Conflicted and Relevant: Systematic Processing of Information on PFAS Contamination

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination is an emerging environmental and public health crisis. Thus, it is crucial to understand public risk perception and communication behaviors surrounding this issue. Guided by the heuristic-systematic model of information processing, this study explores the impact of conflicting information and personal relevance on information insufficiency and information processing. Through an online experiment, 1,062 U.S. adults were randomly assigned to one of four conditions as part of a 2 (information type: conflicting vs. consistent) × 2 (personal relevance: high vs. low) between-subjects factorial design. Both main effect and interaction effect were detected. Specifically, information insufficiency was highest among participants in the high personal relevance and consistent information condition. Personal relevance also had a main effect on information processing. Conflicting information indirectly elevated information processing through increased information insufficiency, but only when personal relevance was low. These findings suggest the importance of providing consistent and personally relevant information related to the risk of PFAS contamination.

Comparative risk perception of the monkeypox outbreak and the monkeypox vaccine

Based on survey data collected from a nationally representative sample (N = 1,000), this study applies the psychometric paradigm to demonstrate that the American public perceived the monkeypox outbreak as a more dreaded risk than the monkeypox vaccine, but they also viewed the monkeypox vaccine as a more unknown risk. These perceptions influenced their overall risk judgment toward the monkeypox outbreak, support for public health responses and government assistance measures, and likelihood to get vaccinated. Contributing to research on risk perception, these findings indicate that the dread and unknown dimensions offer a more intricate assessment of risk perception beyond perceived susceptibility and perceived severity. Guiding risk communication practice, these results suggest that it is important to highlight to the public that the monkeypox vaccine is a mature technology and getting vaccinated before exposure provides the best protection for high-risk populations.

It Takes Two to Tango: How Ability and Morality Shape Consumers' Willingness to Refill and Reuse

The waste problem in the U.S. has only intensified in recent years, first due to China's National Sword Policy and then to the COVID-19 pandemic. One solution to this problem is to encourage people to adopt pro-environmental behaviors such as opting for reusables and products with plastic-free alternate packaging. In this study, we employ the value-belief-norm theory to examine whether its proposed causal chain predicts consumers' willingness to use reusables and products with plastic-free alternate packaging. We also explore the moderating role of perceived behavior control, one of the strongest predictors of environmental behaviors. Our research provides support to the value-belief-norm theory in predicting behavioral willingness. The moderating role of perceived behavior control provides additional insight into the theoretical model and furnishes practical implications for strategic communication designed to encourage the adoption of reusables and alternative packaging.

Using distance-framed narratives to foster health communication outcomes among e-cigarette users and non-users

This study examines the effectiveness of distance-framed narratives in deterring e-cigarette use among young adults. Through an online experiment (N = 916), this study investigates how narratives with different distance cues influence participants' narrative engagement, perceived psychological distance, and compliance with the message. The findings suggest that distance-framed narratives heighten identification. Increased identification reduces perceived psychological distance, leading to more negative attitudes, decreased e-cigarette use intention, and stronger policy support. E-cigarette use status also impacts persuasive outcomes. Non-users tend to be more receptive to narratives featuring congruent distance cues in character and scenario depictions. Users are motivated by narratives that present an uncertain scenario, regardless of whether the character is portrayed as socially close or distant.

[Clinicopathological features of gastric alpha-fetoprotein-producing adenocarcinoma with SWI/SNF complex deletion]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and treatment of gastric alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing adenocarcinoma with SWI/SNF complex deletion. Methods: Four cases of gastric AFP-producing adenocarcinoma with SWI/SNF complex deletion diagnosed in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2021 to December 2022 were collected, and their histomorphological characteristics, immunohistochemical (IHC), in situ hybridization of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA (EBER), next-generation sequencing results, clinicopathological features and treatment were summarized, and literature review was conducted. Results: Among the 4 patients, there were three males and one female. They presented with abdominal pain, belching and melena. Serum AFP was significantly elevated in three patients, and endoscopy showed ulcerative lesions. Microscopically, the tumor cells showed mainly diffuse flaky or nest-like growth and typical characteristics of hepatoid adenocarcinoma. In two cases there were adenoid growth, and the tumor cells in these areas possessed clear cytoplasm, suggesting enteroblastic differentiation. The tumor cell nuclei were pleomorphic with large nucleoli and brisk mitoses. The IHC results showed that the tumor cells expressed AFP, GPC3 and SALL4, and there was retained expression of broad-spectrum keratin (CKpan) and E-cadherin. IHC detection of SWI/SNF complex subunits, namely INI1 (SMARCB1), BRG1 (SMARCA4), BRM (SMARCA2), ARID1A protein was performed. In all four cases the hepatoid adenocarcinoma region and enteroblastic differentiation region showed SMARCA2 deletion, and one case with enteroblastic differentiation also showed ARID1A deletion. SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 deletions were not seen. All the four cases were diffusely positive for p53 protein, and the Ki-67 proliferation index was 80%-90%. There were no mismatch repair deletion detected; one cases showed HER2 was strongly positive (3+), and EBER was negative. None of the four cases had mutations in the SWI/SNF complex-related subunits detected by next-generation sequencing. Among the four patients, two underwent palliative surgery due to distant metastasis at the time of surgery, two underwent radical resection. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was given to three patients. Conclusions: AFP-producing adenocarcinoma is a rare subtype of gastric cancer, which can be combined with SWI/SNF complex deletion, and the pathomorphological manifestations are different from the classical SWI/SNF complex deletion of undifferentiated carcinoma with rhabdoid phenotype.

Monkeypox outbreak: Psychological distance, risk perception, and support for risk mitigation

Building on construal level theory, results from a survey based on a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 1000) indicate an indirect effect of social distance and temporal distance perception on emotional response, policy support, and vaccination intention through risk perception. This study also reveals that social dominance orientation contributes to perceived psychological distance of the monkeypox outbreak. These results suggest that communication about a public health crisis such as monkeypox needs to emphasize its broader community impact, rather than focusing on the primary population affected.

