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Antimicrobial resistance is a rapidly evolving and extremely complex issue, particularly due to the use of various types of antimicrobials within human, animal, and environmental sectors. Pleuromutilin antibiotics are used to prevent and control respiratory diseases in the rearing stage of hen chicks, but the current status of pleuromutilin resistance in the laying hen breeding process is unclear. ATP-binding cassette transporters encoded by lsa(A), lsa(E), lsa(C) , and vga(D) can be transferred by plasmids and transposons, thereby posing a potential dissemination risk. To investigate pleuromutilin resistance genes in the laying hen production chain in China, 95 samples from five environmental types were collected in four breeding stages to determine the abundances of the main resistance genes by qPCR, i.e. lsa(A), lsa(E), lsa(C) , and vga(D). The abundance (5.16 log10GC/g) and detection rate (100%) of lsa(E) was highest in all of the samples, thereby suggesting high contamination with the lsa(E) gene across the large-scale laying hen breeding environment and feces. The lsa(A) (6.02 log10GC/g) and lsa(E) (6.18 log10GC/g) genes were most abundant in flies, and the abundance of vga(D) (4.50 log10GC/g) was highest in dust (P  < .05). In addition to feces, flies and dust were important sources of contamination with pleuromutilin resistance along the laying hen production chain. In summary, we determined the abundances of four pleuromutilin resistance genes in the laying hen production chain and provided direct evidence of pleuromutilin resistance transmission and environmental contamination. In particular, the chicken breeding stage needs further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

River canyons mapping plays an important role in water conservation project construction, tourism resource development, and analysis of fluvial processes. However, the extraction of river canyons via manual interpretation or semi-automatic methods is inefficient and expensive, especially at large spatial scales. Therefore, the objective of this study is to propose a novel method for automatic extraction of river canyons. The method mainly involves (1) extracting the indegree of river segments and generating river buffers based on the indegree, (2) generating topographic profiles at the two riversides of each river segment based on a digital elevation model, (3) extracting peaks from the topographic curves with the assistance of depth curves, (4) matching the peaks from different sides of each river segment based on a distance-priority strategy and then generating peak pairs based on the results, and (5) extracting the geographic range and attributes of river canyons and mapping them into a layer. Results of cases in the Three Gorges and Yarlung Zangbo areas in China illustrate effectiveness and accuracy for the extraction of river canyons. In this case, the false alarm rate and the miss alarm rate of this approach are both no higher than 17%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatial variability of soil properties is complex in the hilly areas of subtropical China that are heavily influenced by human activities. Large datasets are needed for achieving accurate spatial estimates of soil properties in these areas, and it can be difficult due to the budget and time restrictions. Soil diffuse reflectance contains the integrated information of soil properties, thus can provide useful auxiliary variables to improve the spatial estimation of soil properties. This study aimed to improve the spatial estimation of soil organic matter (OM) in a typical subtropical hilly area of China, with principal component (PC) extracted from soil visible and near-infrared (vis-NIR) reflectance spectroscopy used as co-variable. Spatial estimation was performed using ordinary kriging (OK) and co-kriging (CK). A set of 125 samples collected from soil surface layer was used. To simulate the under-sampling situation of target variable, a subset was constructed by randomly sampling 50% of the total samples. The results showed that compared to OK, CK provided the decreased root mean square error (RMSE) by about 45% in cross validations and improved estimation map with much lower estimation variances. This study indicates that for the soil properties and functional attributes that are well correlated with soil reflectance and are sparsely sampled, combined use of soil reflectance spectroscopy technique and multivariate geostatistical method will provide a powerful solution for accurate spatial estimation of soil OM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diplodia tip blight caused by Sphaeropsis sapinea (Fr.) Dyko and B. Sutton is a serious threat to the health of natural secondary Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) forests. To explore the effect of plant diversity on Diplodia tip blight disease occurrence, the correlation between Diplodia tip blight in P. densiflora and plant diversity in various stand types and vertical structure layers were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficients and generalized linear model while keeping environmental factors relatively