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The responses of rice quality including milling, appearance, and eating quality between superior (SG) and inferior grains (IG) to temperature during grain filling stage (T GF) remained poorly understood, especially for eating quality. Therefore, the regulation of T GF (17.6−30.4 °C) on quality of three indica hybrid varieties (IHs) was investigated by setting multiple sowing dates and the mechanism underlying taste difference was explored by monitoring chemical compositions, rapid visco analyser (RVA) profiles, and texture properties. Results suggested that T GF ranging from 23.3 to 25.2 °C could comprehensively improve the milling, appearance and eating quality of IHs, and the optimal T GF of SG was 2.3–4.2 °C lower than that of IG. Compared with chemical compositions and RVA profiles, texture properties were better for evaluating the eating quality of IHs. When T GF was higher than 24.0 °C, the taste value of IG was higher than that of SG mainly due to higher elasticity. The findings indicate that T GF had differential regulatory effects on SG and IG, which could provide a useful reference for cultivation of high-quality rice varieties under global climate change. Besides, the determination of texture properties was a reliable method for taste evaluating of IHs in the breeding process. [Display omitted] • T GF had a significant quadratic function relationship with quality of IHs. • T GF ranging from 23.3 to 25.2 °C could improve the quality of IHs. • The optimal T GF of IG was 2.3–4.2 °C higher than that of SG. • Texture properties can effectively evaluate the eating quality of IHs. • The TV of IG was higher than SG at T GF greater than 24 °C, mainly due to higher elasticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease featured by progressive memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. Long non-coding RNAs are recently demonstrated as important regulatory molecules in neurodegenerative diseases. This study explored regulatory role of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1) in the neuronal cell injury induced by Aβ 25-35. Our results showed that Aβ 25-35 inhibited cell viability, induced cell apoptosis and increased the expression of SNHG1 in SH-SY5Y and human primary neuron (HPN) cells. Knockdown of SNHG1 partially reversed the effects of Aβ 25-35 treatment on cell viability, cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), caspase-3 activity , and apoptosis signaling-related protein levels in SH-SY5Y and HPN cells. The bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that SNHG1 functioned as competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-137, and pre-treatment with SNHG1 siRNA increased cell viability, suppressed cell apoptosis, increased MMP, decreased caspase-3 activity and caused a decrease in the protein levels of cytochrome C and cleaved caspase-3 and an increase in Bcl-2 protein level in the Aβ 25-35 -treated SH-SY5Y and HPN cells, which was significantly attenuated by the presence of miR-137 mimics. Moreover, miR-137 negatively regulated the expression of kringle containing transmembrane protein 1 (KREMEN1) via targeting its 3′ untranslated region, and knockdown of SNHG1 also suppressed KREMEN1 in SH-SY5Y and HPN cells. Overexpression of KREMEN1 impaired the neuronal protective effects of SNHG1 knockdown in the Aβ 25-35 -treated SH-SY5Y and HPN cells. In summary, our result indicated that knockdown of SNHG1 exerted its neuronal protective effects via repressing KRENEN1 by acting as a ceRNA for miR-137 in the in vitro cell model of AD. • Aβ 25-35 induced cell injury and increased the expression level of SNHG1 in neuronal cells. • Knockdown of SNHG1 attenuated the effects of Aβ 25-35 treatment on cell viability, cell apoptosis and MMP in neuronal cells. • Knockdown of SNHG1 attenuated cell injury induced by Aβ 25-35 via sponging miR-137 in neuronal cells. • MiR-137 repressed KREMEN1 expression in neuronal cells. • Knockdown of SNHG1 attenuated cell injury induced by Aβ 25-35 via targeting KREMEN1 in neuronal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper ions reportedly bind to the cellular prion (PrP C ) and induce PrP proteinase K (PK) resistant from (PrP res ). PrP C also plays a role in response to oxidative stress. By using purified human PrP23-98 containing octarepeats, we have found that Cu(II) induces PrP res determined by Western blots and atomic force microscopy, and structural changes detected by hydrogen/deuterium exchange in the PrP N-terminus. Therefore, we have provided the evidence that copper ions play an important role in the change of N-terminus of human prion protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A previously developed damage identification strategy, named Pseudo - Excitation (PE), was enhanced using a statistical processing approach. In terms of the local dynamic equilibrium of the structural component under inspection, the distribution of its vibration displacements, which are of necessity to construct the damage index in the PE, was re-defined using