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Rhododendron henanense subsp. lingbaoense (hereafter referred to as R. henanense) is an endemic species naturally distributed in the Henan province, China, with high horticultural, ornamental and medicinal value. Herein, we report a de novo genome assembly for R. henanense using a combination of PacBio long read and Illumina short read sequencing technologies. In total, we assembled 634.07 Mb with a contig N50 of 2.5 Mb, representing ~96.93% of the estimated genome size. By applying Hi‐C data, 13 pseudochromosomes of R. henanense genome were assembled, covering ~98.21% of the genome assembly. The genome was composed of ~65.76% repetitive sequences and 31,098 protein‐coding genes, 88.77% of which could be functionally annotated. Rhododendron henanense displayed a high level of synteny with other Rhododendron species from the Hymenanthes subgenus. Our data also suggests that R. henanense genes related to stress responses have undergone expansion, which may underly the unique abiotic and biotic stress resistance of the species. This alpine Rhododendron chromosome‐scale genome assembly provides fundamental molecular resources for germplasm conservation, breeding efforts, evolutionary studies, and elucidating the unique biological characteristics of R. henanense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhododendron henanense subsp. lingbaoense is endemic in China. The cpDNA of R. henanense subsp. lingbaoense is a typical quadripartite structure with a length of 208,015 bp, including a large single-copy region of 110,593 bp and a small single-copy region of 2606 bp separated by a pair of identical inverted repeat regions of 47,408 bp each. The chloroplast genome contains 119 genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, four ribosomal RNA genes, and 29 transfer RNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis of R. henanense subsp. lingbaoense showed a relatively close relationship with Rhododendron delavayi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The tumor-suppressing role of Ras-association domain family 1A (RASSF1A) has been described in several systems. In this study, we tested its tumor-suppressing ability and the potential molecular mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from Qidong County. Methods: Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Northern blotting were employed to detect the expression of RASSF1A in HCC. After establishing stable RASSF1A (wild type or mutant) expressing ‘qi dong gan ai yan jiu suo’ ([Qidong Institute of Liver Cancer] QGY)-7703 cell lines, we tested the effects of RASSF1A expression on cell growth by cell proliferation rate, cell colony formation, and cell cycle progression. We also tested the effects of RASSF1A expression on tumorigenesis in nude mice and on cellular sensitivity to mitomycin treatment. Results: The RASSF1A transcript was not found in 75% (three of four) of HCC cell lines and 67% (32/48) of HCC primary biopsies. The stepwise regression analyses indicated that the loss of RASSF1A expression was more frequent in patients who were hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive (HBsAg+) compared to those who were HBsAg(−), both in tumor and corresponding non-cancerous tissues. The wild-type (wt)-RASSF1A expression in the QGY-7703 cell line resulted in fewer and smaller clones, decreased xenograft tumor volume and weight, and G1/S arrest in vitro and in vivo. The wt-RASSF1A expression also decreased the cyclin D1 protein expression, which appeared to be at the level of post-transcriptional control. In addition, the wt-RASSF1A expression increased cell growth inhibition and the percentage of cells with sub-G1 DNA content when the cells were treated with mitomycin. Conclusion: RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor in HCC. The loss of RASSF1A expression may be related to HBsAg+ in hepatocarcinogenesis. Its inactivation may play an important role in the development of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia jishanensis is endemic in China, and has been proven to be one of the most important ancestral species of cultivated tree peonies. Wild P. jishanensis has been over-exploited and becomes quite rare in China. The wild peony of P. jishanensis was used as an experimental material to sequence the chloroplast genome (cpDNA) by high-throughput sequencing (NCBI accession number: MG991935). The cpDNA of P. jishanensis is a typical quadripartite structure with a length of 152,628 bp, including a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,292 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,044 bp separated by a pair of identical inverted repeat regions (IRs) of 25,646 bp each. The cpDNA contains 112 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and 4 ribosomal RNA genes. The result of phylogenomic analysis supports the difference of tree peony from the herbaceous peony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have shown that active smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, the effects of passive smoking on T2DM remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of passive smoking and its duration on the prevalence of prediabetes and T2DM. According to passive smoking status, participants were divided into Group A (passive smokers) and Group B (controls). Furthermore, Group A was divided into three subgroups according to the duration of passive smoking: Group A1 (≤10 years), Group A2 (10-20 years), and Group A3 (>20 years). We found that the prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in Group A (26.6%), Group A2 (28%), and Group A3 (37.8%) was significantly higher than that in Group B (19.6%), and the prevalence gradually increased with an increase in the duration of passive smoking. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that passive smoking for >10 years was a risk factor for impaired fasting glucose (IFG), IGT, and T2DM. Therefore, passive smoking not only increases the prevalence of IGT in a time-dependent manner, but also a risk factor for IFG, IGT, and T2DM when its duration is over 10 years.

