Correlation analysis between vitamin A, D and E levels with the altitude, seasonal variation and other factors in children with 0-6 years old in Tibetan Plateau of Ganzi Prefecture / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To detect serum levels of vitamin A (Vit A), vitamin D(Vit D)25-hydroxy vitamin D[25-(OH)D] and vitamin E(Vit E) in children aged 0-6 years in Tibetan Plateau of Garzi Prefecture, thus providing references for physical examinations and prevention of 4 key diseases (rickets, malnutrition anemia, pneumonia and diarrhea) in children in plateau areas by relevant government departments.Methods:A total of 2 122 children who participated in physical examination in 12 townships of Xiangcheng County and 14 townships of Daocheng County, Garzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province from April 2017 to April 2019 with 0-6 years old were recruited for surveying physical measurements and collection of venous blood.Serum Vit A and Vit E levels were detected by high performance liquid chromatography.Serum levels of 25-(OH)D were detected by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.The relationship between Vit A, Vit E and 25-(OH)D levels with the gender, age, seasonal change and altitude was analyzed.Results:The serum Vit A level, subclinical Vit A deficiency rate and marginal vitamin A deficiency rate were(1.05±0.27) μmol/L, 8.15%(173/2 122 cases) and 45.99%(976/2 122 cases), respectively in 2 122 children with 0-6 years old.There were significant differences in the serum Vit A level, the subclinical Vit A deficiency rate and the marginal vitamin A deficiency rate in children with different ages, seasons and altitudes (all P<0.05). The serum level of 25-(OH)D and 25-(OH)D deficiency rate insufficient rate were (24.65±6.45) ng/L, 6.03%(128/2 122 cases) and 16.59%(352/2 122 cases), respectively.There were significant differences in the serum level of 25-(OH)D, 25-(OH)D deficiency rate and 25-(OH)D insufficient rate in children with different ages and seasons (all P<0.05). The mean serum Vit E level, Vit E deficiency rate and Vit E insufficient rate were (7.81±1.74) mg/L, 2.78%(59/2 122 cases) and 29.59%(628/2 122 cases), respectively.There were significant differences in serum Vit E level, Vit E deficiency rate and Vit E insufficient rate in children with different ages and seasons (all P<0.05). The mean serum levels of Vit A and Vit D remained the lowest before the age of 1 year, and their deficiencies at this age were the most significant.The mean serum level of Vit E remained the lowest in >1-2 years old, and its deficiency and insufficient at this age were the most significant.Vit A, D and E levels were significantly affected by seasonal changes, which were significantly higher in the summer than in the spring, autumn and winter.In addition, Vit A and 25-(OH)D were significantly affected by the altitude, which were the lowest above 4 km altitude. Conclusions:The overall serum levels of Vit A, 25-(OH) D and E in children with 0-6 years old in Tibetan Plateau areas of Ganzi Prefecture are lower than those in plain areas.Vit A, 25-(OH) D and Vit E levels significantly differed in the age, season and altitude, which are related to the lack of local resources, insufficient maternal nutrition during pregnancy and insufficient intake after birth, as well as temperature and light caused by changes in local seasons and altitude.Therefore, it is necessary to make reasonable supplements during pregnancy to prevent vitamin deficiency.

Coenurosis of Yak, Bos grunniens, caused by Taenia multiceps: A Case Report with Molecular Identification in Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area, China

Coenurosis is an important zoonotic helminthic disease caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Taenia multiceps. This parasite typically infects the brain of the intermediate hosts, including sheep, goat, cattle and even humans. We report a case of T. multiceps infection in a yak confirmed by clinical symptoms, morphological characteristics, and molecular and phylogenetic analyses. The coenurus was thin-walled, whitish, and spherical in shape with a diameter of 10 cm. The parasite species was identified as T. multiceps by PCR amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA, cox1 and nad1 genes. Three gene sequences all showed high homology (all above 97%) with the reference sequences from different hosts. Moreover, phylogenetic reconstructions with the 3 published Taenia gene sequences confirmed that the Qinghai yak isolate was closely related to T. multiceps. Although there are advanced diagnosis and treatment methods for coenurosis, early infection is difficult to diagnose. Importantly, the findings of yak infection case should not be ignored due to its zoonotic potential.

