Search

Persistent organic pollutants pose a great threat to amphibian populations, but information on the bioaccumulation of contaminants in amphibians remains scarce. To examine the tissue distribution and maternal transfer of organic halogenated pollutants (OHPs) in frogs, seven types of tissues from black‐spotted frog (muscle, liver, kidney, stomach, intestine, heart, and egg) were collected from an e‐waste–polluted area in South China. Among the seven frog tissues, median total OHP concentrations of 2.3 to 9.7 μg/g lipid weight were found (in 31 polychlorinated biphenyl [PCB] individuals and 15 polybrominated diphenyl ether [PBDE], dechlorane plus [syn‐DP and anti‐DP], bexabromobenzene [HBB], polybrominated biphenyl] PBB153 and ‐209], and decabromodiphenyl ethane [DBDPE] individuals). Sex‐specific differences in contaminant concentration and compound compositions were observed among the frog tissues, and eggs had a significantly higher contaminant burden on the whole body of female frogs. In addition, a significant sex difference in the concentration ratios of other tissues to the liver was observed in most tissues except for muscle. These results suggest that egg production may involve the mobilization of other maternal tissues besides muscle, which resulted in the sex‐specific distribution. Different parental tissues had similar maternal transfer mechanisms; factors other than lipophilicity (e.g., molecular size and proteinophilic characteristics) could influence the maternal transfer of OHPs in frogs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1557–1568. © 2024 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to long-term human activity interference, the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park (HTRNP) of China has experienced ecological problems such as habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss, and with the expanding scope and intensity of human activity impact, the regional ecological security is facing serious challenges. A scientific assessment of the interrelationship between human activity intensity and habitat quality in the HTRNP is a prerequisite for achieving effective management of ecological disturbances caused by human activities and can also provide scientific strategies for the sustainable development of the region. Based on the land use change data in 2000, 2010, and 2020, the spatial and temporal variations and the relationship between habitat quality (HQ) and human activity intensity (HAI) in the HTRNP were explored using the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs (InVEST) model. System dynamics and land use simulation models were also combined to conduct multi-scenario simulations of their relationships. The results showed that during 2000–2020, the habitat quality of the HTRNP improved, the intensity of human activities decreased each year, and there was a negative correlation between the two. Second, the system dynamic model could be well coupled with the land use simulation model by combining socio-economic and natural factors. The simulation scenarios of the coupling model showed that the harmonious development (HD) scenario is effective in curbing the increasing trend of human activity intensity and decreasing trend of habitat quality, with a weaker trade-off between the two compared with the baseline development (BD) and investment priority oriented (IPO) scenarios. To maintain the authenticity and integrity of the HTRNP, effective measures such as ecological corridor construction, ecological restoration, and the implementation of ecological compensation policies need to be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the combined predictive value of the preoperative serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125) level and age at diagnosis among patients with early‐stage endometrial cancer (EC) after initial treatment. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients with early‐stage EC from 1999 to 2015 in multiple institutions in China. All 447 patients received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy for FIGO 2009 stage I and II EC with complete data on preoperative serum CA125 levels. All patients were divided into four groups according to the ESMO‐ESGO‐ESTRO risk classification. The predictive probability of 5‐year overall survival (OS) and the sensitivity and specificity of CA125 and age were calculated. Results: The median follow‐up time was 59 months (3–201 months). The 5‐year OS and disease‐free survival rates were 94.4% and 89.1%. Multivariate analysis showed that the preoperative CA125 level and age at diagnosis were independent prognostic factors for 5‐year OS. The area under the curve for CA125 combined with age at diagnosis for 5‐year OS was.692, and the corresponding sensitivity and specificity were 68.2% and 68.2% (p <.002), which were significantly better than the corresponding values for CA125 or age alone. After all 447 patients were divided into four groups according to CA125 combined with age, the 5‐year OS of the elderly and higher CA125 group was only 73.7%. Conclusions: Although preoperative CA125 had limited sensitivity in predicting the prognosis for early‐stage EC after initial treatment, it remains a useful serum marker for risk assessment of early‐stage EC. Combining CA125 with age may increase its predictive sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes and recurrence patterns of high‐intermediate‐risk (HIR)‐ and high‐risk (HR) early‐stage endometrial cancer (EC) treated with postoperative intracavitary brachytherapy alone. Methods: We included 152 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage I‐II endometrial cancer with HIR and HR factors who received vaginal brachytherapy alone after surgery in our center between April 2008 and December 2017. The irradiation area was the top and upper halves of the vagina. The reference point was defined as 0.5 cm below the vaginal mucosa. The radiation dose was 25–30 Gy 5–6 times. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate; differences were assessed using the log‐rank test, and univariate and multivariate prognostic analyses were performed using the Cox regression model. Result: The median follow‐up was 49.2 months (range 3–132 months). The 5‐year overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), locoregional failure‐free survival time (LRFS), and distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS) rates were 93.2%, 83.4%, 87.9%, and 86.6%, respectively. Treatment failure occurred in 18 patients, locoregional recurrence in 11, and distant metastasis in 14 (four with locoregional recurrence). Distant metastasis is the main recurrence pattern in patients at HIR and HR. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that age was an independent prognostic factor for OS, DFS, DMFS, and LRFS. Conclusion: The main recurrence pattern after adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy alone was distant metastasis in patients with HIR and HR early‐stage EC. Age at onset was an independent prognostic factor for survival. Vaginal brachytherapy alone is an acceptable treatment option for patients with HIR and HR early‐stage endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to report clinical practice patterns of postoperative radiotherapy for stage I to II endometrial carcinoma (EC) patients treated in 13 Chinese medical centers. Methods: We included early stage EC patients treated by hysterectomy and adjuvant RT between 2003 and 2017 from 13 institutions. Patients were classified into 4 risk groups based on ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO recommendations (2014). Results: A total of 1,227 cases were analyzed. Along the 15 years of the study, an increasing tendency was found towards administration for vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) alone, while the proportion of external beam pelvic radiotherapy (EBRT) alone remained stable in the corresponding period. When radiation modalities were stratified by risk groups, proportion of VBT alone significantly increased in all risk groups. The higher the risk, the later VBT became the main adjuvant treatment modality. However, EBRT alone or with VBT remained the main adjuvant method for high-risk patients. There were 13 dose-fractionation schemes for VBT alone with the scheme of 30 Gy in 6 fractions prescribed at 0.5cm under the vaginal mucosa accounting for most. There were 17 schemes for VBT boost and the most common schedule was 10 Gy in 2 fractions. The upper 3–5cm part of vagina was the most frequent target. 89.6% of the practitioners performed two-dimensional VBT technique. The median dose for EBRT was 50 Gy. From 2003 to 2017, conventional radiotherapy was gradually replaced by three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy modality and intensity modulated radiotherapy. Conclusion: We report a significant shift from EBRT to VBT alone for high-intermediate-risk, intermediate-risk and low-risk EC patients from 2003 to 2017 while EBRT remained the main radiation modality for high-risk early stage patients. There has been remarkable heterogeneity among VBT dose fractionation schedules across China. Trial registration: The clinical trial ID was ChiCTR-PRC-17010712. It was authorized by the Institutional Review Board of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (N0. S-K139). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Radiotherapy standardized training (ST) has been conducted for 7 years in China. This investigation evaluated the difficulties of and need for ST of radiation oncology residents (RORs) for gynaecological tumours (GYN) in China. Methods: An anonymous online survey was conducted on the "Questionnaire Star" platform. The questionnaire contained 30 questions, including the basic information of the students, their knowledge of radiotherapy theory, training on GYN, the difficulties and needs they faced, and possible solutions. Results: A total of 469 valid questionnaires were collected, resulting in a valid response rate of 85.3%. During the ST, only 58–60% of RORs received training in GYN, with a median clinical rotation time of 2–3 months. Among the RORs surveyed, 50.1% knew the physical characteristics of brachytherapy (BRT), and 49.2% could choose the appropriate BRT for patients. At the end of ST, 75.3% were able to complete the target delineation in GYN independently, and 56% were able to complete the BRT operation independently. The scarcity of GYN patients, insufficient teaching awareness of superior doctors, and lack of interest are the main reasons why ST cannot meet the standard. Conclusion: In China, the ST of RORs in GYN should be strengthened, the teaching awareness of specialist trainers should be increased, and the curriculum should be optimized, especially the curriculum for specialist operation and a strict assessment system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the impact on surgical efficiency and labor time cost of preloaded intraocular lens (IOL) implantation system compared with manual IOL implantation system in age-related cataract surgery in China. Methods: This study was an observational, multicenter, prospective time-motion analysis. IOL preparation time, operation time, cleaning time, number and cost of cataract surgeries in eight participating hospitals were collected. The linear mixed model was used to explore factors associated with the difference in operation time between the preloaded IOL implantation system and the manual IOL implantation system. A time-motion model was constructed to convert the operation time cost saved by using preloaded IOL into economic benefits from hospital and social perspective, respectively. Results: There were 2,591 cases included in the study (preloaded IOL: 1,591 cases; manual IOL: 1,000 cases). The preloaded IOL implantation system was significant time-saving in both preparation time and operation time compared to the manual IOL implantation system (25.48s vs. 47.04s, P < 0.001 and 353.84s vs. 367.46s, P = 0.004, respectively). An average total of 35.18s can be saved by using preloaded IOL per procedure. The results of linear mixed model showed that the type of IOL was the main factor leading to the difference in preparation time between preloaded IOL and manual IOL implantation system. By switching from manual IOL to preloaded IOL, the model projected additional 392 surgeries can be performed each year and an increase in revenue of $565,282 per hospital, a 9% increase from hospital perspective. And the annual productivity loss saved by using preloaded IOL was $3,006 in eight hospitals from perspective of society. Conclusion: Compared with manual IOL implantation system, the preloaded IOL implantation system reduces lens preparation time and operation time, which increases potential surgical volume and revenue, and reduces the loss of work productivity. This study provides real-world evidence to support the advantages of the preloaded IOL implantation system in improving efficiency of ophthalmic surgery in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dioscorea alata L. (Dioscoreaceae), commonly known as greater yam, water yam, or winged yam, is a popular tuber vegetable/food crop worldwide, with nutritional, health, and economical importance. China is an important domestication center of D. alata, and hundreds of cultivars (accessions) have been established. However, genetic variations among Chinese accessions remain ambiguous, and genomic resources currently available for the molecular breeding of this species in China are very scarce. In this study, we generated the first pan-plastome of D. alata, based on 44 Chinese accessions and 8 African accessions, and investigated the genetic variations, plastome evolution, and phylogenetic relationships within D. alata and among members of the section Enantiophyllum. The D. alata pan-plastome encoded 113 unique genes and ranged in size from 153,114 to 153,161 bp. A total of four whole-plastome haplotypes (Haps I–IV) were identified in the Chinese accessions, showing no geographical differentiation, while all eight African accessions shared the same whole-plastome haplotype (Hap I). Comparative genomic analyses revealed that all four whole plastome haplotypes harbored identical GC content, gene content, gene order, and IR/SC boundary structures, which were also highly congruent with other species of Enantiophyllum. In addition, four highly divergent regions, i.e., trnC–petN, trnL–rpl32, ndhD–ccsA, and exon 3 of clpP, were identified as potential DNA barcodes. Phylogenetic analyses clearly separated all the D. alata accessions into four distinct clades corresponding to the four haplotypes, and strongly supported that D. alata was more closely related to D. brevipetiolata and D. glabra than D. cirrhosa, D. japonica, and D. polystachya. Overall, these results not only revealed the genetic variations among Chinese D. alata accessions, but also provided the necessary groundwork for molecular-assisted breeding and industrial utilization of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of slopes of China's Loess Plateau, where fissured loess is abundant, is affected by wet–dry cycles. Uniaxial compression tests and the PCAS system were used to analyze the development of visible cracks and mechanical behavior of fissured loess over wet–dry cycles. Results show that the wet–dry cycles and the fissure angle both influence the development of cracks in fissured loess samples. The failure of fissured loess samples manifests as four main modes such as fracture failure, slip-fracture failure, slip failure, and compression-shear failure. Wet–dry cycles had a negligible effect on the failure mode in samples with fissure angles of 0°, 15°, 45°, and 60°, but were more noticeable at fissure angles of 30° and 90°, ranging from compression-shear failure to fracture failure. The initial elastic modulus and uniaxial compressive strength of fissured loess both decline after wet–dry cycles. After various wet–dry cycles, the associations between uniaxial compressive strength and fissure angle all display a double-V shaped pattern, with abrupt shifts in 45°–90° and the minimum value at a fissure angle of 60°. After wet–dry cycles, the uniaxial compressive strength of fissured loess decreases, while the amplitude of change decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of China’s higher education, China has become increasingly popular as an education destination for international students. To explore the rationale and the influencing factors for them to attend Chinese universities, this research adopted a questionnaire survey and interviews with international students from a top university in China. The data were analyzed from four aspects: home countries’ push factors, China’s pull factors, university attractiveness factors and personal choice factors. The findings show that university attractiveness factors are more significant than the China’s pull factors and the home countries push factors; China’s pull factors have significant influence on the university attractiveness factors; For students from different regions, the factors of China’s pull, home country’s push and university attractiveness play significantly different role in affecting their choice of university, with Asian students much more affected than those from other parts of the world. Besides, individual subjective norms and individual value choices also affect students’ choices to study abroad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid expansion of cities in tropical regions has triggered a series of problems such as the destruction of rare natural resources and decreases in the environmental resource carrying capacity and ecological security, which seriously threaten the sustainable development of tropical cities. In this study, the city of Sanya, Hainan, China, is taken as an example. A bottom-line ecological security pattern is constructed based on the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) and the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) for urban growth boundary (UGB) delineation. The results show that Sanya has a good ecological background, but the overall ecological quality decreased from 2014 to 2018 due to the expansion of construction in hot spot areas. Under the natural growth scenario, the urban built-up area in Sanya in 2030 will be 73.81% greater than in 2018, mainly occupying a large amount of agricultural and ecological space, and urban expansion will not be effectively suppressed. Delineation of the UGBs combined with the ecological constraints can effectively protect the regional ecological security and control the urban sprawl, which is relatively consistent with the current planning. The results of this study demonstrate that the RSEI-PLUS-based UGB delineation perspective has a high scientific and applicability, and they provide a reference for the coordinated ecological–economic sustainable development of ecologically fragile cities in tropical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-term nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) treatment can reverse liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB), but its effect on fibrosis regression remains limited. Biejia-Ruangan (BR) has been approved in China as an antifibrotic traditional Chinese medicine drug in patients with chronic liver diseases. A multicenter randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of BR on fibrosis regression in CHB patients treated with NAs.Methods: CHB patients with histologically confirmed advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis were randomly assigned to receive entecavir (ETV) (0.5 mg per day) plus BR (2 g 3 times a day) or placebo for 72 weeks. Liver fibrosis regression was defined as a reduction of ≥ 1 point by the Ishak fibrosis stage (IFS).Results: Overall, 500 patients were enrolled in each group as the intention-to-treat population. The rate of fibrosis regression after 72 weeks of treatment was significantly higher in the ETV + BR group (40% vs 31.8%; P = .0069). Among 388 patients with cirrhosis (ie, IFS ≥ 5) at baseline, the rate of cirrhosis reversal (ie, IFS ≤ 4) was significantly higher in the ETV + BR group (41.5% vs 30.7%; P = .0103).Conclusions: Addition of BR to the current standard treatment with NAs in CHB patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis can improve liver fibrosis regression.Clinical Trials Registration: NCT01965418. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This research aimed to provide an overview of the impact of adjuvant vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) and external beam pelvic radiotherapy (EBRT) with or without VBT on survival in stage I to II EC patients in China from a long-term multi-institutional analysis.