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Genetic and environmental influences on predictors of decline in daily functioning, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), handgrip, and five-times-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), have not been addressed in the aging Chinese population. We performed classical twin modeling on FEV1, FVC, handgrip, and FTSST in 379 twin pairs (240 MZ and 139 DZ) with median age of 50 years (40–80 years). Data were analyzed by fitting univariate and bivariate twin models to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on these measures of physical function. Heritability was moderate for FEV1, handgrip, and FTSST (55–60%) but insignificant for FVC. Only FVC showed moderate control, with shared environmental factors accounting for about 50% of the total variance. In contrast, all measures of pulmonary function and muscle strength showed modest influences from the unique environment (40–50%). Bivariate analysis showed highly positive genetic correlations between FEV1 and FVC (rG = 1.00), and moderately negative genetic correlations between FTSST and FEV1 (rG = −0.33) and FVC (rG = −0.42). FEV1 and FVC, as well as FEV1 and handgrip, displayed high common environmental correlations (rC = 1.00), and there were moderate correlations between FVC and handgrip (rC = 0.44). FEV1 and FVC showed high unique environmental correlations (rE = 0.76) and low correlations between handgrip and FEV1 (rE = 0.17), FVC (rE = 0.14), and FTSST (rE = −0.13) with positive or negative direction. We conclude that genetic factors contribute significantly to the individual differences in common indicators of daily functioning (FEV1, handgrip, and FTSST). FEV1 and FVC were genetically and environmentally correlated. Pulmonary function and FTSST may share similar sets of genes but in the negative direction. Pulmonary function and muscle strength may have a shared environmental background. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This cross-sectional survey mainly investigated the sleep characteristics and its association with the training volumes of top blind soccer players in China. Additionally, the sleep quality of athletes with and without a visual impairment was compared. Blind soccer players (n = 60) completed the survey form measuring their sleep characteristics and demographic data. A secondary data-set about the sleep quality of athletes without disabilities was used to compare with the current sample. The results showed that 26.7% blind soccer players were classified as poor sleepers. There was a significant difference of sleep quality (poor vs.good sleep quality) by training volume and sleep characteristics (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, and daytime dysfunction). Somewhat unexpectedly, blind soccer players generally showed a better sleep quality than athletes without disabilities. It was concluded that more than one fourth of blind soccer players have poor sleep quality and that training volumes may affect it. There is a need to understand possible reasons and mechanisms of poor sleep quality among this special population in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Genotyping platforms for common red blood cell (RBC) antigens have been successfully applied in Caucasian and black populations but not in Chinese populations. In this study, a genotyping assay based on multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technology was applied in a Chinese population to validate the MLPA probes. Subsequently, the comprehensive distribution of 17 blood group systems also was obtained.Study Design and Methods: DNA samples from 200 Chinese donors were extracted and genotyped using the blood-MLPA assay. To confirm the MLPA results, a second independent genotyping assay (ID Core+) was conducted in 40 donors, and serological typing of 14 blood-group antigens was performed in 91 donors. In donors who had abnormal copy numbers of an allele (DI and GYPB) determined by MLPA, additional experiments were performed (polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and flow cytometry analysis).Results: The genotyping results obtained using the blood-MLPA and ID Core+ assays were consistent. Serological data were consistent with the genotyping results except for one donor who had a Lu(a-b-) phenotype. Of the 17 blood group systems, the distribution of the MNS, Duffy, Kidd, Diego, Yt, and Dombrock systems was polymorphic. The Mur and Sta antigens of the MNS system were distributed with a frequency of 9% (18 of 200) and 2% (4 of 200), respectively. One donor with chimerism and one who carried a novel DI*02(A845V) allele, which predicts the depression of Dib antigen expression, were identified.Conclusions: The blood-MLPA assay could easily identify the common blood-group alleles and correctly predicted phenotype in the Chinese population. The Mur and Sta antigens were distributed with high frequency in a Southern Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to describe the prevalence and risk factors of prehypertension and hypertension in Jiangxi Province, China. Individuals with prehypertension frequently progress into hypertension and are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease and stroke. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 15,296 participants (15 years or older) was conducted in Jiangxi Province, China, in 2013, using questionnaire forms and physical measurements. Results: The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 32.3% (39.2% in men and 27.6% in women) and 29.0% (30.1% in men and 28.2% in women), respectively. The awareness, treatment, and control rates among all hypertensive participants were 64.8%, 27.1%, and 12.6%, respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension in males declined with age, but the prevalence of hypertension increased in different genders. The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension increased with increasing body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of prehypertension decreased, in parallel to an increase in the prevalence of hypertension, with increasing waist circumference (WC). A combination of WC and BMI was superior to individual indices in identifying hypertension. A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that increasing age, high BMI, high visceral adipose index, and high heart rate were risk factors for prehypertension and hypertension. The high body fat percentage was significantly associated with prehypertension. Living in an urban area, male sex, abdominal obesity, and menopause were correlated with hypertension. Conclusions: Prehypertension and hypertension are epidemic in southern China. Further studies are needed to explore an indicator that can represent the visceral fat accurately and has a close relationship with cardiovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bartonella species are emerging human pathogens. Bats are known to carry diverse Bartonella species, some of which are capable of infecting humans. However, as the second largest mammalian group by a number of species, the role of bats as the reservoirs of Bartonella species is not fully explored, in term of their species diversity and worldwide distribution. China, especially Northern China, harbors a number of endemic insectivorous bat species; however, to our knowledge, there are not yet studies about Bartonella in bats in China. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Bartonella species in bats in Northern China. Bartonella species were detected by PCR amplification of gltA gene in 25.2% (27/107) bats in Mengyin County, Shandong Province of China, including 1/3 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, 2/10 Rhinolophus pusillus, 9/16 Myotis fimbriatus, 1/5 Myotis ricketti, 14/58 Myotis pequinius. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Bartonella species detected in bats in this study clustered into ten groups, and some might be novel Bartonella species. An association between Bartonella species and bat species was demonstrated and co-infection with different Bartonella species in a single bat was also observed. Our findings expanded our knowledge on the genetic diversity of Bartonella in bats, and shed light on the ecology of bat-borne Bartonella species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion:From aspect of fluid dynamics, expanding patients’ nasopharyngeal coronal-sectional area to 48.3–54.7% of normal area will bring the airflow velocity back to normal in adenoidal hypertrophy children. It might provide a suggestion for adenoidectomy range selection and whether total resection is necessary. Objectives:To evaluate the nasopharyngeal airflow characteristics in pediatric OSA patients with adenoidal hypertrophy, and to explore the proper resection range for adenoidectomy Method:Nine OSA patients and four normal children were recruited. The CT scans of their upper airway were collected and used to construct three dimensional models for fluid dynamics analysis. Using computational fluid dynamics, indices such as velocity, pressure, and coronal-sectional area were calculated. Results:Compared with the normal, the OSA children showed three characteristics in nasopharyngeal: the airflow velocity was significantly higher (p < 0.05), the coronal-sectional area was significantly smaller (p < 0.01), while pressure showed no difference (p > 0.05). In a study of the relationship between velocity and coronal-sectional area, this study investigates different coronal-sectional areas from 30–300 mm2. It was found that, when patients’ nasopharyngeal coronal-sectional area was expanded over 155–170 mm2, namely 48.3–54.7% of normal area, airflow velocity in nasopharyngeal showed no difference than normal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Summary: This study evaluated the levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) and investigated relationships between them and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women in China suburban district. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 25.03 % at lumbar spine and 6.23 % at femoral neck, and BTMs were negatively correlated with BMDs. Introduction: The aims of this study were to evaluate the levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs), including serum N-terminal procollagen of type I collagen (P1NP), beta C-terminal cross-linked of type I collagen (β-CTX), 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], and parathyroid hormone (PTH), and to investigate relationships between these markers and bone mineral density (BMD) as well the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women of suburban district. Methods: A population of 4822 postmenopausal women aged 55-69 years old (62.22 ± 6.75) from the suburban district was recruited voluntarily. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; 2251 women in this group had the serum BTMs 25(OH)D and PTH tested. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis was 25.03 % at lumbar spine and 6.23 % at femoral neck. The median (interquartile range) values of serum P1NP, β-CTX, 25(OH)D, and PTH were 59.3 ng/mL (44.7-75.52), 0.370 ng/mL (0.280-0.490), 23.0 ng/mL (17.1-30.5), and 31.4 pg/mL (24.9-39.7), respectively. Serum P1NP and β-CTX levels presented significantly negative correlations with BMDs at the all the sites (Beta = −0.098 to −0.208, respectively, P < 0.001), whereas PTH levels were negatively correlated with BMDs of the femoral neck and total hip (Beta = −0.062 and −0.054, P < 0.01, respectively). Serum 25(OH)D had positive associations with BMDs at total hip (Beta = 0.051, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The BMD of postmenopausal women in China suburban area is higher than that in downtown area, and over 60 % of the participants had their serum 25(OH)D level over 20 ng/mL. BTMs were negatively correlated with BMDs, suggesting that BTMs are reliable factors for early declines in BMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Although cortical midline structures (CMS) are the most commonly identified neural foundations of self-appraisals, research is beginning to implicate the temporal-parietal junction (TPJ) in more interdependent self-construals. The goal of this study was to extend this research in an understudied population by (a) examining both direct (first-person) and reflected (third-person) self-appraisals across 2 domains (social and academics), and (b) exploring individual differences in recruitment of the TPJ during reflected self-appraisals.Method: The neural correlates of direct and reflected self-appraisals in social and academic domains were examined in 16 Chinese young adults (8 males, 8 females; aged 18-23 years) using functional MRI.Results: As expected, when making reflected self-appraisals (i.e., reporting what they believed others thought about them, regardless of domain), Chinese participants recruited both CMSs and the TPJ. Similar to previous research in East Asian and interdependent samples, CMSs and the TPJ were relatively more active during direct self-appraisals in the social than in the academic domain. We additionally found that, to the extent participants reported that reflected academic self-appraisals differed from direct academic self-appraisals, they demonstrated greater engagement of the TPJ during reflected academic self-appraisals. Exploratory cross-national comparisons with previously published data from American participants revealed that Chinese young adults engaged the TPJ relatively more during reflected self-appraisals made from peer perspectives.Conclusions: In combination with previous research, these findings increase support for a role of the TPJ in self-appraisal processes, particularly when Chinese young adults consider peer perspectives. The possible functional contributions provided by the TPJ are explored and discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using national surveillance data for 120,111 human anthrax cases recorded during 1955-2014, we analyzed the temporal, seasonal, geographic, and demographic distribution of this disease in China. After 1978, incidence decreased until 2013, when it reached a low of 0.014 cases/100,000 population. The case-fatality rate, cumulatively 3.6% during the study period, has also decreased since 1990. Cases occurred throughout the year, peaking in August. Geographic distribution decreased overall from west to east, but the cumulative number of affected counties increased during 2005-2014. The disease has shifted from industrial to agricultural workers; 86.7% of cases occurred in farmers and herdsmen. Most (97.7%) reported cases were the cutaneous form. Although progress has been made in reducing incidence, this study highlights areas that need improvement. Adequate laboratory diagnosis is lacking; only 7.6% of cases received laboratory confirmation. Geographic expansion of the disease indicates that livestock control programs will be essential in eradicating anthrax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural abundance of larval fish of four carp species has been affected adversely by the Three Gorges Reservoir in the Yangtze River. One of the methods to conserve fish is to regulate hydrology regimes to keep them optimal for species spawning. Thirty-two hydrologic indicators (HIs) associated with the hydrologic regime of the spawning sites at the Jianli reach were analyzed with the range of variability approach. Outputs were correlated with abundance of larval fish by a genetic programming approach to explore the relationship between the hydrologic regime and fish abundance. Results showed that rate of rise for discharge and average monthly discharge in June, October, and December; rate of rise for water level, average monthly water level in May, June, July, October, and November, and 1-, 3-, 7-, and 30-day maximum water level; and high pulse duration for sediment concentration and average monthly sediment concentration in June, July, and October were key factors that affected fish species abundance. All of these HIs changed greatly after impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir since 2003. Discharge and water level played the dominant role in reproduction of four carp species when the change of sediment concentration kept stable. However, when the sediment concentration declined over the limited range, it replaced discharge and water level as having the dominant role in reproduction. Two relationships between abundance of larval fish and HIs were identified from genetic programming results to explore an indicator impact matrix for use in eco-hydrologic management through change of some HIs to improve fish abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An understudied component of the diet, branchedchain fatty acids (BCFAs) are distinctive saturated fatty acids that may have an important influence on health. Human-milk fatty acid composition is known to differ worldwide, but comparative data are lacking on BCFAs. Objective: We tested the hypotheses that concentrations of BCFAs in human milk differ between populations and are associated with maternal diet. Design: We surveyed the BCFA composition of samples collected as part of a standardized, prospective study of human-milk composition. Mothers were enrolled from 3 urban populations with differing diets: Cincinnati, Ohio; Shanghai, China; and Mexico City, Mexico. Enrollment was limited to healthy mothers of term singleton infants. We undertook a cross-sectional analysis of milk from all women with samples at postpartum week 4 (n = 359; ~ 120 women/site). Fatty acids were extracted from milk by using a modified Bligh-Dyer technique and analyzed by gas chromatography. Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tobit regression. For Cincinnati mothers, 24-h diet recalls were analyzed in relation to the individual BCFA concentrations measured in milk samples. Results: Total BCFAs in milk differed by site, with the highest concentration in Cincinnati followed by Mexico City and Shanghai (mean ± SE: 7.90 ± 0.41, 6.10 ± 0.36, and 4.27 ± 0.25 mg/100 mL, respectively; P < 0.001). Site differences persisted after delivery mode, maternal age, and body mass index were controlled for. The individual concentrations of iso-14:0, iso-16:0, iso-18:0, anteiso-15:0, and anteiso-17:0 also differed between sites. Milk concentrations of iso-14:0 and anteiso-15:0 were associated with maternal intake of dairy; iso-16:0 was associated with maternal intakes of dairy and beef. Conclusions: BCFA concentrations in milk at 4 wk postpartum differed between mothers from Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Mexico City. Variations in human-milk BCFAs are influenced by diet. The impact of BCFAs on infant health warrants investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Excessive iodine intake may have adverse effects on the thyroid, particularly in children, but the safe upper iodine intake concentration in children is unclear. Objective: We assessed the adverse effects of high iodine intake from iodine-rich drinking water on thyroid size in children by examining associations between thyroid volume (Tvol), total goiter rate (TGR), and iodine intake. Design: In a multistage cross-sectional survey, we collected two 24-h urine samples on 2 nonconsecutive days and determined 24-h urinary iodine excretion, then calculated habitual daily iodine intake. Ultrasonographic Tvol was measured, and TGR was calculated based on international and Chinese reference ranges for Tvol in children. Results: This study included 2089 children from Shandong province, where the median (IQR) drinking water iodine concentration was 183 mg/L (69-406 mg/L). The median (IQR) 24-h urinary iodine concentrations for the 2 collections were 381 mg/L (203-649 mg/L) and 398 mg/L (202-687 mg/L), respectively. The median (IQR) habitual daily iodine intake of children was 298 mg/d (186-437 mg/d). Tvols were slightly higher in boys than in girls (P = 0.035). The overall TGR was 9.7% and did not differ by sex. The TGR was ~5% for children aged 7-10 and 11-14 y at iodine intakes of 200-249 and 250-299 mg/d, respectively. With the use of logistic regression and 2-step linear regression, a nonlinear association was observed between Tvol, TGR, and iodine intake, with a threshold intake of 150 mg/d. Conclusions: Tvol begins to increase in children when iodine intake is $ 150 mg/d, and the TGR exceeds 5% when daily iodine intake is $250 mg/d for children aged 7-10 y and $300 mg/d for children aged 11-14 y. Our findings suggest that 150-249 and 150-299 mg/d seem to be safe upper iodine intake ranges for children aged 7-10 and 11-14 y, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal comfort of rural residents in China is studied to improve their living conditions and safeguard agricultural development. The present study recruited 30 healthy young people (50% male and 50% female) from rural areas of the hot and humid region of China and exposed them to a wide range of temperatures (20–32°C) and humidities (50% and 70%) in a climate chamber. Both the psychological and physiological responses were observed. The thermal neutral standard effective temperature (SET) was determined to be 26.8°C and the 90% thermal acceptable SET range was 22.9–30.7°C. Mean skin temperature and skin wetness were found to be good predictors for thermal comfort in