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Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in the treatment of dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM). Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure for relevant studies from July 1919 to May 2021. Results: Seventeen papers pertinent to our questions were found: In a meta-analysis, we found that IVIG significantly improved the level of CK (SMD (STD. Mean Difference) = -0.69; 95%CI -0.93, -0.46; 푃 < 0.0001), Manual Muscle Test (SMD = 1.12; 95%CI 0.77, 1.47; 푃 < 0.00001), Medical Research Council (SMD = 1.59; 95%CI 0.86, 2.33; 푃 < 0.00001), Activities of Daily Living (SMD = 1.07; 95%CI 0.59, 1.56; 푃 < 0.0001). The CK levels in DM and PM were also significantly improved after IVIG (SMD = -0.73; 95%CI -1.12, -0.34; 푃 = 0.0002 and SMD = -3.29; 95%CI -5.82, -0.76; 푃 < 0.0001, respectively). The meta-analysis of three RCTs showed that there was a statistically significant improvement after IVIG (SMD = 0.63; 95%CI 0.22, 1.03; 푃 = 0.002). In a random effects model, pooled muscle power improvement rate was 77% (95% CI: 66.0-87.0%). Meta-analyses of IVIG as first-line therapy showed a significant improvement of the CK level (SMD = -0.71; 95%CI -1.12, -0.30; 푃 = 0.0007). The polled improvement rate of oesophageal disorders was 88% (95% CI: 80.0-95.0%). There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of improvement between the number of courses <2 and ≥2 (0.80% vs. 0.80%, 푃 = 0.9). The proportion of corticosteroid-sparing success reached 81.8%. Adverse reactions following IVIG administration are usually mild and transient. Seven patients developed serious adverse events. Conclusion: IVIG seems to be an effective drug for DM/PM, improving muscle strength, CK levels, and oesophageal involvement, and it is well tolerated by patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The epidemiological characteristics of MAFLD and its relationship with atrial fibrillation (AF) are limited in China. Therefore, we explored the epidemiological characteristics of MAFLD from adults along with the association of MAFLD and 12-ECG diagnosed AF in a nationwide population from health check-up centers. Methods: This observational study used cross-sectional and longitudinal studies with 2,083,984 subjects from 2009 to 2017. Age-, sex-, and regionalstandardized prevalence of MAFLD was estimated. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify subclusters of MAFLD. Multivariable logistic regression and mixed-effects Cox regression models were used to analyze the relationship between MAFLD and AF. Results: The prevalence of MAFLD increased from 22.75% to 35.58% during the study period, with higher rates in males and populations with high BMI or resided in northern regions. The MAFLD population was clustered into three classes with different metabolic features by LCA. Notably, a high proportion of MAFLD patients in all clusters had overweight and prediabetes or diabetes. The MAFLD was significantly associated with a higher risk of AF in the crosssectional study and in the longitudinal study. In addition, the coexistence of prediabetes or diabetes had the largest impact on subsequent AF. Conclusion: Our findings suggested a high prevalence of MAFLD and a high prevalence of other metabolic diseases in the MAFLD population, particularly overweight and glucose dysregulation. Moreover, MAFLD was associated with a significantly higher risk for existing and subsequent subclinical AF in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orchid mantis Hymenopus coronatus (Insecta: Mantodea) is famous for its unique appearance, which resembles a flower blossom with petal-like legs and a whitish pink colour. Based on this appearance, H. coronatus has been hypothesized to be an aggressive mimic that attracts pollinators. Research on the orchid mantis has been sparse due to the difficulty of collection and maintenance. The first record of orchid mantis from Xishuangbanna, China, was originally named H. coronatoides but later considered synonymous with H. coronatus based on a morphological study. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the orchid mantis from Xishuangbanna, China, was determined to be a circular molecule of 15,589 bp containing 37 typical mitochondrial genes in the same gene arrangement as those of other praying mantises. The relatively low degree of genetic difference between orchid mantises from China and Malaysia suggests that they belong to the same species. The phylogenetic relationships inferred from 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) show that H. coronatus is a sister to Parymenopus davisoni, another rare species from Malaysia, and supports monophyletic Hymenopodinae, whereas Acromantinae is polyphyletic. This study provides useful data for studies on the population genetics, phylogeny and mimicry mechanism of the orchid mantis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of the genus Saigona Matsumura, 1910, S. baiseensis Zheng & Chen sp. nov. and S. maculata Zheng & Chen sp. nov., from China (Guanxi) are described and illustrated. A revised identification key to the 16 species of Saigona is provided. 