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Few studies were performed on the impact of exposure to gaseous pollutants on the risk of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). We conducted this study to analyze the association between short-term exposure to gaseous pollutants and the risk of hospitalizations for KOA. A total of 2952 KOA hospitalizations derived from two hospitals in Hefei, and the relationship between gaseous pollutants and KOA hospitalizations was analyzed by a distributed lag non-linear model combined with a generalized linear model. We found that the decreased risk of hospitalizations for KOA were both related to exposure to NO2 (RR = 0.993, lag19 day) and O3 (RR = 0.984, lag0 day), while exposure to CO could increase the risk of hospitalizations for KOA (RR = 1.076, lag2 day). Stratified analyses suggested that the KOA patients < 65 years were more susceptible to O3 exposure, and the female, male, patients ≥ 65 years, and patients < 65 years were both more sensitive to CO exposure. Our findings demonstrated that exposure to NO2, O3 resulted in a decreased risk for KOA hospitalizations, and CO exposure might increase the risk of KOA hospitalizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cognitive decline following surgery is a common concern among elderly individuals. Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) can be assessed as a biological clock connected to an individual lifespan. However, the mechanisms causing this inference are still not fully understood. As a result of this, LTL has the potential to be useful as an aging-related biomarker for assessing delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) and related diseases. Methods: For this study, 196 individuals over 60 who were scheduled due to major non-cardiac surgical operations attended neuropsychological testing before surgery, followed by additional testing one week later. The finding of dNCR was based on a measured Z-score ≤ -1.96 on two or more separate tests. The frequency of dNCR was presented as the primary outcome of the study. Secondly, we evaluated the association between dNCR and preoperative LTL. Results: Overall, 20.4% [40/196; 95% confidence interval (CI), 14.7–26.1%] of patients exhibited dNCR 1-week post-surgery. Longer LTL was identified as a predictor for the onset of early cognitive impairment resulting in postoperative cognitive decline [odds ratio (OR), 14.82; 95% CI, 4.01–54.84; P < 0.001], following adjustment of age (OR, 12.33; 95% CI, 3.29–46.24; P < 0.001). The dNCR incidence based on LTL values of these patients, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.79 (95% CI, 0.722–0.859; P < 0.001). At an optimal cut-off value of 0.959, LTL values offered respective specificity and sensitivity values of 64.7% and 87.5%. Conclusions: In summary, the current study revealed that the incidence of dNCR was strongly associated with prolonged LTL. Furthermore, this biomarker could help identify high-risk patients and offer insight into the pathophysiology of dNCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field-measured spectra are critical for remote sensing physical modelling, retrieval of structural, biophysical, and biochemical parameters, and other practical applications. We present a library of field spectra, which includes (1) portable field spectroradiometer measurements of vegetation, soil, and snow in the full-wave band, (2) multi-angle spectra measurements of desert vegetation, chernozems, and snow with consideration of the anisotropic reflectance of land surface, (3) multi-scale spectra measurements of leaf and canopy of different vegetation cover surfaces, and (4) continuous reflectance spectra time-series data revealing vegetation growth dynamics of maize, rice, wheat, rape, grassland, and so on. To the best of our knowledge, this library is unique in simultaneously providing full-band, multi-angle, multi-scale spectral measurements of the main surface elements of China covering a large spatial extent over a 10-year period. Furthermore, the 101 by 101 satellite pixels of Landsat ETM/OLI and MODIS surface reflectance centered around the field site were extracted, providing a vital linkage between ground measurements and satellite observations. The code language used for this work is Matlab 2016a. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an essential environmental factor that affects the economic benefits of aquaculture, hypoxia is one of the urgent problems to be solved in the aquaculture fish breeding industry. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a critical economic fish in China, and at present, there are many breeding strains of common carp with different character advantages in China, including Hebao red carp (C. carpio var wuyuanesis) and Songpu mirror carp (C. carpio var specularis). Even if the environmental adaptation of common carp is generally strong, the genetic background of hypoxia tolerance in different strains of common carp is unclear yet. This study tested the hypoxia tolerance of Songpu minor carp, Hebao red carp, and their hybrid F1 population by an acute hypoxia treatment. Muscle and liver tissues were used for transcriptome sequencing analysis to identify the key factors for hypoxia tolerance and explore the potential genetic mechanism for breeding high hypoxia tolerance in common carp. The comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed abundant hypoxia response-related genes and their differential regulation mechanism in these two tissues of different common carp strains under acute hypoxia, including immune response, cellular stress response, HIFs (hypoxia-inducible factors), MAP kinase, iron ion binding, and heme binding. Our findings will facilitate future investigation on the hypoxia response mechanism and provide a solid theoretical basis for breeding projects in common carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is considered a preclinical stage of atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the related risk factors for CIMT to facilitate the early prevention of CVD. Previous studies have shown that visceral fat area (VFA) is a risk factor for T2DM and CVD. However, few studies have focused on the effects of VFA on CIMT associated with T2DM. Moreover, considering that the body fat distribution shows regional and racial heterogeneity, the purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive value of VFA and other risk factors for CIMT associated with T2DM in Western China. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 1372 patients with T2DM were divided into the CIMT (−) group (n = 965) and the CIMT (+) group (n = 407) based on CIMT values. In addition to the univariate analyses, logistic regression analysis and a decision tree model were simultaneously performed to establish a correlation factor model for CIMT. Results: Univariate analyses showed that sex, smoking status, age, heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, VFA, subcutaneous fat area, and the levels of 2-h C-peptide, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and uric acid were significantly different between the two groups (all p < 0.05). Smoking, increased VFA, female sex and increased BMI were risk factors in the logistic regression analyses (OR = 5.759, OR = 1.364, OR = 2.239, OR = 1.186, respectively). In the decision tree model, smoking was the root node, followed by sex, waist circumference, VFA and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in order of importance. Conclusions: In addition to smoking, sex and BMI, VFA has a significant effect on CIMT associated with T2DM in the Chinese Han population in Western China. In addition, the decision tree model could help clinicians make more effective decisions, with its simplicity and intuitiveness, making it worth promoting in future medical research. Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR1900027739. Registered 24 November 2019-Retrospectively registered, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term use of herbicides to remove weeds in fallow croplands can impair soil biodiversity, affect the quality of agricultural products, and threaten human health. Consequently, the identification of methods that can effectively limit the weed seed bank and maintain fallow soil fertility without causing soil pollution for the next planting is a critical task. In this study, four weeding treatments were established based on different degrees of disturbance to the topsoil: natural fallow (N), physical clearance (C), deep tillage (D), and sprayed herbicide (H). The changes in the soil weed seed banks, soil nutrients, and soil microbial biomass were carefully investigated. During the fallow period, the C treatment decreased the annual and biennial weed seed bank by 34% against pretreatment, whereas the H treatment did not effectively reduce the weed seed bank. The D treatment had positive effects on the soil fertility, increasing the available nitrogen 108% over that found in the N soil. In addition, a pre-winter deep tillage interfered with the rhizome propagation of perennial weeds. The total biomass of soil bacterial, fungal, and actinomycete in H treatment was the lowest among the four treatments. The biomass of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the N treatment was respectively 42%, 35%, and 91%, higher than that in the C, D, and H treatments. An ecological weeding strategy was proposed based on our findings, which called for exhausting seed banks, blocking seed transmission, and taking advantage of natural opportunities to prevent weed growth for fallow lands. This study could provide a theoretical basis for weed management in fallow fields and organic farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although the Supportive Care Needs Survey is one of the most comprehensive and robust cancer-specific needs assessment instruments, no version exists specifically for cancer patients in mainland China. This study tested the psychometric properties of the Mandarin version of the 34-item Short-Form Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34-C (Mandarin)) in mainland Chinese cancer patients.Methods: From December 2015 to May 2016, patients were recruited from two cancer centers in Guangzhou, China, to complete the SCNS-SF34-C (Mandarin). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to test the factor structure. The internal consistency, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the resulting factor structure were evaluated by traditional psychometric analysis.Results: A total of 861 patients completed the SCNS-SF34-C (Mandarin). Item 14 was removed for its low factor loadings on every factor in the initial EFA. Using the remaining 33 items, the reiterated EFA produced a five-dimension structure that was consistent with the dimensions of the original version of the SCNS-SF34 (health system and information, psychological, patient care and support, physical and daily living, and sexuality), accounting for 69.757% of the total variance. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.854 to 0.942 for the five domains and 0.947 for the whole scale. Convergent validity was verified by significant correlations with all corresponding instruments. It discriminated between groups based on age, sex, marital status, and stage of disease.Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggests that the SCNS-SF34-C (Mandarin) is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the supportive care needs of cancer patients in mainland China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the clinical epidemiology of mineral bone disorder markers in prevalent hemodialysis (HD) patients in Xinjiang, the largest province in China. Data were obtained from 59 hospitals. A total of 3725 patients tracked from January 1 to December 31, 2014, were enrolled. Serum calcium (Ca) levels, phosphorus (P) levels, and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were analyzed. Serum Ca levels were lower compared to the International Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS4) and the Chinese DOPPS. The hypercalcemia rate was similar to DOPPS4 and lower than in the Chinese DOPPS. Serum P levels were higher than in DOPPS4 and lower than those in the Chinese DOPPS. Hyperphosphatemia rates were higher than DOPPS4 and lower than Chinese DOPPS. Serum iPTH levels were higher than in DOPPS4 and the Chinese DOPPS. We demonstrated higher serum P and iPTH levels in Xinjiang HD patients than in the DOPPS4 and Chinese DOPPS. In contrast, serum Ca levels were lower than the other two studies. High hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia rates may suggest that HD services in Xinjiang are inadequate. A multidiscipline chronic kidney disease (CKD) care program needs to be established to improve chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) target achievement in Xinjiang. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans has been investigated as a biological agent for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes infecting domestic animals in other countries. However, D. flagrans has not been detected in China. In this study 1,135 samples were examined from 2012 to 2014; 4 D. flagrans isolates (SDH 035, SDH 091, SFH 089, SFG 170) were obtained from the feces of domestic animals and dung compost. The 4 isolates were then characterized morphologically. The SDH 035 strain was characterized by sequencing the ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 region. A BLAST search showed that the SDH 035 strain (GenBank KP257593) was 100% identical to Arthrobotrys flagrans (AF106520) and was identified as D. flagrans. The morphological plasticity of the isolated strain and the interaction of this strain with the nematode targets were observed by subjecting the infected trichostrongylide L3 to scanning electron microscopy. At 6 and 8 hr after trichostrongylide L3 was added, hyphal ramifications were observed and L3 were captured, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs were obtained at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 42, and 48 hr, where 0 is the time when trichostrongylide L3 were first captured by the fungus. The details of the capture process by the fungus are also described. Chlamydospores were observed in the body of L3 in the late stage of digestion. A sticky substance and bacteria could be observed in contact areas between predation structures and nematode cuticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis or cardiovascular events and renal function impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate IR in children with primary nephrotic syndrome (NS). Methods: One-hundred and nineteen primary NS patients with normal renal function and 125 normal controls were studied. Fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin, and fasting serum C-peptide were measured. The Homa index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Islet B cell function, and insulin sensitivity index were calculated. Correlations were assessed between HOMA-IR, fasting serum C-peptide, blood pressure, blood lipids, renal function, coagulation, clinical disease type, pathology and the early therapeutic effectiveness of high-dose glucocorticoids. Results: There was no evidence of IR in the primary NS group. Although levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin and fasting serum C-peptide were all within the normal ranges, fasting serum C-peptide was significantly higher compared to the controls. There was no disorder of carbohydrate metabolism in different hormone therapy efficacy and pathological diagnosis. Although IR was not detected, a significant increase in blood pressure, uric acid, blood lipids and coagulability was observed in the primary NS group. Conclusion: A correlation observed between HOMA-IR, age, blood pressure, serum creatinine (Cr) and triglyceride may suggest that insulin sensitivity will emerge as renal disease progresses. Fasting serum C-peptide levels were increased in the primary NS group, suggesting that fasting serum C-peptide may be a protective factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychometrically rigorous and comprehensive needs assessment measures for Chinese general cancer caregivers are relatively scarce. We described the development and psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the Cancer Support Person's Unmet Needs Survey‐Short Form (SPUNS‐SFC). Methods: A forward–backward translation method was utilised to develop the SPUNS‐SFC. The construct validity, internal consistency, convergent validity and discriminant validity of the SPUNS‐SFC were evaluated. Results: A total of 1,026 Chinese cancer caregivers completed the SPUNS‐SFC. Items 10, 11, 13, 24 and 26 were removed as more than 80% of respondents reported having no unmet needs on these items. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a five‐factor structure, which accounted for 78.47% of the total variance, and consisted of the following domains: information, healthcare access and continuity, personal and emotional needs, worries about the future, and financial needs. Internal consistency of the measure was high, with Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.87 to 0.95 for the five domains. The measure illustrated adequate evidence of convergent validity, demonstrated by significant correlations with multiple measures of psychological well‐being. Known‐groups validity was established, as 87.5% of the hypotheses were supported. Conclusion: This study indicates the SPUNS‐SFC is a reliable and valid measure of the unmet needs of Chinese cancer caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Sinojackia dolichocarpa, a species endangered and endemic to China, is distributed only in the regional area of Shimen and Sangzhi in Hunan Province. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers were used to investigate the genetic diversity within and among the four natural populations of S. dolichocarpa. Leaf samples were collected from 84 individuals. Thirteen ISSR primers selected from 80 primers gave rise to 137 discernible DNA bands of which 100 (72.99%) were polymorphic. On average each primer gave rise to 10.5 bands including 7.7 bands with polymorphic profile. At the species level, high genetic diversity was detected (PPB: 72.99%; H E: 0.2255; Ho: 0.3453). However, relatively low genetic diversity existed within populations. Population in Maozhuhe (MZH) exhibits the greatest level of variability (PPB: 40.38%, H E: 0.1566, Ho: 0.2330), whereas the population in Jingguanmen (JGM) finds its own variability at the lowest level (PPB: 30.66%; H E: 0.1078; Ho: 0.1601). A high level of genetic differentiation among populations was revealed by Nei''s gene diversity statistics (45.30%), Shannon''s information measure (45.24%) and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) (52.88%). The main factors responsible for the high level of differentiation among populations are probably related to the selfing reproductive system and the isolation of populations. The strong genetic differentiation among populations indicates that the management for the conservation of genetic variability in S. dolichocarpa should aim to preserve every population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the level of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of lung cancer patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and analyze its influencing factors., Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted. From April 2022 to March 2023, 560 lung cancer patients receiving ICIs at three medical bases in Guangzhou, China were recruited using a convenient sampling method. A general information questionnaire, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) and the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) were used for collecting data on sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, HRQOL, social support and medical coping mode. A descriptive analysis was conducted to describe HRQOL. Multiple regression analysis was applied to determine the factors influencing HRQOL., Results: For lung cancer patients receiving ICIs, the mean score of HRQOL was 59.21 ± 19.86. Multivariate analysis indicated that acceptance-resignation coping mode (β = -0.37, P < 0.01), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score (β = -0.35, P < 0.01), combination of chemotherapy and/or bevacizumab (β = -0.14, P < 0.01), and subjective support (β = 0.07, P = 0.04) all contributed to 42.7% of the variance in HRQOL of the patients receiving ICIs., Conclusions: It is imperative to address and resolve the HRQOL issue for lung cancer patients receiving ICIs. The findings suggest nurse practitioners should be aware of a variety of factors that influence HRQOL and provide tailored inventions to patients as early as possible to help them achieve better HRQOL., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Five species of four rare genera Dolophron Förster, 1869, Genotropis Townes, 1970, Leptocampoplex Horstman, 1970 and Philositus Townes, 1970 of the family Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera) are found in China, among which three genera Dolophron, Leptocampoplex and Philositus are firstly reported from China. Three new species D. granulosa sp. nov., G. mauroknema sp. nov., and P. parva sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Redescriptions of Genotropis clara Townes, 1970 and Leptocampoplex cremastoides (Holmgren, 1860) are given. Keys to species of each genus and the distribution map of China are also provided.

