Associations between low muscle mass and clinical characteristics of health population in China.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to discern the association between specific clinical parameters and low muscle mass (LMM). We endeavor to elucidate the determinants of LMM and the predictive potency of individual factors. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we encompassed 450 older adult Chinese participants (252 males and 198 females). Muscle mass quantifications were performed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Comprehensive data encompassing demographic details (age, sex, height, and weight) and laboratory results (complete blood count, thyroid function, liver function, and renal function) were systematically recorded. Logistic regression models, coupled with receiver operating characteristic curve analytics, were employed to ascertain the variables influencing LMM and to evaluate the predictive validity of each parameter on LMM. Results: Upon confounding adjustment for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and free thyroxine (FT4) persisted as a determinant of LMM. Specifically, individuals with an FT4 exceeding 1.105 ng/dL exhibited a 1.803-fold increased propensity for LMM relative to those with FT4 values below the specified threshold. Incorporating age, gender, BMI, and FT4 in the diagnostic algorithm enhanced the precision of LMM. The results differ between men and women. In the male population, we can still observe that FT4 has a certain value in the diagnosis of LMM, but this phenomenon is not found in the female population. Conclusions: Elevated FT4 concentrations, albeit within clinically accepted limits, are inversely associated with muscle mass. As such, FT4 could be postulated as a potential biomarker for LMM in geriatric individuals, especially in the male group.

Association between threat-related adverse childhood experiences and chronic lung diseases in a middle and older aged population: A cross-sectional and longitudinal study in China.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the association between threat-related adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the risk of chronic lung diseases (CLDs). METHODS: The data used for this study were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative survey of respondents recruited from 450 villages/urban communities in 28 provinces. Threat-related ACEs were constructed using five adverse factors: household substance abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, unsafe neighbourhood, and bullying). Participants were divided into three groups according to their number of threat-related ACEs at baseline and at follow-up. The association between threat-related ACEs and CLD prevalence in the cross-sectional study was calculated using logistic regression models. The association between threat-related ACEs and CLD onset was evaluated using Cox proportional regression models in the cohort study. Potential confounders were considered in both the cross-sectional and cohort studies. RESULTS: The CLD prevalence in the total population, no exposure group, exposure to one threat-related ACE, and exposure to at least two threat-related ACEs were 10.07% (1320/13104), 9.20% (665/7232), 10.89% (421/3865), and 11.66% (234/2007), respectively. Exposure to one threat-related ACE (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.07-1.41) and exposure to at least two threat-related ACEs (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.11-1.55) were significantly associated with higher CLD prevalence rates. The cohort study included 11,645 participants. During the 7-year follow-up, 738 CLD incidents were identified. Similarly, exposure to one threat-related ACE (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01-1.43) and at least two threat-related ACEs (HR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.35-2.00) were significantly associated with a higher CLD incidence risk. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to threat-related ACEs was significantly associated with a higher CLD prevalence risk and onset. It is crucial to identify individuals who have encountered childhood threats and prioritise the monitoring of their pulmonary function.

Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in agricultural landscapes of China.

BACKGROUND: Agricultural land-use change is an important driver of pest population dynamics, and can alter source-sink dynamics and the concentration-dilution effects of the landscape. Understanding the effects of land use on pests at both landscape and regional levels is essential for the development of sustainable pest management strategies given the large changes occurring in cropping systems in China. At the landscape level, we investigated the impacts of landscape composition and edge density on pheromone trap catch of codling moth (Cydia pomonella) in apple orchards, in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. At the regional scale, we conducted a meta-analysis using data from studies performed across the Aksu area in recent decades, to assess the relationship between trends in codling moth abundance and the area of apple cultivation. RESULTS: Both extensive planting of apple and large areas of annual crops in the landscape increased the abundance of codling moth, whereas the presence of secondary host plants (peach, pear, walnut, plum, and apricot) had a negative effect. Seminatural habitats and landscape edge density did not significantly affect codling moth abundance. The responses of different generations of codling moth to landscape factors were varied. At the regional level, codling moth occurrence was positively correlated with the expansion of apple production areas. CONCLUSION: Expansion of apple cultivation increases the abundance of codling moth in agricultural landscapes. We recommend decreasing the area devoted to monocultures of apple when designing agricultural landscapes and increasing plantings of secondary host crops to dilute and reduce the abundance of codling moth. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Regional Pollination Activity by Moth Migration in Athetis lepigone.

