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Importance: The measurement of laboratory biomarkers plays a critical role in managing patients with COVID-19. However, to date most systematic reviews examining the association between laboratory biomarkers and mortality in hospitalized patients early in the pandemic focused on small sets of biomarkers, did not account for multiple studies including patients within the same institutions during overlapping timeframes, and did not include a significant number of studies conducted in countries other than China. Objective: To provide a comprehensive summary and an evidence map examining the relationship between a wide range of laboratory biomarkers and mortality among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the early phase of the pandemic in multiple countries. Evidence review: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from Dec 2019 to March 9, 2021. A total of 14,049 studies were identified and screened independently by two raters; data was extracted by a single rater and verified by a second. Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Case Series Critical Appraisal tool. To allow comparison across biomarkers, standardized mean differences (SMD) were used to quantify the relationship between laboratory biomarkers and hospital mortality. Meta-regression was conducted to account for clustering within institutions and countries. Results: Our systematic review included 94 case-series studies from 30 countries. Across all biomarkers, the largest and most precise SMDs were observed for cardiac (troponin (1.03 (95% CI 0.86 to 1.21)), and BNP/NT-proBNP (0.93 (0.52 to 1.34)), inflammatory (IL-6 (0.97 (0.67 to 1.28) and Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (0.94 (0.59 to 1.29)), and renal biomarkers (blood urea nitrogen (1.01 (0.79 to 1.23)) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (-0.96 (-1.42 to -0.50)). There was heterogeneity for most biomarkers across countries with studies conducted in China generally having larger effect sizes. Conclusions and relevance: The results of this study provide an early pandemic summary of the relationship between biomarkers and mortality in hospitalized patients. We found our estimated ESs were generally attenuated compared to previous systematic reviews which predominantly included studies conducted in China. Despite using sophisticated methodology to examine studies across countries, heterogeneity in reporting of case-series studies early in the pandemic limits clinical interpretability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vertebrate animals, the molecules encoded by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes play an essential role in the adaptive immunity. MHC class I deals with intracellular pathogens (virus) in birds. MHC class I diversity depends on the consequence of local and global environment selective pressure and gene flow. Here, we evaluated the MHC class I gene in four species of the Turdidae family from a broad geographical area of northeast China. We isolated 77 MHC class I sequences, including 47 putatively functional sequences and 30 pseudosequences from 80 individuals. Using the method based on analysis of cloned amplicons (n = 25) for each species, we found two and seven MHC I sequences per individual indicating more than one MHC I locus identified in all sampled species. Results revealed an overall elevated genetic diversity at MHC class I, evidence of different selection patterns among the domains of PBR and non-PBR. Alleles are found to be divergent with overall polymorphic sites per species ranging between 58 and 70 (out of 291 sites). Moreover, transspecies alleles were evident due to convergent evolution or recent speciation for the genus. Phylogenetic relationships among MHC I show an intermingling of alleles clustering among the Turdidae family rather than between other passerines. Pronounced MHC I gene diversity is essential for the existence of species. Our study signifies a valuable tool for the characterization of evolutionary relevant difference across a population of birds with high conservational concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study elicits the critical attributes, consequences and values associated with the purchasing process in the context of cross-border e-commerce (CBEC). The purpose is to provide a better understanding of the fundamental factors that determine consumer values in CBEC. Design/methodology/approach: The study applies the means-end-chain theory and soft-laddering techniques to interview 60 CBEC consumers to construct an implication matrix and a hierarchical value map (HVM) of the consumer purchasing process, consisting of attribute-consequence-value (A-C-V) paths. Findings: By analyzing the significant linkages, elements, ladders and chains in the HVM, four dominant A-C-V paths were identified: economic-driven, efficiency-driven, progress-driven and quality-driven paths. Research limitations/implications: This study included only Chinese CBEC buyers. This limitation might affect the