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The Kuanchuanpu biota (ca. 535 Ma) from the basal Cambrian in South China yields various phosphatized, three-dimensionally preserved microscopic fossils, such as animal embryos, cyanobacteria, and algae. This provides an exceptional window for investigating the rapid divergent evolution of animal phyla in the early Cambrian ocean. However, the fossil eukaryotic algae are poorly documented and are not properly incorporated into the conceptual food web of the Cambrian ocean ecosystem. In this study, we report a new taxon of calathiform alga, Calathophycus irregulatus Tang gen. et sp. nov., and an indeterminate alga, from the Kuanchuanpu biota. Calathophycus irregulatus can be distinguished from other reported phosphatized multicellular algal fossils from the Kuanchuanpu biota and the Ediacaran Weng'an biota (Guizhou Province, China), based on the external morphology and features of cell clump aggregation. The observation of C. irregulatus and the indeterminate alga indicates a certain diversity of algae at the beginning of the Cambrian. Concerning the regularly or irregularly shaped multicellular algal fossils from the Kuanchuanpu Formation, co-occurring spherical fossils, previously interpreted as "cleavage stage" of animal embryos, should be reconsidered in affinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sum rules for structure functions and their twist-2 relations have important roles in constraining their magnitudes and x dependencies and in studying higher-twist effects. The Wandzura-Wilczek (WW) relation and the Burkhardt-Cottingham (BC) sum rule are such examples for the polarized structure functions g1 and g2. Recently, new twist-3 and twist-4 parton distribution functions were proposed for spin-1 hadrons, so that it became possible to investigate spin-1 structure functions including higher-twist ones. We show in this work that an analogous twist-2 relation and a sum rule exist for the tensor-polarized parton distribution functions f1LL and fLT, where f1LL is a twist-2 function and fLT is a twist-3 one. Namely, the twist-2 part of fLT is expressed by an integral of f1LL (or b1) and the integral of the function f2LT = (2/3)fLT− f1LL over x vanishes. If the parton-model sum rule for f1LL (b1) is applied by assuming vanishing tensor-polarized antiquark distributions, another sum rule also exists for fLT itself. These relations should be valuable for studying tensor-polarized distribution functions of spin-1 hadrons and for separating twist-2 components from higher-twist terms, as the WW relation and BC sum rule have been used for investigating x dependence and higher-twist effects in g2. In deriving these relations, we indicate that four twist-3 multiparton distribution functions FLT, GLT, H LL ⊥ , and HTT exist for tensor-polarized spin-1 hadrons. These multiparton distribution functions are also interesting to probe multiparton correlations in spin-1 hadrons. In the near future, we expect that physics of spin-1 hadrons will become a popular topic, since there are experimental projects to investigate spin structure of the spin-1 deuteron at the Jefferson Laboratory, the Fermilab, the nuclotron-based ion collider facility, the electron-ion colliders in US and China in 2020's and 2030's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To identify novel genetic loci associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate potential genetic differences between ethnic Chinese and European populations in SLE susceptibility. Methods A new genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted from Jining, North China, on 1506 individuals (512 SLE cases and 994 matched healthy controls). The association results were meta-analysed with existing data on Chinese populations from Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Central China, as well as GWAS results from four cohorts of European ancestry. A total of 26 774 individuals (9310 SLE cases and 17 464 controls) were included in this study. Results Meta-analysis on four Chinese cohorts identifies KLF2 as a novel locus associated with SLE [rs2362475; odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, P =2.00E-09]. KLF2 is likely an Asian-specific locus as no evidence of association was detected in the four European cohorts (OR = 0.98, P  =0.58), with evidence of heterogeneity (P =0.0019) between the two ancestral groups. Meta-analyses of results from both Chinese and Europeans identify STAB2 (rs10082873; OR= 0.89, P =4.08E-08) and DOT1L (rs4807205; OR= 1.12, P =8.17E-09) as trans-ancestral association loci, surpassing the genome-wide significance. Conclusions We identified three loci associated with SLE, with KLF2 a likely Chinese-specific locus, highlighting the importance of studying diverse populations in SLE genetics. We hypothesize that DOT1L and KLF2 are plausible SLE treatment targets, with inhibitors of DOT1L and inducers of KLF2 already available clinically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitogenome sequence of Crocidura tanakae was determined using long PCR. The genome was 16,969 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 1 origin of L strand replication and 1 control region. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is A (32.5%), C (22.3%), T (31.9%), and G (13.3%). The base compositions present clearly the A–T skew, which is most obviously in the control region and protein-coding genes. Mitochondrial genome analyses based on MP, ML, NJ, and Bayesian analyses yielded identical phylogenetic trees. The five Crocidura species formed a monophyletic group with the high bootstrap value (100%) in all examinations. This study verifies the evolutionary status of C. tanakae in Soricidae at the molecular level. The mitochondrial genome would be a significant supplement for the C. tanakae genetic background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitogenome sequence of the striped hamster was determined using long PCR. The genome was 16,282 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, one origin of L strand replication, and one control region. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is A (33.7%), C (22.8%), T (30.5%), and G (13.0%). The base compositions present clearly the A–T skew, which is most obviously in the control region and protein-coding genes. Mitochondrial genome analyses based on MP, ML, NJ, and Bayesian analyses yielded identical phylogenetic trees. Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that Cricetulus had close relationship with Meriones. This study verifies the evolutionary status of the striped hamster in Cricetulus at the molecular level. The mitochondrial genome would be a significant supplement for the striped hamster genetic background. Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that the striped hamster had close relationship with C. griseus in Cricetulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How does capital regulation effect on commercial banks? This paper develops bank solvency probability without capital regulation and with capital regulation according to CAPM model. It finds that bank insolvency probability equilibrium value in capital regulation is smaller than no capital regulation by theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The complete mitogenome sequence of Microtus fortis pelliceus was determined using long PCR. The genome was 16,310 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 1 origin of L strand replication, and 1 control region. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is A (32.7%), C (27.7%), T (26.2%), and G (13.4%). The base compositions present clearly the A–T skew, which is most obviously in the control region and protein-coding genes. Mitochondrial genome analyses based on MP, ML, NJ, and Bayesian analyses yielded identical phylogenetic trees. Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that Microtus had close relationship with Myodes, and had distant relationship with Eothenomys, Cricetulus, Dicrostonyx, Peromyscus, and other genera. This study verifies the evolutionary status of Microtus fortis in Microtus at the molecular level. The mitochondrial genome would be a significant supplement for the M. fortis genetic background. Results of phylogenetic analysis showed that M. f. pelliceus had close relationship with M. f. fortis in three subspecies of M.s fortis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitogenome sequence of the Siberian large-toothed shrew (Sorex daphaenodon) was determined using long PCR. The genome was 17,407 bp in length and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 23 transfer RNA genes, 1 origin of L strand replication, and 1 control region. The overall base composition of the heavy strand is A (33.1%), C (24.7%), T (29.0%), and G (13.2%). The base compositions present clearly the A–T skew, which is most obvious in the control region and protein-coding genes. The extended termination-associated sequence domain, the central conserved domain, and the conserved sequence block domain are defined in the mitochondrial genome control region of the Siberian large-toothed shrew. Mitochondrial genome analyses based on MP, ML, NJ, and Bayesian analyses yielded identical phylogenetic trees. The 11 Sorex species formed a monophyletic group with the high bootstrap value (100%) in all examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the propanol derivative from marine Pseudomonas species M474 in China. It notes that the strain M474 was isolated on Gause's starch medium and is deposited in marine microorganisms. It points out that the strain was inoculated from its slant agar culture and formed yellow colonies with gray aerial mycelium on incubation.

