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Identifying and protecting hotspots of endemism and species richness is crucial for mitigating the global biodiversity crisis. However, our understanding of spatial diversity patterns is far from complete, which severely limits our ability to conserve biodiversity hotspots. Here, we report a comprehensive analysis of amphibian species diversity in China, one of the most species-rich countries on Earth. Our study combines 20 y of field surveys with new molecular analyses of 521 described species and also identifies 100 potential cryptic species. We identify 10 hotspots of amphibian diversity in China, each with exceptional species richness and endemism and with exceptional phylogenetic diversity and phylogenetic endemism (based on a new time-calibrated, species-level phylogeny for Chinese amphibians). These 10 hotspots encompass 59.6% of China's described amphibian species, 49.0% of cryptic species, and 55.6% of species endemic to China. Only four of these 10 hotspots correspond to previously recognized biodiversity hotspots. The six new hotspots include the Nanling Mountains and other mountain ranges in South China. Among the 186 species in the six new hotspots, only 9.7% are well covered by protected areas and most (88.2%) are exposed to high human impacts. Five of the six new hotspots are under very high human pressure and are in urgent need of protection. We also find that patterns of richness in cryptic species are significantly related to those in described species but are not identical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dioscorea bulbifera (Dioscoreaceae), a versatile herbaceous climber native to Africa and Asia, holds significant nutritional and medicinal value. Despite extensive characterization and genetic variability analyses of African accessions, studies on the genetic variation of this species in China are limited. To address this gap, we conducted low-coverage whole genome sequencing on D. bulbifera accessions from diverse regions across mainland China and Taiwan island. Our initial investigation encompassed comprehensive comparative plastome analyses of these D. bulbifera accessions, and developing plastome resources (including plastome-derived repetitive sequences, SSRs, and divergent hotspots). We also explored polymorphic nuclear SSRs and elucidated the intraspecific phylogeny of these accessions. Comparative plastome analyses revealed that D. bulbifera plastomes exhibited a conserved quadripartite structure with minimal size variation mainly attributed to intergenic spacer regions, reinforcing prior observations of a high degree of conservation within a species. We identified 46 to 52 dispersed repeats and 151 to 163 plastome-derived SSRs, as well as highlighted eight key divergent hotspots in these D. bulbifera accessions. Furthermore, we developed 2731 high-quality candidate polymorphic nuclear SSRs for D. bulbifera. Intraspecific phylogenetic analysis revealed three distinct clades, where accessions from Southeast China formed a sister group to those from South China and Taiwan island, and collectively, these two clades formed a sister group to the remaining accessions, indicating potential regional genetic divergence. These findings not only contributed to the understanding of the genetic variation of D. bulbifera, but also offered valuable resources for future research, breeding efforts, and utilization of this economically important plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the associations of lipid indicators and mortality in Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study. METHODS: A prospective cohort was conducted based on Beijing Elderly Comprehensive Health Cohort Study with 4499 community older adults. After the baseline survey, the last follow-up was March 31, 2021 with an average 8.13 years of follow-up. Cox proportional hazard model was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) with 95% CI for cardiovascular disease (CVD) death and all-cause death in associations with baseline lipid indicators. RESULTS: A total of 4499 participants were recruited, and the mean levels of uric acid, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) showed an upward trend with the increasing remnant cholesterol (RC) quarters (Ptrend < 0.05), while the downward trend was found in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). During the total 36,596 person-years follow-up, the CVD mortality and all-cause mortality during an average 8.13 years of follow-up was 3.87% (95% CI: 3.30%-4.43%) and 14.83% (95% CI: 13.79%-15.86%) with 174 CVD death participants and 667 all-cause death participants. After adjusting for confounders, the higher level of TC (HR = 0.854, 95% CI: 0.730-0.997), LDL-C (HR = 0.817, 95% CI: 0.680-0.982) and HDL-C (HR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.271-0.724) were associated with lower risk of CVD death, and the higher level of HDL-C (HR = 0.637, 95% CI: 0.501-0.810) were associated with lower risk of all-cause death. The higher level of RC (HR = 1.276, 95% CI: 1.010-1.613) increase the risk of CVD death. Compared with the normal lipid group, TC ≥ 6.20 mmol/L group and LDL-C ≥ 4.10 mmol/L group were no longer associated with lower risk of CVD death, while RC ≥ 0.80 mmol/L group was still associated with higher risk of CVD death. In normal lipid group, the higher levels of TC, LDL-C and HDL-C were related with lower CVD death. CONCLUSIONS: In community older adults, higher levels of TC and HDL-C were associated with lower CVD mortality in normal lipid reference range. Higher RC was associated with higher CVD mortality, which may be a better lipid indicator for estimating the CVD death risk in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The childhood experiences of being overprotected and overcontrolled by family members have been suggested to be potentially traumatic. However, the possible associated factors of these experiences among young people are still not well studied. This study aimed to partly fill such gaps by a relatively large, nationwide survey of Chinese university students. Methods: A total of 5,823 university students across nine different provinces in China were included by the convenience sampling method in the data analyses. All participants completed the overprotection/overcontrol (OP/OC) subscale in a recently developed 33-item childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ- 33). Data were also collected on all participants’ socio-demographic profiles and characterization of mental health. Binary logistic regression was conducted to investigate the associated socio-demographic and psychological factors of OP/ OC. Results: The prevalence of childhood OP/OC was estimated as 15.63% (910/5,823) based on a cutoff OP/OC subscale score of  ≥ 13. Binary logistic regression suggested that being male, being a single child, having depression, having psychotic-like experiences, lower family functioning, and lower psychological resilience were independently associated with childhood OP/OC experiences (all corrected-p < 0.05). The OP/OC was also positively associated with all the other trauma subtypes (abuses and neglects) in the CTQ-33, while there are both shared and unique associated factors between the OP/OC and other trauma subtypes. Post-hoc analyses suggested that OP/OC experiences were associated with depression in only females and associated with anxiety in only males. Discussion: Our results may provide initial evidence that childhood OP/OC experiences would have negative effects on young people’s mental health which merits further investigations, especially in clinical populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to understand the temporal trends in the disease burden of stroke and its attributable risk factors in China, along with the future trends in the next 25 years, that is important for effective prevention strategies and improvement, and to provide new insights into the age- and sex-specific incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and their trends from 1990 to 2019, and the prediction in the next 25 years. Methods: The Global Burden of Disease Study (2019) was used to extract the data on age- and sex-specific incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of stroke in China, 1990-2019. We estimated the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) to access the temporal trends of the disease burden of stroke. The R package called Nordpred was used to performan age-period-cohort analysis to predict the prevalence of stroke. Results: The number of incidence cases, deaths, and DALYs of stroke increased from 1990 to 2019. Overall downward trends were observed in the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) from 1990 to 2019. Significant temporal trends in mortality and DALYs of stroke were observed. High systolic blood pressure, smoking, and high-sodium diet were the main driving forces for stroke. The DALYs lost attributable to smoking were different for male and female patients. In the next 25 years, the number of new cases and deaths from stroke should continue to increase. The ASIR and age-standardizedmortality rate (ASMR) should show a downward trend among male and female patients. Conclusion: Despite the overall rates of stroke declined over the period from 1990 to 2019, the absolute number of people affected by stroke has substantially increased. There has been a substantial increase in the burden of stroke due to risk factors and will continue to increase in the next 25 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has recently been approved for children aged 3-17 years in China. However, data on long-term humoral responses to inactivated vaccines in children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are still limited. Methods: In this prospective observational study, CHB children after primary inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were recruited consecutively and followed up for 1 year. CHB adults from another cohort study (NCT05007665) were used as a control. The receptor-binding domain IgG antibody (anti-RBD-IgG), neutralizing antibody (NAb), neutralization against Omicron (BA2.12.1, BA.4 and BA.5), and memory B -cell (MBC) responses were evaluated. Results: Overall, 115 CHB children and 351 CHB adults were included in this analysis. The antibody titers decreased over the first ~180 days and then plateaued up to 1 year in CHB children. However, lower and faster declines in antibody responses were observed in CHB adults. Interestingly, the seroprevalence of antibodies was still high after over 8 months in CHB children (anti-RBD-IgG [90%] and NAbs [83%]). However, neutralization against Omicron subvariants was significantly reduced in CHB children (-3.68-fold to -8.60-fold). Notably, neutralization against the BA.5 subvariant was obviously diminished in CHB children compared with adults. Moreover, CHB children had similar RBDspecific MBCs but higher RBD-specific atypical MBCs compared with adults. Conclusion: Inactivated vaccination could elicit more robust and durable antibody responses to the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 strain in CHB children than in CHB adults but showed inferior responses to Omicron subvariants (especially to the BA.5 strain). Hence, new Omicron-related or all-in-one vaccines are needed immediately for CHB children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overpressure is significant to the exploration and exploitation of petroleum due to its influence on hydrocarbon accumulation and drilling strategies. The deep-burial hydrocarbon reservoirs of Jurassic strata in the central Junggar Basin are characterized by intensive overpressure, whose origins are complex and still unclear. In this study, Bowers' method and sonic velocity-density crossplot method based on well logging data were used as a combination for overpressure judgements in geophysics. Furthermore, the corresponding geological processes were analysed in quality and quantity to provide a rational comprehension of the overpressure origins and the model of overpressure evolution and hydrocarbon accumulation processes. The results showed that hydrocarbon generation in the Jurassic source rocks led to overpressure in the mudstones, while hydrocarbon generation in Permian source rocks led to overpressure in the sandstone reservoirs in Jurassic strata by vertical pressure transfer. The burial and thermal history indicated that the aquathermal effect of pore fluids by temperature increase in deep strata is also an important origin of overpressure, while disequilibrium compaction may not be the dominant cause for the overpressure in deep-buried strata. Furthermore, the continuous tectonic compression in both the north--south and west-east trends from the Jurassic period to the present may also have enhanced the overpressure in deep strata. Meanwhile, the developed faults formed by intensive tectonic compression led to pressure transfer from source rocks to the Jurassic reservoirs. Overpressured geofluids with hydrocarbons migrated to sandstone reservoirs and aggravated the overpressure in the Jurassic strata. To conclude, the intensive overpressure in the central Junggar Basin is attributed to the combination of multiple mechanisms, including hydrocarbon generation, the aquathermal effect, tectonic compression and pressure transfer. Furthermore, the developed overpressure indicated hydrocarbon migration and accumulation processes and the potential of oil and gas reservoirs in deeply buried strata. We hope this study will provide a systematic research concept for overpressure origin analysis and provide guidance for petroleum exploration and exploitation in deep-buried strata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Issues of the aging population and disability of older persons have been rapidly developing in China over the past 20 years. Since 2016, the Chinese government has been exploring remedies to alleviate social and family burdens and ensure the dignity of the disabled old persons by implementing long-term care insurance systems in a few pilot cities across the country. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the current challenges faced by China's long-term care insurance system and put forth suggestions for the future, based on literature research and the feedback obtained from its implementation in pilot areas. Research Design: This paper conducts a theoretical study based on the principles of public health ethics. Study Sample: Since 2016, China has launched two batches of pilot cities for long-term care insurance. The analysis object of this study is the feedback on the policy implementation of the existing 29 pilot cities that participated. The relevant data involved in the analysis are from the authors' field research and published literature on the analysis of pilot cities. Analysis: The ethical value and importance of long-term care insurance policies in China are evaluated from the perspectives of policy philosophy and social individual interests. Results: The results of this evaluation show that the core ethical values were not met in the development of China's current long-term care insurance system. Moreover, distributive justice norms were neglected, and access to the system between different social groups and within the groups covered by it was unequal. Conclusions: This paper argues that long-term care insurance should not differentiate between urban and rural areas in allocating nursing resources. Additionally, it would be essential to build democratic supervision and manage public opinions by adopting open and transparent information-sharing policies. Standards of disability assessments and treatment payment should be at par to ensure a balance between the rights and obligations of policyholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is an uncommon cutaneous tumor in children. Most published articles are sporadic or small series and lack systematically molecular analyses. The aim of our study is to better understand the clinicopathologic and genetic features of these rare lesions. Methods: All patients diagnosed with DFSP aged = 18 years were retrospectively reviewed from January 2006 to May 2022. Results: A total of 66 cases (32 male and 34 female patients) were identified, with ages ranging from 0.3 to 18 years (median, 13 years). Tumor locations predominantly occurred on the trunk (38/66, 57.6%), followed by the extremities (20/66, 30.3%) and head/neck (8/66, 12.1%). Histological findings revealed classic (41/66, 62.1%), myxoid (4/66, 6.1%), pigmented (6/66, 9.1%), plaque-like (3/66, 4.5%), giant cell fibroblastoma (GCF; 6/66, 9.1%), and fibrosarcomatous (6/66, 9.1%) variants of DFSP. Immunochemistry revealed minority tumors (9/66, 13.6%) showing patchy or negative staining for CD34. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) indicated that 49 of 53 tested cases including all detected biopsy specimens (11/11) contained COL1A1-PDGFB fusion, in which the average copy number gain of COL1A1-PDGFB was 0.68. There were four cases negative for COL1A1-PDGFB rearrangement, one of which was found to harbor a novel COL3A1-PDGFB fusion by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Treatment for 63 patients comprised 40 marginal excisions and 23 wide local excisions (WLEs), including 1 with imatinib therapy. Follow-up information was available on 49 patients with a duration of 12-161 months (median, 60 months). Fourteen patients developed tumor recurrence, all with initial marginal excisions. The others survived with no evidence of disease. Conclusions: This study of pediatric DFSP indicates certain discrepancies in clinicopathologic characteristics between children and adults. The majority of pediatric DFSPs contain COL1A1-PDGFB fusion, the same as their adult counterparts. The COL3A1-PDGFB chimerism might be associated with the special morphology of GCF, which needs further investigation. FISH is valuable in biopsy tissues and cases with atypical CD34 immunostaining, while supplementary NGS could be helpful to identify the cytogenetically cryptic DFSP. Overall, an urgent accurate diagnosis is needed to formulate an optimal therapeutic strategy in the pediatric population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates remain a serious threat to global health despite a decrease in MRSA infections since 2005. MRSA isolates exhibit great diversity worldwide, and their lineages show geographic variation. In this study, we used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to analyze antibiotic resistance genes and virulence genes, spa, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec, sequence types (STs), and core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) of MRSA isolates from patients and environmental surface in hospitals in China to determine their prevalence and molecular traits. The highest number of infections by MRSA isolates was observed in patients aged ≥60 years (69.8%, P < 0.05). We identified a total of 19 STs from 162 MRSA isolates from patients. A significant increase was observed in the incidence of ST764-t002-II MRSA infection, which is replacing ST5-t002-II MRSA as the predominant ST. Similarly, isolates from environmental surface were predominantly ST764-t002-II (47%). Notably, most ST764 isolates (97.7%) carried seb, but not arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME), which differed from ST764 isolates in Japan and Thailand. The potential danger of spreading requires rigorous surveillance of emerging ST764 MRSA isolates. We also found higher resistance to seven antimicrobials [OXA, cefoxitin (FOX), ERY, CFZ, ciprofloxacin (CIP), levofloxacin (LEV), and moxifloxacin (MXF)]. Resistance to gentamicin (38.3%), tetracycline (55.9%), and minocycline (41.5%) were also common. Phenotypic resistance to antimicrobials was associated with resistance genes to its content, and cgMLST clustering suggested a strong link between these strains. Overall, our findings revealed the prevalence and molecular characteristics of MRSA isolates in Shanghai, China, providing a theoretical reference for preventing and controlling clonal transmission of MRSA isolates in hospitals in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acupuncture has been extensively applied to manage irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in clinical practice in China. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated their efficacy, but it has rarely been compared with first-line antispasmodics to verify their effectiveness. Therefore, we compare acupuncture with antispasmodics in the treatment of IBS by using an adjusted indirect treatment comparison meta-analysis. Methods: Embase, OVID Medline, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched from inception to 14 March 2022, with no language restrictions. RCTs comparing antispasmodics or acupuncturewith placebo or one of the antispasmodics were enrolled. The primary outcome of interest was the improvement of abdominal pain. And the secondary outcomes of interest were the relief of global IBS symptoms and adverse events. The random-effects model was utilized to pool data. The effect size was measured by standardized mean difference (SMD) or relative ratio, and the effectiveness of acupuncture and different antispasmodics were ranked by P-scores. Results: Thirty-five RCTs (n = 5,190) were included. The analysis showed that cimetropium, drotaverine, acupuncture, and pinarverium were superior over placebo in relieving abdominal pain; cimetropium (SMD, -3.00 [95% CI, -4.47 to -1.53], P-score = 0.99) ranked the most effective. In pairwise comparisons, acupuncture had a greater improvement than most antispasmodics except cimetropium and drotaverine in relieving abdominal pain, although the between-group difference was statistically insignificant. In the analysis of continuous outcome in the relief of global IBS symptoms, the result showed that pinaverium was more effective (SMD, 1.72 [95%CI, 0.53 to 2.92], P-score = 0.90) than placebo. Trimebutine and acupuncture had greater improvements than placebo, but no significant difference was shown between groups. In pairwise comparisons, acupuncture was more effective than pinaverium (SMD, -1.11 [95%CI, -1.94 to -0.28]) in relieving global IBS symptoms. In the analysis of adverse events, acupuncture had a lower adverse event rate than most of the other antispasmodics. Conclusion: Cimetropium, drotaverine, and acupuncture were all better than placebo in improving abdominal pain. Acupuncture was preferred over pinaverium in relieving global IBS symptoms, and acupuncture had lower adverse events than most antispasmodics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Boreal peatlands are very sensitive to nitrogen (N) enrichment due to the low soil N availability. Our aim was to reveal how increased N availability altered plant composition in boreal permafrost peatlands with dense vascular plants (>50%). Location: Greater Khingan Mountains, Northeast China. Methods: A nitrogen addition experiment with four N addition levels (0, 3, 6, and 12 g N m-2 year-1) was conducted in a poor fen in the continuous permafrost zone with vascular plant coverage above 60%. Plant diversity, community composition, and above-ground biomass were investigated after four, six, and eight years of N addition. Results: Nitrogen addition decreased species richness and diversity but enhanced total above-ground biomass. Plant height determined the plants' responses to N addition, and the magnitudes increased with N addition level and experimental duration. The relative coverage of high-stature (>50 cm) species increased, but the relative coverage of low-stature (<50 cm) species decreased with elevating N addition levels. When N addition proceeded, the relative coverage and above-ground biomass of tall deciduous shrubs and nitrophilous grasses increased, whereas the relative coverage and above-ground biomass of dwarf evergreen shrubs, mosses, and lichens declined. Regardless of N addition levels, cryptogams (i.e., mosses and lichens) and a dwarf evergreen shrub (Chamaedaphne calyculata) disappeared after eight-year N addition. Conclusions: Cryptogams and dwarf evergreen shrubs are highly vulnerable to increased N availability, and N enrichment-induced biodiversity loss, especially the disappearance of cryptogams, will deteriorate ecosystem structure and function in boreal permafrost peatlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Primary intrathoracic liposarcoma is extremely rare, and most published series lack genetic analyses. The aim of our study is to better understand the clinicopathologic and genetic features of these rare lesions. Materials and methods: Forty-three primary intrathoracic liposarcomas were identified and most cases were analyzed by systematic genetic studies, including fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), whole-exome sequencing (WES), and Sanger sequencing. Results: This series included 27 males and 16 females (ratios, 1.68:1) aged 24-73 years (median, 53 years). Tumors mainly occurred in the mediastinum (n=23, 53.5%), followed by pleural cavity (n=16, 37.2%) and lung (n=4, 9.3%). The study included 21 well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLs), 19 dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLs), 2 myxoid pleomorphic liposarcomas (MPLs) and 1 pleomorphic liposarcoma (PL), without identification of myxoid liposarcoma. FISH analysis identified MDM2 amplification in 17 of 18 WDLs (94.4%) and all DDLs (16/16, 100.0%). The MDM2-nonamplified WDL was CDK4-nonamplified but FRS2-amplified. WES and Sanger sequencing found somatic TP53 mutation in the 2 MPLs. Follow-up information was available for 33 of 38 cases (86.8%). Thirteen patients (39.4%) showed no evidence of disease, 10 patients (30.3%) were alive with disease, and 8 patients (24.2%) died of disease. Fourteen cases developed recurrence and 1 with metastasis. Conclusions: WDL/DDL was the overwhelming subtype in this location, followed by MPL and PL. Analysis of the FRS2 gene, in combination with MDM2 and other genes of 12q13-15, may more precisely characterize WDL/DDLs. MPL is the most fatal subtype of this site. Further studies are needed to explore the role of TP53 in the pathogenesis of MPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale-Revision 2016 (CNBS-R2016) is a widely used developmental assessment tool for children aged 0-6 years in China. The communication warning behavior subscale of CNBS-R2016 is used to assess the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and its value of >30 points indicates ASD based on CNBSR2016. However, we observed that children with relatively lower values were also diagnosed with ASD later on in clinical practice. Thus, this study aimed to identify the suitable cutoff value for ASD screening recommended by the communication warning behavior of CNBS-R2016. Materials and methods: A total of 90 typically developing (TD) children and 316 children with developmental disorders such as ASD, developmental language disorder (DLD), and global developmental delay (GDD; 130 in the ASD group, 100 in the DLD group, and 86 in the GDD group) were enrolled in this study. All subjects were evaluated based on the CNBS-R2016. The newly recommended cutoff value of communication warning behavior for screening ASD was analyzed with receiver operating curves. Results: Children in the ASD group presented with lower developmental levels than TD, DLD, and GDD groups in overall developmental quotient assessed by CNBS-R2016. We compared the consistency between the scores of communication warning behavior subscale and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, second edition (ADOS-2), and clinical diagnosis for the classification of ASD at a value of 30 based on the previously and newly recommended cutoff value of 12 by the CNBS-R2016. The Kappa values between the communication warning behavior and ABC, CARS, ADOS-2, and clinical diagnosis were 0.494, 0.476, 0.137, and 0.529, respectively, with an agreement rate of 76.90%, 76.26%, 52.03%, and 82.27%, respectively, when the cutoff point was 30. The corresponding Kappa values were 0.891, 0.816, 0.613, and 0.844, respectively, and the corresponding agreement rate was 94.62%, 90.82%, 90.54%, and 93.10%, respectively, when the cutoff point was 12. Conclusion: The communication warning behavior subscale of CNBSR2016 is important for screening ASD. When the communication warning behavior score is 12 points or greater, considerable attention and further comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for ASD are required to achieve the early detection and diagnosis of ASD in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roadside noise barriers (RNBs) are important urban infrastructures to develop a liveable city. However, the absence of accurate and large-scale geospatial data on RNBs has impeded the increasing progress of rational urban planning, sustainable cities, and healthy environments. To address this problem, this study proposes a geospatial artificial intelligence framework to create a vectorized RNB dataset in China using street view imagery. To begin, intensive sampling is performed on the road network of each city based on OpenStreetMap, which is used as the geo-reference to download 5.6 million Baidu Street View (BSV) images. Furthermore, considering the prior geographic knowledge contained in street view images, convolutional neural networks incorporating image context information (IC-CNNs) based on an ensemble learning strategy are developed to detect RNBs from the BSV images. Subsequently, the RNB dataset presented by polylines is generated based on the identified RNB locations, with a total length of 2,227 km in 215 cities. At last, the quality of the RNB dataset is evaluated from two perspectives: first, the detection accuracy; second, the completeness and positional accuracy. Specifically, based on a set of randomly selected samples containing 10,000 BSV images, four quantitative metrics are calculated, with an overall accuracy of 98.61 %, recall of 87.14 %, precision of 76.44 %, and F1-score of 81.44 %. 