Infection of sheep by Echinococcus multilocularis in Gansu, China: evidence from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis.

BACKGROUND: In the normal life cycle of the parasite (Echinococcus multilocularis) that causes alveolar echinococcosis, domestic and wild carnivores act as definitive hosts, and rodents act as intermediate hosts. The presented study contributes to the research on the distribution and transmission pattern of E. multilocularis in China having identified sheep as an unusual intermediate host taking part in the domestic transmission of alveolar echinococcosis in Gansu Province, China. METHODS: From 2020 to 2021, nine whitish different cyst-like were collected from the liver of sheep in Gansu Province for examination. A near complete mitochondrial (mt) genome and selected nuclear genes were amplified from the cyst-like lesion for identification. To confirm the status of the specimen, comparative analysis with reference sequences, phylogenetic analysis, and network analysis were performed. RESULTS: The isolates displayed ≥ 98.87% similarity to E. multilocularis NADH dehydrogenase sub-unit 1 (nad1) (894 bp) reference sequences deposited in GenBank. Furthermore, amplification of the nad4 and nad2 genes also confirmed all nine samples as E. multilocularis with > 99.30% similarity. Additionally, three nuclear genes, pepck (1545 bp), elp-exons VII and VIII (566 bp), and elp-exon IX (256 bp), were successfully amplified and sequenced for one of the isolates with 98.42% similarity, confirming the isolates were correctly identified as E. multilocularis. Network analysis also correctly placed the isolates with other E. multilocularis. CONCLUSIONS: As a result of the discovery of E. multilocularis in an unusual intermediate host, which is considered to have the highest zoonotic potential, the result clearly demonstrated the necessity for expanded surveillance in the area.

2-D path following for fixed wing UAV using global fast terminal sliding mode control.

This paper considers the finite time convergence problem of 2-D path following for fixed wing unmanned air vehicle. Firstly, the UAV path following model is divided into an outer guidance loop and an inner control loop. Then, the guidance loop and control loop controllers of the UAV are derived by global fast terminal sliding mode control technique, which is able to guarantee the system state variables converge to expected values in finite time and eliminate the chattering phenomenon caused by the switching control action. Furthermore, the stability of the two-loops system is proven by Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the simulation results are shown to verify the performance of the proposed method.

Analysis on adolescent healthcare capacity at health centers for women and children at district and county level in Chongqing / 中华医院管理杂志

Objective:To analyze and evaluate the capacity of adolescent healthcare at health centers for women and children at district and county level in Chongqing, for theoretical basis in promoting adolescent healthcare.Methods:From January to February 2021, a unified questionnaire was used to collect the information of adolescent healthcare and data of human resources from 39 health centers for women and children at district and county level in Chongqing. The survey data were analyzed by descriptive statistics.Results:Among the 39 health centers for women and children at district and county level in Chongqing, 32 (82.1%) institutions maintain adolescent outpatient clinics, most of which under gynecology (40.6%) instead of independent departments. 37(94.9%) institutions could provide health care services for adolescents, and 26 (66.7%) institutions could provide the services both in and out-institution services. All the institutions could provide services of prevention and treatment for regular reproductive health diseases, but the numbers of institutions providing such services as nutritional assessment, common problems consultation and guidance, psycho-behavioral screening, mental health consultation and guidance, accidental injury prevention and guidance, violence injury prevention and guidance, as well as Internet addiction assessment and guidance, were 25, 20, 16, 10 and 8, respectively. There were 273 medical workers engaged in adolescent healthcare, mostly part-time (98.9%).Conclusions:The construction of outpatient clinics for adolescent health care is expected to be strengthened at health centers for women and children at district and county level in Chongqing. Meanwhile, services provision and human resources of medical workers for adolescent health care are inadequate.

Cloning and characterization of an oxiranedicarboxylate hydrolase from Labrys sp. WH-1 / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to clone and characterize the oxiranedicarboxylate hydrolase (ORCH) from Labrys sp. WH-1.@*METHODS@#Purification by column chromatography, characterization of enzymatic properties, gene cloning by protein terminal sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequence analysis by secondary structure prediction and multiple sequence alignment were performed.@*RESULTS@#The ORCH from Labrys sp. WH-1 was purified 26-fold with a yield of 12.7%. It is a monomer with an isoelectric point (pI) of 8.57 and molecular mass of 30.2 kDa. It was stable up to 55 °C with temperature at which the activity of the enzyme decreased by 50% in 15 min (T5015) of 61 °C and the half-life at 50 °C (t1/2, 50 °C) of 51 min and was also stable from pH 4 to 10, with maximum activity at 55 °C and pH 8.5. It is a metal-independent enzyme and strongly inhibited by Cu2+, Ag+, and anionic surfactants. Its kinetic parameters (Km, kcat, and kcat/Km) were 18.7 mmol/L, 222.3 s-1, and 11.9 mmol/(L·s), respectively. The ORCH gene, which contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 825 bp encoding 274 amino acid residues, was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and the enzyme activity was 33 times higher than that of the wild strain.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The catalytic efficiency and thermal stability of the ORCH from Labrys sp. WH-1 were the best among the reported ORCHs, and it provides an alternative catalyst for preparation of L(+)-2,3-dihydrobutanedioic acid.

Late Pleistocene archaic human crania from Xuchang, China.

