Chinese Case Research Articles

Postpartum Renal Cortical Necrosis: A Case Series

Rationale & ObjectivePostpartum renal cortical necrosis (postpartum RCN) is a severe form of obstetric acute kidney injury. This study aimed to identify clinicopathological features in Chinese postpartum RCN cases to determine how pathologic findings may contribute to the treatment and prognosis. Study DesignSingle-center, case series Setting & ParticipantsTwelve patients with postpartum RCN had kidney biopsies at Peking University First Hospital between 2014 and 2021. The diagnosis of postpartum RCN was made according to typical MRI or pathological features. Clinical, laboratory and pathological data were compared between patients with eGFR <30 (poor outcome) and ≥30 ml/min/1.73 m2 after six months. ObservationsAll postpartum RCN patients presented with stage 3 AKI attributed to a probable atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Pregnancy terminations occurred at a median gestational age of 35.5 weeks. Kidney biopsy was performed ranging 18 days to 4 months from delivery. Upon biopsy, hemoglobin, platelet count and LDH levels had been restored to 137 g/L, 214 ×109/L and 231.50±65.01 U/L, respectively. Four patients exhibited poor outcome, demonstrating higher schistocyte count, serum creatinine and mean arterial pressure at onset. Pathologically, glomerular segmental sclerosis was prevalent. The NOS variant was the most common type, followed by collapsing variant, cellular variant, and tip variant. Patients with poor kidney outcome had more glomerular coagulative necrosis, capillary thrombosis, extensive cortical coagulative necrosis, and pronounced arteriole/artery lesions including increased interlobular arteriole intimal edema and fibrin thrombosis, but a lower occurrence of segmental sclerosis. LimitationsLimited sample size and retrospective design. ConclusionsOur research has identified key pathological features in postpartum RCN patients with aHUS, highlighting the necessity for more effective therapeutic options. There is a clear demand for non-invasive biomarkers that can accurately track disease progression and inform treatment duration for long-term outcomes improvement.

Examining the impact of housing security on urban crime rates and aggregation: a Chinese case study

ABSTRACT Indemnificatory housing under the background of Housing Security helps to curb the rise of crime rates, but also attracts low-income groups. They have a demand for housing, but it is difficult for them to rely on their own to solve the housing problem. The aggregation of low-income groups will lead to a decrease in social norms and moral constraints, and will produce ‘Crime Aggregation’ effect. Using panel data from 31 provincial-level regions in China from 2012–2021, this paper explored the effect of Housing Security Level on the overall crime rate. Further, a multi-period double difference model was constructed to analyse whether the construction of affordable housing leads to crime aggregation. The results showed that the crime rate showed a decreasing trend as the Housing Security Level increased. There was no significant change in the crime rate in the Xi’an, China before and after the indemnificatory housing construction. Xi’an has a more rational spatial planning and is not densely built up, resulting in fewer conflicts; in addition, due to China’s local characteristics of its social structural system, residents come from different cities rather than different countries and races, which weakens the effectiveness of social disintegration and has minimal impact on crime.

Diffusion of Irresponsible Workplace Practices in Supply Chains: The Chinese Industrial Sector Case

Diffusion of Irresponsible Workplace Practices in Supply Chains: The Chinese Industrial Sector Case

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa characterized by mucosal lesions in a Chinese familial case with a novel compound heterozygous mutation of COL7A1.

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB) is a rare, but severe, subtype of epidermolysis bullosa. It is characterized mainly by blisters and miliary rashes of the skin, while oral mucosa-dominated cases are extremely rare. Here, we report the characteristics of oral mucosa lesions in a Chinese familial case of DEB with a novel compound heterozygous COL7A1 mutation. We further analyzed the genetic and molecular features of the proband and the two related mutation carriers. Our study further elucidates the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of DEB.

The paradox of the teacher‐driven professional learning community in a hierarchical organization: A Chinese school case

AbstractProfessional learning community (PLC) has drawn global attention in the field of adult learning. This study applies paradox theory to examine how a group of Chinese school teachers transform their teaching practices in a self‐organized PLC without school policy support. The researchers applied the biographic‐narrative‐interpretive method (BNIM) to conduct 19 one‐on‐one interviews with eight teachers who were members of the PLC. The results showed that teachers who perceived their experiences through a paradoxical lens had a longer commitment to the PLC. The findings also revealed that the headteacher and school principal's informal leadership practices empowered teachers to navigate barriers caused by oppositional forces. The study offers insights into how a teacher‐driven PLC can be sustained in a hierarchical organization and suggests a three‐step iteration emphasizing the criticalness of learning‐by‐implementation.

