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Anaplasma and Ehrlichia are tick-borne bacterial pathogens that cause anaplasmoses and ehrlichioses in humans and animals. In this study, we examined the prevalence of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species in ticks and domesticated animals in Suizhou County, Hubei Province in the central China. We used PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of the 16S rRNA, groEL, and gltA genes to analyze. We collected 1900 ticks, including 1981 Haemaphysalis longicornis and 9 Rhipicephalus microplus, 159 blood samples of goats (n = 152), cattle (n = 4), and dogs (n = 3) from May to August of 2023. PCR products demonstrated that Anaplasma bovis, Anaplasma capra, and an Ehrlichia species were detected in the H. longicornis with the minimum infection rates (MIR) of 1.11%, 1.32%, and 0.05%, respectively; A. bovis, A. capra, and unnamed Anaplasma sp. were detected in goats with an infection rate of 26.31%, 1.31% and 1.97%, respectively. Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species were not detected from cattle, dogs and R. microplus ticks. The genetic differences in the groEL gene sequences of the Anaplasma in the current study were large, whereas the 16S rRNA and gltA gene sequences were less disparate. This study shows that ticks and goats in Suizhou County, Hubei Province carry multiple Anaplasma species and an Ehrlichia species, with relatively higher infection rate of A. bovis in goats. Our study indicates that multiple Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species exist in ticks and goats in the central China with potential to cause human infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rice stem borer (RSB), Chilo suppressalis, a notorious rice pest in China, has evolved a high resistance level to commonly used insecticides. Tetraniliprole, a new anthranilic diamide insecticide, effectively controls multiple pests, including RSB. However, the potential resistance risk of RSB to tetraniliprole is still unknown. In this study, the tetraniliprole‐selection (Tet‐R) strain was obtained through 10 continuous generations of selection with tetraniliprole 30% lethal concentration (LC30). The realized heritability (h2) of the Tet‐R strain was 0.387, indicating that resistance of RSB to tetraniliprole developed rapidly under the continuous selection of tetraniliprole. The Tet‐R strain had a high fitness cost (relative fitness = 0.53). We established the susceptibility baseline of RSB to tetraniliprole (lethal concentration at LC50 = 0.727 mg/L) and investigated the resistance level of 6 field populations to tetraniliprole. All tested strains that had resistance to chlorantraniliprole exhibited moderate‐ to high‐level resistance to tetraniliprole (resistance ratio = 27.7−806.8). Detection of ryanodine receptor (RyR) mutations showed that the Y4667C, Y4667D, I4758M, and Y4891F mutations were present in tested RSB field populations. RyR mutations were responsible for the cross‐resistance between tetraniliprole and chlorantraniliprole. Further, the clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR‐associated protein 9‐mediated genome‐modified flies were used to study the contribution of RyR mutations to tetraniliprole resistance. The order of contribution of a single RyR mutation to tetraniliprole resistance was Y4667D > G4915E > Y4667C ≈ I4758M > Y4891F. In addition, the I4758M and Y4667C double mutations conferred higher tetraniliprole resistance than single Y4667C mutations. These results can guide resistance management practices for diamides in RSB and other arthropods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater (GW)–surface water (SW) interactions profoundly impact aquatic systems. In karst regions characterized by the coexistence of various media, the hyporheic zone (HZ) remains poorly understood. This study explores the HZ by examining karst development and various hydrological, hydrochemical, and biological processes. The research reveals high development of karst and difference in water environment may suggest a diversity of water sources beyond GW, leading to the formation of a karst hyporheic zone (KHZ). Four common KHZ types are proposed based on karst development, with a focus on spring outlet and karst window types. Interactions in these zones are driven by river backflow and GW abstraction in high- and low-water periods, respectively. KHZs may have water quality purification capabilities, but further research on biogeochemical processes is needed. This study provides preliminary insight into KHZs in karst water systems and suggests key scientific questions for future research in South China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Cumulative lipid profile burden is designed to dynamically measure lipid accumulation, and its effect on hypertension has been poorly studied. Our main purpose was to investigate the effect of cumulative lipid profile burden on the incidence of essential hypertension (EH) and to investigate whether cumulative lipid burden mediates the pathogenesis of the effects of diet and obesity on EH. Subjects and methods: A total of 1295 participants were included in the study, which started in 2017. The average follow-up time was 2.98 years. A total of 240 EH patients occurred during the follow-up period. Results: The HR (95% CI) of the highest quartile in cumulative Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) burden were 1.747 (1.145 - 2.664), 1.502 (1.038 - 2.173), 0.615 (0.413 - 0.917) for incidence of EH respectively, compared to the respective reference groups. Participants with EH consumed more red meat and refined grains, and red meat was positively associated with cumulative TC burden. BMI and Waist-To-Height Ratio (WHtR) increased the incidence of EH, and obesity was positively correlated with cumulative TG burden. Mediating analysis showed that cumulative TG had a partial mediating effect in the causal relationship between obesity and EH, and Mendelian randomization (MR) also proved this result. Diet was not found to influence EHn through cumulative lipid profile burden. Conclusions: The cumulative TG burden partially mediates the effect of obesity on EH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-industrial sites in Chinese cities are being redeveloped as catalysts for urban regeneration, often tuning into the creative cultures of these cities to provide platforms for creative enterprises to flourish. The success of these projects in driving the development of China's creative economy, however, has led to many imitative redevelopment projects, creating a blueprint for the format of industrial zones and cultural parks in cities. Many recent urban renewal projects have placed great emphasis on commercial and practical aspects of implementation and creative practice but have failed to respond to the different contexts of each location within the design and planning, and therefore performed poorly in providing opportunities for developing local enterprise or addressing social welfare needs. A recent funded research project has been conducted by an international cross-disciplinary team that is seeking different opportunities for developing relevant creative industries while retaining cultural and industrial heritage. The project focuses on regional culture and, with use of new methodologies, studies its impact on urban regeneration. By working with participants who are both site users and developers, this paper explores the research conducted so far and offers initial findings. Findings include that regenerations should integrate the characteristics of historic industrial sites with the new requirements of the creative industries. The major stakeholders whose impact on urban regenerations have also been identified and the most important factors for successful transformations from heavy to creative industry are discovered to be local geography, history, culture, politics, economy and ethnography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Propionic acidemia (PA) is a rare autosomal recessive congenital disease caused by mutations in the PCCA or PCCB genes. Elevated propionylcarnitine, 2-methylcitric acid (2MCA), propionylglycine, glycine and 3-hydroxypropionate can be used to diagnose PA. Early-onset PA can lead to acute deterioration, metabolic acidosis, and hyperammonemia shortly after birth, which can result in high mortality and disability. Late-onset cases of PA have a more heterogeneous clinical spectra, including growth retardation, intellectual disability, seizures, basal ganglia lesions, pancreatitis, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, adaptive immune defects, rhabdomyolysis, optic atrophy, hearing loss, premature ovarian failure, and chronic kidney disease. Timely and accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial to saving patients' lives and improving their prognosis. Recently, the number of reported PA cases in China has increased due to advanced diagnostic techniques and increased research attention. However, an overview of PA prevalence in China is lacking. Therefore, this review provides an overview of recent advances in the pathogenesis, diagnostic strategies, and treatment of PA, including epidemiological data on PA in China. The most frequent variants among Chinese PA patients are c.2002G > A in PCCA and c.1301C > T in PCCB, which are often associated with severe clinical symptoms. At present, liver transplantation from a living (heterozygous parental) donor is a better option for treating PA in China, especially for those exhibiting a severe metabolic phenotype and/or end-organ dysfunction. However, a comprehensive risk–benefit analysis should be conducted as an integral part of the decision-making process. This review will provide valuable information for the medical care of Chinese patients with PA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to evaluate whether extracellular vesicles (EV)-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as biomarkers for advanced adenoma (AA) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: We detected the changes in the plasma EV-delivered miRNA profiles in healthy donor (HD), AA patient, and I-II stage CRC patient groups using miRNA deep sequencing assay. We performed the TaqMan miRNA assay using 173 plasma samples (two independent cohorts) from HDs, AA patients, and CRC patients to identify the candidate miRNA(s). The accuracy of candidate miRNA(s) in diagnosing AA and CRC was determined using the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) values. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of candidate miRNA(s) as an independent factor for the diagnosis of AA and CRC. The role of candidate miRNA(s) in the malignant progression of CRC was explored using functional assays. Results: We screened and identified four prospective EV-delivered miRNAs, including miR-185-5p, which were significantly upregulated or downregulated in AA vs. HD and CRC vs. AA groups. In two independent cohorts, miR-185-5p was the best potential biomarker with the AUCs of 0.737 (Cohort I) and 0.720 (Cohort II) for AA vs. HD diagnosis, 0.887 (Cohort I) and 0.803 (Cohort II) for CRC vs. HD diagnosis, and 0.700 (Cohort I) and 0.631 (Cohort II) for CRC vs. AA diagnosis. Finally, we demonstrated that the upregulated expression of miR-185-5p promoted the malignant progression of CRC. Conclusion: EV-delivered miR-185-5p in the plasma of patients is a promising diagnostic biomarker for colorectal AA and CRC. Trial registration The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, China (Ethics No. 2022SL005, Registration No. of China Clinical Trial Registration Center: ChiCTR220061592). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding nitrogen (N) cycling in different ecosystems is crucial to predicting and mitigating the global effects of altered N inputs. Although wetlands have always been assumed to differ largely from terrestrial ecosystems in N cycling, evidence from direct comparison from the field along wide environmental gradients is lacking. Here, we hypothesized strong coupling of plant and soil δ15N in terrestrial ecosystems due to lower N inputs and losses but weak coupling of plant and soil δ15N in wetlands because of higher N inputs and losses.We performed a large‐scale field investigation on 26 pairs of herbaceous wetland and terrestrial sites across China covering 21 degrees of latitude and determined natural abundance of nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in soils and leaves of 346 dominant and subordinate plant species. We analysed the relationships between leaf and soil δ15N and their drivers including plant functional types in these two types of ecosystems.Plant functional types including mycorrhizal type and N2‐fixing status had consistently significant influences on leaf δ15N in herbaceous wetland and terrestrial ecosystems. Leaf δ15N increased significantly with soil δ15N within and across mycorrhizal types in both ecosystems, and, as hypothesized, the relationships were stronger and steeper in terrestrial than in wetland ecosystems. Moreover, leaf and soil δ15N were positively and significantly correlated within both N2‐fixers and non‐N2‐fixers in terrestrial ecosystems and within only non‐N2‐fixers in wetlands. At the community level, we also found more highly significant relationships between leaf and soil δ15N in terrestrial than in wetland ecosystems. Besides plant functional types, climatic and soil factors contributed to the variation in leaf δ15N in both ecosystems.Synthesis. Weaker relationships between plant and soil δ15N in wetlands at species and community levels support the hypothesis that larger N inputs and losses lead to weaker coupling in the plant–soil systems in wetlands than in terrestrial ecosystems. This provides strong evidence from a large spatial scale for contrasting N cycling in these two types of ecosystems regardless of plant functional type in terms of nutrient uptake strategy. Our findings add to our predictive power of ecosystem N dynamics under environmental changes, for example, land‐use changes and elevated N inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The sFlt1/PlGF ratio is a valuable biomarker for preeclampsia diagnosis. • A higher ratio than 85 could be used as an indicator for adverse outcomes. • Using PlGF levels to predict preeclampsia should start from 20 weeks of pregnancy. The soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1)/placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio is a useful parameter for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. However, a comprehensive comparison of the ratio in preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy was still missing and the dynamic levels of PlGF in the process of these diseases needed more clinical evidence. This retrospective study included participants tested for serum sFlt1 and PlGF levels at a national hospital in China throughout 2020. Diagnostic performance of the sFlt1/PlGF ratio and blood pressure was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The correlation of the sFlt1/PlGF ratio with pregnancy outcomes was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Besides, the circulating levels of PlGF were monitored in the time course of different hypertensive disorders' progress. The sFlt1/PlGF ratios were significantly elevated in the women with preeclampsia. The results of ROC analysis showed that, compared with blood pressure, the ratio is reliable for preeclampsia diagnosis from healthy control and shows better performance in distinguishing preeclampsia from other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. A higher ratio than 85 could be used as an indicator of developing severe preeclampsia with adverse outcomes such as preterm delivery. Besides, our results suggested that using PlGF to predict preeclampsia should after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The PlGF and sFlt1/PlGF ratio are worth implementing in clinical management of women with preeclampsia rather than other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Characterization of the alterations in leaf lipidome in Begonia (Begonia grandis Dry subsp. sinensis) under heat stress will aid in understanding the mechanisms of stress adaptation to high-temperature stress often occurring during hot seasons at southern areas in China. The comparative lipidomic analysis was performed using leaves taken from Begonia plants exposed to ambient temperature or heat stress. The amounts of total lipids and major lipid classes, including monoacylglycerol (MG), diacylglycerol (DG), triacylglycerols (TG), and ethanolamine-, choline-, serine-, inositol glycerophospholipids (PE, PC, PS, PI) and the variations in the content of lipid molecular species, were analyzed and identified by tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry. Upon exposure to heat stress, a substantial increase in three different types of TG, including 18:0/16:0/16:0, 16:0/16:0/18:1, and 18:3/18:3/18:3, was detected, which marked the first stage of adaptation processes. Notably, the reduced accumulation of some phospholipids, including PI, PC, and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was accompanied by an increased accumulation of PS, PE, and phosphatidic acid (PA) under heat stress. In contrast to the significant increase in the abundance of TG, all of the detected lysophospholipids and sphingolipids were dramatically reduced in the Begonia leaves exposed to heat stress, suggesting that a very dynamic and specified lipid remodeling process is highly coordinated and synchronized in adaptation to heat stress in Begonia plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many renovations of former industrial sites in China have failed to respond to the different contexts of location within their design. Resulting from an international funded research project, this paper considers Human-Centred Emotional Design and cultural strategy as urban renovation tools that can attract capital, mark the city as a distinctive brand and encourage interaction and sensual engagement from citizens. This paper pinpoints the project's initial discoveries and captures a range of personal narratives reflecting the real experiences of Chinese people. The findings unlock potential opportunities for culturally coherent regeneration strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controversial results have been reported about the association of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus and stroke risk, but none in China. To investigate the association between dietary calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and stroke incidence in Chinese adults, we collected data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) from 2004 to 2011, including 6411 participants aged 45–79 years and free of stroke at baseline. Diet was assessed by interviews combining 3-d 24-h food recalls and household food inventory weighing at each survey round. The stroke incident was