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Abstract Suppressor of Mek1 (Smek1) is a regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase 4. Genome‐wide association studies have shown the protective effect of SMEK1 in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the physiological and pathological roles of Smek1 in AD and other tauopathies are largely unclear. Here, the role of Smek1 in preventing neurodegeneration is investigated in tauopathy. Smek1 is downregulated in the aged human brain. Through single‐cell sequencing, a novel neuronal cluster is identified that possesses neurodegenerative characteristics in Smek1−/− mice. Smek1 deficiency caused markedly more severe motor and cognitive impairments in mice, as well as neuronal loss, gliosis, and tau hyperphosphorylation at major glycogen synthase kinase 3β (Gsk3β) sites. Protein‐protein interaction analysis revealed that the Ran‐binding domain (RanBD) in the N‐terminus of Smek1 facilitated binding with kinesin family member 2A (Kif2a). Depletion of Smek1 resulted in cytoplasmic aggregation of Kif2a, axon outgrowth defects, and impaired mitochondrial axonal trafficking. Downregulation of Kif2a markedly attenuated tau hyperphosphorylation and axon outgrowth defects in shSmek1 cells. For the first time, this study demonstrates that Smek1 deficiency progressively induces neurodegeneration by exacerbating tau pathology and mitochondrial dysfunction in an age‐dependent manner.

Background This study assesses the diagnostic utility of strain parameters from cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking across all cardiac chambers in patients with acute myocarditis, stratified by ejection fraction. Methods and Results Our cohort included 65 patients with acute myocarditis and 25 healthy controls; all underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on left ventricular ejection fraction (EF)with a 55% cutoff: acute myocarditis with preserved EF, EF ≥55%, n=48; and acute myocarditis with reduced EF, EF

Abstract Aims This study aims to provide representative information on heart failure (HF) patients in China, especially older adults aged ≥75 years. We aim to clarify the age‐related discrepancies in performance measures and the modifying effect of age on the impact of HF patients' characteristics on clinical outcomes. Methods and results All HF patients admitted into five tertiary and four secondary hospitals of the Capital Medical University were divided into two groups according to age: 1419 (53.3%) were

Abstract The original description of Natrix leonardi (currently Rhabdophis leonardi) by Frank Wall in 1923, based on a specimen from the “Upper Burma Hills,” lacked important morphological details that have complicated the assignment of recently collected material. Furthermore, although the holotype was never lost, its location has been misreported in one important taxonomic reference, leading to further confusion. We report the correct repository of the holotype (Natural History Museum, London), together with its current catalog number. We also describe key features of that specimen that were omitted from the original description, and provide new details on the morphology of the species, including sexual dichromatism unusual for the genus, based upon specimens from southern Sichuan, China. Rhabdophis leonardi is distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: 15 or 17 DSR at midbody and 6 supralabials; distinct annulus around the neck, broad and red in males, and narrow and orange with a black border in females; dorsal ground color light green or olive; some lateral and dorsal scales possessing black edges, the frequency of black edges gradually increasing from anterior to posterior, forming irregular and ill‐defined transverse black bands; eye with prominent green iris; black ventral spots with a red edge, most numerous at midbody but extending halfway down the length of the tail. In southwestern China, this species is frequently found at 1730–2230 m elevation. It has been documented to prey upon anuran amphibians, including toads. A recently published phylogenetic analysis showed this species to be deeply nested with the genus Rhabdophis, as a member of the R. nuchalis Group. That analysis also revealed the existence of two closely related but geographically distinct subclades in the molecular analysis, one of which may represent an unnamed taxon.

Objective To confirm whether a novel sagittal patellar angle linear equation used for evaluating patellar height by calculating expected sagittal patellar angle (SPA) at any degree of knee flexion angle is suitable for patients older than 17 years and its reliability compared with other commonly used methods. Methods From September 2016 to September 2019, a total number of 202 consecutive outpatients' knee lateral X‐ray radiographs were retrospectively measured and evaluated using a recently proposed linear equation Y = 1.94 + 0.74 × knee flexion(KF) angle. Patients were divided by ages into ayounger group, whose ages were between 17–49 years, and an older group, whose ages were older than 49 years, which has not been validated in the original study. Parameters such as KF, SPA, patella and patella tendon length and so on were measured on computer with picture archiving and communication system by two independent observers at an interval of 1 month. Insall‐Salvati (IS) index, Caton‐Deschamps (CD) index and Y value, correlation coefficients were calculated and compared using SPSS 22.0 software. Results In the younger group, 143 patients (165 knees) were included, ages were 17–49 (31.62 ± 11.38) years, males/females were 70 (48.95%)/73 (51.05%), left knees/right knees were 83 (50.30%)/82 (49.70%), mean value of Y was 31.50° ± 10.07°, and SPA was 34.38° ± 12.38°, mean value of IS was 1.06 ± 0.17, mean value of CD was 1.04 ± 0.18. While in older group, 59 patients (78 knees) were included, ages were 50–60 (mean 54.61 ± 2.99) years, there were 32 males (54.24%) and 27 females (45.76%), 42 knees were left (53.85%) and 36 knees were right (46.15%), mean values of Y and SPA were 25.90° ± 11.55° and 29.36° ± 14.22°, mean IS index in older group was 1.06 ± 0.18, mean CD index was 1.00 ± 0.16. Intra‐ and inter‐observer reliabilities of Y in younger and older groups were 0.999, 0.999, 1.000 and 0.999, meaning high reliability and reproducibility, but low Pearson's correlation coefficients with IS and CD index were showed as −0.213 and − 0.216 in younger group and − 0.113 and − 0.316 in older group. Conclusions In patients older than 17 years, the linear equation Y = 1.94 + 0.74 × KF is a reliable and practical method to evaluate SPA regardless of age and knee flexion angle, but has weak correlation coefficients with the IS and CD index.