Evaluation of different treatment methods for severe chest trauma in Tibetan Plateau / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To compare the efficacy of operative and non-operative methods in the treatment of severe thoracic trauma in Tibetan Plateau.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted to analyze 286 patients with severe thoracic trauma admitted to the Shigatse People's Hospital from August 2016 to October 2018.There were 206 males and 80 females,aged 13-71 years [(34.3 ±11.6) years].The duration from injury to hospital ranged from 2 to 49 hours [(22.8 ± 8.3) hours].The causes of injury including fall from height in 109 patients,traffic injury in 98,crush injury in 32,blunt injury in 29,cattle head injury in 9,knife stab injury in 6 and other causes in 3.The injury severity score (ISS) varied from 16 to 48 points on admission [(24.2 ± 8.8) points].A total of 159 patients underwent operation (Operation group) and 127 patients underwent non-operative treatment (Non-operation group).The ISS score was (25.2 ± 8.3)points in Operation group and (23.7 ±7.9)points in Non-operation group.The length of hospital stay,intensive care unit (ICU) care time,complication rate and mortality were recorded in two groups.The correlation of ISS and age with mortality was investigated.Results The length of hospital stay was (12.2 ± 3.8) days in the Operation group and (19.7 ± 5.8) days in the Non-operation group (P ＜ 0.05).In the Operation group,27 patients were admitted to the ICU and stayed for (4.7 ± 1.3)days,and in the Non-operation group 33 patients were admitted to the ICU and stayed for (11.7 ± 3.2) days (P ＜ 0.05).The complication rate was 17.6％ in the Operation group and 31.5％ in the Non-operation group (P ＜0.05).Two patients died in the Operation group,with the mortality rate of 1.3％;six patients died in the Non-operation group,with the mortality rate of 4.7％,with no statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the age of death between the Operation group and the Non-operation group (P ＜ 0.05).The differences in the ISS score and age between the survival and death patients within the two groups were statistically significant (P ＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed age (OR =1.090,95％ CI 1.002-1.186) and ISS (OR =1.058,95％ CI 1.027-1.090) were slqnificantly related to mortality.Conclusions For severe thoracic trauma in Tibetan Plateau,operative treatment can shorten the length of hospital stay and ICU care time and reduce the incidence of complications.The mortality ratio of the two groups has no significant difference.Age and ISS may be the high risk factors for death of severe thoracic trauma patients.

Research advance of genetic diversity of Chinese traditional herb Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix / 中草药

Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix is a Chinese traditional Tibetan herb, belonging to Sect. Cruciata Gaudin of Gentiana genus. Which originated from Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and adjacent regions and had significant pharmaceutical effect on lots of disease. In this review, we summarized the research advance studies on morphologic, biochemical, and genetic diversity on this species in the past 20 years, which could provide the help for germplasm protection, identification, and evolutionary adaptation works in the future.

One case of pyoderma gangrenosum in the lower limbs in Tibetan Plateau treated with vacuum sealing drainage combined with irrigation of oxygen loaded fluid / 中华烧伤杂志

A 54 years old male patient with chronic leg ulcers was admitted in our hospital in November 2017. He was diagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum by the pathological examination. Then the wound was treated with simple vacuum sealing drainage combined with irrigation of oxygen loaded fluid. This therapy overcame the shortage of hypoxia in the Tibetan Plateau on wound healing, resulting in a better wound healing. The patient was eventually cured and discharged from hospital.

The First Case of Diarrhoea in Tibetan Sheep, Ovis aries, Caused by Balantidium coli in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area, China

This study was carried out to determine the pathogen-causing diarrhoea in sheep Ovis aries in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area, China. A trophozoite was identified as species of ciliate alveolates infecting the sheep based on morphological characteristics examined by microscope. It was mostly spherical, colourless and transparent, with many vesicles. Macronucleus and contractile vacuoles could not be distinguished. Size of the trophozoite was 80–180×70–150 μm and its surface was covered with cilia. Molecular analysis based on sequences of 18S rRNA and ITS genes confirmed the ciliate species as Balantidium coli. According to the literature, there have been many epidemiological investigations of B. coli infection in pigs, monkeys and humans. To our knowledge, this was the first report of B. coli infections in sheep in the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau Area of China, or eleswhere around the world. Importantly, the sheep case was rare but raised our concern that B. coli may spread across species and expand its host range.

