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The formation of Carlin-type gold deposits is poorly constrained, mainly due to the lack of accurate ages for gold mineralization. The Youjiang basin, SW China, represents the world's second-largest Carlin-type gold province after NV, USA. In this paper, we use hydrothermal apatite U–Th–Pb dating to systemically determine the mineralization ages of five Carlin-type gold deposits, namely, Shuiyindong, Jinfeng, Zimudang, Linwang, and Jinya, in the Youjiang basin. The hydrothermal apatite is characterized by intimate intergrowth with gold-bearing sulfides, presence of primary fluid inclusions, irregular morphology and cathodoluminescence zoning, and MREE-enriched composition patterns, indicating that it is clearly associated and coeval with gold mineralization. The concentrations of lattice-bound U and Th in the apatite are highly variable, making it suitable for in situ secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Th–Pb dating. The dating results of hydrothermal apatite from the five deposits show that they formed at ca. 150–140 Ma, contemporary with the widespread felsic magmatism and associated W–Sn mineralization to the east of the Youjiang basin, probably in response to slab breakup of the Paleo-Pacific oceanic plate beneath the South China continental plate. Our case story suggests that hydrothermal apatite could be a robust chronometer for age dating of sedimentary rock-hosted gold mineralization worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasing all over the world. There is a great need for complementary or alternative therapies with high safety, few side effects, and precise efficacy to care for MDD. In China, acupuncture has significant laboratory data and clinical trials to demonstrate its antidepressant efficacy. However, there is no clear answer as to how it works. Exosomes are membranous vesicles that rely on cellular multivesicular bodies (MVBs) fused to the cell membrane for release into the extracellular matrix. Almost all cell types are capable of producing and releasing exosomes. As a result, exosomes contain complex RNAs and proteins from their relatives (Cells that secretes exosomes). They can cross biological barriers and participate in biological activities, such as cell migration, angiogenesis, and immune regulation. These properties have made them a popular research topic. Some experts have suggested that exosomes may serve as delivery vehicles for acupuncture to work. This presents both an opportunity and a new challenge for improving the protocols of acupuncture as a treatment for MDD. To better define the relationship between MDD, exosomes, and acupuncture, we reviewed the literature from the last few years. Inclusion criteria included randomized controlled trials and basic trials evaluating acupuncture in the treatment or prevention of MDD, the role of exosomes in the development and progression of MDD, and the role of exosomes in acupuncture. We believe that acupuncture may affect the distribution of exosomes in vivo, and exosomes may be a new carrier for acupuncture treatment of MDD in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing studies suggested that ambient temperature may affect the attack of acute appendicitis. However, the identification of the quantitative effect and vulnerable populations are still unknown. The purposes of this study were to quantify the impact of daily mean temperature on the hospitalization of acute appendicitis and clarify vulnerable groups, further guide targeted prevention of acute appendicitis in Tongling. Daily data of cases and meteorological factors were collected in Tongling, China, during 2015–2019. Time stratified case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression model were used to evaluate the odds ratio (OR) of ambient temperature on hospitalizations for acute appendicitis. Stratified analyses were performed by sex, age, and marital status. The odds ratio (OR) of hospitalizations for acute appendicitis increased by 1.6% for per 1 ℃ rise in mean temperature at lag3[OR = 1.016, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.004–1.028]. In addition, our results suggest it is in the women that increased ambient temperature is more likely to contribute to acute appendicitis hospitalizations; we also found that the married are more susceptible to acute appendicitis hospitalizations due to increased ambient temperature than the unmarried; people in the 21–40 years old are more sensitive to ambient temperature than other age groups. The significant results of the differences between the subgroups indicate that the differences between the groups are all statistically significant. The elevated ambient temperatures increased the risk of hospitalizations for acute appendicitis. The females, married people, and patients aged 21–40 years old were more susceptible to ambient temperature. These findings suggest that more attention should be paid to the impact of high ambient temperature on acute appendicitis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karst habitats are hotspots of diversity and endemism. Their naturally fragmented distributions across broad geographic landscapes have led to the complex array of smaller evolutionary ecosystems that present unique challenges from a conservation perspective. Comprehensive biodiversity assessments of karst habitats have revealed that these ecosystems contain an almost unparalleled level of endemism, and many site-restricted species remain undescribed, thus posing considerable challenges for effective conservation management. Small rock-dwelling species, such as geckos, may be particularly prone to such isolation. In this paper, we discuss one such genus, i.e., Hemiphyllodactylus, and explore its diversity across karst landforms in Yunnan Province, southwestern China. Based on morphological and genetic data, we describe two new species of Hemiphyllodactylus from karst habitats in Simao District and Yanshan County. A phylogenetic tree for Hemiphyllodactylus was constructed using 1 039 base pairs (bp) of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2). The Simao and Yanshan specimens can be distinguished from all other congeners within their respective subclades based on uncorrected genetic pairwise distances greater than 6.3% and 4.3% respectively, as well as significant morphological differences. The discovery and description of these two new species brings the total number of described Hemiphyllodactylus species in China to 14 and indicates many more undescribed species from unsurveyed karst regions await discovery. Our findings suggest that karst ecosystems in Yunnan support a higher diversity of Hemiphyllodactylus than previously known. This study also highlights the importance of karst ecosystems as refugia for sitespecific endemic species and the need for heightened conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing frequency of extreme events caused by global climate change, the association between extreme precipitation (EP) and disease has aroused concern currently. However, no study has examined the relationship between EP and schizophrenia. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between EP and schizophrenia, and to further examine the difference between urban and rural areas. This study used quasi-Poisson generalized linear regression model combined with distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) to estimate the association between EP (≥ 95th percentile) and hospitalization for schizophrenia from 2010 to 2019 in the city of Lu'an, China. EP could significantly increase the risk of hospitalization for schizophrenia. The effect firstly appeared at lag1 [relative risk (RR): 1.056, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.003–1.110] and continued until lag17 (RR: 1.039, 95%CI: 1.004–1.075). Our research showed that EP had a significant effect on the hospitalization for schizophrenia in both urban and rural areas, and no significant difference was found (p>0.05). EP exerted more acute effects on schizophrenia living in rural areas than those in urban areas in the cold season. Further studies on the burden of schizophrenia found that patients who are male, aged ≤ 39 years or less, and living in urban areas are a priority for future warnings. We should pay more attention to the impact of EP on burden of schizophrenia, especially during the cold season, targeting those vulnerable groups, thereby implementing more accurate and timely preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Hydrothermal zircons intergrown with gold-related minerals and containing primary fluids inclusions were identified from the Badu gold deposit in the Youjiang basin, SW China. • The hydrothermal zircons display high LREE contents and relatively flat light rare-earth element patterns, consistent with hydrothermal zircon reported worldwide. • In-situ SIMS and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb datings on the hydrothermal zircons reveal that the Badu deposit formed at ca. 140 Ma, probably in response to the Early Cretaceous large-scale lithospheric extension of South China. Selecting a robust chronometer is crucial to determine the primary mineralization age of the deposits that have witnessed multiple hydrothermal events. The Youjiang basin of South China hosts the world's second-largest Carlin-type gold province. However, the age of the Carlin-type gold mineralization remains highly debated, partly due to the presence of multiple hydrothermal events that may have disturbed the primary isotopic system with low durability. Hydrothermal zircon is a robust chronometer that can survive multiple hydrothermal events. To this end, in this study, we report in-situ secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U–Pb dating results of hydrothermal zircon identified in carbonate–sericite–sulfide–altered dolerite from the Badu Carlin-type gold deposit to constrain the timing of gold mineralization. The hydrothermal zircons exhibit subhedral to anhedral morphologies, sector cathodoluminescence zonings, and contain gold-related mineral assemblages of arsenian pyrite, quartz, sericite, and carbonate. Primary two-phase fluid inclusions also commonly occur in the hydrothermal zircons. Compositionally, these zircons feature relatively flat light rare-earth element (REE) patterns, high La contents, low (Sm/La) N values, and small Eu and Ce anomalies, which are different from the magmatic counterparts of the Badu pluton but consistent with those of hydrothermal zircons reported worldwide. These features indicate that the hydrothermal zircons are probably paragenetically associated with the gold mineralization. Consequently, the U–Pb ages of ca. 140 Ma of these zircons, which are much younger than those of the magmatic zircon in the fresh dolerite, can represent the timing of primary gold mineralization of Badu. Our new data suggests that there truly was an episode of gold mineralization during the Early Cretaceous in the Youjiang basin, which may have been driven by large-scale lithospheric extension in the interior of South China. This study demonstrates that hydrothermal zircon could be a robust clock for investigating the timing of magmatic rock-hosted Carlin-type gold deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of Brachionus rubens was sequenced using primers design, clone culture, DNA extraction, LONG-PCR amplification, purification and clone sequencing. We found that it is composed of two circular chromosomes, designated mtDNA I (11,398 bp) and mtDNA II (12,820 bp). The gene content of the B. rubens mitochondrial genome was similar to that of the previously reported mitochondrial genome of B. plicatilis. It contained 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes and 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs). Four of the 12 PCGs had an incomplete stop codons, TA（cob, atp6, nd3）or T(cox3). The AþT content of B. rubens mitochondrial genome was apparently higher (mtDNA-I 70.2% and mtDNA II 70.4%) than that of the mitochondrial genome of B. plicatilis (mtDNA-I 63.9% and mtDNAII 62.9%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The best treatment option for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2 (CIN2) is controversial and there is a lack of studies in value-based medicine. This multicenter comparative study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness, cost-effectives and quality of life (QOL) of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and CO2 laser vaporization for the treatment of CIN2. Material and Methods: A database of LEEP and laser vaporizations performed at three research centers was created. Patients with colposcopic-histopathologically confirmed CIN2 were randomly submitted to LEEP and laser vaporization. Cytology, human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA test and histology were performed, and a questionnaire on QOL was filled out during follow-up. Effectiveness, cost-effectives and QOL were analyzed. Results: Three hundred and thirty-eight women with CIN2 were included in the study. Frequencies of remission, and persistent and recurrent CIN were 89.2%, 7.2%, and 3.6% for LEEP, and 86.7%, 12.6%, 0.70% for laser, respectively. There was no significant difference in remission and persistence of CIN. There was a significant difference in the number of