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Objective: Surgical management is the mainstay of treatment for tumours in the parapharyngeal space. This study aimed to evaluate the indications, limits and technical nuances of the endoscopic transoral approach. Method: Thirteen patients with parapharyngeal space tumours that were treated between May 2017 and November 2020 were included in this retrospective study. Results: All patients underwent surgery for complete oncological resection except one patient who received treatment for diagnostic purposes. No major complications were reported, with excellent control of the vital structures of the parapharyngeal space. Conclusion: The endoscopic transoral approach to the parapharyngeal space is a promising alternative approach for selected parapharyngeal space tumours with satisfactory outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spatio-temporal distribution of forests is related to climate. Pinus sibirica is a native species in areas subject to continental temperate cold climate that favors its growth. This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the climatic suitability of northeast and northwest China for the introduction of Pinus sibirica. For this purpose, climate of the northeast and northwest China was compared with the climate of Western Siberia (Russia). The Climatic data was obtained from NMKI Climate explorer and China meteorological administration. The Tukey Pairwise Comparison test found that Mohe weather station in northeast China shows (-4.7 °C, -3.26 °C, -5.31 °C and -3.9 °C) resemblance in temperature with three of western Siberian stations where Pinus sibirica is distributed in association with Larix sibirica and Picea obovata. The annual mean precipitation for all the weather stations including Mohe and Huma, China was more than 420 - 609 mm. This specie is also found to grow in various elevations in Western Siberia from 45 to 25 m in Altai Mountains, and from 300 to 700 m in Daxing' anling Mountains. In conclusion, climatic regimes in terms of temperature and precipitation in Daxing' anling Mountains allow the introduction of the Pinus sibirica into northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although infection rates may increase after relaxation of the zero COVID strategy, the extensive vaccination campaign in China could potentially curb the spread of COVID-19, which may be associated with a low level of risk perception and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). However, the relationship between vaccination, risk perception and PTSS has not been studied extensively. This study aims to examine the associations between the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses, consistency in the type of each dose and time since vaccination with PTSS, and the mediating role of risk perception on such relationships in China. Cross-sectional sampling with a self-report questionnaire was used to measure vaccination, PTSS and risk perception. The survey was conducted in Beijing, China, from 13 January to 9 February 2023. Linear regression analyses were conducted to test the relationship between vaccination, risk perception and PTSS. The analysis included 55,803 individuals. In total, 72.86 % of participants received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Regression results indicated that people with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had a lower level of PTSS (β = −1.232, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: −1.930, −0.534) than those who had not received any doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Only the negative relationship between two-dose vaccination and PTSS was mediated by risk perception, while the negative relationship between the time since vaccination and PTSS was suppressed by risk perception. This study showed that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine reduced PTSS by decreasing perceived risk. Vaccination time was negatively associated with PTSS, but this relationship was suppressed by risk perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left-behind middle school students are a common phenomenon in the rural Three Gorges areas causing wide concerns as students in puberty undergoing rapid development of the mind and body. This study examines the mental health of the leftbehind middle school students from a positive perspective instead of emphasizing negative factors, which may explore a new way to study their mental health. Study design: A cross-sectional survey. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among middle school students in the Yunyang County of the Rural Three Gorges areas. Information about demographic characteristics was collected using a self-designed questionnaire; mental health status, resilience status, and the influential factors of resilience were collected using Mental Health Test (MHT) and Resilience and Youth Development Module (RYDM) scales. Results: The detection rate of mental health problems in left-behind students was 6.01%. The difference in detection rates between left-behind students and non-left-behind students was not significant. The detection rates of low resilience in left-behind students was 0.95%, of medium resilience was 54.15%, and of high resilience was 44.90%. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that influential factors associated with the resilience of leftbehind students included grade, contradiction with the guardian, and students' worry about their parents working outside the county. Conclusions: Future studies should explore the links between each influential factor and its influencing mechanism. Meanwhile, the appropriate mental health education activities should be conducted in line with local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Adult spinal cord injury without radiologic abnormalities (SCIWORA) is evidenced to be underreported. Some abnormalities that were not present on computed tomography (CT) were identified on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but the diagnostic reliability of early MRI remains considerable disagreement.Objective:The present study was retrospectively designed to assess a potential correlation between clinical and imaging findings in adults experiencing SCIWORA.Setting:A total of 2964 adult patients (age >18 or older) with acute cervical spine injury presented to the single institution between January 2009 and June 2014.Methods:Fifty-nine patients with SCIWORA were included in the study. Initial MRI findings at admission were analyzed, and a 6-month follow-up was performed.Results:On admission, complete spinal cord injury was found in 32 patients, incomplete spinal cord injury in 20 patients and central cord syndrome in seven patients. MRI findings showed varying degrees of degenerative or spondylotic changes in 45% of the patients (n=27). The cord contusion was shown in 12 patients, cord edema in 7, cord hemorrhage in 2 and ligamentum flavum bulging in 4 patients. In all, two of these patients had no positive findings on the initial MRI, but presented with positive abnormalities on repeat MRI 72 h after trauma. At discharge, most of the patients presented with complete remission, but some of the patients presented with partial remission. After 6 months, all patients significantly improved, and only two patients did not show full recovery.Conclusions:Early use of MRI added little in the determination of stability of the cervical spine in the presence of a negative CT. Our study suggested that the neurological outcome did not correlate with early MRI findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) have attracted attention as potential vectors for gene therapy and vaccines against several diseases, including HIV-1 