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The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta, is one of the most commercially important cultured bivalves in China and Southeast Asia, while S. rivularis is its closer relatives discovered more than a decade ago. In order to obtain offspring with faster growth rate and stronger salt tolerance of S. constricta and S. rivularis, interspecific hybrids were produced, and the hybridity of the interspecific hybrids was confirmed by microsatellite markers. Microsatellite markers exhibit a high potential for transfer through cross-amplification in related species, and the transferability of 48 pairs of microsatellite marker primers from S. constricta were assessed in S. rivularis. Here, 24 universal microsatellite markers were successfully amplified in S. rivularis, of which 18 were polymorphic with the allele number from 2 to 5. The genetic diversity of two razor clams evaluated by 18 polymorphic microsatellite markers indicated that two species were both above the middle level, with a relatively higher genetic diversity, while S. constricta showed higher genetic diversity than S. rivularis according to the genetic parameters of Na, Ho, He and PIC. Furthermore, a total of two speciesspecific microsatellite markers were screened, which could be used for quick genetic identification of S. constricta, S. rivularis and their hybrids. The results suggest the induced interspecific hybrids are true hybrids between S. constricta and S. rivularis, which provide a basis for breeding, subsequent protection, and germplasm resources utilization of the razor clams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Presenteeism is a significant global public health problem, and nurses are a high-prevalence group of presenteeism, affecting not only nurses' physical and mental health, work efficiency, and quality of work but even poses a serious threat to patient safety. Objective: The categorization of presenteeism among ICU nurses is unclear. Our research aims to explore the subtypes of presenteeism among ICU nurses based on latent profile analysis, analyze the influencing factors of different subtypes, and provide a reference basis for developing targeted interventions to reduce the presenteeism rate. Methods: From January to February 2023, 509 ICU nurses in Sichuan Province, China, were selected as respondents and surveyed using the general information questionnaire, the presenteeism scale, and the perceived social support scale. Potential categories of presenteeism among ICU nurses were explored using potential profile analysis, and factors influencing the potential types of presenteeism among ICU nurses were investigated using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The best model was suggested to consist of three profiles: low presenteeism-normal coping group (18.3%), moderate presenteeism group (47.9%), and high presenteeism-work limitation group (33.8%). Multiple logistic regression results showed that secondary hospitals (OR = 0.116, p = 0.015), good physical health (OR = 0.084, p = 0.023), general physical health (OR = 0.016, p = 0.037), ICU human resource allocation = 1:2.5 to 3 (OR = 0.315, p = 0.007), and higher social support scores (OR = 0.975, p = 0.047) were more likely to be grouped into low presenteeism-normal coping group; married with no children (OR = 24.554, p = 0.005) were more likely to be grouped into moderate presenteeism group; and having experienced workplace violence in the past year (OR = 1.182, p = 0.049) were more likely to be grouped into high presenteeismwork limitation group. Conclusion: There is group heterogeneity in the presenteeism of ICU nurses, and nursing managers should develop targeted interventions to reduce the presenteeism rate of ICU nurses according to the characteristics and influencing factors of each type of presenteeism of ICU nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrocarbon source rocks, as a main geologic factor of petroliferous systems in a sedimentary basin, play a key role in the accumulation of oil and gas and the formation of hydrocarbon accumulations. This study, which focuses on difficulties in prediction of hydrocarbon source rocks in basins or sags with low exploration degree and insufficient hydrocarbon source rock indicators, taking the Wenchang Formation of northern Zhu I Depression, Pearl River Mouth Basin as an example, proposed a hypothesis of "finding lakes and hydrocarbon source rocks". Detailed steps include, first , determination of the lacustrine basin boundary according to analysis of seismic foreset facies, determination of the depositional area based on the compilation of strata residual thickness maps, determination of the lacustrine basin shape according to deciphering slope break belt system, determination of the fluctuation of paleo-water depth according to biogeochemical indicators of mature exploration areas, determination of the lacustrine basin scale based on analyses of tectonics intensity and accommodation space, which prove the existence of the lacustrine basin and identify the range of semi deep-deep lake; second , further analyses of tectonopalaeogeomorphology, paleo-provenance, palaeoclimate and paleo-water depth to reconstruct the geologic background of the original basin and semi-deep-deep lacustrine facies, to determine the distribution of semi-deep/deep lacustrine sediments in combination with studies of logging facies, core facies, seismic facies and sedimentary facies, and to rank the sags' potential of developing hydrocarbon source rocks from controlling factors of source-to-sink system development; third , on the basis of regional sedimentary facies analysis, through identification and assessment of seismic facies types of semi-deep/deep lacustrine basins in mature areas, establishing "hydrocarbon source rock facies" in mature areas to instruct the identification and depicting of hydrocarbon source rocks in semi-deep/deep lacustrine basins with low exploration degree; fourth , through systematical summary of hydrocarbon-rich geological factors and lower limit index of hydrocarbon formation of the sags already revealed by drilling wells (e.g., sag area, tectonic subsidence amount, accommodation space, provenance characteristic, mudstone thickness, water body environment, sedimentary facies types of hydrocarbon source rocks), in correlation with corresponding indexes of sags with low exploration degree, then the evaluation and sorting of high-quality source rocks in areas with sparsely distributed or no drilling wells can be conducted with multi-factors and multiple dimensions. It is concluded that LF22 sag, HZ10 sag and HZ8 sag are II-order hydrocarbon rich sags; whereas HZS, HZ11 and HZ24 are the III-order hydrocarbon-generating sags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the background that the top-level semantic framework of Chinese traditional culture is not comprehensive and unified, this study aims to preserve and disseminate cultural heritage information about Chinese traditional culture through the development of a domain ontology which is constructed from ancient books. A combination of top-down and bottom-up approaches was used to construct the ontology for Chinese traditional culture (CTCO). An investigation of historians' needs, and LDA topic clustering model were conducted, understanding the specific needs of historians, collecting the topic, concepts and relationships. CIDOC CRM was reused to construct the basic framework of CTCO. Ontology structure and function were adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of CTCO. Evaluation results show that the ontology meets all the quality criteria of OntoMetrics, and the experts agreed on content representation (average score = 4.30). CTCO contributes to the organization of traditional Chinese culture and the construction of related databases. The study also forms a common path and puts forward proposals for the construction of domain ontology, which has great social relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction : Targeted medication, including mostly biologics and small-molecule chemical drugs, is an important therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). There are still limited data on the preference of different targeted drugs in Chinese AS patients. Methods : A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was performed on AS patients from six hospitals in three provinces in South China. Anti-rheumatic diseases' medication history includes the recent and previous usage of biologics or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in the last complete course of treatment, disease severity, and reasons for targeted-treatment change or preference. Results : 354 of 366 participants responded to the online survey. The participants' median age was 32 years, with a median of 7.3 years of disease duration; 79.7% were male. 63.6% of them were in the course of biologics or JAKi. Generic ETN is the most widely used and willing-to-use biologic though the proportion of its usage shrunk in the present compared with the past. The choice of original-branded ADA demonstrated an increase in usage. The preference of secukinumab and tofacitinib depicted a quick ascending trend. Conclusion : TNF-α inhibitors (TNFi) are still the most popular targeted medication for AS in China. Their price influences patients' preferences mostly. The doctor's recommendation is also part of the equation. Rheumatologists should pay more attention to patients' education to formulate targeted therapeutic plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To explore the prevalence of bone loss among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthy controls (HC) and further explored the risk factors for osteopenia and osteoporosis of RA patients.