consistent. Disease index of Diplodia tip blight in P. densiflora was positively correlated with the plant diversity indices in the tree layers of P. densiflora–conifer mixed forest. In contrast, it was negatively correlated with the plant diversity indices in the tree layers of P. densiflora–hardwood mixed forest and P. densiflora pure forest. In shrub–herb layers of all stands except the P. densiflora pure forest herb layer, the disease index was positively correlated with the plant diversity indices. The prediction models for the disease index of Diplodia tip blight in the P. densiflora–hardwood mixed forest, P. densiflora–conifer mixed forest, and P. densiflora pure forest were also established. The foregoing results suggest that in the Kunyu Mountains of China, the differences in plant diversity among various stand types and vertical structure layers have different effects on the occurrence of Diplodia tip blight in P. densiflora. Plant diversity largely reflects the occurrence of Diplodia tip blight disease. However, if the effect of plant diversity on Diplodia tip blight is fully reflected, the plant species characteristics, especially tree genetic relationships, should be considered. In this way, plant species diversity structure in natural secondary Japanese red pine forests may be modified through forest management to lower the incidence of Diplodia tip blight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Qingshan volcanic sequences occur in the Mengyin and Jiaozhou basins, west and east of the Tan-Lu fault zone, respectively, were formed at 128±2 and 106–98Ma. Lithologically the Mengyin succession comprises unimodal andesite (53–65wt.% SiO2), whereas the Jiaozhou succession consists of bimodal andesite (56–59wt.% SiO2) and rhyolite (69–77wt.% SiO2). High-Mg (Mg# >60) and low-Mg (Mg# <60) andesitic suites are recognized in the Mengyin volcanic rocks. They show tholeiitic and calc-alkaline trends, respectively. Though the two suites share common trace element features of LILE enrichment and HFSE depletion, higher incompatible element contents in the high-Mg andesite relative to the low-Mg andesite rule out their genetic connection by magmatic differentiation. Similarly, the Jiaozhou andesites also possess higher incompatible element contents compared to their interbedded rhyolites, suggesting their distinct source rocks. The Qingshan mafic volcanic suites are characterized by radiogenic Sr and unradiogenic Nd isotopic compositions, of which the Mengyin high-Mg andesitic rocks display the lowest εNd(t) and highest initial Sr ratio. By contrast, the Jiaozhou rhyolites possess a positive correlation between Sr–Nd isotopes and relatively unradiogenic Sr isotopic ratios. The Qingshan mafic rocks exhibit geochemical characteristics distinct from those of mantle peridotite- or pyroxenite-derived melt as well as from Fangcheng basalts, the only basalts documented in the Cretaceous volcanic suites in Shandong province. They are inferred to be crust-derived melts. However, a clear decreasing trend in ACNK with Mg# increasing and the elevated MgO, Cr and Ni contents relative to basalt-derived melts indicate assimilation with mantle peridotite during their pristine magmatic evolution. Such a two-step process can be best explained by the Archean lower crust delamination of the North China craton with a ~35% partial melting followed by a variable extent of metasomatic interaction with convecting mantle peridotite, which thus resulted in the low-Mg and high-Mg andesitic suites. Nd–Sr isotopic and HFSE features imply that the convecting mantle was mixed with the foundered lithospheric peridotite, which previously experienced subduction-related melt metasomatism during the collision of the Yangtze-North China cratons in the early Triassic. The Qingshan volcanic suites in western Shandong are synchronous with the Tan-Lu strike-slip fault, inferring that the lower crust delamination was initially triggered by sinistral motion of the Tan-Lu fault at ~130Ma. Due to an eastward development of regional lithospheric delamination, the Jiaozhou bimodal volcanic succession was formed owing to the regional geothermal gradient increase and lithosphere thinning. The recognition of contrasting andesitic suites in the Qingshan volcanic succession and their temporal trend provide additional evidence for lower crust delamination during the early Cretaceous in the North China craton and new constraints on its lithosphere thinning model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: This prospective cohort study, conducted at a high-volume esophageal cancer center from July 2019 to July 2022, aimed to investigate the link between the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) length and anastomotic leakage (AL) rates following minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Real-world data on stomach blood supply in the Chinese population were examined., Materials and Methods: A total of 516 cases were enrolled, categorized into two groups based on the Youden index-determined optimal cut-off value for the relative length of RGEA (length of RGEA/length of gastric conduit, 64.69%) through ROC analysis: Group SR (short RGEA) and Group LR (long