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The study aimed to explore the bacterial community composition and the functions of core microbiota in Eucommia ulmoides bark. The bark samples of E. ulmoides were collected from Wangcang Sichuan Province, Cili Hunan Province, and Zunyi Guizhou Province, in China, respectively. Through the high-throughput sequencing methods and techniques, the community composition, core microbiota, and function of the bacteria were studied. The bacterial community of E. ulmoides bark consisted of 9 phyla, 11 classes, 22 orders, 28 families, 31 genera, and 37 OTUs. At the genus level, the dominant genus was the unclassified bacteria of Cyanobacteria, with a relative abundance of 97.01%. The bacterial communities of E. ulmoides bark from different areas have their unique units except for the common microbiota. The core microbiota of bacteria included an unclassified genus of Cyanobacteria, an unclassified genus of Mitochondria, Pseudomonas, Sphingobium, Rhizobium, Novosphingobium, Enterobacter, Rhodococcus, Curtobacterium, and Ralstonia. FAPROTAX function prediction suggested that the core microbiota has a substantial potential for photoautotrophy, phototrophy, aerobic chemoheterotrophy, chemoheterotrophy. Ten taxa composed the core microbiota, and the majority of them were related to the pharmacologically active ingredients of E. ulmoides bark. The research provides a scientific basis for the biological marker of genuineness and microbial technology for improving the content of medicinal ingredients of E. ulmoides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various types of porous resin adsorbents based on polystyrene, agarose, and cellulose as matrixes coupling with DNA, amino acids and other biological active molecules as ligands were extensively studied in China. Molecular recognition between the ligand and pathogenic molecule was investigated. Several commercialized products are now widely used in hospitals all over China. Whole blood hemoperfusion is used to treat patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, uremia acute intoxication, and hyperbilirubinemia. Clinical performances of hundreds and thousands of patients treated by whole blood sorption therapy show that the therapy is safe, efficient, and cost-effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) is one of the most common birth defects all over the world. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to NSCLP. Recent studies have demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is required for lip and palate formation. WNT family may play an important role in the development of NSCLP. This study aimed to evaluate the association between Wnt3A gene polymorphisms and NSCLP in Chinese population from Northwest China. Design: 216 patients with NSCLP and 233 normal controls were genotyped for two SNPs of Wnt3A by PCR-RFLP. Both SNPs genotype frequencies were analysed between cases group and controls group. Results: The frequencies of rs752107 TT and rs3121310 AA were significantly higher in NSCLP cases group (7.4%, 15.3%) than that in controls group (2.1%, 9.5%) with p-value=0.013, 0.014, corrected p value (p-corr) <0.05 and with odds ratio (OR)=3.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.244–9.79, OR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.17–4.38, respectively; the frequency of rs3121310 GA was also higher in NSCLP cases group (57.4%) than in controls group (52.0%) with p-value=0.042 and OR=1.56 (95% CI: 1.02–2.39). And the frequency of rs752107 TT of Wnt3A showed higher risk in female patients, while the frequency of A allele of rs3121310 showed stronger association in male patients. Conclusions: This is the first report that two SNPs of Wnt3A (rs752107 and rs3121310) are significantly associated with NSCLP in Chinese population. These findings provide a context for understanding the genetic aetiology of NSCLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn straw and corncobs contain large amounts of crude fibers and are widely used in mutton sheep husbandry in northwest China. The aim of this study was to determine whether feeding with corn straw or corncobs affects lamb testis development. A total of 50 healthy Hu lamb at two-month-old (average body weight of 22.3 ± 0.1 kg) were randomly and equally divided into two groups, and the lambs were equally allocated to five pens in each group. The corn straw group (CS) received a diet containing 20% corn straw, whereas the corncobs group (CC) received a diet containing 20% corncobs. After a 77-day feeding trial, the lambs, except the heaviest and lightest in each pen, were humanely slaughtered and investigated. Results revealed no differences in body weight (40.38 ± 0.45 kg vs. 39.08 ± 0.52 kg) between the CS and CC groups. Feeding diet containing corn straw significantly (P < 0.05) increased testis weight (243.24 ± 18.78 g vs. 167.00 ± 15.20 g), testis index (0.60 ± 0.05 vs. 0.43 ± 0.04), testis volume (247.08 ± 19.99 mL vs. 162.31 ± 14.15 mL), diameter of seminiferous tubule (213.90 ± 4.91 μm vs. 173.11 ± 5.93 μm), and the number of sperm in the epididymis (49.91 ± 13.53 × 108/g vs. 19.34 ± 6.79 × 108/g) compared with those in the CC group. The RNA sequencing results showed 286 differentially expressed genes, and 116 upregulated and 170 downregulated genes were found in the CS group compared with the CC group. The genes affecting immune functions and fertility were screened out. Corn straw decreased the mtDNA relative copy number in the testis (P < 0.05). These results suggest that compared with corncobs, feeding corn