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Objective: To describe the treatment patterns and survival status of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in China in the past two decades, and objectively evaluate the impact of standardized Chinese medicine (CM) treatment on the survival of AGC patients. Methods: This multicenter registry designed and propensity score analysis study described the diagnosis characteristics, treatment-pattern development and survival status of AGC from 10 hospitals in China between January 1, 2000 and July 31, 2021. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated between non-CM cohort (standard medical treatment) and CM cohort (integrated standard CM treatment ≥3 months). Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to adjust any difference in average outcomes for bias. Results: A total of 2,001 patients histologically confirmed locally advanced and/or metastasis stomach and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Among them, 1,607 received systemic chemotherapy, 215 (10.74%) accepted molecular targeted therapy, 44 (2.2%) received checkpoint inhibitor therapy, and 769 (38.43%) received CM. Two-drug regimen was the main choice for first-line treatment, with fluoropyrimidine plus platinum as the most common regimen (530 cases, 60.09%). While 45.71% (16 cases) of patients with HER2 amplification received trastuzumab in first-line. The application of apatinib increased (33.33%) in third-line. The application of checkpoint inhibitors has increased since 2020. COX analysis showed that Lauren mixed type (P=0.017), cycles of first-line treatment >6 (P=0.000), CM (P=0.000), palliative gastrectomy (P=0.000), trastuzumab (P=0.011), and apatinib (P=0.008) were independent prognostic factors for the OS of AGC. After PSM and IPTW, the median OS of CM cohort and non-CM cohort was 18.17 and 12.45 months, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusions: In real-world practice for AGC in China, therapy choices consisted with guidelines. Two-drug regimen was the main first-line choice. Standardized CM treatment was an independent prognostic factor and could prolong the OS of Chinese patients with AGC. (Registration No. NCT02781285) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is to understand and analyze the development history, research hotspots, and research trends in the study of microbial diseases of cultural heritage through bibliometric analyses in order to fill the current gap of no literature review in this research field and to make certain contributions to the research in this field and the protection of cultural heritage. Bibliometric and visual analyses of the literature on cultural heritage microbial diseases in the Web of Science (WoS) core collection were carried out using VOSviewer and R-bibliometrix, choosing the two main literature types of papers and reviews. The emphasis was placed on analyzing and summarizing core research strengths, hotspots, and trends. Six hundred sixty-seven documents (573 articles and 94 reviews) were retrieved. αIn the WoS core collection, the first literature on cultural heritage microbial disease research was published in January 2000, and the annual number of publications from 2000 to 2009 did not exceed one; the annual number of publications from 2010 onwards increased rapidly, and after 2018, the number of publications per year exceeded 60, reaching 94 in 2020, which indicates that cultural heritage microbial disease research is booming. Our research showed that Italy, the USA, and China were the leading research countries, and Univ Milan was the institution with the most publications. International Biodeterioration &Biodegradation was the most published and co-cited journal, and Gu JD was the most prolific author. The research hotspots in the study of microbial diseases of cultural heritage mainly include biological degradation of cultural heritage; identification of diseased microorganisms and disease mechanisms; cultural heritage microbial disease prevention and control methods; monitoring, prevention, and control of diseased microorganisms in indoor air; antibacterial agents, especially essential oils, nanoparticles, and other safe and efficient antibacterial products research and development; and exploration of the mechanisms of biofilm protection of cultural heritage on cultural heritage surfaces. Monitoring and identifying cultural heritage microbial communities, identifying disease mechanisms, and researching safe and efficient bacteriostatic products such as essential oils and nanoparticles will be the main research directions in the field of cultural heritage microbial disease prevention and control in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation into the spatial patterns of living woody (LWD) and coarse woody debris (CWD) in warm-temperate deciduous broadleaved secondary forests serves as a foundational exploration of the mechanisms governing coexistence and mortality in forest ecosystems. The complete spatial randomness null model (CSR) was employed to analyze spatial distribution patterns, with the independent component null model (IC) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) utilized to elucidate spatial correlations and topographic influences. All three models were applied to LWD and CWD across various size classes within a 20-hectare plot in the Dongling Mountains. The study's findings indicate that both LWD and CWD predominantly exhibited aggregated patterns, transitioning to a random distribution as the size class increased. Both increasing abundance and maximum diameter at breast height (DBH) also have a significant influence on the distribution of species. Notably, rare species exhibited higher aggregation compared to common and abundant species. The spatial correlation results between LWD and CWD across various size classes predominantly showed positive correlations and uncorrelated patterns within the sampled plots. CCA analysis further revealed that elevation, convexity, slope, and aspect significantly influenced the spatial patterns of LWD and CWD across different size classes. Within the sample site, trees display a tendency to grow and die in clusters. Biotic factors have a more significant influence on species distribution than abiotic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has proven to be an invaluable tool in the practice of cardiology. Patients who have undergone CIED surgery with local anesthesia may result in fear, insecurity and suffering. Some studies have put efforts on ways to improve intraoperative experience of patients with local anesthesia, but researches concerning experiences of CIED patients during surgery is in its infancy. Methods: Based on semi-structured and in-depth interviews, a qualitative design was conducted in a tertiary general hospital in China from May 2022 to July 2023.Purposeful sampling of 17 patients received CIED surgery and 20 medical staff were interviewed. Thematic analysis with an inductive approach was used to identify dominant themes. Results: Four themes emerged from the data: (1) Safety and success is priority; (2) Humanistic Caring is a must yet be lacking; (3) Paradox of surgery information given; (4) Ways to improve surgery experiences in the operation. Conclusions: Intraoperative care is significant for CIED surgery. To improve care experience during surgery, healthcare professionals should pay attention to patients' safety and the factors that affecting humanistic caring in clinical practice. In addition, information support should consider information-seeking styles and personal needs. Besides, the four approaches presented in this study are effective to improve the intraoperative care experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to better understand the stressors in families of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) to assist with formulating targeted stress management plans for such families. A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken at a tertiary referral hospital in China. Following purposeful sampling, interviews were conducted with 21 parents of children with CHD regarding the stressors in their families. Following content analysis, 11 themes were generated from the data and categorised into six main domains: the initial stressor and associated hardships, normative transitions, prior strains, the consequences of family efforts to cope, intrafamily and social ambiguity, and sociocultural values. The 11 themes include confusion regarding the disease, hardships encountered during treatment, the heavy financial burden, the unusual growth track of the child due to the disease, normal events becoming abnormal for the family, impaired family functioning, family vulnerability, family resilience, family boundary ambiguity induced by role alteration, a lack of knowledge about community support and family stigma. Various and complex stressors exist for families of children with CHD. Medical personnel should fully evaluate the stressors and take targeted measures before implementing family stress management practices. It is also necessary to focus on the posttraumatic growth of families of children with CHD and strengthen resilience. Moreover, family boundary ambiguity and a lack of knowledge about community