Changes of college students' psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: A two-wave repeated survey.

COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges to the mental health of college students worldwide. We examined the trends in students' stress levels during and after China's first wave of COVID-19 outbreaks by analyzing their demographics, behavior, mental health status, career confidence, and Chinese Perceived Stress Scale (CPSS) scores. Our findings indicate an increase in students' stress levels since the COVID-19 onset, with more students experiencing higher stress levels after the first outbreak than during it (OR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.79, 2.30). Several factors were identified as being associated with higher CPSS scores, including higher class levels, residence in rural or town areas, low family income, and lack of familiarity with COVID-19, among others. Our study highlighted the urgency of developing and implementing effective strategies to cope with students' stress during and after a global pandemic.

Glutathione S-Transferase α4 Alleviates Hyperlipidemia- Induced Vascular Neointimal Hyperplasia in Arteriovenous Grafts via Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Neointimal hyperplasia causes the failure of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Our previous studies have found that endothelial dysfunction is one candidate for triggering neointimal hyperplasia, but which factors are involved in this process is unclear. Glutathione S-transferase α4 (GSTA4) play an important role in metabolizing 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), a highly reactive lipid peroxidation product, which causes endothelial dysfunction or death. Here, we investigated the role of GSTA4 in neointima formation after arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) with or without high-fat diet (HFD). Compared with normal diet (ND), HFD caused endothelial dysfunction and increased neointima formation, concomitantly accompanied by downregulated expression of GSTA4 at the mRNA and protein levels. In vitro, overexpression of GSTA4 attenuated 4-HNE-induced endothelial dysfunction and knockdown of GSTA4 aggravated endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, silencing GSTA4 expression facilitated the activation of 4-HNE induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and inhibition of ERS pathway alleviated 4-HNE-induced endothelial dysfunction. Additionally, compared with wild-type (WT) mice, mice with knockout of endothelial-specific GSTA4 (GSTA4 EC KO) exhibited exacerbated vascular endothelial dysfunction and increased neointima formation caused by HFD. Together, these results demonstrate the critical role of GSTA4 in protecting the function of endothelial cells and in alleviating hyperlipidemia-induced vascular neointimal hyperplasia in arteriovenous grafts.

Protective role of pretreatment with Anisodamine against sepsis-induced diaphragm atrophy via inhibiting JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

There is an increasing tendency for sepsis patients to suffer from diaphragm atrophy as well as mortality. Therefore, reducing diaphragm atrophy could benefit sepsis patients' prognoses. Studies have shown that Anisodamine (Anis) can exert antioxidant effects when blows occur. However, the role of Anisodamine in diaphragm atrophy in sepsis patients has not been reported. Therefore, this study investigated the antioxidant effect of Anisodamine in sepsis-induced diaphragm atrophy and its mechanism. We used cecal ligation aspiration (CLP) to establish a mouse septic mode and stimulated the C2C12 myotube model with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After treatment with Anisodamine, we measured the mice's bodyweight, diaphragm weight, fiber cross-sectional area and the diameter of C2C12 myotubes. The malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the diaphragm were detected using the oxidative stress kit. The expression of MuRF1, Atrogin1 and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway components in the diaphragm and C2C12 myotubes was measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The mean fluorescence intensity of ROS in C2C12 myotubes was measured by flow cytometry. Meanwhile, we also measured the levels of Drp1 and Cytochrome C (Cyt-C) in vivo and in vitro by Western blot. Our study revealed that Anisodamine alleviated the reduction in diaphragmatic mass and the loss of diaphragmatic fiber cross-sectional area and attenuated the atrophy of the C2C12 myotubes by inhibiting the expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases. In addition, we observed that Anisodamine inhibited the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway and protects mitochondrial function. In conclusion, Anisodamine alleviates sepsis-induced diaphragm atrophy, and the mechanism may be related to inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Properties and Microstructure of an Interfacial Transition Zone Enhanced by Silica Fume in Concrete Prepared with Coal Gangue as an Aggregate.

