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The mental health risk factors for primary healthcare workers (PHWs) following the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic and the differences by urbanicity remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify key factors of anxiety and depression among PHWs in urban and rural settings in China.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted in all 31 provinces in mainland China, between 1 May and 31 October 2022. A total of 3,769 PHWs, including family physicians, nurses, public health professionals, pharmacists, and other medical staff, were recruited from 44 urban community health service centers and 27 rural township hospitals. The Bayesian Additive Regression Tree model was employed to identify risk factors of anxiety and depression.
Results
Among 3,769 PHWs, 1,006 (26.7%) worked in urban areas and 2,763 (73.3%) in rural areas. Occupational satisfaction significantly influenced anxiety in both urban and rural practitioners. For urban PHWs, living with family (odds ratio (OR): 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28–0.62) and self-rated health (fair: OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.23–0.42; good: OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.09–0.20) were key factors of anxiety. For rural PHWs, after-work exercise (rarely: OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.11–0.76; frequently: OR: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05–0.44) played a critical role. Depression was associated with after-work exercise, self-rated health, and occupational satisfaction for all PHWs. Additionally, living with family (OR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.34–0.75) and organizational support satisfaction (satisfied: OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.19–0.42) were significant for urban practitioners.
Conclusions
Risk factors such as occupational satisfaction, health, and family relations significantly influence PHW mental health in China, with notable differences by urbanicity. Tailored mental health interventions are recommended to address urban–rural disparities.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is closely associated with suicide, which often begins with suicidal ideation (SI). However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods
We included 73 MDD patients with SI (MDD-SI), 44 MDD patients without SI (MDD-NSI) and 78 healthy controls (HCs), then compared the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), functional connectivity (FC), and effective connectivity (EC) differences across groups and analyzed their relationship with SI severity. FC and EC analyses used brain regions with ALFF differences between MDD-SI and MDD-NSI as seed points. ALFF findings were validated using the REST-meta-MDD consortium dataset (N = 1 596, 24 sites). Additionally, we explored the trend of changes in abnormal activity and connectivity of SI and suicidal behavior (SB) in MDD-SI.
Results
Compared to MDD-NSI, MDD-SI showed increased ALFF in the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), validated by the REST-meta-MDD consortium dataset. MDD-SI also exhibited reduced FC between the right ACC and the left inferior frontal gyrus and decreased EC from the right ACC to the right fusiform gyrus, which were negatively correlated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD)-suicidality item scores. Increased EC was observed in MDD-SI from the right ACC to the right cerebellar tonsil and from the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) to the right ACC, following a progressive increase pattern (HC < MDD-NSI < MDD-SI without SB < MDD-SI with SB).
Conclusions
Increased activity and aberrant connectivity of the ACC may be associated with SI in MDD patients and potentially serve as biomarkers for suicide risk.
High-sensitivity observations of PSR J1919+1745 were conducted using the Five-hundred-metre Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) at a central frequency of 1 250 MHz, enabling a detailed investigation of its single-pulse behaviour. Our research indicates that this pulsar is a normal pulsar, exhibiting null behaviour, subpulse drifting, and occasional bright pulses. Moreover, we observed that the null events tend to be of short duration, with an estimated overall null fraction of approximately $29.5\pm1.1\% $. Through Sliding Fluctuation Spectrum analysis, the modulation period of subpulse drifting is determined to be $P_3=(6.1 \pm 0.7)P_1$ (where $P_1$ denotes the pulsar rotation period), and a non-drifting behaviour is also observed besides this. Analysis using the Harmonic-Resolved Fourier Spectrum indicates that a combination of amplitude modulation and phase modulation causes the subpulse drifting behaviour of this pulsar. Furthermore, the value $P_2$, derived from phase modulation, is approximately $360^\circ / 21 = 17.1^\circ$. polarisation analysis shows a moderate degree of linear polarisation ($37.22\pm0.59\% $), an S-shaped swing in the polarisation position angle, and an approximate $90^\circ$ orthogonal polarisation jump. The radiation characteristics of PSR J1919+1745 will expand the sample of pulsars with pulse null and subpulse drifting, thus contributing to future systematic studies on the physical origins of pulse null and subpulse drifting phenomena.