Sensitivity analysis for radiation-induced lung injury caused by radiotherapy for lung cancer patients in Tibetan Plateau, China / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective To investigate the factors associated with radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) caused by radiation therapy for lung cancer patients in Tibetan Plateau,China.Methods A total of 262 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) confirmed by pathology or cytology from April 2012 to February 2016,consisting of 138 native Tibetans living at an elevation over 3 000 meters and 124 non-native Tibetans or non-Tibetan people,were analysed.All patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy ± chemotherapy and underwent CT follow-up for over 6 months.For patients with grade ≥ 2 RILI,the associations of ethnicity,age,sex,Kamofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score,clinical stage,chemotherapy,and smoking history with RILI were analyzed.For two groups of patients,native Tibetan population and non-native Tibetan population,the associations of sex,smoking history,chemotherapy,and radiation dose with RILI were analyzed.Radiation dose-volume parameters were compared using the chisquare test or's's exact test,and their correlations were analyzed using the Person correlation test;a multivariate analysis was performed using the logistic regression model.Results For the 262 NSCLC patients,ethnicity (P=0.040),sex (P=0.001),KPS score (P=0.026),presence or absence of smoking history (P =0.014),minimum lethal dose (P =0.037),V5 (P =0.000),and V20 (P=0.025)were found to be associated with the development of RILI.Further analysis showed that only the smoking history (P=0.013) was significantly correlated with demographic composition.And there was no significant relationship between radiation dose for different groups and the incidence of RILI (all P=＞ 0.05).Conclusions Native Tibetan patients with NSCLC are more susceptible to RILI.

Comparison of distribution characteristics of extracellular matrix components in the testis of the Tibetan sheep and the small-tail han sheep from plateau / 解剖学报

Objective: To compare the distribution and histochemical characteristics of extracellular matrix components in the testis between 4 Tibetan sheep and 5 small-tail Han sheep from plateau at the same age. Methods: Histochemistry and transmission electron method were used to characterize the microstructure and ultrastructure of the two kinds sheep testis. Image-Pro Plus (IPP) statistics methods were used to identify the integrated absorbance for laminin (LN), type IV collagen (Col IV) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) distribution investigation by immunohistochemistry. Results: The light microscopy observation showed that compared with the testis of the small-tail Han sheep from plateau, the collagen and reticular fibers were richer in interstitial of the Tibetan plateau sheep. The periodic acid-schiff(PAS) and Alcian blue-periodic acid schiff(AB-PAS) staining positive reactions were more obvious in interstitial basement and blood capillary of the Tibetan plateau sheep testis. Immunostaining analysis showed that the Col IV was present strongly in the seminiferous epithelium of both the Tibetan plateau sheep and the small-tail Han sheep. The expression of LN in the Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells of the Tibetan plateau sheep testis was weak but moderately positive in the Sertoli cells, the Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells of the small-tail Han sheep testis. In the both kinds of sheep testis, the expression of HSPG was especially strong in the peritubular myoid cells but weak in the Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. The integrated absorbance of Col IV and LN expression was significantly lower in testis of the Tibetan sheep than the small-tail Han sheep (P < 0. 01), but the average absorbance of HSPG expression was markedly higher than it (P < 0. 01). Electron micrographs of portion of the seminiferous tubule in the both of the testis showed elaborately developed tunicae propria with a well defined epithelial basal lamina and a distinct layer of type I collagen fibrils. The collagen fibrils were found around the interstitial blood capillaries and the abundant Lipid droplets in the Leydig cells of the small-tail Han sheep testis from plateau. Conclusion: In plateau environment, the connective tissue in the tunicae propria and interstitial tissue of the Tibetan sheep testis is more abundant, and partly affect the development of the seminiferous epithelium. The AB-PAS positive reaction in interstitial basement and the wall of blood capillary in the Tibetan plateau sheep testis are closely related to the secretory function of the Leydig cells. The integrated absorbance of LN expression is significantly higher and HSPG is lower markedly in testis of the small-tail Han sheep testis, which is very important to the development degree of seminiferous epithelium.