Nocturnal moths (Lepidoptera) are important pollinators of a wide range of plant species. Understanding the foraging preferences of these insects is essential for their scientific management. However, this information is lacking for most moth species. The present study was therefore conducted to delineate the host plant feeding and pollination ranges of an agriculturally important nocturnal moth species Athetis lepigone by identifying the pollen species adhering to their bodies during long-distance migration. Pollen grains were dislodged from 1871 A. lepigone migrants captured on Beihuang Island in the Bohai Strait between 2020 and 2021. This region is a key seasonal migration pathway for A. lepigone in northern China. Almost 20% of all moths sampled harbored pollens, providing direct evidences that this moth species may serve as pollinators. Moreover, at least 39 pollen taxa spanning 21 plant families and 31 genera were identified, with a preference for Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae, and Pinaceae. Additionally, the pollen adherence ratios and taxa varied with moth sex, inter-annual changes, and seasonal fluctuations. Most importantly, the pollen taxa were correlated with insect migration stages and indicated that A. lepigone bidirectionally migrates between central China (Shandong, Hebei, and Henan Provinces) and northeastern China (Liaoning Province). Overall, the findings of the present work provide valuable information on the pollination behavior, geographical origins, and pollination regions of A. lepigone moths and could facilitate the design and optimization of efficacious local and regional management strategies for this important insect.

Pan trapping is an effective method to trap adults of the jujube gall midge, Dasineura jujubifolia (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae).

Jujube gall midge (Dasineura jujubifolia Jiao & Bu) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) is an important pest in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) orchards in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. Yellow sticky traps are the main device used for monitoring jujube gall midge adults, but their efficacy is low. Here, we compared the effectiveness of yellow sticky traps with water pan traps (are commonly used for trapping Diptera insects) to monitor jujube gall midge adults. Yellow sticky traps and pan traps were deployed for 2 consecutive years in jujube orchards in Aksu, Xinjiang, China. The midge's population dynamics as revealed by these 2 trap types were consistent, but the effectiveness of pan traps was about 5 times greater than that of the yellow sticky traps. In addition, pan traps captured fewer non-target species (e.g., parasitic wasps, lacewings, and lady beetles) than yellow sticky traps. Our study suggests that pan trap is an effective device to monitor jujube gall midge adults with minimal harm to natural enemies.

[Retracted] MicroRNA­874 is downregulated in cervical cancer and inhibits cancer progression by directly targeting ETS1.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the Transwell migration assay data shown in Fig. 3A were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article were already under consideration for publication prior to its submission to Oncology Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a satisfactory reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 40: 2389­2398, 2018; DOI: 10.3892/or.2018.6624].

Association of thyroid function abnormality and prognosis in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with PD-1 inhibitors.

Background: Thyroid function abnormality (TFA) is one of the most common toxicities in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the risk factors related to TFA and the relationship between TFA and prognosis in NSCLC are not fully clarified. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients with advanced NSCLC who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors in Huzhou Central Hospital. Thyroid function test was carried out using electrochemiluminescent bridging immunoassay. The association between TFA and clinical outcome was investigated. Results: A total of 273 patients were included in this study. Patients who experienced TFA had longer progression-free survival (21.9 vs 6.4 months; p < 0.001) and overall survival (44.6 vs 24.1 months; p = 0.02) than patients without TFA. After multivariate analysis, TFA was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free and overall survival (p < 0.05). Conclusion: TFA is associated with better outcome in NSCLC patients who receive immunotherapy.

Many patients with non-small-cell lung cancer are treated with immunotherapy, a type of treatment that uses the body's natural immune system to fight diseases. We conducted a retrospective study of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors (a type of immunotherapy) in Huzhou Central Hospital. Thyroid function abnormality (TFA) is one of the common toxicities in patients receiving PD-1 inhibitors. Our study showed that patients who experienced TFA have longer survival times compared with patients without TFA (overall survival, 44.6 vs 24.1 months; p = 0.02). TFA could be an effective predictor of outcome in non-small-cell lung cancer cases being treated with immunotherapy.

Windborne migration amplifies insect-mediated pollination services.

