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X-ray diffraction (XRD) is extensively used in archaeometric investigation. Herein, we provide a novel XRD spectrum-based untargeted strategy for the classification of ancient painted pottery for various dynasties. It was accomplished using the original spectrum without a phase identification. To eliminate the influence of baseline drift, a new baseline drift correction algorithm was specifically designed for XRD spectra. The algorithm was implemented using local minimum values in the analyzed signal in an iterative optimization manner. The results indicated that with the aid of the algorithm, the baseline drift problem can be successfully resolved, and the classification of ancient painted pottery can be greatly improved. Finally, the developed strategy was successfully used to discriminate ancient painted pottery from the Han and Tang dynasties in the cities of Guyuan and Zhongwei, China. The developed untargeted strategy had the remarkable advantage of almost automatic data analysis. The toolbox of our strategy can be obtained from the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between psychological resilience, thriving at work, and work performance among nurses, as well as analyse the mediating role of thriving at work in the relationship between psychological resilience and the work performance of nurses. The findings are intended to serve as a reference for nursing managers to design tailored work performance intervention programs. Method: Using convenience sampling, 308 clinical nurses were selected from a tertiary hospital in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China, from February to April 2023. The Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Thriving at Work Scale, and the Work Performance Scale were employed for the questionnaire survey. Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between psychological resilience, thriving at work and work performance. The SPSS 26.0 software's 'Process' plugin was utilised for mediation effect analysis. Results: Significantly positive correlations were found between psychological resilience and thriving at work (r = 0.806, P < 0.01), thriving at work and work performance (r = 0.571, P < 0.01) as well as psychological resilience and work performance (r = 0.572, P < 0.01). Psychological resilience significantly predicted work performance positively (β = 0.558, t = 11.165, P < 0.01), and this prediction remained significant when thriving at work (the mediating variable), was introduced (β = 0.371, t = 4.772, P < 0.01). Psychological resilience significantly predicted thriving at work positively (β = 0.731, t = 20.779, P < 0.01), and thriving at work significantly predicted work performance positively (β = 0.256, t = 3.105, P < 0.05). The mediating effect size of thriving at work between psychological resilience and work performance was 33.49% (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Thriving at work plays a partial mediating role between psychological resilience and work performance. The level of work performance among clinical nurses was relatively high. Nursing managers can enhance thriving at work by fostering psychological resilience among clinical nurses, thereby further improving their work performance to ensure high-quality and efficient nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To investigate the challenges in the management of children and adolescents with epilepsy in China during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 845 patients with epilepsy using an online-based questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on sociodemographic characteristics, epilepsy-related conditions, health care access, COVID-19 vaccination, and the mental health of caregivers. Depression was assessed using Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results: During the pandemic, 24.73% of the patients had increased seizures. The majority of patients (68.89%) experienced difficulty obtaining antiseizure medications. In addition, 94.79% of the patients had difficulty consulting a doctor. A total of 52.78% of the patients selected telemedicine services, and most found these services to be helpful. Moreover, 76.11% of the patients failed to complete the COVID-19 vaccination. More than half of the caregivers had anxiety and depressive symptoms. The risk factors for depression comprised irregularity in taking antiseizure medications, difficulty in obtaining antiseizure medications, and failure to consult a doctor on time. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a great challenge in the management of children and adolescents with epilepsy in China. The findings highlight the importance of improving health care systems and medication management and the mental health of their caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the process of subduction, which transfers materials from the Earth's surface into the deep mantle. The authors focus on the role of carbon in this process and its cycling in the Earth's interior. They present findings from a study conducted in the Dabie-Sulu orogenic belt in China, where they discovered coexisting micro-diamond, methane, and magnesite in peridotite. These findings provide insights into diamond formation and carbon cycling in subduction zones. The authors suggest that carbon released from the subducting slab can be stored as diamond, methane, and magnesite in the overlying mantle wedge, contributing to carbon cycling at great depths. [Extracted from the article]

Cattle bile Arisaema (CBA) is a traditional medicine used for the treatment of febrile seizures (FS) for thousands of years in China. However, its application is greatly limited due to cost reasons, and pig bile Arisaema (PBA) is the main commercial product instead. Additionally, the underlying mechanism of CBA for the treatment of FS still remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the anti-convulsant effect and potential mechanism of the CBA aqueous extract for the first time through a hot-water bath-induced FS rat model. Our results showed that pre-treatment with CBA dramatically lowered the incidence rate and generation times and prolonged the latency of FS. In addition, CBA effectively ameliorated neuronal damage and regulated neurotransmitter disorder induced by FS in the rat hippocampus. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, immunohistochemical, and qRT-PCR results exhibited that CBA suppressed the expression of GFAP, TLR4, NF-κB, HMGB1, NLRP3, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 and consequently inhibited the neuroinflammation induced by FS. Interestingly, although the CBA and PBA aqueous extracts possessed the same trend on the changes caused by FS, the improvement of FS by CBA is markedly better than that by PBA. These findings indicate that CBA exerts a protective effect on febrile seizures through regulating neurotransmitter disorder and suppressing neuroinflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present comprehensive Li-C-Sr isotopic studies on two classic marine carbonate sections (Yangdi and Dongcun) transecting the Late Devonian Frasnian-Famennian (F F) boundary from South China to constrain the causes of the F F mass extinction. Both sections show positive Li and C isotopic excursions in carbonate and unchanged conodont 87Sr/86Sr ratios across the F F boundary. Low Li/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios, but heavy Li isotope composition (δ7Li) of the Dongcun section indicate possible diagenetic alteration on carbonate Li isotopic records. By contrast, the Yangdi section records more primary seawater δ7Li signal, showing a ∼ 2 ‰ positive excursion before the F F boundary, although reconstructed paleo-seawater δ7Li values (from 11.8 ± 1.4‰ to 13.8 ± 1.4‰) are lower than modern times. Combined box model with Monte Carlo simulation demonstrates that low seawater δ7Li requires low riverine δ7Li and small effective Li isotopic fractionation by marine sinks (Δ7Li sw-ms). The latter is likely due to high silicon concentration in the paleo-seawater and rapid formation of clay minerals. Positive δ7Li excursion but invariant 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the seawater are related to attenuated continental weathering (reduced riverine fluxes but increased riverine δ7Li), and enlarged effective Δ7Li sw-ms. Based on the present data we suggest that rapid climate cooling is responsible for the weathering transition and must have exerted significant influence on the marine environment. Global climate cooling weakens seawater stratification while intensifying oceanic circulation and upwelling, resulting in enhanced primary productivity, precipitation of the Kellwasser black shales and a remarkable positive C isotopic excursion in carbonate. Additionally, rapid climate cooling around the F F boundary has significantly threatened the ecological system and finally triggered mass extinction especially for the faunas adapted to warm temperatures. • Positive carbonate Li C isotopic excursions are observed around the F F boundary. • Conodont 87Sr/86Sr ratios are unchanged. • Modeling results indicate attenuated continental weathering. • Rapid climate cooling triggered the F F mass extinction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recognizing the signal of recycled