Abstract As wind‐borne migration of insects is strongly influenced by atmospheric circulation and weather systems, the relationships between insect population abundance and meteorological conditions are substantial. The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), is one of the major wind‐borne insects hampering rice production in Asia, and its migration is significantly influenced by the Asian monsoon, a main component of the Asian climate system. However, the degree and mechanisms of the effects of monsoon on BPH migration have been little studied. In this paper, the effect of the Asian monsoon on the northward migration of BPH from the Indochina Peninsula to northern South China (NSC) was investigated based on the BPH light‐trap data and meteorological data for 39 years. The results show that the level of BPH migration in May could indicate the degree of annual pest outbreaks in NSC and that the southeast monsoon was more critical in this northward migration than the previously recognized southwest monsoon. The significance of the southeast monsoon stemmed from the strong effect of South China Sea subtropical high on BPH migration under a unique weather system distribution, the Polar low–Continental low–West Pacific subtropical high pattern. Furthermore, based on the key areas of migration obtained from the composite analysis, the multivariable linear regression prediction model could effectively predict the occurrence of BPH in NSC. These results indicate the importance of interactions between monsoons during BPH northward migration, which reflects the complex relationship between BPH migration and atmospheric motion.

Abstract Aims This study sought to compare healthcare quality and 30 day, 90 day, and 1 year mortality rates among patients admitted to secondary and tertiary hospitals for heart failure (HF) in Beijing. Methods and results This study retrospectively enrolled patients hospitalized with a primary discharge diagnosis of HF during January 2014 to December 2015, from five tertiary and four secondary hospitals, in Beijing, China. Mortality data were extracted from Beijing Death Surveillance Database. HF healthcare quality indices were used to evaluate in‐hospital care. Associations between hospital level and mortality rates were assessed using generalized linear mixed models, adjusting for patients' baseline characteristics and intra‐hospital correlation. Data from 1413 patients (median [interquartile range] age = 74 [65–80] years, 52.7% female) from secondary hospitals and 1250 patients (median [interquartile range] age = 72 [61–79] years, 43.3% female) from tertiary hospitals were collected. Rates of left ventricular ejection fraction assessment (73.2% vs. 90.1%) and combined use of β‐blockers and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (30.1% vs. 49.3%) were lower in secondary hospitals than those in tertiary hospitals, respectively. Patients admitted to secondary hospitals had a higher 90 day mortality [10.8% vs. 5.0%; adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.06; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10–3.84, P = 0.024 and a higher 1 year mortality rate [21.0% vs. 12.1%; adjusted OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.02–2.62, P = 0.039], but 30 day mortality rates were not significantly different (5.5% vs. 3.0%; adjusted OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 0.63–3.52, P = 0.368). Conclusions Worse quality of care for patients with HF in secondary hospitals was associated with higher 90 day and 1 year mortality rates. Improving care quality in secondary hospitals is crucial to improve prognosis of patients they served.

