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Background: Rickettsia and related diseases have been identified as significant global public health threats. This study involved comprehensive field and systematic investigations of various rickettsial organisms in Yunnan Province. Methods: Between May 18, 2011 and November 23, 2020, field investigations were conducted across 42 counties in Yunnan Province, China, encompassing small mammals, livestock, and ticks. Preliminary screenings for Rickettsiales involved amplifying the 16S rRNA genes, along with additional genus- or species-specific genes, which were subsequently confirmed through sequencing results. Sequence comparisons were carried out using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST). Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using the default parameters in the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) program. The chi-squared test was used to assess the diversities and component ratios of rickettsial agents across various parameters. Results: A total of 7964 samples were collected from small mammals, livestock, and ticks through Yunnan Province and submitted for screening for rickettsial organisms. Sixteen rickettsial species from the genera Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Neoehrlichia, and Wolbachia were detected, with an overall prevalence of 14.72%. Among these, 11 species were identified as pathogens or potential pathogens to humans and livestock. Specifically, 10 rickettsial organisms were widely found in 42.11% (24 out of 57) of small mammal species. High prevalence was observed in Dremomys samples at 5.60%, in samples from regions with latitudes above 4000 m or alpine meadows, and in those obtained from Yuanmou County. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis were broadly infecting multiple genera of animal hosts. In contrast, the small mammal genera Neodon, Dremomys, Ochotona, Anourosorex, and Mus were carrying individually specific rickettsial agents, indicating host tropism. There were 13 rickettsial species detected in 57.14% (8 out of 14) of tick species, with the highest prevalence (37.07%) observed in the genus Rhipicephalus. Eight rickettsial species were identified in 2375 livestock samples. Notably, six new Rickettsiales variants/strains were discovered, and Candidatus Rickettsia longicornii was unambiguously identified. Conclusions: This large-scale survey provided further insight into the high genetic diversity and overall prevalence of emerging Rickettsiales within endemic hotspots in Yunnan Province. The potential threats posed by these emerging tick-borne Rickettsiales to public health warrant attention, underscoring the need for effective strategies to guide the prevention and control of emerging zoonotic diseases in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate species delimitation is fundamental for testing evolutionary theory and provides essential implications for conservation management. The arctic-alpine genus Saxifraga L. (Saxifragaceae) is taxonomically complex and many species have not been critically assessed. The taxonomic and phylogenetic status of Saxifraga lancangensis Y.Y.Qian, considered as a synonym of Saxifraga mengtzeana Engl. & Irmsch. in previous studies, is re-evaluated in light of new evidence presented here. Results: Evidence from morphological comparison and sequencing of plastid genome indicate that S. lancangensis belongs to Saxifraga sect. Irregulares Haw., and is closely related to Saxifraga geifolia Balf.f., and S. mengtzeana. However, S. lancangensis can be diagnosed by its petals with red and clawless base, leaf blade orbicular and leaf margin shallowly dentate. Conclusions: The morphological and molecular evidence support the resurrection of S. lancangensis as a distinct species. An updated morphological description based on protologue and fresh material, diagnostic characters, and original photographs of the resurrected species are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the contamination and sources of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) at historical sites is vital for safeguarding human health and the ecological environment. This study focused on As, Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Cr concentrations in the residual soil, groundwater, and surface water around a mineral processing plant. The sources of these elements and the human health risks posed by them were evaluated using various indexes. Soil HM concentrations exceeded background values for Yunnan Province, ranked as As > Pb > Cd > Cu > Hg > Ni. The river water met China's Class II waterbody standard; however, Cd, Cu, Pb, and pH exceeded the maximum permissible sewage discharge concentrations in the accumulated water. The groundwater showed severe HM pollution, meeting China's Class III water quality standard. The average value