carbonate in the deep mantle and associated basalts is crucial for depicting deep carbon cycling. It has long been recognized that marine sedimentary carbonates have much heavier lithium isotope compositions (δ7Li) than the depleted mantle. However, Li isotope systematics are rarely employed to trace recycled carbonate. To investigate basalt Li isotopic response to recycled carbonate, we carried out whole-rock geochemical and Li isotopic studies on a series of the Cenozoic continental intraplate basalts from eastern China that sample a typical carbonated mantle. The basalts have been reported to have light magnesium (Mg) isotope compositions, but their δ7Li values vary in a limited range (0.9–5.7‰) around the depleted mantle (∼3.8 ± 1.4‰). The decoupled Li Mg isotopic records are closely related to recycled Mg-rich carbonates (dolomite) that have lighter Mg isotope compositions than the depleted mantle but show mantle-like δ7Li values. After modeling the Li isotopic effects of carbonate sediment, silicate sediment and altered oceanic crust (AOC) recycling, we find that even calcium-rich carbonate recycling is inadequate to shift basalt Li isotope composition. Collectively, Li isotopic responses of intraplate basalts to all types of recycled sedimentary carbonates are more sluggish than expected. Our modeling also suggests that recycling of AOC and silicate sediments is likely responsible for the basalts with δ7Li values higher and lower than the depleted mantle, respectively. In addition, seawater δ7Li values probably exert a first-order role in the Li isotopic response. Low δ7Li values of paleo-seawater (< 20‰) for most of the Earth's history have generated AOC with δ7Li values indistinguishable from the depleted mantle, which goes against the emergence of high δ7Li values for intraplate basalts. Although some limitations exist in Li isotopic applications, we propose that a combination of Li isotopic data and whole-rock element ratios is effective in tracing recycled crustal materials hidden in the intraplate basalts. • The Cenozoic intraplate basalts in eastern China show mantle-like δ7Li values. • Different recycled carbonate species result in decoupled Li Mg isotopic records. • Li isotopic response of intraplate basalt to all sedimentary carbonate is sluggish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous animal and association studies have shown that the MSX1 gene is associated with oral clefts. Our aim was to investigate association between variants in the MSX1 gene and oral clefts in a Han Chinese population. Our study group consisted of 206 nonsyndromic oral cleft (NSOC) nuclear families (including the patients and their parents) and 224 controls. The three variants evaluated in this study were single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs3821949 and rs12532 and a missense mutation P147Q. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to genotype the three markers. Case-control and family-based association analyses were carried out. In the case-control analysis, no significant differences in genotypic or allelic frequencies were observed in any of the two single-nucleotide polymorphisms between patients and controls. Although the homozygous T allele for P147Q was not detected in any sample in this population, heterozygotes were more prevalent in NSOC (1.2%) when compared with the controls (0%). The analyses for family-based association did not suggest association between any of the three variants and NSOC. No significant association was found between NSOC and rs3821949 or rs12532 in MSX1 gene, whereas an association was observed between the P147Q variant and cleft lip with cleft palate in the case-control analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • δ7Li values the Carboniferous seawater are reported for the first time. • Carboniferous continental silicate weathering changed from congruent to incongruent. • Hercynian orogeny and radiation of tropical forests are key drivers for the LPIA. The reasons for decreasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration in the Carboniferous and initiation of the Late Paleozoic Ice Age (LPIA) are still in debate. To assess the contributions of continental silicate weathering, we obtain lithium isotope composition (δ7Li) of the Carboniferous seawater based on the East Fenghuangshan carbonate section in South China. Original seawater records are recognized after systematic evaluation of diagenetic impacts, showing that seawater δ7Li declined from ∼ 20 ‰ before the late Visean to ∼ 12 ‰ around the Visean-Serpukhovian boundary followed by a gradual rise to ∼ 21 ‰ until the Moscovian. Combined Li-Sr isotopic modeling indicates that decline of