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This study explores how two typical pedagogical modes, namely, problem-based and employment-based pedagogical mode, contribute to the employability of university and college students. Based on analysis of a total sample of 428 undergraduates from Chinese universities and colleges using structural equation modelling, the results show that students' absorptive capacity was positively related to their employability. The employment-based pedagogical mode, considering the absorptive capacity as a partial mediator, was positively related to students' employability. The problem-based pedagogical mode, considering the absorptive capacity as a complete mediator, was positively related to students' employability. Absorptive capacity act as an important mediator variable when the employment-based and problem-based pedagogical mode influence students' employability. Based on the findings, specific suggestions and managerial implications for higher education policy, manpower training, and future research are provided.

In China, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) vaccines are widely used. These vaccines, which contain inactivated and live attenuated vaccines (LAVs), are produced by MARC-145 cells derived from the monkey kidney cell line. However, some PRRSV strains in MARC-145 cells have a low yield. Here, we used two type 2 PRRSV strains (CH-1R and HuN4) to identify the genes responsible for virus yield in MARC-145 cells. Our findings indicate that the two viruses have different spread patterns, which ultimately determine their yield. By replacing the viral envelope genes with a reverse genetics system, we discovered that the minor envelope proteins, from GP2a to GP4, play a crucial role in determining the spread pattern and yield of type 2 PRRSV in MARC-145 cells. The cell-free transmission pattern of type 2 PRRSV appears to be more efficient than the cell-to-cell transmission pattern. Overall, these findings suggest that GP2a to GP4 contributes to the spread pattern and yield of type 2 PRRSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has caused serious economic losses to the pig industry worldwide. During the continuous monitoring of PRRSV, a new PRRSV strain type with novel characteristics was first identified in three different regions of Shandong Province. These strains presented a novel deletion pattern (1 + 8 + 1) in the NSP2 region and belonged to a new branch in sublineage 8.7 based on the ORF5 gene phylogenetic tree. To further study the genomic characteristics of the new-branch PRRSV, we selected a sample from each of the three farms for whole-genome sequencing and sequence analysis. Based on the phylogenetic analysis of the whole genome, these strains formed a new independent branch in sublineage 8.7, which showed a close relationship with HP-PRRSV and intermediate PRRSV according to nucleotide and amino acid homology but displayed a completely different deletion pattern in NSP2. Recombinant analysis showed that these strains presented similar recombination patterns, all of which involved recombination with QYYZ in the ORF3 region. Furthermore, we found that the new-branch PRRSV retained highly consistent nucleotides at positions 117-120 (AGTA) of a quite conserved motif in the 3'-UTR; showed similar deletion patterns in the 5'-UTR, 3'-UTR and NSP2; retained characteristics consistent with intermediate PRRSV and exhibited a gradual evolution trend. The above results showed that the new-branch PRRSV strains may have the same origin and be similar to HP-PPRSV also evolved from intermediate PRRSV, but are distinct strains that evolved simultaneously with HP-PRRSV. They persist in some parts of China through rapid evolution, recombine with other strains and have the potential to become epidemic strains. The monitoring and biological characteristics of these strains should be further studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has brought serious economic losses to pig industry. PRRSV-1 have existed in China for more than 25years. The prevalence and features of PRRSV-1 on Chinese farms are unclear. We continuously monitored PRRSV in a pig farm with strict biosafety measures in Henan Province, China, in 2020. The results showed that multiple types of PRRSV coexisted on this single pig farm. PRRSV-1 was one of the main circulating strains on the farm and was responsible for infections throughout nearly the entire epidemic cycle. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PRRSV-1 isolates from this pig farm formed an independent branch, with all isolates belonging to BJEU06-1-like PRRSV. The analysis of selection pressure on ORF5 on this branch identified 5 amino acids as positive selection sites, indicating that PRRSV-1 had undergone adaptive evolution on this farm. According to the analysis of ORF5 of PRRSV-1 on this farm, the evolutionary rate of the BJEU06-1-like branch was estimated to be 1.01x10-2 substitutions/ site/year. To further understand the genome-wide characteristics of PRRSV-1 on this pig farm, two full-length PRRSV-1 genomes representative of pig farms were obtained. The results of amino acid alignment revealed that although one NSP2 deletion was consistent with BJEU06-1, different new features were found in ORF3 and ORF4. According to the above results, PRRSV-1 has undergone considerable evolution in China. This study is the first to report the prevalence and characteristics of PRRSV-1 on a large farm in mainland China, which will provide a reference for the identification and further prevention and control of PRRSV-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volcanic activity was quite frequent during the deposition of the Late Carboniferous Ha'erjiawu Formation in the Santanghu Basin. The petrology and organic and inorganic geochemical indicators were