Search

Background: Seasonal influenza and other respiratory tract infections are serious public health problems that need to be further addressed and investigated. Internet search data are recognized as a valuable source for forecasting influenza or other respiratory tract infection epidemics. However, the selection of internet search data and the application of forecasting methods are important for improving forecasting accuracy. The aim of the present study was to forecast influenza epidemics based on the long short-term memory neural network (LSTM) method, Baidu search index data, and the influenza-like-illness (ILI) rate. Methods: The official weekly ILI% data for northern and southern mainland China were obtained from the Chinese Influenza Center from 2018 to 2021. Based on the Baidu Index, search indices related to influenza infection over the corresponding time period were obtained. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to explore the association between influenza-related search queries and the ILI% of southern and northern mainland China. The LSTM model was used to forecast the influenza epidemic within the same week and at lags of 1–4 weeks. The model performance was assessed by evaluation metrics, including the mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). Results: In total, 24 search queries in northern mainland China and 7 search queries in southern mainland China were found to be correlated and were used to construct the LSTM model, which included the same week and a lag of 1–4 weeks. The LSTM model showed that ILI% + mask with one lag week and ILI% + influenza name were good prediction modules, with reduced RMSE predictions of 16.75% and 4.20%, respectively, compared with the estimated ILI% for northern and southern mainland China. Conclusions: The results illuminate the feasibility of using an internet search index as a complementary data source for influenza forecasting and the efficiency of using the LSTM model to forecast influenza epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of thyroid cancer in China has rapidly increased in recent decades. As the genetic profiles of thyroid cancer vary dramatically between different geographical regions, a comprehensive genetic landscape of thyroid cancer in the Chinese population is urgently needed. Methods: We retrospectively included thyroid cancer patients from three Chinese medical centers between February 2015 and August 2020. To dissect the genomic profiling of these patients, we performed targeted next-generation sequencing on their tumor tissues using a 1,021-gene panel. Results: A total of 458 Chinese patients with thyroid cancer were enrolled, including four malignant histological subtypes arising from follicular epithelial thyroid cells. BRAF driver mutations were identified in 76.0% of patients, followed by RET rearrangements (7.6%) and RAS driver mutations (4.1%). Tumors with more somatic mutations correlated with worse clinical characteristics, including older age at diagnosis, less differentiation of tumor, larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis and distal metastasis. Subclonal BRAF mutations occurred in 20% (6/30) of patients and were frequent in poorly differentiated or anaplastic tumors (33.3% [2/6] vs. 4.2% [1/24], P = 0.09) and those with distal metastasis (50.0% [2/4] vs. 8.7% [2/23], P = 0.09). Tumors with TERT promoter mutations had significantly more somatic mutations (average: 6.5 vs. 1.8, P < 0.001). Moreover, TERT promoter mutations were not associated with lymph node metastasis but significantly associated with older age at diagnosis and poorly differentiated or anaplastic tumors, regardless of their clonal architecture. Conclusion: Our results shed light on the molecular pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of thyroid cancer in the Chinese population. The number of somatic mutations, TERT promoter mutations, and the clonal architecture of BRAF mutations should be considered in the risk stratification of thyroid cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimations of forest evapotranspiration (ET) and its components, transpiration (T) and evaporation (E), are important for deep understanding and predicting the responses of forest water cycles to climate change. In this study, the improved Shuttleworth-Wallace model (SWH) was applied to estimate ET, T, and E during 2003--2014 in a subtropical planation, and the modeled results were verified using in situ measurements by the eddy covariance technique, sap flow, and microlysimetermethod. The study aimed to clarify whether it is feasible and reliable to use the SWHmodel to estimate and partition ET in forests. In addition, depending on the long-term data, the specific performances in modeling ET under different climatic backgrounds were investigated, and the underlying mechanisms were explored. The results verified that the SWH performed relatively well in the subtropical forest, and the modeled ET, T and E could track the seasonal