of the Nemerow pollution index was consistent with that of the single-factor pollution index in the following order: As > Pb > Cd > Ni > Cu > Hg. Children face heightened risk through the oral ingestion of As, Cd, and Pb, particularly in high-value sampling points in the residue deposit area. The main sources of these pollutants are anthropogenic activities and the soil formation matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Breeding biology stands as the paramount component within avian life history. In this study, for the first time, we provided detailed information on the breeding biology of the Indian Blue Robin (Larvivora brunnea), a little-known forest understory bird, for which the breeding biology has been largely unknown. We conducted our fieldwork in northwestern Yunnan, China, in May of 2021. Both parent birds were observed to participate in the breeding process, but the female participated in incubation only. This study highlights how a small single-parent bird adapts its incubation behavior, as well as how parent birds coordinate their breeding to adjust to the cold and unpredictable environmental conditions in high-altitude regions. Breeding biology lies at the core of life history research on birds, and it provides important information for avian conservation. We discovered one nest of the Indian Blue Robin (Larvivora brunnea) on 28 May 2021, at the Laojun mountains in Lijiang, northwestern Yunnan, China. Field observation was combined with the use of a GoPro camera for video shooting to quantitatively study the incubation and brooding behavior. We also conducted measurements of the eggs and nestlings on site and inspected the nesting materials used. A bowl-shaped nest with four eggs was located at 2830 m in the evergreen deciduous broad-leaved forest. All eggs were successfully incubated and two nestlings fledged on 22 June 2021, resulting in a total breeding success of 50%. Only the female bird incubated the eggs and brooded the nestlings. The incubation period was at least 13 days and the nestling period was 13 days. As incubation progressed, the incubation bout duration decreased. During the incubation period, the nesting time of the female bird shows a declining trend as incubation progresses. Both parents participated in feeding the nestling, and the frequency of parental supply increased with the maturity of the nestling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer death, and it still poses a crippling threat to women's health. China launched the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program for Rural Women in 2009, and an increasing number of cervical cancer patients have been detected. Health-related quality of life is not only the end point of cancer research but is also related to socioeconomic and clinical factors and has received an increasing amount of attention. In light of the characteristics of the Yunnan nationality, we conducted cross-sectional research to assess and explore the health-related quality of life in both Han and ethnic minority patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to May 2021 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University/Yunnan Cancer Hospital. Patients, including 100 Han patients and 100 ethnic minorities, were interviewed using the FACT-Cx questionnaire within 3 months of receiving treatment. Results: Patients of Han ethnicity and ethnic minorities were comparable in both sociodemographic and clinical features. The total FACT-Cx scores were 139.38 ± 9.83 and 134.39 ± 13.63 in Han and ethnic minority patients, respectively (P < 0.05). Significant differences were shown in physical well-being, emotional well-being and the FACT-Cx subscale between the Han and ethnic minority groups. Independent predictors of the FACT-Cx scale were ethnicity, educational level, participation in the National Cervical Cancer Screening Program for Rural Areas (NCCSPRA) and clinical stage. Conclusions: The results of our study imply that the HRQOL of Han patients is better than that of ethnic minority patients. Thus, clinicians and related health workers should pay more attention to the HRQOL of cervical cancer patients, especially for ethnic minority patients, and provide psychosocial interventions as much as possible to improve their HRQOL. Policies should also aim to strengthen health education regarding cervical cancer and expand the coverage of the NCCSPRA among those who are ethnic minorities, are older and have low educational levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China is implementing a pilot project to reform the property rights of farmland water facilities to solve the serious problems of chaotic end-of-pipe governance and inefficient irrigation from farmers. Based on microscopic research data of farm households in a typical pilot in Lu Liang County, Yunnan Province, in China, this study uses the Tobit model, and