Post-COVID-19 Epidemic: Allostatic Load among Medical and Nonmedical Workers in China.

BACKGROUND: As the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic continues, medical workers may have allostatic load. OBJECTIVE: During the reopening of society, medical and nonmedical workers were compared in terms of allostatic load. METHODS: An online study was performed; 3,590 Chinese subjects were analyzed. Socio-demographic variables, allostatic load, stress, abnormal illness behavior, global well-being, mental status, and social support were assessed. RESULTS: There was no difference in allostatic load in medical workers compared to nonmedical workers (15.8 vs. 17.8%; p = 0.22). Multivariate conditional logistic regression revealed that anxiety (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.18-1.31; p < 0.01), depression (OR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.17-1.29; p < 0.01), somatization (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.14-1.25; p < 0.01), hostility (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.18-1.30; p < 0.01), and abnormal illness behavior (OR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.34-1.66; p < 0.01) were positively associated with allostatic load, while objective support (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.78-0.89; p < 0.01), subjective support (OR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.80-0.88; p < 0.01), utilization of support (OR = 0.80; 95% CI 0.72-0.88; p < 0.01), social support (OR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.87-0.93; p < 0.01), and global well-being (OR = 0.30; 95% CI 0.22-0.41; p < 0.01) were negatively associated. CONCLUSIONS: In the post-COVID-19 epidemic time, medical and nonmedical workers had similar allostatic load. Psychological distress and abnormal illness behavior were risk factors for it, while social support could relieve it.

Adipose tissue transplantation ameliorates lipodystrophy-associated metabolic disorders in seipin-deficient mice.

Seipin deficiency is responsible for type 2 congenital generalized lipodystrophy with severe loss of adipose tissue and can lead to hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance (IR), and dyslipidemia in humans. Adipose tissue secretes many adipokines that are central to the regulation of metabolism. In this study, we investigated whether transplantation of normal adipose tissue could ameliorate severe hepatic steatosis, IR, and dyslipidemia in lipoatrophic seipin knockout (SKO) mice. Normal adipose tissue from wild-type mice was transplanted into 6-wk-old SKO mice. At 4 mo after adipose tissue transplantation (AT), the transplanted fat survived with detectable blood vessels, and the reduced levels of plasma leptin, a major adipokine, were dramatically increased. Severe hepatic steatosis, IR, and dyslipidemia in SKO mice were ameliorated after AT. In addition, abnormal hepatic lipogenesis and ß-oxidation gene expression in SKO mice were improved after AT. Our results suggest that AT may be an effective treatment to improve lipodystrophy-associated metabolic disorders.

Economic Complexity Based Recommendation Enhance the Efficiency of the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Belt and Road initiative (BRI) was announced in 2013 by the Chinese government. Its goal is to promote the cooperation between European and Asian countries, as well as enhancing the trust between members and unifying the market. Since its creation, more and more developing countries are joining the initiative. Based on the geographical location characteristics of the countries in this initiative, we propose an improvement of a popular recommendation algorithm that includes geographic location information. This recommendation algorithm is able to make suitable recommendations of products for countries in the BRI. Then, Fitness and Complexity metrics are used to evaluate the impact of the recommendation results and measure the country's competitiveness. The aim of this work is to provide countries' insights on the ideal development direction. By following the recommendations, the countries can quickly increase their international competitiveness.

[Effects of Microplastics on Soil N2O Emission and Nitrogen Transformations from Tropical Agricultural Soils].

