Trends in the burden and determinants of HIV in the Asia-Pacific region (1990-2019): An age-period-cohort analysis of the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study.

Although the burden of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the Asia-Pacific region is increasingly severe, comprehensive evidence of the burden of HIV is scarce. We aimed to report the burden of HIV in people aged 15-79 years from 1990 to 2019 using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019. We analyzed rates of age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (ASDR), age-standardized mortality (ASMR), and age-standardized incidence (ASIR) in our age-period-cohort analysis by sociodemographic index (SDI). According to HIV reports in 2019 from 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the low SDI group in Papua New Guinea had the highest ASDR, ASMR, and ASIR. From 1990 to 2019, the ASDR, ASIR, and ASMR of persons with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) increased in 21 (72%) of the 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. During the same period, the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of AIDS patients in the low SDI group in the region grew the fastest, particularly in Nepal. The incidence of HIV among individuals aged 20-30 years in the low-middle SDI group was higher than that of those in the other age groups. In 2019, unsafe sex was the main cause of HIV-related ASDR in the region's 29 countries, followed by drug use. The severity of the burden of HIV/AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region is increasing, especially among low SDI groups. Specific public health policies should be formulated based on the socioeconomic development level of each country to alleviate the burden of HIV/AIDS.

Non-invasive efficacy assessment of pulsed dye laser and photodynamic therapy for port-wine stain.

Port wine stain (PWS) is a congenital vascular malformation that commonly occurs on the face and neck. Currently, the main treatments for port wine stain are pulsed dye laser (PDL) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). However, the efficacy evaluation of PWS mostly relies on the subjective judgement of clinicians, and it is difficult to accurately respond to many small changes after treatment. Therefore, some non-invasive and efficient efficacy assessment methods are also needed. With the continuous development of technology, there are currently many visualisation instruments to evaluate PWS, including dermoscopy, VISIA-CR™ system, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM), high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), Photoacoustic imaging (PAI), laser speckle imaging (LSI) and laser Doppler imaging (LDI). Among them, there are simple and low-cost technologies such as dermoscopy and the VISIA-CR™ system, but they may not be able to observe the deeper structures of PWS. At this time, combining techniques such as HFUS and OCT to increase penetration depth is crucial to evaluate PWS. In the future, the combination of these different technologies could help overcome the limitations of a single technology. This article provides a systematic overview of non-invasive methods for evaluating treatment efficacy in port wine stains and summarises their advantages and disadvantages.

Self-assembly of metal-polyphenolic network on biomass for enhanced organic contaminant capturing from water with a high cost-to-benefit ratio.

Nanomaterials present a vast potential as functional materials in environmental engineering. However, there are challenges with nanocomplex for recyclability, reliable/stable, and scale-up industrial integration. Here, a versatile, low-cost, stable and recycled easily metal-polyphenolic-based material carried by wood powder (bioCar-MPNs) adsorption platform was nano-engineered by a simple, fast self-assembly strategy, in which wood powder is an excellent substrate serving as a scaffold and stabilizer to prevent the nanocomplex from aggregating and is easier to recycle. Life cycle analysis highlights a green preparation process and environmental sustainability for bioCar-MPNs. The metal-polyphenolic nanocomplex coated on the wood surface in bioCar-MPNs presents a remarkable surface adsorption property (1829.4 mg/g) at a low cost (2.4 US dollars per 1000 g bioCar-MPNs) for organic dye. Quartz crystal microbalance analysis (QCM) demonstrates an existing strong affinity between polyphenols and organic dyes. Furthermore, Independent Gradient Model (IGM) and Hirshfeld surface analysis reveal the presence of the electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonding. Meanwhile, adsorption efficiency of bioCar-MPNs maintains over 95% in the presence of co-existing ions (Na+, 0.5 M). Importantly, the reasonable utilization of biomass for water treatment can contribute to achieving the high-value and resource utilization of biomass materials.

