The spatial-temporal distribution of hepatitis B virus infection in China,2006-2018.

Objectives: Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and is highly prevalent in China. To better understand the epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B in China and develop effective disease control strategies, we employed temporal and spatial statistical methods.

Methods: We obtained HBV incidence data from the Public Health Science Data Center of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention for the years 2006 to 2018.

Impact of sea ice on the physicochemical characteristics of marine aerosols in the Arctic Ocean.

Marine aerosols (MA) can be influenced by sea ice concentration, potentially playing a pivotal role in the formation of cloud condensation nuclei and exerting an impact on regional climate. In this study, a high-resolution aerosol observation system was employed to measure the concentration and size of aerosols in the floating ice region and seawater region of the Arctic Ocean during the 8th and 9th Chinese Arctic Expedition Research Cruise. The identification of aerosol sources was conducted using a modified positive definite matrix factorization method and a backward air mass trajectory model.

Nanotechnology-based non-viral vectors for gene delivery in cardiovascular diseases.

Gene therapy is a technique that rectifies defective or abnormal genes by introducing exogenous genes into target cells to cure the disease. Although gene therapy has gained some accomplishment for the diagnosis and therapy of inherited or acquired cardiovascular diseases, how to efficiently and specifically deliver targeted genes to the lesion sites without being cleared by the blood system remains challenging. Based on nanotechnology development, the non-viral vectors provide a promising strategy for overcoming the difficulties in gene therapy.

Engineered Extracellular Vesicles Expressing Siglec-10 Camouflaged AIE Photosensitizer to Reprogram Macrophages to Active M1 Phenotype and Present Tumor-Associated Antigens for Photodynamic Immunotherapy.

Cancer immunotherapy has attracted considerable attention due to its advantages of persistence, targeting, and ability to kill tumor cells. However, the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy in practical applications is limited by tumor heterogeneity and complex tumor immunosuppressive microenvironments in which abundant of M2 macrophages and immune checkpoints (ICs) are present. Herein, two type-I aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active photosensitizers with various reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating efficiencies are designed and synthesized.

Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase 1 Deletion-Mediated Kynurenine Insufficiency Inhibits Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy.

Background: Aberrant amino acid metabolism is implicated in cardiac hypertrophy, while the involvement of tryptophan metabolism in pathological cardiac hypertrophy remains elusive. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of IDO1 (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) and its metabolite kynurenine (Kyn) on pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

Methods: Transverse aortic constriction was performed to induce cardiac hypertrophy in IDO1-knockout (KO) mice and AAV9-cTNT-shIDO1 mice.

The occurrence, tissue distribution, and PBT potential of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in the freshwater organisms from the Yangtze river via nontarget analysis.

Numerous emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) occur in the aquatic environment, posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this study, we conducted a nontarget analysis on 3 surface water samples and 92 tissue samples of 16 fish collected from the Yangtze River to investigate the patterns, tissue distribution, and environmental impacts of emerging PFASs. A total of 43 PFASs from 11 classes were identified, including 17 legacy PFASs and 26 emerging PFASs.

Occurrence, partitioning and transport of perfluoroalkyl acids in gas and particles from the southeast coastal and mountainous areas of China.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA) in gas and particles were analyzed in southeast coastal and mountainous cities, including Fuzhou, Xiamen, Zhangzhou and Nanping, to study the pollution characteristics, particle size distribution, phase partitioning and atmospheric transport. PFAA ranged from 7.8 to 290 pg m in gaseous phase, 27 - 1200 pg m in particulate phase, and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were main compounds.

The Function and Therapeutic Implications of TNF Signaling in MDSCs.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a group of immature and heterogeneous myeloid cells with immunosuppressive functions. MDSCs play important roles in the pathogenesis of cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases, and many autoimmune disorders. The accumulation and activation of MDSCs can be regulated by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α).

[Rapid determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric fine particles by molecularly imprinted column-high performance liquid chromatography].

Objective: A high performance liquid chromatographic method based on the purification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecularly imprinted columns was developed, this method was used for the rapid quantitative determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in fine particulate matter(PM_(2.5)).

Methods: The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of the sample were extracted with acetonitrile ultrasonically, purified by molecular imprinting column(MIP-PAHs), and tested after being concentrated by nitrogen blowing.

Dry-deposition of inorganic and organic nitrogen aerosols in Xiamen Bay: Fluxes, sources, and biogeochemical significance.

Increased dry deposition of nitrogen aerosols (aerosol-N) as a result of anthropogenic emissions has caused large negative impacts on marine ecosystems. We monitored the number concentrations and sizes of inorganic nitrogen aerosols (aerosol-IN: NH and NO) and organic nitrogen aerosols (aerosol-ON: methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, ethylamine, diethylamine, and triethylamine) by single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) during the warm season (WS) and cold season (CS) of 2013 and 2015 in Xiamen Bay. The mean hourly number concentration of aerosol-IN (874/h) overwhelmed that of aerosol-ON (103/h), accounting for 83.

Development and performance evaluation of TaqMan real-time fluorescence quantitative methylation specific PCR for detecting methylation level of PER2.

Background: PER2 gene methylation is closely related to the occurrence and progress of some cancers, but there is no method to quantitatively detect PER2 methylation in conventional laboratories. So, we established a TaqMan real-time fluorescence quantitative methylation specific PCR (TaqMan real-time FQ-MSP) assay and use it for quantitative detection of PER2 methylation in leukemia patients.