sole dynamic strains based on the statistical method. On top of those advantages inheriting from the original PE compared with traditional vibration-based damage detection including the independence of baseline signals and pre-developed benchmark structures, the enhanced PE (EPE) possesses improved immunity to the interference of measurement noise. Moreover, the EPE can facilitate practical implementation of online structural health monitoring, benefiting from the use of sole strain information. Proof-of-concept numerical study was conducted to examine the feasibility and accuracy of the EPE, and the effectiveness of the proposed statistical enhancement in re-constructing the vibration displacements was evaluated under noise influence; experimental validation was followed up by characterizing multi-cracks in a beam-like structure, in which the dynamic strains were measured using Lead zirconium titanate (PZT) sensors. For comparison, the original PE, the Gapped Smoothing Method (GSM), and the EPE were respectively used to evaluate the cracks. It was observed from the damage identification results that both the GSM and EPE were able to achieve higher identification accuracy than the original PE, and the robustness of the EPE in damage identification was proven to be superior than that of the GSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quasi-linear HCCNCS and DCCNCS molecules were studied by matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy and vibrational configuration interaction (VCI) theory, the latter relying on the Watson Hamiltonian and an accurate potential energy surface including 4-mode coupling terms being obtained from explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory, CCSD(T)-F12a. Strong quartic force constants arising from a Champagne bottle potential render this molecule notoriously difficult to investigate. Anharmonic wavenumbers are provided for a number of low-lying vibrational transitions in the title compound and its deuterated isotopologue. [Display omitted] • High-level VCI calculations were performed for the quasi-linear HCCNCS molecule. • Excellent agreement with matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy is obtained. • Several bands in the experimental spectrum have been assigned for the first time. • This contribution shows the first experimental results for DCCNCS. • Accurate predictions for the vibrational transitions of DCCNCS are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile, sensitive and unmodified Hg2+ homogeneous electrochemical sensor based on bisferrocene signal markers and catalytic hairpin self-assembly (CHA) was built on a gold disk electrode. Three hairpin probes were designed, in which thiol was labeled at both ends of the hairpin probe 1(HP1), while bisferrocene, a redox signal marker, was labeled at both ends of the hairpin probe 2(HP2) and hairpin probe 3(HP3). Due to the Hg2+ mediated thymine-Hg (II)-thymine (T-Hg2+-T) structure, when Hg2+ is introduced, the T-Hg2+-T that occurred between the probe DNA and helper DNA could open the hairpin structure of probe DNA and form a rigid DNA triangles structure by CHA. Simultaneously, four bisferrocene signal markers also reached the surface of the electrode and built potential-assisted Au-S self-assembly to achieve signal amplification. Under the optimized condition, the sensor can achieve good electrochemical response Hg2+detection, and the detection limit is as low as 0.6 pM. furthermore, this sensor has high selectivity for Hg2+ detection. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper we study the existence and uniqueness of the global generalized solution and the global classical solution, the blowup of the solution and the energy decay of the solutions of the initial–boundary value problems for a class of nonlinear wave equations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Based on the 2005 California Health Interview Survey, persons with a history of epilepsy report lower educational attainment, lower annual income, and poorer health status, similar to other state-based epidemiological surveys. Previous studies have found persons with epilepsy exercise less and smoke more than the nonepilepsy population. The medical literature has also shown that antiepileptic drugs may cause nutritional deficiencies. Persons with a history of epilepsy in the 2005 CHIS report they walk more for transportation, drink more soda, and eat less salad than the nonepilepsy population. Exercise and dietary behaviors at recommended levels have been found to reduce mortality from many comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, depression, anxiety, and osteoporosis for which persons with epilepsy are at increased risk. Health professionals in the epilepsy field should step up their efforts to engage patients in health promotion, especially in the areas of exercise, diet, and smoking cessation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our previous study revealed that 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a specific blocker of A-type current, could also inhibit inward Na+ currents (I Na) with a state-independent mechanism in rat cerebellar granule cells. In the present study, we report an inhibitory effect of 4-AP on voltage-gated and tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive I Na recorded from cultured rat myoblasts. 