30 Moreover, a total length of 254 km of roads in different cities are manually surveyed using BSV images to evaluate the mileage deviation and overlap level between the generated and surveyed RNBs. The root-mean-squared error for mileage deviation is 0.08 km, and the intersection over union for overlay level is 88.08 % ± 2.95 %. The evaluation results suggest that the generated RNB dataset is of high quality and can be applied as an accurate and reliable dataset for a variety of large-scale urban studies. The generated vectorized RNB dataset and the labelled BSV image benchmark dataset are publicly available at https://doi.org/10.11888/Others.tpdc.271914 (Chen, 2021). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nouelia insignis Franch. (Asteraceae) is a short, narrow endemic and endangered tree, growing with a natural population in the dry and hot valley of the Jinsha River in the southwest area of China. In this work, flowering phenology (time and duration), floral biology, visit frequency and behavior of pollinators, and pollination characteristics were studied based on investigation in the field and analysis in the laboratory with the help of a stereomicroscope, and the relationship between seed setting rate and reproductive traits, as well as the relationship between flowering time and rainfall before flowering, was tested using the method of general linear regression model. The results showed that natural population of N. insignis exhibited high flowering synchrony with relatively stable flowering duration, and the flowering time fluctuated greatly depending on the rainfall 5 months before flowering. The pollination of N. insignis required pollinators, and insect activities played a very important role in the pollination process. However, lack of the pollinators was not a limitation for reproductive fitness in N. insignis, although the number of pollinators was small and the frequency of visits was low. In addition, no pollen limitation was found during pollination. The average seed setting rate of N. insignis in the natural condition was only 1.52%-3.73%, and it was generally affected by changes in flowering phenology between years and had a higher seed set in early flowering year. The annual variation of seed set might be related to the annual variations of stamen and pistil functions, such as changes of pollen viability and stigma receptivity, which were closely related to flowering time. The results of this study are of value for further conservation actions on natural population of this threatened endemic plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global outbreak of COVID-19 has become an international public health crisis. Specific antiviral treatments for COVID-19 are not yet available, and prevention is of particular importance to fight the virus. This study tends to explore and compare the roles of cognitive and affective factors in predicting preventive behavior adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic in China.Methods: An online survey using a quota sampling method to collect responses from 3000 Chinese adults was conducted from March 2, 2020 to March 23, 2020. Questions included sociodemographic features, coronavirus knowledge, negative emotion, risk perception, and behavioral responses. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictors of behavioral responses toward COVID-19.Results: On average, respondents had low levels of knowledge about COVID-19 (the overall correct response rate was 7.5%). Most respondents reported moderate to strong negative emotions towards the virus (3.47 out of 5). The average reported perceived chance of infection was 23.89%. For behavioral responses, respondents reported low frequencies of going out for activities (1.98 out of 4) and high frequencies of taking preventive measures (3.22 out of 4). Behavioral responses toward COVID-19 were found to be determined by cognitive and affective variables. Knowledge was negatively related to frequency of going out for activities (β = - 0.11, p < .001). Negative emotion (β = 0.34, p < .001), and risk perception (β = 0.05, p = .007) were positively associated with going out for activities. The explanatory power of affective variables (ΔR2 = 12.1%) was greater than cognitive variables (ΔR2 = 1.0%). For preventive behaviors, knowledge was positively associated with preventive behaviors (β = 0.22, p < .001). Negative emotion (β = - 0.28, p < .001) and risk perception (β = - 0.05, p = .002) were all negatively associated with preventive measures. Affective variables still showed stronger explanatory power (ΔR2 = 8%) than cognitive variables (ΔR2 = 4.4%) in predicting preventive behaviors.Conclusions: After the rising period of the COVID-19 outbreak in mainland China, cognitive and affective variables still played important roles in predicting behavioral responses. Compared with cognitive factors, affective factors demonstrated stronger explanatory power in predicting behavioral responses toward COVID-19. The findings may have implications for enhancing individual compliance with guidelines of adopting preventive behaviors in response to COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansion of quinolone-resistant Neisseria meningitidis clone ChinaCC4821-R1-C/B from sequence type (ST) 4821 clonal complex (CC4821) caused a serogroup shift from serogroup A to serogroup C invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in China. To determine the relationship among globally distributed CC4821 meningococci, we analyzed whole-genome sequence data from 173 CC4821 meningococci isolated from 4 continents during 1972-2019. These meningococci clustered into 4 sublineages (1-4); sublineage 1 primarily comprised of IMD isolates (41/50, 82%). Most isolates from outside China (40/49, 81.6%) formed a distinct sublineage, the Europe-USA cluster, with the typical strain designation B:P1.17-6,23:F3-36:ST-3200(CC4821), harboring mutations in penicillin-binding protein 2. These data show that the quinolone-resistant clone ChinaCC4821-R1-C/B has expanded to other countries. The increasing distribution worldwide of serogroup B CC4821 raises the concern that CC4821 has the potential to cause a pandemic that would be challenging to control, despite indirect evidence that the Trumenba vaccine might afford some protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Social media has been changing not only the way people communicate with friends, but also the way providers communicate with consumers. Being as the popular means of information acquisition and facilitating the exploration of various topics and market trends, social media was also playing a key role in the development of online to offline (O2O) commerce. In the current study, bilingual text mining was conducted to analyze the trends of O2O commerce from the perspective of social media. Keywords and their concept linking diagrams were first identified to understand the important O2O trends in different languages. While keywords "China", "Alibaba", "Baidu", "DianPing", "Meituan", "Asia", "ecommerce" and "service" were the most strongly associated English terms with O2O, keywords "Baidu", "Tencent", "headlines", "Sina.com", mode", "ecommerce", "retail" and "platform" were closely related to the Chinese tweets. To further understand the similarities and differences between English tweets and Chinese tweets, we compared the bilingual text mining results according to the categories of company, region, service Apps and operation model. Our study provided important insights from crowd intelligence and revealed trends analysis about the recent O2O development in different language regions. • Study provides insights from crowd intelligence and reveals trend analysis. • Bilingual text mining approach helps understand O2O development trends. • O2O ecommerce in China attracts public attention from different languages regions. • Companies apply approach to develop O2O strategy to enhance competitive advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• After being exposed to uncivil content, the less-educated people are more likely to express whereas the well-educated tend to remain silent in China. • Incivility and argument quality have a combined effect on public expression. Even equipped with strong argument, incivility can decrease people's expression willingness. • Mixed evidence regarding the impact of online incivility on public expression can be explained by comment's argument quality, topic, and receiver's education level. Uncivil comments are prevalent in Chinese cyberspace. Many studies have explored the impacts of online incivility and argument quality on public expression, but very few studies have been conducted in authoritarian societies. We conducted two online experiments with different topics in China. The results showed that after being exposed to uncivil content, people's intentions to make comments online changed depending on their education level and opinion congruency. The less-educated people are more likely to express whereas the well-educated tend to remain silent. Besides, incivility and argument quality can work together to influence public expression. A strong argument with a civil tone can promote people's enthusiasm for expression. But a strong argument with an uncivil tone can decrease people's expression willingness. However, uncivil comments with weak arguments increase less-educated people's willingness to express themselves publicly. Besides, opinion