used to investigate hydrocarbon potential, paleoenvironmental conditions and organic matter enrichment of the mudstones. The results show that the oil generation capacity of the Ha'erjiawu Formation mudstones, which has abundant oil-prone organic matter (Type II kerogen with hydrogen index values mainly ranging from 250 to 550 mg HC/g TOC) in mature stage (Tmax values mainly ranging from 435 to 450 °C), is considerable. The Ha'erjiawu Formation was deposited in a dysoxic, freshwater-mildly brackish, and warm-humid environment. During its deposition, the Ha'erjiawu Formation received hydrothermal inputs. The volcanic hydrothermal activities played an important role in the organic matter enrichment. In addition, the total organic carbon (TOC) is significantly positively correlated with the felsic mineral content, but it is negatively correlated with the carbonate mineral content and C27/C29 ratios, indicating that terrigenous organic matter input also contributed to the primary productivity in the surface water. Therefore, the formation of the high-quality source rocks in the Ha'erjiawu Formation was jointly affected by the hydrothermal activity and the terrigenous organic matter input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prednisone plus azathioprine is considered the mainstay of therapy in the current recommendations for autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). However, it does not provide good benefits for AIH patients because of its serious side effects. Therefore, more and more AIH patients prefer to seek for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to manage their symptoms and reduce the side effects of steroids in China. Shu-Gan-Jian-Pi Decoction is a popular used Chinese herbal formula in Guangdong province of China, which has demonstrated the effect of improving efficacy and reducing side effects of corticosteroids in AIH patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Shu-Gan-Jian-Pi Decoction combined with steroid in AIH patients. So, this study aims to explore whether the combination treatment of Shu-Gan-Jian-Pi Decoction and steroid standard therapy could improve the clinical management of AIH. Methods: A prospective non-randomized study on AIH will be conducted between October 2015 and June 2017 in Guangdong Provincial hospital of Chinese medicine. Eligible AIH patients will be classified as the case group (n = 66) and the control group (n = 66) based on the interventions. Patients taking Shu-Gan-Jian-Pi Decoction combined with prednisone and azathioprine will be in the case group and those taking prednisone and azathioprine will be in the control group. The whole study will last 48 weeks, including a 24-week observation period and a 24-week follow-up period. The primary outcome was complete response to therapy, defined as complete biochemical remission at the patient's last visit of observation period and the absence of predefined steroid-specific side effects throughout treatment. Discussion: This trial will evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shu-Gan-Jian-Pi Decoction combined with prednisone and azathioprine on AIH patients. The achievement of this trial will provide evidence-based data for Shu-Gan-Jian-Pi Decoction, which could provide good benefits for AIH patients. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-OOC-15006155. Registration date: 28 March 2015 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perilla frutescens is an important annual herb of the mint family that is native to East Asia, particularly China, Korea, and Japan, is widely used as a fresh vegetable and in traditional Chinese medicines, popular garnishes, and food colorants. Hydrodistilled essential oils obtained from P. frutescens from 11 areas of China were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). One hundred and nineteen compounds accounting for 98.07-99.74% of the oils were identified. The predominant compounds were 2-acetylfuran (max. 82.17%), perillaldehyde (max. 53.41%), caryophyllene (max. 38.34%), laurolene (max. 40.6%), 2-hexanoylfuran (max. 33.03%), 2-butylamine (max. 22.22%), α-asarone (max. 11.85%), β-farnesene (max. 9.25%), α-caryophyllene (max. 9.16%), and (Z,E)-α-farnesene (max. 7.14%). Chemical variation in the oils was estimated using cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The results revealed chemical polymorphism in the oils. However, the oils from Ganzhou, Kaili, Suining, Macheng, Nanyang, and Yixing were more similar, and the oils from Quzhou, Loudi, and Nanning also revealed similarities. Antioxidant activity (by free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power) and antifungal activity (by poisoned food method and micro-well dilution method) were also assessed. The antioxidant activity of the oils showed similar order to that obtained by three different testing methods: Pingliang, Baoding, Loudi, and Quzhou>Kaili, Ganzhou, Macheng, and Nanning>Suining, Nanyang, and Yixing. All oils except that from Baoding were active against all of the tested strains. These results suggested that the region of origin greatly influenced the chemical composition and bioactivities of P. frutescens, which might help in developing this promising bioresource in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate and compare the effects and mechanisms of three functional parts of Dahuang Zhechong Pill (大黄[InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.]