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Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common pathological subtype of lung cancer. Both environmental and genetic factors have been reported to impact the lung cancer susceptibility. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 287 NSCLC patients and 467 healthy controls in a Chinese population using the Illumina Genome-Wide Asian Screening Array Chip on 712,095 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). Using logistic regression modeling, GWAS identified 17 new noncoding region SNP loci associated with the NSCLC risk, and the top three (rs80040741, rs9568547, rs6010259) were under a stringent p-value (<3.02e-6). Notably, rs80040741 and rs6010259 were annotated from the intron regions of MUC3A and MLC1, respectively. Together with another five SNPs previously reported in Chinese NSCLC patients and another four covariates (e.g., smoking status, age, low dose CT screening, sex), a predictive model by machine learning methods can separate the NSCLC from healthy controls with an accuracy of 86%. This is the first time to apply machine learning method in predicting the NSCLC susceptibility using both genetic and clinical characteristics. Our findings will provide a promising method in NSCLC early diagnosis and improve our understanding of applying machine learning methods in precision medicine. • We identified 17 SNPs from noncoding regions associated with the NSCLC risk. • Two of the top three SNPs are from the introns of MUC3A and MLC1. • Combination of genomic variations and clinical covariates had an accuracy of 86% in predicting NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To confirm whether multicomponent exercise following vivifrail recommendations was an effective method for improving physical ability, cognitive function, gait, balance, and muscle strength in Chinese older adults. Methods: This was a multicenter and randomized clinical trial conducted in Jiangsu, China, from April 2021 to April 2022. Intervention lasted for 12 weeks and 104 older adults with functional declines were enrolled. All participants were randomly assigned to a control (usual care plus health education) or exercise group (usual care plus health education plus exercise). Primary outcomes were the change score of Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and activities of daily living (ADL). The secondary outcomes included instrumental activities of daily living, Tinetti scores, Frailty score, short-form Mini Nutritional Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, the 12-item Short Form Survey, 4-meter gait speed test, 6-min walking distance, grip strength, and body composition analysis. Results: Among the participants, the average age was 85 (82, 88) years. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the exercise group showed a significant improvement in SPPB, with a change of 2 points (95% confidence interval [0, 3.5], P<0.001) compared to control. In contrast, SPPB remained stable in the control group. Compared to the control group, ADL improved in the exercise group, as did instrumental activities of daily living, Tinetti, Frailty, Short Form Survey, 4-meter gait speed test, and 6-min walking distance. Although there was no significant difference between groups in body composition analysis after post-intervention, the exercise group still improved in soft lean mass (P=0.002), fat-free mass (P=0.002), skeletal muscle mass index (P<0.001), fat-free mass index (P=0.004), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (P<0.001), and leg muscle mass (P<0.001), while the control group had no significant increase. No difference was observed in adverse events during trial period. Conclusions: The multicomponent exercise intervention following vivifrail recommendations is an effective method for older adults with functional decline and can reverse the functional decline and improve gait, balance, and muscle strength. Additionally, the 12-week multicomponent exercise method provides guidance for Chinese medical professionals working in the field of geriatrics and is a promising method to improve physical function in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the association between iodized salt intake and cognitive function in older adults. Design: A cross-sectional study. Settings: Individuals from the Zhejiang Major Public Health Surveillance Program (ZPHS). Participants: Data of 10,217 participants (including 4,680 coastal residents and 5,537 inland residents) aged ≥ 60 years were analyzed. Measurements: Salt intake was evaluated using a questionnaire, and participants were stratified into the following three groups: iodized salt, non-iodized salt, and mixed salt. Cognitive function was assessed through the Mini-Mental State Examination and defined using education-specific cut-off points. Logistic regression models controlling for an extensive range of potential confounders were generated to examine the association between salt intake and cognitive function among all participants. Results: Data from 10,217 participants with a 16.1% prevalence of cognitive impairment were analyzed. Compared with non-iodized salt intake, consumption of iodized salt was inversely associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR], 0.410; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.351–0.480; P < 0.001) in all participants after multivariable adjustment. An association between iodized salt intake and cognitive impairment was observed in coastal (OR, 0.441; 95% CI, 0.340–0.572; P < 0.001) and inland residents (OR, 0.569; 95% CI, 0.439–0.738; P < 0.001). Despite the insufficient sample size, the results for individuals consuming mixed salt suggested an inverse association between mixed salt intake and cognitive impairment among coastal residents (OR, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.405–0.885; P = 0.010) after multivariable adjustment. Conclusion: Our results indicate that iodized salt intake may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults living in coastal or inland areas, and the protective effect of iodized salt intake is greater in coastal areas than in inland areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural heritage management poses significant challenges for museums due to fragmented data, limited intelligent frameworks, and insufficient applications. In response, a digital cultural heritage management approach based on knowledge graphs and deep learning algorithms is proposed to address the above challenges. A joint entity-relation triple extraction model is proposed to automatically identify entities and relations from fragmented data for knowledge graph construction. Additionally, a knowledge completion model is presented to predict missing information and improve knowledge graph completeness. Comparative simulations have been conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the proposed approach for both the knowledge extraction model and the knowledge completion model. The efficacy of the knowledge graph application is corroborated through a case study utilizing ceramic data from the Palace Museum in China. This method may benefit users since it provides automated, interconnected, visually appealing, and easily accessible information about cultural heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Frailty is one of the major health problems facing aging societies worldwide. We investigated the association between serum SIRT6 and frailty in older adults. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of associations of serum SIRT6 and frailty in older people. Setting: Enrolled community-dwelling and hospital outpatient clinic adults older than 65 years old in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Participants: A total of 540 community-dwelling older adults (age ≥ 65 years) in Wuhan were included in the study. Measures: We used Frailty Phenotype criteria for classifying participants based on their frailty status. Serum SIRT6 was measured using an ELISA kit. Results: A total of 540 older adults were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum SIRT6 was lower in the slowness group (7.23±1.81 vs 5.89±1.74, p<0.001), weakness group (6.87±1.88 vs 5.68±1.64, p<0.001), and exhaustion group (6.73±1.90 vs 5.88±1.74, p<0.001) compare with the normal group. ROC curves were used to assess the efficiency of SIRT6 in predicting frailty in older adults. The AUC for SIRT6 was 0.792 (95% CI: 0.7514 to 0.8325), with the highest sensitivity of 68.0% and the specificity of 91.9%, and the optimal critical value of 4.65ng/ml according to Youden's index. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum SIRT6 level was independently associated with frailty in older people. Conclusion: In conclusion, serum SIRT6 was decreased in frailty compared with robust older adults. A decreased serum SIRT6 was independently associated with an increased risk of frailty. SIRT6 may be a potential target for the treatment of patients with frailty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Late Mesozoic mafic dykes, which are widely developed in the North Qinling Orogenic Belt (NQOB), include abundant geodynamic information. This paper describes the mafic dykes that intrude the Late Jurassic granite in the Dayu and Kuyu areas, and reports important petrological constraints for the late Mesozoic tectonic transition from compression to extension in the NQOB. Three zircon U–Pb results show that the minimum ages of the mafic dykes are 139.8 ± 1.4 Ma, 137.4 ± 1.7 Ma and 133.4 ± 0.9 Ma, indicating that the emplacement age of the Dayu and Kuyu mafic dykes is 140–133 Ma. Petrogeochemical analyses suggest that the mafic dykes belong to the high-K calc-alkaline shoshonite series with low SiO2 (46.93–56.73 wt%), MgO (1.88–9.10 wt%) and TiO2 (1.17–1.82 wt%), and high Al2O3 (13.98–17.46 wt%), TFe2O3 (7.81–10.92 wt%) and K2O (1.28–4.78 wt%). The mafic dykes are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (e.g. Rb, Ba, K, La, Sr) and depleted in high-field-strength elements (e.g. Nb, Ta, Zr, Ti). These samples have the right-sloping chondrite-normalised rare earth element patterns, which suggest light rare earth element enrichment and heavy rare earth elements depletion with no obvious Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.94–1.11). The ISr, εNd(t), εHf (t) and TDM2(crust) values are 0.7056–0.7060, −10.60 to −5.98, −14.1 to −2.8, and 1382.4 ± 25.1 to 2081.9 ± 47.6 Ma, respectively. Both elemental and isotopic geochemistry show that the formation of Dayu and Kuyu mafic dykes is due to the partial decompression melting of previously enriched lithospheric mantle during a delamination process. The mafic dykes have undergone fractionation crystallisation of Mg–Fe phase minerals during magma ascent, accompanied by some crustal contamination. Combined with the regional tectonic setting, we suggested that the NQOB experienced intra-continental extension during the Early Cretaceous. Early Cretaceous (140–133 Ma) mafic dykes have been discovered in the middle part of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt. The remote effect of the Paleo-Pacific Plate subduction has reached the middle of the North Qinling Orogenic Belt. The North Qinling Orogenic Belt entered the extensional stage in the Early Cretaceous (140–133 Ma). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. Due to seasonal breeding, geese breeds from Southern China have low egg yield. The genetic makeup underlying performance of local breeds is largely unknown, and few studies have investigated this problem. This study integrated 21 newly generated and 50 publicly existing RNA-seq libraries, representing the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis, to identify candidate genes and importantly related pathways associated with seasonal breeding in male Lion-Head geese. 2. In total, 19, 119 and 302 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the hypothalamus, pituitary and testis, respectively, of male Lion-Head geese between non-breeding and breeding periods. These genes were significantly involved in the neuropeptide signalling pathway, gland development, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, JAK-STAT signalling pathway, cAMP signalling pathway, PI3K-Akt signalling pathway and Foxo signalling pathway. 3. By integrating another 50 RNA-seq samples 4, 18 and 40 promising DEGs were confirmed in hypothalamus, pituitary and testis, respectively. 4. HOX genes were identified as having important roles in the development of testis between non-breeding and breeding periods of male Lion-Head geese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Summarize the existing evidence regarding the prevalence and risk factors of frailty in stroke patients. Design: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Participants: Stroke patients in hospitals or communities. Methods: We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis using articles available in 8 databases, including PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and Weipu Database (VIP) from January 1990 to April 2022. Studies were quality rated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality tool. Results: A total of 24 studies involving 30,423 participants were identified. The prevalence of frailty and pre-frailty in stroke patients was 27% (95%CI: 0.23–0.31) and 47.9% (95%CI: 0.43–0.53). Female gender (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.63–1.91), advanced age (MD = 6.73, 95%CI: 3.55–9.91), diabetes (OR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.06–1.69), hyperlipidemia (OR = 1.46, 95%CI: 1.04–2.04), atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.01–1.82), National Institutes of Stroke Scale (NIHSS) admission scores (MD = 2.27, 95%CI: 1.72–2.81) were risk factors of frailty in stroke patients. Conclusions: Frailty was more prevalent in stroke patients. Female gender, advanced age, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, and National Institutes of Stroke Scale (NIHSS) admission scores were identified as risk factors for frailty in stroke patients. In the future, medical staff should pay attention to the early screening of frailty in high-risk groups and provide information on its prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNA and play critical roles involved various life processes of organisms. Batrachuperus tibetanus (B. tibetanus) as an endangered amphibian species of salamander endemic to China, has attracted much attention because of its value of studying paleontology evolutionary history and decreasing population size. Until now, research in gonadal miRNA of B. tibetanus have not been reported. In this study, RNA sequencing technology was used to screen miRNAs based on the construction of two cDNA libraries from adult testis and ovary tissues of B. tibetanus, respectively. Totally, 15 481 068 and 15 929 246 raw reads were yielded in testis and ovary, respectively, representing five known and 88 novel miRNAs. Among all these identified miRNA, 54 differentially expressed miRNAs were found between testis and ovary of B. tibetanus containing 25 up-regulated as well as 29 down-regulated miRNAs. Ten miRNAs were randomly chosen to verify their expression by using stem-loop qRT-PCR indicating the reliability and accuracy of sequenced data. Additionally, further analysis of target mRNAs of differentially expressed miRNAs reveals that they were mainly involved in cellular processes, reproduction and reproductive process related GO terms. Our current result is the first to perform the identification, characterization, differential expression and functional analysis of gonadal miRNAs both in testis and ovary of B. tibetanus, which also provide a valuable reference to enhance the resource protection of stream salamander species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Backgrounds: b Bruton tyrosine kinaseinhibition (BTKi) is an effective treatment approach for patients with B-cell lymphoproliferative diseases (BLPD). REAL-WORLD TREATMENT PATTERNS, DISCONTINUATION AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH B-CELL LYMPHOPROLIFERATIVE DISEASES TREATED WITH BTK INHIBITORS IN CHINA The frequency of BTKi discontinuation varied by regimen, with the higher rate among BTKi combined with CHOP-like regimen-treated patients (60.0% vs. other regimens 41.7%, I P i = 0.027). [Extracted from the article]

Underground coal mining causes subsidence. How to use this subsidence is a big challenge for planners and policy makers. The subsidence in urban area is typically used as green space in China. However, is the green space transformed from subsidence preferred by the general public? Also, is there another better way to use subsidence? To answer these questions a subsidence in Xuzhou, eastern China was selected to explore participants' esthetic perception for three reclamation modes: urban park (called designed landscape), natural succession of ecosystem (called natural landscape) and the scenario formed by adding a path to natural landscape using photomontage simulation (called combination of design and nature) across four seasons. Statistical analysis showed that designed landscape was preferred over natural landscape. Although there were no significant differences in preference between four seasons for both natural and designed landscape, designed landscape had a smaller preference fluctuation across four seasons than natural landscape. And the combination of design and nature gained higher preference score than both designed landscape and natural landscape. The findings in this study provide reliable evidence to guide the reclamation of coal mining subsidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although soil bacteria regulate biogeochemical processes, little is known about the response of their distribution and abundance to land-use changes in the subtropical region. In the present study, soil samples from four natural forests and two agricultural plantations were collected from a subtropical mountainous area of southern China. A high-throughput sequencing approach was applied to explore the soil bacterial community composition and diversity. The