identified based on the validated self-report. Multivariate Cox regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For 32,024 person-years of follow-up, 179 stroke cases were documented. After adjustment for major lifestyle and dietary risk factors, calcium intake was positively associated with reduced stroke risk, and the HR of stroke comparing extreme quartiles was 0.53 (95% CI 0.29–0.96, Ptrend = 0.03). In further stratified analyses, significant heterogeneity across sex strata was found (Pinteraction = 0.03). Dietary calcium intake among men was more inversely related to stroke, with HRs being 0.33 (95% CI 0.15–0.76, Ptrend = 0.02), compared to 1.24 (95% CI 0.46–3.35, Ptrend = 0.89) among women. However, no significant association between stroke and magnesium or phosphorus was revealed. Our findings suggest that higher dietary calcium intake was associated with a lower risk of stroke in Chinese adults, particularly in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study was aimed to analyze the clinicopathological and molecular pathological features of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the oropharyngeal and maxillofacial region. Subjects and methods: A retrospective review was performed with 36 patients who were diagnosed with primary DLBCL of the oropharyngeal and maxillofacial region from 2009 to 2017 in the Department of Pathology at the Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed. Results: Gene rearrangements of BCL2, BCL6, and MYC were observed in 5.6%, 33.3%, and 22.2%, respectively, including two double‐hit and one triple‐hit DLBCL (8.3%). There was a significant correlation between MYC protein expression and gene translocation (rs = 0.679, p <.001). However, 25% of cases with MYC rearrangement showed low MYC protein expression. In univariate analysis, MYC protein expression, BCL2 rearrangement, MYC rearrangement, and double/triple‐hit DLBCL were associated with shorter overall survival, whereas only MYC protein expression was an independent prognostic value in multivariate model. Conclusions: MYC protein expression was an essential prognostic marker of DLBCL in the oropharyngeal and maxillofacial region. Notably, immunohistochemical staining of MYC, BCL2, and BCL6 could not predict their gene rearrangements, although MYC protein expression was correlated with gene translocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of chemosensory genes are key to a better understanding of intra- and interspecific communications between insects and their environment and provide opportunities for developing environmentally friendly pesticides to target pest species. The bamboo locust Ceracris kiangsu Tsai (Orthoptera: Acrididae) is one of the most important bamboo leaf-eating insects in southern China. However, the genes underlying olfactory sensation are lacking in the bamboo locust. In this study, the transcriptomes of male and female C. kiangsu antennae were sequenced and analyzed. A total of 125 chemosensory genes, including 91 odorant receptors (ORs), 13 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 13 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), six chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and two sensory neuron membrane proteins, were identified based on sequence alignment and phylogenetic analyses. The expression patterns of all candidate genes on the antennae of males and females, maxillary palps, tarsi, wings, and thoraxes-abdomens were confirmed by real-time quantitative PCR. The analyses demonstrated that most genes are highly expressed in the antennae, and 35 ORs, 7 IRs, 10 OBPs, and 1 CSP exhibit significantly male-biased expression patterns, indicating their potential functions in mating behavior and the recognition of female sex pheromones. In addition to the antennal-predominant genes, some were abundant in the maxillary palps and some in the non-olfactory tissues, suggesting their different functions in the olfactory system of C. kiangsu. Our research offers an extensive resource for investigating the chemoreception mechanism of C. kiangsu. Further studies of olfactory function will provide comprehensive methods and original strategies for integrated pest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: High foliar silicon (henceforth Si) concentration protects plant tissues against herbivory, but protection against several abiotic stressors has also been proposed, although the adaptive significance of these functions is still being debated. We aimed to explore the potential relationships between foliar Si content and chronic wind exposure across a large scale and multiple species and to analyse an overlooked alternative or complementary function of silicon in leaves: mechanical protection against wind. Location: Mainland China. Time period: From July to September during 2012–2014. Major taxa studied: Two hundred and eighty‐two vascular plant species in predominantly herbaceous communities. Methods: We compiled a dataset for leaf silicon concentration ([Si]) across 27 sites and 153 herbaceous plots within the major climate zones of China. We hypothesized that evolutionary lineages that generally have high [Si] should show positive relationships between leaf [Si] and mean annual wind speed. Results: Within major families with generally high [Si] (especially grasses, sedges and composites), leaf [Si] exhibits a consistently positive correlation with mean wind speed among species across China. For the seven widespread monocot species with high leaf [Si], including the globally distributed common reed (Phragmites australis), intraspecific variation in leaf [Si] exhibits the same consistent positive correlation with mean wind speed. Main conclusions: Our findings suggest that high leaf [Si] is likely to have widespread adaptive value for wind exposure of leaves, at least in several very widespread families and species of herbaceous plants. Damage from wind is a danger for plants in many ecosystems, hence these findings are of global significance and indicate that further research into large‐scale variation of leaf Si and mechanical traits in relationship to wind exposure is likely to be illuminating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior data on long-term association between legume consumption and hypertension risk are sparse. We aimed to evaluate whether total legume and subtype intakes prospectively associate with hypertension incidence among 8758 participants (≥30 years) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2004–2011. Diet was assessed by interviews combining 3-d 24-h food recalls and household food inventory weighing at each survey round. Incident hypertension was identified by self-reports or blood pressure measurements. We applied multivariable Cox regressions to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with corresponding 95 % CI for hypertension across increasing categories of cumulatively averaged legume intakes. For 35 990 person-years (median 6·0 years apiece), we documented 944 hypertension cases. After covariate adjustment, higher total legume intakes were significantly associated with lower hypertension risks, with HR comparing extreme categories being 0·56 (95 % CI 0·43, 0·71; P trend < 0·001). Then we found that intakes of dried legumes (HR 0·53 (95 % CI 0·43, 0·65); P trend < 0·001) and fresh legumes (HR 0·67 (95 % CI 0·55, 0·81); P trend < 0·001) were both related to decreased hypertension hazards. However, further dried legume classification revealed that negative association with hypertension substantially held for soyabean (HR 0·51 (95 % CI 0·41, 0·62); P trend < 0·001) but not non-soyabean intakes. In stratified analyses, the association of interest remained similar within strata by sex, BMI, physical activity, smoking and drinking status; rather, significant heterogeneity showed across age strata (P interaction = 0·02). Total legume consumption among the over-65s was related to a more markedly reduced hypertension risk (HR 0·47 (95 % CI 0·30, 0·73); P trend < 0·001). Our findings suggest an inverse association of all kinds of legume (except non-soyabean) intakes with hypertension risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to a growing demand for subnational and spatially explicit data on China's future population, this study estimates China's provincial population from 2010 to 2100 by age (0–100+), sex (male and female) and educational levels (illiterate, primary school, junior-high school, senior-high school, college, bachelor's, and master's and above) under different shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). The provincial projection takes into account fertility promoting policies and population ceiling restrictions of megacities that have been implemented in China in recent years to reduce systematic biases in current studies. The predicted provincial population is allocated to spatially explicit population grids for each year at 30 arc-seconds resolution based on representative concentration pathway (RCP) urban grids and historical population grids. The provincial projection data were validated using population data in 2017 from China's Provincial Statistical Yearbook, and the accuracy of the population grids in 2015 was evaluated. These data have numerous potential uses and can serve as inputs in climate policy research with requirements for precise administrative or spatial population data in China. Measurement(s) population Technology Type(s) computational modeling technique Factor Type(s) age • sex • education level • Shared