Objective: To explore the features of DNA damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients of normal constitution and abnormal constitution and in high-risk population of NPC., Methods: Using single cell gel electrophoresis technique, the DNA damage of peripheral blood lymphocytes was detected in 28 healthy subjects, 27 in high-risk population of NPC, and 13 NPC patients at their first visits. The DNA damage was detected in the populations of normal constitution and of abnormal constitution. The tail length, the tail moment, and the tail DNA% were taken as the indices of DNA damage., Results: The tail length was (35.77 +/- 4.22) microm, the tail moment was (8.10 +/- 1.63) microm, and the tail DNA% was 57.48% +/- 4.63% in NPC patients. They were (15.25 +/- 4.15) microm, (5.01 +/- 1.92) microm, and 31.99% +/- 4. 11% in high-risk population of NPC. They were (14.31 +/- 3.64) microm, (4. 37 +/- 1.80) microm, and 29. 89% +/- 3. 15% in healthy subjects. There was statistical difference in the three indices among the three populations (P <0.05). In all the three populations, more DNA damage existed in those of abnormal constitution than in those of normal constitution (P <0.05)., Conclusions: Obvious instability of genetic materials exists in NPC patients, manifested as severe DNA damage of lymphocytes. In all the three populations, more DNA damage existed in those of abnormal constitution than in those of normal constitution.

Objective: To clarify the taxonomic status of Anopheles yatsushiroensis in Rongcheng City of Shandong Province., Methods: By the end of August 2009, Anopheles yatsushiroensis were collected in the western suburbs of Wangjia Village of Rongcheng City, and raised for the next generation of various types of adult mosquitoes. Through morphological identification of filial generation various types, mosquito feet of 1-2 mosquitoes of various types were taken for complete DNA extraction, and complete sequence analysis of rDNA-ITS2 alignment was made by PCR. Multiple sequnence comparison was carried out with those previously documented by DNAstar7.1, including An. yatsushiroensis in Shandong Province (YSD, AY306128), An. yatsushiroensis in Sichuan Province (YSC, AY170925), An. yatsushiroensis in Liaoning Province (YLN, AY170923) and An. yatsushiroensis from South Korea (YK, AF146749)., Results: 56 An. yatsushiroensis with blood meal were collected in Rongcheng City, of which 7 successfully laid eggs, and received 354 adult mosquitoes of filiar generation, including 240 An. yatsushiroensis (Y type), 8 An. pullus (P type) and 106 hybrid type (H). The rDNA-ITS2 sequence alignment homology between single-parent female offspring of adult mosquitoes and various types of An. yatsushiroensis segments (JN865249, JN865246, JN865247, JN865248) was 98.7-100%, and the rDNA-ITS2 sequence alignment homology to those from Sichuan (YSC), Liaoning (YLN) and Korea (YK) was 98.5%-99.3%, 98.7%-99.6% and 98.7 to 100%, respectively, while to the original An. yatsushiroensis from Rongcheng (YSD), it was only 67.1%-68.5%., Conclusion: There are Y, P and H types of An. yatsushiroensis in Rongcheng City, Shandong Province, but the rDNA-ITS2 sequence is close to An. pullus. The local distribution of An. pullus is deduced.

