Molluscicidal activity of Nicotiana tabacum extracts on the invasive snail Pomacea canaliculata.

Botanical molluscicides for controlling the invasive snail Pomacea canaliculata have attracted worldwide attention because of their cost and environmental friendliness. Aqueous extracts from discarded tobacco leaf (Nicotiana tobacum) were evaluated for molluscicidal activity against different-sized P. canaliculata under laboratory conditions. The results showed that over 90% of the snails died in 1 g/L tobacco extract within 4 days, and the survival of P. canaliculata was inversely proportional to the snail size, tobacco extract concentration and length of exposure time. Adult males were more susceptible to tobacco extract than females. The snails had few chances to feed or mate in 0.5 g/L tobacco extract, and reproduction was greatly limited in 0.2 g/L. The growth of juvenile snails was inhibited in 0.2 g/L tobacco extract, but adults were unaffected. The antioxidant capacity of P. canaliculata in response to tobacco extract can be size- and sex-dependent, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and acetylcholinesterase and the contents of glutathione and malondialdehyde were increased in adult males. These results suggest that discarded tobacco leaves can be useful as a molluscicide for controlling the invasive snail P. canaliculata based on its effects on survival, behaviour, food intake, growth performance and antioxidant capacity.

Description of three new species of the genus Cicurina Menge, 1871 from Guangdong, China (Araneae, Hahniidae).

Three new species of Cicurina Menge, 1871 are described based on specimens collected from Guangdong, China: C. bifurca Liao & Xu, spec. nov. (male), C. spiralis Liao & Xu, spec. nov. (male) and C. tetragongylodes Liao & Xu, spec. nov. (female). Detailed descriptions, photographs, drawings, and a distribution map of the three new species are provided, as well as a phylogenetic tree including the new species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Atypus karschi (Araneae, Atypidae) with phylogenetic consideration.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Atypus karschi has a circular genome of 14,149 bp, comprised of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a control region. The nucleotide composition is 35.82% of T, 35.13% of A, 17.19% of G, and 9.16% of C. Most genes are encoded on the heavy strand except seven tRNA genes (Leu, Phe, His, Pro, Leu, Ile, Gln), four protein-coding genes (nad5, nad4, nad4l, nad1), and 16S-rRNA on the light strand. Most protein-coding genes start with TTG, ATT or ATA initiation codon except cox1, cox1's start codon cannot be determined, and three types of inferred termination codons are TAA, TAG, and an incomplete stop codon. There are four intergenic spacers and 25 gene overlaps. The phylogenetic analysis shows that A. karschi has closer genetic relationship with Cyriopagopus schmidti (von Wirth, 1991) and Phyxioschema suthepium (Raven & Schwendinger, 1898) with high bootstrap support.

Osteoporosis health beliefs and self-efficacy among orthopedic nurses in Hunan Province, China.

Osteoporosis is a growing health problem worldwide. Health beliefs and self-efficacy in regard to osteoporosis may be important targets in preventive behaviours. This study aimed to describe beliefs around osteoporosis held by orthopaedic nurses as well as the nurses' self-efficacy and the associations between knowledge, health beliefs and self-efficacy. A cross-sectional study was conducted with nurses working in orthopaedic departments in 13 tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province, China. Participants completed a questionnaire consisting of the Osteoporosis Health Belief Scale (OHBS), the Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale (OSES) and a survey of their socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 558 nurses completed the survey (response rate 95%). The nurses' scores regarding their perception of the susceptibility to and seriousness of osteoporosis were moderately low (mean OHBS score = 124.72, range 45-171; SD = 14.71), while their corresponding self-efficacy scores were moderately high (mean OSES score = 72.01, range 0-120; SD = 23.15). Knowledge regarding osteoporosis was positively associated with self-efficacy (r = 0.232, p = 0.000) but not with health beliefs (r = 0.030, p = 0.484). The findings of this study revealed moderately high self-efficacy and moderate health beliefs related to osteoporosis among orthopaedic nurses. Osteoporosis knowledge was not associated with health beliefs or self-efficacy. The findings indicate that educational programs should not only focus on knowledge improvement but also changes in health beliefs to improve actual behaviour in practice.