Socioeconomic Pathway • year • province Sample Characteristic - Location China Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data: 10.6084/m9.figshare.11898405 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Water imbalances remain the primary problem from the past to the coming future in karst area of South China. A well-admissive method to cope with drought and flood problems is under searching. Rainwater harvesting by water tanks has being an approved way to alleviate water shortage, but with some defects such as bad water quality, unstable sources, and limited volume. To find out its running status, 50 water tanks in a part region of Fengshan County were surveyed. One of them was chosen for online-monitoring and 25 water tanks were sampled for chemical analysis. The results show that there were three typical problems during its running. First, water tanks usually get dry in rainless months, especially in extremely drought events. Second, water quality declines once water has stored for about 100 days with no new supplement. The deterioration of water quality is related to the long-preserved time rather than exogenetic pollution. Third, the situation becomes more serious under the pressure of climate change and the rocky desertification. Therefore, a new rainwater harvesting strategy is proposed for improving this situation. The conception site model (CSM) in hill slope for tank location selection is the critical point, since water harvesting for tanks depends on slope characters. As a CSM example, the hillslope hydrology related to the overland flow, the resurgence of flow in epikarst, and vadose flow at Yaji Karst Experiment Site were investigated to illuminate the complexity of hydrological process and diversity of flow pattern. Then, it is suggested to make full use of different flows from slopes, especially to increase the availability of vadose flow. Finally, besides drinking purpose, water tanks should be extensively used for irrigation and reforestation to obtain economic return and support its maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphorus pesticides were widely used in agricultural production and in public health as insecticides and acaricides. Triazophos, an organophosphorus insecticide widely used in developing countries, has been found in agricultural products and the environment. Additionally, triazophos is toxic for aquatic organisms and poses a risk of dietary exposure. This article reviews the toxicity, the residues in agricultural products, water and soil, exposure risk, metabolism, microbial degradation, hydrolysis, and photolytic and detection methods of triazophos. Commonly used methods for triazophos detection include chromatography-mass spectrometry and rapid methods based on antigen–antibody reactions. China had made many advances in studying triazophos-degrading bacteria and rapid detection methods of triazophos residues. We also found that triazophos causes oxidative stress, cell damage and tissue injury in animals through neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allochthonous (e.g., riparian) plant litter is among the organic matter resources that are important for wetland ecosystems. A compact canopy of free‐floating vegetation on the water surface may allow for riparian litter to remain on it for a period of time before sinking to the bottom. Thus, we hypothesized that canopy of free‐floating vegetation may slow decomposition processes in wetlands. To test the hypothesis that the retention of riparian leaf litter on the free‐floating vegetation in wetlands affects their subsequent decomposition on the bottom of wetlands, a 50‐day in situ decomposition experiment was performed in a wetland pond in subtropical China, in which litter bags of single species with fine (0.5 mm) or coarse (2.0 mm) mesh sizes were placed on free‐floating vegetation (dominated by Eichhornia crassipes, Lemna minor, and Salvinia molesta) for 25 days and then moved to the pond bottom for another 25 days or remained on the pond bottom for 50 days. The leaf litter was collected from three riparian species, that is, Cinnamomum camphora, Diospyros kaki, and Phyllostachys propinqua. The retention of riparian leaf litter on free‐floating vegetation had significant negative effect on the carbon loss, marginal negative effects on the mass loss, and no effect on the nitrogen loss from leaf litter, partially supporting the hypothesis. Similarly, the mass and carbon losses from leaf litter decomposing on the pond bottom for the first 25 days of the experiment were greater than those from the litter decomposing on free‐floating vegetation. Our results highlight that in wetlands, free‐floating vegetation could play a vital role in litter decomposition, which is linked to the regulation of nutrient cycling in ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examining the coordination of leaf and fine root traits not only aids a better understanding of plant ecological strategies from a whole‐plant perspective, but also helps improve the prediction of belowground properties from aboveground traits. The relationships between leaf and fine root traits have been extensively explored at global and regional scales, but remain unclear at local scales. Here, we measured six pairs of analogous leaf and fine root traits related to resource economy and organ size for coexisting dominant and subordinate vascular plants at three successional stages of temperate forest swamps in Lingfeng National Nature Reserve in the Greater Hinggan Mountains, NE China. Leaf and fine root traits related to resource acquisition (e.g., specific leaf area [SLA], leaf N, leaf P, root water content, and root P) decreased with succession. Overall, we found strong linear relationships between leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and root water content, and between leaf and root C, N, and P concentrations, but only weak correlations were observed between leaf area and root diameter, and between SLA and specific root length (SRL). The strong relationships between LDMC and root water content and between leaf and root C, N, and P held at the early and late stages, but disappeared at the middle stage. Besides, C and P of leaves were significantly correlated with those of roots for woody plants, while strong linkages existed between LDMC and root water content and between leaf N and root N for herbaceous species. These results provided evidence for the existence of strong coordination between leaf and root traits at the local scale. Meanwhile, the leaf–root trait relationships could be modulated by successional stage and growth form, indicating the complexity of coordination of aboveground and belowground traits at the local scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Atypical clinical features make it hard to identify VL in HLH in non-epidemic area. • VL is difficult to diagnose when traditional tests are ineffective, while mNGS is. • mNGS can be used as a detection method of HLH in children caused by rare pathogens. Visceral leishmaniasis-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (VL-HLH) is a secondary hemophagocytic syndrome, which can be life-threatening, caused by leishmania and transmitted by infected sandflies. Rapid and accurate identification of leishmania is crucial for clinical strategies. Here, we report an infantile infection in a non-epidemic area of China. The infant was a 9.5-month-old girl with fever, pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly, which meet the HLH-2004 standard, and the negative gene results exclude congenital HLH. However, chemotherapy is ineffective and is accompanied by severe infection. Fortunately, she is diagnosed with VL-HLH (visceral leishmaniasis-related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis), as leishmania is detected by next-generation meta-genome sequencing (mNGS) and quickly relieved after treatment with libosomal amphotericin B (L-AMB). mNGS can detect leishmania in pediatric HLH, and should be performed as a new detection for VL-HLH, particularly for infants, who may not respond to HLH-2004 regimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nosocomial infections (NIs) are a critical issue affecting the quality of healthcare. In this study, we performed a retrospective study to explore the incidence rates, mortality rates, and microbial spectrum of NIs in Beijing Chest Hospital, a tuberculosis (TB) specialized hospital in China. Our data demonstrate that the overall incidence rate of inpatients with NIs slightly decreased from 2012 to 2016, which may be associated with the implementation of hand hygiene measures, while the mortality rates associated with NI did not significantly change. In addition, the species distribution of NIs was quite different from that presented in previous reports, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated microorganism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological advancement plays a crucial role in CO emissions mitigation and has attracted great attention around the world. A multitude of literatures mainly focused on single technological impact on environmental issues at national level, while comprehensive studies concerning technological factors at regional level are rare. This paper employs environmental learning curve model to investigate the learning effects of different technological channels on CO emissions at the national and regional levels using panel data of China's 29 provinces from 1997 to 2014. The technological advancement is