Comparative effects of different metals on the Japanese medaka embryos and larvae.

Rapid evaluation of the toxicity of metals using fish embryo acute toxicity is facilitative to ecological risk assessment of aquatic organisms. However, this approach has seldom been utilized for the comparative study on the effects of different metals to fish. In this study, acute and sub-chronic tests were used to compare the toxicity of Se(IV) and Cd in the embryos and larvae of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Tracing fossil-based plastics, chemicals and fertilizers production in China.

Phasing down fossil fuels is crucial for climate mitigation. Even though 80-90% of fossil fuels are used to provide energy, their use as feedstock to produce plastics, fertilizers, and chemicals, is associated with substantial CO emissions. However, our understanding of hard-to-abate chemical production remains limited.

Effects of Different Delivery Modes on Pelvic Floor Function in Parturients 6-8 Weeks after Delivery Using Transperineal Four-Dimensional Ultrasound.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of different delivery modes on pelvic floor function in parturients 6-8 weeks after delivery using transperineal four-dimensional ultrasound.

Methods: Pelvic floor function 6-8 weeks after delivery in 40 vaginal delivery parturients between November 2018 and December 2020 was assessed by four-dimensional ultrasound, with 40 selective cesarean section delivery parturients as a control group. The imaging results of the two groups were compared.

Dose makes poison: Insights into the neurotoxicity of perinatal and juvenile exposure to environmental doses of 16 priority-controlled PAHs.

Whether chronic exposure to environmental doses of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can lead to neurotoxic effects is still unclear. Hence, the neurotoxic effects of perinatal and juvenile exposure to 16 priority-controlled PAHs were investigated. The mice were treated with 0, 0.

An energy system optimization model accounting for the interrelations of multiple stochastic energy prices.

Unlabelled: The variation of and the interrelation between different energy markets significantly affect the competitiveness of various energy technologies, therefore complicate the decision-making problem for a complex energy system consisting of multiple competing technologies, especially in a long-term time frame. The interrelations between these markets have not been accounted for in the existing energy system modelling efforts, leading to a distortion of understanding of the market impact on the technological choices and operations in the real world. This study investigates the strategic and operational decision-making problem for such an energy system characterized by three competing technologies from crude oil, natural gas, and coal.

Socio-economic drivers of rising CO emissions at the sectoral and sub-regional levels in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

As the world's largest inland shipping channel, the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) is strategic to China's sustainable development where policymakers are increasingly emphasizing not only this region's economic development but also its CO emission reduction targets. To achieve emission targets in the YREB region, it is essential to identify the driving forces of its CO emissions. However, existing studies are not very refined and only examine the overall effects of drivers on CO emission changes, while neglecting the sub-regional and sectoral level effects across China.

Co-exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and toluene may impair lung function by increasing oxidative damage and airway inflammation in asthmatic children.

As previous studies found that the direct associations between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzene and toluene (BT) metabolites and the decreased lung function were not conclusive, we further investigated relationship of oxidative damage and airway inflammation induced by PAHs and BTs exposure with lung function. A total of 262 children diagnosed with asthma and 72 heathy children were recruited. Results showed that asthmatic children had higher levels of PAHs and BTs exposure, as well as Malonaldehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) compared with healthy children.

Provincial and sector-level material footprints in China.

High-income countries often outsource material demands to poorer countries along with the associated environmental damage. This phenomenon can also occur within (large) countries, such as China, which was responsible for 24 to 30% of the global material footprint (MF) between 2007 and 2010. Understanding the distribution and development of China's MF is hence critical for resource efficiency and circular economy ambitions globally.

Association among blood BPDE-DNA adduct, serum interleukin-8 (IL-8) and DNA strand breaks for children with pulmonary diseases.

Exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) may be a risk factor for pulmonary diseases. To investigate the correlations among B[a]P exposure level, DNA strand breaks and pulmonary inflammation, we recruited 83 children diagnosed with pulmonary diseases and 63 healthy children from Guangzhou, China. Results showed that the levels of Benzo[a]pyrene diol epoxide (BPDE) DNA adduct in blood and IL-8 in serum in case group were significantly higher than those in control group ( < 0.

[Comparison of clinical efficacy of two noninvasive respiratory support therapies for respiratory distress syndrome in very low birth weight preterm infants].

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) and heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (HHHFNC) in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) among very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants.

Methods: A total of 89 very low birth weight premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) who were randomly administered with NIPPV (n=46) and HHHFNC (n=43) as an initial respiratory support. The incidence of initial treatment failure, the usage of pulmonary surfactant (PS), the parameters of respiratory support treatment and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups.

Alterations in resting-state functional connectivity of the default mode network in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: an fMRI study.

Background: Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is characterized by cognitive functional decline, especially in memory. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used in neuroimaging studies that explore alterations between patients and normal individuals to elucidate the pathological mechanisms of different diseases. The current study was performed to investigate alterations in the functional connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) in aMCI patients compared to healthy elderly controls, as well as further define the association between neurological alterations and memory function.

Aerobic Exercises for Cognition Rehabilitation following Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Background: Cognitive impairments are highly prevalent in stroke survivors and can substantially affect their physical rehabilitation and quality of life. The management of these impairments currently remains limited, but increasing studies reported the effect of aerobic exercise on cognitive performance in patients suffering from stroke. The purpose of this review was to assess the effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive function following stroke.

Aerobic exercise ameliorates cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of aerobic exercise on cognitive function in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of aerobic exercise intervention for cognitive function in older adults with MCI.

Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Chinese Science and Technology Periodical (VIP) databases from their inception to 31 January 2015, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library, 2015, Issue 3) and the reference lists of all retrieved articles.

Effect of Baduanjin exercise on cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate stage between the cognitive changes of normal aging and dementia characterised by a reduction in memory and/or other cognitive processes. An increasing number of studies have indicated that regular physical activity/exercise may have beneficial association with cognitive function of older adults with or without cognitive impairment. As a traditional Chinese Qigong exercise, Baduanjin may be even more beneficial in promoting cognitive ability in older adults with MCI, but the evidence is still insufficient.

Chinese nurses' relief experiences following two earthquakes: implications for disaster education and policy development.

Disasters require well trained nurses but disaster nursing education is very limited in China and evidence is urgently required for future planning and implementation of specialized disaster education. This describes the themes arising from narratives of Chinese registered nurses who worked in disaster relief after two major earthquakes. In-depth interviews were held with 12 registered nurses from Hubei Province.