A widespread concern had been there regarding soil ecological and environmental problems caused by microplastic pollution in agricultural soils. A controlled laboratory incubation experiment was performed to examine the effects of different types of microplastics on soil properties, N2O emissions, and nitrogen （N） transformations in tropical arable soils from a pepper-corn cropping system in Hainan Province. Three treatments were done： soil without microplastics （CK） and soil amended with 5% of polyethylene （PE） or with 5% of polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate （PBAT）. The results showed that both types of microplastic addition increased soil pH, soil organic carbon （SOC）, and dissolved organic carbon （DOC） contents, with stronger treatment effects observed for PBAT than those for the PE treatment. In addition, the PE and PBAT treatments increased soil ammonium nitrogen （NH4+-N） contents by 66.07% and 119.65% and decreased nitrate nitrogen （NO3--N） contents by 8.56% and 29.68%, respectively. Compared to those in the CK treatment, the addition of PBAT significantly increased soil N2O emissions by 254.92% （P < 0.05）, whereas that of PE produced no significant effects. Furthermore, both the PE and PBAT treatments increased soil net nitrogen mineralization rate （NMR） and decreased soil net nitrification rate （NNR）, with more obvious treatment effects observed in PBAT than in the PE treatment. PBAT addition increased the abundance of ureC, while PE had no significant effects. Microplastic addition reduced the abundance of nitrifying gene abundances （AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA, and nxrA）, with more obvious treatment effects found in the PBAT treatment. Further, PBAT addition significantly increased the gene abundances of nirK, nirS, nosZ, and fungal nirK （P < 0.05）, whereas the addition of PE had no significant effect on those gene abundances. Soil N2O emissions had positive relationships with NH4+-N intensity, pH, DOC, SOC, and nirS abundance. In conclusion, biodegradable microplastics addition produced stronger influences on soil properties and N transformations than the non-biodegradable one in tropical arable soils and aggravated soil N2O emissions mainly by promoting denitrification.

Effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists on glucose excursion and inflammation in overweight or obese type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the lack of comparative studies between weekly and daily formulations of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) for glucose excursion is worth investigation. AIM: To investigate the effects of weekly and daily formulations of GLP-1RA on glucose excursion and inflammation in overweight and obese patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: Seventy patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were treated at our hospital between January 2019 and January 2022 were enrolled in this retrospective analysis. All patients were treated with metformin. We evaluated changes in blood glucose levels and a series of important indicators in patients before and after treatment with either a weekly or daily preparation of GLP-1RA (group A; n = 33 and group B; n = 37). RESULTS: The degree of decrease in the levels of fasting blood glucose, mean blood glucose, mean amplitude of glycemic excursions, total cholesterol, triglycerides, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after treatment in group A was higher than that in group B (P < 0.05), whereas the 2-h postprandial blood glucose levels decreased more so in group B than in group A (P < 0.001). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of glycated hemoglobin, standard deviation of blood glucose, coefficient of variation, absolute mean of daily differences, percentage of time with 3.9 mmol/L < glucose < 10 mmol/L, and high- and low-density lipoproteins between the two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The effect of the weekly preparation of GLP-1RA in controlling blood glucose levels in the patients, suppressing inflammation, and reducing adverse reactions was significantly higher than that of the daily preparations, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Traveling waves of di usive disease models with time delay and degeneracy.

In this paper, we propose a diffusive epidemic model with a standard incidence rate and distributed delays in disease transmission. We also consider the degenerate case when one of the diffusion coe cients vanishes. By establishing existence theory of traveling wave solutions and providing sharp lower bound for the wave speeds, we prove linear determinacy of the proposed model system. Sensitivity analysis suggests that disease propagation is slowed down by transmission delay but fastened by spatial diffusion. The existence proof is based on the construction of a suitable convex set which is invariant under the integral map of traveling wave equations. An innovative argument is formulated to study the boundary value problems of nonlinear elliptic equations satisfied by the traveling wave solutions, which enables us to prove that there does not exist a positive traveling wave connecting two nontrivial equilibria.

MeDIP-seq reveals the features of mitochondrial genomic methylation in immature testis of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis.

In this study, the methylation of mitochondrial genome in the immature testis of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis of the Yangtze River system was determined for the first time using MeDIP-seq. Our methylated DNA fragments covered more than 99% of the mitochondrial genome in E. sinensis loaded from GenBank. There were 8 mutated bases and 42 SNPs in the crab mitochondrial genome. The methylation presented in all genes as well as in an A + T region, but less in intergenic regions in the mitochondrial genome. However, the level of methylation of most genes coding proteins and the A + T region were high. But, the majority of genes encoding tRNAs were hypomethylated, and both the rRNA genes also showed methylation of low or median frequency. Especially, the level of methylation of the intergenic regions is the lowest. Those features indicated that the methylation of DNA may play an important role in gene expressing regulation in the mitochondrial genome of immature testis in E. sinensis.

