A comprehensive look at the psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology of spinal cord injury and its progression: mechanisms and clinical opportunities

Spinal cord injury(SCI)is a devastating and disabling medical condition generally caused by a traumatic event(primary injury).This initial trauma is accompanied by a set of biological mechanisms directed to ameliorate neural damage but also exacerbate initial damage(secondary injury).The alterations that occur in the spinal cord have not only local but also systemic consequences and virtually all organs and tissues of the body incur important changes after SCI,explaining the progression and detrimental consequences related to this condition.Psychoneuroimmunoendocrinology(PNIE)is a growing area of research aiming to integrate and explore the interactions among the different systems that compose the human organism,considering the mind and the body as a whole.The initial traumatic event and the consequent neurological disruption trigger immune,endocrine,and multisystem dysfunction,which in turn affect the patient's psyche and well-being.In the present review,we will explore the most important local and systemic consequences of SCI from a PNIE perspective,defining the changes occurring in each system and how all these mechanisms are interconnected.Finally,potential clinical approaches derived from this knowledge will also be collectively presented with the aim to develop integrative therapies to maximize the clinical management of these patients.

Muscovite^(40)Ar/^(39)Ar isotopic dating of pegmatite veins in the Bieyesamas rare metal deposit in the Altay Mountain,Xinjiang,northwestern China

1.Objective The Altay Orogenic Belt in Xinjiang,China is located in the west of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and in the transition zone between the Siberian Plate and the Kazakhstan-Junggar Plate,extending approximately 500 km in northern Xinjiang,China(Fig.1a).The Altay Orogenic Belt has undergone two-way accretion of the Paleozoic crust and the Meso-Cenozoic intracontinental orogeny,leading to the formation of large numbers of intermediate-acid intrusions.More than 100000 pegmatite veins have been discovered in the intermediate-acid intrusions,and they constitute an important rare metal metallogenic belt of China(Fig.1b).

LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating of tuffites in the Sachakou Pb-Zn mining area, Karakorum, Xinjiang and its establishment of Early Triassic strata

1.Objective In the past decade,a group of medium to giant lead-zinc deposits,represented by Huoshaoyun,Sachakou,and Yuanbaoling,have been discovered in the Aksai Chin region of Karakoram,Xinjiang.They are all located in the Mesozoic carbonate and clastic rock formations.The Sachakou leadzinc mining area is adjacent to the northwest of the Huoshaoyun lead-zinc mining area and is in the same stratigraphic layer as Huoshaoyun.Although many scholars have been arguing about the type and age of Huoshaoyun lead-zinc mineralization,few scholars have paid attention to the classification of the ore-bearing strata in the area.The stratigraphy of the Lower Permian Shenxianwan Group to the Upper Cretaceous Tielongtan Group is exposed in the Sachakou area of Karakorum,Xinjiang,however,the Late Permian-Early Triassic stratigraphy is missing(Fig.1a).Due to the harsh natural conditions in the area and the low level of work,the stratigraphic delineation is not exhaustive,and the regional lithology is dominated by carbonates and clastic rocks,which makes it difficult to identify the age of the regional lithology and causes problems for the exploration and research of lead-zinc in the area.

A new small baurioid therocephalian from the Lower Triassic Jiucaiyuan Formation, Xinjiang, China

Several therocephalian species,mainly represented by cranial material from the late Permian,have been reported from China in recent years.Here we describe a tiny new baurioid therocephalian,Jiucaiyuangnathus confusus gen.et sp.nov.,from the Jiucaiyuan Formation,Xinjiang,China.The new taxon is represented by a partial snout with occluded partial lower jaw and two postcranial skeletons.Although juvenile in stage,the new species is diagnosed by the following features:round pit in middle of lateral surface of maxilla;lacrimal contact nasal;fossa for dentary tooth on the posterior end of the premaxilla,lateral to the anterior choana;two small vertical triangular ridges extending dorsally and ventrally on the vomerine anterior portion,and bordering a thin vomerine foramen laterally;anterior projection of the lateral part of the frontal on the nasal;symphyseal region of the dentary projected anteriorly;5 upper premaxillary teeth,upper and lower canines absent,diastema between the last premaxillary upper incisor and first maxillary tooth present,no diastema separating anterior from posterior dentition in the mandible,10 maxillary teeth and 12 dentary teeth,posterior postcanine expands mesiodistally,having a main large cusps and tiny anterior and posterior accessory cusps in line;neural arches of the atlas fused by the neural spine,neural spine of the axis projected posteriorly,procoracoid foramen lies between procoracoid and scapula.Features of the dentition resembles those of the small baurioid Ericiolacerta parva from South Africa and Silphedosuchus orenburgensis from Russia.The specimens provide the rare opportunity to know in detail the postcranial skeleton of baurioids.