Periplaneta americana (P. americana), which is widely used for wound healing in China, produces a large amount of solid waste (P. americana remnant) after pharmaceutical production extraction. P. americana remnant chitosan (PAC) has a low molecular weight, low crystallinity, and easily modifiable structural properties. In this study, PAC and P. americana remnant polysaccharide (PAP) were used as raw materials to prepare a composite film (PAPCF). The good biocompatibility of the composite film was verified by cell proliferation assays and protein adsorption assays. The bioactivity of the composite film was assessed by antibacterial and in vivo/vitro antioxidant assays to evaluate its potential as a wound dressing. The wound healing experiment revealed that PAPCF improved wound closure and collagen deposition, decreased reactive oxygen species levels, and attenuated the inflammatory response, enabling rapid wound healing from the inflammatory phase to the proliferative phase in mice. Additionally, PAPCF was administered only once, reducing the chance of infection from multiple deliveries. In summary, this paper presents an easy-to-administer, cost-effective, and effective dressing candidate for wound treatment based on the environmental concept of resource reuse. [Display omitted] • Providing new ideas for the effective utilization of Periplaneta Americana remnants. • Polysaccharide/chitosan films (PAPCF) have a rough surface for rapid wound adhesion. • PAPCF could be administered in a single dose for its rapid biodegradation rate. • PAPCF showed remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that improved wound healing rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Methodical nitrogen–water distribution management (MNWD) couples nitrogen and water application in rice production. • MNWD stabilized rice yield and reduced nitrogen and water input in rice production simultaneously. • Larger amount of root in soil layers deeper than 10 cm of MNWD was the key for higher water and nitrogen use efficiencies. Methodical nitrogen–water (N–W) distribution management (MNWD) is a comprehensive N–W management technique designed to meet the requirements of rice production in China and specifically, the stabilization of grain yield and reduction of input resources. In this study, four split plot field experiments were conducted in two locations to examine the impact of MNWD on N use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE). We used high N efficiency rice varieties, Dexiang 4103 and Fyou 498, and low N efficiency varieties, Yixiang 3724 and Chuanyou 6203, and three N–W management techniques were established as subplot treatments, including farmers' usual management (FU), N–W coupling management (NWC), and MNWD. Under MNWD, N application rates were 20% lower than those under NWC and FU, whereas the amounts of irrigation water were reduced by 20%–25% and 42%–48%, respectively. Yields under MNWD were similar to those under NWC (–2.51–0.45%), and there was an average yield increase of 8.13%–13.95% over FU. Rice plants under MNWD had larger amounts of roots, particularly in soil depth > 10 cm There were significant positive correlations between root dry mass in the various soil depths and WUE and irrigation WUE (IWUE), with the impact of roots in soil depth > 10 cm on rice plant WUE (IWUE) pronounced. MNWD's IWUE was higher than that of NWC and FU by 22.95%–38.79% and 86.49%–126.69%, respectively, and its WUE was higher by 6.75%–20.74% and 37.05%–71.80%, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the N absorption and accumulation capacities of rice plants under MNWD increased along with increases in soil fertility. The MNWD's NUE advantage was apparent in soil depth > 10 cm where its root dry mass was especially large, with an average biomass productivity of N higher than that of NWC and FU by 4.16%–10.78% and 7.49%–18.01%, respectively and an N internal efficiency higher by 0.33%–8.29% and 5.32%–10.04%, respectively. Overall, MNWD effectively improved WUE and NUE of rice without significant grain yield reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens, UU, CT, NG, and MG are very commonly detected. A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical situations and laboratory data of patients in-fected with the four pathogens in Hangzhou city, Zhejiang Province, China., Methods: For this study, 4,716 female outpatients and inpatients of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Hangzhou Third People´s Hospital were randomly selected from January 2019 to December 2023. Multiple types of specimens were collected and four STI pathogens were detected. Data collection was taken from the hospital's electronic medical records and statistical analysis was processed with SPSS 25.0 software., Results: In the past five years, year by year, the positive rate presented an increasing trend. Out of 4,716 patients, 2,931 were positive, and the positive rate was 62.15%. The positive rate of single infection was significantly higher than of co-infection (p < 0.05). The highest positive rate of all STI patients was found in the  20 age group, and the rate was significantly different between each age group (p < 0.05). Single infection with UU occurred significantly more often than with the other three pathogens (p < 0.05), and co-infection with UU and CT and UU, CT, and MG were significantly dominating (p < 0.05). Only three patients had an infection with all four pathogens, and it was extremely rare. The 21 - 30 and 31 - 40 age groups had high incidences of infection, with a significant difference compared with other age groups (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: The positive rate shows an increasing trend in Hangzhou in the past five years. More single infection than co-infection and more younger patients were detected. Single infection with UU was dominant in all positive patients. The publicity and more screening testing items of STI for younger people should be strengthened in Hangzhou, and the people of Hangzhou should be made more aware that information technology is helpful in aiding the control of STI diseases.