straw in the early reproductive development stage of lambs increased the testis weight, diameter of seminiferous tubule and the number of cauda sperm. [Display omitted] • There were 286 DEGs in testis between corn straw and corncobs groups. • The genes closely related to testis function were screened out. • Feeding corn straw in the early reproductive development stage of lambs increased the number of sperm in the epididymis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study is to examine the relationships between perceived initial cancer disclosure communication with doctors, levels of hope, and levels of trust in doctors among cancer patients in China.Methods: A total number of 192 cancer inpatients in a cancer hospital in China were surveyed. Perceived disclosure strategies, levels of hope, levels of trust in their doctors, as well as the demographic information were obtained from the participants.Results: In addition to age, patients who had higher levels of perceived emotional support from doctors, or higher levels of perceived personalized disclosure from doctors, or higher levels of perceived discussion of multiple treatment plans with doctors were more likely to have higher levels of trust in doctors. In addition to perceived health status, perceived emotional support from doctors significantly predicted participants' levels of hope. That is, patients who had higher higher levels of perceived doctors' emotional support were more likely to have higher levels of hope. Key disclosure person was a marginally significant variable, that is, patients who were mainly disclosed by family members might have higher levels of hope compared with patients who were mainly disclosed by doctors.Conclusions: When communicating with a cancer patient, doctors might not ignore the importance of emotional support during cancer diagnosis communication. Doctors might want to involve family and collaborate with family to find out ways of personalized disclosure. During the communication process, doctors could provide their patients with multiple treatment options and discuss the benefits and side effects of each treatment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic polymorphism of 17 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci included in the PowerPlex® 18D System was evaluated from 638 unrelated healthy Han individuals of Meizhou in Guangdong Province, Southern China. The values of combined power of discrimination (CPD) and the combined probability of exclusion (CPE) were observed as 0.999999999999999 and 0.999999933. Penta E showed the highest values of polymorphism information content (0.9073), expected heterozygosity (0.9147), and observed heterozygosity (0.9373), whereas TPOX showed the lowest (0.5373, 0.6035, and 0.6082). Furthermore, both of the PCA plot and neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree showed that the Meizhou Hakka population has a relatively close genetic relationship with the Guangdong Han population. The results showed that most of these 17 autosomal STR loci were highly informative and can be effective for forensic individual identification and paternity testing in Meizhou Hakka population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim To evaluate the clinical benefits of transarterial chemoembolization ( TACE) monotherapy or TACE combined with percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy ( PMCT) and the long-term survival rate of patients with large primary hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) treated with these techniques. Methods This is a retrospective study involving 136 patients with unresectable large HCC (189 tumor nodules, ≥ 5.0 cm in diameter) admitted to Sun Yat- Sen University Memorial Hospital ( Guangzhou, China) between January 2004 and December 2011. The median follow-up time was 41 months (range, 6-96 months). Of these patients, 80 patients received TACE monotherapy and 56 patients received TACE combined with PMCT. The median interval between treatments and overall survival ( OS) were hierarchically analyzed using log-rank tests. Results All patients successfully underwent TACE alone or TACE with PMCT with no serious complications. The median survival time was 13 months (range, 3-84 months) for the TACE group and 25 months (range, 7-96 months) for the TACE-PMCT group. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates were 62.5%, 17.5%, and 5.0% in the TACE group, respectively. In contrast, in the TACE-PMCT group, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates were 87.5%, 50.0%, and 10.0%, respectively. This difference was statistically significant between the groups ( P < 0.001). Conclusions TACE combined with PMCT had advantages in prolonging OS with satisfying time to progression and improving liver function in patients with large unresectable HCC. The results suggest that further prospective studies are required to confirm the findings of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Human longevity has been associated with mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) coding region polymorphisms, as well as the C150T polymorphism in the non-coding region in previous studies especially in Europeans. This study investigated the potential association between the mtDNA C150T polymorphism and longevity in a Han Chinese population. Leukocyte mtDNAs from two groups of a Han Chinese population living in Dujiangyan city of Sichuan province, including 556 longevous individuals (90–108years-old) and 403 unrelated controls, were analyzed and mtDNA haplogroups were determined by sequencing control regions