congruency moderates the relationship between argument strength and online expression. But the pattern was contingent upon the nature of the discussion topics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of hypervirulent sequence type 4821 clonal complex (CC4821) lineage Neisseria meningitidis bacteria has led to a shift in meningococcal disease epidemiology in China, from serogroup A (MenA) to MenC. Knowledge of the evolution and genetic origin of the emergent MenC strains is limited. In this study, we subjected 76 CC4821 isolates collected across China during 1972-1977 and 2005-2013 to phylogenetic analysis, traditional genotyping, or both. We show that successive recombination events within genes encoding surface antigens and acquisition of quinolone resistance mutations possibly played a role in the emergence of CC4821 as an epidemic clone in China. MenC and MenB CC4821 strains have spread across China and have been detected in several countries in different continents. Capsular switches involving serogroups B and C occurred among epidemic strains, raising concerns regarding possible increases in MenB disease, given that vaccines in use in China do not protect against MenB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant Artemisia annua produces the anti-malarial compound artemisinin. Although the transcriptional regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis has been extensively studied, its post-translational regulatory mechanisms, especially that of protein phosphorylation, remain unknown. Here, we report that an ABA-responsive kinase (AaAPK1), a member of the SnRK2 family, is involved in regulating artemisinin biosynthesis. The physical interaction of AaAPK1 with AabZIP1 was confirmed by multiple assays, including yeast two-hybrid, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and pull-down. AaAPK1, mainly expressed in flower buds and leaves, could be induced by ABA, drought, and NaCl treatments. Phos-tag mobility shift assays indicated that AaAPK1 phosphorylated both itself and AabZIP1. As a result, the phosphorylated AaAPK1 significantly enhanced the transactivational activity of AabZIP1 on the artemisinin biosynthesis genes. Substituting the Ser37 with Ala37 of AabZIP1 significantly suppressed its phosphorylation, which inhibited the transactivational activity of AabZIP1. Consistent overexpression of AaAPK1 significantly increased the production of artemisinin, as well as the expression levels of the artemisinin biosynthesis genes. Our study opens a window into the regulatory network underlying artemisinin biosynthesis at the post-translational level. Importantly, and for the first time, we provide evidence for why the kinase gene AaAPK1 is a key candidate for the metabolic engineering of artemisinin biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers in China. The purpose of this study was to investigate the updated incidence rates and risk factors of EC in Nan'ao Island, where the EC incidence rate was chronically the highest in southern China. To calculate the annual incidence rate, data on 338 EC cases from Nan'ao Cancer Registry system diagnosed during 2005-2011 were collected. A case-control study was conducted to explore the EC risk factors. One hundred twenty-five alive ECpatients diagnosed during 2005-2011 and 250 controls were enrolled into the case-control study. A pre-test questionnaire on demography, dietary factors, drinking water treatment, and behavioral factors was applied to collect information of all participants. The average EC incidence rates during 2005-2011 were 66.09/105, 94.62/105, 36.83/105 for both genders, males and females, respectively, in Nan'ao Island. The EC incidence rate in males was 2.40-to 4.55-fold higher than that in females in the period from 2006 to 2011 (P<0.05). Considering the onset age, males tend to be much younger than females and reached peak incidence rate at a younger age (P<0.05). Drinking water treatment by filter (odds ratio [OR]=0.28, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=0.13-0.58) and fruit consumption (OR=0.55, 95% CI=0.32-0.94) reduced the risk for EC. On the contrary, the pickled vegetables consumption (OR=2.64, 95% CI=1.46-4.76) and liquor drinking (OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.21-4.44) increased the risk for EC. These results may be of importance for future research on EC etiology and prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of a mining method is one of the most important decisions made by mining engineers. An appropriate fully mechanized mining method is of great importance to mining design and capacity planning for thin coal seams. Therefore, the comprehensive evaluation of alternative mining methods is an important part of mining design. Several parameters should be considered in that evaluation, and the evaluation is therefore complex and must be compliant with a set of criteria. In this paper, a comprehensive method that combines two multi-criteria decision-making methods, the analytic hierarchy process and the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution, was adopted for the evaluation. The most appropriate mining method, which involved a shearer, was then selected for panel 43101 in the Liangshuijing coal mine in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) was endangered in China and vanished from Shanghai early in the 20th century. The deer was reintroduced from 2006 onward, so as to re-establish a wild population in Shanghai. We obtained the deer from the breeding stock and released them. The deer numbers increased from 21 in 2007 to 299 in 2013. There has been a total area of 30.62 km² of free-range deer release from 2010 and this will be enlarged in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese water deer was once widely spread in Liaodong Peninsula, North China Plain and both banks of the Yangtze River and the Korean peninsula. Due to long-term environmental changes and influence of human development, its wild population in China has rapidly declined, both in abundance and distribution. As one of the native species in the history of Shanghai, Chinese water deer was introduced to Shanghai for captive breeding in 2006 and were released into the wild in 2010. The present study was conducted in Nanhui East Shoal Wildlife Sanctuary. The reintroduction of Chinese water deer was carried out separately in June and October 2010. So as to study the movement of the deer after release, 12 Chinese water deer (sex ratio 1 : 1) were tagged with radio-collars. We successfully used radiotelemetry to track 10 deer, and used the minimum convex polygon (MCP) and fixed kernel estimation (FKE) methods to calculate their home range. The results showed that using the MCP method, the mean home-range size of Chinese water deer was estimated to be 671 ha (range 245-1559 ha), while using the 95% FKE method, the mean was estimated to be 262 ha (range 43-435 ha). The mean home-range size of a buck was smaller than that of a doe by both MCP and FKE. The mean home-range size of an adult female was smaller than that of a subadult female. The largest seasonal home-range size (MCP, 275 ha) occurred during the winter of the first year, which then kept on shrinking in spring and summer. Home-range overlap was found among the home range of each individual. The mean overlap size was 303 ha. The mean overlap size was 135 ha in bucks, 422 ha in does and 270 ha between the buck and the doe. The study reflects that the seasonal food change is probably the main factor for the change of home-range size. Oestrus may also result in the enlargement of home range in winter. As an attempt to reintroduce large mammals to cities, we hope to provide useful experience for future wildlife management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monocaisson foundation has become an important choice with the increasing demand of offshore wind turbines constructed in silt and sand seabeds in China. To guarantee the normal operation of the wind turbine, the angular rotation of the foundation should be strictly controlled. It is necessary to predict the bearing capacity of caisson foundations at an allowable angular rotation. Several series of model tests were carried out in sandy silt under 1g gravity on suction caissons with different sizes subjected to overturning loading. The test results revealed the effect of the diameter, aspect ratio, and loading eccentricity on normalized moment capacity of caissons. The instantaneous rotation centers of model caissons were simplified to be at the depth of about four-fifths of the skirt length, almost directly below the lid center. Apart from the available ultimate moment capacity prediction approaches, a new calculation approach of deflection-based bearing capacity was proposed based on the mechanisms of soil-structure interaction and deflection of the caisson. Furthermore, determination of the model parameters is discussed. The present analytical approach can predict the moment-rotation curves of the model tests in silt and of the field test in a sand well. This deflection-based approach makes it possible to calculate bearing capacity at any allowable angular rotation. Further studies show that soil pressures and friction on the outer skirt at the passive zone contribute most to the moment capacity of the caisson, specifically the aspect ratio and the horizontal subgrade reaction constant. Finally, design charts of monocaisson foundations in silt and sand for offshore wind turbines are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic disorder characterized by significant disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions and behavior. Even if it is not a very frequent disorder, but it is the most burdensome and costly illnesses worldwide. The total population was approximate 1.3 billion and there are approximate 8 million schizophrenic patients in China. Despite the wide-ranging financial