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Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin secretion defects or insulin resistance. The global incidence of DM has been gradually increasing due to improvements in living standards and changes in dietary habits, making it a major non-communicable disease that poses a significant threat to human health and life. The pathogenesis of DM remains incompletely understood till now, and current pharmacotherapeutic interventions are largely inadequate, resulting in relapses and severe adverse reactions. Although DM is not explicitly mentioned in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory and clinical practice, it is often classified as "Xiaoke" due to similarities in etiology, pathogenesis, and symptoms. With its overall regulation, multiple targets, and personalized medication approach, TCM treatment can effectively alleviate the clinical manifestations of DM and prevent or treat its complications. Furthermore, TCM exhibits desirable therapeutic effects with minimal side effects and a favorable safety profile. This paper provides a comprehensive comparison and contrast of Xiaoke and DM by examining the involvement of TCM in their etiology, pathogenesis, treatment guidelines, and other relevant aspects based on classical literature and research reports. The current TCM experimental research on the treatment of DM by lowering blood glucose levels also be generalized. This innovative focus not only illuminates the role of TCM in DM treatment, but also underscores the potential of TCM in DM management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers information transmission issue observed in a large scale test of cellular-based vehicular to everything (C-V2X) technology in China, which is the information blockage for the vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) wireless communication. With such findings, we propose utilizing relaying-based information routing solutions by the support of K-means-type algorithm and an on-request relay selection method in a vehicular adhoc network (VANET). From the algorithm perspective, we refine the K-means-based VANET seeding principle with considerations on the global vehicle layout. On the other hand, base station and/or core network aided relay selection associated with vehicle maneuver is introduced for waking up relays when necessary in order to address the typical non-line-of-sight (NLOS) signal attenuation by taking the power consumption into consideration. To evaluate the system performance, we conduct Matlab and network simulator (NS)-3 simualtions to justify the algorithms, and adopt Veins-based simulations to show the data packets loss gain over non-relaying scenarios of realistic V2V scenario with NLOS signal dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sarcopenia is an age-related clinical condition and associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes. However, to date, there is no global standard for the diagnosis of sarcopenia, and fewer serum biomarkers have been suggested for the diagnosis of sarcopenia. It is, thus, important that sarcopenia-related serological diagnostic markers be explored. The present study was based on the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019) criteria to assess whether aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and fasting insulin*prealbumin (INS*PA) product are diagnostic markers associated with sarcopenia in various ethnic groups in western China. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 4,099 adults (1,471 men and 2,628 women) from the West China Health and Aging Trend (WCHAT) study. The value of serum biomarkers was based on laboratory data. The accompanying metabolic disorders and the associated parameters were evaluated. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between markers and sarcopenia. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the test in differentiating sarcopenia. Results: Binary regression analysis showed that high serum AST/ALT (OR = 2.247) and adrenal cortisol (PTC, OR = 1.511), low serum INS*PA (OR = 2.970), free triiodothyronine (FT3, OR = 1.313), 25-OH-VitD (VitD, in male participants, OR = 1.817), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP, in female subjects, OR = 1.250) were independent risk factors for sarcopenia (P < 0.05). AST/ALT and INS*PA were not affected by metabolic factors and had better diagnostic efficacy for sarcopenia. The AUC of the INS*PA was the highest (0.705, 0.706, and 0.701, respectively, P < 0.05), followed by that of the AST/ALT (0.680, 0.675, and 0.695, respectively, P < 0.05). The AUC of the AST/ALT/(INS*PA)*10,000 used to diagnose sarcopenia was 0.727. Conclusion: Among middle-aged and older adults of multiple ethnicities in western China, we found that higher AST/ALT and lower INS*PA levels are associated with an increased prevalence of sarcopenia. Since these serum biomarkers are inexpensive and can be obtained