and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in coding regions. Our results did not show a universal association between the mitochondrial C150T polymorphism and longevity in this population. Even when mtDNA haplogroups defined by C150T and gender were taken into account, there was no significant association with longevity. In conclusion, the mtDNA C150T polymorphism could not present an accumulation in an elderly Han Chinese population. Previous association studies might have been influenced by nuclear DNA and/or environment factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hakka and Chaoshanese are two unique Han populations residing in southern China but with northern Han (NH) cultural traditions and linguistic influences. Although most of historical records indicate that both populations migrated from northern China in the last two thousand years, no consensus on their origins has been reached so far. To shed more light on the origins of Hakka and Chaoshanese, mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) of 170 Hakka from Meizhou and 102 Chaoshanese from Chaoshan area, Guangdong Province, were analyzed. Our results show that some southern Chinese predominant haplogroups, e.g. B, F, and M7, have relatively high frequencies in both populations. Although median network analyses show that Hakka/Chaoshanese share some haplotypes with NH, interpopulation comparison reveals that both populations show closer affinity with southern Han (SH) populations than with NH. In consideration of previous results from nuclear gene (including Y chromosome) research, it is likely that matrilineal landscapes of both Hakka and Chaoshanese have largely been shaped by the local people during their migration southward and/or later colonization in southern China, and factors such as cultural assimilation, patrilocality, and even sex-bias in the immigrants might have played important roles during the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen oxides (NO x) and ozone (O 3) are important air pollutants that are associated with adverse health effects. Land-use regression (LUR) models have been widely developed to estimate air pollution concentrations. Due to data availability, however, such models are usually not applied in developing countries. We aimed to characterize NO x and O 3 concentrations and develop LUR models to predict their spatial and temporal distributions using publicly-available data in Tianjin, a heavily polluted city in China. Seasonal samples were collected across Tianjin at 29 locations for O 3 and 49 locations for NO x. Heavy-duty vehicle counts estimated from 0.5 m × 0.5 m satellite images correlated well with field-measured counts, thus supporting the use of high-resolution satellite images to assess vehicle traffic. Concentrations of NO x were highest in winter, while the opposite pattern was observed for O 3. The majority of the variance in NO x was explained by season (36.2%) and heavy vehicle traffic (19.8%). For O 3 , the variance was explained by season (80.7%) in a pooled model, and by distance to roads (43.4%) and distance to coal plants (26.2%) in a summer model. Cross-validation showed reasonable practicability for NO x (R2 = 0.53 with field-measured heavy-duty vehicle count; R2 = 0.46 with satellite-based heavy-duty vehicle count) and O 3 (R2 = 0.90 for pooled model; R2 = 0.70 for summer model) models. This study provides utility for researchers investigating air pollution in regions where field-measured vehicle traffic data are not available, as well as for policy makers and public health officials seeking to understand the sources and spatial distribution of air pollution in Tianjin. • Ambient NO x mostly explained by season and heavy-duty vehicle traffic. • Ambient O 3 mostly explained by season and by distance to roads. • Concentration of NO x was highest in winter while O 3 was highest in summer. • Satellite images can be used to count vehicles for air pollution modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used a computer-based teaching system to investigate the effectiveness of stroke-order learning and writing exercises in promoting the ability of Chinese-as-a-foreign-language (CFL) learners to recognize and write Chinese characters. This study included a 2 (stroke-order and non-stroke-order) × 2 (writing exercise and non-writing exercise) × 2 (test point) mixed factorial design involving a total of 91 participants. We compared the difference in their Chinese character learning, including Chinese character recognition and handwriting, based on the learning conditions. We found that CFL learners who practiced writing the characters had improved accuracy in their Chinese writing assignments and meaning assignments compared with students who did not practice writing, indicating that writing exercises helped students to memorize the orthography and output of Chinese characters. Writing exercises also helped improve memorization of the meaning of Chinese characters. However, the traditional emphasis on the correct stroke order, which has been considered helpful for learning Chinese characters, demonstrated no significant impact on the effectiveness of recognizing and writing Chinese characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as a non-communicable disease imposes heavy disease burdens on society. Limited studies have been conducted to assess the effects of short-term air pollution exposure on T2DM, especially in Asian regions. Our research aimed to determine the association between short-term exposure to ambient nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) and