operations, recovery time and costs. Women treated with two methods showed relatively identical QOL. Conclusion: Both LEEP and CO2 laser vaporization are effective and reliable treatments for CIN2, whereas cervical tissue can be obtained for histology by LEEP. Preoperative evaluation and postoperative follow-up are important. Gynecologists should pay attention to QOL of patients with CIN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching and learning contexts influence the learning process and determine the learning outcome or product. Teaching approaches may vary across different engineering and science courses and students. This study was aimed at understanding the differences in teaching approaches between two regions (Hong Kong and mainland China) and their relevant impacts on the learning process in construction engineering education. An exploratory survey was conducted on construction engineering students in China to investigate relationships between teaching approaches, learning approaches, and teaching satisfaction. Results indicate that the "transferring" and "shaping" teaching approaches are commonly used in the first and second class universities in the mainland, while the "transferring" and "traveling" approaches are commonly applied in Hong Kong. Teacher-centered teaching is correlated to a "surface" learning approach among students at Hong Kong universities but it is correlated to a "deep" learning approach for students in the mainland. Students at universities in mainland China are satisfied with all four teaching approaches, "transferring," "shaping," "traveling," and "growing;" while students in Hong Kong are only significantly satisfied with the "growing" teaching approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hsu CH, Lu CM, Chang TT. Efficacy and safety of modified Mai-Men-Dong-Tang for treatment of allergic asthma.Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2005: 16: 76–81.© 2005 Blackwell MunksgaardThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a Chinese herbal formula modified Mai-Men-Dong-Tang (mMMDT) for treatment of persistent, mild-to-moderate asthma. A total of 100 asthmatic patients were enrolled and assigned to three treatment groups in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Over a period of 4 months, patients in groups A and B received 80 and 40 mg/kg/day of mMMDT, while those in group C received a placebo. Efficacy variables included changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), symptom score, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), and dust mite-specific IgE. Safety assessments included complete blood count, and liver and kidney function. Relative to baseline, significantly greater increases in FEV1 were demonstrated for both A and B groups in comparison with the placebo-treated analog (both p < 0.05). Further, similar improvements in symptom score were observed for both mMMDT treatment groups. The serum total IgE for group A showed a decreasing tendency after treatment but no statistical difference was noted. Furthermore, no drug-related adverse effects were reported. Blood test, and liver and kidney function were within normal range during the study, with no marked changes demonstrated over time. In conclusion, the Chinese herbal formula mMMDT provided improvements in lung function and relieved asthma symptoms in our sample of patients. Given its efficacy and safety, we consider mMMDT a credible treatment regimen for persistent, mild-to-moderate asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The newly identified Neoproterozoic Yuanmou high-Nb mafic and adakitic rocks at the western margin of the Yangtze Block in South China are investigated for petrogenesis and geodynamic implications. Zircon U-Pb ages show the adakitic granodiorite host and mafic microgranular enclaves (MMEs) were synchronously emplaced at 811-806 Ma, and were cut by an 802 ± 11.5 Ma mafic dike. The medium-grained granodiorites consist mainly of plagioclase, quartz, K-felspar, biotite, and amphibole. High SiO2 (62.8-67.5 wt%), Al2O3 (13.1-16.8 wt%) contents, high Sr/Y (17.4-49.0), and (La/Yb)N (16.3-52.6) but low Y (6.83-16.1 ppm) and Yb (0.74-1.82 ppm) concentrations of the granodiorites point toward their calc-alkaline and adakitic nature. Further, their high Dy/Yb (1.52-2.31) and Gd/Y (2.35-4.43) and low K2O/Na2O (0.22-0.48) and Th/La (0.14-0.20) ratios, constant bulk rock εNd(t) (-0.5 to -1.5) and zircon εHf(t) (0.0 to +2.3) values, suggest that the granodiorites were derived from partial melting of a mafic lower crustal source. The MMEs in the granodiorites and mafic dike intrusions are composed of amphibole, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, and olivine, and have similar chemical compositions, such as high Nb (15.7-41.9 ppm) and TiO2 (2.13-3.39 wt%) contents and high Nb/U (18.7-30.9) values, akin to alkaline high-Nb basalts (HNB). Their variable Ba/Nb (7.68-79.2), Nb/Zr (0.09-0.16), high Nb/Th (5.47-6.68), and low Th/Zr (0.01-0.03) and La/Nb (1.03-1.37) ratios indicate a mantle source modified by melts derived from subducted oceanic crust and sediments. The Yuanmou HNB with high εNd(t) (+4.8 to +6.9) were probably generated during back-arc extension by decompression melting of a mantle source metasomatized by adakitic slab melts formed during earlier stages of the subduction. This implies that the location of the back-arc was far from the subducted oceanic slab, possibly due to a slab rollback process. In this scenario, HNB intrusions provided the heat for partial melting and adakitic melt formation in the mafic lower crust. The model suggests that the Yuanmou and other similar associations of HNBs and adakitic rocks emplaced along the western margin of the Yangtze Block are products of a widespread Neoproterozoic back-arc extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Pyrite of Carlin-type Au deposits in the Youjiang Basin were analyzed by Nano-SIMS. • The δ34S values Au-bearing pyrite of Linwang vary inversely with Au concentrations. • Initial auriferous fluids of Linwang were sourced from magmatic-hydrothermal systems. • Reduced sulfur in ore-forming fluids of Badu was dominated by sedimentary sulfur. • Sedimentary sulfur contamination result in variable δ34S values of Au-bearing pyrite. The Youjiang Basin in Southwest China is the world's second largest Carlin-type gold (Au)-producing region. However, the source of reduced sulfur that accounts for Au transport in ore-forming fluids remains controversial. Finely characterizing the sulfur isotopic compositions (δ34S values) in micron-scale zonation of Au-bearing pyrite is the key to clearly identify sulfur source. Here, we used high-resolution nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (Nano-SIMS) to characterize the temporal variation in δ34S values and its relationship with metal contents across Au-bearing pyrite from the Linwang and Badu deposits in the Youjiang Basin, with the aim of monitoring the source and evolution of reduced sulfur in auriferous fluids. The Au-bearing pyrite rims in the Linwang deposit contain three growth stages that record episodic injections of Au- and As-rich fluids. Within these rims, the δ34S values vary inversely with Au concentrations. The inner rims with the high Au contents have δ34S values of −1.7‰ to +3.3‰ that are comparable to those of magmatic sulfur. The outer rims with decreasing Au contents have δ34S values of +1.3‰ to +15.7‰ that gradually approach those of pre-ore pyrite in the host rock. Such a variation indicates that the reduced sulfur in the initial Au-bearing ore-forming fluids was primarily originated from deep magmatic-hydrothermal systems while the host rock-derived 34S-enriched sulfur increasingly dominated through fluid-rock interactions during mineralization. In contrast, Au-bearing pyrite from the Badu deposit has positive δ34S values ranging from +9.0‰ to +25.8‰, which overlap those of diagenetic pyrite in the Devonian sedimentary rocks. Combining the intimate spatial association between Au mineralization and the Devonian strata, we propose that the initial ore-forming fluids have leached substantial sulfur from the Devonian strata. Significant contaminations of sedimentary sulfur erased the primary sulfur isotopic signals of the initial auriferous fluids. Our interpretations of these two deposits may also apply to other Carlin-type Au deposits in the Youjiang Basin, where δ34S values of Au-bearing pyrite show host rock-dependent variations. This study demonstrates that high-resolution Nano-SIMS sulfur isotope and elemental analysis of Au-bearing pyrite is a potent tool for tracing the source and evolution of reduced sulfur in ore-forming fluids for sedimentary-host Au deposits worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the Cathaysia Block, South China, and its linkage with orogenesis in the Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents remain unresolved because of uncertainties in its paleoposition in supercontinental reconstructions. The lithostratigraphic, geochronologic, geochemical (including isotopic), and paleocurrent data on late Neoproterozoic to early Paleozoic sub-basins in the Cathaysia Block reveal spatio-temporal, tectono-sedimentary, and provenance diversity that show linkages with previously adjacent terranes and orogens in East Gondwana. An abundance of siliceous and conglomeratic rocks, local unconformities, and pinch-out in certain layers indicate a late Cryogenian proximal deposition, late Ediacaran transgression, and Middle Cambrian uplift. Cryogenian to early Ordovician strata contain predominantly 1000-900 Ma (late Grenvillian age) detrital zircon population, whereas 1300-1050 Ma (early Grenvillian age) zircons are only dominant in strata earlier than late Ediacaran. Besides, 850-700 Ma zircons are the most prominent group in the Middle Cambrian strata along with an occasional increase in the 650-500 Ma (Pan-African age) zircons. The Grenvillian age zircon groups exhibit significant sediment input from the eastern Indian terrane (990-950 Ma) and western Australia (1300-1050 Ma), underlining the fact that the Cathaysia Block was located between these two terranes in the northern part of East Gondwana. The diminishing contribution of early Grenvillian components in the late Ediacaran strata can be linked to the Pinjarra Orogeny (550-520 Ma), which led to uplift that blocked the transport of detritus from Australia. Middle Cambrian provenance variation with high abundance of 850-700 Ma components indicates the presence of intrinsic sediment from the Wuyishan terrane of South China. Given that the Cathaysia Block was a passive continental margin, this change was caused by the uplift of the southeastern Cathaysia Block, which was related to the far-field stress effects of the late phase of the Kuunga Orogeny (530-480 Ma). The decrease in abundance of early Grenvillian and Pan-African zircons in space implies that they were transported into the basins through independent drainage systems. This is consistent with the local and temporal variations in paleocurrent orientations during the Cambrian, further implying diverse and complex drainage systems in the southwestern Cathaysia Block during this period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Built environment exposure, characterized by ubiquity and changeability, has the potential to be the prospective target of public health policy. However, little research has been conducted to explore its impact on schizophrenia. This study aimed to investigate the association between built environmentand and schizophrenia rehospitalization by simultaneously considering substantial built environmental exposures. We recruited eligible schizophrenia patients from Hefei, Anhui Province, China between 2017 and 2019. The main outcome for this study was the time interval until the first recurrent hospital admission occurred within one year after discharge. For each included subject, we estimated the built environment exposures, including population density, walkability, land use mix, green and blue space, public transportation accessibility and road traffic indicator. Lasso (Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator) analysis was used to select the key variables. Multivariable Cox regression model was applied to obtain hazard ratio (HR) and its corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Further, we also evaluated the joint effects of built environment characteristics on rehospitalization for schizophrenia by Quantile g-computation model. A total of 1564 hospitalized schizophrenia patients were enrolled, with 347 patients (22.2%) had a rehospitalization within one-year after discharge. Multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that the re-hospitalization rate for schizophrenia would be higher in areas with a high population density (HR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.04–1.16). Nonetheless, compared to the reference (Q1), participants who lived in a neighborhood with the highest walkability and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) (Q4) had a 76% and 47% lower risk of re-hospitalization within one year (HR:0.24, 95%CI: 0.13–0.45; and 0.53, 95%CI:0.32–0.85), respectively. Moreover, quantile-based g-computation analyses revealed that increased walkability and green space significantly eliminated the adverse effects of population density