Search

Wildlife shares grazing areas with herders in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and humans can be infected by zoonotic nematodes through direct contact with animals or contaminated water. In this study, fecal samples (n = 296) from wild carnivores were collected to explore the infection rate and molecular genetic characteristics of nematodes by stratified random sampling in the survey areas. Host species and the nematodes they carried were then identified using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene sequencing, respectively. Statistical analysis, neutrality tests, genetic diversity analysis and Bayesian inferred trees were performed to complete the study. In total, 10 species of nematodes were detected in 240 feces from six species of carnivores identified (including dominant Vulpes ferrilata and Vulpes vulpes), namely Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxascaris sp., Crenosoma vulpis, Parapharyngodon bainae, Oesophagostomum muntiacum, Aspiculuris tetraptera, Mastophorus muris, Nematodirus spathiger, Muellerius capillaris, and Molineus patens. Among these nematodes, U. stenocephala (35.83%, 86/240) and Toxascaris sp. (14.58%, 35/240) were detected at higher rates than the other nematodes (χ2 = 516.909, p < 0.05). Of 17 and 18 haplotypes were found based on the ITS1 gene for U. stenocephala and nad1 gene for Toxascaris sp., respectively. For the first time, using molecular methods, we report the infection of V. ferrilata by U. stenocephala, a potential zoonotic parasite, and suggest Toxascaris sp. may be a newly discovered nematode that lives within the fox intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Along with the rapid development of diversified social media, WeChat has become a prevalent social tool in mainland China which allows users to connect and communicate with others spanning time and distance. Although a great deal of empirical literature has explored the antecedents of electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) and indicated that a link exists between social capital and e-WOM engagement, the specific dimensions of social capital are still rarely probed and investigated, especially in the mobile social media setting. The present research takes a social capital perspective and aims to systematically clarify three distinct dimensions of social capital, attitude towards e-WOM and their association with WeChat users' e-WOM engagement behaviors. The current research analyzes variables and their influence using structural equation modeling. The statistical sample was obtained from 365 young people who have used WeChat in mainland China. The obtained results demonstrate that WeChat usage intensity can positively influence social interaction ties, social trust, and perceived homophily. Additionally, social interaction ties, social trust, and perceived homophily can positively predict WeChat users' e-WOM engagement. Furthermore, attitude towards e-WOM can partially mediate the effect of social capital on e-WOM engagement. These new findings may enrich the existing research body of social capital theory and provide fresh insights for scholars and managers to further understand individuals' attitudes and e-WOM engagement behaviors in the contemporary new media environment. • WeChat usage intensity can positively influence social interaction ties, social trust, and perceived homophily. • Social interaction ties, social trust, and perceived homophily can positively predict WeChat users' e-WOM engagement. • Attitude towards e-WOM can partially mediate the effect of social capital on e-WOM engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MDRD-C equation may overestimate GFR for early CKD patients over other equations. • CysC-C equation may overestimate GFR for end stage CKD patients over other equations. • CKD-EPI and Cr-CysC equations are suitable for the comprehensive estimation of GFR. • Cr-CysC equation showed higher sensitivity than CKD-EPI equation. Accurate estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and staging of chronic kidney disease (CKD) are important. Thus far, few studies in China have systematically assessed the differences among the various estimated GFR (eGFR) equations in large cohort. A total of 6287 CKD patients and 679 healthy individuals were enrolled. To estimate the GFR values in patients, MDRD, MDRD-China (MDRD-C), CKD-EPI, cystatin-C-China (CysC-C), cystatin-C-KDIGO (CysC-K), and creatinine-cystatin C-KDIGO (Cr-CysC) equations were used. The κ values between the MDRD, MDRD-C, Cr-CysC, CysC-K, and CysC-C equations and the CKD-EPI equation were 0.864, 0.914, 0.638, 0.487, and 0.388, respectively. For patients with lower-stage CKD, the GFR values from MDRD and MDRD-C equations were the highest compared with other equations, whereas the GFR values from CysC-C and CysC-K equations were the lowest. For patients with higher-stage CKD, the CKD-EPI, MDRD, MDRD-C, and Cr-CysC equations showed good consistencies among each other, whereas eGFR from CysC-C equation were higher and the CysC-C and CysC-K equations showed many obviously overestimated outliers. CKD-EPI and Cr-CysC equations were better correlated and consistent with each other in most of the CKD stages. The CKD-EPI and Cr-CysC equations may be more suitable for the comprehensive estimation of GFR in patients with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]