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Campylobacter jejuni is recognized as a significant foodborne pathogen, and recent studies have indicated a rising trend of aminoglycosides resistance gene aph(2″)-If among C. jejuni isolates from food-producing animals in China. However, systematic information about aph(2″)-If -positive C. jejuni from food-producing animals and other sources worldwide based on whole-genome analysis remains a knowledge gap. In this study, we aimed to analyze the worldwide distribution, genetic environment and phylogenetic tree of aph(2″)-If by utilizing Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data obtained, coupled with information in the GenBank database. A total of 160 C. jejuni isolates in the GenBank database and 14 C. jejuni isolates in our laboratory carrying aph(2″)-If gene were performed for further analysis. WGS analysis revealed the global distribution of aph(2″)-If among C. jejuni from 6 countries. Multilocus Sequence Typing(MLST) results indicated that 70 STs were involved in the dissemination of aph(2″)-If , with ST10086 being the predominant ST. Whole-genome Multilocus Sequence Typing(wg-MLST) analysis according to times, countries, and origins of C. jejuni isolation further demonstrated a close relationship between aph(2″)-If carrying C. jejuni isolates from farm and food. The findings also revealed the existence of 32 distinct types of genetic environments surrounding aph(2″)-If among these isolates. Notably, Type 30, characterized by the arrangement IS sag10 - deoD - ant (9)- hp - hp - aph(2″)-If , emerged as the predominant genetic environment. In conclusion, our analysis provides the inaugural perspective on the worldwide distribution of aph(2″)-If. This resistance gene demonstrates horizontal transferability and regional diffusion in a clonal pattern. The close association observed among aph(2″)-If -positive C. jejuni strains isolated from poultry, food, and clinical environments underscores the potential for zoonotic transmission from these isolates. • aph(2″)-If is globally prevalent among C. jejuni, indicating its widespread. • Close correlation was identified between aph(2″)-If- positive C. jejuni of different origin. • Diverse genetic environments highlights aph(2″)-If widely dissemination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports Ca-Fe isotope compositions of mineral separates in a set of peridotite xenoliths including ten lherzolites, one harzburgite, and one wehrlite from Hainan Island, south China. Iron isotope compositions show a small variation (<0.15‰ of δ56/54Fe) among olivine (ol), orthopyroxene (opx), and clinopyroxene (cpx). Δ44/40Ca opx-cpx (δ44/40Ca opx -δ44/40Ca cpx) show a large range from 0.00‰ to 1.23‰. Together with data in previous studies, Δ44/40Ca opx-cpx in mantle xenoliths worldwide show a negative correlation with the apparent temperatures, which cannot be explained by equilibrium fractionation. Instead, the observed inter-mineral Ca isotope fractionation between opx and cpx (>2‰) in previous studies should be dominated by disequilibrium sub-solidus Ca redistribution between cpx and opx, which is driven by the changes of mantle temperature and chemical composition in pyroxene. The wehrlite, which was formed by reaction of peridotite with an evolved, silica-undersaturated melt, has δ44/40Ca of 3.22‰ and δ56/54Fe of 0.22‰, significantly heavier than the value of fertile mantle. Such heavy isotope signatures in the wehrlite are best explained by diffusion during the metasomatic melt percolating the refractory mantle. In summary, this study reveals that significant kinetic Ca isotope fractionations could occur in the mantle by inter-mineral Ca diffusion during re-equilibration upon cooling and Ca diffusion from melt into peridotite during melt percolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents calcium isotope data for co-existing clinopyroxenes (cpx), orthopyroxenes (opx), and olivine (ol) in mantle xenoliths to investigate Ca isotopic fractionation in the upper mantle. δ 44/40 Ca (δ 44/40 Ca (‰) = ( 44 Ca/ 40 Ca) SAMPLE /( 44 Ca/ 40 Ca) SRM915a − 1) in opx varies from 0.95 ± 0.05‰ to 1.82 ± 0.01‰ and cpx from 0.71 ± 0.06‰ to 1.03 ± 0.12‰ (2se). δ 44/40 Ca in ol (P-15) is 1.16 ± 0.08‰, identical to δ 44/40 Ca of the co-existing opx (1.12 ± 0.09‰, 2se). The Δ 44/40 Ca opx−cpx (Δ 44/40 Ca opx−cpx = δ 44/40 Ca opx –δ 44/40 Ca cpx ) shows a large variation ranging from −0.01‰ to 1.11‰ and it dramatically increases with decreasing of Ca/Mg (atomic ratio) in opx. These observations may reflect the effect of opx composition on the inter-mineral equilibrium fractionation of Ca isotopes, consistent with the theoretical prediction by first-principles theory calculations (Feng et al., 2014). Furthermore, Δ 44/40 Ca opx−cpx decreases when temperature slightly increases from 1196 to 1267 K. However, the magnitude of such inter-mineral isotopic fractionation (1.12‰) is not consistent with the value calculated by the well-known correlation between inter-mineral isotope fractionation factors and 1/ T 2 (Urey, 1947). Instead, it may reflect the temperature control on crystal chemistry of opx (i.e., Ca content), which further affects Δ 44/40 Ca opx−cpx . The calculated δ 44/40 Ca of bulk peridotites and pyroxenites range from 0.76 ± 0.06‰ to 1.04 ± 0.12‰ (2se). Notably, δ 44/40 Ca of bulk peridotites are positively correlated with CaO and negatively with MgO content. Such correlations can be explained by mixing between a fertile mantle end-member and a depleted one with low δ 44/40 Ca, indicating that Ca