Decreasing Trend Research Articles

Pathogenic spectrum of infective endocarditis and analysis of prognostic risk factors following surgical treatment in a tertiary hospital in China

BackgroundThis study aimed to summarize the pathogenic spectrum of infective endocarditis (IE) and analyze the risk factors for poor prognosis in surgical patients in a tertiary hospital in China.MethodsWe retrospectively included patients diagnosed with IE between January 2013 and January 2022. The pathogenic spectrum was summarized; the risk factors for early postoperative mortality and embolic events were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsAmong 630 patients who underwent blood cultures, the positivity rate was 56.83%. The most prevalent pathogens were viridans streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The prevalence of viridans streptococci significantly increased in the surgically treated group, compared to the medically treated group (50.80% vs. 27.78%, P < 0.001), while that of CoNS decreased (5.60% vs. 12.04%, P = 0.034). There has been a declining trend in the blood culture positivity in recent years compared to earlier years (2018–2022 vs. 2013–2017 = 60.95% vs. 47.30%, P = 0.037), with an increasing trend in viridans streptococci and a decreasing trend in CoNS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified male gender, coronary artery disease, platelet count < 100 × 109/L, albumin < 35 g/L, elevated creatinine, and prosthetic valve as independent risk factors for early postoperative mortality. Risk factors for embolic events included recent cerebral infarction within 3 months, history of peripheral vasculopathy, and hemoglobin (Hb) < 90 g/L.ConclusionsViridans streptococci predominates as the most common IE pathogen, with its incidence rising recently, especially among surgical patients. Blood culture positivity is decreasing. Understanding risk factors for early postoperative mortality and embolic events is crucial for optimizing patient management and prognosis.Clinical trial numberNot applicable.

Cancer Stage Geospatial Analysis to Optimize Educational Activities in Pediatric Oncology and Hematology: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Enhancing therapy outcomes in pediatric oncology and hematology relies on robust epidemiological surveillance. This study aimed to estimate cancer stage-related survival in pediatric patients with lymphoma and solid tumors by assessing changes over time and identifying spatial clustering of patients diagnosed at advanced stages. This retrospective observational cohort study included pediatric cancer patients treated in a single Greater Poland center, constituting 9% of Polish children from 2004 to 2017. The incidence, cancer stage, and patient coordinates were analyzed. The follow-up period ranged from 5 to 18years. Survival differences across tumor stages were evaluated using Kaplan‒Meier curves, log-rank tests, and trend analysis. Geographical analysis was performed with Kulldorff's scan statistics and the Bernoulli model. Among 1094 diagnosed patients, 511 with lymphoma and solid tumors were eligible. There was a decreasing trend in advanced-stage diagnoses (p = 0.0001), with a nearly twofold increase in low-stage diagnoses (OR = 1.98 [1.22; 3.24], p = 0.0061) from 2009-2011 to 2015-2017. Hazard ratios for neuroblastoma and sarcoma patients were more than fourfold greater, while survival differences were not significant for patients with nephroblastoma, germ cell tumors, or lymphoma. This study shows cancer stage-related survival dynamics. A substantial decrease in advanced-stage diagnoses over time emphasizes improved early detection. Geographical analysis pinpointed clusters with prevalent late-stage diagnoses, offering a practical tool for targeted educational interventions. The study underscores the pivotal impact of cancer stage on survival outcomes, emphasizing the need for ongoing surveillance and tailored interventions to further optimize pediatric oncology and hematology care.

Trends and Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease-Related Mortality among Adults with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms in the United States

