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Truffles are a rare underground fungus and one of the most expensive, and sought-after kitchen ingredients in the world. Microbial ecology plays an important role in the annual growth cycle of truffles, but fungal communities in native truffle ecosystems are still largely unknown, especially for Tuber indicum from China. In this study, the spatial and temporal dynamics of soil physicochemical properties and fungal communities were described associated with four T. indicum-producing plots (TPPs) and one non-truffle-producing plot in four successive growing seasons. A total of 160 biological samples were collected, 80 of which were used for the determination of 10 soil physicochemical indices and 80 for Illumina-based analysis of the fungal microbiome. Soil physicochemical properties and fungal communities exhibited considerable seasonal variation. Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Mucormycoides dominated. The core microbiome work on the microecological changes in TPPs, and the identified core members contribute to the seasonal succession of communities. The genus Tuber occupies a central position in healthy TPPs. There was a strong correlation between soil physicochemical properties and fungal communities. The genus Tuber showed a positive correlation with Ca, Mg, and total nitrogen, but a negative correlation with total phosphorus and available potassium. This study describes the complex ecological dynamics of soil physicochemical indices and fungal communities occurring during the annual cycle of Tuber indicum, and highlights the succession of core communities in truffle plots, which contribute to better protection of native truffle ecosystems and control of mycorrhizal fungal contamination in artificial truffle plantations in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation and thrombosis are involved in the development of stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). Our aim was to evaluate the predictive value of a novel, simplified, thrombo-inflammatory prognostic score (TIPS) that combines both inflammatory and thrombus biomarkers in the early phase of ischemic stroke (IS). Methods: The study population consisted of 897 patients with a first diagnosis of IS admitted to the emergency department of five tertiary hospitals in China. Of these, the data from 70% of patients was randomly selected to derive the model and the other 30% for model validation. A TIPS of "2" was indicative of high inflammation and thrombosis biomarkers and "1" of one biomarker, with "0" indicative of absence of biomarkers. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the association between TIPS and SAP. Results: The TIPS was an independent predictor of SAP and 90-day mortality, with the incidence of SAP being significantly higher for patients with a high TIPS. The TIPS provided superior predictive value for SAP than clinical scores (A2DS2) and biomarkers currently used in practice, for both the derivation and validation sets. Mediation analysis revealed that TIPS provided a predictive value than either thrombotic (NLR) and inflammatory (D-dimer) biomarkers alone. Conclusion: The TIPS score may be a useful tool for early identification of patients at high-risk for SAP after IS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Thrombocytopenia was common in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during the infection, while the role of thrombocytopenia in COVID-19 pathogenesis and its relationship with systemic host response remained obscure. The study aimed to systematically evaluate the relationship between thrombo- cytopenia in COVID-19 patients and clinical, haematological and biochemical markers of the disease as well as adverse outcomes. Methods. To assess the relationship between abnormal platelet levels and disease progression, a multi-center retrospective cohort study was conducted. COVID-19 patients with thrombocytopenia and a sub-cohort of matched patients without thrombocytopenia were compared for their clinical manifestations, haematological disorders, biochemical parameters, inflammatory markers and clinical outcome. Results. Thrombocytopenia was present in 127 of 2,209 analyzed patients on admission. Compared with the control group, thrombocytopenia patients developed significantly higher frequency of respiratory failure (41.9% vs. 22.6%, P = 0.020), intensive care unit entrance (25.6% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.012), disseminated intravascular coagulation (45.2% vs. 10.6%, P < 0:001), more altered platelet morphology indexes and coagulation perturbation, higher levels of inflammatory markers. In addition, a significantly increased all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 3.08, 95% confidence interval 2.26-4.18, P <0.001) was also observed in the patients with thrombocytopenia. Late development of thrombocytopenia beyond 14 days post-symptom was observed in 61 patients, from whom a comparable mortality rate yet longer duration to death was observed compared to those with early thrombocytopenia. Conclusions. Our finding from this study adds to previous evidence that thrombo- cytopenia is associated with adverse outcome of the disease and recommend that platelet count and indices be included alongside other haematological, biochemical and inflammatory markers in COVID-19 patients' assessment during the hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Population-based studies have consistently showed an increased incidence of coronary heart disease and cardiac mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Tongmai Jiangtang capsules (TJC) are Chinese patent medicines that have been approved in China for the treatment of diabetic vascular complications. However, the evidence supporting the efficacy of Tongmai Jiangtang capsules in type 2 diabetic coronary heart disease (T2DM-CHD) remains unclear. Herein, we designed a randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial to investigate a new complementary therapy for T2DM-CHD patients. Methods: A total of 360 T2DM-CHD subjects (aged 18–75 years) will be randomly assigned to the TJC group or the placebo group at a 2:1 ratio. On the basis of western medicine therapy, all the participants will receive TJC or placebo, orally, three capsules/treatment, three per day for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes will be assessed according to the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) classification. All statistical analyses will be performed setting a two-sided 0.05 significance level, using SAS 9.4 statistical software. Discussion: The efficacy of TJC for the treatment of T2DM-CHD patients will be evaluated. The study will provide reliable clinical research evidence for application of TJC in treating T2DM-CHD patients. Clinical Trial Registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/enIndex.aspx, Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000037491. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Chinese currency the renminbi as a global reserve currency. According to the article, the Chinese government worked to increase the international use of the renminbi in international finance and commerce during the early 21st century. It discusses the potential impact of the renminbi on economic internationalization and capital account convertibility, and examines the renminbi as a reserve currency.