disaggregated into indigenous research and development (R&D), foreign technology import and technological revolution. Furthermore, to comprehend the characteristics of various provinces with regard to CO emissions and emission efficiency, China's 29 provinces are divided into four regions according to the features of 'CO emissions-efficiency'. Empirically results manifest that technical renovation is the paramount driver to mitigate the national CO emissions. The CO learning abilities of indigenous R&D in high emissions regions are greater than those in the low ones, while boosting the investment of foreign technology import in low emission regions has significantly positive impacts on CO emissions, and the technical renovation is effective in abating CO emissions in all regions. The findings not only enrich technology innovation theories, but also deserve special attention from policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetland plant communities in the plateau lakes of Yunnan Province, China, have decreased significantly over the past decades. To better understand this degradation, we analyzed the processes and characteristics of changes in wetland plant communities in two of the largest lakes in Yunnan Province, Dianchi and Erhai lakes. We collected records of native and alien plant communities in the two lakes from literature published from the 1950s to current period. We calculated plant community types and their area in some historical periods when related data were reported, and analyzed the relationship between changes in plant communities and water pollution. In Dianchi Lake, 12 community types of native plant communities, covering over 80% of the surface in the 1950s and 1960s, were reduced to four types covering 2.4% by the late 2000s. Alien plant communities started to appear in the lake in the late 1970s, and have since come to cover 4.9% of the lake surface, thereby becoming dominant. In Erhai Lake, 16 community types of native plant communities, covering 47.1% of the lake surface in the late 1970s, declined to 10 community types, covering 9.3% of the surface, by the late 2000s. Alien plant communities appeared in the middle 1980s, and at present cover 0.7% of the surface area. It was indicated that changes in plant communities were significant related to water eutrophication. The area occupied by native and alien plant communities was, respectively, negatively and positively related to the content of nutrients in water. This showed lacustrine pollution played an important role in native plant loss and alien plant invasion in the two plateau lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing attention has been placed on the evaluation of CO abatement potential at national or sectoral level in China due to its largest energy consumption and carbon emission. However, few studies specialize in estimating provincial carbon reduction potential and its provincial differences. This paper estimates the carbon intensity abatement potential in China at provincial scale by exploring an environmental learning curve (ELC) model for carbon intensity. Per capita GDP, the proportion of the tertiary industry in GDP and energy intensity are selected as three independent variables. Based on the ELC model, the carbon intensity reduction potentials of 30 provinces in 2020 are estimated for business-as-usual and planned scenarios. The results indicate that China's total intensity abatement potential is 34.22 and 37.64 % in the two scenarios, respectively. For all provinces, energy intensity has the strongest positive learning ability among the three variables. Beijing, Tianjin, Liaoning, Jilin and Shanghai play major roles to cut down carbon emission intensity due to their large reduction potentials. However, the intensity reduction potentials in Qinghai, Ningxia, Xinjiang and Hainan are not obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karst groundwater is particularly vulnerable to contamination. Long-term hydrochemistry auto-monitoring combined with laboratory analyses has shown that the chemograph demonstrates changes in the system. In order to determine the primary groundwater vulnerability, a relationship between hydrochemical changes and the origin of vulnerability in six karst spring catchments in Southwestern China is discussed. The reason and physical meaning of the hydrochemical changes in the spring are explained based on tracer tests and physical-chemical process in the S31 spring. The results prove that the hydrochemical changes show the origin of vulnerability and also can be its expression. Generally, autogenic recharge in bare karst is concentrated in epikarst zone, forming bypass flow and shaft flow, which causes dilution of Ca. The chemograph reflects the percentage of concentrated and diffuse recharge. The higher the ratio of concentrated recharge, the higher the grade of groundwater vulnerability. Due to Ca, HCO, SEC, pH, and temperature in water can change for kinds of reasons during their transport, more karst systems with variable natural and human factors are discussed. Protective layer, allogenic water recharge, and transform of surface stream and subterranean river can change the origin shape of hydrochemical curve. Under this circumstance, more indicators need to be monitored, especially contaminant-related ions such as nitrate, in order to clearly understand the contribution of concentrated and diffuse recharge to water chemistry. After comparing the traditional groundwater vulnerability assessment and the methods based on hydrochemical change, rainfall, protective layer, epikarst, transient storage and karst network should be more concerned when the work is done. Auto-monitoring of karst is more and more popular in Southwestern China; therefore, it is suggested that the hydrochemical methods should be used as a primary expression of vulnerability, giving a direct reference for karst water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To ascertain accurate measurements of, and the relationships between, the normative parameters of the tracheobronchial trees in the Chinese population using multi-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR). Materials and Methods: Measurements were performed on 2107 patients who underwent thoracic CT scans in the PLA General Hospital. The lengths of the trachea and the main stem bronchi, and the sizes of the subcarinal angle were obtained through CT or MPR imaging. Multi-variance analyses were performed to detect potential correlations between obtained parameters. Results: The mean length of the trachea was 104.9 ± 13.4 mm (107.8 ± 13.2 mm for men and 101.4 ± 12.8 mm for women). The mean lengths of the right and left main stem bronchi were 13.6 ± 4.3 and 48.3 ± 6.5 mm, respectively. The right bronchus angle and the left bronchus angle were 34.9 and 42.5 degrees, respectively. Significant gender differences were found in all the parameters measured except for the angle of the right upper lobe bronchus. There are no statistically significant correlations among these parameters. Conclusions: The normal reference values and the likely ranges of distribution of the tracheobronchial trees in the Chinese population have been established. Significant gender differences exist in the dimensions of the trachea, with the exception of the Right upper bronchial angle (RUA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yungang Grottoes in north of China are the classical masterpieces of Chinese Buddhists, dating from the Northern Wei Dynasty 1,500 years ago. This rock art is threatened by weathering processes that has been accelerated due to coal mining. The dominant weathering processes occurring on the rock surface are collapse, flaking, and efflorescence. Salt crystal growth plays a major cause of these deteriorations, and it has a close relationship with water movement. The major salt on the rock surface are sulfates, with a primary composition of epsomite, thenardite, and gypsum. In addition, carbonate minerals are found, mostly calcite and nesquehonite. In this paper, three grottoes in the eastern part have been investigated via measuring the rock surface moisture and recording the surface temperature and humidity. These nondestructive techniques are used for the first time in China on cultural relics. The movement of moisture has been calculated and mapped, and then analyzed for its relationship with the weathering process. Three main sources of water transport in the sandstone are adopted to explain the moisture content patterns. The aim of this study is to help rock art conservation in Yungang Grottoes, thus to provide a better understanding regarding the driving processes of internal moisture transport, which results in significant weathering processes. The evidence shows that the natural character of sandstone, water transport mechanism, and continental semi-arid conditions are the major causes of rock deterioration. Meanwhile, air pollution due to coal mining is also an important factor in driving the weathering process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic polymorphisms in cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA4) play an influential role in graft rejection and the long-term clinical outcome of organ transplantation. We investigated the association of five CTLA4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs733618 C/T, rs4553808 A/G, rs5742909 C/T, rs231775 A/G, and rs3087243 G/A) with de novo malignancy in 1463 Chinese renal transplantation (RT) recipients who underwent a 