Efficacy and safety of Re-Du-Ning injection in the treatment of seasonal influenza: results from a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, oseltamivir-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of RDNI in the treatment of seasonal influenza. RESULTS: 1575 participants were screened and 229 completed the study and had a RT-PCR laboratory confirmation of influenza virus infection. Fever alleviation time was 2 and 6 hours, and fever clearance time was 27 and 47 in RDNI and oseltamivir, with significant difference between two groups. Total scores of influenza symptoms descended more in RDNI than oseltamivir on day 2 and day 3. Single symptom such as fever, aversion to cold, sore throat and nasal obstruction score descended more in RDNI than oseltamivir on different days. 20 subjects used aspirin during the trial, and there was no significant difference between two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, oseltamivir controlled clinical trial. Patients with a positive influenza rapid test diagnosis were enrolled and randomized to receive RDNI or oseltamivir. Primary outcome was the median fever alleviation and clearance time. Secondary outcomes were total 8 influenza symptom scores, the single influenza symptom score, and the frequency of aspirin usage. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of RDNI was not worse than oseltamivir on the alleviation of influenza symptoms. RDNI was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events noted during the study period.

[The influence of Solanum lyratum Thunb extract on apoptosis and the expression of fas/fasL genes in Hela cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of Solanum lyratum Thunb (SL) extract on the apoptosis and the expression of fas and fasL genes in Hela cells. METHODS: The proliferation inhibitory rate was evaluated by MTF assay. Induction of cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of Fas protein was detected by two-step immunhistochemical staining. The expression of fas and fasL mRNA was detected by semi-quantitive RT-PCR. RESULTS: SL extract displayed strong proliferation inhibitory effect in a dose-and-time-dependent manner against Hela cell. The rate of apoptosis was increased obviously. The expression of fas mRNA and protein was increased significantly, and fasL mRNA was decreased markedly. CONCLUSION: SL can induce apoptosis by up-regulating expression of fas and fasL genes, and inhibit the development of Hela cells.

[Carbon footprints of major staple grain crops production in three provinces of Northeast China during 2004-2013.] / 2004­2013年东北三省主要粮食作物生产碳足迹.

Northeast China is one of the most important farming regions in China, due to its great contribution to national food security. Crop production is a main source of carbon emission. To assess the differences in carbon footprints of major grain crop production will benefit the achievement of low carbon agriculture. Therefore, this study calculated the regional carbon foot prints of rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) production in Northeast China du-ring 2004-2013 using the provincial statistical data, including crop yield, sown area and production inputs. The results showed that the highest area-scale carbon footprint was found in rice production, with the average value of (2463±56) kg CE·hm-2, while the second was found in maize production during 2004-2013. The sharpest rise occurred in maize production, from 1164 kg CE·hm-2 in 2004 to 1768 kg CE·hm-2 in 2013, with the average rate of 67 kg CE·hm-2·a-1. The application of chemical fertilizer contributed to the carbon footprint largely, accounting for 45%, 90% and 83% for rice, maize and soybean, respectively. Moreover, the contribution of electricity for irrigation in rice production ranged from 29% to 42%, which was larger than that in maize and soybean production. The carbon footprints were significantly different among the three provinces of Northeast China. The highest yield-scaled carbon footprints for three crops were found in Jilin Province, while the lowest area-scaled carbon footprints found in Heilongjiang Province. Given to the large transfer of rural labor from agricultural to non-agricultural sections and the development of mechanization, diesel and other mechanical inputs would increase rapidly in the future. Therefore, improving ferti-lizer utilization, mechanical and irrigation efficiencies in crop production would be the main approaches to promoting low-carbon agriculture in Northeast China.

