No abstract

This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of the contact force (CF)-sensing catheter and second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Six controlled clinical trials comparing ablation for AF using a CF-sensing catheter or second-generation CB were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The procedure duration was significantly lower in the CB group compared with that in the CF group [mean difference (MD)=29.4; 95%CI=17.84–40.96; P=0.01], whereas there was no difference between the groups for fluoroscopy duration (MD=0.59; 95%CI=–4.48–5.66; P=0.82). Moreover, there was no difference in the incidence of non-lethal complications (embolic event, tamponade, femoral/subclavian hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, pulmonary vein stenosis, phrenic nerve palsy, and esophageal injury) between the CB and the CF groups (8.38 vs 5.35%; RR=0.66; 95%CI=0.37–1.17; P=0.15). Transient phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 17 of 326 patients (5.2%) of the CB group vs none in the CF group (RR=0.12; 95%CI=0.03–0.43; P=0.001). A comparable proportion of patients in CF and CB groups suffered from AF recurrence during the 12-month follow-up after a single ablation procedure [risk ratio (RR)=1.03; 95%CI=0.78–1.35; P=0.84]. AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters and second-generation CB showed comparable fluoroscopy duration and efficacy (during a 12-month follow-up), with shorter procedure duration and different complications in the CB group.

ABSTRACT. Simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers were employed to assess the genetic diversity of wild Prunus cerasifera Ehrhart (wild cherry plum) in China. Fourteen SSR primer pairs generated a total of 94 alleles (90 were polymorphic, accounting for 95.74%), with a mean of 6.71 alleles per locus. The number of alleles detected at each locus ranged from 2 at BPPCT 028 to 13 at BPPCT 002, with an average of 6.71 alleles per locus. Nei's genetic diversity ranged from 0.0938 to 0.4951 and Shannon's information index ranged from 0.1706 to 0.6882, with averages of 0.3295 and 0.4899, respectively. The SSR data indicated moderate genetic diversity of P. cerasifera in China. In the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean phylogenetic tree, the 40 forms of P. cerasifera were divided into 3 genetic clusters. However, the 3 clades determined using SSR data were not consistent with the classification based on morphological characters, such as fruit color. Because of the endangered status and the moderate genetic diversity of P. cerasifera in China, both in situ and ex situ conservation strategies should be adopted.

Client violence is a persistent problem that seriously disturbs the physical and mental health of social workers worldwide; however, there is very limited discussion around this issue in China. This mixed-methods study included 602 social workers from three provinces in central China. The quantitative results (N = 602) revealed an overall level of violence of 48.17 per cent, with verbal violence being the most common. Significant differences were found in client violence by gender, work experience and field of work. The qualitative results (N = 20) revealed that client violence is closely related to the institution, culture and work patterns in the field. The results of this study can be combined with the Chinese social background and cultural context to discuss the reasons for lower levels of client violence in China compared to other countries.

The social work certification system in China does not require a professional education in social work and makes compromises for a lack of higher education. This brief statement introduces a study we are currently conducting to analyze the impact of the government-led social work certification system on the professional competence of practitioners. As a ‘level evaluation’ rather than an ‘admission requirement’ qualification exam, social workers without professional backgrounds show significant improvement in their professional competence after obtaining a license. This provides a new perspective for the development of social work in other countries, promoting the rapid development of social work through government-led initiatives and lowering barriers.