Assessment of urine CCL2 as a potential diagnostic biomarker for acute kidney injury and septic acute kidney injury in intensive care unit patients.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a prevalent and serious condition in the intensive care unit (ICU), associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Septic acute kidney injury (SAKI) contributes substantially to AKI cases in the ICU. However, current diagnostic methods have limitations, necessitating the exploration of novel biomarkers. In this study, we investigated the potential of plasma and urine CCL2 levels as diagnostic markers for AKI and SAKI in 216 ICU patients. Our findings revealed significant differences in plasma (p < 0.01) and urine CCL2 (p < 0.0001) levels between AKI and non-AKI patients in the ICU. Notably, urine CCL2 demonstrated promising predictive value for AKI, exhibiting high specificity and sensitivity (AUC = 0.8976; p < 0.0001). Furthermore, we observed higher urine CCL2 levels in SAKI compared to non-septic AKI (p < 0.001) and urine CCL2 could also differentiate SAKI from non-septic AKI (AUC = 0.7597; p < 0.0001). These results suggest that urine CCL2 levels hold promise as early biomarkers for AKI and SAKI, offering valuable insights for timely intervention and improved management of ICU patients.

Characterization and risk assessment of novel SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative elements with multidrug resistance in Proteus mirabilis isolated from China, 2018-2020.

Proteus mirabilis can transfer transposons, insertion sequences, and gene cassettes to the chromosomes of other hosts through SXT/R391 integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs), significantly increasing the possibility of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) evolution and expanding the risk of ARGs transmission among bacteria. A total of 103 strains of P. mirabilis were isolated from 25 farms in China from 2018 to 2020. The positive detection rate of SXT/R391 ICEs was 25.2% (26/103). All SXT/R391 ICEs positive P. mirabilis exhibited a high level of overall drug resistance. Conjugation experiments showed that all 26 SXT/R391 ICEs could efficiently transfer to Escherichia coli EC600 with a frequency of 2.0 × 10-7 to 6.0 × 10-5. The acquired ARGs, genetic structures, homology relationships, and conservation sequences of 26 (19 different subtypes) SXT/R391 ICEs were investigated by high-throughput sequencing, whole-genome typing, and phylogenetic tree construction. ICEPmiChnHBRJC2 carries erm (42), which have never been found within an SXT/R391 ICE in P. mirabilis, and ICEPmiChnSC1111 carries 19 ARGs, including clinically important cfr, blaCTX-M-65, and aac(6')-Ib-cr, making it the ICE with the most ARGs reported to date. Through genetic stability, growth curve, and competition experiments, it was found that the transconjugant of ICEPmiChnSCNNC12 did not have a significant fitness cost on the recipient bacterium EC600 and may have a higher risk of transmission and dissemination. Although the transconjugant of ICEPmiChnSCSZC20 had a relatively obvious fitness cost on EC600, long-term resistance selection pressure may improve bacterial fitness through compensatory adaptation, providing scientific evidence for risk assessment of horizontal transfer and dissemination of SXT/R391 ICEs in P. mirabilis.IMPORTANCEThe spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is a major public health concern. The study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) in Proteus mirabilis, which can transfer ARGs to other hosts. The study found that all of the P. mirabilis strains carrying ICEs exhibited a high level of drug resistance and a higher risk of transmission and dissemination of ARGs. The analysis of novel multidrug-resistant ICEs highlighted the potential for the evolution and spread of novel resistance mechanisms. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring the spread of ICEs carrying ARGs and the urgent need for effective strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. Understanding the genetic diversity and potential for transmission of ARGs among bacteria is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the threat of antibiotic resistance.

Treatment Response Assessment in Multiple Myeloma: Histogram Analysis of Total Tumor Apparent Diffusion Coefficient based on Whole-body Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging.

