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The Fragile Scholar examines the pre-modern construction of Chinese masculinity from the popular image of the fragile scholar (caizi) in late imperial Chinese fiction and drama. The book is an original contribution to the study of the construction of masc

This article investigates the discourse of masculinity in contemporary Chinese popular culture by critical readings of TV drama serials (dianshi lianxuju), a crucial and underresearched site for the study of ideology, shown on prime-time national channels in recent years (2003–2007). In particular, it examines the male images in three sweepingly popular TV programs—The Big Dye House (Da ranfang), Halfway Couples (Banlu fuqi), and Unsheathing the Sword (Liangjian)—as \"cultural types.\" It looks at the social, economic, and cultural factors that have affected men and representations of men in today's China against the backdrop of the dynamic interplay between nationalism, globalization, and consumerism. Building on the burgeoning research on Chinese masculinity in the past decade, it argues that forms of masculinity are becoming increasingly hybrid in a globalizing China and that the male images in these dramas are a product of social changes tied in with new formations of power.

Neurologic impairments are usually irreversible as a result of limited regeneration in the central nervous system. Therefore, based on the regenerative capacity of stem cells, transplantation therapies of various stem cells have been tested in basic research and preclinical trials, and some have shown great prospects. This manuscript overviews the cellular and molecular characteristics of embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, neural stem cells, retinal stem/progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, and their derivatives in vivo and in vitro as sources for regenerative therapy. These cells have all been considered as candidates to treat several major neurological disorders and diseases, owing to their self-renewal capacity, multi-directional differentiation, neurotrophic properties, and immune modulation effects. We also review representative basic research and recent clinical trials using stem cells for neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related macular degeneration, as well as traumatic brain injury and glioblastoma. In spite of a few unsuccessful cases, risks of tumorigenicity, and ethical concerns, most results of animal experiments and clinical trials demonstrate efficacious therapeutic effects of stem cells in the treatment of nervous system disease. In summary, these emerging findings in regenerative medicine are likely to contribute to breakthroughs in the treatment of neurological disorders. Thus, stem cells are a promising candidate for the treatment of nervous system diseases.

Current therapeutics for chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are insufficient due to immune exhaustion caused by high circulating hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels. Here, an HBV S region-targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA) is reported, aiming to dramatically suppress HBsAg and provide windows for host immune restoration. This siRNA agent, called KC13-M2G2, exhibits potent antiviral efficacy against all HBV genotypes in vitro. Notably, in multiple mouse models, KC13-M2G2 triggers rapid and sustained loss of HBsAg and HBV DNA accompanied by hepatitis B surface antibody seroconversion, outperforming the clinical drug elebsiran and bepirovirsen. Toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley rats and cynomolgus monkeys indicate satisfactory biosafety profiles of KC13-M2G2. Given that elebsiran and bepirovirsen have achieved a functional cure rate of no more than 20% in their clinical studies, KC13-M2G2 as a more potent candidate drug is expected to exhibit superior performance in clinical applications. Treatments to cure chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection are currently lacking. Here, the authors identify an HBV targeting siRNA that exhibits potent and broad-spectrum antiviral activity in preclinical animal models and demonstrates a favorable safety profile and functional cure indicators, promising clinical translation potential.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, and optimization of glycemic control during pregnancy can help mitigate risks associated with diabetes. However, studies seldom focus precisely on maternal blood glucose level prior to pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the associations between preconception blood fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study among 6,447,339 women aged 20-49 years old who participated in National Free Pre-Pregnancy Checkups Project and completed pregnancy outcomes follow-up between 2010 and 2016 in China. During the preconception health examination, serum FPG concentration was measured, and self-reported history of DM was collected. Women were classified into three groups (normal FPG group: FPG < 5.6 mmol/L and no self-reported history of DM; impaired fasting glucose [IFG]: FPG 5.6-6.9 mmol/L and no self-reported history of DM; and DM: FPG ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or self-reported history of DM). The primary outcomes were adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, preterm birth (PTB), macrosomia, small for gestational age infant (SGA), birth defect, and perinatal infant death. Logistic regression model was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) after adjusting for confounding variables. The mean age of women was 25.24 years, 91.47% were of Han nationality, and 92.85% were from rural areas. The incidence of DM and IFG was 1.18% (76,297) and 13.15% (847,737), respectively. Only 917 (1.20%) women reported a history of DM (awareness of their DM status), of whom 37.28% (337) had an elevated preconception FPG level (≥ 5.6 mmol/L), regarded as noncontrolled DM. A total of 1,005,568 (15.60%) women had adverse pregnancy outcomes. Compared with women with normal FPG, women with IFG had higher risks of spontaneous abortion (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.06-1.09; P < 0.001), PTB (1.02; 1.01-1.03; P < 0.001), macrosomia (1.07; 1.06-1.08; P < 0.001), SGA (1.06; 1.02-1.10; P = 0.007), and perinatal infant death (1.08; 1.03-1.12; P < 0.001); the corresponding ORs for women with DM were 1.11 (95% CI 1.07-1.15; P < 0.001), 1.17 (1.14-1.20; P < 0.001), 1.13 (1.09-1.16; P < 0.001), 1.17 (1.04-1.32; P = 0.008), and 1.59 (1.44-1.76; P < 0.001). Women with DM also had a higher risk of birth defect (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.15-1.91; P = 0.002). Among women without self-reported history of DM, there was a positive linear association between FPG levels and spontaneous abortion, PTB, macrosomia, SGA, and perinatal infant death (P for trend <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.001, <0.001). Information about hypoglycemic medication before or during pregnancy was not collected, and we cannot adjust it in the analysis, which could result in underestimation of risks. Data on 2-hour plasma glucose level and HbA1c concentration were not available, and the glycemic control status was evaluated according to FPG value in women with DM. Women with preconception IFG or DM had higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including spontaneous abortion, PTB, macrosomia, SGA, and perinatal infant death. Preconception glycemic control through appropriate methods is one of the most important aspects of preconception care and should not be ignored by policy makers.