easily from biochemical routine, regular follow-up of AST/ALT and INS*PA may be an effective strategy in sarcopenia screening and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To compare prevalence and severity of diaper dermatitis (DD) in infants and toddlers (babies) across three countries (China, USA, and Germany), including diapered skin measures and caregiver practices. Methods: A cross‐sectional study of 1791 babies (~600 from each country) was recruited at each clinical site. Based on regional toilet‐training habits, exclusively diaper‐wearing infants were recruited between ages 2‐8 months in China and 2‐18 months in the USA and Germany. DD was measured, as well as skin pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and relative humidity (RH) in the diapered region. Caregiver habits were collected via a questionnaire and included information on hygienic practices. Results: Diaper dermatitis was highest in the perianal area, followed by the intertriginous, genital, and buttock regions. In general, DD was significantly lower in babies in China, highest in Germany, and intermediate in the USA. This rank ordering of DD by geography was also observed in baby age 2‐8 months. The lower DD observed in China was associated with lower skin pH and TEWL on diapered skin and decreased RH in the diaper. Chinese caregivers had the highest rate of prophylactic topical product usage, the most robust cleaning of the diapered area, lack of cleansing after urine‐only diaper changes, and Chinese infants spent the least time in an overnight diaper. Conclusions: These data suggest caregiver behaviors including prophylactic use of topical products, thorough cleaning after stooling and reduced time in an overnight diaper are associated with less DD, lower superficial skin pH, and enhanced skin barrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the diversified development of coal enterprises in China, the industries related to coal, including coal chemical, electric power, transportation, and building materials, have witnessed rapid development. There is a collaboration relation between the coal industries and most of the aforementioned industries. Based on the synergy theory and the theory of industrial cooperation, the collaboration among coal industries is assessed in this research. Examining China Coal Energy Company as an example, this research divides the compound enterprise system into subsystems such as coal-electric, coal-chemical, and coal-equipment. Next, collaboration indices, including market, scale, and management, are created for each subsystem. Then, the overall collaboration degree of the China Coal Energy Company since it was listed was calculated by standardizing data and estimating the order degree of order parameters and subsystems. Thus, a model measuring the industrial collaboration degree of coal enterprises was established to quantitatively reflect the collaboration degree between various industries. At the same time, the factors influencing the collaboration effect between various industries were analyzed so as to improve this effect, which then can provide a decision basis for enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new diterpenoid alkaloid, named bullatine H (1), along with 10 known diterpenoid alkaloids were isolated from the roots ofAconitum brachypodumDiels (Ranunculaceae). The structure of1was elucidated by analysis of its spectroscopic data. It should be noted that compound1is the first example with 11, 13-dioxygenated denudatine-type diterpenoid alkaloid isolated fromAconitum brachypodum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Most of water inrush incidents in coalmines are originally derived from a seepage flow through rock mass fractures, particularly in fault zones. Water inrush is typically caused by hydromechanical coupling interactions induced by human activities. Taking the Zhaogezhuang coalmine in northern China as an example, the progress of a lagging water inrush, which occurred at a depth of about −1,100 m, was simulated and analyzed based on the hydromechanical coupling mechanism. A 3D model incorporating the main structures of the study area was constructed based on the geological data and field investigation. The equivalent continuum medium was employed to describe fault zones. Processes of determining the mechanical, rheological and hydraulic parameters are discussed in details. Three hydromechanical coupling models are applied: (1) the elastoplastic strain-fluid coupling mechanism in rock mass within the fault zone, (2) the inelastic creep-fluid coupling mechanism in rock materials within the fault gouge, and (3) the stress-permeability coupling mechanism in the fractured porous rocks. The evolution of water-recharge zones along the fault zone was presented in different mining phases. By comparing the simulated pore pressures with the in situ monitored ones, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) the actual hydraulic