BACKGROUND: The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) consensus criteria for response assessment in multiple myeloma (MM) has methodological limitations. Whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis may be complementary to response assessment of MM. PURPOSE: To explore the role of histogram analysis of the ADC based on the total tumor volume (ttADC) in response assessment in patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM). STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: Thirty-six patients with NDMM. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0T/single-shot DWI echo planar imaging (EPI) sequence with an integrated slice-by-slice shimming (iShim) technique. ASSESSMENT: Baseline (median: 1 day before treatment) and post-treatment (median: five cycles of therapy) whole-body DWI were analyzed. A region of interest (ROI) containing lesions on every section of baseline image was drawn to derive the per-patient total tumor data. Post-treatment image analysis was based on the same ROI as the corresponding baseline. Histogram metrics were extracted from both ROIs. Patients were categorized into the very good partial response or better (VGPR+) group and the less than VGPR group per the IMWG response criteria for response assessment. Progression-free survival (PFS) was also calculated. STATISTICAL TESTS: Mann-Whitney test and Fisher's exact or Chi-squared tests, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and DeLong test, Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards model. A two-tailed P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty patients were categorized into the VGPR+ group and six into the less than VGPR group. The ttADC histogram changes between post-treatment and baseline metrics (ΔttADC) revealed significant differences in all percentile values between the VGPR+ and less than VGPR groups. For distinguishing VGPR+, ΔttADC_5th percentile had the largest area under the curve (AUC) (0.950, 95% CI 0.821-0.995). Patients with lower ΔttADC_5th percentile values (cutoff point, 188.193) showed significantly longer PFS (HR = 34.911, 95% CI 6.392-190.677). DATA CONCLUSION: ttADC histogram may facilitate response assessment in patients with NDMM. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 4.

Effect of the characteristic town policy on sewage treatment in mountainous areas: Evidence from Chongqing.

The report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China highlighted the necessity of advancing a new type of urbanization with people at the core. Characteristic towns as an essential link between new urbanization and rural revitalization attach great importance to creating a beautiful environment. Sewage treatment is an indispensable foundation for a town's high-quality economic and social development; however, it may be hard to achieve through urban construction. Therefore, using data from 584 organic towns in Chongqing, a typical mountainous city in western China, this study empirically analyzes the effect of the characteristic town policy in China on mountainous sewage treatment and its mechanisms from 2014 to 2020. The results indicate that (1) the characteristic town policy helps enhance sewage treatment in small towns, which remains valid after a series of robustness tests. (2) Investment and human resource effects are mediators for the characteristic town policy to boost sewage treatment in small towns. Further analyses reveal that the boosting effect of the characteristic town policy on small-town sewage treatment is more significant for small towns with higher economic development levels suffering ecological and environmental pressures. These findings provide a basis for a broad recognition of the effect of the characteristic town policy and its impact. They also theoretically enrich the awareness of the Chinese government's urbanization policy concerning the economy and society.

Convergent relationships between flower economics and hydraulic traits across aquatic and terrestrial herbaceous plants.

Maintaining open flowers is critical for successful pollination and depends on long-term water and carbon balance. Yet the relationship between how flower hydraulic traits are coordinated in different habitats is poorly understood. Here, we hypothesize that the coordination and trade-offs between floral hydraulics and economics traits are independent of environmental conditions. To test this hypothesis, we investigated a total of 27 flower economics and hydraulic traits in six aquatic and six terrestrial herbaceous species grown in a tropical botanical garden. We found that although there were a few significant differences, most flower hydraulics and economics traits did not differ significantly between aquatic and terrestrial herbaceous plants. Both flower mass per area and floral longevity were significantly positively correlated with the time required for drying full-hydrated flowers to 70% relative water content. Flower dry matter content was strongly and positively related to drought tolerance of the flowers as indicated by flower water potential at the turgor loss point. In addition, there was a trade-off between hydraulic efficiency and the construction cost of a flower across species. Our results show that flowers of aquatic and terrestrial plants follow the same economics spectrum pattern. These results suggest a convergent flower economics design across terrestrial and aquatic plants, providing new insights into the mechanisms by which floral organs adapt to aquatic and terrestrial habitats.

Digital finance, government intervention, and carbon emission efficiency in China.

