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In this essay, I argue for the need to embrace transnationalism as an epistemological and methodological intervention in communication studies. Centering how non-Western racialized queer experience...

To explore the associations between birth outcomes and blood pressure, and study the sex dimorphism of these associations.With a multistage cluster random sampling method, 62 168 children were recruited in seven provinces of China in September of 2013, with 32 064 boys and 30 104 girls, median age of 10.74 years and mean birth weight of 3.3 kg, 49 843 single birth(97%), 1339 twin(2.6%), 180 triplet or more(0.4%). Questionnaire investigation and physical examination were conducted in the present study. Weight, height and blood pressure were measured in the physical examination. Demographic characteristics, birth outcomes(including birth weight and number of births), dietary behavior, physical activities were measured by questionnaire. The widely used age-, gender-and height-specific high blood pressure standard developed by American CDC was used for the present study. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analysis were conducted to study the associations between birth outcomes and blood pressure level or high blood pressure(HBP), and also sex dimorphism of these associations was explored.A total of 5933 children were categorized as having high blood pressure in the 62 168 participants(9.5%). With stratified analyses by birth weight category, only in the low-birth-weight strata birth weight was significantly inversely associated with systolic blood pressure(SBP) and diastolic blood pressure(DBP) with potential covariates adjusted(SBP: b=-1.628, 95%CI-2.571--0.685, P=0.001; DBP: b=-1.463, 95%CI-2.186--0.740, Plt;0.001). While compared with the non-low birth weight children, low birth weight was not associated with higher risk of HBP(Pgt;0.05). Compared with those boys born as singleton, boys born as one of the twins have a 36.4% higher risk of HBP(OR=1.364, 95%CI 1.049-1.774), while in girls no such significant association was found. Additionally, compared with a term birth, overdue birth and preterm birth was not associated with higher risk of HBP(Pgt;0.05).Birth weight and singleton or not were associated with childhood blood pressure levels and higher risk of high blood pressure, and some associations were sex specific. Gender differences should be paid attention to in the prevention and control of high blood pressure in children and adolescents in the future, and the prevention and control should be focused on low-birth weight children or twin boys.

The discourse of coming out has historically served as an effective vehicle to build and sustain the LGBTQ movement in the United States. It has also been utilized as an empowering resource that enables queer people to establish a queer identity organized around self-awareness and self-expression. However, queer of color critique and transnational queer theory argue that the prevalent discourse of coming out is built on a particular kind of queer experience and geography, which is usually from the standpoint of White, middle-class men of urban U.S. citizenship and is rarely derived from the experience of queer people of color and non-Western queer subjects. Taking an intersectional perspective, Snorton interrogates the racialization of the closet and proposes a sexual politics of ignorance—opposed to the disclosure imperative in coming out discourse—as a tactic of ungovernability. Centering the experience of Russian American immigrants who are queer-identified, Fisher proposes a fluid and productive relationship between the “closeted” and the “out” sexuality that resists any fixed categorization. Focusing on the masking tactic deployed by local queer activists, Martin theorizes the model of xianshen, a local identity politics in Taiwan that questions the very conditions of visibility in dominant coming out discourse. As a decolonial response to the transnational circulation of coming out discourse, Chou delineates a “coming home” approach that emphasizes familial piety and harmony by reining in and concealing queer desires. Being cautious against the nationalist impulse in Chou’s works, Huang and Brouwer propose a “coming with” model to capture the struggles among Chinese queers to disidentify with the family institution. These alternative paradigms serve as epistemic tools that aim to revise understanding of queer resistance and queer relationality and help people to go beyond the imagination of coming out for a livable queer future.

This article examines how the Netflix series Sense8 uses multiracial, transnational characters and relationships as a form of transgression over restrictive racial and sexual categories and their subsequent oppression. In Sense8, the characters' erotic desires for the other are represented as the entry into a deracialized, dehistoricized, depoliticized and liberal global public sphere. Sexual pleasure with the colonized, racialized and gendered other is represented as a form of transgressing and transcending the limitations of the body that non-western and non-white bodies perpetually remain trapped in. These representations are also normalizing tropes of queer utopias that do not acknowledge the intersectional erasures that continuously occur in this series. As transnational scholars from Ghana, India and China, who are situated in daily inter-racial relations, we challenge the simplistic and uncritical viewing of Sense8 through our hybrid postcolonial subjectivities.

