstructed palaeogeomorphology was divided into five types – slopes, erosional peneplains, monadnocks, domes and depressions – according to their morphology, scope and gradient, allowing inference of the palaeohydrological conditions. Slopes were subdivided into gentle (

Tree radial growth has long-term adaptation and rapid responses to climate, manifested as age-dependent low-frequency and climate-sensitive high-frequency signals. Although the former is usually removed in climate-growth analyses, its overall change still profoundly affects forest biomass and carbon sequestration. The iterative growth model (IGM) reveals the underlying links among organism lifespan, growth rate, and respiration, providing a set of theoretical indicators to evaluate or predict growth. Here, IGM was extended to the tree-ring scale (IGMR) to study the low-frequency growth signals of poplar plantations in the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Tibetan Plateau. As predicted by the IGMR, the low-frequency growth signals all follow a unimodal pattern over the diameter at breast height (DBH) gradient while constraining the high-frequency signals. The unimodal growth curves’ length (maximum DBH), height (maximum growth rate of tree DBH), and resulting tree lifespan could be used to assess and predict tree growth. The results showed that the maximum DBH, growth rate and inverse of the longevity of the trees were greater at lower elevations. The indicators of Populus × beijingensis (PB) were better than those of P. alba (PA). Overall, poplars adapted to the plateau climate by reducing growth rates and increasing longevity. Temperature was the key factor affecting these trade-offs, with the best temperature at 14.69 ℃. Combined with stand density, PB plantations (11695.58 ± 1704.98 g/m2) had greater potential maximum biomass than PA plantations (9032.50 ± 2031.21 g/m2). This study highlights that the response of low-frequency growth signals to environments is holistic, and the resulting indicators have important value for evaluating and predicting tree growth and forest carbon sequestration. Moreover, the results have important practical significance for reasonable plantations and proper assessment of the ecological contribution of plantation forests on the Tibetan Plateau.

The Upper Cambrian Xixiangchi Formation in the Southern Sichuan Basin, China, has favorable hydrocarbon accumulation conditions. The accumulation factors and enrichment conditions of this formation were key considerations in this study. By analyzing core, thin section, seismic, and geochemical data, the research shows that there are many sets of granular and crystalline dolomite reservoirs in the Xixiangchi Formation vertically, with thin thickness of single-reservoir. During the transformation of karst and tectonism, dissolution pores and fractures developed to form an ideal reservoir space. The reservoir of the Xixiangchi Formation is connected to the Lower Cambrian source rock through a fault system. The high-energy shoal facies of the Xixiangchi Formation are located on the oil and gas migration path, providing an appropriate reservoir space for forming the source reservoir configuration relationship between the lower generation and upper reservoir. The key factors affecting hydrocarbon accumulation in the Xixiangchi Formation are sufficient oil and gas supply, development of inherited paleo-uplift, effective transportation system, and favorable reservoir-forming combination. The inherited paleo-uplift controls the distribution of gas reservoirs. Owing to the short migration distance of oil and gas, hydrocarbon is found near source hydrocarbon accumulation, and the paleo-uplift slope area should be targeted for exploration in future studies.

Abstract This article describes “the national comprehensive governance for epilepsy prevention and control in China” as an example of a strategic working program for the prevention and control of epilepsy at a national level. The comprehensive governance includes 10 key elements: epilepsy centers' consortium and three tier diagnosis/treatment network; rural and urban community projects on epilepsy care; awareness, publicity, and education; big data platform; development of telemedicine; team and capacity building; strengthening epilepsy research; developing and strengthening partnership; coordination with government; and international collaboration.

Objectives To report the prevalence and distribution of lacunar stroke in different regions of China, as well as the demographical characteristics of symptomatic and asymptomatic lacunar stroke.Design Cross-sectional study.Setting Data were derived from NESS-China Study that was conducted in 157 sites covering all 31 provinces, including 64 urban and 93 rural areas in mainland China between 1 September 2013 and 31 December 2013. Lacunar stroke was defined as being previously diagnosed according to the participants’ medical history. Patients were further divided into symptomatic or asymptomatic groups, depending on whether they were initially diagnosed with neurological symptoms.Participants 458 833 participants aged ≥20 years were enrolled in this study.Results A total of 7520 participants (1.63%) were diagnosed with lacunar stroke. The peak rate of diagnosis was between the ages of 70 and 79 years in both men and women. Geographically, the age-standardised and sex-standardised prevalence was highest in Northeast China (2495.3/100 000 persons) and lowest in Southeast China (599.7/100 000 persons), showing a geographical disparity. Over 90% of patients with lacunar stroke were diagnosed in secondary or tertiary hospitals. Patients with symptomatic lacunar stroke had significantly different demographic characteristics in age, sex and geographical regions compared with those who were asymptomatic.Conclusions In this study, the prevalence and distribution of lacunar stroke were reported at population level across China. Special attention and prevention should be given to the age, sex and geographical groups that are vulnerable to lacunar stroke.