Abstract Aims We aimed to perform a retrospective cohort study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention`s (CDC's) Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER) database to analyze the trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) from 1999-2020. Methods and Results We analyzed the death certificate data from the CDC WONDER database from 1999 to 2020 for CVD with co-morbid myeloproliferative disorders in the US population. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed per 1 million population by standardizing crude mortality rates to the 2000 US census population. To assess annual national mortality trends, we employed the Joinpoint regression model, calculating the annual percent change (APC) in AAMR and corresponding 95% CIs. A total of 15,269 deaths related to CVD occurred in patients with co-morbid myeloproliferative neoplasms from 1999-2020. Overall, there was a decreasing trend in CVD-related AAMRs throughout these years. Males contributed to 51% of total deaths and their AAMR was persistently higher than women throughout the study. Non-Hispanic (NH) Whites had the highest overall AAMR, followed by NH Blacks, NH American Indians or Alaska Natives, Hispanics or Latinos, and NH Asian or Pacific Islanders. Conclusion Our findings indicate a significant decline with notable gender, racial/ethnic, and regional differences in CVD-related mortality among patients with MPN over the past two decades. We emphasize the importance of a collaborative approach between oncologists and cardiologists in managing these patients, highlighting the potential benefits of integrating cardio-oncology services to enhance patient outcomes.

Temporal and spatial trends in gastric cancer burden in the USA from 1990 to 2021: findings from the global burden of disease study 2021

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is a significant public health concern in the USA, and its burden is on the rise.MethodsThis study utilized the latest data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. We provided descriptive statistics on the incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of GC across the USA and states. By calculating percentage changes and average annual percentage changes (AAPC), along with conducting age-period-cohort analysis, we assessed the trends in the burden of GC. Decomposition analysis was then performed, followed by the application of an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to forecast changes in ASRs through 2036.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, the number of incidence and prevalence of GC in the USA increased, but age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) trended downward (AAPC = -0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.77 to -0.68) and age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) (AAPC = -0.99, 95% CI: -1.08 to -0.9) showed a decreasing trend. In addition, the number of deaths, DALYs, age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardized DALYs rates (ASDR) in GC showed a decreasing trend. The burden of GC was significantly higher in males compared to females. In addition, we found that the highest incidence and prevalence in females was in the age group of 75-79 years, whereas the highest incidence and prevalence in males was in the age group of 70-74 years.ConclusionGC is a major public health issue in the USA. Although ASIR, ASPR, ASMR, and ASDR for GC are decreasing, the number of incidence and prevalence of GC in the USA remains high, and the disease burden of GC in the USA remains high. Strengthening preventive interventions, particularly for men and patients over the age of 60, will be crucial in the future.

Investigation of Polymer Chain Diffusion Behavior in Thin Slits Formed by Patch-Patterned Surfaces: Influence of Patch Properties.

The diffusion dynamics of polymer chains within a narrow slit formed by two patch-patterned surfaces is investigated utilizing Langevin dynamics simulations. These surfaces feature periodically arranged attractive patches of size L and period d, with a staggered configuration of (0.5d, 0.5d) offsets along the x and y axes. When d is fixed, the polymer chain exhibits normal diffusion over long time scales, with the translational diffusion coefficient Dxy gradually decreasing to zero as L increases. Notably, our findings reveal four distinct diffusion modes: free-diffusion mode for L ≤ L1, where the polymer chain is mainly in a desorption state; adsorption-desorption mode for L1 < L ≤ L2, involving transitions from a single-patch adsorption state to a desorption state; exchange-patch mode for L2 < L ≤ L3, where the polymer chain switches between a single-patch adsorption state and an upper-lower double-patch adsorption state by exchanging patches; and nondiffusion mode for L > L3, where the polymer chain is primarily in a pinned state. Furthermore, as the patch attraction strength εps increases, Dxy decreases due to an increase in the adsorption time of the polymer chain. Simultaneously, critical patch size thresholds L1, L2, and L3, exhibit a decreasing trend. These observations highlight the significant influence of the confining slit and patch properties on the diffusion behavior of polymer chains.

Genome-Wide Structural Variation Analysis and Breed Comparison of Local Domestic Ducks in Shandong Province, China