behaviors are a combination of the long-term trends and short-term effects; (2) the creep-fluid coupling model reflects the rock hydraulic behaviors of long-term trends, while the elastoplastic strain-fluid coupling model demonstrates the short-term effects; (3) a prediction method called 'time window' for the risk of the lagging water inrush is proposed. Its feasibility is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A variable rate seeding (VRS) control system with high precision is presented. • The developed compensation algorithm of seeding lag reduced lag distance immensely. • High seeding accuracy and stability were achieved in the field experiments. • The VRS system can vary the seeding rate of each row independently and timely. Variable-rate seeding (VRS) is a precision agricultural technology that can properly and accurately adjust the seeding rate according to factors such as soil nutrients, light, and water storage capacity, which can not only greatly increase the crop yield, but also reduce the amount of seed used. Existing VRS control systems, however, are expensive and not suitable for use with a Chinese seed meter. A control system for VRS specifically for China has not yet been developed. This study was undertaken to develop a VRS control system for corn planters that offers flexible planter-unit expansion, is low cost, and suitable for use with a Chinese seed meter. Detailed information about the design and laboratory experiments on the VRS control system were provided in Part I of this study, whereas this part reports the field performance of the system. The field experiments indicated that the developed system, employing a compensation algorithm of seeding lag, can obtain a shorter lag distance (LD); our results showed an average LD of 0.57 m. The seeding accuracy value varied between 96.62 and 99.07%, with an average value of 97.64%. The values of the seeding coefficient of variance ranged from 0.45% to 1.56%, with an average value of 1.04%. The value of the variation of lag distance for zones having 3 boundary shapes (convex, concave, and convex-concave), which assesses the performance of the VRS control system for varying the seeding rates of individual planter units, varied between 0.07 and 0.63%. Compared with systems that control the seeding rate of each row simultaneously, the developed system in this study, which controls the seeding rate of each row independently, had greater precision when seeding in field zones with irregular boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A variable-rate seeding control system based on controller area network bus. • A location model was built for calculating the position of all planter units at the plane coordinate system. • A compensation algorithm of seeding lag was designed to decrease seeding lag distance. • The performance of the control system was evaluated relying on artificial prescription map and GPS simulation software. Variable-rate seeding (VRS) has had a significant impact on agricultural production by varying the seeding rate according to field conditions, which can save seeds and increase yield and net farm returns. However, domestic VRS control systems are presently unavailable in China, and the high cost of the imported VRS control systems severely restricts their adoption by domestic farmers. In this paper, a VRS control system that offers great expandability by utilizing a controller area network (CAN) and low cost by employing off-the-shelf components was presented. The developed control system was validated by laboratory experiments that were conducted at three travel speeds (6, 8, and 10 km/h) and three GPS frequencies (1, 2, and 5 Hz) compounded with seven possible seeding rates of 64,103, 69,444, 75,758, 83,333, 92,593, 104,167, and 119,048 seeds/ha. The results demonstrate that the developed compensation algorithm of seeding lag (CASL) could decreased seeding lag distance (LD) immensely: when the system applied CASL, LD values were in range 0.27–2.82 m, and average value was 0.99 m, while LD values increased to 1.35–4.93 m with average value of 2.79 m when the system didn't use CASL. Both travel speed and GPS frequency had a significant influence (P < 0.01) on the LD, but the variation of seeding rate had no significant influence (P > 0.05), so a smaller LD could be obtained at a lower travel speed or higher GPS frequency. The largest seeding accuracy (SA) and seeding coefficient of variation (SCV) values, which assesses the control accuracy and stability of the VRS control system for varying seeding rate, were 99.68% and 0.85%, respectively, while the smallest SA and SCV values were 98.87% and 0.16%, respectively. Using the technologies of a CAN bus and algorithm for calculating the locations of planter units, the developed VRS control system was capable of flexibly expanding planter rows and independently controlling each row's seeding rate. Further field trials were conducted in the sequel to this study (Part II: Field performance). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tengchong–Lianghe tin belt in western Yunnan Province, southwest China, is the most important tin mineralization belt in the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain (STMD). There are two large tin deposits in this belt: the Paleogene Lailishan and the Late Cretaceous Xiaolonghe deposits. The two deposits are spatially and temporally associated with the Lailishan and Xiaolonghe granitic plutons, respectively. Recent studies suggest that the Lailishan and Xiaolonghe granitic plutons exhibit most of the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of A-type granites. In this study, we discuss the He, Ar, and S isotopes of pyrite samples from the two large tin deposits to trace ore-forming fluids and elements. We also review the relationship between A-type granites and tin deposits from a new perspective. The δ 34 S CDT values of the Lailishan tin deposit range from +4.9‰ to +6.7‰, with an average value of +5.53‰. The δ 34 S CDT values of the Xiaolonghe tin deposit range from +5.0‰ to +8.1‰, with an average value of +6.33‰. These values are slightly higher than those of the granites (0‰ to +5.7‰) in the Tengchong–Lianghe area, indicating mainly magmatic sources for the sulfur of ore-forming fluids with a small amount of S from the wall rocks. The Lailishan tin deposit has 3 He/ 4 He values of 1.57–3.46 Ra, with an average value of 2.078 Ra, and 40 Ar/ 36 Ar values of 382.00–622.99, with an average value of 459.67. The Xiaolonghe tin deposit has 3 He/ 4 He values of 0.53–0.88 Ra, with an average value of 0.686 Ra, and 40 Ar/ 36 Ar values of 301.06–348.43, with an average value of 322.04. These values suggest that ore-forming fluids of the Lailishan and Xiaolonghe tin deposits have mixed crustal, mantle, and a small volume of meteoric water sources in different proportions. The mantle 4 He values and 3 He/ 4 He values of the Lailihsan tin deposit (26–44%, 1.57–3.46 Ra) are markedly higher than those of the Xiaolonghe tin deposit (8–15%, 0.53–0.88 Ra), implying increased crust–mantle interaction in the Paleogene relative to the Late Cretaceous in western Yunnan. This interaction may be attributed to the upwelling of the asthenosphere through the break-off of the Neo-Tethyan slab during the main collisional period (65–41 Ma) of India–Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sambucus adnata Wall.(SAW) has been used to treat osteoarthritis by the Yi nationality in China. The present study established an overall identification strategy based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem Q-Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap/MS) method to characterize the multiple chemical constituents of SAW before and after percutaneous penetration. Nineteen compounds, including triterpenoids, fatty acids, lignans, flavonoid, and amide, were tentatively identified in the dichloromethane extract of SAW, while fourteen ingredients penetrated the skin. Among them, eleven components were reported for the first time in SAW. • Qualitative analysis on the transdermal absorption of SAW-DCE by LC-MS. • Nineteen constituents were identified in SAW-DCE. • Fourteen ingredients were identified after penetrating the skin. • Eleven compounds were reported for the first time in SAW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting more sustainable agriculture while simultaneously meeting the increased demands for food due to the growing population is a great challenge in the 21st century. Here we addressed this challenge by conducting on-farm field experiments at 40 sites across the broad aro-ecological maize region in China during 2017–2018. According to a modern understanding with emergy and economic aspects, a set of new variety-based low emergy system was developed. Compared with the current traditional farmers' system, the new system improved the sustainability (emergy sustainability index) by 19% and increased economic return by 47% while similar productivity (maize yield) was achieved. More than 80% of the modeled yield potential was realized. Moreover, the decrease of nonrenewable materials input in the new system contributed to 88% of the sustainability improvement. As food and resource concerns become more severe in many global regions, this new system is likely to supply a typical case and could be adopted widely to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in agricultural transformation. • The sustainability (ESI) was improved by 19% in the new system. • The total economic return was increased by 47% in the new system. • Compared with the CS, similar grain yield was achieved in LES. • The decrease of nonrenewable materials contributed to 88% of improved ESI. • Crop production will be more sustainable by decreasing nonrenewable materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stroke etiology could influence the outcomes in patients with basilar-artery occlusion (BAO). This study