Xinjiang Research Articles

Analysis of Fishery Policies in Xinjiang Using the Policy Modeling Consistency Index Model

Objective: To reach the goal of basically realizing fishery modernization by 2035, a goal which aims to achieve sustainable growth, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (hereinafter referred to as Xinjiang), a representative region of inland fisheries, was selected as the research object. Method: Taking the Policy Modeling Consistency (PMC) index model as a theoretical basis and using the Weiciyun word-frequency statistics tool, ten existing fishery policies were analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods. Result: In this study, we observed that (1) the existing fishery policies in Xinjiang have a certain degree of reasonableness; (2) area of research, implementation suggestions, policy evaluation, and policy disclosure provide an effective theoretical basis for the policy implementation process; and (3) poor performance in terms of policy timeliness, policy subject, policy nature, policy content, incentive mechanism, and constraints mechanism needs to be improved. Conclusion: Although the fishery policy shows its effectiveness, it still needs to be improved. Policy recommendations are as follows: (1) accelerate inter-regional coordination to ensure its long-term sustainable development; (2) deepen the scope of fishery policies and enhance the industry’s competitiveness; (3) promote the modernization of the fishery governance system; and (4) strengthen the education and publicity activities of fishery practitioners.

Volvopluteus deliciosus sp. nov. (Pluteaceae, Agaricales), a new edible species from Xinjiang, China

A new fungal species, Volvopluteus deliciosus, was discovered in Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. Locally, it is regarded as a delicious edible mushroom. It is formally introduced with detailed morphological description and illustration. Morphological comparison to similar species indicated that it is a distinctive taxon within Volvopluteus. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nrITS sequences also confirmed the taxonomic status of the new species.

Composition and Biodiversity of Culturable Endophytic Fungi in the Roots of Alpine Medicinal Plants in Xinjiang, China

(1) Background: Endophytic fungi play an important role in plant growth and stress resistance. The presence of a special fungal taxon such as the dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi in alpine environments is particularly important for plant resistance to environmental stresses. However, the composition of root endophytic fungi in different environments and between different host plants has not been well studied. (2) Results: A total of 408 culturable endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots of Saussurea involucrata and Rhodiola crenulata which were collected in 5 plots from the Tianshan and Karakoram Mountains of the Xinjiang region, belonging to 91 species, 54 genera, 31 families, and 3 phyla based on the morphological characteristics and molecular sequence. Among them, DSE fungi were the dominant group, accounting for 52.94%, and Leptodontidium orchidicola was the dominant species. In addition, we also compared the composition and diversity of root endophytic fungi from different plants and different sites, with emphasis on special fungal taxa such as DSE. (3) Conclusions: The composition and diversity of cultural endophytic fungi are significantly different in the two alpine medicinal plant species and across various locations. Some fungi showed the preferences of the host or environment. The endophytic fungal resources, especially DSE, were very rich in the two alpine medicinal plants, indicating that these fungi may play a crucial role in the ecological adaptation of host plants in harsh environments.

Psychological resilience, dyadic coping, and dyadic adjustment in couples dealing with cervical cancer in Northwest China: A cross-sectional study.

To examine the relationship between dyadic coping and dyadic adjustment in patients with cervical cancer and their spouses in northwest China, and explore the mediating role of psychological resilience in this relationship. A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to October 2024 in two tertiary hospitals in Xinjiang Province, China; 260 patients with cervical cancer and their spouses were enrolled. Participants independently completed demographic and clinical questionnaires as well as Chinese versions of the Resilience Scale, Dyadic Coping Inventory, and Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Scale. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model was employed to analyze dyadic data. Patients with cervical cancer and their spouses both exhibited actor effects (β=0.197, P<0.001; β=0.342, P<0.001) and partner effects (β=0.276, P<0.001; β=0.264, P<0.001) in the association between dyadic coping and dyadic adjustment. Regarding the mediating role of psychological resilience, spouses' dyadic coping directly affected patients' psychological resilience, and patients' psychological resilience indirectly influenced their own dyadic adjustment (β=0.061, 95% CI=0.019, 0.121; β=0.074, 95% CI=0.019, 0.144). Our findings suggested that psychological resilience plays an essential role in enhancing dyadic coping and cultivating dyadic adjustment among patients with cervical cancer and their spouses. Healthcare professionals should identify couples who have difficulty coping and adapting, and consider couple-centered dyadic resilience interventions to improve these behaviors.

