Improved nuclear mass formula with an additional term from the Fermi gas model

Nuclear mass is a fundamental property of nuclear physics and a necessary input in nuclear astrophysics.Owing to the complexity of atomic nuclei and nonperturbative strong interactions,conventional physical models cannot completely describe nuclear binding energies.In this study,the mass formula was improved by considering an additional term from the Fermi gas model.All nuclear masses in the Atomic Mass Evaluation Database were reproduced with a root-mean-square deviation(RMSD)of -1.86 MeV(1.92 MeV).The new mass formula exhibits good performance in the neutron-rich nuclear region.The RMSD decreases to 0.393 MeV when the ratio of the neutron number to the proton number is≥1.6.

Hepatoprotective effects of Hovenia dulcis seeds against alcoholic liver injury and related mechanisms investigated via network pharmacology

BACKGROUND Alcoholic liver disease(ALD)is a worldwide health problem,and natural products have been shown to improve ALD due to their antioxidant activities.Some parts of Hovenia dulcis(H.dulcis),such as roots,peduncles,and stems,provide health benefits.Nevertheless,the effects and mechanisms of H.dulcis seeds on ALD have not yet been fully elucidated.AIM To determine H.dulcis antioxidant activity,evaluate its effects against ALD,and investigate the related mechanisms via network pharmacology.METHODS The antioxidant activity of H.dulcis seed was determined by both ferric-reducing antioxidant power and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assays.The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method and aluminum chloride colorimetry,respectively,and polysaccharide was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method.The effects of H.dulcis seeds against alcoholic liver injury were investigated in mice with water extract pretreatment for 7 days followed by alcohol administration.Moreover,the mechanisms of action were explored with network pharmacology.RESULTS The results showed that H.dulcis seeds possessed strong antioxidant activity(245.11±10.17μmol Fe2+/g by ferric-reducing antioxidant power and 284.35±23.57μmol TE/g by trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity)and contained remarkable phenols and flavonoids,as well as a few polysaccharides.H.dulcis seeds attenuated alcohol-induced oxidative liver injury,showing reduced serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases,alkaline phosphatase,and triglyceride,elevated hepatic glutathione,increased activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase,and reduced malondialdehyde and hepatic triglyceride.The results of network pharmacology analysis indicated that kaempferol,stigmasterol,and naringenin were the main bioactive compounds in H.dulcis seeds and that modulation of oxidative stress,inflammation,gut-derived products,and apoptosis were underlying mechanisms of the protective effects of H.dulcis seeds on ALD.CONCLUSION The results of this study demonstrate that H.dulcis seeds could be a good natural antioxidant source with protective effects on oxidative diseases such as ALD.

Puerarin exhibits greater distribution and longer retention time in neurons than astrocytes in a co-cultured system

The phytoestrogen puerarin has been shown to protect neurons and astrocytes in the brain, and is therefore an attractive drug in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and cerebral ischemia. Whether puerarin exhibits the same biological processes in neurons and astro-cytesin vitro has rarely been reported. In this study, cortical neurons and astrocytes of newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were separated, identiifed and co-cultured in a system based on Transwell membranes. The retention time and distribution of puerarin in each cell type was detected by lfuorescence spectrophotometry and lfuorescence microscope. The concentration of puerarin in both co-cultured and separately cultured neurons was greater than that of astrocytes. Puerarin concentration reached a maximum 20 minutes after it was added. At 60 minutes after its addi-tion, a scant amount of drug was detected in astrocytes; however in both separately cultured and co-cultured neurons, the concentration of puerarin achieved a stable level of about 12.8 ng/mL. The results indicate that puerarin had a higher concentration and longer retention time in neu-rons than that observed in astrocytes.

