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Selective elimination of sulfur dioxide is significant in flue gas desulfurization and natural gas purification, yet developing adsorbents with high capture capacity especially at low partial pressure as well as excellent cycling stability remains a challenge. Herein, a family of isostructural gallate-based MOFs with abundant hydrogen bond donors decorating the pore channel was reported for selective recognition and dense packing of sulfur dioxide via multiple hydrogen bonding interactions. Multiple O···H-O hydrogen bonds and O···H-C hydrogen bonds guarantee SO2 molecules are firmly grasped within the framework, and appropriate pore apertures afford dense packing of SO2 with high uptake and density up to 1.86 g cm-3, which is evidenced by dispersion-corrected density functional theory calculations and X-ray diffraction resolution of a SO2-loaded single crystal. Ultrahigh adsorption uptake of SO2 at extremely low pressure (0.002 bar) was achieved on Co-gallate (6.13 mmol cm-3), outperforming all reported state-of-the-art MOFs. Record-high IAST selectivity of SO2/CO2 (325 for Mg-gallate) and ultrahigh selectivity of SO2/N2 (>1.0 × 104) and SO2/CH4 (>1.0 × 104) were also realized. Breakthrough experiments further demonstrate the excellent removal performance of trace amounts of SO2 in a deep desulfurization process. More importantly, M-gallate shows almost unchanged breakthrough performance after five cycles, indicating the robust cycling stability of these MOFs.

Anime tourism has emerged as an important form of tourism resulted from both online and offline human activities and interactions. However, investigations into anime tourism motivations remain limi...

Objective To review and meta-analyze the efficacy of educational counseling alone in tinnitus. Methods We collected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Analyzed the effect of educational counseling alone versus other forms of therapy (psychological or combination) with RevMan 5.3. Results In nine trials, 582 patients receiving educational counseling alone and 759 patients receiving other psychological or combination therapies. During the 3–6 months follow-up, there was no significant difference in the tinnitus recovery rate between these two groups (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.34–1.16, P = 0.14; I2 = 71%, P = 0.00, random-effects model). The tinnitus symptom severity rates were also similar during 1–12 months follow-up (mean difference, 3.59, 95% CI −0.56–7.74, P = 0.09) with heterogeneity among studies (I2 = 74%, P = 0.00; random-effects model). Sensitivity analysis indicated that a single trial containing almost 40% of the patients was the cause of heterogeneity. There was no significant change in tinnitus loudness at the 3 months follow-up (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.42–1.66, P = 0.61), with no significant heterogeneity (I2 = 0%, P = 0.60). Conclusion Educational counseling alone helps to improve tinnitus and related problems, and has the same effect as other psychological or combination therapies. Practice Implications The results of the current analysis may help to develop evidence-based cost-effective treatment(s) for tinnitus, which will be minimally burdensome for the patients.

Purpose To better understand what inhibits people from participating in collaborative consumption, this paper aims to develop research models of users and non-users to examine the relationship between perceived risks and intentions to use peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation. Moreover, differences of risk perceptions and behavioral intentions between P2P accommodation users and non-users were identified. Design/methodology/approach The method of convenience sampling was used to collect data. Excluding the invalid questionnaires, 520 were kept for further analysis. In this paper, SPSS and partial least squares (PLS) were used to analyze the data. Findings The findings highlighted the important role of perceived risks in determining tourists’ intentions to use P2P accommodation. The results showed that non-users have higher perceived risks in regards to all four risk dimensions (psychological risk, physical risk, performance risk and social risk), and they also have significantly lower behavioral intentions to use P2P accommodation than the users. For users, only the psychological risk has significant negative effects on behavioral intentions, while for non-users, both psychological and physical risks are important inhibitors. Originality/value This paper contributes to a better understanding of the antecedents that influence consumers’ participation in collaborative consumption in the P2P accommodation domain. Second, it extends the literature on perceived risk by discussing users and non-users in this market. Finally, this research provides insights into the P2P accommodation market in China, which enables online travel platforms to develop targeted marketing strategies.

Selective elimination of sulfur dioxide is significant in flue gas desulfurization and natural gas purification, yet developing adsorbents with high capture capacity especially at low partial pressure as well as excellent cycling stability remains a challenge. Herein, a family of isostructural gallate-based MOFs with abundant hydrogen bond donors decorating the pore channel was reported for selective recognition and dense packing of sulfur dioxide via multiple hydrogen bonding interactions. Multiple O···H-O hydrogen bonds and O···H-C hydrogen bonds guarantee SO

Background. The treatment effects and safety of ear acupressure (EAP) for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) have yet to be clarified. Objective. To evaluate the effects and safety of EAP in AR patients. Design. Systematic review of published studies. Methods. A total of 24 English and Chinese databases (PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medical Database), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Informit, ScienceDirect, LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences), ProQuest, AMED, Blackwell Synergy, PsycINFO, Panteleimon, AcuBriefs, KoreaMed, IndMed, Ingenta, mRCT, ISI Web of Knowledge, ERIC, VIP Information (http://www.cqvip.com), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (http://www.cnki.net), Cochrane Library, Chinese Cochrane Centre Controlled Trials Register Platform, and Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database) were searched from their respective inceptions to August 2020 to collect randomized controlled trials of ear acupressure for allergic rhinitis. We performed literature inclusion, data extraction, and trial quality evaluations. Methodological quality was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook. Revman5.3 was used for all analyses. Results. A total of 203 trials were identified and eleven studies involved 1094 participants aged 3–70 years. EAP was better than control group interventions in terms of effectiveness (risk ratio (RR): 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36–0.70; P < 0.0001 ). EAP was superior to sham EAP in terms of improvement of the total nasal symptom score (RR: −0.50; 95% CI: −0.96–0.05; P = 0.03), sneezing score (RR: −0.36; 95% CI: −0.59–0.12; P = 0.003), global QoL score (RR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.04–0.08; P = 0.03), and eye symptom score (RR: −0.36; 95% CI: −0.67–0.05; P = 0.02). Conclusions. Despite the positive results, it is premature to confirm the efficacy of EAP for treating AR. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm safety and efficacy.