Objectives: This study aimed to enrich the research on frailty trajectories by using FRAIL scale and frailty index (FI), and analyze the determinants of the different trajectories in older Chinese., Methods: 2268 older adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey were included. The FRAIL scale was constructed from 5 items and FI was constructed from 39 deficits. Latent Class Trajectory Model was used to depict frailty trajectories. Lasso - logistic model was applied to exploration of influencing factors., Results: Four FRAIL trajectories and three FI trajectories were identified. Women, smoking, illiteracy, more than two chronic diseases, and poor instrumental activities of daily living (all p < 0.05) were associated with frailty trajectories, regardless of the frailty instrument employed., Conclusions: Frailty trajectories of older Chinese adults are diverse and they are influenced by different frailty measurement tools. Long-term assessment and management of frailty are recommended as routine care in community healthcare centers., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increase gradually and have become a public health problem in the world. UU, CT, NG, and MG are four common STI pathogens. Our retrospective study analyzed the clinical situation and the laboratory data of patients infected with the four pathogens. The prevalence of the four pathogens, detected in urine and genital tract secretion, was studied in Hangzhou, China., Methods: A total of 3,168 male and female patients were randomly selected from February 2023 to February 2024. Urine and genital secretions were collected, and four STI pathogens were controlled for detection. Data were collected from the hospital's electronic medical records, and SPSS 25.0 software was used to perform a statistical analysis., Results: Among 3,168 patients, a total of 1,527 were detected as positive, and the positive rate was 48.20%. The age of patients ranged from 13 - 98 years, with an average age of 45.6. The total of patients consisted of 2,191 males and 977 females, which had a significant difference (p < 0.05). Specimens were mainly collected from the Department of Dermatovenerology, Urological Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and so on. The positive rate was statistically different between male and female patients (p < 0.05). Single infection performed a main role and accounted for 79.57% of all of the positive patients. In the ≤ 20 age group, the positive rate was the highest and was as high as 77.65%. In detail, single infection caused by UU dominated, especially in the 21 - 30 age group. Double infection caused by UU and CT and triple infection caused by UU, CT, and NG were the majority, both especially in the 21 - 30 age group. There were significant differences in the positive rates in the different age groups and in the four pathogens (p < 0.05). Quadruple infection was very rare and had only been detected in one patient., Conclusions: The prevalence of the four pathogens in Hangzhou was different from other regions. More male than female patients, more single than multiple infections, and more single and multiple infections occurring in young people were the features in Hangzhou. The study would provide reference for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STI.

Background: For women, cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is causatively linked to over 90% of cervical cancer cases. Our retrospective study explored the clinical and laboratory data of outpatients with HPV infection to analyze the prevalence and genotype distribution of 3,793 outpatients in the Hangzhou area by using HPV genotype tests. It could provide value for an effective prevention and treatment of HPV infection., Methods: In total, 3,793 female outpatients were randomly selected from January 2022 to December 2023. Exfoliated cervical cells were collected using a cytobrush and HPV genotype screening was conducted for testing. Data of all outpatients were collected from the hospital's electronic medical records, and SPSS 26.0 software was used to perform the statistical analysis., Results: Out of 3,793 outpatients, 953 were detected as positive, and the positive rate was 25.13%. The age of the outpatients ranged from 15 - 97, with an average age of 39.91. All outpatients were divided into six age groups. Among the six age groups, the HPV positive rates were, with ascending age, 43.90%, 33.27%, 21.49%, 16.99%, 27.30%, and 25.48%, and the highest positive rate was observed in those aged  20 with a rate of 43.90%. There were significant differences in the positive rates among different age groups (p < 0.05). There were more outpatients with a single infection than with multiple infection (p < 0.05). The positive rate of single infection was the highest in the 31 - 40 and 41 - 50 age groups (74.32% for both) and the positive rate of multiple infection was the highest in the  20 age group (66.67%). Among 24 genotypes, HPV 52, 58, and 51 were the most commonly detected. All three were high-risk genotypes, and HPV 52 was the most dominant in all age groups. As distribution according to quarter, more HPV infection occurred in the fourth quarter, which had a significant difference (p < 0.05). And in the first quarter, the number of HPV positive infections was the lowest., Conclusions: Prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV in the Hangzhou area were different from those of other regions. More single infection, and more multiple infection occurring in low age and in the fourth quarter were the characteristics of HPV infection in the Hangzhou area. It was suggested that vaccine containing HPV 52 might be a better choice for this region.