aimed to evaluate the differences in efficacy and safety of best medical treatment (BMT) plus endovascular treatment (EVT) versus BMT alone in acute BAO across different stroke etiologies., Methods: The study was a post hoc analysis of the ATTENTION trial (Trial of Endovascular Treatment of Acute Basilar-Artery Occlusion), which was a multicenter, randomized trial at 36 centers in China from February 2021 to September 2022. Patients with acute BAO were classified into 3 groups according to stroke etiology (large-artery atherosclerosis [LAA], cardioembolism, and undetermined cause/other determined cause [UC/ODC]). The primary outcome was a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-3) at 90 days. Safety outcomes included symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and 90-day mortality., Results: A total of 340 patients with BAO were included, 150 (44.1%) had LAA, 72 (21.2%) had cardioembolism, and 118 (34.7%) had UC/ODC. For patients treated with BMT plus EVT and BMT alone, respectively, the rate of favorable outcome at 90 days was 49.1% and 23.8% in the LAA group (odds ratio, 3.08 [95% CI, 1.38-6.89]); 52.2% and 30.8% in the cardioembolism group (odds ratio, 2.45 [95% CI, 0.89-6.77]); and 37.5% and 17.4% in the UC/ODC group (odds ratio, 2.85 [95% CI, 1.16-7.01]), with P =0.89 for the stroke etiology×treatment interaction. The rate of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in EVT-treated patients with LAA, cardioembolism, and UC/ODC was 8.3%, 2.2%, and 3.2%, respectively, and none of the BMT-treated patients. Lower 90-day mortality was observed in patients with EVT compared with BMT alone across 3 etiology groups., Conclusions: Among patients with acute BAO, EVT compared with BMT alone might be associated with favorable outcomes and lower 90-day mortality, regardless of cardioembolism, LAA, or UC/ODC etiologies. The influence of stroke etiology on the benefit of EVT should be explored by further trials., Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT04751708., Competing Interests: Dr Nguyen discloses advisory board with Brainomix, Aruna Bio; associate editor of Stroke. The other authors report no conflicts.

Wu-Zheng-Dao District in China is the world's most famous mining areas. It hosts several world-class deposits, such as Xinming, Datang and Luolong bauxite deposits. Although this area still has significant potential for the discovery of new deposits, mineral prediction has become increasingly diffcult as the number of shallow deposits diminishes. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new and effective metallogenic prediction methods.Weights of evidence and machine-learning algorithms were used for mineral prospecting in this study. This study used a confusion matrix, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve,and prediction efficiency curve to evaluate the prediction results of each machine algorithm. The results showed that 95.9% of the deposits were located in high and distant scenic areas, accounting for 10% of the total area.The prospectivity map of the Wu-Zheng-Dao district shows that the high prospective areas are generally confined to the claystone and carbonatite rocks of the Eastern region, in particular, of the clay layers, and several areas of high prospectivity also occur in the Southern Cross Domain. According to the predicted results, after on-site exploration, design, and construction, Yanfengqian bauxite deposit was discovered, with an average thickness of 1.82 meters; The average content of Al2O3 is 61.24%; The resource amount is 28.9503 million tons., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Since the Industrial Revolution, the impacts of human activities have changed the global climate system, and climate warming has had rapid and widespread effects on the planet. At present, the world is experiencing a series of natural disasters, such as climate change, environmental pollution, biodiversity loss, and sea level rise, which pose a serious threat to the livability of the Earth. An international consensus has been reached that achieving carbon neutrality is the key to tackling climate change; it is also crucial to building a livable planet. To achieve carbon neutrality, energy is the main aspect, for which technology regarding resources and the environment is essential. In this context, we collected data, performed an in-depth analysis of the basic and structural characteristics of the development of the coal industry and environmental remediation, studied and judged the trends in regional economic development and demand growth, and closely examined the requirements of China's development strategy, which focuses on the ideas of carbon peak and carbon neutralization in line with local development trends and economic system characteristics. We must build a livable Earth, promote the green and low-carbon transformation of regional energy, promote high-quality economic development, and ensure the safe supply of energy.