In accordance with the "dual carbon" objective, China is required to effectively pursue economic expansion and environmental preservation while concurrently enhancing carbon emission efficiency (CEE). This study examines the influence of digital finance on CEE and evaluates the moderating effect of government intervention. The analysis uses panel data collected from 282 cities in China at the prefecture level and above, spanning the period from 2011 to 2021. The findings indicate the following: (1) CEE in China is relatively low, and there are notable regional disparities. Specifically, there is a discernible downward trend in CEE throughout the eastern, central, and western areas. (2) In general, the implementation of digital finance has the potential to enhance the efficiency of carbon emissions. The observed effect is significant in the eastern and central regions but not in the western region. (3) Government subsidies have the potential to amplify digital finance's impact on CEE in the eastern region. Conversely, in the central and western regions, its influence can be increased by environmental regulations. Based on these findings, this study presents recommendations for advancing digital finance, enhancing the targeting and assessment of government subsidies, refining environmental regulations, and encouraging the adoption of green technologies.

How does government environmental investment promote green development: Evidence from China.

The 14th Five-Year Plan stated that China should accelerate green development and promote a comprehensive green transition in economic and social development. As China's economic growth slows, green development becomes greatly significant for the high-quality development of the economy. Based on China's provincial panel data from 2005 to 2021, this study applies fixed effects model and mediating effect model to explore the influence of the government environmental investment on green development. The results indicate that (1) the government environmental investment was conducive to green development, but such effect weakened with time. (2) The government environmental investment indirectly promoted green development through the application of green patents and economic agglomeration. (3) The promotional effect of the government environmental investment varied according to region and time. Specifically, investment exerted the most significant effect on the green development of eastern China, which became more evident after 2015. The government should promote green development by implementing long-term assessment and accountability mechanisms, expanding the scale of economic agglomeration, improving the efficiency of the application of green patents, and improving the accuracy of environmental investment.

Assessment of the Prognostic Value of MRI Left Ventricular Global Function Index (LVGFI) in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease Under Maintenance Dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular global function index (LVGFI) integrates LV volumetric and functional parameters. In patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiac injury manifests as LV hypertrophy and dysfunction. However, the prognostic value of LVGFI in this population remains unclear. PURPOSE: To investigate the association of LVGFI with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with ESRD. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. POPULATION: One hundred fifty-eight ESRD patients (mean age: 54.1 ± 14.4 years; 105 male) on maintenance dialysis. FILED STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0 T, balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) cine and modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequences. ASSESSMENT: LV volumetric and functional parameters were determined from bSSFP images. LVGFI was calculated as the ratio of stroke volume to global volume and native T1 was determined from MOLLI T1 maps. MACE was recorded on follow up. Models were developed to predict MACE from conventional risk factors combined with LVGFI, GLS, native T1, and LV mass index (LVMI), respectively. Subgroup analyses were further performed in participants with LVEF above median. STATISTICAL TESTS: Cox proportional hazard regression and log-rank test were used to investigate the association between LVGFI and MACE. The predictive models were evaluated and compared using Harrell's C-statistics and DeLong tests. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty-four MACE occurred during the median follow-up period of 26 months. The hazard of MACE increased by 114% for each 10% decrease in LVGFI in univariable analysis. The predictive model consisting of LVGFI (C-statistic: 0.724) had significantly better predictive performance than the others (all P < 0.001). These results were consistent in patients (N = 79) with LVEF > median (63.54%). DATA CONCLUSION: LVGFI is a novel marker for MACE risk stratification in patients with ESRD and was better able to predict MACE than native T1 mapping and GLS. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

A comparative full-length transcriptomic resource provides insight into the perennial monocarpic mass flowering.

