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This study aimed to explore the relationship between female age and pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing their first elective single embryo transfer (eSET) of in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The retrospective cohort study encompassed 7089 IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) patients of the Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial Peoples' Hospital of China, from September 1, 2016, to May 31, 2022. Patients all received the first eSET in their IVF/ICSI cycles. A generalized additive model (GAM) was employed to examine the the dose–response correlation between age and pregnancy outcomes, namely the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR). Logistic regression model was employed to ascertain the correlation between the CPR/OPR and age. The study cohort has an average age of 30.74; 3843 patients got clinical pregnancy rate of 61.40% and ongoing pregnancy rate of 54.21%. The multiple pregnancy rate of is 1.24%. For patients aged 34 and above, the CPR decreased by 10% for every 1-year increase in age (adjusted OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84–0.96, p < 0.0001). Similarly, the OPR decreased by 16% for every 1-year increase in age (adjusted OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.81–0.88, p < 0.0001). Patients aged 35–37 years had an acceptable OPR of 52.4% after eSET, with a low multiple pregnancy rate (1.1%). Pregnancy outcomes were significantly better in blastocyst cycles compared to cleavage embryo cycles, and this trend was more pronounced in older patients. There was a non-linear relationship between female age and pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing their first eSET cycles. The clinical pregnancy rate and ongoing pregnancy rate decreased significantly with age, especially in women older than 34 years. For patients under 37 years old, single embryo transfer should be prioritized. For patients over 38 years old with available blastocysts, eSET is also recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing China's high-tech industry is important to make the country innovation-oriented. This requires optimising the allocation of innovation resources and improving innovation efficiency. However, few studies have investigated this topic and the realisation path for the high-tech industry. This study develops an input-oriented inverse data envelopment analysis (DEA) model with frontier changes to analyse the optimisation of resource allocation in China's high-tech industry during 2019–2025. With this method, decision makers can scientifically analyse the specific amount of resource investment. We also construct an analysis framework from short- and long-term perspectives. The results show that the excessive input of research and development (R&D) personnel and unbalanced allocation of capital resources are the main barriers to the development of high-tech industries in the short term, and in the mid- and long terms, the demands for investment in talent and capital will continue to increase. Improvement directions for promoting the development of China's high-tech industry are discussed. Finally, we present valuable information for policymaking to promote progress in high-tech industries in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering data from the fourth wave of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS2016), this paper examines the impact of mobile Internet usage on the relationship between adult children and elderly parents. Results drawn from ordered Probit and mediation models show that mobile Internet use, rather than the usage of the fixed Internet, enhances the parent–child relationship. Secondly, older parents, having two or more children, cannot benefit well from using the mobile Internet, and they may rely more on phone calls to uphold intergenerational contact. Thirdly, the mobile Internet enhances the non-face-to-face contact between the two generations. Also, it reduces face-to-face contact in child–parent relationships and improves face-to-face contact in the parent–child relationship. Therefore, related to increasing in the population aging, relevant departments should continue to enhance the use of mobile Internet by reducing the usage costs, improving the usage capabilities, and innovating mobile phone functions, and remain cautious due to the reduction in face-to-face communication caused by the mobile Internet use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimethyl sulfides are ubiquitous odorous substances in eutrophic freshwater bodies. In this study, a simple headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-flame photometric detection method was developed to detect three representative algal-derived dimethyl sulfides in freshwater lake water samples: dimethyl monosulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS). The effects of extraction fiber, temperature, pH, ionic strength, and sample volume were investigated orthogonally, and the optimized method was applied to analyze surface water samples from Lake Ulansuhai in Inner Mongolia, China. Optimal extraction was obtained with a 50/30 µm DVB/CAR/PDMS extraction fiber, 20% ion concentration, 87 min extraction time, and 50 °C extraction temperature. The correlation coefficients of the standardized working curves for DMS, DMDS, and DMTS were 0.9967, 0.9907, and 0.9994, respectively, indicating good linear relationships. Limits of detection were in the nanogram range, and the recoveries of the spiked standards for DMS, DMDS, and DMTS were 97.22~99.07%, 93.39~99.34%, and 91.17~99.25%, with relative standard deviations of 5.18~5.94%, 3.08~6.25%, and 2.56~5.47%, respectively. This method is stable and reliable, and can be used for the determination of volatile sulfides in freshwater lake water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dryopteris jinpingensis, a new species of diploid, sexually reproductive ferns of Dryopteridaceae from Yunnan, southwestern China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, D. jinpingensis is similar to D. gaoligongensis but unique in elongated lanceolate laminae, sessile or subsessile pinna stalks, and overlapping membranous scales adnate to stipe base. Phylogenetic analyses based on both plastome and the nuclear AK1 gene sequences showed that D. jinpingensis is sister to D. gaoligongensis. A detailed taxonomic description with line drawings is provided, and its conservation status is evaluated to be critically endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy synergy is a unique way for the government to establish a policy network and a crucial way for cities to expand their carbon reduction channels. Using urban data from China, this paper empirically investigates how environmental governance policy synergy (EGPS) affects carbon emissions. In comparison to non-pilot cities, the environmental information disclosure (EID) policy and low-carbon city (LC) policy play an inhibitory role in carbon emissions. Furthermore, EGPS has a stronger effect and is heterogeneous by region. Through the use of technical advancement and industrial structure optimisation, EGPS lowers carbon emissions, and this effect of EGPS grows over time in tandem with the level of environmental pollution in the cities. Our paper proposes policy implications in order to improve the overall effect of environmental governance policy and help achieve the dual carbon targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between uric acid (UA) and contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) following coronary angiography (CAG) has been established. However, whether the association would vary with age remained undetermined.Methods: We performed the retrospective analysis based on the Cardio-renal Improvement II study, (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05050877), which enrolled consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography in 5 teaching hospitals in China from 2007 to 2020. The primary outcome was CI-AKI defined as the rise of serum creatinine (SCr) ≥ 0.5 mg/dL or 25% compared with the baseline value within 48 hours following CAG. The effect of age on the association between uric acid and CI-AKI was assessed by the logistic regression model.Results: A total of 36,550 patients (mean age 63.08± 5.6-year-old, 41.7% men) were included in the study. After adjusting for the confounders, the risk of CI-AKI between each quartile of uric acid was insignificant in the young group. In patients of the middle group, lower UA was associated with a lower risk of CI-AKI while higher UA was associated with a higher risk (Q1 OR: 0.853, 95% CI: 0.734– 0.993; Q4 OR: 1.797, 95% CI: 1.547– 2.09). In patients of the elder group, lower and higher UA were both associated with a higher risk of CI-AKI (Q1 OR: 1.247, 95% CI: 1.003– 1.553; Q4 OR: 1.688, 95% CI: 1.344– 2.124). The restricted cubic spline indicated a non-linear association between UA and CI-AKI in middle and elder age groups but a linear association in the young age group.Conclusion: The association between uric acid and CI-AKI vary in patients of different age. Patients with elder age should maintain a middle level of uric acid while patients with