Species of the genera Breviterebra Kusigemati, 1982, Charops Holmgren, 1859 and Scenocharops Uchida, 1932 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) from China are revised. Of the 13 species recognized, three are described as new species: Breviterebra apicocrinis sp. nov., Charops mauroknemus sp. nov. and Scenocharops yunnanensis sp. nov. The genus Breviterebra Kusigemati and the species Scenocharps montanus Gupta Maheshwary, 1971 are recorded in China for the first time. The distribution area of C. brachypterus (Cameron), C. striatus (Uchida), S. flavipetiolus (Sonan) and S. parasae He in China are updated. DNA barcode fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene of B. apicocrinis sp. nov. is presented. Keys to Breviterebra, Charops and Scenocharops are provided.

Two rare genera are newly reported for China: the Australasian Picacharops Gauld, 1984 and the Oriental Sliochia Gauld, 1976. A new species of these two monotypic genera (P. granulosus sp. nov. and S. adustifemur sp. nov., respectively) is described from China and illustrated. Keys to species of both genera are also provided.

The genus Campoplex Gravenhorst, 1829 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) from China is revised. Thirty-nine new species are proposed (C. absitus sp. nov., C. acarus sp. nov., C. adustantennalis sp. nov., C. angustaulacis sp. nov., C. apacicarinatus sp. nov., C. artivultus sp. nov., C. atricrus sp. nov., C. collucatus sp. nov., C. concretus sp. nov., C. confluentus sp. nov., C. cyclus sp. nov., C. densipunctatus sp. nov., C. exareola sp. nov., C. granalvus sp. nov., C. grandialphus sp. nov., C. grandicella sp. nov., C. granulosus sp. nov., C. galbipedis sp. nov., C. hei sp. nov., C. liuae sp. nov., C. lobatus sp. nov., C. longiclypeus sp. nov., C. maurotrochanter sp. nov., C. medicarinatus sp. nov., C. monochroma sp. nov., C. obtusoclypeus sp. nov., C. parassosae sp. nov., C. perpendicularis sp. nov., C. proportionis sp. nov., C. protenus sp. nov., C. plicopunctatus sp. nov., C. pseudocyclus sp. nov., C. pseudostrigatus sp. nov., C. shanxiensis sp. nov., C. strigatus sp. nov., C. taenius sp. nov., C. tanae sp. nov., C. xizangensis sp. nov., and C. xuthomelonus sp. nov.) and one species is recorded as new to Nepal (C. oriens Gupta Maheshwary). A key to Chinese species of Campoplex is provided.

Five new species of the genus Sinophorus Frster, 1869 (Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) are described and illustrated from China: S. dioryctriae sp. nov., S. latistrigis sp. nov., S. neimengensis sp. nov., S. petilidentis sp. nov. and S. spissus sp. nov. A key to the Chinese species of Sinophorus is provided.