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in four hospitals in different districts in South China to reveal the prevalence of bone loss in patients. Case records, laboratory tests, and bone mineral density (BMD) results of patients were collected. Traditional multivariable logistic regression analysis and two machine learning methods, including least absolute shrinkage selection operator (LASSO) and random forest (RF) were for exploring the risk factors for osteopenia or osteoporosis in RA patients.Results: Four hundred five patients with RA and 198 HC were included. RA patients had lower BMD in almost BMD measurement sites than healthy controls; the decline of lumbar spine BMD was earlier than HC. RA patients were more likely to comorbid with osteopenia and osteoporosis (p for trend < 0.001) in the lumbar spine than HC. Higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level and using tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in the last year were protective factors; aging, lower body mass index, and increased serum uric acid might be risk factors for bone loss.Conclusions: RA patients were more prone and earlier to have bone loss than HC. More attention should be paid to measuring BMD in RA patients aging with lower BMI or hyperuricemia. Besides, serum vitamin D and all three measurement sites are recommended to check routinely. TNFi usage in the last year might benefit bone mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the application process of China's independently produced new aluminum alloy 211z.1 into high-end military and civilian industries, a great many holes are needed for fastening connection. However, the severe wear of the cutting edge of twist drill is an important factor that restricts the quality of hole processing and tool life. In this paper, the wear condition of the standard high-speed steel twist drill in drilling the new aluminum alloy 211z.1 is studied based on the drilling test, and the influence law of the drilling amount on the tool wear is revealed by designing a reasonable drilling test plan. The research results show that the cutting speed has a significant effect on the flank wear, and the drilling feed and the drilling height have relatively little influence on the flank wear of the tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is China's textile industry (CTI) still a laboor-intensive one? To answer this question, this study measures the capital-labour intensity and technology intensity of CTI and its subsectors during 2006-2018, then applies factor intensity classification and cluster analysis to identify their industrial attributes. The results show that CTI and its sub-sectors are still the labour- and non-technology-intensive. All the indexes of capital-labour intensity and technology intensity of CTI and its sub-sectors are below 100, lower than the average of industry sectors, indicating that they are not separate from the category of labour-intensive industry and still heavily dependent on labour. And cluster analysis verifies the industrial classification results. So CTI still needs to keep on increasing its capital intensity and technology intensity to achieve the goal of industrial transformation and upgrading in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds. Cytochrome P450 (P450) 2E1 is one of the primary enzymes responsible for the metabolism of xenobiotics, such as drugs and environmental carcinogens. The genetic polymorphisms of the CYP2E1 gene in promoter and coding regions have been identified previously in the Han Chinese population from four different geographic areas of Mainland China. Methods. To investigate whether genetic variants identified in the CYP2E1 coding region affect enzyme function, the enzymes of four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in the coding region (novel c.1009C>T, causing p.Arg337X, where X represents the translational stop codon; c.227G>A, causing p.Arg76His; c.517G>A, yielding p.Gly173Ser; and c.1263C>T, presenting the highest allele frequency), two novel alleles (c.[227G>A;1263C>T] and c.[517G>A;1263C>T]), and the wild-type CYP2E1 were heterologously expressed in COS-7 cells and functionally characterized in terms of expression level and chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation activity. The impact of the CYP2E1 variant sequence on enzyme activity was predicted with three programs: Polyphen 2, PROVEAN and SIFT. Results. The prematurely terminated p.Arg337X variant enzyme was undetectable by western blotting and inactive toward chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation. The c.1263C>T and c.[517G>A;1263C>T] variant enzymes exhibited properties similar to those of the wild-type CYP2E1. The CYP2E1 variants c.227G>A and c.[227G>A;1263C>T] displayed significantly reduced enzyme activity relative to that of the wild-type enzyme (decreased by 42.8% and 32.8%, respectively; P < 0:01). The chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation activity of the c.517G>A transfectant was increased by 31% compared with the wild-type CYP2E1 enzyme (P < 0:01). Positive correlations were observed between the protein content and enzyme activity for CYP2E1 (PD0:0005, r2 D0:8833). The characterization of enzyme function allelic variants in vitro was consistent with the potentially deleterious effect of the amino acid changes as determined by prediction tools. Conclusions. These findings indicate that the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1, i.e., c.1009C>T (p.Arg337X), c.227G>A (p.Arg76His), and c.517G>A (p.Gly173Ser), could influence the metabolism of CYP2E1 substrates, such as chlorzoxazone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidimensional critical regulation of water resources in a typical arid area, such as in the Manas River Watershed in China, is an important way to solve the contradiction between water supply and demand and realize sustainable development. Typically, water managers do not take into account the coordinated development of various water sources and water sectors. To solve this problem, we used a system dynamics model to analyze the supply and demand of water resources in the planning year, and establish a critical control model with four dimensions (water resources, economy, society and ecology) to optimally regulate water resources. The results show that (1) the water resources system entropy was reduced to 0.1506 after several iterations in the planning year; (2) the water resources subsystem, economic subsystem and social subsystem were negatively correlated with system entropy, while the ecosystem subsystem was positively correlated with it; and (3) the reduced water shortage will increase from 2.27×108 m³ in 2020 to 3.76×108 m³ in 2030, which indicates that the water resources system will develop in an orderly and coordinated way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a devastating mental disease caused by complex genetic and environmental factors. The pathological process and clinical manifestation of SZ are heterogeneous among patients, which hampers precise diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Since no objective marker for SZ has been established today, to identify a subgroup of the patients with homogeneous biochemical traits will provide a new angle for both researchers and clinicians to understand and manage the disease. In this study, we employed the niacin skin-flushing test in Chinese population and confirmed a niacin-blunted subgroup of SZ patients distinguishable from mood disorders (MD) and normal individuals. This subgroup accounted for 30.67% of the total SZ patients with a specificity of 88.37% in male subjects and 83.75% in female subjects. We support the notion that bluntness in niacin skin test might reflect abnormalities in membrane fatty acid composition, which could be induced by increased PLA2 enzyme activity, in vivo oxidative stress or lipid metabolism imbalance in SZ. Further studies are encouraged to clarify the molecular origins of niacin-bluntness in SZ, which would provide extra clues for etiological research in schizophrenia and for new targeted treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and it continues to increase in developing countries. The World Health Organization expects COPD to be the third most common cause of death in the world by 2020. Effective and continuous postdischarge care can help patients to maintain good health. The use of electronic health records (EHRs) as an element of community health care is new technology in China.Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a Web-based coaching program using EHRs for physical function and health-related quality of life for patients with COPD in China.Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted from 2008 to 2015 at two hospitals. The control group received routine care and the intervention group received routine care with the addition of the Web-based coaching program using EHRs. These were used to manage patients' demographic and clinical variables, publish relevant information, and have communication between patients and health care providers. Participants were not blinded to group assignment. The effects of the intervention were evaluated by lung function, including percent of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1%), percent of forced vital capacity (FVC%), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximum midexpiratory flow; St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ); Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (MMRC); and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Data were collected before the program, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the program.Results: Of the 130 participants, 120 (92.3%) completed the 12-month follow-up program. There were statistically significant differences in lung function (FEV1%: F1,4=5.47, P=.002; FVC%: F1,4=3.06, P=.02; PEF: F1,4=12.49, P<.001), the total score of SGRQ (F1,4=23.30, P<.001), symptoms of SGRQ (F1,4=12.38, P<.001), the activity of SGRQ (F1,4=8.35, P<.001), the impact of SGRQ (F1,4=12.26, P<.001), MMRC (F1,4=47.94, P<.001), and 6MWT (F1,4=35.54, P<.001) between the two groups with the variation of time tendency.Conclusions: The Web-based coaching program using EHRs in China appears to be useful for patients with COPD when they are discharged from hospital into the community. It promotes the sharing of patients' medical information by hospital and community nurses, and achieves dynamic management and follow-up analysis for patients' disease. In addition, this program can postpone the decreasing rate of lung function, improve quality of life, decrease dyspnea, and increase physical capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD) are likely to be caused by multiple susceptibility genes, each with small effects in increasing the risk of illness. Identifying DNA variants associated with schizophrenia and MDD is a crucial step in understanding the pathophysiology of these disorders.Aims: To investigate whether the SP4 gene plays a significant role in schizophrenia or MDD in the Han Chinese population.Method: We focused on nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) harbouring the SP4 gene and carried out case-control studies in 1235 patients with schizophrenia, 1045 patients with MDD and 1235 healthy controls recruited from the Han Chinese population.Results: We found that rs40245 was significantly associated with schizophrenia in both allele and genotype distributions (Pallele = 0.0005, Pallele = 0.004 after Bonferroni correction; Pgenotype = 0.0023, Pgenotype = 0.0184 after Bonferroni correction). The rs6461563 SNP was significantly associated with schizophrenia in the allele distributions (Pallele = 0.0033, Pallele = 0.0264 after Bonferroni correction).Conclusions: Our results suggest that common risk factors in the SP4 gene are associated with schizophrenia, although not with MDD, in the Han Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive and thick permeable strata are found beneath many reservoir sites. The leakage problem in these reservoirs can be effectively solved by constructing a full geomembrane liner design. However, applying this particular solution for the reservoir induces novel engineering problems. The air bulging produced beneath the geomembrane results in geomembrane rupture and causes a renewed leakage in reservoirs. The groundwater level may be relatively low during construction because of seasonal variation and dewatering. Geomembranes isolate pore air from the atmosphere, and a significant amount of air is trapped in the pores of the unsaturated soil above the groundwater level. The rise in the groundwater level or the compression of soil decreases pore-air volume and increases pore pressure, thereby causing air bulging to occur and prompting the ultimate destruction of the geomembrane. The presence of air bulging beneath the geomembrane is studied in the design process of the Datun Reservoir in Dezhou City, Shandong Province, China. Investigation results reveal that a rise in the groundwater level significantly influences the air bulging beneath the geomembrane. The French drain is set to prevent air bulging beneath the geomembrane from occurring. The 75-m French drain spacing is not reasonable because the air pressure beneath the geomembrane will result in air bulging. A comparison among French drains with spacings of 25 m and 50 m indicates that the original design comprising French drains spaced 50 m apart is reasonable and economical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The high and continually increasing prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China underscores the critical importance of examining the exact sexual networks that result in HIV transmission, as well as HIV infection, using powerful sampling methods, such as respondent-driven sampling (RDS), to improve the sexual health of this population.Methods: Using RDS, a cross-sectional study was conducted among MSM in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, China from December 2013 to June 2014. The type of sex, numbers of anal sex partners, male oral sex partners and vaginal sex partners, condom use during each type of sex over the previous 6 months, prevention behaviors, risk perception, and the burdens of HIV and syphilis were investigated and analyzed.Results: Of 424 MSM, a great number of them did anal sex, male oral sex, and vaginal sex during the previous 6 months, and weighted estimates for the prevalence that MSM did not conduct these sexual behaviors were 11.2 % (95 % confidence interval [CI] =6.7-16.50 %), 20.3 % (95 % CI = 15.2-27.1 %), and 58.9 % (95 % CI = 52.1-65.8 %), respectively. Multiple sexual partners, engaging in regular, casual and commercial sex, and lack of condom use during all types of sex were common among MSM. The estimated HIV and syphilis prevalences were 22.8 % (95 % CI = 16.9-28.5 %) and 9.7 % (95 % CI = 6.4-13.6 %), respectively. Of the participants, 53.5 % (95 % CI = 45.3-60.2 %) received HIV-related interventions during the previous year, 48.1 % (95 % CI = 39.7-55.1 %) had never been tested for HIV, and only 14.1 % (95 % CI =10.1-19.2 %) perceived a risk of contracting HIV. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age over 44 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.60, 95 % CI = 1.34-9.64), a monthly income of 3001-4000 yuan (approximately 470-630 US$) (AOR = 1.96, 95 % CI = 1.67-3.60), multiple anal sex partners (AOR = 1.93, 95 % CI = 1.15-3.24), awareness of the possibility of contracting HIV (AOR = 3.18, 95 % CI = 1.56-6.48), and current syphilis infection (AOR = 3.01, 95 % CI = 1.44-6.29) were predictors of HIV infection.Conclusions: HIV transmission has become highly prevalent and will likely become more prevalent among MSM and their female partners if these risky sexual networks persist. Our findings call for urgent and effective interventions to prevent the rapid transmission of HIV among MSM in Wenzhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A large schizophrenia genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a subsequent extensive replication study of individuals of European ancestry identified eight new loci with genome-wide significance and suggested that the MIR137-mediated pathway plays a role in the predisposition for schizophrenia.Aims: To validate the above findings in a Han Chinese population.Method: We analysed the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the newly identified schizophrenia candidate loci and predicted MIR137 target genes based on our published Han Chinese populations (BIOX) GWAS data. We then analysed 18 SNPs from the candidate regions in an independent cohort that consisted of 3585 patients with schizophrenia and 5496 controls of Han Chinese ancestry.Results: We replicated the associations of five markers (P<0.05), including three that were located in the predicted MIR137 target genes. Two loci (ITIH3/4: rs2239547, P = 1.17 × 10(-10) and CALN1: rs2944829, P = 9.97 × 10(-9)) exhibited genome-wide significance in the Han Chinese population.Conclusions: The ITIH3/4 locus has been reported to be of genome-wide significance in the European population. The successful replication of this finding in a different ethnic group provides stronger evidence for the association between schizophrenia and ITIH3/4. We detected the first genome-wide significant association of schizophrenia with CALN1, which is a predicted target of MIR137, and thus provide new evidence for the associations between MIR137 targets and schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the rate of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Zhejiang province and to identify specific factors associated with progression of this disease. Methods: This study utilized a retrospective cohort to identify the specific factors involved in the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to AIDS. We collected data of patients existing in care between 2008 and 2012 from the national surveillance system databases. We performed our analyses using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. Results: This study included 9216 HIV-positive patients (75.6 % male), which yielded 12,452 person-years (py) of follow-up-data. The AIDS progression rates were 33.9 % (2008), 33.6 % (2009), 38.1 % (2010), 30.6 % (2011) and 25.9 % (2012). We observed a significant reduction in the rate of progression Of HIV to AIDS post-2010 (Pearson χ2= 4341.9, P < 0.001). The cumulative AIDS progression incidence rates were 33.4, 35.4, 36.4, 37.0 and 37.04 per 100 py in 1 each of the 5 years of follow-up. This study found that age was an independent risk factor for the progression of HIV to AIDS. Compared with patients infected with HIV by homosexual transmission, patients infected with HIV by heterosexuals transmission or blood transfusion had a reduced hazard ratio (HR) for progression to AIDS (heterosexual transmission: HR = 0.695, 0.524, P = 0.007; blood transfusion: HR = 0.524, P = 0.015). Diagnosed with HIV from 2011 to 2012 and having a higher CD4+ cell count (350-500 cells/mm3; or >500 cells/mm3) at baseline were independently associated with lower rates of HIV progression to AIDS [HR = 0.382, 0.380, 0.187, P < 0.001]. Patients with a CD+ T-cell count of 200-350 cells/mm3 or greater than 350 cells/mm3 were less likely to develop AIDS following HIV diagnosis than were those patients without HAART treatment. Conclusion: This study found a high progression rate from HIV to AIDS in HIV patients residing within Zhejiang province from 2008 to 2010. This rate decreased after 2010, which coincided with the new criteria for HAART treatment, which likely contributed to the observed reduction in the rate of progression. Initiation of HAART with higher CD4+ T-cell count may reduce rate of AIDS progression. Based on our results, we conclude that efficient strategies for HIV screening, as well as early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to reduce the progression of HIV to AIDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of study is to propose and verify a method of service quality elements classification through integrating fuzzy theory into Kano model. The method has the merit of being more effective in processing customers' psychology of vagueness and uncertainties than traditional Kano model. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, considering the disadvantages of traditional Kano model in service quality elements classification without taking into account customers' complex consuming psychology, and combining with fuzzy theory which is effective to cope with uncertainty and ambiguity, a new framework of integrating fuzzy theory into Kano model in quality elements classification is proposed. In view of the strong subjectivity of traditional Kano questionnaires, a fuzzy Kano questionnaire considering the evaluators' multi-feelings is proposed. Furthermore, this study will also develop a mathematical calculation performance according to the classification of fuzzy Kano model. With this method, the accurate mentality can be fully reasonable reflected in some unknown circumstances. Finally, an empirical study in Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd, the largest manufacturing industry in China, is showed to testify its feasibility and validity. Findings: The calculation results and the application effect show that the proposed model has good performance in classifying customer requirements. With this method, the accurate mentality can be fully reasonable reflected in unknown circumstances and it is more objective than traditional Kano model to classify the service quality elements. Originality/value: This study provides a method to integrate fuzzy theory and Kano model, and develops a framework to classify service quality elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a report which looks into the opinions and priorities of college students in Shanghai, China concerning environmental issues, using a survey-based approach. It investigates the various factors that influence students' environmental views as well as highlights the significant role of the views and opinions of the students in the future Chinese society. Result of the survey reveals that students regard environmental issues with a high sense of urgency.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale. METHODS: Using translation, back -translation, quality evaluation, cross-cultural adaptation and pre-assessment, a Chinese draft scale of the ECOHIS was obtained, and then applied to two groups of children. One group was 200 pre-school children, who were randomly selected from 2 kindergartens of Chengdu city; the other group was 100 patients aged 3-5 years old from the paediatric dentistry of West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University. After their guardians accomplished the questionnaires, the collected data was analyzed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the ECOHIS showed the following psychometric properties from 97.3% valid questionnaires. The Cronbach's alpha, split-half reliability and correlation of the scale was 0.899,0.799 and 0.666,respectively. By factor analysis of construct validity, the 13 items were classified into 3 domains; the cumulative proportion was 63.87%. The scale had certain logical relation between the items in the same domain. Each item of the scale was sensitive to discriminate the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) between general population and patients (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of ECOHIS had a good reliability and validity by rigorous psychometric properties. It can be widely used to test the OHRQoL of pre-school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper use cointegration analysis and causality research to analyze the relationship between energy intensity and industrial structure in China. By observation, we find the proportion of secondary industry change not too much in the past decade. So, we are studying the relationship between energy intensity and tertiary industry instead of studying energy intensity and industrial structure. Indirectly, the purpose of the paper is to re-examine a statement that secondary industry is the main factor that caused over-consumption in energy in China. Our finding is that tertiary industry has positive impact on energy intensity in China. It proves that tertiary industry Granger-causes energy intensity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study on the common variations in the BCL9 gene that confer the risk of schizophrenia. The researchers observed stable inpatients or outpatients from a mental health center in Shanghai, China, all of whom were interviewed by two independent psychiatrists. They found that the BCL9 gene is a good candidate for psychiatric diseases because it can be found within a region affected by variations that represent a risk of schizophrenia. They also discussed the psychotic features of schizophrenia including altered cognitive functioning.

A letter to the editor is presented which discusses a research regarding the relationship between vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease in Chinese population.