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed stage I to II EC patients from 13 institutions treated between 2003 and 2015. All patients underwent surgical staging and received adjuvant RT. Patients were divided into groups of low-risk (LR), intermediate-risk (IR), high-intermediate-risk (HIR) and high-risk (HR). Survival statistics, failure pattern, and toxicity of different radiation modalities in different risk groups were analyzed.Results: A total of 1048 patients were included. HR disease represented 27.6%, HIR 17.7%, IR 27.7% and LR 27.1%, respectively. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) and non-endometrioid carcinoma (NEC) accounted for 92.8 and 7.2%. A total of 474 patients received VBT alone and 574 patients received EBRT with or without VBT. As for EAC patients, the 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rate was: 94.6, 90.4, 93.0 and 91.6%, respectively. For LR patients, EBRT (with or without VBT) seemed to be a risk factor. With the higher risk category, the survival benefit of EBRT gradually became remarkable. EBRT (with or without VBT) significantly increased DFS, LRFS and DMFS compared to VBT alone in the HR group (p < 0.05). Distant metastasis was the main failure pattern for all risk groups. As for NEC patients, the 5-year OS, DFS, LRFS and DMFS rate was: 93.4, 87.2, 91.7 and 89.3%, respectively. As for toxicity, EBRT (with or without VBT) significantly increased the incidence of grade 1-2 gastrointestinal, urinary, and hematological toxicity.Conclusions: For stage I to II EC patients, EAC accounted for the majority and had better prognosis than NEC. For EAC patients, VBT alone resulted in comparable survival to EBRT in the LR, IR and HIR groups, while EBRT significantly increased survival in the HR group. EBRT had higher rate of toxicity than VBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) is the main vector of dengue virus in China. The resistance to insecticides is a huge obstacle for the control of this species, and determining its resistance status and mechanisms in China is essential for the implementation of vector management strategies. Methods: We have investigated the larval and adult resistance status of Ae. albopictus to deltamethrin in eight field populations in China. Mutations at the voltage-gated sodium channel gene, related to the knockdown resistance (kdr) effect, were detected by sequencing of PCR products. The eight field populations were examined for pyrethroid resistance using the World Health Organization standard bioassays, and the association between the mutations and phenotypic resistance was tested. Results: The eight field populations of larvae of Ae. albopictus in China exhibited high resistance to deltamethrin; the RR50 values ranged from 12 (ZJ) to 44 (GZ). Adult bioassay revealed that Ae. albopictus populations were resistant to deltamethrin (mortality rate < 90%), except ZJ population (probably resistant, mortality rate = 93.5%). Long knockdown time in the field populations was consistent with low mortality rates in adult bioassay. F1534S mutation showed increased protection against deltamethrin in all populations except BJ and SJZ populations, whereas I1532T mutation showed increased protection against deltamethrin in only BJ population. Conclusion: There were different degrees of resistance to deltamethrin in field Ae. albopictus populations in China. The longest knockdown time and lowest mortality rate observed in Ae. albopictus population in Guangzhou indicate the severity of high resistance to deltamethrin. The patchy distribution of deltamethrin resistance and kdr mutations in Ae. albopictus mosquitoes suggests the necessity for resistance management and developing counter measures to mitigate the spread of resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For stage I to II high-risk endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients, the optimal adjuvant radiotherapy modality remains controversial. The present study sought to optimize the treatment of pelvic external beam radiation (EBRT) with/or vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) for high-risk endometrioid adenocarcinoma patients in multiple radiation oncology centers across China.Methods: This article retrospectively reviewed stage I to II patients with resected endometrioid adenocarcinoma treated at 13 radiation centers from 1999 to 2015. Patients were eligible if they had high-risk features (stage IB Grade 3 disease or stage II Grade 1-3 disease) on the basis of ESMO-ESGO-ESTRO risk group consensus.Results: A total of 218 patients were included. Fifty-one patients received EBRT, 25 patients received VBT, and 142 patients were administered EBRT combined with VBT. The three groups were comparable in baseline characteristics, except the proportion of stage IB and Grade 3 disease in the VBT group was significantly higher and their age was older. Survival analysis showed that OS, DFS, LRFS and DMFS were significantly different among the three groups. Two out of three groups were compared with each other, and results demonstrated that DFS, LRFS and DMFS were worse in the VBT group than in the EBRT or EBRT + VBT group. The 3-year OS rates were 95.2, 85.2 and 95.1% in the EBRT, VBT and EBRT + VBT groups, respectively (p = 0.043). There was no significant difference in survival outcomes between EBRT group and EBRT + VBT group. A propensity matching analysis was performed to eliminate group differences. The results demonstrated that DFS and LRFS were significantly improved in the pelvic radiation group compared to the VBT group. Distant failure accounted for most of the failure patterns. Patients in the VBT group had significantly increased local and regional recurrence rates than patients in the EBRT or EBRT + VBT group. Acute and chronic radiation-induced toxicities were well tolerated for all patients.Conclusion: For patients with postoperative stage I to II high-risk endometrioid adenocarcinoma, compared with VBT alone, radiotherapy modalities including EBRT significantly improved DFS, LRFS and DMFS with tolerable adverse effects. Overall survival was not significantly different between EBRT and EBRT + VBT modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aedes albopictus is a vector of over 20 arboviruses that has spread throughout the world, mainly in the second half of the twentieth century. Approximately 50–100 million people are infected with dengue virus (DENV) transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes each year, leading to heavy economic burdens for both governments and individuals, among countless other negative consequences. Understanding the vector competence of vector species is critical for effectively preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases. Accordingly, in this study, vector competence was evaluated by quantitative analysis of DENV-2 loads in mosquito tissues (midguts, heads, and salivary glands) and whole mosquitoes through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. Wolbachia and the expression of immune-associated genes (Rel1, Rel2, Dicer2, and STAT) in mosquitoes were also detected by RT-qPCR to explore their impact on vector competence. The amount of DENV-2 in the mosquito midguts, heads, and salivary glands from southern-western China were found to be lower than those from eastern-central-northern China. The DENV-2 loads in whole mosquitoes showed a negative correlation with Rel1 gene (r = -0.285, P = 0.011) and STAT gene expression levels (r = -0.289, P = 0.009). In terms of Wolbachia strains, the density of the w AlbB strain was found to be significantly higher than that of the w AlbA strain in the eight Ae. albopictus populations, and the relative density of the w AlbB strain in mosquitoes from southern-western China was higher than those from eastern-central-northern China. The relative density of the w AlbB strain showed a negative correlation with the mean loads of DENV-2 in the heads (r = -0.729, P = 0.040), salivary glands (r = -0.785, P = 0.021), and whole mosquitoes (r = -0.909, P = 0.002). Thus, there are lower DENV-2 loads in the mosquitoes from southern-western China, which may be related to the innate immunity of mosquitoes as affected by Rel1 in the Toll pathway, STAT in the JAK-STAT pathway, and the relative density of the w AlbB strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Yangtze River is the largest river in southern China. In this study, the two sediment cores (CM-A and NH-C) taken from the Yangtze River Estuary were analyzed for 210Pb and 137Cs dating, major and trace elements, rare earth elements (REEs) and grain size of sediments. The results showed that the sedimentary ages of CM-A and NH-C cores were 37 and 64 years respectively. Then the major and trace elements in the sediments of the Yangtze Estuary were derived from terrigenous clastic materials. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) in the two cores ranged between 57 and 70, 66 and 73, respectively, reflecting the low to intermediate intensity of chemical weathering in the provenance area. The abundance of heavy minerals, grain size in hydrodynamically sorted, and chemical weathering have less effect on REE chemistry in the core CM-A, as well as the source of sediments in the core CM-A can be identified. By comparing the geochemical elements of sediments from the Yangtze River Basin, The provenance of sediments in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River might be similar to those of core CM-A sediments. Combined with A-CN-K and La-Th-Sc ternary diagrams and source discrimination diagrams of REEs parameters, it was presumed that the samples were influenced by K metasomatism, and originated from the same source area, and the granodiorite was the most probably source rock of these samples. Therefore, the upper reaches of the Yangtze River are considered to be the main source area of the sediments core CM-A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Findings: What is the central question of this study?What is the role of breast cancer type 1 interacting protein C‐terminal helicase 1 (BRIP1) polymorphism in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?What is the main finding and its importance?Variant rs10744996C>A of BRIP1 increases the susceptibility of the Mongolian population to COPD. The expression of BRIP1 was significantly reduced in cigarette smoke extract‐treated airway epithelial cells. Cigarette smoke is a major environmental pollutant that can induce DNA damage in humans. The development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are known to be related to the impairment of DNA repair. Breast cancer type 1 interacting protein C‐terminal helicase 1 (BRIP1) plays an important role in DNA interstrand crosslink repair and double‐strand break repair. However, the role of BRIP1 polymorphisms in COPD has not been previously described. In this study, whole genome sequencing was used to identify mutations, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was used to verify the selected SNPs. In addition the BRIP1 expression levels in 16HBE and A549 airway epithelial cells treated with or without cigarette smoke extract (CSE) were measured using western blotting and RT‐qPCR. Rs10744996C>A in the 3′‐untranslated region (3′UTR) of BRIP1 was then genotyped in 1296 COPD cases and 988 healthy control subjects from a Mongolian population in northern China. Significant differences in the distribution of rs10744996C>A variants between COPD and control groups (P = 0.001) were identified. Rs10744996C>A was found to be associated with significantly increased COPD risk (adjusted odds ratio = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.30–1.98, P < 0.0001). Additionally, rs10744996A genotype was found to interact with a family history of cancer and a history of x‐ray exposure (P = 0.028 and 0.009, respectively). BRIP1 expression levels in 16HBE and A549 cells treated with CSE were significantly lower compared to the control treated cells. The rs10744996C>A variant of BRIP1 increased the COPD susceptibility of the Mongolian population cohort. BRIP1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly reduced in conjunction with CSE‐induced DNA damage in 16HBE and A549 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To validate the 2018 revised FIGO cervical cancer staging system for stage III patients with a cohort from China. Patients and Methods: Patients with stage III cervical cancer (FIGO 2018) treated with definitive radiotherapy at our institute were reviewed. Each patient was evaluated with both the 2014 and 2018 staging systems. Disease-free survival (DFS) was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves for the predictive accuracy of DFS in patients with cervical cancer according to different FIGO staging systems were created. Results: Between January 2008 and December 2014, a total of 586 patients with FIGO stage IIIC cervical cancer (2018) were treated with definitive radiotherapy at our institute. The 3-year DFS for patients according to FIGO stage (2014) were as follows: IB2 73.2%, IIA 63.7%, IIB 66.7%, IIIA 64.7%, and IIIB 59.6% (P=0.580). The 3-year DFS according to FIGO stage (2018) were IIIA 79.9%, IIIB 70.4%, IIIC1 66.3% and IIIC2 29.8% (P< 0.001). The AUC values for DFS were 0.552 (95% CI: 0.503– 0.600, P=0.037) and 0.623 (95% CI: 0.575– 0.671, P< 0.001) for the 2014 and 2018 FIGO staging systems, respectively. Conclusion: The 2018 FIGO staging system of cervical cancer showed more distinction within stages and better predictive accuracy for DFS than the preceding staging system in patients with stage III disease from China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore whether PAX4 gene R192H polymorphism plays a role in type 2 diabetes in Chinese Han population, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology to detect R192H polymorphism in exon 5 of PAX4 gene in 410 cases of patients with type 2 diabetes and 95 cases of non-diabetic controls from January 2014 to January 2015. There are no significant differences in the genotypes or allele frequencies between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic controls about PAX4 R192H polymorphism. Similarly, no statistical differences were observed in the T2DM and non-diabetic controls when adjusting for gender stratification and age stratification. The comparisons on the subjects in clinical characteristics including blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure showed no difference between carriers with the GA and AA genotype except diastolic blood pressure (p value = 0.038). PAX4 gene exon 5 R192H polymorphism was not associated with type 2 diabetes in Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a nested case control study from a population-based cohort study conducted in Wuhan, China. The aim is to estimate the association between symptoms of depression during pregnancy (DDP), anxiety during pregnancy(ADP), and depression with anxiety during pregnancy (DADP) and low birth weight (LBW) and to examine the extent to which preterm birth (PTB) moderates these associations. Logistic regression analyses were used to model associations between DDP, ADP, and DADP and LBW. Models were stratified by the presence or absence of PTB to examine moderating effects. From the cohort study, 2853 had a LBW baby (cases); 5457 pregnant women served as controls. Women with DDP or ADP only were not at higher risk of having a LBW baby, but DADP was associated with increased risk of LBW (crude OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.17-1.70; adjusted OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.07-1.57), and the significant association was particularly evident between DADP and LBW in PTB, but not in full-term births. Our data suggests that DADP is related to an increased risk of LBW and that this association is most present in PTBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment and pore water samples have been collected from the coastal tidal flat in the Shuangtaizi estuary, China, in order to investigate the geochemical behavior of iron, cadmium, and lead during diagenesis and to assess the degree of contamination. The calculated enrichment factors and geoaccumulation indices for separate elements show that anthropogenic activities have had no significant influence on the distribution of Fe and Pb in the study area, whereas the distribution of Cd has been closely influenced in this way. The high percentage of exchangeable Cd (average of 56.34%) suggests that Cd represents a potential hazard to benthic organisms in the estuary. The calculated diffusive fluxes of metals show that the most mobilized metal is Fe (9.22 mg m a), followed by Cd (0.54 mg m a) and Pb (0.42 mg m a). Low Fe contents in surface pore water, alongside high chromium-reducible sulfur contents, and low acid-volatile sulfur, and elemental sulfur contents at 0-25 cm depth in sediments show that Fe is formed by the reduction of Fe oxides and is transformed first to a solid phase of iron monosulfides (FeS) and eventually to pyrite (FeS). The release of adsorbed Pb due to reductive dissolution of Fe/Mn oxides during early diagenesis could be a source of Pb in pore water. From the relatively low total organic carbon contents measured in sediments (0.46-1.28%, with an average of 0.94%) and the vertical variation of Cd in pore water, sulfide or Fe/Mn oxides (instead of organic matter) are presumed to exert a significant influence on carrying or releasing Cd by the sediments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Both high and low prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been associated with small for gestational age births (SGA; birthweight below the population specific 10th centile for the gestational age), but results remain inconsistent. We examined the association between maternal BMI and SGA, and evaluated if the associations were modified by preterm birth (being born prior to 37 weeks) status.Methods: A population-based cohort study was conducted in Wuhan, China from June 2011, to June 2013. Women who delivered a non-malformed livebirth (n = 76 695) were included using the Wuhan Maternal and Child Health Management Information System. Log-binomial regression models were used to analyse the associations between prepregnancy BMI, categorized using thresholds adapted to the Chinese population, and SGA. Stratified analyses were used to examine the relationship of prepregnancy BMI to preterm-SGA and term-SGA.Results: Of the 76 695 live births, 3058 (4.0%) were delivered preterm. For babies born at term, prepregnancy underweight (<18.5 kg/m2 ) was associated with an increased risk of SGA, the adjusted risk ratio (RR) was 1.41 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33, 1.49), whereas, being overweight (24.0-27.9 kg/m2 ) was associated with a decreased risk (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74, 0.94). For babies born preterm, prepregnancy underweight was not associated with risk of SGA, but being overweight was associated with an increased risk (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.04, 2.35).Conclusions: These data suggest that the association of overweight and underweight prepregnancy BMI and SGA differs depending on whether the baby is full term or preterm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Few studies focus on the symptoms of common mental disorders during pregnancy (CMDP) and risk of preterm birth subtypes (PTB). The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between CMDP and PTB, and to examine whether or not the association between CMDP and PTB varies with the subtype of PTB in Chinese. Methods This population-based case control study, conducted in Wuhan, China, defined cases as every pregnant woman who had a PTB among all births in Wuhan, from June 10, 2011, to June 9, 2013. The same number of pregnant women who had term births was randomly selected as controls. The Electronic Perinatal Health Care Information System, a questionnaire designed for the study, provided data about the participants. Logistic regression analyses were used to model associations between CMDP and PTB, and to test associations between CMDP and two subtypes of PTB. Results The study recruited 8616 cases and an equal number of controls. We successfully collected maternal information on 6656 cases and controls for a response rate of 77.3 %. The incidence of PTB in Wuhan was 4.5 %. Spontaneous preterm births (SPTB) accounted for 60.1 %, and medically induced preterm births (IPTB) accounted for 39.9 % of preterm births. The prevalence rate of CMDP was 15.8 %. CMDP was slightly associated with