Perennial monocarpic mass flowering represents as a key developmental innovation in flowering time diversity in several biological and economical essential families, such as the woody bamboos and the shrubby Strobilanthes. However, molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying this important biodiversity remain poorly investigated. Here, we generated a full-length transcriptome resource incorporated into the BlueOmics database (http://blueomics.iflora.cn) for two Strobilanthes species, which feature contrasting flowering time behaviors. Using about 112 and 104 Gb Iso-seq reads together with ~185 and ~75 Gb strand-specific RNA seq data, we annotated 80 971 and 79 985 non-redundant full-length transcripts for the perennial polycarpic Strobilanthes tetrasperma and the perennial monocarpic Strobilanthes biocullata, respectively. In S. tetrasperma, we identified 8794 transcripts showing spatiotemporal expression in nine tissues. In leaves and shoot apical meristems at two developmental stages, 977 and 1121 transcripts were differentially accumulated in S. tetrasperma and S. biocullata, respectively. Interestingly, among the 33 transcription factors showing differential expression in S. tetrasperma but without differential expression in S. biocullata, three were involved potentially in the photoperiod and circadian-clock pathway of flowering time regulation (FAR1 RELATED SEQUENCE 12, FRS12; NUCLEAR FACTOR Y A1, NFYA1; PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR 5, PRR5), hence provides an important clue in deciphering the flowering diversity mechanisms. Our data serve as a key resource for further dissection of molecular and genetic mechanisms underpinning key biological innovations, here, the perennial monocarpic mass flowering.

Economic evaluation of four treatment strategies for postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis and a recent fracture in mainland China: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis who have a recent fracture are at very high risk of fracture, and this study finds that stratified treatment based on fracture risk would be a cost-effective treatment option for this population. PURPOSE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of four anti-osteoporosis medications (denosumab, zoledronate, teriparatide, and alendronate) for postmenopausal osteoporotic women in mainland China, using a stratified treatment strategy recommended by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American College of Endocrinology (AACE/ACE). METHODS: A microsimulation Markov model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of the four treatments in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients of different ages (65, 70, 75, and 80 years), with a recent fracture from the Chinese healthcare perspective. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), which represent the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) obtained. One-way deterministic sensitivity analysis (DSA) and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) were performed to assess the robustness of model findings. RESULTS: Alendronate was dominated by denosumab-to-alendronate and zoledronate at all ages examined, indicating that the costs of the two drugs were lower, but QALYs was greater. However, teriparatide-to-alendronate yielded an ICER of $76,432.07/ QALY, compared with alendronate at age 65, which exceeded the pre-determined willingness-to-pay threshold of $37,653/ QALY. The results were similar at other ages. The DSA showed that the most sensitive parameters were drug efficacy for vertebral and wrist fractures, the relative risk of vertebral fractures, and the persistence of the drugs. The PSA showed that zoledronate had a 100% probability of being the most cost-effective treatment, with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $37,653/ QALY. CONCLUSION: Stratified treatment based on very high fracture risk is more cost-effective than conventional pills in mainland China. Among the stratified treatments, zoledronate is the optimal option.

Spatiotemporal divergence and convergence test of green total factor productivity of grain in China: based on the dual perspective of carbon emissions and surface source pollution.

The topic of grain production and quality has always been a fundamental issue for the country's livelihood. With the purpose of contributing to high-quality grain development and ensuring national food security, this paper explores the spatial and temporal evolution, regional differences and convergence of grain green total factor productivity (GTFP) in the main grain-producing regions of China from the dual perspectives of carbon emissions and surface pollution with the help of EBM-GML model, kernel density function estimation and convergence methods. The results show that (1) Grain GTFP has generally shown a positive growth trend, although there exists obvious spatial differences. (2) In terms of decomposition indices, technological progress is the source of the increase in grain GTFP. (3) There are σ convergence, absolute ß convergence and conditional ß convergence in the main producing region as well as in the Yellow River basin and the Yangtze River basin; there are only absolute ß convergence and conditional ß convergence in the Songhua River basin. Grain GTFP has a single high-efficiency convergence point, and the grain GTFP is enhancing year by year in each province, and the inter-provincial gap is shrinking.

Impact of the National Wetland Park in the Poyang Lake Area on Oncomelania hupensis, the Intermediate Host of Schistoma japonicum.