It's the Thoughts That Count: How Psychological Distance and Affect Heuristic Influence Support for Aid Response Measures During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Guided by construal level-theory, this research seeks to understand the effect of perceived psychological distance on emotions and risk perception associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in its early stage. Survey data were collected from a nationally representative U.S. adult sample (N = 1009) in April 2020. Results reveal that social distance was negatively related to emotions and risk perception. However, hypothetical distance was not significantly related to these variables. Emotions and risk perception also mediated the relationship between social distance and support for aid response measures; theoretically, we demonstrate that people evaluate risks contingent on their emotions when making decisions. This research contributes to extant literature on psychological distance and its utility in communication messaging design during public health crises.

Narrative persuasion and psychological distance: Analyzing the effectiveness of distance-framed narratives in communicating ocean plastic pollution

Narratives have been identified as an effective tool to communicate seemingly abstract and uncertain risks. This study integrates the construal level theory of psychological distance and narrative persuasion to examine how distance-framed narratives influence young adults' attitude, behavioral intention, and policy support related to ocean plastic pollution. Results from an experimental survey (N = 889) indicate that the narrative featuring socially close characters and spatially close location is least effective in producing persuasive effects. Instead, the narrative depicting socially close characters' encounters at a spatially distant location is more persuasive. Within narrative conditions, the findings support the mediating role of identification and transportation in facilitating narrative effects. Serial mediation of identification/transportation and psychological distance perception was also observed. Findings from this study offer meaningful theoretical and practical implications for strategic communication on ocean plastic pollution.

[Prevalence of syphilis in HIV-infected patients with transmission risk and influencing factors in Zhejiang Province]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of syphilis in HIV-infected patients with transmission risk and influencing factors in Zhejiang Province. Method: The information about the HIV-infected patients, who were alive, had been diagnosed with HIV for >1 year, had received no antiviral treatment or had HIV viral load ≥50 copies/ml, and were aged ≥15 years, reported in Zhejiang as of December 31, 2018 were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The information included general demographic characteristics, sexual behavior characteristics and antiretroviral therapy and syphilis serological test results. The prevalence of syphilis and the influencing factors were analyzed by logistic regression model. The SPSS 19.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 2 275 HIV-infected patients were at risk of HIV transmission, and 75.5% (1 717/2 275) of them were tested for syphilis, the prevalence rate of syphilis was 8.7% (150/1 717). Among the HIV-infected patients with syphilis, 11.3% (17/150) received no antiviral treatment, 38.7% (58/150) had viral load of 50-999 copies/ml and 50.0% (75/150) had ≥1 000 copies/ml. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being men (aOR=2.04, 95%CI:1.06-3.96), homosexual transmission (aOR=1.53, 95%CI:1.04-2.27), history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before HIV diagnosis (aOR=1.98, 95%CI:1.35-2.92) and HIV viral load ≥1 000 copies/ml (aOR=1.90, 95%CI:1.09-3.30) were the risk factors for syphilis. Marriage (aOR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.29-0.76) was a protective factor for syphilis. Conclusions: The prevalence of syphilis was high in HIV-infected patients with transmission risk in Zhejiang. It is urgent to carry out classified management and targeted intervention in HIV-infected patients, explore multi-disease prevention and treatment mechanism, strengthen syphilis screening and treatment in HIV-infected patients to reduce the transmission of HIV and syphilis.

PFAS Contamination: Pathway from Communication to Behavioral Outcomes

ABSTRACTGuided by the risk information seeking and processing model, this study examines social cognitive variables that motivate individuals to actively seek and process information related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. Results indicate that information insufficiency, affective response, and informational subjective norms are positively related to information seeking and systematic processing, which are positively associated with policy support and intention to adopt risk mitigation behaviors. These findings suggest that when communicating the health risks of PFAS contamination to the general public, cognitive, affective, and normative factors are important initial steps to generate public interest in relevant information.

Official sources, news outlets, or search engines? Rumour validation on social media during Hurricanes Harvey and Irma

This study, based on data collected from a representative sample of adults in the United States, explores the social cognitive variables that motivated Americans to validate rumours on social media about Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, both of which struck in August/September 2017. The results indicate that risk perception and negative emotions are positively related to systematic processing of relevant risk information, and that systematic processing is significantly related to rumour validation through search engines such as Google. In contrast, trust in information about the hurricane is significantly related to validation through official sources, such as FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), and major news outlets such as The New York Times. Trust in information is also significantly related to systematic processing of risk information. The findings of this study suggest that ordinary citizens may be motivated to validate rumours on social media, which is an increasingly important issue in contemporary societies.

Predicting Recycling Behavior in New York State: an integrated model

Public participation in proper recycling is a crucial means to deal with the crisis in the U.S. recycling market. In this study, we combine the norm activation model (NAM; Schwartz 1977), the information-motivation-behavioral skills model (IMB; Fisher et al. 2003), and the theory of interpersonal behavior (TIB; Triandis 1977; 1979) to investigate recycling intention and behavior. Based on a longitudinal sample of New York state residents (N = 520), the results show that the integrated model fits the data well. Personal norm, habit, and recycling intention are three direct predictors of recycling behavior. Recycling intention is directly influenced by personal norm and behavioral skills, and indirectly influenced by personal motivation, social motivation, and ascription of responsibility. These findings suggest the importance of the normative approach in environmental campaigns to encourage recycling.

Misinformation, Anticipated Regret, and Vaccine-Related Behaviors

A national survey (N = 1025) conducted in August 2021 reveals that Americans' belief in misinformation about COVID-19 was negatively associated with vaccine acceptance. Importantly, the more participants believe in misinformation, the less anticipated regret they experience for not getting vaccinated. Reduced anticipated regret is associated with lower levels of vaccination intention and vaccine acceptance. To counteract the negative impact of misinformation, this study reveals the potential of an under-researched emotion in overcoming vaccine hesitancy.