middle age should consider a lower level of uric acid to reduce the risk of CI-AKI. The level of UA was an insignificant risk factor for CI-AKI in young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decision-maker (DM) can assign the weights of the distance measures in the relative closeness of technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) for achieving his/her desirable ranking of alternatives. This phenomenon is called strategically setting distance measure weights in this study, which may affect the fairness of the results. In order to prevent this phenomenon, the idea of data envelopment analysis (DEA) is introduced to determine the objective weights of distance measures, and an improved TOPSIS is proposed in this study. The proposed method not only determines weights of the distance measures from an objective perspective and achieves the fully ranking of alternatives, but also provides the directions for improvement. Moreover, in comparison with the other methods, the advantages of the proposed method are analyzed, and the meanings and properties of the new relative closeness are discussed and proved. Finally, an example of evaluating the innovation development of high-tech industries in central and western regions of China is investigated to illustrate the effectiveness and the usefulness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, for the engineering problem of tunnel deformation damage caused by a tunnel–landslide orthogonal system landslide in northwest China, based on similar theory, a variety of materials and their ratios were explored to make similar models according to the physical and mechanical parameters of the site engineering rock, indoor physical model tests were constructed, and monitoring techniques, such as speckle displacement strain measurement, strain acquisition, and pressure sensors, were used to test the macroscopic deformation characteristics; through the detailed analysis and law summary of the test macroscopic deformation characteristics, displacement, anchor cable axial force, and strain data, it was finally found that under the orthogonal system of tunnel and sliding surface, the damage form of tunnel lining is mainly compression damage and shear damage, and the cracks are mainly tension cracks, and the effect of tunnel primary lining on the surrounding rock support is extremely limited under the action of huge sliding force; combined with the analysis of the model deformation characteristics and the axial force curve of the anchor cable during loading, it was found that the axial force change curve is consistent with the NPR Newton force curve can be used to evaluate slope stability and predict the occurrence of landslide disasters. Highlights: This paper focuses on the tunnel and surrounding rock damage evolution characteristics under tunnel–landslide orthogonal and tunnel crossing sliding surface conditions. The evolution of displacement field, NPR anchor cable axial force, and strain field were revealed using indoor large similar physical model test. The mechanism of tunnel–landslide interaction within the slope and the deformation and damage characteristics of the tunnel surrounding rock were analyzed to reveal the slope deformation law under different loads. The stress change law of constant-resistance large deformation anchor cable (NPR anchor cable) is explored, and a landslide warning mechanism based on constant-resistance large deformation anchor cable is established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nonsecretory multiple myeloma (NSMM) is a rare type of multiple myeloma (MM). Few studies have described the clinical features and outcomes of NSMM in novel agents. Additionally, the prognostic characteristics have remained controversial in recent years. Purpose: To investigate the clinical and prognostic features of NSMM and explore the prognostic value of involved free light chain (FLC) levels in NSMM patients in the Chinese population. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 176 newly diagnosed NSMM cases between January 2005 and December 2021 from 19 clinical centers in China. The control group was selected using a 1:4 propensity score matching technique of newly diagnosed secretory MM, with age, sex and diagnosis time as the matching variables. Results: The median age of NSMM patients was 60 years, and 22.6% of patients were classified as ISS stage 3. The ORR of the NSMM patients was 87.4%, and the CR was 65.8%. Compared to the matched secretory MM patients, more NSMM patients achieved CR after first-line treatment (65.8% vs. 36%, p = 0.000). The ORR of first-line treatment was not significantly different between NSMM and secretory MM (89.45% vs. 84.7%, p = 0.196). The first-line PFS was 27.5 m and 23 m (p = 0.063), and the median OS was 81 m and 70 months (p = 0.401). However, for CR-achieved NSMM and CR-not-achieved NSMM patients, the median PFS was 37 m vs. 16 m (p = 0.021), while the median OS showed no difference (107 m vs. 87 m, p = 0.290). In multivariate analysis, the significant factors for PFS were age ≥ 65 and ISS-3. ISS-3 was the only independent prognostic factor of OS. The iFLC ≥ 50 mg/L group had a high ORR of 97.3%, and the median PFS and OS were 48 m and NR, respectively. Compared to the matched secretory MM, the iFLC ≥ 50 mg/L group also showed more CR and longer OS (NR vs. 70 m, p = 0.006) and PFS (48 m vs. 23 m, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our results revealed that Chinese NSMM patients are younger and have a higher CR but not superior survival. The subgroup of NSMM patients with iFLC ≥ 50 mg/L had better outcomes than secretory MM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: As the COVID‐19 variant Omicron surge in Beijing, China, a better understanding of risk factors for adverse outcomes may improve clinical management in patients with haematological malignancies (HM) diagnosed with COVID‐19. The study sample includes 412 cases, mainly represented by acute leukaemia, chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), plasma cell disorders and lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. COVID‐19 pneumonia was observed in 10.4% (43/412) of patients, and severe/critical illness was observed in 5.3% (22/412). Among the 86 cases with advanced malignancies, 17.6% (12/86) of patients developed severe/critical COVID‐19, which was significantly higher than reported in patients with stable malignancies (9/326, 2.70%, p < 0.001). Similarly, the advanced malignancy cohort had a higher mortality rate (9/86, 10.5% vs. 0/326, 0%, p < 0.001) and a poor 30‐day overall survival (OS) compared with the stable malignancy cohort (74.2% vs. 100.0%, p < 0.0001). Overall, nine patients (2.2%) died. The primary cause of death was progressive HM in four patients and a combination of both COVID‐19 and HM in five patients. In the multivariable analysis, over 65 years of age, comorbidities and advanced malignancy were correlated with severe/critical COVID‐19 in HM patients. This study sheds light on the poor outcomes among COVID‐19 HM patients with the leading cause of advanced malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Platelet parameters during pregnancy were associated with the risk of preeclampsia (PE), but the predictive value of these parameters for PE remained unclear. Our aim was to clarify the individual and incremental predictive value of platelet parameters, including platelet count (PC), mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), and platelet distribution width (PDW) for PE. Methods: This study was based on the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study in China. Data on platelet parameters were extracted from medical records of routine prenatal examinations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was performed to analyze the predictive ability of platelet parameters for PE. Maternal characteristic factors proposed by NICE and ACOG were used to develop the base model. Detection rate (DR), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and continuous net reclassification improvement (NRI) were calculated compared with the base model to assess the incremental predictive value of platelet parameters. Results: A total of 30,401 pregnancies were included in this study, of which 376 (1.24%) were diagnosed with PE. Higher levels of PC and PCT were observed at 12–19 gestational weeks in women who developed PE later. However, no platelet parameters before 20 weeks of gestation reliably distinguished between PE complicated pregnancy and non-PE complicated pregnancy, with all values of the areas under the ROC curves (AUC) below 0.70. The addition of platelet parameters at 16–19 gestational weeks to the base model increased the DR for preterm PE from 22.9 to 31.4% at a fixed false positive rate of 5%, improved the AUC from 0.775 to 0.849 (p = 0.015), and yielded a NRI of 0.793 (p < 0.001), and an IDI of 0.0069 (p = 0.035). Less but significant improvement in prediction performance was also observed for term PE and total PE when all the four platelet parameters were added to the base model. Conclusions: Although no single platelet parameter at the early stage of pregnancy identified PE with high accuracy, the addition of platelet parameters to known independent risk factors