The impact mechanism of ownership change on university innovation.

The mixed-ownership reform of job invention achievements (MOJIA) is an important exploration of China's sound long-term incentive mechanism for transforming job-related inventions. Based on the data of MOJIA pilot universities and regions from 2012 to 2022, this paper analyzes the relationship and mechanism between MOJIA and university innovation (UI) in China by combining resource dependence theory and institutional theory. The study found that MOJIA has a promotive effect on UI. The findings continue to hold after using parallel trend tests, lagged regressions, alternative UI measures, endogeneity control, and placebo tests. MOJIA can enhance the technology achievement marketability in the regions where universities are located. Moreover, MOJIA can facilitate the technological achievements marketability by improving UI. Heterogeneity analysis found that the lower the administrative level and the university's social reputation, the stronger the promotion effect of MOJIA on UI. The research in this paper provides implications for further improving MOJIA.

Adverse short-term effects of ozone on cardiovascular mortalities modified by season and temperature: a time-series study.

Introduction: Ambient ozone pollution becomes critical in China. Conclusions on the short-term effects of ozone on cardiovascular mortality have been controversial and limited on cause-specific cardiovascular mortalities and their interactions with season and temperature. This research aimed to investigate the short-term effects of ozone and the modifications of season and temperature on cardiovascular mortality. Methods: Cardiovascular death records, air pollutants, and meteorological factors in Shenzhen from 2013 to 2019 were analyzed. Daily 1-h maximum of ozone and daily maximum 8-h moving average of ozone were studied. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to evaluate their associations with cardiovascular mortalities in sex and age groups. Effect modifications were assessed by stratifying season and temperature. Results: Distributed lag impacts of ozone on total cardiovascular deaths and cumulative effects on mortality due to ischemic heart disease (IHD) were most significant. Population under 65 years old was most susceptible. Majority of significant effects were found in warm season, at high temperature, and at extreme heat. Ozone-associated risks in total deaths caused by hypertensive diseases reduced in warm season, while risks in IHD in males increased at high temperature. Extreme heat enhanced ozone effects on deaths caused by CVDs and IHD in the population under 65 years old. Discussion: The revealed cardiovascular impacts of ozone below current national standard of air quality suggested improved standards and interventions in China. Higher temperature, particularly extreme heat, rather than warm season, could significantly enhance the adverse effects of ozone on cardiovascular mortality in population under 65 years old.

LncRNA SNHG16 is Downregulated in Pneumonia and Downregulates miR-210 to Promote LPS-Induced Lung Cell Apoptosis.

Long non-coding RNA Small Nucleolar RNA Host Gene 16 (SNHG16) has been reported to participate in Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory pathway, which contributes to pneumonia. This study was therefore conducted to explore the role of SNHG16 in pneumonia. In this study, expression of SNHG16 and microRNA (miR)-210 in pneumonia plasma samples (n = 56) and control samples (n = 60) was detected by RT-qPCR. The potential crosstalk between SNHG16 and miR-210 was analyzed by performing overexpression experiments. MSP was performed to study the role of SNHG16 in methylation of miR-210 gene. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by cell apoptosis assay. Decreased expression levels of SNHG16 and increased expression levels of miR-210 were observed in pneumonia. SNHG16 showed an inverse correlation to miR-210. LPS treatment led to downregulated SNHG16 and upregulated miR-210 in Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells (HBEpCs). In HBEpCs, SNHG16 downregulated miR-210 and increased miR-210 DNA gene methylation. Moreover, SNHG16 suppressed the role of miR-210 in cell apoptosis under LPS treatment. In conclusion, SNHG16 is downregulated in pneumonia, and it downregulates miR-210 possibly through methylation to promote lung cell apoptosis induced by LPS.

Sex- and region-specific associations of skeletal muscle mass with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is known to be the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, and accumulating evidence suggests that skeletal muscle might play an important role in metabolic health. However, the association between skeletal muscle and MAFLD is poorly understood so far. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the associations of skeletal muscle with MAFLD and significant fibrosis. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data obtained from the 2017-2018 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The whole-body, appendicular, and trunk skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. MAFLD and significant fibrosis were assessed by transient elastography. Survey-weight adjusted multivariable logistic regressions were used to determine the associations. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and variable importance scores from the random forest and logistic regression model were calculated to assess the predictive capability of variables and models. Results: Of the 2065 participants, those with appendicular SMI in the highest quartile were associated with a lower risk for MAFLD in both sexes (male, OR[95%CI]: 0.46 [0.25~0.84]; female, OR[95%CI]: 0.32 [0.13~0.82]), but with a significantly different scale of the associations between sexes (P interaction = 0.037). However, females with trunk SMI in the highest quartile had an increased risk of significant fibrosis (OR[95%CI]: 7.82 [1.86~32.77]). Trunk SMI and appendicular SMI ranked the third contributor to MAFLD in random forest and logistic regression models, respectively. Taking appendicular and trunk SMI into consideration, the AUCs for MAFLD were 0.890 and 0.866 in random forest and logistic regression models, respectively. Discussion: The distribution of skeletal muscle mass differently affects MAFLD and significant fibrosis in the sex groups. Higher appendicular skeletal muscle mass was associated with a lower risk of MAFLD, while the risk of significant fibrosis in females was increased with the trunk skeletal muscle mass.