Cooperative partners’ heterogeneity and supplier empowerment: impact on the performance of digital technology collaborative innovation in supply chain

ABSTRACT The rapid advancement of digital technology has stimulated collaboration between core companies and suppliers to pursue innovation activities. However, a theoretical framework is necessary to explain the impact of cooperative partners’ heterogeneity on the digital technology collaborative innovation performance in the supply chain. This study employed a multi-case analysis to investigate the collaborative innovation process of four Chinese case companies with their suppliers. Based on interviews and analyses, this study found that cooperative partners’ heterogeneity influences the digital technology collaborative innovation performance through supplier empowerment. Aligned strategic objectives, similar digital technology maturity, and complementary digital resources help achieve supplier empowerment and thus promote the performance improvement of digital technology collaborative innovation, such as digital technology R&D, resource access, and process improvement.

A Study of Legal Judgment Prediction Based on Deep Learning Multi-Fusion Models—Data from China

Legal judgment prediction implies predicting judgment results based on the case description suitable for judgment predictions in legal terms, crimes, fines, and punishment. This study examines Chinese legal cases, focusing on legal predictions based on deep learning multiple fusion models. It aims to analyze case descriptions and predict legal terms and fines. The use of artificial intelligence models to predict the law can solve the problem of increasing workload of legal institutions and personnel because of the increasing number of cases; and simultaneously, reduce the differences in judgment. This will improve the efficiency and fairness of legal judgments. This study used the BDCI2017 dataset for experiments and applied deep learning algorithms to improve the prediction accuracy. Various models, such as TextCNN, TextRNN, Wide &amp; TextCNN, and TextDenseNet classify cases and fines. Results revealed that TextDenseNet is better than the other model structures in terms of predictive accuracy.

한중 대중문화의 기능적 담론 비교 연구

The purpose of this paper is to examine the meaning of popular culture in Korea and China, and to analyze and compare the pure and dysfunctions of popular culture in the two countries. In China since its transition into the market economy by the reform and opening, its people have become well-off and had more desire to enjoy culture. Under these circumstances pop culture played affirmative roles such as relieving economical and mental stress, educating people and forming civic society. On the other hand, because of cultural imperialism, cultural values and a way of thinking from the West have influenced upon Chinese pop culture and collapsed its traditional spiritual culture, causing the crisis of Chinese humanism. In Korea, the positive aspects of its pop culture are as follows: the Korean pop culture not only serves as a way to express oneself and relieve mental stress but also produces economical profit. However likewise the Chinese case, South Korea is confronted by the crisis of the humanities, traditional art and folk culture. Studying these diverse functions of the two nations’ pop cultures, I could understand the two cultures and seek plans to achieve mutual development gradually through the two countries’ cultural interchanges.

Проблемы социальной справедливости в сфере образовательной политики Китая

Education plays a fundamental role in shaping the country’s intellectual potential, educating the younger generation, and ensuring social justice. Corresponding educational policies consist of a complex set of measures aimed at developing the education system to ensure access to learning for all segments of the population, fair distribution of resources, and creating conditions for the successful realization of each citizen’s potential. In the modern world, the issue of social justice in educational policy is becoming increasingly relevant, as evidenced by the analysis of the Chinese case, which highlights the growing need for reforms aimed at satisfying the demand for social justice in society. These reforms will help attract highly qualified specialists to the field of education, as well as effectively reduce the level of social problems related to inequality and discrimination.

Exploring the resilience development of secondary school English teacher-researchers: a Chinese case study

Teacher education research has recognised the importance of teacher resilience. However, the development of language teacher-researchers resilience remains in its early stages. To address this gap, this study adopted a qualitative approach to explore the resilience development of two Chinese secondary school English teacher-researchers and its contributing factors. Data from interviews and case documents indicated that teacher-researchers resilience was dynamic and developed over time. Two different patterns of resilience development were identified: low-to-high and W-shaped recovery. Furthermore, individual and environmental factors and their interactions jointly contributed to the resilience development of the two secondary school English teacher-researchers. Their participation in classroom research provided them with diverse ways to sustain their resilience. The implications for teacher development are offered to teachers in China and other similar contexts.

Research on the Current Situation of Chinese Character Teaching in International Chinese Education: Based on Foreign Chinese Teaching Cases

Research on the Current Situation of Chinese Character Teaching in International Chinese Education: Based on Foreign Chinese Teaching Cases

Artificial intelligence-driven transformations in low-carbon energy structure: Evidence from China

The widespread integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the realms of energy and the environment has emerged as a catalyst for transformative shifts toward low-carbon energy structures. However, existing literature and practical applications have yet to delve into the intricate ways in which intelligent technology influences energy structures. Consequently, this study addresses this gap by constructing a comprehensive theoretical model that encompasses robots and differentiated energy inputs. By drawing on the Chinese case, this research investigates the impact of AI on low-carbon energy structure transformation, both theoretically and empirically. The study's results reveal that AI technology significantly advances the cause of low-carbon energy transformation. Notably, this effect is manifested in the post-Industry 4.0 era and regions endowed with abundant renewable energy resources and strong governmental support for innovation. Rigorous robustness tests substantiate the existence of this relationship. Furthermore, adopting smart technology fosters energy structure transformation through industrial restructuring, and introduces the energy rebound effect, thereby partially offsetting its positive impact. Importantly, the study underscores that the efficacy of AI is further heightened when the influx of innovation factors surpasses a certain threshold. These findings furnish crucial evidence and policy insights for China and other developing nations, offering guidance on accelerating energy transitions and attaining carbon neutrality.