Association of plasma aldosterone concentration with arterial stiffness progression in hypertensive patients: insights from a longitudinal analysis

ABSTRACT Purpose Limited studies have examined the relationship between plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and arterial stiffness progression. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between baseline PAC and arterial stiffness progression in hypertensive patients. Patients and methods This was a longitudinal study conducted at the Hypertension Center of People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region between April 2020 and October 2023. The study included 1,138 hypertensive patients who had completed two measurements of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) over the study period. Arterial stiffness was quantified using baPWV, and progression was assessed by the baPWV change rate, calculated as the absolute difference between baseline and follow-up baPWV divided by the follow-up time in years. The primary outcome was the association between baseline PAC and baPWV change rate. Results Multivariate linear regression analyses indicated that a 10-unit increase in baseline PAC was significantly associated with a 19.60 cm/s/year increase in baPWV change rate (95% CI, 9.93 to 29.21). This association remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and the use of antihypertensive medications. Multivariable restricted cubic splines analysis confirmed a significant dose-response relationship between baseline PAC and baPWW change rate (P for overall trend = 0.002). Conclusion Higher baseline PAC levels were associated with faster progression of arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients, suggesting a potential role for aldosterone in vascular health. These findings warrant further investigation.

Effect of Fungicide Application in Combination with Different Growth Regulators on Cotton Boll Quality and Yield in the Northwest Inland of China

Cotton yield can be stabilized by regulating the number and weight of bolls through the application of growth regulators. A field experiment was conducted in Xiaya, Xinjiang, from 2021 to 2023. The primary treatment involved a 40% pyraclostrobin suspension (300 mL/ha) combined with different growth regulators: 14-hydroxylated brassinosteroid (150 mL/ha, M1), 0.1% thidiazuron (150 mL/ha, M2), or 8% diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (150 g/ha, M3). Clear water (M0) was used as the control treatment. This study examined the interaction between year and treatment and analyzed key factors affecting cotton yield. The results indicated a significant interaction effect between chemical treatments and yield across the years. All treatments led to an increase in yield compared with the control, with notable improvements in the number of bolls per unit area, boll weight, leaf area index, and net photosynthesis rate of cotton leaves. From a spatial perspective, the treatments effectively enhanced the number of bolls in the upper part of the plant. A positive correlation was observed between the number of new bolls and seed cotton yield. Among the treatments, the M2 treatment proved to be the most effective, which substantially increased the number of bolls in the upper part of the plant, as well as the total number of bolls per unit area and boll weight, resulting in a significant yield improvement. These findings can guide the development of chemical regulation strategies for cotton production in the Aksu region of Xinjiang, China, providing a valuable reference for enhancing local cotton yield.

Change point detection in brucellosis time series from 2010 to 2023 in Xinjiang China using the BEAST algorithm.