192-month follow-up. Multivariate analyses revealed that recipient rs231775 genotype is significantly associated with tumorigenesis (P=0.012). Multiplicative interaction between rs231775 AA and possible risk factors of malignancy revealed two significant results: rs231775 AA × primary diseases and rs231775 AA × number of HLA-mismatch. The frequency of haplotype TACAG was significantly higher in the tumor group (17.07%) than that in the nontumor group (1.53%). In addition, aristolochic acid nephropathy (P=0.003) and the time of discovery of tumor (P=0.000) also were independently associated with tumorigenesis. Our data show that the CTLA4 genotype rs231775 AA may be one of risk factors for the development of malignancy and haplotype TACAG was susceptible haplotype in Chinese kidney transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese alligator Alligator sinensis is one of the most endangered crocodilian species, and typically exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination. It is extremely important to clarify the sex structure of Chinese alligators to implement recovery projects successfully. However, the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators remains unknown. In this study, we collected 28 years of sex ratio data from Chinese alligators residing in the natural and artificial habitats of Changxing Nature Reserve, China, and examined the differences in the sex ratio dynamics between these two populations. We observed that the sex ratio of wild Chinese alligators is 1 male to 4.507 females, which was significantly lower compared to that of the captive population (1 to 2.040; P < 0.001), and is significantly different to previously documented sex ratios for this species (all P < 0.01). Furthermore, we documented an annually stable (P = 1.000) female-biased sex ratio for wild alligators at hatching [1 male to 4.747 females; 0.174 (0.167-0.182)], in contrast to a dramatically fluctuating sex ratio (P < 0.001) in captivity [1 male to 1.674 females; 0.374 (0.246-0.593)], showing a potential mechanism for adjusting the sex structure. Finally, we found that the hatchling sex ratios were similar to that of the population sex ratio (P = 0.748), with little correlation to air temperature values in the 60-70 day incubation period during the breeding season (July and August; both P > 0.05). Overall, this study indicates that the stabilized female- biased sex ratio of Changxing Chinese alligators might result from selection pressure caused by local mate competition and major inbreeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's astonishing economic growth implies a necessity to understand its inflation. The present paper employs threshold nonrecursive structural vector autoregression analysis to explore the asymmetric effects of macro-variables on inflation in low and high inflation regimes. The empirical evidence demonstrates, first, that the reactions of inflation to various shocks are inflation-regime-dependent and asymmetric. Second, monetary policy influences China's high inflation and adjusting the domestic interest rate in China may be an effective way to control inflation in a high inflation regime, but not in a low inflation regime. In a high inflation regime, a high inflation rate may cause the macro-policy authorities to increase the domestic interest rate, in an attempt to stabilize high inflation. Third, contrary to expectations, the world oil price is not a strong cost-push factor in a low inflation regime. Oil price increases may increase inflation in a high inflation regime, but there is no such obvious effect in a low inflation regime. Finally, China's nominal effective exchange rate influences inflation in both low and high inflation regimes. A nominal effective exchange rate appreciation might be effective in controlling domestic inflation in both regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A multimodal therapy was applied to solve a set of related problems including collapse of the posterior segment, high level gingival margin of canine, and resorption of grafted bone in a cohort of Chinese youngsters with cleft lip and palate. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of this treatment procedure. Methods: Thirty patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate were included in this prospective study. All patients had previously undergone only cleft lip and palate repair and presented with alveolar cleft and an obvious step in the gingival margin between the canine tooth and the teeth beside it. A multimodal therapy that included bone grafting, corticotomy, and orthodontics was applied to solve these problems. Grafted bone volume, parallelism of the roots, root resorption, gingival margin, and mobility of the canine on the cleft side were established before surgery, 1 week after surgery, and after straightening of the canine. Results: Less than 25% of the grafted bone was reabsorbed in 25 of the 30 patients, while less than 50% was resorbed in the remaining five. The roots of the canines on the cleft side were mostly parallel to the adjacent teeth. Root resorption and mobility of the canines were slight. The difference in the gingival margin between the canines on the cleft side and the other side was small. Conclusions: Canines moved into the grafted bone safely and effectively, thus achieving a normal gingival margin and retaining grafted bone volume in one operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karst terrains are generally regarded as a fragile and vulnerable environment. China's karst is mainly developed in pre-Triassic, old-phase, hard, compact carbonate rock. The lack of soil cover in bare karst land can enhance desertification. Its underground drainage system can aggravate both drought and flooding problems; the interconnected surface and subsurface conditions allow for easy contamination by pollutants. Moreover, karst terrains quite often suffer from a series of engineering problems, such as water infiltrating into mines or transportation tunnels, leakage from reservoirs, and failure of building foundations. As resources and energy exploitation intensified in recent years, karst areas in Southwest China faced some severe geo environmental problems. In order to find out how the problems action and evolution in recent years, field and laboratory investigations were conducted in Guangxi autonomous region, Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangdong, Hunan, Hubei provinces, and Chongqing municipality. About 100 experts from the Provincial Geological Survey and graduate students took part in this project. Several symposiums were held during those 3 years. Besides the in situ survey, data were collected from hydrogeological survey results since 2000 when the new round of land resources investigation began. After analyzing these data, rock desertification, drought and flooding, and contamination and engineering geological environmental problems were considered the most prevalent problems in karst areas in Southwestern China. The status of each problem is elaborated upon in this paper and should be considered for future sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese people have always attached importance to trust, and the trust extent in China is relatively high. However, several studies show that trust in China is declining in recent decades. Since trust plays an important role in economic development and social harmonious, it is necessary to be vigilant to the declining state and to endeavor to improve it. For this reason, one needs to have a thorough understanding of the trust situation in China. The literature of trust study displays that there are increasing numbers of studies focusing on it, which, however, do not exactly and completely reveal the true condition because they are either un-representative of subjects or in-comprehensive of objects. It is therefore necessary and urgent to construct the trust index of China. To achieve this goal, researchers need to investigate it comprehensively and take into account the effects of trust types, the objects of trust, the development of the extent and patterns, and the effects of the relevant social values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Few reports concerned on recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt- PA) treatment in stroke patients with decreased consciousness. This study assesses the efficacy and safety of intravenous rt- PA administration within 4.5 h in stroke patients with decreased consciousness. Methods A total of 136 stroke patients with decreased consciousness, who received or not rt- PA intravenously within 4.5 h after stroke onset from Jiangsu province of China from 2009 to 2012, were reviewed retrospectively. Glasgow Coma Scale ( GCS), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale ( NIHSS), intracranial hemorrhage rate, and mortality were used to determine patient outcome when discharged. A 3-month outcome was calculated by modified Rankin Scale ( mRS) with score 0 to 1 considered favorable outcome. Results Baseline characteristics of two groups were similar. When discharged, no significant differences were observed regarding NIHSS score ( P = 0.994) or GCS score ( P = 0.591) between groups. After 3 months, 22.8% patients in rt- PA group had favorable outcome as compared with 7.5% patients in control group ( P = 0.014). Treatment with rt- PA did not significantly increase incidence of hemorrhage ( P = 0.494) or mortality ( P = 0.169). Conclusions Intravenous rt- PA administration