The wide application of concrete prepared with coal gangue (CG) as an aggregate (CPCGA) is limited because of the low mechanical strength and strong water absorption capacity of CG. This paper used silica fume (SF) to improve the performance of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) in CPCGA and revealed the enhancement mechanism. The results showed that the compressive strength of CPCGA prepared with cement replaced by a suitable amount of SF at the age of 28 days increased by more than 30%, and the flexural strength increased by over 20%. The SF could effectively reduce the porosity and micropore size in the ITZ of CPCGA, and the porosity of the ITZ in CPCGA added with 7.50% SF decreased by 44.22, 46.16, and 24.46% at distances from the aggregate surface of 10, 50, and 100 µm, respectively, compared with CPCGA without SF. Further research showed that Ca(OH)2 (CH) generated in the cement hydration reaction reacted with a large amount of active SiO2 in SF to restrain the formation of coarse CH in the ITZ of CPCGA, and the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel generated filled the ITZ micropores to reduce the ITZ porosity further. Moreover, the reaction of SF and CH helped to promote the hydration reaction of cement to proceed thoroughly in CPCGA, thus improving CPCGA performance.

Classification and immunotherapy assessment of lung adenocarcinoma based on coagulation-related genes.

Introduction: This study on lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), a common lung cancer subtype with high mortality. Aims: This study focuses on how tumor cell interactions affect immunotherapy responsiveness. Methods: Using public databases, we used non-negative matrix factorization clustering method, ssGSEA, CIBERSORT algorithm, immunophenotype score, survival analysis, protein-protein interaction network method to analyze gene expression data and coagulation-related genes. Results: We divided LUAD patients into three coagulation-related subgroups with varying immune characteristics and survival rates. A cluster of three patients, having the highest immune infiltration and survival rate, also showed the most potential for immunotherapy. We identified five key genes influencing patient survival using a protein-protein interaction network. Conclusion: This research offers valuable insights for forecasting prognosis and immunotherapy responsiveness in LUAD patients, helping to inform clinical treatment strategies.

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Vaccination Practices Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among Mainland Chinese Nursing Students and Interns: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: This study investigated factors influencing the knowledge, attitudes, practice profiles, and vaccination intentions among Chinese nursing students and nursing interns toward the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination. Materials and Methods: The multicenter cross-sectional study was based on a self-reported questionnaire collecting information among nursing students and nursing interns from three major geographic regions of China, and the sample was selected by consecutive sampling. The questionnaire was developed by knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) theory. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 3180 nursing students and interns (effective rate: 99.8%) from six Chinese provinces were polled. The vaccine hesitation rate was 9.65% (307/3180), 2230 participants (70.1%) had gotten at least one dose of the vaccine, and 643 participants (67.7%) had indicated a readiness to be vaccinated. The results showed that older age, higher academic background, perfect vaccine management, others' recommendations, influenza vaccination history, epidemic under control, knowledge of vaccines or intervals, and vaccine knowledge training were associated with higher vaccination rates. Conversely, vaccine hesitancy was caused by a perceived lack of physical need, uncertainty about vaccination requirements, and fear of vaccination. Conclusion: This study provided population-based estimates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake intention among mainland Chinese nursing students and interns. Factors such as age, education, vaccine knowledge, and attitudes influence COVID-19 vaccine behaviour. Relevant authorities should understand the barriers to COVID-19 vaccination from knowledge, attitude and practice, which is significant for formulating effective response strategies in future global public health crises.

Nitrogen sources and conversion processes in shallow groundwater around a plain lake (Northwest China): Evidenced by multiple isotopes and water chemistry.