Review for treatment and signaling pathway regulation of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine on osteoporosis

The treatment and signaling pathway regulation effects of kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine on osteoporosis have been widely studied,but without a systematic summary currently.This review comprehensively collected and analyzed the traditional Chinese medicine on the treatment and signaling pathway regulation of osteoporosis in recent ten years,such as Epimedium,Drynariae Rhizoma,Cnidium,Eucommia,Psoralen and Dipsacus.Based on the existing findings,we concluded the following conclusions:(1)kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine treats osteoporosis mainly through BMP-Smads,Wnt/β-catenin,MAPK,PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to promote osteoblast bone formation and through OPG/RANKL/RANK,estrogen,CTSK signaling pathway to inhibit osteoclasts of bone resorption.(1)Epimedium,Drynariae Rhizoma,Cnidium and Psoralen up-regulate the key proteins and genes of BMP-Smads and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways to promote bone formation.(2)Epimedium,Drynariae Rhizoma,Cnidium,Eucommia,Psoralen,Dipsacusinhibit the bone resorption by mediating the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway.(2)Kidney-tonifying traditional Chinese medicine prevent and treat osteoporosis through a variety of ways:Icariin,Naringin,Osthol,Psoralen can regulate BMP-Smads,Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote bone formation,but also activate OPG/RANKL/RANK,CTSK and other signaling pathway to inhibit bone resorption.(3)The crosstalk of the signaling pathways and the animal experiments of the traditional Chinese medicine on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis as well as their multi-target mechanism and comprehensive regulation need further clarification.

Risk factors for acute kidney injury following coronary artery bypass graft surgery in a Chinese population and development of a prediction model

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury(AKI)after coronary artery bypass graft(CABG)surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.This retrospective study aimed to establish a risk score for postoperative AKI in a Chinese population.METHODS A total of 1138 patients undergoing CABG were collected from September 2018 to May 2020 and divided into a derivation and validation cohort.AKI was defined according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes(KDIGO)criteria.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of AKI,and the predictive ability of the model was determined using a receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.RESULTS The incidence of cardiac surgery–associated acute kidney injury(CSA-AKI)was 24.17%,and 0.53%of AKI patients required dialysis(AKI-D).Among the derivation cohort,multivariable logistic regression showed that age≥70 years,body mass index(BMI)≥25 kg/m2,estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)≤60 mL/min per 1.73 m2,ejection fraction(EF)≤45%,use of statins,red blood cell transfusion,use of adrenaline,intra-aortic balloon pump(IABP)implantation,postoperative low cardiac output syndrome(LCOS)and reoperation for bleeding were independent predictors.The predictive model was scored from 0 to32 points with three risk categories.The AKI frequencies were as follows:0-8 points(15.9%),9-17 points(36.5%)and≥18 points(90.4%).The area under of the ROC curve was 0.730(95%CI:0.691-0.768)in the derivation cohort.The predictive index had good discrimination in the validation cohort,with an area under the curve of 0.735(95%CI:0.655-0.815).The model was well calibrated according to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test(P=0.372).CONCLUSION The performance of the prediction model was valid and accurate in predicting KDIGO-AKI after CABG surgery in Chinese patients,and could improve the early prognosis and clinical interventions.

Research progress of tonic Chinese medicine on the immune system

The immune system as an important defense system of the body,bear the resistance to foreign pathogens invasion,removal of foreign heterogeneity,and protect the body′s safety.Modern research shows that tonic Chinese medicine,including single herband compound formula,has the function of improving immune organ index,enhancing immune cellfunction and affecting the immune molecule production and secretion.This article will review the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on immune organs,immune cells and immune molecules,and provide reference for the clinical research of traditional Chinese medicine.

Comparisons of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer loss patterns and its diagnostic performance between normal tension glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma: a detailed, severity-based study