Background: Female vulvovaginitis was one of the most common gynecological diseases. It had a great negative impact on their work and quality of life. This retrospective study evaluated the clinical and laboratory data of patients with vulvovaginitis in Hangzhou, China. To analyze the clinical situation, species distribution and antibiotic resistance of pathogenic fungi and bacteria in 626 cases of vulvovaginitis in Hangzhou. Microorganism culture, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing were conducted. The study aimed to provide a theoretical value for an effective treatment of vulvovaginitis., Methods: In total, 626 outpatients and inpatients diagnosed with vulvovaginitis were selected from January 2018 to January 2023. Data of all the patients were collected from the hospital's electronic medical records. Vaginal secretion was collected for testing and SPSS 25.0 software was used to perform statistical analysis., Results: A total of 626 strains of fungi, Gram-positive, and -negative bacteria were detected. Clinical situations of patients infected with the top five pathogenic fungi and bacteria were analyzed. Pathogenic fungi and bacteria were slightly different in each age group and in each onset time group. The results of antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that the resistance rates of itraconazole and fluconazole were high and Gram- negative and -positive bacteria were multidrug resistant. Gram-negative bacteria were more sensitive to carbenicillins and compound antibiotics, while Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to rifampicin and daptomycin. MRSA and non vancomycin-resistant strains were detected., Conclusions: Fungi and bacteria were usually detected as pathogenes in patients with vulvovaginitis in Hangzhou. Some factors, such as age and onset time, often affected the incidence. Pathogenic fungi and bacteria were resistant to some common antibiotics, and clinical treatments should be carried out in a timely and reasonable manner according to the results of antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Objectives: This study assessed the incidence and resistance of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) in children in Qingdao, China, in 2019., Methods: We detected MP infection in 78 pharyngeal swabs from children with pneumonia by qPCR. The RepMP4 element in the P1 adhesin gene, domain V of the 23S rRNA gene, and the L4/L22 ribosomal proteins were amplified by nested PCR. Evolutionary analysis was conducted based on the P1 gene sequence. Resistance mutations in domain V of the 23S rRNA gene and L4/L22 ribosomal proteins were analysed., Results: The incidence of MP infection in children with pneumonia was 59.0% (46/78). The mean duration of MP infection was longer than that of non-MP infection. According to P1 gene sequencing of 21 samples, 12 (57.1%) were type 1 and 9 (42.9%) were type 2. Drug resistance mutations A2063G in domain V of 23S rRNA gene and T508C in L22 were identified from all sequenced MP. However, mutations at positions 2064 and 2617 were not found in this study. C162A mutation appeared in most type 2 samples. A430G mutation appeared in one type 1 sample and in several type 2 samples. T279C mutation in L22 was mostly found in type 2 samples., Conclusion: The incidence of MP infection was 59.0% in children with pneumonia in Qingdao in 2019. Type 1 MP infection was slightly more common than type 2, indicating that the genotype of MP is gradually shifting from type 1 to type 2. Macrolide resistance mutation A2063G could be detected in all sequenced MP., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interests None declared., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is one of the major etiological agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics of CVA16., Methods: Throat swabs were collected from children with HFMD and suspected HFMD during 2010-2019. Enteroviruses (EVs) were detected and typed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and RT-PCR. The genotype, evolutionary rate, the most recent common ancestor, population dynamics and selection pressure of CVA16 were analyzed based on viral protein gene (VP1) by bioinformatics software., Results: A total of 4709 throat swabs were screened. EVs were detected in 3180 samples and 814 were CVA16 positive. More than 81% of CVA16-positive children were under 5 years old. The prevalence of CVA16 showed obvious periodic fluctuations with a high level during 2010-2012 followed by an apparent decline during 2013-2017. However, the activities of CVA16 increased gradually during 2018-2019. All the Beijing CVA16 strains belonged to sub-genotype B1, and B1b was the dominant strain. One