The transnational circulation of Euro-American queer discourse affects queer subjectivity in local contexts. Through a case study of the Rainbow Love wedding competition, this article unravels the interplay between transnational queer politics, queer affect and the economy of visibility in the emerging pink market to explore how they shape the queer landscape in mainland China. Rainbow Love demonstrates how recent queer visibility in Chinese media manifests as a narrative commodity that is embedded in consumerism and in colonialist sexual discourse. By exploiting post-Cold War anxiety in mainland China, Rainbow Love invites affective identification and produces an 'ideal' queer subjectivity in the Chinese pink market: cosmopolitan, mobile and middle-class queers who desire and can afford luxury consumption. We argue that such queer visibility in the Chinese pink market has become a regulatory force on Chinese queer subjects despite the liberatory narratives that are advocated in the mass media.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most complex and common reproductive and endocrinologic disorders in the child-bearing age of women. Recently, miR-222 were reported to be associated with the etiology of PCOS. However, the function of miR-222 during the pathogenesis of PCOS remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-222 in PCOS. Firstly, miR-222 expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in PCOS. The effects of miR-222 on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle in KGN cells were analyzed by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. In addition, bioinformatics analysis was used to predict the target genes of miR-222, and dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to verified the interaction between miR-222 and p27 Kip1 in KGN cells. Moreover, the expressions of p27 Kip1 in KGN cells treated with miR-222 mimics or miR-222 inhibitor were evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blot assays. The results showed that the expression of miR-222 was remarkably upregulated in PCOS tissues compared with corresponding normal tissues. In the gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays, we revealed that miR-222 mimics significantly promoted cell proliferation, while miR-222 inhibitor induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrested. Furthermore, p27 Kip1 was identified as a target gene of miR-222, and could be negatively regulated by miR-222 mimics in KGN cells. In conclusion, our findings suggested that miR-222 may promote the progression of PCOS by targeting p27 Kip1.

Background To investigate the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids on glucose and blood lipid metabolism in gestational diabetes (GDM) women. Methods A total of 150 patients with GDM aged 18-40 who were admitted to our hospital from May 2019 to December 2020 were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into test and control groups according to whether they took vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. The test group took 40,000 IU of vitamin D and 8,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids twice a day. Comparative analysis of the changes in blood glucose and blood lipid levels of the two groups of patients was performed after 6 weeks. The t-test was used to compare the differences between groups, and the chi-square test was used to assess percentage differences. Repeated measures variance was used to analyze the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids on insulin metabolism markers and blood lipid profiles. Results After adjusting for baseline age and weight, it was found that the fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TGs), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the test group were decreased by 0.3±0.2 mmol/L, 1.0±0.6 uIU/mL, 0.2±0.1, 0.3±0.1 mmol/L, 0.5±0.2 mmol/L, 1.1±0.4 mmol/L, and 0.03±0.01 mmol/L, respectively, while homeostasis model assessment of beta cell (HOMA-β) was increased by 0.4±0.1. Compared to the placebo group, the test group's FBG, insulin, HOMA-IR, TGs, total cholesterol, LDL, and VLDL were all significantly decreased, and HOMA-β was markedly improved. However, no notable statistical difference was observed in the change of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P>0.05). Conclusions Combined supplementation with vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids for 6 weeks in patients with GDM can effectively reduce blood sugar and blood lipids, improve HOMA-β and insulin resistance, and ultimately effectively improve the glucose and lipid metabolism of patients.

This article explores how marriage is negotiated by Chinese queer subjects who face tension between the heteronormative expectations of their families and their desire to maintain a same-sex relati...

A novel process for extracting lithium from coal fly ash by low-temperature salt activation with ammonium fluoride was proposed in this study. The glass phase in coal fly ash was converted to water-soluble fluoride salts after the salt activation process, which was followed by the extraction of lithium from the glass phase via water leaching. The effects of activation temperature and SiO2/NH4F mass ratio on the extraction of lithium were investigated in detail. The results showed that more than 90% of lithium was recovered under the optimized conditions: 155 °C of activation temperature, 1:1.35 of SiO2/NH4F mass ratio. A possible reaction mechanism for lithium extraction was also proposed based on thermodynamic, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and solid nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. This work provides a unique platform reference for further studies on the efficient extraction of resources with similar mineral compositions.