AIM: To evaluate the patterns of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer(GCIPL) loss in normal tension glaucoma(NTG) and primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) in a detailed, disease severity-matched way;and to assess the diagnostic capabilities of GCIPL thickness parameters in discriminating NTG or POAG from normal subjects.METHODS: A total of 157 eyes of 157 subjects, including 57 normal eyes, 51 eyes with POAG and 49 eyes with NTG were enrolled and strictly matched in age, refraction, and disease severity between POAG and NTG groups. The average, minimum, superotemporal, superior, superonasal, inferonasal, inferior, and inferotemporal GCIPL thickness, and the average, superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thickness were obtained by Cirrus optical coherence tomography(OCT). The diagnostic capabilities of OCT parameters were assessed by area under receiver operating characteristic(AUROC) curves. RESULTS: Among all the OCT thickness parameters, no statistical significant difference between NTG group and POAG group was found(all P>0.05). In discriminating NTG or POAG from normal subjects, the average and inferior RNFL thickness, and the minimum GCIPL thickness had better diagnostic capabilities. There was no significant difference in AUROC curve between the best GCIPL thickness parameter(minimum GCIPL) and the best RNFL thickness parameter in discriminating NTG(inferior RNFL;P=0.076) and indiscriminating POAG(average RNFL;P=0.913) from normal eyes.CONCLUSION: Localized GCIPL loss, especially in the inferior and inferotemporal sectors, is more common in NTG than in POAG. Among all the GCIPL thickness parameters, the minimum GCIPL thickness has the best diagnostic performance in differentiating NTG or POAG from normal subjects, which is comparable to that of the average and inferior RNFL thickness.

Evaluation of spectral domain optical coherence tomography parameters in discriminating preperimetric glaucoma from high myopia

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic ability of macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer(GCIPL) thickness o b t a i n e d b y s p e c t r a l-d o m a i n o p t i c a l c o h e r e n c e tomography(SD-OCT) in discriminating non-highly myopic eyes with preperimetric glaucoma(PPG) from highly myopic healthy eyes. METHODS: A total of 254 eyes, including 76 normal controls(NC), 116 eyes with high myopia(HM) and 62 non-highly myopic eyes with PPG were enrolled. The diagnostic ability of OCT parameters was accessed by the areas under the receiver operating characteristic(AUROC) curve in two distinguishing groups: PPG eyes with nonglaucomatous eyes including NC and HM(Group 1), and PPG eyes with HM eyes(Group 2). Differences in diagnostic performance between GCIPL and RNFL parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The minimum(AUROC curve of 0.782), inferotemporal(0.758) and inferior(0.705) GCIPL thickness were the top three GCIPL parameters in discriminating PPG from non-glaucomatous eyes, all of which had statistically significant lower diagnostic ability than average RNFL thickness(0.847). In discriminating PPG from HM, the best GCIPL parameter was minimum(0.689), statistically significant lower in diagnostic ability than average RNFL thickness(0.789) and three other RNFL thickness parameters of temporal and inferotemporal clock-hour sectors. CONCLUSION: The minimum GCIPL thickness is the best GCIPL parameter to detect non-highly myopic PPG from highly myopic eyes, whose diagnostic ability is inferiorto that of average RNFL thickness and RNFL thickness of several temporal and inferotemporal clock-hour sectors. The average RNFL thickness is recommended for discriminating PPG from highly myopic healthy eyes in current clinical practice in a Chinese population.

Comprehensive regulation of traditional Chinese medicine on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells

Since the diccovery of neural stem cells(NSCs)in the embryonic and adult mammalian central nerous system,it provided novel ideas forneurogenesis as the potential of proliferation and differentiation of NSCs.One of the ways to promote the clinical application of neural stem cells(NSCs)is searching effective methods which regulate the proliferation and differentiation.This is also a problem urgently to be solved in medical field.Plenty of earlier studies have shown that traditional chinese medicine can promote the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs by regulating the related signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.The reports of Chinese and foreign literatures on regulating the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in recent ten years and their target and signaling pathways is analyzed in this review.The traditional chinese medicine regulate proliferation and differentiation of NSCs by the signaling pathways of Notch,PI3K/Akt,Wnt/β-catenin,and GFs.And,those signaling pathways have cross-talk in the regulation progress.Moreover,some traditional Chinese medicine,such as astragalus,has a variety of active ingredients to regulate proliferation and differentiation of NSCs through different signaling pathways.However,to accelerate the clinical application of neural stem cells,the studies aboutthe proliferation and differentiation of NSCs and Chinese medicine should be further deepened,the mechanism of multiple targets and the comprehensive regulation function of traditional Chinese medicine should be clarified.