could improve the prediction of PE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a new single-tube multiplex real-time PCR method for detecting toxigenic C. difficile directly from fecal samples using tcdA, tcdB, cdtB, and internal gene tpi as targets, which could be performed on kinds of polymerase chain reaction device including point-of-care testing (POCT), with improved detection efficiency. The specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability of each gene was evaluated using 69 C. difficile isolates and 74 fecal samples. Results were compared with established PCR, qPCR, and ELISA methods. Interspecies specificity was 100% based on six common intestinal pathogens (Escherichia coli, Enterococcus Faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, Bacteroides fragilis, Clostridium botulinum). The lower detection limit (LDL) for tcdA, tcdB, and cdtB with pure C. difficile DNA was 101,100, and 100 copies/μL, respectively, the coefficients of variation among different experimental batches and within each experimental batch were both less than 3%, which shows that this method has strong repeatability. And the LDL of fecal DNA was 5 × 100, 5 × 103, and 5 × 102 colony-forming units (CFU)/g, respectively. In addition, the efficiency for detection of tcdA was compared with established PCR and real-time PCR methods, demonstrating high consistency (98.4%) and similar sensitivity. ELISA was used to confirm inconsistent results, which were identical with our method. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting toxigenic C. difficile in fecal samples were 96.49% and 94.12% compared with the toxigenic culture (TC). This method effectively identified the toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains with high specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability, and could reduce the false positive rate of tcdA, and accurately identify the typical Asian strain RT017, making it potentially contribute to the surveillance of CDI in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated with suicidal ideation (SI) in children and adolescents, yet the mediating role of mindfulness in this association remains unclear. This study aims to test the mediation of mindfulness in CM-SI association among a large sample of Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study of 3455 children and adolescents aged 10–17 years from southwest China Yunnan province was conducted. Information from the participants was collected by using a comprehensive self-administered questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI) were used to measure CM, mindfulness and SI. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to estimate the crude and adjusted associations between CM, mindfulness and SI (one-week, one-year, lifetime). Pathway analysis was subsequently performed to test the mediation of mindfulness in CM-SI association. Results: The findings showed that mindfulness, CM and SI were significantly correlated with each other (p < 0.05). Mindfulness is a significant mediator in CM-SI association, accounted for 7.5, 11.4, and 17.6% of the total associations for one-week SI, one-year SI, and lifetime SI, respectively. For the five types of CM, the highest level of mediation via mindfulness had been found for physical neglect (PN) and one-year SI (34.3%), followed by emotional neglect (EN) and one-year SI (30.2%), sexual abuse (SA) and one-year SI (25.4%). Conclusions: Our study findings highlight the intervention potential of mindfulness in preventing CM associated suicidal risk. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to corroborate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based intervention for Chinese children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold is a common source of stress in the alpine areas of northern China. It affects the microbial community, resulting in the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms and intestinal diseases. In recent years, studies have reported that Chinese herbal extracts and their fermentation broth have a significant beneficial effect on gut microbiota. This study aimed to investigate the probiotic effect of a self-designed Chinese herbs complex on the gut microbiota of rats exposed to cold. The rats were treated with intermittent cold exposure and Chinese herbs complex for 14 days, and the gut microbiota composition and other parameters were assayed. The 16s ribosomal DNA high-throughput sequencing and analysis confirmed that the Chinese herbs complex positively improved the gut microbiota. We found that cold exposure could lead to significant changes in the composition of gut microbiota, and affect the intestinal barrier and other physiological functions. The relative abundance of some probiotics in the genus such as Roseburia, Parasutterella, and Elusimicrobium in rats treated with Chinese herbs complex was significantly increased. Serum D-lactic acid (D-LA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were increased in the cold exposure group and decreased in the Chinese herbs complex-treated group. Moreover, the Chinese herbs complex significantly increased the protein expression of occludin. In conclusion, the Chinese herbs complex is effective in restoring the gut microbiota caused by cold exposure, improving the function of the intestinal barrier, and may act as a prebiotic in combatting gut dysbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pomalidomide in combination with dexamethasone has demonstrated positive results in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but no data are available in China. We conducted a multicenter, single-arm trial to examine the efficacy and safety of bioequivalent generic pomalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone in Chinese RRMM patients.Methods: Adult (≥ 18 years of age) RRMM patients who progressed after at least two previous treatments, including bortezomib and lenalidomide, were eligible. Pomalidomide was given orally at 4 mg/day on days 1 to 21 of a 28-day cycle. Dexamethasone was given at 40 mg/day (either orally or intravenously; 20 mg/day at 75 years or older) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of each cycle. Treatment continued until disease progression or intolerable adverse events (AEs). The primary end point was objective response rate (ORR).Results: Seventy-four patients were enrolled between February 2017 and February 2019. All patients had progressed within 60 days of their last therapy. 74.3% of the patients were resistant to lenalidomide, 31.1% had renal insufficiency and 33.8% had high-risk cytogenetic RRMM. The median follow-up duration was 33.0 months (range 31.1-34.8 months). The ORR was 37.8% in the overall analysis, 32.7% in lenalidomide-refractory patients, 36.0% in patients with high-risk cytogenetics and 34.8% in RRMM patients with renal impairment. The median progression-free survival was 5.7 months (95% CI 3.7-8.8 months). The median overall survival was 24.3 months (95% CI 14.4-41.1 months). The most common grade 3 and 4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were neutropenia (63.5%), leukopenia (37.8%), thrombocytopenia (28.4%), and anemia (31.1%). Pulmonary infection (27.0%) was the most frequent grade 3 and 4 nonhematologic TEAE. No previously unreported AEs were observed. No venous thromboembolism was reported.Conclusions: Pomalidomide in combination with low-dose dexamethasone is effective and safe in Chinese RRMM patients.Trial Registration: The study is registered at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR) ( ChiCTR-OIC-17013234 , first registered on 03/11/2017). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: School bullying victimization is associated with increased risk of anxiety in children and adolescents. However, little is known about the role of resilience in this association. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mediation by resilience in this association in a large group of Chinese children and adolescents. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study adopting two-stage simple random cluster sampling was implemented in Yunnan province, southwestern China. A comprehensive questionnaire was used to collect information from the participants. Among all the participants, 4624 were included in the final analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present general characteristics of the study participants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were adopted to estimate crude and adjusted associations among bullying victimization, anxiety, and resilience. A path model was used to analyze the hypothesized mediation by resilience in the association between bullying victimization and anxiety. Results: Analytical results of multivariate logistic regression models suggested that bullying victimization was significantly associated with anxiety in Chinese children and adolescents; compared with individuals who had not been bullied, victims of bullying were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 3.02 (95% CI 2.46–3.71). Path analysis revealed a prominent mediating effect of resilience in the association between bullying victimization and anxiety, accounting for 31.89% of the total association. Further analysis indicated that, among the five dimensions of resilience, emotional regulation, interpersonal assistance, and family support were significant mediators, accounting for 30.34%, 10.79%, and 8.35% of the total association. Conclusions: Our major findings highlighted the promising role of resilience-based intervention measures in reducing the risk of anxiety associated with school bullying victimization in Chinese children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to examine the associations between cord blood lipids and childhood adiposity and to investigate whether these associations vary across birth weight categories (small for gestational age (SGA), appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and large for gestational age (LGA)) in 1306 infants in the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study, China. Adiposity outcomes at the age of three years included z-scores of weight-for-length/height (WFLZ), body mass index (BMIZ), subscapular (SSTZ) and triceps skinfold thickness (TSTZ), and the sum of skinfold thicknesses (SSFTZ). Cord blood triglycerides (TG) levels were negatively associated with WFLZ and BMIZ, whereas high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were positively associated with WFLZ, BMIZ, TSTZ and SSFTZ. These associations were attenuated after adjustment for birth weight. Stratified analyses revealed that total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were positively associated with childhood adiposity indicators among AGA infants but tended to be negatively associated with the adiposity indicators among LGA infants (p values for interaction <0.05). Furthermore, TG levels appeared to be positively associated with adiposity indicators among SGA infants but negatively associated with the outcomes among LGA infants (p values for interaction <0.05). Cord blood lipids levels might be associated with childhood adiposity, and these associations appear to differ across different birth weight categories. If confirmed in future studies, our findings suggest that individualized management plans might be warranted in preventing obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the association between infancy weight gain and neurodevelopment among term-born infants. Singleton term-born infants (n = 5837) were included from the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study. Absolute weight gain was obtained by calculating the weight difference from birth to exactly 12 months. The primary outcome was neurodevelopment at age one year, which included five developmental domains. Global developmental delay was defined as delays in ≥3 domains. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations between infancy weight gain and neurodevelopment. Compared with infants gaining 6001–7000 g (reference group), infants gaining ≤5000 g had higher odds of delay in adaptive, gross motor, fine motor, social, and global developmental delay, infants gaining 5001–6000 g had higher odds of gross motor delay and social delay. A sex-stratified analysis showed that compared with the reference group, gaining ≤5000 g was associated with higher odds of fine motor delay in male infants, while gaining >7000 g was associated with higher odds of fine motor delay in females. Inadequate infancy weight gain is associated with higher odds of poor neurodevelopment at age one year among term-born infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences of three mitochondrial (COI, COII and ND2) and six nuclear (28S, atpA, CAD, EF2, HSPA4 and TUBA1) gene regions recovered a novel lineage (Crypsisteganasubgen.n.) and lends support to the monophyly of the subgenus Oxyphortica. Integrating molecular and morphological evidence, we revise the taxonomic status of Oxyphortica, reclassify species of uncertain affinity into four new species groups (adentata, geisson, polystylata and subconvergens) and place five new species discovered from southern China in Crypsisteganasubgen.n. and two species groups (geisson and polystylata) of Oxyphortica, respectively. To evaluate the performance of individual genes in phylogenetic inference, the phylogenetic informativeness profiles were generated. The results reveal mitochondrial loci possess much greater phylogenetic signal to resolve species‐level relationships, while nuclear loci perform better at the subgenus level within the genus Stegana. In addition, both tectonic and climatic events appear to have played pivotal roles in the diversification of Oxyphortica. The present distribution pattern of this subgenus might have been shaped from a rapid adaptive radiation in Southwest China as a secondary area of endemicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The platelet-to-hemoglobin ratio (PHR) has emerged as a prognostic biomarker in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients after PCI but not clear in CAD complicated with congestive heart failure (CHF). Hence, we aimed to assess the association between PHR and long-term all-cause mortality among CAD patients with CHF.Methods: Based on the registry at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital in China, we analyzed data of 2599 hospitalized patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) and were diagnosed with CAD complicated by CHF from January 2007 to December 2018. Low PHR was defined as ˂ 1.69 (group 1) and high PHR as ≥ 1.69 (group 2). Prognosis analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method. To assess the association between PHR and long-term all-cause mortality, a Cox-regression model was fitted.Results: During a median follow-up of 5.2 (3.1-7.8) years, a total of 985 (37.9%) patients died. On the Kaplan-Meier analysis, patients in high PHR group had a worse prognosis than those in low PHR group (log-rank, p = 0.0011). After adjustment for confounders, high PHR was correlated with an increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality in CAD patients complicated with CHF. (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.52, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: Elevated PHR is correlated with an increased risk of long-term all-cause mortality in CAD patients with CHF. These results indicate that PHR may be a useful prognostic biomarker for this population. Meanwhile, it is necessary to take effective preventive measures to regulate both hemoglobin levels and platelet counts in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Birth weight is associated with cardiometabolic factors at birth. However, it is unclear when these associations occur in fetal life. We aimed to investigate the associations between fetal growth in different gestational periods and cord blood cardiometabolic factors. Methods: We included 1,458 newborns from the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study, China. Z -scores of fetal size parameters [weight, abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL)] at 22 weeks and growth at 22–27, 28–36, and ≥37 weeks were calculated from multilevel linear spline models. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the associations between fetal growth variables and z -scores of cord blood cardiometabolic factors. Results: Fetal weight at each period was positively associated with insulin levels, with stronger association at 28–36 weeks (β , 0.31; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.39) and ≥37 weeks (β , 0.15; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.20) compared with earlier gestational periods. Fetal weight at 28–36 (β , −0.32; 95% CI, −0.39 to −0.24) and ≥37 weeks (β , −0.26; 95% CI, −0.31 to −0.21) was negatively associated with triglyceride levels, whereas weight at 28–36 weeks was positively associated with HDL levels (β , 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.20). Similar results were observed for AC. Fetal FL at 22 and 22–27 weeks was associated with increased levels of insulin, glucose, and HDL. Conclusions: Fetal growth at different gestational periods was associated with cardiometabolic factors at birth, suggesting that an interplay between fetal growth and cardiometabolic factors might exist early in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sour or wild jujube fruits and dried seeds are popular food all over the world. In this study, we reported a high-quality genome assembly of sour jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. var. spinosa), with a size of 406 Mbp and scaffold N50 of 30.3 Mbp, which experienced only γ hexaploidization event, without recent genome duplication. Population structure analysis identified four jujube subgroups (two domesticated ones, i.e., D1 in West China and D2 in East/SouthEast China, semi-wild, and wild), which underwent an evolutionary history of a significant decline of effective population size during the Last Glacial Period. The respective selection signatures of three subgroups were discovered, such as strong peaks on chromosomes #3 in D1, #1 in D2, and #4 in wild. Genes under the most significant selection on chromosomes #4 in wild were confirmed to be involved in fruit variations among jujube accessions, in transcriptomic analysis. Our study offered novel insights into the jujube population structure and domestication and provided valuable genomic resources for jujube improvement in stress response