Brucellosis is a significant global challenge, but there has been a lack of epidemiological studies on brucellosis in Xinjiang from a change point perspective. This study aims to bridge this gap by employing sequence decomposition and identifying significant change points, with datasets sourced from the Xinjiang Disease Prevention and Control Information System. This study employed the BEAST algorithm to decompose the brucellosis time series in Xinjiang from 2010 to 2023, while simultaneously identifying change points in the decomposed seasonal and trend components. The probability of four change points occurring within the seasonal component is 0.8950. And the locations where these four change points occur and the probabilities associated with each change point are August 2013 ([Formula: see text]), August 2017 ([Formula: see text]), February 2022 ([Formula: see text]), and May 2023 ([Formula: see text]), respectively. The probability of the existence of five change points in the trend factors of brucellosis in Xinjiang is highest ([Formula: see text]). The times at which these five change points occur, along with the probabilities of change at those moments, are as follows: March 2013 ([Formula: see text]), August 2015 ([Formula: see text]), July 2017 ([Formula: see text]), February 2020 ([Formula: see text]), and May 2023 ([Formula: see text]). Change point analysis holds significant utility within the field of epidemiology. These discoveries furnish pivotal insights for epidemiological investigations and the development of early warning systems tailored to brucellosis.

Spatial Analysis of Carbon Metabolism in Different Economic Divisions Based on Land Use and Cover Change (LUCC) in China

Urbanization has greatly altered Earth’s surface form, and land use changes can lead to significant changes in carbon emissions. However, how these changes affect ecosystems remains unclear. Therefore, this study calculated the carbon absorption and emissions in 31 Chinese provinces using high-resolution (300 m) land use data. Subsequently, a carbon flow model was used to evaluate the carbon transfer that occurred from the changes in land use in every province between 2000 and 2020. The standard deviation ellipse analytic techniques were also employed to research the spatiotemporal evolution features of carbon flow in various economic zones. Furthermore, the flux and utility analysis approaches in ecological network analysis were used to quantitatively examine the interaction relationship between two carbon metabolism land uses. The results revealed that the continuous expansion of China’s construction land has reduced the area of agricultural land, resulting in industrial land (53.14%) and urban land (39.38%) being the main contributors to the total carbon emissions. Among them, the five eastern provinces of Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Guangdong had carbon emissions of more than 100 million tons. From 2000 to 2020, the center of gravity of the carbon flow in construction land had shifted significantly from Henan Province to Gansu Province. The ecological relationship of exploitation and control dominated the two land use types. It is mostly found in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia provinces. The findings could provide relevant policy implications for the Chinese government to mitigate carbon metabolism on land.

First discovery of the genus Enicopus Stephens (Coleoptera, Dasytidae) from China.

Enicopus Stephens, 1830, is classified within the subfamily Dasytinae of the family Dasytidae (Coleoptera, Cleroidea). Currently, it comprises two subgenera and 27 known species. This genus primarily inhabits south-central Europe, with certain species extending into west Asia; however, it has not been reported in China until now. The genus Enicopus Stephens, 1830 is reported for the first time from China, following the discovery of E. (Enicopus) ater (Fabricius, 1787) in Xinjiang Autonomous Region. This species is thoroughly re-described and illustrated, including detailed depictions of the ultimate abdominal tergites and sternites, genitalia of both sexes, as well as tarsomeres 1 from the right front and hind legs of male.

Methylation sites of human papillomavirus 16 as potential biomarkers for cervical cancer progression

ObjectiveTo investigate the methylation levels at 13 specific sites of the human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) L1 gene as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of cervical cancer.MethodsSamples were collected from the gynecological outpatient and inpatient departments of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People’s Hospital. A total of 107 women participated in this study, including 54 with cervical cancer (32 Uygur, 22 Han) and 53 with cervical inflammation (32 Uygur, 21 Han). Methylation analysis was performed using pyrosequencing to quantitatively assess methylation levels at specified CpG sites within the HPV16 L1 gene.ResultsHigh methylation levels were predominantly observed at sites 5927, 5963 and 6367 in cervical cancer cells compared with inflammatory cells. Methylation patterns exhibited no significant differences between the Han and Uygur ethnic groups but correlated with viral load and age within each group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses of these methylation sites indicated high diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between high-grade lesions and less severe conditions.ConclusionsMethylation of specific CpG sites in the HPV16 L1 gene holds promise as a biomarker for cervical cancer progression. The gene locus at position 6367 has important features in the methylation pattern of cervical cancer, and high accuracy shown in diagnosis make it a potential biomarker for early diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Identification of Mycoviruses in Cytospora chrysosperma: Potential Biocontrol Agents for Walnut Canker