the neutral-cool and neutral-warm conditions, respectively. When compared with the previous results from similar studies of urban participants living in naturally ventilated buildings, a significant divergence is found. Rural participants reported the same thermal sensation but felt more comfortable and acceptable under identical cool or warm conditions. Rural participants had the same neutral temperature, but a much wider acceptable temperature range. The reason for these differences between rural and urban people may be attributed to differences in local culture, expectations and environmental cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To assess insulin resistance and β-cell function from birth to age 4 years and to examine their associations with catch-up growth (CUG) in Chinese small-for-gestational-age (SGA) children.Methods: Weight and height were measured yearly from birth to age 4 years, and transformed into age- and gender-adjusted SD scores. Fasting serum insulin and glucose were measured, and fasting insulin resistance and β-cell function were estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA).Results: The mean HOMA-IR of the SGA group was significantly lower than that of the appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) group at ages 2 and 3 years old, and the mean HOMA% of the SGA group was significantly lower than that of the AGA group at age 4 years old. At 4 years of age, HOMA for insulin resistance was positively correlated with the height gain and SD of height gain between 0 and 5 months, and HOMA% was positively correlated with the weight gain and SD of weight gain between 6 and 12 months in SGA children.Conclusions: SGA children with CUG show a greater propensity to develop insulin resistance than AGA children between ages 2 and 4 years old. HOMA parameters are related to CUG in the first year of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swimming performance is extremely important to critical activities of fishes, such as foraging, anti-predator, and migration. As one of primary stock enhancement fish species in China, it is imperative to study on swimming performance of the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea). In the present study, the swimming performance of juvenile large yellow croaker was investigated, including the behavior, muscle morphology, stress physiology, and genetic mechanisms underlying the individual difference. Juveniles of the croaker were individually subjected to the critical swimming speed (U crit) test, and thereby divided into fast (36.47 cm/s) and slow (18.65 cm/s) groups. The juveniles in the fast group had significantly higher tail beat frequency, smaller muscle fiber diameter and more muscle fiber number, as well as lower plasma cortisol and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) levels than those in the slow group. Meanwhile, expression levels of hsp70 and pcna in the brain were significantly higher in the fast group than in the slow group, however no significant difference was observed in syt1a expression. Furthermore, the key genes and pathways involved in the swimming performance were assessed by mapping the white skeletal muscle transcriptome. We found that a total of 157 transcripts was differentially expressed between the fast and slow groups, enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, cellular senescence, and cardiac muscle contraction pathways. A multitude of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunits and solute carrier family genes were especially related. In conclusion, we for the first time found that fish swimming performance directly links to muscle fiber plasticity, stress physiology, and molecular base divergence in the large yellow croaker. The present results lay a foundation for ethological-character-based selective breeding for the large yellow croaker in the regards of swimming performance. • Large yellow croakers have inter-individual difference of swimming performance. • Muscle fiber plasticity and stress physiology affect the swimming performance. • Molecular divergence in energy metabolism determines the swimming performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genotypic difference in nitrogen responsiveness of maize grain yield has gained considerable attention, however, the underlying physiological mechanism is less understood. Leaf area and plant type are important factors determining biomass production, and both of them are regulated by nitrogen supply. The current research aims to assess whether high nitrogen responsiveness is related to leaf growth and plant type. A 2-year field experiment was conducted with three maize cultivars (BMY, ZD2 and ZD958) differing in nitrogen responsiveness under a wide range of nitrogen supply (0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha-1). The links between grain yield, leaf area dynamics, leaf angle and orientation value, and radiation use efficiency were investigated. Nitrogen responsiveness, defined as yield increment per unit of increased nitrogen supply, was 8.3–29.1% higher in ZD958 compared with the other cultivars. The maximum grain yield of ZD958 was 21.4–74.6% higher than that of the other cultivars. With increasing nitrogen supply, the increments in maximum leaf area and linear growth rate of leaf area were greater in ZD958, which was positively correlated with grain yield. The interaction effect between cultivar and nitrogen supply was significant on leaf length, but not on leaf width. Across the combinations between cultivar and nitrogen supply, the variation in grain yield was explained by leaf length rather than leaf width. High nitrogen supply increased leaf angle and reduced leaf orientation value, so as to make the leaf more horizontally distributed. However, this change was less significant in ZD958, indicating that the plant type was more compact under high nitrogen supply in maize cultivars with high nitrogen responsiveness. Radiation use efficiency, defined as the slope of the linear relationship between above-ground biomass produced and cumulated intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) was 5.2–13.2% higher in ZD958 than that of BMY. In conclusion, with increasing nitrogen supply, the cultivars with fast leaf growth and compact plant type have higher conversion efficiency of intercepted PAR into the above-ground biomass and get higher grain yield. • Nitrogen increased leaf area to a larger extent in the maize cultivar with high N responsiveness. • A compact plant type contributed to high N responsiveness under high N supply. • Grain yield increased via gains in radiation use efficiency under high N supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulating evidence suggests that an instant exposure to particulate matter (PM) may elevate blood pressure (BP), where cell-adhesion regulatory genes may be involved in the interplay. However, few studies to date critically examined their interaction, and it remained unclear whether these genes modified the association. To assess the association between instant PM exposure and BP, and to examine whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapped in four cell adhesion regulatory genes modify the relationship, a cross-sectional study was performed, based on the baseline of an ongoing family-based cohort in Beijing, China. A total of 4418 persons from 2089 families in Northern China were included in the analysis. Four tagged SNPs in cell adhesion regulatory genes were selected among ZFHX3, CXCL12, RASGRP1 and MIR146A. A generalized additive model (GAM) with a Gaussian link was adopted to estimate the change in blood pressure after instant PM 2.5 or PM 10 exposure. A cross-product term of PM 2.5 /PM 10 and genotype was incorporated into the GAM model to test for interaction. The study observed that an instant exposure to either PM 2.5 or PM 10 was found to be associated with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP). On average, a 10 μg/m3 increase in instant exposure to PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentration corresponded to 0.140% (95% CI: 0.014%–0.265% , P = 0.029) and 0.173% (95% CI: 0.080%–0.266%, P < 0.001) higher SBP. However, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was not elevated as the PM 2.5 or PM 10 concentration increased (P > 0.05). A synergetic interaction on SBP was observed between SNPs in four cell adhesion regulatory genes (rs2910164 in MIR146A , rs2297630 in CXCL12, rs7403531 in RASGRP1 , and rs7193343 in ZFHX3) and instant PM 2.5 exposure (P for interaction <0.05). Briefly, as carriers of risk alleles in each of these four genes increased, an enhanced association was found between instant PM 2.5 exposure and SBP. [Display omitted] • Short-term exposure to PM 2.5 /PM 10 is associated with elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP). • Cell adhesion regulatory genes enhance the association between instant PM 2.5 exposure and SBP. • The current study was known to be the first to examine the gene × PM exposure interaction on blood pressure levels in Chinese, which might help to provide preliminary hints into physiological mechanisms linking air pollution and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large areas of farmland soil in southern China are deficient in potassium (K) and are contaminated with cadmium (Cd). Previously, we suggested that the K supplementation could reduce Cd accumulation in sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam). In the present study, we investigated the underlying physiological and molecular mechanisms. A hydroponic experiment with different K and Cd treatments was performed to compare the transcriptome profile and the cell wall structure in the roots of sweet potato using RNA sequencing, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that K supply inhibits the expressions of IRT1 and YSL3 , which are responsible for root Cd uptake under Cd exposure. Furthermore, the expressions of COPT5 and Nramp3 were downregulated by K, which increased Cd retention in the root vacuoles. The upregulation of POD , CAD , INT1 and SUS by K contributed to lignin and cellulose biosynthesis and thickening of root xylem cell wall, which further reduced Cd translocation to the shoot. In addition, K affected the expressions of LHT , ACS , TPS and TPP associated with the production of ethylene and trehalose, which involved in plant resistance to Cd toxicity. In general, K application could decrease the uptake and translocation of Cd in sweet potatoes by regulating the expression of genes associated with Cd transporters and root cell wall components. [Display omitted] • Potassium (K) supply decreased cadmium (Cd) accumulation in sweet potato