Estimation of Potential Habitat of Caragana acanthophylla in Xinjiang Based on Maximum Entropy Model

[Objectives]To determine the potential habitat range of Caragana acanthophylla in Xinjiang.[Methods]The known distribution points of C.acanthophylla were used as samples,and a MaxEnt model was developed based on their climatic variables to identify key environmental factors affecting the potential habitats of C.acanthophylla through jackknife method and construction of a response relationship between representative variables and habitat suitability;the suitability of habitats for C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang was evaluated based on the output results of the model.[Results](i)The accuracy of the model verified by AUC curve was 0.971,indicating that the potential habitats of C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang predicted by MaxEnt model were highly credible.(ii)The optimum climatic characteristics for the distribution of C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang were:isothermality 18.8%-34%,minimum temperature of coldest month-30℃to-13℃,mean temperature of coldest quarter-18℃ to-4℃,annual precipitation 80-410 mm,precipitation of driest month 0-25 mm,precipitation of driest quarter 0-82 mm,and precipitation of coldest quarter 0-75 mm.(iii)The total potential distribution area of C.acanthophylla in Xinjiang was modeled to be 1.03×10^(5) km^(2),of which 8.54×10^(3)km^(2) was high suitability area,mainly in the front mountain belt of the north slope of Tianshan Mountain in Urumqi City,Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture,Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture,and Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture and the front mountain belt of Barluk Mountain in Tacheng Prefecture.[Conclusions]This study is of great significance for the future scientific management,regeneration,vegetation restoration and ecological protection of C.acanthophylla.

From Poverty to Prosperity How relocation to Aktas Town is a living-standards leap for Xinjiang people

"3,000 yuan per month,"proclaimed Abdulaziz Mehmet,a Uygur worker at Dena Shoes Factory in Kargilik County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.Why is it noteworthy?Bangkok's minimum wage in 2024 is US$327.65,while Jakarta is US$332.92.Mehmet is earning significantly more than what he would getin either of the national capitals.

Lighting Up Lives The rise of renewable energy in Hami, Xinjiang

Any time of the year,Hami,a city in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,is memorable for its unique food and stunning landscapes set against the majestic Tianshan Mountains.However,September's significant temperature drops once the sharp rays of sunset beneath the Gobi Desert make Hami an even more fascinating seasonal destination.The renowned sun-drenched scenery is ideal for renewable energy projects such as wind,solar,and hydrogen power.The region also hosts one of China's two supercomputers,which requires significant energy.

Path to Green Growth——The Xinjiang example

A key part of achieving high-quality development is promoting the greening and decarbonization of economic and social development.Opinions on Accelerating the Comprehensive Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development,jointly issued by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council in August,provided a roadmap for China's green transformation.As a major energy base in western China,Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region leads the nation in installed capacity of both fossil energy like coal,oil,and natural gas and renewable energy like wind and solar.In recent years,leveraging its resource endowment and industrial foundation,Xinjiang has been enhancing efforts to transform traditional high energy-consuming industries into energy-saving and low-carbon industries and vigorously develop wind,solar,and hydrogen energy,as well as cloud computing.Its achievements in these areas have provided a blueprint that can be followed by any region pursuing green industrial transformation and high-quality development This September,China Report ASEAN journalists flew to Xinjiang and conducted interview and investigations in the regional capital Urumqi,the oil city of Karamay,and Hami,dubbed Xinjiang's"eastern gateway,"to shed light on how the autonomous region seeks to foster economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Empowering Xinjiang

EARLY in the morning,Hankiz Ablimit leaves her home in Aksu Prefecture,southern Xinjiang,takes a train to Urumqi,capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,and then transfers to another train bound for her final destination,Bole in northwestern Xinjiang.The journey takes one day and one night to complete.Bole,capital city of Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture,houses the prefecture’s only formal institution of higher learning-Bortala Polytechnic.Hankiz studies in this university,with 10 colleges.Most of the teachers working here come from Hubei Province in central China.