generalizability of the conclusions as culture, purchase habits and economic development differ between China and other countries. Practical implications: The results of this study provide CBEC practitioners an understanding of the consumer purchasing process and how consumer values are associated with platform characteristics. Thus, the results aid practitioners in allocating resources and developing CBEC platforms in an appropriate manner and direction. Originality/value: This study sheds lights on the emerging phenomenon of CBEC. By applying the means-end-chain approach, the study provides a comprehensive HVM for interpreting the consumer online purchasing process in this novel context. By illustrating the dominant paths, this research provides deeper theoretical insights into the specific focuses of CBEC consumer purchasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines (H 2 ICEs) encourages a growing interest in studying the economic viability of hydrogen as a fuel for internal combustion engines (ICEs). The current study is a literature review based on the bibliometric method to analyse bibliographic data and generate visual representations and historical development of scientific studies on H 2 ICEs. The study analyses 2892 Scopus database documents from 1927 to 2023, including publication trends, publication types, research areas, sources, citations, collaborations, bursts, and keywords analysis, using VOSviewer (v1.6.19), CiteSpace (v6.2. R4), and Microsoft Excel. China, India, the United States, and Verhelst S., with a burst strength of 14.18, prevail in H 2 ICE studies. The analysis suggests major hotspot keywords for future studies, including nanoparticles, ammonia, machine learning, optimisation, injection strategy, learning algorithms, and ignition timing, with a focus on addressing major concerns, including knock, backfire, NOx emissions, and optimising the thermal and fuel efficiency of the engine. [Display omitted] • International Journal of Hydrogen Energy is the most prolific in H 2 ICEs studies. • China, India, and the United States are the most cited countries. • Knock, backfire, pre-ignition and NOx remain the major challenges of H 2 ICEs. • Emphasis is on providing more infrastructure for hydrogen refuelling stations. • Additives, learning algorithms and combustion parameters are the hotspots keywords. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, first emerged in China in December 2019, and then spread around the globe with more than 29 million confirmed infections. Immunoinformatics and molecular modelling techniques are time-efficient methods that are used to accelerate the discovery and design of the candidate peptides for vaccine development against SARS-COV-2. Recently, the use of multiepitope vaccines has proved to be a promising immunization strategy against different viruses and other pathogens. In the current study a comprehensive in silico strategy was used to design stable multiepitope vaccine construct (MVC) from B-cell and T-cell epitopes of essential SARS-CoV-2 proteins which include, spike, main protease, non-structural protein 12 (polymerase), and Nsp13 (helicase) with the help of adjuvants and linkers. Molecular dynamics studies revealed that the MVC displayed favourable molecular interactions with human Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which are known in triggering an innate and adaptive immune response. Furthermore, the MVC was checked for its recombinant production in Escherichia coli using a well-known expression system. The MVC showed a stable three-dimensional structure and could serve as a potential candidate for vaccine production, which warrant further experimental research for validation. The outbreak of 2019-novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes severe respiratory infection (COVID-19) has spread in China, and the World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic. However, no approved drug or vaccines are available, and treatment is mainly supportive and through a few repurposed drugs. The urgency of the situation requires the development of SARS-CoV-2-based vaccines. Immunoinformatic and molecular modelling are time-efficient methods that are generally used to accelerate the discovery and design of the candidate peptides for vaccine development. In recent years, the use of multiepitope vaccines has proved to be a promising immunization strategy against viruses and pathogens, thus inducing more comprehensive protective immunity. The current study demonstrated a comprehensive in silico strategy to design stable multiepitope vaccine construct (MVC) from B-cell and T-cell epitopes of essential SARS-CoV-2 proteins with the help of adjuvants and linkers. The integrated molecular dynamics simulations analysis revealed the stability of MVC and its interaction with human Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which trigger an innate and adaptive immune response. Later, the in silico cloning in a known pET28a vector system also estimated the possibility of MVC expression in Escherichia coli. Despite