PTB (crude OR 1.16, 95 % CI 1.01-1.32; adjusted OR 1.15, 95 % CI 1.00-1.32), further analyses showed CMDP was associated with IPTB (aOR 1.25, 95 % CI 1.04-1.50), but not with SPTB. Conclusion Our data suggest that CMDP is related to an increased risk of PTB, and that this association is primarily due to IPTB rather than SPTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• N 2 isotherms were applied to represent shales before and after supercritical CO 2 extraction. • High-pressure CO 2 adsorption isotherms are determined for shale samples. • Various temperatures and pressures up to 40 MPa are considered. • A maximum excess adsorption range of 0.11–0.21 mmol/g is found at 60 °C. • Several models fit the excess adsorption data, but only one is suited to high pressure. CO 2 -enhanced shale gas recovery is a promising technology for promoting shale gas production and ideally for CO 2 geological sequestration through sorption. Despite this, research studies to date have solely been performed at pressures and temperatures substantially lower than those that actually occur in shale formations. The thrust of this work is to measure and model the carbon dioxide adsorption behavior for the full spectrum of in situ pressure range up to 40 MPa with an intention to provide the baseline values of carbon sequestration planning for the Longmaxi shale formation, Sichuan China. In this study, CO 2 adsorption isotherms were measured up to 40 MPa for one sample for five different temperatures (40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 °C) by using the gravimetric method. In the experimental program, we uniquely treated the shale with supercritical CO 2 to extract the extractable components to eliminate the high-pressure CO 2 extraction effect on adsorption. This pre-extraction was found to significantly reduce the specific surface area of the shale. All excess adsorption trends increased rapidly to maxima followed by the decline to a plateau. The negative excess (Gibbs) adsorptions were observed for two samples at 60 °C and at 40 and 60 °C. At 60 °C, maxima were observed near the critical pressure of CO 2 (7.38 MPa) for all samples, which is attributed to the rapid increase of CO 2 density near the critical pressure. Adsorption data were fit using several models and the Dubinin-Radushkevich model modified with k times the gas density (MDR + k model) was found to most closely describe the experimental results above 30 MPa. The model-fitted carbon-dioxide maximum absolute adsorption capacities (n 0) were 0.150–0.272 mmol/g at 60 °C. Further, n 0 decreased with increasing temperature. Thermodynamic data such as heats of adsorption were calculated and used to evaluate CO 2 adsorption properties under various conditions. The data also showed that the total organic carbon content of the shale was the primary factor determining CO 2 adsorption. The results of this work provide useful knowledge regarding the adsorption characteristics of actual shale formations and are expected to assist in future gas extraction and sequestration projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The water surface temperature (WST) regarded as an important indicator of water environment, have been obtained from remotely sensed thermal data widely. One thermal band of the new HJ-1B satellite, provided with relatively both high temporal and spatial resolution may provide us a good chance for water thermal dynamic study. The suitability of HJ-1B data was evaluated, in simultaneously obtaining WST for large area, through a case study in Wuhan city. WSTs retrieved by different methods were compared with the MOD 11 product and the in situ measurements. Validation results show that more accurate result was obtained by using the revised single channel (Re_SC) algorithm, with the root mean square error (RMSE) and systematic error (SE) were 0.73K and -0.17K compared with the MOD 11. Its’ advantages in spatial and temporal resolution make the HJ-1B imageries to be an useful data source for monitoring water environment, as far as some related issues are resolved properly. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BackgroundPhenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene (PNMT) catalyzes the synthesis of epinephrine and plays an important role in regulating cardiovascular function. Genetic variation in the PNMT promoter is reportedly associated with the risk of essential hypertension in certain population.MethodsIn the present study, we explored the association of two common PNMT promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) G-367A (rs3764351) and G-161A (rs876493) and their haplotypes with the risk of essential hypertension in a Han Chinese population, using 316 pairs of age-, sex-, and geographically matched essential hypertension patients and normotensive controls.ResultsNo significant difference in allele and genotype frequencies at either G-367A (rs3764351) or G-161A (rs876493) was observed between essential hypertension patients and normotensive controls. However, the 2-SNP AA haplotype was found significantly more common in normotensive controls than in essential hypertensive patients (P = 0.01; adjusted odds ratios, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.58).ConclusionsThe 2-SNP AA haplotype in the PNMT promoter is associated with decreased risk of essential hypertension in Han Chinese. This is the first evidence of an association between a PNMT promoter haplotype and the risk of essential hypertension.American Journal of Hypertension (2011). doi:10.1038/ajh.2011.124 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatio-temporal patterns and processes of genetic differentiation in passively dispersing zooplankton are drawing much attention from both ecologists and evolutionary biologists. Two opposite phylogeographical scenarios have already been demonstrated in rotifers, which consist of high levels of genetic differentiation among populations even on small geographical scales on the one hand and the traditionally known cosmopolitanism that is associated with high levels of gene flow and long-distance dispersal via diapausing stages on the other hand. Here, we analysed the population genetic structure and the phylogeography of the Brachionus calyciflorus species complex in eastern China. By screening a total of 318 individuals from ten locations along a 2320-km gradient and analysing samples from two growing seasons, we aimed at focusing on both small- and large-scale patterns. We identified eight cryptic species and verified species status of two of these by sexual reproduction tests. Samples in summer and winter yielded different cryptic species. The distribution patterns of these genetically distinct cryptic species were diverse across eastern China, from full cosmopolitanism to local endemism. The two most abundant cryptic species BcWIII and BcSW showed a pattern of strong genetic differentiation among populations and no significant isolation by distance. Long-distance colonization, secondary contact and recent range expansion are probably responsible for the indistinct pattern of isolation by distance. Our results suggest that geographical distance is more important than temporal segregation across seasons in explaining population differentiation and the occurrence of cryptic species. We explain the current phylogeographical structure in the B. calyciflorus species complex by a combination of recent population expansion, restricted gene flow, priority effects and long-distance colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating method promises to provide reliable ages for various Quaternary archives. Coastal sedimentation in the Bohai Sea (northeastern China) since the Middle Pleistocene has been influenced by paleoenvironmental and sea-level change, of which dating has been restricted using the OSL dating approach in multiple investigations. In this study, to establish a robust OSL chronological framework of the Bohai coastal sediments more effectively, the regional standardized dose–response curve (sDRC) was constructed for quartz OSL dating in the Bohai Coast (NE China) using two existing approaches. The sDRC-determined equivalent doses are broadly in agreement with those using the individual DRC for each sample. Data used for DRC construction of the fine-grained (FG) quartz samples are less scattered than those of the coarse-grained (CG) quartz samples, probably due to the signal-averaging effect for the FG samples, while the OSL signal of the CG quartz samples might document provenance information that yield relatively scattered distribution. The two approaches used in this study yield identical sDRCs, indicating that both the methods are applicable for sDRC construction in the Bohai Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two hundred and four species of traditional Chinese herbal medicines belonging to 80 families were collected from Yunnan Province in People's Republic of China and tested for antifungal activities using a Pyricularia oryzae bioassay. Twenty-six herbal medicines from 23 families were active against P. oryzae and the ethanol extract of Dioscorea camposita (Dioscoreaceae) exhibited the most bioactivity among all the tested samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of depression through functional changes to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a key output of which is the stress hormone cortisol. But the precise relationship between HPA axis activity and depression remains unclear, in part because mostly cortisol measurement only provides reflect acute or short-term fluctuations. In this study, hair cortisol and its metabolite cortisone were measured in a prospective, pre and post follow-up study of working stress and depressive symptoms in Chinese fishermen. We evaluated HPA activity, work stress, and depression symptoms before and after fishing to determine whether cortisol and cortisone in hair can moderate the work stress and depression symptoms of Chinese fishermen.Methods: Hair cortisol, hair cortisone, work stress, and depression were measured in Chinese fishermen (n=229; age 16-65) before and after 1-3 months at sea. A week after the fishermen returned, they provided 2-4 cm hair segments closest to the scalp. We measured hair cortisol and hair cortisone using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Results: The work