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The present study examined children's and adults' categorization and moral judgment of truthful and untruthful statements. 7-, 9- and 11-year-old Chinese children and college students read stories in which story characters made truthful or untruthful statements and were asked to classify and evaluate the statements. The statements varied in terms of whether the speaker intended to help or harm a listener and whether the statement was made in a setting that called for informational accuracy or politeness. Results showed that the communicative intent and setting factors jointly influence children's categorization of lying and truth-telling, which extends an earlier finding (Lee & Ross, 1997) to childhood. Also, we found that children's and adults' moral judgments of lying and truth-telling were influenced by the communicative intent but not the setting factor. The present results were discussed in terms of Sweetser's (1987) folkloristic model of lying. (Contains 3 figures and 2 tables.)

Objectives: The relationship between sarcopenia and cognitive function has been extensively studied, but is usually explored at a single time point. We used repeatedly measured cognitive data to examine the relationship between sarcopenia and cognitive trajectories over time among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. Design: A nationally representative cohort study. Setting and Participants: Data were from three waves (2011, 2013 and 2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 8963 participants with complete baseline data (wave 1) and at least two cognitive function tests (waves 1–3) were enrolled in this study. Measurements: Sarcopenia was diagnosed at baseline (wave 1). The wave 1–3 data were used to analyze cognitive trajectories over time by constructing a latent class trajectory model (LCTM). Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between sarcopenia and cognitive trajectories. Results: Among 8693 participants, we identified two trajectories of cognitive function development, including a persistent low trajectory (n= 4856, 55.86%) and a persistent high trajectory (n= 3837, 44.14%). Sarcopenia was associated with persistently low cognitive trajectory of global cognitive (OR: 1.248, 95%CI: 1.046–1.490) after adjustment for other covariates. This association was still observed when stratified by age, gender, educational level, marital status, social activity, smoking status and drinking status. Mediation analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) mediated efficacy accounting for 42.32% of the relationship. Conclusions: Our study showed two trajectory groups of global cognitive function. Sarcopenia was associated with a persistent low trajectory over time and BMI mediated the relationship between sarcopenia and cognitive trajectories among middle-aged and older Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen and phosphorus pollution caused by land use seriously threatens the surface water ecosystem. However, the relationship between surface water quality and land use remains obscure in multiple spatiotemporal scales. The spatiotemporal variation characteristics of the eutrophication degree were discussed via the in situ investigation, and the effects of land use on water quality were quantitatively studied through correlation analysis and redundancy analysis in the Honghu Lake Basin, a typical active agriculturally disturbed basin. Results show that the water quality of the entire basin has suffered from serious nitrogen (with the total nitrogen ranging from 1.90 to 11.72 mg/L in the dry season and 1.07–9.24 mg/L in the rainy season) and phosphorus (with the total phosphorus ranging from 0.07 to 1.78 mg/L in the dry season and 0.02–0.56 mg/L in the rainy season) pollution. Seasonally, the nutrient concentration in dry the season are approximately 14–46% higher than those in the rainy season, and the nutrient concentration upstream is higher in spatial distribution. Correlation analysis indicates that forest and wetland were negatively correlated with nutrient concentrations, while cultivated land and residence community were positively correlated with nutrient concentrations. Redundancy analysis shows that the spatial variation of the water quality is best explained at a small scale (1000 m buffer) and in the rainy season (55%). Our study can provide a strategy for land use planning for water quality management and protection in a typical agriculturally disturbed basin, like the Honghu Lake basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To reveal the consistency and discrepancy in the gut microbial structure and function in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients from different regions. Methods and Results: Gut microbes, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors genes (VFGs) were analysed using metagenome data from three cohorts. The abundance of Escherichia coli extensively increased in IBD patients, whereas Subdoligranulum unclassified decreased dramatically in IBD patients from three countries. Escherichia coli showed a positive correlation with multiple ARGs and VFGs in cohorts from China and the United States, including multidrug‐related resistance genes and Capsule and LOS‐related virulence factors genes. Escherichia coli biofilm synthesis pathways significantly enriched in IBD patients from three different regions. Notably, Subdoligranulum unclassified and Eubacterium hallii were negatively related to ARGs and VFGs. Conclusions: Consistent changes of microbiome structure and function were observed in IBD patients from three different regions. As pathogenic bacteria, E. coli may accelerate IBD progression through encapsulation in biofilms by upregulating antibiotic resistance in Crohn's disease patients. Subdoligranulum unclassified and E. hallii may be beneficial for IBD patients and could serve as potential probiotics for IBD treatment. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work dispels worries about the regional differences in gut microbial changes in IBD patients and provides useful guidance for more rational microbiome‐based therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trunk-extension pruning is often used to promote sprouting of latent buds, and therefore extend the vertical growth of the main trunk in young Paulownia plantation in China. However, the biological basis for the technique remains unclear. In this study, we applied two pruning treatments and a control to 120 and 108 three-year-old Paulownia trees in 2015 and 2016, respectively. We observed the latent buds sprouting in 2015, and found that the number of individuals of first sprouting/total number of individuals and number of sprouted buds/total number of sprouted buds both exceeded 50% from 18 to 24 days after pruning. We collected phloem samples from the top of the stem at 7, 14, 21, and 28 d after the pruning in 2016. We then analyzed phytohormones, total C and N, reduced sugar and free amino acid contents of the samples. Results showed that pruning significantly reduced the contents of abscisic acid (ABA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), especially on day 21 as compared with control. This was coincided with the sprouting of latent buds in the two pruned treatments. Therefore reduced IAA, ABA contents in pruned trees promoted the sprouting of latent buds. Our results provide a biological basis for extending the main trunk height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gold mineralization of the North China Craton (NCC) is characterized by regional heterogeneous distribution. Such a feature is mainly reflected by the spatial dispersity and local concentration, as well as multiperiods of gold‐forming events. Gold deposits are principally converged in the Jiaodong, Xiaoqinling‐Xiong'er Mountain, Jidong, Liaodong, and Taihang Mountain regions. The northern margin of the NCC is strongly enriched in Au, Mo, and Cu elements, whereas its southern and eastern margins trend to show significant enrichment of Au–Mo and Au, respectively. Among them, the early period of Mesozoic mineralization is Au–Mo–Pb–Zn