This study examined the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant (ART) bacteria and representative antibiotic resistance (AR)-encoding genes associated with several aquaculture products from retail markets in Guangzhou, China. ART commensal bacteria were found in 100% of the products examined. Among 505 multidrug-resistant isolates examined, close to one-fourth contained intl and sul1 genes: 15% contained sul2 and 5% contained tet(E). Incidences of β-lactamase-encoding genes blaTEM, blaCMY and erythromycin resistance determinants germ and germ were 4.5, 1.7, 1.3, and 0.3%, respectively. Most of the ART isolates identified from the rinse water were Aeromonas spp.; those from intestines belonged to the Enterobacteriaceae. Plasmid-associated intl and AR-encoding genes were identified in several ART isolates by Southern hybridization. Three multidrug resistance-encoding plasmids were transferred into Escherichia colt DH5α by chemical transformation and led to acquired AR in the transformants. In addition, the AR traits in many isolates were quite stable, even in the absence of selective pressure. Further studies are needed to reveal risk factors associated with the aquaculture production chain for targeted AR mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the formation of a disaster relief drill by the Sichuan provincial government held on May 11, 2012 as part of the commemorative activity for the 4-year anniversary of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China. The simulation scenario was established as an earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale that occurred in the Longmenshan fault zone. The drill comprised of decision-making and command, rapid rescue and relief force congregation, emergency dealing, and rescue. Several photographs are presented depicting various activities during the disaster relief drill.

It is very necessary to promote the construction of key ecological function areas to protect national ecological security because of its relatively fragile ecosystem and important ecological value. From the perspective of ecology-agriculture-urban space, this study aims to make dynamic comparative analysis of the coordinated development levels between 2008 and 2018, and explore the characteristics of spatial utilization, existing problems and the potential of development in Tacheng Basin. The results indicate that: 1) The coupling coordination degree of ecology-agriculture-urban space in Tacheng Basin is still in low-level state. However, there exist some disparities between 2008 and 2018. The maximum value is only 0.434 in 2008 and it increases to 0.492 in 2018. 2) The ecology-agriculture-urban space of Tacheng Basin has greater development potential with the characteristics of spatial agglomeration distribution. Ecological, agricultural and urban spaces are interconnected and interact with each other, but the emphasis on developmental direction is different with respective characteristic resources. 3) Regional interconnectivity and integration development is an effective way to realize the coordinated development of ecology-agriculture-urban space. Therefore, according to the analytical results and advantages for development, we have proposed corresponding policy recommendations from the perspective of ecological protection, economic transformation and regional division and cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the energy consumption of oil pipelines is an important part of pipeline companies' energy-saving and consumption-reduction plans and the realization of refined management. In order to predict the energy consumption of the long-distance product oil pipeline faster and better, this manuscript innovatively uses the normal distribution function to improve the search mode of the fruit fly optimization algorithm (FOA). It establishes the normal distribution fruit fly optimization algorithm (NFOA). It enhances search accuracy in the central area and effectively expands the search scope. Experimental results show that the accuracy and stability of the algorithm are improved by 100% and 900%. Then, NFOA combined with support vector regression (NFOA-SVR) is used to predict the three long-distance product pipeline data sets in China. The results show that the optimization speed and prediction accuracy of NFOA-SVR in LCY-Others set and LW-total set are significantly better than the other two algorithms. In the LCY-Pump set, NFOA-SVR has the same accuracy as the other two algorithms. Finally, experiments on random data sets show that the accuracy and stability of NFOA-SVR gradually decrease with the increase of the standard deviation of the data set. • A Normal Distribution Fruit Fly Optimization Algorithm (NFOA) is proposed. • Improving fruit fly distribution patterns using normal distribution theory. • Validating NFOA using benchmark