15 species of the genus are known from China only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil loss tolerance (T value) is one of the criteria in determining the necessity of erosion control measures and ecological restoration strategy. However, the validity of this criterion in subtropical karst regions is strongly disputed. In this study, T value is calculated based on soil formation rate by using a digital distribution map of carbonate rock assemblage types. Results indicated a spatial heterogeneity and diversity in soil loss tolerance. Instead of only one criterion, a minimum of three criteria should be considered when investigating the carbonate areas of southern China because the "one region, one T value" concept may not be applicable to this region. T value is proportionate to the amount of argillaceous material, which determines the surface soil thickness of the formations in homogenous carbonate rock areas. Homogenous carbonate rock, carbonate rock intercalated with clastic rock areas and carbonate/clastic rock alternation areas have T values of 20, 50 and 100 t/(km2 a), and they are extremely, severely and moderately sensitive to soil erosion. Karst rocky desertification (KRD) is defined as extreme soil erosion and reflects the risks of erosion. Thus, the relationship between T value and erosion risk is determined using KRD as a parameter. The existence of KRD land is unrelated to the T value, although this parameter indicates erosion sensitivity. Erosion risk is strongly dependent on the relationship between real soil loss (RL) and T value rather than on either erosion intensity or the T value itself. If RL > > T , then the erosion risk is high despite of a low RL. Conversely, if T > > RL, then the soil is safe although RL is high. Overall, these findings may clarify the heterogeneity of T value and its effect on erosion risk in a karst environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burkholderia thailandensis infection in humans is uncommon. We describe a case of B. thailandensis infection in a person in China, a location heretofore unknown for B. thailandensis. We identified the specific virulence factors of B. thailandensis, which may indicate a transition to a new virulent form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information, coupled with technological developments, has been a critical ingredient for hospitality businesses. While serving as a key success factor for effective lodging industry operations in the 21st century, a combination of IT and lodging provides the lodging industry with new opportunity of development. A large number of foreign scholars devote a lot of efforts to investigating the relationships between IT investment, business productivity and performance, but there is still no unanimous conclusion. Many scholars especially Steven, chief economist of Morgan Stanley, and Robert, Nobel Prize laureate in economics, insist that huge investment in IT does not have positive impact on business productivity and economic performance, and name it " Productivity Paradox" for information technology. However, in the late 1990s, IT and Organizational Research Center of University of California at Irvine, and E-commerce Research Center at MIT Sloan School conducted abundant studies which denied the conclusion of the "Productivity Paradox" for information technology. For this reason, the authors investigate into upscale hotels in Guangzhou to obtain first-hand data, and by means of confirmatory factor analysis thorough Amos software and correlation analysis as well as multiple regression analysis thorough SPSS, the authors examine the effect of IT applications on their performance in lodging operations. The results show that for the upscale hotel industry in Guangzhou, the IT Productivity Paradox does not exist. Also, the findings of this study prove that front-office applications, guest-related interface applications, restaurant and banquet management systems and back-office applications have all significantly and positively affected the performance of a hotel. Among these variables, guest-related interface applications are the most significant IT applications affecting performance of upscale hotels, so it is suggested that hoteliers and managers should pay more attention to them and make additional investments. The findings of the study will benefit the lodging industry by providing essential decision reference to hoteliers and managers when they make some decision about strategic investment in IT and in determining specific areas of focus for IT investment. Lastly, the paper sums up the limitations of this study and puts forward future research directions. Applications of information technology in hotel industry are trends of the time and customer needs, but almost no scholar to date has paid attention to its actual effect on business productivity and economic performance. Meanwhile, whether the "Productivity Paradox" for information technology exists or not is critical to the operation and management of hotel industry. Therefore, the topic has both important theoretical and practical value. Besides, research from this point of view provides a basis for comparison with other means of analyzing performance, such as financial report analyses and customer satisfaction and loyalty. Further, on the research approach, the authors draw the conclusions through the establishment of the structural equation model and the confirmatory factor analysis. Compared to qualitative analysis, this conclusion is more scientific and effective, which is an innovation of the research methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the correlation of UGT1A1, OATP2 gene mutations and hyperbilirubinemia in newborns in Northern China. Gene mutations were analyzed at the 211 locus of UGT1A1 (Gly71Arg) and 388 locus of OATP2 (Asn130Asp). The 226 enrolled infants were divided into high, moderate, and low risk subgroups according to American Academy of Pediatrics guideline. Blood samples of the enrolled infants were collected for the analysis of the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotypes and allele frequencies of