The groundwater quality is severely impacted by Nitrate (NO3--N) pollution worldwide. Effective lake quality management depends on understanding the origin and fate of nitrogen (N) in the groundwater around lakes. This study combined data for multiple stable isotopes (δ2H-H2O and δ18O-H2O, δ15N-NO3 and δ18O-NO3) and hydrochemistry with the hydrodynamic monitoring profile and a Bayesian isotope mixing (MixSIAR) model to clarify the sources and transformation of N within shallow groundwater around Shahu Lake in the arid area plain of Northwest China. In May 2022, multiple water samples were collected from aquifers (n = 33), drainage water (n = 1), channel water (n = 1), and lake water (n = 7). The results showed that 57% of groundwater samples had high NO3--N concentrations exceeding the World Health Organisation threshold for drinking water (10 mg/L). The high variation in δ15N-NO3 (from -9.21‰ to +27.57‰) and δ18O-NO3 (from -8.32‰ to +19.04‰) revealed multiple N sources and conversion processes. According to nitrate isotopes and the MixSIAR model, N fertilizer, soil organic N and manure, and sewage are the main sources of nitrogen in groundwater and lake water, which account for 40.61%, 35.86%, and 21.55% of groundwater NO3--N, respectively, and 35.07%, 34.43%, and 27.49% of lake water NO3--N. Hydrodynamic monitoring combined with water isotopes showed that upper groundwater (5-10 m) within 1.22 km of the adjacent lake shore strongly interacted with the lake. In groundwater, nitrification predominated, while local denitrification remained a possibility. In conclusion, this research offers a comprehensive approach to determining the sources and conversion of N in contaminated groundwater.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes sepsis-induced muscle atrophy via activation of STAT3 and Smad3.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in skeletal muscle atrophy in various conditions, but the role of ER stress in sepsis-induced muscle atrophy is not well understood. In this study, we conducted experiments in wild-type (WT) mice and C/EBP homologous protein knockout (CHOP KO) mice to explore the role and mechanism of ER stress in sepsis-induced muscle atrophy. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to establish a mouse model of sepsis. In WT mice, the body weight, muscle mass, and cross-sectional area of muscle fibers in CLP group both decreased significantly compared with sham group, which revealed that sepsis-induced dramatic muscle atrophy. Additionally, sepsis activated the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), accompanied by the activation of ER stress. In vitro, inhibition of ER stress suppressed the activity of E3 ubiquitin ligases and alleviated the myotube atrophy. In vivo, CHOP KO also reduced the expression of E3 ubiquitin ligases and UPS-mediated protein degradation, and significantly attenuated sepsis-induced muscle atrophy. Deletion of CHOP also decreased the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and Smad3, and inhibition of STAT3 and Smad3 partly reduced proteolysis caused by ER stress in vitro. These findings confirm that ER stress activates UPS-mediated proteolysis and promotes sepsis-induced muscle atrophy, which is partly achieved by activating STAT3 and Smad3.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-induced Endothelial Dysfunction Promotes Neointima Formation after Arteriovenous Grafts in Mice on High-fat Diet.

OBJECTIVE: Endothelial dysfunction is one candidate for triggering neointima formation after arteriovenous grafts (AVGs), but the factors mediating this process are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS)-induced endothelial dysfunction in neointima formation following AVGs in high-fat diet (HFD) mice. METHODS: CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP) knockout (KO) mice were created. Mice were fed with HFD to produce HFD model. AVGs model were applied in the groups of WT ND, WT HFD, and CHOP KO HFD. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) (40 mg/L) for the indicated time lengths (0, 6, 12, 24 h). ERS inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) was used to block ERS. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the changes of ICAM1. Changes of ERS were detected by real-time RT-PCR. Protein expression levels and ERS activation were detected by Western blotting. Endothellial cell function was determined by endothelial permeability assay and transendothelial migration assay. RESULTS: HFD increased neointima formation in AVGs associated with endothelial dysfunction. At the same time, ERS was increased in endothelial cells (ECs) after AVGs in mice consuming the HFD. In vitro, ox-LDL was found to stimulate ERS, increase the permeability of the EC monolayer, and cause endothelial dysfunction. Blocking ERS with TUDCA or CHOP siRNA reversed the EC dysfunction caused by ox-LDL. In vivo, knockout of CHOP (CHOP KO) protected the function of ECs and decreased neointima formation after AVGs in HFD mice. CONCLUSION: Inhibiting ERS in ECs could improve the function of AVGs.