support should not be ignored, and further research is needed to explore these variables. Most importantly, policymakers and healthcare providers should adopt a range of strategies to address the stigma of being in a family of a child with CHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat heterogeneity caused by topographic variations at the local scale is the environmental basis for the establishment and evolution of biodiversity and biomass patterns. The similarities and distinctions between the effects of microtopographic variables on living wood (LWD) and dead wood (CWD) remain unknown. In the present study, the response mechanisms of biomass and species diversity patterns of living wood (LWD) and coarse woody debris (CWD) to microtopographic parameters were quantified in a warm temperate secondary forest located in Dongling Mountain, China. This quantification was achieved using a generalized additive model on a completely mapped 20-hectare permanent plot. The evaluation of biomass and species diversity of woody plants was carried out by utilizing the total basal area of all individuals and the species richness within each 20 m × 20 m quadrat as a standard. The results indicate that there are notable disparities in the influence of microtopographic elements on the LWD and CWD. In the case of LWD, microtopography accounts for 22.90% of the variation in total basal area, with convexity making a greater relative contribution than elevation, slope, and aspect. Additionally, microtopography explains 46.20% of the variation in species richness, with aspect making a greater relative contribution than elevation, convexity, and slope. Nevertheless, the influence of microtopography on CWD may only account for a deviation of 10.20% in the total basal area and 4.95% in the species richness; aspect and slope have been identified as the primary drivers in this regard. The inclusion of microtopographic factors in the model resulted in a 23.10% increase in the explanatory deviations of LWD biomass and an 8.70% increase in the explanatory deviations of CWD biomass. The findings suggest that topographic considerations have a greater impact on the biomass distribution of LWD compared to that of CWD. Conversely, the biomass of CWD is more influenced by the species richness. The presence of microtopography plays a vital role in determining the spatial distribution of species and biomass at local scales, reflecting the multiple response mechanisms and growth strategies of vegetation in response to redistribution in water, soil, and light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to identify the effects of the slope and precipitation intensity on the soil runoff depth and runoff rate, different tillage patterns (slope-ridge direction, horizontal slope-ridge direction, no-ridge farming) and different slopes (3° and 5°) were set up, and five typical rainfalls from June to September 2021 were selected, to dynamically monitor the soil-erosion dynamics of the test plots under different rainfall intensities. The results show that cross-slope-ridge cropping has a retention effect on runoff, which effectively inhibits the ineffective loss of rainfall confluence. Among these results, the variation range in the soil runoff depth under cross-slope-ridge treatment conditions was 0.11~0.94 mm, while that under the slope-ridge treatment and no-ridge treatment conditions was increased to 1.44~12.49 mm and 3.45~14.96 mm, respectively. It found that the loss of soil nutrients was significantly higher in the slope-ridge direction and in the no-ridge farming condition than in the horizontal slope-ridge direction. It is worth noting that, as the slope of the cultivated land increases, the erosive capacity of the precipitation runoff for the soil phosphorus increases, while the carrying capacity of the soil nitrogen decreases, and the correlation analysis results confirm that the corresponding relationship between the free diffusion capacity of the soil ammonium nitrogen and soil erosion is weaker than that between the nitrate nitrogen and soil erosion. The effects of single factors, such as the slope, ridge direction, and precipitation intensity of the cultivated land, have a significant impact on the soil water- and fertilizer-loss process, while the influence effect of the multi-factor coupling process on soil erosion is weakened. It was confirmed that the erosion process of rainfall runoff on soil nitrogen and phosphorus loss in slope cultivated land is the result of multi-factor action, and the artificial modification of the tillage mode can effectively regulate the effect of farmland water and fertilizer loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the impact of digital inclusive finance (DIF) on the subsistence consumption of rural households in China. We find that rural residents in areas with well-developed DIF tend to have greater subsistence consumption. Channel analyses show that such tendencies can be explained by the income growth effect and vulnerability mitigation effect associated with DIF. The income growth effect occurs as the development of DIF promotes rural residents' income. Income growth is stimulated via improved entrepreneurship to earn operational income or inducing rural-to-urban migration to earn wage income. Meanwhile, the observed vulnerability mitigation effect suggests that DIF could reduce rural residents' future income uncertainty by alleviating the impact of exogenous shocks. Furthermore, we apply Lasso algorithms to predict expected consumption, and find that the development of DIF is associated with a higher probability for overconsumption in rural households. Such side effect occur mainly among individuals with weak time preferences. We conclude that, the development of DIF has merits, because doing so is beneficial to increasing rural residents' economic resilience and building an inclusive, sustainable and prosperous society in the post-COVID-19 era. • We examine the impact of DIF on rural household subsistence consumption in China. • Income growth effect and vulnerability mitigation effect are possible channels. • We offer evidence that DIF is associated with rural households' overconsumption. • Household's overconsumption mainly occurs among those with weak time preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore perceptions of antipsychotics associated side-effects among family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia. Patients and Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was applied in a tertiary referral hospital in China. Purposeful sampling of 18 family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were interviewed about their perceptions towards antipsychotics related side effects. Results: According to content analysis, three themes emerged from the data: (a) nightmare in the treatment with the categories of sleep disturbances; physical impairment; appearance impairment; (b) opposite attitudes toward side-effect with the categories of being vigilant; do not care; (c) diverse ways of coping side-effects with the categories of asking for help from professionals; self-determined; try any quack's prescription. Conclusion: The side effects of antipsychotics not only damage the health of patients, but also increase the burden and stress of caregivers. However, caregivers have different attitudes and coping styles about the side effects of antipsychotics. Health professionals should be aware of the influence of individual background and cultural factors on caregivers' attitudes towards drug side effects. Furthermore, health professionals should also provide caregivers with knowledge about drug side effects, coping skills, and appropriate management strategies to promote health outcomes for people with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the conservation of resources theory (COR), we examined the effect of leader-member exchange (LMX) on the voice behavior via role breadth self-efficacy, and how the perceived overqualification moderates the relationship between LMX and voice behavior. We tested the theoretical model with data gathered from 407 individuals in China. The results revealed that LMX had an indirect effect on voice behavior through role breadth self-efficacy, and perceived overqualification moderated the positive association between LMX and role breadth self-efficacy. In addition, the mediating effect of LMX on voice behavior through role breadth self-efficacy was stronger when the level of perceived overqualification was low and weaker when it was high. The findings have theoretical and practical implications for increasing employees' voice behavior in organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Podocyte injury has a direct causal relationship with proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis and, on a chronic level, can lead to irreversible disease progression. Podocyte injury plays a critically decisive role in the development of proteinuric kidney disease. In recent years, the research on podocyte injury has developed rapidly all over the world. However, no report has summarized the field of podocyte injury as a whole to date. Using bibliometric analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the current state of worldwide podocyte injury