Structural variations in the duck genome significantly impact the environmental adaptability and phenotypic diversity of duck populations. Characterizing these SVs in local domestic duck breeds from Shandong province offers valuable insights for breed selection and the development of new breeds. This study aimed to profile the genomic SVs in three local duck breeds (Matahu duck, Weishan partridge duck, and Wendeng black duck) and explore their differential distributions. A total of 21,673 SVs were detected using LUMPY (v0.2.13) and DELLY (v1.0.3) software, with 46% located in intergenic regions, 33% in intronic regions, and frameshift deletions being the most prevalent in exonic regions (3%). SVs distribution showed a decreasing trend with shorter chromosome lengths. Population structure analysis revealed distinct genetic profiles, with Matahu and Weishan partridge ducks showing closer affinities and the Wendeng black duck having a more homogeneous genetic background, likely due to geographic isolation. Functional annotation identified genes related to nervous system development, mitosis, spindle assembly, and energy metabolism. Notable genes included PLXNA4, NRP2, SEMA3A, PTEN, MYBL2, ADK, and COX4I1. Additionally, genes such as PRKG1, GABRA2, and FSHR were linked to energy metabolism and reproductive activity. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of SVs, revealing significant genetic differentiation and identifying genes associated with economically important traits, offering valuable resources for the genetic improvement and breeding of local duck breeds.

Burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attributable to non-optimal temperature, 1990–2044: six countries on the same isotherm

BackgroundWith the frequent occurrence of extreme weather worldwide, non-optimal temperature increased the risk of death from respiratory diseases. The burden of non-optimal temperature on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was quantitatively assessed, and its influencing factors were discussed to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of COPD.MethodsBased on GBD 2019, we characterized the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and years of life lost rate (ASYR) of COPD attributable to non-optimal temperature in three groups of countries at different isotherms (China and USA, South Africa and Australia, Iraq and Portugal) between 1990 and 2019. We constructed the age-period-cohort model to analyze age, period and cohort effects on mortality and the Bayesian age-period-cohort model to predict ASMR in six countries. We analyzed the relationship of socio-demographic index (SDI) with ASMR and ASYR by restricted cubic spline and quantile regression using data from 21 GBD regions.ResultsASMR of COPD attributable to non-optimal temperature in 2019 was 11.03/100,000 (China), 5.62/100,000 (USA), 2/100,000 (Australia), 0.93/100,000 (Iraq), 3.74/100,000 (Portugal), 4.13/100,000 (South Africa). Low temperature had a greater impact on COPD. The mortality showed an increasing trend with age, the period effect only showed a decreasing trend in China, and cohort effect showed a decreasing trend. The higher COPD burden was concentrated in areas with SDI values of 0.39–0.78. Implied quantile regression of mortality to SDI fit was meaningful at P5 and P75, and ASYR was at P5, P25, P75, and P95. We predicted an upward trend in COPD ASMR over the next 25 years only in the USA.ConclusionsIn COPD burden caused by non-optimal temperature, low temperature played a more important role, and it was affected by sex, age, period, cohort and SDI. Over the next 25 years, ASMR in COPD was predicted to decline in all countries except the USA.

Effects of Glucose Concentration on Differentiation, Adipogenic Marker Genes Expression and Glucose Transporter Distribution in Bovine Subcutaneous Preadipocytes

Background: Fat deposition in beef cattle significantly influences both the meat yield of individual carcasses and the perceived eating quality for consumers. Glucose, as a crucial regulator, plays an essential role in the differentiation of bovine preadipocytes and lipid metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the effects of varying glucose concentrations (0, 3.0, 3.5 and 4.0 mmol/L) on the differentiation of bovine subcutaneous preadipocytes. Additionally, we explored the expression levels of key adipogenic marker genes and the distribution of glucose transporters during adipocyte differentiation. Methods: The differentiation of preadipocytes was assessed using Oil Red O staining and triacylglycerol content was quantified using a triglyceride assay kit. To evaluate the expression of adipogenic genes included peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- γ (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1), quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to measure mRNA levels, while protein levels were determined through western blotting. Additionally, the distribution of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4 during differentiation was analyzed through immunofluorescence. Result: The results showed that the differentiation of preadipocytes, along with the accumulation of lipid droplets, was enhanced at 2 and 4 days (p less than 0.05). However, this effect gradually diminished by day 8 as glucose concentration increased. During the early stages of preadipocyte differentiation, the expression of adipogenic marker genes-PPARγ, FASand ACC1-significantly increased at both the mRNA and protein levels (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01). However, by day 8, as glucose concentration increased, a decreasing trend in the expression of these genes was observed. The fluorescence intensity of glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT4 rose significantly with higher glucose concentrations. These findings suggested that adding glucose at 3.0 to 3.5 mmol/L to the differentiation medium is optimal for promoting differentiation and fat deposition in bovine subcutaneous preadipocytes.

