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Objective: To evaluate the utility of trio-based prenatal exome sequencing (pES), incorporating splice-site and mitochondrial genome assessment, in the prenatal diagnosis of fetuses with ultrasound anomalies and normal copy-number variant sequencing (CNV-seq) results.Methods: This was a prospective study of 90 ongoing pregnancies with ultrasound anomalies that underwent trio-based pES after receiving normal CNV-seq results, from September 2020 to November 2021, in a single center in China. By using pES with a panel encompassing exome coding and splicing regions as well as mitochondrial genome for fetuses and parents, we identified the underlying genetic causes of fetal anomalies, incidental fetal findings and parental carrier status. Information on pregnancy outcome and the impact of pES findings on parental decision-making was collected.Results: Of the 90 pregnancies included, 28 (31.1%) received a diagnostic result that could explain the fetal ultrasound anomalies. The highest diagnostic yield was noted for brain abnormalities (3/6 (50.0%)), followed by hydrops (4/9 (44.4%)) and skeletal abnormalities (13/34 (38.2%)). Collectively, 34 variants of 20 genes were detected in the 28 diagnosed cases, with 55.9% (19/34) occurring de novo. Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) associated with fetal phenotypes were detected in six (6.7%) fetuses. Interestingly, fetal (n = 4) and parental (n = 3) incidental findings (IFs) were detected in seven (7.8%) cases. These included two fetuses carrying a de-novo likely pathogenic (LP) variant of the CIC and FBXO11 genes, respectively, associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, and one fetus with a LP variant in a mitochondrial gene. The remaining fetus presented with unilateral renal dysplasia and was incidentally found to carry a pathogenic PKD1 gene variant resulting in adult-onset polycystic kidney, which was later confirmed to be inherited from the mother. In addition, parental heterozygous variants associated with autosomal recessive diseases were detected in three families, including one with additional fetal diagnostic findings. Diagnostic results or fetal IFs contributed to parental decision-making about termination of the pregnancy in 26 families (26/72 (36.1%)), while negative pES results or identification of VUS encouraged 40 families (40/72 (55.6%)) to continue their pregnancy, which ended in a live birth in all cases.Conclusion: Trio-based pES can provide additional genetic information for pregnancies with fetal ultrasound anomalies without a CNV-seq diagnosis. The incidental findings and parental carrier status reported by trio-based pES with splice-site and mitochondrial genome analysis extend its clinical application, but careful genetic counseling is warranted. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To develop and test the first causal model of thriving at work in Chinese nurses. Background: Nurses' ability to thrive at their work is critical to retain qualified nurses and meet the needs of a constantly changing health environment. However, this is a poorly researched area. Introduction: Thriving at work refers to the feeling of vitality and learning at work, which are evidenced to be solidly associated with nurses' development. Only a few factors have been explored regarding the effects of thriving at work. Methods: A cross‐sectional study was undertaken using stratified random sampling. This involved 565 nurses from five general hospitals in Dali city, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China. Data were collected from April to September 2019 using seven instruments. The model was constructed and tested using the Analysis of Moment Structure program and reported using the STROBE checklist. Results: All model variables provided direct and indirect effects to the outcome. The final model fitted the empirical data with acceptable indices. Discussion: Predicting variables of workplace mindfulness, authentic leadership, workplace violence, organizational justice and years of experience were found to affect thriving at work directly and indirectly. Psychological capital and perceived organizational support mediated the effects between predicting variables to the outcome. Conclusion and Implications for nursing and health policy: Recommendations for nursing and health leaders are provided to improve nurses' thriving at work by building fair, supportive, and safe working environments, improving head nurses' authentic leadership and cultivating nurses' mindfulness. Policies need to be promulgated to improve and regulate the nurse–patient ratio and to eliminate violence against Chinese nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study evaluated the bioequivalence of China-manufactured biosimilar, HLX02, to reference China (CN)- and European Union (EU)-sourced trastuzumab.Methods: This was a two-part Phase 1 study conducted in healthy Chinese males. Part 1 evaluated the safety of different doses of HLX02 (2, 4, 6 or 8 mg/kg; intravenous infusion over 90 min, n = 3 per group). Part 2, a randomized, double-blind study, investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and immunogenicity of study drugs (HLX02 [n = 37], CN-trastuzumab [n = 35] or EU-trastuzumab [n = 37] at the dose suggested by Part 1 results). The primary PK endpoint was the area under the serum concentration-time curve from time 0 to infinity (AUCinf). Equivalence was concluded if the 90% confidence interval (CI) for the geometric least squares mean ratio (GLSMR) fell in the equivalence criteria of 0.80-1.25.Results: In Part 1, all doses of HLX02 were well tolerated and 6 mg/kg was suggested for Part 2. The GLSMRs and 90% CIs for AUCinf were: 0.950 (0.891-1.013), 0.914 (0.858-0.973) and 0.962 (0.902-1.025) for HLX02 versus CN-trastuzumab, HLX02 versus EU-trastuzumab and CN-trastuzumab versus EU-trastuzumab, respectively. Secondary endpoints comparisons also fell in the equivalence criteria. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 75.7, 86.5 and 70.3% of the subjects in HLX02, CN-trastuzumab, and EU-trastuzumab groups, respectively. No serious adverse events or deaths occurred. No treatment-related anti-drug antibodies were detected.Conclusion: This study demonstrated comparable safety profiles and PK bioequivalence among HLX02, CN-trastuzumab and EU-trastuzumab in healthy Chinese male subjects.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02581748, registered at October 19, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reactivity occurs when research participants alter their behaviours due to the awareness of being monitored, which is a concern with using wearable devices to measure physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine reactivity to accelerometer measurement among youth with moderate and severe intellectual disabilities (ID). Methods: A sample of 175 youth with ID (108 with moderate and 67 with severe ID) was recruited from residential centres in China. Demographic data were measured using a parent‐reported questionnaire, and light physical activity (LPA) and moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were measured using the ActiGraph GT3X accelerometers. Data were analysed using an analysis of covariances where Day 1 LPA/MVPA, Day 2–6 LPA/MVPA, and Day 7 LPA/MVPA were repeated measures. Results: Youth with moderate ID had significantly higher LPA (8.01%) and MVPA (10.30%) on Day 1 than Day 2–6. Similarly, youth with severe ID had significantly higher LPA (21.69%) and MVPA (19.48%) on Day 1 than Day 2–6. An inverse reactivity was also found on Day 7 among youth with severe ID for LPA (−10.65%) and MVPA (−14.82%). Conclusions: Reactivity to accelerometer measurement was found for youth with moderate and severe ID. Findings support the utilisation of a 1‐day familiarisation period, as well as discounting the final day of measurement, when examining physical activity behaviours among youth with moderate and severe ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to physical restraint in tertiary hospitals and identify the factors that influence physical restraint use. Background: Physical restraint is used to maintain patient safety. Nurses play an important role in the restraint process. It is important to identify their understanding, feelings and approach regarding the use of physical restraint. Introduction: Physical restraint is widely practiced in hospitals in China. However, it results in a range of serious negative consequences. This article provides a clear description of nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices related to physical restraint. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted. The participants were asked to complete a questionnaire examining their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to physical restraint use. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed in four tertiary hospitals in Hubei Province, China between August and October 2014. Results: The nurses' responses indicated a good level of knowledge regarding physical restraint use. However, they held some misconceptions. The nurses' attitudes towards physical restraint tended to be neutral. The nurses were well experienced in the use of physical restraint. Nurses who had received on‐the‐job training performed better than those who had received no training related to knowledge and practices regarding physical restraint use. Conclusions and implication for nursing/health policy: In‐service training is highly recommended for nursing managers to improve nurses' physical restraint related knowledge and practices. Regulations regarding the use of restraints should be established as soon as possible by healthcare administration system. Implications for nursing: Nurses should be open to evaluate and improve their views and attitudes regarding effective physical restraint use via multidimensional interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sustainable agricultural management practices improve soil processes, prevent soil erosion and consequently enhance crop productivity. The integrated agricultural practice (IP) developed in northeast China, by altering row spacing of planting, adopting no‐tillage and returning all crop residues, showed great benefit in sustaining crop yield. However, its effect on the soil microbiome remains largely elusive. This study evaluated the effect of 12‐year integrated agricultural practice on the structure and activity of the soil microbial community at different soil depths in China's Mollisols zone. The experiment consisted of integrated agricultural practice and conventional practice (CP) treatments in a split‐plot arrangement. The soil microbial community was characterized by MiSeq sequencing. The results showed that agricultural practices affected 12 phyla, 24 classes, 32 orders and 75 families in the bacterial community and one phyla, four classes, 12 orders and 18 families in the fungal community. Integrated agricultural practice resulted in greater bacterial richness and diversity, and increased the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Verrucomicrobia and Ascomycota, but reduced Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Basidiomycota in the dominant bacterial and fungal phyla. These findings suggested that integrated agricultural practice modified the soil physiochemical properties and consequently altered microbial community structure and diversity, which in turn affected soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities. These changes under integrated agricultural practice could have contributed to the enhanced crop yield, suggesting that IP is a sustainable agricultural practice. Highlights: How does soil microbial community change in the IP and CP soils? IP affected the soil microbial community and activity. Bacterial and fungal community structure correlated significantly with soil physiochemical properties. IP is a promising sustainable agricultural practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and objective Little is known regarding changes in blood coagulation parameters associated with tetracycline antibiotics. We report a possible case of elevated PT, APPT and PT/ INR associated with doxycycline and cefoperazone co-administration. Case summary An 83-year-old Chinese male inpatient with severe pneumonia, chronic renal insufficiency and malnutrition experienced elevated PT, APPT and PT/ INR which occurred within a few days of doxycycline added to his cefoperazone treatment and returned to normal after removal of it. What is new and conclusion Very close monitoring of coagulation parameters might be advisable in those subjects when administering doxycycline and cefoperazone concomitantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT) method to extract the infrasound generated by the 2013 Lushan earthquake and its following aftershocks in China from a nearly continuous infrasound recode made 130 km from the earthquake epicenter. An improved STA/LTA algorithm was adopted for detecting the ambient infrasonic events from the data record. A powerful processing technique for non-stationary signal, the HHT, was applied to extract the significant intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) of the infrasonic signal associated with the earthquakes. The features of the extracted IMFs, such as the dominant frequency, the maximum amplitude and the spectral entropy, were investigated using Hilbert spectral analysis. Regression analysis between the maximum amplitude in the infrasound spectra and the magnitudes of the earthquakes was carried out to verify the source of the infrasound events detected. The results demonstrated that the HHT method could successfully identify the infrasound related to the earthquakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a serious global health problem. We sought to investigate SMA behaviors and risk factors among Chinese university students, and further explore the association between SMA practices and adverse drug events (ADEs). Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: An online survey was conducted at Jiangsu University (JSU) in eastern China in July 2011 using a pretested questionnaire. Results: Out of 2608 website visitors, 1086 participated in the survey (response rate: 41.6%), 426 respondents were excluded for not being a JSU student or repeat participation, 660 (2.2% of JSU students) were included in analysis, and 316 students (47.9%) had a lifetime history of SMA. Among self-treated students, 43.5% believed that antibiotic was suitable for viral infections, 65.9% had more than one SMA episode in the previous year, 73.5% selfmedicated with at least two different antibiotics, 57.1% and 64.4% changed antibiotic dosage and antibiotics during the course, respectively. Female gender, older age, and prior knowledge of antibiotics (PKA) were identified as independent risk factors of SMA. There was no difference between students with and without PKA regarding SMA frequency, use of polyantibiotics, and switching antibiotic dosage or antibiotics. ADEs happened to 13.3% of self-medicated students. Frequent change of dosage and simultaneous use of the same antibiotic with different names were independent risk practices associated with an ADE. Conclusions: Our findings substantiate high SMA prevalence among Chinese university students. Older age and PKA are independent SMA risk factors common to Chinese university students and female gender is exclusive SMA risk factor for JSU students. Poor SMA practices are associated with ADEs. Strict regulations on antibiotic sales and public education reinforced by further health care reform are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies in China. B-cell translocation gene 3 (BTG3) has been identified as a tumor suppressor in several tumors, but its role in GC remains unknown. This study aimed to detect the expression of BTG3 and its prognostic value in GC tissues and determine its function in the progression of GC. Methodology: The expression of BTG3 was detected in GC cell lines and tissues by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot or immunohistochemistry. A series of in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to evaluate the effect of BTG3 on proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells. Results: B-cell translocation gene 3 was obviously down-regulated in GC tissues. Its expression was positively correlated with distant metastasis ( P < 0.05). Patients with lower BTG3 expression had shorter overall survival time ( P = 0.015). BTG3 suppressed the proliferation of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. It also inhibited migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro. Conclusion: Down-regulation of BTG3 is closely associated with proliferation, migration and invasion in GC. It may be a novel prognostic biomarker for GC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on demonstrating a simple and safe cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) model without blood priming in rats. It presents the conditions that should be contained in the model which include precise control of temperature and depth of anesthesia, good stability and repeatability, and similarity to clinical cardiac surgery. Other requirements include long-term survival and preparation for the further research into deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).