seawater δ7Li requires decrease of riverine δ7Li and twofold increase of riverine Li flux, suggesting a transition to more congruent continental silicate weathering regime that likely results from uplift of the Hercynian orogen. High relief due to the Hercynian orogeny exposes fresh rocks for weathering by physical denudation of the thick soil and saprolite cover, which is beneficial for rapid CO 2 consumption and probably initiates the LPIA. By contrast, radiation of tropical forests is responsible for the subsequent increase of seawater δ7Li. It turns the weathering regime to a more incongruent one by promoting clay mineral formation. The colonization of plants with deep roots also accelerates the continental weathering, which together with intense photosynthesis, should contribute significantly to keeping low atmospheric CO 2 concentration and maintaining the prolonged LPIA. Therefore, we suggest that uplift of the Hercynian orogen and radiation of tropical forests are the key drivers for initiating and maintaining the LPIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shallow water carbonates are extensively utilized as archives for reconstructing past seawater chemistry and understanding global geochemical cycles. However, their reliability is often compromised by diagenetic alteration, obscuring primary environmental signals. Molar-tooth carbonate (MTC) exhibits exceptional resistance to diagenesis compared to other carbonate minerals, making it a promising candidate for reliably reconstructing ancient seawater chemistry. This study investigates the preservation of primary lithium isotopic composition in Neoproterozoic (Tonian) MTC and its host carbonate from the Dalian area, northeastern China (ca. 980 Ma – 920 Ma). We assess the reliability of MTC in reconstructing paleo-seawater δ7Li evolution and provide a reconstruction of Tonian seawater δ7Li. Geochemical filter tests indicate that both MTC and host carbonate remain largely unaltered by meteoric and burial diagenesis. Carbonate δ7Li values exhibit a consistent decrease with stratigraphic height, with MTC displaying a narrower range of variation (4–12‰) compared to its host carbonate (1–15‰). Numerical modeling of early marine carbonate diagenesis suggests minimal impact on MTC δ7Li values, while host carbonates show varying degrees of diagenetic alteration. Based on the consistent Li isotopic offset observed between 'fluid-buffered' diagenetic host carbonate and MTC in our data, we deduce a fractionation factor of 4.8 ± 1.2‰ for seawater-MTC Li isotopic exchange. Reconstructed paleoseawater δ7Li values reveal a progressive decrease from 16.9 ± 1.2‰ to 8.8 ± 1.2‰ during the early Tonian period. This change is likely linked to the assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent and emplacement of large igneous province (LIP). Furthermore, mass balance modeling and Monte Carlo simulations suggest that this decline in seawater δ7Li can be attributed to the transition towards more congruent weathering during the early Tonian, facilitated by the assembly of Rodinia and associated large igneous province events. Overall, our findings underscore the potential of MTC as a reliable proxy for elucidating Precambrian seawater Li isotopic composition and understanding associated paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The diagnosis of paroxysmal events in infants is often challenging. Reasons include the child's inability to express discomfort and the inability to record video electroencephalography at home. The prevalence of mobile phones, which can record videos, may be beneficial to these patients. In China, this advantage may be even more significant given the vast population and the uneven distribution of medical resources. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the value of mobile phone videos in increasing the diagnostic accuracy and cost savings of paroxysmal events in infants. Methods: Clinical data, including descriptions and home videos of episodes, from 12 patients with paroxysmal events were collected. The investigation was conducted in six centers during pediatric academic conferences. All 452 practitioners present were asked to make their diagnoses by just the descriptions of the events, and then remake their diagnoses after watching the corresponding home videos of the episodes. The doctor's information, including educational background, profession, working years, and working hospital level, was also recorded. The cost savings from accurate diagnoses were measured on the basis of using online consultation, which can also be done easily by mobile phone. All data were recorded in the form of questionnaires designed for this