Study on the variation of carbon storage in the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration in China based on topographic relief

IntroductionRegional carbon storage is a significant indicator of ecosystem service functions. Examining the impact of changes in land use on carbon stock in the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration under different topographic reliefs is paramount for sustainable land resource utilization and realizing carbon peaking and neutrality goals.MethodsThis study focuses on the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration, using the InVEST model in combination with land use data to explore the distribution pattern of land use change and carbon storage from the perspective of topographic relief.ResultsThe research results show that:(1) the optimal analysis window for topographic reliefs in the study area is 17 × 17, covering an area of 0.26 km², with an average topographic relief of 78.58 m. (2) Between 2000 and 2020, Cultivated land and forest land decreased by 592.27 km² and 421.5 km², respectively, while the built-up land area increased by 982.36 km². (3) Due to human activities, carbon stock in the study area showed a decreasing trend, with a total reduction of 13.37 × 106 tons over the past 20 years. (4) The distribution of carbon stock across topographic reliefs mainly exhibits low-value and moderate-value carbon stock concentrations in flat and slightly undulating areas. In contrast, moderately high-value and high-value carbon stock concentrations are concentrated in gently and moderately undulating areas.DiscussionThese research findings provide a scientific foundation for optimizing the spatial pattern of the study area and formulating carbon peak and carbon-neutral policies.

Pollution Reduction and Carbon Reduction Technology Based on Pressure Swing Physical Adsorption Method in Power Enterprises

With the increasing global attention to environmental issues and climate change, power companies, as an important energy production sector, are facing severe challenges in reducing pollution and carbon emissions. In view of this, this study is based on the metal organic framework MIL-101(Cr), physically encapsulating metalloporphyrins and synthesizing a FeTPP@MIL-101(Cr) complex. Then, the surface characteristics and adsorption performance of the composite are evaluated, and the pressure swing physical adsorption method is introduced to achieve the goal of carbon reduction and pollution reduction. The ICP-OES loading results showed that the corresponding encapsulation amounts in MIL@-A and MIL@-B composites were 5.24% and 3.20%, respectively. Moreover, when the temperature increased from 273 K to 298 K, the adsorption capacity of all test gases on the three samples showed a decreasing trend. Under ideal atmospheric pressure conditions, the adsorption capacity of MIL@-A encapsulation for CO2 did not decrease and increased, while the adsorption capacity for N2 was relatively small, but still had a certain adsorption capacity. The above results indicate that combining the pressure swing physical adsorption method with FeTPP@MIL-101(Cr) complexes can effectively adsorb pollutants generated by power enterprises, achieve predetermined goals, and help promote clean production in power enterprises.

Sediment transport characteristics at the flood-event scale in the Minjiang River Basin, China

ABSTRACT In recent years, the significant change in the runoff–sediment distribution in the upper Yangtze River has led to an increased sediment contribution from the Minjiang River Basin (MRB) to the Three Gorges Reservoir. However, previous studies on sediment load changes in the MRB have focused mainly on annual-scale characteristics, thereby neglecting features driven by floods. Therefore, this study focused on examining the changes in flood-event sediment loads in the MRB based on mathematical statistics and comprehensive measurement data. The results indicated that human activities, climate change, and seismic events have caused an increasing trend in the flood-scale sediment load in the upper MRB and a decreasing trend in the lower MRB. The changes in the flood-scale sediment modulus at low runoff erosion power levels were greater than those at high runoff erosion power levels at different abrupt-change stages. During extreme flood events, the actual sediment concentration in the MRB remained below the sediment-carrying capacity. This study provides novel insights into water resource management during the flood season in the MRB and similar basins.

Changing trends in lung cancer disease burden between China and Australia from 1990 to 2019 and its predictions.