combination, the peak is Au, and the late period is Au–Ag combination. The Early Cretaceous is the main gold metallogenic epoch of the NCC followed by the Middle–Late Triassic and Jurassic. Generally, gold mineralization time of the Xiaoqinling‐Xiong'er Mountain and Taihang Mountain is a little earlier than those of Jiaodong gold deposits; some of Jidong (Jinchangyu, Yuerya, and Niuxinshan) and the Liaodong (Baiyun and Maoling) gold deposits were formed in the Triassic–Jurassic. Overall, the uneven distribution of gold deposits in the NCC is generally controlled by the tectonic evolution and interaction of the regional geological blocks, the hydrothermal alteration and gold activation in the metamorphic basement, and the Mesozoic magma activity. In the Middle Jurassic and before, the tectonic evolution of the NCC was mainly influenced by the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and the Qinling Orogenic Belt. Tectonic system transition from extrusion to extension, locally developed mantle upwelling and lithospheric thinning, as well as a series of Middle Triassic–Jurassic magmatic activities, and even the presence of alkaline rocks along the east–west direction occurred on the northern margin of the NCC, which generated a series of Au–Mo deposits. This is the first craton destruction and gold mineralization event that occurred in the northern margin of the NCC after its formation. In the Cretaceous and after, the geological evolution of the NCC was mainly controlled by the ancient Pacific Plate. The NCC was subjected to extensive lithospheric thinning, which in turn led to a more large‐scale gold mineralization. In addition, it is found that these ore‐forming materials sourced from the metamorphic rock are not entirely dependent on the gold content but also affected by one or more geological processes, which activate and extract gold from the wall rock and upgrade it in suitable tectonic environments. The influence of granitoids and intermediate–basic dikes in these gold deposits seems like a "hot machine," which is the source of metallogenic hydrothermal fluid, and it is also a possible source of some ore‐forming minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large‐scale concentration of Au associated with Mesozoic granitoid intrusions in the North China Craton (NCC) has inspired many investigations to explore the genetic relationship between the magmatism and gold metallogeny. The Xiaoqinling gold province is located in the southern margin of the North China Craton. The Wenyu and Huashan monzonitic granites formed at Early Cretaceous represent two of the important intrusions in this region, and a large number of gold deposits occur around the Wenyu pluton. Here we present results from an integrated study using in situ zircon U–Pb ages, trace elements, and Hf isotope to infer the composition and environmental changes during different evolution stages of the fertile Wenyu pluton and compare with the infertile Huashan pluton. The Huashan pluton was emplaced at 144.0 ± 0.6 Ma, whereas the fertile Wenyu pluton experienced multistage magmatic activity from 141.4 ± 0.6 to 129.6 ± 0.5 Ma. Temperatures computed from Ti‐in‐zircon thermometry indicate that the late‐stage Wenyu magma crystalized at 644°C, the Huashan magma, and early‐stage Wenyu magma crystalized at around 750°C. And the oxygen fugacity (Ce4+/Ce3+ > 200 and Eu/Eu* > 0.7) and the water content of the late‐stage Wenyu magma stay at higher levels. The U/Yb–Hf and U/Yb–Y relationship with εHf(t) (−15.63 to −17.89) of the late‐stage Wenyu magma suggest that the ancient lower crust with subsequent inputted basaltic components make up the source of the fertile and infertile plutons. Combined with previous geochronological data and geodynamics studies, we propose that the late‐stage intrusion of the Wenyu pluton experienced intensive magma mixing. And the formation of Wenyu pluton created conducive heat energy, oxygen fugacity, and water conditions for the formation of high‐grade gold deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shihu quartz vein‐type gold deposit, the largest gold deposit in the central North China Craton, occurs within wall rocks of Neoarchean TTG (tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite) gneiss and shows a close relationship with the early Cretaceous Mapeng granitoid pluton and various intermediate–mafic dykes. The occurrence, morphology, composition, and precipitation mechanism of the Au–Ag minerals are short of research, which is the purpose of this study. The primary mineral assemblage of orebody contains quartz, calcite, and base‐metal sulphides including pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and minor pyrrhotite and enargite. The Au–Ag minerals can be classified into three distinct types, namely, (a) quartz‐hosted, (b) pyrite‐hosted, and (c) base‐metal sulphidehosted, corresponding to formation sequence. Electron microprobe analysis indicates that these Au–Ag minerals show fineness (=Au/[Au + Ag] × 1,000) ranging from 976 to 366 with an average of 667 and are rich in Bi, Te, and Hg while deficient of Cu, As, and Se. Bismuth and tellurium in the Au–Ag minerals show a linear relationship with Au, whereas in the coexisted sulphides are almost below detection limits. We suggest that Bi and Te fundamentally influenced the transportation, enrichment, and precipitation of gold as scavengers to concentrate and deposit gold at the location with an "appropriate distance" from magma. Phase analyses of native bismuth and Bi–Te minerals included in pyrite, reported for the first time in Shihu Gold deposit, imply that the gold precipitation witnessed the ore‐forming fluid evolution with log fTe2 decreasing from approximately −11 to approximately −15 and log fS2 increasing from approximately −13 to more than −11. Mineralogical mapping with the fineness of Au–Ag minerals (fineness contours) suggest that the ore‐forming fluids came from the deep earth beneath the north of the mining area with excellent gold potential, which has been verified by later drilling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Shihu quartz vein‐type gold deposit in the central North China Craton occurs within Neoarchean TTG (tonalite‐trondhjemite‐granodiorite) gneisses and shows spatial relationship with quartz diorite porphyry. The occurrence of the ore body is controlled by the N‐S fracture. Primary mineral assemblage of the ore body is composed of quartz, calcite, and base‐metal sulphides, including pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite. Eight pyrite samples from veins of the main mineralization stage yield an isochron age of 129 ± 3 Ma (MSWD = 1.6), coinciding with the major Early Cretaceous magmatic event, and associated lithospheric thinning recognized in the NCC. The (87Sr/86Sr)i values of the pyrite (0.7102 ± 0.0006) are lower than the continental crust mean value (0.719) and higher than that of the mantle initial ratio (0.707), suggesting mixed crust–mantle source for the metallogenic components. Three types of hydrothermal pyrite from the early to major ore‐forming stages were identified in the quartz vein, including Py(I) as disseminated euhedral grains, Py (II) as dense bulks, and Py (III) as intergrowth with base‐metal sulphides. Electron microprobe analysis of the pyrite grains indicates a trend from S‐deficient to S‐enriched and from Fe‐enriched to Fe‐deficient stages, suggesting an increase in sulphur fugacity and reducing conditions. The arsenic in pyrite shows decrease against increasing Au during Stages II and III, implying that As is not the only trigger of gold precipitation, but electrochemical‐geochemical barrier played a major role in the formation of the ore. The Co and Ni concentrations, as well as Co/Ni ratios in pyrite, are relatively high, which provide an additional clue to the link with the regional magmatic event. Combined with the textural features, we propose a wider potential for gold exploration in this region, linking the mineralization with a major transitional tectonic regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China ranks as the world's largest gold producer and as the second largest gold consumer since