increases on schizophrenia patients, with a HR ratio of 0.61 (95%CI:0.48,0.79) per one quartile change at the same time. Our study provides scientific evidence for the significant role of built environment in schizophrenia rehospitalization, suggesting that optimizing the built environment is required in designing and building a healthy city. • The association is assessed by a cohort study design with numerous built environment features included. • Readmission risk for schizophrenia is lower in higher walkability and more greenspace environment. • Improving walkable environment could ameliorate the adverse effects of increasing population density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three ADL trajectories are identified across the four-wave survey. • The use of solid fuel could increase the odds of adverse ADL trajectories. • Solid fuel still has adverse effects in homogenous cognitive or depressive group. • The risk of adverse ADL trajectories increases with the times of solid fuel use. • Interpretation between solid fuel and IADL/BADL is similar to ADL. More studies focus on reporting the effects of ambient air pollution on physical activity while ignoring the hazards of indoor air pollution caused by household solid fuel use. Moreover, the impact of individual cognitive and depressive status on the health effects of air pollution is often overlooked. We examined the association between household solid fuel and activities of daily living (ADL) trajectories, and further examined this association in homogeneous subgroups of cognitive or depressive trajectories. Participants were from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, which conducted four waves of surveys from 2011 to 2018. We collected information on participants' household fuel use, then the ADL, cognitive and depressive performances were assessed in each wave. The latent growth mixture model (LGMM) was used to identify the optimal trajectory class for ADL, cognition, and depression. Then, the multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the association between solid fuel use and ADL trajectories in total population, as well as subgroups with different cognitive or depression trajectories. Furthermore, we examined the association between switching household fuel types and ADL trajectories across the four-wave survey. The study sample included 7052 participants. We identified three ADL trajectory classes in total population: "Low-stable", "Moderate-anterior rise", and "Moderate-posterior rise". The multinomial logistic regression results showed that solid fuel use was associated with elevated odds for the adverse ADL trajectories, and this association was still shown in homogeneous subgroups of cognitive or depressive trajectories, while some effects were less significant. In addition, the risk of adverse ADL trajectories generally increases with the times of solid fuel use across the four-wave survey. For middle and older adults in China, household solid fuel use was not conducive to physical activity development, which inspires that a further transformation to cleaner fuels is an important intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of childhood asthma hospitalizations associated with temperature variability (TV) and the attributable risk are limited in China. We aim to use a comprehensive index that reflected both intra- and inter-day TV to assess the TV-childhood asthma relationship and disease burden, further to identify seasonality vulnerable populations, and to explore the effect modification of PM 2.5. A quasi-distributed lagged nonlinear model (DLNM) combined with a linear threshold function was applied to estimate the association between TV and childhood asthma hospitalizations during 2013–2016 in Hefei, China. Subgroup analysis was conducted by age and sex. Disease burden is reflected by the attributable fraction and attributable number. Besides, modifications of PM 2.5 were tested by introducing the cross-basis of TV and binary PM 2.5 as an interaction term. The risk estimates peaked at TV 0-3 and TV 0-4 in the cool and the warm season separately, with RR of 1.051 (95%CI: 1.021–1.081) and 1.072 (95%CI: 1.008–1.125), and the effects lasted longer in the cool season. The school-age children in the warm season and all subgroups except pre-school children in the cool season were vulnerable to TV. It is estimated that the disease burden related to TV account for 6.2% (95% CI: 2.7%–9.4%) and 4% (95% CI: 0.6%–7.1%) during the cool and warm seasons in TV 0-3. In addition, the risks of TV were higher under the high PM 2.5 level compared with the low PM 2.5 level in the cool season, although no significant differences between them. TV exposure significantly increases the risk and disease burden of childhood asthma hospitalizations, especially in the cool season. More medical resources should be allocated to school-age children. Giving priority to pay attention to TV in the cool season in practice could obtain the greatest public health benefits and those days with high TV and high PM 2.5 need more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jilin Province is an important ecological security barrier in Northeast China as it is located at the junction of the Northeast forest belts and the northern sand prevention belts. In recent years, Jilin Province has actively carried out ecological protection and restoration projects, resulting in a continuous improvement trend for the overall ecological environment. However, the evolution patterns and mechanisms of habitat quality are largely unkown. We applied the InVEST model and geographic detector method to analyze the changes in habitat quality and evaluate the main driving factors from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that the average habitat quality in Jilin Province showed a slight downward trend, and that the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of habitat quality in east and west gradually increased. The degree of habitat degradation presented a single nuclear radiation pattern centered on Changchun City. Vegetation factors and terrain factors were the first and secondary causes of spatial heterogeneity of habitat quality, respectively. The average habitat quality within the eco-redline of Jilin Province was showing an increasing trend year by year, which was consistent with the overall distribution of regions with extremely high habitat quality levels. There was a local spatial dislocation (the phenomenon of extremely high habitat quality levels not within the eco-redline) in the eastern part of Jilin Province. Our results could provide reference basis for ecosystem protection and the spatial pattern optimization.

