数字普惠金融发展对企业技术创新的影响——基于制造业上市公司的实证研究

企业创新离不开金融支持,数字普惠金融为企业的技术创新提供了丰富的金融产品和服务。本文使用我国2011—2020年地级市的数字普惠金融发展指数与制造业上市公司的面板数据,构建了固定时间效应模型以检验数字普惠金融发展对制造业企业技术创新的影响。研究发现:(1)数字普惠金融的发展对制造业企业技术创新存在正向激励效应,且数字普惠金融“覆盖广度”的激励效应大于“使用深度”和“数字化程度”的激励效应。(2)数字普惠金融在企业的研发阶段与成果转化阶段均能影响技术创新,前者通过缓解企业融资约束和金融资源错配程度来提升技术创新水平;后者通过提高产品的市场化效率来提升技术创新水平。(3)第三,数字普惠金融的发展对制造业企业技术创新的影响存在区域异质性、生命周期异质性和行业异质性:数字普惠金融对中西部地区企业的技术创新促进效应强于东部地区企业,对成长期企业的技术创新激励效应强于成熟期和衰退期企业,对中端制造业企业技术创新的激励效应强于高端制造业企业,对低端制造业企业的激励效应不显著。

FUT8-mediated aberrant N-glycosylation of SEMA7A promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma progression

SEMA7A belongs to the Semaphorin family and is involved in the oncogenesis and tumor progression.Aberrant glycosylation has been intricately linked with immune escape and tumor growth.SEMA7A is a highly glycosylated protein with five glycosylated sites.The underlying mechanisms of SEMA7A glycosylation and its contribution to immunosuppression and tumorigenesis are unclear.Here,we identify overexpression and aberrant N-glycosylation of SEMA7A in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,and elucidate fucosyltransferase FUT8 catalyzes aberrant core fucosylation in SEMA7A at N-linked oligosaccharides(Asn 105,157,258,330,and 602)via a direct protein‒protein interaction.A glycosylated statue of SEMA7A is necessary for its intra-cellular trafficking from the cytoplasm to the cytomembrane.Cytokine EGF triggers SEMA7A N-glycosylation through increasing the binding affinity of SEMA7A toward FUT8,whereas TGF-β1 promotes abnormal glycosylation of SEMA7A via induction of epithelial–mesenchymal transition.Aberrant N-glycosylation of SEMA7A leads to the differentiation of CD8^(+)T cells along a trajectory toward an exhausted state,thus shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment and being resistant immunogenic cell death.Deglycosylation of SEMA7A significantly improves the clinical outcome of EGFR-targeted and anti-PD-L1-based immunotherapy.Finally,we also define RBM4,a splice regulator,as a downstream effector of glycosylated SEMA7A and a pivotal mediator of PD-L1 alternative splicing.These findings suggest that targeting FUT8-SEMA7A axis might be a promising strategy for improving antitumor responses in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Comparison of Ozone and PM2.5 Concentrations over Urban,Suburban,and Background Sites in China

Surface ozone(O3)and fine particulate matter(PM2.5)are dominant air pollutants in China.Concentrations of these pollutants can show significant differences between urban and nonurban areas.However,such contrast has never been explored on the country level.This study investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of urban-to-suburban and urban-tobackground difference for O3(Δ[O3])and PM2.5(Δ[PM2.5])concentrations in China using monitoring data from 1171 urban,110 suburban,and 15 background sites built by the China National Environmental Monitoring Center(CNEMC).On the annual mean basis,the urban-to-suburbanΔ[O3]is−3.7 ppbv in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei,1.0 ppbv in the Yangtze River Delta,−3.5 ppbv in the Pearl River Delta,and−3.8 ppbv in the Sichuan Basin.On the contrary,the urban-to-suburbanΔ[PM2.5]is 15.8,−0.3,3.5 and 2.4μg m^−3 in those areas,respectively.The urban-to-suburban contrast is more significant in winter for bothΔ[O3]andΔ[PM2.5].In eastern China,urban-to-background differences are also moderate during summer,with−5.1 to 6.8 ppbv forΔ[O3]and−0.1 to 22.5μg m^−3 forΔ[PM2.5].However,such contrasts are much larger in winter,with−22.2 to 5.5 ppbv forΔ[O3]and 3.1 to 82.3μg m^−3 forΔ[PM2.5].Since the urban region accounts for only 2%of the whole country’s area,the urban-dominant air quality data from the CNEMC network may overestimate winter[PM2.5]but underestimate winter[O3]over the vast domain of China.The study suggests that the CNEMC monitoring data should be used with caution for evaluating chemical models and assessing ecosystem health,which require more data outside urban areas.

Intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis of cervical cancer and evaluation of response of uterine cervical cancer to radiochemotherapy: A pilot study

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) to diagnose cervical cancer and to evaluate the response of uterine cervical cancer to radiochemotherapy(CRT).Methods This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. A total of 23 patients with primary cervical cancer who were undergoing CRT and 16 age-matched healthy subjects were prospectively recruited for IVIM(b = 0–800 s/mm2) and standard pelvic MRI. Bi-exponential analysis was performed to derive f(perfusion fraction), D*(pseudo-diffusion coefficient), and D(true molecular diffusion coefficient) in cervical cancer(n = 23) and the normal cervix(n = 16). The apparent diffusion coefficient(standard ADC) was calculated. The independent-samples t-test and paired-samples t-test were used for comparisons.Results Pre-treatment cervical cancer had the lowest standard ADC(1.15 ± 0.13 × 10-3 mm2/s) and D(0.89 ± 0.10 × 10-3 mm2/s) values, and these were significantly different from the normal cervix and posttreatment cervical cancer(P = 0.00). The f(16.67 ± 5.85%) was lowest in pre-treatment cervical cancer and was significantly different from the normal cervix and post-treatment cervical cancer(p = 0.012 and 0.00, respectively). No difference was observed in D*.Conclusion IVIM is potentially promising for differentiating between the normal cervix and cervical cancer because pre-treated cervical cancer has low perfusion and diffusion IVIM characteristics. Further, the standard ADC, D, and f of cervical cancer showed a tendency to normalize after CRT; thus, IVIM may be useful for monitoring the response to CRT in cervical cancer.

Preliminary clinical application of an adaptive iterative statistical reconstruction algorithm inhead and neck computed tomography angiography with low tube voltage and a low concentration of contrast medium

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of using a low concentration of contrast medium （Visipaque 270 mgl/mL）, low tube voltage, and an advanced image reconstruction algorithm in head and neck computed tomography angiography （CTA）. Methods Forty patients （22 men and 18 women; average age 48.7 ± 14.25 years; average body mass index 23.9 ± 3.7 kg/m^2） undergoing CTA for suspected vascular diseases were randomly assigned into two groups. Group A （n = 20） was administered 370 mgl/mL contrast medium, and group B （n = 20） was administered 270 mgl/mL contrast medium. Both groups were administered at a rate of 4.8 mL/s and an injection volume of 0.8 mL/kg. Images of group A were obtained with 120 kVp and filtered back projection （FBP） reconstruction, whereas images of group B were obtained with 80 kVp and 80% adaptive iterative statistical reconstruction algorithm （ASiR）. The CT values and standard deviations of intracranial arteries and image noise on the corona radiata were measured to calculate the contrast-to-noise ratio （CNR） and signal-to-noise ratio （SNR）. The beam-hardening artifacts （BHAs） around the skull base were calculated. Two readers evaluated the image quality with volume rendered images using scores from 1 to 5. The values between the two groups were statistically compared. Results The mean CT value of the intracranial arteries in group B was significantly higher than that in group A （P 〈 0.001）. The CNR and SNR values in group B were also statistically higher than those in group A （P 〈 0.001）. Image noise and BHAs were not significantly different between the two groups. The image quality score of VR images of in group B was significantly higher than that in group A （P = 0.001）. However, the quality scores of axial enhancement images in group B became significantly smaller than those in group A （P〈 0.001）. The CT dose index volume and dose-length product were decreased by 63.8% and 64%, respectively, in group B （P 〈 0.001 for both）. Conclusion Visipaque combined with 80 kVp and 80% ASiR provided similar image quality in intracranial CTA with 64% radiation dose reduction compared with the use of lopamidol, 120 kVp, and FBP reconstruc-tion.

