Collaborative management of environmental pollution and carbon emissions drives local green growth: An analysis based on spatial effects.

Collaborative management of environmental pollution and carbon emissions (CMPC) has been a major policy instrument to promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in recent years. However, the relationship between the benefits and drawbacks of this environmental management practice for green growth in and around a local area remains to be clarified. Using 30 provinces in China during 2001-2019 as the object of analysis, we assessed the efficiency of local CMPC practices using the nonradial directional distance function (NDDF) model, predicted local green growth using the frontier green complexity index (GCI), and empirically examined the spatial effects, locational heterogeneity, and threshold characteristics of the relationship using the spatial Durbin model and the panel threshold model. Our study finds that although efficient CMPC does drive local green growth, the promotion effect is nonlinear with decreasing marginal effect. This effect is particularly obvious in economically developed regions with higher CMPCs, which will absorb resources from neighboring regions and create a "siphoning" effect. It was found that local financial support and foreign direct investment (FDI) can radiate green growth to neighboring regions; therefore, CMPC practice needs to pay more attention to the effect of joint governance, supplemented by financial and foreign investment policy tools, to better promote the green transformation of local economy.

mtDNA regulates cGAS-STING signaling pathway in adenomyosis.

In various hyperproliferative disorders, damaged mitochondria can release mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) into the cytoplasm, activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and subsequent immune imbalances. Our previous research has demonstrated that hypoxia plays a role in the development of adenomyosis (AM) by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. However, the precise involvement of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and mtDNA in AM remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between mtDNA secretion, changes in the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, and the abnormal cellular proliferation observed in AM. We found the cGAS, STING, TBK1, p-TBK1, IRF3, and p-IRF3 proteins levels were significantly elevated in the tissues of patients with AM compared to the control group. Additionally, there was an increase in the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-α in the AM tissues. Hypoxia-induced an increase in the proliferation and migration abilities of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs), accompanied by the activation of the cGAS-STING signaling pathway and elevated levels of IFN-α. Furthermore, hypoxia promoted the leakage of mtDNA into the cytoplasm in AM ESCs, and the deletion of mtDNA reduced the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. Moreover, knockdown of the STING gene inhibited the expression of TBK1, p-TBK1, IRF3, and p-IRF3 and suppressed the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFN-α. Furthermore, the migration and invasion abilities of AM ESCs were significantly diminished after STING knockdown. These findings provide valuable insights into the role of mtDNA release and the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of AM.

A study of the spatial network structure of ethnic regions in Northwest China based on multiple factor flows in the context of COVID-19: Evidence from Ningxia.

As an underdeveloped and low-income region, the development of minority regions in Northwest China is crucial. As an important part of minority regions, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has insufficient endogenous power for stable economic development and high risk of returning to poverty. On the whole, the Ningxia county network shows a spatial pattern of high in the north and low in the south. However, there are great differences in the centrality of different factor flow networks. The factor connections between most counties are weak, and a close innovation network has not yet been formed. There is an obvious administrative clique structure, showing a certain degree of self-enclosure. The factor flows between counties are relatively uniform and greatly affected by geographic distance. From the perspective of integrated flow, the Ningxia county network presents a distinct core-periphery circle structure. Population size and GDP are the main factors affecting the spatial network. The policy implication of this study is that Ningxia Autonomous Prefecture should coordinate the planning of the region's economy, technology, and transportation, so as to reduce the development gap between counties by enhancing the closeness of the county spatial association network, and ultimately realize the region's high-quality development.

Innovative association network of new energy vehicle charging stations in China: Structural evolution and policy implications.