Rationale: Most current cardiac regeneration approaches result in very limited cell division and little new cardiomyocyte (CM) mass. Positive feedback loops are vital for cell division, but their role in CM regeneration remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether the lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 Snhg1 (Snhg1) could form a positive feedback loop with c-Myc to induce cardiac regeneration. Methods: Quantitative PCR and in situ hybridization experiments were performed to determine the Snhg1 expression patterns in fetal and myocardial infarction (MI) hearts. Gain- and Loss-of-function assays were conducted to explore the effect of Snhg1 on cardiomyocyte (CM) proliferation and cardiac repair following MI. We further constructed CM-specific Snhg1 knockout mice to confirm the proliferative effect exerted by Snhg1 using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. RNA sequencing and RNA pulldown were performed to explore how Snhg1 mediated cardiac regeneration. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were used to demonstrate the positive feedback loop between Snhg1 and c-Myc. Results: Snhg1 expression was increased in human and mouse fetal and myocardial infarction (MI) hearts, particularly in CMs. Overexpression of Snhg1 promoted CM proliferation, angiogenesis, and inhibited CM apoptosis after myocardial infarction, which further improved post-MI cardiac function. Antagonism of Snhg1 in early postnatal mice inhibited CM proliferation and impaired cardiac repair after MI. Mechanistically, Snhg1 directly bound to phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and induced PTEN degradation, activating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway to promote CM proliferation. The c-Myc protein, one of downstream targets of PI3K/AKT signaling, functioned as a transcription factor by binding to the promoter regions of Snhg1. Perturbation of the positive feedback between Snhg1 and c-Myc by mutation of the binding sequence significantly affected Snhg1-induced CM proliferation. Conclusions: Snhg1 effectively elicited CM proliferation and improved cardiac function post-MI by forming a positive feedback loop with c-Myc to sustain PI3K/Akt signaling activation, and thus may be a promising cardiac regeneration strategy in treating heart failure post-MI., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

The genus Casinaria Holmgren, 1859 (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae, Campopleginae) from China is revised. Nine new species are proposed (C. albifunda sp. nov., C. artivultis sp. nov., C. exilis sp. nov., C. exiloides sp. nov., C. hei sp. nov., C. melasoma sp. nov., C. partolstoyi sp. nov., C. remota sp. nov., and C. xui sp. nov.) and two species are recorded as new to China (C. ajanta Maheshwary Gupta and C. varuni Maheshwary Gupta). A key to the Chinese species of Casinaria is provided.

Aims and Objectives: To explore the regulation role of work resources in male nurses' job burnout and job demands., Background: Burnout syndrome affects a wide range of nurses. Although burnout and turnover rate have drawn many researchers' attention, little is known of work characteristics that may cause a high burnout and turnover rate in male nurses., Design: A survey design was used., Method: A total of 366 male nurses in Guangzhou hospitals were included in this survey using the Burnout Scale (MBI-GS) and the Job demands Resources Scale. Data were processed by hierarchical regression analysis. (Followed the STROBE checklist) RESULTS: The male nurse's MBI score was (2.72 ± 1.02). Job demands affected the severity of male nurses' job burnout. Work resources are in a low level, especially at the social support, reward and skill diversity. The regression coefficients β of job demands, work resources and interaction items of job demands and work resources were 0.277, 0.314 and -0.006, respectively, and both passed the significance test (p < .01).). The new explanatory quantity ΔR 2 after introducing the interaction between job demands and working resources was also statistically significant (ΔR 2  = 0.254, p < .01)., Conclusion: Male nurses are at a mild level of job burnout, and work resources are in shortage. Work resources