plants. • K downregulated the expression of YSL3 and IRT1 responsible for root Cd uptake. • K increased Cd retention in root vacuoles by downregulating COPT5 and Nramp3. • K upregulated the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of cell walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture has greater potential for seafood production than wild capture fisheries. To meet the growing demand for seafood, China's marine aquaculture industry has begun building deep-water cages in the open sea. However, under these conditions, fish encounter strong currents and waves, and ensuring their healthy growth is key to the farming process. To address these issues, it is necessary to study the sustained swimming abilities of cultured fish species. Blackhead seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are traditional economic fish species in China; however, their sustained swimming ability under a constant current has been underexplored. Therefore, we examined the endurance swimming ability of three size classes of blackhead seabream and red drum at 20 °C. The fish were then subjected to swimming tests of 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 min at a constant swimming speed of 0.55 m/s (0.80 m/s), 0.65 m/s (0.90 m/s), and 0.70 m/s (0.98 m/s). The fish were then dissected to obtain muscle, blood, and liver samples; sample metabolite concentrations were measured at six time points, each of which guaranteed five sets of valid data. The results indicated that red drum has a significantly stronger swimming ability, and can be cultured in waters with a short-term flow rate not exceeding 0.75 m/s or 3.5 BL/s. Further, blackhead seabream can be cultured in waters with a flow velocity lower than 0.55 m/s or 2.5 BL/s. The species-related metabolic differences were mainly reflected in the hepatic glycogen and blood glucose concentrations, and those in swimming ability caused by body length were mainly reflected by the hepatic glycogen concentration. The hepatic glycogen concentration had the most significant effect on fish with body lengths >28 cm (P < 0.05). Overall, the experimental results indicated that the liver plays a major role in the physiological level of fish swimming fatigue, providing a direction for further research. • Red drum swimming ability is significantly stronger than Blackhead seabream. • The swimming ability of blackhead seabream and red drum is positively correlated with size. • The extent of the effect of hepatic glycogen concentration on swimming ability is positively correlated with body length. • Blackhead seabream is more adaptable to the changes in metabolite concentration than red drum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Nine human physiological markers and thermal sensation questionnaire in stable indoor thermal environment is collected. • The deviation analysis between thermal sensation vote and PMV standard is conducted. • Detailed correlation analysis of nine physiological information with thermal sensation is performed. • A data-driven thermal sensation predictive model based on multiple physiological information is designed. This paper investigates the correlation of human thermal sensation with multiple physiological information in stable indoor thermal environment. Fifteen young male subjects from East China participate in the experimental study. The thermal sensation votes (TSVs) are collected by subjective questionnaire, and six physiological information are measured simultaneously, i.e., wrist skin temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, heart rate variability (ECG), skin conductance and blood oxygen saturation. A total of nine different physiological markers including four ECG signals are recorded. The deviation analysis between TSV and PMV standard is conducted. A detailed correlation analysis of nine physiological markers with thermal sensation is performed. It is found that young males of East China prefer lower ambient temperature in summer than PMV's prediction. Two environmental and seven physiological variables have obvious correlations with TSV. Among them, wrist skin temperature, heart rate and ECG (pNN50) are three physiological markers that have high correlations with TSV. On this basis, a data-driven thermal sensation predictive model based on multiple physiological information is designed. The accuracy is better than that of skin temperature based predictive model or PMV evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four strains (NYNU 178247, NYNU 178251, DMKU-PAL160 and DMKU-PAL137) representing a novel yeast species were isolated from the external surfaces of rice and pineapple leaves collected in China and Thailand. Phylogenetic analysis based on the concatenated sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the D1/D2 domains of the large subunit rRNA gene revealed that the novel species belonged to the genus Spencerozyma . The D1/D2 sequence of the novel species differed from its closest relative, Spencerozyma acididurans SYSU-17 T , by 3.2 % sequence divergence. The species also differed from Spencerozyma crocea CBS 2029 T and Spencerozyma siamensis DMKU13-2 T , by 3.0-6.9 % sequence divergence in the D1/D2 sequences out of 592 bp. In the ITS regions, the novel species displayed 19.8-29.2% sequence divergence from S. acididurans SYSU-17 T , S. crocea CBS 2029 T and S. siamensis DMKU13-2 T out of 655 bp. Furthermore, the novel species could also be differentiated from the closely related species by some physiological characteristics. The species name of Spencerozyma pingqiaoensis sp. nov. (Holotype CBS 15238, Mycobank MB 844734) is proposed to accommodate these four strains.

In recent years, Apolygus lucorum has caused increasing damage to cotton and fruit trees in China. The salivary enzymes secreted by A. lucorum when sucking on host plants induce a series of biochemical reactions in plants, and the pre-oral digestion benefits the bug feeding. In this study, the food intake of A. lucorum from 1st instar nymphs to adults was measured, and the corresponding salivary activity of pectinase, amylase, cellulase, protease, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase was determined. Daily food intake varied with developmental stage, peaking in 3rd and 4th instar nymphs. Pectinase, amylase, cellulase and protease were detected in both nymphal and adult saliva of A. lucorum, while neither polyphenol oxidase nor peroxidase was detected. Protease activity varied with food intake peaking at the 3rd-4th instar, and then slightly decreasing at the 5th instar. Levels of pectinase, amylase and cellulase increased significantly with the daily feeding level until the 3rd instar, corresponding with increasing damage to host plants. The activity of both cellulase and protease had a significant linear relationship with the average daily food intake. The increasing activity of enzymes in saliva explain stage-specific impacts of A. lucorum on the host plants, and suggest that optimal management of A. lucorum would be confined to its control threshold prior to the peak of daily feeding in the 3rd instar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few studies have looked at the relationship between psychological and the mental health status of pregnant women in rural China. The current study aims to explore the potential mediating effect of negative automatic thoughts between negative life events and antenatal depression. Methods: Data were collected in June 2012 and October 2012. 495 rural pregnant women were interviewed. Depressive symptoms were measured by the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, stresses of pregnancy were measured by the pregnancy pressure scale, negative automatic thoughts were measured by the automatic thoughts questionnaire, and negative life events were measured by the life events scale for pregnant women. We used logistic regression and path analysis to test the mediating effect. Results: The prevalence of antenatal depression was 13.7%. In the logistic regression, the only socio-demographic and health behavior factor significantly related to antenatal depression was sleep quality. Negative life events were not associated with depression in the fully adjusted model. Path analysis showed that the eventual direct and general effects of negative automatic thoughts were 0.39 and 0.51, which were larger than the effects of negative life events. Conclusions: This study suggested that there was a potentially significant mediating effect of negative automatic thoughts. Pregnant women who had lower scores of negative automatic thoughts were more likely to suffer less from negative life events which might lead to antenatal depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the association between environmental risk factors, eating away from home, and increasing BMI of Chinese adults. Methods: Participants were selected from the recent four waves (2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011) of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). 10633 participants, including 5084 men and 5549 women, were used in the analysis. 