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Flexible ureteroscopy (f-URS) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used for treating urinary tract stones. While general anesthesia (GA) is the standard method used, it comes with risks. Local anesthesia (LA) is a safer and more cost-effective alternative to GA, and its use in f-URS could potentially reduce patients' risks and increase accessibility to treatment. This study aims to investigate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of using LA for f-URS in treating stones, as an initial experience in the diagnosis related group (DRG) era of China. Patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were continuously included in the study Between 2021 and 2023. We analyzed the stone free status, postoperative complication rate, hospitalization costs, and presented key points of the procedure performed under LA that we had summarized over the past two years. A study of 614 patients undergoing f-URS under LA for urinary stones in our hospital showed 83.4% stone-free rate with a mean operative time of 44.12 ± 16.63 minutes; 18 patients experienced fever postoperatively, and 12 had ureteral injuries. No severe complication was reported. The cost of LA was found to be only 1.7% of the DRG payment, which is around $40. The highest VAS scores were observed during the sheath insertion, with STAI scores decreasing during and after surgery. The study revealed that f-URS administered under LA was a well-tolerated, efficient, safe, and economical procedure. In the DRG era, this new anesthetic option for f-URS provides urologists with a more cost-effective alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tension of the balloon yarn in the direct-twisting machine affects the yarn breakage and balloon shape, which in turn affects the energy consumption and yarn productivity of the direct-twisting machine. At present, research on the balloon tension of an industrial yarn direct-twisting machine is very rare, both in China and abroad. In this regard, this paper establishes a theoretical model for balloon yarn tension during the yarn twisting process of an industrial yarn direct-twisting machine based on yarn balloon kinematics. The experiment of the yarn balloon tension of the direct-twisting machine under different yarn fineness and different spindle angular speed is carried out. The influence of the angular speed of the spindle, the yarn fineness, and other factors on the tension of the balloon yarn in the direct-twisting machine is investigated. By using mathematical statistics and regression analysis methods, the fitting equations of the yarn balloon tension of the direct-twisting machine are established. The research results show that the relationship between the balloon yarn tension of the direct-twisting machine, the angular velocity of the spindle, and the yarn fineness can be fitted by a quadratic polynomial. The predicted value of balloon yarn tension based on the fitted equation has a small relative error compared to the measured value, and the prediction result is more reliable and accurate. This paper contributes specifically by adding to the understanding of how to model the yarn tension for the specific machine and the range of the test. It also contributes to the generical methodology on how to develop such a model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tan sheep, an important local sheep breed in China, is famous for their fur quality. One-month-old Tan sheep have white, curly hair with beautiful flower spikes, commonly known as "nine bends", which has high economic value. However, the "nine bends" characteristic gradually disappears with age; consequently, the economic value of the Tan sheep decreases. Age-related changes in DNA methylation have been reported and may be responsible for age-induced changes in gene expression. Until now, no genome-wide surveys have been conducted to identify potential DNA methylation sites involved in different sheep growth stages. In this study we investigated the dynamic changes of genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in Tan sheep using DNA from skin and deep whole-genome bisulfite sequencing, and compared the DNA methylation levels at three different growth stages: 1, 24, and 48 months old (mon1, mon24, and mon48, respectively). Results: In this study, 11 skin samples from three growth stages (four for mon1, four for mon24, and three for mon48) were used for DNA methylation analysis and gene expression profiling. There were 52, 288 and 236 differentially methylated genes (DMGs) identified between mon1 and mon24, mon1 and mon48, and mon24 and mon48, respectively. Of the differentially methylated regions, 1.11%, 7.61%, and 7.65% were in the promoter in mon1 vs. mon24, mon24 vs. mon48, and mon1 vs. mon48, respectively. DMGs were enriched in the MAPK and WNT signaling pathways, which are related to age growth and hair follicle morphogenesis processes. There were 51 DMGs associated with age growth and curly fleece formation. Four DMGs between mon1 and mon48 (KRT71, CD44, ROR2 and ZDHHC13) were further validated by bisulfite sequencing. Conclusions: This study revealed dynamic changes in the genomic methylation profiles of mon1, mon24, and mon48 sheep, and the percentages of methylated cytosines were 3.38%, 2.85% and 4.17%, respectively. Of the DMGs, KRT71 and CD44 were highly methylated in mon1, and ROR2 and ZDHHC13 were highly methylated in mon48. These findings provide foundational information that may be used to develop strategies for potentially retaining the lamb fur and thus improving the economic value of Tan sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) is a typical toxic heavy metal element in soils and plants, which has a potential threat to human health through the food chain. Uptake of Pb in the soil–vegetable system has attracted broad attention, whereas reports on the main controlling factors of Pb uptake and accumulation in different soil–vegetable systems are limited. The effect of soil properties on Pb uptake and accumulation in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was studied by a pot experiment with 16 typical soils in China. The results showed that the Pb bioavailability was lower in alkaline soils, and that soil cation exchange capacity (CEC), CaCO3, and total phosphorus contents might influence the uptake and transfer of Pb by peppers. Soil pH and CEC were the most significant factors affecting Pb accumulation in pepper fruits. Soil pH was negatively correlated with Pb uptake and accumulation due to its influence on Pb mobility and bioavailability. The accumulation of Pb decreased as soil CEC increased, which might inhibit the absorption and transfer of Pb in peppers. The multiple linear regression function based on soil Pb content, pH, and CEC could provide enough information for a good prediction of the accumulation of Pb in soil–pepper systems (R2 = 0.733). The results are in favor of developing a Pb threshold for vegetables in agricultural soils in China, thus improving the food safety of crops. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1443–1451. © 2021 SETAC [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agroforestry is a common traditional practice in southern Xinjiang, northwest China. However, intercropping productivity has failed to meet expectations in many agroforestry systems as tree aged. Therefore, this study invested why this occurred. We chose walnut (Juglans regia L.Wen-185) tree-based agroforestry systems to investigate the influence of walnut tree shade intensity on the grain yield and quality of intercropped wheat (Triticum aestivum). This replicated study was conducted in Southern Xinjiang China in 2011 and 2012. Walnut tree canopy reduced understory photosynthetically active radiation, decreased photosynthetic rates of intercropped wheat, decreased grain yield, spike number, grains per spike, and thousand-grain weight. However, grain protein and wet gluten contents were improved. Significant negative linear correlations were detected between grain yield and N content with walnut tree age, but significant positive correlations were found between protein and wet gluten contents with walnut tree age. Protein and wet gluten contents were negatively correlated with grain yield, and with thousand-grain weight. In conclusion, although grain yield was significantly decreased, grain quality was enhanced in walnut tree-based agroforestry systems. The competition for light between walnut trees and intercrops could be alleviated by pruning, selective felling, and wider tree spacing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's Sloping Land Conversion Program (SLCP) was designed to restore perennial plant cover on sloping land in western China, in part to protect the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). In this study, we examined use of white mulberry ( Morus alba L.) in the SLCP to protect water quality and conserve soil. We established nine runoff monitoring plots divided among three categories (vegetable farming, fallow control, and mulberry plantation) on a bank of the Liangtan River situated at the western margin of the TGR. The land had been used previously by farmers for growing vegetables. We found that soil loss and surface water runoff were lowest in the mulberry plots and highest in the vegetable plots. We used inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) to assess the concentration of selected heavy metal pollution indicators (Zn, Hg, As, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Cu) in the monitoring plot soils at the beginning of the experiment in May 2009. The heavy metals were assessed again at the end of the experiment in October 2012, and we found that the concentrations of these pollutants had been reduced in all fallow and mulberry plots, and to the greatest extent in the mulberry plots. We found that levels of Hg, Pb, and Cu increased in the vegetable plots. For these reasons, we conclude that riparian mulberry plantations are useful for reducing rapid runoff of storm water, conserving soil, and sequestering heavy metal pollutants in the TGR region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases has been observed in the Hunan province of mainland China since 2009 with a particularly higher level of severe cases in 2010–2012. Intestinal viruses of the picornaviridae family are responsible for the human syndrome associated with HFMD with enterovirus 71 (EV71) and Coxsackievirus A16 (Cox A16) being the most common causative strains. HFMD cases associated with EV71 are generally more severe with an increased association of morbidity and mortality. In this study, the etiology surveillance data of HFMD cases in Hunan province from March 2010 to October 2012 were analyzed to determine if there is a statistically relevant linear correlation exists between the detection rate of EV71 in mild cases and the proportion of severe cases among all HFMD patients. As the cases progressed from mild to severe to fatal, the likelihood of EV71 detection increased (25.78%, 52.20% and 84.18%, respectively). For all cases in the timeframe evaluated in this study, the presence of virus was detected in 63.21% of cases; among cases showing positivity for virus, EV71 infection accounted for 50.14%. These results provide evidence to support the observed higher morbidity and mortality associated with this outbreak and emphasizes the importance of early detection in order to implement necessary prevention measures to mitigate disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) contaminated in farmlands has become a deep threat to global food security and human health. In this study, the bioavailability of Pb in 18 types of soil to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains were investigated, and reliable empirical models of Pb in wheat grains were established based on soil properties. The results showed that the average bioconcentration factor (BCF grain/total-Pb) in acidic soils was approximately 3.30 times than that in alkaline soils (ANOVA P < 0.05). Significant positive relationships between wheat grain Pb concentration and soil total Pb or EDTA extractable Pb were presented through the results of simple linear regressions (P < 0.001). The stepwise multiple linear regression models indicated that soil pH and soil total Pb were determined to be the two most reliable and reasonable factors in predicting wheat grain Pb concentration, with 83.8% explanation of variation. Soil total Pb compared with EDTA extractable Pb was applied to better improve prediction models in describing Pb transfer from soils to wheat grains. Furthermore, grouped models divided into two parts with pH of 7.5 also generated well prediction in wheat grain Pb concentration. Our prediction models were successfully verified within 95% prediction intervals for published literature data (including other wheat varieties). Moreover, the results indicated that ungrouped models performed better in predicting accuracy within 400 mg kg−1 of soil