Research on the Construction of Indonesian Chinese Language Acquisition Case Resource Based on Building Learning Communities

Acquisition case resources, as integrated accounts of experiences from Chinese learners, serve as high-quality resources for Indonesians to understand Chinese language and culture, thereby contributing to the construction of a local Chinese language learning community in Indonesia. Ultimately, they inject new vitality and momentum into the co-construction of the "China-Indonesia Community of Shared Future." This paper aims to explore the general principles, needs analysis, overall approach, and development path of constructing an Indonesian Chinese language acquisition case resource library. Finally, it proposes the role and significance of case resources in teaching and research. The construction of Chinese language acquisition case resources will provide new insights and support for the localization of international Chinese education in Indonesia.

Characteristics of tandem repeat inheritance and sympathetic nerve involvement in GAA-FGF14 ataxia.

Intronic GAA repeat expansion ([GAA] ≥250) in FGF14 is associated with the late-onset neurodegenerative disorder, spinocerebellar ataxia 27B (SCA27B, GAA-FGF14 ataxia). We aim to determine the prevalence of the GAA repeat expansion in FGF14 in Chinese populations presenting late-onset cerebellar ataxia (LOCA) and evaluate the characteristics of tandem repeat inheritance, radiological features and sympathetic nerve involvement. GAA-FGF14 repeat expansion was screened in an undiagnosed LOCA cohort (n = 664) and variations in repeat-length were analyzed in families of confirmed GAA-FGF14 ataxia patients. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate the radiological feature in GAA-FGF14 ataxia patients. Clinical examinations and sympathetic skin response (SSR) recordings in GAA-FGF14 patients (n = 16) were used to quantify sympathetic nerve involvement. Two unrelated probands (2/664) were identified. Genetic screening for GAA-FGF14 repeat expansion was performed in 39 family members, 16 of whom were genetically diagnosed with GAA-FGF14 ataxia. Familial screening revealed expansion of GAA repeats in maternal transmissions, but contraction upon paternal transmission. Brain MRI showed slight to moderate cerebellar atrophy. SSR amplitude was lower in GAA-FGF14 patients in pre-symptomatic stage compared to healthy controls, and further decreased in the symptomatic stage. GAA-FGF14 ataxia was rare among Chinese LOCA cases. Parental gender appears to affect variability in GAA repeat number between generations. Reduced SSR amplitude is a prominent feature in GAA-FGF14 patients, even in the pre-symptomatic stage.

Clinical features and ALDH5A1 gene findings in 13 Chinese cases with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency

Background and aimsTo investigate the clinical features, ALDH5A1 gene variations, treatment, and prognosis of patients with succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study evaluated the findings in 13 Chinese patients with SSADH deficiency admitted to the Pediatric Department of Peking University First Hospital from September 2013 to September 2023.ResultsThirteen patients (seven male and six female patients; two sibling sisters) had the symptoms aged from 1 month to 1 year. Their urine 4-hydroxybutyrate acid levels were elevated and were accompanied by mildly increased serum lactate levels. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed symmetric abnormal signals in both sides of the globus pallidus and other areas. All 13 patients had psychomotor retardation, with seven showing epileptic seizures. Among the 18 variants of the ALDH5A1 gene identified in these 13 patients, six were previously reported, while 12 were novel variants. Among the 12 novel variants, three (c.85_116del, c.206_222dup, c.762C > G) were pathogenic variants; five (c.427delA, c.515G > A, c.637C > T, c.755G > T, c.1274T > C) were likely pathogenic; and the remaining four (c.454G > C, c.479C > T, c.1480G > A, c.1501G > C) were variants of uncertain significance. The patients received drugs such as L-carnitine, vigabatrin, and taurine, along with symptomatic treatment. Their urine 4-hydroxybutyric acid levels showed variable degrees of reduction.ConclusionsA cohort of 13 cases with early-onset SSADH deficiency was analyzed. Onset of symptoms occurred from 1 month to 1 year of age. Twelve novel variants of the ALDH5A1 gene were identified.

The performance evaluation of NIPT for fetal chromosome microdeletion/microduplication detection: a retrospective analysis of 68,588 Chinese cases.