Lung cancer (LC) is a leading cause of death and presents a substantial societal burden. This article compares its disease burden and risk factors between China and Australia to support health policymakers for LC prevention and treatment. The data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study were used to analyze disease temporal trends using Joinpoint regression model. The Bayesian age-period-cohort model was used for prediction. The population-attributable fraction (PAF) was used to analyze LC risk factors. In 2019, the age-standardized rates (ASR) of incidence and of mortality of LC in China were 41.71/100 000 and 38.70/100 000, while Australia's rates were 30.45/100 000 and 23.46/100 000. It showed an increasing trend in China but a decreasing trend in Australia. By 2030, the ASR of incidence and mortality are predicted to be 47.21/100 000 and 41.54/100 000 in China, while Australia's rates will reach 30.09/100 000 and 23.3/100 000, respectively. Smoking is the most common risk factor for LC, followed by particulate matter and occupational carcinogenesis. The PAF of smoking dropped in Australia (from 68.38% to 53.75% in females; 77.41% to 58.47% in males) but increased in China (from 19.56% to 26.58% in females; 80.45% to 82.03% in males) from 1990 to 2019. The disease burden of LC in China is rising, whereas in Australia, it is declining. China still faces a heavy LC burden. Risk factor analysis supported for further improving the compliance and enforcement of polices on tobacco control and environmental management to reduce this disease burden.

Establishment of multiple machine learning prognostic model for gene differences between primary tumors and lymph nodes in luminal breast cancer.

This study aimed to explore the correlation between primary tumors (PT) and paired metastatic lymph nodes (LN) and to develop a predictive model to provide evidence for forecasting patient prognoses. We obtained single-cell and bulk transcriptome data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Furthermore, mRNA transcriptomic data, encompassing 112 normal tissues and 1066 breast cancer samples, along with survival, clinical, and mutation information for breast cancer patients, were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Employing a machine learning integration framework incorporating ten distinct algorithms, we developed and validated a prognostic model. We constructed a prognostic model named Lymph Node Metastasis-Related Scores (LMRS) using 26 differentially expressed genes trained on eight TCGA datasets. Across validation sets, the model demonstrated a high C-index, signifying its stability and effectiveness, outperforming 64 models from other studies. Notably, cytolytic activity and T cell co-stimulation were downregulated in the high LMRS group, alongside a downregulation of immune cells, including B cells, CD8 + T cells, iDCs, and TILs. Similarly, most immune checkpoints exhibited a decreasing trend with high LMRS expression. Finally, we selected the hub biomarkers PGK1 and HSP90 for pathological verification. Results indicated higher expression levels in PT and LN compared to normal and benign tumors, with higher expression levels in LN than in PT. This comprehensive analysis sheds light on gene expression differences between PT and LN in breast cancer, culminating in the development of a multiple-gene prognostic model with high clinical accuracy for prognosis prediction.

Research on Ecological Compensation Mechanism Based on Ecosystem Service Value: A Case Study of the Tingjiang River Basin

Ecological compensation is one of the important measures to coordinate regional ecological protection and economic development. As the only inter-provincial river in Fujian Province and the second inter-provincial watershed of the eco-compensation pilot in China, the Tingjiang River basin has attracted increasing attention from policy makers and scholars. This study aims to systematically analyze the ecological compensation mechanism and improve the effectiveness of ecological protection in the Tingjiang River basin. In this paper, ecosystem service value (ESV) is used as a criterion for establishing ecological compensation standards. Based on the land cover datasets from 2010 to 2020, the spatial distribution and the dynamic changes of ESV were determined. Subsequently, the priority and standards of ecological compensation were established according to the level of the socio-economic development. Finally, the horizontal ecological compensation was determined by combining the actual benefits and willingness-to-pay of downstream beneficiary regions. The results indicate the following findings: (1) The ESV of the Tingjiang River basin exhibited a decreasing trend over the past decade. It decreased from CNY 70.72 billion in 2010 to CNY 69.05 billion in 2020, with a rate of change of −2.37%; (2) The growth of GDP in the research area has led to a decrease in the priority and standards of ecological compensation. The ecological compensation quota shows a decreasing trend from upstream to downstream, that is, Changting county (33%) &gt; Wuping county (27%) &gt; Shanghang county (21%) &gt; Yongding district (19%); (3) The amounts of horizontal ecological compensation that Guangdong province need to pay are CNY 224 million, 166 million, and 109 million in 2010, 2015, and 2020, respectively. The findings of this research can not only optimize the allocation of ecological compensation, but also provide a reference for other countries/regions to carry out relevant research work.

