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Determining how mountain communities in conservation priority areas can benefit from rich local biodiversity through sustainable development has been a challenge to governments throughout the world. The village of Hanlong in western Yunnan China has been developing bird photography tourism to capitalize on the extremely rich avifaunal diversity of the area. In this study, we analyzed the impact of the emerging tourism on local communities' livelihoods and identified the key areas of improvements for wider dissemination of the experiences. Bird photography tourism in Hanlong has contributed significantly to the sustainable livelihoods of local communities by providing a major new source of income, creating local employment opportunities, and reducing local people's dependence on the extractive use of forest resources. In the process, local communities have acquired new knowledge, skills, and social networks. They have also developed new institutions and governance mechanisms, which enable them to better adapt to the changing socioeconomic environment. Bird photography tourism offers new opportunities and hope for sustaining local livelihoods and biodiversity in conservation priority areas. Experiences in Hanlong offer an excellent heuristic example for sustainable community development, adaptation, and transformational change in conservation priority areas. They also contribute to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals and Aichi targets and thus have value for wider upscaling. Geographical location, local leadership, and external support are all important for the success of bird photography in Hanlong. We recommend that a landscape (including transboundary landscape) approach be adopted to integrate farming practices, other economic activities, and photography tourism. Farming practices and land uses that sustain bird diversity should be encouraged.

Abstract Background Yellow cattle and water buffalo are two of the most important natural hosts for Schistosoma japonicum in China. Previous observation has revealed that yellow cattle are more suited to the development of S. japonicum than water buffalo. Understanding more about the molecular mechanisms involved in worm development, as well as the pathological and immunological differences between yellow cattle and water buffalo post infection with S japonicum will provide useful information for the vaccine design and its delivery procedure. Results The worm length (p < 0.01), worm recovery rate (p < 0.01) and the percentage of paired worms (p < 0.01) were significantly greater in yellow cattle than those in water buffalo. There were many white egg granulomas in the livers of yellow cattle, but fewer were observed in water buffalo at 7 weeks post infection. The livers of infected yellow cattle contained significantly increased accumulation of inflammatory cells, and the schistosome eggs were surrounded with large amounts of eosinophil infiltration. In contrast, no hepatocyte swelling or lymphocyte infiltration, and fewer white blood cells, was observed in water buffalo. The percentage of CD4+ T cells was higher in yellow cattle, while the percentage of CD8+ T cells was higher in water buffalo from pre-infection to 7 w post infection. The CD4/CD8 ratios were decreased in both species after challenge with schistosomes. Comparing with water buffalo, the IFN-γ level was higher and decreased significantly, while the IL-4 level was lower and increased gradually in yellow cattle from pre-infection to 7 w post infection. Conclusions In this study, we confirmed that yellow cattle were more suited to the development of S. japonicum than water buffalo, and more serious pathological damage was observed in infected yellow cattle. Immunological analysis suggested that CD4+ T cells might be an integral component of the immune response and might associate with worm development in yellow cattle. A shift from Th1 to Th2 type polarized immunity was only shown clearly in schistosome-infected yellow cattle, but no shift in water buffalo. The results provide valuable information for increased understanding of host-schistosome interactions, and for control of schistosomiasis.

Byline: Shaoping. Chen, Jianmei. Yang, Xin. Gao, Qiang. Liu, Xunguo. Wang, Yanchun. Guo, Ruibao. Liu, Fang. Wang Background: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy and the side effects [...]