isotopes could be a useful tool in studying mantle evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the historical changes in the national identity of the Korean minority in China from the period of Japanese colonial invasion through to the present. Existing studies have taken an ethno-cultural approach to the Korean minority's dual identity, but they have ignored the importance of political identity-formation which creates, re-creates, and transforms national identity. The Korean minority's national identity has been determined by political and economic factors rather than ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In this regard, the Korean minority's double-minded self-understanding of its own nationhood has shifted from an ethnicity-centred dual identity to a nationality-centred dual identity. This article notes that the Korean minority's national identity has been created and re-created by political identity-formation, and its imagination of ethnicity has been transformed through this political process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Correct and effective handovers of patients' information during shift changes can ensure patients' safety and can help an incoming shift of nurses to continuously monitor patients' psychological problems and avoid unnecessary physical restraints. Development of a standard procedure for handover of patients who have been physically restrained has important clinical significance related to the smooth continuation of nursing work and assurance of the quality of care.Objective: The study intended to investigate the clinical effects of the situation-background-assessment-recommendation (SBAR) communication mode on the quality of the information passed during shift changes about patients in intensive care units (ICUs) who had been physically restrained and to compare it to the clinical effects obtained using traditional methods of communication.Design: The study was a retrospective analysis of the process used by nurses who were passing patient's information during shift changes when caring for patients who had been physically restrained.Setting: The study took place in an ICU at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University in Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.Participants: Participants were 21 nurses caring for 239 ICU patients under physical restraint at the Second Hospital.Intervention: Of the 239 patients, 118 had been hospitalized between March 1 and March 15, 2018 and were assigned to the control group, and 121 had been hospitalized between June 1 and June 15, 2018 and were assigned to the intervention group. An ICU Physical Restraint Handover Order was established according to the SBAR communication mode. The intervention group used the SBAR communication mode and the control group used the hospital's routine communication mode for the physical restraint of a patient during a nursing shift.Outcome Measures: The study measured the differences between the groups in the nurses' passing rates based on standards for the use of physical restraints, the quality of handover of information during shift changes about patients under physical restraint, the quality of the documentation written by nurses about the physical restraint, and the nurses' satisfaction with the handover of information during a shift change.Results: Among the patient, 112 in the intervention group (92.56%) and 92 in the control group (77.97%) were qualified for physical restraint. A statistically significant difference existed between the two groups in the passing rate for the use of physical restraints (P = .001). The quality score for the handovers during shift changes of patients under physical restraint in the intervention group was 95.46 ± 2.50 and for the control group was 91.08 ± 3.57, with the difference being statistically significant (P = .030). The quality score for the nursing documentation for the intervention group, at 97.21 ± 1.49, was higher than that of the control group, at 90.78 ± 3.42, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .001). The nurses' satisfaction score for the intervention group, at 98.14 ± 1.01 was higher than that of the control group, at 92.57 ± 1.86, and the difference was statistically significant (P = .006).Conclusions: The use of the SBAR communication mode to improve the information passed to nurses about patients under physical restraint during a shift change can improve the quality of the physical restraint and nurses' satisfaction and has a better clinical-application effect than the traditional methods used during shift changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The remains of an ancient wooden boat were unearthed at the Bibong-ri shell mound site. The site was located at Bibong-ri, Bugog-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do in South Korea. A substantial fragment of the vessel was discovered in the lowest layer of the site. We collected 17 samples of charcoal and wood from pebble, sand, and shell layers. Sample preparation extracted the carbon from each sample material and converted it into graphite for AMS radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon dates of the samples indicate that they belong to the Neolithic period and that the boat dates from ca. 5700 BC. To this point, the oldest known boat in the world has been a wooden boat dating from ca. 5500 BC in China. Other ancient boats from around the world include a logboat dating from ca. 3600 BC in Japan and a fleet of wooden boats dating from ca. 3000 BC in Egypt. The Bibong-ri boat