Objectives Over the coming decades, China is expected to face the largest worldwide increase in dementia incidence. Mobile health (mHealth) may improve the accessibility of dementia prevention strategies, targeting lifestyle-related risk factors. Our aim is to explore the needs and views of Chinese older adults regarding healthy lifestyles to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and dementia through mHealth, supporting the Prevention of Dementia using Mobile Phone Applications (PRODEMOS) study.Design Qualitative semi-structured interview study, using thematic analysis.Setting Primary and secondary care in Beijing and Tai’an, China.Participants Older adults aged 55 and over without dementia with an increased dementia risk, possessing a smartphone. Participants were recruited through seven hospitals participating in the PRODEMOS study, purposively sampled on age, sex, living area and history of CVD and diabetes.Results We performed 26 interviews with participants aged 55–86 years. Three main themes were identified: valuing a healthy lifestyle, sociocultural expectations and need for guidance. First, following a healthy lifestyle was generally deemed important. In addition to generic healthy behaviours, participants regarded certain specific Chinese lifestyle practices as important to prevent disease. Second, the sociocultural context played a crucial role, as an important motive to avoid disease was to limit the care burden put on family members. However, time-consuming family obligations and other social values could also impede healthy behaviours such as regular physical activity. Finally, there seemed to be a need for reliable and personalised lifestyle advice and for guidance from a health professional.Conclusions The Chinese older adults included in this study highly value a healthy lifestyle. They express a need for personalised lifestyle support in order to adopt healthy behaviours. Potentially, the PRODEMOS mHealth intervention can meet these needs through blended lifestyle support to improve risk factors for dementia and CVD.Trial registration number ISRCTN15986016; Pre-results.

Though rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations (Ca) harm the environment and society, they may also raise photosynthetic rates and enhance intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE). Numerous short-term studies have investigated tree growth under elevated CO2 (eCO2) conditions, but no long-duration study has investigated eCO2 impacts on tree growth and iWUE under natural conditions. Utilizing a new dendrochronological experimental design in a heavily-touristed nature preserve in Southwest China (Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserve), we compared tree growth (e.g., basal area increment) and iWUE in two biophysically and environmentally similar valleys with contrasting anthropogenic activities. Trees in the control valley with ambient CO2 benefited from increasing Ca, possibly due to the CO2 fertilization effect and optimal environmental conditions. However, trees in the treatment valley with intensive tourism experienced comparatively higher localized eCO2 and growth rate declines. While iWUE increased (1959–2017) in the control (25.3%) and treatment sites (47.8%), declining tree growth rates in the treatment site was likely because comparatively extreme CO2 exposure levels encouraged stomatal closures. As the first long-term study investigating eCO2 impacts on tree growth and iWUE under natural conditions, we demonstrate that increased forest iWUE is unlikely to overcome negative drought stress and rising temperature impacts. Thus, forest potential for mitigating eCO2 and global climate change is likely overestimated, particularly under dry temperate conditions.

Ionic conductive elastomers with high sensitivity, good mechanical property, shape memory and antioxidant capacity are of great significance in flexible smart wearable devices, but remains a challenge. Here we designed a series of degradable elastomers based on hexamethylene diisocyanate crosslinked poly(polycaprolactone citric acid)–co-dopamine (PCD) and 4, 4′-diaminodiphenyldisulfide with excellent mechanical property, shape memory property and antioxidation, and the ionic liquid is further introduced into elastomer leading to ionic conductive elastomer. The elastomer with 10 % 4, 4′-diaminodiphenyldisulfide shows tensile strain of 829 % and tensile stress of 5.48 MPa. After introducing 10 % ionic liquid, the ionic conductive elastomer’s conductivity increases to 1.18 × 10-6 S/cm while still maintaining 580 % break elongation. The elastomers can maintain good stability after cyclic stress–strain test and show high strain sensitivity to small deformation in joint motion signal monitoring. In addition, the elastomers have good shape memory property, cytocompatibility and in vivo biocompatibility. The mechanical response of elastomers was studied by employing the Mooney-Rivlin hyperelastic model. Further comparative analysis shows that the local stress concentration is the main factor leading to the failure of the elastomer. The ionic conductive elastomers with good conductivity, sensing sensitivity, mechanical strength and antioxidation are promising in the field of flexible wearable devices.

Objective:This study proposed and validated an intelligent microcatheter-shaping algorithm for interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms.Methods:A stepwise microcatheter simulation algorithm constrained by a vessel center line was developed based on the geometry of aneurysms and parent arteries, and a collision correction factor of vessel walls was introduced to automatically calculate the optimal microcatheter path and tip shape. The efficacy of this intelligent shaping method was verified in an in vitro aneurysm model experiment.Results:The microcatheter path can be automatically generated using the intelligent microcatheter-shaping algorithm. Furthermore, the experiment verified that the delivery performance of an intelligently shaped microcatheter was excellent with 100% placement accuracy, superior to that of three pre-shaped microcatheters: straight (0°), 45°, and 90°. In three typical cases, the microcatheter could not be placed in the aneurysms successfully within 5 min with the aid of a microwire using a manual shaping scheme; however, it can be placed in the aneurysms successfully within 5 min using an intelligent microcatheter- shaping scheme, and the time of microcatheter placement in aneurysms was short.Conclusion:This intelligent microcatheter-shaping algorithm based on three-dimensional image data is effective and reasonable. This approach has advantages over standard pre-shaped microcatheters, with a potential clinical application value.