虫丸, DHZCP), including drugs with the function of removing blood stasis and promoting blood circulation (FP-I), drugs with the function of expelling heat and moistening dryness (FP-II), and drugs with the function of nourishing yin and replenishing blood (FP-III) of DHZCP, on platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation with the method of serum pharmacology. Methods: VSMCs proliferation of rat was assayed by measuring the cell viability with the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. DNA synthesis in VSMCs was examined by detecting 5′-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine incorporation with the immunocytochemical method. Cycle of VSMCs was evaluated with flow cytometry. Expression of cyclin D1, p27, PKCα, and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) was quantified by the Western blotting method. Results: The FP-I and FP-III containing serum was capable of inhibiting PDGF-stimulated proliferation and DNA synthesis of VSMCs, arrested VSMCs in G phase, downregulated cyclin D1, and upregulated p27 expression ( P <0.01 or P <0.05). The FP-I and FP-III containing serum also inhibited the PDGF-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine of ERK1/2 and PKCα expression ( P <0.01 or P <0.05). Conclusions: FP-I and FP-III of DHZCP are able to inhibit VSMCs proliferation via interrupting PKCα-ERK1/2 signaling, modulating the expression of cell cycle proteins to result in arresting the cells in G phase. The inhibitory effect is mainly related to the function of removing blood stasis and promoting blood circulation, slightly to the function of nourishing yin and replenishing blood, but not to the function of expelling heat and moistening dryness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a research done to analyze Health Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) of life and occupational stress in the nurses of China. The article presents the data collected by various health surveys done across in China using questionnaires. According to the results observed through research occupational stress, personal strain, job exhaustion, length of work hours, irregular diet and age were the main risk factors affecting HRQOL.

The oil, gas and water volumes revealed by the productivity of exploratory wells do not reflect the actual underground situations. Under the geologic conditions, a certain amount of dissolved natural gas is stored in oil or water. Based on the production test data of exploratory wells in the Tazhong uplift of the Tarim basin, this paper discusses in detail the differences in occurrence and distribution featrues between the surface and underground natural gases; presents a restoration of the surface gas occurrence to actual underground geologic conditions according to the dissolubility of natural gas under different temperature, pressure and medium conditions; and classifies the natural gas into three states, i.e. the oversaturated, saturated and undersaturated, according to its relative content underground. Through a comparative analysis of the differences in surface and underground occurrences of natural gas, it discusses the hydrocarbon reservoir formation mechanism and distribution rules, thereby providing guidances as new methods and technologies for the prediction of potential natural gas reservoir distribution in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complicated desert vegetation pattern and its links to soil conditions in the Manas River basin where the natural landscape and human land-use history are representative for NW China and even central Asia are quantitatively investigated in this study. Vegetation and soil of 47 remnant desert and 22 cropland stands along the Manas River were sampled. Soil features, including Total Organic Carbon (TOC), total and individual ( $${\text{HCO}}_3^ - $$ , $${\text{CO}}_3^{2 - } $$ , Cl−, $${\text{SO}}_4^{2 - } $$ , K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) salt content, and physical components of both remnant desert and cropland stands were analyzed in a laboratory. In total, eight types of desert and lowland marsh communities are distinguished. Topographical conditions are found to strongly affect soil features. The topsoil is also distinguishable from the subsoil, particularly in clay content. Statistical analyses demonstrate that both silt percentage and total salt content in the soil are significant for the distribution of plant communities. Discriminant functions for the main desert and lowland marsh types were established based on their subsoil features, with accuracy up to 83%. The vegetation patterns prior to massive cultivation of 22 cropland plots were reliably interpreted from the cropland subsoil features using these discriminant functions. Twenty of them coincide very well with topological conditions, place names and records in literature, further confirming that the subsoil features have not substantially changed in the shifting from desert to cropland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a study conducted to determine if the health of individuals, who lived in the areas surrounding a lead-zinc factory in Zhenhe County, China, were affected by cadmium contamination. Cadmium forms naturally in the earth's crust and enters the environment as a result of various human activities. People can be exposed to cadmium when they eat plants grown in contaminated soil. Results from animal and occupational studies indicate that cadmium exposure is associated with an increased risk for cancer, human reproductive problems, and other health issues. The factory of Zhenhe County mines lead-zinc ores, which contain cadmium, but it does not smelt these ores. When the ores were washed in water, waste water was produced and released into the river, thereby releasing cadmium into the river, which led to the farmlands becoming contaminated. Two villages, Tieshan and Fenglin, located within 5 km of a lead-zinc mineral factory, were considered the contaminated areas for this research. The residents of contaminated communities had a higher mean urinary cadmium concentration than a control population, suggesting that individuals who lived in the contaminated areas had a greater cadmium burden than controls.