infection. However, the presence of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) after natural AAV infections inhibits their transfection in re-exposed subjects. To identify candidate AAV vectors for therapeutic or prophylactic HIV vaccines, NAbs against AAV2, AAV5 and AAV8 were screened in the sera of healthy individuals in China and 10 developed countries and an HIV-1-infected Chinese population. Seroprevalence was higher for AAV2 (96.6%) and AAV8 (82.0%) than for AAV5 (40.2%) in normal Chinese subjects. Among individuals seropositive for AAV5, >80% had low NAb titers (<1:90). The prevalence and titers of NAbs against the three AAVs were significantly higher in China than in developed countries (P<0.01). The prevalence of NAbs against AAV5 did not differ significantly between healthy and HIV-1-infected Chinese subjects (P=0.39). Co-occurrence of NAbs against AAV2, AAV5, and AAV8 was observed in the healthy population, and 15, 41, and 41% of individuals were AAV2+, AAV2+/AAV8+, and AAV2+/AAV5+/AAV8+, respectively. Therefore, AAV5 exposure is low in healthy and HIV-1-infected populations Chinese individuals, and vectors based on AAV5 may be appropriate for human gene therapy or vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the recommendations developed by the Kinetics Committee of the International Confederation for Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (ICTAC), non-isothermal pyrolysis experiments were carried out to analyze and compare two types of oil shale from the northeast of China using simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis at temperatures ranging from 40 to 850 °C. The pyrolysis process of oil shale begins with the evaporation of small molecular substances, then continues by the pyrolysis of kerogen, and finally ends mainly with the complete decomposition of carbonates. In this whole process, almost 36 % of overall pyrolytic heat was used for the pyrolysis of kerogen. When retorting air-dried basis oil shale below 520 °C, a considerable proportion of the heat required will have to be used mainly for the evaporation of small molecular substances below 185 °C. Specific heat capacities of two oil shale semicokes were measured below 500 °C by DSC method, showing that specific heat capacity of semicoke will increase with the increase of the temperature, and carbonization of kerogen can bring about a further positive effect on it. Coats-Redfern method was used to calculate kinetic parameters in three pyrolysis stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model with Chemistry (WRF/Chem) model, we conducted a series of numerical experiments to investigate the relative contributions of climate and emission change to surface ozone (O3) over South China for the period of October in 2005–2007 and 2055–57. WRF/Chem was driven by the outputs of Community Climate System Model version 3 (CCSM3). The simulations predict that on average near-surface temperature and water vapor mixing ratio are projected to increase 1.6 °C and 1.6 g kg− 1 under A1B scenario. In response to the climate change, the emissions of isoprene and monoterpenes in South China increase by 5–55% and 5–40%, respectively. The change of climate and biogenic emission can result in a change of −5 to 5 ppb of afternoon surface O3 mixing ratios, with an average of 1.6 ppb over the land region in South China. Over Pearl River Delta, a region of dense network of cities, the 2000–2050 climate changes increase afternoon mean surface O3 by 1.5 ppb. The change of anthropogenic emission can result in a change of −3–24 ppb of afternoon surface O3 mixing ratios, with an average of 12.8 ppb over the land region in South China. Our analysis suggests that the anthropogenic emissions have greater impact on the change of surface O3 concentration over South China compared to climate change. The combined effect of climate and emission can increase afternoon mean surface O3 over South China by an average of 18.2 ppb in the land region, with the highest increase up to 24 ppb occurring over southeast of Hunan province. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Recently, we have reported filaggrin mutations ( FLG) of atopic dermatitis in southern China. However, there have been few detailed reports of FLG mutations of patients with AD in northern China by now. Objectives The present aim was to establish the mutation spectrum of FLG gene in AD patients in northern China. Methods A total of 339 cases met Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria of AD were recruited. A comprehensive sequencing of the entire FLG coding region in these patients was conducted. All detected FLG null mutations were screened in a cohort of 301 normal controls. Results Seven novel mutations (478insA, Q1070X, 4026delT, Q1712X, Q2397X, 7145del4 and 8001del4) and eleven reported mutations (3222del4, 3321delA, 4271delAA, S1515X, Q1790X, 5757del4, 6834del5, Q2417X, E2422X, 7945delA and K4671X) in AD were identified. Mutations 3321delA and K4671X were two of the most common mutations in AD. FLG null mutations were present in 26.0% of AD patients. FLG null alleles (compound genotypes) were significantly higher in AD ( P < 0.001) than in the controls. The compound genotypes for all FLG variants were significantly associated with IV ( P < 0.001) and palmar hyperlinearity ( P < 0.001). The common mutation, K4671X, was significantly associated with AD-coexistent allergic rhinitis ( P = 0.005). Conclusions Our study increases the total number of FLG mutations. We clearly demonstrated that FLG loss-of-function mutations were significantly associated with AD in northern China. The FLG null mutations in the Chinese population differed not only from that in the European population but also from that in sub-populations of Asians outside of the Chinese mainland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The optimal maintenance therapy for active diffuse lupus nephritis remains to be established. In this study, we explored the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus for maintaining remission of active lupus nephritis compared to that of azathioprine. Methods: Seventy patients with biopsy-proven lupus nephritis who achieved remission were enrolled in nine nephrology centers in China from 2006 to 2008. Patients were randomized either to tacrolimus plus prednisone (n = 34) or azathioprine plus prednisone (n = 36) for six months. Tacrolimus was titrated to achieve a trough blood concentration of 4–6 ng/mL, and the dosage of azathioprine was 2 mg/kg/d. Prednisone was administered at a dose of 10 mg/d to both groups. The primary outcome was incidence of relapse. Response, clinical parameters and adverse effects were secondary endpoints. Results: After six months of therapy, two of the azathioprine-treated patients developed renal relapse compared to none of the tacrolimus-treated patients (p = 0.49; odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI (0.98, 1.15)). Leucopenia (defined as < 2000 cells per cubic millimeter) was significantly more frequent in the azathioprine group than the tacrolimus group (47% vs. 9%, p < .001). Conclusion: In conjunction with prednisone, maintenance therapy with tacrolimus and azathioprine has a similar low rate of renal relapse, and the tacrolimus regimen has a more favorable safety profile, with less leucopenia. However, since our study lacked sufficient power, longer follow-up is needed to draw final conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A field trial to examine growth and wound healing of pruned Corymbia torelliana was established in a 40-month-old plantation in western Guangdong, China. It included: (1) pruning all branches up to stem diameters of 5, 6, 7 or 8 cm, (2) wound protection with wax or paint and (3) a control with