In this study, we aimed to understand the influence of ecotourism on the distribution of Oncomelania hupensis and to provide a scientific basis for formulating effective snail control methods in tourism development areas. Poyang Lake National Wetland Park was selected as the pilot area, and sampling surveys were conducted based on comprehensive and detailed investigations of all historical and suspected snail environments according to map data to determine the snail distribution and analyze the impact of tourism development. The results showed that from 2011 to 2021, the positive rates of blood tests and fecal tests tended to decrease among residents of the Poyang Lake area. The positive rates of blood tests and fecal tests in livestock also tended to decrease. The average density of O. hupensis snails decreased, and no schistosomes were detected during infection monitoring in Poyang Lake. The local economy rapidly grew after the development of tourism. The development of ecotourism projects in Poyang Lake National Wetland Park increased the transfer frequency of boats, recreational equipment, and people, but it did not increase the risk of schistosomiasis transmission or the spread of O. hupensis snails. Prevention and monitoring only need to be strengthened in low-endemic schistosomiasis areas to effectively promote economic development due to tourism activities without affecting the health of residents.

Texture analysis of native T1 images as a novel method for non-invasive assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in end-stage renal disease patients.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the diagnostic potential of texture analysis applied to native T1 maps obtained from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images for the assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: This study, conducted from June 2018 to November 2020, included 119 patients (35 on hemodialysis, 55 on peritoneal dialysis, and 29 with kidney transplants) in Renji Hospital. Native T1 maps were assessed with texture analysis, using a freely available software package, in participants who underwent cardiac MRI at 3.0 T. Four texture features, selected by dimension reduction specific to the diagnosis of HFpEF, were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to examine the independent association between the selected features and HFpEF in ESRD patients. RESULTS: Seventy-six of 119 patients were diagnosed with HFpEF. Demographic, laboratory, cardiac MRI, and echocardiogram characteristics were compared between HFpEF and non-HFpEF groups. The four texture features that were analyzed showed statistically significant differences between groups. In multivariate analysis, age, left atrial volume index (LAVI), and sum average 4 (SA4) turned out to be independent predictors for HFpEF in ESRD patients. Combining the texture feature, SA4, with typical predictive factors resulted in higher C-index (0.923 vs. 0.898, p = 0.045) and a sensitivity and specificity of 79.2% and 95.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Texture analysis of T1 maps adds diagnostic value to typical clinical parameters for the assessment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction in patients with end-stage renal disease. KEY POINTS: • Non-invasive assessment of HFpEF can help predict prognosis in ESRD patients and help them take timely preventative measures. • Texture analysis of native T1 maps adds diagnostic value to the typical clinical parameters for the assessment of HFpEF in patients with ESRD.

Accumbal adenosine A2A receptor inactivation biases for large and costly rewards in the effort- but not delay-based decision making.

The cost-benefit decision-making (CBDM) is critical to normal human activity and a diminished willingness to expend effort to obtain rewards is a prevalent/noted characteristic of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease. Numerous studies have identified nucleus accumbens (NAc) as an important locus for CBDM control but their neuromodulatory and behavioral mechanisms remain largely under-explored. Adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs), which are highly concentrated in the striatopallidal neurons, can integrate glutamate and dopamine signals for controlling effort-related choice behaviors. While the involvement of A2ARs in effort-based decision making is well documented, the role of other decision variables (reward discrimination) in effort-based decision making and the role of A2AR in delay-based decision making are less clear. In this study, we have developed a well-controlled CBDM behavioral paradigm to manipulate effort/cost and reward independently or in combination, allowing a dissection of four behavioral elements: effort-based CBDM (E-CBDM), delay-based CBDM (D-CBDM), reward discrimination (RD), effort discrimination (ED), and determined the effect of genetic knockdown (KD) of NAc A2AR on the four behavioral elements. We found that A2AR KD in NAc increased the choice for larger, more costly reward in the E-CBDM, but not D-CBDM. Furthermore, this high-effort/high-reward bias was attributable to the increased willingness to engage in effort but not the effect of discrimination of reward magnitude. Our findings substantiate an important role of the NAc A2AR in control of E-CBDM and support that pharmacologically targeting NAc A2ARs would be a useful strategy for treating the aberrant effort-based decision making in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Prognostic Assessment of Oxidative Stress-Related Genes in Colorectal Cancer and New Insights into Tumor Immunity.