is the first boat from the Neolithic period ever found in South Korea and must represent one of the world’s oldest known boats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a malignant tumor originating from the pleura, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. Due to the insidious onset and strong local invasiveness of MPM, most patients are diagnosed in the late stage and early screening and treatment for high-risk populations are crucial. The treatment of MPM mainly includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Immunotherapy and electric field therapy have also been applied, leading to further improvements in patient survival. The Mesothelioma Group of the Yangtze River Delta Lung Cancer Cooperation Group (East China LUng caNcer Group, ECLUNG; Youth Committee) developed a national consensus on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of MPM based on existing clinical research evidence and the opinions of national experts. This consensus aims to promote the homogenization and standardization of MPM diagnosis and treatment in China, covering epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up., (© 2023 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a relatively rare type of thoracic tumor, accounting for less than 1% of all tumors. The incidence of TETs is about 3.93/10000 in China, slightly higher than that of European and American countries. For resectable TETs, complete surgical resection is recommended. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be used as postoperative adjuvant treatment. Treatment for advanced, unresectable TETs consist mainly of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but there is a lack of standard first- and second-line treatment regimens. Recently, targeted therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promising outcomes in TETs. Based on the currently available clinical evidences and the opinions of the national experts, the Thymic Oncology Group of Yangtze River Delta Lung Cancer Cooperation Group (East China LUng caNcer Group, ECLUNG; Youth Committee) established this Chinese expert consensus on the clinical diagnosis and treatment of TETs, covering the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and follow-up of TETs., (© 2023 The Authors. Thoracic Cancer published by China Lung Oncology Group and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a pediatric public health concern in Asia. Surveillance data on the circulating serotypes of HFMD suggest that Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) and coxsackieviruses A6, A10, and A16 (CVA6, CVA10, and CVA16) are the major serotypes causing HFMD. Asian countries, including Korea, are currently developing a multivalent vaccine targeting these serotypes. However, the immunity of children against specific serotypes, indicating past infection, should also be considered while selecting candidate serotypes for vaccine development. Therefore, we aimed to identify the age-stratified serological statuses of Korean children to determine candidate serotypes for HFMD vaccine development. This study included 220 participants, categorized into four age groups, 7 months-2 years, 3-5 years, 6-10 years, and 11-15 years. A neutralization test was performed to quantitate the neutralizing antibodies (NtAbs) in the sera of the participants. Only EV-A71 and CVA6 were found suitable as candidate serotypes for vaccine development, whereas further study is needed for CVA10 and CVA16. The highest seropositivity and NtAb titer ranges were observed for CVA6 in all age groups, suggesting that the participants had been predominantly exposed to CVA6. For EV-A71, seropositivity and NtAb titer ranges steadily increased with age, suggesting that children were currently exposed to EV-A71. For CVA10, the 3-5 years group showed the highest seropositivity rate and higher NtAb titer ranges than the older age groups, indicating that the exposure to CVA10 had mainly occurred in recent years. Future studies will identify whether the exposure to CVA10 was transient or will continue. For CVA16, seropositivity and NtAb titer ranges were generally low, indicating that only a few participants had been exposed to CVA16. We identified discrepancies between the sentinel surveillance data and our findings. This study provides a new perspective for HFMD vaccine development and policy making in Asian countries.

A single nucleotide polymorphism-based PCR assay has been developed to differentiate the attenuated vaccine strain used in Japan from field isolates of Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae found in pigs. However, this assay has been evaluated with only Japanese strains and isolates; therefore, it is unknown whether it could be used in other countries with E. rhusiopathiae strains and isolates of different genetic backgrounds. In our study, the PCR assay was evaluated using Chinese E. rhusiopathiae vaccine strains and field isolates. The PCR assay was able to differentiate the attenuated vaccine strains from the field isolates of E. rhusiopathiae in China but with a pattern different from that observed in Japan (only a single nucleotide polymorphism was detected in the Chinese vaccine strains compared with 5 in the Japanese vaccine strains). Importantly, either a DNA polymerase without 3' to 5' exonuclease activity or an exo + polymerase with an antibody inhibiting the proofreading activity was required. In conclusion, after evaluation and improvement, this fast differentiation assay can be extended from Japan to China., (© 2016 The Author(s).)