Biofilms are colonies of bacteria embedded inside a complicated self-generating intercellular. The formation and scatter of a biofilm is an extremely complex and progressive process in constant cycles. Once formed, it can protect the inside bacteria to exist and reproduce under hostile conditions by establishing tolerance and resistance to antibiotics as well as immunological responses. In this article, we reviewed a series of innovative studies focused on inhibiting the development of biofilm and summarized a range of corresponding therapeutic methods for biological evolving stages of biofilm. Traditionally, there are four stages in the biofilm formation, while we systematize the therapeutic strategies into three main periods precisely:(i) period of preventing biofilm formation: interfering the colony effect, mass transport, chemical bonds and signaling pathway of plankton in the initial adhesion stage; (ii) period of curbing biofilm formation:targeting several pivotal molecules, for instance, polysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA (eDNA) via polysaccharide hydrolases, proteases, and DNases respectively in the second stage before developing into irreversible biofilm; (iii) period of eliminating biofilm formation: applying novel multifunctional composite drugs or nanoparticle materials cooperated with ultrasonic (US), photodynamic, photothermal and even immune therapy, such as adaptive immune activated by stimulated dendritic cells (DCs), neutrophils and even immunological memory aroused by plasmocytes. The multitargeted or combinational therapies aim to prevent it from developing to the stage of maturation and dispersion and eliminate biofilms and planktonic bacteria simultaneously.

Various RNA viral diseases on sugarcane result in yield loss and decreased sugar content. Breeding new varieties with virus resistance is the main goal of the sugarcane breeding program. Both single-stranded and double-stranded RNA viruses generated a double-stranded RNA replicative form (RF) during the replication cycle progress. While double-stranded RNA-specific ribonuclease (PAC1) encoded by the Pac1 gene (from Schizosaccharomyces pombe) can recognize and degrade double-stranded RNA specifically without any sequence, the expression of PAC1 in transgenic sugarcane may successfully develop virus-resistant sugarcane. In this research, we first expressed the PAC1 in prokaryotic cells. Then, double-stranded RNA RF of sugarcane's streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) was artificially synthesized. The degradation activity of the PAC1 was successfully tested by mixing the PAC1 protein and the double-stranded RNA RF. After that, the Pac1 gene was ligated to a plant expression vector and was then introduced into a virus-sensitive sugarcane cultivar by using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method. Transgenic plants were challenged by inoculating with SCSMV. Results showed that although all the transgenic lines were infected by SCSMV, the mosaic symptoms that appeared on the leaves were significantly milder than that of the wild type. All transgenic shoots showed significantly lower viral loads and attained greater heights than wild-type shoots. This research provided a new pathway for breeding new varieties of sugarcane with virus resistance.

In order to adjust the properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) and expand its application, a new strategy of introducing an aromatic imide structure into the PA6 chain through the random copolymerization method is reported. The diimide diacid monomer was first synthesized by the dehydration and cyclization of pyromellitic dianhydride and 6-aminocaproic acid before it reacted with 1,6-hexamethylene diamine to form poly(amide imide) (PAI) salt, and finally synthesized PA6/PAI random copolymers containing an aromatic imide structure by the random copolymerization of ε-caprolactam and PAI salt. The introduction of an aromatic imide structural unit into the PA6 chain could have a great influence on its properties. As the content of PAI increases, the crystallinity (Xc) and melting temperature (Tm) of the PA6/PAI random copolymer gradually decrease, but its glass transition temperature (Tg) increases obviously. When the PAI content is 20 wt%, the copolymer PA6/PAI-20 has the best comprehensive performance and not only has high thermal stabilities but also excellent mechanical properties (high strength, high modulus, and good toughness) and dielectric properties (low dielectric constant and dielectric loss). Moreover, these properties are significantly superior to those of PA6. Such high-performance PA6 random copolymers can provide great promise for the wider applications of PA6 materials.

Sugarcane is a complex polyploid aneuploid cash crop, and transgenic varieties are important for molecular genetic and traditional breeding approaches. Herein, the sugarcane variety ROC22 served as the receptor, the Bar gene served as a screening marker, and positive and negative fragments of the ScD27.2 gene, upstream of strigolactones (SLs) biosynthesis genes driven by the 35S promoter, were introduced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Regenerated plants were obtained by co-culture, screening culture, and differentiation induction, and 27 sense and antisense ScD27.2 transgenic seedlings were obtained by herbicide screening. PCR detection and 1% Basta (Glufosinate) application on leaves revealed Bar in all lines, with all testing positive for herbicide application and 23 containing the target gene (positive resistance screening rate = 87.5%). q-PCR and phenotypic analyses showed that ScD27.2 expression, plant height, tiller number, root length, stem diameter, and fresh weight were decreased in transgenic (ScD27.2R-9) compared with non-transgenic (NT and ScD27.2F-2) lines. ScD27.2 expression was downregulated, and growth potential was inhibited. Under 20% PEG treatment, malondialdehyde (MDA) content in ScD27.2R-9 was higher than in NT, while proline content was lower. Under drought stress, ScD27.2 expression, MDA levels, and proline content in ScD27.2F-2 and NT were higher than in non-treated controls, ScD27.2 expression increased with time, and MDA and proline levels also increased. ScD27.2 expression in ScD27.2R-9 decreased under 20% PEG treatment, MDA and proline increased (but not to NT levels), and growth was lower than NT. The 20% PEG treatment also increased the levels of (±)-2′-epi-5-deoxystrigol and (+)-abscisic acid in the rooting culture media of ScD27.2F-2, ScD27.2R-9, and NT lines, but the levels of (+)-abscisic acid content in ScD27.2R-9 was lower than in NT. Thus, interfering with ScD27.2 expression decreased resistance to 20% PEG treatment. ScD27.2 encodes a β-carotene isomerase involved in SLs biosynthesis that might function in sugarcane resistance to drought stress. It explains the role of SLs in sugarcane growth and development and responses to drought stress.