Walnut canker is a common disease in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region of China, which is caused by Cytospora chrysosperma. To date, there is no effective control measure for this disease. Infection with mycoviruses has been widely proven to reduce the virulence of plant pathogenic fungi, with some mycoviruses even serving as potential biological control agents for plant diseases. In this study, mycoviruses associated with 31 strains of C. chrysosperma from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region were identified by metatranscriptomic sequencing. Seven new mycoviruses were identified by BLAST and RT-PCR analysis, which were Botrytis cinerea partitivirus 5 (BcPV5), Gammapartitivirus sp-XJ1 (GVsp-XJ1), Botoulivirus sp-XJ2 (BVsp-XJ2), Luoyang Fusar tick virus 2 (LfTV2), Leptosphaeria biglobosa narnavirus 17 (LbNV17), Sclerotinia sclerotiorum narnavirus 6 (SsNV6), and Cytospora ribis mitovirus (CrMV3). Among these, BcPV5, GVsp-XJ1, BVsp-XJ2, CrMV3, and LfTV2 were found to co-infect C. chrysosperma strain WS-11 and significantly reduce both the colony growth rate and virulence of the host. After co-culturing the virus-free WS-FV strain with WS-11, the colony growth rate and virulence of the derivative strain were also decreased. These results provide potential biocontrol resources for the control of walnut canker.

Cohort study on the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer with integrated Chinese and western medicine

BACKGROUND Patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have a low incidence rate, poor biological activity, suboptimal response to conventional treatments, and a poor prognosis. In the previous cohort study on mCRC conducted by our team, it was observed that integrated Chinese and Western medicine treatment could significantly prolong the overall survival (OS) of patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, we further explored the survival benefits in the population with BRAF V600E mutant mCRC. AIM To evaluate the efficacy of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. METHODS A cohort study was conducted on patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer admitted to Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2016 to December 2022. The patients were divided into two cohorts. RESULTS A total of 34 cases were included, with 23 in Chinese-Western medicine cohort (cohort A) and 11 in Western medicine cohort (cohort B). The median overall survival was 19.9 months in cohort A and 14.2 months in cohort B, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.038, hazard ratio = 0.46). The 1-3-year survival rates were 95.65% (22/23), 39.13% (9/23), and 26.09% (6/23) in cohort A, and 63.64% (7/11), 18.18% (2/11), and 9.09% (1/11) in cohort B, respectively. Subgroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in median OS between the two cohorts in the right colon, liver metastasis, chemotherapy, and first-line treatment subgroups (P &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION Integrated Chinese and Western medicine can prolong the survival and reduce the risk of death in patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer, with more pronounced benefits observed in patients with right colon involvement, liver metastasis, combined chemotherapy, and first-line treatment.

Analysis of the Coupling Coordination and Spatial Difference Between Economic and Ecological Environment: A Case Study of China

This study adopts a sustainable development perspective to examine the economic and ecological coordinated progression and spatial disparities across 30 regions in China from 2011 to 2022. Firstly, detailed analysis of CCD reveals that coordination between the ES (economic subsystem) and the EES (ecological environment subsystem) in 30 regions of China has been rising annually. However, the overall level of coordination remains relatively limited. Second, the analysis of kernel density estimation (KDE) shows that the coordination degree between ES and EES across various regions exhibits considerable variability, with the disparity becoming increasingly pronounced. Third, trend surface (TS) analysis indicates that there exist regional variations in the degree of coordination between ES and EES. Specifically, the east experiences an upward trend, while the west exhibits a downward trend. Similarly, the south shows an increase, whereas the north demonstrates a decrease. With ongoing development, it has been observed that the coordination degree remains relatively stable in the east–west direction; however, the disparity between the north and south is increasing. Fourth, an analysis of global Moran’s I reveals a pronounced positive spatial autocorrelation. Finally, the analysis of local Moran’s I reveals that Jiangsu, Fujian, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces exhibit significant high–high clusters, while the three regions of Xinjiang, Gansu, and Ningxia have always been low–low clusters.