Objective: To explore self-reported experience for different outpatient modes in tinnitus patients.Methods: A observational study design was adopted. Tinnitus outpatients from the otological medicine and routine otolaryngology of our hospital fulfilling the study criteria were enrolled between October 2018 and January 2020. They were examined by semi-structured interview questionnaire. Groups were formed according to the different outpatient modes. The data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0.Results: 193 questionnaires were included; 118 questionnaires of otological medicine outpatients, 75 questionnaires of otolaryngology outpatients. Nearly half of the otological medicine patients (48.3%) said that they communicated for 5–10 minutes with their doctor and a routine otolaryngology outpatient service usually takes 3–5 minutes (61.3%). However, most patients expected a longer time. Patient satisfaction and return visit rate of otological medicine (95.5% and 43.9%) were better than routine otolaryngology (77.3% and 7.1%). The main factors of efficacy considered physician interpretation and guidance.Conclusion: Both outpatient models can give patients a more satisfactory experience. Specialized outpatient service can better fit the shared decision making model, conducive to the rehabilitation and management of tinnitus. However, the long-term follow-up and management of patients still need to be scrutinized and improved continuously.

Objective To examine patient education knowledge, attitude/belief, and practices (KABP) among specialists who manage sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Methods A cross-sectional study design was employed wherein semi-structured interviews were conducted at a 2017 otorhinolaryngology meeting. In this survey, we asked the respondents about their perspectives regarding the imparting of SSNHL patient education. Results The sample consisted of 84 physicians from 23 cities in Sichuan province. Three quarters of the respondents felt SSNHL patient education was necessary. Notably, 67.9% of the respondents believed that patient education could improve treatment. Half of the respondents provided culturally tailored education (based on US guidelines) inclusive of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) notions of lifestyle adjustments. Internet platforms were an emerging preference for education delivery mode. Only 47.4% of participants reported being satisfied with their current patient education offerings, and these activities were regarded as needing improvement. Conclusion This study captured the perspectives of otorhinolaryngologists and otologists in China regarding the imparting of SSNHL patient education. The results of this survey should support Chinese physician’s implementation of SSNHL patient education. Practice implications Findings obtained with the present survey may be employed to support the importance of SSNHL patient education in China.

Background Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) is one of the key components of a frequently used herbal tonic panax ginseng for fatigue treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms of Rg3 on anti-fatigue effects have not been completely understood yet. Methods and materials We built a postoperative fatigue syndrome (POFS) model and tried to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for anti-fatigue effects of Rg3. 160 aged male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 40/group): normal group, Rg3-treated normal group (Rg3 group), postoperative fatigue syndrome model group (POFS group) and Rg3-treated postoperative fatigue syndrome model group (POFS + Rg3 group). The open field test (OFT) was used to assess general activity and exploratory behavior of rats in different groups. We then analyzed total cholesterol (TC), serum triglyceride (TG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the blood, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA expression in skeletal muscles of rats. We also detected the influence of Rg3 on silent information regulator of transcription 1 (sirtuin1, SIRT1) activity and protein 53 (p53) transcriptional activity in vitro. Results Rg3 significantly increased the journey distance and rearing frequency, while slowed down the rest time. The serum concentrations of TC, TG and LDH were all up-regulated by Rg3. Meanwhile, Rg3 increased concentrations of SOD, but also decreased MDA release out of skeletal muscles. The mRNA expressions of PGC-1α and PEPCK were also enhanced by Rg3. Besides, Rg3 could activate SIRT1 and suppress p53 transcriptional activity in the biological process. Discussion and Conclusion Rg3 could improve exercise performance and resist fatigue possibly through elevating SIRT1 deacetylase activity.

The separation of hexane isomers into their individual components, especially the mono- and di-branched isomers, is one of the most important while challenging industrial processes for the production of high-octane gasoline. In this work, a pore-engineered metal-organic framework with mixed ligands, CAU-10-H/Br, is designed based on the parent structures of CAU-10-H and CAU-10-Br through multivariate metal-organic frameworks strategy, whose channels partially decorated with -Br group possess suitable pore size (5.4 A), enabling access to n-hexane (4.3 A) and 3-methylpentane (5.0 A), but excluding 2,2-dimethylbutane (6.2 A). The adsorption isotherms indicate that this material has adequate adsorption capacity of n-hexane and 3-methylpentane, about 1.5 and 0.7 mmol⋅g−1 at 303 K and the pressure of 50 Torr, respectively. CAU-10-H/Br shows extraordinary separation performance exceeding most of the reported MOFs in the breakthrough experiments, manifested as almost complete exclusion of 2,2-dimethylbutane and sufficient separation time between 3-methylpentane and 2,2-dimethylbutane. The configurational-bias Monte Carlo and density functional theory calculations reveal the orientations of the guest molecules in the channels and the adsorption sites for host-guest interaction. Moreover, the high stability of CAU-10-H/Br suggests it has a huge potential in the industrial separation of hexane isomers.