Osteoporosis knowledge and related factors among orthopedic nurses in Hunan province of China.

A low level of knowledge and awareness of specifics regarding osteoporosis among orthopedic nurses can compromise the quality of patient education and nursing care. There are significant variations in education levels among Chinese nurses, however, little is known about the awareness of osteoporosis among orthopedic nurses in China. The objective of this study was to assess the level of osteoporosis knowledge and identify factors that correlated with knowledge levels. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among orthopedic nurses at 13 tertiary hospitals in Hunan Province, China. Knowledge was assessed by the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Test (OKAT). A total of 558 nurses completed the survey and 530 valid questionnaires were returned with a response rate of 95%. Each question had three response options of "True", "False" and "Don't know." The mean of scores from all OKAT questions was 11.4 (range 2-17; SD = 2.5). Factors associated with a better knowledge included age (36-45 years) marital status (married) and education (bachelor degree or above). Only 93 nurses (18%) had previously attended formal training regarding osteoporosis. Orthopedic nurses had moderate-to-low levels of knowledge regrading osteoporosis. The survey highlighted the potential areas for improvement, especially among younger single nurses with lower educational levels. In-depth education may contribute to improving service quality and offering better tutoring for fragility fracture patients through increased awareness and knowledge.

Risk Assessment of Deep Venous Thrombosis and Its Influencing Factors in Burn Patients.

The objective of this study is to explore the relevant risk factors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in burn patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted for the medical records of 845 hospitalized burn patients from September 2012 to August 2017. Caprini thrombosis risk assessment scale (CTRAS) was employed for evaluating the risks of DVT. Based upon whether or not DVT occurred, they were divided into non-DVT group (n = 830) and DVT group (n = 15). Among 360 (42.7%) patients with high-risk Caprini scores, only 30 patients received color Doppler examination of lower limb veins, and 15 patients were diagnosed as DVT with a diagnostic rate of 1.8%. Caprini scores of non-DVT and DVT groups were 4.30 ± 2.71 and 9.87 ± 1.46 points, respectively. There was statistically significant difference (P < .05). As revealed by stepwise Logistic regression analysis, age, lower limb burn, wound infection, femoral vein catheterization, and long bedriddening time (>40 days) were independent risk factors for DVT. Burn patients are particularly prone to develop DVT. Age, wound infection, femoral vein catheterization, and long bedriddening time (>40 days) are risk factors. Aggressive preventive measures of DVT should be implemented.

Description of three new species of spider genus Leptonetela Kratochvíl, 1978 from caves of Hunan Province, China (Araneae, Leptonetidae).

Three new species of the spider family Leptonetidae from caves in Hunan Province, China are described: Leptonetela biocellata sp. nov., Leptonetela latapicalis sp. nov. and Leptonetela tangi sp. nov. Detailed illustrations of the three new species are provided.