outpatient visits for T2DM in Chongqing, the largest city in western China, based on the data collected from November 28, 2013 to December 31, 2019. A generalized additive model (GAM) was applied, and stratified analyses were performed to investigate the potential modifying effects by age, gender, and season. Meanwhile, the disease burden was revealed from attributable risk. Positive associations between short-term NO 2 and daily T2DM outpatient visits were observed. The strongest association was observed at lag 04, with per 10 μg/m3 increase of NO 2 corresponded to increased T2DM outpatient visits at 1.57% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.48%, 2.65%]. Stronger associations were presented in middle-aged group (35–64 years old), male group, and cool seasons (October to March). Moreover, there were 1.553% (8664.535 cases) of T2DM outpatient visits attributable to NO 2. Middle-aged adults, males, and patients who visited in cool seasons suffered heavier burdens. Conclusively, short-term exposure to NO 2 was associated with increased outpatient visits for T2DM. Attention should be paid to the impact of NO 2 on the burden of T2DM, especially for those vulnerable groups. • Short-term NO 2 exposure was related to increased outpatient T2DM visits. • The association was more obvious in middle-aged adults, males, and cool seasons. • New evidence of positive associations between short-term NO 2 and T2DM in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition and yield of secondary metabolites of Eucommia ulmoides are important indices of the quality of medicinal materials, and their synthesis and accumulation are affected by both internal and external factors. However, the influential extent and mechanism of these factors on the pharmacologically active ingredients of E. ulmoides are still being elucidated. In this study, we selected 72 of E. ulmoides from 24 regions in China, and investigated the genetic diversity, pharmacologically active ingredients, soil physicochemical properties, and bark bacterial communities, along with the effects of genotypes and environmental factors on pharmacologically active ingredients. Results showed that genetic characteristics among the 24 regions there were no significant different, however, 12 different haplotypes were clearly revealed based on haplotype network analysis. The contents of pinoresinol diglucoside and geniposide acid were mainly affected by different climate and soil physiochemical factors, while aucubin was only sinificantly affected by soil organic matter. All of, the three pharmacologically active ingredients mentioned above were significantly correlated with the dominant genus Lactobacillus , Escherichia , Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium , suggesting that the active ingredients were affected by bark microorganisms. In conclusion, our analysis indicated that the accumulation of pharmacologically active ingredients of E. ulmoides were comprehensively affected genotype, environmental factors (biological and abiotic factors), and their interaction, with genotype had the greatest impact. These results provide important basic information for the future breeding, selection of cultivation conditions and assistance of microbial technology of E. ulmoides. • Index ingredients were more sensitive to host evolution. • Microorganisms were important biological factors affecting active ingredients. • Active ingredients had different responses to environmental factors. • Genotypes have the greatest influence on the accumulation of active ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly selective immunoadsorbent was prepared by immobilization of DNA on carbonized resin beads (Type I) for the removal of the pathogenic antibodies of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. Thirty cases of clinical trials of this SLE therapy were performed at 12 hospitals in China. The levels of anti-DNA antibodies after whole blood perfusion were decreased 40–70%. Almost all the symptoms were relieved, and some patients were freed from medicine administration. A new immunoadsorbent was prepared using aminated cellulose beads (Type II) having a higher DNA immobilization capacity of 0.6 mg/ml than the 0.4 mg/ml capacity for Type I. Stationary adsorption tests with the sera of SLE patients showed that the Type II immunoadsorbent could remove 60% of the pathogenic antibodies, which is much higher than the 30% for the Type I adsorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNA regulation is crucial for gene expression and cell functions. It has been linked to tumorigenesis, development and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, the let-7 family has been identified as a tumor suppressor in different types of cancers. However, the function of the let-7 family in CRC metastasis has not been fully investigated. Here, we focused on analyzing the role of let-7g in CRC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) genomic datasets of CRC and detailed data from a Taiwanese CRC cohort were applied to study the expression pattern of let-7g. In addition, in vitro as well as in vivo studies have been performed to uncover the effects of let-7g on CRC. We found that the expression of let-7g was significantly lower in CRC specimens. Our results further supported the inhibitory effects of let-7g on CRC cell migration, invasion and extracellular calcium influx through store-operated calcium channels. We report a critical role for let-7g in the pathogenesis of CRC and suggest let-7g as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]