There is no standardized scheme for preoperative evaluation of adenoid hypertrophy or a consensus on surgical indications for adenoidectomy in children with otitis media with effusion (OME), especially for young children intolerant to nasal endoscopic assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and reliability of acoustic rhinometry (AR) in evaluating benefits from adenoidectomy in children with OME.Children with OME who were scheduled for surgical intervention were reviewed and AR tests performed preoperatively and postoperatively. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical strategy (Group I: tympanostomy tube placement alone; Group II: tympanostomy tube placement plus adenoidectomy). Correlation and regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between findings of AR and nasal endoscopy. AR parameters including minimal nasal cross-sectional area (MCA), and nasopharyngeal volume (NPV), as well as scores of subjective symptoms were obtained to evaluate the utility of AR pre- and post-surgery.Sixty-five children aged 4-10 years who met the inclusion criteria were included. No significant differences in gender or age distribution were observed between Group I and Group II. MCA, as well as NPV significantly decreased in Group II when compared with Group I (p = 0.000). A significant inverse correlation was observed between NPV and choanal obstruction ratio in both groups I (r = -0.625, p 0.001) and II (r = -0.570, p 0.001). A significant difference between preoperative and postoperative NPV and subjective symptom scores was observed in group II after adenoidectomy (p = 0.000).AR parameters showed a good clinical correlation with findings of nasal endoscopy and thus may be useful for evaluating candidacy for surgical adenoidectomy among children with OME, especially in whom preoperative nasal endoscopic examination is not feasible. Additionally, AR can reveal the changes occurring within the nasopharyngeal passage before and after adenoidectomy.

Densoviruses have short ssDNA genomes and mainly infect arthropods. To characterize viral nucleic acid in shellfish, oysters (Crassostrea ariakensis) were analyzed using viral metagenomics. Two large de novo assembled contigs, CaaDV1 and CaaDV2, consisting of nearly complete densovirus genomes (5860 nucleotides (nt) and 4034 nt) with two major ambisense protein coding regions were identified. Several potential non-structural proteins and capsid proteins were encoded by these genomes, but these were divergent from the existing densoviral species. The NS1 protein of the two CaaDVs shared 43.3%~61.5% amino acid identities with the sea star-associated densovirus and cherax quadricarinatus densovirus, with the four species clustering by phylogenetic analysis. This is the first report of densovirus detection in shellfish, increasing the potential host range of densoviruses and the genetic diversity of the genus Ambidensovirus.

The objective of this study was to investigate the correlation of tinnitus severity and sleep quality prior to tinnitus onset in a Chinese population.We recruited patients with primary tinnitus from a tertiary teaching hospital in southwest China, retrospectively. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Mandarin version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI-M) were employed to assess tinnitus severity and sleep quality of past, respectively. A battery of hearing tests was also administered to subjects, including TEOAE, pure tone audiometry, and tympanometry, for hearing evaluation.We enrolled 190 patients and nine were excluded. Subjects were divided into two groups: group A (PSQI

Background Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a major cause of deafness. Despite the advances in systemic therapy, some cases of ISSNHL are untreated, because the exact ISSNHL aetiology is unclear. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat diseases for thousands of years and is popular and widely practiced in Asia. TCM includes guidance on a healthy lifestyle. In recent decades, the relationship between lifestyle and disease has been emphasised; an unhealthy lifestyle may lead to illnesses. Thus, this study aims to compare the efficacy of lifestyle modification based on TCM with the usual consultation of ISSNHL after failure of a 2-week systemic therapy to provide a scientific basis for clinical decisions. Methods This study is a clinical randomised trial that involves 56 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL but who have had incomplete recovery after initial management (at least 2 weeks of routine Western medical treatment). The study is performed in accordance with the sudden hearing loss clinical guideline of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, published in 2012. Participants are randomly distributed into two groups: the healthy lifestyle modification group based on TCM and the control group (1:1 ratio). Patient follow-up lasts for 3 months. The primary outcome measure is the effective rate of hearing improvement, which is defined as the proportion of patients with at least 15 dB of improvement in the average thresholds of hearing loss frequency. The secondary outcome measures are improvements in word recognition score, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and visual analogue scale for ear blockage and dizziness. Assessments are made at baseline and after lifestyle modification for 1 and 3 months. Discussion The efficacy of healthy lifestyle modification based on a TCM programme for patients with ISSNHL with incomplete recovery after failure of initial systemic therapy is determined in this trial. Positive results will provide clinical evidence on the effects of a TCM-based healthy lifestyle, which could be recommended as salvage therapy for patients with ISSNHL. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-INR-17011459. Registered on 22 May 2017.