Age related changes of the central lamina cribrosa thickness, depth and prelaminar tissue in healthy Chinese subjects

AIM： To investigate the variation in the central lamina cribrosa thickness（cLCT）, and the central anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth（cALCSD）, as well as the central prelaminar tissue thickness（cPLTT） related to age in healthy Chinese subjects.METHODS： A total of 96 eyes from 96 Chinese healthy subjects were recruited. According to age, the 96 cases were divided into three groups： the young group（YG, 18-39 y）, middle-age group（MG, 40-59 y） and older-age group（OG, 60 y and above）. Lamina cribrosa images were obtained from all participants using radial linear protocol by enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The cLCT, cALCSD and cPLTT were calculated from the average value of the lamina cribrosa thickness, anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth and prelaminar tissue thickness in the optic nerve head（ONH） centre point and paracentral points（150 μm from the centre point in the horizontal and vertical directions）. RESULTS： For the total subjects, the mean cLCT, c ALCSD and cPLTT were 235.18±41.27, 358.02±93.80 and 182.02±92.11 μm, respectively. No statistically significant differences in cLCT, cALCSD or cPLTT were found between gender and different eyes（P=0.27-0.92）. The cLCT of the OG was the thickest among the three groups, while the c PLTT of the YG was the thickest among the three groups（P〈0.05）. Age was positively correlated with cLCT（r=0.42, P〈0.001）, and negatively correlated with cPLTT（r=-0.24, P=0.02）. No significant correlation was found between the age and cALCSD（r=-0.06, P=0.55）. And no correlation has been found between axial length and cLCT, cALCSD and c PLTT（P=0.11-0.81）.CONCLUSION： The impact of age on the cLCT and the cPLLTT should be taken into account when analysing glaucoma and other diseases related to lamina cribrosa.

Genetic Manipulation of Non-Classic Oilseed Plants for Enhancement of Their Potential as a Biofactory for Triacylglycerol Production

Global demand for vegetable oil is anticipated to double by 2030. The current vegetable oil production platforms, including oil palm and temperate oilseeds, are unlikely to produce such an expansion. Therefore, the exploration of novel vegetable oil sources has become increasingly important in order to make up this future vegetable oil shortfall. Triacylglycerol （TAG）, as the dominant form of vegetable oil, has recently attracted immense interest in terms of being produced in plant vegetative tissues via genetic engineering technologies. Multidiscipline-based ＂-omics＂ studies are increasingly enhancing our understanding of plant lipid biochemistry and metabolism. As a result, the identification of biochemical pathways and the annotation of key genes contributing to fatty acid biosynthesis and to lipid assembly and turnover have been effectively updated. In recent years, there has been a rapid development in the genetic enhancement of TAG accumulation in high-biomass plant vegetative tissues and oilseeds through the genetic manipulation of the key genes and regulators involved in TAG biosynthesis. In this review, current genetic engineering strategies ranging from single-gene manipulation to multigene stacking aimed at increasing plant biomass TAG accumulation are summarized. New directions and suggestions for plant oil production that may help to further alleviate the potential shortage of edible oil and biodiesel are discussed.

Research progress of TREM2 in Alzheimer disease

Alzheimer disease(AD)is a common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly,but nowadays the pathogenesis of AD is unclear.Myeloid cell 2 trigger receptor(TREM2)is one of the most famous and most common rare mutations in neurodegenerative disease research,and its functional site mutation can significantly increase the incidence of AD.In this paper,we summary the structure,localization,and function and related signaling pathways of TREM2,review the latest epidemiological findings of TREM2 associated with the pathogenesis of AD,and speculate on the possible role of TREM2 in the progression of this disease,as well as the expression of TREM2 and the role of soluble TREM2 in AD brain are further elucidated.Based on the potential protective effect of TREM2 in the pathogenesis of AD,Therefore,targeting TREM2 may provide new opportunities and a reference for AD treatment.As the TREM2 variant appears to be widely involved in neurodegenerative diseases,there is an urgent need to further study the function of TREM2 in the brain and to find its ligands involved in TREM2-mediated signaling transduction and its specific role in AD pathogenesis.