the last few years and hosts one of the fastest growing gold markets in the world. The gold mineralization in China has been divided into several super‐large (>100 t Au), large (50 to 100 t Au), and numerous medium to small (20 to 50 and <20 t Au) deposits. Geologically, these are classified into different types such as gold‐only deposits, base metal‐rich type including skarn, porphyry, and vein deposits, and placer accumulations. Integrated genetic models based on geological investigations propose that the gold deposits formed through multiple stages of subduction–accretion–collision associated with different orogenic cycles, with most of the giant gold deposits related to extensive lithospheric destruction and recycling. China has a long history of gold mining starting from the days of the Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties at ca. 2,100–256 bc, which further flourished in the "Silk Road" era, although in the modern times, the country was "officially" reported producing hardly 2 tons of gold for nearly 40 years until a major revival occurred between 1982 and 1993, with a dramatic increase to 160 tons per year. According to recent statistics, China ranks as the world's largest producer of gold with over 460 tons, contributing significantly to the growth of world gold production. In the Asian region, 91% of gold production comes from China and five other countries, with China contributing the major share. With regard to gold consumption, the amount of gold bought in China rose steadily over the past several years from around 204.5 tons in 2002 to 832.18 tons in 2012. Among the various forms of gold jewellery in China, fine gold is the most popular, with 24 K gold accounting for more than 80% of the gold jewellery sold in the country. Studies identify a positive relationship between the rate of technical expertise and economic growth in state‐owned and mixed sectors of gold industry in China. Attracting more private investment into capital‐intensive and state‐owned sectors is considered to help boost the mining industry. China's gold output sustained the world gold market even during the global financial crisis in other bulk commodities. Quantitative analysis in recent studies reveals a power‐law cross‐correlation between price and volume in gold spot and futures markets and predicts long‐term stability despite short‐term fluctuations. Extensive mining activities invariably raise environmental issues and anthropogenic health hazards. With the country announcing the discovery of new gold deposits, such as the biggest ever gold mine in Shandong with gold resources valued more than $22 billion, and moving forward to new horizons in gold mining and production, insightful policies from decision makers are important in the areas of promoting research and development in academic and technical fields, involving technical expertise and advanced technology in gold mining and processing, and implementing strict regulations for environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali stress is one of the important factors in restricting agriculture production. Leymus chinensis is constructive halophyte species in alkalized grassland in China. In order to investigate the gene expression response of L. chinensis to alkali stress, we used PacBio technology to obtain reference full-length transcript sequences for transcriptomic analysis of alkali stress response. In order to elucidate the alkali tolerance mechanisms of L. chinensis, we measured the photosynthetic parameters, concentrations of ions and compatible solutes, chloroplast ultrastructure and anatomy of control and stressed plants. Our results showed that L. chinensis shares many alkali-tolerance mechanisms with glycophytes. Higher stability of photosynthetic apparatus under alkali stress may be prominent alkali-tolerance trait of L. chinensis. L. chinensis may have a strong capacity to decline the toxicity of Na+ to organelles and cytoplasmic proteins. Enhanced expression of dehydrin and LEA genes and increased accumulation of carbohydrates may contribute to the development of Na+-specific stress tolerance of L. chinensis under alkali stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The GaoFen-7 (GF-7) satellite is successfully launched on November 3, 2019, and its laser altimeter system is officially and firstly employed as the main payload for earth observations in China, which includes two sets of laser altimeters and laser footprint cameras. The Laser Footprint Image (LFI) is used to capture laser spots on the ground. In order to make up for the shortcomings of high cost field work for the traditional laser altimeter ground detector-based calibration method, this paper proposes a novel laser altimeter calibration method based on LFI. Firstly, the spaceborne laser calibration model and the Laser Footprint Camera (LFC) geolocation model are established. Secondly, the image coordinates of laser spot centroid are extracted from LFI, and the ground location of is obtained by ray intersecting with the reference Digital Surface Model (DSM). Finally, the centroid of laser spot is considered as Ground Control Point (GCP), and the pointing bias of GF-7 laser altimeter is calibrated by the Least Squares Estimation (LSE). The ALOS Global Digital Surface Model "ALOS World 3D-30m" (AW3D30) is used to evaluate the elevation accuracy of GF-7 laser altimeter before and after the calibration. The results indicate that elevation accuracy of the GF-7 laser altimeter is improved significantly after calibration. The proposed method can be effectively applied for high-frequency geometric calibration of GF-7 laser altimeter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two rotavirus vaccines are licensed in China (RotaTeq and Lanzhou Lamb Rotavirus [LLR] vaccine), but their use is not widespread. We sought to understand the public health impact of widespread rotavirus vaccination with these two vaccines on public health outcomes, in China, among children ages 0- 7 years old. We developed a Markov Model to simulate a birth cohort from 0 to 7 years of age under three scenarios- i) vaccination with RotaTeq; ii) vaccination with LLR; iii) no-vaccination; and calculated each scenario's expected number of health outcomes. The model was parameterized using published information on rotavirus epidemiology, RotaTeq and LLR effectiveness in China, as abstracted from national estimates and peer-reviewed literature. We assumed individuals could have up to five rotavirus infections, the first two being the ones that could lead to hospitalization. We considered high (90%) and low (50%) vaccination coverage scenarios (since rotavirus vaccines are not reimbursed) and fitted the model by changing the percent of immunity conferred by previous infection and the asymptomatic to symptomatic ratio. For a cohort of 100,000 children over the first 7 years of life, and in the absence of a rotavirus vaccine in China, 899 hospitalizations, 11,708 outpatient visits, and 64,746 symptomatic rotavirus cases are expected. Using RotaTeq, 67% (39%) of hospitalizations, and 61% (35%) of outpatient visits and rotavirus cases can be averted under the high (low) vaccination coverage scenario. Given lower vaccine effectiveness estimates for LLR, its use would avert 24% (14%) hospitalizations, 24% (14%) outpatient visits, and 24% (14%) rotavirus symptomatic cases compared to no vaccination, in the high (low) vaccination coverage scenario. Widespread use of rotavirus vaccination can avert a significant number of rotavirus gastroenteritis outcomes, with a three to two times higher potential public health impact for RotaTeq compared to LLR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the repaid development of Building Information Modelling (BIM), many scholars began to explore the BIM-adaption in landscape field. Landscape Information Modelling (LIM) is the corresponding concept created and used in landscape architecture discipline. However, cultural landscape heritage, as a special cultural heritage category, have specific objectives, principles and methodologies in conservation and management. It is necessary to explore an integrated information