In this paper, a multiscale analysis method was proposed to simulate carbon nanoparticles (CNPs)−filled polymers which can be strain sensors applied in wearable electronic devices, flexible skin, and health monitoring fields. On the basis of the microstructure characteristics of the composite, a microscale representative volume element model of the CNPs−filled polymer was established using the improved nearest−neighbor algorithm. By finite element analysis, the variation of the junction widths of adjacent aggregates can be extracted from the simulation results. Then, according to the conductive mechanism of CNP−filled polymers, the composite was simplified as a circuit network composed of vast random resistors which were determined by the junction widths between adjacent aggregates. Hence, by taking junction widths as the link, the resistance variation of the CNPs−filled polymer with the strain can be obtained. To verify the proposed method, the electromechanical responses of silicone elastomer filled with different CNPs under different filling amounts were investigated numerically and experimentally, respectively, and the results were in good agreement. Therefore, the multiscale analysis method can not only reveal the strain−sensing mechanism of the composite from the microscale, but also effectively predict the electromechanical behavior of the CNPs−filled polymer with different material parameters.

The evaluation of reservoirs is of great importance in exploration practices, and reservoir distribution is dependent on multiple geological factors. The carbonate platform of the fourth member (Z2dn4) of the Dengying Formation (Z2dn) in the Gaoshiti-Moxi area (GMA) was uplifted above sea level during episode II of the Tongwan movement and underwent prolonged karstification by meteoric freshwater in the terminal Sinian, leading to a strong heterogeneity in reservoirs. Paleogeomorphology reflects hydraulic gradients that can affect the intensities of surface karstification and may be approximated by terrain slope gradients. Karst products (especially solution vugs and caverns) exist prevailingly in the Z2dn4; their development mirrors the extents of internal dissolution. Based on paleogeomorphological reconstruction using the elevation method, the slope angles of single boreholes were calculated through the digital elevation model (DEM). In accordance with single-borewell Fullbore Formation MicroImager (FMI) logging data, four electrofacies (host rock, vug, fracture, and cave) were identified in boreholes possessing FMI data. The identified electrofacies were matched with corresponding conventional logging curves to obtain the training data. A model generalized for other boreholes without FMI data was established with the random forest algorithm and the thicknesses of the four electrofacies in each borehole were determined to characterize the extent of karstification. Slope gradients and electrofacies thicknesses, together with multiple physical parameters of reservoirs in boreholes, were utilized for factor analysis. Four factors were obtained and fused into one comprehensive score based on their ratios of variance proportions. The favorability of reservoirs was described by the comprehensive scores of each borehole. These analyses showed that the most advantageous reservoirs are distributed in the vicinity of the platform margin in the west of the GMA, where they enjoy several benefits. Deposition of porous mound-shoal complexes occurs predominantly in the platform margin where large-scale caves are more developed in the mixing karst zone of seawater and freshwater. Meanwhile, the transmeridional lateral migration of hydrocarbons from the regional hydrocarbon-generating center abutting the west of the GMA contributes to earlier entrapment and accumulation in the mound-shoal complexes in the platform margin.

Abstract Background and purpose Epidemiological data on primary brain tumours (PBTs) are lacking due to the difficulty in case ascertainment among the population. Thus, we aimed to estimate mortality due to PBTs in China nationwide and the detection rate in people with suspected symptoms. Methods A multistage, complex sampling survey regarding mortality due to PBTs in Chinese individuals was carried out by reviewing all causes of death within a year. The detection rates in people with suspected symptoms were estimated based on PBT symptom screening and neurologist reviews and compared between groups by logistic regression analysis. Results Weighted mortality due to PBT was 1.6 (0.8–3.3) per 100,000 population in Chinese individuals, 1.8 (0.7–4.6) per 100,000 population in men, and 1.5 (0.5–4.5) per 100,000 population in women. Among 14,990 people with suspected symptoms, the PBT detection rate was 306.9 (95% CI 224.7–409.3) per 100,000 population in the total population, 233.0 (95% CI 135.7–373.1) per 100,000 population in men, and 376.9 (95% CI 252.4–546.3) per 100,000 population in women. People with an unsteady gait (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.09–5.51; P=0.029), visual anomalies (3.84; 1.88–7.85; P

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most disabling form of stroke, but effective treatment protocols for ICH are still limited. The minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a potential and effective treatment for ICH in recent years. However, it is associated with a risk of rebleeding. This review aims to discuss some key facts about rebleeding, such as thrombolytic agents, therapeutic time window, and first aspiration volume.