and social burdens associated with schizophrenia, but there have been few cost-of-illness studies of this illness in China. Objective To evaluate the economic cost of schizophrenic patients in China. Methodology 356 schizophrenic patients who met with DSM-IV criteria were enrolled and investigated with the Economic Burden Questionnaire(EBQ), 299 schizophrenic patients completed the study for 12 months. All the data were combined and classified by researcher. EBQ include all kinds of cost such as direct cost, indirect cost and total cost as well. It was filled in by patients and their close caregivers. Comparison of cost was made between not only outpatients and in-patients but also urban patients and rural patients. Multiple stepwise regression analysis was made to identify the main influence factors of total cost. Results (i)The per case per annum total costs, direct costs and indirect costs of schizophrenia amounted to US$2586.21, US$862.81(33.4%)and US$1723.40(66.6%)respectively. The per case total cost, direct cost and direct medical cost of in-patients were more higher than outpatients( P < 0.05). (ii)There was significant difference in per case per annum total cost, direct cost, direct medical cost, cost due to lost working-days and disability between urban and rural schizophrenic patients(P < 0.05), the former is higher than the latter. (iii) The results of multivariate stepwise regression analysis show that five variables were significantly correlated with higher cost: professional status(cadre), diagnostic subtype(residual schizophrenia), urban or rural patients(urban patients), in-patients or out-patients(in-patients) and researcher centre(southern center). The standardized regression coefficient were 0.308, 0.218, 0.212, 0.156 and 0.149 respectively, the correlation of determination R square was 0.2741, F = 15.651, P < 0.0000. These characteristics explain 27.41% of the variability in the total cost. Conclusion (i) Economic cost of schizophrenia were serious, we must pay close attention to it. (ii) The indirect cost are the majority of the total cost. The cost of urban patients are more higher than the cost of rural patients, the cost of in-patients are more higher than the cost of out-patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study contributes to scholarly understanding of misinformation correction effect in an authoritarian regime, China. • The experiment manipulated message source and tone in corrective messages of science misinformation, and compared the effects of different manipulations on correction believability. • Government source was perceived more believable compared to mass media, scientist, popular science media, celebrity, and layperson for science misinformation correction. • A formal tone was perceived more believable than an informal tone in delivering science correction, and such effect was more salient when audiences hold an inconsistent attitude with the correction. People rely on heuristic cues to evaluate messages. An increasing number of studies found corrective messages useful in correcting misinformation, and the correction effect varies on heuristic cues. Existing studies, however, mostly focus on correction effects in the Western context. This study aims to compare the effects of corrective messages with different heuristic cues in an authoritarian society. We focused on the cues that suggest government authoritativeness. Using an online experiment, we compared the impacts of correction sources (official vs. professional vs. layperson) and tones (formal vs. conversational) on the believability of the correction. The results indicated corrections from a government source and delivered in a formal tone were more believable in China. In addition, we examined the moderating role of attitude congruence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that diet is one of the most important environmental factors involved in the progression from advanced colorectal adenoma (A-CRA) to colorectal cancer. Objective: We evaluated the possible effects of dietary fiber on the fecal microbiota of patients with A-CRA. Design: Patients with-a diagnosis of A-CRA by pathological examination were enrolled in the A-CRA group. Patients with no obvious abnormalities or histopathological changes were enrolled in the healthy control (HC) group. Dietary fiber intake was assessed in all patients. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces were detected by gas chromatography. The fecal microbiota community was analyzed by 454 pyrosequencing based on 16S ribosomal RNA. Results: Lower dietary fiber patterns and consistently lower SCFA production were observed in the A-CRA group (iv= 344). Principal component analysis showed distinct differences in the fecal microbiota communities of the 2 groups. Clostridium, Roseburia, and Eubacteriuin spp. were significantly less prevalent in the A-CRA group (n = 47) than in the HC group (n = 47), whereas Enterococcus and Streptococcus spp. were more prevalent in the A-CRA group (n = 47) (all P < 0:05). Butyrate and butyrate-producing bacteria were more prevalent in a subgroup of HC subjects with a high fiber intake than in those in both the low-fiber HC subgroup and the high-fiber A-CRA subgroup (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: A high-fiber dietary pattern and subsequent consistent production of SCFAs and healthy gut microbiota are associated with a reduced risk, of A-CRA. This trial was registered at www.chictr.org as ChiCTR-TRC-00000123. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the comparison of a four-limb bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) system and a two-limb foot-to-foot device with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for measuring body composition. Topics include the study's experimental design, the global prevalence of obesity, and the benefits of BIA in estimating body composition, including body fat percentage (BF), skeletal muscle mass percentage (SMM), and visceral fat level (VF).

Background. During March 2008, a college in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in China, reported a measles outbreak, amid a city-wide outbreak involving >2700 cases. Methods. Suspected case patients were defined as patients with onset of fever (≥38°) and rash between 7 March and 30 April 2008. Probable case patients were defined as suspected case patients with >3 days of rash or known exposure to someone with laboratory-confirmed measles. Confirmed case patients were defined as suspected or probable case patients with Koplik spots or positive titer for immunoglobulin M antibody. We conducted a case-control investigation to identify risk factors for transmission. Results. We identified 162 suspected (attack rate, 1.9%), 99 probable, and 62 confirmed case patients. The epidemic curve indicated a point source initially, followed by person-to-person transmission. Approximately 63% of 90 probable case patients and 27% of 150 asymptomatic student controls randomly selected among classmates of student case patients visited internet cafés during the exposure period (odds ratio [OR], 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-8.0); 66% of case patients and 45% of student controls reported close contact with a measles case patient (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.3-3.9). In stratified analysis, visiting internet cafés (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.5-11) remained significantly associated with disease, but contact with case patients (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, .79-4.4) became nonsignificant. Conclusions. This measles outbreak was transmitted in internet cafés, followed by secondary transmission. Chinese universities should require proof of immunity or 2 doses of measles vaccine at college entry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Natural autoantibodies (NAAs) against MPO exist in normal human plasma. In the current study, the immune characteristics of MPO-NAA and MPO-ANCA were examined and compared with the aim to investigate the pathogenesis of MPO-ANCA.Methods. MPO-NAAs were affinity purified from normal plasma of five healthy blood donors and one batch of IVIG. MPO-ANCAs were purified from plasma of 10 patients with MPA. Antigen specificity of the antibodies was tested by western blot analysis. The titre, the avidity, the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclasses and the effect of the antibodies towards the binding between ceruloplasmin and MPO were tested using ELISAs. The MPO-NAA-induced production of reactive oxygen species was assessed using oxidation of dihydrorhodamine (DHR) to rhodamine.Results. MPO-NAA recognized epitope(s) in the heavy chains of MPO with conformation-dependent structure, the same as MPO-ANCA. The median titre of MPO-NAA was lower than that of MPO-ANCA (1 : 40 vs 1 : 4800, P < 0.001). The median avidity of MPO-NAA was lower than that of MPO-ANCA (2.2 × 107 vs 8.7 × 107/M, P = 0.014). The IgG subclasses of MPO-NAA were mainly restricted to IgG1 (100%) and lack of IgG3. The inhibition effect on the binding between ceruloplasmin and MPO was lower for MPO-NAA than MPO-ANCA (P = 0.046). The MPO-NAA-induced respiratory burst of neutrophils was significantly weaker than that of MPO-ANCA (P = 0.036).Conclusion. The lower titre, lower avidity and lack of IgG3 subclass compared with MPO-ANCA may contribute to the non-pathogenic co-existence of MPO-NAA with MPO in serum. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A sudden strike by workers in the Shanghai Petersburg Automotive Parts Company turns into a managerial nightmare following a confrontation between the strikers and the company's management team. With the chill of the global financial crisis speeding toward Asia, and animosities rising in the factory, management was in a quandary as to how to proceed in identifying the sources of the problem and finding an equitable solution for all. Once the strike ended, management had to look back and unravel how this had happened, and decide what steps to take to move forward and mollify the factory workers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjunctive method to standard therapy for patients with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CHM to treat DFU were searched in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE®; EMBASE; Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM); Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Allied & Complementary Medicine Resources (AMED); and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL). Two (2) researchers independently assessed the quality and validity of included trials and extracted outcome data for synthesis. Results: Six (6) trials were included for analysis. Compared to using standard therapy alone, CHM combined with standard therapy significantly increased the number of patients whose ulcers healed (risk ratio [ RR], 0.62, [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39–0.97]) and number of patients with at least a 30% reduction in the ulcer area ( RR, 0.81 [95%CI, 0.71–0.92]). In addition, the two therapies combined significantly decreased the number of patients without any improvement ( RR, 0.34 [95%CI, 0.21–0.53]). However, with respect to blood flow volume in the dorsal artery of the foot, no significant difference between the two therapies was observed (standardized mean difference, 1.71 [95% CI −1.25–4.67]), but the result favored the CHM combined with standard therapy group. Only 2 of 6 trials reported adverse events, which included nausea, epigastric pain, and dry mouth. Conclusions: CHM may be effective and safe as an adjunctive therapy for treating DFU. However, a firm conclusion could not be reached because of the poor quality of the included trials. Further trials with higher quality are justified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disturbance and management approaches can contribute significantly to restoration of degraded grassland ecosystems. This study has examined the re-establishment of artificial grassland to renew extremely degraded black-soils in an alpine area of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, in China. We evaluated this method for which grassland ecosystem responses to this restoration approach are needed. Here, we evaluated the response of aboveground plant communities and belowground soil nutrient and soil carbon storage to the establishment of artificial grassland in grasslands on black-soils in the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Three grasslands sites were selected: a degraded grassland on an original black-soil, and 3- and 6-year-old Elymus nutans artificial grasslands. Artificial grassland establishment significantly improved aboveground biomass, but also significantly decreased species richness, diversity and evenness for black-soil-type degraded grassland. Artificial grassland establishment resulted in significantly improved soil total nitrogen and phosphorus, and decreased soil organic matter, available nitrogen, and phosphorus, especially in the depth of 20–30 cm soil layer. Although artificial grassland establishment significantly improved soil organic carbon in the topsoil (0–10 cm), it decreased at depths of 10–20 and 20–30 cm. Six-year artificial grassland significantly increased soil carbon storage compared with black-soil-type degraded grasslands. Accordingly, artificial grassland can be used as effective restoration and rehabilitation approach to improve productivity and regulate community and soil properties in black-soil-type degraded grasslands. Our results suggest that ecosystem functions such as production of aboveground biomass, the provision of soil surface cover, and nutrient accumulation may be provided by artificial grassland. However, more time is needed for plant diversity and soil carbon storage functions to recover fully from degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overgrazing significantly affects alpine meadows in ways similar to grasslands in other areas. Fencing to exclude grazers is one of the main management practices used to protect alpine meadows. However, it is not known if fencing can improve soil properties and soil organic carbon storage by restraining grazing in alpine meadows. We studied the long-term (nine-year) effects of fencing on soil properties, soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage compared with continued grazing in an alpine swamp meadow of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, NW China. Our results showed that fencing significantly improved vegetation cover and aboveground biomass. There were significant effects of fencing on pH value, soil bulk density, and soil moisture. Long-term fencing favored the increase of soil total nitrogen, soil organic matter, soil organic carbon, soil microbial biomass carbon and soil carbon storage compared with grazed meadows. Our study suggests that long-term fencing to prevent disturbance could greatly affect soil organic carbon and nitrogen storage with regard to grazed meadows. Therefore, it is apparent from this study that fencing is an effective restoration approach of with regard to the soil’s storage ability for carbon and nitrogen in alpine meadow of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recommendations to improve the early and accurate diagnosis of renal amyloidosis are shown to include clinical suspicion, electron microscopic examination and other pathological methods of identification and classification. Aim: To summarize the clinical and pathological features of renal amyloidosis in order to achieve early diagnosis. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 32 patients with renal amyloidosis, diagnosed by renal biopsy in one renal centre, were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry of amyloid A protein and immunoglobulin light chains was further performed on the renal specimens for further classification. Results: Twenty-four out of the 32 patients (75%) were not considered to have renal amyloidosis by local physicians; 91.7% (22/24) of them had at least one of the following signs: bodyweight loss, organ enlargement and decreased blood pressure. Twenty-nine out of the 32 patients (90.6%) were over 40 years, 30 patients (93.8%) had nephrotic syndrome, and 21 patients (65.6%) were found to have monoclonal light chain in serum or urine by immunofixation. Six patients (18.8%) were negative by Congo red stain and were diagnosed as having early renal amyloidosis by electron microscopy. Twenty-eight patients were diagnosed as having AL amyloidosis, two were suspected of having AL amyloidosis, one had AA amyloidosis and the status of the remaining patient was undetermined. Conclusion: Renal amyloidosis is frequently neglected by local physicians in China. Middle-aged nephrotic patients with weight loss, organ enlargement and monoclonal light chains in serum or urine should be highly suspected of the disease. Renal biopsies, especially electron microscopy, play a crucial role in the early diagnosis of renal amyloidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To document the viral etiology of acute lower respiratory tract infection (ALRIs) in Chinese children. Setting: Children Hospital, Zhejiang University, China. Study design: Cross-sectional. Participants: 34885 children with ALRI between January 2001 to December 2006. Methods: Nasopharyngeal aspirates were collected from all subjects. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), type 1 to 3 parainfluenza viruses (PIV), and type A and B influenza virus (Flu) were detected by direct immunofluroscence. Results: Viruses were identified in 32.3% cases, including RSV (23.6%), PIV 3 (4.3%), Flu A (2.0%), ADV (1.7%), PIV I (0.6%), Flu B (0.2%) and PIV 2 (0.1%). RSV and PIV 3 predominated in younger children while Flu A and Flu B predominated in older children (P<0.001, respectively). PIV 1 was more prevalent in children aged 1 to 3 years. The peak frequency of RSV, PIV 3 and Flu A were in early spring, June to August, and August and September, respectively. Flu B had a peak in the winter and spring. Adenovirus infections occurred in all seasons with a relatively constant frequency. Conclusions: Viruses are an important cause of ALRIs in Chinese children constituting 1/3 of total cases. RSV is the most common pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Full cytochrome b gene sequence of mtDNA was used to identify and analyze four skin samples collected from Tibet, China in this research. By searching for highly similar sequences (megablast) on NCBI, we found all four samples have the highest similarities with the published sequence: AY239042 of the black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons). By comparing our sequences to those available on GenBank, all four samples were identified as the black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons) by high sequence similarity. We therefore record two new localities for the black muntjac and it is a new distribution in Tibet and hope this study will not only promote more advanced researches on the evolution and phylogeny about this species, but also enhance the conservation work for this species and local biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment cores were collected from two sites (A2 and ZQ) in the Qingdao sea area of the Yellow Sea. Radionuclides 40K, 137Cs, 210Pb, 226Ra, 228Ra, 228Th, 234Th, and 238U in the cores were measured using HPGe γ spectrometry. The sedimentation rate of the A2 Core using 210Pbex and 137Cs was 0.665 cm yr−1, therefore this 32 cm long core represents a 48 year timespan leading to the sampling date in 2001. The mixing layer was restricted to the upper 5 cm as determined from the profile of 234Th. The uniformity of the activity distributions of 40K and 238U