Worldwide, hoverflies (Syrphidae: Diptera) provide crucial ecosystem services such as pollination and biological pest control. Although many hoverfly species exhibit migratory behavior, the spatiotemporal facets of these movement dynamics, and their ecosystem services implications are poorly understood. In this study, we use long-term (16-year) trapping records, trajectory analysis, and intrinsic (i.e., isotope, genetic, pollen) markers to describe migration patterns of the hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus in northern China. Our work reveals how E. balteatus migrate northward during spring-summer and exhibits return (long-range) migration during autumn. The extensive genetic mixing and high genetic diversity of E. balteatus populations underscore its adaptive capacity to environmental disturbances, for example, climate change. Pollen markers and molecular gut analysis further illuminate how E. balteatus visits min. 1012 flowering plant species (39 orders) over space and time. By thus delineating E. balteatus transregional movements and pollination networks, we advance our understanding of its migration ecology and facilitate the design of targeted strategies to conserve and enhance its ecosystem services.

Effect of Continuous Subcutaneous Injection of Insulin Analogues in Pregnant Women with Diabetes Mellitus Complicated with Ketoacidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of continuous subcutaneous injection of insulin analogues in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus complicated with ketoacidosis. METHODS: A total of 92 pregnant patients with diabetes mellitus complicated with ketoacidosis from June 2014 to January 2021 were selected. All patients were randomly divided into an observation group and control group according to the method of random number. The control group received intravenous infusion of insulin, and the observation group received continuous subcutaneous infusion of quick-acting insulin analogues. The clinical effects of the two groups were observed. RESULTS: The time needed to control blood glucose <13.8 mmol/L, the amount of insulin needed to control blood glucose <13.8 mmol/L, the time needed to correct DKA, and the amount of insulin needed to correct DKA in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the average occurrence times of hypoglycemia, the length of stay, the total amount of insulin in hospital, and the total amount of insulin used during pregnancy in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The values of SCr, CRP, BUN, arterial blood gas pH, and adiponectin in the two groups were significantly improved as compared with those before treatment, and the improvement in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the fasting blood glucose, 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, carbon dioxide binding capacity, and glycosylated hemoglobin in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the routine group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Continuous subcutaneous injection of insulin analogues is effective in the treatment of diabetic patients with ketoacidosis, which can effectively improve blood glucose, carbon dioxide binding capacity, and glycosylated hemoglobin and accelerate the negative conversion of urinary ketone body. It is worth popularizing to reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia and the dose of insulin and shorten the time of hospitalization.

Collision carcinoma of endometrial adenocarcinoma and primary serous fallopian tube carcinoma: a case report.

Collision carcinoma is a rare malignancy that generally occurs in cervical, esophageal, pulmonary, and squamous cell cancers. Few studies have been reported involving endometrial adenocarcinoma and fallopian tube carcinoma. We reported the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented because of irregular vaginal bleeding for more than 1 month. Cervical biopsy suggested moderately differentiated cervical adenocarcinoma, and the patient underwent radical hysterectomy under general anesthesia. However, postoperative pathology and immunohistochemical results indicated a collision tumor comprising endometrial adenocarcinoma (grade I) and primary serous fallopian tube carcinoma. According to the treatment principle of multiple primary tumors, a regimen of paclitaxel combined with carboplatin was administered. The patient also underwent local pelvic radiotherapy to treat lymph node metastasis. One month later, the patient developed brain metastases and died.

Landscape Effects on the Abundance of Apolygus lucorum in Cotton Fields.

Resource-continuity over spatial and temporal scales plays a central role in the population abundance of polyphagous pests in an agricultural landscape. Shifts in the agricultural land use in a region may alter the configuration of key resource habitats, resulting in drastic changes in pest abundance. Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) (Hemiptera: Miridae) is a pest of cotton in northern China that has become more serious in recent years following changes in the region's cropping systems. However, no evidence from the landscape perspective has yet been gathered to account for the increasing population of A. lucorum in China. In this study, we investigated the effects of landscape composition on the population abundance of A. lucorum in cotton fields in July and August of 2016, respectively. We found that increased acreage planted to cotton actually had a negative effect on the abundance of A. lucorum, while planting of other crops (e.g., vegetables, soybean, and peanut) was positively associated with the mirid's population abundance in cotton fields. Maize production only displayed a positive effect on population abundance in August. Our results suggested that the decreasing of cotton area may weaken the trap-kill effect on A. lucorum, and the extension of other crops and maize potentially enhance the continuity of resources needed by A. lucorum. Combined effects of these two aspects may promote an increased population density of A. lucorum in the agriculture district. In the future, when possible, management strategies in key regional crops should be coordinated to reduce resource continuity at the landscape or area-wide scale to lower A. lucorum populations across multiple crops.