B1c strain was detected in Beijing for the first time in 2016. The estimated mean evolutionary rate of VP1 gene was 4.49 × 10 -3 substitution/site/year. Methionine gradually fixed at site-23 of VP1 since 2012. Two sites were detected under episodic positive selection, one of which (site-223) located in neutralizing linear epitope PEP71., Conclusions: The dominant strains of CVA16 belonged to clade B1b and evolved in a fast evolutionary rate during 2010-2019 in Beijing. To provide more favorable data for HFMD prevention and control, it is necessary to keep attention on molecular epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics of CVA16., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Purpose: We constructed a self-management program for rectal cancer survivors with colostomies and evaluated the effect of the program on self-efficacy, self-management ability, and incidence of stomal and peristomal complications., Design: A prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial., Subjects and Setting: Participants were recruited from 4 proctology departments in a tertiary hospital in northeast China. Fifty-five were assigned to the intervention group and 56 were assigned to the control group; 26 were lost to follow-up. Therefore, data analysis was based on 43 participants in the intervention group and 42 in the control group., Methods: Control group patients received the standard care where guidance and stoma care manuals were given the day before hospital discharge, and regular telephone follow-up twice a month for 3 months. Participants in the experimental group received, in addition to standard care, a self-management program delivered via a multimedia messaging app initiated after discharge available over a 6-week period. Primary outcomes were self-efficacy and self-management ability; we also analyzed the incidence of stomal and peristomal complications as a secondary outcome. Between-groups outcomes were analyzed via a repeated-measures analysis of variance., Results: Analysis indicated intervention group participants had higher levels of self-efficacy and self-management of their colostomies than did control group participants. Analysis also revealed intervention group participants had a lower incidence of peristomal complications; no differences in the incidence of stomal complications were found., Conclusions: Study findings suggest that use of the multimedia messaging app-based self-management program enhanced self-efficacy and self-management, while reducing the incidence of peristomal complications in rectal cancer survivors with colostomies., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interests., (Copyright © 2021 by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society.)

China lacks data demonstrating associations of cervical neoplastic lesions with CD4 T-lymphocyte (CD4 cell) counts and antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected women, suggesting relevant investigations are needed. A total of 545 HIV-infected women were enrolled in Yunnan, China, between 2011 and 2013. CD4 cell counts and ART were measured via medical records and cervical neoplastic lesions were measured by professional pathologists. Multivariable logistic models, which treated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1+ and CIN2+ as outcomes, calculated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of CD4 cell counts and ART. Subgroup analysis treating CIN1+ as the outcome was conducted by HIV infection duration (<4 vs ≥4 years), ethnicity (Han vs non-Han), and study site (Mangshi vs Kunming). The prevalence of CIN1+ and CIN2+ was 17.4% and 7.3%, respectively. Overall, 243 (44.6%) women had CD4 cell counts ≥500 cell/μL, 187 (34.3%) used ART for less than 2 years, and 236 (43.3%) used ART for at least 2 years. We found inverse associations of CIN1+ with CD4 cell counts (≥500 compared to <500 cells/μL: aOR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.27-0.79) and ART use (<2 years: aOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.21-0.87; ≥2 years: aOR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.27-1.10). Point estimates did not change substantially for CIN2+ but aORs of ART became nonsignificant. No significant interaction was observed for HIV infection duration. We found significant interaction between CD4 cell counts and ethnicity and study site in relation to CIN1+. Our study suggests potential protective effects of high CD4 cell counts against cervical neoplastic lesions among HIV-infected women, whereas associations of ART are less consistent., (© 2020 The Authors. The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Australia on behalf of Kaohsiung Medical University.)

