A multiethnic bidirectional Mendelian randomization study negates causal effects of C-reactive protein concentrations on lung cancer.

Background: Significantly rising plasma circulating C-reaction protein (CRP) concentrations are pervasive in lung cancer (LC) development, demonstrating a bidirectional relation. However, it remains uncertain whether the causation between them exists, and the degree to which the effect varies across different ethnic ancestries remains unknown. Therefore, we attempted to investigate the causal relationship between these two phenotypes.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 treated in Hubei (epicentre) and outside Hubei (non-epicentre): a nationwide analysis of China.

Background: During the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), consistent and considerable differences in disease severity and mortality rate of patients treated in Hubei province compared to those in other parts of China have been observed. We sought to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients being treated inside and outside Hubei province, and explore the factors underlying these differences.

Methods: Collaborating with the National Health Commission, we established a retrospective cohort to study hospitalised COVID-19 cases in China.

Comorbidity and its impact on 1590 patients with COVID-19 in China: a nationwide analysis.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is evolving rapidly worldwide.

Objective: To evaluate the risk of serious adverse outcomes in patients with COVID-19 by stratifying the comorbidity status.

Methods: We analysed data from 1590 laboratory confirmed hospitalised patients from 575 hospitals in 31 provinces/autonomous regions/provincial municipalities across mainland China between 11 December 2019 and 31 January 2020.

[Establishment and application of photosynthetic production model for double cropping rice].

In this study, we developed a model for photosynthetic production in double cropping rice by integrating the advantages in current crop models (including the models of canopy structure, canopy light distribution, canopy photosynthesis and dry matter production). The canopy light distribution and dry matter accumulation were preliminarily validated with independent field experiment datasets. The distribution of direct radiation both on a level surface and on the leaf surface within canopy, the canopy daily photosynthate and its characteristics with varying leaf area index for three typical plant types (erect both upper and lower, upper erect and lower flat, and flat both upper and lower) were quantitatively analyzed by the model.

Inhibition of Methylglyoxal-Induced AGEs/RAGE Expression Contributes to Dermal Protection by N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine.

Background/aim: Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is a major cause of diabetes mellitus (DM) skin complications. Methylglyoxal (MGO), a reactive dicarbonyl compound, is a crucial intermediate of AGEs generation. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an active ingredient of some medicines, can induce endogenous GSH and hydrogen sulfide generation, and set off a condensation reaction with MGO.