no pruning. Measurements of growth and wound occlusion taken at various intervals up to 12 months after pruning showed that pruning generally impeded height growth, promoted diameter at breast height (dbh) growth and slightly increased taper. The optimal pruning intensity for tree growth was pruning up to stem diameter of 8 cm. Lower wound occlusion rates occurred in heavier pruning intensities. The optimal intensity for rapid wound occlusion was pruning up to stem diameter of 7 or 8 cm. Paint resulted in better occlusion than wax. The fastest wound occlusion occurred in stem section of height 2.51 to 5.35 m above the ground. Rate of wound occlusion up to 12 months showed correlations with dbh increment, initial wound size and pruning intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An outbreak of hemangiomas and myelocytomas in 26 to 29-week-old egg-type chickens was observed in eastern China during late 2007. Mortality of the five flocks is 5∼10%. Hemangiomas of various sizes were seen scattered over the trunk, claws, wings, and head. At necropsy, hemangiomas appeared in the pancreases, ovarian follicles and livers. In addition, numerous similar nodular lesions and resembling tumors were seen in the same tissues. Eighty-six serum samples from the five flocks were tested for the presence of ALV-J, ALV-A/B and REV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The overall seroprevalence of ALV-J antibodies was 61.63% (53/86), while ALV-A/B and REV antibodies were negative. Histologically, hemangiomas were typically cavernous hemangiomas with sponge-like architectures and myeloblastic infiltration, in which large multifocal islands of myeloblasts or myelocytes were observed. Immunohistochemistry with ALV-J and REV monoclonal antibodies revealed a diffuse presence of ALV-J antigen in hemangiomas, myelocytomas, bone marrow, liver, and other internal organs, especially in endothelial cells of small vessels, while there was no REV antigen. PCR analyses revealed the presence of ALV-J proviral sequences were more closely related to HPRS-103 than the to other Chinese field strains and ADOL-7501. No evidence of Marek's disease or lymphoid leukosis was found. The studies found that hemangiomas and myelocytomas appeared in same tissue at same time in layer chickens were induced by avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dragon spruce (Picea asperata Mast.) is widely planted on clear-cuts from natural subalpine coniferous forests in western Sichuan. To assess the natural regeneration potential of this species in spruce plantations of different ages, field studies on the seed rain, seed bank, and seedling recruitment were conducted in 20-year, 30-year, and 60-year plantations, and in a retained natural forest ca. 150 years old for comparison. Moreover, a series of temperature and light regimes were also designed in March 2003 to test germination/dormancy responses of the P. asperata seeds to different conditions. In the plantations considered, both the densities of seed rain and soil seed bank increased with increasing stand age, whereas they were both low beneath the natural forest partially due to low adult density of P. asperata adult trees. P. asperata has a transient seed bank, and ca. 60% of seeds were found in the litter layer. Seed decay and seed predation were the two most important factors affecting soil seed bank dynamics, which caused a number of seed losses from the soil. Only a small fraction germinated and produced seedlings, and the indices of the losses from the seed bank via germination in the 30-year plantation, 60-year plantation and natural forest were 4.75, 5.10, and 2.80%, respectively. High seedling mortality was observed after seedling emergence, and most of the germinated seedlings died out within one growing season. The P. asperata seeds showed a high percent germination and no significant differences under most light and temperature regimes except for full sunlight or temperature below 5°C. In conclusion, despite a substantial number of seed produced, the high depletion of soil seed, the low seedling output, and high seedling mortality may obscure the natural regeneration potential of this tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Babesiosis has recently been recognized as an emerging infectious disease of buffalo in China. In order to investigate the epidemiology and enzootic potential of this parasite in Hubei province, we sought to develop a semi-nested PCR to detect Babesia orientalis in buffalo and the potential tick vector-Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides by amplifying a specific 257bp fragment of B. orientalis 18S rRNA gene. The practical limit of detection showed that it had high sensitivity and an approximate parasitemia of 0.00000012% was detected by the PCR system. The blood samples of 121 asymptomatic buffaloes collected from four babesia endemic counties and that of 71 asymptomatic buffaloes collected from three babesia free counties in Hubei province of China were examined for the presence of B. orientalis using both Wright–Giemsa stained blood smear and semi-nested PCR. Microscopic examination revealed that 5/121 animals were positive, whereas 24/121 animals were positive by the semi-nested PCR assay. Of 378 ticks (R. haemaphysaloides) collected from buffaloes and examined by the semi-nested PCR, 35 were positive. The results showed that the semi-nested PCR was a useful method to investigate the epidemiology of buffalo babesiosis (B. orientalis), which is widely distributed in Hubei province, China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to examine the effects of global warming on the decomposition of forest leaf litter in Southern China, a reciprocal experiment was designed to decompose forest leaf litter in two sites across climatic zones. One site was located on Mt Jianfengling in the tropical zone and the other, on Mt Dinghushan in the subtropical zone. Both sites were located in NSTEC (North-South Transect in Eastern China), in which the temperature gradient along the transect was the major driver. The two sites had similar altitudes, soil types, annual mean rainfall and dry and wet seasons. The difference of annual mean temperature between sites was 3.7 °C. Leaf litters of 10 native dominant tree species were collected from the two sites and divided into single-species litter and mixed litter, and they were incubated on the forest floor of the two sites reciprocally. The results indicated that litter decomposed in the tropical site 1.36-3.06 times more rapidly than in the subtropical site. Apparent Q10, calculated on the basis of the difference of temperature between sites, ranged from 3.7 to 7.5. The conclusion was that global warming would increase the rate of matter circulation in the subtropical forest ecosystem in China. Mixed litter decomposed more rapidly than single-species litter in subtropical site. Not all dominant species litter could represent mixed litter in decomposition. The variability of decomposition rates among the litter types was less in the tropical site than in the subtropical site. Therefore, the effect of litter quality on litter decomposition was less significant in the warmer conditions of the tropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High amylose content (AC) in rice endosperm is correlated with poor grain quality, particularly in indica hybrid rice. We have generated several homozygous transgenic parent lines of indica hybrid rice carrying an antisense Waxy ( Wx) gene and demonstrated that the AC in seeds of these lines decreased dramatically. Two transgenic maintainer lines (L25B and L18B), derived from one of the key maintainer parents of an indica hybrid rice in China, Long-te-fu B (LTF-B), were selected and the