Understanding the flow behaviour of wet granular materials is essential for comprehending the dynamics of numerous geological and physical phenomena, but remains a significant challenge, especially the transition of these flow regimes. In this study, we perform a series of rotating drum experiments to systematically investigate the dynamic observables and flow regimes of wet mono-dispersed particles. Two typical continuous flows including rolling and cascading regimes are identified and analysed, concentrating on the impact of fluid density and rotation speed. The probability density functions of surface angles, $\theta _{\textit{top}}$ and $\theta _{\textit{lo}w\textit{er}}$, reveal distinct patterns for these two flow regimes. A morphological parameter thus proposed, termed angle divergence, is used to characterise the rolling–cascading regime transition quantitatively. By integrating quantitative observables, we construct the flow phase diagram and flow curve to delineate the transition rules governing these regimes. Notably, the resulting nonlinear phase boundary demonstrates that higher fluid densities significantly enhance the likelihood of the system transitioning into the cascading regime. This finding is further supported by corresponding variations in flow fluctuations. Our results provide new insights into the fundamental dynamics of wet granular matter, offering valuable implications for understanding the complex rheology of underwater landslides and related phenomena.
For a family $\mathcal {F}$ of graphs, let ${\mathrm {ex}}(n,\mathcal {F})$ denote the maximum number of edges in an n-vertex graph which contains none of the members of $\mathcal {F}$ as a subgraph. A longstanding problem in extremal graph theory asks to determine the function ${\mathrm {ex}}(n,\{C_3,C_4\})$. Here we give a new construction for dense graphs of girth at least five with arbitrary number of vertices, providing the first improvement on the lower bound of ${\mathrm {ex}}(n,\{C_3,C_4\})$ since 1976. As a corollary, this yields a negative answer to a problem in Chung-Graham [3].
Danon disease is an X-linked disorder caused by variants in the lysosome-associated membrane protein-2 (LAMP2) gene located on Xq24. Due to its inheritance in an X-chromosome dominant manner, males typically experience more severe manifestations than females.
Method:
The whole exome sequencing was conducted on a cohort of 218 children diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; four children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy carrying the LAMP2 variants were diagnosed at our centre. Variants in the LAMP2 gene were summarised, and their pathogenicity and conservation were analysed using bioinformatics methods. A retrospective analysis of genotype-phenotype associations was also conducted in conjunction with previously reported cases.
Results:
Four patients with Danon disease were diagnosed in our single centre by gene sequencing; they all presented with myocardial hypertrophy as the initial manifestation. Both male patients manifested symptoms from infancy, while disease onset in the two female cases occurred below the average age reported for females. Through gene sequencing, a total of four variants were identified in these four patients, including one splicing variant: c.865-1G>C, one loss of heterozygosity variant: loss1 exon:4-9), one frameshift variant: c.973delG(p.(L325Wfs×21)), and one stop codon variant: c.467T>G(p.(L156*)).
Conclusion:
This study identified four patients with LAMP2 gene variants, thereby enriching the documented genetic landscape of LAMP2-associated disorders. Bioinformatics analyses corroborated the pathogenicity of these variants. Additionally, we emphasised that women with suspected Danon disease should be thoroughly evaluated, and the possibility of implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and heart transplantation should be considered and discussed as early as possible.