TUNING INTO UYGUR TRADITION Xinjiang Muqam melodies resonate through the corridors of time

As dawn breaks over the ancient Silk Road lands of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region,Dilixiati Parhati is gearing up for yet another busy day.He juggles multiple roles:musician,scholar,leader of a Muqam art troupe and,most recently,a voice in China’s National People’s Congress(NPC)-the country’s top legislature.In all these roles,safeguarding the soul-stirring music of Uygur Muqam,often dubbed“the mother of Uygur music,”for future generations is his mission.

Chasing Snowflakes to See Xinjiang

The great beauty of Xinjiang is presented in ice and snow.Xinjiang's winter scenery and ice and snow landscapeare spectacular,with itsuniquenatural environment having nurtured an extraordinary ice and snow culture.Nowadays,Xinjiang attracts many tourists from home and abroad to enjoy and experience the charm of ice and snow every winter.From December7 to 13,2023,"Nihao!China"-2024China lce&Snow TourismOverseas Promotion Season launched"Xinjiang Overseas Promotion Ice and Snow Season in Bosten Lake,Bohu County,Xinjiang Week".

Embracing Ethnic Harmony In Xinjiang

"All ethnic groups remain closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate that stick together,"goes a saying that deeply resonated with me as an Indonesian when I first heard it in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.The analogy was cemented even deeper in my brain when I learned that Xinjiang is known as a"Homeland of Pomegranates."

Spatiotemporal variation of land surface temperature and its driving factors in Xinjiang,China

Land surface temperature(LST) directly affects the energy balance of terrestrial surface systems and impacts regional resources, ecosystem evolution, and ecosystem structures. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located at the arid Northwest China and is extremely sensitive to climate change. There is an urgent need to understand the distribution patterns of LST in this area and quantitatively measure the nature and intensity of the impacts of the major driving factors from a spatial perspective, as well as elucidate the formation mechanisms. In this study, we used the MOD11C3 LST product developed on the basis of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer(MODIS) to conduct regression analysis and determine the spatiotemporal variation and differentiation pattern of LST in Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020. We analyzed the driving mechanisms of spatial heterogeneity of LST in Xinjiang and the six geomorphic zones(the Altay Mountains, Junggar Basin, Tianshan Mountains, Tarim Basin, Turpan-Hami(Tuha) Basin, and Pakakuna Mountain Group) using geographical detector(Geodetector) and geographically weighted regression(GWR) models. The warming rate of LST in Xinjiang during the study period was 0.24℃/10a, and the spatial distribution pattern of LST had obvious topographic imprints, with 87.20% of the warming zone located in the Gobi desert and areas with frequent human activities, and the cooling zone mainly located in the mountainous areas. The seasonal LST in Xinjiang was at a cooling rate of 0.09℃/10a in autumn, and showed a warming trend in other seasons. Digital elevation model(DEM), latitude, wind speed, precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI), and sunshine duration in the single-factor and interactive detections were the key factors driving the LST changes. The direction and intensity of each major driving factor on the spatial variations of LST in the study area were heterogeneous. The negative feedback effect of DEM on the spatial differentiation of LST was the strongest. Lower latitudes, lower vegetation coverage, lower levels of precipitation, and longer sunshine duration increased LST. Unused land was the main heat source landscape, water body was the most important heat sink landscape, grassland and forest land were the land use and land cover(LULC) types with the most prominent heat sink effect, and there were significant differences in different geomorphic zones due to the influences of their vegetation types, climatic conditions, soil types, and human activities. The findings will help to facilitate sustainable climate change management, analyze local climate and environmental patterns, and improve land management strategies in Xinjiang and other arid areas.

Research progress of local characteristic drugs for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Xinjiang

Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis.This disease tends to recur,persist,and is difficult to cure.The pathogenesis of RA is complex.Currently,the commonly used treatments for RA—non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs(DMARDs),glucocorticoids,and immunosuppressants—have notable side effects with long-term use and may be ineffective for some patients.Therefore,it is crucial to find drugs with limited side effects and significant curative effects.Xinjiang's local characteristic drugs have a long history,abundant resources,and are known for their safety and effectiveness in treating RA.In recent years,many studies have reported on the mechanisms of action and therapeutic effects of Xinjiang's local characteristic drugs on RA.This article reviews the pathogenesis of RA,as well as the research progress and treatment characteristics of Xinjiang-featured drugs.