Automated Peritoneal Dialysis is Suitable for Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease.

A female patient with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) was treated with automated peritoneal dialysis when she reached end-stage renal disease. The patient has been doing very well on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) for almost 6 years without peritonitis or abdominal hernias. Intra-abdominal pressures are lower in the supine position than in an erect or sitting position. Larger volumes of dialysate are better tolerated while the patient is supine, as during nocturnal APD. Therefore, APD is an option of the renal replacement therapy for patients with PKD.

PCR-aided Synthesis and Stable Expression in E.coli of the cryIA (c)Bt Gene.

Insecticidal crystal proteins, known as delta-endotoxins, from a gram-positive bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis have been used as bio-pesticides for over 3 decades. By using a successive PCR method, the 1.8 kb cryIA (c)Bt gene coding for the fragment of protoxin was synthesized. Different from B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki Hd 73 cry gene, the synthesized gene has the codon usage pattern of an average Pseudomonas spp gene. 614 nucleotides were changed in the synthesized cryIA (c)Bt gene and the G C content was increased from 37.2% to 64%. The synthesized cryIA (c)Bt gene was cloned into pUT56 vector under the tac promoter and T1-T2 terminator. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that 66 kD protein of the modified cryIA (c)Bt gene was expressed in E.coli and accounted for about 30% of total protein in the bacterial cells. Bioassays using crude expression products from host strains indicated that they had high toxicity to third instar larvae of the cabbage butterfly (Pieris brassicae). The LD(50) was calculated to be 0.024 &mgr;g/cm(2).

6-Shogaol Protects against Oxidized LDL-Induced Endothelial Injruries by Inhibiting Oxidized LDL-Evoked LOX-1 Signaling.

Endothelial dysfunction and oxLDL are believed to be early and critical events in atherogenesis. 6-Shogaol is the major bioactive compound present in Zingiber officinale and possesses the anti-atherosclerotic effect. However, the mechanisms remain poorly understood. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of 6-shogaol on oxLDL-induced Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injuries and its possible molecular mechanisms. Hence, we studied the effects of 6-shogaol on cell apoptosis, cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), NF- κ B activation, Bcl-2 expression, and caspase -3, -8, -9 activities. In addition, E-selectin, MCP-1, and ICAM-1 were determined by ELISA. Our study show that oxLDL increased LOX-1 expression, ROS levels, NF- κ B, caspases-9 and -3 activation and decreased Bcl-2 expression in HUVECs. These alterations were attenuated by 6-shogaol. Cotreatment with 6-shogaol and siRNA of LOX-1 synergistically reduced oxLDL-induced caspases -9, -3 activities and cell apoptosis. Overexpression of LOX-1 attenuated the protection by 6-shogaol and suppressed the effects of 6-shogaol on oxLDL-induced oxidative stress. In addition, oxLDL enhanced the activation of NF- κ B and expression of adhesion molecules. Pretreatment with 6-shogaol, however, exerted significant cytoprotective effects in all events. Our data indicate that 6-shogaol might be a potential natural antiapoptotic agent for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

[Diagnosis and treatment on osteoradionecrosis of skull base after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnosis and management on osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of skull base in the patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy. METHODS: All patients (n = 15) diagnosed as NPC and ORN of skull base were studied on the clinical data, diagnosis and therapy. RESULTS: All the patients were found with foul odor, headache, bleeding and exposed necrotic bone. 9 patients were treated by surgery, among them 2 patients died of temporal lobe radionecrosis, and the survival time of remaining 7 patients was 2 to 7 years. 5 patients with extensive ORN and 1 patient with local ORN were treated by conservative methods, among them 3 died of nasopharyngeal bleeding and 1 died of respiratory and heart failure, survival time of the remaining 2 patients was 3 to 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: ORN can be diagnosed by clinical characteristics, CT or MR, and endoscopic findings. Surgery is the best choice for ORN. The patients with extensive ORN or radiation-induced cranial neuropathy had poor prognosis. The most common causes of death were nasopharyngeal bleeding and exhaustion.