Correlation between HLA-DB1 genes and susceptibility to echinococcosis in Tibetan population in Tibetan Plateau / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To determine the susceptibility genes and resistance genes in HLA-DRB1 alleles in Tibetan patients with cystic and alveolar hydatid diseases,so as to provide the references for the research of the genetic characteristics and infec-tion mechanism of Tibetan hydatid diseases. Methods The case control method was applied. The Tibetan patients with cystic and alveolar hydatid diseases(63 and 73 cases respectively)in Yushu and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture,and unrelat-ed healthy people(60 cases)in this area were selected as the study subjects. The polymerase chain reaction-sequence based typ-ing(PCR-SBT)technique was applied for genotyping of HLA-DRB1,and the comparison of the gene frequency. Results The frequency of HLA-DRB1*04 in the alveolar/cystic echinococcosis group was lower than that in the control group(χ2 =4.71, 4.31,both P<0.05). Conclusion HLA-DRB1*04 genotypes may be associated with the resistance of cystic and alveolar echi-nococcosis and its resistance genes.

Phylogeny and circumscription of the genus Orinus (Poaceae: Eragrostideae): evidence from NRDNA its sequences / Filogenia ITS e a circunscrição do gênero Orinus (Poaceae: Eragrostideae): evidência das sequências its do NRDNA

In this study, ITS sequences of the nuclear ribosomal DNA were conducted for six putative species of Orinus (O. alticulmus, O. anomala, O. kokonorica, O. longiglumis, O. thoroldii and O. tibeticus) with 572 individuals from 73 populations. The results found that the six species formed two monophyletic groups: the one (O. anomala Keng ex Keng f. and L. Liou) with O. alticulmus, O. anomala and O. kokonorica, and another (O. thoroldii (Stapfex Hemsl.) Bor) with O. longiglumis, O. thoroldii and O. tibeticus. The taxonomic data from ITS sequences were not congruent with those from morphological characteristics, likely resulting from rapid speciation trigged by the uplifts of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent regions and the extensive selection pressure under the alpine environments. The ITS data suggest that the classification of the six species within the genus Orinus should be reduced to two species. We include a complete taxonomic revision of the genus and a key to distinguish the two species. Therefore, it is very necessary to make the comprehensive revision and arrangement of these taxa, strictly regulate the taxa confusion of genus and species order, and do new reports on belonging to the genus taxa.

Neste estudo, sequências ITS do DNA ribossômico nuclear foram conduzidas para seis espécies putativas de Orinus (O. alticulmus, O. anomala, O. kokonorica, O. longiglumis, O. thoroldii and O. tibeticus) com 572 indivíduos de 73 populações. Os resultados revelaram que as seis espécies formaram dois grupos monofiléticos: o primeiro (O. anomala Keng ex Keng f. and L. Liou) com O. alticulmus, O. anomala and O. kokonorica, e o segundo (O. thoroldii (Stapfex Hemsl.) Bor) com O. longiglumis, O. thoroldii and O. tibeticus. Os dados taxonômicos das sequências ITS não foram congruentes com aqueles das características morfológicas, provavelmente resultantes da rápida especiação provocada pelas elevações do Planalto do Tibete e das suas regiões adjacentes e da grande pressão de seleção nos ambientes alpinos. Os dados ITS sugerem que a classificação das seis espécies dentro do gênero Orinus deveriam ser reduzidas para duas espécies. Nós incluímos uma revisão taxonômica completa do gênero e uma chave para distinguir as duas espécies. Portanto, é absolutamente necessário fazer uma revisão abrangente e um arranjo destes táxons, regular estritamente a confusão de táxons de gêneros e ordem de espécies, e fazer novos relatórios sobre pertencer aos táxons de gêneros.

Research progress on resources and quality evaluation of Tibetan medicine in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau / 中国中药杂志

With the development of Tibetan medicine industry, the demands for Tibetan medicine were rising sharply. In addition, with the eco-environment vulnerability of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau region and the phenomenon of synonymies and homonymies in Tibetan medicine, there were a lack of resources and varieties in the clinical application of Tibetan medicine. At present, the shortage of Tibetan medicine and the inadequacy of its quality standard have become the two major problems that seriously restricted the sustainable development of Tibetan medicine industry. Therefore, it is important to develop the resources investigation and quality evaluation for Tibetan medicine, which were contribute to its resources protection and sustainable utilization. In this paper, current status of resources investigation, quality standardization, artificial breeding and germplasm resources of Tibetan medicine were presented by the integrated application of the new technologies, such as DNA barcoding and 1H-NMR, which provided a reference information for resources protection, sustainable utilization, variety identification and quality standardization of Tibetan medicine resources in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Potential distribution of Rhodiola crenulata in Tibetan Plateau based on Maxent model / 中国中药杂志