and fruit flavor in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Stegana (Steganina) shirozui species group is mainly distributed in East Asia. In the present study, the molecular phylogeny of the S. shirozui group was investigated based on mitochondrial (COI and ND2) and nuclear (28S rRNA) markers. The resulting trees support the S. shirozui group as monophyletic and indicate that in this group, species associated with closer affinities show higher structural homogeneity in male genitalia. Molecular species delimitation assess most species limits and recognize four new species in the S. shirozui group from south-west China: S. alianya sp. nov. S. diodonta sp. nov. S. zebromyia sp. nov. and S. zopheria sp. nov. One new synonym was also recognized. Additionally, three typical male genital characters of the S. shirozui group were placed on the molecular phylogenetic framework. The outcome of both divergence-time estimation and ancestral area reconstruction suggests that the S. shirozui group likely originated in south-west China in the Middle Miocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Whether lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a predictor for recurrent cardiovascular events (RCVEs) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been established. This study, hence, aimed to examine the potential impact of Lp(a) on RCVEs in a real-world, large cohort of patients with the first cardiovascular event (CVE).Methods: In this multicentre, prospective study, 7562 patients with angiography-diagnosed CAD who had experienced a first CVE were consecutively enrolled. Lp(a) concentrations of all subjects were measured at admission and the participants were categorised according to Lp(a) tertiles. All patients were followed-up for the occurrence of RCVEs including cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke.Results: During a mean follow-up of 61.45±19.57 months, 680 (9.0%) RCVEs occurred. The results showed that events group had significantly higher Lp(a) levels than non-events group (20.58 vs 14.95 mg/dL, p<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that Lp(a) tertile 2 (p=0.001) and tertile 3 (p<0.001) groups had significantly lower cumulative event-free survival rates compared with tertile 1 group. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis further revealed that Lp(a) was independently associated with RCVEs risk (HR: 2.01, 95% CI: 1.44 to 2.80, p<0.001). Moreover, adding Lp(a) to the SMART risk score model led to a slight but significant improvement in C-statistic (∆C-statistic: 0.018 (95% CI: 0.011 to 0.034), p=0.002), net reclassification (6.8%, 95% CI: 0.5% to 10.9%, p=0.040) and integrated discrimination (0.3%, 95% CI: 0.1% to 0.7%, p<0.001).Conclusions: Circulating Lp(a) concentration was indeed a useful predictor for the risk of RCVEs in real-world treated patients with CAD, providing additional information concerning the future clinical application of Lp(a). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been performed worldwidely to explore the potential of animals that might be a reservoir for community associated human infections of Clostridioides difficile. Several genetically undistinguished PCR ribotypes of C. difficile from animals and human have been reported, illustrating potential transmission of C. difficile between them. Pig and calf were considered as the main origins of C. difficile with predominant RT078 and RT033, respectively. As more investigations involved, great diversity of molecular types from pig and calf were reported in Europe, North American and Australia. However, there were quite limited research on C. difficile isolates from meat animals in China, leading to non-comprehensive understanding of molecular epidemiology of C. difficile in China. Results: A total of 55 C. difficile were isolated from 953 animal stool samples, within which 51 strains were from newborn dairy calf less than 7 days in Shandong Province. These isolates were divided into 3 STs and 6 RTs, of which ST11/RT126 was predominant type, and responsible for majority antibiotic resistance isolates. All the isolates were resistant to at least one tested antibiotics, however, only two multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates were identified. Furthermore, erythromycin (ERY) and clindamycin (CLI) were the two main resistant antibiotics. None of the isolates were resistant to vancomycin (VAN), metronidazole (MTZ), tetracycline (TET), and rifampin (RIF). Conclusions: In this study, we analyzed the prevalence, molecular characters and antibiotic resistance of C. difficile from calf, sheep, chicken, and pig in China. Some unique features were found here: first, RT126 not RT078 were the dominant type from baby calf, and none isolates were got from pig; second, on the whole, isolates from animals display relative lower resistant rate to these 11 tested antibiotics, compared with isolates from human in China in our previous report. Our study helps to deep understanding the situation of C. difficile from economic animals in China, and to further study the potential transmission of C. difficile between meat animals and human. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most frequent malignancy of blood, and information on disease burden of MM is limited in developing countries. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and incidence of MM in China. We used data from the national urban employee and urban resident basic medical insurance from 2012 to 2016 in China. MM cases were based on the primary diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code, ICD for oncology, or text of diagnosis) of patients. The crude prevalence and incidence were 6.88 per 100,000 population (95% CI, 5.75–8.00) and 1.60 per 100,000 person-years (1.28–1.92), respectively. The standardized prevalence and incidence were 5.68 (5.64–5.72) and 1.15 (1.11–1.19), respectively. Overall, the rates were higher in males compared with females for prevalence (7.89 vs. 5.79, P < 0.05) and incidence (1.84 vs. 1.30, P < 0.05). Both rates increased with age, and the mean age (SD) of MM patients was 57.9 (14.4) years. Prevalence peaked between 55 and 74 years old for both genders. The incidence in women aged 55–59 had a significantly high incidence of 5.53 (4.98–6.11). The prevalence and incidence were significantly lower than those in North America, Australia, and Western Europe but were in the same range as those in Japan or Korea. MM should be one of the cancers in the spotlight from both medical and socioeconomic perspectives in low-resource but populous countries because of the incidence of more elderly MM patients in the next decade. Further research is warranted to examine the potential pathophysiologic mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a global concern and is especially severe in China. To effectively and reliably provide AMR data, we developed a new high-throughput real-time PCR assay based on microfluidic dynamic technology, and screened multiple AMR genes in broiler fecal samples. A high-throughput real-time PCR system with an new designed integrated fluidic circuit assay were performed AMR gene detection. A total of 273 broiler fecal samples collected from two geographically separated farms were screened AMR genes. The new assay with limits of detection ranging from 40.9 to 8,000 copies/reaction. The sensitivity rate, specificity rate, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and correct indices were 99.30%, 98.08%, 95.31%, 99.79%, and 0.9755, respectively. Utilizing this assay, we demonstrate that AMR genes are widely spread, with positive detection rates ranging from 0 to 97.07% in 273 broiler fecal samples. bla CTX-M , bla TEM , mcr -1, fex A, cfr, optr A, and int l1 showed over 80% prevalence. The dissemination of AMR genes was distinct between the two farms. We successfully established a new high-throughput real-time PCR assay applicable to AMR gene surveillance from fecal samples. The widespread existence of AMR genes detected in broiler farms highlights the current and severe problem of AMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Evaluation of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors monotherapy and combination therapy in lymphocytic leukemia" published in the journal Clinical & Experimental Medicine. The correction addresses the omission of co-author names in the original article. The correct author groups and affiliations are provided, along with their respective institutions in China. The original article has been corrected. The publisher, Springer Nature, maintains a neutral stance regarding jurisdictional claims and institutional affiliations. [Extracted from the article]