Drug resistance in epilepsy is common despite many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) available for treatment. The development of drug resistant epilepsy may be a result of multiple factors. Several previous studies reported that the major vault protein (MVP) was significantly increased in epileptogenic brain tissues resected from patients with partial-onset seizures, indicating the possible involvement of MVP in drug resistance. In this article, we aimed to identify the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MVP gene and drug resistance of partial epilepsy in a Chinese Han population. A total of 510 patients with partial-onset seizures and 206 healthy controls were recruited. Among the patients, 222 were drug resistant and 288 were responsive. The selection of tagging SNPs was based on the Hapmap database and Haploview software and the genotyping was conducted on the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform. For the selected loci rs12149746, rs9938630 and rs4788186 in the MVP gene, there was no significant difference in allele or genotype distribution between the drug resistant and responsive groups, or between all of the patients and healthy controls. Linkage disequilibrium between any two loci was detected but there was no significant difference in haplotype frequency between the drug resistant and responsive groups. Our results suggest that MVP genetic polymorphisms and haplotypes may not be associated with drug resistance of partial epilepsy in the Chinese Han population., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of our study was to explore the risk factors of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) for different ethnic groups in Changde city (a multi-ethnic residence inhabited mainly by Han and Tujia), Hunan Province, China., Design, Setting and Participants: A multicenter study was performed and the demography data, etiology data and clinical features of 5338 AIS patients from 17 hospitals in Changde city were collected from January 2011 through December 2011., Main Measures: Student's t-test and Chi2-test were used to compare the differences between the Han and Tujia ethnic group in the AIS., Results: In Changde, the incidence of AIS in the Tujia ethnic group was higher than that in the Han ethnic group (233.14 per million vs. 84.38 million, respectively). We found statistically significant differences between the Tujia and Han ethnicities in demographic, etiology and clinical data (eg, sex, living environment, diet, smoking, payment methods, cerebral hemorrhage and transient ischemic attack [P < .05]). In addition, compared with the Han population, the Tujia patients had a higher rate of the incidence of the anterior circulation infarction, partial anterior circulation infarction, lacunar infarction and cerebral hemorrhage., Conclusions: Our results indicate that lifestyle choices (eg, diet, smoking cigarettes), location, family heritage, and sex are associated with AIS and is useful for informing AIS rates and treatment for AIS.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate knowledge and use of wild food plants in two mountain valleys separated by Mount Taibai--the highest peak of northern China and one of its biodiversity hotspots, each adjacent to species-rich temperate forest vegetation., Methods: Seventy two free lists were collected among the inhabitants of two mountain valleys (36 in each). All the studied households are within walking distance of primary forest vegetation, however the valleys differed in access to urban centers: Houzhenzi is very isolated, and the Dali valley has easier access to the cities of central Shaanxi., Results: Altogether, 185 wild food plant species and 17 fungi folk taxa were mentioned. The mean number of freelisted wild foods was very high in Houzhenzi (mean 25) and slightly lower in Dali (mean 18). An average respondent listed many species of wild vegetables, a few wild fruits and very few fungi. Age and male gender had a positive but very low effect on the number of taxa listed.Twelve taxa of wild vegetables (Allium spp., Amaranthus spp., Caryopteris divaricata, Helwingia japonica, Matteucia struthiopteris, Pteridium aquilinum, Toona sinensis, Cardamine macrophylla, Celastrus orbiculatus, Chenopodium album, Pimpinella sp., Staphylea bumalda &S. holocarpa), two species of edible fruits (Akebia trifoliata, Schisandra sphenanthera) and none of the mushrooms were freelisted by at least half of the respondents in one or two of the valleys., Conclusion: The high number of wild vegetables listed is due to the high cultural position of this type of food in China compared to other parts of the world, as well as the high biodiversity of the village surroundings. A very high proportion of woodland species (42%, double the number of the ruderal species used) among the listed taxa is contrary to the general stereotype that wild vegetables in Asia are mainly ruderal species. The very low interest in wild mushroom collecting is noteworthy and is difficult to explain. It may arise from the easy access to the cultivated Auricularia and Lentinula mushrooms and very steep terrain, making foraging for fungi difficult.