4-AP inhibited I Na amplitude in a dose-dependent manner between the concentrations of 0.5 and 10 mM without significant alteration in the activation or inactivation kinetics of the channel. By comparison to the 4-AP-induced inhibitory effect on cerebellum neurons, the inhibitory effect on myoblasts was enhanced through repetitive pulse and inflected by changing frequency. Specifically, the lower the frequency of pulse, the higher the inhibition observed, suggesting that block manner is inversely use-dependent. Moreover, experiments adding 4-AP to the intracellular solution indicate that the inhibitory effects are localized inside the cell. Additionally, 4-AP significantly modifies the properties of steady-state activation and inactivation kinetics of the channel. Our data suggest that the K+ channel blocker 4-AP inhibits both neuron and myoblast Na+ channels via different mechanisms. These findings may also provide information regarding 4-AP-induced pharmacological and toxicological effects in clinical use and experimental research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Let R be a ring such that (GP , GP ⊥) forms a cotorsion pair cogenerated by a set, where GP denotes the category of all Gorenstein projective R -modules. Recently, the first author defined for any complex X the relative cohomology functors Ext GP ⁎ (X , −) as H − ⁎ (Hom (G , −)) in which G is a special Gorenstein projective precover of X. In the present paper, we introduce the dimension of X related to Gorenstein projective precovers, and show that such a dimension of X is equal to the least integer n for which Ext GP i (X , Q) = 0 for all i > n and all R -modules Q ∈ GP ⊥. This result gives a "Gorenstein" version of the relationship between the projective dimension of complexes introduced by Avramov and Foxby and the absolutely cohomology functors Ext R ⁎ (− , −). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessing risks of uncertain but potentially damaging events, such as environmental disturbances, disease outbreaks and pest invasions, is a key analytical step that informs subsequent decisions about how to respond to these events. We present a continuous risk measure that can be used to assess and prioritize environmental risks from uncertain data in a geographical domain. The metric is influenced by both the expected magnitude of risk and its uncertainty. We demonstrate the approach by assessing risks of human-mediated spread of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB, Anoplophora glabripennis ) in Greater Toronto (Ontario, Canada). Information about the human-mediated spread of ALB through this urban environment to individual geographical locations is uncertain, so each location was characterized by a set of probabilistic rates of spread, derived in this case using a network model. We represented the sets of spread rates for the locations by their cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) and then, using the first-order stochastic dominance rule, found ordered non-dominant subsets of these CDFs, which we then used to define different classes of risk across the geographical domain, from high to low. Because each non-dominant subset was estimated with respect to all elements of the distribution, the uncertainty in the underlying data was factored into the delineation of the risk classes; essentially, fewer non-dominant subsets can be defined in portions of the full set where information is sparse. We then depicted each non-dominant subset as a point cloud, where points represented the CDF values of each subset element at specific sampling intervals. For each subset, we then defined a hypervolume bounded by the outermost convex frontier of that point cloud. This resulted in a collection of hypervolumes for every non-dominant subset that together serve as a continuous measure of risk, which may be more practically useful than averaging metrics or ordinal rank measures. Overall, the approach offers a rigorous depiction of risk in a geographical domain when the underlying estimates of risk for individual locations are represented by sets or distributions of uncertain estimates. Our hypervolume-based approach can be used to compare assessments made with different datasets and assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new phylogeny of Brisingida with broad coverage is reported. • Both Brisingida families and four genera are recovered as non-monopheletic. • Brisingida is revised to encompass 5 families and 17 genera. • New genus, species and combinations are described and a diagnostic key is provided. • Convergence caused by paedomorphosis is found in phylogenetically distant genera. Brisingida Fisher 1928 is one of the seven currently recognised starfish orders, and one of the least known taxa as being exclusive deep-sea