results showed that dominant bacterial taxa (such as Acidobacteria, α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, and Planctomycea), which accounted for >41% of the bacterial sequences, decreased with the conversion of natural forests to plantations. Structural equation modeling and canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the bacterial community and diversity responded to the decrease in soil carbon and nitrogen contents and the increase in available soil phosphorus content. Multiple statistical analyses, including hierarchical cluster, response ratio, and least discriminate analysis effect size, revealed that the community-level patterns were caused by the responses of a few taxa, particularly Rhizobiales, Bacilli, Burkholderiales, and Nitrospiraceae, which are the bacterial indicators of soil nutrient status. Our findings will help better understand the response of soil bacterial communities to reforestation and agricultural management during land-use changes in the subtropical region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Most clinical studies have demonstrated that low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (Li-ESWT) can improved erectile function in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). The EAU guideline recommended to use Li-ESWT for mild vasculogenic ED patients. However, the therapeutic advantages of Li-ESWT combined with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have not been explored clearly in clinical practice for mild and moderate ED patients. Objective: To compare the therapeutic effects of Li-ESWT and Li-ESWT combined with PDE5i in mild and moderate ED patients with 8≤IIEF-5≤16 from a multicenter clinical study in China. Methods: Patients with ED which IIEF-5 score is less than 22 and aged 18–60 years old were enrolled from three clinical centers from Jun. 2019 to Mar. 2023. The demographic data, International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5), erectile hardness score (EHS) and self-reported symptom questions were collected. Patients were treated by a linear low-energy shock waves generator (Renova). Low-intensity shock wave (energy density of 0.09mJ/mm2) treatments were applied (once a week, 4 weeks in total, 5000 shocks each time). Patients in Li-ESWT combined with PDE5i group took 5mg of tadalafil once a day for one continuous month during ESWT. Comparative analyses of pre- and post-treatment and intergroup were used for statistics. Results: In total, 42 ED cases (37.43±11.86 years) in Li-ESWT group and 116 cases (37.41±10.14 years) in combined group were enrolled for analysis. The IIEF-5 score and EHS in both groups were significantly improved after 1 month treatment (p<0.01). Compared with Li-ESWT group, patients in combined group significantly had higher self-reported efficiency (61.2% vs. 47.6%, p=0.013), IIEF-5 scores (15.34±7.15 vs. 13.96±7.71, p=0.039) and EHS (2.85±0.82 vs. 2.69±0.89, p=0.050). In the mild and moderate ED (with 8≤IIEF-5≤16) sub-group, 30 ED cases (36.81±10.99 years) in Li-ESWT group and 96 cases (36.80±10.69 years) in combined group were enrolled for analysis. The combined regimen showed better therapeutic advantages, including effective parameters IIEF-5(14.50±6.74 vs. 12.87±8.54, p=0.040), EHS (2.85±0.75 vs. 2.81±0.67, p=0.046) and self-reported efficiency (64.2% vs. 54.1%, p=0.001). Conclusions: Li-ESWT can effectively improve erectile function in this multicenter clinical study in China, and the combination of Li-ESWT with daily use PDE5i had a better therapeutic effect on Chinese ED patients, especially on mild and moderate ED. Long-term follow-up with large sample study need to be developed for exploring the optimal therapeutic regimen. Disclosure: No. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and the growing-demand for food security force growers to identify ways to improve both food production and resource-utilization effectiveness. Liaoning province is one of the major rice (Oryza sativa L.) production regions of China (CL), accounting for about 10% of the total national japonica cultivation area. In this study, the experimental regions were divided into five rice agroecological zones based on the difference in the planting area and climate conditions. Four nitrogen (N) management levels were designed by the application amount of N fertilizer. ORYZA (v3) model was calibrated, validated and applied to simulate yields under four N fertilizer levels. The results showed that ORYZA (v3) can describe grain yield and above-ground biomass well, and it can be applied to simulate growth in CL region. Scenario-analysis indicated that the simulated grain-yield responded strongly to a low nitrogen level. However, there was no significant grain-yield increase under more N. Significant spatial variation in the grain-yield was observed at different levels. Compared to regions with limited temperature and light resources during the rice growing-periods, the regions with more optimal conditions showed higher grain-yields under all four N levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new free-living marine nematode belonging to the genus Leptolaimus was discovered in the Bohai Sea, China, and is described here as Leptolaimus boucheri sp. nov. The new species is characterised by males having a papillary, four tubular and 15–21 alveolar precloacal supplements, females having only one tubular pre-anal supplement; cephalic sensilla very short and papilliform. The species can be distinguished from others of the genus by both males and females having precloacal or pre-anal supplements, and males with both tubular and alveolar precloacal supplements, females with only one tubular pre-anal supplement. An identification key for the group of Leptolaimus species characterised by the presence of both alveolar and tubular precloacal supplements is also given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The land use changes (LUC) have altered the vegetation net primary productivity (NPP). Human appropriation of net primary productivity resulting from LUC (HANPPluc) can be used to quantify the consequence of LUC on vegetation NPP. HANPPluc is defined as the difference between the potential and actual NPP availability in ecosystems. Based on the Thornthwaite Memorial model, CASA model, and multiple linear regression, this paper estimated the potential and actual NPP, explored the temporal and spatial changes of HANPPluc, and analyzed the impact of LUC on vegetation NPP in Anji, China. There was a significant increasing trend in annual HANPPluc from 1984 to 2014. The total mean value of HANPPluc was 155 Gg C year-1, while HANPPluc per unit was 82 ± 54 g C m-2 year-1 . The growth of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) forests area caused an increase of 33.5 Gg C year-1 in NPP. However, the urbanization was the main reason for the decrease of NPP, which resulted in a decrease of 97.9 Gg C year-1 in NPP. This study quantified the impact of LUC on vegetation NPP, and provided key data for urban landscape planning, Moso bamboo management, and regional ecological carbon cycle models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fully relativistic model of electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) efficiency based on the adjoint function techniques is considered. Numerical calculations of the current drive efficiency in a tokamak by using the variational approach are performed. A fully relativistic extension of the variational principle with the modified test function for the Spitzer function with momentum conservation in the electron–electron collision is described in general tokamak geometry. The model developed has generalized that of Marushchenko et al., which is extended for arbitrary temperatures and covers exactly the asymptotic for u ≫ 1 when Z eff ≫ 1 , and is suited to ray-tracing and beam-tracing calculations. As a demonstration, the new model is applied in one of widely used ray-tracing codes, TORAY-GA, and yields distinct improvement on the fidelity for the calculation of ECCD in the hybrid operating scenario for the China fusion engineering test reactor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased left atrium diameter (LAD) is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between nutrition status and left atrial enlargement (LAE) is still unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the association of famine exposure in early life with LAE in adulthood. Methods: Participants were divided into non‐exposed, fetal, early, middle and late childhood exposed groups according to birth data. LAE was defined when LAD was ≥3.9 cm in women and ≥4.1 cm in men, or ≥2.3 cm m−2 by a sex‐independent cut‐off normalised for body surface area. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI) between famine exposure and LAE. Results: In total, 2522 [905 male, mean (SD) age 59.1 (3.65) years] subjects were enrolled, including 392 (15.5%) LAE subjects. The prevalence of LAE in non‐exposed, fetal, early, middle and late childhood exposed groups was 55 (10.8%), 38 (11.2%), 88 (18.1%), 102 (16.7%) and 109 (19.0%), respectively. Compared to the non‐exposed group, the ORs for LAE were in fetal (OR = 0.956, 95% CI = 0.605–1.500, P = 0.847), late (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.208–2.555, P = 0.003), middle (OR = 1.647, 95% CI = 1.140–2.403, P = 0.008) and early (OR = 1.630, 95% CI = 1.116–2.399, P = 0.012) childhood exposed groups after adjusting potential cofounders. When stratified by gender, smoking, body mass index, hypertension and diabetes, we found that the effect of famine exposure on LAE was only modified by diabetes (Pinteraction = 0.007). Conclusions: Famine exposure during childhood stage might increase the risk of LAE in adults, and this effect interacts with diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution control is a challenging task in water resources management. It is widely believed that integrating efficiency and fairness of socio-economic factors is an effective solution for water problems of inland Lake Basin. In this paper, a hierarchical approach of Tri-level Pollutant Loading Allocation (TPLA) was developed for the optimal allocation of pollutant load reduction. In TPLA, pollutant load reduction amount were allocated top-down, from basin scale to outlet scale, in three levels based on minimum marginal cost, Environmental Gini Coefficient (EGC) and water quality modeling to meet the set water quality goal. Tangxun Lake Basin, Wuhan, Central China, was selected as a case study. Results showed that the total CODMn loads reduction of point sources and non-point sources was allocated to 201.1 t/a and 24.1 t/a, respectively at the first level. Secondly, the districts within the lake basin are to cut off emission amount to different extent by minimizing EGC population to 0.22 and EGCIAV to 0.50. Minimum EGC method seems more adaptable to solve the inequality between pollution and population than that of industrial added value. At the third level, the largest reduction amount of 142.21 t/a was at Bee Jiaotou Plant outlet at Miaoshan District, followed by two outlets of 10.41 t/a in Zhifang District. Other outlets cut their emission by less than 10 t/a. The TPLA model can give an optimal pollutant loads allocation for the various pollutant sources, and is easy to understand for stakeholders and flexible to apply in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) is one of the most important ecological breeding species with distinct characteristics and is cultured in many locations throughout China. In the present study, the transcriptome of A. davidianus spleen tissue, that had been challenged with Citrobacter freundii, was analyzed using Illumina sequencing technology. The result was compared to that of a healthy control group. After assembly and annotation, 128 540 transcripts were generated with a median length of 349 bp. Comparative expression analysis indicated 1995 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 812 of which were up-regulated and 1183 were down-regulated. Furthermore, these DEGs were classified into three gene ontology categories, 535 of which were annotated to 237 KEGG pathways and 30 of them were immune-related. Five significantly enriched immune-related pathways were complement and coagulation cascades, TNF signaling pathway, NF-kappa B signaling pathway, B cell receptor signaling pathway, and leukocyte transendothelial migration. Finally, six immune-related DEGs involved in the immune-related pathways were randomly selected for scrutinization. This work provides valuable transcriptomic data for an improved understanding the defense mechanisms of A. davidianus against bacterial pathogens at the transcriptional level, as well as facilitating future studies on gene function of A. davidianus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The source region of the Yellow River, located in the north-eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is an important water conservation region and ecological barrier of the Yellow River. In this paper, based on remote sensing technology, multi-period Landsat remote sensing images in the source region were taken as the main information source. With the assistance of field investigation, we monitored the spatial and temporal changes of desertification in the source region from 2000 to 2019. The results show that the area of desertification in the source region has accounted for 9.36% of the total area, of which the light desertification land is the major portion. The desertification is mainly distributed between the southern margin of Madoi Valley basin and the northern margin of Heihe Valley basin, and is distributed on the river valleys, lakesides, ancient rivers and piedmont proluvial fan, showing the form of patches, sheets and belts. The growth rate of desertification in the source region was 87.47% from 2000 to 2010. With a high growth rate, the process of desertification was represented by the rapid spread of desertification. From 2010 to 2019, the growth rate of desertification was 37.32%, which was relatively slow. But the moderate desertification land maintained a straight linear growth trend, showing an increasing trend of desertification degree. Through the analysis of the driving factors of desertification in the source region of the Yellow River, this paper argues that the special geographical location, climatic factors, rodent damages and human activities are the main causes of desertification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Two new free-living marine nematode species of the genus Antomicron Cobb, 1920 belonging to the family Leptolaimidae are described from the seabed sediment of Jiaozhou Bay of the Yellow Sea. Antomicron holovachovi sp. nov. is characterised by loop-shaped amphideal fovea; male with five straight tubular and 41 alveolar supplements; short cephalic setae; slightly curved slender spicule with cephalated proximal end and tapered distal end; and rectangular gubernaculum with a short dorsal caudal apophysis. Antomicron chinensis sp. nov. is particularly characterised by loop-shaped amphideal fovea; male with only alveolar supplements, without tubular supplement; slender and slightly inverted S-shaped spicule with cephalated proximal end and tapered distal end; and rectangular gubernaculum with a slender dorsal caudal apophysis. An updated identification key to species of the genus Antomicron is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myokine Irisin has been proposed to regulate metabolic homeostasis, which is related to chronic diseases or physical activity. However, whether irisin levels in paired cerebrospinal fruid (CSF), plasma and their ratio of inpatients, could use as biomarkers, and be independently related to the varying physical dysfunction, muscle wasting severity and chronic diseases with varying severe degrees, remain largely elusive. Methods: We conducted an observational study to assess the independent associations between irisin levels in paired cerebrospinal fruid (CSF), plasma and their ratio, and the independence in activities of daily life (ADLs), muscle wasting severity and chronic diseases with varying severe degrees among elderly Chinese in-patient subjects. Results: Among 217 inpatients in surgery wards with a mean age of 68.07 years (±15.94years), 31.3% of women and 68.7% of men were included in the study. Bivariate correlation analysis showed that Log transformed CSF and plasma irisin levels and their ratio were potential associated with age, fat%, muscle wasting time, ADLs, number of multimorbidity, the severity of bone mass loss and anemia. Regression models analysis indicated that CSF and plasma irisin levels and their ratio in inpatient individuals were independently associated with the independence in ADLs. Plasma irisin levels were independently related to the change of muscle wasting use. Conclusions: Collectively, the evaluation of paired plasma and CSF irisin levels, and their ratio in in-patient individuals is intriguing candidates for the susceptibility of the independence in ADLs. Plasma irisin levels were positively associated with indepedence in ADLs, negatively related to muscle wasting severity, and could use as biomarkers for muscle wasting severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid pearl farming industry causes environmental pollution to aquatic ecosystems. However, fish-mussel systems with highly productive, profitable and environment-friendly characteristics are appropriate aquaculture practices under the current polluted state of the environment in China. Phytoplankton are excellent indicators and play indispensable roles in maintaining the stability of a freshwater ecosystem. Therefore, samples were seasonally collected determine the seasonal phytoplankton community dynamics and potential driving factors in three subtropical reservoirs with integrated fish-mussel aquaculture. All water physicochemical parameters varied seasonally, and water quality had a trend of eutrophication. A total of 189 species were identified, among which Chlorophyta (83 species) dominated in species richness. Cyanophyta, in particular remained to be