BACKGROUND The potential treatment effects and safety of Yu ping feng san (YPFS) for pediatric allergic rhinitis (PAR) patients have yet to be studied systematically. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects and safety of YPFS for treat pediatric patients, allergic rhinitis. METHODS We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medical Database), Cochrane library, Chinese Cochrane Centre's Controlled Trials Register platform, Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, and VIP Chinese Science, from inception dates to November 1, 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The risk of bias in the trials was assessed in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook, version 5.1.0. RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform a meta-analysis. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology was applied to evaluate the evidence quality for each outcome. The quality of evidence for each outcome measurement was low for 4 outcomes and very low for 5 outcomes. RESULTS A total of 10 RCTs involving 1069 participants (3-15 years old) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. After exclusion, 8 RCTs were pooled for efficacy assessment. The overall efficacy evaluation result did not show benefit for the experimental group (relative risk 0.32, CI 95% 0.24-0.45; P = .98;) Investigation of variation of serum IgA, immunoglobulin E, IgG in three studies in 2 groups returned no statistical significance. YPFS gave relatively better safety (relative risk 0.29, CI 95% 0.14-0.58; P = .0005; Fig. S8, http://links.lww.com/MD/F751) and lower recurrence rates than did Western medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS Current evidence cannot support the routine use of YPFS for treatment of PAR. This may be due to poor-quality study-design limitations of the included YPFS studies. Our data showed that the use of YPFS for PAR is relatively safe compared to Western medical therapy, but a conclusion could not be drawn because only 5 studies were analyzed. Every study suffered from some methodological limitation. Therefore, further large, rigorously-designed studies are necessary to determine conclusively the utility of YPFS in PAR.

The abdomen-rubbing qigong exercise was first developed by Fang Kai, a Xin’an medical practitioner. It’s an essential part of Xin’an health preservation works. This health preservation method integrates massage with Daoyin and integrates meridian theory with Zangxiang theory. It’s safe, simple and has no side effects. Practice of this qigong exercise can protect the spleen and stomach, tonify qi and essence, harmonize Ying-Nutrients and Wei-Defense, unblock meridians and circulate qi. This paper aims to summarize and promote this exercise.

To assess the efficacy and safety of empagliflozin (EMPA) as add-on to metformin (MET) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We searched PubMed, Embase, Medline, OVID, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Randomized controlled trials of EMPA as add-on to MET for T2DM were included. Two investigators independently selected studies, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. A meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.3 software and Stata 12 software. Seven trials including 4256 patients were analysed. Compared with placebo, two different doses of EMPA significantly reduced glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) [10 mg: weighted mean difference (WMD) −0.57 %; 95 % confidence interval (CI) −0.65 to −0.49 %, P

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common opportunistic pathogens that cause biofilm-associated infections. Biofilm formation is partially regulated by the quorum sensing (QS) system, and quercetin can inhibit QS, biofilm formation and virulence factors. We therefore speculated that quercetin would inhibit the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilm via the QS system. In this study, we successfully constructed lasI, rhlI and lasI/rhlI gene-knockout strains. The knockout of the lasI and lasI/rhlI genes resulted in decreases in adhesion, biofilm formation, swarming motility and the expression of biofilm-associated genes, whereas deletion of the rhlI gene had no obvious influence on these biofilm-related indicators with the exception of the swarming motility. After treatment with quercetin, the lasI- and lasI/rhlI-mutant strains exhibited increased adhesion, biofilm formation, swarming motility and biofilm-associated gene expression compared with the control group. However, quercetin still exerted an inhibitory effect on these physiological factors and the biofilm-associated gene expression in the rhlI-mutant strain. The knockout of QS genes reduced the production of pyocyanin and protease activity, but after the virulence factors of the QS-mutant strains treated with quercetin showed almost no differences compared with those of the control group. In addition, quercetin could significantly inhibit vfr gene expression regardless of the presence of QS genes. The results indicated that quercetin might inhibit the lasIR system through the vfr gene and ultimately the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilms.

Background: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is an important cause of deafness. Despite advances of systemic therapy, some ISSNHL patients remains ineffective since the exact etiology for SSNHL is still unclear. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used for treating disease for thousands of years. It is popular and widely practiced in Asia. TCM contains guidance on people's healthy lifestyle. In recent decades, the relationship between lifestyle and disease has been emphasized and unhealthy lifestyle may lead to illness. Thus, this study aims to compare the efficacy of the lifestyle modification based on TCM to the usual consultation of the ISSNHL after failure of two weeks systemic therapy, to provide a scientific basis for clinical decisions. Methods: This is a clinical randomized trial with a paired design which will include 58 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery sudden hearing loss clinical guideline published in 2012, but incomplete recovery from ISSNHL after of initial management. Participants will be randomized to either healthy lifestyle modification group based on TCM or control group. All patients will be followed for 3 months. The primary outcome measure is the effective rate of hearing improvement (defined as the proportion of patients with at least 15- dB improvement in the average thresholds by the hearing loss frequency). Secondary outcome measures are the improvements in pure-tone average (PTA) of the impaired frequencies, Word Recognition Score (WRS), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and ear blockage. The assessments of the participants will be made at baseline, after lifestyle modification in 1 month and 3 months. Discussion: This trial will determine the efficacy of healthy lifestyle modification based on TCM program for ISSNHL patients with incomplete recovery from after failure of initial systemic therapy. The results, if it is yielding positive results, will provide clinical evidence and TCM based healthy lifestyle could be recommended as salvage therapy for patients with ISSNHL. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, ChiCTR-INR-17011459. Registered on May 22 2017. Keywords: ISSNHL, TCM, healthy lifestyle, Study protocol, randomized controlled trial

The diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) hapten containing an amino group was synthesized successfully, and the polyclonal antibody against 4-amino phthalate-bovine serum albumin (BSA) was developed. On the basis of the polyclonal antibody, a rapid and sensitive indirect competitive fluorescence immunoassay (icFIA) has been established to detect DiBP in edible oil samples for the first time. Under the optimized conditions, the quantitative working range of the icFIA was from 10.47 to 357.06 ng/mL (R(2) = 0.991), exhibiting a detection limit of 5.82 ng/mL. In this assay, the specific results showed that other similar phthalates did not significantly interfere with the analysis, with the cross-reactivity less than 1.5%, except for that of DiBAP. Thereafter, DiBP contamination in edible oil samples was detected by icFIA, with the recovery being from 79 to 103%. Furthermore, the reliability of icFIA was validated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Therefore, the developed icFIA is suitable for monitoring DiBP in some edible oil samples.

Wen F., Lai B.-D., Zhao Z.-G. He J.-Y. & Jiang B.-S.: Primulina heterochroa (Gesneriaceae), a new species from a tropical limestone area in Guangxi, China. — Willdenowia 45: 45–51. 2015. — Version of record first published online on 02 March 2015 ahead of inclusion in April 2015 issue; ISSN 1868-6397; © 2015 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3372/wi.45.45104 Primulina heterochroa (Gesneriaceae) is described and illustrated here. This new species morphologically resembles P. pungentisepala and P. minutimaculata, but it is easily distinguished from congeners by some qualitative and quantitative characters in leaf, bract, calyx, indumentum, corolla and inflorescence. The conservation status of P. heterochroa is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Primulina beiliuensis var. fimbribracteata F. Wen & B.D. Lai, a new variety of Gesneriaceae from a limestone cave in Shaoguan, Guangdong, China, is described and illustrated in this report. This new species is similar to P. beiliuensis B. Pan & S.X. Huang var. beiliuensis, but easily differs from the type variety in several morphological characters, both vegetative and reproductive.

Background. The treatment effects and safety of Ma-Huang-Fu-Zi-Xi-Xin decoction for patients with allergic rhinitis have yet to be clarified. Objectives. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects and safety of Ma-Huang-Fu-Zi-Xi-Xin decoction in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods. We searched PubMed, EMBASE (Excerpta Medical Database), Cochrane Library, Chinese Cochrane Centre’s Controlled Trials Register Platform, Wanfang Chinese Digital Periodical and Conference Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) Database, and VIP Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database to collect randomized controlled trials of Ma-Huang-Fu-Zi-Xi-Xin decoction (MHFZXXD) for allergic rhinitis (AR) prior to May 8, 2017. RevMan 5.3 software was used to conduct a meta-analysis. GRADE methodology was applied to evaluate the evidence quality for each outcome. Results. Six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 576 participants (10–78 years old) were included. A meta-analysis revealed that the overall effect of MHFZXXD for AR was not better than western medical treatment (RR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26–0.65; P=0.0001) for all included studies. However, the evidence quality of these western medical intervention studies was low or very low due to a high risk of bias, small sample sizes, and poor-quality design.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the early and sustained effects of tinnitus educational counseling on chronic primary tinnitus and related problems. A descriptive longitudinal cohort study was conducted with 159 adult patients suffering from chronic primary tinnitus and sleep problems. All patients received tinnitus educational counseling, sleep adjustment, and vegan dietary advice. At short-term assessment within 3 months and long-term follow-up at 6–26 months, perceived changes in tinnitus were assessed with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Evaluation Questionnaire (TEQ), respectively. In TEQ, the volume of subjective tinnitus was scored according to realistic environments in which tinnitus could be heard. Sleep quality was assessed with questionnaires developed in our laboratory. Most of the subjects showed significant early improvement in their THI scores (96/159, 60.38%; from 46.11 ± 22.74 to 31.94 ± 20.41,t= 11.16,p< 0.001, Cohen’sd= 0.66). Tinnitus volume (39/159, 24.53%, from 2,2 to 2,1,z= -3.56,p< 0.001) and sleep quality (68/159, 42.77%; from 7.13 ± 3.11 to 6.31 ± 2.75,t= 3.73,p< 0.001, Cohen’sd= 0.28) were also improved. Long-term follow-up TEQ results indicated that tinnitus loudness, the impact of tinnitus on sleep, concentration, and emotional state were all improved since the prior consultation (p= 0.001, 0.026, 0.012, and p= 0.002), initial THI score (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.04,p= 0.006), compliance with sleep advice (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.02–5.05,p= 0.044), and nervous disposition (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 1.25–6.30,p= 0.013). A future randomized controlled trial would be carried out to examine the effect of sole tinnitus educational counseling.

Based on a sensitive monoclonal antibody against bisphenol A (BPA) and a new tracer named BVA–AMF, a homogeneous fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) was developed and applied in the determination of bisphenol A in environmental water samples. BVA was selected as the hapten to couple with bovine serum albumin and the conjugate was used as the immunogen for the monoclonal antibody production. Three fluorescein-labeled BVA tracers with different structures (BVA–AMF, BVA–EDF, and BVA–lysFITC) were synthesized. Under the same optimal conditions, BVA–AMF showed the highest sensitivity for FPIA and the detection of BPA exhibited a limit of detection of 5.60 ng mL−1, an IC50 of 140 ng mL−1 and a dynamic range of 11.32–904.21 ng mL−1 approximately. In this assay, several similar compounds were shown of little significantly with the cross-reactivity being less than 0.15%. Four different kinds of water samples were analyzed, with recoveries being 87.91–114.28%. The detection standard curve of BPA exhibited a good linearity (R2 = 0.9913, n = 3). Compared with ELISA and HPLC methods, FPIA showed reliability and a high correlation with ELISA of 0.9964 and HPLC of 0.9971. The proposed immunoassay technique is suitable for detection of BPA in authentic environmental water samples.