Most of the clinical non-surgical methods for the correction of mild kyphosis are to wear kyphosis orthosis, to apply a forward force perpendicular to the spine to the kyphosis, which is generated by the shoulder belt of the orthosis acting on the shoulder. The research on the relationship between orthopedic force and orthopedic angle has not been reported yet, and the relationship between them is of great significance for the design and optimization of orthopedics. In this paper, the method of photography was used to record the kinematic data of the mark points of the cervical vertebra and the thoracic vertebrae in the process of kyphosis orthopedic; the orthopedic pull force perpendicular to the spine along the sagittal direction was provided and recorded by Instron 5544; J image processing software was used to conduct non-linear fitting analysis on the collected image sequence and quantify the corresponding relationship between the effective orthopedic force and the orthopedic angle of kyphosis, and finally a general formula was established for calculating the orthopedic angle and corresponding orthopedic force by taking into account the factors of gender, height, body mass index, upper body length/height, outer shoulder width, sitting height, and sitting shoulder height/sitting height. The results show that the relationship between the orthopedic force and orthopedic angle can be expressed as a cubic function, and the regression coefficient R2 is greater than 0.99; the P value of the fitting regression equation, which takes into account the data of individual factors such as height and weight, is less than 0.05, and the significance of the fitting equation is good; and the general formula of the fitting orthopedic can be applied to the initial calculation of required shape correction force according to height, weight, and other dimensions combined with the orthopedic degree.

Total knee arthroplasty is an effective method for treating knee diseases, but there is no unified view on the advantages and disadvantages of fixed-axis and mobile-axis knee prostheses. In the past, there have been comparative verifications of the two prostheses, but most of which are static simulations. In this paper, a finite element model of a healthy knee joint was built; then a knee joint containing the above two prostheses was established; finally, by dynamically simulating the knee flexion motion, the contact stress and contact area of the tibia-femoral joint were calculated. The results show that for the fixed and mobile axis artificial knee joints, in the range of 0° to 90° knee flexion angle, the contact area shifts from the front of the tibial liner to the rear, and the contact stress of the tibiofemoral joint continues to increase, reaching maximum at 90°. With respect to the fixed shafts, the contact pressure of the tibiofemoral joint between the moving shafts is smaller, and the contact area is larger. As the knee bending angle deepens, the contact stress on the polyethylene pads of the two prostheses gradually increases, and the contact area gradually decreases. No significant difference exists between the two prostheses in the contact stress, but there is a significant difference in the contact area of the two prostheses. The results suggest that under the same contact stress, the larger the contact area is, the less stress concentration is likely to happen, that is, the prosthesis is not prone to wear. This can extend the service life of the knee joint. Therefore, the mobile axis knee prosthesis is better than the fixed axis knee joint prosthesis. This study may provide a valuable reference for the selection of prosthesis transplantation types in clinic.

Abstract In stock farming, the body size parameters and weight of yaks can reasonably reflect the growth and development characteristics, production performance and genetic characteristics of yaks. However, it is difficult for herders to measure the body size and weight of yaks by traditional manual methods. Fortunately, with the development of edge computing, herders can use mobile devices to estimate the yak’s body size and weight. The purpose of this paper is to provide a machine vision-based yak weight estimation method for the edge equipment and establish a yak estimation comprehensive display system based on the user’s use of the edge equipment in order to maximize the convenience of herdsmen’s work. In our method, a set of yak image foreground extraction and measurement point recognition algorithm suitable for edge equipment were developed to obtain yak’s measurement point recognition image, and the ratio between body sizes was transmitted to the cloud server. Then, the body size and weight of yaks were estimated using the data mining method, and the body size estimation data were constantly displayed in the yak estimation comprehensive display system. Twenty-five yaks in different age groups were randomly selected from the herd to perform experiments. The experimental results show that the foreground extraction method can obtain segmentation image with good boundary, and the yak measurement point recognition algorithm has good accuracy and stability. The average error between the estimated values and the actual measured values of body height, oblique length, chest depth, cross height and body weight is 1.95%, 3.11%, 4.91%, 3.35% and 7.79%, respectively. Compared with the traditional manual measurement method, the use of mobile end to estimate the body size and weight of yaks can improve the measurement efficiency, facilitate the herdsmen to breed yaks, reduce the stimulation of manual measurement on yaks and lay a solid foundation for the fine breeding of yaks in Sanjiangyuan region.

Si-B-C-N/diamond-like carbon (DLC) gradient films with different layers were prepared on a glass substrate by radio frequency magnetron sputtering, and the structure and surface morphology of the resulting films were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The mechanical and optical properties of the films were studied using a multifunctional material mechanical testing system, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, and micro-Vickers hardness tester. The gradient structure promotes the formation of sp3 bonds and improves the hardness and optical transmittance of the resulting films. Among the prepared films, the single-layer Si-B-C-N/DLC gradient film shows the highest optical transmittance (97%). Film–substrate adherence is strengthened by the introduction of the gradient structure. The best adhesion was obtained with a double-layer Si-B-C-N/DLC gradient film. Suitable anti-wear properties were exhibited in both dry (0.18) and wet (0.07) conditions. In this paper, evaluation of the microstructural, optical, and mechanical properties of the films could provide new insights into improvements in the bonding force of glass-based DLC films and enrich the experimental data of DLC multilayer film systems.