The article reports a study evaluating the clinical effect of zero-balance ultrafiltration (Z-BUF) through review of all relevant published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Clinical outcomes including hospital stay, mortality and chest tube drainage were considered. The random effects model was used to conduct combined analysis, which revealed that there was no significant statistical difference in any of the postoperative clinical parameters.

Compensatory growth and body composition of juvenile Chinese sturgeon were investigated in indoor facilities at 19.0-22.3°Cafter food temporary deprivation under five feeding regimes: one group continuously fed and the other four groups were starved for 2, 4, 8 and 12 days, respectively followed by 16 days of re-feeding. During the starvation period, protein and lipid content of fish decreased slightly, while moisture and ash content of the starved groups became slightly higher compared to those of the control groups, with no significant differences. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) and the viscerosomatic index (VSI) for each test group (except s2) were significantly lower than that of the control groups. After re-feeding for 16 days, lipid content of fish increased significantly, while no significant differences were found in body biochemical composition, HSI and VSI comparing to the control groups. Final body weights and specific growth rates of s2, s4 were significantly higher than that of the control groups, showing over-compensatory growth; final body weights and specific growth rates of s8 were similar to the control groups, showing completely-compensatory growth; while the final body weights of s12 were lower than that of the control groups, with similar specific growth rates compared to the controls, showing partially compensatory growth. Food conversion efficiencies in groups S2 and s4 were significantly higher than that of the control groups; feeding rates of fish in group S8 and S12 were significantly higher than in the controls. We concluded that over-compensatory growth of S2 and S4 was acquired through raising food conversion rate, completely-compensatory growth of s8 and partially compensatory growth of s12 were acquired through increasing the feeding rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research study concerning the 1/f-noise measurement and its significance in climate and weather observations in Yangtze River, China. Researchers cited the usefulness of such measurement in determining the variations and spectrum of humidity, precipitation, temperature, and wind speed. The river's high volatility and its intra-annual 1/f spectrum is also determined.

This study determined the tuf gene sequence of the phytoplasma specific to paulownia witches’-broom from Nanyang, China (hereby designated PaWB-Ny). The PaWB-Ny tuf gene was 1185 nucleotides in length and confirmed that the phytoplasma belongs to subgroup 16SrI-D of aster yellows. Three characteristic GTP-binding protein motifs were identified based on the peptide deduced from the tuf gene sequence. Results suggested that the elongation factor EF-Tu was localized in the cytoplasm and lacked hydrophobic transmembrane domains. Antibodies against PaWB-Ny EF-Tu were prepared by rabbit immunization with glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-tagged EF-Tu fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli. EF-Tu exhibited a molecular weight of ∼43 kDa and was detected in PaWB-infected paulownia plants by western blot analysis. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and dot blotting analyses were performed with freezing and thawing treatments during antigen preparation. Dilution of extracts to an appropriate scale significantly reduced non-specific reactions. The resultant PaWB EF-Tu antibody reacted with antigens from plants infected with periwinkle virescence and chinaberry tree witches’-broom phytoplasmas, but not those infected with jujube witches’-broom or bishopwood witches’-broom phytoplasma. The EF-Tu was characteristically localized within the phytoplasmal cytoplasm of infected plant phloem tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to study the genetic variation of Ptychidio jordani sampled from the three sites of Liuzhou, Guiping and Yunan in the Pearl River Basin with the help of local fishers. Allele numbers ranged from 2 to 19 and fragment sizes ranged from 108 to 288. Average polymorphism information content (PIC), average observed heterozygosity (Ho) and average expected heterozygosity (He) were 0.439917, 0.4147 and 0.4986, respectively, which indicate a comparatively high level of genetic diversity. The coefficient of genetic differentiation ( Gst) between the two sub-populations ranged from 0.0074 to 0.0156, which shows little differentiation between sub-populations.amova analysis also offered evidence of weak differentiation with 0.53% variation between sub-populations, 99.47% variation within sub-populations and the Fst = 0.00531. The morphological variation among geographic sub-populations might result from different habitats. The correlation between genotype and morphological characters was analyzed and a significant correlation found between the genotype of microsatellite locus Hlj038 and the ratio of body depth and body length. The results suggest a possible linkage between this locus and these morphological characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A range of Meiyu onset dates (MODs) have been presented but they are highly controversial. The problem is, however, crucial to local activities and meteorological service. The 1957–2001 MODs determined at several typical stations in the mid- and lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley (MLYRV) are employed to construct a regionally averaged index for quantifying the Meiyu onset time in the valley, and the ocean-atmospheric features in the extremely early and late Meiyu onset years are investigated, statistically. Results show that, typically, the Meiyu season starts in June at a regional mean level, and the MOD is of good relationship with the Meiyu duration that dominates the total precipitation during the Meiyu period, i.e., the earlier the Meiyu establishes, the longer it may persist, and