SEM was used to explore the impact of property rights reform on the irrigation efficiency of farmers and the potential mechanism paths. We further analyzed the differences in governance logic and irrigation efficiency between the two property rights models of "multiple cooperative governance" and "private contract governance" formed after the reform. The findings are as follows: (1) Compared with nonreformed areas, reformed areas have a higher promotion of adoption of water-saving technologies and a better quality of facility maintenance, which significantly contributes to irrigation efficiency, but farmers' perception of water scarcity negatively affects irrigation efficiency; (2) there are differences between the "multiple cooperative governance model" and "private contract governance model" in terms of the mechanism paths to improve irrigation efficiency, resulting in different focuses between the two models, in which the former one has better irrigation efficiency while cutting off some of the farmers' benefits and the latter benefits more farmers while losing some of the irrigation efficiency. Finally, this study recommends that China should continue to promote the reform of farmland water property rights while focusing on promoting water conservation technologies, improving the quality of facility maintenance and facility water supply capacity, enhancing farmers' awareness of water scarcity, and implementing a more water-efficient "multiple cooperative governance model". The results of this study provide a model with Chinese characteristics for developing property rights policies and governance models for farmland water facilities in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We detailed the valve morphology of five new species of diatom genus Nupela from wetwall communities in Yunnan Province, China, with light and scanning electron microscope. The five new species demonstrate great variability within the genus, as three of them are biraphid and two are monoraphid. In addition, variation was noted in the structure of internal proximal raphe ends, with some species having anchor-shaped ends and other species have hooked ends. The genus Nupela has grown considerably in 30 years since it was first proposed, going from a monotypic genus to over 85 taxa. Diagnosis of the genus is based on the presence of an external covering over the areolae. We discussed the systematic placement of Nupela within the naviculoid diatoms. Yunnan Province appears to harbor many endemic diatom taxa, and many regions of the province have yet to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CT visualization of the mandible and dentition of Hadrocodium wui, a stem mammaliaform from the Lower Jurassic Lower Lufeng Formation of Yunnan, China has revealed new features not accessible by previous microscopic study of the fossil. Its mandible shows a postdentary trough with an overhanging medial ridge and a short Meckel's sulcus. An incomplete part of the ectotympanic and possibly a remnant of Meckel's element are preserved in the postdentary trough. Thus, Hadrocodium is similar to other mammaliaforms in retaining a mandibular middle ear, contrary to our earlier interpretation. The mandible exhibits a large postcanine diastema from shedding of anterior premolars without replacement, an age-dependent feature better developed in older adults. Another adult feature is the alignment of the ultimate molar to the coronoid process. This is consistent with age-dependent changes in other mammaliaforms where the last molars of the toothrow shift from medial of the coronoid process in the juvenile, to a position in front of the coronoid process in the adult. The mandible has a short mobile symphysis. The dentition consists of I5, C1 (two-rooted), P3 (including P1 position) and M2 (M2 with confluent roots), and i4, c1 (partially two-rooted), p3, and m2 (m2 with partially confluent roots). The two-rooted upper canines are more derived than other Early Jurassic mammaliaforms from the same fauna, although similar to docodontans. Hadrocodium is unique in that the lower m2 cusp a occludes in the embrasure between upper M1-M2, but the posterior part of m2 shows between-cusp occlusion with upper M2 main cusp A. M2 is half the size of the lower m2, and occludes only with the distal half of m2. The upper postcanines show a steep gradient of posteriorly decreasing tooth size, more so than other mammaliaforms. The CT examination corroborates that there are no unerupted teeth in the upper or lower jaws, and the holotype of H. wui is dentally and osteologically mature and capable of independent feeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of tooth-plated lungfishes, Dianodipterus huizeensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Qujing Formation (late Eifelian, Middle Devonian) of Huize County, Qujing, north-eastern Yunnan, China. It differs from