Framing Climate Change Impacts as Moral Violations: The Pathway of Perceived Message Credibility

Climate change has been increasingly discussed in moral terms in public discourse. Despite the growing body of research on the effectiveness of moral frames in bridging the ideological divide, few studies have examined the role that perceived credibility, an important element of any persuasive appeal, plays in facilitating the framing effect. With the objective of further understanding how moral frames may engage individuals with different ideologies in climate change and refining climate change messaging strategies, two experimental surveys were conducted to examine the effects of moral violation frames on climate engagement. Specifically, a moderated mediation model was tested. The model posits that message credibility mediates the relationship between moral frames and policy support, as well as the relationship between moral frames and behavior intention. Moreover, political ideology moderated the indirect effects of message credibility. Based on moral foundations theory, seven messages were designed to activate individualizing and binding moral foundations. The results indicated that credibility consistently mediated the effects of the moral violation frame on climate engagement and that liberal-leaning individuals were more likely to perceive an individualizing frame as more credible than a binding frame. However, this difference was smaller among conservative-leaning individuals, with evidence for this moderated mediation model found only for policy support among college students. This study suggests that credibility is key for effective moral violations arguments of climate change.

[Explorative study of the immobilizing effect of full-thickness skin subcutaneous grafting on allogeneic full-thickness skin graft in rats]

Objective: To investigate the immobilizing effect of full-thickness skin subcutaneous grafting on allogeneic full-thickness skin graft in rats. Methods: The experimental research method was used. The inbred male Brown-Norway rats (n=10) and Lewis rats (n=10) were used as donors and recipients respectively. After subcutaneously full-thickness separation of a 2.2 cm×2.2 cm area on the nape of the recipient rat, a full-thickness skin of 2.0 cm×2.0 cm taken from the abdomen of the donor rat was subcutaneously grafted, and the donor site was pulled together and sutured. The autologous skin over the allograft in the recipient rat was excised 5-6 d after grafting, and the stitches were removed 7 d after excision. Within 2 months after grafting, the feeding, activity, and survival of the donor and recipient rats, behavior of tearing and scratching the wounds of the recipient rats, the wound condition after autologous skin excision in recipient rats, and the survival and hair growth of the grafted allogeneic skin were observed. Results: Within 2 months after grafting, the donor and recipient rats all ate normally and could move freely with no abnormal death. No tearing or scratching of the wounds occurred in recipient rats. There was a small amount of exudation and partial epidermal desquamation after autologous skin excision in recipient rats. All transplanted allografts survived, which were free of infection and necrosis, with new hairs growing out smoothly. Conclusions: The immobilizing method of full-thickness skin subcutaneous grafting of allogeneic full-thickness skin graft in rats is simple and time-saving without postoperative dressing change, with reliable pressure fixation and high survival rate of skin grafts, which can be promoted for animal skin grafting models.

[Epidemiological characteristic of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-martial and non-commercial heterosexual behaviors in Zhejiang province, 2017-2019]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics and transmission routes of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-martial and non-commercial (NMNC) heterosexual behaviors in Zhejiang province. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted among HIV/AIDS cases that had NMNC heterosexual behavior history and diagnosed with HIV infection in Zhejiang between January 1^st, 2017 and September 30^th, 2019. The multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to explore the association of social demographic characteristics with NMNC heterosexual partner types in the cases. Results: A total of 406 participants with NMNC heterosexual behaviors before HIV diagnoses were recruited in this study. Most of them were males (67.2%, 273/406), aged 25-49 years at HIV diagnoses (59.1%, 240/406). Prior to HIV infection confirmation, 36.0% (146/406) participants only had casual sexual partners, 52.0% (211/406) only had regular sexual partners, and 12.0% (49/406) had both. Statistical differences in marital status, occupation and income level were found among participants with different types of NMNC heterosexual partners (all P<0.05). Result of MCA indicted that monthly income ≤3 000 yuan RMB, self-employed, being married were only associated with casual NMNC heterosexual partner; working in service industry, education level of junior high school were only associated with regular heterosexual partner; working in enterprise, high school education level or above, monthly income ≥5 000 yuan RMB were associated with both casual and regular sexual partner. Conclusion: The HIV/AIDS cases with NMNC heterosexual behaviors before HIV diagnoses accounted for a large proportion in Zhejiang province during 2017-2019. Active intervention efforts should be made to improve the health awareness of the public to reduce the risk behaviors for HIV transmission.

In the Wake of Scandals: How Media Use and Social Trust Influence Risk Perception and Vaccination Intention among Chinese Parents

Recently, repeated childhood vaccine scandals shook public confidence in vaccine safety in China. This study explores whether media attention, online discussion, and social trust influence Chinese parents' risk perception and vaccination intention. Based on data from a Qualtrics panel (N = 354), results indicate that media attention is positively related to social trust and online discussion is positively related to perceived benefits. Additionally, social trust is negatively associated with perceived risk but positively associated with perceived benefits. Social trust is also positively related to general vaccination intention and intention to get domestic vaccines. Further, social trust mediates the relationship between media attention/online discussion and risk perception. Lastly, parents with higher risk perception are less likely to get domestic vaccines, but more likely to get imported vaccines. Perceived benefits also influence vaccination intention.

Compassionate goals, prosocial emotions, and prosocial behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for people to engage in prosocial behaviours to support one another. The aim of this research is to answer a key question: in a social crisis, what motivates Americans to help others? Guided by research on appraisal theories and ecosystem theory, we examined the role of compassionate goals and prosocial emotions in promoting prosocial behaviours towards either out-group or in-group members. Study 1 (N = 943) was conducted in February 2020, before the widespread transmission of COVID-19 began in the United States. Results show that people with high compassionate goals are more likely to experience sympathy, which in turn makes them more willing to help people suffering from COVID-19 in China. Study 2 (N = 1,009) was conducted with a nationally representative sample after COVID-19 became more prevalent in the United States. Although people with high compassionate goals still experience more sympathy and solidarity, sympathy does not predict donation intention. Instead, solidarity mediates the relationship between compassionate goals and donation intention. Please refer to the Supplementary Material section to find this article's Community and Social Impact Statement.

