[The development of basic research in the field of male reproductive health in China over the past 30 years supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China].

Reproductive health is a key aim of the population health strategy, and male reproductive health constitutes an important part of reproductive health. This article systematically analyzes the applications to and grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and some related scientific problems in the field of male reproductive health in the past 30 years. It also discusses the development of the basic researches on male reproductive health in China and the facilitating role of NSFC in this field.

[Pediatric projects funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2009 to 2018: retrospect and prospects].

OBJECTIVE: To perform a review and data analysis of the pediatric projects funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China from 2009 to 2018, and to investigate the changes in key support areas, research interest, and research hotspots in pediatrics. METHODS: The database of National Natural Science Foundation of China was searched to screen out pediatric research projects in 2009-2018, and the changes in funding intensity and research direction were analyzed. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2018, a total of 1 017 pediatric projects were funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China, with 485 (47.69%) General Projects, 426 (41.89%) Youth Fund Projects, 73 (7.18%) Regional Research Programs, 16 (1.57%) Key Programs, 6 (0.59%) Outstanding Youth Fund Projects, 7 (0.69%) Overseas Programs, and 4 (0.39%) other programs. There was a seven-fold increase in the total amount of subsidies, which increased from 8.42 million yuan in 2009 to 66.25 million yuan in 2018. The projects with the Primary Discipline Code of reproductive system/perinatology/neonatology, nervous system and mental illness, or circulatory system received the highest amount of fund. CONCLUSIONS: The support of pediatric projects by National Natural Science Foundation of China continues to increase in the past ten years, and the main types of projects are General Projects and Youth Fund Projects. Neonatology, nervous system/mental illness, and circulatory diseases are the main directions of funded projects.

Challenges and opportunities in rare cancer research in China.

Cancer is one of the major public health challenges in China. Rare cancers collectively account for a considerable proportion of all malignancies. The lack of awareness of rare cancers among healthcare professionals and the general public, the typically complex and delayed diagnosis, and limited access to clinical trials are key challenges. Recent years have witnessed an increase in funding for research related to rare cancers in China. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of rare cancers and summarize the status of research on rare cancers in China and overseas, including the trends of funding and publications. We also highlight the challenges and perspectives regarding rare cancers in China.

Basic research in childhood cancer: Progress and future directions in China.

Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death in children. Some childhood cancers have a particularly high mortality rate. Following the World Health Organization's emphasis on child health, most governments worldwide have taken measures to facilitate childhood cancer research. Thus, the scientific community is showing increasing interest in this area. Chinese government has prominence in building a system for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer, thereby promoting the development of childhood cancer research. This review summarizes the research progress, challenges, and perspectives in childhood cancer, and the increasing contributions of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) in the past decade (2008-2018).