Background and PurposeThe epidemiological characteristics of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in China are unclear. Thus, we aimed to study prevalence, incidence, and external causes of TSCI in China nationwide.MethodsIn 2013, we conducted a nationally representative, door-to-door epidemiological survey on TSCI in China using a complex, multistage, probability sampling design.ResultsIn China, the point prevalence of TSCI standardized to the China census population 2010 was 569.7 (95% CI: 514.2–630.4) per 1,000,000 in the population, 753.6 (95% CI: 663.3–854.3) per 1,000,000 among men, and 387.7 (95% CI: 324.8–461.1) per 1,000,000 among women. The incidence of TSCI standardized to the China census population 2010 was 49.8 (95% CI: 34.4–70.7) per 1,000,000 per year in the population, 63.2 (95% CI: 38.9–98.5) per 1,000,000 among men, and 36.9 (95% CI: 19.5–65.9) per 1,000,000 among women. Among the 415 TSCI events in 394 prevalent cases, the top three injury causes were falls (55.2%), motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) (26.5%), and strike injuries (10.1%), while other injury causes including gunshot and explosion accounted for 8.2%. Among the 394 prevalent cases, the mean age of patients at the time of injury was 43.7 ± 17.1 years; the male-to-female ratio was 1.86:1.ConclusionIt is estimated that there are 759,302 prevalent patients with TSCI in total and 66,374 new TSCI cases annually in China. Falls and MVCs are still 2 major external causes for TSCI in China.

As an important financial means for governments to improve the quality of economic development, government debt greatly affects the quality of local environmental governance. Based on a theoretical mechanism analysis that uses the pollutant emissions panel data and new caliber urban investment bond data of 273 cities in China, this paper empirically tests the impact of local government debt on urban emission reduction and the mechanism that drives this impact. We find that local government debt significantly promotes urban emissions reduction, and as urban pollution becomes more aggravated, this promoting effect has a dynamic path, first strengthening and then weakening. The role of local government debt in promoting urban emission reduction is characterized by both temporal and spatial heterogeneity. A mechanistic analysis shows that local government debt can promote urban emission reduction by promoting urban environmental innovation, with green invention patents demonstrating a stronger intermediary role than green utility model patents.

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) has the potential to bring preventive healthcare within reach of populations with limited access to preventive services, by delivering personalized support at low cost. Although numerous mHealth interventions are available, very few have been developed following an evidence-based rationale or have been tested for efficacy. This article describes the systematic development of a coach-supported mHealth application to improve healthy lifestyles for the prevention of dementia and cardiovascular disease in the United Kingdom (UK) and China.Methods: Development of the Prevention of Dementia by Mobile Phone applications (PRODEMOS) platform built upon the experiences with the Healthy Aging Through Internet Counseling in the Elderly (HATICE) eHealth platform. In the conceptualization phase, experiences from the HATICE trial and needs and wishes of the PRODEMOS target population were assessed through semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions. Initial technical development of the platform was based on these findings and took place in consecutive sprint sessions. Finally, during the evaluation and adaptation phase, functionality and usability of the platform were evaluated during pilot studies in UK and China.Results: The PRODEMOS mHealth platform facilitates self-management of a healthy lifestyle by goal setting, progress monitoring, and educational materials on healthy lifestyles. Participants receive remote coaching through a chat functionality. Based on lessons learned from the HATICE study and end-users, we made the intervention easy-to-use and included features to personalize the intervention. Following the pilot studies, in which in total 77 people used the mobile application for 6 weeks, the application was made more intuitive, and we improved its functionalities.Conclusion: Early involvement of end-users in the development process and during evaluation phases improved acceptability of the mHealth intervention. The actual use and usability of the PRODEMOS intervention will be assessed during the ongoing PRODEMOS randomized controlled trial, taking a dual focus on effectiveness and implementation outcomes.

The attention on orthopedic biomaterials has shifted from their direct osteogenic properties to their osteoimmunomodulation, especially the modulation of macrophage polarization. Presently, advanced technologies endow polyetheretherketone (PEEK) with good osteoimmunomodulation by modifying PEEK surface characteristics or incorporating bioactive substances with regulating macrophage polarization. Recent studies have demonstrated that the fabrication of a hydrophilic surface and the incorporation of bioactive substances into PEEK (e.g., zinc, calcium, and phosphate) are good strategies to promote osteogenesis by enhancing the polarization of M2 macrophages. Furthermore, the modification by other osteoimmunomodulatory composites (e.g., lncRNA-MM2P, IL-4, IL-10, and chitosan) and their controlled and desired release may make PEEK an optimal bio-activated implant for regulating and balancing the osteogenic system and immune system. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively evaluate the potential of bio-activated PEEK in polarizing macrophages into M2 phenotype to improve osteogenesis. For this objective, we retrieved and discussed different kinds of bio-activated PEEK regarding improving osteogenesis through modulating macrophage polarization. Meanwhile, the relevant challenges and outlook were presented. We hope that this review can shed light on the development of bio-activated PEEK with more favorable osteoimmunomodulation.