research in the last 30 years and identify important achievements, primary research fields, and emerging trends. Methods: Publications related to podocyte injury were retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection. HistCite, VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the Bibliometrix Package were used for bibliometric analysis and visualization, including the analysis of the overall distribution of annual outputs, leading countries, active institutions and authors, core journals, co-cited references, and keywords. Total global citation score and total local citation score were used to assess the quality and impact of publications. Results: A total of 2,669 publications related to podocyte injury were identified. Publications related to podocyte injury tended to increase continuously. A total of 10,328 authors from 2,171 institutions in 69 countries published studies related to podocyte injury. China (39.46%) was the most prolific country, and the number of citations of studies in the United States (cited 36,896 times) ranked first. Moin A Saleem, John Cijiang He, and Zhihong Liu were the top three contributing authors, and Journal of the American Society of Nephrology and Kidney International were the most popular journals in the field. "Diabetic nephropathy" is the primary focus area of podocyte injury research, and "autophagy," "microRNA," and "inflammation" were the top keywords of emerging research hotspots, and traditional Chinese medicine monomer may be a neglected research gap. Conclusion: Our research found that global publications on podocyte injury have increased dramatically. Diabetic nephropathy is the main research field of podocyte injury, whereas autophagy, microRNA, and inflammation are the top topics getting current attention from scholars and which may become the next focus in podocyte injury research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the attitudes of newly graduated nurses in China toward their work environment and identify the factors affecting their perception. Background: Newly graduated nurses are the primary supply to cover the nursing shortage, but their stressful transition into clinical work has contributed to high turnover for decades. Although serving as a source of stress, the work environment can also be a source of support for new nurses. Methods: A total of 2361 new nurses at 31 tertiary hospitals in 20 provinces were surveyed from June to November 2018, using the Chinese version of the Practice Environment Scale‐Nursing Work Index. Basic information and their perception about work environment were collected. Results: New nurses rated their work environment with an overall score of 84.67 (12.85). Multiple linear regression identified that education level, monthly income, hospital type and location, participation (or not) in standardized training programmes and having (or not) a mentor/preceptor were factors significantly associated with their perception of the work environment. Conclusion: The perception of newly graduated nurses in China was mainly positive overall. Nursing managers may take full advantage of factors affecting the perception of work environment to support newly graduated nurses better, to help their retention and transition. Summary statement: What is already known about the topic? Newly graduated nurses experience transition shock at the beginning of their work.Supportive work environments can help successful transition. What this paper adds? Newly graduated nurses are not fully supported in their work environment.Staffing and resource inadequacy were the poorest environmental factors.Residency programmes had the most impact on the perceptions of newly graduated nurses about their work environment. Implications for nursing practice: These results can guide nursing managers to support the newly graduated nurses better in their transition process, thus helping retention of nursing human resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the perceptions of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) regarding their pre‐operative health education. Methods: A qualitative study using semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews was conducted in one cardiology unit in China from July 2019 to December 2019. Purposeful sampling of 17 patients undergoing PCI was interviewed about their perceptions of pre‐operative health education. Thematic analysis of the transcribed data was then used to identify the themes. Results: Four themes emerged from the data:(a) triple roles of pre‐operative education with the categories of relief (reliving fear); burden (leading to stress); and meaningless (changing nothing); (b) family member involvement with the categories of shared responsibility and family members' duty; (c) facilitators in the process of pre‐operative health education with the categories of emotional support, plain language and individualized pre‐operative education; (d) inhibitors in the process of pre‐operative health education with the categories of contradiction and threatening words. Conclusions: Pre‐operative health education for patients undergoing PCI should be aligned with the individual patients' information‐seeking styles and personal differences, emphasizing individualized patient education. Traditional Chinese philosophy should be considered in the practice of pre‐operative education for patients undergoing PCI, which emphasizes family member involvement; at the same time, patient empowerment and self‐care should also be stressed. In addition, emotional support and plain language from health professionals are important in pre‐operative health education for patients undergoing PCI; contradiction should be avoided, and threatening words should be used with caution and with consideration for cultural variations during pre‐operative education for patients undergoing PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus is a significant fungus that poses a threat to food safety by producing mycotoxins in various crops. In this study, A. flavus isolates were obtained from storage rice collected from seven provinces in southern China, and their AFB 1 production, biosynthesis genes presence, and diversity were detected. Results showed that 56 out of the 81 A. flavus isolates produced detectable levels of AFB 1 , and 71 isolates (87.6 %) possessed aflR gene in their AF synthesis gene cluster, while only 41 isolates (50.6 %) had the ver-1 gene present. Genetic diversity analysis using inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) markers revealed seven main clusters among the isolates and the genetic similarity coefficients of 81 A. flavus isolates ranged from 0.53 to 1.00. Additionally, coculture assays were conducted using two toxigenic and two atoxigenic isolates from the same grain depot to investigate the effect of intraspecific inhibition on AFB 1 production and to assess the AFB 1 contamination risk of storage rice. The in situ results demonstrated that the atoxigenic isolates effectively inhibited the AFB 1 contamination of toxigenic isolates. These findings provide insight into the genetic diversity of A. flavus isolates populations and highlight the potential food safety hazards of them in stored rice grain in China. • Environment affects phenotypes and AFB 1 production of A. flavus isolates from southern China. • Atoxigenic A. flavus isolates have deletions in regions of the AFB 1 biosynthesis gene cluster. • ISSR molecular markers successfully demonstrate genetic diversity among A. flavus isolates. • Atoxigenic A. flavus suppresses toxigenic A. flavus growth and AFB 1 contamination via competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The promulgation and implementation of the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) have greatly accelerated air quality improvements in China. In this study, these improvements were assessed and analyzed using arithmetic mean and percentile methods. Air quality status and trends were illustrated meticulously. Air pollution risks remaining since the implementation of the APPCAP were also identified. In addition, a complex network correlation model was created and used to demarcate highly inter-correlated regions within China, which were identified using long-term PM 2.5 concentration data. The results indicate that the annual mean PM 2.5 concentration decreased by more than 30% throughout the country since the implementation of the APPCAP. However, more than 1 billion people were still exposed to polluted air containing PM 2.5 concentrations exceeding the WHO Interim Target-1 (WHO IT-1). Cities with populations of more than 10 million were generally among the most polluted regions in China, while PM 2.5 concentrations in locations with populations of less than 1 million met WHO IT-1 standards. Moreover, PM 2.5 network correlation analysis defined 7 key Joint Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution (JPCAP) regions with strong synchronicity in PM 2.5 mass concentrations; these results suggest that JPCAP could be implemented separately with in each of these demarcated regions. The atmospheric pollution control concepts and methods proposed herein are also broadly applicable for the implementation of JPCAP policies in other regions worldwide. Graphical abstract A complex