study. Results: We collected 452 questionnaires, 301 of which met the criteria (66.6%) and were analyzed. The mean correct diagnoses with and without videos was 8.4 (SD 1.7) of 12 and 7.5 (SD 1.7) of 12, respectively. For epileptic seizures, mobile phone videos increased the mean accurate diagnoses by 3.9%; for nonepileptic events, it was 11.5% and both were statistically different (P =.006 for epileptic events; P <.001 for nonepileptic events). Pediatric neurologists with longer working years had higher diagnostic accuracy; whereas, their working hospital level and educational background made no difference. For patients with paroxysmal events, at least US $673.90 per capita and US $128 million nationwide could be saved annually, which is 12.02% of the total cost for correct diagnosis. Conclusions: Home videos made on mobile phones are a cost-effective tool for the diagnosis of paroxysmal events in infants. They can facilitate the diagnosis of paroxysmal events in infants and thereby save costs. The best choice for infants with paroxysmal events on their initial visit is to record their events first and then show the video to a neurologist with longer working years through online consultation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) is a serious disease in infants, and it usually evolves to other epilepsy types or syndromes, especially refractory or super-refractory focal epilepsies. Although adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is one of the first-line and effective treatment plans for IESS, it has serious side effects and is not sufficiently effective., Methods: A retrospective study of the clinical outcomes of ACTH combined with magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) therapy for IESS in two hospital centers was conducted. The major outcome of the single and combined treatment was evaluated by changes in seizure frequency and improvements in hypsarrhythmia electroencephalography (EEG). To reduce the confounding bias between the two groups, we used SPSS for the propensity score matching (PSM) analysis., Results: We initially recruited 1205 IESS patients from two Chinese hospitals and treated them with ACTH combined with MgSO 4 and ACTH alone. Only 1005 patients were enrolled in the treatment (ACTH combined with MgSO 4 : 744, ACTH: 261), and both treatment plans had a more than 55% response rate. However, compared to patients treated with ACTH alone, those patients treated with ACTH combined with MgSO 4 had better performance in terms of the seizure frequency and hypsarrhythmia EEG. After PSM, the two groups also showed significant differences in responder rate [70.8% (95% confidence interval, CI) = 66.7%-74.8%) vs. 53.8% (95% CI = 47.4%-60.2%), P < 0.001], seizure frequency (P < 0.001) and hypsarrhythmia EEG resolution (P < 0.001). Notably, multivariate analysis revealed that the lead time to treatment and the number of antiseizure medications taken before treatment were two factors that may affect the clinical outcome. Patients with less than 3 months of lead time responded to the treatment much better than those with > 3 months (P < 0.05). In addition, the overall incidence of adverse reactions in the ACTH combined with MgSO 4 group was much lower than that in the ACTH group (31.4% vs. 63.1%, P < 0.001). During the treatment, only infection (P = 0.045) and hypertension (P = 0.025) were significantly different between the two groups, and no baby died., Conclusion: Our findings support that ACTH combined with MgSO 4 is a more effective short-term treatment protocol for patients with IESS than ACTH alone, especially for those patients with short lead times to treatment. Video Abstract (MP4 533623 KB)., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: The gut microbiota (GM) has been proven to play a role in the regulation of host lipid metabolism, which provides a new theory about the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia. However, the associations of GM with dyslipidemia based on sex differences remain unclear and warrant elucidation., Aim: To investigate the associations of GM features with serum lipid profiles based on sex differences in a Chinese population., Methods: This study ultimately recruited 142 participants (73 females and 69 males) at Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University. The anthropometric and blood metabolic parameters of all participants were measured. According to their serum lipid levels, female and male participants were classified into a high triglyceride (H&#95;TG) group, a high total cholesterol (H&#95;CHO) group, a low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (L&#95;HDL-C) group, and a control (CON) group