antisense Wx gene was subsequently introgressed into the male-sterile counterpart, LTF-A, with the aim to generate improved indica hybrids. The indica hybrids derived from the selected transgenic male-sterile lines and restorer lines were tested for quality and agronomic performance under normal field conditions. Our results demonstrated that the reduction of AC in the homozygous transgenic maintainer lines stably passed down in five successive generations and the improved quality was also found in their relevant transgenic hybrids produced. The other two key characters of rice cooking and eating quality, the gel consistence (GC) and gelatinization temperature (GT), were also improved in the grains of both the transgenic maintainer lines and their relevant hybrids. In addition, no change was observed for most of the agronomic characters of the transgenic maintainer lines and the relevant transgenic hybrids. Although the grain weight of the transgenic line was reduced, the grain yield of the homozygous transgenic parent lines and the transgenic hybrids was similar when compared with that of the wild-type controls. These results suggest that transgenic approaches are an effective way to obtain rice lines with both improved qualities and high yield, especially for indica hybrid rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses tuberculosis (TB) as one of the death-causing disease and the hindrance in the eradication and management of TB due to the emergence of the conditions of extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) and multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). It also discusses the TB burden of China 2016 conventional World Health Organization (WHO) regimen for the treatment of MDR-TB.

Plantation-grown Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) and other trees residing in the Myrtales have been widely planted in southern China. These fungal pathogens include species of Cryphonectriaceae that are well-known to cause stem and branch canker disease on Myrtales trees. During recent disease surveys in southern China, sporocarps with typical characteristics of Cryphonectriaceae were observed on the surfaces of cankers on the stems and branches of Myrtales trees. In this study, a total of 164 Cryphonectriaceae isolates were identified based on comparisons of DNA sequences of the partial conserved nuclear large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions including the 5.8S gene of the ribosomal DNA operon, two regions of the ß-tubulin (tub2/tub1) gene, and the translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1) gene region, as well as their morphological characteristics. The results showed that eight species reside in four genera of Cryphonectriaceae occurring on the genera Eucalyptus, Melastoma (Melastomataceae), Psidium (Myrtaceae), Syzygium (Myrtaceae), and Terminalia (Combretaceae) in Myrtales. These fungal species include Chrysoporthe deuterocubensis, Celoporthe syzygii, Cel. eucalypti, Cel. guangdongensis, Cel. cerciana, a new genus and two new species, as well as one new species of Aurifilum. These new taxa are hereby described as Parvosmorbus gen. nov., Par. eucalypti sp. nov., Par. guangdongensis sp. nov., and Aurifilum terminali sp. nov. Pathogenicity tests showed that the eight species of Cryphonectriaceae are pathogenic to two Eucalyptus hybrid seedlings, Melastoma sanguineum branches, and Psidium guajava and Syzygium jambos seedlings. The overall data showed that Chr. deuterocubensis is the most aggressive, followed by Par. eucalypti. Significant differences in tolerance were observed between the two tested Eucalyptus hybrid genotypes, suggesting that disease-tolerant genotypes can be selected for disease management in the Eucalyptus industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common skin disorder in infancy. However, the diagnosis and definite significance of infantile AD remains a debated issue. Objective: To analyse the phenotypes of AD in infancy, to establish diagnostic criteria and to estimate the prevalence of this condition in China. Methods: This is a multicentric study, in which 12 locations were chosen from different metropolitan areas of China. Following careful and complete history‐taking and skin examination, the definite diagnosis of AD was made and the severity based on the SCORAD index was determined by local experienced dermatologists. Based on the detailed phenotyping, the major and representative clinical features of infantile AD were selected to establish the diagnostic criteria and evaluate their diagnostic efficacy. Results: A total of 5967 infants were included in this study. The overall point prevalence of AD was 30.48%. The infantile AD developed as early as at the second month of life, and its incidence peaked in the third month of life at 40.81%. The proportion of mild, moderate and severe AD was 67.40%, 30.57% and 2.03%, respectively. The most commonly seen manifestations in the infantile AD were facial dermatitis (72.07%), xerosis (42.72%) and scalp dermatitis (27.93%). We established the novel diagnostic criteria of infants, which included: (i) onset after 2 weeks of birth; (ii) pruritus and/or irritability and sleeplessness comparable with lesions; and (iii) all two items above with one of the following items can reach a diagnosis of AD: (i) eczematous lesions distributed on cheeks and/or scalp and/or extensor limbs, and (ii) eczematous lesions on any other parts of body accompanied by xerosis. Conclusions: In China, the prevalence of AD in infancy is 30.48% according to clinical diagnosis of dermatologists. The novel Chinese diagnostic criteria for AD in infants show a higher sensitivity and comparable specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zoonotic diseases transmitted by arthropods and rodents are a major public health concern in China. However, interventions in recent decades have helped lower the incidence of several diseases despite the country's large, frequently mobile population and socio-economic challenges. Increasing globalization, rapid urbanization and a warming climate now add to the complexity of disease control and prevention and could challenge China's capacity to respond to threats of emerging and re-emerging zoonoses. To investigate this notion, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 30 infectious disease experts in four cities in China. The case study diseases under discussion were malaria, dengue fever and haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, all of which may be influenced by changing meteorological conditions. Data were analysed using standard qualitative techniques. The study participants viewed the current disease prevention and control system favourably and were optimistic about China's capacity to manage climate-sensitive diseases in the future. Several recommendations emerged from the data including the need to improve health literacy in the population regarding the transmission of infectious diseases and raising awareness of the health impacts of climate change amongst policymakers and health professionals. Participants thought that research capacity could be strengthened and human resources issues for front-line staff should be addressed. It was considered important that authorities are well prepared in advance for outbreaks such as dengue fever in populous subtropical areas, and a prompt and coordinated response is required when outbreaks occur. Furthermore, health professionals need to remain skilled in the identification of diseases for which incidence is declining, so that re-emerging or emerging trends can be rapidly identified. Recommendations such as these may be useful in formulating adaptation plans and capacity building for the future control and prevention of climate-sensitive zoonotic diseases in China and neighbouring countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the presence of Witches'-Broom disease on Chinese wingnut and the disease's link with a phytoplasma of aster yellows group in China. Research findings; Research applications; Implications on studies of plant diseases.