Our aim was to investigate the effect of soy isoflavone (SI) on liver fibrosis in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced rat model.Twenty-eight rats were assigned to four groups: sham group, fibrosis group, low-dose treatment group (LDg) and high-dose treatment group (HDg). SI (90 or 270 mg/kg) was administered daily during the model development by TAA. Standard liver tests, platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were measured. The expression of collagen, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in liver tissue was determined. Electron microscopy was used to perform ultrastructural analysis of the livers.Hepatic fibrosis was induced by 8 weeks of TAA administration. However, following the administration of SI, collagen staining significantly declined as compared with the fibrosis group (p0.01). Less collagen fibers around the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were observed in HDg as compared to the fibrosis group and LDg. There was no significant difference in standard liver tests between the fibrosis group and the two treatment groups. The levels of PDGF-BB and TIMP-1 in the two SI-treated groups were significantly lower than in the fibrosis group (p0.01). The expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 in HDg was less than that in the fibrosis group and LDg (p0.01).Administration of a high dose of SI resulted in an obvious inhibitory effect on liver fibrosis induced by TAA in rats. One hypothesis is that the effect may be related to the inhibition of HSC activation and proliferation.

Previous studies have revealed that wearers had low skin temperatures and cold and pain sensations in the feet, when using sleeping bags under defined comfort and limit temperatures. To improve wearers’ local thermal comfort in the feet, a novel heating sleeping bag (i.e., MARHT) was developed by embedding two heating pads into the traditional sleeping bag (i.e., MARCON) in this region. Seven female and seven male volunteers underwent two tests on different days. Each test lasted for three hours and was performed in a climate chamber with a setting temperature deduced from EN 13537 (2012) (for females: comfort temperature of −0.4 °C and for males: the limit temperature of −6.4 °C). MARHT was found to be effective in maintaining the toe and feet temperatures within the thermoneutral range for both sex groups compared to the linearly decreased temperatures in MARCON during the 3-hour exposure. In addition, wearing MARHT elevated the toe blood flow significantly for most females and all males. Thermal and comfort sensations showed a large improvement in feet and a small to moderate improvement in the whole body for both sex groups in MARHT. It was concluded that MARHT is effective in improving local thermal comfort in the feet.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, oxygen free radical donator) on the current of large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK(Ca) channels) in isolated outer hair cells of old guinea pig cochlea, and to explore the underlying mechanism. Outer hair cells of old guinea pig cochlea were acutely enzyme-isolated, and currents were recorded by whole-cell patch clamp. The results showed that, rapid activation and non-deactivation electric currents with a string of large amplitude were recorded. Activation voltage of the current was above -40 - -30 mV. The amplitude of current was increased continuously with the rising of membrane potential. The current showed characteristics of outward rectification without "rundown" phenomenon. IbTX (100 nmol/L) could completely block the activity of channel, which confirmed BK(Ca) channel's current. BK(Ca) current amplitude and peak current density increased with the increment of H₂O₂ concentration (1, 2, 4 μmol/L), showing concentration-dependent activation by H₂O₂. Our results suggest that oxygen free radical/BK(Ca) pathway may be able to adjust the balance of intracellular calcium in outer hair cells.