framework to facilitate the digital management of cultural landscape information. The aim of this paper is to explore an integrated information framework, which I call a 'Heritage Landscape Information Model (HLIM)', to facilitate cultural landscape heritage practices in China. This research examined the Digital Scenic Area project as instrumental case studies to identify the main components for a HLIM. As the two major components of cultural landscape heritage, both the physical features and the non-physical landscapes experiences were identified in this paper. The large amount of intangible heritage aspects indicated the significant differences between a HLIM and a BIM. Accordingly, a conceptual framework to represent 'cultural experiences' was identified with certain categories of landscape features and attributes. In terms of technologies, firstly, this research revealed that virtual reality was the most prioritised tool used in the current landscape conservation practices in China. Secondly, the other required system includes landscape-monitoring tools and the automation office work. Lastly, a HLIM also needs to contain a special information platform for cultural and historical information. The components identified in this paper could potentially contribute to an integrated conceptual framework of HLIM in China. The conclusion identified several implications for technology development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First reported from Taiwan mistakenly as acral acanthosis nigricans in 1991, pigmented carpotarsal hyperkeratosis or hyperkeratosis nigricans carpi et tarsi displays a peculiar distribution of velvety brown‐grey hyperpigmented plaques symmetrically on the flexural side of the wrists and ankles and on the dorsal sides of the hands and feet. A marked epidermal hyperkeratosis with typically mild acanthosis and papillomatosis is observed in histology. Whitish maceration upon perspiration or water exposure, with exacerbation in summer but remission in winter, is common. The association with obesity, endocrine disorders, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis or malignancy is unknown. Familial occurrence and hereditary patterns are ill‐defined. There is preliminary evidence indicating a pathogenic role of missense mutation in the transcription factor 4 gene. Treatment is empirical, with good outcome with topical retinoids and keratolytic agents. Recurrence is common, and long‐term prognosis is unclear. To be distinguished are acral acanthosis nigricans, palmoplantar keratoderma of the Nagashima type, palmoplantar keratoderma of the Bothnian type and aquagenic palmoplantar keratoderma. Most reported cases are from Southern China and are predominantly observed in men between the ages of 20 and 40 years. The currently used term 'symmetrical acral keratoderma' is non‐specific and misleading and may lead to global unawareness, underreporting or misdiagnosis of this phenomenon. Further genetic and molecular studies are required to clarify its pathogenesis and relation to palmoplantar keratoderma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The East China Sea Shelf Basin (ECSSB) is a typical Meso-Cenozoic superimposed basin characterized by different tectonic frameworks, suffering multi-stage tectonism (e.g. the Indosinian, the Yanshanian and the Himalayan) since the Mesozoic. The Mesozoic ECSSB is a key place to our understanding of the tectonic evolution and dynamic mechanism in eastern South China and the subduction of the Izanagi Plate. Based on geological and geophysical results acquired over the last 10 years, this paper provides a summary of the distribution of Mesozoic strata, ascertains boundaries of the Mesozoic basin and proposes the division of the Mesozoic tectonic units in the ECSSB. The Mesozoic ECSSB was subdivided into the Western Fault Depression (WFD) characterized by dispersed Cretaceous half-grabens and the East Depression (ED) characterized by depressions at the early stage and grabens at the later stage. The WFD is composed of half-grabens formed under transtension, and the ED is composed of depression zones on the pre-Mesozoic basement under regional compression, indicating different dynamic mechanisms from the Cenozoic basins. Formation of the Mesozoic tectonic framework was controlled by the collision, compression and subduction of the Izanagi Plate and the Pacific Plate and also affected by the Indian Plate at a later stage. By comparison, this paper preliminarily proposes that the northern South China Sea and the ED of the ECSSB were originally a unified basin and jointly constituted a huge Mesozoic proto-basin in the East Asian continental margin. The Mesozoic tectonic unit division is helpful not only to discuss and resolve problems of ocean-continent differences and boundaries in southeastern South China but also to understand the tectonic nature of the East Asian continental margin, the dynamic mechanism of the Mesozoic basins and the transition of continental margin types. It also provides scientific support for petroleum exploration of the Mesozoic strata in the East China Sea. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The relationship between cognitive function and dietary intake in older adults was understudied in China. This study examined this relationship in a Chinese sample while controlling for the effects of sleep quality and socio demographic confounders.Methods: The sample consisted of 340 Chinese older adults (age > 60) who were randomly selected from Wuhan city in central China. Cognitive function was assessed by the Mini-mental State Examination [MMSE], sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], and dietary intake by frequencies of intake of meat products, fruits, fish/seafood/aquatic products, nuts and mushroom/algae over the past year. First, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to evaluate the measurement properties of cognitive function, dietary intake, and sleep quality. Second, structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to examine the relations of cognitive function, dietary intake, and sleep quality.Results: Dietary intake was found to be positively related to cognitive function. Older age, lower education status, monthly income, and living alone or without a spouse were significantly associated with poorer cognitive function. SES status had an indirect effect on cognitive function via dietary intake.Conclusion: Dietary intake may be critical to maintain normal cognitive function of older adults in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) isolates resistant to the second-line antituberculosis drugs (SLDs) and its association with resistant-related gene mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) isolates from Southwest of China. There were 81 isolates resistant to at least one of the SLDs among 156 MDR-TB isolates (81/156, 51.9%). The rates of general resistance to each of the drugs were as follows: OFX (66/156, 42.3%), KAN (26/156, 16.7%), CAP (13/156, 8.3%), PTO (11/156, 7.1%), PAS (22/156, 14.1%), and AMK (20/156, 12.8%). Therefore, the most predominant pattern was resistant to OFX compared with other SLDs (P<0.001). The results of sequencing showed that 80.2% OFX-resistant MDR-TB isolates contained gyrA mutation and 88.5% KAN-resistant isolates had rrs mutations with the most frequent mutation being A1401G. These results suggest that improper use of SLDs especially OFX is a real threat to effective MDR-TB treatment not only in China but also in the whole world. Furthermore the tuberculosis control agencies should carry out SLDs susceptibility testing and rapid screening in a broader population of TB patients immediately and the SLDs should be strictly regulated by the administration in order to maintain their efficacy to treat MDR-TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study conducted to determine the biological variation (BV) during daytime in Chinese population based on factors of hematology. It examined the hematological variations obtained through the Coulter LH780 and Cochran test in the parameters including lymphocytes, white blood corpuscles (WBC), and monocytes.