Background: Although studies have explored the relationship between sunshine duration and schizophrenia, the evidence was ambiguous. Different built environments may alter the effect of sunlight on schizophrenia, thus the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of built environments on the sunshine duration-schizophrenia association., Materials and Methods: Daily schizophrenia hospitalizations data during 2017-2020 in Hefei's main urban area, China, and corresponding meteorological factors as well as ambient pollutants were collected. The impact of sunshine duration on schizophrenia admissions in urban areas was investigated using a generalized additive model combined with a distributed lagged nonlinear model. Additionally, the various modifying effects of different Building Density, Building Height, Normalized Vegetation Index, and Nighttime Light were also explored between sunshine duration and schizophrenia., Results: We observed that inadequate sunshine duration (<5.3 h) was associated with an increase in schizophrenia hospital admissions, with a maximum relative risk of 1.382 (95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.069-1.786) at 2.9 h. In turn, adequate sunshine duration reduced the risk of schizophrenia hospitalizations. Subgroup analyses indicated females and old patients were particularly vulnerable. In the case of insufficient sunshine duration, significant positive effects were noticed on schizophrenia risk at High-Building Density and High-Nighttime Light. Higher NDVI as well as Building Height were found to be associated with lower risks of schizophrenia., Conclusions: Given that sunshine duration in various built environments might lead to distinct effects on schizophrenia hospitalizations. Our findings assist in identifying vulnerable populations that reside in particular areas, thus suggesting policymakers provide advice to mitigate the onset of schizophrenia by allocating healthcare resources rationally and avoiding adverse exposures to vulnerable populations timely., 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 © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Currently, most epidemiological studies on haze focus on respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc. However, the relationship between haze and mental health has not been adequately explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of hazes on schizophrenia admissions and to further explore the potential interaction effect with the combined atmospheric oxidative indices (O x and O x wt )., Methods: We collected 5328 cases during the cold season from 2013 to 2015 in Hefei, China. By integrating the Poisson Generalized Linear Models with the Distributed Lag Non-linear Models, the association between haze and schizophrenia admissions was evaluated. The interaction between hazes and two combined oxidation indexes was tested by stratifying hazes and O x , and O x wt ., Results: Haze was found to be significantly linked to an increased risk of hospitalization for schizophrenia, and a 9-day lag effect on schizophrenia (lag 3-lag 11), with the largest effect on lag 6 (RR = 1.080, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.046-1.116). Males, females, and <40 y (people under 40 years old) were sensitive to hazes. Furthermore, in the stratified analysis, we found synergies between two combined oxidation indexes and hazes. The interaction relative risk (IRR) and relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) between O x and hazes were 1.170 (95% CI: 1.071-1.277) and 0.149 (95% CI: 0.045-0.253), respectively. For O x wt , the IRR and RERI were 1.179 (95% CI: 1.087-1.281) and 0.159 (95% CI: 0.056-0.263), respectively. It is noteworthy that this synergistic effect was significant in males and <40 y when examining the various subgroups in the interaction analysis., Conclusions: Our findings suggest that exposure to haze significantly increases the risk of hospitalization for schizophrenia. More significant public health benefits can be obtained by prioritizing haze periods with high combined atmospheric oxidation capacity., 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 © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Frail individuals often face a high medical burden, and household solid fuel use is associated with a range of functional declines or diseases, but evidence on the relationship between household solid fuel and frailty and the resulting medical burden is limited. We aim to investigate the effect of household solid fuel on frailty and further quantify how much of the increased medical burden associated with frailty is attributable to household solid fuel., Methods: The prospective data were from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 4685 non-frail participants at baseline were included. Inverse probability weighting was used to balance the covariates between groups. The modified Poisson regression was used to analyze the association of household solid fuel (including baseline and switching across three-wave survey) with frailty, and the generalized linear model was used to analyze the association of frailty with the change in medical burden. Further, the increased medical burden associated with frailty attributable to household solid fuel was quantified., Results: Using solid fuel for cooking (RR = 1.29, 95%CI, 1.07-1.57), heating (RR = 1.38, 95%CI, 1.09-1.73), or both (RR = 1.40, 95%CI, 1.05-1.86) had a higher risk of frailty than using clean fuel. In addition, the risk of frailty generally increases with the times of solid fuel use across the three-wave survey. Then, frailty participants had a greater increase in the annual number of hospitalizations (β = 0.11, 95%CI, 0.02-0.19) and annual costs of hospitalizations (β = 2953.35, 95%CI, 1149.87-4756.83) than those non-frailty. Heating coal caused the largest frailty-related increase in the annual number of hospitalizations and annual costs of hospitalizations, with 0.04 and 1195.40, respectively., Conclusion: The increased medical burden associated with frailty was partly attributable to household solid fuel, which suggested that intervention targeting household solid fuels can delay frailty and thus reduce individual medical burden., 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 © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The