Mixed effects of landscape complexity and insecticide use on ladybeetle abundance in wheat fields.

BACKGROUND: Although the abundance of insect natural enemies in crop fields may be influenced by the surrounding landscape and local field management, particularly insecticide use at the local scale, few studies have examined these factors simultaneously. In this study, we investigated the effects of landscape context and insecticide use in local fields on ladybeetle abundance in wheat fields in northern China. RESULTS: Woodlots and fallow land were the most important landscape variables enhancing ladybeetle abundance. We used the cumulative percentage of these land types to characterize landscape complexity. Comparing the change in ladybeetle abundance in wheat fields within different landscapes and with different in-field insecticide regimes, we found that although more complex landscapes enhanced ladybeetle abundance, the negative effects of insecticide use on ladybeetle populations were not offset by landscape complexity. Additionally, the positive effects of more complex landscapes on ladybeetle abundance were not significant in wheat fields subjected to high insecticide use. CONCLUSION: Ladybeetle abundance is enhanced by landscape complexity, but this is modified by insecticide use in local fields. Within-field efforts to maximize the conservation biological control of pests to improve crop yield should take into account the influence of the surrounding landscape. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

MicroRNA­874 is downregulated in cervical cancer and inhibits cancer progression by directly targeting ETS1.

An increasing number of studies have reported that microRNAs (miRNAs) are dysregulated in cervical cancer and serve critical roles in cervical oncogenesis and progression. Therefore, identifying the aberrantly expressed miRNAs implicated in the formation and progression of cervical cancer may provide key clues for the development of effective therapeutic targets in treating patients with this type of malignancy. In the present study, miRNA­874 (miR­874) was downregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines, and this downregulation was associated with International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics stage and lymph node metastasis. The restored expression of miR­874 prohibited the proliferation, migration and invasion, but promoted the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. In addition, E26 transformation specific­1 (ETS1) was identified as the direct target of miR­874 in cervical cancer. Inhibition of ETS1 served tumour­suppressive roles similar to miR­874 overexpression in cervical cancer cells. A series of rescue experiments revealed that restoring ETS1 expression abolished the tumour­suppressing effects of miR­874 in cervical cancer cells. Taken together, the results of the present study indicated that miR­874 may serve as a tumour suppressor in cervical cancer by directly targeting ETS1. This function suggested that miR­874 holds potential therapeutic applications in treating patients with this type of malignancy.

PS microspheres coated by AuNPs via thermodynamic driving heterocoagulation and their high catalytic activity.

A unique method of fabricating PS/AuNPs composite particles in ex situ mode is proposed on the basis of thermodynamically driving mechanism. It is facile and versatile as it eliminates the need for surface functionalizations and modifications of both PS microspheres and AuNPs. The PS/AuNPs composite particles take on a raspberry-like morphology with controllable coverage according to some thermodynamic factors, which have been extensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. More importantly, the PS/AuNPs composite particles hold higher catalytic efficiency and better repeatability than the previously reported results, which are confirmed in two oxidation-reduction reactions of 2-nitroaniline/NaBH(4) and rhodamine B/NaBH(4).

Colloid thermodynamic effect as the universal driving force for fabricating various functional composite particles.

The design and fabrication of functional nanocomposites is an active area of research because composite particles have significantly improved physical and chemical properties over those of their single-component counterparts. Traditionally, chemical pretreatments of the components were used to enhance their physicochemical or chemical interactions. Here, we propose a novel approach to taking advantage of the beauty of thermodynamics. A series of functional materials, including graphene nanosheets, carbon nanotubes, noble metals, magnetic materials, conducting polymers, attapulgite, and etc. were incorporated with polystyrene particles by a thermodynamic driving force. This unique approach is facile and versatile and shows the considerable significance of developments in both scientific methodology and particle engineering.

Facile and controlled fabrication of functional gold nanoparticle-coated polystyrene composite particle.

Gold nanoparticles-coated polystyrene (AuNPs-coated PS) composite particles with raspberry-like morphology are successfully prepared with the aid of a unique thermodynamically driving effect. It is of considerable interest that the AuNPs generate and self-assemble with raw, ordinary PS microspheres that preexist in the oxidation-reduction systems. The synthesized AuNPs-coated PS composite particles have been extensively characterized using scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the morphology of the resultant composite particles is governed by simply changing the amount and type of reductants and the concentration of PS microspheres. The AuNPs-coated PS composite particles also exhibit the good surface-enhanced Raman scattering and catalytic performances.