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Background: Pathogenic variants of PAX2 cause autosomal-dominant PAX2-related disorder, which includes variable phenotypes ranging from renal coloboma syndrome (RCS), congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) to nephrosis. Phenotypic variability makes it difficult to define the phenotypic spectrum associated with genotype. Methods: We collected the phenotypes in patients enrolled in the China national multicenter registry who were diagnosed with pathogenic variant in PAX2 and reviewed all published cases with PAX2-related disorders. We conducted a phenotype-based cluster analysis by variant types and molecular modeling of the structural impact of missense variants. Results: Twenty different PAX2 pathogenic variants were identified in 32 individuals (27 families) with a diagnosis of RCS (9), CAKUT (11) and nephrosis (12) from the Chinese cohort. Individuals with abnormal kidney structure (RCS or CAKUT group) tended to have likely/presumed gene disruptive (LGD) variants (Fisher test, p < 0.05). A system review of 234 reported cases to date indicated a clear association of RCS to heterozygous loss-of-function PAX2 variants (LGD variants). Furthermore, we identified a subset of PAX2 missense variants in DNA-binding domain predicted to affect the protein structure or protein-DNA interaction associated with the phenotype of RCS. Conclusion: Defining the phenotypic spectrum combined with genotype in PAX2-related disorder allows us to predict the pathogenic variants associated with renal and ophthalmological development. It highlighted the approach of structure-based analysis can be applied to diagnostic strategy aiding precise and timely diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI), China attaches great importance to tourism diplomacy with the South Pacific Island Countries (SPIC). The study of the relationship between tourism and trade is therefore of great significance for the further development of bilateral political and economic cooperation. This paper selected data on the inbound and outbound tourism, as well as import and export trade, between China and SPIC in the period 1998-2017, and used econometric methods to demonstrate the interconnections. The results show that there is a positive long-term equilibrium relationship between passenger flow and import and export trade of China and SPIC. Under the influence of policies, the interaction between inbound and outbound tourism and import and export trade is characterized by periodic fluctuations. China's outbound tourism to SPIC plays a stronger role to import trade than to export trade. From the analysis of two sections, major events have a moderating effect on the proportion of SPIC tourists and trade dependence on SPIC, while both of the proportion of Chinese tourists and their trade dependence on China are on the rise, and these two have a pulling effect for each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combined study of magnetic fabrics, zircon U-Pb geochronology and structural deformation was carried out for Late Paleozoic sedimentary and Mesozoic magmatic rocks in the southwestern Fujian rift basin, South China, aiming at deciphering the tectonic evolution during Late Mesozoic. Field observations showed that the Late Mesozoic structure deformations in southwestern Fujian were categorized into four phases: NW-SE compression, ENE-WSW extension, NNE-SSW compression and NNW-SSE extension, sequentially. Zircons picked out from Juzhou granite and WNW-trending diabase dykes showed complete crystal shapes and clear oscillatory zonings on their edges, and the U-Pb dating yielded ages of 132 and 141 Ma, respectively. The susceptibility ellipsoid magnitude parameters of the Juzhou granite are characterized by flaser type strain ellipsoid, with pole density center of K3 falling into the first and the third quadrants, these features revealed that the Juzhou granite formed in ENE-WSW compressional stress field, indicating the early stage of Early Cretaceous extrusion in southwestern Fujian. The late stage of Early Cretaceous NNE-SSW extension was limited by the widespread WNW-trending diabase dykes, which were usually regarded as important indications for a regional extensional setting. On the basic of the previous researches, structural deformation studies, and the deductions above, it can be concluded that southwestern Fujian experienced five main tectonic stages during Late Mesozoic: Early Jurassic extension, Middle-Late Jurassic thrusting, early stage of Early Cretaceous extension, late stage of Early Cretaceous compression and Late Cretaceous extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell lines are widely used as in vitro model systems in biologic and medical research. However, much of the research has been invalidated by the unwitting use of false cell lines. A significant proportion of the research involving human cell lines was initiated in China. Paradoxically, the cell lines used in China have never been authenticated. Here, we present a comprehensive survey of cross-contamination in 380 samples from 113 independent sources in China using short tandem repeat profiling methods. High levels of cross-contamination were uncovered (95 of 380, 25%). Notable false cell lines (e.g., KB and WISH) are still actively used under their false identity and tissue attributions. Most strikingly, 85.51% of lines established in China were misidentified (59 of 69) and accounted for over half of the misidentifications (59 of 95, 62.11%). Further, 93.22% of the contaminants