The Deerni copper deposit is one of the largest in Qinghai province, China, with proven copper reserves of 0.556 Mt. To explore new copper orebodies, we conducted a geological study at western Deerni focusing on hydrothermal alterations and ore-controlling structures. Field investigation shows that the deposit is hosted mainly within the central segment of the Deerni ophiolite. Additional hosts include Lower-Permian slate, limestone, gabbro and volcanic rock, as well as the contact zone between granite and slate. Such observations indicate that the Deerni copper deposit is not only associated with the ophiolite, but its formation is also controlled by faults. Alterations including serpentinization, carbonatization, silicification and malachite, and magnetite mineralization occurred along fractures within the wall rocks and surrounding strata. This means the alteration post-dated structural activity that affected the Lower Permian strata in the region. The Deerni copper deposit is controlled by the NW-striking faults. This is evidenced by (1) slate fragments and breccias within the orebodies, (2) saw-toothed boundaries between the orebodies and host rocks, (3) copper ore veinlets and (4) striations and step patterns on the orebody surface and hanging-wall-hosted quartz veins. Mineralization controlled by NW-trending faults suggests a major orebody (‘No. 2’) likely extends to either northwest or southeast. Field investigations along with geophysical and geochemical data, thus predicted the presence of concealed copper orebodies in western Deerni. Subsequent drilling projects have verified this prediction and revealed three concealed orebodies with widths of 7.15–13.87 m and Cu grade of 1.00–11.34 wt.%, adding 10,000 tonnes to the copper reserves.
To explore the treatment options and prognostic factors of vocal fold leukoplakia.
Methods
The study examined conservative and surgical treatment approaches, and analysed prognostic factors influencing vocal fold leukoplakia outcomes.
Results
In the conservative treatment group, lesion size (p = 0.035) and smoking (p < 0.001) were identified as independent factors influencing treatment outcomes. In the surgical treatment group, lesion size (p = 0.018) was identified as an independent factor affecting recurrence. There was no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of conservative versus surgical treatment for patients with hyperplasia (p = 0.223), mild dysplasia (p = 0.634) and moderate dysplasia (p = 0.758).
Conclusion
Smoking and lesion size are key factors influencing the outcome of conservative treatment, while lesion size is a significant factor affecting recurrence in surgically treated patients. More importantly, conservative treatment should be prioritised for patients with moderate dysplasia and milder vocal fold leukoplakia.
Overnutrition during before and pregnancy can cause maternal obesity and raise the risk of maternal metabolic diseases during pregnancy, and in offspring. Lentinus edodes may prevent or reduce obesity. This study aimed to to assess Lentinus edodes fermented products effects on insulin sensitivity, glucose and lipid metabolism in maternal and offspring, and explore its action mechanism. A model of overnutrition during pregnancy and lactation was developed using a 60 % kcal high-fat diet in C57BL6/J female mice. Fermented Lentinus edodes (FLE) was added to the diet at concentrations of 1 %, 3 %, and 5 %. The results demonstrated that FLE to the gestation diet significantly reduced serum insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in pregnant mice. FLE can regulate maternal lipid metabolism and reduce fat deposition. Meanwhile, the hepatic phosphoinositide-3-kinase-protein kinase (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway was significantly activated in the maternal mice. There is a significant negative correlation between maternal FLE supplementation doses and offspring body fat percentage and visceral fat content. Furthermore, FLE supplementation significantly increased offspring weaning litter weight, significantly reduced fasting glucose level, serum insulin level, HOMA-IR and serum glucose level, significantly activated liver PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in offspring, and upregulated the expression of liver lipolytic genes adipose triglyceride lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 mRNA. Overall, FLE supplementation can regulate maternal lipid metabolism and reduce fat deposition during pregnancy and lactation, and it may improve insulin sensitivity in pregnant mothers and offspring at weaning through activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