Objective: To estimate the incidence of urinary incontinence (UI), including its subtypes stress UI (SUI), urgency UI (UUI) and mixed UI (MUI), and to examine risk factors for de novo SUI and UUI in Chinese women. Design: Nationwide longitudinal study. Setting: Six geographic regions of China. Participants: Women aged ≥20 years old were included using a multistage, stratified, cluster sampling method. Methods: This study was conducted between May 2014 and March 2016, with follow up in 2018. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle and physiological and anthropometric information were collected. Main outcome measurements: Incidence, rate ratio (RR). Results: Analyses included 24 985 women (mean age 41.9 years).The follow‐up response rate was 55.5%, median follow‐up time was 3.7 years. The standardised incidences of UI, SUI, UUI and MUI were 21.2, 13.1, 3.0 and 5.1 per 1000 person‐years, respectively. Risk factors for de novo SUI included delivery pattern (vaginal spontaneous delivery RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.62–2.78 and instrumental delivery RR 3.30, 95% CI 1.99–5.45), high body mass index (BMI) (overweight RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.33–1.74 and obesity RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.32–2.11), cigarette smoking (RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.12–2.12), chronic cough (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.17–1.76), diabetes (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10–1.60) and older age (50–59 years RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.16–1.90 and 60–69 years RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.22–2.13).The risk factors significantly associated with de novo UUI were age (RR increased from 1.21, 95% CI 0.74–1.99, at 30–39 years to 6.3, 95% CI 3.85–10.30, at >70 years) and diabetes (RR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05–2.09). Conclusions: The incidence of female UI is 21.2 per 1000 person‐years in China. Delivery (vaginal spontaneous delivery, instrumental delivery), high BMI, cigarette smoking, chronic cough, diabetes and older age were risk factors. The incidence of female urinary incontinence was 21.2 per 1000 person‐years in China. Delivery, BMI, diabetes and old age are risk factors. The incidence of female urinary incontinence was 21.2 per 1000 person‐years in China. Delivery, BMI, diabetes and old age are risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk factors and burden of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in adult Chinese women.Design: A nationwide cross-sectional study.Setting: Six geographic regions of mainland China.Participants: Women aged ≥20 years old were included using a multistage, stratified, cluster sampling method from February 2014 through March 2016.Methods: We conducted a nationwide epidemiological survey. 'Symptomatic POP' was determined by a screening questionnaire and physical examination.Main Outcome Measurements: Prevalence, odds ratio (OR).Results: A total of 55 477 women (response rate, 92.5%; mean age, 45.1 years old) were included. The prevalence of symptomatic POP was 9.6% (95% CI 9.3-9.8%) and it increased with age in each stage (P < 0.05). Symptomatic POP-Q stage II, which mainly involved anterior compartment prolapse, was the most common (7.52%). Minor/moderate burden of symptomatic POP was the most common, with a prevalence of 9.7% (95% CI 9.5-10.0%). The odds for each type of symptomatic POP increased with age (>50 vs 20-29 years old in symptomatic POP-Q stage II or higher, OR increased from 1.34 [95% CI 1.32-1.45] to 7.34 [95% CI 4.34-12.41]) and multiple vaginal deliveries (multiparous [≥3] vs nulliparous in symptomatic POP-Q stage II or higher, OR increased from 1.91 [1.71-2.13] to 2.78 [2.13-3.64]).Conclusions: We found a lower prevalence of symptomatic POP than that found in other surveys. The main type of symptomatic POP was anterior compartment prolapse, indicating that it should be considered first. Older age and multiple vaginal deliveries increased the odds of each type of symptomatic POP.Tweetable Abstract: The prevalence of female symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) was 9.6% in China. It is related to old age and multiple vaginal deliveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The middle reach of the Yangtze River, customarily called the Jingjiang River, together with its diversion channels and Dongting Lake, form a large complicated drainage system. In the last five decades, significant geomorphological changes have occurred in the drainage system, including the shrinkage of diversion channels, contraction of Dongting Lake, changes in the rating curve at the Luoshan station, and cutoffs of the lower Jingjiang River. These changes are believed to be the cause of the occurrence of abnormal floods in the Jingjiang River. Qualitative analyses suggest that the first three factors aggravate the flood situation in the lower Jingjiang River, while the last factor seems beneficial for flood prevention. To quantitatively evaluate these conclusions, a finite-volume numerical model was constructed. A series of numerical simulations were carried out to test the individual and combined effects of the aforementioned four factors, and these simulations showed that high flood stages in the Jingjiang River clearly are related to the geomorphological changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acouso-physical properties of sea floor sediments in the southeast offshore sea area of Hainan Island on the northern continental shelf of the South China Sea are analyzed. In many cruises, conductivity-temperature-depth measurements of seawater, measurements of shallow stratum and side-scan sonar have been made. Acoustic parameters, basic sedimentary parameters, physical-mechanical parameters and 14C age, etc., have been measured. The sediment elastic parameters, including Young's modulus, bulk modulus, constrained modulus, rigidity modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lames constant, etc., have been calculated. Results show that the compression wave velocity of the seafloor sediment in the sea area ranges from 1474-1700 m/s, and there are high and low sound velocity sediment types in the different sea areas; the shear wave velocity is 150-600 m/s; at 100 kHz the sediment sound attenuation is 35-260 dB/m, the sediment density is 1.4-2.0 g/cm3; the sediment porosity is 42-88%. Sound field parameters and describing sound reciprocity between sea and seafloor are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P and S receiver functions obtained from a portable array of 34 broad-band stations in east central China provide a detailed image of the crust–mantle and lithosphere–asthenosphere boundaries (LAB) in the Dabie Shan and its adjacent areas. Clear S-to- P converted waves produced at the LAB show a thin lithosphere beneath the whole study area. Based on our results, the thickest lithosphere of 72 km is observed beneath the southern part of the area within the Yangtze craton, whereas beneath the North-China platform, the lithosphere is only 60 km thick. S receiver functions also reveal, in good agreement with P receiver functions, a maximum depth of the Moho beneath the Dabie Shan orogen at approximately 40 km. Furthermore, we interpret the structural difference at 32° latitude as the probable location of the mantle suture