Rare diseases can severely impact patient life quality as well as impose a serious burden on society. But research and development for drugs to treat these disorders has stagnated because of lack of demand, insufficient knowledge of pathophysiological mechanisms, and too few patients for clinical trials. In several countries - the United States, the EU, and Japan - specific legislation has been enacted to encourage pharmaceutical companies to expedite the development of drugs for rare diseases, orphan drugs, and to assure access to them. We analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the incentives in these laws and describe the status of rare diseases in China. We offer some recommendations for orphan drug legislation in China, based on local research on rare diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using next-generation sequencing technology alone, we have successfully generated and assembled a draft sequence of the giant panda genome. The assembled contigs (2.25 gigabases (Gb)) cover approximately 94% of the whole genome, and the remaining gaps (0.05 Gb) seem to contain carnivore-specific repeats and tandem repeats. Comparisons with the dog and human showed that the panda genome has a lower divergence rate. The assessment of panda genes potentially underlying some of its unique traits indicated that its bamboo diet might be more dependent on its gut microbiome than its own genetic composition. We also identified more than 2.7 million heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the diploid genome. Our data and analyses provide a foundation for promoting mammalian genetic research, and demonstrate the feasibility for using next-generation sequencing technologies for accurate, cost-effective and rapid de novo assembly of large eukaryotic genomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen was considered to be an important protective factor for cardiovascular diseases in women. Genetic association studies suggested that variations of ESR1and ESR2 genes might have a potential role in lipid profile. Our study aimed to investigate the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ESR1 and ESR2 with hyperlipidemia in Chinese Han postmenopausal women. A total of 443 postmenopausal women aged between 55 and 71 years were recruited from Shanghai, China for a case–control study (154 women with hyperlipidemia and 289 controls). We measured plasma estradiol concentration, glucose and lipid profile levels, evaluated their lifestyle and sequenced four SNPs, namely PvuII (rs2234693) and XbaI (rs9340799) of ESR1 and 1082A>G (rs1256049) and 1730A>G (rs4986938) of ESR2. PvuII (rs2234693) and XbaI (rs9340799) showed significantly different distributions between cases and controls (P=0.002 and P=0.023, respectively). In addition, haplotypes constructed from PvuII–XbaI were also associated with hyperlipidemia (global P=0.012). Haplotypes T–A (P=0.005, odds ratio (OR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.13–2.05) and C–G (P=0.010, OR 0.62, 95% CI: 0.43–0.89) had susceptible and protective effects, respectively. 1082A>G (rs1256049) and 1730A>G (rs4986938) showed no statistical association with hyperlipidemia. In conclusion, our results suggested that ESR1 might have a potential role in hyperlipidemia risk, independent of age, estradiol level, body mass index and lifestyle in Chinese Han postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes is becoming an epidemic in China. To evaluate the prevalence, clustering of metabolic risk factors and their impact on type 2 diabetes, we conducted a population-based study in Shanghai, China's largest metropolitan area. Methods: From 2006 to 2007, 2,113 type 2 diabetes cases and 2,458 comparable controls of adults aged 40 to 79 years were enrolled. Demographic, lifestyle, and dietary factors were assessed via standardized questionnaires. Plasma, red and white blood cells were collected and stored for future studies. Anthropometric indices and biochemical intermediates (including blood pressure, fasting glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and blood lipids) were measured. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome were also compared following two criteria recommended by the Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS, 2004) and the National Cholesterol Education Program's Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III, 2002). Results: Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (62% vs. 15% using CDS criteria) and its individual components, including obesity (51% vs. 42%), hypertension (54% vs. 41%), hypertriglyceridemia (42% vs. 32%), and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL) levels (36% vs. 25%) were higher in diabetes cases than controls. Regardless of criteria used, those with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) had similarly high prevalence of metabolic syndrome as did diabetes cases. In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for demographics and lifestyle risk factors, the odds ratios of diabetes (95% CI) were 1.23 (1.04-1.45) for overweight (28 >= BMI >= 24), 1.81 (1.45-2.25) for obesity (BMI > 28), 1.53 (1.30-1.80) for central obesity (waist circumference > 80 cm for woman or waist circumference > 85 cm for man), 1.36 (1.17-1.59) for hypertension (sbp/dbp >= 140/90 mmHg), 1.55 (1.32-1.82) for high triglycerides (triglycerides > 1.70 mmol/l) and 1.52 (1.23-1.79) for low HDL-C (HDL-C < 1.04 mmol/L). Conclusions: These data indicate that multiple metabolic risk factors-individually or jointly-were more prevalent in diabetes patients than in controls. Further research will examine hypotheses concerning the high prevalence of IFG, family history, and central obesity, aiding development of multifaceted preventive strategies specific to this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To date, there have been relatively few studies on the UGT1A6 gene in the Chinese population. The present study was designed to determine the allele frequencies and haplotypes of this gene in the population and predict the candidate functional mutations. Materials & methods: We carried out the first systematic screening of polymorphisms of the gene in an SNP analysis involving 1074 Chinese subjects from three ethnic groups, namely Han, Dong and She, using direct sequencing. We identified the putative substrate binding pocket using a homology-modeled structure and produced a practical model for predicting the function of polymorphisms in UGT1A6. Results: A total of six SNPs and 10 mutations were detected including nine known and seven novel ones. The novel mutations were 73G>A (V25I), 89T>G (L30R), 222A>C, 657C>A, 773A>T (D258V), 1040A>G (N347S) and 1467C>T. In addition, we detected, for the first time in the Chinese population, SNPs 105C>T, 627G>T as well as mutations 308C>A (S103X), IVS2+15T>C and 1088C>T (P363L). Strong linkage disequilibrium was observed among 19T>G, 315A>G, 541A>G and 552A>C. There were seven haplotypes whose frequencies were more than 0.01 in one or more of the three ethnic groups. P363L in the C-terminal domain might weaken the binding of cofactor UDPGA to the domain and induce a poor metabolism genotype of UGT1A6. Conclusion: Our study suggests that genetic polymorphisms in UGT1A6 may contribute to interindividual and intra-ethnic differences. The results should prove helpful in the development of pharmacogenomics in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aims: Although many studies have been performed on CYP2C19, most of them have mainly examined the effects of the defective alleles CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3. A comprehensive search for genetic polymorphisms of the CYP2C19 gene in the Chinese Han population has rarely been conducted. The present study was designed to determine the genetic basis of CYP2C19 polymorphisms. Materials & Methods: We investigated the 5'- regulatory region, all the exons and their surrounding introns of the CYP2C19 gene in 400 unrelated healthy Chinese Han volunteers from four different geographical locations, namely Shanghai, Shantou, Shenyang and Xi'an, with a sample of 100 subjects in each population, using direct sequencing. Results: A total of 14 different CYP2C19 polymorphisms, including one novel variant (-2306G>A) in the enhancer region and a novel nonsynonymous one (905C>G, T302R) were identified. In addition, CYP2C19*1, *2, *3, *15 and *17 alleles showed frequencies of 69.7%, 24.7%, 3.3%, 1.2% and 1.2%, respectively, and CYP2C19*15 was the first detected in an Asian population. The frequencies of the prevalent defective alleles CYP2C19*2 and CYP2C19*3 in Chinese Han populations are similar to those in other Asians, and much higher than those reported in American European and other Caucasian populations. Haplotype analysis demonstrated CATCGG was the dominating haplotype with a frequency of 38.6% in the Chinese Han population. Furthermore, homology modeling analysis for CYP2C19 indicates that Thr302Arg could cause the displacement of heme. Conclusion: This is the first study that systematically screened the polymorphisms of the whole CYP2C19 gene in a large Chinese Han population. The results suggest that a few low frequent variants show significant differences among the four populations, while the prevalent polymorphisms show no differences. Therefore, our database provides important information on CYP2C19 polymorphisms in the Chinese population, and could be helpful for future personalized medicine studies in Asian populations generally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in tumor necrosis factor alpha ( TNFα) promoter with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese Han population. Six SNPs at positions −238, −244, −308, −376, −857, −863 within TNFα promoter were genotyped in 367 unrelated RA patients and 271 healthy controls, using direct DNA sequencing method. Allelic, genotypic, and haplotypic associations of these SNPs with RA were examined. The frequencies of TNFα −308A allele and the haplotype GACC (in order of −238, −308, −857, −863) were significantly lower in RA patients when compared with healthy controls ( P = 0.0046, P = 0.0045, respectively) but TNFα −308 polymorphism was not related to the clinical manifestations of RA patients. These results implied that TNFα gene itself or a gene in linkage disequilibrium with it might be associated with RA in Han population of Eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The object of this study is to assess 1) the relationship between plasma antipsychotic drug concentration, serum prolactin levels and the clinical efficacy of risperidone, 2) the relationship between the CYP2D6 polymorphisms and metabolizing of risperidone and 3) the role of 9-hydroxyrisperidone in elevating prolactin levels. One-hundred and eighteen Chinese schizophrenia patients (40 males, 78 females, age 15-60 years) were given risperidone at dosages ranging from 2-8 mg/day for 8 weeks. Clinical efficacy was determined using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scores (BPRS). Serum prolactin levels were assayed before and after the 8 week treatment and plasma risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone levels were also measured at the end of the 8-week treatment. The results showed there was no significant correlation between the concentration of active moiety and clinical response. Risperidone treatment significantly increased serum prolactin levels. Furthermore, changes of prolactin levels were not correlated with the clinical response. For the risperidone/ 9-hydroxyrisperidone ratio, there was a statistically significant difference among the CYP2D6*1/*1, *1/*10, *10/*10 genotypes (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = 0.012). No significant differences were found in the concentration of 9-hydroxyrisperidone and active moiety among the genotypes. In addition, the concentration of 9-hydroxyrisperidone was not significantly correlated with the increase of serum prolactin. In conclusion, our study has, for the first time, produced evidence that in Chinese schizophrenic patients, the metabolism of risperidone is dependent on CYP2D6. Neither changes in serum prolactin levels nor plasma concentration of active moiety were significantly correlated with clinical efficacy of risperidone. 