The extracellular matrices, such as the haemolymph, in insects are at the centre of most physiological processes and are protected from oxidative stress by the extracellular antioxidant enzymes. In this study, we identified two secreted superoxide dismutase genes (PxSOD3 and PxSOD5) and investigated the oxidative stress induced by chlorpyrifos (CPF) in the aquatic insect Protohermes xanthodes (Megaloptera: Corydalidae). PxSOD3 and PxSOD5 contain the signal peptides at the N-terminus. Structure analysis revealed that PxSOD3 and PxSOD5 contain the conserved CuZn-SOD domain, which is mainly composed of β-sheets and has conserved copper and zinc binding sites. Both PxSOD3 and PxSOD5 are predicted to be soluble proteins located in the extracellular space. After exposure to different concentrations of sublethal CPF, MDA content in P. xanthodes larvae were increased in a dose-dependent manner; SOD and CAT activities were also higher in CPF-treated groups than that in the no CPF control, indicating that sublethal CPF induces oxidative stress in P. xanthodes larvae. Furthermore, PxSOD3 and PxSOD5 expression levels and haemolymph SOD activity in the larvae were downregulated by sublethal CPF at different concentrations. Our results suggest that the PxSOD3 and PxSOD5 are putative extracellular antioxidant enzymes that may play a role in maintaining the oxidative balance in the extracellular space. Sublethal CPF may induce oxidative stress in the extracellular space of P. xanthodes by reducing the gene expression and catalytic activity of extracellular SODs.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial membrane, leading to cartilage destruction and bone erosion. Due to the complex pathogenesis of RA and the limitations of current therapies, increasing research attention has been directed towards novel strategies targeting fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), which are key cellular components of the hyperplastic pannus. Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of FLS in the initiation and progression of RA, driven by their tumour-like transformation and the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases. The aggressive phenotype of RA-FLS is marked by excessive proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, and enhanced migratory and invasive capacities. Consequently, FLS-targeted therapies represent a promising avenue for the development of next-generation RA treatments. The efficacy of such strategies – particularly those aimed at modulating FLS signalling pathways – has been demonstrated in both preclinical and clinical settings, underscoring their therapeutic potential. This review provides an updated overview of the pathogenic mechanisms and functional roles of FLS in RA, with a focus on critical signalling pathways under investigation, including Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Notch and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4). In addition, we discuss the emerging understanding of FLS-subset-specific contributions to immunometabolism and explore how computational biology is shaping novel targeted therapeutic strategies. A deeper understanding of the molecular and functional heterogeneity of FLS may pave the way for more effective and precise therapeutic interventions in RA.
We investigated vitamin D (VitD) nutritional status in children aged 2–6 years to provide a basis for prevention and intervention strategies for VitD deficiency (VitDD) in Chinese children.
Design:
From November 2018 to September 2019, a total of 2192 healthy children aged 2–6 years were enrolled. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured by liquid chromatography tandem MS.
Setting:
Twelve jurisdictions in eight provinces and cities across northern and southern China were selected through stratified cluster sampling.
Participants:
2192 children aged 2–6 years were enrolled.
Results:
(1) A serum 25(OH)D concentration of 23·87 (sd 8·24) ng/ml, a VitDS rate of 65·2 %, an insufficiency rate of 29·6 % and a deficiency rate of 5·2 % were noted. (2) Age (OR = 2·22, 95 % CI 1·86, 2·64) and spring (OR = 1·35, 95 % CI 0·91, 2·01) are risk factors for VitDD and VitDI. The male (OR = 0·68, 95 % CI 0·52, 0·90), the temperature (OR = 0·89, 95 % CI 0·86, 0·93), summer (OR = 0·25, 95 % CI 0·09, 0·68), autumn (OR = 0·26, 95 % CI 0·09, 0·74) the intake of VitD supplements (OR = 0·08, 95 % CI 0·03, 0·28), the intake frequency of dairy products (OR = 0·86, 95 % CI 0·78, 0·96) and egg products (OR = 0·83, 95 % CI 0·74, 0·93) are protective factors for VitDD and VitDI.
Conclusion:
VitDD in children aged 2–6 years is still prevalent in China, but the influencing factors of VitD nutrition have changed. Latitude is not the main factor in the 25(OH)D concentrations of children aged 2–6 years; temperature, intake of eggs and dairy products and sampling season have more obvious impacts.