that this study lacks validation of this vaccine construct in terms of its efficacy, the current integrated strategy encompasses the initial multiple epitope vaccine design concepts. After validation, this MVC can be present as a better prophylactic solution against COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bursa of Fabricius (BOF) is a unique immune organ of birds. It is the place where lymphocytes develop, differentiate and mature. Young chicken BOF is susceptible to infection and damage, and even atrophy, causing immune suppression, and bringing huge economic losses to chicken production. Therefore, studying the regulatory mechanism of chicken bursa development is of great practical significance for disease prevention and diagnosis. Jinhu silky chicken (JSC) is a local excellent breed in the Fujian Province of China and with strong disease resistance. However, studies on the disease resistance of JSC are scarce. This study aimed to provide a theoretical basis for reproduction and disease control of JSC. Developmental features of the structure and the IL‐21‐positive cell (IL‐21 PC) distribution on the BOF in JSC were measured from 7 to 300 days of age. Bursas of chicken (n = 36) were taken at 7, 35, 70, 150, 240, and 300 days of age for preparation of paraffin sections and stained with hematoxylin–eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry. The microstructure of JSC's BOF was similar to that of other poultry. The cortical‐medullary boundary of the bursa nodule was not obvious at 7 days of age, but it was evident after 35 days of age. Before 70 days of age, IL‐21 positive cells (PC) were scattered on the BOF. At 150 days of age, the number of IL‐21 PC in the bursa were the highest and the nuclei were clear. The level of IL‐21 PC gradually decreased with age. The BOF degenerated and disappeared in 300‐day‐old JSC. The histological structure of the BOF was similar to that of other poultry. IL‐21 PC were widespread in the BOF at different ages, but the numbers were different. Research Highlights: Young chicken bursa of Fabricius (BOF) is susceptible to infection bringing huge economic losses to chicken production.Jinhu silky chicken (JSC) is a local excellent breed of China, but there are limited studies on the disease resistance of JSC.Developmental features and the IL‐21 positive cell distribution on the BOF in JSC were measured from 7 to 300 days of age.This study provided a theoretical basis for reproduction and disease control of JSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has become a "game-changer" not only for policymakers but also for common citizens of China and Pakistan because of its potential benefits in the economic prosperity and sustainable development in the lives of individuals. Recently, scholars have shown a great interest in researching the eminence of CPEC. Despite prodigious efforts of scholars, the question "how CPEC would influence living standards of rural women and what they perceive?" has been remained unanswered. The present study is the first attempt to unearth the perceptions of rural areas' women towards CPEC. We collected empirical evidence through a structured questionnaire from 302 educated rural women and interviewing 32 uneducated rural women. The following major conclusions are drawn through structural equation modeling via AMOS 21: the rural women significantly directly perceive new opportunities through CPEC; however, they perceive that the CPEC would not directly influence their quality of life and self-enhancement, but through the development of these rural areas. Rural development partially mediates the relationship between CPEC development and perceived opportunities while it fully mediates the relationships between CPEC development and quality of life as well as between CPEC development and self-enhancement. Policymakers need to emphasize on development of rural areas that would improve living standards of poor communities. The government needs to meet the expectations of poor communities and rural women to ensure their sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inefficiency and excessiveness of nitrogen fertilizer usage is an alarming concern in China with adverse effects on economy and environment. The experiments were conducted to study the effect of straw burial coupled with fertigation levels on the water consumption, soil total nitrogen, and growth of Brassica Chinensis. A complete randomized factorial design was established comprising straw burial, nitrogen fertilizer, and irrigation water, each with two levels. The treatments were established as; T1:S-F2I1, T2:S+F2I1, T3:S-F2I2, T4:S+F2I2, T5:S-F1I1, T6:S+F1I1, T7:S-F1I2, and T8:S+F1I2, where, S-: No straw burial, S+: with straw burial, F1: 120 kg ha−1, F2: 80 kg ha−1 of nitrogen fertilizer. The results revealed that straw burial saved 7.34 and 9.50% more irrigation water in SS and WS, respectively, when compared with no straw treatments. When compared with T5(S-F1I1), all other treatments decreased soil TN of D10 and D30 soil layers during both seasons, whereas the highest