inhabitants. Modern deep-sea expeditions revealed their common occurrences in various deep-sea settings including seamounts, basins and hydrothermal vent peripheral, underlining the necessity of clarifying their global diversity and phylogeny. In this study, we present a comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Brisingida which encompasses the highest taxonomic diversity to date. DNA sequences (COI, 16S, 12S and 28S) were obtained from 225 specimens collected in the global ocean, identified as 58 species spanning 15 of the 17 extant genera. Phylogenetic relationship was inferred using both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods, revealing polyphyletic families and genera and indicating nonnegligible bias in prior morphology-based systematics. Based on the new phylogeny, a novel classification of the order, consisting of 5 families and 17 genera, is proposed. Families Odinellidae, Brisingasteridae and Novodiniidae (sensu Clark and Mah, 2001) were resurrected to encompass the genera Odinella , Brisingaster and Novodinia. Brisingidae and Freyellidae were revised to include 11 and 3 genera, respectively. A new genus and species, two new subgenera and seven new combinations are described and a key to each genus and family is provided. Transformations of morphological traits were evaluated under the present phylogenetic hypothesis. A series of paedomorphic characters were found in many genera and species, which led to a high degree of homoplasy across phylogenetically distant groups. Our results provide new insights in the phylogeny and ontogeny of the order, and highlight the necessity to evaluate character convergence under sound phylogenetic hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous studies have found that psychosocial factors have the greatest impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Social support can buffer the negative impact of stressful events and chronic health conditions. To date, no population studies have examined the association between social support and epilepsy. In the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), four questions were used to assess social support. A set of survey weight-adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted with self-rated health status as the outcome. In those regression models, we examined the effect of epilepsy status, social support, and their interactions, after controlling for demographics. Analyses examining the interaction between epilepsy and social support showed a significant interaction between epilepsy and “availability of someone to love you and make you feel wanted.” Once demographics were controlled for, persons without epilepsy and poor affectionate support reported fair/poor self-rated health status (odds ratio=1.7). Persons with epilepsy and good affectionate support also reported fair/poor self-rated health status (odds ratio=3.3). Persons with epilepsy and poor affectionate support were the most likely to report fair/poor self-rated health status (odds ratio=9.1). Persons with epilepsy need encouragement to actively seek and sustain supportive personal relationships that may help improve their quality of life. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In 2006, Ohio added questions to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s yearly Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey to assess epilepsy prevalence. Ninety-seven of 5506 respondents reported a history of epilepsy, yielding a weight-adjusted prevalence rate of 1.48% (95% CI=0.9–2.1), which is supportive of previous state-based epidemiology estimates. Persons with a history of epilepsy report double the rate of cigarette smoking than the population without epilepsy. Persons with both active epilepsy and a history of epilepsy report poor physical and mental health. Health screening behaviors were comparable to or higher than those of the population without epilepsy. Data from previous BRFSS surveys are used to identify major risk factor trends, as well as to explore the health promotion implications for people with epilepsy. Assessments reveal a need for smoking cessation and increased physical activity for persons with a history of epilepsy in Ohio. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rimicaris exoculata (Decapoda: Bresiliidae) is one of the dominant species of hydrothermal vent communities, which inside its gill chamber harbors ectosymbioses with taxonomic invariability while compositional flexibility. Several studies have revealed that the establishment of symbiosis can be initiated and selected by innate immunity-related pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as C-type lectins (CTLs). In this research, a CTL was identified in R. exoculata (termed RCTL), which showed high expression at both mRNA and protein levels in the scaphognathite, an organ where the ectosymbionts are attached outside its setae. Linear correlationships were observed between the relative quantities of two major symbionts and the expression of RCTL based on analyzing different shrimp individuals. The