This study investigated the development of moral judgments of blue lies, which occur when a speaker makes false statements to benefit a group of which he or she is a member. We investigated this issue in China, where there is substantial emphasis on the nature of children's associations with groups they belong to. Participants ranged in age from 9 to 17, and we asked them to evaluate lies that were told to benefit a team representing a speaker's class, school, or country. Judgments varied systematically as a function of age, with the 17-year-olds rating lying for any form of collective less negatively than did the younger age groups. In addition, across the age groups, children's affinity tended to shift from smaller groups to broader and more abstract collectives: 9- and 11-year olds were least critical of blue lies told to benefit a speaker's class, 13-year olds were least critical of blue lies told to benefit a speaker's school, and 17-year olds were least critical of blue lies told to benefit a speaker's country. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portulaca oleracea, an r-strategist, is one of the world's most troublesome weeds. During hot seasons, P. oleracea frequently becomes monodominant in choy sum (Brassica parachinensis) fields in Guangzhou city, southern China. Here, we studied the seasonal dynamics of P. oleracea's germinable soil seedbank, population density and above-ground biomass in choy sum fields that had been cultivated continuously for several years. Using P. oleracea seeds collected from these fields, we tested seed dormancy, survival and germination, seedling growth and generation time. Portulaca oleracea occurred at high levels during the hot season, but its occurrence was low, and the germinable soil seedbank was much greater during the cold season. The weed's opportunistic characteristics allowed it to avoid freezing and to proliferate during optimal conditions. Portulaca oleracea's generation time was very flexible, as short as 31 days during the hot season, but longer than 100 days during the colder season. Seed dormancy tended to be shorter when the seeds were stored at a higher temperature. At a temperature of 35°C, both seed germination and seedling growth showed advantages over those of choy sum. Storage for one year at a temperature of -20°C or burial in a paddy field did not significantly reduce P. oleracea seed germination. Nevertheless, seed storage at a temperature of 15°C and soil coverage of 0.5 cm on top of the seeds significantly constrained seed germination. 'Stale seedbed' and/or coverage of the surface with soil are recommended during the hot season. However, rotation of rice and upland crops is not an efficient method for managing Portulaca oleracea infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease with complex genetic traits. Multiple sequence variations have been associated with AS, but explained only a proportion of heritability. The studies herein aimed to explore potential associations between genomic copy number (CN) variation (CNV) and AS in Han Chinese. Five AS patients were examined with the high-density comparative genomic hybridization microarrays in the first screen test for AS-associated CNVs. A total of 533 AS patients and 792 unrelated controls were examined in confirmation studies with the AccuCopy assays. A significant association was observed between the CNV of HLA-DQA1 and that of AS. Compared with controls, AS patients showed an aberrant CN, and a significantly increased number of patients had more than two copies of HLA-DQA1. Therefore, the CNV of HLA-DQA1 may have an important role in susceptibility to AS in the Han Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates regional hospital efficiency in China. As hospital operations naturally iticrease along with an undesirable output of patient mortality, which may induce medical disputes and ligations, this study adopts data envelopment analysis to evaluate and compare the efficiency scores obtained with and without considering the undesirable output. On the basis of province-level panel data over 2002-2008 and considering the risk-adjusted undesirable output, empirical estimates indicate that hospital efficiency is moderate, but increases gradually from 0.6881 to 0.8159. Importantly, without considering the undesirable output, the average efficiency score is overestimated and the efficiency ranking across provinces changes considerably. An efficiency gap is found between coastal and non-coastal regions, but this gap's drop is mainly contributed by the fast efficiency improvement of the western regions. However, the central regions continue to achieve a significantly lower efficiency score than the eastern and western regions. Moreover, the initiation of the New Rural Cooperative Medical System has overall enhanced hospital efficiency in China, especially for the non-coastal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary What is known and Objective: Alcohol is a widely used drug. Our objective was to examine alcohol pharmacokinetics in Chinese subjects through the breath measurement of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to identify any measurable covariates that may help explain variability between subjects. Methods: Breath-alcohol measurements of 184 healthy Chinese subjects were collected. Compartmental models including one- and two-compartment process were examined. First-order kinetics was applied to model alcohol absorption and elimination phases. For the sake of simplicity, only the subject's body weight, sex and stomach condition were investigated as covariates in our random effects modelling. Results and Discussion: The body as a whole behaves as a single compartment, with the suggested one-compartment model being good enough to characterize the biological process. In line with other studies, food ingestion before/with the dose slowed down alcohol absorption into the central compartment. Female subjects exhibited a significantly higher BAC elimination rate than that of males. Body weight also contributed to the observed inter-subject variability in alcohol clearance. What is new and Conclusion: We present a model for estimating blood-alcohol levels from breath-alcohol measurements. The results of our study are useful particularly in relation to drink-driving prosecutions because of the routine use of breath-alcohol measurements as evidence in such cases through the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Drospirenone is a novel progestogen that, combined with 17ββ-estradiol, reduces the frequency and severity of menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS) in different populations. This double-blind, multicenter study compared the efficacy, safety and tolerability of 2 mg drospirenone/1 mg estradiol (DRSP/E2) vs. placebo in Chinese postmenopausal women with moderate to severe VMS. Methods Women, aged 45--65 years, were randomized to DRSP/E2 ( n  ==  183) or placebo ( n  ==  61) once daily for four 28-day cycles. Changes in the frequency and severity of hot flushes were analyzed as primary variables, together with other climacteric and urogenital symptoms, clinical global improvement, adverse events and physical/gynecological parameters. Results Relative changes in numbers of hot flushes/week were −−80.4%% for DRSP/E2 vs. −−51.9%% for placebo (treatment difference −−28.5%%, p  <  0.0001). There were trends toward a greater reduction in severity of hot flushes with DRSP/E2 treatment. Patients treated with DRSP/E2 were more often free from sweating episodes ( p  <  0.0001) and vaginal dryness ( p  ==  0.0008). Other climacteric symptoms, including nervousness and pollakisuria, followed a trend of greater response