influence of temperature on childhood asthma was self-evident, yet the issue of whether the relationship will be synergized by air pollution remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate whether the relationship between short-term temperature exposure and childhood asthma hospitalization was modified by particulate matter (PM). Data on childhood asthma hospitalization, meteorological factors, and air pollutants during 2013-2016 in Hefei, China, were collected. First, a basic Poisson regression model combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model was used to assess the temperature-childhood asthma hospitalization relationship. Then, two interactive strategies were applied to explore the modification effect of PM on the temperature-childhood asthma hospitalization association. We found a greater effect of cold (5th percentile of temperature) on asthma during days with higher PM 2.5 (RR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.38, 3.38) or PM 10 (RR: 1.87, 95% CI:1.20, 2.91) than that during days with lower PM 2.5 (RR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.54) or PM 10 (RR: 1.52, 95% CI: 0.98, 2.36). In addition, we observed a greater modification effect of PM 2.5 on the cold-asthma association than did PM 10 , with a per 10 μg/m 3 increase in PM 2.5 and PM 10 associated with increases of 0.065 and 0.025 for the RR corresponding to the 5th temperature percentile, respectively. For the temperature-related AF, moderate cold showed the largest change magnitude with the PM levels rising compared with other temperature ranges. For the subgroup, Females and those aged 6-18 years were more sensitive to the modification effect of PM 2.5 or PM 10 on the cold-asthma association. Our findings demonstrated that particulate matter could modify the associations between temperature and childhood asthma hospitalization., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To analyze the infection characteristics of sputum and venous blood pathogen in the patients with hematological malignancies and respiratory symptom in the Hematology Department in tropical region and to investigate its drug-resistance so as to provide etiological evidence for clinical treatment., Methods: The pathogens and their drug-resistance of 2466 samples in the patients with hematological malignancies and respiratory symptom in the Department were analyzed retrospectively from January 2013 to November 2017. The samples were collected from sputum and venous blood., Results: The sputum sample culture in patients with hematologic diseases showed that 224 strains were isolated, out of them 98 strains (43.75%) were fungi mainly candida albicans (41 strains); and then 88 Gram-negative strains (39.28%), among them the main pathogenic bacteria were Escherichia coli(22 strains) and klebsiella Klebsiella pneumoniae(12 strains); and then 38 Gram-positive strains (16.96%), among them the main pathogeni-bacteria were Enteroccocus (14 strains) and Gram-positive bacilli (14 strains). The blood samples culture of patients with hematologic diseases showed that 61 strains were isolated, out of them the isolated rate of Gram-positive bactetia was higherst, which accounted for 55.74%(34/61), mainly including staphylococcus lominis (19 strains); and the isolated rate of Gram-negative bacteria was 44.26% (27/61), among them main pathogenic bacteria was Klebsiella pneumoniae (12 strains). The resistance test of pathogenic bacteria to drugs showed that the resistant rate of Gram-negative bacteria to tigecycline, imipenem and atl-962 duenner was lowest, while the Gram-positive pathogenic bacteria such as Enterococcus, Gram-positive bacilli and Staphylococcus aureus were sensitive to vancomycin, tigecycline and linezolid was high., Conclusion: the patients in hematology department are infected easily in the hospital in tropical region. The main pathogens are fungal strains in the respiratory tract of patients with hematological malignancy according to the sputum culture results. The clinician in tropical regions should choose suitable antibiotics for anti-infective therapy, which is different from the situation in North China or other northern areas.

To evaluate and compare the contraceptive efficacy, bleeding pattern, side effects and other positive effects of a combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing drospirenone (DRSP) [Yasmin] with those of a COC containing desogestrel (DSG) in healthy Chinese women. This was a randomized, open-label, controlled, multicentre study of 768 healthy Chinese women requiring contraception. The subjects were randomized to ethinylestradiol (EE) 30 microg/DRSP 3 mg (n = 573) or EE 30 microg/ DSG 150 microg (n = 195), at a ratio of 3 : 1. Each individual was treated for 13 cycles. Further visits were required at cycle 4, cycle 7, cycle 10 and cycle 13 of treatment. Weight, height and body mass index were evaluated at each visit. The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ) was administered at baseline, visit 3 (cycle 7) and visit 5 (after cycle 13). Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups (p > 0.05). The Pearl Index (method failure) for EE/DRSP was 0.208 per 100 women-years, which was lower than that for EE/DSG (0.601 per 100 women-years). There were no significant differences between the treatment groups with regard to bleeding patterns. According to the MDQ subscale, improvements in water retention and increases in appetite during the intermenstrual period and in water retention and general well-being during the menstrual period in the EE/DRSP group (-0.297, -0.057, 0.033 and 0.150, respectively) were significantly improved compared with the EE/DSG group (-0.108, 0.023, 0.231 and -0.023, respectively) [all p < 0.05]. Other values that improved in both groups, particularly improvement in breast pain and tenderness and skin condition, were more evident in the EE/DRSP group (18.0%, 89/494; 12.6%, 62/494) than in the EE/DSG group (11.3%, 19/168; 5.4%, 9/168). Mean weight increased in the EE/DSG group (0.57 kg) while there was a significant decrease in mean weight (-0.28 kg) in the EE/DRSP group (p < 0.01). Both EE/DRSP and EE/DSG have good contraceptive efficacy and a comparable bleeding pattern. EE/DRSP had a more favourable effect on weight and premenstrual symptoms than EE/DSG.