The authors investigate coming out and coming home as models of queer sexuality for contemporary Chinese queer subjects. Through semi-structured interviews with 13 Chinese queer subjects, the autho...

BACKGROUND Risk factors for intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) in patients undergoing various surgical procedures have been described in previous studies. However, whether risk factors for IAPI in patients undergoing neurosurgery differ remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore independent risk factors for IAPI in patients undergoing neurosurgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from 465 patients who underwent neurosurgery between October 2017and December 2018 and who were at high risk of IAPIs were retrospectively analyzed. Independent risk factors for IAPI were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS Sixty-nine IAPIs (14.8%) in 465 patients undergoing neurosurgery were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that being overweight (odds ratio [OR] 2.685; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.206-5.975; P=0.016), prone position (OR 7.502, 95% CI 2.470-22.787. P

To investigate the efficacy and safety of brotizolam in outpatients with insomnia.This randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, controlled trial recruited 253 outpatients randomized to receive either brotizolam (n = 126) or estazolam (n = 127) for 14 days followed by 1 week of follow-up for rebound detection. Sleep Dysfunction Rating Scale (SDRS) and Clinical General Impression Scale were applied for efficacy evaluation. Safety evaluation was based on data regarding vital signs, physical examination, lab tests, ECG and collection of adverse events.Full Analyses Set (FAS) and Safety Set (SS) included data of 251 subjects, with 126 from brotizolam group and 125 from estazolam group. Per Protocol Set (PPS) analysis included data of 235 subjects, with 121 and 114 from each group. After 14 days of treatment, there was no difference with statistical significance between the two groups regarding SDRS total score change from baseline. FAS and PPS analysis showed that the brotizolam is non-inferior to estazolam in efficacy evaluation. There was also no difference with statistical significance regarding rebound rate between brotizolam and estazolam group in FAS. The rate of adverse event in two groups was with no statistically significant difference in SS.Brotizolam is effective and safe in relieving the symptoms of insomnia.

The DNA of human factor IX (hF IX) gene vector pMC IX m, which had been proven to be able to express inin vitro and living cells, was introduced into 586 zygotes of Kunming Whlte Mice by positive pressure microinjection technique with manual operation. The 499 survival embryos after microinjection were then transferred into pseudopregnant recipient mice and 216 F, pups were born. The analysis of PCR and Southern blot hybridization showed that, of the 216, 6 (2 females and 4 males) were integrated with foreign DNA in their genornes, giving an integration frequency of 3% (6/216). Two F0 female transgenic mice could express hF IX protein in their milk and the content was over 100 ng/mL as measured with ELISA. The biological activities of hF IV in the milk of two F0 mike were 44.67 % and 79.43 %, respectively.

To establish a high sensitive and specific method of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (IFISH) to detect the low-frequency human cells in human/goat xenogeneic models.Human-specific Y-chromosome satellite DNA CEPY and 17-chromosome satellite DNA p17H8 were used as probes for IFISH. The peripheral blood samples from 2 goats transplanted with human male hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), 1 normal negative goat and 1 normal man were analyzed. The actual FISH efficiency was confirmed by serial dilutions (1/100, 1/500 and 1/1000) of the cell mixture of normal man and normal negative goat. A set of signal scoring criteria was determined to guarantee the stability and reliability of the method.Positive cell (human cell) frequencies were consistent with the established frequencies for the human/goat cell mixture. The average frequencies of positive cells were 98.60% (CEPY) and 100% (p17H8) for normal man, 0 for normal negative goat, 0.23% (CEPY) and 0.11% (p17H8) for human/goat xenogeneic models. The results demonstrated that low-frequency human cells (male cells confirmed by Y-chromosome probe) existed in human/goat xenogeneic models.The IFISH developed in this study is of high sensitivity and specificity and can identify the actual frequency of human cells, which offers a direct, sensitive and specific approach to the detection of low-frequency human cells in human/goat xenogeneic models.