highly abundant (57.53% of the total seasonal biomass). The NMDS analysis indicated that summer was an independent branch. The CCA analysis and Spearman rank correlation analysis suggested that water temperature might be the main abiotic factor. Furthermore, pH, conductivity, DO, chlorophyll, TC and TN also significantly affected the community. The aquaculture enhanced the similarity in community structure which have happened due to predation pressure. The present study also identified the potential influences caused by the integrated fish-mussel aquaculture on phytoplankton seasonal succession, bringing some guidance to protect the reservoir ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dipetalonema gracile is a common parasite in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), which can cause malnutrition and progressive wasting of the host, and lead to death in the case of massive infection. This study aimed to identify a suspected D. gracile worm from a dead squirrel monkey by means of molecular biology, and to amplify its complete mitochondrial genome by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. The results identified the worm as D. gracile , and the full length of its complete mitochondrial genome was 13,584 bp, which contained 22 tRNA genes, 12 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, one AT-rich region and one small non-coding region. The nucleotide composition included A (16.89%), G (20.19%), T (56.22%) and C (6.70%), among which A + T = 73.11%. The 12 protein-coding genes used TTG and ATT as start codons, and TAG and TAA as stop codons. Among the 22 tRNA genes, only trn S1AGN and trn S2UCN exhibited the TΨC-loop structure, while the other 20 tRNAs showed the TV-loop structure. The rrn L (986 bp) and rrn S (685 bp) genes were single-stranded and conserved in secondary structure. This study has enriched the mitochondrial gene database of Dipetalonema and laid a scientific basis for further study on classification, and genetic and evolutionary relationships of Dipetalonema nematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modifications such as degrading the retrieval quality of mixed pixels in the coastline area and revising surface characterization scheme have been made to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Collection 6.1 (C6.1) Dark Target (DT) aerosol optical depth (AOD) product to address inaccuracy over urban areas. In this study, comprehensive evaluations of modifications to the MODIS C6.1 DT AOD product, in comparison with Collection 6 (C6), are conducted over mainland China under different spatial distributions, seasons, and air quality for the period 2010–2017, combined with validation against Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) AOD measurements. The preliminary result showed that the C6.1 DT AOD product in China displayed an overall good performance with high R2 (0.87) and low root‐mean‐square error (0.23) against ground measurements. Moreover, the C6.1 DT AOD product was an overall improvement over C6, with greater correlation and lower uncertainty against ground measurements, especially for the North China Plain and Central China, although this was not the case for Western China. The improvement was also seasonal, being distinct in spring but less pronounced in winter, and negatively correlated with the level of air pollution. Furthermore, the analysis of DT AOD retrievals in different urbanized areas illustrated that the updated DT algorithm worked well in completely urbanized areas, where 97% of C6.1 DT AOD retrievals were an improvement over C6, while approximately 10% of C6.1 DT AOD retrievals were deteriorated in semiurbanized areas. Additionally, the DT AOD retrievals in areas with relatively low enhanced vegetation index and high surface reflectance were significantly improved, mitigating problems associated with the DT algorithm, further improving the reliability of MODIS DT AOD products. Plain Language Summary: Modifications have been made to the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) product to address inaccuracy over urban areas. This study evaluates the MODIS AOD product in comparison with the old version. Specifically, we evaluated products' performance over mainland China under different spatial distributions, seasons, and air quality for the period 2010–2017. It was demonstrated that the updated AOD retrieval algorithm show a visible improvement in highly urbanized areas, as well as areas with relatively low enhanced vegetation index and high surface reflectance. However, because the surface reflectance scheme was trained over the continental United States, it could not effectively describe the complex surfaces in Eastern and Western China, and therefore, further improvement is required in this regard. Key Points: C6.1 DT AOD product is more suitable than C6 for most of seasons and haze period in ChinaThe modified products exhibited differences in regard to the spatial distribution, season variations, and air quality levelThe improvement from C6 to C6.1 is varied along with vegetation index and surface reflectance in urbanized areas [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the commitment that China will begin a comprehensive national carbon emissions trading system in 2017, and considering the needs of a green development strategy, in this paper we adopt a coal-fired power generation company as the research object to study its typical carbon emissions characteristics. Through theoretical analysis and modelling dominated by energy characteristics, the energy flow analysis is separated from the material flow analysis, and we construct an “energy flow—value flow” analysis model. Based on the link between energy use and carbon flow, we divide carbon flow cost into two parts: low carbon control costs and internal and external damage costs. A quality cost control idea is introduced to build a quantitative carbon flow cost control model, and we study the relationship between the total cost of carbon flow and the control of carbon pollution. The case calculation shows that coal enterprises should begin by examining their energy flow, invest reasonably in measures to control carbon, improve their energy efficiency, enhance their control of carbon flow costs and actively focus on relevant policies that control carbon flow effectively; following this process will allow them to be proactive in the new carbon market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A city is an area highly concentrated in buildings, but is also an important place for energy consumption and waste generation, so the development of buildings with low energy consumption and less pollutant emissions is an important way to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction, and sustainable development of cities in China. On the basis of systematically combing and broadly absorbing the relevant research results of sustainable development and urban greening, and combining with the mathematical methods such as variation coefficient and intuitionistic fuzzy analytic hierarchy process, urban housing buildings are taken as the subject of evaluation. With sustainable development as the evaluation background, the aim of study is to systematically and comprehensively evaluate and analyze the building greening level. Based on the analysis of green building theory and predecessors' research results, the influence of economic, political, technical and other factors on the development of green building in nearly 300 cities in China is analysed. And combined with the actual development examples of Shenzhen City, it is further discussed. It is concluded that the research method used in this paper is correct, and Shenzhen is selected as an example to provide reference for the sustainable development of other cities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of celadon were collected from the Altar Guan Kiln in Hangzhou, and from the Xiaomeizhen and Xikou Kilns, two subordinate kilns of the Longquan Kiln producing black‐body celadon called Literature Ge. Both the elemental contents in the sample bodies and the glaze were measured. The results reveal that the sample bodies contain fingerprint information for provenance, while this was lost in the glaze during the production process. The TiO2, MnO and Rb2O contained in the bodies are fingerprints to distinguish between celadons from the Xiaomeizhen and Xikou Kilns. In the Altar Guan Kiln, some low‐TiO2 samples were found and their body colour is much lighter than some others, but they do not differ with regard to iron content. This indicates that both titanium and iron are indispensable for the blackness of the bodies: they may react to form some black minerals during the firing process. Ultimately, samples from the Literature Ge and Altar Guan Kilns differ in their body constituents. Principal component analysis reveals that the samples can be divided into two groups, corresponding to the two different areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a generally accepted view that there is an obvious distinction between proto‐porcelain