To investigate the efficaciousness of breast-conserving therapy in connection with neoadjuvant chemotherapy on breast cancer. 68 patients, who were confirmed going down with breast cancer and hospitalized from June 2015 and June 2017, were sampled and divided into two groups using the random digit table, i.e. the observation group (n=34) and the control group (n=34). Patients in the observation group experienced breast-conserving therapy integrated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but those in the control group received the radical resection of breast cancer. Patients' condition in surgery, incidence of post-surgery complications as well as patient survivals were compared and coded. In the observation group, surgical duration, intraoperative bleeding amount, length of stay in hospital and incidence rate of post-surgery complications were all lower than the patients with the similar conditions in the control group with evident distinctions in statistics (p<0.05). In the observation group, survival ratios of one-to-five-year living patients were evidently higher than those in the control group. The distinctions owned evident significance in calculations (p<0.05). In comparison of the recurrence ratio of disease and the rate of distant metastasis between the observation group (5.88% and 8.82%) and the control group (11.76% and 8.82%), differences had no statistical significance (p>0.05). Before treatment, compared with the score of life quality in the two groups, no evident distinction in statistical exists (p>0.05), however, after that, the life quality in the observation group evidently outweighs the quality in the control group, which shows the distinctions in statistics (p<0.05). Breast-conserving therapy in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy shows promising clinical value in ameliorating the life quality, decreasing the mortality rate and the incidence of adverse reaction, which is expected to be applied in clinical practices as a kind of safe and effective method.

We summarized the clinical characteristics of patients presenting with seizures and limbic encephalitis (LE) associated with leucine-rich glioma inactivated-1 protein antibody (LGI1) in order help recognize and treat this condition at its onset.We analyzed clinical, video electroencephalogram (VEEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and laboratory data of 10 patients who presented with LGI1-LE and followed up their outcomes from 2 to 16 (9.4 ± 4.2) months.All patients presented with seizures onset, including faciobrachial dystonic seizure (FBDS), partial seizure (PS), and generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS). Four patients (Cases 3, 5, 7, and 8) had mild cognitive deficits. Interictal VEEG showed normal patterns, focal slowing, or sharp waves in the temporal or frontotemporal lobes. Ictal VEEG of Cases 4, 5, and 7 showed diffuse voltage depression preceding FBDS, a left frontal/temporal origin, and a bilateral temporal origin, respectively. Ictal foci could not be localized in other cases. MRI scan revealed T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintensity and evidence of edema in the right medial temporal lobe in Case 3, left hippocampal atrophy in Case 5, hyperintensities in the bilateral medial temporal lobes in Case 7, and hyperintensities in the basal ganglia and frontal cortex in Case 10. All 10 serum samples were positive for LGI1 antibody, but it was only detected in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 7 patients. Five patients (Cases 2, 4, 6, 7, and 8) presented with hyponatremia. One patient (Case 2) was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer. While responses to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were poor, most patients (except Case 2) responded favorably to immunotherapy.LGI1-LE may initially manifest with various types of seizures, particularly FBDS and complex partial seizures (CPS) of mesial temporal origin, and slowly progressive cognitive involvement. Clinical follow-up, VEEG monitoring, and MRI scan are helpful in early diagnosis. Immunotherapy is effective for the treatment of both seizure and LE associated with LGI1 antibody. Although mostly nonparaneoplastic, tumor screening is recommended in some cases.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been implicated as one of the genes susceptible to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), but the association is inconsistent. We carried out a study to investigate the association of APOEε4 allele with a subtype of TLE-nonlesional mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (NLMTLE) in Han Chinese people.T he study consisted of total 308 NLMTLE patients and 302 controls in Han Chinese. The APOE polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA sequencing. We compared the frequency of APOEε4 allele and carrying status between NLMTLE patients and control subjects to test for the association of APOEε4 allele with NLMTLE clinical status. Carrying status of APOEε4 allele was significantly associated with the risk of NLMTLE. No effect of APOEε4 allele was found on the age of onset, duration of epilepsy, or frequency of seizure. Moreover, there was no association between APOEε4 allele and hippocampal sclerosis (HS) or febrile convulsion (FC) history.O ur study provided an evidence that APOEε4 allele was a possible risk factor for NLMTLE, and further study with a larger sample is needed to warrant this finding.