New energy vehicles (NEVs) can effectively reduce emissions and alleviate global climate problems, and are crucial to global sustainable development. China is the world's largest seller of NEVs, but charging stations have always been a major constraint to the development of NEVs. To clearly characterize the structural characteristics of an innovation association network of NEV charging stations, this study analyzes the structural characteristics of China's innovation association network of NEV charging stations with the patent data since 2007 in the Incopat Global Patent Database from the three perspectives of province, city and patent applicant using method of social network analysis (SNA). The findings show the following: (1) The innovation association network of NEV charging stations has been expanded constantly, with the association strength evidently increasing. (2) The innovation association network of NEV charging stations exhibits a typical core-periphery structure, with the quantity of nodes with high association strength varying little, and the quantity of nodes with low- and medium-association strengths exhibiting an evident increasing trend. (3) The effect of regional central cities is enhanced, with an evident group structure. There has been no information barrier caused by excessive small group formation in the province association network, whereas there are small group development trends in city and patent applicant cooperation networks. In addition, policy recommendations for further expanding technological innovation in charging stations to promote the development of the NEV industry are discussed based on the study results.

Assessing the role of robotic surgery versus laparoscopic surgery in patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of endometriosis can be carried out with the traditional standard laparoscopic technique or the robotic surgery technique; however, it is not clear if there is a significant difference between techniques. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate and compare the impact of robotic and standard laparoscopic techniques in endometriosis regarding the clinical outcome. METHODS: Studies comparing robotic surgery to laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis were among the studies from various languages that met the inclusion criteria. Using dichotomous and continuous random-effect models, the results of these investigations (surgery time, hospitalization time, blood loss, complications, and conversion rate) were examined, and the mean difference with 95% confidence intervals was computed. RESULTS: Eight studies from 2013 to 2022 were selected for the current analysis including 1741 patients with endometriosis. The studied data revealed a statistically significant (P = .01) lower operation time related to laparoscopic surgery compared with the robotic technique. In addition, the hospitalization time of laparoscopic surgery is significantly (P = .03) lower than that of robotic surgery. On the other hand, blood loss, rehospitalization, postoperative and intraoperative complications, and conversion rates were not significantly different between both techniques. Heterogeneity values were variable according to the analysis factor, from 0% to 91%. CONCLUSION: Both robotic and standard laparoscopic techniques have similar outcomes regarding blood loss, rehospitalization, conversion rate, and rate of complication. However, the substantial difference between techniques was in favor of standard laparoscopic surgery regarding operation and hospitalization time.

Exosomes: potential diagnostic markers and drug carriers for adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is a common benign gynecological disorder and an important factor leading to infertility in fertile women. Adenomyosis can cause deep lesions and is persistent and refractory in nature due to its tumor-like biological characteristics, such as the ability to implant, adhere, and invade. The pathogenesis of adenomyosis is currently unclear. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are urgently required. Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles secreted by cells that carry proteins, genetic materials and other biologically active components. Exosomes play an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and regulating immune responses and metabolism. A growing body of work has shown that exosomes and their contents are key to the development and progression of adenomyosis. This review discusses the current research progress, future prospects and challenges in this emerging therapeutic tool by providing an overview of the changes in the adenomyosis uterine microenvironment and the biogenesis and functions of exosomes, with particular emphasis on the role of exosomes and their contents in the regulation of cell migration, proliferation, fibrosis formation, neovascularization, and inflammatory responses in adenomyosis.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Chinese Patent Medicines for Cervical High-risk Human Papillomavirus Infection: A Bayesian Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Many Chinese patent medicines have been reported to show anti-tumor cell effects on cervical cancer. To estimate the comparative effectiveness and safety of Chinese patent medicines for cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Chinese patent medicines for HR-HPV infection were searched in eight databases until 31 August 2022, and two review authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Outcomes concerning efficacy were evaluated as odds ratio (OR) and 95% credible intervals (CrI) utilizing R 4.1.2 and Stata 16.1. The protocol was registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022351120). Results: We ultimately identified 60 RCTs that involved 5,951 participants and 8 interventions. Chinese patent medicines combined with recombinant human interferon (rhIFN) have better treatment effects than rhIFN alone. The results showed that Baofukang suppository (BFK) combined with rhIFN is greater for the rate of HR-HPV clearance follow-up at 6 months (SUCRA = 78.16%). Kushen gel (KS) combined with rhIFN ranked first for the rate of HR-HPV clearance after treatment (SUCRA = 90.77%). Furthermore, KS + rhIFN is most likely to be the best intervention for improving the clinical effectiveness rate (SUCRA = 87.39%). Adverse reactions were not statistically significant in BFK + rhIFN versus BFK, BFK + rhIFN versus rhIFN, and BFK versus rhIFN. Conclusion: The combination of Chinese patent medicines with rhIFN may demonstrate a higher efficacy than rhIFN alone in clearing the virus and improving cervical symptoms. Weighing with the clinical comprehensive efficacy, BFK + rhIFN and KS + rhIFN maybe the optimal treatments for cervical HR-HPV infection. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to further confirm the efficacy and safety of proprietary Chinese medicines for cervical HR-HPV infection.