Topically applied hypericin exhibits skin penetrability on nude mice

OBJECTIVE Hypericin,a powerful naturally photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy(PDT),is suitable for treating skin diseases involving excess capillary proliferation.In the present study,we aimed to evaluate the skin penetrability of a topically applied hypericin,expecting reducing the risk of prolonged skin photosensitivity,which often occurs after systemic administration.METHODS The Franz diffusion cell assay was performed to evaluate different penetration enhancers.In vivo studies,fluorescence microscopy was performed to examine the distribution of hypericin in the skin,macroscopic and microscopic analyses were also carried out to detect pathological changes in the skin after topical hypericin-PDT treatment.Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of PECAM-1 in the treated skin.RESULTS 5% menthol facilitated hypericin penetrate the skin of nude mice most.The results of in vivo assays revealed that hypericin penetrated nude mice skin,spread to the dermis,and resulted in obvious photosensitivity reaction on the dermal capillaries.Moreover,skin injured by the photosensitive reaction induced by hypericin was replaced by normal skin 7 d after hypericin-PDT treatment.CONCLUSION Topical hypericin could penetrate nude mouse skin well and be great potential in PDT treatment of skin diseases.

Advances in research on chemical constituents,pharmacological actions and processing of atractylodes macrocephala

Rhizome atractylodes macrocephalae is the dry roots of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.It is one of commonly used Chinese medicine.In the "Shennong′s Herbal",it was listed as the top grade.It mainly contains volatile oil,atractylenolides,atractylodes polysaccharides,glycosides and amino acids.And it has the medical functions of good for spleen and intestine,diuretic and dehumidification,hidroschesis,miscarriage prevention and soon.In order to provide references for further development and utilization,this paper systematic arranged the Chinese medicine atractylodes chemical composition,pharmacological effects,processing technology and effect of processing technology on chemical composition and pharmacological action.

Molecular docking-aided AIEgen design: concept, synthesis and applications

Aggregate-induced emission luminogens(AIEgens) have been widely used in biological imaging, chemical sensing, and disease treatments. The rational design and construction of AIEgens have received considerable research interests during the last few years. Herein, molecular docking-aided AIEgen design has been reasonably proposed and AIEgen TBQZY with excellent ~1O_(2) generation ability has been synthesized. The newly developed TBQZY could efficiently kill S. epidermidis and methicillinresistant S. epidermidis(MRSE) by tightly binding to bacteria and triggering the accumulation of ~1O_(2) in bacteria. TBQZY specifically regulated the immune system and polarized macrophages from M1 to M2 to accelerate the elimination of biofilm in vivo. In addition, healing acceleration was observed in chronic wounds treated with TBQZY, and side effects were negligible.Meanwhile, TBQZY had extraordinary potential for combating drug-resistant bacteria in the clinical setting. This research not only provided new concepts for the design of AIEgens, but also shed some lights on the discovery of drugs against drug-resistant bacteria.

Immunogenicity and safety of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 inactivated vaccine in healthy adults: randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials

Background:The significant morbidity and mortality resulted from the infection of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)call for urgent development of effective and safe vaccines.We report the immunogenicity and safety of an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine,KCONVAC,in healthy adults.Methods:Phase 1 and phase 2 randomized,double-blind,and placebo-controlled trials of KCONVAC were conducted in healthy Chinese adults aged 18 to 59 years.The participants in the phase 1 trial were randomized to receive two doses,one each on Days 0 and 14,of either KCONVAC(5 or 10 mg/dose)or placebo.The participants in the phase 2 trial were randomized to receive either KCONVAC(at 5 or 10 mg/dose)or placebo on Days 0 and 14(0/14 regimen)or Days 0 and 28(0/28 regimen).In the phase 1 trial,the primary safety endpoint was the proportion of participants experiencing adverse reactions/events within 28 days following the administration of each dose.In the phase 2 trial,the primary immunogenicity endpoints were neutralization antibody seroconversion and titer and anti-receptor-binding domain immunoglobulin G seroconversion at 28 days after the second dose.Results:Inthe phase1 trial,60 participantswere enrolled andreceived at least one dose of 5-mgvaccine(n=24),10-mgvaccine(n=24),or placebo(n=12).In the phase 2 trial,500 participantswere enrolled and received at least one dose of 5-mg vaccine(n=100 for 0/14 or 0/28 regimens),10-mg vaccine(n=100 for each regimen),or placebo(n=50 for each regimen).In the phase 1 trial,13(54%),11(46%),and seven(7/12)participants reported at least one adverse event(AE)after receiving 5-,10-mg vaccine,or placebo,respectively.In the phase 2 trial,16(16%),19(19%),and nine(18%)0/14-regimen participants reported at least oneAEafter receiving 5-,10-mg vaccine,or placebo,respectively.Similar AE incidences were observed in the three 0/28-regimen treatment groups.No AEs with an intensity of grade 3+were reported,expect for one vaccine-unrelated seriousAE(foot fracture)reported in the phase 1 trial.KCONVACinduced significant antibody responses;0/28 regimen showed a higher immune responses than that did 0/14 regimen after receiving two vaccine doses.Conclusions:Both doses of KCONVAC are well tolerated and able to induce robust immune responses in healthy adults.These results support testing 5-mg vaccine in the 0/28 regimen in an upcoming phase 3 efficacy trial.Trial Registration:http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx(No.ChiCTR2000038804,http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=62350;No.ChiCTR2000039462,http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=63353).

Effectiveness and impact of the crossborder healthcare model as implemented by non-governmental organizations: case study of the malaria control programs by health poverty action on the ChinaMyanmar border

Background:In the Yunnan province of China,18 counties in six prefectures border Myanmar.Due to its particular combination of geographic features,climate conditions,and cultural landscape,the area provides a suitable environment for the spread of insect-borne diseases such as malaria.In five identified Myanmar Special Regions along the China-Myanmar border,economic development is lagging,people live in extreme poverty,and the healthcare system is fragile.Coupled with political and other reasons,this precludes malaria control work to be effectively carried out in Myanmar,resulting in a heavy burden of the disease.Frequent population movements and favorable conditions for malaria transmission on the border fuel difficulties in controlling and eliminating the spread of the disease in the area.Case presentation:To reduce the prevalence of malaria in the China-Myanmar border area and improve healthcare services for local residents in this particular environment,Health Poverty Action(HPA)has provided malaria aid in the area since the beginning of 2006,as a sub-recipient of the China Global Fund Malaria Programs.In this case study,we examined HPA’s activities as part of its malaria control programs in the area,analyzed and summarized the effectiveness and impact of the cross-border healthcare model as implemented by non-governmental organizations,and put forward suggestions for cross-border health aid models and for the prevention of malaria transmission in the Greater Mekong Subregion.Conclusions:HPA had carried out a great quantity of successful malaria control activities in border areas between China and Myanmar,strengthened the partnership and established the collaboration,coordination and cooperation channels among stakeholders.HPA has laid good groundwork and developed its valuable model that could be highlighted and referenced.

Lessons on malaria control in the ethnic minority regions in Northern Myanmar along the China border, 2007–2014