RGEA). The primary observation parameter was the relationship between AL incidence and the ratio of direct blood supply from RGEA. Secondary parameters included the mean length of the right gastroepiploic artery, greater curvature, and the connection type between right and left gastroepiploic vessels. Patient data were prospectively recorded in electronic case report forms., Results: The study revealed median lengths of 43.60 cm for greater curvature, 43.16 cm for the gastric conduit, and 26.75 cm for RGEA. AL, the most common postoperative complication, showed a significant difference between groups (16.88 vs. 8.84%, P =0.01). Multivariable binary logistic regression identified Group SR and LR (odds ratio: 2.651, 95% CI: 1.124-6.250, P =0.03) and Neoadjuvant therapy (odds ratio: 2.479, 95% CI: 1.374-4.473, P =0.00) as independent predictors of AL., Conclusions: The study emphasizes the crucial role of RGEA length in determining AL incidence in MIE for esophageal cancer. Preserving RGEA and fostering capillary arches between RGEA and LGEA are recommended strategies to mitigate AL risk., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rs6265 polymorphism has been previously suggested to be associated with the susceptibility of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but results remained controversial. We aim to provide a more reliable conclusion about the association between BDNF rs6265 polymorphism and T2DM risk by using a meta-analysis., Methods: Electronic databases such as Pubmed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang were searched for relevant articles published up to May 06, 2020. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of the associations. Subgroup analysis was carried out according to source of controls and quality score of included studies. A trial sequential analysis was conducted to reduce the risk of type I error., Results: A total of 8 case-control studies (7 conducted in China) with 1576 T2DM patients and 1866 controls were included. Overall, our results indicated no significant association between BDNF rs6265 polymorphism and T2DM risk with the random-effects model (allele model: pooled OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.79-1.65, homozygote model: pooled OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.57-2.21, heterozygote model: pooled OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.78-1.48, dominant model: pooled OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.74-1.75 and recessive model: pooled OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.67-1.80). Subgroup analysis by source of controls and quality score also showed no significant association between BDNF rs6265 polymorphism and T2DM risk. Trial sequential analysis results confirmed the null association and further studies were unnecessary., Conclusion: This meta-analysis study indicated that no significant association between BDNF rs6265 polymorphism and T2DM risk., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Shared bicycles are prevailing in China but the extent to which they contribute to maintaining and transmitting pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria remain largely unknown. To fill the knowledge gap, herein, swab samples (n = 963) were collected from handlebars of shared bicycles in areas of hospital, school, metro station (n = 887) and riders (n = 76) in Chengdu, China. Staphylococci (n = 241) and Enterococci (n = 69) were widely distributed across sampling locations at a frequency of 2.3%-12.9%, and 0.08%-5.5%, respectively. Bicycle or rider-borne Gram-positive bacteria were frequently resistant to clinically important antibiotics including linezolid, fosfomycin, and vancomycin, and a significant portion of these isolates (3.4%-16.6% for Staphylococci and 0.1%-13.8% for Enterococci) indicated multidrug resistance. Nineteen Staphylococcus aureus isolates were identified in this collection and 52.6% of which were considered as methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Whole genome sequencing further characterized 26 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) including fosB, fusB, and lnu(G) in S. aureus and 21 ARGs including optrA in Enterococci. Leveraging a complementary approach with conventional MLST, whole genome SNP and MLST analyses, we present that genetically closely-related bacteria were found in bicycles and riders across geographical-distinct locations suggesting bacterial transmission. Further, five new ST types 5697-5701 were firstly characterized in S. aureus. ST 942 and ST 1640 are new ST types observed in E. faecalis, and E. faecium, respectively. Our results highlighted the risk of shared bicycle system in disseminating pathogens and antibiotic resistance which warrants effective disinfections., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