thus the more the total rainfall might be. In June, at the lower troposphere the meridional temperature gradient is much larger over the MLYRV with the Meiyu front more northward in early than late onset years. Additionally, the early onset years are often accompanied in the upper troposphere by the extended South Asia High, western Pacific subtropical high more north-westward, East Asian summer monsoon and Walker circulation stronger in comparison to the late onset years. And viewed from sea surface temperature (SST) field for the early onset years, SST is lower in the central and eastern Pacific near the equator, maybe in association with the cool phase of ENSO, and considerably higher in the subtropical western North Pacific than for the late onset years. In addition, there are probably some abnormal precursory signals for the early (late) Meiyu onset years, such as SST being higher (lower) with respect to the mean around the western Pacific warm pool, the Intertropical Convergence Zone more (less) active and the local Hadley circulation stronger (weaker) in previous boreal winter. In northern spring, the convection is probably stronger (weaker) about the Philippines. The North Pacific SST at lower latitudes might be warmer (cooler) from previous April to May, and SST appears higher (lower) over the waters around Australia in proceeding boreal winter and spring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study attempts to provide additional understanding of the long-term evolution of water quality in the Pearl River estuary and Hong Kong coastal areas by monitoring the ocean colour from remote sensing images. The extensively inter-connected river network of Pearl River estuary has a large catchment area and its environmental deterioration due to rapid economic growth is significant. The data received by Landsat satellites, over a time period of more than 20 years, were used to evaluate the evolution of water clarity. The study shows the historical varying of sea colour in these areas and image processing methods for extracting the ocean colour features of Landsat images are suggested. The algorithm of 'Gradient Transition' was used to calibrate the result images and the comparing method was used to process and analyse remote sensing images of Case 2 water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National-level data on the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in different regions of China is insufficient. This study aimed to compare ROP incidences and care practices in different regions of China and their relationship with regional gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Retrospective cohort study. All infants born at <32 weeks gestational age (GA) and admitted to 70 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020, were enrolled. Hospitals were categorised into three regional groups according to geographical locations and GDP per capita from high to low: Eastern, Central, and Western China. The incidence of death or ROP, and care practices were compared among the groups. A total of 18,579 infants were enrolled. Median GA was 29.9 (interquartile range 28.4–31.0) weeks and birth weight was 1318.1 (317.2) g. The percentage of GA <28 weeks, complete administration of antenatal steroids, and weight gain velocity during NICU stay were highest in Eastern China and lowest in Western China (all P < 0.01). In Eastern, Central, and Western China, the rates of death or any stage of ROP were 33.3%, 38.5%, and 39.2%, respectively (P < 0.01). There were considerable regional disparities in ROP incidence in preterm infants with GA <32 weeks in China. The incidence of death or ROP ranged from high to low in Western, Central, and Eastern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

National price negotiations in China manage to improve affordability of drugs of high value in both money and clinic, and we intend to explore the implication of launch delay on their timely accessibility. Launch delay was defined as the gap days between the approval date of either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and that of the China Center of Drug Evaluation (CDE), and we determined the launch delay of each indication covered by the medical insurance of every specific drug. The Pearson correlation coefficient of the launch delay of the drugs and their each first launch date in EU or the U.S. was -0.5608 (P<0.0001), indicating the drug lag tended to be attenuated over time. [Extracted from the article]

The emergence of linezolid‐resistant (LR) enterococci found in food of animal origin arouses attention, but little is known about LR enterococci in fur animals. A total of 342 Enterococcus faecalis and 265 E. faecium strains isolated from fur animals in China from 2015 to 2017 were investigated to determine if LR enterococci (≥16 μg ml−1) are present. Overall, two E. faecalis and 12 E. faecium among these isolates were resistant to linezolid. In addition, all LR isolates were classified as multidrug‐resistant isolates. We further explore the resistance genes of the LR enterococci, four E. faecalis and two E. faecium isolates contained optrA gene. Two of them co‐harboured optrA and poxtA genes. We detected virulence genes in LR enterococci were the following: asa1, cylA, esp, gelE and hyl, among which the highest carrying rate gene was asa1. Besides, all of the LR enterococci we tested had the biofilm‐forming ability. It is worth noting that we detected a novel ST type ST2010 from E. faecium 82‐2. These data show LR enterococci exist in fur animals and have unique characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is the first report of the occurrence of Monilinia fructicola on stone fruit in China. In 2003 and 2004, peach and nectarine fruit showing typical brown rot symptoms were found in an orchard in a suburb of Beijing, China. The pathogen was identified as Monilinia fructicola based on morphological and molecular approaches. Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating surface sterilized, mature nectarine fruit with a droplet of conidial suspension Brown rot of stone fruit is commonly caused by one of the three Monilinia species. It is still not clear which is the major causal pathogen in stone fruit in China.