throughout the A2 Core and the activity distributions of 226Ra, 228Ra and 228Th below the mixing layer suggested that no significant oceanographic event or change in sediment material source had occurred during this timespan. The 210 Pb was in excess relative to 226Ra, but 226Ra was deficient with respect to 238U in the entire A2 Core, while excess 234Th and 228Th were apparent only in the surface 5 cm. Total organic matter (TOM) in Core A2 decreases with depth. The second core, taken to a depth of 14 cm, was from Site ZQ, which is located near Zhanqiao, Qingdao. The variations of the nuclide activity ratios in this core were similar to those in the A2 Core, i.e., the excess 210 Pb and 226Ra deficiency were consistent throughout the core but excess 228Th was only in the surface to a depth of 2 cm. The 40K activity in the ZQ Core fluctuated and showed no real trend with depth. The activities of 137Cs, 210Pb, 226Ra and 238U in the entire length of Core ZQ, and 228Ra and 228Th from 2 cm to the bottom, were comparable within the uncertainty of measured activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic polymorphism is a difference in DNA sequence among individuals, groups, or populations that give rise to different forms. Differences in DNA sequences that occur naturally in a population. Single nucleotide substitutions, insertions and deletions of nucleotides and repetitive sequences (microsatellites) are all examples of polymorphism. The position at which such a sequence difference is found is a polymorphic site. A single nucleotide substitution is called a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). SNPs can occur in coding parts of the gene. If they result in genetic code change, amino-acid polymorphism would occur. The heterodimeric IFN-γ receptor ( IFNGR) complex was made up of two receptor subunits including IFNGR-1 and IFNGR-2. There exist five dbSNP alleles in IFNGR1 exon region and six dbSNP alleles in IFNGR2. Some researchers had found that the greatest risk of the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) be detected in the individuals who had the Met14/Val14 genotype or the combination of IFNGR1 Met14/Val14 genotype and IFNGR2 Gln64/Gln64 genotype in Japanese patients. So we aimed to assess the association between two polymorphisms within the IFNGR gene (A88G and A839G) and SLE in Chinese patients. This study included 154 patients with SLE and 159 unrelated healthy controls. We examined the IFNGR genotype by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism method, RT-PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method and DNA sequencing. Genotype frequencies between SLE patients and controls were compared and relationship between genotype frequencies and clinical manifestations of SLE were evaluated. We found that IFNGR2 Arg64/Arg64 genotype decrease the risk of SLE (OR = 2.326, 95% CI 1.181–4.581, Fisher P = 0.015), and the same as IFNGR2 Arg64/Arg64 genotype and IFNGR1 Val14/Val14 genotype combination (OR = 2.420, 95% CI 1.206–4.854, Fisher P = 0.013). The allelic frequency of Val14/Met14 is significantly higher in the patients with oral ulcer or thrombocytopenia when compared with patient without these clinical feature (OR = 4.630, 95% CI 1.370–15.640, Fisher P = 0.021; or OR = 6.368, 95% CI 2.009–20.191, Fisher P = 0.003). On the contrary, the allelic frequency of Val14/Val14 is lower in the patients with oral ulcer or thrombocytopenia than those without these clinical feature (OR = 0.216, 95% CI 0.064–0.730, Fisher P = 0.021; or OR = 0.157, 95% CI 0.050–0.498, Fisher P = 0.003). And after data analysis, we also find that the allelic frequency of Gln64/Gln64 is lower in the patients with arthritis when compared with patient without arthritis (OR = 0.369, 95% CI 0.166–0.818, Fisher P = 0.017). We can conclude that the IFNGR polymorphisms (Val14Met and Gln64Arg) are protective in SLE in Chinese patients. We describe a novel association between Val14/Met14 carriage and patients with oral ulcer or thrombocytopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

EPA 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were extracted from dust by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Parameters (pressure, temperature and time) affecting the collection efficiencies of PAHs were assessed according to the extraction efficiency, and 30 MPa, 80 °C and 30 min dynamic extraction time were confirmed to be the best and simplest conditions of SFE to extract 16 priority PAHs from dust. The characterization of the extracts was carried out by gas chromatography with mass detector in selective ion mode (GC/MS/SIM). Ultrasonic extraction (USE) was used as a comparison with SFE. The results showed that the SFE method has a better efficiency than USE for the extraction of PAHs in dust. With the optimized conditions of SFE, the distribution of PAHs in dust samples in urban areas of Shanghai from Mar 10, 2005 to May 28, 2005 was investigated. The results demonstrated that traffic emission, especially from gasoline engines, was the main source of PAHs in dust of Shanghai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has about 20% of the world's population. With rapid economic development and substantial population increase, China is now faced with severe conflicts between limited natural resources and increasing resource requirements. In this study, we used the ecological footprint method to assess the resource demand and supply conditions of each land use in China between 1978 and 2003. In order to provide insight into the spatial heterogeneity of resource demand and supply conditions, we also assessed the ecological footprint at provincial level in 2002. An ecological footprint curve method was introduced to compare differences in natural resource use, economic development and technological progress among different countries and provinces. The results showed that the ecological footprint, biocapacity and ecological deficit per capita for China have all been increasing during 1978-2003. The ecological footprints per person in northern and eastern China were larger than those in southern and western China. The ecological deficits per person in southern and eastern China were more severe than those in northern and western China. Though the resource use efficiency has increased considerably during 1978-2003, it was still much lower than those of the Netherlands, France, South Korea, Mexico, the Philippines and India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fernbach et al. (2019) found that extreme opposition to genetically modified (GM) food was associated with low levels of objective knowledge and high levels of self-assessed knowledge in the US. They also found that the pattern that extreme opponents knew the least but felt they knew the most applied to opponents of a medical application of genetic engineering technology (gene therapy). In the past few years, genetic engineering technology become one of the most polarized scientific and social issues in China. Following Fernbach et al. (2019), we conducted a conceptual replication study using a nationally representative sample of Chinese internet users. In addition to studying extreme opponents of GM food and other applications of genetic engineering technology, we examined the extreme supporters in terms of their knowledge as well. Our findings show that Chinese people in general hold negative attitudes toward GM food and positive attitudes toward other applications of genetic engineering technology. Consistent with the original study, we found a similar pattern for extreme opponents of GM food in China. In addition, our data show the same pattern for extreme proponents of other applications of genetic engineering technology. • Prior work shows that extreme opponents of GM food know the least but think they know the most. • This research conceptually replicates that pattern in China. • A similar pattern is found for extreme opponents of GM food in China. • This pattern also applies to extreme supporters of other applications of genetic engineering (GE) technology in China. • Chinese people have a negative attitude toward GM food and a positive attitude toward other applications of GE technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International joint ventures (IJVs) and wholly foreign-owned enterprises (WFOEs) are the two major competing modes of Chinese market entry for foreign investors. However, the financial performance of and relative financial efficacy between the two modes have not been researched. The present study utilizes firm- specific financial data and examines financial ratios and characteristics of kJVs and WFOEs in the current Chinese financial environment. Results of this study reveal that the WFOE is superior to the Liv in terms of asset efficiency, financial risk aversion, and export growth whereas the LIV outperforms the WFOE with respect to local market growth and environment adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this article is to explain various aspects of Chinese and Japanese business negotiating styles. Both the Chinese and Japanese have a reputation for being tough negotiators, but their strategies and tactics are neither unpredictable nor insurmountable. Although they share similar cultural traditions, they do have some notable differences. This article begins with an analysis of general perceptions of the Chinese and Japanese on negotiations, and then goes through different stages of the formal negotiating process while focusing on some of the tactics used either commonly or respectively by the Chinese and Japanese. It ends with a discussion on conflict management. Throughout the article, similarities and differences between the Chinese and Japanese are highlighted. The article presents a conceptual framework for understanding and comparing Chinese and Japanese negotiating styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]