increase in soil TN of D20 soil layer was observed under straw burial. Comparing with T5, the highest decrease in leaf number and leaf area index was found in T3(35.78 and 66.27% respectively). Comparing with T5, the highest increase in shoot and roots dry biomass was found under T4 (16.95% and 6.14% respectively). Comparing with T5, the lowest and highest decrease in the fresh yield of Brassica Chinensis was found under T4(15.83%) and T3(41.63%) respectively. Comparing with T5, the highest increase in WUEs and PFPs of Brassica Chinensis was also found under T4. It is therefore concluded that straw burial can store total nitrogen in the upper rootzone and can also alleviate the negative effect of nitrogen and irrigation water under limited conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besnoitiosis is an emerging disease in Tibetan sheep and yaks in Qinghai Tibetan plateau (QTP) of China. That is why a survey was conducted for the seroprevalence and detection of associated risk factors of this disease in Tibetan sheep and yaks in QTP of China. A total of 1092 and 1449 serum samples were collected from Tibetan sheep and yaks respectively and checked by employing commercial ELISA kits. The seroprevalence of besnoitiosis in Tibetan sheep was found to be 3.21% ranging from 0 to 5.6% in different counties. The male and female sheep were found positive with 3.15 and 3.25% cases respectively for this disease. A total of 16/1449 (1.10%) yaks were found to be positive for besnoitiosis ranging from 0-2.03% from different counties. In years of 2011-17, the seroprevalence has been ranged from 0-4.10%. Based on conditional stepwise logistic regression analysis, it can be speculated that the varying climatic changes in QTP region and age are the influencing risk factors in causing besnoitiosis in Tibetan sheep and yaks. The survey herein has highlighted the risk and rising potential for this parasitic disease in yaks and Tibetan sheep on the remote plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global warming, water scarcity, and high fertilizer costs, identifying proper irrigation and nitrogen (N) management is essential for balancing emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), crop production, and economic benefits in arid regions. A two-year field study was conducted to determine the interactive effects of irrigation regimes (I 100 , 750 mm; I 80, 600 mm and I 60, 450 mm) and N application rates (N 100 , 300 kg ha−1; N 75 , 225 kg ha−1; and N 50, 150 kg ha−1) on GHGs emissions, global warming potential (GWP), greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI), and net ecosystem economic benefits (NEEB) from spring wheat field in Northwest China. Our results depicted the lowest cumulative GHGs emissions and GWP with low irrigation and low N application rates but at the cost of a significant decrease in grain yield and NEEB compared to full irrigation and N application. Instead, moderate irrigation and N application (I 80 N 75) showed the most promising effects by significantly reducing GHGs emissions while improving the NEEB and yield benefits. Compared to I 100 N 100 , the I 80 N 75 treatment decreased cumulative N 2 O emissions by 43.2 % and 33.1 %, CO 2 by 28.8 % and 26.2 %, GWP by 46.8 % and 35.6 %, and GHGI by 55.0 % and 43.5 % in 2015 and 2016, respectively. In addition, the I 80 N 75 treatment improved the NEEB by 79.3 % and 78.6 % and grain yield by 15.2 % and 16.1 % in 2015 and 2016 compared to I 100 N 100, respectively. The wheat field acted as a CH 4 sink regardless of all the treatments. Soil moisture and inorganic N contents were the primary driving factors that influenced the GHGs emissions from the wheat field, manifested by their significant correlations. Overall, 600 mm irrigation and 225 kg N ha−1 fertilization is an effective strategy with a good trade-off between economic benefits and environmental performance from spring wheat fields in the arid region of Northwest China. • High irrigation and N fertilizer are exacerbating GWP by increasing GHG emissions. • Soil moisture and inorganic N content are the major regulators of GHGs emissions. • Reduced irrigation-N decrease GWP and GHGI but affect yield and economic benefit. • 600 mm irrigation and 225 kg N ha−1 showed a good economic-environmental trade-off. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing global warming concerns, appropriate agronomic practices for improving crop yields while reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions are essential for sustainable agricultural production. However, little information is available if these benefits can be achieved simultaneously in arid pastoral agriculture systems with irrigation and nitrogen (N) management. We assumed that the local practiced irrigation (600 mm) and N (300 kg ha−1) applications for spring wheat in the arid regions of Northwest China are excessive, and optimizing irrigation-N rates would improve the resource use efficiency of alfalfa and reduce GHGs emissions. A two-year field study (2015–2016) was conducted to investigate the effects