within 4.5 h after onset of symptoms benefited stroke patients with abnormal consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is a developing country with the largest population of any country in the world. The 2010 sixth national census found that China's population was 1,339,724,852, accounting for about 19 percent of the world's total population. However, higher education in the Chinese dental field started late and developed slowly. In order to acquaint more dental educators worldwide about China's current higher dental education system, this article provides a brief introduction to the present education system, degrees conferred, curriculum setting, training mode, teaching materials, courses, and academic journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Commercial plasma donation was introduced in China in the 1970s. Cases of non-A, non-B hepatitis (hepatitis C) continued to occur, with multiple outbreaks among plasma donors in Guan county, Hebei province between 1972 and 1990. The outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in these paid plasma donors from six villages of Guan county were followed up for 12-19 years. Methods: A total of 402 plasma donors with HCV infection were enrolled since anti-HCV-positive in 1991 or 1998. Follow up was maintained until death or the end of the observation period. No antiviral treatment was applied during the period of infection. Results: Follow up was lost in 23 cases. After a 12-19-year follow up, 31 donors died, with the cause of death directly related to liver disease in 15 cases, and an overall mortality of 8.18% (31/379). The incidence of liver cirrhosis was 10.03%, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was 2.90%. The rate of viral spontaneous clearing was 20.32% (77/379), and 13.69% (23/168) in males and 25.59% (54/211) in females. In May 2010, detections were performed in 348 cases. Abnormality of liver function was related to HCV viremia. Sex and alcohol intake impacted the outcome of HCV infection. There was no correlation between the viral spontaneous clearance with age of infection and genotype. Conclusions: This area has a high rate of chronicity in HCV infection due to plasma donation. Twenty-five years after virus infection, liver cirrhosis or HCC developed in one-tenth of patients, with an overall mortality of 8.18%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The -493G/T polymorphism in the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) gene is associated with lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels and longevity in several populations, but the results are inconsistent in different racial/ethnic groups. The current study was to investigate the plausible association of MTP -493G/T polymorphism with serum lipid levels and longevity in Zhuang long-lived families residing in Bama area, a famous home of longevity in Guangxi, China. Methods: The MTP -493G/T was genotyped by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 391 Bama Zhuang long-lived families (BLF, n = 1467, age 56.60 ± 29.43 years) and four control groups recruited from Bama and out-of- Bama area with or without a familial history of exceptional longevity: Bama non-long-lived families (BNLF, n = 586, age 44.81 ± 26.83 years), Bama non-Zhuang long-lived families (BNZLF, n = 444, age 52.09 ± 31.91 years), Pingguo long-lived families (PLF, n = 658, age 50.83 ± 30.30 years), and Pingguo non-long-lived families (PNLF, n = 539, age 38.74 ± 24.69 years). Correlation analyses between genotypes and serum lipid levels and longevity were then performed. Results: No particularly favorable lipoprotein and clinical phenotypes were seen in BLF as compared to general families in the same area. Instead, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), TG, LDL-C, and the prevalence of dyslipidemia were significantly higher in the three Bama families as compared to the two non-Bama families (P < 0.01 for all). There were no differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies among the tested cohorts (P > 0.05 for all), but the TT genotype tended to enrich in the three long-lived cohorts from both areas. In addition, the individuals harboring TT genotype exhibited lower LDL-C and TC levels in the overall populations and Bama populations with a region- and sex-specific pattern. Multiple linear regression analyses unraveled that LDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in Bama combined population, BNLF, and the total population (P < 0.05 for each) but not in Pingguo populations; TC and HDL-C levels were correlated with genotypes in Bama combined population and BLF, respectively (P < 0.05 for each). Conclusions: MTP -493G/T polymorphism may play an important role in fashioning the serum lipid profiles of Bama populations, despite no direct association between MTP -493G/T and longevity was detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a widely accepted educational method centered on the discussion and learning that emerge from a clinically based problem; however, little has been reported on the details of PBL case-writing in the dental education literature. This article outlines some principles of writing a PBL case as it is practiced at a Chinese dental school and presents, as an example, an actual case based on a clinical problem (ameioblastoma of the jaw) intended to provide a learning focus for predoctoral dental students. A good PBL case should allow for progressive, interdependent actions to be taken in the evaluation and overall management of the patient in context and should trigger inquiry and discussion among students in both the basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathophysiology, etc.) and related clinical sciences. The epidemiological, sociological, and ethical considerations related to each problem should also be emphasized as an essential component of effective health care provision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few villages in Southwest Guizhou, China represented a unique case of arseniasis due to indoor combustion of high arsenic-content coal. The present study is aimed to analyze the contribution of possible factors or of their combination to excess prevalence of arseniasis in the exposed population. An epidemiological investigation was conducted in all the members of three large ethnic, patrilineal clans in one of the hyperendemic villages (702 residents in 178 families, including 408 Han and 294 Hmong) where farmers of different ethnic origin have been living together in the same village for generations. A multilevel model logistic regression analysis was performed. The arseniasis prevalence was found to associate with the duration of As indoor exposure (years of high As coal burning and of poorly ventilated traditional stove using) and is largely dependent on the subject’s ethnicity and clan consanguinity, too. The prevalence of arseniasis in ethnic Han residents was significantly higher than that in their Hmong neighbors (35.0 vs 4.8% OR = 15.18, 95% CI = 3.45–67.35). Notable variances of arseniasis prevalence were observed not only between the ethnic Han clans (G1, G3, and B) and Hmong clan P, but also between different lineages (G1 and G2) inside the ethnic Han clan. Smokers suffered more frequently from arseniasis than non-smokers (47.3 vs 15.7% OR = 5.42, 95% CI = 2.25–12.93). Arseniasis prevalence in this unique exposure case was impacted by an array of multiple factors. Besides a long-term indoor exposure to As, the ethnicity or the clan consanguinity of exposed subjects may play an important role, too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A self-anchored cable-stayed-suspension bridge is a new type of structure bridge. There are some technical problems, such as wind resisting stability and so on. Detailed study is done on the influence of pile foundation rigidity, wind load of cables, cables segmentation, initial and additional attack angle on main girder and pylon displacement of the Jinzhou Gulf Bridge under the static wind condition by calculating the aerostatic response of cable supported bridge. The results show that the additional attack angle has little influence on the displacement induced by static wind of the bridge. If the pile foundation rigidity effect is not taken into account, the lateral displacement will be severely underestimated. The lateral displacement due to the wind load of cables is almost 20 percent of that of the total wind load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 2,000 arsenic-related skin lesions (as at 2002) in a few villages of China’s Southwest Guizhou Autonomous Prefecture represent a unique case of endemic arseniasis related with indoor combustion of high-arsenic coal. The skin lesion prevalence was significantly higher in ethnic Han villagers than in ethnic Hmong villagers. This study was focused on a possible involvement of XPD/ERCC2 G 23591 A and A 35931 C polymorphisms in risk modulation of skin lesions and in the body burden of As in this unique case of As exposure. G 23591 A and A 35931 C were genotyped by a PCR-based procedure. Total As contents in hair and urine samples as well as environmental samples of the homes of the two ethnic clans were analysed. A significant higher presentation of A/A 35931 (homozygous wild) genotype in both clans was found in skin lesion patients, compared with their asymptomatic fellow villagers (67.1 vs. 46.3%, OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.35–4.14, P = 0.002). Interestingly, the population frequencies of the A/A 35931 genotype did not show significant differences between ethnic Han villagers and their Hmong neighbours (47.1 vs. 45.5%). Very low frequencies of homozygous and heterozygous variant genotypes of G 23591 A were recorded in the residents in target village. G/A 23591 and A/A 23591 were detected only in 3.2% (8/244) and 0.8% (2/244) of the villagers, respectively. The polymorphic status at the locus of A 35931 C might modulate the risk for arsenic-related skin lesions in the investigated groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility of building craniomaxillofacial three-dimensional (3-D) photo-realistic model by texture mapping and to realize 3-D morphometry and virtual display. METHODS: Based on surface parameterization method of the conjugate gradient algorithm, the texture mapping software was developed to construct craniomaxillofacial 3-D photo-realistic model. 