with normal serum lipid levels. Fresh fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. UPARSE software, QIIME software, the RDP classifier and the FAPROTAX database were used for sequencing analyses., Results: The GM composition at the phylum level included Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as the core GM. Different GM features were identified between females and males, and the associations between GM and serum lipid profiles were different in females and males. The GM features in different dyslipidemia subgroups changed in both female patients and male patients. Proteobacteria, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus and Lactobacillus&#95;salivarius were enriched in H&#95;CHO females compared with CON females, while Coriobacteriia were enriched in L&#95;HDL-C females. In the comparison among the three dyslipidemia subgroups in females, Lactobacillus&#95;salivarius were enriched in H&#95;CHO females, and Prevotellaceae were enriched in L&#95;HDL-C females. Compared with CON or H&#95;TG males, Prevotellaceae, unidentified&#95;Ruminococcaceae , Roseburia and Roseburia&#95;inulinivorans were decreased in L&#95;HDL-C males ( P value < 0.05), and linear discriminant analysis effect size analysis indicated an enrichment of the above GM taxa in H&#95;TG males compared with other male subgroups. Additionally, Roseburia&#95;inulinivorans abundance was positively correlated with serum TG and total cholesterol levels, and Roseburia were positively correlated with serum TG level. Furthermore, Proteobacteria (0.724, 95%CI: 0.567-0.849), Lactobacillaceae (0.703, 95%CI: 0.544-0.832), Lactobacillus (0.705, 95%CI: 0.547-0.834) and Lactobacillus&#95;salivarius (0.706, 95%CI: 0.548-0.835) could distinguish H&#95;CHO females from CON females, while Coriobacteriia (0.710, 95%CI: 0.547-0.841), Coriobacteriales (0.710, 95%CI: 0.547-0.841), Prevotellaceae (0.697, 95%CI: 0.534-0.830), Roseburia (0.697, 95%CI: 0.534-0.830) and Roseburia&#95;inulinivorans (0.684, 95%CI: 0.520-0.820) could discriminate H&#95;TG males from CON males. Based on the predictions of GM metabolic capabilities with the FAPROTAX database, a total of 51 functional assignments were obtained in females, while 38 were obtained in males. This functional prediction suggested that cellulolysis increased in L&#95;HDL-C females compared with CON females, but decreased in L&#95;HDL-C males compared with CON males., Conclusion: This study indicates associations of GM with serum lipid profiles, supporting the notion that GM dysbiosis may participate in the pathogenesis of dyslipidemia, and sex differences should be considered., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article., (©The Author(s) 2022. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

The vegetable greenhouse soils in Yanglou Town, Ruzhou City, Henan Province were taken as the research object in the present study to explore the difference in soil physical and chemical properties and the total and fraction of heavy metals of different planting years. The potential ecological risks of heavy metals in greenhouse soils with different planting years were assessed by using single and comprehensive potential ecological risk index methods. The results showed that the soil pH of vegetable greenhouses increased, and fertility factors such as organic matter, available phosphorus, and alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen accumulated to a certain extent compared to the control group, whereas catalase showed a decreasing trend. Correlation analysis showed that the planting years were significant positively correlated with pH ( P <0.05) and organic matter ( P <0.01) and significant negatively correlated with catalase ( P <0.01). The amount of heavy metals in the vegetable greenhouse soils increased with the increase in planting years, among which Cu, Zn, and Cd increased most obviously, with maximum increases of 129.14%, 204.17%, and 161.11%, respectively. The proportion of acid-soluble and reducible heavy metals in the vegetable greenhouse soils also increased gradually with the planting years, and the proportion of residual heavy metals decreased correspondingly, which resulted in the heavy metals transforming into fractions easily absorbed by plants. The results of the single potential ecological risk index showed that Cd in vegetable greenhouse soils had a strong ecological risk with the increase in planting years, whereas Cu, Pb, Zn, and Ni were in the mild risk category. The comprehensive potential ecological risk index showed that the heavy metals in the vegetable greenhouse soils of different planting years have reached a strong or very strong ecological risk.