Two-dimensional simulations incorporating detailed chemistry are conducted for detonation initiation induced by dual hot spots in a hydrogen/oxygen/argon mixture. The objective is to examine the transient behaviour of detonation initiation as facilitated by dual hot spots, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Effects of hot spot pressure and distance on the detonation initiation process are assessed; and five typical initiation modes are identified. It is found that increasing the hot spot pressure promotes detonation initiation, but the impact of the distance between dual hot spots on detonation initiation is non-monotonic. During the initiation process, the initial hot spot autoignites, and forms the cylindrical shock waves. Then, the triple-shock structure, which is caused by wave collisions and consists of the longitudinal detonation wave, transverse detonation wave and cylindrical shock wave, dominates the detonation initiation behaviour. A simplified theoretical model is proposed to predict the triple-point path, whose curvature quantitatively indicates the diffraction intensity of transient detonation waves. The longitudinal detonation wave significantly diffracts when the curvature of the triple-point path is large, resulting in the failed detonation initiation. Conversely, when the curvature is small, slight diffraction effects fail to prevent the transient detonation wave from developing. The propagation of the transverse detonation wave is affected not only by the diffraction effects but also by the mixture reactivity. When the curvature of the triple-point trajectory is large, a strong cylindrical shock wave is required to compress the mixture, enhancing its reactivity to ensure the transverse detonation wave can propagate without decoupling.
The Rongjiang variety of Kam described in the present study is a southern Dong dialect (ISO 639-3: [kmc]), which belongs to the Tai-Kadai Languages (Edmondson & Luo 2008; Pittayaporn 2021).
We presented an attosecond-precision timing detector based on linear optics. The minimum measurement floor is 1×10–10 fs2/Hz with only 1 mW input optical power. With this novel technique, the residual dispersion of a 5.2 km fiber link is characterized and precisely compensated. Finally, a comprehensive feedback model has been developed to analyze the noise coupling in a long-distance link stabilization system. The simulation results demonstrate an out-of-loop jitter of merely 359 as, integrated at [1 Hz, 1 MHz], at 1 mW input power per photodetector of our timing detector. Remarkably, the system is capable of maintaining sub-femtosecond precision even at optical power levels as low as 240 nW (for a 5.2 km link length), or link lengths as long as 20 km (with 1 μW optical power), respectively.
This study investigates the effects of fat emulsion-based early parenteral nutrition in patients following hemihepatectomy, addressing a critical gap in clinical knowledge regarding parenteral nutrition after hemihepatectomy. We retrospectively analysed clinical data from 274 patients who received non-fat emulsion-based parenteral nutrition (non-fatty nutrition group) and 297 patients who received fat emulsion-based parenteral nutrition (fatty nutrition group) after hemihepatectomy. Fat emulsion-based early parenteral nutrition significantly reduced levels of post-operative aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin, while minor decreases in red blood cell and platelet counts were observed in the fatty nutrition group. Importantly, fat emulsion-based early parenteral nutrition shortened lengths of post-operative hospital stay and fasting duration, but did not affect the incidence of short-term post-operative complications. Subgroup analyses revealed that the supplement of n-3 fish oil emulsions was significantly associated with a reduced inflammatory response and risk of post-operative infections. These findings indicate that fat emulsion-based early parenteral nutrition enhances short-term post-operative recovery in patients undergoing hemihepatectomy.
Although fertility is typically regarded as a unitary family decision, a meaningful degree of disagreement in fertility willingness exists within households, especially for having two or more children. As China transitioned from a one-child to multiple-child policy, understanding how such disagreement affects fertility decisions is crucial. Using household data from the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamic Survey, we analyze fertility willingness in married couples. We find that over 10% of families disagree on having two or more children. Disagreement negatively impacts plans to have more children: only the husband wanting two children significantly reduces fertility plans compared to mutual agreement, while only the wife wanting two children does not suppress the plan. This is consistent with the wife's veto power in fertility decisions. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that more equal gender role and higher bargaining power contribute to the wife's veto power, offering insights into the mechanism of intra-household fertility decisions.
This paper provides an overview of the current status of ultrafast and ultra-intense lasers with peak powers exceeding 100 TW and examines the research activities in high-energy-density physics within China. Currently, 10 high-intensity lasers with powers over 100 TW are operational, and about 10 additional lasers are being constructed at various institutes and universities. These facilities operate either independently or are combined with one another, thereby offering substantial support for both Chinese and international research and development efforts in high-energy-density physics.