play a regulating role in job demands and burnout., Relevance to Clinical Practice: The mild burnout may be a surface phenomenon or was a sign of trend of male nurses' intention to leave the job. Managers should pay attention to the emotional needs and mental health problems of male nurses' work environment., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces for treating tumors in China-Japan Friendship Hospital in both outpatient and inpatient departments from January 1 to December 31, 2018 were analyzed in this paper, and the statistical analysis on the frequency and proportion of TCM decoction pieces, as well as the average dosage and dosage range were conducted. Such data were then compared with Chinese Pharmacopoeia. At the same time, data mining association rules were used to study the compatibility of TCM in oncology, and finally, the drug use in TCM was discussed. The top 20(use frequency) TCM decoction pieces for tumors were mainly based on tonic medicines; the use frequency of toxic TCM decoction pieces was low, mainly of small poisonous pieces, with dosage exceeding pharmacopoeia. The drug combinations with higher frequency included Fried Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma-Poria Cocos(16.11%), and Astragali Radix-Poria Cocos(15.10%). Drug pairs with strong associations included Achyranthes Bidentata→Parasitic Loranthus, Coix Seed→Achyranthes Bidentata, Achyranthes Bidentata→Hairyvein Agrimony, Cuscutae Semen→Achyranthes Bidentata and so on. According to the use of drugs, the drug monitoring can be emphasized from the aspects of usage and dosage, selection of processed TCM, compatibility, decoction methods, and patient education. Pharmacists can analyze the characteristics and regularity of the use of TCM for tumors through data mining methods, and this can be a cutting point for drug monitoring.

Traumatic myiasis causes substantial economic losses to farmers worldwide. In the present study, six flocks of sheep (2261 sheep) were investigated in Gansu, China, and 207 of 552 larvae were genetically characterized based on three genes, including cyt b, EF-1α, and white gene, by polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis. A survey of sheep in China revealed that the prevalence of vulvar myiasis of six sheep flocks was 5.00% (11/220, Flock1), 4.85% (10/206, Flock2), 4.50% (9/200, Flock3), 5.00% (15/300, Flock4), 4.68% (15/320, Flock5), 0% (0/1015, Flock6), respectively. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis showed that only Wohlfahrtia magnifica was detected in the field samples. This is the first report of ovine vulvar myiasis caused by W. magnifica in Gansu, China. Some prophylactic measures are strongly recommended to reduce the risk of sheep acquiring traumatic myiasis in Gansu, China.

Purpose: The benefits of concurrent newborn hearing and genetic screening have not been statistically proven due to limited sample sizes and outcome data. To fill this gap, we analyzed outcomes of newborns with genetic screening results., Methods: Newborns in China were screened for 20 hearing-loss-related genetic variants from 2012 to 2017. Genetic results were categorized as positive, at-risk, inconclusive, or negative. Hearing screening results, risk factors, and up-to-date hearing status were followed up via phone interviews., Results: Following up 12,778 of 1.2 million genetically screened newborns revealed a higher rate of hearing loss by three months of age among referrals from the initial hearing screening (60% vs. 5.0%, P < 0.001) and a lower rate of lost-to-follow-up/documentation (5% vs. 22%, P < 0.001) in the positive group than in the inconclusive group. Importantly, genetic screening detected 13% more hearing-impaired infants than hearing screening alone and identified 2,638 (0.23% of total) newborns predisposed to preventable ototoxicity undetectable by hearing screening., Conclusion: Incorporating genetic screening improves the effectiveness of newborn hearing screening programs by elucidating etiologies, discerning high-risk subgroups for vigilant management, identifying additional children who may benefit from early intervention, and informing at-risk newborns and their maternal relatives of increased susceptibility to ototoxicity.