functions. • Predicting oil pipeline energy consumption using NFOA-SVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TCM protocol in the Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Trial Version 7) has been updated from previous versions. The protocol was formulated under the direct leadership of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, based on the experience of a panel of experts, supported by evidence from fever clinics and from the outcomes of emergency (EM) observation rooms and inpatients throughout China (especially in Wuhan, Hubei Province) in combination with the latest scientific research results and data. The present interpretation of the TCM protocol is based on an overall understanding of the revised content, and aims to guide and standardize its clinical application to provide a reference for clinicians.

Objectives: Previous studies have reported that civilian transport is a mortality risk factor in low-resource communities. Few studies have analyzed the chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport after an earthquake.Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine whether mortality resulting from medical professional transport differs from that involving civilian transport, and if so, the chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport after the Wen-chuan earthquake., Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted. Cases included all victims transported by civilians to West China Hospital from the disaster area (n=473). Controls included all victims transported by medical professionals to West China Hospital (n=1452). We further analyze six potential chief complaints of death to clarify the specific contributing chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport., Results: Civilian transport is associated with significantly greater mortality compared with medical professional transport (Pearson's χ-test: P<0.05). Patients with altered mental status had the greatest risk of death [odds ratio (OR)=4.552, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.165-9.572], followed by patients with trunk injury (OR=2.517, 95% CI=1.251-5.066), and finally patients with shortness of breath (OR=2.345, 95% CI=1.040-5.288)., Conclusion: Altered mental status, trunk injury, and shortness of breath were the significant chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport to the hospital after the Wen-chuan earthquake. Our data suggest that patients with any of these complaints should be transported by medical professionals, not civilians, to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of two different approaches to perform laparoscopic RPLND: transperitoneal laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (TL-RPLND) and extraperitoneal laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (EL-RPLND)., Materials and Methods: Between February 2003 and April 2013, 39 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors were treated by RPLND in our center. Twenty-one patients had TL-RPLND, and 18 patients had EL-RPLND. We performed a comprehensive retrospective study comparing TL-RPLND and EL-RPLND. Certain parameters, including operative time, estimated blood loss, perioperative complications, resected lymph nodes, postoperative intestinal function recovery time, ejaculation, and postoperative tumor markers, were abstracted and compared., Results: In the EL-RPLND and TL-RPLND groups, the operation times were 178 ± 31 and 207 ± 25 min; the amounts of estimated blood loss were 87 ± 26 and 111 ± 21 ml; the postoperative intestinal function recovery times were 1.2 ± 0.7 and 2.4 ± 0.6 days; the postoperative hospital stays were 5.8 ± 1.1 and 5.5 ± 1.4 days; and the numbers of resected lymph nodes were 16.2 ± 1.5 and 15.8 ± 1.6, respectively. No conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery occurred. No patient in either group received an intraoperative blood transfusion. Overall, two patients developed postoperative fever, and one developed abdominal distension. After a median follow-up of 45 months, no regional relapse or metastases occurred, but 4 patients at clinical stage II were treated successfully by three cycles of platinum-based postoperative chemotherapy. Currently, all patients show no evidence of disease., Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that EL-RPLND was superior to the transperitoneal approach in terms of the operation time, estimated blood loss, and postoperative intestinal function recovery time, whereas no differences were observed in the number of lymph nodes resected. EL-RPLND was demonstrated to be safe and feasible, with satisfactory clinical outcomes when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. Larger cohorts of patients with longer term follow-up are needed for further studies to determine the role of different approaches to L-RPLND.