stress and hair cortisol of fishermen before fishing were significantly higher than those after fishing, while hair cortisone was lower. There was no significant difference in depressive symptoms. Fishermen with low hair cortisol or high hair cortisone were more likely to show depressive symptoms after experiencing stress, and were less likely to show depressive symptoms when faced with lower levels of work stress, consistent with the differential susceptibility model.Limitations: The assumption of an average hair growth of 1 cm/month may cause time overlap between pre- and post-fishing, and time error between the hormone data and questionnaire collection. The present study evaluated only two observation points. The use of self-report scales may affect interpretability of the results. Finally, the study used a limited sample of marine fishermen working out of a single location in Hainan province, China.Conclusions: Hair cortisol and hair cortisone appear to have a moderating role in the relationship between work stress and depressive symptoms among fishermen, which fits with the differential susceptibility model of depression. However, their mechanisms of moderation are not the same, which may reflect the complexity of physiological indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil and epikarst play an important role in the hydrological cycle in karst regions. This paper focuses on investigating the seasonal recharge and mean residence time (MRT) of soil water and epikarst water in a small karst catchment of southwest China. The deuterium contents in precipitation, creek, soil baseflow (direct recharge of the saturated soil water to the stream), epikarst spring, and soil waters were monitored weekly for two years, and MRT was calculated by an exponential model (EM) and a dispersion model (DM). The obvious seasonal variation of deuterium in rainfall was buffered in epikarst water, indicating sufficient water mixing. Soil baseflow contained less rainy-season rainwater than epikarst spring discharge, reflecting the retarded effect of soil thickness on rainwater recharge. MRTs of all water bodies were 41-71 weeks, and soils in the depression extended those of shallow groundwater. This demonstrated that the deep soil layer played an important role in karst hydrological processes in the study catchment. The creek was recharged mostly by rainfall through epikarst, indicating its crucial role in water circulation. These results showed epikarst had a strong water-holding capacity and also delayed water contact time with dolomite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease in six epidemic provinces of China and was identified to be caused by a novel bunyavirus in 2009. It is progressive in nature and potentially fatal. SFTS usually occurs as sporadic cases and is considered a tick-transmitted disease. Here we present a group of three patients with proven SFTS and one with probable SFTS, for whom the epidemiological data show person-to-person transmission characteristics. The index patient and two secondary patients died. None reported a tick bite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bioassay with Pyricularia oryzae astarget fungus was used for screening bioactive agents from traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) on a large-scale. In total, 247 species belonging to 85 familieswere tested with this preliminary bioassay, and 42 TCM showed bioactivity.The screening results indicated that this bioassay is suitable for screeningbioactive natural products from TCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Daling River, as a typical small mountainous river, responds strongly to instantaneous extreme flood events. • Restored vegetation is the root cause of the sharp decline of sediment flux, not reservoirs. • Vegetation has altered the characteristics of sediment transport. Understanding the riverine sediment load regime is crucial to sustainably managing fluvial-deltaic ecosystem restoration. However, in studies on global river sediment transport characteristics, small mountainous rivers (SMRs), transporting 45% of the global sediment flux into the sea, have been largely ignored. Furthermore, SMRs have hydrologic characteristics of instantaneous enormous fluxes under extreme climate, but the research on their driving factors affecting sediment transport is insufficient. Partial derivation method and multiple double mass curves were applied to a small mountainous river in North China, the Daling River to study how the three most variable factors—precipitation, vegetation coverage, and reservoirs—have quantitatively controlled sediment flux in the basin and its subregions in the last 50 years. The results of the two methods showed that the 78.55% reduction in sediment flux from 1961–1979 to 1980–2015 was due primarily to restored vegetation coverage (50.42%-61.11%), followed by reservoirs (18.13–44.09%) and precipitation (5.49–22.34%) in the Daling River Basin (DRB) and its subregions. The restored vegetation in the DRB has intercepted a large amount of sediment, reducing the sediment flux transported to the reservoirs. Besides, the Daling River releases enormous amounts of sediment during heavy rainfalls. However, increasing vegetation coverage in recent years has changed the transport characteristics of sediment into temperate changes in runoff and sediment flux under extreme climatic conditions; thus this river provides a useful example of studying the characteristics of sediment transport controlled by nature and human activities against extreme climate conditions. In the DRB, topography, lithology, and vegetation density are the motivators for the differences in sediment flux and its change rates, from upstream to downstream. These findings emphasize the crucial role of vegetation in driving sediment transport from source to sink in temperate SMRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discriminating the provenance of fine-grained sediments is crucial for reconstructing paleogeography, sedimentary processes, and paleoclimate. In this paper, we investigate the South Bohai Coast to better understand source-to-sink systems in East Asia. This region is influenced by both distant sources such as the large-scale Yellow River and small local river sources flowing from the Luzhong Mountain area. Two Holocene sedimentary cores, dated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C chronology, were used to investigate the provenance of the fine-grained sediments over the last 7 kyrs. Clay mineralogy and relevant non-linear modeling were employed for provenance discrimination. The results show that the fine-grained sediments along the South Bohai Coast were mainly derived from the Yellow River during the periods of 7.0–5.4 ka and 4.5–2.6 ka, respectively, while the input from the Luzhong Mountain-derived rivers was greater during 5.4–4.5 ka and 2.6–0.2 ka, respectively. Fluvial activities and marine-terrestrial interaction driven by climate factors such as East Asian winter monsoon, temperature, and precipitation in river basins, dominantly influenced the provenance of fine-grained sediments from 7.0 to 2.6 ka. Anthropogenic impact on provenance increased after 2.6 ka. The chronology of the two cores showed extremely rapid sedimentation rate transitions at 5.2 ka and 1.5 ka, respectively, very likely attributed to anthropogenic-induced rapid progradation. Our study provides a model for better understanding the paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic evolution of a coastal area where multiple sources exist. • Anthropogenically high sedimentation rate in the South Bohai Coast in late Holocene. • Provenance discrimination of the fine-grained sediments in the South Bohai Coast since the mid-Holocene. • The major source of the fine-grained sediments in the South Bohai Coast changed episodically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hypothermic perfusion in the phacoemulsification of hard nuclear cataract. Tertiary opthalmology center, China. Laboratory study and prospective randomized clinical trial. Rabbits and patients with hard nuclear cataract underwent phacoemulsification with perfusion temperatures at 4°C or 24°C. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), corneal endothelial cell count (ECC), and cornea sections were observed before the rabbits' operation and 1 day and 7 days postoperatively. AS-OCT, corneal ECC, and anterior chamber (AC) inflammation were observed before the patients' operation and 1 day, 7 days, and 30 days postoperatively. The study comprised 40 rabbits and 80 patients. In the animal models, the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) in the 4°C group (370.4 μm ± 45.5 [SD]) was thinner than in the 24°C group (496.7 ± 121.5 μm) 1 day postoperatively (P <.001). The mean AC inflammation reaction grade in the 4°C group (1.1 ± 0.9) was lower than in the 24°C group (2.2 ± 0.8) (P =.0333). In clinical trials, the mean CCT and incisional corneal thicknesses in the 4°C group (600.7 ± 51.8 μm and 859.2 ± 177.8 μm, respectively) were thinner than in the 24°C group (655.3 ± 85.0 μm and 955.9 ± 196.7 μm, respectively) (P <.001). The endothelial cell density (P =.036) and hexagonality (P =.001) were higher in the 4°C group. The mean AC inflammation reaction grade in the 4°C group (0.6 ± 0.6) was lower than in the 24°C group (1.3 ± 1.0) 1 day postoperatively (P =.004). Hypothermic perfusion in phacoemulsification of hard nuclear cataract is safe and it can effectively protect corneal endothelium, decrease corneal edema, and reduce AC inflammation in the early postoperative stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Greater Khingan and Yanshan mountain ranges in northern China not only constitute a significant physical obstacle to the northward movement of monsoon circulation, but also represent a natural barrier for human migration and cultural interactions between in-migrating Paleolithic populations and those indigenous to East Asia during the Late Pleistocene. We dated two Paleolithic sites, Yangzhuangxishan and Taiziling, located in the southern piedmont of the Yanshan Mountains with artifacts typified by simple core and flake technology associated with foraging populations, to ∼39–29 ka and ∼ 52–47 ka respectively, using the optically stimulated luminescence dating method. Our results indicate that