Various salmonid species are cultivated in cold water aquaculture. However, due to limited genomic data resources, specific high-throughput genotyping tools are not available to many of the salmonid species. In this study, a 57K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was utilized to detect polymorphisms in seven salmonid species, including Hucho taimen, Oncorhynchus masou, Salvelinus fontinalis, Brachymystax lenok, Salvelinus leucomaenis, O. kisutch, and O. mykiss. The number of polymorphic markers per population ranged from 3,844 (O. kisutch) to 53,734 (O. mykiss), indicating that the rainbow trout SNP array was applicable as a universal genotyping tool for other salmonid species. Among the six other salmonid populations from four genera, 28,882 SNPs were shared, whereas 525 SNPs were polymorphic in all four genera. The genetic diversity and population relationships of the seven salmonid species were studied by principal component analysis (PCA). The phylogenetic relationships among populations were analyzed using the maximum likelihood method, which indicated that the shared SNP markers provide reliable genomic information for population genetic analyses in common aquaculture salmonid fishes. Furthermore, this obtained genomic information may be applicable for population genetic evaluation, marker-assisted breeding, and propagative parent selection in fry production., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with pre-diabetes., Methods: This study included 500 men with impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG), 500 with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and another 500 with normal blood glucose (NBG), all from Lanzhou. We conducted a questionnaire investigation among the subjects using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction 5 (IIEF-5)., Results: The prevalence rates of ED in the IFG, IGT, and NBG groups were 14.8%, 29.2%, and 33.2%, respectively. After controlling for age, nationality, occupation, education, income, obesity, and blood pressure, the incidence rate was markedly higher in the IFG and IGT than in the NBG group (29.2% and 33.2% vs 14.8%, P <0.05), but showed no statistically significant difference between the IFG and IGT groups (P >0.05)., Conclusions: The prevalence of ED is higher in men with pre-diabetes than in those with normal blood glucose in Lanzhou.

Nematophagous fungi are considered to have the best potential as biological agents for the control of gastrointestinal nematodes in domestic animals. However, relatively few studies have been conducted with the genus Monacrosporium, especially with strains native to China. In the present study, we isolated and identified nematophagous fungi from fresh sheep feces. A pure fungal strain was molecularly characterized, and its nematophagous activity was evaluated. The morphological plasticity of the isolated strain, as well as its interaction with the nematode targets, was observed by scanning electron microscopy of the infected Trichostrongylus colubriformis L3 and the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Three isolated fungal strains from the 30 fresh fecal samples of sheep from Inner Mongolia, China exhibited predatory activity; however, only a single strain was successfully purified (SF 0459). The SF 0459 strain was characterized by morphological analysis of its conidia and sequencing of its ITS1-5.8S rDNA-ITS2 region. This strain was identified to be Monacrosporium salinum (GenBank ID: KP036623). Nematophagous fungus helper bacteria were found at the interaction points between fungi and nematodes. The percentage of live T. colubriformis L3 was reduced by 83.79-88.69% based on the in vitro assay., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

In order to further improve the curative effect of the herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus, we collected a wide range of literature on herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus and then systematically arranged them to analyze and summarize the technology and operating methods of herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus. We also briefly discussed issues on application of medicine, locust tree skin and ginger, the method of kneading dough for medical uses, and the appropriate size of moxa cone and its using frequency in order to form clear concepts and standardized operations to provide theories and operational basis for the clinical application of modern herb-participated moxibustion on umbilicus.

A spatially explicit landscape model LANDIS was applied to simulate the long-term effects of Dendrolimus superans Bulter disturbance on the forest landscape in Huzhong Forest Bureau of Great Xing' an Mountains. The statistical software pakage APACK was used to calculate the distribution area of D. superans and representative tree species, the aggregation index reflecting the spatial pattern, and the average area of forest patchs. The dynamics of forest landscape in the study region was simulated under two scenarios, i.e., with and without D. superans disturbance for 300 years (from 1990 to 2290). In the region, the distribution area of D. superans showed a trend of increased first and decreased then. Under D. superans disturbance scenario, the distribution area and the average patch size of Larix gmelinii in 0-150 years and the aggregation index of L. gmelinii in 0-190 years, the distribution area and the average patch size of Betula platyphylla and its aggregation index in 80-190 years, as well as the distribution area, average patch size, and aggregation index of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica were lower or slightly lower than those under no disturbance scenario. D. superans disturbance led to the fragmentation of forest landscape to some extent.