To identify the human hematopoietic stem cells from the human/goat xenogeneic model with molecular techniques.DNA and total RNA were extracted from 11 transplanted goat peripheral blood cells. Human CD(34), GPA and SRY genes were amplified with PCR in these samples, and CD(34), GPA mRNA transcripts were detected using RT-PCR in 5 and 6 goat peripheral blood cells, respectively. Southern blot analysis was performed in 8 goat DNAs to detect the human specific alpha-satellite sequence. Meanwhile FISH was also performed to detect the human cells in goat blood with a probe of human Y chromosome.Human CD(34) and GPA genes could be detected with PCR in all the 11 goats, and SRY gene did in 5 goats transplanted with hematopoietic stem cells derived from male human babies. Southern blot showed that human specific alpha-satellite sequence was present in 8 goats. By RT-PCR, human CD(34) mRNA was detected in 5 experimental goats, GPA mRNA was found in the other 6 experimental goats and FISH assay showed that some peripheral blood cells of the human/goat xenogeneic model were positive.Existence of human cells in the recipient goats was identified by molecular detection, which was feasible for the examination of human/goat xenogeneic models.

To investigate the expression of human specific proteins in liver tissue obtained from goats engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells (hHSC).hHSCs derived from cord blood were transplanted into fetal goats for production of chimerism. Liver specimens were obtained from four 10-month-old chimeric goats and examined for their reactivity with monoclonal antibodies against human antigens: proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and hepatocyte specific antigen (HSA). The presence of human HSA positive cells in the goat liver tissue was determined by fluorescence assisted cell sorting (FACS). The expression of human hepatocyte nuclear factor (hHNF-3beta) and human serum albumin (hALB) mRNAs was determined by RT-PCR. Meanwhile, FISH experiment was also performed to detect the human cells in the chimeric livers with the probe of human p17H8.Successful engraftment was confirmed by the detection of human blood cell chimerism in the circulation of the transplanted goats. Human PCNA and HSA were found in liver specimens of transplanted goats but not of normals. FACS analysis showed the presence of human HSA positive cells in the liver of chimeric goats. RT-PCR results demonstrated that hHNF-3beta and hALB mRNAs were specifically expressed in liver tissues of chimeric goats. FISH experiment showed two positive hybridized signals in some liver cells of the chimeric goats, indicating that human liver-like cells were present there.Goats engrafted with hHSC are capable to produce chimeric livers. Growth and propagation of human cells in the liver tissue of such transplanted goats were possible. Particularly, the human liver-like cells in chimeric goat livers had transcriptional activity specific to human hepatocytes.

To establish a human/goat hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) xenogeneic transplant model and to probe the engraftment, expansion and differentiation of human HSC in vivo.Human HSCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood and 1 x 10(5) human HSCs were in utero transplanted into 50 fetal goats at the 55 - 65 the gestation days. The engraftment, expansion and differentiation of human HSCs in goats were determined by FACS analysis, PCR and PCR-Southern blot hybridization at various intervals after birth.Hematopoietic chimerism occurred certainly in 35 of 39 live-born recipients. On average, The proportion of human hematopoietic cells in goat blood was 1% approximately 3% and remained phenotypically stable for at least 10 months. The human hematopoietic cells circulated in goat blood expressed CD34, CD14, CD20 and glycophorin A (GPA) but did not express CD3, CD4, CD7, CD8 and CD56 or expressed them at a very low level.The number of human HSC can be effectively expanded 1 000 - 10 000 fold. Human HSCs in goats undergo a limited differentiation. Our human/goat HSC xenogeneic model provides a useful way for the investigation of HSC transplantation, expansion and differentiation in vivo.

We have constructed a mammary gland expression vector that contained the goat β-casein gene promoter, 5′upstream regulatory region, exons 1,2, intron 1 as well as the human serum albumin (hALB) mini-gene (including the full-long sequences of hALB cDNA and its intron 1). Injection of the vector into mouse tail veins showed that the recombinant construct was expressed only in mammary glands. The vector was microinjected into the mouse fertilized eggs, followed by transferring the eggs into the foster mice. 33 F0 mice were obtained. Of the 33, 8 mice (5♀, 3 ♂) were transgenic with hALB gene integration identified by PCR as well as Southern blot hybridization. The integration rate was 24.2% (8/33). Western blot analysis showed that 3 female transgenic mice had hALB expression in their milk. The hALB contents in milk reached 3.54, 0.21 and 3.03 g/L, respectively.