variations, although overestimations were found in the peak seasons. However, the model was relatively weaker in estimating the interannual variabilities. It performed well in modeling ET in normal years but showed larger model residuals in years with obvious climatic anomalies. In the severe summer-drought (2003) and cold-spring (2005) years, the model greatly overestimated ET. It also overestimated ET in summer since 2010, which may be ascribed to the less dependency of ET on VPD induced by the more humid microclimate in forest accompanied with forest development. For the ET partitioning results, the modeled and measured E and T values were all in reasonable ranges. The possible reasons for underestimations (overestimations) of E and T by measurements (SWH model) were discussed. In this study, the data obtained using different methods and from different scales matched each other and could be cross validated, and the discussion on discrepancies would be beneficial for understanding the advantages and flaws of differentmethods and could be the basis for optimizing themeasurement andmodel methods. In sum, this study verified that it is feasible to use the SWH model in forests and provided a basis for further improving and optimizing the modeled results under different climate backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leishmaniasis being a local disease, as kala-azar this particular form is a visceral form. It is transmitted by sandflies, and is a parasitic disease involving the reticuloendothelial system of mononuclear macrophages. Due to its poor prognosis and high fatality rate, the fatality rate of patients without effective treatment can exceed 95%. Thereby, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve its prognosis. The metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has the advantage of being able to find pathogens that cannot be detected by traditional methods. More importantly, it can conduct nucleic acid detection of pathogens covering a wide range in a short time. For infectious diseases like kala-azar, which is clinically complicated and difficult, mNGS detection provides a basis for accurate etiological diagnosis. Case Report: We report 2 cases of kala-azar in West China Hospital, Chengdu, China. The first case is a 47-year-old male patient who had recurrent fever for 4 months, accompanied by reduction of red blood cell, white blood cell, and blood platelet. He was detected by mNGS and clinically diagnosed as kala-azar (Leishmania detection), finally died of multiple organ failure. The second patient was a 15-year-old male who had fever for more than 10 days. He was detected by mNGS and clinically diagnosed as kala-azar (Leishmania detection). He recovered and discharged quickly after treatment with sodium stibogluconate. Conclusion: Efforts should be made to improve early etiological diagnosis in order to improve patient prognosis. mNGS detection is beneficial to the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases with unknown causes in the early stage of emergency treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ‘pro-arbitration’ approach is widely accepted in worldwide judicial practice in supporting the development of international commercial arbitration and in the application of the New York Convention. It has been promoted that the Chinese courts are making progresses in supporting the development of arbitration in China and adopting a ‘pro-arbitration’ approach generally. Nonetheless, in the last a few years, the Chinese courts have refused the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards on the ground of public policy on various occasions, including the most recent Palmer Case in 2018 and the Gate Case in 2019. Moreover, on multiple occasions the Chinese courts dealt with the public policy issue when an award was made by a foreign tribunal while the arbitration agreement was declared invalid by the Chinese court––resulting in seemingly conflicting outcomes under identical circumstances. To address the concerns as to whether the Chinese judicial system really adopts a ‘pro-arbitration’ approach in dealing with these legal issues and concepts, this article examines a series of recent cases and evaluates the Chinese courts’ approach in applying the public policy ground and in deciding the validity of arbitration agreement in the context of the international consensus represented by the New York Convention, the UNCITRAL Model Law, the ILA Final Report on Public Policy. It further suggests possible reforms for China if a truly pro-arbitration approach is to be adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the obesity paradox and its interrelationship with objective physical activity (PA) in patients at high risk of sudden cardiac death.Methods: A total of 782 patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators/cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators in the Study of Home Monitoring System Safety and Efficacy in Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device-Implantable Patients registry were retrospectively analyzed and grouped by body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2): normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25) and overweight or class I obesity (25 ≤ BMI < 35). PA was measured with home monitoring and categorized into 4 groups (Q1-Q4) by the baseline quartiles. The main endpoint was all-cause mortality.Results: During a mean follow-up period of 59.9 ± 21.9 months, 182 all-cause mortality events occurred. Mortality tended to be lower in overweight and obesity patients (18.9% vs 25.1%, P = 0.061) and decreased by PA quartiles (44.1% vs 22.6% vs 15.3% vs 11.2%, Q1-Q4, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated BMI (hazard ratio, 0.918; 95% confidence interval, 0.866-0.974; P = 0.004) and PA (0.436, 0.301-0.631, Q2 vs Q1; 0.280, 0.181-0.431, Q3 vs Q1; 0.257, 0.158-0.419, Q4 vs Q1; P < 0.001 for all) were associated with reduced risk. The obesity paradox was significant in the total cohort (log rank P = 0.049) and low PA group (log rank P = 0.010), but disappeared in the high PA group (log rank P = 0.692). Dose-response curves showed a significant reduction in risk with low-moderate PA, and the pattern varied between different BMI groups.Conclusions: The obesity paradox only persisted in physically inactive patients. PA might be related to the development of the obesity paradox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban impervious surface area (UISA) and urban green space (UGS) are two core components of cities for characterizing urban environments. Although several global or national urban land use/cover products such as Globeland30 and FROM-GLC are available, they cannot effectively delineate the complex intra-urban land cover components. Here we proposed a new approach to map fractional UISA and UGS in China using Google Earth Engine (GEE) based on multiple data sources. The first step is to extract the vector boundaries of urban areas from China's Land Use/cover Dataset (CLUD). The UISA was retrieved using the logistic regression from the Landsat-derived annual maximum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The UGS was developed through linear calibration between reference UGS from high spatial resolution image and the normalized NDVI. Thus, the China's UISA and UGS fraction datasets (CLUD-Urban) at 30-meter resolution are generated from 2000 to 2018. The overall accuracy of national urban areas is over 92 %. The root mean square errors of UISA and UGS fractions are 0.10 and 0.14, respectively. The datasets indicate that total urban area of China was 7.10 x 104 km² in 2018, with average fractions of 70.70 % for UISA and 26.54 % for UGS. The UISA and UGS increased with unprecedented annual rates of 1,492.63 km²/yr and 400.43 km²/yr during 2000-2018. CLUD-Urban can enhance our understanding of urbanization impacts on ecological and urban dwellers' environments, and can be used in such applications as urban planning, urban environmental studies and practices. The datasets can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3778424 (Kuang et al., 2020). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate urban land-cover datasets are essential for mapping urban environments. However, a series of national urban land-cover data covering more than 15 years that characterizes urban environments is relatively rare. Here we propose a hierarchical principle on remotely sensed urban land-use/cover classification for mapping intra-urban structure/component dynamics. China's Land Use/cover Dataset (CLUD) is updated, delineating the imperviousness, green surface, waterbody and bare land conditions in cities. A new data subset called CLUD-Urban is created from 2000 to 2015 at five-year intervals with a medium spatial resolution (30 m). The first step is a prerequisite to extract the vector boundaries covered with urban areas from CLUD. A new method is then proposed using logistic regression between urban impervious surface area (ISA) and the annual maximum Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) value retrieved from Landsat images based on a big-data platform with Google Earth Engine. National ISA and urban green space (UGS) fraction datasets for China are generated at 30-meter resolution with five-year intervals from 2000 to 2015. The overall classification accuracy of national urban areas is 92 %. The root mean square error values of ISA and UGS fractions are 0.10 and 0.14, respectively. The datasets indicate that the total urban area of China was 6.28 × 104 km² in 2015, with average fractions of 70.70 % and 26.54 % for ISA and UGS, respectively. The ISA and UGS increased between 2000 and 2015 with unprecedented annual rates of 1,311.13 km²/yr and 405.30 km²/yr, respectively. CLUD-Urban can be used to enhance our understanding of urbanization impacts on ecological and regional climatic conditions and urban dwellers' environments. CLUD-Urban can be applied in future researches on urban environmental research and practices in the future. The datasets can be downloaded from https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2644932. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Little is known about left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with WATCHMAN device in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in China. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute procedural performance and complication rate of LAAO procedures and patient selection in China. Methods: A total of 658 consecutive Chinese patients who were referred to receive LAAO procedures with the WATCHMAN device between 2014 and 2017 were retrospectively included in the study. Patients were divided into four groups according to the year of procedures: Group 2014, Group 2015, Group 2016, and Group 2017. The procedural success, complication rates, and characteristics of Chinese patients, as well as the trends of patients' selection and management, were analyzed. Results: The average age of the patients was 67.7}9.2 years, the CHA2DS2-VASc score was 3.7}1.6, and the HAS-BLED score was 2.5}1.1. Both scores of patients in different years show obvious increasing trends (r=0.126, p=0.001 and r=0.145, p<0.001, respectively). Indications for LAAO included increased bleeding risk (45.6%), recent bleeding under oral anticoagulation (OAC) (9.0%), and non-compliance with OAC (51.4%). The implantation was successful in 643 (97.7%) patients, with a procedural complication rate of 0.6%. Approximately 80.1% of the patients received OAC after LAAO. Conclusion: In China, LAAO with WATCHMAN devices in patients with AF can be performed successfully with a low complication rate. Most of the target population had increased bleeding risk or non-compliance for OAC as indications and received OAC for antithrombotic therapy after the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: This study was to use implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) home monitoring (HM) feature to evaluate the role of mean night-time heart rate (MNHR) in the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and mortality.Methods and Results: This study retrospectively analysed clinical and ICD device data in 318 ICD patients. Data of the first 30-day MNHR (recorded 02:00-06:00 am) by HM were collected. The average and standard deviation of 30-day MNHR (AVHR and SDHR, respectively) were then determined in each patient. The primary endpoint was appropriate ICD treatment of VAs. The secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality. During a mean follow-up period of 32 ± 10 months, 179 of the 318 patients (56.3%) experienced VAs, 123 patients (38.7%) were treated by ICD shocks, and 37 patients (11.6%) died. The overall SDHR in this study cohort was 4.5 ± 3.0 bpm. Based on the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cut-off value of SDHR = 3.685 bpm was identified to predict VAs. In the Kaplan-Meier survival, SDHR ≥ 3.685 bpm was associated with increased VAs [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.885; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.362-2.609; P < 0.001], shock events (HR = 1.637; 95% CI = 1.11-2.414; P = 0.013), all-cause mortality (HR = 2.42; 95% CI = 1.266-4.627; P = 0.008), and the combined endpoints (HR = 1.872; 95% CI = 1.365-2.567; P < 0.001). In univariate and multivariate Cox models (adjusting for clinical factors), SDHR ≥ 3.685 bpm was still an independent predictor for all endpoints.Conclusion: In ICD population, SDHR ≥ 3.685 bpm was an independent predictor for VAs and all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is showing increasingly diagnostic potential in left ventricular non-compaction (LVNC), relatively little research relevant to CMR is conducted in children with LVNC. This study was performed to characterize and compare CMR features and clinical outcomes in children with LVNC with and without late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Methods: A cohort of 40 consecutive children (age, 13.7 ± 3.3 years; 29 boys and 11 girls) with isolated LVNC underwent a baseline CMR scan with subsequent clinical follow-up. Short-axis cine images were used to calculate left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), myocardial mass, ratio of non-compacted-to- compacted myocardial thickness (NC/C ratio), and number of non-compacted segments. The LGE images were analyzed to assess visually presence and patterns of LGE. The primary end point was a composite of cardiac death and heart transplantation. Results: The LGE was present in 10 (25 %) children, and 46 (27 %) segments were involved, including 23 non-compacted segments and 23 normal segments. Compared with LGE- cohort, LGE+ cohort had significantly lower LVEF (23.8 ± 10.7 % vs. 42.9 ± 16.7 %, p < 0.001) and greater LVEDV (169.2 ± 65.1 vs. 118.2 ± 48.9 mL/m², p = 0.010), LVESV (131.3 ± 55.5 vs. 73.3 ± 46.7 mL/m², p = 0.002), and sphericity indices (0.75 ± 0.19 vs. 0.60 ± 0.20, p = 0.045). There were no differences in terms of number and distribution of non-compacted segments, NC/C ratio, and myocardial mass index between LGE+ and LGE- cohort. In the LGE+ cohort, adverse events occurred in 6 patients compared to 2 events in the LGE- cohort. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant difference in outcome between LGE+ and LGE- cohort for cardiac death and heart transplantation (p = 0.011). Conclusions: The LGE was present in up to one-fourth of children with LVNC, and the LGE+ children exhibited a more maladaptive LV remodeling and a higher incidence of cardiovascular death and heart transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose -- The purpose of the paper is to identify learning points and inspirations from two different approaches by examining how education for sustainable development (ESD) initiatives are delivered in the University of X in the UK and Tongji University in China. Design/methodology/approach -- Through comparison of case studies, the pros and cons of each approach are made clear. The paper adopts semi-structured interviewing among staff and group interviewing among students as its main data collection methods. A snowball sampling strategy is employed to select potential interviewees in addition. Findings -- Learning points are drawn from each institution which could be useful in informing the strategy of other higher education institutions. The main learning points for UoX are: first, engage as many students as possible through linking extra-curriculum activities back to the curriculum and offer opportunities for students to take part in campus operations. Second, a project-oriented approach could be employed to enhance interdisciplinary cooperation. The main learning points for Tongji are: pedagogic changes are required to realize a transformative education and additions of more active learning into the curriculum are needed. Third, policy support is necessary to promote the ESD agenda but only when the top-down approach mixes with a bottom-up approach significant changes will happen. Practical implications -- ESD is transformative education rather than traditional education. It will guide students to study and live in a more sustainable way, which is promoted in both the formal curriculum and informal areas (including campus greening and extra-curriculum activities) in UoX as a model for developed countries and Tongji as a model for developing countries. As a dynamic whole, both of them comprise students' learning and living experiences in a microcosm of a pilot sustainable community through inter-disciplinary approaches. Originality/value -- Little comparative and international research has been done in the field of educational ESD. The research seeks to address the deficiency by comparing the ESD approaches in one British and one Chinese university. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clozapine is one of the most commonly used antipsychotic drugs in China, To date, few studies have investigated the patterns the prescription of clozapine nationwide. The present study examined these patterns in China in 2006 and identified the demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the use of clozapine. Methods: Using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure, we surveyed 5,898 patients with schizophrenia in 10 provinces with differing levels of economic development. Results: Overall, clozapine had been prescribed for 31.9% (n=1,883) of the patients; however we found considerable variation among the 10 provinces. The frequency of clozapine use was highest in Sichuan (39.3%) and lowest in Beijing (17.3%). The mean daily dose of clozapine was 210.36±128.72 mg/day, and 25.1% of the patients were treated with clozapine in combination with other antipsychotics. Compared with the group not receiving clozapine, clozapine-user had been treated for longer durations and had experienced a greater number of relapses and hospitalizations. Furthermore, those in the clozapine-user had lower family incomes, were less able to seek psychiatric services, and more likely to be male and have a positive family history of schizophrenia. A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, sex, professional help-seeking behaviors, duration of illness, economic status, educational level, and clinical manifestations were associated with the use of clozapine. Conclusion: Clozapine use is common in China. However, use of the antipsychotic varies among provinces, and demographic and clinical factors play important roles in the prescription of clozapine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruits of Broussonetia papyrifera from South China were analyzed for their total chemical composition, and antioxidant activities in ethanol and aqueous extracts. In the fruit of this plant, the crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates was 7.08%, 3.72% and 64.73% of dry weight, respectively. The crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrates were 15.71%, 20.51% and 36.09% of dry weight, respectively. Fatty acid and amino acid composition of the fruit were analyzed. Unsaturated fatty acid concentration was 70.6% of the total fatty acids. The percentage of the essential amino acids (EAAs) was 40.60% of the total amino acids. Furthermore, B. papyrifera fruit are rich in many mineral elements and vitamins. Total phenolic content was assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteau assay, whereas antioxidant activities were assessed by measuring the ability of the two extracts to scavenge DPPH radicals, inhibit peroxidation, and chelate ferric ions. Their reducing power was also assessed. Results indicated that the aqueous extract of B. papyrifera was a more potent reducing agent and radicalscavenger than the ethanol extract. GC-MS analysis of the ethanol extract showed the presence of some acid-containing compounds. The changes in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity in B. papyrifera from four different regions grown under normal conditions were assessed. The antioxidant activity of different extracts was positively associated with their total phenolic content. These results suggest that the fruit of B. papyrifera could be used in dietary supplement preparations, or as a food additive, for nutritional gain, or to prevent oxidation in food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic in China; perinatal transmission is the main source of chronic HBV infection. Simultaneous administration of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) and hepatitis B vaccine is highly effective to prevent perinatal transmission of HBV; however, the effectiveness also depends on full adherence to the recommended protocols in daily practice. In the present investigation, we aimed to identify gaps in immunoprophylaxis of perinatal transmission of HBV between recommendations and routine practices in Jiangsu Province, China. Methods: Totally 626 children from 6 cities and 8 rural areas across Jiangsu Province, China, born from February 2003 to December 2004, were enrolled; 298 were born to mothers with positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and 328 were born to HBsAg-negative mothers. Immunoprophylactic measures against hepatitis B were retrospectively reviewed for about half of the children by checking medical records or vaccination cards and the vaccine status was validated for most of children. Results: Of 298 children born to HBV carrier mothers, 11 (3.7%) were HBsAg positive, while none of 328 children born to non-carrier mothers was HBsAg positive (P < 0.01). The rates of anti-HBs ≥ 10 mIU/ml in children of carrier and non-carrier mothers were 69.5% and 69.2% respectively (P = 0.95). The hepatitis B vaccine coverage in two groups was 100% and 99.4% respectively (P = 0.50), but 15.1% of HBV-exposed infants did not receive the timely birth dose. Prenatal HBsAg screening was performed only in 156 (52.3%) of the carrier mothers. Consequently, only 112 (37.6%) of HBV-exposed infants received HBIG after birth. Furthermore, of the 11 HBV-infected children, only one received both HBIG and hepatitis B vaccine timely, seven missed HBIG, two received delayed vaccination, and one missed HBIG and received delayed vaccination. Conclusions: There are substantial gaps in the prevention of perinatal HBV infection between the recommendations and routine practices in China, which highlights the importance of full adherence to the recommendations to eliminate perinatal HBV infection in the endemic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issues of energy shortage and environmental pollution caused by energy subsidies are more serious in a massive energy-consuming country like China. Since the Group of 20 summit meeting on September 4, 2016, government leaders have confirmed that they will phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. In this paper, we construct a computable general equilibrium model to analyze the impact of different de-subsidization policies based on possible reduction targets, mitigation routes, and reform periods. The results show that a nonlinear tendency in gross domestic product will emerge with the increasing intensity of de-subsidization targets. Moreover, there is a general macroeconomic recession both in output and consumption, where the prices have generally increased. The results also show that various mitigation routes of de-subsidization policy are slightly significant economically. However, the total removal of energy subsidy in one year will obtain an opposite conclusion with better social welfare and gross domestic product, but more carbon emissions and energy consumption. Overall, a medium target (50-90%) with an average reduction during 2010-2030 could be more suitable for China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a text message-based smoking cessation intervention in China.Design: Study design was a randomized control trial with a 6-month follow-up assessment