Background The study was conducted to examine changes in diagnostic and staging imaging methods for lung cancer in China over a 10‐year period and to determine the relationships between such changes and socioeconomic development. Methods This was a hospital‐based, nationwide, multicenter retrospective study of primary lung cancer cases. The data were extracted from the 10‐year primary lung cancer databases at eight tertiary hospitals from various geographic areas in China. The chi‐squared test was used to assess the differences and the Cochran–Armitage trend test was used to estimate the trends of changes. Results A total of 7184 lung cancer cases were analyzed. Over the 10‐year period, the utilization ratio of diagnostic imaging methods, such as chest computed tomography (CT) and chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), increased from 65.79% to 81.42% and from 0.73% to 1.96%, respectively, while the utilization ratio of chest X‐ray declined from 50.15% to 30.93%. Staging imaging methods, such as positron emission tomography‐CT, neck ultrasound, brain MRI, bone scintigraphy, and bone MRI increased from 0.73% to 9.29%, 22.95% to 47.92%, 8.77% to 40.71%, 42.40% to 62.22%, and 0.88% to 4.65%, respectively; abdominal ultrasound declined from 83.33% to 59.9%. These trends were more notable in less developed areas than in areas with substantial economic development. Conclusion Overall, chest CT was the most common radiological diagnostic method for lung cancer in China. Imaging methods for lung cancer tend to be used in a diverse, rational, and regionally balanced manner.

Abstract Leonurus japonicus Houtt., a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is often used as a gynecological medicine with the effect of promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, clearing heat, and detoxificating. As the most important alkaloid in L. japonicus, leonurine has a wide range of biological activities, such as antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, and anti‐apoptosis. Cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases are arrogant killers that threaten human lives and health around the world, but many drugs for treating them have certain side effects. This paper reviews the potential therapeutic effects of leonurine on cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases, summarizes the previous research progress, and focuses on its therapeutic effect in various diseases. Although leonurine plays a prominent role in the treatment of cardiovascular system and central nervous system diseases, there are still some shortages, such as low bioavailability, weak transmembrane ability, and poor fat solubility. Therefore, the structure modification of leonurine may solve these problems and provide reference value for the development of new drugs. At present, leonurine is in clinical trial, and it is hoped that our summary will help to provide guidance for its future research on the basic science and clinical application.

Abstract Rice planthoppers and related viral diseases have become one of the most important factors affecting rice production in Asian countries, and the resulting abuse of pesticides is laying a hidden danger for future food security. As the most economically devastating species, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), moves from the tropical Indochina Peninsula to temperate regions where it cannot overwinter annually with the feature of long‐range migration, and eventually appears in paddy fields of most East Asian countries. Compared with the overland migration that has been studied in more detail, there is relatively less understanding of N. lugens’ performance in transnational movement, especially in the representative overseas migration between China and Northeast Asia. Based on the light‐trap data from China and Korea and the matched meteorological data of East Asia in 2016, a typical overseas migration event was basically analyzed. The results are as follows. First, the source area of the N. lugens population in this migration was in southeastern Jiangsu and eastern Shanghai. They took off at dusk on 1 August, flying at the altitude of 1700–2200 m, and landed in southwestern Korea at 02:00–11:00 UTC on 3 August. Second, a southerly airflow belt was the main weather factor for population's overseas migration, and the confrontation between the western Pacific subtropical high and a northern high pressure in southern Korea was the main reason for population to land. Besides, we discussed the one‐off feature of overseas migration compared to overland migration. These results show the close relation between weather systems and the migration dynamics of N. lugens and may extend the perception for N. lugens’ behavioral chain in the long‐range migration between China and Northeast Asia, thus allowing a sufficient time for reasonable and effective control measures.

The wind turbine drive system is one of the key components in converting wind energy into electrical energy. The life prediction of drive system is very important for the maintenance of wind turbine. With increasing capacity, the wind turbine system has become more complicated. Consequently, for the life prediction of drive system, it is necessary to consider the problems of multi-information fusion of big data, quantification of time-varying dynamic loads, and analysis of multiple-damage coupling. In order to solve the above challenges, the fatigue life analysis and evaluation method considering the interaction of coupled multiple damages are proposed in this study. The hierarchical Bayesian theory with fault physics technology is introduced to deal with the uncertainty of wind turbine drive system. Then, a time-varying performance analysis model is established based on the multiple-damage coupling competition failure mechanism. Moreover, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology is introduced and combined with the proposed model. Through the data collection by IoT, the time-stress curve of drive system can be obtained. A case study about the remaining fatigue life estimation of drive system is utilized to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

The Braitenberg vehicle as a simple conceptual model to characterize the response behaviors of animals or insects under a stimulus is widely used to develop autonomous vehicles able to adapt to the varying environments. Considerable effort has been devoted to building neuromorphic processors with the software in the vehicles; however, there has been no demonstration of Braitenberg vehicle with neuromorphic hardware so far. Herein, a Braitenberg vehicle with simple memristive neuromorphic circuits is built for the first time. This vehicle exhibits adaptive behaviors in the supervised learning process and is eventually trained to conduct the task of tracking path. Moreover, the memristive circuit in the vehicle demonstrates a very short response latency (≈56 ns) to input sensory information. Herein, an alternative promising solution to build self‐adaptive robots and pave the way for the realization of autonomous robots based on memristive neuromorphic circuits is offered.