Women's Political Participation in Contemporary China

The rise of feminism began in the 18th century, and it attached great importance to the struggle for women's political rights and the improvement of women's political status. Whether women can have the right to speak in the political field is a prerequisite for women to strive for other rights in social life. China's equality between men and women was written into the Constitution in 1954, put forward as a national policy in 1995, supported by the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests in 2005, and then reflected in Report to the 20th CPC National Congress. This developmental trajectory signifies the ongoing progress of women's political participation in present-day China. However, owing to deeply ingrained traditional ideologies and historical institutional factors, women's status and political engagement remain suboptimal and continue to encounter obstacles. The study begins by explaining the research topic from a theoretical perspective and further analyzes it in the context of China based on previous studies. This thesis attempts to describe the present situation of Chinese women's political participation, focusing on the low proportion, the slow growth rate, and their political marginalization in China, exploring the problems and reasons behind it through superficial phenomena,...Katedra mezinárodních vztahůDepartment of International RelationsFaculty of Social SciencesFakulta sociálních vě

Item recommendations for cache and synchronization of application stores

To reduce the latency of rendering the page of an app in an application store (e.g., that provides access to downloads of apps to a mobile device), the application store app periodically synchronizes with its backend and caches on the user mobile device app pages that a user is likely to visit. This disclosure uses deep learning models to predict the next N apps that a user is likely to visit based on permitted user activity signals, e.g., demographic information, historical visits to deep links associated with the app, etc

Deciphering molecular details in the assembly of alpha-type carboxysome

Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are promising natural protein structures for applications that require the segregation of certain metabolic functions or molecular species in a defined microenvironment. To understand how endogenous cargos are packaged inside the protein shell is key for using BMCs as nano-scale reactors or delivery vesicles. In this report, we studied the encapsulation of RuBisCO into the α-type carboxysome from Halothiobacillus neapolitan. Our experimental data revealed that the CsoS2 scaffold proteins engage RuBisCO enzyme through an interaction with the small subunit (CbbS). In addition, the N domain of the large subunit (CbbL) of RuBisCO interacts with all shell proteins that can form the hexamers. The binding affinity between the N domain of CbbL and one of the major shell proteins, CsoS1C, is within the submicromolar range. The absence of the N domain also prevented the encapsulation of the rest of the RuBisCO subunits. Our findings complete the picture of how RuBisCOs are encapsulated into the α-type carboxysome and provide insights for future studies and engineering of carboxysome as a protein shell

Roles of TNF-α gene polymorphisms in the occurrence and progress of SARS-Cov infection: A case-control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Host genetic factors may play a role in the occurrence and progress of SARS-Cov infection. This study was to investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-<it>α </it>gene polymorphisms with the occurrence of SARS-CoV infection and its role in prognosis of patients with lung interstitial fibrosis and femoral head osteonecrosis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The association between genetic polymorphisms of <it>TNF-α </it>gene and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS) was conducted in a hospital-based case-control study including 75 SARS patients, 41 health care workers and 92 healthy controls. Relationships of TNF-α gene polymorphisms with interstitial lung fibrosis and femoral head osteonecrosis were carried out in two case-case studies in discharged SARS patients. PCR sequencing based typing (PCR-SBT) method was used to determine the polymorphisms of <it>TNF-α </it>gene in locus of the promoter region and univariate logistic analysis was conducted in analyzing the collected data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to TT genotype, the CT genotype at the -204 locus was found associated with a protective effect on SARS with OR(95%<it>CI</it>) of 0.95(0.90–0.99). Also, TT genotype, CT and CC were found associated with a risk effect on femoral head necrosis with ORs(95%<it>CI</it>) of 5.33(1.39–20.45) and 5.67(2.74–11.71), respectively and the glucocorticoid adjusted OR of CT was 5.25(95%CI 1.18–23.46) and the combined (CT and CC) genotype OR was 6.0 (95%<it>CI </it>1.60–22.55) at -1031 site of <it>TNF-α </it>gene. At the same time, the -863 AC genotype was manifested as another risk effect associated with femoral head necrosis with OR(95%<it>CI</it>) of 6.42(1.53–26.88) and the adjusted OR was 8.40(95%CI 1.76–40.02) in cured SARS patients compared to CC genotype.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>SNPs of <it>TNF-α </it>gene of promoter region may not associate with SARS-CoV infection. And these SNPs may not affect interstitial lung fibrosis in cured SARS patients. However, the -1031CT/CC and -863 AC genotypes may be risk factors of femoral head necrosis in discharged SARS patients.</p

Comparing Nursing Interventions Delivered With Risk Factors Of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease? A Retrospective Study Within Teaching Hospital In China.