Realm of hepatitis E:Challenges and opportunities

Hepatitis E virus(HEV),responsible for widespread viral hepatitis,infects approximately 2.3 billion individuals globally,with a significant mortality burden in Asia.The virus,primarily transmitted through contaminated water and undercooked meat,is often underdiagnosed,particularly in immunocompromised patients.Current HEV treatments,while effective,are limited by adverse effects,necessitating research into safer alternatives.Moreover,HEV’s extrahepatic manifestations,impacting the nervous and renal systems,remain poorly understood.This study underscores the imperative for enhanced HEV research,improved diagnostic methods,and more effective treatments,coupled with increased public health awareness and preventive strategies.

Developing Healthcare Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia Using Smart Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities

This study aims to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with developing healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia through the implementation of smart technologies. The healthcare sector in Saudi Arabia is undergoing significant transformation, and the integration of smart technologies has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, improve patient outcomes, and enhance the overall healthcare experience. However, several challenges need to be addressed in order to fully leverage the benefits of smart technologies in healthcare infrastructure development. This research identifies and analyzes these challenges while also highlighting the opportunities that arise from the adoption of smart technologies in the Saudi Arabian healthcare system. The findings contribute to the understanding of the current state of healthcare infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and provide insights into the strategies and policies required to overcome challenges and maximize the benefits of smart technologies in healthcare.

The Opportunities,Dilemmas,and Paths for the Development of Adult Higher Education in the New Era

This paper comprehensively analyzes the development opportunities and realistic dilemmas faced by adult higher education in China in the new era,and puts forward corresponding strategies as solutions.With the construction of a learning society,the development of digital technology,and the popularization of the concept of lifelong learning,adult higher education has unprecedented development opportunities.At the same time,these forms of education are facing a series of dilemmas due to challenges such as unsound guarantee mechanisms and traditional enrollment competition.Through the establishment of perfect legal and policy guarantees,transformation of school running mode,meeting the diversified needs of learners,and other multi-faceted measures,the development of adult higher education can be effectively promoted to meet the needs of individual and social development.

Research on the Impact and Opportunities of the Digital Economy Promoting the Development of Real Economy

The digital economy has infused vitality into the transformation and development of the real economy,urging enterprises to break through core technological barriers,address bottleneck issues,and improve their core competitiveness.It fosters the comprehensive digital transformation of agriculture,manufacturing,and service sectors,improving the dynamism of the real economy and fostering more consumption hotspots.Efforts are underway to enhance industrial supply chains and innovation chains,optimize regional resource allocation,and promote a virtuous cycle within the real economy.Initiatives are being undertaken to standardize the development of digital economic platforms,promote the high-quality development of regional economies,and leverage the advantages of the socialist market economy with Chinese characteristics.

Challenges and Opportunities for the Development of Ideological and Political Education in Colleges and Universities in the New Media Era

The rapid advancement of new media technology has had a great impact on people’s lifestyles,and brought opportunities and challenges to the development of ideological and political education in colleges and universities.Ideological and political education in colleges and universities is faced with the challenge of how to grasp the opportunity,ride on the express train of science and technology,and implement the concepts of“all-round education”and“five ideologies and politics.”

Spatial-temporal Coupling Analysis of Economic Development-Social Development-Government Governance in Xinjiang, China

High-quality development of ethnic minority areas is a key issue in China’s economic and social transformation.In order to explore the development trend and optimization path of high-quality development in ethnic minority areas,this study constructed a systematic evaluation index system of economic development,social development and government governance.The coupled coordination model was adopted to quantitatively analyze the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of economic development,social development and government governance in Xinjiang from 2013 to 2020.The influencing factors of coupling coordination development of the three systems were identified by grey correlation analysis.The spatial-temporal pattern analysis results show that the coupling coordination degree of Xinjiang increased steadily,but the regional differences gradually expanded.The coupling coordination degree shows a stable structure with high center and low periphery,and a spatial pattern of low in southern Xinjiang and high in northern Xinjiang.The results of grey correlation analysis show that the grey correlation degree among economic development,social development and government governance in Xinjiang is above 0.78.The three systems of economic development,social development and government governance interact with each other,forming a complex system of high-quality development in ethnic minority areas.To promote highquality development in Xinjiang,it should take social stability and long-term stability as the overall goal,improve the quality of the production and living environment on the basis of economic development,enhance regional economic competitiveness,and take government governance as a means to optimize the environment for regional development.