To investigate factors influencing the seed germination of Sichuan pepper ( Zanthoxylum armatum DC.) and determine the optimal germination method, this study used an L 16 (4 3 ) orthogonal test. The effects of compound treatments, including 2.5% sodium carbonate degreasing time, indole acetic acid (IAA) concentration, and IAA soaking time on seed germination were examined. The results indicated that 2.5% sodium carbonate degreasing time was the primary factor affecting the germination rate and vigor index of the seeds. IAA concentration primarily affected the germination index and the duration of germination, whereas IAA soaking time primarily influenced the time lag of germination. In addition, the 2.5% sodium carbonate degreasing time had a significant effect on the germination rate; IAA concentration significantly impacted the germination index; and IAA soaking time had a significant effect on both the germination index and the time lag of germination. Through the analysis and evaluation of the membership function, the optimal treatment combinations for seed germination were determined to be a 24-hour degreasing time with 2.5% sodium carbonate, an IAA concentration of 200 mg·L −1 , and an IAA soaking time of 12 hours. This study provides a valuable reference for the future propagation of Zanthoxylum armatum DC.

Background The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the impact of day 3(D3) embryo cell number on the clinical pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of day 4(D4) single embryo transfer in fresh cycles. Methods The study included 431 day 4 single embryo transfer in fresh cycles conducted between December 2018 and June 2023. These cycles were divided into three groups according to the day 3 embryo cell number: 248 cycles in the 7 ~ 9-cell group, 149 cycles in the 10 ~ 13-cell group and 34 cycles in the >13-cell group, and clinical pregnancy outcomes and neonatal outcomes were compared among the three groups. Results The clinical outcomes with 10 ~ 13-cell were significantly higher than those of the 7 ~ 9-cell group, regardless of whether the female age was < 30 or ≥ 30 years. The same result could be found when the insemination pattern was IVF, and when the transferred embryos were the grade of complete fusion. There were no differences in neonatal outcomes between different groups.After adjusting for confounding factors, the 7 ~ 9-cell group was associated with lower clinical pregnancy rates(CBR) and live birth rates(LBR) compared with the 10 ~ 13-cell group (CPR: aOR 0.527, 95% CI 0.317 ~ 0.874, P  = 0.013; LBR: aOR 0.499, 95% CI 0.308 ~ 0.807, P  = 0.005). Conclusion The cell number of D3 embryos can be an important reference indicator for D4 embryo selection. When performing day 4 single embryo transfer in fresh cycles, embryos with 10 ~ 13-cell on D3 can be preferentially selected for transplantation to enhance clinical outcomes, especially when the insemination pattern is IVF, and when the transferred embryos are the grade of compaction stage.