Sex-biased, but not plumage color-based, prevalence of haemosporidian parasites in free-range chickens.

Previous studies found a relationship between blood parasite infection and bird gender, with higher prevalence in males. Some studies also found a relationship between host plumage color and parasitic infection, while others did not. Here, we investigated the blood parasite prevalence in correlation with sex and plumage color in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in China. We analyzed a total of 297 blood samples, out of which 234 chickens tested positive for haemosporidian parasites, with 78.5% parasite prevalence. Out of 139 males, 118 tested positive with 84.8% parasite prevalence while 116 of 158 female samples tested positive (73.4%). Leucocytotozoon was the most frequent genus isolated (193 infected individuals /234 birds), followed by Plasmodium (41 infected individuals/234 birds), with no Haemoproteus parasites being detected. There were no significant differences in the body parameters and chicken color plumages with regards to the infection status. Our study indicated that blood parasite infection was significantly different between male and female chickens, with infection prevalent in males.

Effect of Breeding Season on Haemosporidian Infections in Domestic Chickens.

Reproduction is believed to contribute to the frequently observed seasonal cycles in parasite loads in many organisms, as an investment in reproduction by the host could result in a higher susceptibility to parasites. In this study, we examined the impact of breeding season on haemosporidian infection in free-range chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). We sampled a total of 122 chickens (66 chickens during the breeding season of April 2017 and 56 chickens during the non-breeding season of January 2017) to test for haemosporidian infections. The result showed that 56 out of 66 chickens examined during the breeding season tested positive for parasites (84.8% parasite prevalence), whereas 39 out of 56 chickens tested positive for parasites during the non-breeding season (69.6% parasite prevalence). Moreover, among the 11 Leucocytozoon lineages and 2 Plasmodium lineages identified, the parasite lineages that infected chickens during the breeding season were more diversified than those that affected chickens during the non-breeding season. This study indicated that chickens have a higher incidence of haemosporidian infection and a greater diversity of haemosporidian parasite lineages during the breeding season relative to the non-breeding season.

Components of variation in female common cuckoo calls.

Investigations on bird vocalizations have largely focused on males. Female vocalizations are widespread in birds but few studies have investigated female vocal characteristics, particularly in non-Passeriformes. In this study, we use new field recordings from China, and calls available from an online sound library to examine temporal patterns, call consistency and geographical variation in vocalizations of female common cuckoos Cuculus canorous. The peak in vocal activity (both male and female) was in the morning, which contrasts to what would be predicted if the sole function of the female call was to distract the attention of hosts after parasitizing a host's nest in the afternoon. Both male and female common cuckoos were more vocally active in sunny weather, than rainy weather. We also found larger intra-individual variation in female rather than in male calls, which may benefit female cuckoos by increasing stimulation to host species. Peak frequency of female calls decreased with increased latitude, while differences in female call features were not associated with geographic distance. In summary, our findings that female calls are used in the morning, rather than at peak egg laying, yet are highly variable and show little geographic patterns suggest that the function of these female calls may be more variable and intricate than previously thought. However, because research on female vocalizations is underrepresented, future studies are still needed.

High prevalence and narrow host range of haemosporidian parasites in Godlewski's bunting (Emberiza godlewskii) in northern China.

Avian haemosporidian parasites are highly diverse, have a wide range of host specificity, and reveal diverse compatibility with regard to host range and geographical distribution. Therefore, understanding haemosporidian parasite diversity in different host species and different regions is crucial. A survey of the haemosporidian parasite in 186 Godlewski's buntings in Beijing was conducted to compare infection patterns between Godlewski's bunting, local passerines and the global avian host. High prevalence (88.7%) was found in the bunting and displayed annual stability during the research period. Most of the infections were caused by four dominant lineages, three of which were clustered with lineages of morphological species. In comparison with other lineages in local passerines, the dominant lineages were relative specialists. The findings suggest that the compatibility of dominant lineages in the bunting hosts may play important roles in high haemosporidian prevalence, and the narrow host range of the dominant lineages may be due to coevolution between the parasites and host species.

Health economic evaluation of acupuncture along meridians for treating migraine in China: results from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate different types of acupuncture treatment for migraine in China from the perspective of health economics, particularly the comparison between treatment of specific acupoints in Shaoyang meridians and penetrating sham acupoints treatment. METHODS: Data were obtained from a multicenter, randomized controlled trial of acupuncture treatment in patients with migraine. Four-hundred eighty migraineurs were randomly assigned to 3 arms of treatment with genuine acupoints and 1 arm of penetrating sham acupoints. The primary outcome measurement was the cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E), expressed as cost per 1 day reduction of headache days from baseline to week 16. Cost-comparison analyses, differences in the migraine-specific quality of life questionnaire (MSQ), and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were taken as secondary outcome measurements. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The total cost per patient was ¥1273.2 (95% CI 1171.3-1375.1) in the Shaoyang specific group, ¥1427.7 (95% CI 1311.8-1543.6) in the Shaoyang non-specific group, ¥1490.8 (95% CI 1327.1-1654.6) in the Yangming specific group, and ¥1470.1 (95% CI 1358.8-1581.3) in the sham acupuncture group. The reduced days with migraine were 3.972 ± 2.7, 3.555 ± 2.8, 3.793 ± 3.6, and 2.155 ± 3.7 in these 4 groups (P < 0.05 for each genuine acupoints group vs the sham group), respectively, at week 16. The C/Es of the 4 groups were 320.5, 401.6, 393.1, and 682.2, respectively. Results of the sensitivity analysis were consistent with that of the cost-effectiveness analysis. The Shaoyang specific group significantly improved in all 3 MSQ domains compared with the sham acupuncture group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of specific acupoints in Shaoyang meridians is more cost-effective than that of non-acupoints, representing a dramatic improvement in the quality of life of people with migraine and a significant reduction in cost. Compared with the other 3 groups, Shaoyang-specific acupuncture is a relatively cost-effective treatment for migraine prophylaxis in China. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov NCT00599586.

[Thinking on the design scheme of clinical trial with the example of migraine treated by acupuncture].

Through the examples of explanatory and pragmatic trials on acupuncture for migraine and the comparison between research objectives, experiment environment and trial designs, the design of current clinical trial should focus on: (1) Making a point of continuum research on efficacy-effectiveness at trial design type; (2) Thinking highly of therapeutic effect criteria that could have a better show of trial purpose; (3) More use of qualitative research embedded in the randomized controlled trials. With these improvements, the effects of acupuncture could be evaluated more scientifically, objectively and comprehensively.

[Progress of experimental studies on the underlying mechanism of acupuncture treatment of migraine].

Migraine is a common problem in clinic, characterized by bilateral impulsive severe headache with some autonomic and neurological symptoms. Acupuncture is effective for relieving headache. In the present paper, the authors review recent development of experimental researches on the mechanism underlying acupuncture-induced improvement of migraine from: 1) inhibiting neurogenic inflammation, 2) improving cerebro-microcirculation, and 3) regulating vasoactive substances. The authors also point out that the theory of voltage-gated ion channel has provided a new reference for further study about the effect of acupuncture on voltage-gated ion channel of migraine animal models.