northern China as far south as the Yanshan Mountains was occupied mainly by autochthonous East Asian Paleolithic populations using a core and flake lithic technology, although during this period Initial Upper Paleolithic (IUP) modern humans and Mousterian populations dispersed into East Asia. By synthesizing and integrating the ages of Northeast Asian Paleolithic sequences during the last glacial period (ca. 70–10 ka), we analyzed spatio-temporal variations in Late Pleistocene human populations during relatively cold stadial events (MIS 4 & 2) and warmer interstadials (e.g., MIS 3), revealing an "ebb and flow" pattern for migrations of Western IUP/Mousterian populations and indigenous core and flake technology populations in East Asia corresponding to the advance and retreat of the East Asian monsoon regime. The subsequent extremely cold climate phase engendered a major population shift during the Last Glacial Maximum (ca. 26.5–19 ka) which drove the reduction of both these Paleolithic populations, but afterward facilitated the emergence and rapid dispersal of microlithic technologies in East Asia. The peoples associated with microlithic technologies achieved their maximum geographical extent after the Bølling-Allerød Late Glacial interstadial event (ca. 14.7–12.9 ka) and then gradually decreased, perhaps due to the development of agriculture after ∼13 ka with concomitant increasing settlement stability. • Two Paleolithic sites on the Yanshan Mountains were dated using OSL method. • Migrations of Western and indigenous populations correspond to monsoonal fluctuations. • The cold LGM climate engendered a major population shift. • Microblade populations decreased after ∼13 ka due to initiation of agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Vegetation coverage (NDVI) presented a tiny upward trend at a rate of 0.0031/a. • Precipitation changes (0.00205/a) was the dominated factor on variations in vegetation coverage. • The vegetation dynamic attributed by climate change and anthropogenic activities to 59.68% and 40.32%, respectively. Elucidating the response mechanism of variation in vegetation trend to determinant is of great value to environmental resource management, particularly significant in the ecologically fragile area. The Liaohe River Basin (LRB) is a key part of eco-security in China, which has experienced apparent climatic variations and intensified human activities in recent decades. Yet, it still remains not clear about drivers in shaping the spatio-temporal patterns of vegetation growth. Here, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was utilized to investigate the spatio-temporal variation of vegetation coverage from 2000 to 2019. Then, we incorporated partial derivatives analysis to conduct attribution analyses of vegetation greening in light of the meteorological data. The prime findings are as follows: (1) The vegetation coverage in the LRB presented a growing state in the recent 20 years at a rate of 0.0031/a, with significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity due to its slope; (2) The attribution results showed that the average contribution of precipitation, temperature, and solar radiation to the NDVI changes in the LRB was 0.00205/a, 0.00008/a, and −0.00028/a, respectively. (3) The climatic change played the most dominant role in influencing vegetation activities as a result of the relative contributions of 59.68% of NDVI changes (40.32% contributed by anthropogenic activities); (4) LULC dynamics were characterized by an increase in forest land and large-scale ecological afforestation projects, which increase vegetation coverage. Conversely, urbanization adversely affected vegetation variations. Understanding the findings of this study is expected to offer further scientific support and practical implications for monitoring the local vegetation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Although studies in western countries suggest that ambient air pollution is positively associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, the upper levels of pollutant exposures have been relatively low, thus eroding confidence in the conclusions. Meanwhile, in Asia, where upper levels of exposure have been greater, there have been limited studies of the association between air pollution and adverse pregnancy outcomes.Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate whether high levels of pollution, including particulate matter pollution with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and 10 μm (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO) are related to increased occurrence of preterm birth (PTB).Methods: We conducted a population-based study in Wuhan, China in a cohort of 95,911 live births during a two-year period from 2011 to 2013. The exposure was estimated based on daily mean concentrations of pollutants estimated using the pollutants' measurements from the nine closest monitors. Logistic regressions were performed to determine the relationships between exposure to each of the pollutants during different pregnancy periods and PTB while controlling for key covariates.Results: We found 3% (OR=1.03; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.05), 2% (OR=1.02; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.03), 15% (OR=1.15; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.19), and 5% (OR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07) increases in risk of PTB with each 5-μg/m(3) increase in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, 100-μg/m(3) increase in CO concentrations, and 10-μg/m(3) increase in O3 concentrations, respectively. There was negligible evidence for associations for SO2 and NO2. The effects from two-pollutant models were similar to the estimated effects from single pollutant models. No critical exposure windows were identified consistently: the strongest effect for PTB was found in the second trimester for PM2.5, PM10, and CO, but for SO2 it was in the first trimester, second month, and third month. For NO2 it was in the first trimester and second month, and for O3, the third trimester.Conclusion: Findings reveal an association between air pollutants and PTB. However, more toxicological studies and prospective cohort studies with improved exposure assessments are needed to establish causality related to specific pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast with its decrease in western China deserts, the dust storm event in eastern China, Korea, and Japan shows an increase in frequency. Although the drylands in northeastern China have been recognized as an important dust source, the relative contributions of dust transport from the drylands and deserts are inconclusive, thus the quantification of dust storm sources in downwind area remains a challenge. We measured the 14 C and 13 C contents in carbonates of dust samples from six sites in China, which were collected for the duration of dust storm events in drylands, deserts, and urban areas. The δ 13 C of the dryland dust samples considerably varied in a range of − 9.7 to − 5.0‰, which partly overlapped the desert dust carbonate δ 13 C ranges. The 14 C content of the dryland dust carbonates showed a narrow range of 60.9 ± 4.0 (as an average and 1 SD of five samples) percent modern carbon (pMC), indicating the enrichment of modern carbonate. Dust samples in desert regions contained relatively aged carbonates with the depleting 14 C showing of 28.8 ± 3.3 pMC. After the long-range transport of the western China desert dust plume, the carbonates collected at the southern China remained the depletion of 14 C (33.5 ± 5.3 pMC) as in the desert regions. On the other hand, the samples of dust storm events at the urban areas of eastern China showed an enrichment of 14 C contents (46.2 ± 5.0 pMC, n = 7), which might be explained by the stronger contribution of modern-carbonate-rich dryland dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Past LULC changes can be divided into two stages: (I) accelerated evolution stage (1980–2010), and (II) stable evolution stage (2010–2020). • Carbon storage presented a high-low-high distribution pattern from north to south. • Areas with a rapid urbanization process exhibited more obvious changes in carbon storage dynamics. • Rapid LULC dynamics have reduced the carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem. • The implementation of ecological conservation could increase the carbon fixation in ecosystems. Land use/land cover (LULC) change has greatly altered ecosystem carbon storage capacity and can eventually profoundly impact global climate change. Characterizing the LULC change and its impact on ecosystem carbon storage in coastal areas is greatly significant to comprehensively understanding the influences of human activities on ecosystems. Based on LULC data, this paper combined CA-Markov and InVEST models to evaluate the past, present, and future LULC change and its impact on ecosystem carbon storage in coastal areas of China. The results showed that past LULC change in coastal areas can be divided into two stages: (I) accelerated evolution stage (1980–2010), and (II) stable evolution stage (2010–2020). Changes in LULC types have led to a downward trend in ecosystem carbon storage, with a cumulative loss of 0.39 Pg and 0.15 Pg during the two stages, respectively. Spatially, carbon storage presented a high-low-high spatial distribution pattern from north to south. Temporally, areas with a rapid urbanization process exhibited more obvious changes in carbon storage dynamics. Compared with the natural change scenario, the areas with LULC types conversion under the ecological conservation scenario in 2050 will be lower due to the limitation of ecological protection, and it caused carbon storage reduction will slow down. Rapid LULC dynamics, that a large area of farmland, unused land and, water have been converted into construction land, reduced the carbon sequestration capacity of the ecosystem. This study will provide reliable references and precise data support for coastal management and decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We made carbon and oxygen isotope analyses on the carbonates in atmospheric dust samples (hereafter, atmospheric dust carbonates) over the saline land of Songnen Plain (SSL) and at Changchun, 50km eastward from the east margin of SSL, as well as in the