Primary brainstem hemorrhage (PBSH) is the most fatal subtype of intracerebral hemorrhage and is invariably associated with poor prognosis. Several prognostic factors are involved, of which the two most predominant and consistent are the initial level of consciousness and hemorrhage size. Other predictors, such as age, hyperthermia, and hydrocephalus, are generally not dependable indicators for making prognoses. Scoring systems have now been developed that can predict mortality and functional outcomes in patients suffering from PBSH, which can thus guide treatment decision-making. A novel grading scale, entitled “the new primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) score,” represents the latest approach in scoring systems. In this system, patients with a score of 2–3 points appear to benefit from surgical management, although this claim requires further verification. The four main surgical options for the treatment of PBSH are craniotomy, stereotactic hematoma puncture and drainage, endoscopic hematoma removal, and external ventricular drainage. Nevertheless, the management of PBSH still primarily involves conservative treatment methods and surgery is generally not recommended, according to current practice. However, the ongoing clinical trial, entitled Safety and Efficacy of Surgical Treatment in Severe Primary Pontine Hemorrhage Evacuation (STIPE), should provide additional evidence to support the surgical treatment of PBSH. Therefore, we advocate the update of epidemiological data and re-evaluation of PBSH treatment in a contemporary context.

Seven new clerodane diterpenoids, crassifolins Q−W (1–7), along with five known analogues (8–12), were isolated from the roots of Croton crassifolius. Their structures were identified by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis (UV, IR, NMR, and HR-ESI-MS), and their absolute configurations were determined by ECD spectra and X-ray crystallography. The activities of compounds 1–5 against inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α levels on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages were assessed, and compound 5 showed the most significant activity with the secretion levels of IL-6 and TNF-α at 32.78 and 12.53%, respectively. Moreover, compounds 1–5 were screened for their anti-angiogenesis using a human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro mode; the results showed all of them exhibited obvious anti-angiogenesis activities, in particular, compound 5 showed the strongest anti-angiogenesis effect in the range of 6.25–50 μM.

Introduction Profiles of high risk for future dementia are well understood and are likely to concern mostly those in low-income and middle-income countries and people at greater disadvantage in high-income countries. Approximately 30%–40% of dementia cases have been estimated to be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. Tailored interventions targeting these risk factors can potentially prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Mobile health (mHealth) improves accessibility of such prevention strategies in hard-to-reach populations while at the same time tailoring such approaches. In the current study, we will investigate the effectiveness and implementation of a coach-supported mHealth intervention, targeting dementia risk factors, to reduce dementia risk.Methods and analysis The prevention of dementia using mobile phone applications (PRODEMOS) randomised controlled trial will follow an effectiveness–implementation hybrid design, taking place in the UK and China. People are eligible if they are 55–75 years old, of low socioeconomic status (UK) or from the general population (China); have ≥2 dementia risk factors; and own a smartphone. 2400 participants will be randomised to either a coach-supported, interactive mHealth platform, facilitating self-management of dementia risk factors, or a static control platform. The intervention and follow-up period will be 18 months. The primary effectiveness outcome is change in the previously validated Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Ageing and Incidence of Dementia dementia risk score. The main secondary outcomes include improvement of individual risk factors and cost-effectiveness. Implementation outcomes include acceptability, adoption, feasibility and sustainability of the intervention.Ethics and dissemination The PRODEMOS trial is sponsored in the UK by the University of Cambridge and is granted ethical approval by the London—Brighton and Sussex Research Ethics Committee (reference: 20/LO/01440). In China, the trial is approved by the medical ethics committees of Capital Medical University, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing Geriatric Hospital, Chinese People’s Liberation Army General Hospital, Taishan Medical University and Xuanwu Hospital. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration number ISRCTN15986016.

Abstract Understanding historical hydroclimate change during the last millennium is of fundamental importance for forecasting and evaluating the regional hydrologic cycle and water security under global warming. Here we compared observations of tree‐ring stable isotope ratios (δ13C and δ18O), tree‐ring widths, lake sediments estimates of regional hydroclimate, and glacier advance and retreat for northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, China. The hydroclimate dynamics in our composite isotope record is similar to that derived from the juniper tree‐ring widths throughout the last millennium until the latter half of the twentieth century, after which they diverged with the tree‐ring widths indicating an unprecedented wet period while the isotopic results, sediment proxies, and glaciers demonstrated a drying pattern. Rising atmospheric CO2 promoted increases in canopy‐scale intrinsic water‐use efficiency and growth, causing tree‐ring widths to overestimate the regional hydroclimate signal in the growth record. Thus, our study suggests that CO2 fertilization over the last century may confound hydroclimate reconstructions inferred from juniper tree‐ring width at northeastern Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, which may cause overestimates of water resources. Correction for CO2‐induced changes in tree‐ring widths may be necessary to accurately utilize tree rings for paleoclimate reconstructions.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the commercial lifespan and optimum wool harvest interval of Angora rabbits. One hundred shorn Angora rabbits were housed in an organised farm to describe the wool production curve. It showed that the optimum wool harvest interval was 75 d, when fibre length reached 55.0 mm. Wool production was lower from the 3rd to the 6th mo (young stage) than from 7th to 28th mo and rapidly decreased from 28th to 31st mo and was the lowest from 31st to 33rd mo of age. Feed intake-to-wool production ratio was higher from 3rd to 4th and from 7th to 9th mo of age than during the adult stage, and increased from 31st to 33rd mo of age. Daily weight gain was significantly higher from 3rd to 4th mo of age than in any other periods of the adult stage, and was negative from 23rd to 33rd mo of age. Therefore, the study reveals that the commercial lifespan of Angora rabbits was approximately 28 mo. Furthermore, wool production was higher in spring and winter than in autumn, and was the lowest in summer. Concomitantly, feed intake-to-wool production ratio was lower in spring than in autumn and winter, and was the highest in summer. Finally, daily weight gain was higher in spring and autumn than in winter, and was the lowest in summer. This indicates that wool production was depending on the season, and decreased significantly in summer. Moreover, the spring provided the best conditions for Angora rabbits.