The article discusses a study which investigated the evolutionary origin and path of highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses (HP-PRRSV) that infected pigs in China. Researchers examined the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of 67 PRRSV. They found four conserved deletions among the PRRSV, the occurrence of which might be explained as a stepwise accumulation from subgroup 2 to subgroup 4.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), an important pathogen that affects the pig industry, is a highly genetically diverse RNA virus. However, the phylogenetic and genomic recombination properties of this virus have not been completely elucidated. In this study, comparative analyses of all available genomic sequences of North American (NA)-type PRRSVs (n = 355, including 138 PRRSV genomes sequenced in this study) in China and the United States during 2014–2018 revealed a high frequency of interlineage recombination hot spots in nonstructural protein 9 (NSP9) and the GP2 to GP3 regions. Lineage 1 (L1) PRRSV was found to be susceptible to recombination among PRRSVs both in China and the United States. The recombinant major parent between the 1991–2013 data and the 2014–2018 data showed a trend from complex to simple. The major recombination pattern changed from an L8 to L1 backbone during 2014–2018 for Chinese PRRSVs, whereas L1 was always the major backbone for US PRRSVs. Intralineage recombination hot spots were not as concentrated as interlineage recombination hot spots. In the two main clades with differential diversity in L1, NADC30-like PRRSVs are undergoing a decrease in population genetic diversity, NADC34-like PRRSVs have been relatively stable in population genetic diversity for years. Systematic analyses of insertion and deletion (indel) polymorphisms of NSP2 divided PRRSVs into 25 patterns, which could generate novel references for the classification of PRRSVs. The results of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of the recombination of PRRSVs and indicate the need for coordinated epidemiological investigations among countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, a majority of the highly pathogenic porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (HP-PRRSV) strains were seeded by the 2006 outbreak. However, the most recently emerged (2013-2014) HP-PRRSV strain has a very different genetic background. It is a NADC30-like PRRSV strain recently introduced from North America that has undergone genetic exchange with the classic HP-PRRSV strains in China. Subsequent isolation and characterization of this variant suggest high pathogenicity, so it merits special attention in control and vaccine strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arteriovenous grafting offers an alternative for patients whose vessels are unsuitable for arteriovenous fistula. However, as a result of subcutaneous tunnel dissection, postoperative pain and edema of the operated limb present early after surgery. As a traditional therapeutic approach, cryotherapy has the ability to suppress postoperative pain and edema., Aims: The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of cryotherapy after arteriovenous graft surgery to decrease perioperative medication usage., Design: This study was a randomized controlled trial., Setting: A large integrated health care facility in South China., Participants/subjects: A total of 85 hemodialysis patients who received arteriovenous graft surgery from March 2011 to February 2017 were enrolled., Methods: The participants were divided into an intervention group and a control group according to the postoperative management. Ice packs were applied covering the operative forearm for 120 minutes after wound closure in the intervention group. General information, pain score, analgesic consumption, wound inflammation, forearm edema, and participant satisfaction were compared between the two groups., Results: Cryotherapy-treated patients required less analgesia (26.19% vs. 48.84%, p < .05), reported lower pain score from 30 minutes to 48 hours postoperative (p < .05), less wound inflammation (11.90% vs. 25.58%, p < .05), and higher participant satisfaction (8.92 ± 0.57 vs. 6.52 ± 0.63, p < .05), whereas the incidence of forearm edema was equivalent (p > .05). No adverse events were reported in either group., Conclusions: Cryotherapy is a preferable intervention for patients after arteriovenous graft implantation as a result of its favorable cost, convenience, and fewer side effects., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Pain Management Nursing. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To study the relationship between resilience and quality of life (QOL) in patients with digestive cancer., Methods: The resilience of patients was measured prior to treatment, and their psychological distress, fatigue status, and treatment side effects were assessed 3 wk after. Their QOL was measured after their treatment ended. A relationship model of these variables was constructed using path analysis., Results: Resilience explained 33.2% of the variance in psychological distress, 16.1% of the variance in fatigue, and 1.23% of the variance in side effects. The relationship between resilience and QOL was statistically significant (β = 0.119, t = 4.499, P < 0.001) when psychological distress, fatigue, and side effects were absent from the regression model, whereas the adjusted regression coefficient of resilience was not statistically significant (t = 1.562, P > 0.05) when these variables were added. Psychological distress, together with fatigue and side effects, could explain 52.40% of the variance in QOL (P < 0.05). Physiological distress accounted for 28.94% of the total effect on QOL, fatigue accounted for 33.72%, side effects accounted for 22.53%, and resilience accounted for 14.80%., Conclusion: Resilience is not an independent predictor of QOL in patients with digestive cancer, but it is a main factor influencing psychological distress and side effects.