Ancient DNA and multimethod dating confirm the late arrival of anatomically modern humans in southern China.

The expansion of anatomically modern humans (AMHs) from Africa around 65,000 to 45,000 y ago (ca. 65 to 45 ka) led to the establishment of present-day non-African populations. Some paleoanthropologists have argued that fossil discoveries from Huanglong, Zhiren, Luna, and Fuyan caves in southern China indicate one or more prior dispersals, perhaps as early as ca. 120 ka. We investigated the age of the human remains from three of these localities and two additional early AMH sites (Yangjiapo and Sanyou caves, Hubei) by combining ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis with a multimethod geological dating strategy. Although U-Th dating of capping flowstones suggested they lie within the range ca. 168 to 70 ka, analyses of aDNA and direct AMS 14C dating on human teeth from Fuyan and Yangjiapo caves showed they derive from the Holocene. OSL dating of sediments and AMS 14C analysis of mammal teeth and charcoal also demonstrated major discrepancies from the flowstone ages; the difference between them being an order of magnitude or more at most of these localities. Our work highlights the surprisingly complex depositional history recorded at these subtropical caves which involved one or more episodes of erosion and redeposition or intrusion as recently as the late Holocene. In light of our findings, the first appearance datum for AMHs in southern China should probably lie within the timeframe set by molecular data of ca. 50 to 45 ka.

Association of TNF-α genetic polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several studies on the association of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) polymorphisms with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) risk have reported conflicting results. The present meta-analysis was conducted to provide a more precise estimation of these relationships and to investigate the real association between TNF-α polymorphisms and RPL. METHODS: An extensive eligible literature search for relevant studies was conducted on PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library from their inceptions to May 12, 2015. Specific inclusion criteria were used to evaluate articles. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of associations. Statistical analyses were performed by the STATA12.0 software. RESULTS: 10 case-control studies including 1430 RPL patients and 1727 healthy controls were identified. Meta-analysis indicated that TNF-α-308G/A (rs1800629) polymorphism in the TNF-α gene correlated with elevated RPL risk whereas no significant association was observed between TNF-α-238G/A (rs361625) and RPL. CONCLUSIONS: The current meta-analysis demonstrates that TNF-α-308G/A polymorphism in the TNF-α gene is associated with susceptibility to RPL.

[Efficacy observation of xerophthalmia treated with acupuncture of warming-promotion needling technique].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the differences in the efficacy on xerophthalmia treated with the needling technique for warming-promotion at Fengchi (GB 20) as the main acupoint in comparison with the conventional needling technique. METHODS: Thirty cases were randomly divided into a warming-promotion needling group (n = 15) and a routine needling group (n = 15). In warming-promotion needling group, the needling technique for warming-promotion was applied to Fengchi (GB 20). Additionally, the local and distal acupoints [such as the point beneath Cuanzu (BL 2), Neiguan (PC 6), Guangming (GB 37), Taichong (LR 3), Fulio (KI 7) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6)], as well as the scalp acupuncture (bilateral supraoccipital lateral line and supraoccipital midline) were selected and stimulated with even-needling technique by rotating the needle. In routine needling group, the acupoints were same as warming-promotion needling group and were stimulated with even-needling technique by rotating the needle. After 2 sessions of treatment, the efficacy, tear secretion volume and the total score of symptoms were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 86.7% (13/15) in warming-promotion needling group, which was superior to 66.7% (10/15) in routine needling group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the tear secretion volume and the total score of symptoms were all apparently improved in two groups (all P < 0.05), in which, the improvement in warming-promotion needling group was much obvious (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of warming-promotion needling technique is apparently superior to that of conventional one.

[Different types of menstrual cycle and their significance in Chinese women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome according to the Rotterdam consensus criteria].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and metabolic characteristics of Chinese women with different menstrual types. All the women were diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome according to the Rotterdam consensus criteria. METHODS: A total of 2100 patients were divided into three groups: amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea and regular menstruation. The metabolism and endocrine indices were determined and compared among three groups. RESULTS: (1) The incidences of hirsutism and PCO were obviously higher in the amenorrhea group than in the oligomenorrhea group (P < 0.01). (2) The amenorrhea group had the highest level of serum testosterone while the oligomenorrhea group had the lowest. Moreover, the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) was higher in the amenorrhea group than in the other two groups (P < 0.01). However the ratio of LH/FSH increased significantly in the regular menstruation group (P < 0.01). (3) The value of 2 h blood glucose was the highest in the amenorrhea group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PCOS patients with diverse types of menstrual cycle show different clinical manifestations and metabolic and endocrine characteristics so that the choice of treatment should be individualized.