network correlation model was established and used to demarcate highly inter-correlated regions within China based on long-term and massive data mining of PM 2.5 concentration, and seven major regions, including Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei and surrounding areas, Yangtze River Delta, Chengdu–Chongqing, Lanzhou–Xining urban agglomeration, South China, Central China, and Northeast China, were identified. These results provide a scientific basis for formulating long-term, stable, and unified JPCAP strategies for China and implementation of JPCAP measures that focus on the specific problems of each region. Network diagram of the PM 2.5 correlation coefficients for the 31 provinces in China. (a): P ≥ 0; (b): P ≥ 0.6; (c): P ≥ 0.7; (d): P ≥ 0.75. Image Highlights • Spatial and temporal trends of PM2.5 across China from 2013 to 2017 were studied. • The promulgation and implementation of APPCAP improved air quality of China. • Seven major regions with similar trends in air quality were identified. • The results can be used to support future improvement in air quality in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the seismic profiles, drilling, tomographic images and other geological data, we use the I2VIS code to program the Mesozoic finite‐difference numerical model in the southern part of the East China Sea Continental Shelf Basin (ECSCSB). We try to model the basin evolutionary process by setting up different boundaries to the 2‐D models. After analysing the simulation results of low‐speed and high‐speed stretching models, we found that under the condition of preliminary tensile value, the magma could not be generated in both rapid and slow stretching cases. This means that the regional extension of the Mesozoic ECSCSB is not the only dominant factor for basin evolution. Based on the analysis of the regional geological features and the modelling results, we suggest that the low‐velocity lithosphere mantle in the study area may be due to the melting of the mantle caused by the subduction and dehydration of the Izawa Nasaki Plate. The evolutionary process of the Mesozoic basins in the ECSCSB is closely related to regional extension and the magma upwelling caused by subduction and dehydration of the Izawa Nasaki Plate during the Mesozoic Era. The magma upwelling led to large‐scale magmatic events. It is likely to act in the Minjiang Sag, which resulted in the further rise of the Minjiang Sag and the formation of the present slope zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) is a devastating plant virus classified in the family Potyviridae, and known to infect cultivated soybeans ( Glycine max). In this study, seven new SMVs were isolated from wild soybean samples and analyzed by whole-genome sequencing. An updated SMV phylogeny was built with the seven new and 83 known SMV genomic sequences. Results showed that three northeastern SMV isolates were distributed in clade III and IV, while four southern SMVs were grouped together in clade II and all contained a recombinant BCMV fragment (~900 bp) in the upstream part of the genome. This work revealed that wild soybeans in China also act as important SMV hosts and play a role in the transmission and diversity of SMVs. [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]

Context In light of the call for humanistic caring in the contemporary health care system globally and in China, the issue of improving the caring skills that are essential to student success, high-quality nursing practice and positive patient outcomes is at the forefront of nursing education. Objectives The aim of this mixed-methods quantitative and qualitative study was to investigate baccalaureate nursing students' caring ability in the context of China and to explore the role of clinical practice learning in the development of students' caring skills. Methods A two-phase, descriptive study utilising a mixed methodology consisting of a caring ability survey and focus group interviews was conducted. In the quantitative phase, 598 baccalaureate nursing students at two colleges in Yunnan Province in southwest China were surveyed using the Caring Ability Inventory ( CAI). In the qualitative phase, 16 of the students who had participated in the quantitative phase were interviewed. Results Students obtained lower scores on the CAI than have been reported elsewhere by other researchers. In addition, students in the clinical stage of training scored lower than students in the pre-clinical stage. Three themes concerning facilitation by and three themes concerning the obstructive effects of clinical practice learning in the development of caring ability were identified. Themes pertaining to facilitation were: (i) promoting a sense of professional responsibility and ethics; (ii) providing an arena in which to practise caring, and (iii) learning from positive role models. Themes pertaining to obstruction were: (i) a critical practice learning environment; (ii) encountering inappropriate clinical teachers, and (iii) experiencing shock at the contrast between an idealised and the real environment. Conclusions The key to developing students' ability to care lies in highlighting caring across the entire health care system. By diminishing exposure to negative role models, and adopting appropriate pedagogical ideas about education in caring, such as truth telling and helping students to think in a critical manner, educators can help students to improve their caring ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a comparative analysis of the legal remedies available to shareholders in the United Kingdom and China. Topics mentioned include the history of corporate governance in both countries, an overview of the laws intended to protect shareholders, and the effect majority shareholders have on companies in China.

To explore the COD degradation characteristics of Jiamusi section at Songhua River, water mass tracing and Rhodamine-B tracing were used to investigate the COD model of the normal river flow season and icebound season of Jiamusi section. The corresponding characteristic parameters were identified, the diffusion characteristics of river water quality of the Jiamusi section were discussed, and the validity of the model was verified by the water quality mathematical model and water mass tracing. The results showed that by Rhodamine-B tracing, the transverse diffusion coefficient of the Jiamusi section was 0.41 m²/s, and the longitudinal diffusion coefficient is 43.51 m²/s. The COD attenuation coefficient K(20) = 0.188; the COD model parameters were corrected at any temperature K(T) = 0. 188 x 1. 109 8T - 20. The relative error of the measured results and the simulation results were both within 10%, which proved that the COD model and the corresponding parameters were effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to analyze the urban wastewater treatment efficiency in northeast China more effectively, this paper uses correlation analysis to determine the efficiency of various relevant factors, combined with second-order quadratic approximation of the investment and operation cost function to fit the actual data, based on which the efficiency of wastewater treatment is analyzed with corresponding indexes. The result shows that the analysis of urban wastewater treatment efficiency in northeast China should be concentrated on designed capacity, actual processing capacity, effluent COD concentration and sludge treatment volume. All the indices above have a positive relation with investment and operation cost, and the margin cost shows a decreasing trend, which means that the efficiency of urban wastewater treatment in northeast China is improved with increasing cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two parallel pilot-scale biological filters which used manganese sand and silica sand as media respectively were tested for the removal of iron and manganese from drilled well water in Harbin. Iron and manganese oxidizing bacteria were isolated and used as inoculums for filter start-up. Manganese sand filter and silica sand filter can remove 3–6 mg/L of ferrous iron 0.9 mg/L and 0.6 mg/L of manganese respectively under the operation conditions of DO (5 mg/L), pH 7.2, and flow rate 3.9 m/h. The kinetics analysis indicated that the iron removal versus flow rate followed the first-order reaction. This kinetics model also demonstrated that a manganese sand filter had higher removal efficiency than a silica sand filter. Gallionella sp. was found in the backwashing water after 6 months of operation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Etiological diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis is challenging, owing to a paucity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in the affected region. Moreover, currently available methods, such as the detection of acid-fast bacilli and microbiological culture, are not always conducive to timely diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we evaluated the performance of Xpert® MTB/RIF assay (hereinafter referred to as "Xpert") in detecting MTB in difficult-to-diagnose patients using suspensions of pleural biopsy tissue specimens obtained under direct thoracoscopic guidance.Methods: One hundred and sixty patients with an unexplained pleural