Wildlife tending and artificial cultivation is an important way to protect the wild resources of Rhodiola crenulata. It is a study hotspot at present. The distribution information of R. crenulata was collected by query data and field survey, the ecological suitability regionalization was conducted based on maximum entropy model combine with ecological factors, including climate, soil and altitude. To provide the reference for production layout, suitable planting area and the selection of artificial planting base by studying the ecological suitability regionalization of R. crenulata. The potential distribution areas mainly concentrated in the easen Tibet, western Sichuan, southern Qinghai, and Gansu Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There were 5 major environmental factors to have obvious influence on ecology suitability distributions of R. crenulata, including altitude (contribution rate of 61.8%), precipitation of warmest quarter (contribution rate of 19%), the coefficient of variation of precipitation seasonality (contribution rate of 4.7%), the SD of temperature seasonality (contribution rate of 4%), mean temperature of driest quarter (contribution rate of 2.5%). The AUCs of ROC curve were both above 0.9, indicating that the predictive results with the Maxent model were highly precise. The study of the ecological suitability regionalization of R. crenulata based on Maxent can provide a scientific basis for the selection of artificial planting base.

Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, and Phylogenetic Analysis of Toxocara vitulorum Infection in Yaks on the Qinghai Tibetan Plateau, China

Toxocara vitulorum has been rarely reported in yaks at high altitudes and remote areas of Sichuan Province of Tibetan Plateau of China. The current study was designed to investigate the prevalence, associated risk factors, and phylogenetic characteristics of T. vitulorum in yak calves on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau. Fecal samples were collected from 891 yak calves and were examined for the presence of T. vitulorum eggs by the McMaster technique. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to explore variables potentially associated with exposure to T. vitulorum infection. T. vitulorum specimens were collected from the feces of yaks in Hongyuan of Sichuan Province, China. DNA was extracted from ascaris. After PCR amplification, the sequencing of ND1 gene was carried out and phylogenetic analyses was performed by MEGA 6.0 software. The results showed that 64 (20.1%; 95% CI 15.8–24.9%), 75 (17.2; 13.8–21.1), 29 (40.9; 29.3–53.2), and 5 (7.6; 2.5–16.8) yak calves were detected out to excrete T. vitulorum eggs in yak calve feces in Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, and Gansu, respectively. The present study revealed that high infection and mortality by T. vitulorum is wildly spread on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau, China by fecal examination. Geographical origin, ages, and fecal consistencies are the risk factors associated with T. vitulorum prevalence by logistic regression analysis. Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of ND1 gene of T. vitulorum indicated that T. vitulorum in the yak calves on the Qinghai Tibetan plateau are homologous to preveiously studies reported.

Histomorphometric adaptation of yak (Bos grunniens) abomasum to the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau environment / Adaptación histomorfométrica del abomaso de yak (Yos grunniens) al medio ambiente de la meseta tibetana Qinghai

Six abomasums of yaks (Bosgrunniens) were studied with gross dissection and histological methods. It was found that the mucosa of the yak abomasum was covered with simple columnar epithelium. There were lots of spiral folds (10) in the fundic glandular area. The developed membrane of lamina propria was occupied by high density glands. According to the morphological characteristics of the glands, the abomasum was divided into the cardiac, gastric and pyloric glands. Cardiac glands were curved tubular glands with the intumescent bottom and small glandular cavity. Fundic glands were simple tubular glands or branched tubular glands, where the chief, parietal and mucous neck cells can be observed clearly. Pyloric glands were curled tubular glands, the closer to the deep of the lamina propria, the more obvious the glands curl. Staining of glycoconjugate revealed that the mucosal epithelium of the cardiac gastric and pyloric glands and gastric pits epithelium mainly secreted neutral glycoconjugate, but other portions of cardiac and gastric glands secreted mixed and acid glycoconjugate respectively. By Gordon-Sweet's reticular fiber staining, it was found that the mucous neck cells possessed the characteristic of argyrophilic phenomenon. There was a large number of argyrophilic granules in the supranuclear cytoplasm in contrast with the chief cells. Furthermore, there were isolated lymphoid nodules and diffuse lymphoid tissue in the abomasum glands, especially in corpus abomasi. Grimelius silver staining showed that the argyrophil cells were located in the glandular epithelium and lamina propria of glands, which can also be observed in connective tissue. These endocrine cells dispersed individually in epithelial cells, occasionally in 3­5 cell groups. Therefore, the yaks were grazed throughout the year on diverse natural grassland and had evolved morphological characteristics of the abomasum enabling them to consume a wide variety of plant species, thereby better adapting them to harsh plateau environment.