surface soil samples in SSL. The atmospheric dust carbonates from SSL and Changchun had similar carbon isotopic composition as the soil carbonates from SSL, while showing a distinct difference with the atmospheric dust carbonates in the northwestern Chinese deserts. The atmospheric dust carbonates for two of the three heavy dust storms at Changchun had a similar carbon isotopic composition as those in SSL. The dust emission from SSL makes a significant contribution to the dust storms in the downwind area. Carbon isotopic composition of the atmospheric dust carbonates should be a useful indicator for inferring the dust source. We have also noted a depleting trend of 13C of atmospheric dust carbonates from west to east over northern China. The incorporating process of dust generated in areas under the pathway of the Asian dust transport might be investigated from the carbon isotopic composition in atmospheric dust carbonates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• ORG significantly increased surface soil total N contents and vegetable yield. • N leaching (9.8%-18.1% of N inputs) was the primary N loss pathway in three systems. • ORG markedly reduced yield-scaled nitrous oxide emissions and cumulative N leaching. Excessive nitrogen application has caused serious environmental problems in the vegetable field. Based on a 12-year greenhouse trial of organic (ORG), low-input (LOW) and conventional (CON) vegetable production in northern China, a two-year study on nitrogen (N) budget was conducted to evaluate N management and its environmental impact. The main results were as follows: 1) total N contents in the 0-20 cm soil layer were significantly higher in ORG; 2) ORG statistically increased vegetable yield and decreased yield-scaled nitrous oxide emissions; 3) N leaching was the primary N loss pathway in three systems and ORG significantly reduced N leaching intensities (the ratio of cumulative N leaching to N inputs) and cumulative N leaching as compared to CON; and 4) ORG significantly increased relative N budgets and had the potential to accumulate organic N. These results indicated that under the condition of similar N inputs, long-term organic vegetable cultivation could reduce N leaching and increase soil organic N stock, thus may be a feasible strategy to improve greenhouse vegetable production in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collapse risk assessment is an important basis for the prevention and control of geological disasters in mountainous areas. The existing research on collapse hazard is less, and there is still no further advancement in the evaluation of collapse hazard for the traditional indicator assignment method for the diversification of the assignment results of the indicators and the comprehensive evaluation method that cannot consider the ambiguity and randomness of the indicator data at the same time. In this paper, we utilize the respective advantages of the linear programming theory and the cloud model from the prevention and control point of view, and evaluate the collapse samples. Firstly, the weight interval of evaluation index is determined by improved analytic hierarchy process, entropy weight method and coefficient of variation method. Secondly, the linear programming algorithm is used to select the specific weight of each collapse sample when the risk is the largest in the interval. Finally, a comprehensive evaluation model of cloud model is constructed to determine the risk level of collapse. In this paper, 20 collapse samples counted by predecessors in G4217 Wenchuan-Lixian section are taken as research cases. The evaluation results of 20 collapse samples are compared with other evaluation methods and field survey conditions to prove the reliability and rationality of the method. The evaluation results show that 13 of the 20 collapse samples are extremely dangerous, 2 are highly dangerous, 4 are moderately dangerous, and 1 is lowly dangerous. Among them, the extremely dangerous collapse samples account for 65% of the total number of collapses. Compared with other methods, this method is more in line with the actual situation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials, (Copyright: © 2024 Zhou 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.)

Objective: To investigate the correlation between tumor size, tumor location, and prognosis in patients with early-stage endometrial cancer (EC) receiving adjuvant radiotherapy., Methods: Data of patients who had been treated for stage I-II EC from March 1999 to September 2017 in 13 tertiary hospitals in China was screened. Cox regression analysis was performed to investigate associations between tumor size, tumor location, and other clinical or pathological factors with cancer-specific survival (CSS) and distant metastasis failure-free survival (DMFS). The relationship between tumor size as a continuous variable and prognosis was demonstrated by restricted cubic splines. Prognostic models were constructed as nomograms and evaluated by Harrell's C-index, calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves., Results: The study cohort comprised 805 patients with a median follow-up of 61 months and a median tumor size of 3.0 cm (range 0.2-15.0 cm). Lower uterine segment involvement (LUSI) was found in 243 patients (30.2%). Tumor size and LUSI were identified to be independent prognostic factors for CSS. Further, tumor size was an independent predictor of DMFS. A broadly positive relationship between poor survival and tumor size as a continuous variable was visualized in terms of hazard ratios. Nomograms constructed and evaluated for CSS and DMFS had satisfactory calibration curves and C-indexes of 0.847 and 0.716, respectively. The area under the ROC curves for 3- and 5-year ROC ranged from 0.718 to 0.890., Conclusion: Tumor size and LUSI are independent prognostic factors in early-stage EC patients who have received radiotherapy. Integrating these variables into prognostic models would improve predictive ability., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported., (© 2024. Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology, Korean Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and Japan Society of Gynecologic Oncology.)

Background: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is incurring a huge health and economic burden worldwide. There is currently no effective treatment or recommended drug for PASC., Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a hospital in China. The effect of intermittent hypoxia exposure (IHE; 5-min hypoxia alternating with 5-min normal air, repeated five times) on dyspnea and fatigue was investigated in patients meeting the NICE definition of PASC. Patients were computationally randomized to receive normoxia exposure (NE) and routine therapy or IHE and routine therapy. Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) and spirometry were tested before and after the interventions; the Borg Dyspnea Scale (Borg) and the modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) were used to assess dyspnea; and the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and the Chalder Fatigue Scale-11 (CFQ-11) were used to assess fatigue. The study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300070565)., Findings: Ninety-five participants (33 males and 62 females) were recruited between March 1, 2023 and December 30, 2023. Forty-seven patients in the IHE group received 10.0 (9.0, 15.0) days of IHE, and 48 patients in NE group received 10.0 (8.0, 12.0) days of NE. 6MWD, forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC %pred, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1 ), FEV 1 %pred, tidal volume (V T ), and dyspnea and fatigue scales markedly improved after IHE (p < 0.05), and improvements were greater than in the NE group (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, participants in IHE group had better subjective improvements in dyspnea and fatigue than those in the NE group (p < 0.05). Compared with <10 days of IHE, ≥10 days of IHE had a greater impact on 6MWD, FVC, FEV 1 , FEV 1 %pred, V T , FAS, and CFQ-11. No severe adverse events were reported., Interpretation: IHE improved spirometry and 6MWD and relieved dyspnea and fatigue in PASC patients. Larger prospective studies are now needed to verify these findings., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 can invade the thyroid gland. This study was to delineate the risk of thyroid dysfunction amidst the prevalence of the Omicron variant, and to investigate the correlation between thyroid function and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. The study also aimed to ascertain whether thyroid dysfunction persisted during COVID-19 recovery phase., Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. COVID-19 patients from the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China during the epidemic of Omicron variants were included, and their thyroid function were analyzed in groups., Results: A history of thyroid disease was not associated with COVID-19 outcomes. COVID-19 can lead to a bimodal distribution of thyroid dysfunction. The severity of COVID-19 was inversely proportional to the levels of thyroid- stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4), leading to a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction. Severe COVID-19 was a risk factor for euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) (OR=22.5, 95% CI, 12.1 - 45.6). Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio mediated the association between severe COVID-19 and ESS (mediation effect ratio = 41.3%, p < 0.001). ESS and decreased indicators of thyroid function were associated with COVID-19 mortality, while high levels of FT3 and FT4 exhibited a protective effect against death. This effect was more significant in women (p < 0.05). During the recovery period, hyperthyroidism was quite uncommon, while a small percentage of individuals (7.7%) continued to exhibit hypothyroidism., Conclusion: COVID-19 severity was linked to thyroid dysfunction. Severe COVID-19 increased the risk of ESS, which was associated with COVID-19 mortality. Post-recovery, hyperthyroidism was rare, but some individuals continued to have hypothyroidism., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zhang, Zhang, Liu, Wang, Chen, Hao, Zha, Zhang, He, Zhou and Hu.)