Background:For many countries where malaria is endemic,the burden of malaria is high in border regions.In ethnic minority areas along the Myanmar-China border,residents have poor access to medical care for diagnosis and treatment,and there have been many malaria outbreaks in such areas.Since 2007,with the support of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,Tuberculosis and Malaria(GFATM),a malaria control project was introduced to reduce the malaria burden in several ethnic minority regions.Methods:A malaria control network was established during the period from 2007 to 2014.Multiple malaria interventions,including diagnosis,treatment,distribution of LLINs and health education,were conducted to improve the accessibility and quality of malaria control services for local residents.Annual cross-sectional surveys were conducted to evaluate intervention coverage and indicators of malaria transmission.Results:In ethnic minority regions where a malaria control network was established,both the annual malaria incidence(19.1 per thousand per year,in 2009;8.7,in 2014)and malaria prevalence(13.6%in 2008;0.43%in 2014)decreased dramatically during the past 5–6 years.A total of 851393 febrile patients were detected,202598 malaria cases(including confirmed cases and suspected cases)were treated,and 759574 LLINs were delivered to populations at risk.Of households in 2012,73.9%had at least one ITNs/LLINs(vs.28.3%,in 2008),and 50.7%of children less than 5 years and 50.3%of pregnant women slept under LLINs the night prior to their visit.Additionally,malaria knowledge was improved in 68.4%of residents.Conclusion:There has been great success in improving malaria control in these regions from 2007 to 2014.Malaria burdens have decreased,especially in KOK and WA.The continued maintenance of sustainable malaria control networks in these regions may be a long-term process,due to regional conflicts and the lack of funds,technology,and health workers.Furthermore,information and scientific support from the international community should be offered to these ethnic minority regions to uphold recent achievements.

Brain structure underlying the empathizing–systemizing difference in children with autism spectrum disorder

Background Behavioral research has shown that children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)have a higher empathizing–systemizing difference(D score)than normal children.However,there is no research about the neuroanatomical mechanisms of the empathizing–systemizing difference in children with ASD.Methods Participants comprised 41 children with ASD and 39 typically developing(TD)children aged 6‒12 years.Empathizing–systemizing difference was estimated using the D score from the Chinese version of Children’s Empathy Quotient and Systemizing Quotient.We quantified brain morphometry,including global and regional brain volumes and surface-based cortical measures(cortical thickness,surface area,and gyrification)via structural magnetic resonance imaging.Results We found that the D score was significantly negatively associated with amygdala gray matter volume[β=−0.16;95%confidence interval(CI):−0.30,−0.02;P value=0.030]in children with ASD.There was a significantly negative association between D score and gyrification in the left lateral occipital cortex(LOC)in children with ASD(B=−0.10;SE=0.03;cluster-wise P value=0.006)and a significantly positive association between D score and gyrification in the right fusiform in TD children(B=0.10;SE=0.03;cluster-wise P value=0.022).Moderation analyses demonstrated significant interactions between D score and diagnosed group in amygdala gray matter volume(β=0.19;95%CI 0.04,0.35;P value=0.013)and left LOC gyrification(β=0.11;95%CI 0.05,0.17;P value=0.001)but not in right fusiform gyrification(β=0.08;95%CI−0.02,0.17;P value=0.105).Conclusions Neuroanatomical variation in amygdala volume and gyrification of LOC could be potential biomarkers for the empathizing–systemizing difference in children with ASD but not in TD children.Large-scale neuroimaging studies are necessary to test the replicability of our findings.

Hepatoprotective Effects of Yintian Granule on Experimental Liver Injury in Mice

Objective Yintian Granule （YTG）, as a type of local preparation and applied for Chinese patent, is mainly composed of several traditional Chinese herbs used as both drug and food such as Lonicera macranthoides, Gardenia jasminoides, and Asparagus cochinchinenis, and has been reported to demonstrate the beneficial effects on human health in other researches, in this paper, the protective effects of YTG against experimental acute liver injury of mice were investigated to assess the value of this innovative Chinese herbal compound. Methods Carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） and 50% ethanol were used respectively to induce the acute liver injury model in mice pre- administered with YTG. Lai＇s method was used to detect the level of alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in serum, Coomassie brilliant blue method was used for the determination of superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity and malondialdehyde （MDA） content, and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used for the observation of liver histomorphometry. Results YTG significantly lowered the elevated ALT and AST levels, increased the SOD activity, decreased the MDA content, and inhibited the deterioration of liver. Conclusion YTG exerts protective effected against hepatocyte damage in mice induced by CCl4 and 50% ethanol, respectively.