Community-mobilized soil and water conservation and farmers' preferences for mitigating land degradation

Abstract Various soil and water conservation (SWC) practices have been constructed through campaign-based integrated watershed management in Ethiopia since 2011. However, not all SWC measures were implemented across the country and preferred by the farmers equally. Hence, this research aimed to evaluate the trends of community-mobilized SWC practice and farmers' SWC preference to combat land degradation in Amhara region, Ethiopia. The study utilized primary and secondary data from 92 selected watersheds across 13 zones, 45 woredas, and 1,739 households. Extensive household interviews that include elders, women, and youth, as well as focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result showed that 128,726.28 hectares of gully rehabilitation had been carried out, 4,436,096.3033 hectares of cultivated fields have received SWC measures, and SWC measures were done on 817,104.7 hectares of communal land. Despite these commendable initiatives, it was found that 46% of the community-mobilized SWC structures built on cultivated land have been partially or entirely removed, additionally, 66% of the constructed SWC structures lack support by biological measures. Furthermore, the survey revealed that 20% of the respondents' land holdings were affected by gullies, and a 43% decrease trend in efforts to combat gully erosion since 2011. This study demonstrates the significance of implementing SWC measures for the sustainability of the watershed. It also underscores the vital role of regular maintenance in enhancing the effectiveness of the structures, along with the imperative need to reinforce the SWC structures using biological measures. Moreover, the research stresses the importance of rehabilitating communal lands through enclosure and improving cropland soil fertility by applying organic compost.

Estimation of dynamic soil properties for geotechnical analysis in the Niger Delta using index testing and empirical correlations

This study investigated geotechnical properties of subsurface soils from Mbiama town in Rivers State, Niger Delta region through laboratory index testing and development of empirical correlations to estimate dynamic soil parameters. Grain size analyses revealed heterogeneous stratigraphy transitioning from upper clayey sands to lower gravelly sands deposited under changing fluvio-deltaic conditions. Atterberg limits exhibited decreasing plasticity trends with depth confirming the textural variations. Laboratory data conforms to layering architecture inferred from depositional facies analyses. Predictive models were developed relating Standard Penetration Test blow counts (SPT-N) and shear wave velocity (Vs) to depth, moisture content and percentage sand. High regression coefficients validated models' accuracy in reproducing over 90% of field measurements. Factor of safety against liquefaction was correlated to SPT-N, accounting for density-dependent properties. Index-based characterizations aligned well with trends predicted by the empirical correlations. This research demonstrated robust indirect estimation of dynamic geotechnical indices for foundation design and seismic risk analysis in data-scarce Niger Delta through standardized field and laboratory index testing integrated with depositionally-linked predictive models.

Secular Trends in the Median Age at Menarche and Spermarche Among Chinese Children From 2000 to 2019 and Analysis of Physical Examination Indicators Factor.

This research aimed to understand the long-term trends in the age of menarche among girls and spermarche among boys, and to analyze the factors that may influence the onset of menarche and first spermarche. The study was based on data from 49 566 students in Henan Province collected from the Chinese National Surveys on Students' Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) conducted between 2000 and 2019. Median age at menarche and spermarche was estimated by probit analysis. t-Tests were used to analyze the influence of menarche and first spermarche on physical examination indexes of adolescent children, and the chi-squared test was used to compare whether the differences in physical activity were statistically significant. The age at menarche has decreased from 12.33 years in 2000 to 12.00 years in 2019, and the age at first spermarche has decreased from 14.01 years in 2000 to 13.99 years in 2019. The age at first spermarche in urban boys (13.61 years in 2000; 12.94 years in 2014) was consistently younger than that in rural boys (14.43 years in 2000; aged 13.08 in 2014), except in 2019. The age of menarche in urban girls (12.23 years in 2000; 11.89 years in 2019) was always earlier than that in rural girls (12.44 years in 2000; 12.05 years in 2019). The age at menarche and spermarche for children in Henan Province generally showed a decreasing trend from 2000 to 2019. The status of BMI is significantly associated with the early onset of puberty in children.