Spatial network and driving factors of low-carbon patent applications in China from a public health perspective.

Introduction: The natural disasters and climate anomalies caused by increasing global carbon emissions have seriously threatened public health. To solve increasingly serious environmental pollution problems, the Chinese government has committed itself to achieving the goals of peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality. The low-carbon patent application is an important means to achieve these goals and promote public health. Methods: This study analyzes the basic situation, spatial network, and influencing factors of low-carbon patent applications in China since 2001 at the provincial and urban agglomeration levels using social network analysis based on data from the Incopat global patent database. Results: The following findings are established. (1) From the number of low-carbon patent applications, the total number of low-carbon patent applications in China increased year by year, while the number of applications in the eastern region was larger than those in the central and western regions, but such regional differences had been decreasing. (2) At the interprovincial level, low-carbon patent applications showed a complex and multithreaded network structure. In particular, the eastern coastal provinces occupied the core position in the network. The weighted degree distribution of China's interprovincial low-carbon patent cooperation network is affected by various factors, including economic development, financial support, local scientific research level, and low-carbon awareness. (3) At the urban agglomeration level, the eastern coastal urban agglomerations showed a radial structure with the central city as the core. Urban innovation capability, economic development, low-carbon development awareness, level of technology import from overseas, and informatization level are highly correlated with the weighted degree of low-carbon cooperation networks of urban agglomerations. Discussion: This study provides ideas for the construction and governance of low-carbon technology innovation system and perspectives for theoretical research on public health and high-quality development in China.

Chinese patent medicines combined with hormone replacement therapy for premature ovarian failure: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy differences between Chinese patent medicines combined with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the treatment of premature ovarian failure (POF) by the Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) method. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting Chinese patent medicine combined with HRT for POF included Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Wanfang Database (Wanfang), VIP Database (VIP), and China Biology Medicine Database (CBM) from the inception of the databases to July 2022. Two researchers independently screened the articles, extracted data, and evaluated the quality. The literature that met the inclusion criteria was screened out, the quality and risk of bias of the included studies were assessed according to the Cochrane 5.1 manual and RevMan 5.4, and NMA was performed using Stata 15.0 and R software. Results: Sixty-four RCTs involving 5,675 individuals containing 12 oral Chinese patent medicines combined with HRT were enrolled into the current NMA. The results showed that when compared with patients using only HRT, the total clinical response rate is greater in patients using HRT combined with one of these 12 oral Chinese patent medicines. Among them, Zuogui pills + HRT [odds ratio (OR) = 3.92; 95% credible interval (CrI) = 0.86, 23.84; SUCRA = 73.76%] is most likely to be the best intervention, and the suboptimal intervention is Guishen pills + HRT (OR = 3.22, 95% CrI = 1.16, 9.44, SUCRA = 70.60%). Conclusion: Chinese patent medicines combined with HRT were more effective than HRT alone in the treatment of POF. Zuogui pills are good at decreasing follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) and more effective in the improvement of total clinical response rate; Xuefu Zhuyu capsule is also good at decreasing FSH. Ziheche capsule is an expert in improving estradiol level; Kuntai capsule shows the lowest incidence of adverse reactions. However, the quality of the literature included in this study is relatively low, so it may affect the results of the study. Therefore, higher quality and multi-center trial would be necessary for supporting these results. Systematic review registration: [www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero], identifier [CRD42022350587].

Research on the evolution of the Chinese urban biomedicine innovation network pattern: An analysis using multispatial scales.