The technological advancement environmental regulations and their impact on energy efficiency and CO2 emissions

Environmental rules and regulations are essential instruments the government administration uses to control environmental problems in this era of advanced technologies and smooth economic growth. This paper aims to examine how environmental regulations, both mandatory and incentive-based, impact on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the presence of urbanization, foreign trade, economic growth and energy efficiency (EE) in logistics transportation. The influence of explicating factors on dependent variables, such as the highest, lowest, and mean, is estimated using the quantile regression model. We applied a number of econometric techniques like unit root test, panel co-integration, quantiles regression (CO2), quantiles regression (Energy efficiency), endogeneity test, and finally, we applied the robustness test to verify the results. This research uses quantile regression to estimate the influence of environmental regulations on releasing carbon dioxide and energy efficiency, using panel data of China’s thirty provinces from 2005 to 2019. Environmental policies in the Ningxia, Qinghai, and Hainan provinces impose higher pollution penalties, which significantly impact reducing CO2 emissions. These regions release more environmental regulations, and in the provinces that fall between the 25th and 50th percentiles, mandatory environmental regulations significantly lower CO2 emissions. Incentive environmental regulations regarding the environment have a more significant effect on energy efficiency in the 50th–75th, 75th–90th, and higher 90th percentile groups since these groups have made more significant investments in research and development. Meanwhile, the Yunnan, Heilongjiang, and Xinjiang provinces have higher energy efficiency levels due to mandatory environmental legislation. The results provide the correct information to the government to implement effective environmental regulations to achieve sustainable development goals.

Effect of Different Harvesting Dates on Tea Quality of Five Mulberry Varieties in Turpan City

This study aimed to investigate the influence of different harvest dates on the chemical composition of Morus nigra leaf tea in Turpan City, Xinjiang Province. Morus (mulberry) varieties belong to the order Rosales, family Moraceae and genus Morus, and are widely cultivated around the world. Mulberry leaf tea is made from the processing of mulberry leaves and is a primary way of high-value utilization of mulberry tree resources. Leaves of five mulberry varieties,‘Yao Sang’ (M. nigra L.), ‘Bai Sang’ (M. alba L.), ‘Hei Sang’(M. alba L. var. Tatarica), Nong Sang Number 14 (M. multicaulis Perr.), and‘Danbai Sang’(M. alba), were collected on seven different dates in 2024 and tea was made from each sample following a replicated standardized process. The main chemical components, including free amino acids, flavonoid glycosides, total phenols, total polysaccharides, alkaloids, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and 1-Deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) were analyzed and sensory evaluations were conducted. Two-way ANOVA was conducted, and pairwise comparisons were performed between groups in which the interaction was statistically significant. The optimal harvest date was determined using principal component analysis to comprehensively evaluate tea quality and identify the optimal date for harvesting. Based on the results of the two-way ANOVA, a correlation was found between the repeated measurement data (p ≤ 0.05) and Tukey’s post-hoc test was used to make pairwise comparisons. Among the five species groups, there were significant differences in the mean values for most varieties. At the same time, there were significant differences between the mean values at most of the seven time points. The index values of the mulberry leaves at different harvest dates were used to calculate the primary component score function. The overall quality ranking was determined based on the comprehensive score: Yao Sang and Nong Sang 14 achieved their highest scores on May 27th, Danbai Sang peaked on June 24th, Bai Sang reached its maximum on July 8th, and Hei Sang attained its highest score on April 29th. This analysis method integrated the contents of several main bioactive substances and sensory scores of mulberry leaf tea to objectively and comprehensively determine the optimal harvest date for the five mulberry leaf varieties in Turpan City. These findings provide a theoretical reference for the preparation and utilization of mulberry leaf tea.