other lungfishes in the small proportion of the tooth-bearing part on the pterygoid (less than one-quarter), the extensively developed anteromedial edentulous portion of the pterygoid, and tooth rows few in number (only four). Phylogenetic analysis reveals that Dianodipterus is more plesiomorphic than Dipterus, yet crownward of Melanognathus. As the ninth Devonian lungfish genus from China, the new taxon displays a novel schema of lungfish dentition and increases the diversity of early lungfishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plokiophiloides bannaensis sp. nov., is described from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, representing the first record of the family Plokiophilidae from China. The new species also represents the first record of the genus Plokiophiloides in the Oriental Region, a second zoogeographical region besides the Afrotropical Region. Photographs of the live individuals inhabiting a spider web within natural habitats, male and female habitus, wings of adult, male genitalic structures, female abdomen structures and scanning electron micrographs of forewing, head, thorax and legs are provided. A key to all known species of Plokiophiloides is presented, with a distribution map. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we describe a new species, Ainsliaea daheishanensis Y.L.Peng, C.X.Yang & Y.Luo, based on morphological traits. The new species was discovered in the mountains of Yunnan, near the border between Myanmar and China. The new species differs from the phenotypically closely-related Ainsliaea foliosa Handel-Mazzetti in the morphology of the leaf veins and phyllaries, those having a protruding abaxial reticulate pattern in the lower and median part of stem with white hairs and narrow inner phyllaries. A key to the three closed Ainsliaea species occurring in China is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the government of China has been monitoring infected travelers and minimizing cold-chain contamination. However, other factors might contribute to recurring outbreaks. We analyze the role of undocumented migrants as potential transmitters of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaginal douching is a common practice and has been hypothesised to increase a woman's risk for human of contracting HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Our objective was to assess the prevalence of douching and its association with STIs, genital symptoms and HIV/STI knowledge among female sex workers (FSWs). We conducted a cross-sectional study of 837 FSWs with interviews and laboratory tests for HIV/STIs in a prefecture of Yunnan Province in southern China. Vaginal douching was reported by 84% of the women. We found a higher prevalence of vaginal douching practice among FSWs of Han ethnicity, and who were single or cohabitating. Douching was also significantly more common among more educated FSWs and those with greater knowledge of HIV/STIs, and as well as in FSWs who had experienced clinical symptoms in the previous 12 months. Douching was linked to higher risks of HIV (adjusted odds ratio = 2.29; 95% confidence interval 1.01-5.23) and herpes simplex virus type 2 infections (adjusted odds ratio = 2.18; 95% confidence interval 1.46-3.24) after adjusting for confounding factors. Medical professionals and public health workers should correct women's misconception about the effectiveness of douching and discourage women from douching through educational activities. More prospective studies among FSWs are urgently required to identify the relationship between vaginal douching and HIV/STIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual transmission is the fastest growing route of HIV transmission in China, and Trichomonas vaginalis(TV) can facilitate HIV transmission and acquisition. Our goal was to determine the prevalence and correlates of TV infection among female sex workers (FSWs). This cross-sectional study was conducted in a city of Yunnan Province in southern China, with confidential face-to-face interviews and laboratory tests for TV (wet mount) and other sexually transmitted infections. A total of 734 FSWs participated in the study. The prevalence of TV was 9.