This paper addresses the spatial pattern of urban biomedicine innovation networks by separately using four scales, i.e., the national scale, interregional scale, urban agglomeration scale, and provincial scale, on the basis of Chinese biomedicine patent data from the incoPat global patent database (GPD) (2001-2020) and using the method of social network analysis (SNA). Through the research, it is found that (1) on the national scale, the Chinese biomedicine innovation network becomes denser from west to the east as its complexity continuously increases. Its spatial structure takes the form of a radial network pattern with Beijing and Shanghai as its centers. The COVID-19 pandemic has not had an obvious negative impact on this network at present. (2) On the interregional scale, the strength of interregional network ties is greater than that of intraregional network ties. The eastern, central and western biomedicine innovation networks appear to be heterogeneous networks with regional central cities as the cores. (3) At the urban agglomeration scale, the strength of intraurban-agglomeration network ties is greater than that of interurban-agglomeration network ties. The three major urban agglomerations have formed radial spatial patterns with central cities as the hubs. (4) At the provincial scale, the intraprovincial networks have poor connectivity and low internal ties strength, which manifest as core-periphery structures with the provincial capitals as centers. Our research conclusion helps to clarify the current accumulation of technology and offer guidance for the development of China's biomedicine industry.

Global Trade Pattern of Medical Devices and China's Trade Position: Based on Data From 2001 to 2020.

To depict the evolution of the global trade of medical devices, this study analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of global and China's trade patterns of medical devices from 2001 to 2020 based on data from the World Bank and United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database, and thereby investigates the status quo of global and China's medical device trade, as well as changes in China's position in the global medical device trade. The findings are as follows. First, the total global trade volume of medical devices is generally on the rise, showing closer network connections. Despite some changes in trade position, the core countries in the global medical device trade network are relatively fixed. The intermediate position of core trading countries has been weakened on the whole, whereas exporting countries have generally assumed an enhanced central position. Communities with geographical proximity have been formed in the global medical device trade network, including two large communities, the Asian-European countries and the Pacific Rim countries, and one small community, the South American countries. Second, with its rapidly growing trade volume of medical devices with other countries, China has now become the fourth largest medical device trading country in the world. Its number of import and export partners has remained relatively stable and continued to increase. Its export markets are relatively concentrated, and a tripartite pattern of import sources has been formed. China has established extensive interdependent relations and almost no one-way dependent relations in the medical device trade. Among its major trading partners for medical devices, the interdependence of China with developed countries/regions, such as European and American countries and Japan, has generally deepened.

Spatiotemporal evolution of online attention to vaccines since 2011: An empirical study in China.

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Chinese government has taken a number of measures to effectively control the pandemic. By the end of 2021, China achieved a full vaccination rate higher than 85%. The Chinese Plan provides an important model for the global fight against COVID-19. Internet search reflects the public's attention toward and potential demand for a particular thing. Research on the spatiotemporal characteristics of online attention to vaccines can determine the spatiotemporal distribution of vaccine demand in China and provides a basis for global public health policy making. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics of online attention to vaccines and their influencing factors in 31 provinces/municipalities in mainland China with Baidu Index as the data source by using geographic concentration index, coefficient of variation, GeoDetector, and other methods. The following findings are presented. First, online attention to vaccines showed an overall upward trend in China since 2011, especially after 2016. Significant seasonal differences and an unbalanced monthly distribution were observed. Second, there was an obvious geographical imbalance in online attention to vaccines among the provinces/municipalities, generally exhibiting a spatial pattern of "high in the east and low in the west." Low aggregation and obvious spatial dispersion among the provinces/municipalities were also observed. The geographic distribution of hot and cold spots of online attention to vaccines has clear boundaries. The hot spots are mainly distributed in the central-eastern provinces and the cold spots are in the western provinces. Third, the spatiotemporal differences in online attention to vaccines are the combined result of socioeconomic level, socio-demographic characteristics, and disease control level.

How Does Organizational Unlearning Influence Product Innovation Performance? Moderating Effect of Environmental Dynamism.