Objectives: To investigate the knowledge and practices of Chinese doctors in the management of osteoporotic fractures after the Chinese osteoporotic fracture guidelines update and aseries of medical education in 2017. Methods: This was a cross‐sectional survey of doctors in 71 cities across Mainland China. Based on the 2017 Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic fractures, a questionnaire was designed and pre‐tested for reliability and validity. Doctors were surveyed with the questionnaire after scientific meetings during February 2017 to January 2018 through WeChat or conference digital platforms or in paper form. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the responses to the questionnaire. Results: Overall, 314 valid questionnaires were confirmed. Regarding diagnosis, 77% agreed that osteoporosis could be diagnosed once an osteoporotic fracture occurred; 83% believed that the bone mineral density criteria for osteoporosis diagnosis would be T ≤ −2.5 SD. For treatment, almost all (99.7%) agreed with anti‐osteoporosis treatment being one of the basic principles of osteoporotic fracture treatment; 71.6% considered bisphosphonates as the most commonly used anti‐osteoporosis drug; 97% believed that patients who have used anti‐osteoporosis drugs should reassess osteoporosis after osteoporotic fractures instead of discontinue; 95% thought that the patients who did not use anti‐osteoporosis medications before osteoporotic fracture should be treated with anti‐osteoporosis drugs after fracture treatment as early as possible; 89% agreed that the standard use of bisphosphonates after osteoporotic fracture would not affect bone healing adversely; 59% believed the course of bisphosphonates treatment for osteoporosis would be 3–5 years, and 27% considered it to be 1–3 years. The patient follow‐up rate was poor: 46% selected follow‐up rate <30%; only 20% selected follow‐up rate >50%. Only 31% of the hospitals had long‐term management programs for osteoporotic fractures. Conclusions: Doctors generally adhered to the updated Chinese guidelines for osteoporotic fractures; frequent participation in medical education can help doctors to increase their awareness of osteoporosis as well as their acceptance and practice of the guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) has been rarely studied after haploidentical donor (HID) allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We performed a retrospective multicentre study on patients with SOS after allo-HSCT in China. The incidence, risk factors, and outcomes were compared between HID HSCT and matched related donor (MRD) HSCT. SOS developed in 0.4% of patients (HIDs: 0.4%, MRDs: 0.5%, p = 0.952) at a median time of 21.50 days (range, 1-55) after allo-HSCT (HIDs: 24 days, MRDs: 20 days, p = 0.316). For patients diagnosed with SOS, the 2-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 22.7% and 22.4% in patients receiving HID and MRD transplantation, respectively (p = 0.584). Overall survival (OS) at 2 year was 10.4% and 38.5% in the two groups (p = 0.113). The transplant-related mortality (TRM) at 100 days was 60.9% in the HID group and 38.5% in the MRD group (p = 0.178). According to the multivariate analyses, significant independent risk factors for the occurrence of SOS were delayed platelet engraftment (p = 0.007) and advanced disease status at the time of HSCT (p = 0.009). The outcomes of SOS after HID HSCT are similar to those after MRD HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in different groups of age and the clinical features in China. This multicenter prospective study enrolled 1797 health subjects. The overall prevalence of MGUS was 2.73%. The prevalence of different age groups was 1.19% (41-50 y), 1.16% (51-60 y), 2.19% (61-70 y), 3.66% (71-80 y), and 7.76% (≥81 y). The prevalence of MGUS in male (n = 843) was 2.97%, while the prevalence of MGUS in female (n = 952) was 2.52%, but this difference of the two groups was not statistically significant. As for subtype of MGUS, IgG subtype was 55.1% (27 cases), IgA subtype was 14.3%, and IgM subtype was 12.2%. The M protein of one case became negative after 3 months, and the others remained positive without obvious disease transformation (follow-up duration: 3-7 mo). Thus, the prevalence of MGUS in China was similar to that in Mexican Americans, but lower than that in the other Asian country, American Whites, American Blacks, and Africans, and had a trend of increase with age. Male had higher prevalence of MGUS in China. The most common subtype was IgG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South-to-North Water Diversion Project, one of China's largest water diversion projects, has aroused widespread concerns about its potential ecological impacts, especially the potential release of trace metals from shoreline soils into Miyun Reservoir (MYR). Here, riparian soil samples from three elevations and four types of land use were collected. Soil particle size distributions, contents and chemical fractionations of trace metals and lead (Pb) isotopic compositions were analyzed. Results showed that soil texture was basically similar in four types of land use, being mainly composed of sand, with minor portions of clay and silt, while recreational land contained more abundant chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd), suggesting a possible anthropogenic source for this soil pollution. The potential ecological risk assessment revealed considerable contamination of recreational land, with Cd being the predominant contaminant. Chemical fractionations showed that Cu, arsenic (As), Pb and Cd had potential release risks. Additionally, the 206 Pb/ 207 Pb and 208 Pb/ 207 Pb values of soils were similar to those of coal combustion. By combining principal component analysis (PCA) with Pb isotopic results, coal combustion was identified as the major anthropogenic source of Zn, Cr, Cu, Cd and Pb. Moreover, isotope ratios of Pb fell in the scope of aerosols, indicating that atmospheric deposition may be the primary input pathway of anthropogenic Zn, Cr, Cu, Cd and Pb. Therefore, controlling coal combustion should be a priority to reduce effectively the introduction of additional Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb to the area in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Tea, a common beverage, has been suggested to exhibit a number of health benefits. However, one of its active ingredients, caffeine, has been associated with preterm birth and low birthweight. We investigated whether tea consumption during early pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and abnormal fetal growth. Methods A total of 8775 pregnant women were included from the Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study. Tea consumption (type, frequency, and strength) during their first trimester and social and demographic factors were obtained by way of questionnaires administered during pregnancy. Information on birth outcomes and complications during pregnancy was obtained from hospital medical records. Results Overall habitual tea drinking (≥1 serving/week) prevalence among pregnant women was low, at 16%. After adjustment for potential confounding factors (eg, maternal age, educational level, monthly income) tea drinking during early pregnancy was not associated with an increased risk of preterm birth or abnormal fetal growth (small or large for gestational age) ( P>.05). Conclusions We did not identify a consistent association between frequency of tea consumption or tea strength and adverse birth outcomes among Chinese pregnant women with low tea consumption. Our findings suggest that occasional tea drinking during pregnancy is not associated with increased risk of preterm birth or abnormal fetal growth. Given the high overall number of annual births in China, our findings have important public health significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain H117 was isolated from the Tang Yu reservoir. Based on the phylogenetic characteristics, strain H117, which was identified as Pseudomonas sp. strain H117, had the capability to utilize bicarbonate and sodium acetate as a carbon source under anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, the strain could grow on both autotrophic and heterotrophic media, and could perform both autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification in the medium. Response surface methodology analysis demonstrated that the maximum degradation ratio of nitrate-occurred under the following conditions in the autotrophic medium: initial pH of 6.00, C/N ratio of 4.68 and temperature of 31.33°C. The maximum degradation ratio of nitrate occurred under the following conditions in the heterotrophic medium: initial pH of 6.16, C/N ratio of 8.23 and temperature of 28.48°C. Finally, the denitrification performance of strain H117 was evaluated under the optimum conditions. These results suggest that strain H117 has potential applications for the bioremediation of polluted groundwater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The China Mental Health Survey (CMHS) is the first nationally representative community survey on mental disorders and mental health services in China. One-step diagnoses for mood disorders, anxiety disorders and substance use disorders were obtained using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview-3.0 (CIDI-3.0), according to the criteria and definition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). A two-step procedure was applied for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, using psychosis screening section in CIDI-3.0 as a screening instrument and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders (SCID) as a diagnostic tool. Dementia was diagnosed by the 10/66 dementia diagnosis package in a two-step design. The main aims of the CMHS were: (1) to