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Increasing attention has been focused on the malignant tumor microenvironment, which plays important roles in tumor occurrence, progression and metastasis. Fibroblasts are recruited by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGFs) and invade the tumor microenvironment. In the PDGF family, PDGF-B has been reported to play an important role in the recruitment and invasion programs. However, whether PDGF-D plays a role in these programs remains unclear. We generated a recombinant plasmid expressing human PDGF-D and transfected the plasmid to dermal fibroblasts to examine the effects on cell invasive activities in 3D type I collagen gels. PDGF-D plasmid transfection enhanced fibroblast invasive activities both in invasive cell numbers and invasion depth in 3D collagen gels. These effects were blocked by Snail-specific siRNA transfection. PDGF-D transfection significantly induced Snail expression at both mRNA and protein levels. PDGF-D further upregulated MT1-MMP mRNA and protein expressions and this was inhibited when Snail was knocked down by siRNA. Both Snail and MT1-MMP expressions in fibroblasts and cellular invasive activities in 3D collagen induced by PDGF-D were inhibited by LY294002, SP600125, and U1026, the inhibitors of PI3K, JNK, and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, respectively. However, no effects were observed in response to the P38MAPK signaling pathway inhibitor SB203580. These effects of PDGF-D were confirmed by using the culture supernatants of the transfectants. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PDGF-D plays important roles in the recruitment and invasion programs of fibroblasts via the activation of PI3K, JNK and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, and upregulation of Snail and downstream effecter MT1-MMP. These findings indicate that PDGF-D is an important player in the tumor microenvironment for fibroblast recruitment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black carbon (BC) exposure in China continues to be relatively high, prompting researchers to assess BC exposure levels using data from monitoring sites, satellite remote sensing, and models. However, data regarding the application of a combined strategy comprising the analysis of monitoring data and various types of data to simulate BC exposure levels are lacking. Hence, the current study seeks to estimate short- and long-term BC exposure levels by combining national monitoring data with data from the second Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA-2). Furthermore, this study attempts to improve the spatio-temporal resolution of BC exposure levels using Bayesian maximum entropy (BME). The BME model performed well in terms of estimating short- (R2 = 0.74 and RMSE = 1.76 μg/m3) and long-term (R2 = 0.76 and RMSE = 1.3 μg/m3) exposure. Premature mortalities and economic losses were also assessed by applying localised concentration–response coefficients simulated in China. A total of 74,500 (95% confidence interval (CI): 23,900–124,500) and 538,400 (95% CI: 495,000–581,300) all-cause premature mortality cases were found to be associated with short- and long-term BC exposure, respectively. Meanwhile, short-term BC exposure was associated with economic losses ranging from 7.5 to 13.2 billion US dollars (USD) (1 USD = 6.36 RMB on January 19, 2022) based on amended human capital (AHC) and willingness to pay (WTP), accounting for 0.06%–0.1% of China's total gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017 (1.2 × 104 billion USD), respectively. The economic losses for long-term exposure varied from 53 to 93.2 billion USD based on AHC and WTP, accounting for 0.4%–0.8% of China's total GDP in 2017, respectively. [Display omitted] • Modelled black carbon (BC) exposure level was the highest in Sichuan Basin, China. • All-cause premature mortalities due to long-term BC exposure were 538,400 cases in 2017. • Economic losses due to BC exposure accounted for 0.8% of the 2017 GDP of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies show that obesity during pregnancy affects more than half of the pregnancies in the developed countries and is associated with obstetric problems and poor outcomes. Obesity tends to increase the incidence of complications. Furthermore, the resulting offspring are also adversely affected. However, the molecular mechanisms of obesity leading to poor pregnancy outcomes remain unclear. Omics methods are used for genetic diagnosis and marker discovery. The aim of this review was to summarize the maternal and fetal pathophysiological alterations induced by gestational obesity,identified using multi-omics detection techniques, and to generalize the biological functions and potential mechanisms of the differentially expressed molecules. [Display omitted] • Maternal obesity increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. • Molecular mechanisms of its deleterious effects remain unknown. • Results of omics analyses can help elucidate the underlying mechanisms. • The review summarizes the related omics data and discusses the potential mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since NOx has decreased significantly, ozone formation sensitivity in urban areas has gradually shifted from VOC-limited to NOx-limited. Ozone is usually formed at high altitudes. However, due to a lack of vertical gradient observation data support, the evidence of high-altitude sensitivity change is still not conclusive. To confirm this issue, ozone and NOx were observed at three heights (8 m, 160 m, and 280 m) from a 325 m tower in Beijing from 2019 to 2020. Combined with the NO 2 and HCHO column concentrations, the ozone formation sensitivity transition was determined, and it was proposed that NOx control could effectively deal with high ozone concentrations. By comparing the observations from 2009 to 2010, near-surface NOx and ozone concentrations were found to have changed. A large decrease in NOx (−20 ppbv) and increase in ozone (19 ppbv) indicated that the weakening of the NO titration effect was the main cause of the increase. To remove the influence of the titration effect, the change in Ox (Ox = O 3 +NO 2) was analyzed and found to have increased by 6 ppbv. Local formation was not the main reason for Ox growth. After strict emission standards, the proportion of primary NO 2 and southward short-distance transport increased, which were two key reasons for the Ox increase. In addition, the boundary layer height increased by 208 m, and the surface relative humidity decreased by 6%. Meteorological conditions have become more conducive to ozone formation. This study shows that NOx emission reduction is conducive to controlling high-level ozone pollution. With the in-depth development of NOx emission reduction, the near-surface ozone will also significantly decrease. This study also highlights the importance of strict controls on diesel vehicles and motor vehicle numbers. • Meteorological conditions have become more favorable for ozone formation. • Primary NO 2 and southward short-distance transport increased. • Continuous NOx reduction can control ozone pollution. • VOCs should be controlled throughout the year, and NOx in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Whether the volume of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) hospitalizations is associated with outcomes has important implications for the organization of hospital care both during this pandemic and future novel and rapidly evolving high-volume conditions.Methods: We identified COVID-19 hospitalizations at US hospitals in the American Heart Association COVID-19 Cardiovascular Disease Registry with ≥10 cases between January and August 2020. We evaluated the association of COVID-19 hospitalization volume and weekly case growth indexed to hospital bed capacity, with hospital risk-standardized in-hospital case-fatality rate (rsCFR).Results: There were 85 hospitals with 15,329 COVID-19 hospitalizations, with a median hospital case volume was 118 (interquartile range, 57, 252) and median growth rate of 2 cases per 100 beds per week but varied widely (interquartile range: 0.9 to 4.5). There was no significant association between overall hospital COVID-19 case volume and rsCFR (rho, 0.18, P = .09). However, hospitals with more rapid COVID-19 case-growth had higher rsCFR (rho, 0.22, P = 0.047), increasing across case growth quartiles (P trend = .03). Although there were no differences in medical treatments or intensive care unit therapies (mechanical ventilation, vasopressors), the highest case growth quartile had 4-fold higher odds of above median rsCFR, compared with the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 4.00; 1.15 to 13.8, P = .03).Conclusions: An accelerated case growth trajectory is a marker of hospitals at risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes, identifying sites that may be targets for influx of additional resources or triage strategies. Early identification of such hospital signatures is essential as our health system prepares for future health challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory tract coinfections, specifically involving influenza A virus (IAV) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), remain a major health problem worldwide. Secondary bacterial pneumonia is a common complication and an important cause of mortality related to seasonal and pandemic influenza infections. Vaccination is a basic control strategy against influenza and S. pneumoniae. The fusion protein DnaJ-ΔA146Ply is a vaccine candidate which can induce immune responses against pneumococcal infections via mucosal and subcutaneous immunization in mice. In the present study, we established a co-infection model using mouse-adapted laboratory strains of IAV (PR8) and S. pneumoniae (19F) in mice intranasally and subcutaneously immunized with DnaJ-ΔA146Ply. Our results showed that vaccinated mice suffered decreased weight loss compared with control mice. The survival rates were higher in intranasally and subcutaneously immunized mice than in control mice. In addition, the bacterial loads in nasal washes and lung homogenates were lower in vaccinated mice than in control mice. Furthermore, lung damage was alleviated in vaccinated mice compared with control mice, with less broken alveoli and less proinflammatory cytokine production. Taken together, these results indicate that vaccination with DnaJ-ΔA146Ply shows protective potential against influenza and S. pneumoniae co-infection in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metal-organic frameworks (MIL-125) were synthesized by the solvothermal method and the experimental parameters of preparation, purification and activation were optimized and the physicochemical properties were characterized. The adsorption capacity of MIL-125 on C 8 aromatics was tested by the intelligent gravimetric analyzer (IGA) and the toluene vapor static adsorption device. The adsorption selectivity was studied by liquid static adsorption equilibrium experiment and large-scale pulse test. The C 8 aromatics adsorption conformation and adsorption heat in MIL-125 was simulated by Materials Studio software. The characterization results show that the synthesized sample has excellent crystallinity, regular morphology with a grain size of about 1 ​μm, surface area of 1315 ​m2/g, micropore volume of 0.601 ​mL/g and a bulk density of 0.45 ​g/mL. Moreover, the vapor static adsorption results show that the synthesized sample has almost three times of adsorption capacity as large as BaX zeolite and the liquid dynamic adsorption results indicate the synthesized sample is preferentially selective to pare-xylene with the alkane desorbent. The simulation results show that the adsorption heat of pare-xylene in the synthesized sample and the binding energy of pare-xylene in the tetrahedral cage are the largest among these four isomers. The optimized synthesis of MIL-125 with tetrahedral and octahedral cages was completed and the relation between experimental parameters and surface properties was illustrated. The adsorption capacity for C8 aromatics is 500 mg/g and the adsorption heat for PX is highest calculated by MS. PX is preferentially adsorbed in tablet MIL-125 with the alkane as the desorbent measured by large-scale pulse test. Image 1 • PX preferential adsorbent with large micropore volume was synthesized • The relationship between synthesis parameters and surface properties is provided • The tablet adsorbent is utilized in a large scale by dynamic liquid pulse device • Adsorption heat and binding energy are calculated to study adsorption selectivity • Liquid and vapor static adsorption are carried out to prove the capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The residual layer (RL) stores a large amount of pollutants, but its effect on near-surface pollution is unknown. In this study, a two-year continuous observation was performed in Beijing using a ceilometer. The generalized boundary layer includes the mixing layer and RL. The results showed that there is no significant seasonal difference in the generalized boundary layer height (GBLH). The average GBLHs in spring, summer, autumn and winter are 1155, 1139, 1036 and 1195 m, respectively. The diurnal variation characteristics of spring, summer and autumn are similar, and the RL disappears when the mixing layer height reaches its peak in the afternoon. In winter, the development of the mixing layer is weak, and there is a 33.8% chance that the RL cannot be breached, thus making the mixing layer height at noon much lower than the GBLH. The concentrations of PM 2.5 in the mixing layer and RL are 89 and 52 μg m−3, respectively, and the probability that the PM 2.5 concentration in the RL was higher than that near the ground was 38.9%. RL transport represents an important beginning of the pollution event during the winter mornings and afternoons in Beijing. This study is helpful to better understand the structure of the RL and its influence on air pollution. Image 1 • The residual layer (RL) often remains for a day in winter. • Many pollutants are stored in the RL at night. • RL transport plays a key role in promoting winter pollution events in Beijing. RL transport represents an important beginning of the pollution event during the winter mornings and afternoons in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Sichuan Basin (SCB), one of the four major basins in China, a one-year continuous observation study was performed using a ceilometer in Chengdu (2018.11–2019.12). The results show that the mixing layer height (MLH) in the SCB exhibits a bimodal seasonal variation pattern, with peaks in June (842 m) and October (704 m) and valleys in September (535 m) and January (607 m). Stable atmospheric conditions in September were the main reason for the decrease in MLH. Through comparison to other regions in China, it is found that the seasonal evolution of the MLH in the SCB is similar to that in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau region and more pronounced than that in the central and eastern plain regions of China. This indicates that the change in MLH is influenced by both the Western Pacific Subtropical High and South Asian High. Combined with an analysis of the fine-particulate matter concentration, it is found that the main influence factor of the air pollution in the SCB is not the atmospheric dilution capability, and the local contribution should be paid more attention to. The MLH as a meteorological index for air quality prediction varies from place to place. This study is of great importance to the understanding of the mixing layer structure in the basin and its influence on air pollution. • The MLH in the Sichuan Basin (SCB) is higher than that in other regions of China. • The Western Pacific Subtropical High greatly influences the change in the MLH. • The key factor impacting the air pollution in the SCB are local sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Unintended pregnancies (UIP) among unmarried sexually active college students in mainland China have emerged as a major reproductive health issue with detrimental personal and socioeconomic consequences. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with UIP among sexually active undergraduates in mainland China. Methods: Between September 8, 2019 and January 17, 2020, a total of 48,660 participants were recruited across the Chinese mainland to complete the self-administered, structured, online questionnaire. This analysis was restricted to 6347 sexually experienced, never-married 15–26 year old undergraduates. Pearson's Chi square tests and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify sociodemographic, familial and individual variables associated with UIP. Results: The overall prevalence of UIP was 17.7%. More specifically, 19.5% of male college students reported they had unintentionally gotten a partner pregnant, while 14.9% of female college students became unintentionally pregnant. Students who experienced UIP were more likely to belong to the older age group (23–26 years), live with only one parent or live without parents at home, report that their family members approve of premarital sex, initiate sexual activity younger than 14 years old and have casual sex partners. Furthermore, females with multiple partners and males who came from low- income households, experienced sexual abuse, perceived difficulties in acquiring condoms and did not know how to use condoms correctly were also at higher risk of experiencing an unintended pregnancy. Conclusion: In order to prevent UIP, a comprehensive intervention measure should be taken to target older students and those engaging in risky sexual behaviors, work with young male students to improve condom use skills, improve the availability of free condoms, optimize the involvement of parents and other family members in their children's sex education. Plain language summary: In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with UIP among sexually active undergraduates in mainland China. Between September 8, 2019 and January 17, 2020, a total of 48,660 participants were recruited from the Chinese mainland to complete the self-administered, structured, online questionnaire. This analysis was restricted to 6347 sexually experienced, never-married 15–26 year old undergraduates. Based on a social-ecological theoretical framework, we ran separate multivariate Logistic regression models for men and women to identify sociodemographic, familial and individual variables associated with UIP. Our findings indicate that the overall prevalence of UIP was 17.7%. More specifically, 19.5% of male college students reported they had unintentionally gotten a partner pregnant, while 14.9% of female college students became unintentionally pregnant. Students who experienced UIP were more likely to belong to the older age group, live with only one parent or live without parents at home, report that their family members approve of premarital sex, initiate sexual activity younger than 14 years old and have casual sex partners. Furthermore, females with multiple partners and males who came from low-income households, experienced sexual abuse, perceived difficulties in acquiring condoms and did not know how to use condoms correctly were also at higher risk of having an unintended pregnancy. In order to prevent UIP, a comprehensive intervention measure should be taken to target older students and those engaging in risky sexual behaviors, work with young male students to improve condom use skills, improve the availability of free condoms, optimize the involvement of parents and other family members in their children's sex education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhaled bronchodilators are the mainstay treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Qingjin Huatan (QJHT) decoction is a widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, it is commonly prescribed as an adjuvant therapy to western medicine to manage acute exacerbation COPD (AECOPD). In this review, we conducted a systematic review to evaluate the total clinical efficacy of QJHT decoction. Five electronic databases including Pubmed, Cochrane Library, China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese science and technology periodical database (VIP) and Wanfang database (Wanfang Data) were searched. The primary outcome was total clinical efficacy after 7–15 days; secondary outcomes included changes in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEV1 percentage of the predicted value (FEV1% pre), and adverse effects. Fourteen eligible RCTs with moderate risk of bias were included and data from 1278 patients were studied. Compared to CWM, QJHT decoction improved total clinical efficacy rate by an odds ratio (OR) of 3.98, 95% CI: 2.61 to 6.08, P <0.00001. It offered clinically relevant improvement for all secondary outcomes. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was improved by a weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.29 L (95%CI: 0.08, 0.51 L, P =0.007), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) by WMD of 6.75 (95%CI: 5.49, 8.00, P <0.00001) and FEV1% by WMD of 4.91 (95%CI: 1.90, 7.92, P =0.001). QJHT decoction appears to be beneficial for patients with COPD at the acute exacerbation stage. It may serve as a good adjuvant therapy to CWM with fewer adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Functional efficacies of porcine bone collagen peptides with different molecular weights (MWs) were compared. • Collagen peptides (<1 kDa) increased proliferation and cell cycle and inhibited apoptosis. • The underlying mechanism was revealed that low-MW peptides exerted their effects by activating PI3K/Akt. Collagen peptides are widely used in food and medicine industries. Given the significant role of collagen in bone structure, collagen peptides are considered promising for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. To elucidate their effect on osteoporosis, we extracted porcine collagen, digested it into peptides, and investigated their biological function using osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. The collagen structure was relatively stable and we prepared peptides with different molecular weights (MWs) via hydrolysis with two commercially-available enzymes (alcalase/trypsin). Low-MW (<1 kDa) peptides, mainly comprised of tripeptides, increased proliferation and promoted cell cycle progression by upregulating CDK-2, CDK-4, Cyclin B1, and Cyclin D1, and inhibited apoptosis by decreasing Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Meanwhile, they upregulated p-Akt and downregulated PTEN, indicating that low-MW peptides inhibited apoptosis and promoted osteoblast proliferation and differentiation by activating PI3K/Akt pathway. Thus, we report the mechanism through which porcine bone-derived collagen peptides could be used to prevent and treat osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying the transport flux of atmospheric pollutants plays an important role in understanding the causes of atmospheric pollution and making decisions on prevention and control of atmospheric pollution. In this study, the mixing layer height and the wind profile in the mixing layer were measured by ceilometer and doppler wind radar respectively, and the variation characteristic of atmospheric transport capacity (TC) was analyzed by using these two sets of data. The research showed that the TC was strongest in spring and weaker in summer, autumn and winter. Combined with the near-surface fine particle concentration data, the influence of TC on the concentration of PM2.5 was studied, and it was found that there was a strong inverse correlation between PM2.5 and TC in spring, autumn and winter (R = -0.66, -0.65 and -0.80), and a weak positive correlation in summer (R = 0.33). By calculating the transport flux of fine particles (TF), it was found that the TF in Beijing was highest in spring with 227 mg/m•s, and in the other three seasons were around 140 mg/m•s. The transport mainly occurred between 14:00 and 18:00 LT. According to the PM2.5 concentration, it was found that, except for the spring, the TF in the early stage of pollution was large (summer: 328 mg/m•s, autumn: 280 mg/m•s and winter: 247 mg/m•s), and decreased in the heavy pollution period (summer: 295 mg/m•s, autumn: 243 mg/m•s and winter: 218 mg/m•s). The results of this study indicate that the influence of transportation in southern regions should be paid more attention in the early stage of pollution, while the local emission should be paid more attention in the heavy pollution period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]