Product innovation integrates technology, knowledge, management practices, and market innovation, making it essential to gain a competitive advantage. Effective management of dynamic knowledge, which is the foundation of and driving force for product innovation, is a powerful tool that allows a firm to successfully innovate, adapt to environmental changes, and improve its competitiveness. In the "nanosecond age," unlearning and learning in an organization is crucial to a firm's ability to promptly update its organizational knowledge and maintain innovation vitality. Based on the dynamic knowledge management perspective, this study integrates and constructs a theoretical model with environmental dynamism as the moderating variable, discusses the impact of organizational unlearning on product innovation performance, and empirically analyzes 208 valid questionnaires in the Yangtze River Delta using the multiple regression method. The results show that organizational unlearning shares a positive relationship with dynamic capabilities and product innovation performance. Dynamic capability is positively related to product innovation performance and has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between organizational unlearning and product innovation performance. Environmental dynamism shares a positive moderating effect on the relationship between organizational unlearning and product innovation performance. This study deepens the existing research on the factors that influence product innovation performance, which may help firms improve their dynamic knowledge management and product innovation performance.

The associations between TMAO-related metabolites and blood lipids and the potential impact of rosuvastatin therapy.

BACKGROUND: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-related metabolites are associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and are known to disrupt lipid metabolism. The aims of this study were to evaluate the associations between TMAO-related metabolites and blood lipids and determine how lowering the lipid profile via rosuvastatin therapy influences TMAO-related metabolites. METHODS: A total of 112 patients with suspected ASCVD were enrolled in this study. The levels of plasma TMAO-related metabolites, including TMAO, choline, carnitine, betaine, and γ-butyrobetaine (GBB), were analyzed by stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) before and after rosuvastatin therapy in all patients. Statistical methods were used to detect the associations between TMAO-related metabolites and blood lipids and determine how rosuvastatin therapy alters the levels of these metabolites. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between TMAO and triglycerides (TG) (r = 0.303, P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant negative correlations were found between TMAO and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and between betaine and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (r = - 0.405 and - 0.308, respectively, both P < 0.01). Compared to baseline, significantly lower TMAO levels and higher carnitine, betaine and GBB levels were observed after rosuvastatin therapy, while the lipids decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The significant correlation between TMAO and TG or between betaine and LDL-c disappeared after rosuvastatin therapy (r = 0.050 and - 0.172, respectively, both P > 0.05). However, a significantly positive association between carnitine and TC and a negative association between carnitine and LDL-c or between betaine and TG were found after adjustment for sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and lipids (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that TMAO-related metabolites are significantly associated with blood lipids, although some of them are changed postrosuvastatin therapy. Lower TMAO and higher TMAO precursors were observed after rosuvastatin therapy compared to baseline. This study indicates that elevated TMAO precursors after rosuvastatin therapy and their potential impact on ASCVD should be considered in the clinic.

Global Trade Pattern of Traditional Chinese Medicines and China's Trade Position.

To depict the evolution of the global trade of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) products, this article analyzes the 2001-2020 trade data of TCM products in the World Bank and United Nations Commodity Trade Statistics Database to discern the spatial-temporal evolution characteristics of global and China's trade patterns of TCM products from 2001 to 2020 and thereby assess the changes in the global trade of TCM products and in the positions of various countries or regions in the global trade of TCM products. Research findings are as follows: First, on the whole, the total trade volume of TCM products and the number of participating economies and trade connections are on the rise. Second, in terms of topological structure, with higher network density and rising transmission efficiency, the global trade network of TCM products has typical small-world and scale-free network characteristics and has begun to be controlled by a few countries. Judging from the co-opetition between major trading countries, there are more diversified sources of imports for major trading countries, and there is competition between supplying countries. Third, For China, the trade volume of TCM products between China and various countries worldwide has grown rapidly and exhibits a trend of continuous increase followed by decline. China has established extensive trade partnerships and its position in the global trade network of TCM products has been continuously improved. China's participation has contributed to a closer connection among trading entities, but its network heterogeneity remains to be further improved. From the perspective of trade interdependence, the number of countries or regions maintaining high interdependence with China has been gradually increasing, and most of them are European and American countries, Japan, and Southeast Asian countries. The number of countries or regions maintaining low interdependence with China has gradually decreased, and countries or regions that are completely one-way dependent on China are nonexistent.