effusion were included from the Shenyang Tenth People's Hospital and Shenyang Chest Hospital, China, between 2017 and 2018. The included patients underwent thoracoscopy under local anesthesia, with an intercostal incision of approximately 1.0 cm for biopsy. The biopsy specimens were used for pathological and etiological examinations. The Xpert test was evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively), against data obtained using standards: the BACTEC™ MGIT™ 960 liquid culture system and a composite reference standard (CRS).Results: The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert were 68.8 and 64.6%, respectively, against the MGIT 960 culture data. The PPV and NPV of Xpert were 56.4 and 75.6%, respectively. The sensitivity of Xpert was 69.0% against the CRS data, which was significantly higher than that of MGIT 960 culture (56.6%). The PPV and NPV of Xpert against the CRS data were 100.0 and 57.3%, respectively.Conclusions: Xpert is a good rule-in test but has limited value as a rule-out test for the diagnosis of tuberculosis pleuritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Butterflies provide numerous ecological and socio-economic services and are important indicator species. China is home to over 2000 species of butterflies and in recent years has elevated biodiversity conservation on the national agenda. This manuscript reviews China's butterfly conservation efforts and its legal and policy frameworks. We note some of the current limitations in butterfly conservation (inappropriate listing of protected species; over-reliance on inventories, rather than holistic research) and offer numerous recommendations to improve conservation efforts. Our recommendations include those related to integration of scientific data into policy (designation of scientifically-based protected areas; development of appropriate criteria for classifying protected species; use of umbrella species for conservation purposes), adoption of butterfly-friendly land use policies in rural and urban areas, butterfly ranching and farming, use of citizen science to improve data collection, and enhanced public outreach and environmental education campaigns. Our recommendations will help further the goals of China's National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011–2030). About 10% of the Earth's butterfly species inhabit the highly diverse ecosystems of China. Important for the ecological, economic, and cultural services they provide, many butterfly species experience threats from land use shifts and climate change. China has recently adopted policies to protect the nation's biodiversity resources. This essay examines the current management of butterflies in China and suggests various easily implementable actions that could improve these conservation efforts. Our recommendations are based on the observations of a transdisciplinary group of entomologists and environmental policy specialists. Our analysis draws on other successful examples around the world that China may wish to consider. China needs to modify its scientific methodologies behind butterfly conservation management: revising the criteria for listing protected species, focusing on umbrella species for broader protection, identifying high priority areas and refugia for conservation, among others. Rural and urban land uses that provide heterogeneous habitats, as well as butterfly host and nectar plants, must be promoted. Butterfly ranching and farming may also provide opportunities for sustainable community development. Many possibilities exist for incorporating observations of citizen scientists into butterfly data collection at broad spatial and temporal scales. Our recommendations further the ten Priority Areas of China's National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011–2030). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Strong laboratory capacity is essential for detecting and responding to emerging and re-emerging global health threats. We conducted a quantitative laboratory assessment during 2014-2015 in two resource-limited provinces in southern China, Guangxi and Guizhou in order to guide strategies for strengthening core capacities as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).Methods: We selected 28 public health and clinical laboratories from the provincial, prefecture and county levels through a quasi-random sampling approach. The 11-module World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory assessment tool was adapted to the local context in China. At each laboratory, modules were scored 0-100% through a combination of paper surveys, in-person interviews, and visual inspections. We defined module scores as strong (> = 85%), good (70-84%), weak (50-69%), and very weak (< 50%). We estimated overall capacity and compared module scores across the provincial, prefecture, and county levels.Results: Overall, laboratories in both provinces received strong or good scores for 10 of the 11 modules. These findings were primarily driven by strong and good scores from the two provincial level laboratories; prefecture and county laboratories were strong or good for only 8 and 6 modules, respectively. County laboratories received weak scores in 4 modules. The module, 'Public Health Functions' (e.g., surveillance and reporting practices) lagged far behind all other modules (mean score = 46%) across all three administrative levels. Findings across the two provinces were similar.Conclusions: Laboratories in Guangxi and Guizhou are generally performing well in laboratory capacity as required by IHR. However, we recommend targeted interventions particularly for county-level laboratories, where we identified a number of gaps. Given the importance of surveillance and reporting, addressing gaps in public health functions is likely to have the greatest positive impact for IHR requirements. The quantitative WHO laboratory assessment tool was useful in identifying both comparative strengths and weaknesses. However, prior to future assessments, the tool may need to be aligned with the new WHO IHR monitoring and evaluation framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Are QL1012 and Gonal-f® equivalent in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology (ART)? This multicentre, randomized, assessor-blinded, phase-three trial was conducted at 13 centres in China. Eligible patients were infertile women; age 20–39 years; body mass index 18–30 kg/m2; regular menstrual cycles; and indication for ART. After successful pituitary downregulation, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive QL1012 or Gonal-f®, stratified by age (initial dose of 75–150 IU for women younger than 30 years, 150–225 IU for women aged 30–34 years and 225–300 IU for women aged ≥35 years, subcutaneously, once daily). The primary end point was the number of oocytes retrieved. Between October 2018, and June 2019, 341 patients were included in the per-protocol set. The mean numbers of oocytes retrieved were 14.7 ± 7.0 in the QL1012 group (n = 169) and 13.4 ± 6.1 in the Gonal-f® group (n = 172). Adjusted by analysis of covariance model, the least-squares mean difference was 1.3 oocytes (95% CI –0.1 to 2.7; P = 0.0650), within the pre-defined equivalence margins of ±3.0. Similar results were observed in the full analysis set. Additionally, no statistical differences were found in secondary end points except oestradiol concentration (median 3948.0 pg/ml versus 3545.3 pg/ml; P = 0.0015). Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (12.4% versus 13.1 %) and other adverse events were similar between the two groups. Therapeutic equivalence and similar safety profiles were demonstrated between QL1012 and Gonal-f® in women undergoing ovarian stimulation for ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: This cross-sectional study examined whether normal-weight central obesity, defined as a high waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), is associated with metabolic disorders in Chinese postmenopausal women.Methods and Study Design: We recruited 634 community-dwelling postmenopausal women with a normal body mass index (BMI) who participated in an annual health checkup. Normal-weight obesity (NWO) was defined as a normal BMI and WHtR in the highest tertile of the study population. The updated National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were used to assess metabolic abnormalities, and binary logistic regression models were employed to estimate the associations between NWO and metabolic disorders.Results: The prevalence of each metabolic disorder showed a graded increase (p<0.05) across the WHtR tertiles in the study population. NWO was significantly associated with some non-adipose components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) (p<0.05) after adjusting for age, smoking status, drinking status, inflammatory markers, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), body fat percentage (BF%), and the remaining non-adipose MetS components. Participants in the highest WHtR tertile had a higher odds ratio [2.00 (1.19- 3.33), p<0.01] for the presence of at least two non-adipose MetS components than those in the lowest tertile after adjusting for age, lifestyle factors, inflammatory markers, TC, LDL-c, and BF%.Conclusions: NWO is significantly associated with metabolic disorders, suggesting that a clinical assessment of abdominal obesity indices should be conducted in postmenopausal women, even in those with a normal BMI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) is a kind of widely used anionic surfactant and its discharge may pose potential risk to the receiving aquatic ecosystem. The aim of our study is to investigate the toxic effect of SDBS on fish swimming behavior quantitatively, followed by examination whether there are significant differences of swimming behavior among applied fish species (i.e. zebra fish ( Danio rerio ), Japanese medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) and red carp ( Cyprinus carpio )). The swimming speed and vertical position were analyzed after the fish exposed to SDBS aiming to reflect the toxicity of SDBS on fish. Our results showed that the swimming behavior of three fishes was significantly affected by SDBS, although there were slight differences of swimming pattern changes among three fish species when they exposed to the same concentration of SDBS. It could be seen that red carp, one of the native fish species in China, can be used as a model fish to reflect the water quality changes as well as zebra fish and Japanese medaka which are commonly used as model fishes. Our study also illustrated that the swimming behavior monitoring may have a good application prospect in pre-warning of water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crustal deformation can be closely associated with Earth surface process. A combined approach of geological mapping, petrology, geochronology and structural analysis of the Taili Beach, North China, reveals a detailed magmatic and deformation history associated with orogenesis and intensive exhumation. Three groups of rocks developed along the Taili beach, including gneisses, mylonites and massive granites. Gneisses recorded near E-W- trending rootless fold and subvertical gneissosity of lower structural level. Mylonites exposed along ENE-trending ductile shear zone, with porphyritic protomylonite permeated into gneiss of lower-middle structural level. Gneisses formed in Neo-Archean to Paleo-Proterozoic, were modified by ~230–220 Ma magmatic and deformation event. This tectonic event is related to the Indosinian orogenesis, leading to the re-melting of the lower crust Archean rocks and intense deformation forming subvertical gneissosity and sinistral mylonites zones within N–S direction compression. The structural analysis indicates that rootless fold S 1 formed at the depth of ~24-20 km, gneissosity formed at ~18–15 km, while mylonite foliation S 2 formed at ~12-10 km and felsic leptynite formed at ~8-7 km. Massive granites intruded into gneisses and mylonites at depth <3 km (not late than 159Ma). The deformation sequence indicates that the Taili crust uplifted nearly 20 km during the ~230-220 Ma to ~159 Ma. The intensive exhumation in orogenesis may be related to earth surface erosion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preoperative visit-care for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) plays a crucial role in improving the quality of care and patient safety. However, preoperative care for TAVR patients is still in its early stages in China, with the care often being experience-based. The application of relevant evidence in nursing practice is necessary. Little is known regarding the facilitators and barriers to apply and compliance to the evidences about preoperative visit-care for TAVR in nursing., Methods: The Nurse's Compliance Checklist was used to investigate the evidence-based compliance of nurses (n = 21) who worked in the TAVR team in the evidence-based implementation setting. Meanwhile, an Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs Scale, and Influencing Factors Checklist were used to investigate all nurses (n = 66) who work in the same setting. Stakeholders (Middle and senior-level nursing administrators, frontline clinical nurses, and patients) interview was carried out to further disclose the barriers and facilitators in the process of evidence-based practice., Results: The results of this study showed that only 1 evidence implemented fully (100%) by nurses, 3 evidences with 0% implementation rate, and implementation rate of the other evidences were 9.5∼71.4%. The overall score of nurses' evidence-based nursing belief level was (3.52 ± 0.82). Three domains of barriers were identified: the Context Domain included lack of nursing procedures, inadequate health education materials, insufficient training; the Practitioner Domain included insufficient attention, lack of relevant knowledge, high work pressure and uncertainty of expected results, and Patient Domain included lack of relational knowledge. Facilitating factors included leadership support, nurse' high evidence-based nursing belief, high executive ability and enthusiasm for learning., Conclusion: The study indicated that the nurses' compliance of evidence-based practice in preoperative visit-care for TAVR was in lower level. There were some factors influencing the application of the evidences. The study revealed potential modifiable barriers to the successful implementation of evidence-based preoperative visit-care, including a lack of preoperative visit- care routine, related knowledge and training. Leadership support and nurse training should be considered to improve nurses' compliance with evidence-based practice., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Transition issues have been discussed for many decades, yet little is known about successful transition expectations in the context of Chinese culture., Purpose: This article was designed to describe the expectations of newly graduated nurses in China regarding successful transition., Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study design was employed, and a purposive sampling method was used to recruit interviewees. All of the one-to-one conversations were held in a quiet room to ensure privacy. All of the interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using thematic analysis., Results: Nineteen new nurses were recruited from seven tertiary hospitals and participated in the in-depth interview process. Transition success, that is, "professional metamorphosis," was revealed through the four themes of "being competent in nursing work," "establishing a professional identity," "establishing comfortable interpersonal relationships," and "achieving balance between work and life.", Conclusions/implications for Practice: Chinese new nurses expect their successful transition to achieve a professional metamorphosis in many aspects. A successful transition is not only a journey of professionalization but also a process of socialization. New nurses expect to achieve both maturity in their work and wisdom in life. The results of this study provide a greater understanding of transition issues in the context of Chinese culture. Thus, support and strategies cannot be limited to interventions designed to improve working competence but should be individualized to help new nurses achieve a smooth transition., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

A new species of the genus Phengaris Doherty, 1891 (s. str.), namely Phengaris chloe sp. nov., has been discovered in Wuyi Mountain National Park, E. China. This species is markedly different from the other members in the genus Phengaris Doherty, 1891 (s. str.) and can be identified by the following characteristics: Forewing without markings in the distal of space CuA1 and CuA2, the marginal marking of underside wings weaker than other species in this genus and the distinct short protuberance at distal of valve. Photographs of adults and male genitalia are provided. A key to the Phengaris (s. str.) species based on wing pattern and male genitalia morphology is presented.

The satyrid species Chonala laurae Bozano, 1999, formerly only known from southern Shaanxi and western Hubei Provinces in the central part of China, is recorded from Mt. Wuyi, Fujian Province in southeastern China for the first time, and the population is described as a new subspecies herein: C. laurae wuyishana Huang, Guo & Wang, ssp. n. The new subspecies can be distinguished from the nominate one by the pattern at the costa and in space 2 on the forewing upperside in males and the ground color in females, and from the closely related C. houae by the coloration of the pattern on the forewing upperside and in space 2 on the forewing underside as well as the male genital character. A brief discussion on the relationship among C. laurae laurae, C. laurae wuyishana ssp. n., and C. houae is also presented. In addition, an updated key to species and subspecies of Chonala is provided.

A new species of the genus Neopheosia Matsumura, 1920, N. pseudofasciata sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Fujian province. The species resembles N. fasciata (Moore, 1888) but differs in a forewing pattern in M3 cell; diagnostic differences are observed in genitalia characters as well. DNA barcode data of the new species and its relatives are deposited in GenBank. A key to the Neopheosia species based on morphology is presented. The holotype is deposited in the Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou.