How coach leadership behavior influences athletes' performance: the chain-mediated role of the coach-athlete relationship and psychological fatigue.

Athletes' psychological quality and competitive level are deeply influenced by coaches' leadership behavior. It is of far-reaching significance to systematically investigate the relationship between them for carrying out scientific training and improving athletes' competitive level. This study aims to investigate the relationships among coach leadership behavior, the coach-athlete relationship, psychological fatigue, and athletes' performance, providing insights into enhancing athletes' sports performance. Using simple random sampling, 556 athletes (44.60% female) were recruited from professional training teams in the Xinjiang and Shanxi provinces of China as the study sample. The sample includes 47 s-class national athletes, 276 first-class national athletes, 171 master-class athletes, and 62 international-level athletes. Data were collected through offline surveys using the Coach Leadership Behavior Scale, the Tennis Performance Scale, the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire, and the Athlete Psychological Fatigue Questionnaire. Democratic leadership behavior, autocratic leadership behavior, training and instruction behavior, social support behavior, and positive feedback behavior are positively correlated with the "coach-athlete" relationship and athlete performance, and negatively correlated with psychological fatigue. The "coach-athlete" relationship and psychological fatigue can serve as both simple mediators and chain mediators between democratic leadership behavior, autocratic leadership behavior, training and instruction behavior, social support behavior, positive feedback behavior, and athlete performance. This study systematically explored the complex relationships among coach leadership behavior, the coach-athlete relationship, psychological fatigue, and athletes' sports performance. The findings suggest that positive coach leadership behavior may contribute to the development of athletes' performance. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of the coach-athlete relationship and psychological fatigue as key mechanisms through which coach leadership behavior influences athletes' sports performance.

Predictive risk analysis for pneumoconiosis combined with tuberculosis

Objective: To explore the risk factors of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis, to construct a clinical prediction model for patients with pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: In January 2024, a total of 232 patients with pneumoconiosis (including coal workers' pneumoconiosis and silicosis) who were treated in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine of the Third People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Occupational Disease Hospital) from January 2022 to January 2023 were randomly selected as the study subjects. Collectted basic patient information and diagnostic data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors related to pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis. According to the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, a nomogram was established, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the predictive ability. Results: Among the 232 patients with pneumoconiosis, 73 were complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis, accounting for 31.47% (73/232). Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined that dust exposure time, type of work, smoking history, and lung function level were all risk factors for pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis (OR=10.33, 95%CI=1.92~55.66, OR=5.43, 95% CI=1.91~15.44, OR=3.10, 95% CI=1.15~8.37, OR=4.00, 95% CI=1.62~9.87; P<0.05). The constructed nomogram model has good clinical applicability when the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve is 0.77 [95% CI (0.69, 0.73) ], the calibration curve is close to the ideal diagonal, the absolute error between the simulation curve and the actual curve is 0.03, and the DCA decision curve shows that the probability threshold of the nomogram model is 1%-90%. Conclusion: The risk of pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis is high, and the risk factors of dust exposure time, smoking history, type of work and lung function level are high. This nomogram model can be used to predict the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with pneumoconiosis, which is helpful for early intervention.

Real‐world effectiveness and safety of oral azvudine versus nirmatrelvir‒ritonavir (Paxlovid) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study