Astragaloside IV alleviates sepsis-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Muscle atrophy occurs in patients with sepsis and increases mortality and disability. Remission of muscle atrophy may improve the quality of life in patients with sepsis. Astragaloside IV (ASIV) has been shown to have excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects and to reduce organ damage caused by sepsis. However, the effect of ASIV on sepsis-induced muscle atrophy has not been reported. Therefore, this study explored the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of ASIV in sepsis-induced muscle atrophy. METHODS: Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to establish a mouse model of sepsis and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated C2C12 myotubes. After administration of ASIV, the body weight, tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius muscle weight and fiber cross-sectional area of the mice were measured. The diameter of myotubes was observed by immunofluorescence staining. ELISA was used to assess inflammatory factors in plasma and cell culture supernatants. RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of MuRF1, Atrogin-1 and TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway components in TA and C2C12 myotubes. RESULTS: Our study found that ASIV reduced serum inflammatory factors and improved survival in septic mice. ASIV alleviated muscle mass reduction, myofiber cross-sectional area reduction, and C2C12 myotube atrophy by inhibiting the expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligases MuRF1 and atrogin-1. In addition, we observed that ASIV inhibited TGF-ß1/Smad signaling. Inhibition of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway partly blocked the anti-muscle atrophy effect of ASIV. CONCLUSION: ASIV can alleviate sepsis-induced muscle atrophy, which may be related to the inhibition of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

[Identification of Soil Heavy Metal Sources Around a Copper-silver Mining Area in Ningxia Based on GIS].

This study area was based on the catchment area of the Yaoxianzi ditch located in the arid region of western China. A total of 194 topsoil samples of 0-20 cm depth were collected using the mesh distribution method. The contents of nine heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ag, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Pb) were determined using ICP-MS. The source and spatial distribution of heavy metals were analyzed using PMF and IDW. Spatial autocorrelation and clustering and outlier analysis were performed using the Spatial Statistical Analysis tool of ArcGIS. The main sources and distribution areas of heavy metals in the soil were obtained through comprehensive analysis. In the study area, the average values of Hg, Ag, Cd, and Pb were 20.48, 3.13, 2.23, and 1.12 times the background values, and the maximum values of Cd, Cu, Pb, and As were 10.92, 5.52, 2.03, and 1.39 times the filter values, respectively. The coefficients of variation of Cu, Cd, Pb, and Hg were ordered as Cu(283.23%)>Cd(224.77%)>Pb(144.40%)>Hg(67.12%) and were closely affected by human activities. The heavy metals in the soil around mining areas came from four main sources:natural parent material (32%), the mixed source of mining activities and transportation (17.1%), the mixed source of industrial activities and atmospheric sedimentation (40.3%), and the mixed source of agricultural activity and putting sandy gravel in farmland (10.6%). Cr and Ni, As and Cu, Hg, and Cd could represent these four sources of heavy metal pollution, respectively. The main sources of soil heavy metal pollution were mining activities and agricultural activities. The heavily contaminated areas were distributed in the mining areas in the south of the study area and in the planting areas in the eastern, central, and northwestern parts of the study area.

A combined ratio change of inflammatory biomarkers at 72 h could predict the severity and prognosis of sepsis from pulmonary infections.

PURPOSE: To determine the association of a combined ratio change of inflammatory biomarkers at 72 h after admission on sepsis severity and prognosis from pulmonary infections. METHODS: Data on adult patients diagnosed with sepsis, or septic shock were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups, according to their outcome of hospitalization. Blood specimens were obtained on admission (T0) and 72 h (T72) after therapy. Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation Score (APACHEII) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA) were statistically analyzed on admission. Survivors discharged from hospital were classified into different subgroups according to the change in biomarkers at T72, and compared for different clinical prognosis. RESULTS: Our study showed that IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-a could predict the severity of sepsis at T0, since they showed a positive correlation with APACHEII or SOFA score. Another important finding was that survivors discharged from hospital whose ratio change with IL-10, i.e: IL-10/IL-6, IL-10/IL-8, IL-10/TNF-a ≤ 0 exhibited significantly greater 9-month overall survival. We also observed that patients with increased IL-6 after 72 h showed similar improved survival. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that a combined ratio change of inflammatory biomarkers was an effective predictor for sepsis severity and prognosis.