of smoking status.Setting: Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, and Shaanxi provinces in China provided the study setting.Subjects: A total of 8000 adult smokers in China who used Nokia Life Tools and participated in phase 2 (smoking education via text message) of the study were included.Intervention: The high-frequency text contact (HFTC) group received one to three messages daily containing smoking cessation advice, encouragement, and health education information. The low-frequency text contact (LFTC) group received one weekly message with smoking health effects information.Measures: Our primary outcome was smoking status at 0, 1, 3, and 6 months after intervention. Secondary outcomes include participant perceptions of the HFTC intervention, and factors associated with smoking cessation among HFTC participants.Analysis: Descriptive and χ2 analyses were conducted to assess smoking status and acceptability. Factors associated with quitting were assessed using multiple logistic regression analyses.Results: Quit rates were high in both the HFTC and LFTC groups (HFTC: 0 month, 27.9%; 1 month, 30.5%; 3 months, 26.7%; and 6 months, 27.7%; LFTC: 0 month, 26.7%; 1 month, 30.4%; 3 months, 28.1%; and 6 months, 27.7%), with no significant difference between the two groups in an intent-to-treat analysis. Attitudes toward the HFTC intervention were largely positive.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a text message-based smoking cessation intervention can be successfully delivered in China and is acceptable to Chinese smokers, but further research is needed to assess the potential impact of this type of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perilla frutescens is an important annual herb of the mint family that is native to East Asia, particularly China, Korea, and Japan, is widely used as a fresh vegetable and in traditional Chinese medicines, popular garnishes, and food colorants. Hydrodistilled essential oils obtained from P. frutescens from 11 areas of China were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). One hundred and nineteen compounds accounting for 98.07-99.74% of the oils were identified. The predominant compounds were 2-acetylfuran (max. 82.17%), perillaldehyde (max. 53.41%), caryophyllene (max. 38.34%), laurolene (max. 40.6%), 2-hexanoylfuran (max. 33.03%), 2-butylamine (max. 22.22%), α-asarone (max. 11.85%), β-farnesene (max. 9.25%), α-caryophyllene (max. 9.16%), and (Z,E)-α-farnesene (max. 7.14%). Chemical variation in the oils was estimated using cluster analysis and principal component analysis. The results revealed chemical polymorphism in the oils. However, the oils from Ganzhou, Kaili, Suining, Macheng, Nanyang, and Yixing were more similar, and the oils from Quzhou, Loudi, and Nanning also revealed similarities. Antioxidant activity (by free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power) and antifungal activity (by poisoned food method and micro-well dilution method) were also assessed. The antioxidant activity of the oils showed similar order to that obtained by three different testing methods: Pingliang, Baoding, Loudi, and Quzhou>Kaili, Ganzhou, Macheng, and Nanning>Suining, Nanyang, and Yixing. All oils except that from Baoding were active against all of the tested strains. These results suggested that the region of origin greatly influenced the chemical composition and bioactivities of P. frutescens, which might help in developing this promising bioresource in the food and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A questionnaire survey was performed for the first time to assess the prevalence of visual symptoms and G-induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC) due to +Gz exposure in the Chinese Air Force (CAF) to determine the effectiveness of current G tolerance training. Responses were received from 594 individuals. Among them, 302 reported at least one episode of some sort of symptoms related to +Gz, including 110 (18.5%) with visual blurring, 231 (38.9%) with greyout, 111 (18.7%) with blackout, and 49 (8.2%) with G-LOC. Incidences were most common in aircrew with 250-1,000 flying hours (53.6%) and were more prevalent in those with fewer on type flying hours (p < 0.001). The most common situation was reported between +5 and 5.9 Gz. The results indicate a fairly high prevalence of visual symptoms and G-LOC among Chinese Air Force aircrew. There remains considerable scope for +Gz education, particularly in the early centrifuge training and selection of rational physical exercises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the endemic situation and distribution features of schistosomiasis in Xinjian District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province from 2009 to 2014, so as to provide a reference for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the future., Methods: The endemic data of schistosomiasis in Xinjian District were collected by taking the village as a unit from 2009 to 2014. An