24-h dietary recall data for three consecutive days with information on the time and place of consumption were collected. Nearby restaurants were measured by the number of fast food outlets, indoor restaurants, and food stands in the neighborhood. Random effects multivariable regression was used to assess associations between these variables. Results: People living in neighborhoods with large numbers of indoor restaurants are more likely to eat away from home (p<0.05). Higher frequency of eating away from home is positively associated with BMI, but this effect is only significant for men (p<0.05). Moreover, while eating dinner or breakfast away from home contributes to BMI increase for men (p<0.05), no such association is found for lunch. Conclusion: Eating dinner and breakfast away from home is positively associated with BMI for Chinese men. Labeling energy and portion size for the dishes served in indoor restaurants is recommended in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: China has an enormous and rapidly growing population of widowed elders. Little is known about how losing a spouse affects elders' health-related quality of life (QOL), especially in the rural areas where most Chinese elders live. This article analyzes QOL data collected in 2014 among rural Chinese elders to address this question.Methods: SF12 questionnaires and information about individual and household characteristics were collected from 3053 elders aged 60 and above in rural China. We compared the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores between 1925 married elders and 1060 widowed elders in a bivariate model stratifying by gender and age group and in a general factorial ANOVA multivariate analysis that examined and controlled for other predictors of PCS and MCS scores including education, chronic disease, and family and household factors.Results: Widowed male and female elders' physical health and mental health were in decline with age. Widowed men had lower PCS and MCS scores than married men. Widowed women also had lower PCS scores, but differences in MCS scores did not reach statistical significance. In multivariate analysis, widowhood was associated with lower PCS and MCS scores overall. Support from children was associated with better QOL and, based on interaction analysis, appeared to mitigate negative effects of widowhood.Conclusions: Widowed rural elders in China have lower physical and mental quality of life than their married counterparts. These elders rely on their children for care, and a supportive family is associated with better QOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are two major sight-threatening diseases which may lead to neovascular glaucoma (NVG). The aim of this study was to explore the association between platelet parameters and NVG. Methods: A total of 185 subjects were enrolled for the study from January, 2012 to December, 2015 at the Eye-ENT Hospital of Fudan University. Patients include those with NVG secondary to RVO (RVO group, n = 38), patients with NVG secondary to DR (DR group, n = 47), diabetics mellitus without retinopathy (DM group, n = 52), and healthy individuals (control group, n = 48). A complete ophthalmological examination including visual field examination, A-scan ultrasound, Fundus photography, and measurement of platelet parameters were performed for NVG subjects. Results: There was no statistical difference in the mean age and gender among the RVO, DR, and control groups (p>0.05). The mean level of platelet distribution width (PDW) was higher (p<0.001) in the RVO group (15.16±2.13fl) and DR group (16.17±1.66fl) when compared with the control group (13.77±2.99fl). The mean plateletcrit (PCT) value of the RVO group (0.229±0.063%) was also higher (p = 0.049) than the control group (0.199±0.045). In the DR group, mean platelet volume (MPV) value (10.72±1.57fl) was significantly higher (p = 0.002) than the control group (9.75±0.89fl). A similar trend was observed when platelet parameters were compared among the 3 groups with respect to age. The mean level of PDW was significantly higher (p<0.001) in the DR group (16.17±1.66fl) compared with the DM group (13.80±3.32fl). Stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that PDW (OR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.149–1.805, p = 0.002) and MPV (OR = 1.503, 95%CI = 1.031–2.192, p = 0.034) were associated with the DR group, PDW (OR = 1.207, 95%CI = 1.010–1.443, p = 0.039) and PCT (OR = 1.663, 95%CI = 1.870–2.654, p = 0.036) were associated with the RVO group. Conclusion: Our results suggest that increased PDW and MPV are associated with the NVG secondary to DR group, elevated PDW and PCT are associated with the RVO group. It indicates that platelets might be an important factor in the onset and/or development of NVG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban green spaces (UGS) offer several ecosystemical benefits to the urban environment. However, these advantages may be weakened by alterations of plants photophysiological mechanisms due to increasing tropospheric ozone (O 3 ) concentrations, a serious problem for China. To evaluate their utilization in UGS, we selected three widely-used urban plant species (smoke tree, Cotinus coggygria Scop.; marigold, Tagetes erecta Linn.; rose, Rosa chinensis Jacp.) to investigate their biometric and photophysiological responses to (i) ambient air (AA), (ii) AA + 60 ppb O 3 (AA + 60), and (iii) AA + 120 ppb O 3 (AA + 120) (9 h d −1 , from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm). Considering visible injury and biomass production, smoke tree and marigold seem to be O 3 -sensitive, whereas rose should be considered more tolerant. The exposure to the pollutant gas reduced photosynthetic efficiency in all seedlings. However, different features were shown throughout our study by the three species here monitored. In smoke tree, stomatal limitations seemed to be its principal weakness. In marigold, the reduction of the photosynthetic performance was mainly ascribable to impairments of both light and dark reactions of photosynthesis. Here, stomatal closure maybe not the cause to limit the photosynthetic rate, but a down-regulated response. Unexpectedly, CO 2 assimilation increased in roses exposed to AA + 60 and did not change in those treated with AA + 120 after one month from the beginning of the exposure (FBE). This seemed due to a better efficacy of these plants in dark reactions of photosynthesis. This feature was confirmed also a month later. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that non-invasive methods such as gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence for monitoring photosynthetic performance of urban plants can be useful to give guidelines to manage UGS in the “climate change era”. Generally, in severe O 3 -polluted areas as those of several cities of China, the plants with high-efficient biochemical processes driving a well photosynthetic performance (such as rose) might be a recommended choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: China is amidst a sexual revolution, with changing sexual practices and behaviors. Sex–seeking mobile phone applications (gay apps) that allow multiple people to meet up quickly may facilitate group sex. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate group sex among Chinese MSM and to better understand factors associated with group sex. Methods: An online survey was conducted from September-October 2014, collecting data on socio-demographics, sexual behaviors, use of gay apps and occurrence of group sex among Chinese MSM. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to compare group sex and non-group sex participants. Results: Of the 1,424 MSM, the majority were under 30 years old (77.5%), unmarried (83.9%), and were gay apps users (57.9%). Overall, 141 (9.9%) participants engaged in group sex in the last 12 months. Multivariate analyses showed that men living with HIV, engaged in condomless anal intercourse with men, and used gay apps were more likely to engage in group sex, with adjusted ORs of 3.74 (95% CI 1.92–7.28), 2.88 (95% CI 2.00–4.16) and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.00–2.13), respectively. Among gay app users, the likelihood of group sex increases with the number of sex partners and the number of sex acts with partners met through a gay app. Conclusions: Chinese MSM who engage in group sex are also more likely to engage in other risky sexual behaviors, and gay app use may facilitate group sex. Further research is needed among MSM who engage in group sex in order to target interventions and surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A campaign was conducted to assess and compare the personal exposure in L3 of Tianjin subway, focusing on PM levels, chemical compositions, morphology analysis, as well as the health risk of heavy metal in PM. The results indicated that the average concentration of the PM was 151.43 μg/m inside the train of the subway during rush hours. PM concentrations inside car under the ground are higher than those on the ground, and PM concentrations on the platform are higher than those inside car. Regarding metal concentrations, the highest element in PM samples was Fe; the level of which is 17.55 μg/m. OC is a major component of PM in Tianjin subway. Secondary organic carbon is the formation of gaseous organic pollutants in subway. SEM-EDX and TEM-EDX exhibit the presence of individual particle with a large metal content in the subway samples. For small Fe metal particles, iron oxide can be formed easily. With regard to their sources, Fe-containing particles are generated mainly from mechanical wear and friction processes at the rail-wheel-brake interfaces. The non-carcinogenic risk to metals Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb, and carcinogenic hazard of Cr and Ni were all below the acceptable level in L3 of Tianjin subway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noroviruses (NoVs) are the leading cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks in humans worldwide. Since late 2012, a new GII.4 variant Sydney 2012 has caused a significant increase in NoV epidemics in several countries. From November of 2012 to January of 2013, three gastroenteritis outbreaks occurred in two social welfare homes (Outbreaks A and B) and a factory (Outbreak C) in Shenzhen city of China. Feces and swabs were collected for laboratory tests for causative agents. While no bacterial pathogen was identified, all three outbreaks were caused by NoVs with detection rates of 26.2% (16/61) at Outbreak A, 35.2% (38/108) at Outbreak B), and 59.3% (16/27) at Outbreaks C. For Outbreak B, 25 of the 29 symptomatic individuals (86.2%) and 13 of the 79 asymptomatic individuals (16.5%) were found NoV-positive. For Outbreak C, an asymptomatic food handler was NoV-positive. All thirteen NoV sequences from the three outbreaks were classified into genogroup II and genotype 4 (GII.4), which we identified to be the GII.4 Sydney 2012 variant. The genome of two isolates from Outbreaks A and B were recombinant with the opening reading frame (ORF) 1 of GII.4 Osaka 2007 and ORF2 and 3 of the GII.4 New Orleans. Our study indicated that the GII.4 Sydney 2012 variant emerged and caused the outbreaks in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the main bioactive component of Chinese herbal medicine Danshen, salvianolic acid B (Sal B, or lithospermic acid B) was observed to maintain the viability of mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) treated by Fenton's reagent in the study. Interestingly, at a higher concentration, Sal B could even increase the viability rate to 175.1%. In mechanistic analysis experiments, Sal B was found to resist DNA destruction by • OH radical, scavenge various radicals in vitro, reduce Cu2+ → Cu+, chelate Fe2+ to yield an absorption maximum at 710 nm. Based on these results, we concluded that, (1) Sal B can not only protect MSCs against • OH-induced damages, but also promote their proliferation. This extraordinary capacity makes Sal B an ideal candidate in MSCs transplantation especially when MSCs are polluted by iron-overload or other oxidative stress factors and, can partly be responsible for the versatile properties of Sal B in pharmacology. The possible