with DRSP/E2. Similar to other combination HRT regimens, DRSP/E2 increased occurrences of bleeding, but these decreased over time. Adverse events in patients treated with DRSP/E2 were mostly mild to moderate and withdrawal rates were low. Conclusions Daily treatment of postmenopausal Chinese women with DRSP/E2 for 16 weeks significantly reduced the incidence of hot flushes and demonstrated advantages vs. placebo for other climacteric symptoms. These results indicate that DRSP/E2 is effective, safe and well tolerated in postmenopausal Chinese women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different substrate types, such as seagrass, sand, stone and silt, can be identified by detecting substrate reflectivity. In this study, high-resolution remote sensing data of Quickbird were used to map seagrass distribution in the northeast coast of the Xincun Bay. Radiance transfer model in optical shallow water was used to retrieve bottom reflectivity; relationship between hyperspectral band and leaf area index (LAI) was used for processing satellite remote sensing data to retrieve distribution and density of submerged seagrass. Hyperspectral results showed that spectral bands at 550, 650 and 675 nm were sensitive to LAI. Based on the relationship between LAI and hyperspectral bands, Bands 2 and 3 of Quickbird could be used for retrieving seagrass distribution. Satellite results showed that seagrass was mainly distributed in clusters in the northeast coast of the Xincun Bay, tens of metres away from the bank. Density gradient was very clear, with coverage between 40 and 60% occupied by a great part of seagrass bed and with coverage greater than 80% distributed in stripe pattern in the main seagrass bed. The accuracy of seagrass retrieval was more than 80%, and the density of seagrass could also be distinguished evidently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated young Chinese children’s development of orthographic processing and the factors that contribute to development. The investigation was carried out in both China and Canada to examine the effect of language learning contexts on the development of orthographic processing. Participants were ninety-four kindergarten and Grade 1 children in the Mainland of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and ninety-one kindergarten and Grade 1 Canadian–Chinese children in Canada. Children received a battery of measures twice roughly 1 year apart, including Chinese and English orthographic discrimination, radical position awareness, phonological awareness (syllable and phonemic awareness), character reading, and rapid digit naming. Children's home print exposure was measured by a questionnaire at the onset of the study. In both countries, children were able to differentiate between Chinese and English orthographic units at the beginning of kindergarten. Children in China, however, developed more advanced radical position awareness than their counterparts in Canada. Moreover, different factors contributed to individual differences in Chinese orthographic processing in different learning environments. In China, the phonological awareness and character reading measures significantly predicted radical position awareness, whereas in Canada, home print exposure was the most consistent predictor across different testing times. The differences observed between the two groups of children underscore the impact of language learning environment on the development of orthographic processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development is a priority area of research in many countries and regions nowadays. This paper illustrates how a multi-stakeholders engagement process can be applied to identify and prioritize the local community's concerns and issues regarding sustainable development in Hong Kong. Ten priority areas covering a wide range of community's concerns in relation to the economic growth, societal development and environmental protection have been identified. An index is then constructed based on these priority areas to track the public's views on the progress of Hong Kong towards a more sustainable city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to investigate the characteristics and risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). One hundred and fortysix female SLE patients without a history of diabetes underwent a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test to evaluate glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell function. According to the 1999 World Health Organization criteria, all patients were divided into three groups: normal glucose regulation, impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. Glucocorticoid doses, insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta cell function were compared among these groups. Risk factors for hyperglycemia were analyzed by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. Our results showed that 46 of the 146 female SLE patients (31.5 %) were hyperglycemic, including 21 (14.4%) diabetes mellitus patients and 25 (17.1%) impaired glucose tolerance patients. These female SLE patients with hyperglycemia were characterized by insulin resistance and reduced pancreatic beta cell function, and they were relatively young. Age ≥35 years and high glucocorticoid doses were risk factors for hyperglycemia in Chinese female SLE patients. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance are quite high in Chinese female SLE patients. It is suggested that plasma glucose concentration should be monitored regularly and oral glucose tolerance test should be recommended for SLE patients who have risk factors for hyperglycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the spatial distributions of soil lead (Pb) concentration in three horizontal soils in Guangdong, China, were surveyed and analyzed using geostatistics and geography information systems (GIS). Findings indicated that the Pb geometric mean concentration of 23.3 mg/kg in surface soils was found to be higher than those in global soils, which ranged from 2.3–235 mg/kg. In addition, the Pb geometric mean concentrations from A- to C-horizon were found to be 23.3, 27.2, and 28.6 mg/kg, respectively. The classification of a soil Pb environmental risk in an area was likewise presented based on the different levels of environmental quality of Pb and was done by GIS technology. Accordingly, there is a higher local concentration of Pb in the surrounding areas of Guangzhou where there is higher population density and in the north of Guangdong, which is a historic mining area. The results obtained by the environmental risk assessment reveal that about 46% of total surveyed area was above the background value, that is, 2.7% of the total area was at risk of pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analytical methods of chloramphenicol in the aquaculture environment have been developed using high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The contents of chloramphenicol were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography for sediment and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for fish and water collected from a freshwater aquaculture pond in China. Chloramphenicol in the water and sediment were 112.3 ng/L and 0.1957 mg/kg, respectively. The chloramphenicol residues in 3 kinds of fish, including carp, chub and grass carp were different. Only the muscle and head of grass carp were under the minimum required performance limit (0.3 μg/kg) and were safe to eat. The chloramphenicol in other tissues of grass carp, carp and chub exceeded the minimum required performance limit. The highest content of chloramphenicol was in the branchia of carp and the lowest was in the head of grass carp. The results showed the chloramphenicol in the aquaculture environment was serious, although the government of China had banned the use of chloramphenicol in aquaculture a few years ago. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The study aimed to examine the effects of village income and household income on child nutrition status through basic sanitation and hygiene behaviours. Methods: A survey was conducted in a rural cross-border area of Yunnan, China. Data on village income in 2002-2006 and household income in 2002-2007 were obtained from an official report and a household survey respectively. Anthropometric measurement of the children aged 6 months to 5 years (n = 1801) was used to determine their nutrition status. Child caretakers were interviewed about household sanitation facilities and their hygiene behaviours using a structured questionnaire. Results: Households with incomes below the national poverty line decreased from 22% in 2002 to less than 8% in 2007. The coverage of safe drinking water and water-sealed latrines gradually increased, but was still inadequate. The prevalence of stunting and underweight in children was 37% and 17.5% respectively. Village income had a greater positive effect than household income on exclusive breastfeeding, drinking boiled water, handwashing with soap, as well as reducing the prevalence of stunting. Village income at one lag year had the greatest effect on the availability of basic sanitation compared with other lag years, while household income had a small but significant effect through all lag years. Conclusions: Rapid economic growth is not always followed by improved child nutrition status. Village income has a greater effect than household income on sanitation facilities, hygiene behaviours of caretakers and child nutrition status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine if the cultivation process has reduced the genetic variation of modern cultivars of the traditional Chinese medicinal plant, Coptis chinensis, the levels and distribution of genetic variation was investigated using ISSR markers. A total of 214 C. chinensis individuals from seven wild and three cultivated populations were included in the study. Seven ISSR primers were used and a total of 91 DNA fragments were scored. The levels of genetic diversity in cultivated populations were similar as those in wild populations (mean PPL = 65.2% versus PPL = 52.4%, mean H = 0.159 versus H = 0.153 and mean I = 0.255 versus I = 0.237), suggesting that cultivation did not seriously influence genetic variation of present-day cultivated populations. Neighbour-joining cluster analysis showed that wild populations and cultivated populations were not separated into two groups. The coefficient of genetic differentiation between a cultivar and its wild progenitor was 0.066 (Gst), which was in good accordance with the result byamova analysis (10.9% of total genetic variation resided on the two groups), indicating that cultivated populations were not genetically differentiated from wild progenitors. For the seven wild populations, a significant genetic differentiation among populations was found usingamova analysis (45.9% of total genetic variation resided among populations). A number of causes, including genetic drift and inbreeding in the small and isolated wild populations, the relative limited gene flow between wild populations (Nm = 0.590), and high gene flow between cultivars and their wild progenitors (Nm = 7.116), might have led to the observed genetic profiles of C. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on metastatic choroidal abscess and choroidal neovascularization of a patient with Staphylococcus aureus renal abscess. Metastatic choroidal abscess is a rare subset of metastatic endophthalmitis. Septic imboli usually arises from focal pyogenic infection, spread through the blood-ocular barrier, and proliferate within the eye which describes a person with Staphylococcus aureus kidney abcess.

SUMMARY. The level of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and transforming growth factor βII receptor (TGFβRII) was determined immunohistochemically in normal tissues and tissues with different severities of lesions (basal cell hyperplasia, BCH; dysplasia, DYS; carcinoma in situ , CIS; and squamous cell carcinoma, SCC) from surgically resected human esophagi and esophageal biopsies of symptom-free subjects. The samples were from an area with high esophageal cancer incidence in northern China (Linzhou, formerly Linxian, and nearby county Huixian in Henan Province). Peroxidase immunostain (ABC) and conventional hematoxylin and eosin stain were used. The tissue sections were incubated with antibodies of TGFβ1 and TGFβRII overnight. The immunoreactivity was observed in cytoplasm of the esophageal specimen. From normal to BCH to DYS to CIS and to SCC, the positive immunostaining rates for TGFβ1 increased significantly (P < 0.05). A linear correlation between the positive immunostaining rates of TGFβ1 and the different lesions was observed (P < 0.05). From well- to moderately- and poorly differentiated SCC, the positive immunostaining rates for TGFβ1 decreased gradually, but the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). In contrast, with the lesions progressing from normal to BCH to DYS to CIS and to SCC, the positive immunostaining rates for TGFβRII decreased significantly (P < 0.05). From well- to moderately- and poorly differentiated SCC, the positive immunostaining rates for TGFβRII decreased significantly (P < 0.05). There was a linear correlation between the positive rates of TGFβRII and different lesions and SCC differentiation (P < 0.05). The present results indicated that the alterations of TGFβ1 and TGFβRII is a frequent event in esophageal multistage carcinogenesis, the absent or lower expression of TGFβRII may lead to the loss of cell proliferation control by TGFβ1 and the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY. The objective of this study was to characterize the histologic changes from endoscopic screening for early esophageal cancer (EC) on subjects at high-incidence area (HIA) and low-incidence area (LIA) in Henan, China, and to further compare the changes in p53 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the multistage of human esophageal carcinogenesis from these two populations. The detection rate of basal cell hyperplasia (BCH) and dysplasia (DYS) was higher in the subjects from HIA than in those from LIA. Out of the 1568 symptom-free subjects examined at HIA, 10 (0.6%) cases with early squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were identified. Immunoreactivity of p53 and PCNA was observed in cell nuclei of esophageal biopsies and surgically resected esophageal cancer specimens both in HIA and LIA. With the lesions progressed from normal epithelium to BCH to DYS to SCC, the positive-immunostaining cells expanded from basal layer to superficial layer, and the number of positive cells/mm2 for p53 and PCNA increased, and was significantly higher in HIA than in LIA among the similar morphological lesions (P < 0.01). The number of p53 positive cells/mm2 in SCC from HIA was almost fivefold higher than SCC from LIA (P < 0.01). The remarkable difference was also observed between HIA and LIA in DYS and BCH. The present results indicate that p53 protein accumulation is an important early biomarker for identifying high-risk subjects for EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies non-point pollution from the rural areas in China. Counter-measures for the control of non-point pollution; Bio-gas fermentation; Bio-fertilizer production; Filtration effects of healthy land.