With the rapid development of China's economy, the continuous improvement of people's living standards and the rapid development of the taxi industry in China, the trip volume of urban taxi and the traveling demands rise rapidly. In this paper, based on the goal and direction of taxi price adjustment of Beijing, from the perspective of economic behavior choice of pedestrians, through the cost-demand equilibrium and the break-even analysis, it finds taxi demands are negatively correlated to fixed costs and the private car population is negatively correlated to the relative traveling cost of the private by the public transportation. Finally, combined with the influence of current taxi software application, thus it puts forward the targeted taxi traffic demand management policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Ni–Mo–PGE polymetallic layers, from Southern China (Huangjiawan mine, Zunyi region, northern part of the Guizhou Province), were analyzed by micro-PIXE. These samples are known to be enriched with acidic elements and basic elements. Some of them, like Ag, Au, Pt, Pd, Se and Mo, are of large economic value. The distributions of Fe, Mo, Ni, As, Se and Pd in black shales samples are studied. The correlation among those elements has also been investigated. Trace element data from minerals, the noble metals’ mode of occurrence and correlation with other elements are all significant in mineralogy. Such information can help in understanding the genesis of the deposit and also aid the exploration strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has recently spread rapidly throughout China. In this study, we characterized a carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolate that produced both KPC-2 and IMP-4 type carbapenemases. A clinical isolate of K. pneumoniae, resistant to both meropenem and imipenem, was recovered from a urine sample. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the broth microdilution method and Etest (bioMérieux, France). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) were used for gene type analysis. bla and the encoding genes of ESBLs and plasmid-mediated AmpC enzymes were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified and sequenced. Plasmids were analyzed by transformation, enzyme restriction and Southern blot. PCR analysis revealed that the isolate was simultaneously carrying bla, bla, bla, and bla genes. MLST assigned the isolate to a novel sequence type, ST476. bla-harbouring plasmids of the isolate and comparative strains had similar EcoRI and HindIII restriction maps, while IMP-4-harbouring plasmids had variable HindIII restriction maps. Coexistence of bla and bla was probably due to bla-harbouring plasmid transmission into KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae (ST476). The concomitant presence of these genes is alarming and poses both therapeutic and infection control problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commissioning of the cooler storage rings (CSR) was successful, and the facility provides new possibilities for atomic physics with highly charged ions. Bare carbon, argon ions, were successfully stored in the main ring CSRm, cooled by cold electron beam, and accelerated up to 1 GeV/u. Heavier ions as Xe44+ and Kr28+ were also successfully stored in the CSRs. Both of the rings are equipped with new generation of electron coolers which can provide different electron beam density distributions. Electron-ion interactions, high precision X-ray spectroscopy, complete kinematical measurements for relativistic ion-atom collisions will be performed at CSRs. Laser cooling of heavy ions are planned as well. The physics programs and the present status will be summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the Streptococcus Iniae strains isolated from diseased fish in China and its identification and genetic characterization. It determines the fishes' genetic diversity by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. It mentions that mortalities due to streptococcal infections occurred in seawater cage cultured fish including tilapia. It studies the anatomy of the diseased fishes including the brain, spleen and kidney tissues. It conducts bacterial identification using biochemical and phenotypical tests.

Thermal visbreaking of inner Mongolia oil sand bitumen was conducted at several temperatures for different lengths of time in the laboratory. The viscosity of the thermally-treated oil was reduced dramatically with thermal treatment under the condition of adding 0.3 wt% anti-coking agent, the oil sand bitumen reacting at 410°C and 45 min. The kinematic viscosity (100°C) of visbreaking oil is reduced to 138.25 mm2·s-1 and the qualities of it are conformed to 7# Chinese Standard for Fuel Oil, which can directly be regarded as product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Prion protein (PrP) predominantly localized at synapses can modulate neuronal excitability. The prion protein gene ( PRNP) has been considered one of the candidate genes that play a role in seizure susceptibility. A recent study demonstrated that the 129V allele in the PRNP gene was associated with susceptibility to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in female patients in an Italian population. We screened variations in the open-reading frame (ORF) of the PRNP gene and also replicated the association of the M129V polymorphism with TLE in a Han Chinese population. Methods: The M129V polymorphism was genotyped in 320 MTLE patients and 558 non-epilepsy controls. All subjects were Han Chinese. Results: No novel polymorphism in the ORF of the PRNP gene was detected. Differences in the genotype distributions and allele frequencies of this polymorphism between cases and controls were insignificant ( P = 0.24). Further analysis with stratification of the results by gender or age and analysis of clinical features in relation to M129V genotypes also yielded negative findings. Conclusions: The present study provides evidence that the M129V polymorphism in the PRNP gene is not associated with MTLE in a Han Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Host genetic factors and environment factors including hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes are widely studied for the different outcomes of HBV infection. Recent studies suggest that tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a pivotal role in the viral clearance and host immune response to HBV, and the capacity for TNF-alpha production in individuals is influenced by a major genetic component. In this study, we aimed to explore whether the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of TNF-alpha promoter are associated with the outcomes of HBV infection in the Chinese Han population. One hundred and forty-three spontaneously recovered HBV subjects and 196 chronic hepatitis B patients were recruited in this case–control study in the Beijing area of China. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequence-specific primer-PCR (SSP-PCR) were used to detect the SNPs of five sites in the TNF-alpha promoter (−238G/A, −308G/A, −857C/T, −863C/A, −1031T/C). The frequency distributions of genotypes and haplotypes in two groups were analysed by EPI and EH programs. The presence of the −238GG genotype was significantly correlated with persistence of HBV infection (OR = 4.08, P = 0.02), and −857TT genotype appeared in relation to the spontaneous clearance of HBV (OR = 0.47, P = 0.03). Frequency of haplotype GGCCT (−238/−308/−857/−863/−1031) in the chronic HB group was significantly lower than that in spontaneously recovered group ( P = 0.03), and frequencies of haplotypes GGCAT and GGTAT in the chronic HB group were significantly higher than those in the spontaneously recovered group ( P = 0.0001, P = 0.0004). In conclusion, TNF-alpha promoter polymorphisms are independently associated with different outcomes of HBV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritional function of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides for omnivorous gibel carp and carnivorous Chinese longsnout catfish were investigated and the ability of these two species to utilize carbohydrates was compared. For each species, triplicate groups of fish were assigned to each of five groups of isoenergetic and isonitrogenous experimental diets with different carbohydrate sources: glucose, sucrose, dextrin, soluble starch (acid-modified starch) and α-cellulose. The carbohydrates were included at 60 g kg−1 in Chinese longsnout catfish diets and at 200 g kg−1 in gibel carp diets. A growth trial was carried out in a recirculation system at 27.8 ± 1.9 °C for 8 weeks. The results showed that fish with different food habits showed difference in the utilization of carbohydrate sources. For gibel carp, better specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) were observed in fish fed diets containing soluble starch and cellulose, but for Chinese longsnout catfish, better SGR and FE were observed in fish fed diets containing dextrin and sucrose. Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter (ADCd) and apparent digestibility coefficient of energy (ADCe) were significantly affected by dietary carbohydrate sources in gibel carp. ADCd and ADCe significantly decreased as dietary carbohydrate complexity increased in Chinese longsnout catfish except that glucose diet had medium ADCd and ADCe. In both species, no significant difference of apparent digestibility coefficient of protein was observed between different carbohydrate sources. Dietary carbohydrate sources significantly affected body composition, and liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme (ME) activities also varied according to dietary carbohydrate complexity. Fish with different food habits showed different abilities to synthesize liver glycogen, and the liver glycogen content in gibel carp was significantly higher than in Chinese longsnout catfish. The influence of carbohydrate source on gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis was also different in the two fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This survey followed the birth population-based study conducted in 2010 in Huai'an, Jiangsu Province, with the aim to estimate perinatal-neonatal mortality and preterm birth rate in emerging regions with similar maternal-fetal and neonatal care conditions in China.Materials and methods: Data of total births in 2015 were prospectively collected by regional perinatal network collaboration in Huai'an, a subprovincial region with a population of 5,644,500 and gross domestic production of 9082 USD per capita.Results: The 59,424 birth registries (including 59,023 live births and 167 stillbirths) corresponded to a birth rate of 10.5‰ and a Male-to-female ratio of 113.7:100. All births there were from 85, 16, and 6 level I, II, and III hospitals, with a delivery rate of 30.4, 40.2, and 29.4%, respectively. Of all births, 14.1% had pregnancy-associated comorbidities and complications, 54.4% (32,226/59,190) had cesarean delivery, and multiple pregnancies and birth defects occurred in 2.1% (1,250) and 5.5‰ (324), respectively. The mean birth weight was 3448 ± 507 g with 13.9% being macrosomia, and 2.86% (1695/59,190) low birth weight. Preterm birth rate was 4.06% (2404/59,190) with a mortality rate of 8.5%. There were 94.5% recorded as healthy newborns and 5.5% (3263) requiring hospitalization after birth. The perinatal and neonatal mortality rate was 5.2‰ (167 stillbirths, 139 early neonatal deaths) and 4.0‰, respectively. Compared with the 2010 survey, these data demonstrated generally improved status of perinatal-neonatal healthcare.Conclusions: The low rates of perinatal-neonatal mortality, preterm birth and preterm mortality suggest that the concept and study protocol of perinatal-neonatal healthcare in Huai'an may serve as the benchmark for estimating regional vital statistics and perinatal and neonatal outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sign of Leser–Trélat (LT) is defined as the sudden eruption of multiple seborrhoeic keratoses (SKs), or increase in the number and size of existing SKs, associated with an underlying malignancy. A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with dyspnoea and multiple verrucous papules that had been developing gradually over the previous 30 years. During the 3 months before presentation, the number of SKs on his chest and back had increased rapidly. A diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was made based on results of computed tomography, endoscopy and biopsy examinations. The patient is receiving radiotherapy at present. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the Leser–Trélat sign associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fan-delta reservoir play has become an important exploration target within the Junggar Basin, especially in the Mabei area within the Mahu Sag, where a fan-delta oil and gas pool has been recently discovered. The sedimentary characteristics, distribution patterns and formation mechanisms of the fan-delta clastic bodies in Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation (T1b) were studied using seismic, well log and core data accompanied by a flume tank experiment and a modern analogue depositional study. The T1b in the Mabei area is composed of a fan delta consisting of fan-delta plain (including debris flow deposits, sheetflood deposits, braided channel deposits, and floodplain deposits), fan-delta front (including subaqueous reworked sheetflood deposits and distal sheetflood deposits) and muddy lake deposits. The sheetflood deposits, characterised by moderately sorted conglomerates with brown matrix, form during the peak flooding. They are widespread and sheet-like, occupying the major portion of the fan-delta plain. The braided channel deposits are characterised by well-sorted and clast-supported conglomerates and pebbly sandstones, formed later during the falling flow stage. Owing to the decline in volume and velocity, and the formation of continuously braided fluid flow, the sediments of the flood period are reworked, generating the braided channels. Laterally, the braided channels occur as belts of clastic bodies surrounded by continuous sheetflood deposits. Vertically, the braided channels are interbedded between the sheetflood deposits. The subaqueous reworked sheetflood deposits are characterised by greyish-green, well-sorted and clast-supported conglomerates, whereas the distal sheetflood deposits are characterised by well-sorted sandstones, intercalated with mudstone. The subaqueous reworked sheetflood and distal sheetflood deposits are a distal partly subaqueous extension of the main sheetflood deposits, albeit reworked by basinal currents and waves. The distal sheetflood deposits form on distal fringes of the sheetfloods and are more thoroughly reworked by longshore and wave currents. The braided channel, subaqueous reworked sheetflood and distal sheetflood deposits can form high-porosity reservoirs. These findings challenge the common view and suggest that the channelised facies on the fans are not the main flood events; rather, the more extensive sheetfloods are the major flood events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes are variably distributed among populations from distinct geographic areas and ethnic origins. We describe, for the first time, KIR gene diversity in 152 unrelated and healthy Drung individuals, as measured by sequence-specific polymerase chain reaction. All 16 known KIR genes were detected. Of these, the framework genes KIR2DL4, 3DL2, 3DL3, and 3DP1 were present in all individuals as expected, along with the non-framework genes KIR2DL1, 2DL3, and 2DP1. In contrast, KIR2DL2, 2DS2, and 2DS5 were unusually rare, suggesting that KIR gene distribution was relatively concentrated. Ten different KIR genotypes were found, of which the most common consisted of nine genes ( KIR2DL1, 2DL3, 2DL4, 2DS4, 3DL1, 3DL2, 3DL3, 2DP1, and 3DP1) and accounted for 66.4% of participants. There were eight different haplotypes present, of which the A haplotype was the most common (81.9%). Principal components and dendrogram analysis confirmed that the Drung Chinese are most closely related to the Japanese, the Zhejiang Han, and the Yunnan Han. In conclusion, distinctive frequencies of KIR genes, haplotypes, and genotypes are observed in Chinese Drung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether an antimicrobial mouthrinse intervention reduces adverse pregnancy outcomes in a low-resource rural area.Design: Randomised controlled trial.Setting: A county-level maternal health care hospital in China.Sample: Pregnant women of less than 20 weeks of gestation having periodontal disease.Methods: Women with periodontal disease were randomised into the intervention (n = 232) and control group (n = 234). Participants in the intervention group were provided with free mouthrinse (alcohol-free mouthrinse containing 0.7% cetylpyridinium chloride) throughout the pregnancy and given education on oral health. Women in the control group only received oral hygiene education. All participants had a periodontal re-examination at the third trimester and were followed-up to childbirth.Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was gestational age. Secondary outcomes included birthweight, periodontal disease score, pregnancy complications (small-for-gestational-age, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetic mellitus, severe anaemia, premature rupture of membrane).Results: The general periodontal status of the intervention group at the third trimester was significantly better than that of the control group (measured by periodontal disease score: 11.26 ± 3.60 versus 11.92 ± 3.01; P = 0.04). There was no difference in pregnancy outcome between the two groups except for premature rupture of the membranes. The women in the intervention group had a significantly reduced risk of premature rupture of the membranes compared with the control group (1.4 versus 5.7%, OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.84; P = 0.03).Conclusions: The mouthrinse intervention during pregnancy improved periodontal health. The intervention did not lead to a change in gestational age but it reduced the rate of premature membrane rupture. Further studies are needed to explore the biological mechanism of this association.Tweetable Abstract: Use of antiseptic mouthrinse during pregnancy may improve maternal oral health and pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background.Converging evidence has revealed both functional and structural abnormalities in adolescents with early-onset conduct disorder (EO-CD). The neurological abnormalities underlying EO-CD may be different from that of adolescent-onset conduct disorder (AO-CD) patients. However, the cortical structure in AO-CD patients remains largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cortical alterations in AO-CD patients.Method.We investigated T1-weighted brain images from AO-CD patients and age-, gender- and intelligence quotient-matched controls. Cortical structures including thickness, folding and surface area were measured using the surface-based morphometric method. Furthermore, we assessed impulsivity and antisocial symptoms using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and the Antisocial Process Screening Device (APSD).Results.Compared with the controls, we found significant cortical thinning in the paralimbic system in AO-CD patients. For the first time, we observed cortical thinning in the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) in AO-CD patients which has not been reported in EO-CD patients. Prominent folding abnormalities were found in the paralimbic structures and frontal cortex while diminished surface areas were shown in the precentral and inferior temporal cortex. Furthermore, cortical thickness of the paralimbic structures was found to be negatively correlated with impulsivity and antisocial behaviors measured by the BIS and APSD, respectively.Conclusions.The present study indicates that AO-CD is characterized by cortical structural abnormalities in the paralimbic system, and, in particular, we highlight the potential role of deficient structures including the precuneus and PCC in the etiology of AO-CD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The cotton-melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, is a major insect pest worldwide. The wasp Lysiphlebia japonica (Ashmead) is the predominant parasitoid of cotton-melon aphids in north China. Parasitization has been reported to affect host lipids in several systems, but the lipid synthesis-related genes and transcription changes in the cotton-melon aphid-parasitoid interaction are not clear. In this study, 36 lipid synthesis-related genes were cloned and their transcription changes in parasitized aphids were studied by quantitative real-time PCR. In parasitized cotton-melon aphids, almost all key genes in the glycerolipid synthesis pathway were up-regulated, the rate-limiting enzyme diacylglycerol o-acyltransferase by 3.24-fold. The rate-limiting enzyme of the glycolytic pathway, pyruvate kinase, and the pace-making enzyme in citrate synthesis were 1.69-fold and 1.75-fold less in parasitized aphids than in unparasitized aphids, respectively. These results suggest increased glycerolipid synthesis in parasitized aphids but that citrate production from sucrose was decreased. Aconitate hydratase (aco), in the pathway that converts amino acids into citrate, was up-regulated. The number of fragments per kilobase per million mapped reads of the mitochondrial aco2 gene was only 4.6, whereas that of the cytoplasmic aco1 was 41.5, indicating that the citrate comes from amino acids in the cytoplasm of parasitized cotton-melon aphids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, samples of the Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum) displaying yellowing symptoms were collected from a grove in Tai'an, Shandong Province, China. The association of phytoplasma with yellowing disease was ascertained using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the 16S rRNA gene by using the phytoplasma-specific universal primer pair P1/P7, followed by R16F2n/R16R2 as nested primers, and rp genes primed using rpL2F3/rp(I)R1A followed by rp(III)-FN/rp(I)R1A. The sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene and rp genes revealed that the phytoplasma associated with the Chinese tallow tree belonged to the 16SrIII group (the X-disease group). Computer-simulated and gel-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses revealed that the RFLP patterns were different from the reference patterns of all previously established 16SrIII subgroups, with the maximum similarity coefficient exceeding the threshold for delineation of a new subgroup RFLP pattern type within the 16SrIII group. Thus, the phytoplasma associated with the Chinese tallow tree yellowing disease, designated as 'CTTY', represents a new subgroup (16SrIII-Y). This study shows the Chinese tallow tree as a new host of phytoplasma belonging to the 16SrIII group in China and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We obtained the first full-length genome sequence of canine bocavirus 2 (CBoV2) from the faeces of a healthy dog in Guangzhou city, Guangdong province, mainland China. The genome of GZHD15 consisted of 5059 nucleotides. Sequence analysis suggested that GZHD15 was close to a previously circulated Hong Kong isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previously, we identified three porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains in buffalo meat samples from southern China. In this study, we confirmed the reappearance of those buffalo-origin-like PCV2 strains in swine herds in this region, which supported the possible cross-species infection of PCV2 between buffalos and pigs under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundThe self-referential memory (SRM) effect refers to the phenomenon that stimuli processed with reference to the self are better remembered than those referenced to others. Studies have shown that schizophrenia patients do not have this memorial advantage for self-referenced information. The current study investigated the electrophysiological mechanism of the abolished SRM effect in schizophrenia.MethodTwenty schizophrenia patients and 22 controls were recruited to complete an SRM task. We used a high-time resolution event-related potential (ERP) technique to analyze the electrophysiological differences between patients and controls during self- and other-reflection processing.ResultsBehavior data indicated that healthy controls had a typical SRM bias that was absent in the schizophrenia patients. ERP comparison between groups showed that the schizophrenia patients presented smaller voltages in both self- and other-reflection conditions in the 160–260 ms (P2 component) and 800–1200 ms (positive slow wave) time windows over the pre/frontal cortex. Furthermore, the N2 amplitudes (270–380 ms) differed between self- and other-reflection conditions in patients but not in normal controls. More importantly, we found that the P3 amplitudes in the parietal cortex correlated significantly with the SRM bias score in the patients (r = –0.688).ConclusionsThese results provide comprehensive and direct electrophysiological evidence for self- and other-reflective dysfunction in schizophrenia patients and contribute to our understanding of the underlying neural substrates of the abolished SRM effect in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslide dams in mountainous areas are quite common. Typically, intense rainfalls can induce upstream flows along the sloping channel, which greatly affects the stability and failure modes of landslide dams. If a series of landslide dams are sequentially collapsed by an incoming mountain torrent (induced by intense rainfall), large debris flows can be formed in a short period of time. This also amplifies the magnitude of the debris flows along the flow direction. The catastrophic debris flows, which occurred in Zhouqu, China on August 8, 2010, were indeed caused by intense rainfall and the upstream cascading failure of landslide dams along the gullies. Experimental tests were conducted in a sloping channel to understand the dynamic process of cascading landslide dam failures and their effect on flow scale amplification. Similar to the Zhouqu conditions, the modeled landslide dams were distributed along a sloping channel and breached by different upstream flows. For each experiment, the front flows were sampled, the entrained grain sizes were analyzed, and the front discharge along the channel was measured. The results of these experiments show that landslide dams occurring along the channel can be destroyed by both high and low discharge flows, although the mechanisms are quite different for the two flow types. Regardless of flow type, the magnitude of the flows significantly increases after a cascading failure of landslide dams, resulting in an increase in both the diameter and the entrained coarse particles percentage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Demand for traditional Chinese medicines has given rise to the practice of maintaining Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in captivity to harvest bile. We evaluated hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) activity in Asiatic black bears on a bile farm in China by measuring cortisol in hair. We also monitored hair and fecal glucocorticoid metabolites as bears acclimated to improved husbandry at the Animals Asia Foundation China Bear Rescue Center (CBRC) after removal from other bile farms. Fecal samples were collected twice weekly for ∼1year, and hair was obtained from bears upon arrival at the CBRC and again ⩾163days later. Paired hair samples showed declines in cortisol concentrations of 12–88% in 38 of 45 (84%, p <0.001) bears after arrival and acclimation at the rehabilitation facility. Concentrations of cortisol in hair from bears on the bile farm were similar to initial concentrations upon arrival at the CBRC but were higher than those collected after bears had been at the CBRC for ⩾163days. Fecal glucocorticoid concentrations varied across months and were highest in April and declined through December, possibly reflecting seasonal patterns, responses to the arrival and socialization of new bears at the CBRC, and/or annual metabolic change. Data from segmental analysis of hair supports the first of these explanations. Our findings indicate that bears produced elevated concentrations of glucocorticoids on bile farms, and that activity of the HPA axis declined following relocation. Thus, hair cortisol analyses are particularly well suited to long-term, retrospective assessments of glucocorticoids in ursids. By contrast, fecal measures were not clearly associated with rehabilitation, but rather reflected more subtle endocrine changes, possibly related to seasonality. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the present study, the second nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS-2) rDNA of Schistosoma japonicum isolates in mainland China was amplified, sequenced, and assessed for inferring the intra- and inter-species phylogenetic relationships of trematodes in the order Strigeata. The fragment containing ITS-2 rDNA was obtained from 24 S. japonicum isolates from eight epidemic provinces in mainland China. The length polymorphisms were observed among these ITS-2 rDNA sequences, ranging from 343 to 346 bp, and the intra- and inter-population variations in ITS-2 sequence were 0.0-2.1 % among S. japonicum isolates in China. Phylogenetic analyses using the maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood methods revealed that the ITS-2 rDNA sequence is not a suitable marker for studying inter- and intra-population variation in S. japonicum. However, phylogenetic analysis of trematodes in the order Strigeata indicated that the ITS-2 rDNA sequence provides an effective molecular marker for studying inter-species phylogenetic relationships among trematodes in this order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundIn Western countries, a history of major depression (MD) is associated with reports of received parenting that is low in warmth and caring and high in control and authoritarianism. Does a similar pattern exist in women in China?MethodReceived parenting was assessed by a shortened version of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) in two groups of Han Chinese women: 1970 clinically ascertained cases with recurrent MD and 2597 matched controls. MD was assessed at personal interview.ResultsFactor analysis of the PBI revealed three factors for both mothers and fathers: warmth, protectiveness, and authoritarianism. Lower warmth and protectiveness and higher authoritarianism from both mother and father were significantly associated with risk for recurrent MD. Parental warmth was positively correlated with parental protectiveness and negatively correlated with parental authoritarianism. When examined together, paternal warmth was more strongly associated with lowered risk for MD than maternal warmth. Furthermore, paternal protectiveness was negatively and maternal protectiveness positively associated with risk for MD.ConclusionsAlthough the structure of received parenting is very similar in China and Western countries, the association with MD is not. High parental protectiveness is generally pathogenic in Western countries but protective in China, especially when received from the father. Our results suggest that cultural factors impact on patterns of parenting and their association with MD. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the present study, the antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in 191 farm-bred and 83 house-bred geese ( Anser domestica) were assessed for the prevalence of T. gondii infection in southern China with the modified agglutination test. Antibodies to T. gondii (MAT ≥ 1 : 5) were found in 27 (14.14%) of farm-bred geese and 14 (16.87%) of house-bred geese. Geese infected with T. gondii may be a source of T. gondii infection for humans and cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese chestnut trees ( Castanea mollissima BL.) planted in a suburb of Beijing, China developed symptoms including yellowing, leaf crinkling, little leaf, shortened internodes, and empty burrs. Transmission electron microscopy revealed presence of phytoplasma cells in phloem sieve elements of the symptomatic chestnut trees. Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of PCR-amplified near-full length 16S rRNA gene indicated that the phytoplasma associated with the Chinese chestnut yellow crinkle disease is closely related to Japanese chestnut witches'-broom phytoplasma. This is the first report of a phytoplasmal disease in Chinese chestnut trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]