mechanisms of its protective effect are hypothesized to include Fe2+ chelating, and direct radical scavenging which is involved in electron transfer ( ET) or hydrogen atom transfer ( HAT) from the catechol moieties. Its proliferation-promoting effect is presumed to be from its ester group, carboxylic group, or benzofuran ring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to extend our previous research and to further characterize the humoral immune responses against HIV-1 p24, gp41 and the specific peptides carrying the immunodominant epitopes (IDEs) that react with human serum samples from HIV-1-infected individuals in China. We found that the majority (90.45%, 180/199) of the samples did not react with any of the three HIV-1 p24 peptides carrying IDEs, but did react with the recombinant full-length p24, suggesting that these samples tested in China were primarily directed against the conformational epitopes of HIV-1 p24. In contrast, 84.54% (164/194) of the samples reacted with at least one HIV-1 linear gp41 peptide, in particular the gp41-p1 peptide (amino acids 560–616). Both recently and long-term HIV-1-infected individuals displayed similar humoral immune responses against the recombinant gp41. However, samples from long-term HIV-1-infected subjects but not from recently infected subjects, showed a very strong reaction against the gp41-p1 peptide. The different response patterns observed for the two groups against the gp41 and the peptide gp41-p1 were statistically significant (P<0.01, Chi-square test). These results have direct relevance and importance for design of improved HIV-1 p24 detection assays and the gp41- based immunoassay that can be used to reliably distinguish recent and long-term HIV-1 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of fingertip tactile sensitivity on the structural variability of thumb and index finger forces during stable precision grip. Thirty right-handed healthy subjects participated in the experiment. Transient perturbation of tactile afferents was achieved by wrapping up the distal pads of the thumb or index finger with transparent polyethylene films. The time-dependent structure of each digit force and the variability of interdigit force correlation were examined by detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) and detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA), respectively. Results showed that the tactile sensitivity affected αDFA of the vertical shear force Fx (F3,239 = 6.814, p<0.001) and αDCCA of Fx (χ2 = 16.440, p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in αDFA or αDCCA of the normal forces produced by the thumb or index finger. These results suggested that with blurred tactile sensory inputs the central nervous system might decrease the vertical shear force flexibility and increase the interdigit shear force coupling in order to guarantee a stable grip control of an object against gravity. This study shed light on the feedback and feed-forward strategies involved in digit force control and the role of SA-II afferent fibers in regulation of vertical shear force variability for precision grip. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic kidney disease is becoming a global public health problem, which will usually cause uremia at the end stage of chronic kidney failure. So far, kidney transplant is the most effective and proper therapy for uremia, however, the short supply of matched donor kidney has been a persistent bottleneck for transplantation. HLA matching of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci is very important for the allocation of kidney transplants. In this study, we investigated genotypes of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci based on 1,464 uremia patients and 10,000 unrelated healthy individuals in Henan province of China, and compared the frequency distribution of these HLA alleles and corresponding haplotypes between patient and healthy groups. We detected 23 HLA-A, 49 HLA-B and 17 HLA-DRB1 alleles in total. The predominant alleles of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci in patients are the same as those in healthy group. The seven most frequent alleles account for about 87%, 50%, and 77% at HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 loci, respectively. The haplotypes (combinations of HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1) with significantly different frequency between patients and controls mostly account for less than 1%. Overall, this suggests that HLA matching is not a potential difficulty for kidney transplant of uremia patients. However, three of the top seven frequent HLA-DRB1 alleles have a significantly different distribution in patients and controls, while only one alleles for HLA-B and zero for HLA-A loci. These HLA-DRB1 alleles may be closely associated with uremia. This study sheds new lights on the composition and difference of HLA genotypes in uremia patients and healthy populations in Central China that can serve as a guide to HLA matching for kidney transplants and a resource for HLA typing-related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the interactive association between obesity with different anthropometry indices and prevalence of hypertension in rural Lanzhou. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural Lanzhou from April to July in 2013. The available information of 1275 rural residents aged more than 35 years was collected with a unified questionnaire and their blood pressure and anthropometry indices were measured in the field. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.1. A generalized estimate equation (GEE) linear model was used to determine the association between obesity with different indexes and hypertension. Results: There was a moderate prevalence of general obesity (~11%) and very high prevalence of central obesity (53.2~67%) among the adults of rural Lanzhou. The prevalence of hypertension approximated 28%. GEE linear models showed that obesity with any one of anthropometry indices was associated significantly with the increased prevalence of hypertension among both males and females. In females, general obesity increased the prevalence of hypertension by 37% (0.37, 95%CI: 0.27,0.47) but in males by 23% (0.23, 95%CI: 0.12,0.35). The hypertensive effect of all central obesity was much lower than that of general obesity but approximately comparable to that of overweight. In addition, the interactions of the classified body mass index (BMI) and central obesity showed that when general obesity or overweight coexisted with any one of central obesity, the prevalence of hypertension was increased significantly, and this effect was a little higher than the corresponding main effect of general obesity or overweight in females but was much higher in males. In addition, general obesity or overweight which did not coexist with central obesity was not significantly associated with the increased prevalence of hypertension, nor were the other situations of central obesity in the normal weight or underweight except for the situation of central obesity with waist-to-hip ratio in the males of normal weight or underweight. Conclusion: In rural Lanzhou, higher BMI had larger associations with the increased prevalence of hypertension than central obesity indices. Only when general obesity or overweight coexisted with central obesity, the prevalence of hypertension was significantly increased. So, central obesity indices should be used jointly with BMI in evaluating the risk of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) and condom use have been proven to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among HIV sero-different couples, but its full implementation remains a challenge. This study aims to assess HIV seroconversion rate of HIV-negative spouse and its associated risk factors among HIV sero-different couples in rural China. Methods: An open cohort of HIV sero-different couples enrolled in 30 counties in China between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2012, and followed-up to December 31, 2012, was constructed retrospectively. A nested case-control study of risk factors of HIV seroconversion among sero-different couples was conducted in April and May of 2013, based on the open cohort. Sero-different couples with the HIV-negative spouse seroconverting at least 3 months after the previous negative diagnosis during cohort observation period were labeled as “case couples”. The “control couples” were selected randomly from the same cohort that did not have the HIV-negative spouse seroconversion during the same period. The “case couples” and “control couples” were matched on gender, age, and region of residence. Sexual behaviors among HIV sero-different couples before and after the index spouses notifying their HIV infection status to their HIV-negative spouses were collected via face-to-face interview. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess factors associated with HIV seroconversion among HIV sero-different couples. Results: Of 4481 HIV sero-different couples, a total of 53 seroconversions were observed within 5218 person-years of follow-up. The incidence rate was 1.02 (95%CI: 0.76–1.33) per 100 person-years. Forty “case couples” confirmed HIV-negative spouse seroconversions infected via marital sexual transmission, were matched to 80 “control couples”. Of the 120 couples, 81(67.5%) were receiving ART, and 70 (58.3%) reported consistently used condoms during intercourse after the index spouse was diagnosed HIV infection. Multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the desire to conceive a child (OR = 5.18, 95% CI: 1.19–22.58) significantly increased the odds of HIV seroconversion. Protective factors of spousal HIV seroconversion were currently receiving ART (OR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01–0.67) and consistent condom use (OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01–0.28). Conclusions: Intention to conceive a child is the most important risk factor for HIV seroconversion among sero-different couples. Specific efforts on scientific use of ART to assist sero-different couples to achieve their wish to conceive a healthy child are needed to minimize the risk of HIV transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroidal phytohormones that regulate various physiological processes, such as root development and stress tolerance. In the present study, we showed that brassinolide (BL) affects potato root in vitro growth in a dose-dependent manner. Low BL concentrations (0.1 and 0.01 μg/L) promoted root elongation and lateral root development, whereas high BL concentrations (1–100 μg/L) inhibited root elongation. There was a