and stamped stoneware. However, some early shards unearthed from the Dongtiaoxi region (northern Zhejiang) inspire people to rediscuss the relationship between them, because it is difficult to identify them as proto‐porcelain or stamped stoneware. In this work, we have collected samples from three of the earliest kiln sites (Piaoshan, Beijiashan and Nanshan) in the Dongtiaoxi region. We have analysed the chemical composition, firing temperature and phase composition of the samples. Comparing samples from the three kiln sites, we find that, from Piaoshan and Beijiashan to Nanshan, there has been progression in the manufacturing technology. The Shang proto‐porcelain and the stamped stoneware from Nanshan have similar raw materials, firing temperatures and body phase compositions—and they have obviously different decorative appearances, such as glazing or stamping. For ceramics from Piaoshan and Beijiashan, there is no clear distinction between glazed and unglazed samples. We believe that in the Dongtiaoxi region, the difference in the decoration between proto‐porcelain and stoneware became obvious up to the time of the Nanshan production but that, subsequently, two different paths for the development of high‐fired ceramics began to diverge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A human skull, buried about 2500 years ago in a Bronze Age cemetery at Jinggouzi, a site of an important ethnic group in ancient China, appeared to have characteristics of fibrous dysplasia. The CT images indicated a reduction in bone density and relatively homogeneous lesions. More features were revealed using CT reconstruction techniques. Lesions seen in low‐magnification images using a 3D deep‐field microscope had an irregular honeycomb‐like structure. At higher magnification, the trabeculae morphology and the gaps between the trabeculae were irregular and varied in size and shape. Paraffin‐embedded specimens stained with HE showed trabeculae with tortuous irregular arrangements varying in shape and width. The irregular trabeculae of woven bone has been described as having fibrous dysplasia. Molecular analysis of the GNAS gene indicated no mutation. This provides a non‐invasive approach for us to make more comprehensive diagnoses and to assist research into ancient human diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the association between obesity phenotype and the risk of hypertension among Chinese adults. Study Design: A prospective cohort study. Methods: Two waves of data were collected in 2009 and 2011 by the China Health Nutrition Survey. According to International Diabetes Federation and Chinese obesity criteria, participants were divided into four groups: metabolically healthy non-overweight/obesity (MHNO), metabolically healthy overweight/obesity (MHO), metabolically abnormal non-overweight/obesity (MANO), and metabolically abnormal overweight/obesity (MAO). Logistic regression model was performed to estimate the risk of hypertension with obesity phenotype. Results: Among a total of 4604 adults aged 18-65 years at baseline, 467 developed hypertension during the 2-year follow-up period. After adjusting for several potential confounders, significantly increased risks for hypertension were found for participants in MHO (odd ratio [OR]: 1.78, 95% confidence interval [Cl]: 1.39-2.27), MANO (OR: 1.71, 95% Cl: 1.02 -2.86), and MAO (OR: 3.35, 95% Cl: 2.54-4.42) group compared with the MHNO group. Conclusion: Metabolically abnormal individuals, regardless of their body weight status, showed significantly higher risks for hypertension compared with healthy nonoverweight/obese group. Furthermore, MHO individuals had significantly increased risk of incident hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent transcriptomic analysis of the bovine Y chromosome revealed abundant presence of multi-copy protein coding gene families on the male-specific region of the Y chromosome ( MSY). Copy number variations ( CNVs) of several MSY genes are closely related to semen quality and male reproduction in cattle. However, the CNVs of MSY genes in water buffalo are largely unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the CNVs of HSFY and ZNF280 BY of 298 buffaloes from 17 populations distributed in China, Vietnam and Laos using quantitative PCR. Our results revealed that the median copy numbers of the HSFY and ZNF280 BY genes were 47 (ranging from 20 to 145) and 269 (ranging from 73 to 974) respectively. In conclusion, this study indicated that HSFY and ZNF280 BY showed abundant CNVs within swamp buffalo populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundWorldwide 350 million people suffer from major depression, with the majority of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. We examined the patterns, correlates and care-seeking behaviour of adults suffering from major depressive episode (MDE) in China.MethodA nationwide study recruited 512 891 adults aged 30–79 years from 10 provinces across China during 2004–2008. The 12-month prevalence of MDE was assessed by the Modified Composite International Diagnostic Interview-short form. Logistic regression yielded adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of MDE associated with socio-economic, lifestyle and health-related factors and major stressful life events.ResultsOverall, 0.7% of participants had MDE and a further 2.4% had major depressive symptoms. Stressful life events were strongly associated with MDE [adjusted OR 14.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7–15.7], with a dose–response relationship with the number of such events experienced. Family conflict had the highest OR for MDE (18.9, 95% CI 16.8–21.2) among the 10 stressful life events. The risk of MDE was also positively associated with rural residency (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4–1.7), low income (OR 2.3, 95% CI 2.1–2.4), living alone (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.3–3.0), smoking (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3–1.6) and certain other mental disorders (e.g. anxiety, phobia). Similar, albeit weaker, associations were observed with depressive symptoms. Among those with MDE, about 15% sought medical help or took psychiatric medication, 15% reported having suicidal ideation and 6% reported attempting suicide.ConclusionsAmong Chinese adults, the patterns and correlates of MDE were generally consistent with those observed in the West. The low rates of seeking professional help and treatment highlight the great gap in mental health services in China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-to-platelet ratio ( GPR) is a new serum diagnostic model, which is reported to be more accurate than aspartate transaminase-to-platelet ratio index ( APRI) and fibrosis index based on the four factors (Fib-4) for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic HBV infection ( CHBVI) patients in West Africa. To evaluate the performance of the GPR model for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in HBeAg-positive CHBVI patients with high HBV DNA (≥5 log10 copies/mL) and normal or mildly elevated alanine transaminase ( ALT) (≤2 times upper limit of normal ( ULN)) in China. A total of 1521 consecutive CHBVI patients who underwent liver biopsies and routine laboratory tests were retrospectively screened. Of these patients, 401 treatment naïve HBeAg-positive patients with HBV DNA≥5 log10 copies/mL and ALT≤2 ULN were included. The METAVIR scoring system was adopted as the pathological diagnosis standard of liver fibrosis. Using liver histology as a gold standard, the performances of GPR, APRI, and Fib-4 for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were evaluated and compared by receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curves and the area under the ROC curves ( AUROCs). Of 401 patients, 121 (30.2%), 49 (12.2%) and 17 (4.2%) were classified as having significant fibrosis (≥F2), severe fibrosis (≥F3) and cirrhosis (=F4), respectively. After estimating the AUROC to predict significant fibrosis, the performance of GPR ( AUROC=0.66, 95% CI 0.60-0.72) was higher than APRI ( AUROC=0.58, 95% CI 0.52-0.64, P=.002) and Fib-4 scores ( AUROC=0.54, 95% CI 0.47-0.60, P<.001). After estimating the AUROC to predict severe fibrosis, the performance of GPR ( AUROC=0.71, 95% CI 0.63-0.80) was also higher than APRI ( AUROC=0.65, 95% CI 0.56-0.73, P=.003) and Fib-4 scores ( AUROC=0.67, 95% CI 0.58-0.75, P=.001). After estimating the AUROC to predict cirrhosis, the performance of GPR ( AUROC=0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.88) was higher than APRI ( AUROC=0.69, 95% CI 0.54-0.83, P=.041) and Fib-4 scores ( AUROC=0.69, 95% CI 0.55-0.82, P=.012) too. The GPR is a new serum model for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and shows obvious advantages in Chinese HBeAg-positive patients with HBV DNA≥5 log10 copies/mL and ALT≤2 ULN compared with APRI and Fib-4, thus warranting its widespread use for this specific population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons ( PAHs) are a group of pollutants of widespread