endemic database was established, and the SaTScan software was applied to analyze the spatiotemporal aggregation areas of Schistosoma japonicum infection in crowd, Oncomelania hupensis snails and cattle., Results: The S. japonicum infection rate of crowd was decreased from 0.10% in 2009 to 0.000 68% in 2014. The infection rate of O. hupensis snails was greatly fluctuated from 2009 to 2014, the highest was 1.04% in 2012, but it fell to 0 in 2014. The highest infection rate of cattle was 1.98% in 2012, and it fell to 0 in 2014. The spatial temporal clustering detection showed that three areas of crowd infection were mainly concentrated in 20 villages of Changyi Township, Lianyu Township and Songhu Town; two areas of snail infection were mainly concentrated in five villages of Changyi Township and Nanji Township; one area of cattle infection was mainly concentrated in three villages of Changyi Township., Conclusions: The endemic situation of schistosomiasis presents a declining trend in Xinjian District from 2009 to 2014 as a whole. However, the potential risks of the rebound of the disease still exist, and the six clustering areas of infection are still the key areas for the prevention and control of schistosomiasis in the future.

Objectives: Previous studies have reported that civilian transport is a mortality risk factor in low-resource communities. Few studies have analyzed the chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport after an earthquake.Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine whether mortality resulting from medical professional transport differs from that involving civilian transport, and if so, the chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport after the Wen-chuan earthquake., Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted. Cases included all victims transported by civilians to West China Hospital from the disaster area (n=473). Controls included all victims transported by medical professionals to West China Hospital (n=1452). We further analyze six potential chief complaints of death to clarify the specific contributing chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport., Results: Civilian transport is associated with significantly greater mortality compared with medical professional transport (Pearson's χ-test: P<0.05). Patients with altered mental status had the greatest risk of death [odds ratio (OR)=4.552, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.165-9.572], followed by patients with trunk injury (OR=2.517, 95% CI=1.251-5.066), and finally patients with shortness of breath (OR=2.345, 95% CI=1.040-5.288)., Conclusion: Altered mental status, trunk injury, and shortness of breath were the significant chief complaints associated with mortality involving civilian transport to the hospital after the Wen-chuan earthquake. Our data suggest that patients with any of these complaints should be transported by medical professionals, not civilians, to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Objective: Heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) and QTc dispersion (QTcd) are increased and associated with ventricular arrhythmia and an increase in sudden death in a variety of diseases. This study aimed to examine QTc and QTcd in pulmonary hypertension and assess their relationship with pulmonary arterial pressure., Patients and Methods: A total of 201 patients who had undergone right heart catheterization for a preliminary diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension between December 2003 and July 2008 were included in the study. Resting 12-lead electrocardiogram was recorded. QT interval was measured manually and corrected using Bazett's formula. Patients were divided into groups with mild-to-moderate and severe pulmonary hypertension and a control group according to mean pulmonary arterial pressure., Results: In all observed cases, mean QTc was higher in severe pulmonary hypertension than in controls (428.6 +/- 32.8 ms vs. 411.1 +/- 28.4 ms, P = 0.018) and QTcd was higher in mild-to-moderate (60.1 +/- 17.2 ms) and severe pulmonary hypertension (63.9 +/- 20.5 ms) than in controls (47.3 +/- 10.6 ms) (P = 0.031; P = 0.004). In men, there was no significant difference in mean QTc and QTcd. In women, mean QTc was higher in severe pulmonary hypertension than in controls (436.1 +/- 39.4 ms vs. 407.6 +/- 24.8 ms, P = 0.037) and QTcd was higher in severe pulmonary hypertension (68.5 +/- 20.9 ms) than in both the controls (45.1 +/- 12.6 ms) and patients with mild-to-moderate pulmonary hypertension (58.6 +/- 14.7 ms) (P = 0.002; P = 0.003). In addition, in women with pulmonary hypertension, mean QTc and QTcd were positively correlated to mean pulmonary arterial pressure (r = 0.207, P = 0.03; r = 0.236, P = 0.012)., Conclusions: In women with pulmonary hypertension, mean QTc and QTcd are positively correlated to mean pulmonary arterial pressure and are significantly increased in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension.