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Objectives. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the devastating complications of diabetes. It has high mortality and disability rates. The number of research articles on DFUs has increased. This study was designed to explore the global trends and research hotspots of DFUs to benefit researchers in shaping future research directions. Methods. Literatures relating to DFU from 2004 to 2020 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-expanded) of Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). The current status of DFU research (including publications, journals, the performances of relevant countries, institutions, and authors and the research trends and hotspots of DFU) was analyzed with the WoSCC. VOSviewer v1.6.10.0 was utilised for cocitation, coauthorship, cooccurrence analyses, and bibliographic coupling. Results. A total of 5869 publications on DFUs were retrieved. We performed a longitudinal review of publications over 17 years: 4500 articles and 865 review articles on DFUs published from 2004 to 2020 were analyzed. The total citation was 107,296. The USA ( n = 1866 ), England ( n = 606 ), and China ( n = 599 ) were the three largest contributors. The University of Washington had the greatest number of publications within this time period ( n = 103 ), and it had the most cooperative units and was in the core position in all research institutions, followed by the University of Manchester ( n = 94 ) and the University of Miami ( n = 92 ). Armstrong DG (91/1.69%) and Lavery LA (55/1.19%) should be regarded as scholars who have made outstanding contributions. The top journal with the greatest total link strength was Diabetes Care. Analysis showed that the global research hotspots of DFU focused on lower limb amputation, diabetic foot infection, and treatment and management of DFU. Studies on osteomyelitis, wound therapy and management, multidisciplinary integration and mechanism of DFUs, and its related diseases are the research fronts that should be closely watched in the future. Conclusions. This study revealed the current research status and hotspots in the domain of DFU over the past 17 years, which can help researchers to further pinpoint potential perspectives on hot topics and research frontiers.

To determine the efficacy of Venastent - a novel iliac vein stent for non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVLs).From October 2018 to January 2021, 256 NIVL patients were recruited at 19 Chinese hospitals. A randomised controlled trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of the new iliac vein stent-Venastent (Tianhong China) with Zilver stent (Cook USA). All patients were allocated randomly to two groups: the experimental group patients used Venastent, while the control group received the Zilver stent. The trial was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200057851).A total of 123 patients in the experimental group and 122 patients in the control group had a full set of data collected (p = ns). The technical success rate was 100% (n = 245/245). The patency rate was 100% (n = 123/123) in the experimental group and 98.4% (n = 120/122) in control group one year after operation (p = ns). The lower extremity swelling remission rate was 79.1% (n = 87/110) in the experimental group and 78.4% (n = 91/116) in the control group (p = ns). The lower extremity pain relief rate was 68.8% (n = 50/80) in the experimental group and 77.2% (n = 71/92) in the control group (p = ns). The ulcer healing rate was 90% (n = 18/20) in the experimental group and 87% (n = 20/23) in the control group (p = ns). There was no difference in stent re-stenosis or clinical remission between the two groups.The new iliac vein stent, Venastent, had a comparable high patency rate and safety profile as the Zilver stent (Cook) in NIVLs patients. Venastent significantly reduced symptoms of chronic venous disease.

Petroleum contamination may lead to variations in soil microbial community structure and activities. The bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated soil typically depends on the characteristics and activities of oil-degrading microorganisms, which can be introduced or be part of the native soil microbiota. Thus, analyzing the structure of the microbial community and internal relationships in the bioremediation process is critical. Our study characterized the physical and chemical properties, microbial community structure, and microbial diversity of surface soil collected near an oilfield. The total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC), and microbial diversity in oil-contaminated soil was found higher than in uncontaminated samples. Proteobacteria abundance was inhibited with oil pollution, while Actinomycetes abundance was enhanced. Some indigenous hydrocarbon-degrading bactera were enriched by oil pollution, such as Bacillus, Actinomarinales norank, Balneolaceae uncultured, Marinobacter, and Pseudomonas. Furthermore, Rokubacteria, Nitrospirae, and Entotheonellaeota were significant differences in the contaminated group. There were 16 genera with significant differences in the polluted group, such as Woeseia, Pelagibius, Pontibacillus, IS_44, Aliifodinibius, while Halothiobacillus, Algoriphagus, Novosphingobium, etc. had significant differences in the uncontaminated group. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that the responses of the microorganisms to the evaluated environmental factors were different, and TC was the most important driver of microbial community variation. Moreover, TOC was the largest contributor to operational taxonomic unit (OTU) and Chao index variations. Our results provide a theoretical basis for the enhancement of microbial activity in oil-contaminated soil, which might improve bioremediation efficacy.

Triazine herbicides are widely used in agricultural production, and large amounts of herbicide residue enter the ocean through surface runoff. In this study, the toxicities of the triazine herbicides atrazine, prometryn and terbutryn (separately and mixed) to Phaeodactylum tricornutum were investigated. The EC50 values of atrazine, prometryn and terbutryn were 28.38 μg L−1, 8.86 μg L−1, and 1.38 μg L−1, respectively. The EC50 of an equitoxic mixture of the three herbicides was 0.78 TU, indicating that they had synergistic effects. The equitoxic mixture accumulated in P. tricornutum, which damaged chloroplast and mitochondria structures and significantly decrease the biomass, levels of key cellular components (such as chlorophyll a (chl a), carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content, fatty acid content) and the effective photochemical quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII, ∆Fv/Fm). The mixture also downregulated key genes in the light response (PsbD, PetF), dark response (PGK, PRK), tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle (CS, ID, OGD, and MS) and fatty acid synthesis (FABB, SCD, and PTD9). P. tricornutum partially alleviates the effects of the mixture on photosynthesis and fatty acid synthesis by upregulating PetD, PsaB, RbcL and FabI expression. The triazine herbicide mixture reduced the biomass and nutritional value of marine phytoplankton by inhibiting photosynthesis and energy metabolism.

O-linked glycosylation (O-glycosylation) and N-linked glycosylation (N-glycosylation) are the two most important forms of protein glycosylation, which is an important post-translational modification. The regulation of protein function involves numerous mechanisms, among which protein glycosylation is one of the most important. Core 1 synthase glycoprotein-N-acetylgalactosamine 3-β-galactosyltransferase 1 (C1GALT1) serves an important role in the regulation of O-glycosylation and is an essential enzyme for synthesizing the core 1 structure of mucin-type O-glycans. Furthermore, C1GALT1 serves a vital role in a number of biological functions, such as angiogenesis, platelet production and kidney development. Impaired C1GALT1 expression activity has been associated with different types of human diseases, including inflammatory or immune-mediated diseases, and cancer. O-glycosylation exists in normal tissues, as well as in tumor tissues. Previous studies have revealed that changes in the level of glycosyltransferase in different types of cancer may be used as potential therapeutic targets. Currently, numerous studies have reported the dual role of C1GALT1 in tumors (carcinogenesis and cancer suppression). The present review reports the role of C1GALT1 in normal development and human diseases. Since the mechanism and regulation of C1GALT1 and O-glycosylation remain elusive, further studies are required to elucidate their effects on development and disease.

Background The present study aimed to first describe the work‐related outcomes of cancer survivors and to then identify those characteristics that influenced the decision to stop working in rural China. Methods We assessed 752 cancer survivors (residents of rural areas, working at the time of diagnosis, >1 year since completing treatment) from the cross‐sectional study “China Survey of Experiences with Cancer”. Participants reported changes in employment status, income, and the ability to perform physical jobs due to cancer, as well as the work‐related outcomes of their informal caregivers. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between sociodemographic characteristics, cancer characteristics, and changes in work (ie, continue to work vs not working). Results The participants were largely farmers (96%), women (56%), younger than 65 years old (69%), and diagnosed with colorectal (31%) and breast cancer (31%). Thirty‐nine percent reported reducing working hours, and 40% reported stopping work altogether. Approximately 7% of informal caregivers also stopped working in order to take care of those diagnosed with cancer. Thirty‐three percent of cancer survivors and 5% of their informal caregivers had no source of income following treatment. Controlling for other variables, lower educational attainment, physical limitations in work, and different cancer sites were significantly associated with ending employment in both men and women, while among men specifically, we observed that older age, being unmarried, and being diagnosed at later stages were significantly associated with an end to working. Conclusion Rural cancer survivors are at a high risk for stopping work after completing treatment, and many survivors and their caregivers experience poor work‐related outcomes and economic hardship. These results highlight the importance of paying attention to the work experiences of cancer survivors in rural China., The present study aimed to first describe the long‐term effects of cancer diagnosis and treatment on the work status of cancer survivors, and to then identify those characteristics that influenced the decision to stop working in rural China

Aim: Following the near-complete destruction of China’s forest ecosystems during the 20th century, recent reforestation programmes have created large-scale mosaics of protected secondary and plantation forests. These restored forests are often assumed to have limited biodiversity conservation value, but large-scale evaluations of their diversity are lacking. In our study, we compared α-diversity and species dissimilarity patterns of vascular plants and ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in restored secondary and plantation forests to remnant mature forests across North-eastern temperate China. We also assessed functional traits of beetles and cross-taxon diversity links to evaluate differences in ecosystem functioning among forest types. // Location: Forested landscapes between Beijing and China’s North Korean and Russian borders. // Methods: Vascular plant and ground beetle assemblages were recorded in 159 temperate forest plots. The α-diversity and species compositional dissimilarity of these taxa and the functional traits of beetles were compared between plantation, secondary and mature forest ecosystems. // Results: Herbaceous plant species richness peaked in mature forests, while carabid and woody plant diversity did not differ between forest types. Species dissimilarity of carabids was lowest in mature forests and highest in plantation forests. Mature forest contained the highest proportion of carnivorous beetles, and secondary forests of large-bodied carabids. Carabid diversity and woody plant species richness were positively correlated in mature forests, but not in secondary or plantation forests. // Main conclusions: While China’s mature forests show a great conservation value in harbouring highly diverse herbaceous plant assemblages and an abundance of distinct invertebrate trait groups such as small predatory carabids, China’s restored temperate forests also support a high diversity of woody plants and carabids. Overall, our findings offer an encouraging conservation message for biodiversity conservation in China, and demonstrate the importance of policy measures that ensure effective long-term protection of both, China’s remnant mature forests, but also its new forest ecosystems.

This paper considers manufacturer encroachment with the cost reduction decision under either asymmetric or symmetric demand information. By solving a signaling game, we find that encroachment motivates the manufacturer to invest more in cost reduction if and only if the direct selling channel is relatively efficient. Furthermore, both members benefit from the cost reduction action without encroachment, while encroachment allows the manufacturer to monopolize all of the benefit. In addition, encroachment benefits the manufacturer when the direct selling cost is sufficiently low, while it benefits the retailer when this cost is sufficiently high. Finally, we obtain some insights into information management.

Soil is inhabited by a myriad of microorganisms, many of which can form supracellular structures, called biofilms, comprised of surface-associated microbial cells embedded in hydrated extracellular polymeric substance that facilitates adhesion and survival. Biofilms enable intensive inter- and intra-species interactions that can increase the degradation efficiency of soil organic matter and materials commonly regarded as toxins. Here, we first discuss organization, dynamics and properties of soil biofilms in the context of traditional approaches to probe the soil microbiome. Social interactions among bacteria, such as cooperation and competition, are discussed. We also summarize different biofilm cultivation devices in combination with optics and fluorescence microscopes as well as sequencing techniques for the study of soil biofilms. Microfluidic platforms, which can be applied to mimic the complex soil environment and study microbial behaviors at the microscale with high-throughput screening and novel measurements, are also highlighted. This review aims to highlight soil biofilm research in order to expand the current limited knowledge about soil microbiomes which until now has mostly ignored biofilms as a dominant growth form.

BACKGROUND China accounts for approximately 27% of global cancer deaths. However, to the authors' knowledge, the lasting effects of cancer and cancer treatments on patients have not been investigated in China. The authors developed a questionnaire, the China Survey of Experiences with Cancer, for Chinese cancer survivors. This article introduces the study design and domains covered in the questionnaire. METHODS The Cancer Survivorship Supplement of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) was used as a reference to develop the questionnaire. The final in-person surveys were conducted in 2015 and 2016. Samples were chosen through multistage sampling. The authors described the characteristics of the study participants and their cancer experiences. RESULTS At the time of last follow-up, a total of 1166 patients had completed at least 1 component of the survey. Approximately 59% of the cancer survivors were aged ≥60 years. Greater than one-half of the participants had an elementary education level or less (51%) and a yearly family income of

Background: Benzophenones (BPs), parabens, and triclosan (TCS) are widely used in personal care products and may be neurotoxic to children, but limited studies have estimated the associations between exposure to these potential endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy and child neurocognitive development. Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the relationships of prenatal exposure to BPs, parabens and TCS with child neurocognitive development at age 2. Methods: From 2014 to 2015, 478 mother-child pairs from a longitudinal prenatal cohort in China were included in present study. We quantified BPs, parabens and TCS in three spot urine samples during pregnancy (in the first, second, and third trimester). The Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) test to children was performed at 2 years. Multivariate linear regression models and generalized estimating equations were used to examine changes in mental developmental index (MDI) and psychomotor development index (PDI) per 2-fold increase in averaged and trimester-specific maternal urinary phenols, respectively. Results: In the adjusted models, each 2-fold increase in average prenatal paraben concentration was associated with lower MDI scores among girls [−1.08 (95% CI: −2.10, −0.06) and − 1.51 (95% CI: −2.69, −0.32) for methyl paraben (Mep) and Σparabens, respectively], but the association was not statistically significant among boys [−0.24 (95% CI: −1.46, 0.99), Psex-int = 0.37 and 0.18 (95% CI: −1.28, 1.64), Psex-int = 0.10 for Mep and Σparabens, respectively]. Increasing urinary 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP) concentration was associated with lower PDI scores among boys [−2.96 (95% CI: −4.48, −1.45)], not girls [−0.07 (95% CI: −1.57, 1.43)] and the association was significantly different in boys and girls (Psex-int = 0.01). No significant associations were observed between the average prenatal TCS exposure and BSID results. In trimester-specific analyses, increasing parabens was associated with lower girls' MDI only in the second trimester, while increasing 4-OH-BP was associated with lower boys' PDI in each trimester. Conclusion: Our results suggest that prenatal exposure to BPs and parabens may be associated with impairment in child cognitive abilities at 2 years. Further human and animal studies are needed to verify our results and elucidate the biological mechanisms involved in these associations. Keywords: Benzophenones, Parabens, Triclosan, Child neurocognitive development

Background: Widespread exposure to parabens has been a concern, especially among pregnant women. Only one study reported that parabens are associated with glucose levels among pregnant women. However, studies on parabens exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are lacking. Objectives: This study investigated whether exposure to parabens in early pregnancy is related to GDM. Methods: We conducted a prospective study of 1087 pregnant women from a single tertiary medical center between 2014 and 2015 in Wuhan, China. Parabens [methyl paraben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), butylparaben (BuP), and benzylparaben (BzP)] concentrations were measured in spot urine samples collected between 8 and 16 gestational weeks. GDM was diagnosed according to the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups Consensus Panel (IADPSG) recommendations. We used the Poisson regression with a robust error variance with generalized estimating equations (GEE) estimation analyses to evaluate associations between parabens exposure and GDM risk. Results: A total of 103 (9.5%) women were diagnosed with GDM. We evaluated the associations of GDM risk with urinary MeP, EtP, and PrP (detection rate: >90%), but not with BuP and BzP due to the relatively low detection rate (

The objective of this research was to investigate the ex situ simultaneous nitrification–denitrification (SND) and in situ denitrification process and to evaluate its application for treating landfill leachates at long-term operations. Based on the predicted contaminant concentrations, two sets of laboratory-scale bioreactor landfill systems (an ex situ nitrification and in situ denitrification bioreactor as well as an ex situ SND and in situ denitrification bioreactor) were operated continuously for about 48 weeks. The recirculated leachate quantity and effluent characteristics of leachates were regularly monitored and analyzed by using the standard method. The ex situ SND and in situ denitrification process obtained a better leachate removal performance compared with the ex situ nitrification and in situ denitrification process, while the ex situ SND process can reduce the energy costs. However, the leachate treatment performance of this process was generally unsatisfactory as the contaminant concentrations do not meet the discharge standard within the forecasted time. These results further proved that the effectiveness of the treatment decreases along with an increasing landfill age. Therefore, further research must be performed to optimize the treatment efficiency of the bioreactor.

The direction synthesis of biofunctional nanomaterials with DNA as the template is of high application value. By using phosphorothioate-thymine single-stranded DNA (PS-T-ssDNA) as the template and through synthetic conditions optimization, novel low-toxicity and environment-friendly ssDNA-functionalized room-temperature phosphorescent quantum dots (PS-T-ssDNA RTP QDs) were prepared at low temperature (37 °C). Then, the quantitative RTP-based mercury(II) (Hg2+) detection was achieved by utilizing the specific identifying ability of T-base-pair Hg2+ (T-Hg2+-T) and its photoinduced electron transfer. This RTP sensor in Hg2+ detection had a linear range of 0.02 to 0.8 μM and a detection limit of 4.8 nM. The dependence on RTP of QDs effectively avoids interference from background fluorescence and scattering light in the environment or biological samples. This sensor also possessed an RTP stability and a long service life and did not require sample pretreatment. Thus this sensor is suitable for environmental and quantitative Hg2+ detection in biological samples.

Benzophenones (BPs) are widely used as ultraviolet absorbers and fragrance retention agents. Evidences from animal studies have suggested that exposure to BPs may affect fetal growth, but human data is limited and no study is concerning critical windows of BPs exposure throughout pregnancy in relation to fetal growth. We aimed to investigate the associations of prenatal exposure to BPs with birth size and examine the critical exposure windows of fetus development. We measured BPs (including 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (BP-1), 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP-3) and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP)) in maternal urine samples collected in the first, second, and third trimester from 847 mothers recruited in Wuhan, China. The general estimation equations were used to analyze the relationships between maternal exposure to BPs levels and birth size. In all newborns, we found each log unit increase in maternal urinary concentrations of BP-1 and 4-OH-BP in the 1st trimester were associated with decreases in birth length by 0.06 cm (95% confidence interval (CI): −0.11, −0.01) and 0.08 cm (95% CI: −0.15, −0.01), respectively, but only the association with BP-1 in the boys remained significant in the stratified analysis by infant sex. In girls, urinary concentrations of BP-1 and BP-3 in the 3rd trimester were associated with decreased birth weight (adjusted β = −27.99 g, 95% CI: −50.66, −5.31 and −19.75 g, 95% CI: −37.31, −2.19, respectively) and length (adjusted β = −0.08 cm, 95% CI: −0.17, 0.00 and −0.08 cm, 95% CI: −0.15, −0.02) (p for interaction = 0.04). Our findings indicate that maternal urinary levels of BPs in the early and late periods during pregnancy may have impacts on delayed fetal growth, and the effects were more pronounced in girls.

In this work, the effects of thermo-oxidative aging on the microstructure and impact properties of polyethylene during the rotational molding process were studied. FTIR and Raman analysis showed that the degradation of polyethylene was responsible for the low-temperature impact strength (LT-IS) and the brittle fracture behavior of samples those subjected to prolonged heating time during rotational molding process. The DSC and polarizing microscope analysis showed that the degradation process was delayed by the addition of antioxidants. Through use and optimization of antioxidants, the thermo-oxidative aging of polyethylene can be modulated, a broader processing window can be achieved, and the products may exhibit better mechanical properties with a wider heating time range.

This paper presents a novel course control strategy for unmanned surface vehicles (USV) subject to unmodeled dynamics and time-varying external disturbance. A practical adaptive course controller is proposed by trajectory linearization control (TLC) technology, neural network minimum learning parameter method (MLP), disturbance observer (DOB) and auxiliary design system. MLP and DOB are introduced to compensate for unmodeled dynamics and time-varying external disturbance, respectively. In addition, auxiliary design system is hired to deal with input saturation issue. By Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved that all the error signals in the course control system are uniform ultimate bounded. The advantages of the developed control strategy are that first, from the author’s point of view, TLC technology is applied to the field of USV motion control for the first time, which opens a new research direction of this algorithm; second, MLP with a smaller computational burden is used to replace radial basis function (RBF) neural network, which is more convenient for engineering implementation; third, the proposed scheme has strong anti-interference ability, which can compensate for the inherent defect that the USV with a smaller volume is susceptible to external disturbance. Finally, numerical simulations prove the effectiveness and correctness of the proposed control strategy.

Objective Colorectal cancer (CRC) causes a substantial burden of disease in China and the evidence of economic burden triggered is fundamental for priority setting. The aim of this survey was to quantify medical expenditures and the time trends for CRC diagnosis and treatment in China. Methods From 2012 to 2014, a hospital-based multicenter retrospective survey was conducted in 13 provinces across China. For each eligible CRC patient diagnosed from 2002 to 2011, clinical information and expenditure data were extracted using a uniform questionnaire. All expenditure data were reported in Chinese Yuan (CNY) using 2011 values. Results Of the 14,536 CRC patients included, the average age at diagnosis was 58.2 years and 15.8% were stage-I cases. The average medical expenditure per patient was estimated at 37,902 CNY [95 % confidence interval (95% CI): 37,282-38,522], and the annual average increase rate was 9.2% from 2002 to 2011 (P for trend

A simple and sensitive Mn–ZnS quantum dot room-temperature phosphorescent immunosensor for detecting microcystin-LR was developed. This sensor adopted antigens and antibodies as recognition units and used Mn–ZnS RTP QDs as sensing materials to specifically bind with MC-LR. The structurally specific binding between the microcystin-LR antibody and MC-LR led to the aggregation of antibody-crosslinked QDs, and then the electrons of QDs would be transferred to the complex, leading to the phosphorescence quenching of QDs. The microcystin-LR antigen–antibody specific binding site was first analyzed. This phosphorescent immunosensor rapidly and sensitively detected microcystin-LR, with linear ranges of 0.2–1.5 μg L−1 and 1.5–20 μg L−1 and a detection limit of up to 0.024 μg L−1. Meanwhile, coexisting pollutants of microcystin-LR in water did not significantly interfere with microcystin-LR detection. The new sensor was applied to detect real water samples and showed high sensitivity and selectivity.

This paper develops a novel adaptive trajectory tracking control strategy to enhance the tracking performance for surface vessels with unmodeled dynamics and unknown time-varying disturbances. A high robustness and precision trajectory tracking controller is presented by using trajectory linearization control (TLC) technology, neural network, extended state observer (ESO), nonlinear tracking differentiator, and auxiliary dynamic system. First, the greatest advantage of this paper is that the TLC technology is first introduced into the field of surface vessels motion control, which provides a new direction for TLC technology research. Then, to further enhance the control performance and robustness of the system, the neural network with minimum learning parameter is used to replace the classical radial basis function neural network to approximate unmodeled dynamics, which can reduce the burden of computing. A novel reduced-order ESO is constructed to estimate unknown time-varying disturbances to achieve real-time compensation. Meanwhile, nonlinear tracking differentiator is employed to realize the derivative of virtual control command, as well as to provide command filtering. In addition, an auxiliary dynamic system is designed to reduce the risk of actuator saturation. The stability of the closed-loop system is guaranteed based on the Lyapunov criteria. Lastly, the comparison results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed approach.

In the presence of the uncertain system dynamics, unknown time-varying disturbances and rudder saturation, this paper develops a novel robust adaptive course control scheme for unmanned surface vehicle (USV). Considering the characteristics of the rudder servo system, a double loop course controller of the practical and concise is proposed by the enhanced trajectory linearization control (TLC) technology. The key features of the developed controller are that, first, the neural networks are employed to online approximate unmodeled dynamics, and adaptive techniques are adopted to deal with completely unknown external disturbances; second, auxiliary systems that are governed by smooth switching functions, are developed in an unprecedented manner to compensate for the saturation constraints on actuators. The main innovation can be summarized as that the TLC technology is applied to the USV motion control field as a new control algorithm, and the enhanced technology based on traditional TLC not only reduces the number of adjustment parameters but also has simple structure and high robustness. Furthermore, a low frequency learning method improves the applicability of the algorithm. The stability analysis is established using the Lyapunov theory. Simulation results and comparison verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.

This paper deals with the problem of formation collision avoidance for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). Compared with the generalship formation, the formation collision avoidance system (FCAS) needs better responsiveness and stability because of faster speed and smaller volume for USVs. A method based on finite control set model predictive control is proposed to solve this problem. The novelty of the method is that it can control formation quickly to avoid obstacles and reach the destination in accordance with the dynamics of each vessel in the formation, without the prior knowledge of the environment and reference trajectory. The thruster speed and propulsion angle of the USV form a finite control set, which is more practical. The FCAS adopts the leader–follower structure and distributed control strategy to ensure that the followers have a certain autonomy. The first two simulation tests verify that the system has the formation stability, formation forming ability, and the applicability in restricted water. The last simulation test shows that the system can control the USV formation to sail quickly and safely in complex sea scenarios with formation transformation task and multiple dynamic obstacles.

Previous studies have proven the endocrine-disrupting properties and health hazards of parabens, triclosan, and benzophenones, but their relationship with blood pressure during pregnancy remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the associations of repeated measures of urinary parabens, triclosan, and benzophenones with blood pressure during pregnancy and evaluated whether the associations were modified by fetal sex. From a prospective birth cohort in Wuhan, China, we collected urine samples from 644 pregnant women in the first, second, and third trimesters between 2014 and 2015. Five parabens, triclosan, and three benzophenones were quantified in all urine samples. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured in each trimester after urine sampling. Mixed linear models were used to estimate the associations between urinary chemical levels and blood pressure during pregnancy among all pregnant women and subgroups stratified by fetal sex. In the women carrying male fetuses, urinary triclosan and selected benzophenone concentrations were associated with a slight change of SBP during pregnancy. In the women carrying female fetuses, no chemical was associated with SBP, while urinary concentration of triclosan was inversely associated with DBP, though the magnitude was small. Urinary paraben levels weren't associated with blood pressure during pregnancy. Our results suggest that triclosan and selected benzophenone exposure might be associated with blood pressure during pregnancy in a potential fetal sex-different manner. Replicated research studies in pregnant women with higher triclosan and benzophenone exposure levels are needed in the future.

Bio-functionalization of quantum dots (QDs) is of important value in practical applications. With single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) rich in thymine T and thioguanine G taken as the template, a new-type nanocomposite material (ssDNA-PQDs) synthesized from low-toxicity T-ssDNA functionalized Mn-ZnS and room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) QDs (PQDs) was prepared in this paper by optimizing synthesis conditions, and these ssDNA-PQDs could emit orange RTP signals at 590 nm. As these ssDNA-PQDs are rich in T sequences and T sequences can bond with melamine through the hydrogen-bond interaction, ssDNA-PQDs experience aggregation, thus causing phosphorescent exciton energy transfer (PEET) between ssDNA-PQDs of different particle sizes and their RTP quenching. Based on this principle, an RTP detection method for melamine was established. The linear range and detection limit of the detection method are 0.005-6 mM and 0.0016 mM respectively. As this method is based on the RTP nature of ssDNA-PQDs, it can avoid disturbance from background fluorescence and scattered light of the biological fluid, and it is very suitable for melamine detection in the biological fluid milk.

The perfect optical vortex (POV) has generated a large number of applications in classical to quantum physics because its diameter is independent of its topological charge (TC). Previous reported POVs still show a lack of controllable size, shape, and amplitude, which may hinder their applications. In this paper, a combined phase is used to create complex polygonal perfect optical vortex (PPOV) arrays. The size, number, position, shape, and amplitude of the PPOVs in the array are controllable, where the shape can be an arbitrary symmetric polygon. We investigate the transmission characteristics of the PPOV arrays. The generation of PPOV arrays further provides more flexibility in optical micro-manipulation, quantum entanglement, optical communication, and other fields.

Numerous efficient extraction methods have been developed for material recovery. However, most of these methods lack selectivity. Recently, we reported electromembrane extraction (EME) as a green, efficient and selective technology for simultaneous extraction and purification of trace targets for sample preparation purpose. Accordingly, EME could be a promising technique on resource conservation, for example, selective recovery of templates with high purity in molecular imprinting. In this work, we first investigated the potential of EME with different configurations for selective recovery of targets at high level (≥ 1000 μg mL−1). A semi-dynamic EME system was applied for EME of a basic template (propranolol) from molecularly imprinted samples prepared by precipitation polymerization and bulk polymerization, and the recoveries were 61% and 55%, respectively. The selectivity of EME for template recovery from real samples was confirmed by UV–vis, HPLC-UV and MS measurements. Moreover, the universality of EME for template recovery was verified by efficient extraction of an acidic template (probenecid). Definitely, EME could be used to solve the historic issue of template recovery in molecular imprinting, and shows great potential for selective extraction of ionizable compounds from complex samples in a single step.

Background: Previous studies have suggested that phthalates might disrupt fetal steroidogenesis. However, the evidence of the effects of prenatal phthalate exposure across pregnancy on fetal glucocorticoids was insufficient. Objective: We investigated the associations between urinary phthalate metabolites across pregnancy and cord blood glucocorticoids in a prospective birth cohort. Methods: Our study included 553 mother-infant pairs from a prospective birth cohort conducted in Wuhan, China. Maternal urine samples were collected at 14, 24 and 36 weeks of gestation (mean). Urinary phthalate metabolites and cord blood glucocorticoids (cortisol and cortisone) were measured. Generalized estimating equation models were conducted to explore the relationships of phthalate metabolite concentrations at each trimester and glucocorticoid levels. Results: Among the participants, mono‑benzyl phthalate (MBzP) in the first trimester was associated with higher cortisol/cortisone ratio concentrations, and mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP) and mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP) measured in the third trimester were associated with decreased cortisone. Moreover, the associations between phthalates and glucocorticoids varied by sex. Among the female infants, each 10-fold increase in several maternal urinary phthalate metabolite concentrations in 1st and 3rd trimester was associated with the increased glucocorticoid levels with percent changes ranged from 16.2%–55.9%. However, among male infants, each 10-fold increase in maternal urinary MECPP, mono‑(2‑ethyl‑5‑hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) and MEOHP in 3rd trimester was associated with 20.8%–36.3% decreased cortisol and cortisone levels, respectively. Conclusion: We have shown that prenatal phthalate exposure during early and late trimester disrupted the infant steroidogenesis and these associations might be modified by infant sex. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate phthalate exposure at three trimesters during pregnancy in relation to infant glucocorticoids. Keywords: Phthalate, Glucocorticoid, Prenatal exposure, Trimester-specific

Background: Benzotriazoles (BTRs) and benzothiazoles (BTHs) are emerging contaminants with high production volume worldwide, which exhibit potential health risk to human. To date, little is known about the exposure of BTRs and BTHs (BTs) on human, especially in the context of pregnancy. Objectives: We aimed to characterize the exposure profiles, temporal variability, and potential predictors of urinary BTs during pregnancy. Methods: Between 2014 and 2015, we recruited 856 pregnant women in Wuhan who provided urine samples at three trimesters (13.1 ± 1.1, 23.7 ± 3.2, and 35.7 ± 3.4 gestational weeks). We measured the urinary concentrations of five BTRs (1‑H‑benzotriazole, 1‑hydroxy‑benzotriazole, xylyltriazole, tolyltriazole, 5‑chloro‑1‑H‑benzotriazole) and five BTHs (benzothiazole, 2‑hydroxy‑benzothiazole, 2‑methylthio‑benzothiazole, 2‑amino‑benzothiazole, 2‑thiocyanomethylthio‑benzothiazole) to characterize the exposure profiles of BTs. We calculated the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) to assess the temporal variability and investigated potential predictors of urinary BTs by using the mixed models. Results: Most of the targeted BTs were detected in over 50% of urine samples, except for 5‑chloro‑1‑H‑benzotriazole (9.3%) and 2‑thiocyanomethylthio-benzothiazole (1.4%). The predominant BTRs in urine was 1‑hydroxy‑benzotriazole [Geometric Mean (GM): 0.77 ng/mL]. Benzothiazole was the major derivative in urine samples with a GM concentration of 1.6 ng/mL. Correlations among BTHs (r = 0.04–0.39) were higher than that among BTRs (r = 0.02–0.14). The exposure pattern was constant at low level and co-exposure to all the targeted compounds was infrequent during pregnancy. Urinary concentrations of BTRs exhibited considerable within-subject variation (ICCs: 0.12–0.56) during pregnancy. Relatively high temporal reliability was observed for urinary concentrations of BTHs with ICCs ranging from 0.42 to 0.85. It was found that parity, household income, pregnancy occupational status, sampling season and menstrual cycle were associated with urinary concentrations of BTs in pregnant women (P

The development of female germ cells can be mainly divided into two stages: fetal germ cells and oocytes in folliculogenesis after puberty. Mitosis-meiosis transition, meiosis arrest and re-activation are the key phases of the development. Several phases may be characterized by their distinct molecular events, which involve precise regulation of gene expression and interaction with corresponding gonadal niche cells. In recent years, single-cell transcriptome studies have clarified phase-specific patterns of gene expression, signaling pathways and epigenetic modification during oogenesis and folliculogenesis. These works have provided important insights into the development of female germ cells and pathogenesis of germ-cell related diseases, which may promote clinical application of reproductive genetic research.

Background The association between exposure to organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and infant growth has been reported contradictorily in previous studies. Few studies have investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to OCPs on infant growth assessed longitudinally at multiple time points. Objectives The purpose of the study was to examine the associations between prenatal exposure to OCPs and infant growth at birth, 6, 12 and 24 months of age, and further to explore the potential sex-specific effects. Methods The study population included 1039 mother-infant pairs who participated in a birth cohort study in Wuhan, China. The weight, length and body mass index (BMI) z-score of infants were measured and calculated at birth, 6, 12 and 24 months of age. The overweight status was defined as BMI z-score ≥ 85th percentile according to the standard of World Health Organization. The concentrations of OCPs were measured in cord serum, including hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs, consisted of α-HCH, β-HCH, and γ-HCH), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p′-DDT) and its metabolites: p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p′-DDD), and p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE). Generalized linear models were applied to estimate the associations of cord OCPs with infant growth parameters. A group-based semiparametric mixture model was used to estimate growth patterns of infants. Linear-mixed growth curve models were used to examine relationships between predicted growth trajectories and prenatal exposure to OCPs. Weighted quantile sum regression (WQSR) analyses were used to estimate the mixture effects of OCPs on infant growth. Results Higher cord serum β-HCH concentrations were associated with higher BMI z-score at 12 [β = 0.07, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.13] and 24 months of age [β = 0.08, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.14]. Similar patterns were observed for relationships of γ-HCH [β = 0.04, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.07] and p,p′-DDT [β = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06] with BMI z-score at 6 and 12 months of age, respectively. However, higher cord serum p,p′-DDE concentrations were associated with a reduction of BMI z-score at 6 months of age [β = −0.07, 95% CI: −0.12, −0.01]. Cord serum β-HCH was also positively associated with the risk of overweight at 12 months of age [RR = 1.16, 95% CI (1.02, 1.33), for the medium vs the lowest tertile]. Among girls, the effects of β-HCH on BMI z-score and overweight status were stronger than boys at 12 and 24 months of age. No statistically significant relationships of other OCPs with infant growth were observed. Conclusions Prenatal exposure to β-HCH was associated with increased BMI z-score and higher risk of overweight status in infants especially at 12 and 24 months of age, which seemed to be stronger in girls.

Rapid control of bleeding is of great significance in military trauma and traffic accidents. In this study, alkylated chitosan (AC) and diatom biosilica (DB) were combined to develop a safe and effective hemostatic composite sponge (AC-DB sponge) for hemorrhage control. Due to the procoagulant chemical structure of AC-DB sponge, it exhibited rapid hemostatic ability in vitro (clotting time was shortened by 78% than that of control group), with favorable biocompatibility (hemolysis ratio

Impact strength of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), especially at low temperature, is crucial for its applications outdoors because of its poor impact strength. In order to improve the impact strength of HDPE, crosslinked HDPE was prepared by the addition of a peroxide crosslink agent, bis(tert-butyldioxyisopropyl)benzenehexane, and the effect of the crosslinking density on the microstructures and mechanical properties, especially impact strength between −60 °C and 23 °C, were investigated. The results show that the crosslinking density is controlled by varying the content of the crosslinking agent. It is found that, at room temperature, with increase in the content of crosslink agent from 0% to 0.5–0.7%, the impact strength increases from 4 kJ m−2 to about 80 kJ m−2 and the elongation at break increases from 20% to about 550%. With further increase in the content of crosslink agent to 1.5%, the impact strength and the elongation at break reduce to 64 kJ m−2 and 360% respectively. With increase in crosslink agent, the flexural modulus, yield strength, crystallinity, mean lamellar thickness, crystal size and spherulitic size and the brittle–ductile transition temperature (BDTT) decrease, and the gel content, impact strength of the HDPE at low temperature, intensity of β transition increase significantly. In considering both the room temperature mechanical properties and low temperature impact strength, the optimized content of the crosslink agent is about 0.7%. Overall, crosslinking significantly improves the toughness and impact strength of HDPE and extends its application, especially at low temperature.

In this paper, the vector vortex field of a tightly focusing system with a high numerical aperture is adjusted, and a nano-scale controllable dual-light vortex is obtained. At the same time, the topological charge m , parameter β , and phase parameter ν at the focal plane are changed by numerical simulation, and the focusing characteristics of the nano-scale controllable dual-light vortex are deeply studied, including the movement of the dual-light vortex and the energy flow. We also study the transmission characteristics in the z axis, and the results are consistent with the focusing characteristics. To analyze the manipulation ability of the two-light vortex, the corresponding gradient force distribution is calculated. At present, most research on vortex beams focuses on their topological charges on light intensity and beam shaping. There is a lack of in-depth research on nano-scale vortex beam regulation of tight focus systems under high numerical apertures. This paper innovatively modulates the nano-scale controllable dual-light vortex, which has extremely important application significance in the fields of optical communication, optical micromanipulation (high-precision manipulation), and rotation detection.

The association between prenatal exposure to the metal mixture and allergic diseases is poorly understood. We aimed to explore the individual effect and the combined effect of prenatal exposure to vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb) on early childhood allergic diseases based on a birth cohort study that included 628 mother-infant pairs. Metals were measured in maternal urine samples collected in the first, second, and third trimesters. Children were prospectively followed up at age 4 years to collect information on allergic rhinitis, wheeze, and eczema status. By applying logistic regression models, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), the different statistical analyses revealed urinary metals were only associated with early childhood allergic rhinitis. The averaged prenatal As exposure was significantly associated with an increased OR for allergic rhinitis in both single-metal (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.35, 3.07) and multiple-metal logistic regression models (OR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.78). The WQS index of mixed metal exposure was positively associated with allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.26, 2.19), and As and Tl had the largest weights in the WQS index (weighted 0.51 and 0.29, respectively). The BKMR analysis also showed the overall effect of the metal mixture was significantly associated with allergic rhinitis when all the metals were at their 55th percentile or above, compared to their 50th percentile. The effect of As and Tl on the risk of allergic rhinitis was significant when all of the other metals were fixed at the specific percentiles. Our findings suggest that prenatal co-exposure to higher levels of the seven metals increases the risk of allergic rhinitis in children, and As and Tl may contribute most to the combined risk.

Mantis shrimps can recognize polarization states that are invisible to human eyes. Inspired by its polarization vision, we propose a simple micro-nano integrated structure including a metasurface array with diamonds overlapped partially, and metal wire grids. Here, because of the asymmetry of the designed nanostructure, the device is sensitive to polarized light. The consistency between the results of FDTD simulations and our theoretical derivation shows that the design can effectively distinguish the rotation of circular polarizations by achieving differential detection of circular polarization states. The design differs from the commmon single-layer metasurface, achieves higher extinction ratio while maintaining a high transmittance. Especially, the peak of extinction ratios up to 1800 in the 700–1000 nm wavelength range. Therefore, the advantages of the design are enabling applications requiring high resolution and precision such as polarization detection and imaging, biomedical diagnosis, and weak magnetic detection.

Background Family caregivers (FCGs) play a key role in the plan of care provision for long-term cancer survivors, yet few studies have been conducted on the impact of long-term caregiving on FCGs and their employment patterns. This study aims to further our understanding of the effect that caregiving role has on FCGs by identifying what cancer-related characteristics influence reduction of employment hours among FCGs in the post-treatment phase in China. Methods A total of 1155 cancer survivors participated in this study. Patients reported changes in the employment patterns of their FCGs. Descriptive analysis looked at demographic and cancer-related characteristics of cancer survivors and types of FCGs’ employment changes in both primary- and post-treatment phases. Chi-square test was used to statistically test the association between survivors’ characteristics and changes in FCGs’ hours of labor force work in post-treatment phase. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between cancer-related characteristics of participants and employment reduction patterns among FCGs in post-treatment phase while controlling for demographic factors. Results In the primary-treatment phase, 45.6% of all FCGs reduced their working hours and 17.4% stopped working altogether. In the post-treatment phase, 25.2% of FCGs worked fewer hours and 6.6% left the workforce completely. The results show that a higher probability of change in employment hours among FCGs is associated with the following patient characteristics: having comorbidities, receiving chemotherapy treatment, limited ability to perform physical tasks, limited ability to perform mental tasks, and diagnosis of stage II of cancer. Conclusions Care for cancer patients in both primary- and post- treatment phases may have substantial impacts on hours of formal employment of Chinese FCGs. Interventions helping FCGs balance caregiving duties with labor force work are warranted.

In the present work, the biodegradable blends of poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) and poly(butylene adipate

Faster R-CNN is a popular method in object detection applications. Based on the similar characteristics of the category in face detection and the category label of target background in target detection, this paper improves the region suggestion network in Faster R-CNN method, and realizes multiscale face detection by adding multiple detectors. We train and test the multi-scale face detection network model on the Wider Face dataset. Through the experimental results, it can be obtained that the accuracy of the multi-scale face detection method is 89.6%, which has practical application value.

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate whether PM2.5 exposure in a highly polluted area (>100 µg/m3) affects glucose and lipid metabolism in healthy adults.MethodsWe recruited 110 healthy adults in Baoding city, Hebei, China, and followed them up between 2017 and 2018. Personal air samplers were used to monitor personal PM2.5 levels. Eight glucose and lipid metabolism parameters were quantified. We performed the linear mixed-effect models to investigate the relationships between PM2.5 and glucose and lipid metabolism parameters. Stratified analyses were further performed according to sex and body mass index (BMI).ResultsThe concentration of PM2.5 was the highest in spring, with a median of 232 μg/m3 and the lowest in autumn (139 μg/m3). After adjusting for potential confounders, we found that for each twofold increase in PM2.5, the median of insulin concentration decreased by 5.89% (95% CI −10.91% to −0.58%; pConclusionsExposure to high PM2.5 may have deleterious effects on glucose and lipid metabolism. Females, overweight and obese participants are more vulnerable.

Metabolomics represents a powerful tool for measuring environmental exposures and biological responses to unveil potential mechanisms. Few studies have investigated the effects of exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) longitudinally on serum metabolomics in regions with high-level PM2.5. Therefore, we examined the changes of serum metabolomics corresponding to individual PM2.5 exposure levels in spring and autumn among 63 healthy college students in Baoding city, Hebei, China. The metabolic profiling was determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The average level of individual PM2.5 in the spring was 1.82-fold higher than in the autumn (240 μg/m3 vs 132 μg/m3). Males were exposed to a higher level of PM2.5 than females in the spring. Metabolic profiling was clearly separated by orthogonal partial least square-discriminant analysis in males but not in females. In the analysis of the associations between the metabolome and PM2.5 of the two seasons, the changes of 14 serum metabolites were significantly associated with PM2.5 in males. The metabolites related to heme metabolism (bilirubin, biliverdin), energy metabolism and oxidative stress (2-Octenoylcarnitine, N-Heptanoylglycine, and acetylcysteine), phospholipid metabolism (lysophosphatidic acid, phospholipid acid, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine), and tryptophan metabolism (N-Acetylserotonin, indolepyruvate, and melatonin) were decreased in the range of 2.16%–6.80% for each 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5, while thyrotropin-releasing hormone, glutathione, and phosphatidylethanolamine related to energy metabolism and oxidative stress, and phospholipid metabolism were increased in the range of 2.95%–4.90% for each 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5. This longitudinal study suggests that higher PM2.5 exposure may induce perturbations in serum metabolic signaling related to oxidative stress and inflammation, and males may be more prone to these metabolic perturbations.

Cleavage factor I m25 is a newly discovered solid tumor-related gene, however, its precise role in cancer pathogenesis has not yet been characterized. Alternative polyadenylation is an RNA-processing mechanism that generates distinct 3′-termini on messenger RNAs, producing messenger RNA isoforms. Different factors influence the initiation and development of this process. As a key factor in alternative polyadenylation, cleavage factor I m25 plays an important role in messenger RNA maturation and cell signal transduction. Moreover, by regulating the process of alternative polyadenylation, it can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of a variety of tumors. Cleavage factor I m25 also acts as an oncogene in select tumors. The present review focuses on the role of cleavage factor I m25 in solid tumors and treatment. Due to the lack of current knowledge regarding the mechanisms of action and regulation of cleavage factor I m25 and alternative polyadenylation, it is necessary to further examine their role in cancer as well as in other diseases.

Background Exposure to per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can disrupt endocrine hormones in humans. Prior studies have focused on the harmful effects of the two traditional per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Other PFASs, used as the replacements of PFOS and PFOA, are widely and increasingly detected in humans. Whether these replacements influence glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns remains unknown. Objective To investigate the associations between exposures of PFOS, PFOA and their replacements and glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns. Methods We measured the concentrations of 13 PFASs, 3 glucocorticoids (11-deoxycortisol, cortisol and cortisone) and 2 progestogens [progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP)] in the cord sera of 374 neonates in a birth cohort from Wuhan, China, between 2013 and 2014. We evaluated the associations of each PFAS with glucocorticoids and progestogens using multiple linear regression models, and multiple comparisons were additionally corrected via false discovery rates (FDR). Results Out of the 13 PFASs, 9 were detected in over 95% of cord sera. The Chinese specific PFOS replacement − 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA, trade name F-53B) was positively associated with 13.13% change in cortisol in girls (95% CI = 4.47%, 22.52%, for each IQR increase in 6:2 Cl-PFESA). Seven PFASs had positive associations with the precursor of cortisol, namely 11-deoxycortisol (percent change ranged from 6.41% to 11.24%, for each IQR increase in PFASs). Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) in cord sera was positively associated with progesterone in the linear model, whereas PFOS and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) levels were associated with progesterone in the quartile models. No PFASs were related to 17OHP or cortisone. Conclusions In this study, PFOS, PFOA and/or their replacements were positively associated with progesterone, cortisol and 11-deoxycortisol in newborns. These results suggested that not only PFOS and PFOA, but also other PFASs have potential impacts on glucocorticoids and progestogens in newborns.

Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the main reason of possible preventable death after accidental injury. It is necessary to develop a hemostatic agent with rapid hemostatic performance and good biocompatibility. In this study, a chitosan/diatom-biosilica-based aerogel is developed using dopamine as cross-linker by simple alkaline precipitation and tert-butyl alcohol replacement. The chitosan/diatom-biosilica aerogel exhibits favorable biocompatibility and multiscale hierarchical porous structure (from nanometer to micrometer), which can be controlled by the concentration of tert-butyl alcohol. The displacement of tert-butyl alcohol can keep the porosity of diatom-biosilica in aerogel and give it large surface with efficient water absorption ratio. 30% tert-butyl alcohol replacement of aerogel possesses the largest surface area (74.441 m2 g-1 ), water absorption capacity (316.83 ± 2.04%), and excellent hemostatic performance in vitro blood coagulation (≈70 s). Furthermore, this aerogel exhibits the shortest clotting time and lowest blood loss in rat hemorrhage model. The strong interface effect between aerogel and blood is able to promote erythrocytes aggregation, platelets adhesion, and activation, as well as, activate the intrinsic coagulation pathway to accelerate blood coagulation. All the above results demonstrate that chitosan/diatom-biosilica aerogel has great potential to be a safe and rapid hemostatic material.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among rural Chinese patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) diseases at different pathological stages and to determine the factors influencing HR-QoL in this population.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two counties in Shandong province in China from July to September 2018. Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, and HR-QoL of patients was assessed using a set of questionnaires, including the EORTC QLQ-C30 (V3.0), the QLQ-OES18 and the QLQ-STO22. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Kruskal–Wallis test were used to compare the HR-QoL of patients of different pathological stage subgroups, and multivariate regression analyses were used to determine influencing factors.Results: A total of 406 patients were included in this study. The mean scores for patients with upper GI diseases were 74.88 (SD=19.15), 8.04 (SD=16.17) and 8.64 (SD=16.96) for the global QoL scale of EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-OES18 and QLQ-STO22, respectively. There was no significant difference in most of the scales between the precancerous and early stage groups, but a significant difference in HR-QoL between the precancerous and advanced groups as well as between early and advanced groups. Residence area, age, education level and pathological stage were the significant factors influencing HR-QoL scores, controlling for other variables.Conclusions: The overall HR-QoL of patients with advanced upper GI cancer needs to be managed as a component of cancer care. Measures should be taken to routinely identify patient symptoms so that follow-up care can alleviate patient symptom burden. Tailored treatment and care for patients with upper GI diseases of different age, educational level and pathological stage may be needed to help improve HR-QoL.