Objective: To reveal the distribution and composition of malaria-transmitting vectors on the western part of China-Myanmar border., Methods: An entomological survey of malaria vectors was carried out in six villages of Yingjiang County and Xidong County on China-Myanmar border between August and September, 2008. Mosquitoes in human dwellings and cattle sheds were collected by overnight trapping with ovitrap light. The mosquitoes were firstly identified morphologically, and then Anopheles minimus A and C, An. aconitus, and An. jeyporiensis were identified by using multiplex PCR. Some mosquitoes were selected to extract the total genomic DNA, and detect sporozoites by nested PCR., Results: A total of 4571 mosquitoes were captured with 54.32% (2483/4571) of anopheline mosquitoes. There was significant difference in Anopheles species composition in human dwellings and cattle sheda The main species in human dwellings were An. kochi, An. minimus, and An. sinensis, while the principal species in cattle sheds consist of An. kochi (223), An. annularis (184), An. vagus (131), and An jeyporiensis (129). Furthermore, the composition in human dwellings of villages with and without cattle was significantly different. An. minimus (260) and An. kochi (49) werethe most important species in villages with cattle, whereas An. kochi (481) and An. sinensis (124) were the key species in villages without cattle. A total of 1075 mosquitoes were examined for sporozoites and 9 mosquitoes were found to be infected. Only three species, Le. An. minimus (7/408), An aconiaus (1/125) and An. pseudowillmori (1/101) were infected with malaria parasite. All sporozoites were identified as Plasmodium falcipoarum by sequencing, the target fragment was 204 bp., Conclusion: The species composition of mosquitoes is complex in the study sites on the western part of China-Myanmar border, and An. minimus is the major malaria vector. Additionally, An. aconitus and An.pseudowillmori are also confirmed as potential malaria vector in this area.

Objective: To investigate sandfly vectors transmitting visceral leishmaniasis, including species and seasonal distribution in Jiashi county of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region., Methods: Sandflies were collected in the field, counted and identified. The specimens were dissected to analyze the gonotrophic cycle and to find infection of promastigotes. The resting places were observed by using oil-paper and sandfly-capturing trap., Results: 4540 sandflies were collected with 99.9% of Phlebotomus wui and only 0.1% Sergentomyia minutus sinkiangensis. On the seasonal distribution, the first peak appeared by the end of May and the first ten-day of June, and the second peak was in the middle of August. Observation showed that the activity of sandflies occurred mainly from 22:00 to 4:00, reaching to the maximum in the midnight. Analysis on the gonotrophic cycle revealed that Ph. wui was an exophilic species and appeared nocturnally for feeding with preference to human blood. Natural infection with promastigotes was found in 4 sandflies, more in the field than the residential area. Resting places included the aperture on the wall of livestock sheds and in the caves., Conclusion: Ph. wui is the predominant species in Jiashi, with higher infection rate of natural promastigotes in the field and with two life generations annually.

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological status of visceral leishmaniasis in Hamangou coal mine area of Korla City of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region., Methods: Based on a hint of possible existence of patients, a retrospective survey was carried out house by house to find cases with suspected signs/symptoms of the disease. Meanwhile, a survey on current status was conducted, including physical examination (liver and spleen palpation) to those less than 15 years-old, leishmanin skin test and rk39 immunochromatographic strip test for part of the residents. Bone marrow smears were examined for the cases with clinical signs/symptoms and positive rk39 strip test. Sandflies were collected using routine methods in and around the area, identified, and dissected to find infection of promastigotes., Results: Leishmanin skin test was performed in 185 people with a positive rate of 21.1% (39/185), 39 out of 140 local residents who have lived there for more than 6 years showed positive (27.9%), while all residents who have lived less than 6 years and children under 5 years old were negative. Of the 81 children under 15 years old with a negative skin test, one showed positive for rk39 strip test, and leishmania body was found in the bone marrow smear of this case, so confirmed as visceral leishmaniasis. 12 sandflies were identified as Phlebotomus alexandri, and natural infection with promastigotes was found in one sandly., Conclusion: The investigation confirms that visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in the Hamangou coal mine area.

This paper presents a systematic review of the literature concerning fluoride that was carried out to investigate whether fluoride exposure increases the risk of low intelligence quotient (IQ) in China over the past 20 years. MEDLINE, SCI, and CNKI search were organized for all documents published, in English and Chinese, between 1988 and 2008 using the following keywords: fluorosis, fluoride, intelligence, and IQ. Further search was undertaken in the website www.fluorideresearch.org because this is a professional website concerning research on fluoride. Sixteen case-control studies that assessed the development of low IQ in children who had been exposed to fluoride earlier in their life were included in this review. A qualitative review of the studies found a consistent and strong association between the exposure to fluoride and low IQ. The meta-analyses of the case-control studies estimated that the odds ratio of IQ in endemic fluoride areas compared with nonfluoride areas or slight fluoride areas. The summarized weighted mean difference is -4.97 (95%confidence interval [CI] = -5.58 to -4.36; p < 0.01) using a fixed-effect model and -5.03 (95%CI = -6.51 to 3.55; p < 0.01) using a random-effect model, which means that children who live in a fluorosis area have five times higher odds of developing low IQ than those who live in a nonfluorosis area or a slight fluorosis area.