9-hydroxyrisperidone may not play a predominant role in elevating serum prolactin level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antipsychotic drugs exert both therapeutic and adverse effects through dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) antagonism. Genetic variants of this receptor may be responsible for individual variations in neuroleptic response and may therefore be useful in predicting response. In this study we evaluated the role of six polymorphisms of the DRD2 gene in 125 risperidone-treated Chinese schizophrenia patients following the hypothesis that variation in the DRD2 gene could affect drug response. Response was categorized as a change of >40% on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). Our results show that genotyping A-241G may help to predict the efficacy of risperidone treatment on the basis that patients with the A allele showed greater improvement than those with the C allele on the overall BPRS (χ² = 7.19, p = 0.007, p = 0.031 after correction by the program SNPSpD), while other polymorphisms, including -141C Ins/Del, TaqIB, rs1076562, T939C and TaqlA, did not show any association with the response to risperidone. These data suggest that the DRD2 A-241G polymorphism or, alternatively, another genetic variation that is in linkage disequilibrium, may influence response to risperidone in schizophrenia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risperidone is a widely used atypical antipsychotic medication and there is currently considerable interest in individual differences in patient response to it. In this study, we investigated the pharmacogenetic correlates of SLC6A3 and response to risperidone treatment in 130 Chinese schizophrenia patients. We selected six polymorphisms, including two SNPs in the 5'-regulatory regions, two SNPs in intron 1, one SNP and a variable number tandem repeat in the 3'-flanking region of SLC6A3 for this study and analyzed the differences in the reduction of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) scores among the subgroups with different genotypes and diplotypes after 8 weeks of risperidone treatment. The confounding effects of nongenetic factors were estimated and the baseline symptom score was included as a covariate for adjustment. We found no significant differences in response to treatment in terms of PANSS or subscores improvements among the subgroups according to different genotypes and diplotypes. In addition, we have found no significant differences between different diplotypic groups in the plasma levels of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone. Further studies on larger groups and on the effects of longer-term risperidone treatment are needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that in the pathogenesis of mental retardation (MR), both genetic and environmental factors (particularly iodine deficiency) appear to play a critical role. Transthyretin (TTR) transports between 20% and 30% of serum thyroxine in normal individuals and it is the main T4–binding protein in CSF. Variability in the TTR gene may influence risk for iodine–deficiency–based MR. The SNPs we selected from dbSNP were detected and identified using ARMS–PCR and sequencing methods, and we identified five novel sequence variants. Singular–locus association analysis indicated no association between the TTR gene and MR. In haplotype analysis, however, we found a haplotype CGTG+ (rs723744/G+6649C/T+6690C/rs2276382/del9) showed a weak positive association with MR ( χ 2 = 6.699, p = 0.035). Finally, we concluded that the weak positive result is more likely to be due to sampling error and the small size of this haplotype resulting from its relative low frequency. Our negative results provide no evidence that variants of TTR gene influence susceptibility to MR in the iodine–deficient areas of China and suggest that there may be a compensatory mechanism(s) in humans and mice, which work(s) to compensate the effect ofmutation in the TTR gene on MR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Schizophrenia is a common major mental disorder. Intrauterine nutritional deficiency may increase the risk of schizophrenia. The main evidence comes from studies of the 1944-1945 Dutch Hunger Winter when a sharp and time-limited decline in food intake occurred. The most exposed cohort conceived during the famine showed a 2-fold increased risk of schizophrenia. Objective To determine whether those who endured a massive 1959-1961 famine in China experienced similar results. Design, Setting, and Participants The risk of schizophrenia was examined in the Wuhu region of Anhui, one of the most affected provinces. Rates were compared among those born before, during, and after the famine years. Wuhu and its surrounding 6 counties are served by a single psychiatric hospital. All psychiatric case records for the years 1971 through 2001 were examined, and clinical and sociodemographic information on patients with schizophrenia was extracted by researchers who were blinded to the nature of exposure. Data on number of births and deaths in the famine years were available, and cumulative mortality was estimated from later demographic surveys. Main Outcome Measures Evidence of famine was verified, and unadjusted and mortality-adjusted relative risks of schizophrenia were calculated. Results The birth rates (per 1000) in Anhui decreased approximately 80% during the famine years from 28.28 in 1958 and 20.97 in 1959 to 8.61 in 1960 and 11.06 in 1961. Among births that occurred during the famine years, the adjusted risk of developing schizophrenia in later life increased significantly, from 0.84% in 1959 to 2.15% in 1960 and 1.81% in 1961. The mortality-adjusted relative risk was 2.30 (95% confidence interval, 1.99-2.65) for those born in 1960 and 1.93 (95% confidence interval, 1.68-2.23) for those born in 1961. Conclusion Our findings replicate the Dutch data for a separate racial group and show that prenatal exposure to famine increases risk of schizophrenia in later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Iodine deficiency is common in the Qinba mountainous area and fetal iodine deficiency disorder (FIDD) is endemic. Our previous study demonstrated that apolipoprotein E (ApoE) was a genetic risk factor for FIDD in the local area. Aim : In order to achieve a better understanding of the aetiology of iodine deficiency-based mental retardation in the Qinba mountainous area, we conducted further studies of ApoE allele frequencies obtained from the local population. Subjects and methods : A total of 818 samples from four counties in the iodine-deficient area were recruited for the study of the ApoE genotype and allele frequencies using the PCR-RFLP method, and were subsequently confirmed by sequencing. Results : The frequencies of ε2, ε3 and ε4 alleles of Han Chinese in Qinba were 9.67%, 81.30% and 9.03%, respectively. Furthermore, no significant differences in the distribution of ApoE (either genotype or allele frequencies) between any two subgroups divided according to location, sex and age ( p > 0.05) were found. Surprisingly, however, we found a significant difference in the genotype and allele frequencies between Qinba and Shanghai (genotype: χ 2 = 14.91, p = 0.0096; allele: χ 2 = 15.07, p = 0.0009). Conclusion : The currently documented allele frequencies of ApoE in the Han Chinese population living in the open areas of China do not represent the distribution in the isolated Qinba mountainous area. The higher level of ε2 and ε4 allele frequencies in the Han Chinese living in the isolated Qinba area arise by chance or may result from genetic adaptation to an environment characterized by malnutrition and iodine deficiency, which may also contribute to the high incidence of mental retardation in these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heritability of resistance has an important bearing on the management of pest resistance, especially for evaluating the sustainability of a chemical on a particular pest population. The susceptibility of pests to insecticides may change depending on the selection pressure of these compounds on populations. Tetranychus cinnabarinus , a very important mite pest of many crops in China, was continuously selected with methrin, abamectin, pyridaben and mixtures of pyridaben and abamectin (pyidaben:abamectin = 7.4:0.1 m/m), and methrin and abamectin (methrin:abamectin = 8.9:0.1 m/m). After 16 generations, the resistance increased to 25.8-, 3.7-, 1.3-, 4.0- and 2.5-fold to methrin, abamectin, pyridaben, pyridaben + abamectin and methrin + abamectin, respectively. The more generations selected, the higher was the resistance level, except in the case of the strain selected with pyridaben. The realized heritabilities of resistance to methrin, abamectin, pyridabe, pyridaben + abamectin and methrin + abamectin were: 0.20, 0.15, 0.03, 0.18 and 0.08, respectively. Higher values of heritability occurred during the second eight generations selected than through the first eight generations except in the case of the strain selected with the mixture pyridaben + abamectin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the function relationship of scorpion venom of Buthus martensi on SK[subCa] channels in China. Components of long-chain scorpion peptides; Production of plasmids; Propagation of yeast transformans.