total Pb, and grouped models showed better extrapolation stability when Pb in soil were overly high. Our results in the study were conduce to evaluate food security of Pb in contaminated agricultural soils. Image 1 • Leading factors are further determined of Pb transfer in soil-wheat system. • Soil total Pb and pH explain 83.8% variation of Pb in wheat grain. • Grouped models divided as pH 7.5 well extrapolate in wheat grain Pb. • Ungrouped models have better prediction accuracy and complement with grouped models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the key periods and effects of meteorological factors affecting the incidence of black point, the correlations between 14 meteorological variables and incidence of black point were analyzed using 23 susceptible wheat genotypes planted at three locations in two years in the Yellow and Huai Wheat Area of China. The results showed that the incidence of black point and meteorological factors varied considerably across locations and years. There was a significantly negative correlation between temperature-related variables (daily average temperature, days with temperature > 30 °C, etc.) and black point incidence at 26–40 days after heading. Humidity-related variables (daily relative humidity, rainfall days, etc.) except precipitation were positively correlated with black point incidence at 1–20 days after heading. When the daily average temperature decreased by 1 °C at 31–35 days after heading, the incidence of black point increased by approximately 5.5%, and when the daily relative humidity increased by 10% at 11–15 days after heading, the incidence increased by approximately 9.4%. There was a significant negative correlation between daily sunshine duration and black point incidence at 1–15 days and 26–40 days after heading. In conclusion, the key periods and meteorological factors affecting black point incidence are a humid environment at 1–15 days, lower temperature at 26–40 days, and a short period of sunshine after heading. These results provide important information for the control of black point in wheat. Image 1 • Using 23 representative genotypes susceptible or resistant to black point. • Determine key periods and effects of meteorological factors affecting black point. • Humidity variables affecting black point incidence mainly at 1–15 d after heading. • Temperature variables affecting incidence mainly at 26–40 d after heading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Northeast edge of the Taklimakan desert is a severe dust storm affected area. • Air masses from the south is the main contributor of dust particles. • Dust deposition in different underlying surfaces from desert to oasis has decreased. • The amount of fine dust particles are increased with the height. • Vegetation coverage can reduce dust storm by affecting local atmospheric circulation. Taklimakan Desert, in the northwest China, is one of the main sources of dust storms in the world. Frequent dust storms have seriously affected the ecological environment of surrounding oases. Quantification of dust deposition on the different underlying surface is vital to understand the local atmospheric cycling and its effect on movement of the dust particles in desert fringe areas. To examine the contribution of airflow from different direction to the dust deposition rate, the desert–oasis transition zone between the Korla oasis and the northeast edge of the Taklimakan desert is selected as the study area. 36 h backward trajectories of air masses arriving at the study site from 1st March to 31st May 2023, were determined by using the HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory Model) model. The trajectories were categorized by k -means clustering into 3 clusters, which show distinct features in terms of the trajectory origins and the entry direction to the site. Dust collection tank were placed on five underlying surfaces from south to north: shifting sand desert, semi-shifting sand desert, desert vegetation, shelter forestland and croplands at the height of 0.2 m, 0.5 m, and 1.5 m. At the each of height, four dust collection tanks were arranged to collect the dust from 4 directions. Results show that, air masses from the south with highest frequency (46 days) and highest dust storm occurrence (91.3 %) is the main contributor of dust particles to the study area. Dust deposition rate on different underlying surfaces showed a significant decreasing trend from the desert to oasis, and the dust deposition on all underlying surfaces decreased with the height. Dust deposition corresponding to the southward wind direction is the highest, and the amount of fine dust particles are increased with the height of the dust collection tank. The results of this study could be helpful to forecast the potential occurrence and mowing pathway of dust storms, which can provide the basis for mitigation of the negative effects on the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid industrial development consumes a large amount of water and energy, which causes both urban water shortages and massive carbon emissions. Therefore, optimization of the urban industrial structure is urgently required to pursue the low-carbon goal under the constraints of water supply. In this paper, we chose Dalian city in China as a case study and divided its industrial sectors into three types according to their output value. Meanwhile, we used the LMDI (Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index) method to decompose the factors that impact industrial carbon emissions from energy consumption. Based on the ratio of the carbon emission effects, five scenarios were set respectively, and accounted for the carbon emissions and water consumption under different scenarios of industrial structure. The results indicated that the economic growth effect was the most significant factor that contributed to industrial carbon emissions, while industrial structure effect was the largest negative factor for increasing industrial carbon emissions. The results also indicated that the total carbon emissions under the HOV (high output-value)-preferred and water-conserved scenario will be lower by 8.5% in 2020 than the baseline scenario, while both its energy intensity and water intensity will meet the requirements of the constraints of the urban development planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The environmental problems created by mining activities in the arid region of China have not been addressed. • Land degradation is the most