Objective: It has been unclear whether thrombolytic-related asymptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (AHT) affects the clinical outcome. To answer this question, we examined whether thrombolytic-related AHT affect short-term and long-term clinical outcome., Methods: All data were collected from the Thrombolysis Implementation and Monitor of Acute Ischemic Stroke in China (TIMS-China) registry. The patients were diagnosed as having AHT group and non- hemorrhagic transformation (HT) group based on clinical and imaging data. The patients with symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation were excluded from this study. Thrombolytic-related AHT was defined according to European-Australasian Acute Stroke Study (ECASS) II criteria. 90-day functional outcome, 7-day National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, 7-day and 90-day mortalities were compared between two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of AHT on a short-term and long-term clinical outcome., Results: 904 of all 1440 patients in TIMS-China registry were enrolled. 89 (9.6%) patients presented with AHT after thrombolysis within 24-36 h. These patients with AHT were more likely to be elder age, cardioembolic subtype, and to have higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score before thrombolysis than patients without AHT. No significant difference was found on the odds of 7-day (95% CI:0.692 (0.218-2.195), (P = 0.532) or 90-day mortalities (95% CI:0.548 (0.237-1.268), P = 0.160) and modified Rankin Score(0-1) at 90-day (95% CI:0.798 (0.460-1.386), P = 0.423) or modified Rankin Score(0-2) at 90-day (95% CI:0.732 (0.429-1.253), P = 0.116) or modified Rankin Score(5-6) at 90-day (95% CI:0.375 (0.169-1.830), P = 0.116) between two groups., Conclusions: Thrombolytic-related AHT does not deteriorate short-term and long-term clinical outcome.

Objective: To investigate the DNA and chromosome damage in peripheral blood lymphocyte of workers occupationally exposed to 1,3-butadiene (BD)., Methods: Personal information including occupational history, age, sex, smoking and drinking status was collected by the questionnaire. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the BD level. One hundred and eighty 1,3-butadiene workers and 58 controls without occupational BD exposure were investigated. Comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) detection were used to evaluate DNA and chromosomal damage levels in peripheral blood lymphocyte., Results: The concentration of BD in the working environment of BD-exposed workers was 1.80 (0.59-2.76) mg/m3. The rate of CBMN, NPB, NBUD and Olive TM of lymphocyte in BD-exposed workers [(6.76 +/- 4.99) per thousand, 1.00 (0.00-4.00), 2.00 (0.00-7.00) and 4.64 (3.50-5.98), respectively] were higher than those in controls [(3.10 +/- 2.65) per thousdand, 0.00 (0.00-2.80), 1.00 (0.00- 5.00) and 2.34 (0.82-3.93), P < 0.01]. According to the length of work, 180 BD-exposed workers were classified into 3 groups: 1 yrs-, 14.0 yrs- and 20.0 yrs-group, respectively after adjusting the age,sex, smoking and drinking, the rate of CBMN was a rising tendency along with the increase in length of work., Conclusion: Under present BD exposure levels, both comet assay and Cytokinesis-block micronucleus test could detect BD-induced genotoxicity in BD-exposed workers, and are more suitable to assess the cumulative damage effect on DNA.