A recent genome-wide association study has identified an association between leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and a locus at 3q26 that includes TERC. In order to evaluate the effects of the SNPs rs12696304 and rs16847897 near TERC in the population of mainland China, we conducted an association study of LTL focusing on these two candidate SNPs in a sample of 4016 Chinese Han individuals. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the association of LTL with each SNP adjusted for age, gender and diabetes status. In the study, we confirmed the association of SNP rs12696304 and rs16847897 near TERC with LTL in the Chinese Han population (P∼4.5 × 10−3 and 9.5 × 10−5, respectively). Each copy of the major allele of rs12696304 and rs16847897 was associated with a shorter mean telomere length of 0.024 and 0.031 T/S respectively, which is equivalent to about 3 and 4 years of average age-related telomere attrition. Our short report confirmed the effects of SNPs near TERC on LTL in the Chinese Han population for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ongoing outbreak of severe respiratory pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus has recently emerged in China. Here we report the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics of 19 suspect cases. We compared the positive ratio of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid amplification test results from different samples including oropharyngeal swab, blood, urine and stool with 3 different fluorescent RT-PCR kits. Nine out of the 19 patients had 2019-nCoV infection detected using oropharyngeal swab samples, and the virus nucleic acid was also detected in eight of these nine patients using stool samples. None of positive results was identified in the blood and urine samples. These three different kits got the same result for each sample and the positive ratio of nucleic acid detection for 2019-nCoV was only 47.4% in the suspect patients. Therefore, it is possible that infected patients have been missed by using nucleic acid detection only. It might be better to make a diagnosis combining the computed tomography scans and nucleic acid detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Systematic mineralogical and B isotope studies were carried out along the JSD-1 drill core. • Tourmalines in host rocks from 200 m to 2800 m depths in JSD-1 are a magmatic origin. • The δ11B of tourmalines in granite and pegmatite in JSD-1 suggests an S-type granite. • Magma differentiation accompanied by fluid exsolution facilitates the lithium enrichment. • Fluids exsolved from the late-stage magmas could reach the crystallization of spodumene. The Jiajika pegmatite-type Li deposit located in the southeastern Songpan-Ganze terrane of the eastern Tibetan Plateau is one of the largest hard-rock Li deposit in China, and its ore-genetic mechanism is still controversial. To understand the Li concentration of potentially economic levels in the Jiajika pegmatite-type Li deposit, the association between Li enrichment and granitic magma evolution is investigated using B isotope in tourmaline grains along the entire 3211-m-depth of the JSD-1 drill core in this work. Tourmalines hosted in granite, pegmatite, barrovian-type metamorphic rock and calc-magnesium-silicate metamorphic rock are being plotted in the fields of Li-poor granitoids and associated pegmatites and aplites on the Al-Fe-Mg and Ca-Fe-Mg ternary diagrams. These characteristics, along with their high Fe/Mg ratios and high Al cation numbers in Y position, are indicative of a magmatic origin. The B isotope (δ11B) of tourmalines in granite and pegmatite in Jiajika granitic pegmatite type Li deposits vary from −9.49 to −7.06‰, in line with the range observed in 90 % of worldwide granites and pegmatites. In comparison of the measured data of δ11B vs. Li to the modeled curves indicates that the differentiation process of granitic magma follows an equilibrium crystallization model better than a fractional crystallization model. The compiled evidence proves that magma differentiation accompanied by fluid exsolution facilitates the enrichment of Li during granitic magmatic evolution. The formation of the domal structure of granitic sheets due to the decompressing effect of magma ascent favors massive fluid exsolution at the late-stage granitic magma, which contributes to the deposition of spodumene dominated ore body at the shallower depth of 5–150 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Published correlations between histological abnormalities and right ventricular (RV) function, as evaluated by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), are scarce in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). The purpose of the study is to assess age-associated differences in the effect of RV myocardial remodeling on ventricular function in patients with TOF. Methods Operatively resected crista supraventricularis muscle from 30 patients (median age 12 months) undergoing intracardiac repair of TOF were studied by light microscopy. The patients were divided into younger (age at surgery ≤ 12 months) and older (age at surgery > 12 months) subgroups. The RV global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS), strain rate (GLSRs) and early diastolic strain rate (GLSRe) were measured by two-dimensional STE before and 6 months after repair. Results The histopathological data revealed hypertrophy of the cardiomyocytes, a thickened endocardium, and increased interstitial and perivascular collagen in RV, which were associated with older age at the time of repair. The RV global systolic and diastolic functions in patients with repaired TOF were increased compared with the preoperative values. The RV cardiomyocyte diameter and collagen volume fraction (CVF) correlated with the preoperative GLS, GLSRs and GLSRe, respectively, in the younger patients (r1 = - 0.566, P1 = 0.018; r2 = - 0.493, P2 = 0.004; r3 = - 0.504, P3 = 0.039). The RV cardiomyocyte diameter and CVF correlated with preoperative GLS, GLSRs and GLSRe, respectively, in the older patients (r1 = - 737, P1 = 0.004; r2 = - 0.588, P2 = 0.035; r3 = - 0.812, P3 = 0.001). The correlation of the RV cardiomyocyte diameter with the postoperative GLS and GLSRe (r1 = - 665, P1 = 0.036; r2 = - 0.787, P2 = 0.007) and the CVF with the postoperative GLSRs and GLSRe (r1 = - 762, P1 = 0.002; r2 = - 0.713, P2 = 0.004) were identified only in the older patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that the age at repair was an independent predictor of postoperative GLSRs and GLSRe in all of the patients (β = - 0.449, P = 0.041; β = - 0.607, P = 0.004). Conclusions The effect of RV myocardial remodeling on preoperative RV function was more pronounced in the older patients with TOF than in the younger ones. Preoperative myocardial remodeling affected the postoperative RV function in the older but not in the younger patients. The age at the time of surgical repair was the independent determinant of the postoperative RV myocardial function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common deletion comprising LCE3B and LCE3C, members of the late cornified envelope (LCE) gene cluster, has been shown to be significantly associated with psoriasis in several Caucasian populations. The expression of LCE can be induced by skin barrier disruption, leading to psoriatic lesions. To identify whether deletion of genes in the LCE region is a genetic risk factor in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, we genotyped the LCE3C and LCE3B deletion and single-nucleotide polymorphism rs4112788, which is in strong linkage disequilibrium with the LCE gene cluster, via direct sequencing in 468 psoriasis patients and 768 controls in a Chinese population. We found that deletion of the two LCE genes was associated with psoriasis (odds ratio=1.917; 95% confidence interval=1.291-2.847, P=0.001), a conclusion that was similar to that of another independent Chinese cohort study. The deletion was not significantly associated with the age of disease onset, and there was no significant epistatic interaction between deletion and PSORS1 risk allele on 6p21.3. Our study confirms an association between the deletion of LCE3C and LCE3B and psoriasis in a Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese Han population, the largest population in the world, has traditionally been geographically divided into two parts, the Southern Han and Northern Han. In practice, however, these commonly used ethnic labels are