Composition and sources of particulate matter in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and its surrounding areas during the heating season.

This paper aimed to analyze the composition and pollution sources of particulate matter (PM) in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and its surrounding areas (henceforth the BTH region) during the heating season to support the mitigation and control of regional air pollution. Manual monitoring data from the China National Environmental Monitoring Network for Atmospheric PM in the BTH region were collected and analyzed during the 2016 and 2018 heating seasons. The positive definite matrix factor analysis (PMF) model was used to analyze the PM sources in BTH cities during the heating season. The main PM components were organic matter (OM), nitrate (NO3-), sulfate (SO42-) and ammonium salt (NH4+). Direct emission sources have decreased since 2016, indicating the effectiveness of governmental controls on these sources; however, secondary pollution showed an increasing trend, suggesting control measures should be strengthened. Daily regional average concentrations of OM, SO42-, NH4+, elemental carbon (EC), chloride (Cl-) and trace elements all showed similar trends. When air quality worsened, the concentrations of the main PM components increased, but trends of change varied among components. In 2018, concentrations of OM and chloride were highest in the Taihang Mountains, and NO3 concentrations were highest in Anyang, Hebi, Jiaozuo and Xinxiang. The SO42- concentration was highest in the southern section of the Taihang Mountains. The NH4+ and EC concentrations were generally highest in the central and southern regions. The concentration of crustal substances was highest in some cities in the north and central parts of the BTH region. In the 2018 heating season, the pollution level of five transmission channels showed an increasing trend in the Northwest, Southeast, Yanshan, South and Taihang Mountain channels. These findings provide a scientific basis for the continued management of atmospheric PM pollution.

Acute effects of ambient nitrogen oxides and interactions with temperature on cardiovascular mortality in Shenzhen, China.

BACKGROUND: Though inconsistent, acute effects of ambient nitrogen oxides on cardiovascular mortality have been reported. Whereas, interactive roles of temperature on their relationships and joint effects of different indicators of nitrogen oxides were less studied. This study aimed to extrapolate the independent roles of ambient nitrogen oxides and temperature interactions on cardiovascular mortality. METHODS: Data on mortality, air pollutants, and meteorological factors in Shenzhen from 2013 to 2019 were collected. Three indicators including nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOX) were studied. Adjusted generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to analyse their associations with cardiovascular mortality in different groups. RESULTS: The average daily concentrations of NO, NO2, and NOX were 11.7 µg/m3, 30.7 µg/m3, and 53.2 µg/m3, respectively. Significant associations were shown with each indicator. Cumulative effects of nitrogen oxides were more obvious than distributed lag effects. Males, population under 65 years old, and population with stroke-related condition were more susceptible to nitrogen oxides. Adverse effects of nitrogen oxides were more significant at low temperature. Impacts of NO2 on cardiovascular mortality, and NO on stroke mortality were the most robust in the multi-pollutant models, whereas variations were shown in the other relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of nitrogen oxides showed acute and adverse impacts and the interactive roles of temperature on cardiovascular mortality. Cumulative effects were most significant and joint effects of nitrogen oxides required more attention. Population under 65 years old and population with stroke-related health condition were susceptible, especially days at lower temperature.

Land use and land cover change and its impacts on dengue dynamics in China: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is a prioritized public health concern in China. Because of the larger scale, more frequent and wider spatial distribution, the challenge for dengue prevention and control has increased in recent years. While land use and land cover (LULC) change was suggested to be associated with dengue, relevant research has been quite limited. The "Open Door" policy introduced in 1978 led to significant LULC change in China. This systematic review is the first to review the studies on the impacts of LULC change on dengue dynamics in China. This review aims at identifying the research evidence, research gaps and provide insights for future research. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol. The combinations of search terms on LULC, dengue and its vectors were searched in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Baidu Scholar. Research conducted on China published from 1978 to December 2019 and written in English or Chinese was selected for further screening. References listed in articles meeting the inclusion criteria were also reviewed and included if again inclusion criteria were met to minimize the probability of missing relevant research. RESULTS: 28 studies published between 1978 and 2017 were included for the full review. Guangdong Province and southern Taiwan were the major regional foci in the literature. The majority of the reviewed studies observed associations between LULC change factors and dengue incidence and distribution. Conflictive evidence was shown in the studies about the impacts of green space and blue space on dengue in China. Transportation infrastructure and urbanization were repeatedly suggested to be positively associated with dengue incidence and spread. The majority of the studies reviewed considered meteorological and sociodemographic factors when they analyzed the effects of LULC change on dengue. Primary and secondary remote sensing (RS) data were the primary source for LULC variables. In 21 of 28 studies, a geographic information system (GIS) was used to process data of environmental variables and dengue cases and to perform spatial analysis of dengue. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of LULC change on the dynamics of dengue in China varied in different periods and regions. The application of RS and GIS enriches the means and dimensions to explore the relations between LULC change and dengue. Further comprehensive regional research is necessary to assess the influence of LULC change on local dengue transmission to provide practical advice for dengue prevention and control.