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.02-11.30). In multivariate analyses, adjusted odds ratios of TV infection were 3.0 (95% CI 1.47-6.01) for herpes simplex virus type 2 seropositive, 2.4 (95% CI 1.37-4.14) for Chlamydia trachomatis infection, 2.6 (95% CI 1.30-5.31) for genital ulcer, 1.9 (95% CI 1.11-3.30) for starting age in commercial sex <20 years, and 0.5 (95% CI 0.27-0.87) for vaginal douching. We found a relatively high prevalence of TV infection among FSWs in Yunnan Province. A range of control strategies that include TV screening are recommended among FSWs, which could contribute significantly to the disruption of transmission by the provision of immediate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: China, as other Southeast Asian countries, has witnessed an increased use in amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) amongst urban youth. Amongst female adolescents who both sell sex and use ATS, risk behaviours are compounded resulting in even poorer health outcomes. However, limited knowledge exists on ATS use patterns and ATS-related risk behaviours, particularly in this context. This research aimed to improve the understanding of these issues amongst female adolescents who use ATS and sell sex, and to inform future programming. Method: This study utilised monthly focus group discussions (four in total) with the same study participants in Yunnan, China. From within a drug-treatment programme, female adolescents who reported both a history of drug use and selling sex were purposively enrolled in the study. Results: Participating adolescent females were aged 17-19 years and were all internal-migrants with low literacy. All reported polydrug use (mainly methamphetamine and heroin, whereas ecstasy and ketamine have been infrequently employed). Being less informed about risks of drug use and lack of sexual and reproductive health knowledge seemed to contribute to problematic drug use, rough and prolonged sexual intercourse, inconsistent condom use and ineffective contraceptive practice. For their income, participants largely relied on selling sex, which was frequently coupled with drug sharing services to clients. However, despite the practices, women did not self-identify as sex workers, and therefore did not think that existing intervention services targeting female sex workers were relevant to them. Moreover, criminalization and stigmatisation of drug use and selling sex impeded their access to care services. Conclusion: Current harm reduction and HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention services are unlikely to address the demand of female adolescents engaged in drug use and commercial sex. Our findings highlight that a comprehensive and coordinated harm reduction and sexual and reproductive health response should be conducted involving these most vulnerable adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Yunnan is one of the provinces hardest-hit by HIV in China. To understand HIV epidemic dynamics and evaluate prevention effectiveness, we studied the changing trends in HIV-1 prevalence and incidence among five sub-populations in Yunnan. Methods: Consecutive sentinel surveillances were conducted among people who inject drugs (PWID), male sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic attendees, and pregnant women for 2001-2010,female sex workers (FSWs) for 2007-2010, men who have sex with men (MSM) for 2008-2010. For the newly diagnosed HIV-seropositive samples, the recent infections were determined with BED-capture enzyme immunoassay (BED-CEIA), based on which HIV incidence was calculated for each sub-population using McDougal algorithm. Results: From 231,117 individuals, 6,107 HIV-positive samples were tested with BED-CEIA, among which 964 samples were identified as recent infections. In PWID, HIV prevalence for 2001-2010 was between 27.16% and 18.35%, while the estimated incidence rate significantly decreased from 11.68% in 2001 to 1.70% in 2010. Among male STD clinic attendees, both the HIV prevalence (from 3.62% in 2001 to 1.73% in 2010) and incidence (from 1.10% in 2001 to 0.40% in 2010) showed a significant decreasing trend. In FSWs, the HIV prevalence for 2007-2010 kept stable (between 2.46% and 1.95%), while the HIV incidence significantly decreased (from 0.71% in 2007 to 0.31% in 2010). In MSM, the HIV prevalence (between 11.78% and 9.42%) and incidence (between 6.01% and 8.38%) remained stable at a relatively high level for 2008-2010. In pregnant women, the HIV prevalence (between 0.44% and 0.30%) and incidence (between 0.15% and 0.08%) remained stable for 2001-2010. Conclusion: The HIV incidences in PWID, male STD clinic attendees and FSWs showed the decreasing trend, supporting a positive effect of prevention strategies for these sub-populations. MSM with the highest HIV incidence have become the sub-population most at risk. In most sub-populations, the HIV prevalence did not decline, suggesting the disease burden is still heavy. These findings are valuable for developing HIV prevention strategies in Yunnan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted an interview survey around and within Mengla and Shangyong Nature Reserves, Mengla County, Yunnan, China, in December 2008 to ascertain whether gibbons were present in the area, and in December 2011 we surveyed two sites in the Reserves for the northern white-cheeked gibbon Nomascus leucogenys. We found no signs of the existence of gibbons during the survey. Illegal hunting was common at both sites. Only 36 individuals in nine groups were recorded