formed between the Yangtze and the Sino-Korean cratons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In previous epidemiological study, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) was 12.94% among children aged 1–7 years by clinical diagnosis, whereas that was 4.76% and 3.51% using U.K., and Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria. Objective: We aimed to propose new diagnostic criteria for children and evaluate its efficiency in different populations. Methods: We screened atopic features and analysed their correlation with AD using data from a previous study. A new set of diagnostic criteria for children in China was proposed and validated in 1031 children in outpatient clinics and 538 children in a birth cohort survey. Clinical diagnosis and atopic feature evaluation were performed face to face by dermatologists specialized in AD. Three criteria were compared for diagnostic efficiency using the clinical diagnosis as the reference. Results: The new diagnostic criteria for children were based on (i) pruritus; (ii) 'typical morphology and distribution' or 'atypical morphology and distribution with xerosis'; and (iii) a chronic or chronically relapsing course. Compared to classical diagnostic criteria, the sensitivity of the new diagnostic criteria was significantly higher in the epidemiological survey and the clinical setting, especially obvious among mild and moderate AD. In the birth cohort, the new criteria showed similar sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: The new criteria for children yielded higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of AD in the epidemiological survey and clinical setting, particularly for mild and moderate AD. Among the birth cohort with a complete medical history, three criteria showed similar sensitivity and specificity. Linked Commentary: T. Bieber. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2020; 34: 438–439. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.16223. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rust (Melampsora apocyni) on Apocynum venetum is the major constraint to the commercial development of this medicinal herb. To determine the factors influencing rust intensity (maximum disease index [DImax]), rust was investigated from 2011 to 2015 in both cultivated and wild A. venetum plants. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) was used to analyze the paths and extent of the factors related to pathogen, environment, and host that affect rust intensity. DImax exhibited considerable variations across years and study sites, with variations linked to various factors fostering disease development. PLS-PM explained 80.0 and 70.1% of variations in DImax in cultivated and wild plants, respectively. Precipitation was the key factor determining DImax in both cultivated and wild plants (path coefficient [PC] =0.313 and 0.544, respectively). In addition, the topsoil water content in cultivated plants and the total vegetation coverage in wild plants were also critical determinants of DImax via their effects on the microclimatic factor (contribution coefficients [CC] = 0.681 and 0.989, respectively; PC = 0.831 and 0.231, respectively). In both cultivated and wild plants, host factors were mainly dominated by A. venetum density (CC = 0.989 and 0.894, respectively), and their effect on DIlnax via the microclimatic factor (PC = 0.841 and 0.862, respectively) exceeded that via the inoculum factor (PC = 0.705 and 0.130, respectively). However, the indirect effects led to DImax variation, while the dilution effect on host (CC = 0.154) from weed in wild plants led to the indirect effect size in wild plants of 0.200, which was lower than -0.699 in cultivated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in a representative sample of postmenopausal Chinese women.Methods: A total of 20,008 postmenopausal Chinese women were recruited to this cross-sectional study between February 2014 and March 2016. The prevalence of symptomatic POP, defined as any stage II or higher POP resulting in symptoms, was assessed using questionnaires and physical examinations. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with symptomatic POP.Results: Among all women with natural menopause included in the study (mean age =61.98 ± 10.62 years), 2962 of 20,008 women (14.80%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.3-15.3%) had symptomatic POP. In the multivariate analysis, women were more likely to have symptomatic POP if aged 50-59 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.322, 95% CI 1.123-1.560), 60-69 years (AOR 1.603, 95% CI 1.352-1.907), or above 70 years (AOR 1.824, 95% CI 1.158-2.197), compared with women aged 40-49 years. Having delivered two times (AOR 1.145, 95% CI 1.105-1.292) or three or more times (AOR 1.384, 95% CI 1.214-1.578) was significantly associated with symptomatic POP. Compared with normal weight women, overweight women (AOR 1.365, 95% CI 1.247-1.494) and obese women (AOR 1.548, 95% CI 1.344-1.780) were more likely to have POP. Living in an urban area, smoking, alcohol consumption, cough, constipation, mental labor, physical disease, and gynecological diseases were also associated with symptomatic POP.Conclusions: Symptomatic POP affects nearly 15% of postmenopausal women in China. The prevalence of symptomatic POP increases significantly with age, body mass index, and parity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides the length-weight relationships ( LWRs) for four fish species [Leptobotia rubrilabris (Dabry de Thiersant, 1872); Opsariichthys bidens Günther, 1873; Xenocypris yunnanensis Nichols, 1925; and Sinogastromyzon sichangensis Chang, 1944] collected from the Niulan River, China. Samples were obtained between April 2008 and June 2011 using various types of fishing gear [drift gill nets (mesh: 5 × 5 cm), hook and electro fishing]. A total of 136 specimens belonging to four fish species were analyzed. For each species the sample size, length range, weight range, LWR, 95% confidence intervals of a and b, and coefficient of correlation were determined. Prior to this study, the LWRs for S. sichangensis and X. yunnanensis were unknown. New maximum sizes for S. sichangensis and X. yunnanensis are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The limited land resources are compelling the farming community to implement high-yielding measures. Straw mulching is an effective way to sustain soil fertility and increase summer maize grain yield. To evaluate the effect of straw mulching on summer maize productivity, field experiments were conducted during 2010 and 2011 at Experimental Station of Shandong Agricultural University. The experiment adopted a split plot design arranged in randomized blocks with three replications. Main plots were plant type, including compact type, Chaoshi1 (C), and flat type, Danyu86 (D); subplots consisted of straw mulching amount: 0, 0.6, and 1.2 kg/m2, treatments consists of C0, C0.6, C1.2; D0, D0.6 and D1.2. The results indicated that straw mulching increased LAI at the earlier growing stage but decreased LAI at the later growing stage; there was a significant effect on PAR capture ratio for Danyu6 but not in Chaoshi1, the capture ratio was significantly higher in D0.6 and D1.2 than D0, and the increasing the proportion were by 8.3% and 11.0%, respectively. Straw mulching increased both cob dry matter and stems and leaves dry matter in Danyu86; however, straw mulching increased cob dry matter and decreased stems and leaves dry matter in Chaoshi1. Results support the application of straw mulching in combination with plant types for maximizing summer maize grain yield in the North China Plain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatio-temporal variation of aerosol optical