Seis abomaso yak (Bosgrunniens) fueron estudiados con disección y métodos histológicos. Se encontró que la mucosa del abomaso yak estaba cubierta de epitelio columnar simple. Se observaron pliegues en espiral (10) en la zona glandular fúndica. La membrana desarrollada de la lámina propia contenía glándulas de alta densidad. De acuerdo con las características morfológicas de las glándulas, el abomaso se dividió en las glándulas cardíacas, gástricas y pilórica. Las glándulas cardíacas se curvan en glándulas tubulares con la parte inferior intumescente y una pequeña cavidad glandular. Las glándulas fúndicas eran glándulas tubulares simples o glándulas tubulares ramificadas, donde se pueden observar con claridad las células principales, parietales y mucosas del cuello. Las glándulas pilóricas fueron glándulas tubulares curvadas, cuanto más cercanas a la lámina propia, más evidente fue su forma ondulada. La tinción glucoconjugada reveló que el epitelio de la mucosa de las glándulas gástricas cardiacas, pilóricas y el epitelio de las fosas gástricas secretaron principalmente un glucoconjugado neutro, pero otras porciones cárdicas y de las glándulas gástricas secretaron un glucoconjugado mixto y ácido, respectivamente. A la tinción de fibras reticulares, se encontró que las células mucosas del cuello poseían características argirófilas. Se observó un gran número de gránulos en el citoplasma supranuclear en contraste con las células principales. Además, no fueron aislados los nódulos linfoides y presentaba tejido linfoide difuso en las glándulas de abomaso, especialmente en el cuerpo del abomaso. La tinción Gordon Sweet indicó que las células argirofílicas se localizaron en el epitelio y lámina propia glandular, lo que también se observó en el tejido conectivo. Estas células endocrinas se dispersan individualmente en las células epiteliales, de vez en cuando en grupos celulares de 3-5. De esta forma, los yak pastorean durante todo el año, en diversos pastizales naturales, y han evolucionado sus características morfológicas que les permiten consumir una amplia variedad de especies de plantas, con lo que se adaptan mejor a las condiciones inhóspitas.

Histomorphometric characterization of forestomach of yak (Bos grunniens) in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau / Caracterización histomorfométrica del preestómago del yak (Bos grunniens) en la Meseta Qinghai-Tíbet

Six forestomachs of yaks (Bos grunniens) were studied with gross dissection and histological methods. It was found that the forestomach of yak consisted of the following three parts, rumen, reticulum and omasum, which were composed of the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa. In addition, the mucosal epithelium was covered with stratified squamous epithelium, with part of keratinized the shallow cells. Rumen, the mucosa of which formed ligulate papillae varying in size and shape, was no muscularis mucosa. Reticulum, consisted of a surface epithelium that invaginated to various extent into the lamina propria, formed various folds in shape, namely, grid-like small rooms. Furthermore, there are many secondary folds densely covered with keratinized papillae. The most striking feature of the omasum was to be formed the laminae omasi varying in length, with short and rough papillae distributing on both sides. Taken together, there was no glands within the mucosa and lamina propria of forestomach of yak, where diffuse lymphoid tissues can be observed clearly. It is, therefore, believed that the yak forestomach may have evolved those specific structural characteristics in response to the unique living environment and dietary habits impose on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Seis preestómagos de yaks (Bos grunniens) fueron estudiados mediante disección macroscópica y métodos histológicos. Se encontró que el preestómago del yak constaba de tres partes: rumen, retículo y omaso, compuestas de mucosa, submucosa, muscular y serosa. Además, el epitelio de la mucosa se conformó con epitelio escamoso estratificado, con parte de células cornificadas superficiales. En el rumen, la mucosa formó papilas linguladas que variaron en tamaño y forma. El retículo, consistió en una superficie epitelial que se invaginó en distinta medida en la lámina propia, conformando varias formas de pliegues, es decir, cuadrículas como pequeños cubículos. Además, existían muchos pliegues secundarios densamente cubiertos con papilas cornificadas. La característica más llamativa del omaso, fue formar láminas que variaron en longitud, con papilas cortas y ásperas distribuidas en ambos lados. Tomados en conjunto, no hubo glándulas dentro de la mucosa y la lámina propia del preestómago del yak, donde los tejidos linfoides difusos se pueden observar claramente. Por lo tanto, creemos que esas características estructurales específicas del preestómago del yak pudieron haber evolucionado en respuesta a las condiciones de vida únicas y hábitos dietéticos que se presentan en la meseta de Qinghai-Tíbet.