Closer to the Heart, Closer to the Mind: Using Psychological Distance to Communicate a Measles Outbreak

Psychological distance can influence a variety of risk-related perceptions and behaviors. This study (N = 205) examines the effect of spatial distance manipulation on emotions, risk perception, and behavioral intention following a recent measles outbreak in the United States. Results indicate that experimentally induced spatial distance influences emotional intensity, which affects psychological distance perception. Perceived distance subsequently influences risk perception, while emotions influence information engagement and support for mandatory vaccination.

Building disaster resilience using social messaging networks: the WeChat community in Houston, Texas, during Hurricane Harvey

Analyses of disaster resilience have focused increasingly on the role of social capital and online social networks in recovery. This study complements this field of work by investigating three key issues. First, it examines how a social messaging application, WeChat, helped individuals to access and to mobilise three types of social capital-bonding, bridging, and linking-during Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 storm that made landfall in Louisiana and Texas in the United States in August 2017, resulting in significant flooding and loss of life. Second, it pinpoints and assesses quantitatively how individuals' WeChat group usage and social capital influenced their post-disaster well-being. Third, it demonstrates how a minority and immigrant community in Houston, Texas, overcame the disadvantages commonly observed in other disaster research through the utilisation of social media. The findings of this study should aid governmental and community efforts to foster resilience in the face of natural and human-induced hazards.

Incorporating Message Framing into Narrative Persuasion to Curb E-Cigarette Use Among College Students

This study examines the interaction effect of message format (narrative vs. nonnarrative) and message framing (gain vs. loss) in e-cigarette prevention targeting young adults. Results of a two-way experiment (N = 439) revealed that transportation and discrete emotions mediated message effect on risk perception and behavioral intention. Compared to the gain-framed nonnarrative, the gain-framed narrative reduced feelings of guilt, and guilt was negatively related to risk perception and positively related to behavioral intention. Thus, the gain-framed narrative achieved desirable persuasive outcome through guilt-increasing risk perception and decreasing intention to use e-cigarette. Similarly, the loss-framed narrative evoked greater sadness, which also led to increased risk perception and decreased behavioral intention. Transportation and discrete emotions mediated message effect in a serial order. This research not only contributes to the literature on narrative persuasion and emotion, but also provides insight for health communication designed for e-cigarette prevention.

The Role of Temporal Distance Perception in Narrative vs. Non-Narrative Persuasion Related to E-Cigarettes

Research has long identified narrative persuasion as an effective health communication strategy. This study explores temporal distance perception, which is the perceived distance of a health threat, as a possible psychological mechanism through which narrative persuasion influences young adults' attitude and behavioral intention related to e-cigarette use. When reading the narrative message featuring negative consequences of nicotine addiction, participants demonstrate a higher level of transportation and subsequently perceive the health threat related to e-cigarette as temporally closer. The shortened temporal distance perception, along with transportation, mediates the relationship between exposure to the narrative message and participants' attitude and behavioral intention. Participants' past experience also plays an important role. In particular, participants who have not used e-cigarette before report more negative attitude after reading the narrative message. Findings of the current study indicate that narrative persuasion may be an effective strategy to deter young adults from using e-cigarettes.

Risk or Efficacy? How Psychological Distance Influences Climate Change Engagement

Construal-level theory suggests that high-level abstract features weigh more in people's decision-making at farther distance, while low-level concrete features weigh more at closer distance. Based on this, we propose that psychological distance will influence the effect of risk versus efficacy framing on climate change engagement. In particular, risk perception related to the end-state expectancy of climate change mitigation should influence people's climate change engagement at farther distance. In contrast, efficacy perception related to the perceived feasibility of attaining end-state goals should influence engagement at closer distance. Results from an experimental survey based on a national sample that is both demographically and geographically representative (N = 1,282) supported our proposition. At closer spatial distance, perceived efficacy boosted by efficacy framing increased participants' intention to perform climate mitigation behaviors. In contrast, at farther distance, risk framing increased behavioral intention through heightened risk perception. Based on these findings, we suggest that when communicating distant and abstract risks, highlighting their disastrous impacts may better motivate action. In contrast, when communicating impending and concrete risks, stressing the feasibility of action may have stronger motivational potential.

When we increase fear, do we dampen hope? Using narrative persuasion to promote human papillomavirus vaccination in China

This study examines the use of narrative persuasion in promoting human papillomavirus vaccination. Compared to non-narrative message, the narrative message increased perceived severity of human papillomavirus, which influenced vaccination intention through heightened fear. The narrative message also dampened hope and subsequently decreased vaccination intention. This research attests to the effectiveness of narrative persuasion in vaccination promotion, but also offers important caveat for message design-egocentric efficacy information is crucial in narrative persuasion designed to motivate preventive health behaviors.

Whose Risk? Why Did the U.S. Public Ignore Information About the Ebola Outbreak?

To test a possible boundary condition for the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model, this study experimentally manipulates risk perception related to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in a nationally representative sample. Multiple-group structural equation modeling results indicate that psychological distance was negatively related to systematic processing in the high-risk condition. In the low-risk condition, psychological distance was positively related to heuristic processing; negative attitude toward media coverage dampened people's need for information, which subsequently influenced information processing. Risk perception elicited more fear, which led to greater information insufficiency and more heuristic processing in the low-risk condition. In contrast, sadness was consistently related to information processing in both conditions. Model fit statistics also show that the RISP model provides a better fit to data when risk perception is elevated. Further, this study contributes to our understanding of the role of discrete emotions in motivating information processing.

Now or future? Analyzing the effects of message frame and format in motivating Chinese females to get HPV vaccines for their children

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to examine the impacts of gain vs. loss-framed messages and narrative messages on Chinese women's intentions to get HPV vaccines for their children.

METHODS

A survey experiment was conducted among Chinese females (N = 453) assessing their responses to 3 types of messages (i.e. gain-framed, loss-framed and narrative) designed to promote HPV vaccination.

RESULTS

No main effect was found for message types, but loss-framed message slightly increased vaccination intention. Time orientation moderated the relationship between message framing and vaccination intention.

CONCLUSION

Narrative message works better among present-minded individuals, whereas gain-framed message was more persuasive for future-minded individuals. Integration of message frames (gain vs. loss) and message type (narrative vs. non-narrative) is recommended for future research.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Narrative persuasion could be an effective tool in promoting health behaviors especially among present-minded individuals, or when the consequences of health decisions are temporally distant.

Different Culture or Different Mind? Perception and Acceptance of HPV Vaccine in China and in the U.S

Unlike the United States, where human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been available for decades, China recently approved its first HPV vaccines. Setting up a baseline comparison between these two countries, this study examines the influence of message framing, motivational orientation, cultural worldview, knowledge, and gender on young adults' intentions to get vaccinated. Compared to the U.S. participants, Chinese participants perceived HPV as a more severe risk and were more willing to get the vaccine. However, they were also more skeptical about vaccine safety. Inconsistencies with previous research emerged regarding the moderating effects of motivational orientation and cultural worldview. Findings from this study offer important implications for HPV vaccine promotion in China.

Who Is to Blame? Framing HPV to Influence Vaccination Intentions among College Students

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection (STI) among college students. Although previous research has studied HPV-related health communication strategies using various framing techniques, the goal of this study is to test how two unique message frames-whether mentioning HPV as an STI and whether to attribute the cause of infection as external or internal-would influence young adults' intentions to receive the recommended HPV vaccine. Results indicate that gender and causal attribution framing influenced participants' intentions to receive the HPV vaccine.

[Molecular epidemiology and transmission of HIV-1 infection in Zhejiang province, 2015]

Objective: To understand the distribution of HIV-1 subtype diversity and its transmission characteristics in Zhejiang province. Methods: A total of 302 newly diagnosed HIV-1 positive patients were selected through stratified random sampling in Zhejiang in 2015. HIV-1 pol genes were sequenced successfully with reverse transcription PCR/nested PCR and phylogenetic analysis was conducted for 276 patients. Then a molecular epidemiologic study was performed combined with field epidemiological investigation. Results: Of 276 sequence samples analyzed, 122 CRF07_BC strains (44.2%), 103 CRF01_AE strains (37.3%), 17 CRF08_BC strains (6.1%), 9 B strains (3.2%), 6 CRF55_01B strains (2.2%), 5 C strains (1.8%), 1 CRF59_01B strain (0.4%), 1 CRF67_01B strain (0.4%), 1 A1 strain (0.4%), and 11 URFs strains (4.0%) were identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 16 clusters with only 15.1% (34/225) sequences involved among CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE strains. The clustered cases in MSM were higher than that in populations with other transmission routes. And clusters existed between the populations with different transmission routes. Conclusion: The major strains of HIV-1 in Zhejiang are CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE. The HIV subtypes showed more complexity in Zhejiang. It is necessary to strengthen the surveillance for HIV subtypes, carry out classified management and conduct effective prevention and control in the population at high risk.

[Analysis on HIV-1 subtypes and transmission clusters in newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, 2016]

Objective: To understand the characteristics of distribution on HIV-1 subtypes and the transmission clusters in Yiwu in Zhejiang province. Methods: A cross-sectional study of molecular epidemiology was carried out on newly reported HIV/AIDS cases in Yiwu. RNA was extracted from 168 plasma samples, followed by RT-PCR and nest-PCR for pol gene amplification, sequencing, phylogenetic tree construction used for analyzing the subtypes and transmission clusters. Mutations on drug resistance was analyzed by CPR 6.0 online tool. Results: Subjects were mainly males (86.3%, 145/168), with average age as (39.1±13.4) years old and most of them were migrants (66.7%, 112/168). The major routes of transmission included homosexual (51.2%, 86/168) and heterosexual (48.8%, 82/168) contacts. The rate of success for sequence acquisition was 89.9% (151/168). The dominant subtypes showed as CRF01_AE (74, 49.0%) and CRF07_BC (64, 42.4%), followed by CRF08_BC (5, 3.3%), CRF55_01B (3, 2.0%), each case of subtype B, CRF45_cpx, CRF59_01B, CRF85_BC and URF (B/C). CRF45_cpx and CRF85_BC were discovered the first time in Zhejiang province. Twenty-six transmission clusters involving 65 cases were found, with the total clustered rate as 43.0% (65/151), in which the CRF01_AE clustered rate appeared as 54.1% (40/74), higher than that of CRF07_BC (21/64, 32.8%). The average size of cluster was 2.5 cases/cluster, with average size of cluster in CRF01_AE patients infected through heterosexual transmission as the largest (3.5 cases/cluster). The prevalence of transmitted drug resistance was 4.6% (7/151). Seven cases with surveillance drug resistant mutations (SDRM) were found, including 5 cases of M46L (3.3%), and one case of F77L or Y181C. Conclusion: HIV genetic diversity and a variety of transmission clusters had been noticed in this study area (Yiwu). Programs on monitoring the subtypes and transmission clusters should be continued and strengthened.

The Silver Lining of Shame: Framing HPV to Influence Vaccination Intentions

College students suffer disproportionately from human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that could result in genital warts or cancers in both males and females. Research contends that stigma and shame may serve as barriers to disclosure intentions, as well as vaccination intentions. The goal of this study was to examine whether two framing strategies-whether to mention that HPV is sexually transmitted and whether to highlight the cause of infection as internal or external-would influence young adults' intentions to disclose a potential diagnosis and their intentions to get the recommended HPV vaccine. Results indicate that STI framing and gender had consistent impacts on disclosure and vaccination intentions. Further, causal attribution framing also influenced participants' intention to get the vaccine at no cost immediately and their intention to get the vaccine at the retail price of $375 in the future. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

[Analysis on antiretroviral therapy efficacy for HIV/AIDS in Zhejiang province, 2009-2014]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART)for HIV/AIDS in Zhejiang province from 2009 to 2014.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients with access to HAART aged <15 years from 2009 to 2014 through descriptive epidemiological analysis on the patients' demographic characteristics, HAART efficacy. The immune recovery Kaplan-Meier curves were drawn by using baseline CD(4) T lymphocytes cell(CD(4))data. The influencing factors for virus suppression were analyzed by using logistic regression model.

RESULTS

There were 9 594 patients with access to HAART in Zhejiang from 2009 to 2014. The' average age of the patients was 38.7 years old, the male to female ratio was 4.11∶1. Heterosexual(55.9%)and homosexual(40.0%)contacts were the main transmission routes. Baseline CD(4) count 200-349 cells/μl was found in 45.4% of the patients, the median of the CD(4) count was 221(IQR: 123-298). The median of time for CD(4) recovery in patients with baseline CD(4) count <200 cells/μl was 3.48 and 11.58 times higher than the patients with baseline CD(4) count 200-349 cells/μl and baseline CD(4) count ≥350 cells/μl. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that marital status, HAART regimen, treatment miss in last week and CD(4) recovery were major influencing factors for HAART efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

HAART had good treatment effecacy in HIV/AIDS patients in Zhejiang. The baseline CD(4) count and adherence to HAART were the most important influencing factors. It is recommended to take measures to expand HIV screening and HAART coverage, conduct HAART adherence education, and strengthen the special care for high-risk groups to improve the HAART efficacy in Zhejiang province.

Identification of quantitative trait loci for mineral elements in grains and grass powder of barley

Mineral elements in barley (Hordeum vulgare) play an important physiological role in global human health. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for concentration of nine mineral elements in barley grain and grass powder were detected in a population of 193 recombinant inbred lines of the barley cross Ziguangmangluoerling x Schooner and the parents. We observed large genetic variation contributing to element concentrations in both grains and grass powder. The mean K, Ca, and Fe concentrations in grass powder were 6.67, 12.00, and 4.58 times that of regenerating barley grains. In grains, 17 QTLs that accounted for 6.36-64.08% of the phenotypic variation in Zn, Mg, Ca, K, Na, Mn, Fe, and P concentrations were identified. In grass powder, seven QTLs were identified; these accounted for 6.03-21.86% of the variation in Ca, Zn, Mg, K, Fe, and Cu concentrations. These QTLs affecting elements in grain and grass powder are so far unreported in barley. To our knowledge, QTLs with pleiotropic effects for three elements were also identified for the first time in barley. The qK1/qMg1/qCa1 region between markers Bmag0211 and GBMS0014 on chromosome 1H was shown to have large additive effects for Mg, Ca, and K concentrations in grains. These additive effects indicated that the high element (Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, and K) alleles were contributed by Ziguangmangluoerling. These results will further our understanding of the genetic basis of mineral elements and help us develop markers linked with mineral elements for marker-assisted selection breeding in barley.

Identification of QTLs for resistant starch and total alkaloid content in brown and polished rice

An F3 population consisting of 117 F2:3 families derived from a cross between two varieties of rice, Gongmi No. 3 and Diantun 502, with a large difference in their resistant starch and total alkaloid content, was used for quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. Two QTLs of resistant starch for rice (qRS7-1, qRS7-2) were identified in a linkage group on chromosome 7, which could explain phenotypic variance from 7.6 to 17.3%, due to additive effects for resistant starch from Gongmi No. 3 or over-dominance effects for qRS7-2 of the marker interval (RM3404-RM478) on chromosome 7 from Gongmi No. 3, accounting for 13.8-17.3% of the phenotypic variance. Two QTLs of total alkaloids for brown rice (qALb7-1, qALb7-2) were identified in the same linkage group, which could explain phenotypic variance from 7.7 and 19.3%, respectively, due to dominance or over-dominance effects for total alkaloids on chromosome 7 from Diantun 502. To our knowledge, these are the first QTLs to be identified, which are related to resistant starch and total alkaloid content in rice. These results are beneficial for understanding the genetic basis of, as well as for developing markers linked with, resistant starch and total alkaloids of functional components for marker-assisted selection breeding in rice.

Effect of MSTN propeptide protein on the growth and development of Altay lamb muscle

Prokaryotic expression technology was used to express maltose-binding protein binding myostatin (MSTN) propeptide fusion protein. Six disease-free Altay lambs were used in this study. The right leg gastrocnemii were injected with MSTN recombinant propeptide protein. The left leg gastrocnemii (the control group) were injected with the same dose of phosphate based saline. The lambs were fed during four months under the same conditions and then slaughtered. Gastrocnemius samples were hematoxylin-eosin stained and the size of the muscle fibers was measured. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that single gastrocnemius cells in the experimental group had an average area of 1163.01 µm(2), while it was 845.09 µm(2) in the control group (P < 0.05). This indicates that the MSTN propeptide biological agents had an inhibitory effect on MSTN. In order to reveal its mechanism, RT-PCR was conducted to detect the expression of the differentiation-associated genes MyoD, Myf5, Myogenin, p21, and Smad3. The results showed that, in the MSTN propeptide biological agent injected group, expression levels of MSTN, Smad3, and p21 were lower than the control group, while Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin were higher compared to the control group. This indicates that, when expression of the MSTN gene was inhibited, muscle cell differentiation and growth can be promoted by Smad3 up-regulated expression of Myf5, MyoD, and Myogenin.

Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina with pulmonary metastasis: a case report

Primary small cell carcinoma of the vagina is extremely rare; no standard treatment has been established despite it being highly aggressive. Here, the authors report on a 43-year-old patient who had a mass on the clitoris and no uterine or bilateral adnexal involvement. Vaginal wall biopsy revealed malignant small cell carcinoma. The carcinoma was composed of epithelial cells with round, hyperchromatic nuclei containing few distinct nucleoli, and scanty cytoplasm. Chest computerized axial tomography and pathological bronchoscopy revealed bilateral pulmonary metastases. She received radiotherapy combined with six cycles of chemotherapy (paclitaxel plus cisplatin), and achieved complete response, with complete suppression of the mass and lung metastases. There was no sign of tumor recurrence or distant metastases after 21 months of follow-up.

Anatomical information for intercostobrachial nerve preservation in axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer

This study aimed to provide additional anatomical information for axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) through in vivo anatomy studies of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) preservation in order to provide theoretical and practical experience for clinicians. A total of 156 patients with breast cancer underwent ALND at the Department of Gynecology of Baotou Tumor Hospital between June 2009 and March 2010. The origin, destination, main source, length, branch type, and direction of ICBN in axilla were observed, as well as its relationship with adjacent major blood vessels and nerves within the axilla. There were 120 cases of single trunk, 23 cases of double trunks, 9 cases of multiple trunks, and 4 cases without trunks in 156 patients with ICBN preservation. The transverse diameter at the origin of the ICBN was 1.89 ± 0.44 mm with a length of 94.45 ± 12.08 mm; the distances were 77.19 ± 21.04 mm, 29.34 ± 6.73 mm, 90.04 ± 13.13 mm, and 28.63 ± 13.01 mm from origin to the inferior margin at the midpoint of the clavicle, inferior margin of the axillary vein, the bottom of axilla, and branch point, respectively. The identification, dissection, and preservation of ICBN was simple and easy in a modified radical mastectomy for breast cancer and breast-conserving surgery, which only took 10-20 min, but effectively reduced the incidence of post-mastectomy pain syndrome and significantly improved the quality of life for patients after surgery.

Effect of addition of sodium alginate on bacterial cellulose production by Acetobacter xylinum

Bacterial cellulose (BC) production by Acetobacter xylinum NUST4.1 was carried out in the shake flask and in a stirred-tank reactor by means of adding sodium alginate (NaAlg) into the medium. When 0.04% (w/v) NaAlg was added in the shake flask, BC production reached 6.0 g/l and the terminal yield of the cellulose was 27% of the total sugar initially added, compared with 3.7 g/l and 24% in the control, respectively. The variation between replicates in all determinations was less than 5%. During the cultivation in the stirred-tank reactor, the addition of NaAlg changed the morphology of cellulose from the irregular clumps and fibrous masses entangled in the internals to discrete masses dispersing into the broth, which indicates that NaAlg hinders formation of large clumps of BC, and enhances cellulose yield. Because the structure of cellulose is changed depending on the culture condition such as additives, structural characteristics of BC produced in the NaAlg-free and NaAlg medium are compared using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD). SEM photographs show some differences in reticulated structures and ribbon width and FT-IR spectra indicate that there is the hydrogen bonding interaction between BC and NaAlg, then X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that BC produced with NaAlg-added has a lower crystallinity and a smaller crystalline size. The results show that enhanced yields and modification of cellulose structure occur in the presence of NaAlg.

[Cloning and sequence analysis of a gene encoding amastin from Leishmania major]

OBJECTIVE

To clone a gene encoding surface protein from Leishmania major.

METHODS

Using T. cruzi amastin DNA sequence as a reference, computer search was done on GenBank and dbEST databases by using BLAST path. A Leishmania major DNA library has been constructed and screened by in situ colony hybridization.

RESULTS

A 309nt DNA fragment from Leishmania major was found in dbEST. Leishmania major DNA library was screened using specific primers synthesized according to 309 nt DNA sequence, and a full-length coding sequence for Leishmania major amastin was cloned. The coding sequence consisted of 552 nt, and translated into 183 amino acid residues. The homology is 23.5% at amino acid sequence level between Leishmania major and T. cruzi amastins.

CONCLUSION

A full length amastin coding gene for Leishmania major has been cloned.

Association study of neuregulin 1 gene with schizophrenia

A number of studies have indicated that 8p22-p12 is likely to harbor schizophrenia susceptibility loci. In this region, the candidate gene of interest, neuregulin 1 (NRG1), may play a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Then in the present study, we performed the linkage disequilibrium to determine the association between three genetic variants (SNPs: rs3924999, rs2954041, SNP8NRG221533) on NRG1 gene and schizophrenia in 246 Chinese Han schizophrenic family trios using PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography. The transmission disequilibrium test analysis for each variant showed a significant difference between two transmitted alleles even after Bonferroni correction (rs3924999, P=0.007752; rs2954041, P=0.0009309; SNP8NRG221533, P=0.012606). The global chi(2) test for haplotype transmission also revealed a strong association (chi(2)=46.068, df=7, P&<0.000001). Our results suggest that the NRG1 gene may play a role in conferring susceptibility to the disease.

Phosphine and methane generation by the addition of organic compounds containing carbon-phosphorus bonds into incubated soil

Formation of phosphine and methane in anaerobic incubation systems was investigated under stirred and unstirred conditions. The PH3 and CH4 levels in the headspace, as well as the matrix-bound PH3 content in the stirred soil, significantly increased upon the addition of phosphonoacetic acid (P(O)(OH)2CH2COOH). Both the levels of matrix-bound PH3 and CH4 are positively correlated to the buffered dithionite fraction of reactive phosphorus in the soil samples, while a negative correlation was observed between matrix-bound PH3/CH4 levels and the reactive phosphorus fraction.

[Studies on chemical constituents of oligostilbenes from Vitis davidii Foex]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constituents of oligostilbenes from Vitis davidii.

METHOD

Compounds were isolated with polystyrene resin RA, silica gel and C18 column chromatography. The structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic evidence.

RESULT

Seven compounds were obtained and identified as resveratrol, heyneanol A, ampelopsin E, amurensin B, (+)-epsilon-viniferin, vitisin A and amurensin G.

CONCLUSION

All the compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Preparation of levoglucosan by pyrolysis of cellulose and its citric acid fermentation

Levoglucosan (LG), 1,6-anhydro-beta-D-glucopyranose, was produced by pyrolysis of cellulose. A response surface method was used to optimize the reaction parameters: X1, temperature; X2, time required for heating cellulose from room temperature to the designed pyrolysis temperature; and X3, vacuum, and a Box-Behnken design was employed for this purpose. The optimal temperature and time were found to be 388 degrees C and 26.2 min by fixing the vacuum at 1 mm Hg. The levoglucosan prepared was fermented to citric acid by Aspergillus niger CBX-209, which was a mutant derived by gamma-ray mutagenesis of the parent strain CBX-2. The mutant could produce increasing citric acid with increasing LG purity and had a citric acid yield of 87.5% when using purified levoglucosan as the sole carbon source in a 5 day fermentation period.

0.09-terawatt pulses with a 31% efficient, kilohertz repetition-rate Ti:sapphire regenerative amplifier

We present an efficient, ultrafast regenerate amplifier that increases the energy of a laser pulse from 300 pJ to 6 mJ and produces average powers of as much as 9 W in a TEM(00) spatial mode. As an ultrafast amplifier, the system produces 4-mJ pulses with 0.09 TW of peak power.

Subchronic exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin modulates the pathophysiology of endometriosis in the cynomolgus monkey

An increase in the incidence and severity of endometriosis following treatment with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was a serendipitous finding in a reproductive toxicology study in rhesus monkeys. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure to TCDD on the survival and growth of surgically implanted endometrial fragments. Endometrial fragments of equal size (4 x 1 mm(2)) were auto-transplanted to the pelvic cavity of nulliparous cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis, n = 23), who were divided into 4 treatment groups and dosed 5 days a week with gelatin capsules containing 0, 1, 5, or 25 ng/kg body weight of TCDD mixed with glucose. Endometrial implant survival was monitored by laparoscopy at intervals of 1, 3, and 6 months. Animals were euthanized at 12 months of treatment in the early to mid luteal phase and the maximal and minimal endometrial implant diameter was measured. Both the maximal and minimal diameters were significantly reduced in the 0.71-ng/kg/day-TCDD dose group, compared to controls, whereas the survival rate was unaffected (20 vs. 16%, respectively). In contrast, exposure to 3.57 and 17.86 ng/kg/day TCDD for 1 year resulted in a significantly higher survival rate of implants (26.7% and 33.3% respectively vs. 16.0%) and significantly larger diameter implants in the 17.86-ng/kg/day dose group only, compared to the control group. Treatment had no effect on circulating gonadal steroid levels or menstrual cycle characteristics. It is concluded that TCDD facilitates the survival of endometrial implants and exerts a bimodal effect on endometrial implant growth.

Morphologic characteristics of endometriosis in the mouse model: application to toxicology

Surgically induced endometriosis in the mouse has been described as a model to investigate the effect of environmental pollutants on the growth of endometriotic implants. The objectives of this study were to evaluate a modified surgical procedure to induce endometriosis and validate the model by comparing the effects of estrogen, 4-chlorodiphenyl ether (4-CDE) as a possible estrogenic contaminant, and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a contaminant with predominantly anti-estrogenic activities, on the growth of endometrial implants. Uterine strips (1.0 x 4.0 mm2) were autotransplanted to multiple sites in the abdomen of sexually mature female B6C3F1 mice (n = 33), which were randomly assigned to the following groups: intact control (n = 4); ovariectomized (OVX, n = 9); OVX and treated with 4-CDE (n = 6); OVX and treated with 17 beta-estradiol (E2, n = 9); and OVX and treated with E2 plus TCDD (n = 5). Endometrial implants survived warm ischemia regardless of implant site and appeared as small clear spherical or ovoid fluid-filled cysts. The diameter of the endometrial cysts in the OVX animals was significantly (p < 0.0001) smaller compared with the intact animals and OVX animals replaced with E2 or 4-CDE. In contrast, TCDD treatment inhibited the growth of endometrial cysts in the presence of estrogen. We conclude that autotransplantation of uterine slices to multiple abdominal sites results in formation of endometriotic cysts that are responsive to estrogen, and that environmental contaminants possess the potential to affect the survival and growth of endometrial cysts. Therefore, we concluded that the mouse endometriosis model described in this paper has applications to investigate the possible role of environmental pollutants in the development of endometriosis.

Stimulating effects of 4-chlorodiphenyl ether on surgically induced endometriosis in the mouse

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of repeated injection of 4-chlorodiphenyl ether (4-CDE) on the survival and growth of endometriotic implants. Endometriosis was surgically induced in adult female B6C3F1 mice (n = 25) after ovariectomy. Seven days later the animals were randomly divided into five groups and treated with vehicle alone (corn oil, control), or 20 micrograms/kg/d estrone (positive control), or 10, 75, or 150 mg/kg/d 4-CDE in vehicle for 28 d. The number and size of the endometriotic cysts were recorded and the cysts were then harvested for histology at necropsy 2 d after the last treatment. There were significantly more cysts formed (P < 0.05) in the 150 mg/kg/d 4-CDE group compared to the vehicle-treated control (60 vs. 8%), but not compared to the estrone-treated positive control (90 vs. 60%). Hepatic enzymes were evaluated to confirm exposure and to further clarify the enzymatic route of 4-CDE biotransformation by the liver. In conclusion, the repeated exposure to 4-CDE increased the survival rates of the endometriotic cysts in the ovariectomized mouse, which suggests that 4-CDE mimics estrogen effects on endometriotic tissues because the endometrial tissues are dependent on estrogenic support for survival.