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.

[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 (Pb), (Ni), (Zn), (Mn), (Cu), (Cr), and (Cd) were 31.

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.

[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 with an average of 10.

[Spatial Distribution Characteristics and Source Apportionment of Soil Heavy Metals in Chinese Wolfberry Land Based on GIS and the Receptor Model].

A total of 119 surface soil samples (depth of 0-20 cm) were collected from a Chinese wolfberry demonstration garden in Zhongning of Ningxia, and samples were analyzed for seven heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Cr, and Cd). The single factor index, comprehensive index, and potential ecological risk were used to assess the soil heavy metal contamination with the soil background values of Ningxia as the evaluation standards. The absolute principal component scores and multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR) model as well as geostatistic analysis were combined to identify and apportion the pollution sources of soil heavy metals.