To assess the efficacy and safety of the novel sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor-canagliflozin for type 2 diabetes (T2DM).A search of Medline (1946-January 2014), Embase (1950-January 2014), and The Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials of canagliflozin compared to placebo or active comparator in T2DM was performed. Clinical Trials website and unpublished U.S. Food and Drug Administration data were also searched.Ten trials including 6,701 patients were analyzed. Compared with placebo, canagliflozin produced absolute reductions in glycated hemoglobin A1c levels when used as monotherapy (weighted mean difference (WMD) -1.08%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-1.25 to -0.90], p 0.00001) or add-on treatment (WMD -0.73%, 95%CI [-0.84 to -0.61], p 0.00001). When compared with other active comparators, canagliflozin significantly reduced HbA1c by -0.21% (WMD, 95%CI [-0.33 to -0.08], p = 0.001). Canagliflozin led to greater body weight loss (vs. placebo, WMD -2.81 kg, 95%CI [-3.26 to -2.37]; vs. active comparators, WMD -3.49 kg, 95%CI [-4.86 to -2.12]). Hypoglycemia with canagliflozin was similar to placebo or sitagliptin, and was lower than glimepiride (risk ratio (RR) 0.15, 95%CI [0.10 to 0.22]). Genital tract infections were more common with canagliflozin (vs. placebo, RR 3.76, 95%CI [2.23 to 6.35]; vs. active comparators, RR 4.95, 95%CI [3.25 to 7.52]). Similar incidences of urinary tract infections were noted with canagliflozin compared with control groups.Canagliflozin led to improvements in reducing glycated hemoglobin A1c levels and body weight with low risk of hypoglycemia in patients with T2DM. Common adverse effects including genital tract infections and osmotic diuresis-related AEs were identified and reviewed. Risks of cardiovascular events are even less certain, and more data on long-term effects are needed.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are 2 of the most widely used bariatric procedures today, in this meta-analysis, both techniques were compared for evaluating the efficacy and safety of the treatment of morbid obesity.Systematic literature search of Cochrane Controlled Trials Register Databases, Medline, Embase, ISI databases, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database was performed. Statistical analyses were carried out using RevMan software.Thirty-two recent studies including 6526 patients in total were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with SG, RYGB had significantly better effect in resolving type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and arthritis. However, RYGB had higher incidence of complications and reoperation, and longer operation time than SG.RYGB was more effective than SG in the resolution of obesity-related comorbidities, SG was a safer procedure with a reduced rate of complications and reoperation.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) is one of the most widely used bariatric procedures, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) as a single-stage procedure for treating morbid obesity is becoming more popular. We compared both techniques to evaluate their efficacy in treating morbid obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases, Medline, Embase, ISI databases and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of LRYGB and LSG for morbid obesity or T2DM published in any language. Statistical analyses were carried out using RevMan software.Five worldwide RCTs with 196 patients in the LRYGB group and 200 in the LSG group were included in our analysis. Compared with patients who had LSG, those who had LRYGB had a higher remission rate of T2MD, lost more weight and had lower low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, homeostasis model assessment index and insulin levels. There was no difference in the reoperation rate between the groups. However, patients treated with LRYGB had a higher incidence of complication than those treated with LSG.Our meta-analysis demonstrates that LRYGB is more effective than LSG for the surgical treatment of T2DM and control of metabolic syndrome. However, LSG is safer and has a reduced rate of complications. Further high-quality RCTs with long follow-up periods are needed to provide more reliable evidence.La dérivation gastrique laparoscopique Roux-en-Y (DGRY) est l’une des interventions bariatriques les plus utilisées, et la gastrectomie longitudinale laparoscopique (GLL) gagne en popularité comme intervention en une seule étape pour le traitement de l’obésité morbide. Nous avons comparé les 2 techniques pour en évaluer l’efficacité dans le traitement de l’obésité morbide ou du diabète de type 2 (DT2).Nous avons interrogé les bases de données du Registre des essais cliniques contrôlés de la Collaboration Cochrane, de même que les bases de données Medline, Embase, ISI et la base de données de la littérature biomédicale chinoise pour recenser les essais randomisés et contrôlés (ERC) publiés dans toutes les langues sur la DGRY et la GLL dans les cas d’obésité morbide ou de DT2. Les analyses statistiques ont été effectuées au moyen du logiciel RevMan.Cinq ERC ont été recensés dans le monde et ont été inclus dans notre analyse, totalisant 196 patients soumis à la DGRY et 200 soumis à la GLL. Comparativement aux patients soumis à la GLL, les patients soumis à la DGRY ont présenté des taux de rémission plus élevés de leur DT2, ils ont perdu plus de poids et ont présenté des taux plus faibles de lipoprotéines de faible densité et de triglycérides, une baisse de leur indice d’évaluation du modèle d’homéostasie) et de leur taux d’insuline. On n’a noté aucune différence entre les groupes pour ce qui est du taux de réintervention. Toutefois, l’incidence des complications a été plus élevée chez les patients traités par DGRY que chez ceux traités par GLL.Notre méta-analyse démontre que la DGRY est plus efficace que la GLL pour le traitement chirurgical du DT2 et le contrôle du syndrome métabolique. Toutefois, la GLL est plus sécuritaire et s’accompagne d’un taux moindre de complications. Il faudra procéder à d’autres ERC de grande qualité comportant des suivis prolongés pour amasser des preuves plus fiables.

Primulina linearicalyx from Wuming County, Guangxi, is illustrated and described here. It is morphologically close to P. linearifolia, P. pseudolinearifolia and P. longgangensis, but it can be easily distinguished by the exceptionally long and linear-lanceolate to linear calyx lobes. The chromosome number for this species, being reported the first time, was determined to be 2n=36. The conservation status of the new species was assessed as “Critically Endangered” (CR) based on IUCN criteria.

Signature word of the text extracting is a useful technique which can abstract Web page text, as well as it provides technical support for text classification, information extraction and other related tasks. This paper attempts to partition document into a hierarchical structure by parsing the semantic distance between each adjacent paragraph in the web page content. On the basis of the hierarchical structure we use the metadata and special tags of the HTML to design a weighting function by considering the factor of the frequency, length and location of the word. Finally, various location factors on the system's contribution are comparative analyzed.

Tension-free hernioplasty is rapidly becoming the most popular technique for repairing inguinal hernias.1–6 More than 80% of abdominal wall hernias occur in the groin, and most are repaired with prosthetic mesh. Incision infection is the most frequent complication in tension-free hernioplasty.7 Some studies have identified risk factors for incision infection: sex (greater risk among women), age (> 70 yr), comorbidity, duration of surgery, and routine use of drainage and prostheses.8–11 Incision infection is associated with a longer length of stay in hospital, increased costs and a decrease in quality of life.12,13 It remains uncertain whether antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated to prevent postoperative incision infection after mesh repair of inguinal hernias. The incidence of infection after inguinal hernia repair has been reported to vary from 0% to 9%.14 When a foreign body, such as a polypropylene mesh, is used, prevention of an incision infection is more important. A 2004 Cochrane review15 concluded that antibiotic prophylaxis for elective inguinal hernia repair could not be firmly recommended or discarded because the number of patients in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was limited. However, new RCTs involving patients having tension-free hernioplasty have been published in recent years, increasing the number of patients evaluated. We conducted a new meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in preventing postoperative complications after tension-free hernioplasty.