prominent problem resulting in mining activities. • Unclear objectives of ecological restoration is the main challenges faced by mining area. • Ideal restoration effects can be achieved through improvement of vegetation coverage and ecosystem services. The arid region in China with rich mineral resources are belongs to ecological fragile region with inadequate recovering capacity. Hundred years of continues mining of mineral resources for economic purposes, leads to the problem of land degradation caused by the spatial coupling of large-scale mining disturbance and arid fragile ecological environment. The environmental problems created by mining have not been addressed promptly, while at the same time, new problems have emerged. On the basis of our 20 years of practical experience on ecological restoration in mining areas, review and synthesis of selective literature, with interpretation and perspective, the mining situation and its ecological impacts, the factors impeding ecological restoration capability in the arid region in China were examined, the key challenges and promotion strategy were presented. The main findings of this study are as follows: Land degradation is the most prominent problem resulting in mining activities, and mainly reflected by immediate disturbance, long term effects and ecological degradation. The main challenges faced by mining area restoration in arid areas are unclear objectives of ecological restoration, lack of ecological water consumption, unreasonable selection of indigenous plants, serious land degradation and wide restoration area. Our restoration experiments in typical mining areas have proved that the micro-topography reconstruction measures can increase surface roughness, redistribute limited precipitation resources (especially snow), and make soil water and nutrients carried by surface runoff and collected in valleys to regulate soil infiltration and water supply, so as to achieve water-saving and non-irrigated vegetation restoration. The ideal restoration effects are the improvement of vegetation coverage, the increase of available land resources, and the improvement of ecosystem services in mining areas. This study would be helpful to carried out related implementation on ecological restoration and could act as a valuable reference for the researchers involved in the ecological restoration in arid region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization is an inevitable trend associated with social development that occurs preferentially in plain areas. Ecosystem services (ES) refer to the various benefits that human beings obtain from ecosystems. Competing priorities of economic development and ecological protection lead to conflicts in land use under conditions of urbanization, the root cause of which is an imbalance in the ES supply and demand. Whereas existing studies have mainly focused on the decline of ES supply capacities, an exploration of the extent to which the supply and demand of ES are matched and of their changing trends would be instructive and have practical implications. In this study, we examined changes in the temporal and spatial characteristics of the relationship between ES supply and demand in the Baiyangdian Basin in the North China Plain. We found that ES supply and demand were spatially distinctive. ES supply areas were concentrated in the western mountainous region, whereas ES demand areas were predominantly located in the eastern plain area. The main sources of ES surplus in the study area were woodland and grassland in mountainous areas, comprising 12% of the study region. Strict protection on these lands during the period 1980–2015 ensured a consistently high level of ES supply. In recent years, urbanization has been a major driver of increasing ES demand and decreasing ES surplus and is projected to accentuate the trend of declining ES surplus in the future. However, current policies remain focused on the protection of forests and grassland that predominate in mountainous areas, where urban expansion poses a lower threat compared with plain areas. We therefore recommend a policy emphasis on sustainable urban planning to mitigate ES degradation. • A method was proposed to consider both supply and demand of ecosystem services. • The supply and demand of ecosystem services for a plain area were estimated. • Urbanization highly decreased surplus of ecosystem services. • Sustainable city planning should be considered for future land use management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) significantly impact atmospheric chemistry, with emissions potentially influenced by nitrogen (N) deposition. The response of BVOC emissions to increasing N deposition remains debated. In this study, we examined Eucalyptus urophylla (E. urophylla) using three N treatments: N0, N50, and N100 (0, 50, and 100 kg N hm -2  yr -1  N addition). These treatments were applied to mature E. urophylla trees in a plantation subjected to over 10 years of soil N addition in southern China, a region with severe N deposition. Seventeen BVOCs were measured, with isoprene (36.99 %), α-pinene (38.80 %), and d-limonene (14.27 %) being the predominant compounds under natural conditions. Total BVOC emissions under N50 were nearly double those under N0 and N100, with leaf net CO 2 assimilation identified as the most critical photosynthetic parameter. Isoprene and α-pinene emissions significantly increased under N50 compared to N0, while d-limonene emission decreased under N100. Stronger correlations for individual BVOCs under N50 and N100 compared to N0 might be due to differences in BVOC biosynthetic pathways and storage structures. The localized canopy-scale emission factors (EFs) under N50 were significantly higher than the default values in the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN), suggesting the model might underestimate BVOC emissions from Eucalyptus in southern China under increased N deposition. Additionally, the secondary pollutant formation potentials of BVOCs were evaluated, identifying isoprene and monoterpenes as primary precursors of ozone and secondary organic aerosols. This study provides insights into the impacts of increased N deposition on BVOC emissions and their contribution to secondary atmospheric pollution. Updating localized BVOC EFs for subtropical tree species in southern China is crucial to reduce uncertainties in BVOC estimations under current and future N deposition scenarios., 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 B.V. All rights reserved.)

6 PPD-Q (6 PPD-Quinone) is an ozone-induced byproduct derived from the degradation of N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6 PPD), commonly found in road dust resulting from tire wear. However, the extent of 6 PPD-Q pollution in urban soil remains unclear. This study investigates the spatial and temporal accumulation patterns of 6 PPD-Q in greenbelt soils in Ningbo, and explores the correlation between 6 PPD-Q accumulation and soil microbial community composition and functions. Our findings indicate that 6 PPD-Q is present (ranging from 0.85 to 12.58 μg/kg) in soil samples collected from both sides of urban traffic arteries. Soil fungi exhibit higher sensitivity to 6 PPD-Q accumulation compared to bacteria, and associated fungi (Basidiomycota) may be potential biomarkers for environmental 6 PPD-Q contamination. Co-occurrence network analysis reveals that the bacterial microbial network in summer exhibits greater stability and resilience in response to 6 PPD-Q inputs than in winter. However, 6 PPD-Q accumulation disrupts the network structure of fungal communities to some extent, leading to reduced diversity in fungal microbial communities. Long-term accumulation of 6 PPD-Q weakens the nitrogen and phosphorus cycling potential within urban soil, while the enhancement of carbon cycling may further promote 6 PPD-Q degradation in urban soil. Taken together, this study provides new insights into the ecological risks of 6 PPD-Q in urban soils., 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 Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Emission characteristics of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) from dominant tree species in the subtropical pristine forests of China are extremely limited. Here we conducted in situ field measurements of BVOCs emissions from representative mature evergreen trees by using dynamic branch enclosures at four altitude gradients (600-1690 m a.s.l.) in the Nanling Mountains of southern China. Composition characteristics as well as seasonal and altitudinal variations were analyzed. Standardized emission rates and canopy-scale emission factors were then calculated. Results showed that BVOCs emission intensities in the wet season were generally higher than those in the dry season. Monoterpenes were the dominant BVOCs emitted from most broad-leaved trees, accounting for over 70% of the total. Schima superba, Yushania basihirsuta and Altingia chinensis had relatively high emission intensities and secondary pollutant formation potentials. The localized emission factors of isoprene were comparable to the defaults in the Model of Emissions of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN), while emission factors of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were 2 to 58 times of those in the model. Our results can be used to update the current BVOCs emission inventory in MEGAN, thereby reducing the uncertainties of BVOCs emission estimations in forested regions of southern China., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Urban green spaces provide multiple ecosystem services and have great influences on human health. However, the compositions and properties of urban soil are not well understood yet. In this study, soil samples were collected from 45 parks in Ningbo to investigate the relationships among soil physicochemical properties, heavy metals and bacterial communities. The results showed that soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) was of high molecular weight, high aromaticity, and low degree of humification. The contents of heavy metals were all below the China's national standard safety limit (GB 3660-2018). The bioavailability of heavy metals highly correlated with soil pH, the content of DOC, the fluorescent component, the degree of humification and the source of DOM. The most abundant genera were Gemmatimonadaceae&#95;uncultured, Xanthobacteraceae&#95;uncultured, and Acidothermus in all samples, which were related to nitrogen cycle and bioavailability of heavy metals. Soil pH, bioavailability of Zn, Cd, and Pb (CaCl 2 extracted) were the main edaphic factors influencing bacterial community composition. It should be noted that there was no significant impact of urbanization on soil physicochemical properties and bacterial composition, but they were determined by the source of soil in urban green spaces. However, with the passage of time, the effect of urbanization on urban green spaces cannot be ignored. Overall, this study provided new insight for understanding the linkage among soil physicochemical properties, heavy metals, and bacterial communities in urban green spaces., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most common causes of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children. Conventional antibiotics and emerging fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) are used to treat CDI., Methods: Children with CDI admitted to the Shanghai Children's Hospital, from September 2014 to September 2020, were retrospectively included to this observational study. Pediatric patients were assigned as initial CDI and recurrent CDI (RCDI), and symptoms, comorbidities, imaging findings, laboratory tests, and treatments were systematically recorded and analyzed., Results: Of 109 pediatric patients with CDI, 58 were boys (53.2%), and the median age was 5 years (range, 2-9 years). The main clinical symptoms of CDI children were diarrhea (109/109, 100%), hematochezia (55/109, 50.46%), abdominal pain (40/109, 36.70%); fever, pseudomembrane, vomit, and bloating were observed in 39 (35.78%), 33 (30.28%), and 24 (22.02%) patients, respectively. For the primary therapy with conventional antibiotics, 68 patients received metronidazole, and 41 patients received vancomycin. RCDI occurred in 48.53% (33/68) of those initially treated with metronidazole compared with 46.33% (19/41) of those initially treated with vancomycin (p=0.825). The total resolution rate of FMT for RCDI children was significantly higher than with vancomycin