Background: Case-mix is an important tool for health planning and management in many countries. As a major developing country, China is considering the introduction of the case-mix system in the health reform. Beijing, the capital of China, developed a local case-mix version whose performance needs to be evaluated before utilization., Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the case-mix system developed in Beijing by comparing it with those used in Australia and the U.S.A., Method: A total of 1.3 million inpatient records from 154 hospitals in Beijing in 2008 were grouped respectively using three case-mix systems: (i) Beijing Diagnosis Related Groups (BJ-DRGs); (ii) US-based All Patient DRGs; and (iii) Australian Refined DRGs. Coefficient of variation (CV) and reduction in variance (RIV) were used to measure the performance of DRGs system., Results: The BJ-DRGs produced the best CV and RIV results for expenditure. However, at the level of Major Diagnostic Category (MDC), three MDCs of BJ-DRGs gave the poorest RIVs for both expenditure and length of stay., Conclusions: Although the performance of BJ-DRGs was acceptable, further revision and improvement is needed. Comparisons with other mature DRGs versions can assist in identifying the improvement priorities of the local version., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Objective: To introduce diagnosis related groups to assess the medical quality and try to establish an effective quality evaluation approach., Methods: Using Australia-Refined Diagnosis Related Groups, version 5.0 (AR-DRGs v5.0) to classify the 160 000 discharged cases from 7 large hospitals in Beijing in 2005. Based on this, mortality risk classification was established to adjust the whole-hospital risks. And then hospital mortality of all the risk groups from each hospital was calculated respectively, which was used as the basic quality assessment criterion. The differences between the assessment results from using the raw hospital mortality and from using Diagnosis Relative Groups Mortality Risk Classification (DRGs-MRC) were compared., Results: (1) The risk types were different among the discharged cases in different hospitals; (2) The assessment results from these two approaches about No.6 hospital were similar in that No.6 hospital had a good quality performance; (3) The raw hospital mortality was the lowest in No.2 hospital (0.98%), but the mortality of low risk group in this hospital was higher than the average level of the same risk group among these 7 hospitals; the status of No.5 hospital was much the same., Conclusion: Compared with raw hospital mortality, DRGs-MRC improved the comparability of cases and the reliability of the assessment result.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of dental anxiety (DA) in patients with cardiovascular diseases before tooth extraction so as to provide psychotherapy., Methods: 144 patients with cardiovascular diseases were asked to complete a questionnaire modified from Corah Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) while awaiting for tooth extraction., Results: The incidence rate of DA in these patients was 7.6%. Anxiety level on anesthesia procedure was the highest. DAS score was higher among patients with the following factors: inactive perception, female, below 60 years old, experiences of painful tooth extraction, a documented history of single cardiovascular disease, under ECG monitoring for the first time and complicated tooth extraction., Conclusion: DA existed in patients with cardiovascular diseases before tooth extraction and was related to many factors. Medical staff should take necessary measures to provide them with psychotherapy and nursing guidance before tooth extraction.

Objective: To investigate the polymorphism of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase(ALAD) and the genetic susceptibility to lead toxicity in Uighur and Yi population in China., Methods: The ALAD genotypes were determined by PCR and MspI restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques in 214 Uighur individuals from Xinjiang autonomous region and 144 Yi individuals from Yunnan province. The correlation between the polymorphism of ALAD and blood lead levels, and the factors affecting the latter were explored., Results: The frequencies of the allele ALAD1 and ALAD2 in Uighur are 0.91 and 0.09; and in Yi are 0.98 and 0.02 respectively. In Uighur the average blood lead level was (76 +/- 4) microgram/L, and 25.7% individuals with blood lead level > or = 100 micrograms/L. In Yi the average blood lead level was (50 +/- 16) microgram/L, and 6.3% individuals with blood lead level > or = 100 micrograms/L. However, no statistic correlation between the distribution of ALAD alleles and the blood lead level was found in both populations., Conclusion: The genetic susceptibility of ALAD polymorphism to lead toxicity may exhibit in a lead dose-dependent manner.