in Mengla and Shangyong Nature Reserves in the 1980s, and this small and fragmented population was probably unable to survive the pressure of hunting. No white-cheeked gibbon was recorded in Huanglianshan Nature Reserve in a survey carried out by other researchers in 2003. Gibbons have a very low chance of survival in unprotected forest, and we conclude that the white-cheeked gibbon is extinct, or at least ecologically extinct, in China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new priapulid assemblage, including 4 palaeoscolecidans and one corynetiid, is reported from the Guanshan fossil Lagerstätte (Cambrian Stage 4, Series 2) from East Yunnan, SW China. Three palaeoscolecidan new species, namely Yunnanoscolex magnus gen. et sp. nov., Wudingscolex sapushanensis gen. et sp. nov., Paramaotianshania zijunia gen. et sp. nov., and a new corynetiid species, Corynetis fortis sp. nov. are described. The lifestyles of these animals and their ecological significance are discussed. The occurrence of abundant and diverse priapulids from both the Chengjiang and Guanshan fossil Lagerstätten in East Yunnan indicates a possible radiation centre of this animal group on the soft-substratum shelf of the western part of the Yangtze Platform. INSET: 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical drainage patterns adjacent to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau differed markedly from those of today. We examined the relationship between drainage history and geographic patterns of genetic variation in the Yunnan spiny frog, Nanorana yunnanensis, using approximately 981 base pairs of mitochondrial DNA partial sequences from protein-coding genes ND1 and ND2, and intervening areas including complete tRNAIle, tRNAGln and tRNAMet. Two null hypotheses were tested: (i) that genetic patterns do not correspond to the development of drainage systems and (ii) that populations had been stable and not experienced population expansion, bottlenecking and selection. Genealogical analyses identified three, major, well-supported maternal lineages, each of which had two sublineages. These divergent lineages were completely concordant with six geographical regions. Genetic structure and divergence were strongly congruent with historical rather than contemporary drainage patterns. Most lineages and sublineages were formed via population fragmentation during the rearrangement of paleodrainage basins in the Early Pliocene and Early Pleistocene. Sympatric lineages occurred only in localities at the boundaries of major drainages, likely reflecting secondary contact of previously allopatric populations. Extensive population expansion probably occurred early in the Middle Pleistocene accompanying dramatic climatic oscillations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that examines the main causes of HIV outbreak in Yunnan Province, China from 1989-2007. The study used statistical analysis of serological figures from voluntary trial and counseling areas and case reports. Results show that in 2007, an increasing HIV infection occurrences were registered in Yunnan, and risky drug injection process and unsafe sexual behaviors were described as main causes. The study concludes that HIV outbreak in Yunnan became an intense epidemic.

High sex ratio at birth due to son preference has been known in China historically, but it was thought this phenomenon would diminish with modernisation. The aim of this study was to investigate abortion decisions and reported sex ratios at birth in the context of successive family planning policies in Huaning County, Yunnan Province, in China. Abortion patterns and reported sex ratios at birth of a random sample of 1,336 women aged 15–64 were analysed for the period 1980–2000, in relation to parity and sex of previous children. There was a male bias in the abortion pattern during the 1980s, but by the end of the 1990s most pregnancies of women with two children were being terminated. Sex ratio at birth rose from 107 in 1984–87 to 110 between 1988–2000 in Huaning. While women's reproductive decisions were influenced by son preference over the whole period, the means used to ensure a son differed with changing family planning policies. We conclude that rising sex ratios in the context of falling fertility and modernisation is an alarming socio–demographic issue, which defies historical experience. Assumptions that discrimination against girls would diminish with economic development and female education have proven simplistic. Action is urgently needed to reduce and mitigate the effects of discrimination against girls. Résumé La Chine enregistre depuis longtemps un rapport de masculinité élevé en raison de la préférence pour les fils, mais on pensait que ce phé nomè ne diminuerait avec la modernisation. Cette é tude a analysé les dé cisions d'avorter et les rapports déclarés de masculinité à la naissance, dans