With the advancement of small watershed governance in agricultural production process, soil toxic element pollution issue in watersheds constitutes a recent research hot spot. The Ashi River watershed is an agriculture-dominated small watershed which is exposed to toxic element sources, posing high risk of toxic element pollution to the planting areas. In this study, collection of soil samples was carried out along the periphery of the river network, and the soil physicochemical parameters and toxic elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn) were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) The geo-accumulation index (I geo ) and potential ecological risk index were used to evaluate the pollution degree, and the contents of As, Cd, and Zn in some sampling sites exceeded risk screening values. Moreover, soils closer to mining sources were found to be more polluted; (2) Redundancy analysis confirmed the contribution rate relationship between environmental factors and toxic elements. C/N ratio, total carbon (C), and total potassium (K) exhibited significant relationships with toxic elements (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05), respectively. Moreover, geographic locations (longitude, latitude, and elevation) showed significant impacts on toxic element contents (except for Cu); (3) The apportionment of toxic element pollution sources by using principal component analysis showed that Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd were mainly related to mining activities, while As was closely related to insecticide and herbicide, and Cr was mainly related to soil parent material and electroplating factory; (4) Through the integrated resistance base surface and toxic element sources combined with minimum cumulative resistance model, the toxic element risk areas were identified. The middle reaches corresponded to the extremely high risk zone, which undeniably requires the strengthening of the environmental management., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated as YN2 T , that is capable of degrading 1,4-dioxane, was isolated from active sludge collected from a wastewater treatment plant in Harbin, PR China. Cells of strain YN2 T were aerobic, motile, pleomorphic rods, mostly twisted, and contained the water-insoluble yellow zeaxanthin dirhamnoside. Strain YN2 T grew at 10-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 5.0-8.0 (pH 7.0) and with 0-1 % (w/v) NaCl (0.1 %). It also could grow chemolithoautotrophically and fix N 2 when no ammonium or nitrate was supplied. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YN2 T belongs to the genus Xanthobacter and shares the highest pairwise identity with Xanthobacter autotrophicus 7c T (98.6 %) and Xanthobacter flavus 301 T (98.4 %). The major respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10. Chemotaxonomic analysis revealed that the strain possesses C 16 : 0 , C 19 : 0 cyclo ω 8 c and C 18 : 1  ω7 c as the major fatty acids. The DNA G+C content was 67.95 mol%. Based on genome sequences, the DNA-DNA hybridization estimate values between strain YN2 T and X. autotrophicus 7c T , X. flavus 301 T and X. tagetidis TagT2C T (the only three species of Xanthobacter with currently available genomes) were 31.70, 31.30 and 28.50 %; average nucleotide identity values were 85.23, 84.84 and 83.59 %; average amino acid identity values were 81.24, 80.23 and 73.57 %. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic, and physiological characteristics, strain YN2 T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Xanthobacter , for which the name Xanthobacter dioxanivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YN2 T (=CGMCC 1.19031 T =JCM 34666 T ).

Regionalization exerts an important guiding role for sound environmental management, regional development, and schemes toward regionalizing ecological function, involving multiple levels. This paper formulated a framework for a detailed regionalization approach using the Ashi River watershed, China, as case study. Human activities, especially agriculture non-point source pollution (ANPS) and social factors, were identified as main factors. The results indicated that (1) the export coefficient model (ECM) can be used to determine ANPS loads in the watershed as well as total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads. (2) The minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) showed that the middle and lower reaches had high risk for ANPS occurrence. (3) Based on the identified key factors, the watershed was divided into level IV and combined with existing level III using cluster analysis. Corresponding management countermeasures were proposed. This provides a scientific basis for pollution control planning and for management measures.

Taiping chicken is indigenous chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), which was one of China's excellent poultry species, is an excellent chicken in Gansu Province. As the problems caused by the overuse of antibiotics become more and more severe, people begin to look for ways to replace them. Among them, probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharides are the research hotspot to replace antibiotics. Probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharides can promote the absorption of nutrients, improve the ability to resist and prevent diseases, and improve the intestinal tissue morphology. In this study, we used RNA-Seq analysis to study the gene expression in ileum tissue after Taiping chicken was given probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharides. In total, 67 genes were differentially expressed in the ileum. Ten of the differently expressed genes were further validated by RT-qPCR. In addition, these differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched to tyrosine metabolism, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, phenylalanine metabolism, and pyrimidine metabolism. The results which this study provides contribute to our understanding application of probiotics and fructo-oligosaccharides in indigenous chickens production and provide a theoretical basis for the genetic development of indigenous chickens.

Background: Health education basing on patients' information-seeking styles can improve the effectiveness of health education and patients' health outcomes. The Miller Behavioral Style Scale (MBSS) is widely used to identify individual's information-seeking styles, but the Chinese version is lacking. The study aim was to translate and culturally adapt the MBSS into Chinese version and test the content validity, construct validity and internal consistency reliability of the Chinese version of MBSS (C-MBSS)., Methods: The forward-back-translation procedure was adopted in the translation of the MBSS. Content validity was assessed in a panel of experts. In a sample of 1343 individuals including patients, patients' caregivers, university students, and medical staff, reliability and construct validity were assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and factor analysis. The measurement invariance across samples was tested using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA). Floor and ceiling effects were checked., Results: The C-MBSS achieved conceptual and semantic equivalence with the original scale. The item-level content validity index (I-CVI) of each item ranged from 0.78 to 1, and the averaging scale-level content validity index (S-CVI/ Ave) was 0.95. The exploratory factor analysis resulted in 2-factor assumption for each hypothetical threat-evoking scenario. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated a good fit between theoretical model and data, which provided confirmatory evidence for the second-order factor structure of 2-factor solution (Monitoring and Blunting). The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the Monitoring and Blunting sub-scales of the C-MBSS were 0.75 and 0.62 respectively. MGCFA results supported the measurement invariance for the Monitoring sub-scale of the C-MBSS across samples. No floor or ceiling effects occurred., Conclusions: This study indicates that the C-MBSS has good content and construct validity. The Monitoring sub-scale of the C-MBSS had acceptable internal consistency reliability while the Blunting sub-scale had unsatisfactory one, which suggest that the Monitoring sub-scale of the C-MBSS can be used to identify individuals' information-seeking styles in Chinese contexts across different populations.