Methods: According to the PER2 sequence searched by GenBank, a CpG sequence enrichment region of the PER2 gene promoter was selected, and the methylated and unmethylated target sequences were designed according to the law of bisulfite conversion of DNA to construct PER2 methylation positive and negative reference materials.

[Genetic analysis of an individual with a fragile site at 16q22].

Objective: To analyze a patient with infertility and a fragile site found at 16q22 by using cytogenetic methods.

Methods: Peripheral blood sample was taken from the patient and subjected to chromosomal karyotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP-array) analysis.

Results: The patient was found to be a mosaicism for a fragile site at 16q22, which has a variable morphology and cannot be induced by folic acid treatment.

Identifying the competencies of China's paediatric residents: a modified Delphi method study.

Purpose: Standardised Training of Paediatric Resident (STPR) plays an essential role in training qualified paediatricians. Until now, China had no paediatric resident competency index system to effectively guide and evaluate the competence of paediatric residents. This study aimed to establish a competency index system for paediatric residents in China to provide a reference for improving the training system and quality of STPR.

Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the water column of Kongsfjorden, Arctic.

Kongsfjorden is known for its characteristic multi-layer water mass formed by the convergence of freshwaters from nearby glaciers and rivers and saline water from the Atlantic and Arctic. The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water column of Kongsfjorden was investigated and their potential sources were analyzed. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs in the surface seawater and river water were in the range of 33.

Occurrence, distribution, air-seawater exchange and atmospheric deposition of organophosphate esters (OPEs) from the Northwestern Pacific to the Arctic Ocean.

Eleven organophosphate esters (OPEs) in air and seawater were investigated from the Northwestern Pacific to the Arctic Ocean. The concentration of ΣOPEs in air and seawater ranged from 231.56 to 1884.

Effect of calcium chloride on the uniformity of colouring in sushi red ginger slices by modulating the properties of starch.

The colour of sushi red ginger slices without blanching is not uniform, which seriously affects their sensory quality. The effect of calcium chloride (CaCl) pretreatment on the uniformity of colouring and the properties of ginger starch have been studied. The crystalline region of the starch in blanched ginger slices was broken, which might be beneficial for uniform colouring.

A de novo complex chromosome rearrangement associated with multisystematic abnormalities, a case report.

Background: Complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) are constitutional structural rearrangements that involve three or more chromosomes or that have more than two breakpoints.

Case Presentation: Here, we describe a four-way CCR involving chromosomes 4, 5, 6 and 8. The patient had mild multisystematic abnormalities during his development, including defects in his eyes and teeth, exomphalos and asthenozoospermia.

Distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from the Bering Sea and western Arctic Ocean.

To analyze the distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and evaluate their potential ecological risks, the concentrations of 16 PAHs were measured in 43 surface sediment samples from the Bering Sea and western Arctic Ocean. Total PAH (tPAH) concentrations ranged from 36.95 to 150.

Multi-label classification for colon cancer using histopathological images.

Colon cancer classification has a significant guidance value in clinical diagnoses and medical prognoses. The classification of colon cancers with high accuracy is the premise of efficient treatment. Our task is to build a system for colon cancer detection and classification based on slide histopathological images.

Pharmaceuticals in tap water: human health risk assessment and proposed monitoring framework in China.

Background: Pharmaceuticals are known to contaminate tap water worldwide, but the relevant human health risks have not been assessed in China.

Objectives: We monitored 32 pharmaceuticals in Chinese tap water and evaluated the life-long human health risks of exposure in order to provide information for future prioritization and risk management.

Methods: We analyzed samples (n = 113) from 13 cities and compared detected concentrations with existing or newly-derived safety levels for assessing risk quotients (RQs) at different life stages, excluding the prenatal stage.

Purification and characterization of a novel antifungal protein secreted by Penicillium chrysogenum from an Arctic sediment.

A fungal strain, Penicillium chrysogenum A096, was isolated from an Arctic sediment sample. Its culture supernatant inhibited mycelial growth of some plant pathogenic fungi. After saturation of P.

Clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular analysis with 46,XX male sex reversal syndrome: case reports.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of different categories of sex-reversed 46,XX individuals and their relationships with chromosomal karyotype and the SRY gene.

Methods: Chromosome karyotyping for peripheral blood culture and multi-PCR and FISH were performed.

Results: Endocrinological data showed that their endocrine hormone levels were similar to that observed for Klinefelter syndrome, with higher FSH and LH levels and lower T levels.

Polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in local waterbird eggs from Hong Kong: risk assessment to local waterbirds.

The contamination status of the marine environment in Hong Kong was studied by measuring concentrations of organochlorine (OC) pollutants (i.e., hexachlorobenzene, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, mirex, total heptachlor, total chlordane, total DDTs, total PCBs, and total toxaphenes) in the eggs of selected waterbird species from different locations around the city: Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Chinese Pond Heron (Ardeola bacchus) from Mai Po Village, Great Egret (Ardea alba) and Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) from A Chau, and Chinese Pond Heron (A.

Persistent toxic substances in remote lake and coastal sediments from Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic: levels, sources and fluxes.

Surface sediments from remote lakes and coastal areas from Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Norwegian Arctic were analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Relatively high levels of PAHs were encountered from several lakes from Ny-Alesund, which were within the range of levels reported for European high mountain lakes and some urban/industrialized areas in the world, pointing to the role of remote Arctic lakes as potential reservoir of semi-volatile organic compounds. Specific patterns of PBDEs were observed, showing higher concentrations of lower brominated compounds such as BDE-7, 17 and 28.