DDTs were detected in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares, 92.1-221.8 ng‧g -1 lipid weight) and their prey (54.9-93.5 ng‧g -1 lipid weight) from the South China Sea (SCS). DDT levels reported in this study were lower than those of the previous studies indicated the recent mitigation of DDT contamination in the SCS. Higher DDT levels were observed in fat abdominal muscle than lean dorsal muscle in adult yellowfin tuna. Meanwhile, DDT levels in adult yellowfin tuna were higher than the young ones. The composition profiles of DDT and its metabolites suggested DDTs in fish in the SCS were mainly derived from the historical use of technical DDTs. DDTs were biomagnified through food chains with the trophic magnification factor of 2.5. Risk assessment results indicated that dietary exposure to DDTs through lifetime fish consumption from the SCS would pose little cancer and noncarcinogenic risk to coastal residents., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The diagnosis of paroxysmal events in infants is often challenging. Reasons include the child's inability to express discomfort and the inability to record video electroencephalography at home. The prevalence of mobile phones, which can record videos, may be beneficial to these patients. In China, this advantage may be even more significant given the vast population and the uneven distribution of medical resources., Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the value of mobile phone videos in increasing the diagnostic accuracy and cost savings of paroxysmal events in infants., Methods: Clinical data, including descriptions and home videos of episodes, from 12 patients with paroxysmal events were collected. The investigation was conducted in six centers during pediatric academic conferences. All 452 practitioners present were asked to make their diagnoses by just the descriptions of the events, and then remake their diagnoses after watching the corresponding home videos of the episodes. The doctor's information, including educational background, profession, working years, and working hospital level, was also recorded. The cost savings from accurate diagnoses were measured on the basis of using online consultation, which can also be done easily by mobile phone. All data were recorded in the form of questionnaires designed for this study., Results: We collected 452 questionnaires, 301 of which met the criteria (66.6%) and were analyzed. The mean correct diagnoses with and without videos was 8.4 (SD 1.7) of 12 and 7.5 (SD 1.7) of 12, respectively. For epileptic seizures, mobile phone videos increased the mean accurate diagnoses by 3.9%; for nonepileptic events, it was 11.5% and both were statistically different (P=.006 for epileptic events; P<.001 for nonepileptic events). Pediatric neurologists with longer working years had higher diagnostic accuracy; whereas, their working hospital level and educational background made no difference. For patients with paroxysmal events, at least US $673.90 per capita and US $128 million nationwide could be saved annually, which is 12.02% of the total cost for correct diagnosis., Conclusions: Home videos made on mobile phones are a cost-effective tool for the diagnosis of paroxysmal events in infants. They can facilitate the diagnosis of paroxysmal events in infants and thereby save costs. The best choice for infants with paroxysmal events on their initial visit is to record their events first and then show the video to a neurologist with longer working years through online consultation., (©Lu-Lu Huang, Yang-Yang Wang, Li-Ying Liu, Hong-Ping Tang, Meng-Na Zhang, Shu-Fang Ma, Li-Ping Zou. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 12.09.2019.)

Surface farmland soil samples were collected from 135 different sites in a 64 km 2 area around a lead and zinc smelter in Jiaozuo City, China. The concentration of the selected heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ni, V, and Co) was analyzed and the spatial distribution of these heavy metals in the farmland was determined using the kriging interpolation technique (ArcGis 10.1). The enrichment factor, potential ecological risk model, and potential health risk model were used to assess the contamination level and potential risk of heavy metals in farmland surface soil. The results show that the average contents of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Zn in farmland soil are higher than the background content of these metals in the Henan Province and the average content of Cd is 2.8 times higher than that of class Ⅱ of the environmental quality standard for soils in China (GB 15618-1995). The heavy metal contamination in the west of the study area is higher than that in the east and the soil around the lead and zinc smelter (within 3 km) is severely contaminated with Pb and Cd, which is consistent with the location of the industries causing the pollution. The enrichment factors show that the soil is severely contaminated with Cd; partial sampling points are seriously contaminated with Pb, Cu, and Zn; the Cr and Co pollution is small; and Ni and V are almost not affected by human activities. The results of the risk assessment indicate that Cd poses serious ecological and health risks, Pb and Cu pose serious ecological risks, and Cr poses a serious cancer risk.