treatment (28/29, 96.55% vs 11/23, 47.83%, p < 0.001). There were no serious adverse events (SAEs) reported after two months of FMT., Conclusions: The major manifestations of children with CDI were diarrhea, hematochezia, and abdominal pain. The cure rate of FMT for pediatric RCDI is superior to vancomycin treatment., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Multiple potentially toxic elements (PTEs) wastes are produced in the process of electroplating, which pollute the surrounding soils. However, the priority pollutants and critical risk factors in electroplating sites are still unclear. Hence, a typical demolished electroplating site (operation for 31 years) in the Yangtze River Delta was investigated. Results showed that the soil was severely polluted by Cr(VI) (1711.3 mg kg -1 ), Ni (6754.0 mg kg -1 ) and Pb (2784.4 mg kg -1 ). The spatial distribution of soil PTEs performed by ArcGIS illustrated that the soil pollution varied with plating workshops. Hard Cr electroplating workshops (HCE), decorative Cr electroplating workshops (DCE) and sludge storage station (SS) were the hot spots in the site. Besides, the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) - extractable Cr and Ni contents in different workshops were significantly related (P < 0.05) to their bioavailable fractions (exchangeable fraction (F1) + bound to carbonate fraction (F2)), which pose potential risk to humans. Although the soil total Pb concentration was high, its mobility was very low (<0.007%). Moreover, the soil microbial community dynamics under the stress of long term and high contents of PTEs were further revealed. The soil microbiota was significantly disturbed by long term and high concentration of PTEs. A bit of bacteria (Caulobacter) and fungi (Cladosporium and Monocillium) showed tolerance potential to multiple metals. Furthermore, the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that the bioavailable fractions (F1 + F2) of Cr and Ni were the most critical environmental variables affecting microbiota. Therefore, remediation strategies are required urgently to reduce the bioavailability of soil Cr and Ni. The results of this study provide an overview of the pollution distribution and microbial dynamics of a typical plating site, laying a foundation for ecological remediation of electroplating sites in Yangtze River Delta of China., 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 © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: In moving toward universal health coverage in China, it is crucial to identify which populations should be prioritized for which interventions rather than blindly increasing welfare packages or capital investments. We identify the characteristics of vulnerable groups from multiple perspectives through estimating catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and recommend intervention priorities. Methods: Data were from National Health Service Survey conducted in 2003, 2008, and 2013. According to the recommendation of WHO, this study adopted 40% as the CHE threshold. A binary regression was used to identify the determinants of CHE occurrence; a probit model was used to obtain CHE standardized incidence under the characteristics of single and two dimensions in 2013. Results: The total incidence of CHE in 2013 was 13.9%, which shows a general trend of growth from 2003 to 2013. Families in western and central regions and rural areas were more at risk. Factors related to social demography show that households with a female or an unmarried head of household or with a low socioeconomic status were more likely to experience CHE. Households with older adults aged 60 and above had 1,524 times higher likelihood of experiencing CHE. Among the health insurance schemes, the participants covered by the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme had the highest risk compared with the participants of all basic health insurance schemes. Households with several members seeking outpatient, inpatient care or with non-communicable diseases were more likely to experience CHE. Households with members not seeing a doctor or hospitalized despite the need for it were more likely to experience CHE. Characteristics such as a household head with characteristics related to low socioeconomic status, having more than two hospitalized family members, ranked high. Meanwhile, the combination of having illiterate household heads and with being covered by other health insurance plans or by none ranked the first place. Cancer notably caused a relatively high medical expenditure among households with CHE. Conclusion: In China, considering the vulnerability of the population across different dimensions is conducive to the alleviation of high CHE. Furthermore, people with multiple vulnerabilities should be prioritized for intervention. Identifying and targeting them to offer help and support will be an effective approach., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Wang, Tan, Qi, Zhang, Liu, Wang, Jiang, Xu, Meng, Chen, Li, Kang, Wu, Shan, Amporfro and Ilia.)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic. As the first city struck by the COVID-19 outbreak, Wuhan had implemented unprecedented public health interventions. The mental health of pregnant women during these anti-epidemic controls remains unknown. A total of 274 pregnant women living in Wuhan during the COVID-19 outbreak took part in our investigation online. The data on mental health conditions were evaluated using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We also collected the information on physical health status and precautionary measures against COVID-19. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, and poor sleep quality was 16.1%, 13.9%, 42.7%, 37.6%, respectively. Comparing to SAS, PSQI score in pregnant women who participated in the survey after April 8 (date of Wuhan reopening), those data collected before April 8 were significantly higher. High levels of stress, severe health concerns over the fetus, and poor hygienic practices were negatively associated with mental health conditions. In conclusion, a large proportion of pregnant women reported psychological symptoms during the epidemic, which negatively related to the severe health concerns over fetus and poor hygienic practices. More psychological support during the epidemic would promote maternal mental well-being., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: To understand the current situation of potential exposure to rabies among the rural habitats in Hunan province, and to study the impact related to familial factors on post rabies exposure vaccination., Methods: In total, 40 villages from 20 townships of 4 counties were selected by multistage sampling method. Study samples were selected from these villagers and familial basic information and vaccination post rabies exposures were recorded through questionnaires. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 17.0., Results: Among 3042 villagers from 864 households being surveyed, 124 person-time exposures were found from January, 2009 to October, 2010, with a total exposure rate as 4.08%, and the annual average exposure rate as 2.33%. Data from univariate analysis showed that the rates on post rabies exposure vaccination were statistically correlated with the following four factors:knowledge on the score of rabies prevention (χ(2) = 8.260, P = 0.042), whether being involved in the new type of rural cooperative medical care(P = 0.035), family disposable cash income in the year of 2009(χ(2) = 10.831, P = 0.031), distance between the households and the health facilities in towns and townships(χ(2) = 9.071, P = 0.033). Results from logistic regression analysis indicated that the score of knowledge on rabies prevention(O∧R = 1.420, 95% CI:1.055-1.905)and the annual disposable cash income of the family in 2009(O∧R = 1.480, 95% CI:1.044-2.098)were independent factors that influencing the rabies vaccination., Conclusion: Strengthening the education programs on rabies prevention in rural habitats and increasing family income were feasible way to increase the rate of rabies vaccination in rural areas of Hunan province.

Objective: To study risk factors of death cases of hand foot and mouth diseases (HFMD) in Hunan province, so as to provide scientific evidence for further prevention and control., Methods: The 105 death cases of HFMD between January and October, 2010 in Hunan Province were selected as case group; and the 210 survival cases of serious HFMD, which were matched by gender and resident places with a ratio at 2:1 in the same period in Hunan were selected as control group. The basic information, hospitalized experience and previous medical history had been surveyed and the relevant risk factors were analyzed by single factor and multi-factor logistic regression., Results: In case group, 79.05% (83/105) of the cases lived in rural area and 9.52% (10/105) of the cases lived in urban-rural midst area. In control group, 87.62% (184/210) of the cases lived in rural area and 11.43% (24/210) of the cases lived in urban-rural midst area. In case group, 59.05% (62/105) of the patients first visited rural (private) clinics and 20.00% (21/105) first visited community hospitals in villages and towns; while in control group, 43.81% (92/210) and 13.33% (28/210) chose rural (private) clinics and community hospitals in villages and towns as the first choice respectively.22.86% (24/105) of the case group and 39.05% (82/210) of the control group were diagnosed as HFMD in their first visit to hospital.27.62% (29/105) of the case group and 7.14% (15/210) in control group were provided pyrazolone in the treatment. For glucocorticoid, 80.95% (85/105) and 5.71% (6/105) of the case group were given as treatment by rural (private) clinics and community hospitals in villages and towns separately; while the proportions in the control group were 41.43% (87/210) and 0.48% (1/210) respectively. For antibiotics, 35.24% (37/105) and 23.81% (25/105) of the case group were prescribed by rural (private) clinics and community hospitals in villages and towns separately; while the percentages in the control group were 15.71% (33/210) and 7.14% (15/210). 3.81% (4/105) of the case group and 11.90% (25/210) of the control group were vaccinated in one month before the onset. The results of single-factor logistic regression indicated that living in rural areas (OR = 0.075, 95%CI: 0.016 - 0.343) and in rural-urban midst areas (OR = 0.069, 95%CI: 0.013 - 0.368), diagnosis of HFMD in the first visit to hospital (OR = 0.463, 95%CI: 0.271 - 0.788) and vaccination one month before the onset (OR = 0.293, 95%CI: 0.099 - 0.866) were four protective factors; while rural (private) clinics as the first choice (OR = 4.717, 95%CI: 1.891 - 11.767), community hospital in villages and towns as the first choice (OR = 5.250, 95%CI: 1.883 - 14.641), medication of pyrazolone (OR = 4.961, 95%CI: 2.520 - 9.766), medication of glucocorticoid in rural (private) clinics (OR = 6.009, 95%CI: 3.435 - 10.510) and in community hospital in villages and towns (OR = 12.667, 95%CI: 1.505 - 106.638), medication of antibiotics in rural (private) clinics (OR = 2.918, 95%CI: 1.690 - 5.040) and in community hospital in villages and towns (OR = 4.062, 95%CI: 2.036 - 8.108) were seven risk factors. The results of multi-factors logistic regression showed that medication of pyrazolone (OR = 2.311, 95%CI: 1.062 - 5.030), medication of glucocorticoid in rural (private) clinics (OR = 5.480, 95%CI: 3.039 - 9.880), medication of antibiotics in rural (private) clinics (OR = 2.430, 95%CI: 1.301 - 4.538) and medication of antibiotics in community hospitals in villages and towns (OR = 3.344, 95%CI: 1.477 - 7.569) were the risk factors of death of HFMD., Conclusion: The risk factors of HFMD deaths include the medication of pyrazolone, glucocorticoid and antibiotics by rural (private) clinics and medical institutions in villages and towns. The department concerned should revise the technical manual to standardize the medication of the above drugs.