Understanding the water-use strategy of human-planted species used in response to climate change is essential to optimize afforestation programs in dry regions. Since 2000, trees on the central Loess Plateau have experienced a shift from strengthening drought to weakening drought. In this study, we combined tree-ring δ13C and δ18O records from Pinus tabuliformis (syn. tabulaeformis) Carr. (a tree) and Sophora viciifolia Hance (a shrub) on the central Loess Plateau to investigate species-specific responses to rising atmospheric CO2 (Ca) and drought. We found summer relative humidity controlled the fractionation of tree-ring δ18O, but the magnitude of the climate influence on δ13C differed between the species. The intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) trends of both species suggested a strongly active response to maintain constant intercellular CO2 concentrations as Ca rose. The tree-ring δ13C and δ18O of both species using first-difference data were significantly and positively correlated, with stronger relationships for the shrub. This indicated the dominant regulation of iWUE by stomatal conductance in both species, but with greater stomatal control for the shrub. Moreover, the higher mean iWUE value of S. viciifolia indicated a more conservative water-use strategy than P. tabuliformis. Based on our commonality analysis, the main driver of the increased iWUE was the joint effect of Ca and vapor-pressure deficit (25.51%) for the tree, while it was the joint effect of Ca and the self-calibrated Palmer drought severity index (39.13%) for the shrub. These results suggest S. viciifolia will be more drought-tolerant than P. tabuliformis and as Ca continually rises, we should focus more on the effects of soil drought than atmospheric drought on the water-use strategy of S. viciifolia.

Based on lithium aluminosilicate glass, the composition of glass was optimized by replacing SiO2 with B2O3, and the influence of glass composition on structure and performance was studied. With the increase in B2O3 concentrations from 0 to 6.5 mol%, Al2O3 always existed in the form of four-coordinated [AlO4] in the network structure, and B2O3 mainly entered the network in the form of four-coordinated [BO4]. The content of Si-O-Si linkages (Q4(0Al)) was always dominant. The incorporation of boron oxide improved the overall degree of polymerization and connectivity of the lithium aluminosilicate glass network structure. An increase in the degree of network polymerization led to a decrease in the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass and an increase in Vickers hardness and density. The durability of the glass in hydrofluoric acid and NaOH and KOH solutions was enhanced overall.

This study aimed to prepare the sugar industry for the possible introduction of genetically modified (GM) sugarcane and derived retail sugar products and to address several potential public concerns regarding the characteristics and safety of these products. GM sugarcane lines with integrated Cry1Ab and EPSPS foreign genes were used for GM sugar production. Traditional PCR, real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were performed in analyzing leaves, stems, and other derived materials during sugar production, such as fibers, clarified juices, filter mud, syrups, molasses, and final GM sugar product. The toxicity of GM sugar was examined with a feeding bioassay using Helicoverpa armigera larvae. PCR and RT-qPCR results showed that the leaves, stems, fibers, juices, syrups, filter mud, molasses, and white granulated sugar from GM sugarcane can be distinguished from those derived from non-GM sugarcane. The RT-qPCR detection method using short amplified product primers was more accurate than the traditional PCR method. Molecular analysis results indicated that trace amounts of DNA residues remain in GM sugar, and thus it can be accurately characterized using molecular analysis methods. ELISA results showed that only the leaves, stems, fibers, and juices sampled from the GM sugarcane differed from those derived from the non-GM sugarcane, indicating that filter mud, syrup, molasses, and white sugar did not contain detectable Cry1Ab and EPSPS proteins. Toxicity analysis showed that the GM sugar was not toxic to the H. armigera larvae. The final results showed that the GM sugar had no active proteins despite containing trace amounts of DNA residues. This finding will help to pave the way for the commercialization of GM sugarcane and production of GM sugar.

Abstract Background and purpose We performed a retrospective analysis of the “Thrombolysis Implementation and Monitor of Acute Ischemic Stroke in China (TIMS‐China)” registry to explore the benefit and risk of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) followed by intravenous heparin (IVH) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Methods In the TIMS‐China database, the patients who received IVH immediately after IVT (Early IVH group) and those who initiated antithrombotic therapy (ATT) until 24 hr after IVT (Standard ATT group) were screened for this comparison. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed between both groups. The logistic regression analysis was performed in the matched population to compare all the efficacy and safety outcomes. Results Of 1,437 patients in this study, 119 received early IVH and 1,318 cases initiated standard ATT. After PS matching (1:2), 117 pairs were identified. The early IVH group had higher proportions of neurological improvement at 24 hr (OR = 2.24, 95% CI = 1.42–3.53) and 7 days (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.22–3.03), better chance of excellent recovery (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.07–2.67) and functional independence (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.13–2.78) at 90 days, and a lower 90‐day mortality (OR = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.21–0.92) than standard ATT group. Additionally, early IVH did not increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.34–2.48). Conclusions IVH immediately after thrombolysis seems to be safe and potentially more effective as compared with standard ATT delay of 24 hr for a subset of AIS patients.