DDTs were detected in yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares, 92.1-221.8 ng‧g -1 lipid weight) and their prey (54.9-93.5 ng‧g -1 lipid weight) from the South China Sea (SCS). DDT levels reported in this study were lower than those of the previous studies indicated the recent mitigation of DDT contamination in the SCS. Higher DDT levels were observed in fat abdominal muscle than lean dorsal muscle in adult yellowfin tuna. Meanwhile, DDT levels in adult yellowfin tuna were higher than the young ones. The composition profiles of DDT and its metabolites suggested DDTs in fish in the SCS were mainly derived from the historical use of technical DDTs. DDTs were biomagnified through food chains with the trophic magnification factor of 2.5. Risk assessment results indicated that dietary exposure to DDTs through lifetime fish consumption from the SCS would pose little cancer and noncarcinogenic risk to coastal residents., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the genetic environment of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strain ZJ isolated from a pig with symptoms of swine erysipelas in China., Methods: Illumina MiSeq (200× coverage) and PacBio RS II (100× coverage) platforms were used for genome sequencing. ARGs and prophages were identified using ResFinder 3.0 and PHASTER, respectively. A conjugation experiment, induced prophage infection and long-term passage assay were performed to determine the transferability and stability of ARGs in this strain., Results: The assembled circular genome of E. rhusiopathiae ZJ was 1 945 689 bp with a GC content of 36.48%; no plasmid sequence was detected. Eleven acquired ARGs were identified in the genome. A novel integrative and conjugative element (ICE) encoding a multidrug resistance (MDR) gene cluster [aadE-apt-spw-lsa(E)-lnu(B)-aadE-sat4-aphA3] was identified in strain ZJ. A prophage Φ1605 harbouring mef(A)-msr(D) and tet(M) was also found in this strain, which can take a circular form and can be induced by mitomycin C to infect E. rhusiopathiae G4T10 for ARG transfer., Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a complete genome sequence of E. rhusiopathiae carrying multiple ARGs obtained from a pig farm. This is the first identification of a novel chimeric ICE carrying a MDR gene cluster and a prophage carrying ARGs in E. rhusiopathiae, which will provide a valuable reference to understand the potential transfer mechanism of MDR gene clusters carried by ICEs and prophages in Gram-positive bacteria., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Although a number of studies have been conducted on the association between GSTM1 polymorphisms and lung cancer in China, this association remains elusive and controversial. To clarify the effects of GSTM1 polymorphisms on the risk of lung cancer, a meta-analysis was performed in the Chinese population. Related studies were identified from PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Chinese Biology Medicine (CBM) up to 5th April 2014. A total of 45 articles (47 studies) including 6,623 cases and 7,865 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association (OR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.32-1.60) was found between the null GSTM1 and lung cancer risk when all studies in Chinese population pooled into the meta-analysis. In subgroup analyses stratified by quality score, geographic area and source of controls, the same results were observed under all the models. This meta-analysis showed that the null GSTM1 may be a potential biomarker for lung cancer risk in Chinese, but further studies with gene-gene and gene-environment interactions are required for definite conclusions.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in snails for sale from Fuzhou and Xiamen of Fujian Province., Methods: During 2009-2012, two markets and five restaurants from each city were selected as surveillance sites. A. cantonensis infection rate in Pomacea canaliculata, Bellamya aeruginosa and Cipangopaludina cathayensis was examined two times per month. More than 50 P. canaliculata or C. cathayensis, and about 500 g B. aeruginosa were collected in each site. A. cantonensis larvae infection was determined by lung-microscopy in P. canaliculata, and by tissue homogenate method in C. cathayensis and B. aeruginosa, respectively., Results: In markets, a total of 5,744 P. canaliculata were collected, and the infection rate of A. cantonensis larvae was 13.8% (753/5 744) with the lowest prevalence in 2009 (8.4%, 28/334) and the highest one in 2011 (16.7%, 361/2,160). The overall infection rate of A. cantonensis showed an increasing trend over the past years (P < 0.05). In restaurants, 879 P. canaliculata snails were examined in Xiamen City, and the infection rate was 12.8% (877/6 879). No significant difference was found among years (P > 0.05). A. cantonensis larvae were found from P. canaliculata for sale in different seasons with no statistical difference (P > 0.05). 19,843 B. aeruginosa snails were collected in markets from the two cities, and the infection rate was 0.2% (31/19 843). The infection rate was highest in 2011 (0.3%, 16/5,953) and lowest in 2010 (0.04%, 2/4,706). All the 361 C. cathayensis snails were negative., Conclusion: A. cantonensis larvae are found in P. canaliculata and B. aeruginosa from markets and restaurants of Fuzhou and Xiamen in different seasons during the years.

The first case of imported schistosomiasis haematobia in Fujian Province was detected and the patient was cured following treatment with praziquantel.