Chromosomal abnormalities are the main cause of birth defects in newborns. Since the inception of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) technology, it has primarily been applied to the detection of common trisomy (T21, T18, T13). However, the application of NIPT in microdeletion and microduplication detection is still controversial. This study retrospectively analyzed the data of 68,588 cases that underwent NIPT at Ganzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital in China. These data were used to evaluate the performance of NIPT in fetal chromosome microdeletion/microduplication detection and to investigate the key factors affecting the NIPT performance. A total of 281 cases (0.41%) had positive NIPT results with copy number variants (CNVs), of which 161 were validated by karyotyping and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). Among the 161 cases, 92 were confirmed as true positives through karyotyping or CMA, including 61 microdeletion cases and 31 microduplication cases, resulting in a positive predictive value (PPV) of 57.14%. Improvements in library construction methods increased the fraction of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) from 13.76% to 18.44%, leading to a significant improvement in the detection rate (0.47% vs. 0.15%) and PPV (59.86% vs. 28.57%) of NIPT for CNVs. This study proved the robust performance of NIPT for fetal chromosome microdeletion/microduplication detection. In addition, the cffDNA fraction is a key factor influencing NIPT, with increased cffDNA fraction improving the performance of NIPT.

Cardiomyopathy in children: a single-centre, retrospective study of genetic and clinical characteristics

ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the genetic and clinical characteristics of paediatric cardiomyopathy in a cohort of Chinese patients.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical history and mutation spectrum of 75 unrelated...

ESG disclosure standards: international and chinese case studies

This study is dedicated to revealing the implications of international ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) disclosure standards and practices for China. The research task is to systematically sort out and analyze the current mainstream international ESG standards and their latest developments. At the same time, combined with China’s ESG disclosure policies and practices, it provides helpful references for formulating ESG disclosure standards and frameworks with Chinese characteristics. This paper is based on processing secondary data obtained through qualitative analysis of relevant literature and official government documents (plans, strategies, reports, and programs). The paper suggests that the current Chinese government needs to (1) formulate an ESG disclosure standard system with Chinese characteristics; (2) guide ESG market entities to jointly participate in the formulation and development of the ESG standard system; (3) create a mandatory ESG disclosure system.

A holistic analysis of Chinese sponge city cases by region: Using PLS-SEM models to understand key factors impacting LID performance

Sponge city is a national sustainable stormwater management program proposed by the Chinese government to deal with urban water issues (e.g., flooding, poor water quality) brought on by climate change and urbanization. Various strategies for sponge city construction are required since environmental constraints differ regionally across the country. To identify regional variations, reveal the inner links between externalities and design elements in sponge city construction, and offer practical suggestions, efforts in two directions are made based on the data of 68 sponge city cases around China: 1) discussing design parameters of four Low Impact Development (LID) facilities, including bioretention cell, permeable pavement, grass swale, and sunken green space, under four regionalization maps of hydrologic, climatic, landform and soil texture factors, and 2) building a holistic Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) model illustrating the relationship between local characteristics, LID system design, and LID system performance in sponge city construction. The results show that: 1) rainfall and landform factors have great impact on LID facilities design, as their depths tend to be higher in water rich areas and coastal areas. 2) LID types and areas are positively influenced (+0.745) by the total area and permeable portion of a project, while the LID system performance (water quantity and quality control) is negatively impacted (−0.407) by the rainfall amount and clay fraction. 3) comprehensive LIDs choice instead of single LID facility shows more significant effect on improving LID system performance. It is recommended to establish different design standards and assessment indexing systems tailored to local environment when constructing sponge city projects.

Optimized Decision-Making for Multi-Market Green Power Transactions of Electricity Retailers under Demand-Side Response: The Chinese Market Case Study

With the energy structure transition and the development of the green power market, the role of electricity retailers in multi-market green power trading has become more and more important. Particularly in China, where aggressive green energy policies and rapid market transformations provide a distinct context for such studies, the challenges are pronounced. Under demand-side response, electricity retailers face the uncertainty of users’ electricity consumption and incentives, which complicates decision-making processes. The purpose of this paper is to explore the optimization decision-making problem of multi-market green power trading for electricity retailers under demand-side response, with a special focus on the Chinese market due to its leadership in implementing substantial green energy initiatives and its potential to set precedents for global practices. We first construct a two-party benefit optimization model, which comprehensively considers the profit objectives for electricity retailers and utility maximization for users. Then, the model is solved by the Lagrange multiplier method and distributed subgradient algorithm to obtain the optimal solution. Finally, the effectiveness of the incentive optimization strategy under the multi-market to promote green power consumption and improve the profit of electricity retailers is verified by arithmetic simulation. The results of this study show that the incentive optimization strategy under multi-market, particularly within the Chinese context, is expected to provide a reference for electricity retailers to develop more flexible and effective trading strategies in the green power market and to contribute to the process of promoting green power consumption globally.