the polymorphisms were compared in each group. Both UGT1A1 and OATP2 gene mutations occur more often in high risk group and moderate risk group than in low risk group. The results suggested that Gly71Arg and Asn130Asp mutations in UGT1A1 and OATP2 genes might be involved in the development of hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the clinical benefit of device therapy on controlling the symptoms of Meniere's disease (MD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Internet, and Wanfang Data before January 13, 2018. We selected randomized controlled clinical trials, case-controlled studies, and cohort studies that dealt with outcomes of device therapy for the treatment of MD. RESULTS: Sixteen trials met our inclusion criteria. The use of device therapy resulted in improved vertigo control, which was described as a reduction in the number of vertigo days by month (weighted mean difference [WMD]: 3.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.00-4.31), in the number of vertigo episodes by month (WMD: 7.37, 95% CI: 2.40-12.35), and in the vertigo visual analog score (WMD: 41.51, 95% CI: 34.68-48.34). In addition, the overall complete vertigo control (class A) rate was 50% (95% CI: 37%-64%). The device therapy also reduced the number of sick days by month (WMD: 4.56, 95% CI: 2.15-6.97), and the functional level improved (WMD: 2.66, 95% CI: 2.15-3.17). The electrocochleographic parameters decreased. The device therapy proved beneficial for hearing changes (WMD: 3.19, 95% CI: 0.66-5.71). No publication bias was found in the funnel plot and the results of Egger's test. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the device therapy might reduce vertigo attacks and sick days in patients with MD. Additionally, the function level and hearing level may improve after the device therapy. In addition, the decrease in electrocochleographic parameters showed that inner ear electrophysiology improved after device therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index were utilized to explore the contamination characteristics of toxic elements (TEs) in park dust. The results exhibited that park dust in the study area was mainly moderately polluted, and the EF values of dust Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu and Sb were all > 1. The concentrations of Cr, Cu, Zn and Pb increased with the decrease of dust particle size. The investigation results of chemical speciation and bioavailability of TEs showed that Zn had the highest bioavailability. Three sources of TEs were determined by positive matrix factorization model, Pearson correlation analysis and geostatistical analysis, comprising factor 1 mixed sources of industrial and transportation activities (46.62%), factor 2 natural source (25.56%) and factor 3 mixed source of agricultural activities and the aging of park infrastructures (27.82%). Potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) models based on source apportionment were exploited to estimate PER and HHR of TEs from different sources. The mean PER value of TEs in the park dust was 114, indicating that ecological risk in the study area was relatively high. Factor 1 contributed the most to PER, and the pollution of Cd was the most serious. There were no significant carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks for children and adults in the study area. And factor 3 was the biggest source of non-carcinogenic risk, and As, Cr and Pb were the chief contributor to non-carcinogenic risk. The primary source of carcinogenic risk was factor 2, and Cr was the cardinal cancer risk element., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Non-ferrous metal smelting activities have always been considered as one of the foremost anthropogenic sources of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) were used to evaluate the pollution level of soil PTEs; positive matrix factorization (PMF), correlation analysis, and geostatistics were utilized to quantify the sources of soil PTEs; and potential ecological risk (PER) and human health risk (HHR) of different sources from farmland, construction land, and natural land were quantifiably determined via combined PTE sources with PER and HHR assessment models. Taking the smelting area of Daye City as an example, the evaluation results of EF and PLI showed that the soil PTE pollution in the study area was serious, especially Cd and Cu. And four sources were quantitatively allocated as agricultural practices (12.14%), traffic emissions (23.07%), natural sources (33.46%), and industrial activities (31.33%). For PER, industrial activities were the largest contributor to PER, accounting for 55.66%, 56.30%, and 55.36% of farmland, construction land, and natural land, respectively, and Cd was the most dangerous element. In terms of HHR, industrial activities were also the cardinal contributors under the three land use types. Children were exposed to serious non-carcinogenic risks under three land use patterns and slight carcinogenic risk in construction land (1.06E - 04). Significantly, the carcinogenic risk of children in farmland (9.06 × 10 -5 ) was very close to the threshold (1 × 10 -4 ), which requires attention. Both non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk for adults were all at acceptable levels. The health risks (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks) of children from four different sources were distinctly higher than those of adults. Consequently, strict management and control of industrial activities should be given priority, and the management of agricultural practices should not be ignored., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)