Health risk assessment of groundwater nitrogen pollution in Yinchuan plain.

High nitrogen concentration of groundwater poses a threat to human health. This study evaluated the potential health risk of nitrogen pollution in Yinchuan plain by geostatistical analysis and triangular stochastic model considering different land use types, and identified the uncertainties of the parameters. 163 samples were collected from groundwater wells in different land use types. The results show that the concentration of NO3--N ranges from 0.059 to 450 mg/L, with an average of 22.439 mg/L. Approximately 32% of the samples exceed Grade III threshold (20 mg/L of N). The concentration of NH4+-N ranges from 0.011 to 11 mg/L, with an average of 0.456 mg/L. The concentration of NO2--N ranges from 0.003 to 9.09 mg/L The NO3--N and NH4+-N concentration in the groundwater of the unutilized land use is significantly lowest among all the land types. The concentration of nitrogen is highest in farmland use. The ranking of non-carcinogenic risk under different land types for infants, children, adult males and females is: farmland use > residential land use> unutilized land use. The non-carcinogenic risk value of farmland use is three times as much as that of the residential land use. Drinking groundwater can be potentially harmful to human health, and nitrogen pollutants pose an even greater threat to infant. At the same time, considering the impact of different land use types on groundwater would avoid overestimating or underestimating regional risk value. Triangular stochastic model is more sensitive to data changes and can reduce uncertainty. The contribution rate of nitrate concentration to risk is more than 83%, indicating that random sampling is needed to improve the reliability of evaluation results. The research results of this study will provide a new way to solve the uncertainty in groundwater security management.

Serum creatine kinase levels are not associated with an increased need for continuous renal replacement therapy in patients with acute kidney injury following rhabdomyolysis.

Severe rhabdomyolysis can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI). Previous studies have reported a benefit from continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI. Here, we investigated the potential for serum creatine kinase (CK) levels to be used as a marker for CRRT termination in patients with AKI following rhabdomyolysis. We compared different CK levels in patients after CRRT termination and observed their clinical outcomes. We retrospectively collected 86 cases with confirmed rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI, who were receiving CRRT in Tongji Hospital. Patients' renal functions were assessed within 24 h of intermission, patients with urine output ≥ 1,000 mL and serum creatinine ≤ 265 umol/L were considered for CRRT termination. After termination, 33 patients with a CK > 5,000 U/L were included in an experimental group, and 53 patients with a CK < 5,000 U/L were included in a control group. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. Higher CK levels, as well as worse renal functions, predicted the necessity of CRRT. After CRRT termination, the in-hospital mortality (p = 0.389) and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) incidence (p = 0.064) were similar between the two groups, while the experimental group showed a significantly shorter in-hospital length of stay (p = 0.026) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay (p = 0.038). CRRT termination may be independent of CK levels for patients with rhabdomyolysis-associated AKI, and this is contingent on their renal functions having recovered to an appropriate level.

[Spatial Distribution and Source Analysis of Soil Heavy Metals in a Small Watershed in the Mountainous Area of Southern Ningxia Based on PMF Model].

In order to ascertain the distribution characteristics of soil heavy metal pollution and main pollution sources in a small watershed in the southern mountainous area of Ningxia and to ensure the quality of the soil environment, the contents of heavy metals Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, and Cd in 260 surface soil samples (0-20 cm) were collected and determined. Based on the soil background value in Ningxia, the soil heavy metal pollution status and potential ecological risk were evaluated through the single factor index, Nemera composite index, and potential ecological risk index, and the method of combining positive definite matrix factor analysis (PMF) and Kriging interpolation was used to analyze the soil heavy metal spatial distribution and source. The results showed that the average contents of ω(Pb), ω(Ni), ω(Zn), ω(Mn), ω(Cu), ω(Cr), and ω(Cd) were 31.42, 36.22, 62.89, 546.18, 22.26, 61.90, and 0.18 mg·kg-1, respectively. Except for Ni, the other elements were higher than the background value of Ningxia but lower than the background value of agricultural soil pollution risk selection criteria and green food environmental quality standards. The Nemera composite index showed that the proportions of mild, moderate, and severe heavy metal pollution were 71.92%, 19.23%, and 1.54%, respectively. The potential ecological risks were mainly minor risks, accounting for 98.85%. In addition, there were a very small number of samples with medium potential ecological risk levels, accounting for 1.15% of the total number of samples. Source analysis showed that the main sources of soil heavy metals in the small watershed in the mountainous area of southern Ningxia were mixed sources of fertilization and industrial emissions (12.6%), agricultural activity sources (23.5%), natural parent material sources (27.6%), mixed sources of pesticide use and mining development emissions (17.7%), and atmospheric deposition sources (18.6%).