Objective: To study the RP-HPLC fingerprints of 11 plants in the genus Taraxacum for their quality control., Method: The fingerprints were determined using an Agilent 1100 series instrument system. Chromatographic analyses were performed on a Kromasil 100-5 C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) analytical column,eluted with methanol and water containing 0.5% acetic acid as the mobile phases in gradient elution at the flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The detection wavelength was 323 nm. The temperature of column was 35 degrees C. Eleven species of Taraxacum in northeast of China were detected respectively., Result: Twenty-five common peaks existed in 11 RP-HPLC fingerprints. By comparing the retention time and the on-line UV spectra, peaks No. 10, No. 12, No. 16 and No. 25 were identified as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaroy acid and luteolin respectively., Conclusion: The analytical method with good precision and reproducibility can be useful in the quality control of Taraxacum plants.

Objective: To investigate the changing trend of mortality and the spectrum regarding causes of death in the population of Hunan, and to analyze the health-related major diseases., Methods: With retrospective study method, a sample survey on causes of death and the related information was carried out from 2004 to 2005 among the residents in Hunan province. Results were compared with the data from a retrospective survey on causes of death in Hunan during 1973-1975 and 1990-1992, respectively., Results: The crude mortality rates and the standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of the residents in Hunan were 901.59/100 000 and 865.14/100 000 during the period of 1973-1975 while 588.64/100 000 and 537.42/100 000 during the period of 1990-1992, and 608.27/100 000 and 413.67/100 000 during the period of 2004-2005, respectively. During the past 30 years, the SMR of the residents in Hunan decreased by 52.18% and the descending range from the rural areas was more than that of the urban areas, and higher in females than in males. The death proportion of infectious diseases, maternal and perinatal diseases, nutritional deficiencies decreased significantly (P<0.01), but the death proportion of chronic non-communicable diseases increased significantly (P<0.01). The changing ranges of the former two proportions were both larger in the rural areas than those in the urban areas. The highest proportions of deaths due to injury and poisoning during the past 30 years were both seen in the 5 year olds, followed by the age groups of 25 year olds (P<0.01). During the period of 2004-2005, the death proportion of all the infectious diseases, maternal/perinatal diseases and nutritional deficiencies was 8.01% altogether, and those of chronic non-communicable diseases, injury and poisoning were 80.66% and 11.33%, respectively. During the past 30 years, the SMR of the three kinds of diseases all significantly decreased, more significantly seen in infectious diseases, maternal and perinatal diseases, and nutritional deficiencies but less in chronic non-communicable diseases. Among the death cases of chronic non-communicable diseases, the SMR of cerebrovascular disease, malignant tumor, and heart disease showed an increasing tendency and the sequences of them had been advanced to the first, the second, and the fourth in the death ranking during the period of 2004-2005, respectively., Conclusion: The SMRs of the residents in the urban and rural areas from Hunan province showed a declining tendency. Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases and malignant tumors had become the important diseases affecting the health of the people, while injury and poisoning had otherwise topped the causes of death among children and adolescents in Hunan province.

Human astroviruses (HAstVs) are one of the major viral agents of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in all age groups, especially in young children. In this study, new one-step real-time RT-PCR and nested RT-PCR assays were developed to detect HAstVs. HAstVs were identified in 46 (8.75%) of 526 stool samples in Jiangmen City over 1 year, including 43 (9.15%) of 470 children and 3 (5.4%) of 56 adults, and HAstV-1 was the most predominant strain. This finding suggests that HAstVs infections are common in Jiangmen City, China. Further detailed molecular epidemiological studies are required for understanding the prevalence of HAstVs infection and gaining knowledge about the circulating genotypes.