investigate the prevalence of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, and dementia; (2) to obtain data of service use of individuals with mental disorders in China; and (3) to analyse the social and psychological risk factors or correlates of mental disorders and mental health services. This paper presents a brief review of the background of the CMHS, its aims and measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the treatment given to osteoporotic fracture patients by orthopaedists at major hospitals in China. Methods A 25-item quantitative questionnaire survey, categorized into five domains, including primary purpose of osteoporosis treatment, anti-osteoporosis therapy, calcium and vitamin D supplement, monitoring of osteoporosis, and knowledge of osteoporosis treatment, was designed to elicit information on orthopaedists' views on the treatment of osteoporotic fracture. A pre-survey test was conducted with a sample of 40 orthopaedic specialists to confirm the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Each interview of the survey took approximately 15 min and did not directly involve any patients. The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews at 119 tier 3 hospitals in 28 cities across Mainland China. Results A total of 484 valid responses were received. Seven in ten respondents have ≥10 years of professional practice. While two-thirds believed that osteoporosis treatment was to prevent fractures or re-fractures, 95.0% agreed that anti-osteoporosis medication should be administered to patients with a history of fragility fractures. Three in four would prescribe anti-osteoporosis medication perioperatively. Of these, 79.0% regarded bisphosphonates as the first-line drug. Approximately 86.0% of the 21-30 years cohort chose bisphosphonates compared to 71.4% for those with ≤10 years. More of the younger (≤10 years) cohort chose calcitonin compared to their older (21-30 years) colleagues (25.7% vs 11.6%). The most commonly prescribed daily dose is 800 IU for vitamin D supplements and 600 mg/day for calcium. Conclusions Our respondents generally adhered to guidelines for the treatment and management of osteoporosis. A significant number had recommended lower dosages of vitamin D and calcium. Some differences exist between the younger cohort and their older colleagues in the prescription of pharmacological therapies. The criteria for initiating therapy should be more holistic and include other factors besides bone mineral density ( BMD). Our results demonstrated that more comprehensive guidelines for osteoporosis management and a greater awareness of these guidelines by orthopaedists are needed to enable them to better manage their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Staging System (ISS) is the most important prognostic system for multiple myeloma (MM). It was identified in the era of conventional agents. The outcome of MM has significantly changed by novel agents. Thus the applicability of ISS system in the era of novel agents in Chinese patients needs to be demonstrated. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical outcomes and prognostic significance of ISS system in 1016 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in Chinese patients between 2008 and 2012, who received bortezomib- or thalidomide-based regimens as first-line therapy. The median overall survival (OS) of patients for ISS stages I/II/III was not reached/55.4 months/41.7 months (p<0.001), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 30/29.5/25 months (p=0.072), respectively. Statistically significant difference in survival was confirmed among three ISS stages in thalidomide-based group, but not between ISS stages I and II in bortezomib-based group. These findings suggest that ISS system can predict the survival in the era of novel agents in Chinese MM patients, and bortezomib may have the potential to partially overcome adverse effect of risk factors on survival, especially in higher stage of ISS system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have explored the relationship between dietary patterns and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Evidence from non-Western areas is particularly lacking. In the present study, we aimed to examine the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of GDM in a Chinese population. A total of 3063 pregnant Chinese women from an ongoing prospective cohort study were included. Data on dietary intake were collected using a FFQ at 24–27 weeks of gestation. GDM was diagnosed using a 75 g, 2 h oral glucose tolerance test. Dietary patterns were determined by principal components factor analysis. A log-binomial regression model was used to examine the associations between dietary pattern and the risk of GDM. The analysis identified four dietary patterns: vegetable pattern; protein-rich pattern; prudent pattern; sweets and seafood pattern. Multivariate analysis showed that the highest tertile of the vegetable pattern was associated with a decreased risk of GDM (relative risk (RR) 0·79, 95 % CI 0·64, 0·97), compared with the lowest tertile, whereas the highest tertile of the sweets and seafood pattern was associated with an increased risk of GDM (RR 1·23, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·49). No significant association was found for either the protein-rich or the prudent pattern. The protective effect of a high vegetable pattern score was more evident among women who had a family history of diabetes (P for interaction = 0·022). These findings suggest that the vegetable pattern was associated with a decreased risk of GDM, while the sweets and seafood pattern was associated with an increased risk of GDM. These findings may be useful in dietary counselling during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become increasingly important as human therapeutic agents. Yet, current research concentrates on technology itself and pays attention to developed countries. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of mAbs development in China through systematic analysis of drug registry, patent applications, clinical trials, academic publication, and ongoing R&D projects. The trends in therapeutic areas and industrialization process are also highlighted. Development and research trends of mAbs are analyzed to provide a future perspective of mAbs as therapeutic agents in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigates the usage of antitumor drugs in hospitals in China from 2009 to 2011. Topics include the three categories of antitumor drugs such as cytotoxic chemotherapy and molecular targeted therapeutic drugs, the drugs' total sales volume shares and value for the same period, and cancer as the leading cause of death among Chinese people.

Arsenic and antimony are widely distributed toxic metalloids in aquatic environments. However, their partitioning behaviors in the sediment profile remain not well understood. Here, partitioning behaviors, diffusive fluxes, as well as the ecological risks of As and Sb in the sediment–porewater profile system in the tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) were investigated. As and Sb showed markedly different spatial variations in the longitudinal profiles of both porewater and sediment samples. Specifically, the concentration of As showed an accumulation trend with depth, while that of Sb showed a relatively complicated trend. Further, As showed lower sediment-porewater partitioning coefficient (K d) values, suggesting that it had a relatively lower sediment affinity and a higher mobility than Sb. Its residual fraction (30%–60%) was also lower than that of Sb. This phenomenon could be attributed to the chemical fractions of the trace metals and the pH value of the sediments. Furthermore, the K d values corresponding to As were influenced by both the residual fraction (r = 0.338, p < 0.05) and the exchangeable fraction (r = −0.643, p < 0.01), while those corresponding to Sb were only influenced by pH. Additionally, even though these two trace metals showed low ecological and mobility risks, the diffusive fluxes at the sediment-water interface suggested that the sediment acted as a source of As and a sink for Sb relative to the overlying water. This study indicated that As and Sb had different partitioning behaviors and release risks in the sediment–porewater profile system, enhanced the understanding the transport and fate of As and Sb in the aquatic environment. [Display omitted] • Partitioning behavior of As and Sb in the sediment-porewater profile was studied. • As and Sb showed different spatial variations in the longitudinal profiles. • Partitioning coefficient showed that Sb had a higher affinity and lower mobility than As. • Sediment acted as a source of As and a sink for Sb relative to the overlying water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we assessed the effect of seasonal variation on the semen quality in Chinese by using the average highest temperature ( AHT) of the ejaculation day for partitioning season periods. A total of 13 635 semen samples were collected and analysed according to the AHT of the ejaculation day. Semen volume, sperm concentration and the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology in midsummer ( AHT > 30 °C) were significantly lower