of irrigation regimes (I L , 300 mm; I M , 450 mm; and I H , 600 mm) and N application rates (F 0 , 0; F L , 150; F M , 225; and F H , 300 kg ha−1) on forage yield, resource use efficiency, and GHGs emissions from alfalfa fields. The GHGs emissions during alfalfa growing seasons were assessed by analyzing gas samples using the static chamber-gas chromatography method. High irrigation and N application (I H F H) was associated with elevated GHGs emissions, global warming potential, and greenhouse gas intensity, but lower irrigation water productivity (IWP) and partial factor productivity of N (PFP N). Reducing the irrigation and N rates decreased the GHGs emissions but differently affected alfalfa yield and resource use efficiencies. Among all the treatments, I M F L and I H F L resulted in the highest alfalfa yields, IWP, and PFP N. However, I M F L showed a good trade-off between yield benefits and environmental performance manifested by lower GHGs emissions, GWP, and GHGI. The I M F L reduced the cumulative emissions of nitrous oxide by 67.83% and 67.16%, carbon dioxide by 31.05% and 34.60%, GWP by 61.72% and 70.40%, and GHGI by 74.37% and 79.78%, while increased alfalfa yield by 49.24% and 46.45%, IWP by 99.05% and 94.97%, and PFP N by 198.44% and 192.90% compared to I H F H. Regardless of all the treatments, the alfalfa field acted as a CH 4 sink during both crop-growing seasons. Our results suggest that the application of 450 mm irrigation and 150 kg N ha−1 could be used as an appropriate management strategy for enhancing resource use efficiencies and mitigating GHGs emissions, GHGI, and GWP from alfalfa fields. The findings can provide an opportunity for greenhouse gas mitigation without alfalfa forage yield reduction following the proper irrigation and fertilization regimes in the arid region of northwest China and areas with similar agro-climatic conditions. • Intensive irrigation and fertilization increase GHGs emissions and global warming potential. • Enhancing resource use efficiency with suitable irrigation and N rates mitigate GHGs emissions. • Soil moistures and inorganic N contents are the major factors regulating GHGs emissions. • 450 mm irrigation and 150 kg N ha–1 maintain high alfalfa yields and minimize environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In arid regions, water and nitrogen are the two most limiting factors for sustainable pastoral production systems. In this study, we determined the potential effects of irrigation and nitrogen application on forage yield, nutritive values, and resource use efficiency of alfalfa in arid agro-climatic conditions. Field experiments were carried out using three irrigation regimes (W1, 300; W2, 450; and W3, 600 mm) and three nitrogen application rates (N1, 150; N2, 225; and N3, 300 Kg N ha−1). Alfalfa seeds were sown in fall 2014, uniformly managed for crop establishment, and subjected to different treatments in spring 2015–2016. Results indicated that irrigation, nitrogen, and their interaction (W × N) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected alfalfa forage yield, quality, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Forage yield followed an increasing trend with increasing the irrigation amount at each harvest in both growing seasons. However, crude protein (CP), relative feed values (RFV), and IWUE were significantly decreased while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents were increased at the high irrigation level (W3). The maximum forage yield was achieved with W3 treatment (25.9 and 23.1 t ha−1), followed by W2 (25.8 and 21.7 t ha−1) in 2015 and 2016. In both years, the highest IWUE (57.3 and 48.2 kg mm−1), CP (16.1 % and 17.7 %), and RFV (197.1 % and 186.2 %) values were achieved with W2 treatment. Moreover, increasing N application resulted in a linear decline in alfalfa forage yield, nutritive quality, and resource use efficiency. The maximum forage yield (24.4 and 21.2 t ha−1), CP (15.5 % and 16.4 %), RFV (210.3 % and 198.8 %), IWUE (54.3 and 47.0 kg mm−1), and NUE (169.9 and 141.2 kg kg−1), and lower ADF (25.7 % and 24.9 %) and NDF (31.0 % and 33.1 %) was obtained with application of 150 kg N ha−1 in 2015 and 2016. The regression equations of irrigation and nitrogen application indicated a quadratic relationship between yield and forage nutritive values. Overall, 450 mm irrigation coupled with 150 kg N ha−1 (W2N1) showed the most promising effects in terms of achieving optimal forage yield consistent with enhanced forage nutritive values, and greater resource use efficiency of alfalfa in the arid region of North China. • Increasing the irrigation levels linearly increased alfalfa forage yield. • High irrigation amount decreased crude protein and increased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents. • Increasing N application linearly decreased forage yield, nutritive quality, and resource use efficiency of alfalfa. • 450 mm irrigation with 150 kg ha−1 N resulted in higher forage yield, quality, and resource use efficiency of alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]