Objective: To explore the distribution features of Chinese medical constitutions in different ages population, thus providing scientific evidence of constitution process theory., Methods: Recruited were 21 948 cases from a survey of Chinese medical constitutions and health conditions in 9 provinces or municipalities across China (including Jiangsu, Anhui, Gansu, Qinghai, Fujian, Beijing, Jilin, Jiangxi, and Henan) from Dec 2005 to Jan 2007. The body constitution type of individual was diagnosed using discriminant analysis on the basis of Chinese medical constitution questionnaire. By using correspondence analysis, the correlation between the general population, genders, ages, and Chinese medical constitution types was studied., Results: Constitutions of yin-deficiency type, wetness-heat type, qi-depression type, and special diathesis type often occurred in the population ranging 15 -24 years old. Gentleness type mostly occurred in the population ranging 25 -44 years old. During this time period, phlegm-wetness type and wetness-heat type were liable to occur in males, while blood-stasis type was liable to occur in females. Qi-deficiency type and yang-deficiency type were most often seen in those older than 45 years. Phlegm-wetness type and blood-stasis type body constitution were also liable to occur in those older than 45 years., Conclusions: The distribution features were different in different Chinese medical constitutions. Different constitution types exist in different genders. Different constitution types exist different ages population.

A series of consecutively adjustable submerged vegetation nets were constructed in a polluted shallow river with a length of about 200 m and nearby the water resource protection area of Taihu Lake in East China, forming an aquatic vegetation consisted of submerged plant species Cabomba caroliniana, Vallisneria natans, Elodea nuttallii, Hydrilla verticillata, and Potamogeton crispus. The water quality indices including total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH4(+)-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2(-)-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3(-)-N), total phosphorus (TP), and phosphate (PO4(3-)-P) were monitored, and the bioremediation effect of the vegetation nets was evaluated. After setting up the vegetation nets, the Secchi depth (SD) of the river changed from 0.5 m to 1.7-1.8 m, and the TN and TP concentrations 15 and 20 days after the nets constructed decreased by 35.6% and 66.3%, and 29.4% and 63.2%, respectively. After five months, the concentrations of NH4(+)-N, NO2(-)-N, NO3(-)-N, TN, TP, and PO4(3-)-P decreased by 92.4%, 76.8%, 72.7%, 73.9%, 90.5%, and 92.0%, respectively. This study showed that consecutively adjustable submerged vegetation net could be a potential approach for treating polluted river waters, particularly for the bioremediation of polluted small landscape shallow water bodies.

From April 2007 to January 2008, a bioremediation experiment was conducted in a diversion channel of D-port pilot area of Dishui Lake (the channel length is 950 m, and its water volume is 10000 m3). Daphnia magna was first introduced to filter the high biomass of phytoplankton and other particulate organic matter, and then, five submerged plant species Elodea canadensis, Vallisneria spiralis, Hydrilla verticillata, Potamogeton lucens, and Potamogeton crispus were transplanted. Water samples were collected monthly to monitor the water quality and to investigate the bioremediation efficiency. Ten months monitoring data showed that in the remediation area, the water body's total nitrogen (TN), ammonium nitrogen (NH4(+)-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3(-)-N), nitrite nitrogen (NO2(-)-N), total phosphorus (TP), and reactive phosphate (PO4(3-)-P) concentrations and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were significantly lower (P < 0.01), dissolved oxygen (DO) was increased by 50.4%, and the Secchi depth (SD) reached to an average of 3.4-3.7 m. Overall, the water quality was up to grades II or III of state water quality standards for surface water. In March 2008, the established submerged plant community was used to test its effectiveness in improving the eutrophicated water body from Dishui Lake, and the results showed that after 7-day treatment, except biological oxygen demand (BOD), the TN, TP, NO3(-)-N, NO2(-)-N, NH4(+)-N, and PO4(3-)-P concentrations and COD of the eutrophicated water were all decreased significantly, the DO was increased by 17.98%, and the SD was increased by 30 cm. The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of introducing D. magna and transplanting submerged plants in improving the water quality of Dishui Lake.