than those in other periods of the year. Sperm motility with AHT 10-20 °C in winter and spring was significantly higher than that in other seasons. The percentage of head defects spermatozoa with AHT < 10 °C in winter was significantly lower than that in other periods. We observed that there was a significant effect of season on the semen parameters. Highest environment temperature of the day may be a determining factor for the seasonal variations in semen quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations, distribution, and accumulation of platinum group elements (PGEs) were investigated in roadside dusts collected in four different foundational areas in Beijing during February to May 2010. The results showed that PGE levels in all samples were above the average upper crust values, with mean concentrations of 57.5 ng · g−1 Pd, 28.2 ng · g−1 Pt, and 9.8 ng · g−1 Rh, respectively. Palladium concentration has increased rapidly in recent years. The rank of PGE levels in four different functional regions for roadside dusts was: heavy density traffic area > residential area > educational area > tourism area. Palladium, Pt, and Rh concentrations in dusts showed strong positive correlations, indicating a common traffic-related source of these metals. Meanwhile, PGEs in these samples were not correlated with other traffic-related metals except for Cr. The average PGE ratios of road dusts from Beijing were consistent with those in Gemany and Western Australia, but lower than those in the United States and Mexico, indicating that various catalyst productions were used in different countries. In addition, grain-size partitioning of PGEs in dusts indicated that concentrations of PGEs differed from one particle size to another. The coarse fraction had higher PGE concentrations than the fine fraction in roadside dusts. These results showed that autocatalyst PGE contamination estimates in the environment would be significantly underestimated if only a fine-grain size fraction (<0.063 mm) is analyzed. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:1231-1238. © 2012 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adiantum consists of about 150-200 species mostly with a pantropical distribution, yet the classifications of Adiantum have been based primarily on regional studies. Confounding the clarity of reconstructing the evolutionary history of Adiantum is that previous molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that a separate and distinctive clade, the vittarioids, may be derived from within Adiantum. Five plastid markers ( atpA, atpB, rbcL, trnL- F and rps4- trnS) are employed to assess the monophyly of Adiantum, and construct the molecular phylogeny of Chinese Adiantum. Our analyses support the monophyly of Adiantum. All temperate Adiantum species form a clade nested within the pantropical grade, suggesting a tropical origin of Adiantum. Six main clades are supported within Chinese Adiantum, which are only partially consistent with Lin's classification of the genus. Series Caudata is polyphyletic with series Gravesiana nested within one subgroup of series Caudata. The prolonged whip-like stolon at the apex of the fronds is the defining character for series Caudata, but it may have evolved multiple times. Adiantum reniforme with the simple fronds is sister to series Venusta, which has a decompound lamina with many flabellate to cuneate segments. Series Veneri- capilliformia is not monophyletic, with A. capillus- veneris sister to series Flabellulata except for A. diaphanum, and A. edentulum sister to series Pedata. Series Flabellulata is biphyletic with A. diaphanum nested within the pantropical grade. The phylogeny suggests that convergent evolution in frond architecture has occurred in Adiantum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Cerebral microbleeds may contribute to cognitive deficits in stroke. Cognitive impairment that does not meet the criteria for dementia (cognitive impairment no dementia) is common in stroke, and patients with such impairment can revert to normal cognition. Aims and hypothesis This study examined the association between cerebral microbleeds and the reversion of cognitive impairment no dementia. Method A total of 328 Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong participated in the study. All subjects were assessed for cognitive impairment no dementia with a neuropsychological test battery at three- and 15 months following the index stroke. Of the 180 patients with cognitive impairment no dementia at three-months poststroke, 143 (79·4%) attended the 15-month follow-up. Twenty-nine subjects had reverted from cognitive impairment no dementia to normal cognitive status (reverters), 98 were nonreverters and 16 had progressed to dementia. Results In univariate analysis, the reverters were found to be younger, less likely to have hypertension and cerebral microbleeds, and to have smaller white matter hyperintensity volumes. In multivariate analysis, the absence of cerebral microbleeds remained an independent predictor of reversion with an odds ratio of 4·3. Absence of deep cerebral microbleeds predicted the reversion of the language domain, whereas the absence of lobar cerebral microbleeds predicted the reversion of the visuomotor speed domain. Conclusions The results suggest that the absence of cerebral microbleeds may be associated with a higher likelihood of a reversible cognitive impairment in stroke patients. The mechanism of how this occurs is not well understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was undertaken to investigate the current contamination status of polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs) in sediments from large reservoirs located in Hebei and Hubei provinces in China. The concentrations of 21 polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) congeners, seven polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners, and 27 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners in sediments were measured using the GC-MS/MS technique. Low-brominated PBBs (including 1, 3, 4, 10, 30, 31 and 53) were the most abundant PBB congeners and PBDEs 28, 47 and 99 were the most prevalent PBDE congeners in these samples. Among the three subfamilies of PHAHs, PCBs were the most predominant pollutants detected. The measured levels of PHAHs were compared with recent results reported in the literature and their respective sediment quality guidelines recommended by USEPA. The levels of PHAHs in the present study were generally lower than their respective threshold-effect levels, or were comparable to those reported in relatively uncontaminated freshwaters from other regions. This suggests that, in these reservoirs, toxic biological effects on aquatic biota-due to PHAH contamination of sediments-can be expected to be negligible. Thus, in terms of PHAHs, the sediments in the selected reservoirs are relatively uncontaminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE. This study aimed to determine the rate of falls and their relationship with sociodemographic and clinical factors in a psychiatric institution in Beijing, China. DESIGN AND METHODS. The case notes of 7,921 inpatients were scrutinized to identify patients who fell while in the hospital. FINDINGS. The fall rate in this study was 1.2% of all inpatients. Nearly all (89.7%) falls occurred when patients attempted to stand up, get out of bed, or walk. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Effective measures should be provided to prevent falls in psychiatric wards. A prospective study exploring predictors of falls is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) contaminations have been reported to occur in some Chinese waters. To describe the contamination status and the spatial distribution of OPPs in the surface water throughout China, samples were collected from over 600 sites located in the surface water of seven major river basins and three main internal rivers drainage areas during 2003 and 2004. The surface water samples were analyzed for the representative OPPs including dichlorvos, demeton, dimethoate, methyl parathion, malathion and parathion. In general, the most frequently detected compound was dichlorvos and demeton, being detected in 89.1% of samples (mean = 17.8 ng/L; range <1.4–1,552.0 ng/L) for dichlorvos, and 78.2% of samples (mean = 35.4 ng/L; range <1.5–2,560.0 ng/L) for demeton. While the detection frequencies of the dimethoate, methyl parathion, malathion, and parathion were all less than 50% in all the surface water samples. Measured concentrations for the six compounds were low and rarely exceed the environment quality standard for surface water of China. The six OPPs compounds were more frequently detected at much higher concentrations in the rivers of north China compared with those of south China. The results of this investigation indicate that OPPs contamination in the Yellow River, Huaihe River, Liaohe River, and Haihe River basins of north China should be of particular concern. When compared with other regions of the world, it appears that the Chinese surface water is some moderately polluted by dimethoate, methyl parathion, malathion, parathion and contaminated by dichlorvos and demeton in certain degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]