Respiratory effects induced by occupational exposure to refractory ceramic fibers.

Refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) are increasingly used as heating-insulated materials in various industries. However, toxicological and epidemiological studies focusing on the adverse effects of RCFs were still insufficient, particularly in China. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate comprehensively the associations between occupational exposure to RCFs and respiratory health effects among Chinese workers. We measured and calculated cumulative RCFexposure levels of RCFs workers from the biggest RCFs factory in China. In total, 430 RCF-exposed workers and 121 controls were enrolled in this study. Physical examinations of the respiratory system were performed and serum levels of biomarkers including Clara cell protein 16 (CC16), surfactant protein D (SP-D), transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were determined among all subjects. RCF exposure workers showed a higher prevalence rate of respiratory symptoms (cough: 11.9%) and lower levels of small airways function indices (V50 %: 82.71 ± 20.01, maximal mid expiratory flow (MMEF)%: 81.08 ± 19.56) compared with the control group (cough: 5.0%, V50 %: 90.64 ± 24.36, MMEF%: 88.83 ± 24.22). RCFs workers showed higher levels of TGF-ß1 (31.04 ng/mL) and 8-OHdG (130.72 ng/mL) and lower levels of CC16 (3.68 ng/mL) compared with the controls (TGF-ß1: 26.63 ng/mL, 8-OHdG: 106.86 ng/mL, CC16: 5.65 ng/mL). After adjusting for covariates, cumulative RCF exposure levels showed significant positive associations with the levels of TGF-ß1 and 8-OHdG and negative association with the level of CC16. Occupational RCF exposure could induce adverse respiratory health effects, including cough and small airways damage, which may correlate to the altered levels of lung damage markers (CC16 and TGF-ß1) and oxidative markers (8-OHdG).

Biomarkers for Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis and Lung Ventilation Function in Chinese Occupational Refractory Ceramic Fibers-Exposed Workers.

Refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) can cause adverse health effects on workers' respiratory system, yet no proper biomarkers have been used to detect early pulmonary injury of RCFs-exposed workers. This study assessed the levels of two biomarkers that are related to respiratory injury in RCFs-exposed workers, and explored their relations with lung function. The exposure levels of total dust and respirable fibers were measured simultaneously in RCFs factories. The levels of TGF-ß1 and ceruloplasmin (CP) increased with the RCFs exposure level (p < 0.05), and significantly increased in workers with high exposure level (1.21 ± 0.49 ng/mL, 115.25 ± 32.44 U/L) when compared with the control group (0.99 ± 0.29 ng/mL, 97.90 ± 35.01 U/L) (p < 0.05). The levels of FVC and FEV1 were significantly decreased in RCFs exposure group (p < 0.05). Negative relations were found between the concentrations of CP and FVC (B = -0.423, p = 0.025), or FEV1 (B = -0.494, p = 0.014). The concentration of TGF-ß1 (B = 0.103, p = 0.001) and CP (B = 8.027, p = 0.007) were associated with respirable fiber exposure level. Occupational exposure to RCFs can impair lung ventilation function and may have the potential to cause pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. TGF-ß1 and CP might be used as sensitive and noninvasive biomarkers to detect lung injury in occupational RCFs-exposed workers. Respirable fiber concentration can better reflect occupational RCFs exposure and related respiratory injuries.

Positive Rates and Factors Associated with Abnormal Lung Function of Greenhouse Workers in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Since the number of greenhouse workers are increasing in China, this observational cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate lung function and discuss the potential risk factors, to provide evidence in the surveillance of greenhouse workers' health. 678 greenhouse workers in Gansu Province, China were enrolled. A questionnaire which included demographic and occupational information was used. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), and FEV1:FVC ratios (FEV1/FVC), maximal expiratory flow after 50% of the FVC has not been exhaled (MEF50), maximal expiratory flow after 25% of the FVC has not been exhaled (MEF25) and maximal mid-expiratory flow curve (MMEF) were measured as lung function indicators. The mean values and standard deviations (SDs) of VC% predicted, FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted and FEV1/FVC ratio were 106.07 ± 13.36, 107.60 ± 13.95, 97.19 ± 14.80 and 89.76 ± 10.78 respectively. The positive rates of above four and abnormal lung ventilation function were 2.9%, 2.8%, 11.2%, 4.6% and 6.5% respectively. Gender, age, BMI and number of greenhouses owned were influence factors of lung ventilation function (p < 0.05). The mean values and SDs of MEF50% predicted, MEF25% predicted and MMEF% predicted were 69.63 ± 24.95, 54.04 ± 24.94 and 66.81 ± 24.53. The positive rates of above three and abnormal small airway function were 45.0%, 72.1%, 47.2% and 49.4% respectively. Age, education and number of greenhouses owned were influence factors for small airway function (p < 0.05). Working in a greenhouse might influence lung function of the workers. Small airway function indicators could be used as priority indicators for the surveillance of greenhouse workers' health.