Changes of antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial communities in the advanced biological wastewater treatment system under low selective pressure of tetracycline.

Effluents of conventional wastewater treatment systems contain antibiotic residues at concentrations below the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC), which nevertheless could still select for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This work focuses on evaluating the changes of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and bacterial communities in a planted advanced biological wastewater treatment system (ABWWTS) under long-term exposure to sub-MIC tetracycline. In the ABWWTS, the removal rates of tetracycline ranged from 97.9% to 99.9%, and a 17.2% decrease in the average removal rates of NH4+-N was observed after the addition of tetracycline. Although the background of ABWWTS contributed to the ARGs in effluents, the concentration of 283 targeted ARGs (ΣARGs) was 83.5% lower in effluents than in influents after sub-MIC tetracycline exposure, and the concentrations of ΣARGs in the ABWWTS were, on average, 30.0% lower than those in an unplanted biological wastewater treatment system (UBWWTS) after a performance of 130 days. The relative abundance of tetracycline resistance genes increased within ABWWTS and UBWWTS under tetracycline exposure. After tetracycline exposure, bacterial diversity in ABWWTS and UBWWTS increased on average by 36.2% and 42.7%, respectively, and the abundances of Nitrosomonas and Nitrospira in the aerobic zone were more than 10-times higher in the ABWWTS than in the UBWWTS. Sub-MIC tetracycline concentrations were linearly correlated with the relative abundance of tetracycline resistance genes in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Long-term exposure to tetracycline at the same concentration increased abundances of the same ARGs (i.e., tetR-02 and tetM-01) in E. coli and the microflora of the ABWWTS, revealing that sub-MIC tetracycline could increase the abundance of ARGs in the ABWWTS by facilitating the vertical transfer of tetracycline resistance genes. These findings demonstrated that planted ABWWTS played a positive role in removing ARGs under low antibiotic selective pressure, which was in accompany with increasing levels of corresponding ARGs within the system.

Clinical value of blood markers to assess the severity of coronavirus disease 2019.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is threatening the world with the symptoms of seasonal influenza. This study was conducted to investigate the patient characteristics and clinical value of blood markers to assess the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: 187 patients, diagnosed with COVID-19 (non-severe and severe cases) and admitted to hospital between January 27th and March 8th of 2020, were enrolled in the present study. RESULTS: A higher proportion of clinical symptoms, including cough, expectoration, myalgia, and fatigue were observed in the non-severe group. The level of white blood cell count, neutrophils, CRP, IL-6 and IL-8 were significantly increased, while the platelet count was remarkedly decreased in the severe group. The risk model based on lymphocyte, IL-6, IL-8, CRP and platelet counts had the highest area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC). The baseline of IL-6, IL-8 and CRP was positively correlated with other parameters except in the cases of lymphocyte, hemoglobin and platelet counts. The baseline of the platelet count was negatively correlated with other parameters except in the lymphocyte and hemoglobin counts. Additionally, there was no connection between the severity of COVID-19 and cultures of blood, sputum or catheter secretion. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that high leucocyte and low platelets counts were independent predictive markers of the severity of COVID-19.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics, Source Apportionment, and Risk Assessment of Topsoil PAHs in the Core Area of the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base].