significant (P<0.05) positive correlation between root activity and BL concentrations within a range from 0.01 to 100 μg/L, with the peak activity of 8.238 mg TTC·g−1 FW·h−1 at a BL concentration of 100 μg/L. Furthermore, plants treated with 50 μg/L BL showed enhanced salt stress tolerance through in vitro growth. Under this scenario, BL treatment enhanced the proline content and antioxidant enzymes’ (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase) activity and reduced malondialdehyde content in potato shoots. Application of BL maintain K+ and Na+ homeostasis by improving tissue K+/Na+ ratio. Therefore, we suggested that the effects of BL on root development from stem fragments explants as well as on primary root development are dose-dependent and that BL application alleviates salt stress on potato by improving root activity, root/shoot ratio, and antioxidative capacity in shoots and maintaining K+/Na+ homeostasis in potato shoots and roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Being small for gestational age ( SGA), a foetal growth abnormality, has a long-lasting impact on childhood health. Its aetiology and underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Underlying epigenetic changes of imprinted genes have emerged as a potential pathological pathway because they may be associated with growth, including SGA. As a common methyl donor, folic acid ( FA) is essential for DNA methylation, synthesis and repair, and FA supplementation is widely recommended for women planning pregnancy. The present study aimed to investigate the inter-relationships among methylation levels of two imprinted genes [ H19 differentially methylated regions ( DMRs) and MEST DMRs], maternal FA supplementation and SGA. Methods We conducted a case-control study. Umbilical cord blood was taken from 39 SGA infants and 49 controls whose birth weights are appropriate for gestational age ( AGA). DNA methylation levels of H19 and MEST DMRs were determined by an analysis of mass array quantitative methylation. Results Statistically significantly higher methylation levels were observed at sites 7.8, 9 and 17.18 of H19 ( P = 0.030, 0.016 and 0.050, respectively) in the SGA infants compared to the AGA group. In addition, the association was stronger in male births where the mothers took FA around conception at six H19 sites ( P = 0.004, 0.005, 0.048, 0.002, 0.021 and 0.005, respectively). Conclusions Methylation levels at H19 DMRs were higher in SGA infants compared to AGA controls. It appears that the association may be influenced by maternal peri-conception FA supplementation and also be sex-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An avian-origin influenza H7N9 virus epidemic occurred in China in 2013-2014, in which >422 infected people suffered from pneumonia, respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock. H7N9 viruses belong to the H7 subtype of avian-origin influenza viruses (AIV-H7). Hemagglutinin (HA) is a vital membrane protein of AIV that has an important role in host recognition and infection. The epitopes of HA are significant determinants of the regularity of epidemic and viral mutation and recombination mechanisms. The present study aimed to predict the conserved B-cell epitopes of AIV-H7 HA using a bioinformatics approach, including the three most effective epitope prediction softwares available online: Artificial Neural Network based B-cell Epitope Prediction (ABCpred), B-cell Epitope Prediction (BepiPred) and Linear B-cell Epitope Prediction (LBtope). A total of 24 strains of Euro-Asiatic AIV-H7 that had been associated with a serious poultry pandemic or had infected humans in the past 30 years were selected to identify the conserved regions of HA. Sequences were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information and Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data databases. Using a combination of software prediction and sequence comparisons, the conserved epitopes of AIV-H7 were predicted and clarified. A total of five conserved epitopes [amino acids (aa) 37-52, 131-142, 215-234, 465-484 and 487-505] with a suitable length, high antigenicity and minimal variation were predicted and confirmed. Each obtained a score of >0.80 in ABCpred, 60% in LBtope and a level of 0.35 in Bepipred. In addition, a representative amino acid change (glutamine235-to-leucine235) in the HA protein of the 2013 AIV-H7N9 was discovered. The strategy adopted in the present study may have profound implications on the rapid diagnosis and control of infectious disease caused by H7N9 viruses, as well as by other virulent viruses, such as the Ebola virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Rice ingestion is an important dietary exposure pathway for methylmercury. There are few studies concerning prenatal methylmercury exposure through rice ingestion, yet the health risks are greatest to the developing fetus, and thus should be investigated. Objectives Our main objective was to quantify dietary methylmercury intake through rice and fish/shellfish ingestion among pregnant mothers living in southern China, where rice was a staple food and mercury contamination was considered minimal. Methods A total of 398 mothers were recruited at parturition, who donated scalp hair and blood samples. Total mercury and/or methylmercury concentrations were measured in biomarkers, in rice samples from each participant's home, and in fish tissue purchased from local markets. Additional fish/shellfish mercury concentrations were obtained from a literature search. Dietary methylmercury intake during the third trimester was equivalent to the ingestion rate for rice (or fish/shellfish)×the respective methylmercury concentration. Results Dietary methylmercury intake from both rice and fish/shellfish ingestion averaged 1.2±1.8 µg/day (median=0.79 µg/day, range=0–22 µg/day), including on average 71% from rice ingestion (median: 87%, range: 0–100%), and 29% from fish/shellfish consumption (median 13%, range: 0–100%). Median concentrations of hair total mercury, hair methylmercury, and blood total mercury were 0.40 µg/g (range: 0.08–1.7 µg/g), 0.28 µg/g (range: 0.01–1.4 µg/g), and 1.2 µg/L (range: 0.29–8.6 µg/L), respectively, and all three biomarkers were positively correlated with dietary methylmercury intake through rice ingestion (Spearman's rho=0.18–0.21, p≤0.0005), although the correlations were weak. In contrast, biomarkers were not correlated with fish/shellfish methylmercury intake (Spearman's rho=0.04–0.08, p=0.11–0.46). Conclusions Among pregnant mothers living in rural inland China, rice ingestion contributed to prenatal methylmercury exposure, more so than fish/shellfish ingestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of acupuncture, Baihui (GV20) is applied to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, the relationships between neural responses and GV20 remain unknown. Thus, the main aim of this study was to examine the brain responses induced by electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) at GV20. Materials and Methods: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed in 33 healthy subjects. Based on the non-repeated event-related (NRER) paradigm, group differences were examined between GV20 and a sham acupoint using the regional homogeneity (ReHo) method. Results: Compared with the sham acupoint, EAS at GV20 induced increased ReHo in regions including the orbital frontal cortex (OFC), middle cingulate cortex (MCC), precentral cortex, and precuneus (preCUN). Decreased ReHo was found in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), supplementary motor area (SMA), thalamus, putamen, and cerebellum. Conclusions: The current findings provide preliminary neuroimaging evidence to indicate that EAS at GV20 could induce a specific pattern of neural responses by analysis of ReHo of brain activity. These findings might improve the understanding of mechanisms of acupuncture stimulation at GV20. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of chicken manure compost on the fractionation of cadmium (Cd), soil biological properties and Cd uptake by wheat in a soil affected by mining activities in Hubei province, China. Compost was applied at five levels (0, 27, 54, 108, 216 t ha), and winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) was chosen as an indicator plant. Results showed that the application of compost increased soil pH and the content of total phosphorus and organic matter. Soil biological properties such as microbial biomass carbon, invertase, protease, urease and catalase activities were significantly enhanced by 0.24-3.47 times after compost application. Sequential extraction indicated that compost amendments decreased the acid-extractable Cd by 8.2-37.6 %, while increased the reducible and oxidisable Cd by 9.2-39.5 and 8.2-60.4 %, respectively. The addition of 27-54 t ha compost reduced Cd content in wheat stems and seeds by 69.6-75.0 % and 10.3-18.4 %, respectively. However, only 25.5-26.5 % reductions in Cd content in wheat stems were observed in 108-216 t ha compost amendments, and no significant decrease was detected for seeds. This study suggests that although compost is a suitable organic amendment to improve soil fertility and biological activities, the addition of compost should be moderated by an appropriate rate to optimize the use of compost for the reclamation of metal-contaminated soils at field scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Castor (Ricinus communis L.) is an important oilseed crop worldwide, and is also considered as one of the most promising plants for alkali-affected soil amelioration in the northeast of China. Seed germination plays a vital role in seedling establishment, and is always sensitive to alkali stress. However, little is known about the dynamic changes and regulatory mechanisms of gene expression and metabolic processes of this species during germination stage under alkali stress. In the present study, physiological, metabolome and transcriptome responses in germinating seeds of castor were investigated when exposed to 0, 50, 100 and 150 mM alkalinity (NaHCO 3). The results showed that alkali stress sharply decreased germination percentage. The Na+ content increased but K+ content decreased under alkalinity. In addition, the malondialdehyde and proline contents increased with the increasing alkalinities. Meanwhile, 50, 100 and 150 mM alkalinity induced 31, 48 and 113 differential metabolites, respectively. Furthermore, transcriptome profiling result showed that there were 138, 845 and 694 differentially expressed genes in the seeds under different concentrations alkali stresses, respectively. The integrating analysis of metabolite and