Nitrogen (N) availability is an important factor regulating the feedback mechanisms of global change. This research uses a small Calamagrostis angustifolia wetland i = on the Sanjiang Plain of Northeast China as the research object and 15N tracer technology to study the effects of different nitrogen deposition levels (0 gN/m2, 4 gN/m2, and 8 gN/m2) through in situ controlled field experiments. Temporal and spatial distribution patterns of nitrogen in plants and soils and their short-term effects on nitrous oxide emissions fluxes were studied. The results showed that 1) the nitrogen content in the stems, leaves and roots of C. angustifolia decreased slowly with the growing season. Nitrogen application significantly increased the absorption of tracer nitrogen in the aboveground and underground plant parts (P<0.01), and the more nitrogen applied, the larger the absorption amount was (P<0.01). The absorbed amount accounted for 52%-86% of the total tracer nitrogen. 2) The tracer nitrogen in the soil did not show a significant change; the more nitrogen that was applied, the more nitrogen that was retained in the soil, and the tracer nitrogen adsorbed by the soil was mainly ammonium nitrogen. 3) The variation in the 15N-labeled nitric oxide emissions flux under different nitrogen treatments was consistent; nitrogen application increased the 15N-labeled nitric oxide emissions flux, but the difference between the low-nitrogen and high-nitrogen treatments was not significant (P>0.05)., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction: A trial-based assessment was completed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ceritinib as a first-line treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with rearrangement of anaplastic lymphoma kinase., Methods: Based on the disease situation of advanced NSCLC, a Markov model was constructed to estimate the costs and benefits of ceritinib and platinum-based chemotherapy. The cost information and health utilities were obtained from published literature. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated. The stability of the model was verified by sensitivity analyses., Results: The base case analysis results indicated that compared with platinum-based chemotherapy, ceritinib therapy would increase benefits in a 5-, 10- and 15-year time horizon, with extra costs of $230,661.61, $149,321.52 and $136,414.43 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, respectively. The most sensitive parameter in the model analysis was the cost of ceritinib. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggested that at the current price of ceritinib, the chance of ceritinib being cost-effective was 0 at the willingness-to-pay threshold of $27,142.85 per quality-adjusted life-year (three times the per capita gross domestic product of China)., Conclusion: As a first-line treatment for advanced NSCLC with rearrangement of anaplastic lymphoma kinase, ceritinib is unlikely to be cost-effective at the current price from the Chinese healthcare perspective. To meet the treatment demands of patients, it may be a better option to reduce the price or provide appropriate drug assistance policies.

The intertidal zone is an important buffer and a nitrogen sink between land and sea. Ammonia oxidation is the rate-limiting step of nitrification, conducted by ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). However, it remains a debatable issue regarding dominant ammonia oxidizers in this region, and environmental factors driving their spatiotemporal niche differentiation have yet to be identified. In this study, intertidal and subtidal zones of Zhoushan Islands were selected for seasonal sampling. Ammonia-oxidizing activity, quantitative PCR, and 454 high-throughput sequencing were performed to study the nitrification potential, abundance, and community structure of ammonia-oxidizing archaea and bacteria. AOA and AOB amoA abundance (10 7 -10 8 amoA gene copies/g dry weight sediment) varied spatiotemporally independently of environmental factors. AOA surpassed AOB in most samples, driven by sediment temperature, moisture, and total nitrogen. The diversity of both AOA and AOB differed spatiotemporally. The Nitrosopumilus and Nitrosospira clusters accounted for an absolutely dominant percentage of AOA (> 99%) and AOB (> 99%) respectively, indicating a negligible contribution of other clusters to ammonia oxidation. However, there was no significant correlation between nitrification potential and the abundance of AOA or AOB. Overall, the present study showed that AOA dominated over AOB spatiotemporally in the intertidal zone of Zhoushan Islands due to fluctuations in environmental factors, and the Nitrosopumilus and Nitrosospira clusters ecologically succeeded in the intertidal zone of Zhoushan Islands.

Purpose: As a second-line endocrine therapy for hormone receptor-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR + /HER2 - ) metastatic breast cancer, palbociclib has demonstrated significant efficacy in prolonging progression-free survival when added to a regimen containing fulvestrant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of palbociclib from the perspectives of the United States and China., Methods: We developed a Markov model to estimate lifetime costs, overall life-years gained, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to predict the uncertainty of the model developed. The time horizon was 10 years, and the perspective was that of the payer., Findings: Within a 10-year time horizon, the palbociclib-containing strategy provided an additional 0.568 QALY, with an ICER of 88,854 USD/QALY, in the United States. When palbociclib cost 30%, 20%, and 10% of the current price, the ICERs were 185,526, 42,193, and 98,860 USD/QALY, respectively. In China, the ICER was 182,779 USD/QALY. When palbociclib cost 30%, 20%, and 10% of the current price, the ICERs were 79,558, 64,812, and 50,066 USD/QALY, respectively. In order to meet 50% probability of cost-effectiveness, the estimated price would have to be 32.52 USD/100 mg at a willingness-to-pay threshold of 58,480 USD/QALY (3 × per-capita domestic product of Beijing, China)., Implications: Adding palbociclib to a regimen of fulvestrant is unlikely to be cost-effective as a second-line endocrine therapy for HR + /HER2 - metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with at the current price in the United States and China. For widely meeting the treatment demands of patients, it may be a better option to decrease the price or provide more patients with a financial assistance program for palbociclib both in the United States and in China., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Methane is a primary greenhouse gas which is responsible for global warming. The sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (S-AOM) process catalyzed by an aerobic me thanotrophic (ANME) archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is a vital link connecting the global carbon and sulfur cycles, and it is considered to be the overriding methane sink in marine ecosystem. However, there have been few studies regarding the role of S-AOM process and the distribution of ANME archaea in intertidal ecosystem. The intertidal zone is a buffer zone between sea and land and plays an important role in global geochemical cycle. In the present study, the abundance, potential methane oxidation rate, and community structure of ANME archaea in the intertidal zone were studied by quantitative PCR, stable isotope tracing method and high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the potential S-AOM activity ranged from 0 to 0.77 nmol 13 CO 2 g -1 (dry sediment) day -1 The copy number of 16S rRNA gene of ANME archaea reached 10 6 ∼ 10 7 copies g -1 (dry sediment). The average contribution of S-AOM to total anaerobic methane oxidation was up to 34.5%, while denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation accounted for the rest, which implied that S-AOM process was an essential methane sink that cannot be overlooked in intertidal ecosystem. The simulated column experiments also indicated that ANME archaea were sensitive to oxygen and preferred anaerobic environmental conditions. This study will help us gain a better understanding of the global carbon-sulfur cycle and greenhouse gas emission reduction and introduce a new perspective into the enrichment of ANME archaea. IMPORTANCE The sulfate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (S-AOM) process catalyzed by an aerobic me thanotrophic (ANME) archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is a vital link connecting the global carbon and sulfur cycles. We conducted a research into the spatial-temporal pattern of S-AOM process and the distribution of ANME archaea in coastal sediments collected from the intertidal zone. The results implied that S-AOM process was a methane sink that cannot be overlooked in the intertidal ecosystem. We also found that ANME archaea were sensitive to oxygen and preferred anaerobic environmental conditions. This study will help us gain a better understanding of the global carbon-sulfur cycle and greenhouse gas emission reduction and introduce a new perspective into the enrichment of ANME archaea., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Microbiology.)