Cluster analysis of cystic echinococcosis in Non Tibetan Plateau regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the endemic characteristics and regularity of cystic echinococcosis by evaluating and classifying its endemic situation in Non Tibetan Plateau regions,so as to provide the evidence for formulating effective preventive and control measures. Methods The prevalence data of cystic echinococcosis in 174 counties(cities,districts,banners)in Non Tibetan Plateau regions from a national survey were collected and analyzed by the sample cluster method in 2012. Results The 174 counties(cities,districts,banners)could be classified into 4 clusters by spatial distribution. The first cluster with human high prevalence rate,low infection rate of livestock,and positive rate of dog stool antigen included 3 counties. The second cluster with high infection rate of livestock,low prevalence rate of human,and positive rate of dog stool antigen included 20 counties(cit-ies). The third cluster with high positive rate of dog stool antigen,low prevalence rate of human,and low infection rate of livestock included 39 counties(cities,districts,banners). The fourth cluster with low rates of the above 3 indices included the rest 112 counties. Conclusions The results of the cluster analysis conform to the current epidemiological status of cystic echinococcosis in the Non Tibetan Plateau regions. The epidemiological characteristics and geographical distributions of the four area types will pro-vide a basis for the classified management and guidance of cystic echinococcosis control in these areas.

Ecological Suitability Research of Hippophae Rhamnoides L . in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau by TCMGIS / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

This study was aimed to investigate the comprehensive ecological factors of Hippophae rhamnoides L. and their regional suitability in China. Based on field survey, specimen examination and literature investigation, ecologi-cal factors and appropriate production areas were analyzed by Traditional Chinese Medicine Geographic Information System (TCMGIS-II). The results showed that the proper region (with similarity of 95%~100%) of H. rhamnoides L. accounts for 737 994.71 km2, including 15 provinces/municipalities and 387 counties/cities. The largest area among them is Tibet autonomous region with area of 313 857.73 km2 (42.53%), followed by Sichuan province (223 987.02 km2, 30.35%), Gansu province (66 314.43 km2, 8.99%) and Shanxi province (4 237.79 km2, 0.57%). There are also certain appropriate production areas distributed in Liaoning province, Beijing, Chongqing and Hubei province. It was concluded that this system is much valuable to the recognition of the formation of the producing area, the division of adaptive area, introduction and acclimatization of medicinal materials. It also provided a scientific reference for the introduction and cultivation of H. rhamnoides L. Through further field study and experiments, these new areas have the potential to be developed into suitable production region of H. rhamnoides L. in the future.

Biodiversity of the oleaginous microorganisms in Tibetan Plateau

Microbial lipids, which are also known as single cell oils (SCO), are produced by oleaginous microorganisms including oleaginous bacteria, yeast, fungus and algae through converting carbohydrates into lipids under certain conditions. Due to its unique environment having extremely low temperature and anoxia, the Tibetan Plateau is amongst the regions with numerous rare ecotypes such as arid desert, salt marsh, alpine permafrost, hot spring, and lawn. By using a rapid, convenient screening method, we identified 31 strains of oleaginous microorganisms from different habitats in the Tibetan Plateau, which include wetlands, lawn, hot spring, alpine permafrost, and saline-alkali soil. Molecular identity analysis showed that they belong to 15 different species, 7 of which are reported for the first time as lipid-producing microorganisms, that is, Cladosporium sp., Gibberella fujikuro, Ochrobactrum sp., Plectosphaerella sp., Tilletiopsis albescens, Backusella ctenidia, and Davidiella tassiana. The distribution of the oleaginous microorganisms varies with habitats. 11 strains were found in hot spring (35.5%), 10 in farmland (32.3%), 6 in lawn (19.4%), 2 in sand (6.4%), 1 in wetland (3.2%), and 1 in permafrost (3.2%). Carbon utilization analysis indicated that most of these filamentous fungi can use xylose and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as carbon source, where Backusella ctenidia, Fusarium sp. and Gibberella fujikuroi have the strongest capability.