gene expression changes indicating that germination response of castor seeds under alkali stress was closely related to amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, lipid metabolism and nucleotide metabolism. The adaptive strategies of castor seeds under alkaline stress were promoting amino acid metabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle to regulate osmotic balance and ROS level; as well as providing materials and energy for secondary metabolism, although alkali stress affected the membrane fluidity due to the reduction of unsaturated fatty acid content. Moreover, castor seeds increased metabolites on nucleotide biosynthesis to ensure their germination process under alkaline salt stress. The present research provides a deeper insight into overall understanding alkali-tolerant mechanisms of oil crops during germination in a holistic level. • l Using metabolomics and transcriptomics explored physiological adaptation mechanisms of castor seeds under alkali stress. • l 31, 48 and 113 differential metabolites and 138, 845 and 694 differentially expressed genes were found under alkali stress. • l Germination of castor at alkalinity was closely related to amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid and nucleotide metabolisms. • l Seeds of castor promoted amino acid metabolism and tricarboxylic acid cycle under stress. l Seeds of castor provided materials and energy for secondary metabolism under stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Long-term N addition experiments were conducted in sapling and mature plantations. • Dual-isotope (δ13C and δ18O) approach was used to study iWUE response to N addition. • In saplings, iWUE increased with greater N additions, but not in mature trees. • We observed remarkably higher iWUE of saplings relative to mature individuals. • Decadal N input increased the divergence in iWUE between sapling and mature individuals. Intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) is the ratio of the photosynthetic assimilation rate to stomatal conductance and is tightly linked with tree growth and mortality. Increasing atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has been recognized to have a profound influence on ecosystem functioning, especially in typically N- and water-limited temperate forests. However, the effects of N deposition on leaf-derived iWUE estimates and the underlying physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood, as well as effects related to the developmental stage of temperate plantation forests. Using leaf stable carbon and oxygen isotope (δ13C and δ18O) approaches, we investigated iWUE of sapling and mature larch plantations subjected to decadal N addition in northern China. Results showed that saplings had significantly higher leaf iWUE compared to mature individuals. Long-term N addition significantly increased iWUE by 6.85% in the sapling stand, with no remarkable changes occurred in the mature stand. In saplings, the N-addition-induced increase in iWUE could be attributed to enhanced photosynthesis (illustrated by higher leaf N concentration), while leaf shading may cause lower leaf photosynthesis regardless of N level in mature trees. The higher and temporal stable leaf iWUE in saplings imply conservative water-use strategy, whereas the opposites in mature trees imply profligate water-use strategy. Thus, the divergent responses of iWUE to decadal N addition should be considered for sustainable forest development under increasing atmospheric N deposition conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified in many fungi. However, no genome-scale identification of ncRNAs has been inventoried for basidiomycetes. In this research, we detected 254 small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) in a genome assembly of an isolate (CCEF00389) of Pleurotus ostreatus, which is a widely cultivated edible basidiomycetous fungus worldwide. The identified sncRNAs include snRNAs, snoRNAs, tRNAs, and miRNAs. SnRNA U1 was not found in CCEF00389 genome assembly and some other basidiomycetous genomes by BLASTn. This implies that if snRNA U1 of basidiomycetes exists, it has a sequence that varies significantly from other organisms. By analyzing the distribution of sncRNA loci, we found that snRNAs and most tRNAs (88.6%) were located in pseudo-UTR regions, while miRNAs are commonly found in introns. To analyze the evolutionary conservation of the sncRNAs in P. ostreatus, we aligned all 254 sncRNAs to the genome assemblies of some other Agaricomycotina fungi. The results suggest that most sncRNAs (77.56%) were highly conserved in P. ostreatus, and 20% were conserved in Agaricomycotina fungi. These findings indicate that most sncRNAs of P. ostreatus were not conserved across Agaricomycotina fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Phylogeography and historical demography of the cyprinid fish Diptychus maculatus (subfamily Schizothoracinae) are evaluated across three river systems in the Northern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and Tien Shan range: the Indus River, Tarim River and Ili River. Results: Results from both mtDNA (16S rRNA, Cyt b and D-loop) and nucDNA (RAG-2) resolved four reciprocally monophyletic clades, representing populations from Indus River, South Tarim River, North Tarim River and Ili River, respectively. The divergence times was estimated to be 1.5-2.5 Mya. It is consistent with the hypothesis that the split of four clades is the consequence of vicariance resulting from both the intensive uplift of QTP and Tien Shan as well as the resultant expansion of the Taklimakan Desert. Several lines of evidences indicate dynamic demographic histories for the populations, with late Pleistocene and Holocene population bottlenecks and expansions except the Indus River. Conclusions: Our results clearly depicted the phylogenetic relationship of D. maculatus from Indus River, Tarim River and Ili River. The analyses implicated the relationship among the distribution of D. maculatus, paleo-drainages and geographic events, and implied the existence of the South Tarim River in history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to investigate the management of hypertension in Shanghai, China and to examine whether there was any difference of hypertension management among people enrolled in different health insurances.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 31,531 residents were selected in Shanghai, using a randomized, stratified, multi-stage sampling method, and were asked to provide their status of hypertension, condition of hypertension management, health insurances and other demographic information. A weighted propensity score model was used to adjust confounders and to analyze the differences on hypertension management among hypertension patients enrolled in different health insurances.Results: In Shanghai, most hypertension patients achieved good management of hypertension. However, patients enrolled in the New Cooperative Medical Scheme or the Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance scheme were more likely to achieve publicity of precautionary knowledge about hypertension (OR = 2.36 [95 % CI :1.96,2.85] and 1.28 [95 % CI:1.12,1.45], respectively) and had their blood pressure under control (OR = 1.33 [95 % CI :1.09,1.62] and 1.22 [95 % CI:1.05,1.42], respectively) than patients enrolled in the Urban Employee Basic Health Insurance scheme.Conclusion: The study provided a comprehensive description of hypertension in Shanghai, China. To support the management of hypertension, publicity of hypertension prevention knowledge should be improved, especially to people enrolled in the Urban Employee Basic Health Insurance scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green mirid bug Apolygus lucorum is a regional pest of multiple crops in northern China, and the survival and development of diapausing eggs during winter plays an important role in the population dynamics of this species. The effect of water on the survival and development of A. lucorum eggs was investigated using laboratory-induced diapause. Diapausing eggs were exposed to various humidity regimes under three conditions: (1) termination of diapause with exposure to warm long-day (WLD) conditions (i.e., 26 ± 1°C and 75 ± 5% relative humidity (RH) under a photoperiod of 16 hours light and 8 hours dark), (2) termination of diapause by chilling at 4°C, or (3) during the post-diapause stage, i.e., from transfer to WLD conditions after chilling, until the hatching of nymphs. The results indicate that water availability is crucial for the post-diapause resumption of development of A. lucorum. However, exposure to excessive moisture was detrimental, as indicated by a decrease in diapause termination rate and a prolonged pre-hatching period of diapausing eggs, compared to limited moisture conditions. This implies that both too dry and too humid environmental conditions would suppress survival and postpone hatching of overwintered A. lucorum eggs, and might explain why this pest has not caused severe damage in either southern or western China where the respective climates are very humid or dry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aims of this study were to document the trajectory of weight gain and body mass index (BMI) in children with type 1 narcolepsy, and to analyze basal metabolic rate (BMR).Methods: A total of 65 Chinese children with type 1 narcolepsy with a disease duration ≤12 months were included. In addition, 79 healthy age-matched students were enrolled as controls. Height and body weight were measured every six months for up to 36 months to calculate BMI growth. BMR was measured using COSMED K4b2 indirect calorimetry in 34 patients and 30 healthy controls at six months. At the end of 36 months, the BMR was compared among 18 patients and 16 healthy controls.Results: The children with type 1 narcolepsy showed higher BMIs at follow-up assessments. At the end of the study, 38.46% of the patients were obese and an additional 26.15% were overweight. The patients' BMI growth at six, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of follow-up was significantly higher, but not at month 36. The patients' basal energy expenditure was significantly lower than that of the controls at six months but not at 36 months.Conclusion: BMI increased rapidly in children with type 1 narcolepsy after disease onset, but BMI growth decreased gradually with prolonged disease. Decreased BMR is an important cause underlying rapid weight gain. The gradual restoration of BMI growth and BMR in narcolepsy emphasizes the importance of compensatory metabolic mechanisms in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]