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often recurrent, and about one-third of patients will progress to cerebral infarction. Rapidly identifying high-risk patients is pivotal to prevent the development of cerebral infarction. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the value of ABCD score, ABCD score combined with magnetic resonance diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and intracranial arterial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in predicting cerebral infarction after 2 to 30 days of transient ischemic attack (TIA).182 patients with TIA from August 2011 to August 2014 were enrolled as study subjects, and their clinical data, test results of DWI and MRA were collected. The incidence of cerebral infarction was observed at 2 days, 7 days and 30 days after TIA in patients with TIA, through scoring according to the 7-point ABCD score method proposed by Johnston. The relationship between ABCD score, performances of DWI and MRA and the early incidence of cerebral infarction after TIA was analyzed. The accuracy rating of ABCD score and ABCD + DWI + MRA score used for predicting the early incidence of cerebral infarction after TIA were compared with each other.The incidence of cerebral infarction after TIA was 19 cases (10.4%) in 2 days, 42 cases (23.1%) in 7 days, 56 cases (30.8%) in 30 days respectively. For the ABCD score of incidence of cerebral infarction 2 to 30 days after TIA, that of those with high risk was higher than that with medium risk, and that with the medium risk was higher than that with low risk (P < .05). The area under the curve of ABCD + DWI + MRA score and ABCD score predicting the incidence of cerebral infarction was: in 2 days: 0.782 and 0.748, in 7 days: 0.839 and 0.801, in 30 days: 0.780 and 0.757, P < .05.Compared with ABCD score, ABCD score combined with DWI and MRA can further improve the accuracy of prediction for cerebral infarction after TIA.

Morbidity prediction can be useful in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of medical services, but accurate morbidity prediction is often difficult because of the complex relationships between diseases and their influencing factors. This study investigates the effects of food contamination on gastrointestinal-disease morbidities using eight different machine-learning models, including multiple linear regression, a shallow neural network, and three deep neural networks and their improved versions trained by an evolutionary algorithm. Experiments on the datasets from ten cities/counties in central China demonstrate that deep neural networks achieve significantly higher accuracy than classical linear-regression and shallow neural-network models, and the deep denoising autoencoder model with evolutionary learning exhibits the best prediction performance. The results also indicate that the prediction accuracies on acute gastrointestinal diseases are generally higher than those on other diseases, but the models are difficult to predict the morbidities of gastrointestinal tumors. This study demonstrates that evolutionary deep-learning models can be utilized to accurately predict the morbidities of most gastrointestinal diseases from food contamination, and this approach can be extended for the morbidity prediction of many other diseases.

Objective: To assess the design and the Mainland China subgroup baseline characteristics of the study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin versus placebo in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as monotherapy, add-on to metformin or add-on to pioglitazone., Methods: This was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 16-week study comparing alogliptin (ALO, 25 mg, 1/d) versus placebo (PLA) as monotherapy (A), add-on to metformin (B) or add-on to pioglitazone ± metformin (C). The T2DM subjects with glycosylated hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) between 7% and 10% and aged between 18 years and 75 years were enrolled and randomized to the alogliptin group and the placebo group in 1: 1 ratio with 16 weeks treatment. All patients were followed up every 4 weeks. The safety endpoints consisted of the incidence of hypoglycemia and other adverse events., Results: A total of 491 patients were enrolled in the Mainland China subgroup of the study (181 in group A, 186 in group B and 124 in group C). In each treatment group, the baseline characteristics including age, gender, body mass index, diabetes duration, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, body weight, daily dosage of metformin and daily dosage of pioglitazone were all well balanced., Conclusion: The demographic data, medical history, glycemic profile and treatment regimen at baseline in Mainland China subgroup are well balanced. The result of this study will provide the clinical evidence for the use of alogliptin in Chinese T2DM patients.

Two cruises were carried out in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent sea (29 degrees 30' - 32 degrees 00'N, west of 123 degrees E) in July (summer) and November (autumn), 2005. A total of 345 phytoplankton species, including 43 species causing red tide, were identified. Skeletonema costatum was the dominant species. The average cell abundance was lower in July (5.48 x 10(4) cells L(-1)) than in November (2.70 x 10(5) cells L-(-1)), but the average chlorophyll a concentration was higher in July (2.34 mg x m(-3)) than in November (1.32 mg x m(-3)). The average diversity index (H) was higher in July (1.51) than in November (0.86), as was average evenness (J) (0.59 and 0.34, respectively). Spatial distribution of phytoplankton featured distinct regionality, and the seasonal variation was controlled by factors such as water source, monsoon, nutrient, suspended matter, etc., and the diurnal variation mainly correlated with tide and stratification. At the same time, an evaluation of long-term monitoring data (1996 - 2005) showed that phytoplankton community structure had been changed. Long-term unbalance of N/P ratio caused dinoflagellates to increasingly dominate the phytoplankton population, and led to an increasing frequency of red tide caused by dinoflagellates. Controlling nutrient ratios is more important than just controlling terrigenous contamination input in improving sea area environmental status.