Background: This study aimed to compare the characteristics of the gut microbiota and their metabolite profiles between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and orlistat-treated PCOS rats (ORL-PCOS), which could help to better understand the underlying mechanism of the effect of orlistat on PCOS. Methods: PCOS rat models were established using letrozole combined with a high-fat diet. Ten rats were randomly selected as a PCOS control group (PCOS). The other three groups (n = 10/group) were additionally supplemented with different doses of orlistat (low, medium, high). Then, fecal samples of the PCOS and ORL-PCOS groups were analysed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics. Blood samples were collected to detect serum sex hormones and lipids. Results: The results showed that orlistat attenuated the body weight gain, decreased the levels of T, LH, the LH/FSH ratio, TC, TG and LDL-C; increased the level of E2; and improved estrous cycle disorder in PCOS rats. The bacterial richness and diversity of the gut microbiota in the ORL-PCOS group were higher than those in the PCOS group. The ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes was decreased with orlistat treatment. Moreover, orlistat treatment led to a significant decrease in the relative abundance of Ruminococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae, and increases in the abundances of Muribaculaceae and Bacteroidaceae. Metabolic analysis identified 216 differential fecal metabolites in total and 6 enriched KEGG pathways between the two groups, including steroid hormone biosynthesis, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and vitamin digestion and absorption. Steroid hormone biosynthesis was the pathway with the most significant enrichment. The correlations between the gut microbiota and differential metabolites were calculated, which may provide a basis for understanding the composition and function of microbial communities. Conclusions: Our data suggested that orlistat exerts a PCOS treatment effect, which may be mediated by modifying the structure and composition of the gut microbiota, as well as the metabolite profiles of PCOS rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Triptolide (TPL) has gained much attention as an antitumor compound with potential applications. However, TPL suffers from low bioavailability, severe toxic side effects, and limited targeted uptake by tumor cells, thus restricting the conversion of its clinical application. Here, a supramolecular nanovehicle, named TSCD/MCC NPs, featuring pH/AChE co‐response was designed and prepared for loading, delivery, and targeted release of TPL. The cumulative release rate of TPL from TPL@TSCD/MCC NPs reached ∼90 % within 60 h at pH 5.0 and AChE co‐stimulation. Bhaskar model is used to study TPL release procedure. In cell experiments, TPL@TSCD/MCC NPs showed high toxicity to the four tumor cells lines A549, HL‐60, MCF‐7, and SW480, and favorable biosafety to normal cells BEAS‐2B. Furthermore, TPL@TSCD/MCC NPs containing relatively small amounts of TPL presented similar apoptosis rates to those of intrinsic TPL. We anticipate that TPL@TSCD/MCC NPs may facilitate the conversion of TPL into clinical applications through further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although research supports the feasibility and reliability of health-related physical fitness (HRPF) tests in typically developing children and adolescents, little is known regarding the feasibility and reliability of these tests for those with hearing impairments (HI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of a HRPF test battery for children and adolescents with HI. A test–retest design with a one-week interval was conducted with 26 participants with HI (mean age: 12.7 ± 2.8 years; 9 male). The feasibility and reliability of seven field-based HRPF tests (i.e., body mass index, grip strength, standing long jump, vital capacity, long distance run, sit-and-reach, one leg stand) were evaluated. All the tests showed high feasibility (completion rate > 90%). Six tests indicated good to excellent test–retest reliability (all intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] > 0.75) while the one leg stand test showed poor reliability (ICC = 0.36). Relatively large percentages of standard error of measurement (SEM%) and minimal detectable change (MDC%) were observed in the sit-and-reach test (SEM% = 52.4%, MDC% = 145.2%) and one leg stand test (SEM% = 107.9%, MDC% = 299.2%), whereas the rest of the tests demonstrated reasonable SEM% and MDC% values. Collectively, most of the tests can be feasibly and reliably used to assess HRPF for children and adolescents with HI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. A 3-month depot of leuprorelin acetate (LA) was introduced in China in July 2020. However, the clinical experience is limited. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a LA 11.25 mg 3-month depot with that of a 3.75 mg 1-month depot in suppressing pubertal development for the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP). Subjects and Methods. A prospective study, including 78 girls with CPP treated with LA, was conducted. 31 patients were treated with a LA 3-month depot, and 47 were treated with a LA 1-month depot. Participants were interviewed at baseline and 6 months. Anthropometric, metabolic, and reproductive data were assessed at each interview. Bone age, serum endocrine hormones, maximum diameter of uterus and volume of ovary of each patient were evaluated. A pharmacoeconomic evaluation was also conducted. Results. Treatment with a 3-month depot was similar to treatment with a 1-month depot in terms of baseline characteristics. After 6 months of treatment, a suppressed level of luteinizing hormone (LH) (LH < 2.5 IU/L) was found in 100% and 95% of the 11.25 mg and 3.75 mg groups, respectively. LH decreased from 2.11 ± 1.83 and 2.82 ± 2.31 at baseline (P = 0.172) to 0.37 ± 0.39 and 0.44 ± 0.76 (P = 0.758) in the 3-month and 1-month groups, respectively. Follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol levels, bone age/chronological age (BA/CA), height velocity, maximum diameter of uterus and volume of ovary did not show any distinction between the two groups after 6 months of treatment, but both were significantly ameliorated compared with the baseline. The loss of working time of parents and study time of patients and the numbers of visits, injections and laboratory examinations obviously decreased in the 3-month depots. Conclusion. An LA 3-month depot was equally effective and safe as a 1-month depot for hormonal suppression and bone maturation inhibition, providing clinical experience in China. The 11.25 mg depot of LA is a safe, efficient, and economical treatment method for the advanced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]