In order to evaluate the pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the topsoil of the core area of the Ningdong Energy and Chemical Industry Base, 146 representative topsoil samples were collected using the grid method and the contents of 16 priority PAHs were analyzed. The results showed that the content of ΣPAHs in topsoil ranged from ND to 123.12 mg·kg-1 with an average of 10.19 mg·kg-1. There were three high PAHs distribution areas in the northwest, southwest, and east of the core area. The source apportionment showed that the sources of PAHs in the Ningdong base were complex, and the main pollution sources were petroleum, coal combustion, traffic, and gasoline, which contributed 39.4%, 33.3%, 19.2%, and 8.1% to the total PAHs sources, respectively. The ecological risk assessment of the quality basis and quality standard method showed that the ecological impact of PAHs in the core area was slight and the possibility of negative ecological effects was low. The results of the health risk assessment showed that the order of exposure of the topsoil PAHs was skin contact > swallowing > respiratory inhalation, and the topsoil PAHs in the core area of the Ningdong base posed no potential carcinogenic risk to people of different ages.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Soil PAHs in Shizuishan City Based on GIS and PMF Model].

With the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, the content and pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in urban soils have been sources of widespread concern. Taking Shizuishan City as an example, the spatial distribution characteristics of PAHs in 156 surface soil samples (0-20 cm) from eight urban functional areas were analyzed. Single factor and Nemero composite indices, as well as a lifetime cancer risk increment model were used to evaluate PAHs pollution in soils. The sources of PAHs were analyzed using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model. The results showed that the mean value of PAHs in the surface soil of Shizuishan City was 489.82 ng·g-1 and the coefficient of variation of 15 PAHs except for Pyr were more than 100%, indicating strong variation. The PAH contents of urban surface soils in different functional areas showed the following:traffic area (1217.61 ng·g-1) > industrial area (809.58 ng·g-1) > park (273.66 ng·g-1) > cultural and educational area (268.18 ng·g-1) > commercial area (240.05 ng·g-1) > agricultural area (226.81 ng·g-1) > medical area (211.90 ng·g-1) > residential area (183.49 ng·g-1). The Nemero composite index showed that 82.58% of the samples had no pollution, and the proportion of slight, mild, and moderate pollution were 6.45%, 4.52%, and 0.65%, respectively. Only 5.8% of the samples had serious pollution. The results of health risk assessment showed that skin contact and ingestion were the main routes of PAH exposure in soil, and the health risk was acceptable. Source analysis showed that the main sources of PAHs in Shizuishan City were traffic emissions, coal combustion, mixed biomass/heavy oil combustion, and oil sources, with contribution rates of 10.5%, 36.6%, 50.3%, and 2.6% respectively, and most of the high values were distributed in industrial or coal production areas. These results could provide reference for the study of soil pollution in industrial cities, and play an important role in preventing soil pollution, ensuring the environmental quality of the soil and human health and safety.

Effect of the Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia Pandemic on Medical Students' Psychological Stress and Its Influencing Factors.

In December 2019, an outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia infection occurred in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and it has received substantial attention globally. Few studies have investigated the psychological stress of students in Health University during the COVID-19 outbreak, and almost no work has attended to the influencing factors that may cause their psychological stress risk. This cross-sectional, survey-based, region-stratified study collected demographic data and mental measurement from 2,498 medical students and 1,177 non-medical students in 31 provinces from March 5, 2020, to March 10, 2020, in China. The psychological stress was measured using the Chinese Perceived Stress Scales (CPSS) under a self-design questionnaire. Sociodemographic, major characteristics, and knowledge of the novel coronavirus pneumonia were also identified as potential influencing factors of stress. The study revealed that medical students are suffering from more stress than non-medical students almost in all provinces of China. Four influencing factors including level of familiarity with the novel coronavirus, family income, major of students, and status of the intern student can be significantly related to students' stress in the medical group by using the univariate and multivariate analysis. Further analysis showed that students with low stress had a greater number of positive psychological emotions and a lower number of negative psychological emotions than with medical students with high stress. In addition, high stress caused low enthusiasm for learning in these medical students and lead to little/no willingness to do professional medical work in the future. In conclusion, we need to increase the level of our knowledge related to the novel coronavirus pneumonia to reduce stress and strongly focus on the special populations in medical students with certain features, such as intern students, clinical nursing students, and low-income families, to improve their learning attitudes and establish positive professional mental outlooks.