Introduction: Medication self-management support has been recognised as an essential element in primary health care to promote medication adherence and health outcomes for older people with chronic conditions. A patient-centred intervention empowering patients and supporting medication self-management activities could benefit older people. This pilot study tested a newly developed medication self-management intervention for improving medication adherence among older people with multimorbidity. Method: This was a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Older people with multimorbidity were recruited from a community healthcare centre in Changsha, China. Participants were randomly allocated to either a control group receiving usual care (n=14), or to an intervention group receiving three face-to-face medication selfmanagement sessions and two follow-up phone calls over six weeks, targeting behavioural determinants of adherence from the Information-Motivation-Behavioural skills model (n=14). Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention rates, outcome measures collection, and intervention implementation. Follow-up data were measured at six weeks after baseline using patient-reported outcomes including medication adherence, medication self-management capabilities, treatment experiences, and quality of life. Preliminary effectiveness of the intervention was explored using generalised estimating equations. Results: Of the 72 approached participants, 28 (38.89%) were eligible for study participation. In the intervention group, 13 participants (92.86%) completed follow-up and 10 (71.42%) completed all intervention sessions. Ten participants (71.42%) in the control group completed follow-up. The intervention was found to be acceptable by participants and the intervention nurse. Comparing with the control group, participants in the intervention group showed significant improvements in medication adherence (β =0.26, 95% CI 0.12, 0.40, P<0.001), medication knowledge (β =4.43, 95% CI 1.11, 7.75, P=0.009), and perceived necessity of medications (β =−2.84, 95% CI -5.67, −0.01, P=0.049) at follow-up. Conclusions: The nurse-led medication self-management intervention is feasible and acceptable among older people with multimorbidity. Preliminary results showed that the intervention may improve patients’ medication knowledge and beliefs and thus lead to improved adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virus isolates were obtained from three Malvastrum coromandelianum plants showing vein thickening symptoms in Fujian Province, China. A fragment of approximately 500 bp was amplified from all the samples by PCR using the special degenerate primer pair PA/PB for begomoviruses. Sequence differences among the partial DNA-A fragments revealed that all three samples contained two virus isolates. Isolate I and isolate II share the highest nucleotide sequence identity (98–99%), respectively, with Malvastrum leaf curl Guangdong virus (MLCuGdV) and Ageratum yellow vein virus (AYVV). The complete nucleotide sequences of Fs1 and Fs2 isolates representing each virus were determined to be 2741 and 2756 nucleotides, respectively. Alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that the complete DNA-A sequences of Fs1 and Fs2 were most closely to those of MLCuGdV (AM503104) and AYVV (AB100305), with 90.4% and 93.3% nucleotide sequence identity, respectively. Fs1 and Fs2 are considered therefore to be isolates of MLCuGdV and AYVV, respectively. This is the first report of AYVV in M. coromandelianum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In May of 2008, the wide occurrence of Emilia sonchifolia plants with yellow vein symptoms was observed in the Chinese province of Fujian. Symptomatic plants were infected with Emilia yellow vein virus (EmYVV) (Yang et al., 2008). Subsequently, the presence of thickhead plants (Crassocephalum crepidioides) showing foliar yellow vein symptoms was noticed in proximity to symptomatic E. sonchifolia. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic C. crepidioides leaves and tested by rolling circle amplification (Haible et al., 2006). Amplification products were digested by the restriction enzyme EcoRI for 30 min. Restriction products (2.7 kb) were then cloned and sequenced. Comparison of DNA sequences by Clustal V analysis revealed the occurrence of EmYVV and an isolate denoted Fz12 was selected for further sequence analysis. The genome of EmYVV isolate Fz12 was 2,726 nt in size and had the typical genomic organization of begomoviral DNA-A (Gen-Bank accession No. JQ247188). A BLAST analysis of the NCBI database disclosed that isolate Fz12 had the highest nucleotide sequence identity (99.67%) with that of an EmYVV isolate from E. sonchifolia (GenBank accession No. EU377539). To our knowledge, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of EmYVV in C. crepidioides, a common weed species in the People's Republic of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the presence of Tomato yellow leaf curl China virus (TYLCCNV) in the virus isolate obtained from kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in China which showed leaf curl symptoms. Both the PA and PB degenerate primers were used in identifying possible begamoviruses by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The Deoxyribonucleic nucleic acid (DNA) extracted from a leaf sample was cloned and sequenced as part of the analysis procedure. The TYLCCNV presence in a kidney bean is the first case of infection involving a legume.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of exogenous zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT) on anti-oxidative function in pork meat. After feeding a corn- and soybean meal-based diet for two weeks, 48 pigs (Duroc×Landrace×Chinese Black Pig) were assigned randomly into one of four treatment groups (12 pigs/group). Pigs in group 1 were maintained under non-stress conditions, whereas pigs in groups 2, 3 and 4 were aggressively handled for 25 min to produce stress. Then, pigs in groups 1 (control group) and 2 (negative control group) received intramuscular administration of saline, while pigs in groups 3 (low dose group) and 4 (high dose group) received 0.8 and 1.6 mg rabbit liver Zn-MT per kg body weight, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered at 3 and 6 h post-injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (P<0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PX) while decreasing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver. These responses were greater (P < 0.05) at 6 h than at 3 h post Zn-MT injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (P < 0.05) hepatic SOD mRNA levels in a time- and dosedependent manner, and decreased (P < 0.05) blood activities of glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase (indicators of tissue integrity). Zn-MT administration decreased (P < 0.05) lactic acid concentrations, thereby increasing (P < 0.05) the pH and water-holding capacity of the meat. Collectively, our results indicate that intramuscular administration of Zn-MT to preslaughter-stressed pigs improves tissue anti-oxidative ability and pork quality. Supported by funds from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and China NSF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Fusarium proliferatum which caused the plant disease known as codonopsis lanceolata root rot in China including and observing the symptoms of root rot, potato dextrose agar and morphological characteristic.