in cell lines established in laboratories of China were HeLa cells or a possible hybrid of HeLa with an unknown cell line. Results from these misidentified lines have been published in thousands of potentially erroneous articles and may have distorted the findings visible to the scientific community. False lines have been used in drug screening, potentially leading to unusable or even harmful therapeutic strategies. We also noted the causes of contamination and provided suggestions for remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zhen-wu-tang (ZWT), a well-known formula in China, is widely used to treat chronic kidney diseases. However, very little information on ZWT's mechanism of action is currently available. In this study, we investigated the possible protective role and underlying mechanism of ZWT on nephrotic syndrome (NS) induced by Adriamycin (intravenous injection, 6.0mg/kg) in rats using biochemical and histopathological approaches. ZWT decreased urine protein excretion and the serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine significantly in diseased rats. A decrease in plasma levels of total protein and albumin was also recorded in nephropathic rats. Pathological results show an improved pathological state and recovering glomerular structure in ZWT treatment groups. ZWT decreased renal IL-8 level but increased renal IL-4 level. In addition, rats subjected to ZWT exhibited less IgG deposition in glomerulus compared with model group. RT-PCR results showed that ZWT decreased themRNA expression of NF-κB p65 and increased themRNA expression of IκB. Furthermore, ZWT reduced the level of MDA and increased SOD activity. These results demonstrated that ZWT ameliorated Adriamycin-induced NS in rats possibly by inhibiting Adriamycin-induced inflammation damage, enhancing body's antioxidant capacity, thereby protecting glomerulus from injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization reported that inappropriate feeding in children is responsible for one-third of the cases of malnutrition. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and identify the relationship between feeding practices and malnutrition in children below 5 years, in 7 remote and poor counties of China. A sample of 2201 children and 1978 caregivers were obtained with multistage cluster random sampling. A survey about feeding practices among the caregivers was implemented using a structured questionnaire, and the health status of children was evaluated using anthropometric measurements. We found 5 problems: first, high prevalence of stunting, underweight and wasting in children below 5 years old (19.3%, 13.1% and 5.5%); second, short duration of breastfeeding for children below 36 months; third, low prevalence of exclusive breast-feeding among children below 6 months of age and continued breastfeeding to 1 year (17.5% and 32.2%). Fourth, although most of the infants (81.1%) between 6 and 8 months of age were given complementary foods, some of the 6- to 8-month-old infants did not receive any complementary foods. Last, a higher prevalence of stunting among Chinese children who had never been breastfed, who had been breastfed for less than 1 year, or had been fed with semi-solid foods of poor quality. Therefore, we suggest that more programs to increase caregivers' feeding knowledge and practices be conducted, to improve the health of children in remote and poor areas in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To understand the status of national surveillance sites of schistosomiasis in Fuqing City and Xiapu County., Methods: According to the National Scheme of Shistosomiasis Surveillance, the data of the surveillance and field survey in the national surveillance sites of schistosomiasis of Fuqing City and Xiapu County were collected and analyzed statistically from 2006 to 2009., Results: Twenty residual Oncomelania snail points and 8 villages with snails were found in 36 surveillance sites. The snail areas were 35 900 m2. Serological examinations were conducted in 3 109 residents, and 17 persons were positive, 280 mobile persons from schistosomiasis endemic areas were examined serologically, and 10 persons were positive, among whom 2 had eggs and miracidia in their stools. A total of 122 appendix samples were examined, and no schistosome eggs were found. Totally 527 head of farm cattle in the region with snails were examined by stool tests, and no schistosome eggs were found., Conclusion: The areas of residual snails are large and wide spread, and the imported patients are found frequently, so the long-term surveillance and control are necessary.

Background: The aim of this study was to observe the association between fibrinogen C148T, G854A polymorphisms and plasma fibrinogen levels in a large cohort of Chinese patients with coronary heart disease (CHD)., Methods: Fibrinogen gene beta148/beta854 polymorphisms were screened and plasma fibrinogen levels and lipids were measured in patients with angiographically confirmed CHD (n = 836) and in controls without CHD (n = 418)., Results: Age, sex, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, blood lipids and fibrinogen levels were related to CHD (all p < 0. 05) while the frequencies of fibrinogen beta148 and beta854 alleles, gene and genotypes between the two groups were similar (all p > 0.05)., Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the plasma fibrinogen level, but not fibrinogen beta148 and beta854 genotypes, was associated with CHD in the Chinese population., (Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.)