Oxidative stress is crucial to the biology of tumors. Oxidative stress' potential predictive significance in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been studied; nevertheless here, we developed a forecasting model based on oxidative stress to forecast the result of CRC survival and enhance clinical judgment. The training set was chosen from the transcriptomes of 177 CRC patients in GSE17536. For validation, 65 samples of colon cancer from GSE29621 were utilized. For the purpose of choosing prognostic genes, the expression of oxidative stress-related genes (OXEGs) was found. Prognostic risk models were built using multivariate Cox regression analysis, univariate Cox regression analysis, and LASSO regression analysis. The outcomes of the western blot and transcriptome sequencing tests were finally confirmed. ATF4, CARS2, CRP, GPX1, IL1B, MAPK8, MRPL44, MTFMT, NOS1, OSGIN2, SOD2, AARS2, and FOXO3 were among the 14 OXEGs used to build prognostic characteristics. Patients with CRC were categorized into low-risk and high-risk groups according on their median risk scores. Cox regression analysis using single and multiple variables revealed that OXEG-related signals were independent risk factors for CRC. Additionally, the validation outcomes from western blotting and transcriptome sequencing demonstrated that OXEGs were differently expressed. Using 14 OXEGs, our work creates a predictive signature that may be applied to the creation of new prognostic models and the identification of possible medication candidates for the treatment of CRC.

Water quality assessment based on Nemerow pollution index method: A case study of Heilongtan reservoir in central Sichuan province, China.

In this paper, three monitoring sections were set up in Heilongtan Reservoir, and water samples were collected in 2019, 2020, and 2021 for the determination of physical and chemical properties such as permanganate index, chemical oxygen demand, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5). The water quality was evaluated by the single factor pollution index method and the Nemerow pollution index method, and the temporal and spatial changes of water quality were analyzed.The single factor pollution index method determines the water quality category by identifying the single worst indicator of water quality, based on the classified water quality category. The Nemerow pollution index method emphasizes the most polluting factor while also taking into account the contribution of other factors in the assessment system, and determines the water quality category through the comprehensive pollution index. The results of the study indicate that the monitoring indicators of the monitoring sections have reached the Category III water quality standard and above in the "Surface Water Environmental Quality Standard" during the three years 2019 to 2021. The Heilongtan Reservoir's water quality in 2019, 2020, and 2021 is of Category I standard, according to the results of the evaluation of water quality using the single factor pollution index technique. According to the Nemerow pollution index method's results for evaluating water quality, the water quality pollution index for the three monitoring sections as a whole ranges from 0.36 to 0.51 in three years. The three monitoring sections' water quality-Dongfeng Canal, Longmiao, and Sixin Village-has not changed significantly during that time, remaining clean. In terms of temporal and spatial rates of change, the temporal rate of change (T) and spatial rate of change (S) over the three years were less than 20%, and the changes in water quality at each monitoring site were not significant.

Air Pollution Health Impact Monitoring and Health Risk Assessment Technology and Its Application - China, 2006-2019.

Air pollution is a significant risk factor contributing to the burden of disease in China. Health risk assessment and management are important to reduce the impact of air pollution on public health. To help formulate standardized health risk assessment techniques, a series of studies were conducted from 2006 to 2019. Through systematic review, study of molecular mechanisms, epidemiological investigation, and health effect monitoring, the overall project established a monitoring and evaluation indicator system, a comprehensive information platform, software for automatic data cleaning, and standardized health risk assessment techniques. Technical specifications have been issued by the National Health Commission for promoting health risk assessments across China. This paper introduces the project, the research approach, its main research accomplishments, innovations, and public health significance, and describes directions for further research.