properties and aerosol direct radiative effects (ADRE) are studied based on high quality aerosol data at 21 sunphotometer stations with at least 4-months worth of measurements in China mainland and Hong Kong. A parameterization is proposed to describe the relationship of ADREs to aerosol optical depth at 550 nm (AOD) and single scattering albedo at 550 nm (SSA). In the middle-east and south China, the maximum AOD is always observed in the burning season, indicating a significant contribution of biomass burning to AOD. Dust aerosols contribute to AOD significantly in spring and their influence decreases from the source regions to the downwind regions. The occurrence frequencies of background level AOD (AOD < 0.10) in the middle-east, south and northwest China are very limited (0.4%, 1.3% and 2.8%, respectively). However, it is 15.7% in north China. Atmosphere is pristine in the Tibetan Plateau where 92.0% of AODs are <0.10. Regional mean SSAs at 550 nm are 0.89–0.90, although SSAs show substantial site and season dependence. ADREs at the top and bottom of the atmosphere for solar zenith angle of 60 ± 5° are −16–−37 W m −2 and –66–−111 W m −2 , respectively. ADRE efficiency shows slight regional dependence. AOD and SSA together account for more than 94 and 87% of ADRE variability at the bottom and top of the atmosphere. The overall picture of ADRE in China is that aerosols cool the climate system, reduce surface solar radiation and heat the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is limited information involving population data about the role of maternal health, fetal growth and neonatal health on children's developmental status at ages 4-7 years. Our aim was to determine the contribution of maternal, fetal and neonatal health to developmental status at ages 4-7 years. Methods In this 7-year follow-up prospective cohort study, a sample of 26 803 mothers participated in the beginning. Among their children, 19 187 voluntarily completed the development screening test or the social life ability survey, which were designed for two different age groups (<6 or ≥6 years old, respectively). Logistic regression analysis was used to link the data with the prenatal outcome card and interview questionnaire applied to pregnant women in previous study, to the analysis of various related factors such as demographic, socio-economic, disease and menstrual history, marriage and pregnancy care. Result Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used separately in two age groups [4-6 ( n = 8439) and 6-7 ( n = 10 748) years old] to analyse relative factors. Maternal age of 25-30 years, maternal education of high school and greater, family income and not drinking during pregnancy were associated with higher scores in development. Conclusion Both preconception and pregnancy health education and health care are the important maternal factors closely associated with children's cognitive and social competence. Public health policies for preconception care and public welfare for high-quality childcare are essential for improving children's life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SFTS virus ( SFTSV) is a novel bunyavirus that causes severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome ( SFTS), an emerging infectious disease that occurred in China in recent years, with an average case fatality rate of 10-12%. Intervention in the early clinical stage is the most effective measure to reduce the mortality rate of disease. To elucidate the natural course of and immune mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of SFTSV, 59 laboratory-confirmed SFTS patients in the acute phase, who were hospitalized between October 2010 and September 2011, were enrolled in this study, and the patients sera were dynamically collected and tested for SFTSV viral RNA load, 34 cytokines or chemokines and other related laboratory parameters. All clinical diagnostic factors in the acute phase of SFTS were evaluated and assessed. The study showed that the severity of the disease in 11 (18.6%) patients was associated with abdominal pain (p 0.007; OR = 21.95; 95% CI, 2.32-208.11) and gingival bleeding (p 0.001; OR = 122.11; 95% CI, 6.41-2328). The IP-10, TNF- α, IL-6, IL-10, granzyme B and HSP70 levels were higher over the 7-8 days in severe cases, accompanied by altered AST, CK and LDH levels. HSP70 (p 0.012; OR = 8.29; 95% CI, 1.58-43.40) was independently correlated with the severity of the early acute phase of SFTSV infection. The severity of SFTS can be predicted based on the presence of symptoms such as abdominal pain and gingival bleeding and on the level of HSP70 in the acute phase of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Toxoplasma gondii can infect a wide variety of warm-blooded animals, including bats. Limited information on T. gondii infection in bats is available in China. The objective of the present study was to determine prevalence and genetic diversity of T. gondii infection in bats in southern China. A total of 608 bats representing 12 species, including 120 Aselliscus stoliczkanus, 59 Myotis chinensis, 11 Miniopterus schreibersii, 53 Rhinolophus affinis, 32 Rhinolophus pusillus, 81 Hipposideros armiger, 28 Hipposideros fulvus, 32 Cynopterus brachyotis, 14 Cynopterus sphinx, 45 Eonycteris spelaea, 109 Hipposideros larvatus, and 24 Taphozous melanopogon, were collected from Yunnan and Guangxi provinces, southern China. They were examined for the presence of T. gondii DNA by amplification of the B1 gene using a nested PCR, and the positive samples were genotyped at 11 genetic loci (SAG1, 5′- and 3′-SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1 and Apico) using multilocus polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technology. Fifty-nine (9.7%) of these bats were detected positive by PCR but only five of these positive DNA samples were completely typed at all loci; of which 4 samples, 2 from A. stoliczkanus, and 2 from H. larvatus, belonged to ToxoDB Genotype #10, and the other one from H. larvatus was identified as ToxoDB Genotype #9 (http://toxodb.org/toxo/). To our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular detection and genetic characterization of T. gondii infection in bats in China. The results show that these bats are potential reservoirs for T. gondii transmission, which may pose a threat to human health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Public health research and interventions often assume that men who have sex with men (MSM) who use the Internet in China have similar characteristics to those in Western countries, though with little empirical evidence. This study aimed to describe and examine the sociodemographic and basic sexual behavioral characteristics of an online sample of MSM in Guangdong, China. In 2010, a total of 1100 MSM were recruited from an lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)-oriented website and were asked about their sociodemographic and sexual behavior characteristics. The majority of the participants (77.9%) self-identified as homosexual, and the mean age was 30.0 years (SD = 6.7). About 80% of the participants had attained a college degree and only 4.8% were unemployed. About 60% had a monthly salary of more than CNY 3000 (476 USD), and more than 10% were married. The majority (71.7%) had used condoms in the last anal sex. Nearly half of the participants have never been tested for HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) (47.3% and 47.7%, respectively). More than 80% were willing to be contacted by researchers after the survey. Findings indicate that the sociodemographic characteristics of Chinese MSM who use the Internet are relatively similar to those in the Western countries. However, Chinese MSM are less likely to self-identify as homosexual and be tested for HIV and other STIs than Western MSM. On a positive note, Chinese MSM would be likely to engage in e-technology research showing potential feasibility of an online HIV/STI intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment with effective antibiotics is one important strategy for syphilis control in China. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of azithromycin resistance to T. pallidum in China. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 391 patients with early syphilis recruited from STD clinics in eight cities during October 2008 and October 2011. The swabs were obtained from the moist lesions of the participating patients. A touchdown/nested PCR of the 23S ribosomal RNA ( rRNA) gene was performed on DNA samples extracted from these specimens. The presence or absence of the A2058 G point mutation, conferring resistance to azithromycin, was determined by restriction enzyme digestion analysis of the PCR amplicon by MboII. Two hundred and eleven patients with primary or secondary syphilis were found to have T. pallidum DNA in their moist lesions by PCR assays. The A2058G mutation was present in 91.9% (194/211, 95% CI, 87.2-95.1%) of these patients, with no significant differences noted between patients from the eastern part (93.8%), southern part (88.6%) and northern part (95.2%) of China (χ2 = 2.303, p 0.316). Compared with patients who had not taken macrolides in previous years before study entry, the patients who had taken the antibiotics had a significantly higher prevalence of azithromycin resistance (97.0% vs. 62.5%), with an odds ratio of 19.65 (95% CI, 5.77-66.93). It can be concluded that prevalence of azithromycin resistance is substantial in China and consequently that the macrolides should not be used as a treatment option for early or incubating syphilis in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:To investigate common origins of intractable epistaxis, and the efficacy of endoscopic management.Methods:Retrospective study of 265 patients with uncontrolled idiopathic epistaxis presenting between July 2008 and July 2009. Patients underwent endoscopic examination and subsequent radiofrequency electrocautery, selective packing or observation.Results:Nasal endoscopy indicated that the commonest bleeding sources were the superior nasal septum at the olfactory cleft (39.2 per cent), the inferior meatus (27.5 per cent), the sphenoethmoid recess (6.0 per cent), the middle meatus (5.3 per cent) and other locations (3.4 per cent). Bleeding was successfully controlled with nasal endoscopy plus radiofrequency electrocautery or selective packing. In 49 (18.5 per cent) patients, no abnormality was identified; these patients received observation only, and no further bleeding occurred. None of the patients had serious complications or recurrent epistaxis during the three-month follow-up period.Conclusion:Thorough endoscopic examination combined with radiofrequency electrocautery should be used as first-line therapy for intractable epistaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: The aim of this study was to classify Edwardsiella strains isolated from China aquaculture based on biochemical and molecular methods. Methods and Results: In this study, biochemical characterization of 19 Edwardsiella tarda isolates and two Edwardsiella ictaluri isolates was performed with API 20E system. Other pathogenicity-related phenotypes such as haemagglutination, haemolytic activities and lethality to fish were also examined in these strains. As it was difficult to categorize the subgroups of Edw. tarda according to their origins or phenotypic properties, three PCR-based methods, i.e. PCR amplification of virulence genes, Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-PCR and BOX-PCR, were carried out to further resolve the relatedness of the Edw. tarda isolates. As a result, all Edw. tarda isolates could be generally grouped into pathogenic and nonpathogenic branches before being classified into strain-specific or origin-specific clades. Conclusions: Biochemical characterization was sensitive for interspecific typing, while PCR-based approaches permitted a more accurate discrimination for intraspecific typing resulting in pathogenic and nonpathogenic clusters and further more delicate clades for Edwardsiella. Significance and Impact of the Study: PCR-based genomic fingerprinting to study the relatedness and trace the pathogenicity of the Edwardsiella strains will be helpful in investigating the virulence factors of Edwardsiella and in the development of vaccines and diagnostics for edwardsiellosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) were detected in Arbor Acres (AA) parent broiler breeders between September 2008 and December 2009 in China. Samples from blood (n=1331) and sick chickens (n=152) were obtained from 19 flocks in China for serology, histopathology and PCR analysis. Serologic analysis revealed that the anti-ALV-J, -REV or -ALV-J and REV antibody responses were 10.2%, 42.6% and 6%, respectively. Fifty-seven chickens showed signs of neoplasia based on gross and microscopic examination. The type of tumors included myelocytomas, hemangiomas, lymphosarcomas and fibrosarcoma. Seropositivity of tumor bearing chickens for ALV-J, REV or ALV-J and REV was 19.3%, 42.1% and 3.5%, respectively. PCR results showed that the positive rate was 43.9%, 14% and 5.3% for ALV-J, REV or ALV-J and REV respectively, in 57 tumor bearing chickens. The data presented in this report demonstrate that ALV J or REV infections (or co-infections) rates in AA flocks are relative high in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep and goats in China''s northeastern Heilongjiang Province was surveyed, for the first time, between November 2008 and May 2010. In total, 1270 serum samples (792 from sheep and 478 from goats) were collected from ten sheep and goat rearing administrative regions, and antibodies to T. gondii were examined by indirect haemagglutination (IHA) test using a commercially available kit. The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii in sheep and goats was 3.3% (42/1270), and the prevalence in goats (3.8%) was slightly higher than that in sheep (3.0%). The prevalence of antibodies in adults was higher than that in lambs or kids, and female animals had higher prevalence than males. The prevalence in intensively reared sheep and goats was lower than that in semi-intensively reared animals, although the difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). The results of this survey indicate that infection with T. gondii in sheep and goats is present in Heilongjiang Province, one of the coldest provinces of China, which may have important implications for public health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

With 3 figures and 4 tables A sample of 39 spring type faba bean landraces from four provinces in China, were compared in diversity with 136 spring accessions from the rest of the world, including Africa, Canada, Asia, Europe, and 41 breeding lines from ICARDA. These germplasm were characterised with 12 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) primer pairs. 244 unambiguous bands were detected, of which 236 were polymorphic, and four gene pool populations were identified. The spring faba bean accessions were broadly geographically associated in their genetic diversity, and ICARDA breeding lines were relatively narrow in genetic diversity. Chinese spring faba bean landraces differed to some extent from the rest of the world, with distribution in three of the four gene pool populations. The diversity levels of accession gene pool populations were measured and compared for relationship to geographic origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]