Spatial distribution, seasonal variation and regionalization of PM_(2.5) concentrations in China

In order to provide scientific support to policy makers in the regulation of PM2.5 pollution in China, it is important to accurately assess the current status, spatiotemporal characteristics and regionalization data for this air pollutant. An analysis of the pollution status of PM2.5 was conducted using daily averaged mass concentration data recorded in 74 cities in 2013 and 161 cities in 2014. The rotated empirical orthogonal function(REOF) method was applied to analyze this data. Results showed that the average annual PM2.5 concentration in urban areas of China is 62.2±21.5 ?g/m3, and that the distribution is spatially heterogeneous. The North China Plain, middle and lower Yangtze River Plain, Sichuan Basin and Guanzhong Plain had relatively high annual PM2.5 concentrations compared with the southeast coastal region, the Tibetan Plateau and the Yungui Plateau. PM2.5 mass concentrations tended to be higher in winter than in summer, however, the data for many cities showed a small peak in concentrations from May to July. An analysis of the spatial correlation of PM2.5 indicated a significant influence of topographic conditions. A lower correlation was observed where terrain features varied greatly. Based on the results of the REOF analysis and topographic characteristics, ten regions were identified in mid-eastern China, which could be considered as basic pollution prevention divisions for PM2.5; these include the North China Plain region, Pearl River Delta region, Jianghuai Plain region, middle Yangtze River Plain region, Northeast Plain region, Jiangnan coastal region, Sichuan Basin region, Qiantao Plain region, Guanzhong-Central Plain region and Yungui Plateau region. Seasonal variations in the regionalization data were observed, especially for the North China Plain and Pearl River Delta regions. Among the ten regions identified in this study, the North China Plain, Guanzhong-Central Plain, middle Yangtze River Plain and Jianghuai Plain had relatively high PM2.5 mass concentrations in comparison with the others. Therefore, these regions should be considered as the key regions to target in developing PM2.5 pollution prevention strategies. This study improves the present understanding of the spatial distribution, seasonal changes and regional status of PM2.5 pollution in China and helps establish possible control strategies for the reduction of this air pollutant.

Bile duct ligation differently regulates protein expressions of organic cation transporters in intestine,liver and kidney of rats through activation of farnesoid X receptor by cholate and bilirubin

Body is equipped with organic cation transporters(OCTs).These OCTs mediate drug transport and are also involved in some disease process.We aimed to investigate whether liver failure alters intestinal,hepatic and renal Oct expressions using bile duct ligation(BDL)rats.Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrates that BDL decreases plasma metformin exposure,associated with decreased intestinal absorption and increased urinary excretion.Western blot shows that BDL significantly downregulates intestinal Oct2 and hepatic Oct1 but upregulates renal and hepatic Oct2.In vitro cell experiments show that chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA),bilirubin and farnesoid X receptor(FXR)agonist GW4064 increase OCT2/Oct2 but decrease OCT1/Oct1,which are remarkably attenuated by glycine-β-muricholic acid and silencing FXR.Significantly lowered intestinal CDCA and increased plasma bilirubin levels contribute to different Octs regulation by BDL,which are confirmed using CDCA-treated and bilirubin-treated rats.A disease-based physiologically based pharmacokinetic model characterizing intestinal,hepatic and renal Octs was successfully developed to predict metformin pharmacokinetics in rats.In conclusion,BDL remarkably downregulates expressions of intestinal Oct2 and hepatic Oct1 protein while upregulates expressions of renal and hepatic Oct2 protein in rats,finally,decreasing plasma exposure and impairing hypoglycemic effects of metformin.BDL differently regulates Oct expressions via Fxr activation by CDCA and bilirubin.