Has COVID-19 Changed China's Digital Trade?-Implications for Health Economics.

Digital technologies have played a significant role in the defense against the COVID-19 pandemic. This development raises the question of whether digital technologies have helped Chinese exports recover quickly and even grow. To answer this question, we study monthly data on Chinese exports to 40 countries/regions from January 2019 to June 2020 and covering 97 product categories. The study takes the COVID-19 outbreak as a natural experiment and treats digital trade products as the treatment group. Using a generalized difference-in-differences (DID) approach, we empirically investigate how this major global public health crisis and digital trade have influenced Chinese exports. Our empirical analysis reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has inhibited China's export trade overall, digital trade has significantly promoted trade, and the supply mechanism has played a significant role in promoting the recovery of exports. Heterogeneity tests on destination countries/regions reveal that digital trade has significantly promoted exports to countries/regions with different income levels, with a more significant effect on low-risk destinations than on high-risk destinations. The sector heterogeneity test demonstrates that digital trade has enhanced the export recovery of sectors dealing in necessities for pandemic prevention. Other robustness tests, including parallel trend and placebo tests, support the above conclusions. Finally, we extend the research conclusions and discuss their implication for health economics and the practice of fighting COVID-19.

Digital Technology, Knowledge Level, and Food Safety Governance: Implications for National Healthcare System.

Exploring the intrinsic relationship between digital technology and the efficiency of food safety supervision contributes to a better understanding of the role of digital technology in food safety supervision and how to maximize its influence. This study employed sample data from 31 regions in China between 2015 and 2017 for an empirical analysis of the correlation between the two and to examine the moderating effects of the knowledge levels of food producers and consumers. The results show that the development of digital technology contributes to enhancing the efficiency of food safety supervision. In this process, the higher the knowledge level of consumers, the greater the positive promotional effect of digital technology. On the contrary, when the knowledge level of producers is higher, it is not conducive to enhancing the effect of digital technology on the efficiency of food safety supervision. The author holds the view that this is related to the fact that employees in the food production and manufacturing industry have insufficient moral and legal knowledge. This not only limits the effect of digital technology on enhancing the efficiency of food safety supervision, but also opens the door to illegal production for some unprincipled producers. The policy implications are that digital technology should be used to improve food safety supervision, the moral and legal knowledge of food producers should be improved, and consumers should be encouraged to use digital technology more in the pursuit of food safety. Implications for national healthcare system would be also discussed in our paper.

Acupuncture for glucose and lipid metabolic disorders of polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological disease that is often accompanied by some metabolic abnormality such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. As a non-pharmacological therapy, acupuncture is widely used for the treatment of PCOS, but the effectiveness for insulin resistance and lipid metabolic disorder remains controversial. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for insulin resistance and lipid metabolic disorder of women with PCOS. SEARCH METHODS: Eight databases will be searched from inception to June 2021, three clinical trial registration platforms will be searched for relevant trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture therapy for insulin resistance and lipid metabolic of PCOS will be included. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Study screening, data collection, and analysis will be performed by two or more reviewers independently. We will calculate mean difference (MD), standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data synthesis will be performed with RevMan V.5.3 software and with Stata V.15.0 software when necessary. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42020177846.

Is Health Contagious?-Based on Empirical Evidence From China Family Panel Studies' Data.

This study empirically analysed the contagion of health using data from China Family Panel Studies. We first controlled variables related to health behaviour, medical conditions, individual characteristics, household characteristics, group characteristics, and prefecture/county characteristics and then employed multiple methods for estimation. The estimates showed that the average health level of others in the community had a significant positive effect on individual self-rated health-health was contagious. The measurement results remained robust after the endogeneity of the core explanatory variables was controlled using two-stage least squares. Furthermore, by analysing the heterogeneity of health contagion, we found that the contagion effect of health varied with the level of medical care, household affiliation, gender, rural/urban areas, and age groups. The contagion effect of health was more pronounced in the elderly population and the rural areas of the central region, where the level of medical care is relatively low, whereas it did not differ significantly between genders. Finally, the learning or imitation mechanism and social interaction mechanism of health contagion were examined.