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Lindera communis is a medicinal and aromatic plant widely distributed in China. Its leaves are rich in essential oil (EO), but the reports on biological activities of the leaf EO are limited. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of L. communis leaf EO and evaluate its different biological activities. The leaf EO was obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by GC-MS and GC-FID. 53 compounds were identified, representing 96.80% of the total composition. The major compounds included germacrene D (28.34%), bicyclogermacrene (21.07%), germacrene B (6.14%) and spathulenol (5.73%). SC50 values of L. communis leaf EO in DPPH and ABTS assays were 252.36 and 34.25 mg/mL, respectively, indicating inactivity in antioxidant effect. MICs of L. communis leaf EO against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were 25 mg/mL. Of four enzymes, inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and butyrylcholinesterase were observed, with kojic acid equivalent (KAE) and galanthamine equivalent (GE) values as 22.89 ± 1.38 mg KAE/g of EO and 67.13 ± 0.99 mg GE/g of EO, respectively. L. communis leaf EO also demonstrated strong antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. At the concentration of 500 μg/mL, the cell viability of MCF-7 cells was only 4.86%. L. communis leaf EO could find its possible use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the association between family function and sleep disturbances in preschool children in rural areas of China. Caregivers of preschool children completed sociodemographic questionnaires, the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Family APGAR scale. Using sleep disturbances in children as the dependent variable, family function and other related factors as independent variables, binary logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between family function and sleep disturbances in children. A total of 3,636 caregivers of preschool children were enrolled in our study, and the prevalence of sleep disturbances among their preschool children was 89.4%. In our study, lower family function was associated with higher risk of sleep disturbances among preschool children. After adjusting for age (years), education level of mother, discipline attitudes of father and mother, only child status and caregivers' anxiety, the associations were statistically significant both in families of which caregivers of children are their parents or other relatives. (AOR for parents = 1.487, 95% CI:1.152–1.919, P = 0.002; AOR for other relatives = 1.963, 95% CI:1.302–2.958, P = 0.001). Our study results indicated that family function was associated with sleep disturbances in preschool children, and future high-quality cohort studies are needed to explore this topic in more detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of sleep disturbances among preschool children in rural areas of China and identify the underlying associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural areas of Anhui Province, China, from September 2019 to January 2020. The caregivers of children from 26 kindergartens completed the demographic questionnaire, the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the adapted Identification and Management of Feeding Difficulties (IMFeD) tool. One-way analysis of variance, independent-samples t-test, and hierarchical multiple linear regression were conducted to explore the potential influencing factors of sleep disturbances in preschool children. For the specific sleep disturbances based on each subscale of the CSHQ, bedtime resistance (54.9%) and sleep anxiety (47.9%) were the most common types of sleep disturbances, followed by daytime sleepiness (21.3%), sleep duration (20.8%), parasomnias (16.5%), sleep-onset delay (12.6%), night wakings (12.2%) and sleep-disordered breathing (10.3%). The ages of children, children's emotional/behavioral problems, children's feeding difficulties, inconsistent parenting attitudes of parents, poor parenting styles, non-parent caregivers, and caregiver anxiety contributed significantly to the CSHQ total score, accounting for approximately 27.1% (R2 = 0.271) of the variance. Our study indicates that the prevalence of sleep disturbances among preschool children in rural areas of China is quite high. Furthermore, the potential risk factors are complicated, including factors related to both children and their caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acorus macrospadiceus is an aromatic herb that is widely distributed in southwest China. However, reports on the biological activities of its essential oil (EO) are limited. In the present study, the chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cholinesterase inhibitory activities were determined for essential oils extracted from the leaves and rhizomes of this species. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC/FID). Antioxidant activity was examined using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum microbiocidal concentrations (MMCs). Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of the essential oils were also tested to evaluate the potential effect of the EOs on neurodegenerative disease. A total of 15 and 19 components were identified in the leaf and rhizome EOs, representing 99.24% and 98.35% of the total composition, respectively. Estragole was found to be the most abundant compound at 98.14% and 94.69% of the leaf and rhizome EOs, respectively. The essential oils displayed weak antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The essential oils showed higher inhibitory effects against Candida albicans than other strains, with a MIC of 3.13 mg/mL, indicating possible use in the treatment of Candida infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the relationship between resilience and emotion regulation among preschool left-behind children (LBC) in rural China. A total of 620 preschool LBC were enrolled from rural areas in Anhui province, China. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between resilience and variables. The results showed that 20.2% of LBC had higher resilience. Emotion regulation was correlated with resilience among preschool LBC. Children with higher cognitive reconstruction (adjusted OR (AOR) = 0.349,95%CI:0.249–0.489), passive dealing (AOR = 0.577, 95%CI:0.411–0.810), alternative action (AOR = 0.369, 95%CI:0.267–0.510) and self-comforting (AOR = 0.441, 95%CI:0.315–0.619) would have lower risk of low resilience. Our findings suggest that strengthening emotion regulation could promote psychological resilience and prevent adverse developments in LBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic since early 2020, 1 however, China has managed to control the pandemic rapidly and effective. COVID-19 genome surveillance at international airport quarantine stations in Japan. How does China keep COVID-19 outside its boarder?. [Extracted from the article]

• In rural areas of China, about 89.4% of preschool children have potential sleep disturbances. • Caregivers' anxiety (including parental anxiety and other relatives' anxiety) is associated with sleep disturbances of preschool children. • Resilience of preschool children could attenuate the association between caregivers' anxiety and sleep disturbances of preschool children. • In specific sleep domain of CSHQ, the moderating effect of resilience significantly existed in sleep duration and daytime sleepiness. This study aimed to explore the association between caregivers' anxiety and sleep disturbances of preschool children aged from 3 to 6 years in rural areas of Anhui province, China. Besides, we also explored whether there is a mediated effect of resilience on this association. Caregivers of children from 26 kindergartens completed a structured questionnaire, the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment for Preschoolers, Second Edition (DECA-P2). CSHQ, SAS and DECA-P2 were used to evaluate sleep disturbances among preschool children, the caregivers' anxiety, and the resilience of preschool children respectively. A total of 3,802 questionnaires were distributed in our investigation, after checking for completeness, 166 invalid questionnaires were excluded and 3,636 questionnaires were eventually included in our study. Binary logistic analysis was utilized to explore the potential relationship between caregivers' anxiety and sleep disturbances of children. Moderating effect of resilience was evaluated through calculating the percentage of change in odds ratios (OR) in the models with and without resilience. 10% or more of percentage change in OR was defined as a significant mediation effect. In our study, 89.4% of the preschool children aged from 3 to 6 years had potential sleep disturbances. In preschool children whose caregivers are their parents, the correlation between caregivers' anxiety and sleep disturbances of preschool children is statistically significant (OR = 10.168,95 %CI:2.506–41.263). In preschool children whose caregivers aren't their parents, the correlation is also significant (OR = 2.405,95 %CI:1.139–5.077). Furthermore, resilience could attenuate the association between caregivers' (including parents and other relatives) anxiety and sleep disturbances amongst preschool children. After adjusting resilience, the association between caregivers' anxiety and sleep disturbances of preschool children was attenuated and remained significant (OR for parents = 9.323,95 %CI:2.295–37.875; OR for other caregivers = 2.232,95 %CI:1.050–4.745). In specific sleep domain of CSHQ, the moderating effect of resilience significantly existed in sleep duration and daytime sleepiness. Our study indicated that caregivers' anxiety was associated with sleep disturbances among preschool children. High resilient children may be partly protected against the negative effect of caregivers' anxiety on their sleep quality. Future well-designed cohort studies are needed to further explore this topic in more details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bicyclol has therapeutic potential in various pathological conditions in liver. • Bicyclol has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. • Further studies are required to delineate molecular mechanisms and targets of bicyclol. • Bicyclol-based therapeutics might be broadly used in clinical practice worldwide. Bicyclol, an innovative chemical drug with proprietary intellectual property rights in China, is based on derivative of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Schisandra chinensis (Wuweizi) of North. Mounting data has proved that bicyclol has therapeutic potential in various pathological conditions in liver. In this narrative review, we provide the first summary of pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics and toxicity of bicyclol, and discuss future research perspectives. Our results imply that bicyclol has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, immuno-regulatory, anti-oxidative, antisteatotic, anti-fibrotic, antitumor, cell death regulatory effects and modulation of heat shock proteins. Pharmacokinetic studies have indicated that bicyclol is the main substrate of CYP3A/2E1. Additionally, no obvious drug interactions have been found when bicyclol is administered simultaneously with other prescriptions. Furthermore, the results of chronic toxicity have strongly addressed that bicyclol has no noticeable toxic effects on all biochemical indices and pathological examinations of the main organs. In view of good pharmacological actions and safety, bicyclol is anticipated to be a potential candidate for various liver diseases, including acute liver injury, fulminant hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Further studies are therefore required to delineate its molecular mechanisms and targets to confer this well-designed drug a far greater potency. We hope that bicyclol-based therapeutics for liver diseases might be broadly used in clinical practice worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the hospitalization expenses of patients with chronic bronchitis in a central province (Province A) in China to estimate the direct medical cost of the family. Our data included hospitalization records of 30,341 patients with chronic bronchitis from five urban general hospitals in Province A. Using descriptive statistics and regression analysis, we explored the relevant factors affecting hospitalization expenses. Our study results have indicated that from 2016 to 2020, the medical expenditure of patients with chronic bronchitis increased annually, with an average annual growth rate of 22.65%. Among all kinds of expenses, the hospitalization expenses, drug cost, bed cost, test cost and other cost of UEMI (Urban Employee Medical Insurance) are higher than that of other types of medical insurance. The check-up fees of CMI (Commercial Insurance) are lower than that of other types of insurance. Between 2016 and 2019, the average medical expenses per patient with chronic bronchitis increased by 44%, which is the highest average medical expenses among patients aged 60-70. And the highest average medical expenditure emerged when the number of service days is between 5 and 10 days. The increase in expenditure could be attributed to the rapid development of medical technology and the increasing medical demand of the people. Overall, the results of our study implied a significant increase in medical expenses for patients with chronic bronchitis from 2015 to 2020, indicating that chronic bronchitis could bring heavy economic pressures to patients, their families and society., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Varicella is a mild, self-limited disease caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection. Recently, the disease burden of varicella has been gradually increasing in China; however, the epidemiological characteristics of varicella have not been reported for Anhui Province., Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiology of varicella in Anhui from 2012 to 2021, which can provide a basis for the future study and formulation of varicella prevention and control policies in the province., Methods: Surveillance data were used to characterize the epidemiology of varicella in Anhui from 2012 to 2021 in terms of population, time, and space. Spatial autocorrelation of varicella was explored using the Moran index (Moran I). The Kulldorff space-time scan statistic was used to analyze the spatiotemporal aggregation of varicella., Results: A total of 276,115 cases of varicella were reported from 2012 to 2021 in Anhui, with an average annual incidence of 44.8 per 100,000, and the highest incidence was 81.2 per 100,000 in 2019. The male-to-female ratio of cases was approximately 1.26, which has been gradually decreasing in recent years. The population aged 5-14 years comprised the high-incidence group, although the incidence in the population 30 years and older has gradually increased. Students accounted for the majority of cases, and the proportion of cases in both home-reared children (aged 0-7 years who are not sent to nurseries, daycare centers, or school) and kindergarten children (aged 3-6 years) has changed slightly in recent years. There were two peaks of varicella incidence annually, except for 2020, and the incidence was typically higher in the winter peak than in summer. The incidence of varicella in southern Anhui was higher than that in northern Anhui. The average annual incidence at the county level ranged from 6.61 to 152.14 per 100,000, and the varicella epidemics in 2018-2021 were relatively severe. The spatial and temporal distribution of varicella in Anhui was not random, with a positive spatial autocorrelation found at the county level (Moran I=0.412). There were 11 districts or counties with high-high clusters, mainly distributed in the south of Anhui, and 3 districts or counties with high-low or low-high clusters. Space-time scan analysis identified five possible clusters of areas, and the most likely cluster was distributed in the southeastern region of Anhui., Conclusions: This study comprehensively describes the epidemiology and changing trend of varicella in Anhui from 2012 to 2021. In the future, preventive and control measures should be strengthened for the key populations and regions of varicella., (©Kun Xuan, Ning Zhang, Tao Li, Xingya Pang, Qingru Li, Tianming Zhao, Binbing Wang, Zhenqiu Zha, Jihai Tang. Originally published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance (https://publichealth.jmir.org), 05.04.2024.)

Objective: We explored the feasibility of app-based HIV testing services (AHTS) among men who have sex with men (MSM) according to the perspectives of testing service providers., Methods: Twenty-one current or previous AHTS providers participated in a semi-structured interview which explored the facilitators and barriers to AHTS. Ten participants originating from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and 11 from the non-governmental organization (NGO) in Shijiazhuang, China took part in this study. Interviews was transcribed verbatim, and the socioecological model (SEM) was applied to thematic analysis., Results: Twenty-one participants from AHTS services commented on the integration of online appointment schedules into HIV testing services. AHTS was deemed a convenient and efficient method for MSM and service providers to choose their preferred location and times. Moreover, it allowed for important HIV-related information to be accessed online and targeted toward at-risk individuals. Participants thought MSM may feel unsure about personal information security being stored within a privatized app and was considered a barrier to AHTS's usability. As such, they believed establishing a government-led national online platform for AHTS would allow for greater trust from MSM, rather than a social media app., Conclusion: By linking booking services to an online platform, AHTS was deemed a convenient and efficient method for HIV testing services, especially for young MSM who are familiar with smartphone applications. To improve the use of these services, AHTS apps should focus on ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and internet security to build trust between MSM and service providers., 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 © 2022 Zhao, Cao, Jiang, Bulloch, Qiu, Liu, Wang, Li, Jia, Guo and Wu.)

Objectives: No tailored model incorporating physical frailty for 2-year mortality in cirrhosis is available for practitioners in general practice. Thus we aimed to develop a model based on laboratory results and physical frailty allowing clinicians for stratifying cirrhotics by using individual estimate., Methods: One hundred and thirteen cases were assigned to the primary cohort, and all other 76 patients were regarded as the validation cohort. Multivariate Cox regression was performed, and a nomogram including five-meter gait speed (5MGS) were generated. The performance of the proposed model was assessed by C-index, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA)., Results: On multivariate analysis, the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium, albumin and 5MGS were independent predictors for 2-year mortality in cirrhosis. A nomogram incorporating all these parameters achieved a C-index of 0.804 (95%CI, 0.731-0.877). The calibration curve implied optimal correspondence between the predicted survival and actual outcomes. Our model is useful in the clinical settings based on DCA. Similar results were observed in the validation cohort with a C-index of 0.796 (95%CI, 0.689-0.899). Moreover, 5MGS, as a surrogate of physical performance, significantly correlated with multiple domains of general frailty according to Frailty Index (our published data), including instrumental activities of daily living, self-reported health, social activity and falls., Conclusion: In conclusion, the nomogram incorporating 5MGS may represent an individualized tool for predicting mortality in cirrhosis for primary care physicians.

Background: The impact of changes in body composition has proved to correlate with outcomes in cirrhosis, however, numerous issues remain elusive. The present study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of myopenic obesity (MO) on long-term mortality in cirrhosis., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 200 patients with cirrhosis. Body composition parameters including skeletal muscle index (SMI) and visceral fat area (VFA) were estimated by computed tomography images at the third lumbar vertebra level. We defined MO as a low SMI (male: SMI < 46.96 cm 2 /m 2 and female: SMI < 32.46 cm 2 /m 2 ) with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 or VFA ≥ 100 cm 2 according to our previous publication. Patients were categorized into one of four body composition groups in terms of the presence or absence of myopenia and obesity., Results: On the basis of VFA or BMI, the four group comparison demonstrated the prognosis was poor in MO, followed by myopenic/nonobesity (MN), nonmyopenic/obesity and nonmyopenic/nonobesity, in that order (log-rank test). Multivariate Cox analysis identified that MO (HR 2.498; 95% CI, 1.214-5.140; P = 0.013), MN (HR 2.763; 95% CI, 1.244-6.134; P = 0.013), age (HR 3.035; 95% CI, 1.904-4.839; P < 0.001), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (HR 1.142; 95% CI, 1.082-1.207; P < 0.001) and MELD (HR 1.140; 95% CI, 1.066-1.219; P = 0.001) were independently associated with 2-year mortality according to VFA classification., Conclusions: MO was an independent predictor of higher long-term mortality in cirrhosis. Prevention strategies by reducing visceral fat obesity rather than BMI should be the optimal target for MO management., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.)

Eleven parameters recorded by polysomnography were used to evaluate the differences in sleep structure between individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and typically developed individuals (TDs). Four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)) were searched for potentially relevant literature published before July 14, 2019. Data extraction was performed by two independent assessors. The Cohen's d effect sizes and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effectiveness with the random-effects model. The heterogeneity was estimated by Cochran's Q test. The research yielded 14 case-control studies, 11 of which were included in this meta-analysis. Synthesis of the differences in 11 sleep parameters between individuals with ASDs and TDs demonstrated the pooled effect size of Cohen'd was -0.52 (95% CI: (-0.97, -0.08)) for total sleep time (TST), -0.69 (95% CI: (-1.27, -0.11)) for sleep efficiency (SE%) and 0.93 (95% CI: (0.37, 1.48)) for stage 1 sleep (S1%), respectively. Our findings suggested that compared with TDs, individuals with ASDs tend to have a decreased TST and SE% and an increased S1%. Differences of characteristics of sleep architecture in other sleep parameters between individuals with ASDs and TDs were not found in this study., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)