3-D model including both soft and hard tissues were reconstructed from sequential CT slices. Texture mapping was established with anatomic landmarks of the facial soft tissue between color portraits and 3-D model. Three digitized color portraits were blended and texture-mapped onto the 3-D head model. Facial morphometry and 3-D measurement were performed and virtual human face was displayed in virtual reality environment. RESULTS: Texture mapping was established by an ideal relation between the portraits and 3-D model. Craniomaxillofacial 3-D morphology model including the information of soft and hard tissue anatomy, color and texture was built. Photo-realistic craniomaxillofacial model could be viewed from an arbitrary angle and 3-D morphometry was performed. CONCLUSION: Texture mapping was regarded as an ideal valuable alternative in building a photo-realistic virtual human face for craniomaxillofacial morphometry, diagnosis, treatment planning and postoperative prediction. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 30872906), Key Project of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (Grant No. 074119511), Research Fund of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(Grant No. 08DZ2271100), and Research Fund of Medicine and Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Grant No.YG2007ZD09). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between unilateral temporomandibular joint disk displacement without reduction and facial symmetry. METHODS: 17 individuals (aged from 13 to 28), including 15 females and 2 males, with unilateral TMJ disk displacement without reduction were included. Computerized tomography scans were performed for each patient. Three-dimensional virtual skulls were reconstructed from CT data with Simplant11.04 software. Measuring points were defined on facial skeleton as well as teeth. We set Frankfort horizontal plane and sagital plane as reference planes. Asymmetric character of glenoid fossa region, mandible and maxillary occlusal plane cant were observed. The three-dimensional data of normal side and disk displacement side was analyzed by paired t tests with SPSS11.0 software package. RESULTS: It was observed that the vertical position of Po (the most superior point of the external auditory canal), ArE (crest of the articular eminence) and GIF (roof of glenoid fossa) in disk displacement side was significantly more inferior than the normal side (P<0.05). Subjects with unilateral TMJ disk displacement without reduction had shorter condylar height(P<0.01), shorter ramus height (P<0.01) and shorter mandibular body (P<0.05) in disk displacement side compared with normal side. The mandibular midpoint deviated toward the disk displacement side ranging from 0.72ram to 7.66mm (mean 3.62±2.49mm). In addition, all of those subjects had eanted maxillary occlusal planes. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral TMJ disk displacement without reduction might cause facial asymmetry. Glenoid fossa region, mandible and maxillary occlusal plane were involved in. The results indicate that the amount of asymmetry appear mainly in condylar height. Supported by Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (Grant No.Y0203). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sixteen novel microsatellite DNA loci were developed from the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) using a magnetic-bead capture method. A total of 115 alleles were obtained for these markers, ranging from 4 to 12 alleles per locus (average 7.188). These loci exhibited high levels of polymorphic information content and expected heterozygosity, 0.558-0.855 (average 0.729) and 0.628-0.885 (average 0.778), respectively. Therefore, the allelic polymorphism and heterozygosity show that the giant pandas raised in China Research and Conservation Center possess abundant genetic variation. In addition, if the three markers showing null alleles were excluded, the remaining 13 microsatellite loci still presented extremely low non-exclusion probabilities of parentage (0.002), paternity (0.000) and identity (0.000). As a result, this new suit of microsatellite markers would be a very informative tool for the genetic and conservation studies of giant pandas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers in Southwest Guizhou Autonomous Prefecture, China, represent a unique case of arseniasis, which is related to indoor combustion of high arsenic-containing coal instead of to arsenic-contaminated drinking water. A significant difference in the prevalence of arseniasis was observed in two neighboring ethnic clans in one village. The question arose whether the ethnicity-dependent difference observed in this village was more widely spread throughout the whole township. An epidemiologic investigation was designed to explore arseniasis distribution and mortality among all four ethnic groups in a multiethnic township. The cohort of arseniasis patients, diagnosed and registered in the overall field survey of 1991 as well as all the asymptomatic residents of the township, were enrolled in the present investigation. Indirect standardization was used for calculating the age-adjusted standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of arseniasis, the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of various death causes (including some cancers), and their corresponding intervals of 95% confidence in both genders and in each local ethnic group. The descending rank of arseniasis SIRs among local ethnic groups was found as: Hui>Han>Bouyei>Hmong. The descending rank of SMRs of malignancies was displayed as: Han>Hui>Bouyei>Hmong in males and both genders together as well. Concerning deaths of non-malignant causes the rank was observed as: Hui>Han>Bouyei>Hmong in males. The arseniasis SIR for ethnic Hmong residents (both genders combined) was found to be significantly less profound than the overall level in the township. No death cases in diagnosed ethnic Hmong patients and no cases of death from malignant causes in asymptomatic Hmong residents were recorded. The significant increase of arseniasis prevalence was observed in all males, compared with the overall prevalence of all residents. However, a significantly lower prevalence was seen in all females. Significant ethnicity-dependent difference in arseniasis prevalence and mortality from all causes was found in a multiethnic rural township where farmers have been exposed to the indoor combustion of high arsenic coal for decades. The ethnic Hmong residents seemed to be the least susceptible to arseniasis among the four local ethnic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcome and stability of combined surgical anti orthodontic treatment of severe maxillary anterior teeth and dentoalveolar bone protrusion. METHODS: Twenty-eight adults with severe bimaxillary protrusion were included. Presurgical orthodontic treatment coordinated axis of upper anteriors and dentoalveolar bone. Maxilla was impacted and set back by Le Fort I osteotomy and maxillary anterior segmental osteotomy, while upper anteriors and dentoalveolar bone were uprighted and retracted. Post-surgical orthedontic treatment detailed the occlusion. Each patient underwent X ray examination at five time points including pre-treatment, pre-surgery, one month after surgery, three months after surgery and post-treatment. Hard tissue and soft tissue changes were investigated by cephalometric analysis. The data were analyzed by paired t tests with SPSS12.0 software package. RESULTS: It was observed that upper anteriors were uprighted and retracted (11.77±9.9)° (P<0.001) after treatment while dentoalveolar bone was uprighted (6.24±3.9)°(P<0.001). UI-LI angle increased (19.4±8.6)°(P<0.001), UI-Apog distance decreased (6.62±2.2)mm (P<0.001). The thickness of alveolus on anterior teeth labial side showed no change (P>0.05). The treatment outcome demonstrated a significant improvement in soft tissue profile. Nasolabial angle increased (11.06±11.8)° (P<0.001), upper and lower lips moved backword, and pog' moved forward. Most measurements showed no significant difference from surgery time to post treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Combined surgical and orthodontic treatment is a very effective procedure in treatment of severe maxillary anterior teeth and dentoalveolar bone protrusion and gummy smile. It remains the thickness of alveolus on anterior teeth labial side. It shows big improvement in soft tissue profile and great stability. Supported by Shanghai beading Academic Discipline Project (Grant No.Y0203). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]