Prophylactic vaccination against HPV 16 and 18 has the potential for effective prevention of high-grade precancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN)] 2/3) and ICC caused by these viruses (globally 50 and 70%, respectively) when employed in women prior to starting sexual activity. To provide data for decisions on HPV vaccination in China, we determined HPV type-distribution in ICC and CIN 2/3 from women of different regions within China. A multicenter study was conducted by randomized sampling of paraffin blocks of 664 ICC (630 squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]; 34 adenocarcinoma [ADC]), 569 CIN 2/3 cases from seven regions of China. Histological diagnosis was confirmed in 1,233 cases by consensus review. HPV DNA was detected using the SPF10 LiPA25 version 1 assay. HPV prevalence was 97.6% in SCC, 85.3% in adenocarcinoma, and 98.9% in CIN 2/3. HPV 16 (76.7%) and HPV 18 (7.8%) were the most common, together accounting for 84.5% of SCC, followed by HPV 31 (3.2%), HPV 52 (2.2%), and HPV 58 (2.2%). HPV positivity in SCC did not differ notably by region. However, SCC cases from women

Objective: To evaluate the contraception efficacy, mode of bleeding, side effects and other positive effects of drospirenone-ethinylestradiol (Yasmin) in healthy Chinese women., Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, control study of 768 healthy Chinese women who consulted about contraception. The subjects were randomized into Yasmin group (30 microg ethinylestradiol plus 3 mg drospirenone, 573 cases) or desogestrel group (30 microg ethinylestradiol plus 150 microg desogestrel, 195 cases) with the ratio of 3:1. Each individual was treated for 13 cycles. Further visits were required at cycle 4, cycle 7, cycle 10 and cycle 13 of treatment Weight, height, body mass index were evaluated at each visit. The menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ) was given to the women at baseline, visit 3 (cycle 7) and visit 5 (after cycle 13)., Results: The values of basal features were similar between two groups (P > 0.05). The Pearl index (method failure) of Yasmin was 0. 208/hundred women year which was lower than that of desogestrel (0. 601/hundred women year). The mode of bleeding was similar between two groups after trial without showing any significant difference. According to MDQ subscale, the improvement of water retention and increasing appetite during inter-menstrual period and water retention and general well-being during menstrual period in the Yasmin group (-0.297, -0.057, 0.033, 0.150 respectively) was more obvious than that in the desogestrel group (-0.108, 0.023, 0.231, -0.023 respectively) with a significant difference (P < 0.05). Some other values which improved in both two groups, especially the improvement of breast tenderness and pain and skin abnormality in Yasmin group (18.0%, 89/494; 12.6%, 62/494) was more distinct than that in desogestrel group (11.3%, 19/168; 5.4%, 9/168). The mean weight increased in desogestrel group (0.57 kg) while it decreased in Yasmin group (-0.28 kg) with a significant difference (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Both Yasmin and desogestrel have good efficacy on contraception and similar modes of menstrual bleeding. Yasmin is better than desogestrel in terms of weight control and premenstrual syndrome of oral contraceptive.

Objective: To evaluate the 3 different clinical management strategies for patients with cervical cytological atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US) recommended by the guideline of The 2001 Bethesda system and the 2001 American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP)., Methods: 1394 patients with a cytopathological diagnosis of ASC-US by use of liquid-based thin-layer preparation were managed by three different clinical strategies, and evaluated by the percentage of histological diagnosis > or = high-grade intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), i.e., cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN2 and 3) as standard. 421 patients in Group A underwent colposcopically directed cervical biopsy, 475 patients in Group B were followed-up after 6 months by cytology, colposcopy and biopsy were performed if the results were > or = ASC-H or ASC-US and HPV-DNA (+). 498 patients in Group C: underwent HC-II test, colposcopy and biopsy were performed on those aged > or = 30 and with the HPV-DNA (+), if the patients were aged < 30 and with the HPV-DNA (+), HC-II test and cytology would be performed after 6 months; colposcopy and biopsy were performed on those with the results > or = ASC-H or HPV-DNA (+)., Results: (1) The results of histological diagnosis > or = CIN2 were found in 27 cases (6.41%) of Group A, 26 cases (5.78%) of Group B, and 34 cases (6.91%) of Group C. There was no statistically significant difference among these 3 groups (all P > 0.05). (2) Convenience was significantly different among these 3 groups (P < 0.01). The workloads for the doctors and the discomfort resulting from biopsy for the patients were the greatest in Group A. The patient's compliance of Group B was low because of the necessity to wait for follow-up six months later. The cost of Group C was relatively higher. (3) In Group C, 66% of the ASC-US patients with HPV-DNA (+) were aged > or = 30. The percentage of histological diagnosis > or = CIN2 was 5.69% in those aged > or = 30 and was 1.22% in those aged < 30., Conclusion: Both protocols B and C are practical for clinical management of ASC-US in China. HPV infection is the necessary cause of cervical carcinoma, so the protocol C (cytology and HC-II test) is better for cervical lesion screening. The ASC-US patients aged > or = 30 and with HPV-DNA (+) are at high risk.