concerns. Gaseous and size-segregated particulate-phase PAHs were collected in indoor and outdoor air in rural households. Personal exposure was measured and compared to the ingestion exposure. The average concentrations of 28 parent PAHs and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were 9000 ± 8390 and 131 ± 236 ng/m3 for kitchen, 2590 ± 2270 and 43 ± 95 ng/m3 for living room, and 2800 ± 3890 and 1.6 ± 0.7 ng/m3 for outdoor air, respectively. The mass percent of high molecular weight ( HMW) compounds with 5-6 rings contributed 1.3% to total 28 parent PAHs. Relatively higher fractions of HMW PAHs were found in indoor air compared to outdoor air. Majorities of particle-bound PAHs were found in the finest PM0.25, and the highest levels of fine PM0.25-bound PAHs were in the kitchen using peat and wood as energy sources. The 24-h personal PAH exposure concentration was 2100 ± 1300 ng/m3. Considering energies, exposures to those using wood were the highest. The PAH inhalation exposure comprised up to about 30% in total PAH exposure through food ingestion and inhalation, and the population attributable fraction ( PAF) for lung cancer in the region was 0.85%. The risks for inhaled and ingested intakes of PAHs were 1.0 × 10−5 and 1.1 × 10−5, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To depict the wet (April with a soil water content, SWC, of 37 %) and dry (October with a SWC of 24.8 %) seasonal changes in the water use and physiological response of a Eucalyptus urophylla plantation in subtropical South China characterized by monsoon climate, the whole-year (June 2012 to May 2013) transpiration of E. urophylla was monitored using the TDP method. Daily transpiration (ET) in October averaged 5.7 ± 2.9 kg d-1 and was 58.0 % higher than that in April (3.6 ± 2.3 kg d-1). The difference is consistent with that of the radiation and evaporative demand of the two months, while the nocturnal transpiration (ET-NOC) in the wet season (0.18 ± 0.021 kg d-1) was almost twice that in the dry season (0.11 ± 0.01 kg d-1). Trees displayed a higher stomatal conductance (GS) (53.4-144.5 mmol m-2 s-1) in the wet season and a lower GS (45.7-89.5 mmol m-2 s-1) in the dry season. The leaf-soil water potentials (ΨL) of the two months (April and October) were -0.62 ± 0.66 and -1.22 ± 0.10 MPa, respectively. A boundary line analysis demonstrated that the slight improvement in the GS by SWC in wet season was offset by a significant decrease in D, and the slope of GS sensitivity to D (dGS/dlnD) in response to GSref (references GS at D = 1 kPa) was affected by the variance of radiation instead of SWC. Specific hydraulic conductivity (ks) of trees of different sizes decreased by 45.3-65.6 % from the wet to the dry season. Combining the decreased maximum reference GS at D = 1 kPa (GSref-max) by 22.4 % with the constant max GS (GSmax) when ΨL < -1.2 MPa, we shed some light on the mechanism underlying the high water-use efficiency (WUE) of this Eucalyptus specie. With a slight change in GSref-max and high sensitivity of ks to decreasing ΨL, large trees used water more efficiently than small ones did. In addition, the -m in the dry season (0.53 ± 0.007) was lower than that in the wet season (0.58 ± 0.01) due to the difference in the ratio of GS to the boundary layer conductance (gb) in the two months. The negative relationship between -m (except when light is limited) and Q proved to be a plastic response to environmental changes for E. urophylla but did not change with decreased ks as expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, pinewood nematode ( PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, was first discovered from Pinus thunbergii in 1982. Thus far, 14 species in the genus Pinus have been reported to be infected by PWN under natural conditions. Pinus yunnanensis, a pine species native to south-western China, is considered a pioneer tree for barren hill afforestation in areas undergoing rocky desertification. In this study, we detected PWN in dead P. yunnanensis trees in Anlong County, Guizhou Province, China, using both morphological and molecular methods. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PWN from P. yunnanensis in China. To investigate the possible origin of this new outbreak, mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene subunit I and cellulase gene sequences were used to evaluate genetic relationships among worldwide PWN isolates. Phylogenetic tree and haplotype networks revealed that the Anlong isolate (BxCh QAL008) sequence was identical to those of seven Chinese isolates collected from Sichuan, Chongqing, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shandong (372-1500 km from Anlong County), but different from the isolate BxChQZY030 collected from the same province (330 km from Anlong County). It is suggested, therefore, that more than one introduction of PWN into Guizhou Province has taken place. The Anlong isolate was likely introduced from neighbouring or more distant provinces rather than from outside China. Moreover, the absence of a correlation between geographic and genetic distance was observed using Mantel test analysis, providing evidence that human-induced dispersal plays a fundamental role in the spread of the PWN in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and Objective Digestive disorders represent the most common metformin side effects for type 2 diabetes. The mechanism of these metformin side effects is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether asymptomatic chronic gastritis could influence metformin tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods Demographic, anthropometric, ultrasound and laboratory data were obtained from 144 metformin naïve patients with diabetes. The diagnosis of chronic gastritis was based on endoscopic and histopathological examination, and H. pylori infection was assessed based on 13C urea breath test ( UBT). All subjects started metformin at 500 mg/day and increasing progressively to 1500 mg/day over 4 weeks. A score of gastrointestinal side effects (abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, bloating and anorexia) was assessed each week, and metformin dose was adjusted as appropriate. Results and discussion Based on endoscopy, 64 patients were categorized as non-gastritis subjects and 80 as chronic gastritis subjects. At baseline, there is no statistical difference in gastrointestinal symptoms between two groups. With metformin, the mean scores for gastrointestinal symptoms in the non-gastritis and gastritis subjects were 1·02 ± 1·71 vs. 2·18 ± 2·05 ( P = 0·001), 0·20 ± 0·65 vs. 0·50 ± 0·89 ( P = 0·022), 0 vs. 0·06 ± 0·24 ( P = 0·024) and 1·08 ± 1·03 vs. 1·71 ± 1·66 ( P = 0·028). The mean final metformin dose used by gastritis subjects was 706·24 ± 568·90 mg, significantly less than the mean dose used by non-gastritis subjects (1101·56 ± 578·58 mg, P = 0·001). After adjustment for age and sex, the odds ratio ( OR) for a final metformin dose of less than 1500 mg/day was found to be 2·76 (95% CI 1·38-5·53, P = 0·004) for chronic gastritis subjects. The OR for a final metformin dose of less than 1000 mg/day was found to be 3·98 (95% CI 1·91-8·27, P = 0·001) for chronic gastritis subjects. What is new and conclusions Our data suggest that pre-existing non-symptomatic gastritis was associated with metformin-related gastrointestinal side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6 PD) deficiency is highly prevalent in southern China. The aim of this study is to assess the extent of this disease in Chinese neonates and determine its molecular characteristics using a novel molecular screening method. Methods A total of 2500 neonates were routinely screened for G6 PD deficiency using a modified fluorescent spot test ( FST). PCR-high-resolution melting ( HRM) analysis was then used for the molecular assay. Results The overall incidence of G6 PD deficiency was 2.68% in our study cohort. Frequency in male population was 3.22% (44 neonates of 1365 male neonates), and in female population was 2.03% (23 neonates of 1135 female neonates). Of the 67 newborns suspected to be G6 PD deficient based on FST (44 males, 23 females), 58 of 67 (87%) were detected with gene alterations. Seven kinds of mutations [c.95A>G, c.392G>T, c.493A>G, c.871G>A, c.1360C>T, c.1376G>T, and c.1388G>A] were identified by HRM analysis. Conclusion Routine newborn screening in Chaozhou, China with a relatively high prevalence of G6 PD deficiency is justified and meets the World Health Organization recommendation. The usage of molecular diagnosis can favor the detection of heterozygotes which can be a supplement to regular newborn screening and useful for premarital and prenatal diagnosis for G6 PD deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was demonstrated to be a risk factor of several cancers of the digestive system. In addition, liver cirrhosis, which could possibly result from chronic HBV infection, was associated with a higher risk of gastric cancer. However, the association of HBV infection and gastric cancer has not been investigated.Methods:A retrospective case-control study with 580 cases and 580 controls matched for age, sex and year of diagnosis was conducted. The associations between gastric cancer and HBV infection were explored with univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis.Results:Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was positively associated with gastric cancer (AOR (95% CI): 1.49 (1.06-2.10)). This association remained significant in patients without family history of gastric cancer (AOR (95% CI): (1.06-2.11)). For HBsAg-negative population, being anti-HBc positive/anti-HBs negative, which possibly indicated occult HBV infection, was also found to have some associations with gastric cancer. In addition, some synergistic effects between HBV infection and blood type A in gastric cancer were identified.Conclusions:The HBV infection was positively related with gastric cancer, especially for patients without family history of gastric cancer. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spartina alterniflora Losiel. is a highly invasive species found on the Chinese coast. To characterize the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the success of S. alterniflora in China, we examined the distribution and structure of genetic variation among three native populations at their source locations and five non-native populations in China, at both the chloroplast and nuclear microsatellite loci. Both cpDNA and microsatellite data revealed comparable genetic diversity and population differentiation between the native and introduced regions, which is consistent with the deliberate historical planting of heterogeneous founding groups in China. Bayesian clustering analysis showed that the best two clusters in the introduced region correspond to populations from the Atlantic coast and Gulf coast, respectively, instead of the three ecotypes proposed by a previous study. Investigating genetic composition of individuals suggested that most of the non-native plants might be of Atlantic origin, while some individuals in the Hong Kong population could be genetic admixtures of Atlantic and Gulf origin. This study indicated varied genetic components among populations in China, which imply different sources for the present Chinese populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, an etiological agent behind zoonotic diseases worldwide. B. anthracis is also one of the most dangerous bioterrorism agents. An anthrax outbreak took place in Liaoning Province in northeastern China in August 2012. It resulted in seven human infections and dozens of dead cows. One B. anthracis strain, named Han, was isolated from a dead cow. This strain showed minor pathogenicity in mice and was suspected to be derived from the locally administered vaccine strain, Vac. In order to determine if the Han isolate was derived from the vaccine strain Vac and to track the source of the anthrax outbreak and, so, exclude the possibility of terrorism attack, a complete genome sequencing of these two B. anthracis strains was conducted. With the genome sequencing data, canonical single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and whole-genome SNP screening were performed. The results indicate that the Han strain was markedly different from the Vac strain. Further analysis by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) showed that Han clustered with previously reported Chinese strains. The result of MLVA15 confirmed that the Han strain is a naturally occurring isolate instead of an engineered agent deliberately distributed by terrorists or other parties. In conclusion, our method used in this study not only facilitates epidemiological studies but also made it easier to distinguish naturally occurring outbreaks from intentionally released pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coproantigen test kits for Echinococcus spp. worms in dogs, designed for commercial use, were obtained from three different Chinese producers, and were compared with a laboratory kit using reagents from New Zealand. None of the three producers would provide details of their test validation. From a known set of dog faeces obtained at necropsy from infected and uninfected dogs, and from faeces collected from dogs necropsied in the field, results differed between the kits. For field material, the Tiankang kit showed the best specificity but lacked sensitivity. The Combined kit showed best sensitivity but lacked specificity. Results for the Haitai kit were intermediate. With samples from experimentally infected dogs, both the Haitai and Combined kits lacked sensitivity. Kits will need to be validated by the user before they can be relied on to predict progress in Echinococcus spp. control in China or in other countries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In China, the incidence of phoma stem canker observed in pre-harvest surveys from 2005 to 2012 was greater on winter oilseed rape in provinces in central China (in May) than on spring oilseed rape in north China (in August). In all 742 cases when the causal pathogen was isolated from stem cankers, it was identified as Leptosphaeria biglobosa by morphology in culture and/or by species-specific polymerase chain reaction. Both L. biglobosa and Leptosphaeria maculans were detected on crop debris and seed in shipments of oilseed rape seed imported into China through Shanghai or Wuhan ports in 2009-2011. Descriptions of the observed spread of L. maculans into areas previously colonized by L. biglobosa across a spring oilseed rape growing region ( Alberta, Canada, westwards, 1984-1998) and across a winter oilseed rape growing region ( Poland, eastwards, 1984-2004) were used to estimate the potential westward spread of L. maculans in China across spring oilseed rape growing regions (north China) and winter oilseed rape growing regions (central China, generally provinces along the Yangtze River), respectively. The rates of spread were estimated as 47 km per year across spring oilseed rape in north China and 70 km per year across winter oilseed rape in central China. Dispersal modelling suggested that the rate of spread of L. maculans across Alberta, Canada ( c. 17 km per year) could be explained by windborne dispersal of ascospores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the recommendations developed by the Kinetics Committee of the International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ICTAC), non-isothermal pyrolysis experiments were carried out to analyze and compare two types of oil shale from the northeast of China using simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis at temperatures ranging from 40 to 850 °C. The pyrolysis process of oil shale begins with the evaporation of small molecular substances, then continues by the pyrolysis of kerogen, and finally ends mainly with the complete decomposition of carbonates. In this whole process, almost 36 % of overall pyrolytic heat was used for the pyrolysis of kerogen. When retorting air-dried basis oil shale below 520 °C, a considerable proportion of the heat required will have to be used mainly for the evaporation of small molecular substances below 185 °C. Specific heat capacities of two oil shale semicokes were measured below 500 °C by DSC method, showing that specific heat capacity of semicoke will increase with the increase of the temperature, and carbonization of kerogen can bring about a further positive effect on it. Coats-Redfern method was used to calculate kinetic parameters in three pyrolysis stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIn this global study we sought to estimate the degree to which a family member might feel embarrassed when a close relative is suffering from an alcohol, drug, or mental health condition (ADMC) versus a general medical condition (GMC). To date, most studies have considered embarrassment and stigma in society and internalized by the afflicted individual but have not assessed family embarrassment in a large-scale study.MethodIn 16 sites of the World Mental Health Surveys (WMHS), standardized assessments were completed including items on family embarrassment. Site matching was used to constrain local socially shared determinants of stigma-related feelings, enabling a conditional logistic regression model that estimates the embarrassment close relatives may hold in relation to family members affected by an ADMC, a GMC, or both conditions.ResultsThere was a statistically robust association such that subgroups with an ADMC-affected relative were more likely to feel embarrassed compared to subgroups with a relative affected by a GMC (p < 0.001), even with covariate adjustments for age and sex.ConclusionsThe pattern of evidence from this research is consistent with conceptual models for interventions that target individual- and family-level stigma-related feelings of embarrassment as possible obstacles to effective early intervention and treatment for an ADMC. Macro-level interventions are under way but micro-level interventions may also be required among family members, along with care for each person with an ADMC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]