Abstract: Background: Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality Worldwide. Previous reviews pointed that nursing interventions are beneficial for coronary artery patients. However, most interventions focused on education and counselling, but not consistent with the outcome set; still did not consider patient’s coronary artery disease risky characteristics. Related studies in China also difficult to find. Therefore this study was conducted to investigate kinds of nursing interventions delivered to coronary artery patients and match them with patient’s risk factors of coronary artery disease. Results of this study were expected to add new knowledge that will alert nurses to consider coronary artery risk factors which in turn might enable the development of appropriate approaches to improve patient’s wellbeing hence reduce frequent coronary artery morbidity and mortality. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective design using clinical case notes was employed. Study was undertaken in coronary care wards at the teaching hospital in China from November 2017 to September 2018. Structured-literature supported self-designed questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Chi square (χ2) test and multivariate logistic regression for adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to compare the relationship among independent (patient’s risk coronary artery disease factors) and dependent (nursing interventions) categorical variables. Ethical permission was granted accordingly. Results: A total of 300 coronary artery patients’ case notes were audited with mean age 63±11.2 years. Of these 175 (58.3%) were males. 126(42%) were smoking and 224(74.7%) were hypertensive. More evidence based nursing interventions than education and counselling were found to be delivered to these patients. “Administer coronary artery disease medication and their instructions” was mostly delivered to many patients 291(97%) while “counsel to cope with stress” was the least one 60 (20.0%). Three of eight nursing interventions delivered significantly matched with three or all of these patient’s coronary artery risk variables (age, smoking, hypertension and diabetes) (p \u3c 0.05 and/or \u3c 0.01) with Adjusted odds ratio (95% CI) within their significant ranges. Conclusion: This study delivers valuable insight that, nurses in the studied teaching hospital delivered beneficial evidence based nursing interventions to patients with coronary artery disease which significantly matched with their risk factors of coronary artery illness. However, care for stress was low hence needs improvement. Furthermore, research is needed to get consistency of nursing interventions with patient’s end point clinical outcomes for further appraisal of nursing efforts in caring CAD patient

Comparing the association of cardiovascular nursing care with blood pressure and length of stay of in-patients with coronary artery disease in Wuhan, China

Background: Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Comorbidity-like hypertension has been among the major risks of coronary artery disease. Recent evidence identified multiple benefits of cardiovascular nursing care to coronary patients. However, little has been appraised on benefits regarding patients\u2019 blood pressure control and length of hospitalisation. Objective: To compare the association of cardiovascular nursing care delivered to coronary artery patients with patients\u2019 blood pressure and length of stay. Methods: Records based retrospective design was applied at a large teaching hospital in Wuhan, China. SPSS 21 version was used for data entry and analysis with univariate and multivariate logistic regression models for comparing study variables. Results: Of 300 patients, 224 (74.7%) were known to be hypertensive and admitted with subnormal blood pressure. Cardiovascular nursing care like \u201cassess to grade pain severity on 1-10 scale\u201d and \u201ccounsel patient to cope with stress\u201d were six and three times more likely to contribute improved patients\u2019 blood pressure (AOR=5.8; 95%CI: 2.8-12.2, p=0.001) and (AOR=3.1; 95%CI: 1.2-7.8, p=0.015) respectively. No significant difference with length of stay (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: There is a possibility of coronary artery patients to recover with normal blood pressure following reception of evidence-based cardiovascular nursing care

Nutritional Risk, Health Outcomes, and Hospital Costs Among Chinese Immobile Older Inpatients: A National Study