[Anatomic data of the proximal femur and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To measure the anatomic data of the proximal femur and to design an internal fixation instrument aiming at subtrochanteric fracture. METHODS: We measured the anatomic data of 56 pairs of the matching proximal femur specimens: the diameter of femoral head (HD), the axis length of femoral head (HAL), 135 degree femoral head-neck axis length (HNAL), 135 degree femoral head-neck axis upper length (HNAUL), 135 degree femoral head-neck axis underside length (HNADL), the anterior-posterior axis diameter of femoral neck (NAPD), the upper-underside diameter of femoral neck (NUUD), femoral neck-shaft angle (NFA), femoral shaft lateral cortex-greater trochanter angle (SLGA), the medial-lateral diameter of lesser trochanter level's femoral shaft (LSMLD), the anterior-posterior diameter of lesser trochanter level's femoral shaft (LSAPD), the medial-lateral diameter of 5 cm below lesser trochanter femoral shaft (5 cm MLD), and the anterior-posterior diameter of 5 cm below lesser trochanter femoral shaft (5 cm APD). Part of the data was analyzed and compared. RESULTS: HD was (46.69+/-3.73) mm, HAL was (39.22+/-4.17) mm, HNAL was (95.45+/-8.16) mm, HNAUL was (84.02+/-7.11) mm, HNADL was (99.95+/-9.34) mm, NAPD was (26.27+/-3.15) mm, NUUD was (32.24+/-3.31) mm, NFA was 126.21 degree+/-7.13 degree, SLGA was 16.38 degree+/-4.04 degree, LSMLD was (31.05+/-3.57) mm, LSAPD was (27.63+/-2.96) mm, 5 cm MLD was (26.36+/-3.22) mm, and 5 cm APD was (25.59+/-2.75) mm. NFA was positively correlated with SLGA (r=0.396, P=0.003). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to design internal fixator to fit the anatomical feature of Chinese femur for the treatment of subtrochanteric fracture, and we should thoroughly consider the angle of the SLGA.

Transcription factor specificity protein 1 (SP1) and activating protein 2alpha (AP-2alpha) regulate expression of human KCTD10 gene by binding to proximal region of promoter.

Potassium channel tetramerization domain-containing 10 gene (KCTD10) belongs to the polymerase delta-interacting protein 1 (PDIP1) gene family. Mouse KCTD10 was thought to interact with proliferating cell nuclear antigen and the small subunit of polymerase delta, and to have roles in DNA repair, DNA replication and cell-cycle control. To better understand the regulatory mechanism of KCTD10 expression, we characterized the promoter of human KCTD10 containing a 639 bp fragment of the 5'-flanking region (-609/+30). A primer extension assay identified the transcription start site as an A, 63 bp upstream of the start codon. The promoter region contains neither a TATA box nor a CCAAT box, but a CpG island was found near to the transcription start site. Deletion mutagenesis showed that the region from -108 to +30 was indispensable to the promoter activity, and site-directed mutation analysis in this proximal promoter region of KCTD10 revealed two important transcription regulatory elements of specificity protein 1 (SP1) and activating protein-2 (AP-2). An in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation assay further demonstrated that SP1 and AP-2alpha could bind to this proximal promoter region. Moreover, using a luciferase reporter assay, quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis, both overexpression and RNA interference of SP1 and AP-2alpha indicated that the binding of SP1 to the proximal promoter region stimulated the promoter activity and endogenous KCTD10 expression, whereas binding of AP-2alpha to this region showed opposite effects.

The interaction of KCTD1 with transcription factor AP-2alpha inhibits its transactivation.

AP-2 is a transcription factor implicated in mammalian development, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. To identify potential AP-2alpha-interacting partners, a yeast two-hybrid screen was performed in human brain cDNA library. One of the identified clones encodes potassium channel tetramerization domain-containing 1 (KCTD1). We demonstrated the novel KCTD1-AP-2alpha interaction in vitro by GST pull-down assays and in vivo by co-immunoprecipitation assays and mapped the interaction domains to the N-termini of both proteins. In addition, we observed that the two proteins were completely co-localized in the nuclei of mammalian cells. Transient transfection assays using four promoters containing AP-2-binding sites confirmed that KCTD1 significantly repressed AP-2alpha-mediated transactivation through the BTB domain, whereas KCTD1 siRNA strongly relieved KCTD1-mediated repression of AP-2alpha transcriptional activity, and other BTB domain proteins such as PDIP1, KCTD10, and TNFAIP1 did not markedly inhibit the transcriptional activity of AP-2alpha, suggesting that KCTD1 specifically acts as a negative regulator of AP-2alpha. Finally, we found that KCTD1 interacted with three major members of the AP-2 family and inhibited their transcriptional activities. Taken together, our results indicate the novel function of KCTD1 as the transcriptional repressor for AP-2 family, especially for AP-2alpha.