Exploring Sustainable Innovation Level, Spatial Inequities, and Convergence Trends in China’s Wood Industry

The importance of sustainable innovation in the wood industry is growing, but there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of its evolution, regional differences, and patterns of convergence in China. Based on the panel data of 31 provinces in China from 2011 to 2021, the sustainable innovation index of the wood industry is measured by the projection pursuit method. On this basis, the kernel density estimation method and Dagum Gini coefficient are used to study the dynamic evolution trend, regional differences, and sources of the index, and the convergence characteristics are examined using the coefficient of variation method. The study shows that (1) China’s overall wood industry sustainable innovation index shows a decreasing trend from 2011 to 2021. (2) The differences in the four regions mainly come from inter-regional differences. (3) The index shows significant nonequilibrium characteristics and progressive evolution patterns, and the spatial agglomeration is significant. The magnitude of the index deviation from the average did not decrease over time for the northern and southwestern forest regions. (4) The wood industry sustainable innovation index of the four major forest regions has obviously converged to the same level; under the condition of considering multifactors differentiation, the growth rate of the index of the lower regions is significantly higher than that of the higher regions. The study concludes that current regional imbalances in sustainable innovation in China impede progress and equitable distribution of benefits in the wood industry, and that the impact of regional differences on the β-convergence of sustainable innovation varies according to specific regional characteristics and conditions. These findings provide important theoretical contributions and practical guidance for the development of targeted innovation strategies for the sustainable development of the wood industry, as well as for the promotion of balanced regional development.

Synergistic Matching and Influencing Factors of Grain Production and Cropland Net Primary Productivity in the Black Soil Region of Northeast China

Exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics, spatial mismatch, and complex influencing mechanism of grain production and cropland productivity in the black soil region of northeast China (BSRNC) is essential for the synergistic protection and utilization of black soil cropland and sustainable grain production. The BSRNC has realized cropland expansion and grain production increases in the past decades. This implied a substantial investment has been made in the region’s agriculture. However, at present, knowledge on the spatial mismatch and influencing factors of grain production and cropland productivity is still unclear. This study analyzed the spatial–temporal mismatch characteristics of grain production and cropland net primary productivity (CNPP) using the gravity center model, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and spatial mismatch index (SMI), and identified the spatial heterogeneity and prediction–response relationships of influencing factors based on a geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model and boosted regression tree (BRT) machine learning algorithm. The findings indicated that grain production and CNPP have been increasing, but the overall spatial pattern of cold hotspots has not changed obviously in the BSRNC from 2000 to 2020. The SMI has shown a decreasing trend, indicating that the synergistic development of grain production and CNPP has been obvious, which plays an important role in sustainable food supply capacity. Agricultural production and the natural environment have always been critical factors influencing the spatial mismatch. Specifically, the marginal impact of fertilizer application has undergone a shift. This study may provide new clues for the formulation of regional strategies for sustainable food supply and black soil cropland system protection.

Trends and factors associated with depression among adults in the United States

&lt;b&gt;Purpose&lt;/b&gt;: Examine the trends and risk factors of depression among adults in the USA.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Methods: &lt;/b&gt;The national health interview survey (NHIS) data were analyzed. NHIS early release data provided the prevalence of depression from 2019 to 2022. We assessed depression covariates using SPSS 29.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Results: &lt;/b&gt;The prevalence of depression decreased from 4.7% in 2019 to 4.5% in 2020, before rising to 5% in 2022. Of 31,536 participants in 2022 NHIS, 51.7% were female and 40% were 26 to 49 years old. Logistic regression showed that being female, obese and having diabetes and lower level of education as well as smoking cigarettes were significantly associated with higher levels of depression. Conversely, being married and aged 60 years&lt;sup&gt;+&lt;/sup&gt; were significantly associated with lower likelihood of depression.&lt;br /&gt; &lt;b&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/b&gt;The decrease trends of depression at the onset the pandemic underscores the needs for further study. Targeted public health strategies and collaborative efforts are essential to mitigate depression’s impact and improve mental health outcomes.