le contexte des politiques successives de planification familiale dans le comté de Huaning, province du Yunnan, en Chine. Elle a é tudié les avortements et les rapports de masculinité à la naissance sur un é chantillon de 1336 femmes de 15-64 ans sur la pé riode 1980-2000, par rapport à la parité et au sexe des enfants pré cé dents. Pendant les anné es 80, les décisions d'avorter révélaient une partialité en faveur des garçons, mais à la fin des années 90, la plupart des mè res de deux enfants interrompaient leur grossesse. À Huang, le rapport de masculinité à la naissance est passé de 107 entre 1984–87 à 110 entre 1988–2000. Pendant toute la période étudiée, les décisions des femmes étaient influencées par la préférence pour les fils, mais les moyens employés pour s'assurer un garçon variaient avec l'évolution des politiques de planification familiale. La hausse des rapports de masculinité, face à la baisse de la fécondité et la modernisation, est un phénomène socio-démographique inquiétant, qui dé fie l'expérience historique. Il était simpliste de penser que la discrimination à l'égard des filles diminuerait avec le développement économique et l'éducation des filles et il faut agir d'urgence pour réduire les effets de cette discrimination. Resumen En China se ha sabido por años que hay preferencia por hijos varones pero se pensó que este fenó meno disminuira con la modernizació n. Este estudio investigó el aborto y las proporciones de sexos entre los recién nacidos en las politicas de planificació n familiar en Huaning, Yunnan, en China. Se analizaron las decisiones para abortar y las proporciones de sexos entre recié n nacidos en una muestra aleatoria de 1,336 mujeres de 15 a 64 años entre 1980 y 2000, en relación con la paridad y el sexo de los hijos anteriores. Durante los años 80, se experimentó un sesgo hacia el sexo masculino en los abortos, pero a fines de los años 90, las mujeres con dos hijos decidian abortar. En Huang, la proporción de varones recié n nacidos aumentó de 107 por cada 100 niñas entre 1984–87 a 110 niños por cada 100 niñas entre 1988–2000. A pesar de que durante todo este período las decisiones de las mujeres fueron influenciadas por su preferencia por tener un varó n, los medios utilizados para garantizar su nacimiento cambiaron con las polí t́icas de planificación familiar. El aumento en la proporción de varones entre recién nacidos en una fecundidad declinante y la modernización es un aspecto sociodemográ fico alarmante que desafíà la experiencia histórica. Fue simple pensar que la discriminación contra las niñas disminuiríà con el desarrollo econó mico y la formación de las mujeres. Es apremiante la necesidad de tomar medidas para disminuir y atenuar los efectos de la discriminació n contra las niñas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a gateway for HIV-1 in China, Yunnan has experienced dramatic changes in HIV-1 epidemics, during which HIV-1 genotypes have become complex. To track dynamic changes in HIV-1 genotypes, an HIV-1 molecular epidemiological study was implemented in the recently infected population in Yunnan.Methods: From 6,357 HIV-1-positive samples diagnosed during the first half of 2015 in Yunnan, 586 samples were identified as recent infections with BED-capture enzyme immunoassay (CEIA) and were subjected to phylogenetic analyses. Spatial scanning analyses for the main HIV-1 genotypes were also performed.Results: Among the 439 specimens successfully genotyped, more than ten genotypes were detected, including CRF08_BC (45.3%), CRF07_BC (19.4%), unique recombinant forms (URFs) (18.2%), CRF01_AE (11.4%), subtype C (2.1%), CRF85_BC (1.1%), CRF55_01B (0.9%), subtype B (0.5%), CRF64_BC (0.5%), CRF59_01B (0.2%), CRF83_cpx (0.2%) and CRF87_cpx (0.2%). Females, Chinese, heterosexual contact and intravenous drug injection were significantly associated with CRF08_BC infection; homosexual contact was significantly associated with CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC infection; males and non-Chinese had a higher risk of URF infection than females. Among all HIV-1 genotypes, the geographic coverage of CRF08_BC was the largest. For CRF08_BC, CRF07_BC, URFs and CRF01_AE, spatial clusters were detected. The two CRF08_BC clusters and one URF cluster were associated with heterosexual transmission, and two of CRF01_AE clusters were associated with homosexual transmission. Transmitted drug resistance (TDR)-associated mutations were detected in 2.4% of individuals.Conclusions: The diversity of HIV-1 genotypes increased in recent infections because of a long-term HIV-1 epidemic in Yunnan. The predominant HIV-1 strains showed distinct demographic characteristics and formed spatial clusters. These findings improved our understanding of the evolution of HIV-1 in Yunnan and provided information for further HIV-1 control and prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]