To explore relevant between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and college students' neurobehaviors.87 college students were enlisted. They were tested with Bole. Neurobehavioral evaluation system (B. NES), and HCMV IgG antibody was detected after separation of serum. We analyzed the test results of B. NES by SPSS software.76 college students were infected by HCMV in the past and 11 college students were not infected. The infected group scored 8.89 +/- 6.60 in depression aspect of emotion state test, while control group got 15.73 +/- 9.00. There was Significant difference between infection group and control (P0.05). There were no significant differences in other aspects of emotion states, study and memory, perception and mental movement (P0.05).HCMV infection is associated with depression status.

To investigate the differential expression profiles of microRNAs in the knockout Pax-8 mice by miRNA microarray analysis and study the function of microRNA during cardiac development.The knockout Pax-8 mice model was established and the total RNA derived from Pax-8 KO-/- and Pax-8 KO+/- mice heart. MicroRNA microarray containing 567 mammalian microRNA probes was used to investigate the microRNAs differential expression between Pax-8 KO-/- and Pax-8 KO+/- mice. The candidates of microRNAs were confirmed by real time RT-PCR assay.The heart of pax-8 KO-/- mice became spheroidal. Left ventricle enlargement, left ventricular wall and interventricular septum thickening and papillary muscles in left ventricle enlargement were found. Furthermore, many apoptotic cells were discovered in left ventricular wall and interventricular septum in pax-8 KO-/- mice. The MicroRNA microarray result displayed 10 microRNAs differential expressions, in which 2 microRNAs became down-regulated and 8 microRNAs up-regulated by more than two folds in pax-8 KO-/- mice. This was in accordance with the result of real-time RT-PCR.Some microRNAs may play important roles in cardiac development and ventricular septal defect pathogenesis.

To explore the discrepancy of HGF and Hpa expressed in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma of different pathology grades (differentiation of high, moderate or poor), which can provide the new thought and theory evidence for clinical treatment and control metastasis or palindromic.Forty paraffin-embedded samples of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, forty paraffin-embedded samples of laryngeal papilloma and twelve paraffin-embedded samples of normal tissue adjacent to cancerous location of our department between May 2004 and April 2005, which were analyzed with SP immunohistochemistry staining.The positive rate of HGF were 77.5% and that of Hpa were 72.5% in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, which have positive correlation and were higher than that in laryngeal papilloma and normal tissue adjacent to cancerous location with significant statistical difference (P0.01). The expression of HGF and Hpa had no relationship with primary locations (P0.05), that have positive correlation with clinical stages and have negative correlation with the level of cellular differentiation. The expression of HGF and Hpa in lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than the non-metastasis group (P0.05).The expression of HGF and Hpa in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma are higher than that in nonmalignant ones. They correlates with lymph node metastasis, clinical stages and pathological grading, but they has no relationship with the primary locations. The positive correlation relationship of expression between HGF and Hpa might be worthiness to determine the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

To investigate the diagnostic value of 226 Hz tympanometry and middle ear resonant frequency (RF) in adults with hydrotympanum. Discuss whether the resonant frequency combined with conventional 226 Hz tympanometry could increase the effectiveness for diagnosis of hydrotympanum.Prospective study was applied to compare the normal hearing group and the test group. The otoscopic findings, pure tone audiometry and GSI-33 middle ear analyzer were considered standard. A 90% range of RF values from normal hearing group was considered standard to distinguish normal from abnormal RF values in test group. The subjects who had type B, C or abnormal tympanograms were performed with tympanocentesis. Hydrotympanum were confirmed when the results were positive.The middle ear resonant frequency in adults range from 900 Hz to 1100 Hz was considered normal. There was found to be a statistically significant decrease in RF values in ears with OME compared to normative data (P0.01). The positive percentage of tympanocentesis on type "B" tympanograms were 83%, which was significantly higher than that of tympanocentesis on type "C" or abnormal tympanograms (P0.05). The positive percentage of tympanocentesis was 0 when the resonant frequency was normal. The positive percentage of tympanocentesis which the resonant frequency were less than 500 Hz were significantly higher than the subjects whose resonant frequency were more than 500 Hz.Middle ear resonant frequency testing has very important clinic value for diagnosis of hydrotympanum, especially for those patients with type C or abnormal tympanograms.

Primulina cordistigma, a new species from Guangdong, China, is illustrated and described. This new species is similar to P. yangchunensis, from which it is distinguished by the leaf blades broadly ovate, 4–5 × 2–3.5 cm, base broadly cuneate to cordate, and margins entire or rarely undulate; the inflorescence a cyme 1–5-flowered; the bracts lanceolate, 3–4 × 0.5–1.0 mm; the corolla tube 0.9–1 cm long; staminodes 3; and the stigma cordate with elliptic lobes covered by shortly puberulent hairs. A conservation category of “Endangered” (EN) according to IUCN Red List Category and Criteria is proposed. Based on plenty of specimens with flowers and field works, the floral morphology of P. yangchunensis, which is the congener of P. cordistigma, is supplemented and emendated here.