both insufficient and inaccurate as descriptors of inferred genetic clustering, and can lead to the observation of "spurious association" as well as the concealment of real association. In this study, we attempted to address this problem by using 14 microsatellite markers to reconstruct the population genetic structure in 768 Han Chinese samples, including 384 Southern Han and 384 Northern Han, and in samples from Chinese minorities including 48 Yao and 48 BouYei subjects. Furthermore, with a dense set of markers around the region 5q34-35, we built fine-scale haplotype networks for each population/subpopulation and tested for association to schizophrenia susceptibility. We found that more variants in SLIT3 tend to associate with schizophrenia susceptibility in the genetically structured samples, compared to geographically structured samples and samples without identified population substructure. Our results imply that identifying the hidden genetic substructure adds power when detecting association, and suggest that SLIT3 or a nearby gene is associated with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for predicting the risk of intraoperatively acquired pressure injuries (IAPIs) in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB)., Methods: This study retrospectively included 208 children aged 21 days to 8 years who underwent cardiac surgery with CPB in a tertiary hospital in China between January 2020 and October 2023. All patients' data were collected from the hospital's medical record system and randomly divided into the training (n = 146) and validation (n = 62) cohorts by a ratio of 7:3. Logistic regression analysis was conducted in the training cohort to identify independent risk factors and establish the nomogram. Finally, calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were performed in both cohorts to validate the predictive ability of the nomogram., Results: 43 (14.7%) children developed IAPIs. Multivariate analysis showed that low Braden Q scores, use of steroids, skin abnormalities, and low intraoperative SpO 2 were independent risk factors for IAPIs. A nomogram integrating the 4 factors was established. The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the nomogram were 0.836 and 0.903 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Furthermore, calibration curves and DCA demonstrated good calibration and clinical applicability of the nomogram., Conclusion: We constructed a reliable nomogram based on specific risk factors for children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, which could be used as an effective and convenient tool for prevention of IAPIs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: To study the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) scale, which is a comprehensive quantification of multimorbidity coexistence, for the assessment of the risk of acute myocardial infarction death in elderly people., Methods and Results: A total of 502 older patients with acute myocardial infarction were studied at Qilu Hospital from September 2017 to March 2022. They were categorized on the basis of ACCI into low (≤5), intermediate (6, 7), and high (≥8) risk groups. Hospitalization duration was observed, with death as the end point. least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression was used to screen variables, 10-fold cross-validation was performed to validate the screened variables, a Cox regression nomogram predicting the risk of patient death was prepared, hazard ratio with 95% CI was calculated, a nomogram calibration curve was constructed, and a receiver operating characteristic curve, decision curve analysis, and a clinical impact curve were established. From 62 potential factors in a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, 12 were selected via 10-fold cross-validation. Retain variables with significant statistical differences in the Cox regression. A nomogram of the risk of death from acute infarction was constructed, and risk factors included ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, nicorandil, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, β blockers, and ACCI score, carbon dioxide combining power, and blood calcium concentration., Conclusions: The ACCI score effectively assesses multimorbidity in the older patients. As ACCI rises, the death risk from acute myocardial infarction grows. The study's nomogram is valid and clinically applicable.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that leads to the demyelination of nerve axons. An increasing number of studies suggest that patients with MS exhibit altered metabolic profiles, which might contribute to the course of MS. However, the alteration of metabolic profiles in Chinese patients with MS and their potential roles in regulating the immune system remain elusive. In this study, we performed a global untargeted metabolomics approach in plasma samples from 22 MS-affected Chinese patients and 21 healthy subjects. A total of 42 differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs) belonging to amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates were identified in the plasma of MS patients and compared with those in healthy controls. We observed an evident reduction in the levels of amino acids, such as L-tyrosine, L-isoleucine, and L-tryptophan, whereas there was a great increase in the levels of L-glutamic acid and L-valine in MS-affected patients. The levels of lipid and carbohydrate metabolites, such as sphingosine 1-phosphate and myo-inositol, were also reduced in patients with MS. In addition, the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17 and TNF-α, were significantly increased, whereas those of several anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1ra, IL-7, and MIP-1α, were distinctly reduced in the plasma of MS patients compared with those in healthy subjects. Interestingly, some DAMs, such as L-tryptophan and sphingosine 1-phosphate, showed an evident negative correlation with changes in the level of TNF-α and IL-17, while tightly positively correlating with altered concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as MIP-1α and RANTES. Our results revealed that altered metabolomic profiles might contribute to the pathogenesis and course of MS disease by modulating immuno-inflammatory responses in the peripheral system, which is essential for eliciting autoimmune responses in the central nervous system, thus resulting in the progression of MS. This study provides potential clues for developing therapeutic strategies for MS in the near future., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Yang, Wu, Ling, Chao, Zhang, Yan, He, Yu and Zhao.)

Introduction: Osteonecrosis (ON) is characterised by the destruction of the normal blood supply to the bone tissue. ON is the main cause of disability in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Studies have reported the existence of many risk factors for SLE complicated by ON, including the use of high-dose glucocorticoids and high disease activity. The correlation between antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and ON in SLE has been controversial. We aim to conduct a systematic review of the literature related to SLE, aseptic ON and aPLs, to provide a reference for the clinical screening of high-risk patients and for early prevention., Methods and Analysis: The following six databases will be searched: MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wan-Fang Database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The database searches will not be restricted by date. Case-control studies, cohort studies or observational studies that compare aPLs between SLE patients with and without ON will be considered eligible. Articles published in English and Chinese will be included. Two researchers will independently perform the processes of study selection, data extraction and study quality assessment. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale will be used to assess the quality of the retrieved studies. A meta-analysis will be performed after screening the studies. Data will be analysed using ORs for dichotomous data., Ethics and Dissemination: Ethical approval is not required because this systematic review will use published data. The systematic review will be electronically disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication or conference presentations., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42020209637., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)