recombinant protein of RCTL could recognize and agglutinate the cultivable γ -proteobacterium of Escherichia coli in a Ca2+-dependent manner, obeying a dose-dependent and time-cumulative pattern. Unlike conventional crustacean CTLs, the involvement of RCTL could not affect the bacterial growth, which is a key issue for the successful establishment of symbiosis. These results implied that RCTL might play a critical role in symbiotic recognition and attachment to R. exoculata. It also provides insights to understand how R. exoculata adapted to such a chemosynthesis-based environment. • Indispensable ectosymbionts occur in the hydrothermal vent shrimp R. exoculata. • High expression of RCTL is linearly correlated with quantities of two major symbionts. • rRCTL selectively recognize and agglutinate E. coli in a Ca2+-dependent manner. • RCTL contributes to selectivity and stability of symbioses in R. exoculata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STIM2 is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) that regulates the activity of plasma membrane (PM) channels at ER-PM contact sites. Recent studies show that STIM2 promotes spine maturation and surface expression of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunit GluA1, hinting at a probable role in synaptic plasticity. Here, we used a Stim2 cKO mouse to explore the function of STIM2 in Long-Term Potentiation (LTP) and Depression (LTD), two widely-studied models of synaptic plasticity implicated in information storage. We found that STIM2 is required for the stable expression of both LTP and LTD at CA3-CA1 hippocampal synapses. Altered plasticity in Stim2 cKO mice is associated with subtle alterations in the shape and density of dendritic spines in CA1 neurons. Further, surface delivery of GluA1 in response to LTP-inducing chemical manipulations was markedly reduced in excitatory neurons derived from Stim2 cKO mice. GluA1 endocytosis following chemically-induced LTD was also impaired in Stim2 cKO neurons. We conclude that STIM2 facilitates synaptic delivery and removal of AMPARs and regulates activity-dependent changes in synaptic strength through a unique mode of communication between the ER and the synapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous stabilization using three-dimensional (3D) navigation system is a promising treatment for pelvic and acetabular fractures. However, there are still some controversies regarding the use of 3D navigation to treat pelvic and acetabular fractures. The purpose of this study was to compare the Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation, standard fluoroscopy, and two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopic navigation in placing percutaneous lag screws in pelvic specimens to better understand the merits of 3D navigation techniques. Methods: Fifty-four instrumentation procedures were performed in this study using six cadaveric pelvic specimens. Three groups were designated for different procedures and tests: group I, standard fluoroscopy; group II, 2D fluoroscopic navigation; and group III, Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation. Nine screws were placed in each pelvis, including four screws placed bilaterally through the ilium into S1 and S2 vertebrae, four screws placed bilaterally through anterior and posterior columns of acetabulum, and one screw placed through the pubic symphysis. 3D fluoroscopic techniques were evaluated to determine the accuracy of screw position, instrumentation time, and fluoroscopic time. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 13.0. Results: The malposition rate was 38.89%, 22.22%, and 0% in standard fluoroscopy, 2D fluoroscopic navigation, and Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between standard fluoroscopy and 2D fluoroscopic navigation. Compared with Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation, there were significant differences (analysis of variance [ANOVA], P < 0.05). The mean instrumentation operating time using Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation technique was 15.4 ± 4.5 min. There were significant differences compared with standard fluoroscopy (31.5 ± 6.2 min) and 2D fluoroscopic navigation (26.3 ± 7.5 min; ANOVA, post hoc Scheffe, P < 0.01). The mean fluoroscopic time of Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation was 66 ± 4.8 min. Compared with standard fluoroscopy (132.8 ± 7.3 min) and 2D fluoroscopic navigation (47.7 ± 5.6 min), there were significant differences (ANOVA, post hoc least significant difference, P < 0.01). Conclusions: In the present study, we compared Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation, 2D fluoroscopic navigation, and standard fluoroscopy. Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation showed a higher accuracy rate in positioning and a shorter instrumentation operating time. The fluoroscopic time was longer in Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation than that in standard fluoroscopy, indicating that radiation exposure can be moderately reduced in Iso-C3D fluoroscopic navigation operation, although the fluoroscopic time was the shortest in 2D fluoroscopic navigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Persons with epilepsy (PWE) are more likely to report never being married than those without epilepsy. Social support, especially from marriage, may buffer the negative impact of stressful events and chronic health conditions. In 2005, sixteen U.S. states asked about epilepsy and social support in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. A set of survey weight-adjusted logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the impact of marriage and social support on self-rated health status and life satisfaction in persons with active epilepsy. PWE who were married with poor social support were less likely to report excellent/very good self-rated health status (OR=0.34) and better life satisfaction (OR=0.20), compared with those who were married with good support (reference group) after controlling for demographics and comorbid conditions. Once poor mental health status was controlled for, these differences were no longer significant. In contrast, persons with active epilepsy who were not married with poor support were significantly less likely to report better life satisfaction (OR=0.22) after controlling for demographics, comorbid conditions, and poor mental health status. Epilepsy practitioners need to address poor mental health through appropriate treatment and/or referral. Practitioners should also encourage PWE to improve their social support contacts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in altered inhibitory neurotransmission, hippocampal dysfunction, and cognitive impairments. GABAergic spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and mIPSCs) and tonic (extrasynaptic) whole cell currents were recorded in control rat hippocampal dentate granule cells (DGCs) and at 90days after controlled cortical impact (CCI). At 34°C, in CCI DGCs, sIPSC frequency and amplitude were unchanged, whereas mIPSC frequency was decreased (3.10±0.84Hz, n =16, and 2.44±0.67Hz, n =7, p <0.05). At 23°C, 300nM diazepam increased peak amplitude of mIPSCs in control and CCI DGCs, but the increase was 20% higher in control (26.81±2.2pA and 42.60±1.22pA, n =9, p =0.031) compared to CCI DGCs (33.46±2.98pA and 46.13±1.09pA, n =10, p =0.047). At 34°C, diazepam did not prolong decay time constants (6.59±0.12ms and 6.62±0.98ms, n =9, p =0.12), the latter suggesting that CCI resulted in benzodiazepine-insensitive pharmacology in synaptic GABAA receptors (GABAARs). In CCI DGCs, peak amplitude of mIPSCs was inhibited by 100μM furosemide (51.30±0.80pA at baseline and 43.50±5.30pA after furosemide, n =5, p <0.001), a noncompetitive antagonist of GABAARs with an enhanced affinity to α4 subunit-containing receptors. Potentiation of tonic current by the GABAAR δ subunit-preferring competitive agonist THIP (1 and 3µM) was increased in CCI DGCs (47% and 198%) compared to control DGCs (13% and 162%), suggesting the presence of larger tonic current in CCI DGCs; THIP (1µM) had no effect on mIPSCs. Taken together, these results demonstrate alterations in synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAARs in DGCs following CCI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are well established in many countries, which serve occupational professionals as benchmarks of industrial hygiene practice at workplaces worldwide. Starting in the mid-1950s, the central government of China began promulgating OELs for hazardous substances at workplaces. This paper discusses the historical basis, philosophical principles and schematic protocols of developing and setting OELs in China. The underlying principles include: (1) protection of human health being the first and the most important criterion; (2) the use of quantitative epidemiological studies in humans being given top priority; (3) integration and full use of all information sources, including animal experimental data for new chemicals or chemicals with new toxicity concerns; (4) considerations of socioeconomic and technological feasibilities in the country; and (5) amending existing standards based on new evidence. The strategy of the World Health Organization’s “Two-step Procedure” is applied to convert health-based recommendations to law-based operational OELs, with considerations for national technological and socioeconomic conditions and priorities. As a result of the recent passage of the new law Occupational Diseases Prevention and Control Act of the People’s Republic of China (ODPCAct), an official document Occupational Exposure Limits for Hazardous Agents in the Workplace containing a comprehensive list of new and amended OELs has been issued, which has now become one of the most essential regulations affiliated with the ODPCAct. This paper provides a brief summary of the salient features of the new law ODPCAct and the principles and processes of developing or amending OELs. This paper also discusses the challenges that lie ahead in enforcing the new regulations in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]