Purpose: Evidence of the impact of nutritional risk on health outcomes and hospital costs among Chinese older inpatients is limited. Relatively few studies have investigated the association between clinical and cost outcomes and nutritional risk in immobile older inpatients, particularly those with neoplasms, injury, digestive, cardiac, and respiratory conditions. Methods: This China-wide prospective observational cohort study comprised 5,386 immobile older inpatients hospitalized at 25 hospitals. All patients were screened for nutritional risk using the Nutrition Risk Screening (NRS 2002). A descriptive analysis of baseline variables was followed by multivariate analysis (Cox proportional hazards models and generalized linear model) to compare the health and economic outcomes, namely, mortality, length of hospital stay (LoS), and hospital costs associated with a positive NRS 2002 result. Results: The prevalence of a positive NRS 2002 result was 65.3% (n = 3,517). The prevalence of “at-risk” patients (NRS 2002 scores of 3+) was highest in patients with cardiac conditions (31.5%) and lowest in patients with diseases of the respiratory system (6.9%). Controlling for sex, age, education, type of insurance, smoking status, the main diagnosed disease, and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), the multivariate analysis showed that the NRS 2002 score = 3 [hazard ratio (HR): 1.376, 95% CI: 1.031–1.836] were associated with approximately a 1.5-fold higher likelihood of death. NRS 2002 scores = 4 (HR: 1.982, 95% CI: 1.491–2.633) and NRS scores ≥ 5 (HR: 1.982, 95% CI: 1.498–2.622) were associated with a 2-fold higher likelihood of death, compared with NRS 2002 scores <3. An NRS 2002 score of 3 (percentage change: 16.4, 95% CI: 9.6–23.6), score of 4 (32.4, 95% CI: 24–41.4), and scores of ≥ 5 (36.8, 95% CI 28.3–45.8) were associated with a significantly (16.4, 32.4, and 36.8%, respectively) higher likelihood of increased LoS compared with an NRS 2002 scores <3. The NRS 2002 score = 3 group (17.8, 95% CI: 8.6–27.7) was associated with a 17.8%, the NRS 2002 score = 4 group (31.1, 95% CI: 19.8–43.5) a 31.1%, and the NRS 2002 score ≥ 5 group (44.3, 95% CI: 32.3–57.4) a 44.3%, higher likelihood of increased hospital costs compared with a NRS 2002 scores <3 group. Specifically, the most notable mortality-specific comorbidity and LoS-specific comorbidity was injury, while the most notable cost-specific comorbidity was diseases of the digestive system. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the high burden of undernutrition at the time of hospital admission on the health and hospital cost outcomes for older immobile inpatients. These findings underscore the need for nutritional risk screening in all Chinese hospitalized patients, and improved diagnosis, treatment, and nutritional support to improve immobile patient outcomes and to reduce healthcare costs

Xanthohumol alleviates oxidative stress and impaired autophagy in experimental severe acute pancreatitis through inhibition of AKT/mTOR

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a lethal gastrointestinal disorder, yet no specific and effective treatment is available. Its pathogenesis involves inflammatory cascade, oxidative stress, and autophagy dysfunction. Xanthohumol (Xn) displays various medicinal properties,including anti-inflammation, antioxidative, and enhancing autophagic flux. However, it is unclear whether Xn inhibits SAP. This study investigated the efficacy of Xn on sodium taurocholate (NaT)-induced SAP (NaT-SAP) in vitro and in vivo. First, Xn attenuated biochemical and histopathological responses in NaT-SAP mice. And Xn reduced NaT-induced necrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy impairment. The mTOR activator MHY1485 and the AKT activator SC79 partly reversed the treatment effect of Xn. Overall, this is an innovative study to identify that Xn improved pancreatic injury by enhancing autophagic flux via inhibition of AKT/mTOR. Xn is expected to become a novel SAP therapeutic agent

Endogenous SIRT6 in platelets negatively regulates platelet activation and thrombosis

Thromboembolism resulting from platelet dysfunction constitutes a significant contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6), an essential NAD+-dependent enzyme, has been linked to arterial thrombosis when absent in endothelial cells. In the present study, we have confirmed the presence of SIRT6 protein in anucleated platelets. However, the precise regulatory role of platelet endogenous SIRT6 in platelet activation and thrombotic processes has remained uncertain. Herein, we present compelling evidence demonstrating that platelets isolated from SIRT6-knockout mice (SIRT6−/−) exhibit a notable augmentation in thrombin-induced platelet activation, aggregation, and clot retraction. In contrast, activation of SIRT6 through specific agonist treatment (UBCS039) confers a pronounced protective effect on platelet activation and arterial thrombosis. Moreover, in platelet adoptive transfer experiments between wild-type (WT) and SIRT6−/− mice, the loss of SIRT6 in platelets significantly prolongs the mean thrombus occlusion time in a FeCl3-induced arterial thrombosis mouse model. Mechanistically, we have identified that SIRT6 deficiency in platelets leads to the enhanced expression and release of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), subsequently activating the platelet activation-associated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. These findings collectively unveil a novel protective role of platelet endogenous SIRT6 in platelet activation and thrombosis. This protective effect is, at least in part, attributed to the inhibition of platelet PCSK9 secretion and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling transduction. Our study provides valuable insights into the intricate interplay between SIRT6 and platelet function, shedding light on potential therapeutic avenues for managing thrombotic disorders