Azvudine and nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) were widely used to treat patients with COVID-19 in China during the Omicron wave. However, the efficacy and safety of azvudine versus Paxlovid are poorly established. This study included 40,876 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 from eleven hospitals in Henan and Xinjiang Provinces, China. Clinical outcomes were compared between the two drugs via Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox regression models. Additionally, in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to evaluate the antitumor effects and safety of both drugs. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to elucidate the tumor immune landscape after azvudine treatment. After propensity score matching, 2404 azvudine and 1202 Paxlovid recipients from Henan Province were included. Cox regression revealed that azvudine was related to an 18% lower risk of all-cause death than Paxlovid (95% CI: 0.676–0.987), was not obviously different in composite disease progression. The robustness of the findings was verified by the Xinjiang cohort and three sensitivity analyses. Fewer adverse events were observed in the azvudine group. Subgroup analysis revealed that azvudine provided greater benefits for patients with malignant tumors, significantly reducing both all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.20−0.54) and composite disease progression (HR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33−0.88). Furthermore, azvudine can suppress the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by regulating CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells in vivo. These findings suggest that azvudine therapy is not inferior to Paxlovid in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and has fewer adverse effects. Notably, azvudine may offer greater clinical benefit for patients with HCC.

Analysis on rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected pregnant women and influencing factors in some regions of China, 2017-2023

Objective: To understand the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women and influencing factors in China and provide reference for the improvement of the health status of HIV-infected pregnant women and their newborns. Methods: Based on a mother-child cohort of HIV-infected pregnant women and children (PMTCT-MC-2005) established in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, this study enrolled pregnant women with or without HIV infection as study subjects from January 2017 to June 2023, a total of 1 646 pregnant women (558 HIV-infected and 1 088 HIV-uninfected) were included, and 34 cases with missing data were excluded. The χ2 test was used to analyze the difference in the incidence adverse pregnancy outcome between two groups, and used logistic regression model to identify the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women. Results: A total of 1 612 pregnant women were included in the study, in whom 541 were infected with HIV and 1 071 were not infected with HIV. The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 18.8% (303/1 612), the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome was 33.1% (179/541) in the HIV-infected pregnant women and 11.6% (124/1 071) in the pregnant women without HIV infection. The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of adverse pregnancy outcome were age <35 years at delivery (aOR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.43-0.95) compared with the age ≥35 years and the duration of antiviral treatment over 10 years (aOR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.23-0.79) compared with less than one year. Conclusions: The incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome in HIV-infected pregnant women was high in some regions of China during 2017-2023. It is necessary for HIV-infected women to get pregnancy at appropriate time based on antiretroviral treatment effect and strengthen self-care to reduce the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcome.

Comparative study on lake ice phenology changes and driving factors in large lakes of mid-latitude Xinjiang, China.

The changes in lake ice phenology (LIP) can intuitively reflect the climate evolution in the regions where lakes are located, serving as an important indicator of climate change. The Tianshan Mountains, situated at the southern edge of freezing lakes in the Northern Hemisphere, are a crucial water resource base in Xinjiang and support significant ecosystems closely related to human activities. In the context of intensified climate change, this study focuses on the geographical location, altitude, and water quality differences among large lake groups in the mid-latitude region of Xinjiang, aiming to explore the characteristics of LIP changes in these lakes and their responses to driving factors, thereby providing a basis for effective environmental management and protection. This research conducts a comparative analysis of the LIP changes and driving factors of three large lakes-Sayram Lake (SL), Bosten Lake (BL), and Ebnur Lake (EL)-using multi-source remote sensing data to reveal the response and adaptation mechanisms of lakes under global warming. It effectively captures the time series variations of ice formation and melting, as well as the common responses to environmental and climatic factors. The results indicate that SL has experienced significant climate change effects, with earlier freezing times and accelerated melting speeds; In contrast, EL and BL have shown relatively minor changes, suggesting that geographical and hydrological factors may buffer the impacts of climate. The study finds that all three lakes are jointly influenced by environmental factors such as temperature, wind speed, and precipitation; however, due to differences in altitude, lake surface area, and water transparency, their responses to these climatic factors vary significantly. For instance, SL's high altitude gives water transparency a dominant role in LIP, while BL's larger surface area enhances the impact of precipitation and thermal capacity on the melting process. This indicates that, despite facing similar climate pressures, local environmental conditions can lead to different trends in ice phenology changes. This study offers a novel and efficient monitoring method for LIP, providing valuable insights for future LIP research and water resource management.