Two early Late Pleistocene (~105,000- to 125,000-year-old) crania from Lingjing, Xuchang, China, exhibit a morphological mosaic with differences from and similarities to their western contemporaries. They share pan-Old World trends in encephalization and in supraorbital, neurocranial vault, and nuchal gracilization. They reflect eastern Eurasian ancestry in having low, sagittally flat, and inferiorly broad neurocrania. They share occipital (suprainiac and nuchal torus) and temporal labyrinthine (semicircular canal) morphology with the Neandertals. This morphological combination reflects Pleistocene human evolutionary patterns in general biology, as well as both regional continuity and interregional population dynamics.

[Preparation and Characterization of Manganese and Fluorine Co-Modified Hydroxyapatite Composite Coating].

Titanium and titanium alloys have been widely used as orthopedic, dental implants and cardiovascular stents owing to their superior physical properties. However, titanium surface is inherently bio-inert, thus could not form efficient osseointegration with surrounding bone tissue. Therefore, to improve the surface property of titanium implant is significantly important in clinical application. Manganese and fluorine co-doped hydroxyapatite (FMnHAP) coatings were prepared on titanium substrate by electrochemical deposition technique. The as-prepared coatings were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests. The results indicated that the FMnHAP coatings take the morphology of nanoscale-villous-like, the composite coating becomes more compact. The FTIR test indicated that the symmetry of bending vibration modes of hydroxyl changed, simulated body fluid immersion test proved that the FMnHAP coatings had induce carbonate-apatite formation, indicating that the composite coating possess excellent biocompatibility. In the electrochemical corrosion testing, the FMnHAP coatings showed stronger corrosion resistance than pure Ti.

Evaluation of alternative Plutella xylostella control by two Isaria fumosorosea conidial formulations - oil-based formulation and wettable powder - combined with Bacillus thuringiensis.

BACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic fungi are potential candidates for controlling the diamondback moth Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). The control efficacy of two Isaria fumosorosea conidial formulations - wettable powder and oil-based formulation - combined with Bacillus thuringiensis against P. xylostella was tested. RESULTS: In the laboratory, the combined application of two pathogens increased larval mortality either in an additive or a synergistic way. P. xylostella larvae treated with oil-based formulation died sooner than larvae infected with wettable powder. For pot and field experiments, each formulation was applied alone or combined with B. thuringiensis 668 µg mL(-1) , and then larval mortality, pupation rate, adult emergence rate, female longevity and fecundity were recorded. In pot experiments there was no evidence of any antagonistic effects between the two pathogens. Combined application of B. thuringiensis and a high concentration of the two I. fumosorosea formulations resulted in higher mortality (84.4 and 86.2%) with minimum pupation (15.6 and 11.9%) and adult emergence rates (8.7 and 7.0%). Female longevity and fecundity were significantly reduced by the two formulations at high concentration compared with the control. Similar results were also observed in field experiments. CONCLUSION: The combined application of I. fumosorosea and B. thuringiensis is a promising alternative strategy for P. xylostella control. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Evaluation of the time-concentration-mortality responses of Plutella xylostella larvae to the interaction of Isaria fumosorosea with the insecticides beta-cypermethrin and Bacillus thuringiensis.

BACKGROUND: Entomopathogenic fungi are potential candidates for controlling Plutella xylostella, a cosmopolitan pest of crucifers. In this study, bioassays were conducted to evaluate the interaction between Isaria fumosorosea and sublethal doses of two insecticides, beta-cypermethrin and Bacillus thuringiensis, against P. xylostella. RESULTS: Data of each assay were in good agreement with the time-concentration-mortality model, indicating a strong dependence of the fungus and insecticide interaction on both concentration and post-exposure time. Using beta-cypermethrin 58-116 µg mL(-1) or B. thuringiensis 222.5-890 µg mL(-1) with the fungus significantly enhanced fungal efficacy. The LC50 values of the fungus declined over a 1-7 day period after exposure, and the LT50 values decreased with increasing concentration. Based on LC50 or LC90 estimates, synergism between the fungus and beta-cypermethrin resulted in a 2.7-28.3-fold reduction in LC50 values and a 12.1-19.6-fold reduction in LC90 values, while synergism of the fungus with B. thuringiensis led to a 2.4-385.0-fold reduction in LC50 values and a 4.4-151.7-fold reduction in LC90 values. CONCLUSION: Results show that sublethal doses of B. thuringiensis and beta-cypermethrin can synergise I. fumosorosea activity on P. xylostella, suggesting that combination of I. fumosorosea with the two insecticides might offer an integrated approach to controlling P. xylostella in practice. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analysis of the current situation of child neglect among aged 3 to 6 year-old in the urban areas of 9 districts of Chongqing / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate and analyze the situation of urban neglected children aged 3 to 6 in 9 districts of Chongqing .Methods Totally 1 316 children were randomly sampled under stratification from 18 streets of 9 district of Chongqing . Based on the Child Neglect Norms used by China ,prevalence of child neglect was identified and SPSS 13 .0 was employed for statis‐tical analysis .Scores ,frequency/degrees ,age ,sex and 5 types (physical ,emotional ,educational ,safety and medical) of child neglect on every group of the regions were calculated .Results The average prevalence of child neglect for the 3 to 6 year‐olds was 22 .95% ,and the total degree was 39 .56 ± 7 .19 .No significant differences were found in the prevalence and degree of child neglect between males and females and among age groups (P<0 .05) .The frequencies of child neglect for the five types were 5 .09% to 10 .64% ,with the higher frequencies of safety neglect (10 .64% ) and physical neglect (9 .50% ) .The degrees of child neglect for the five types were 36 .94 to 41 .24 ,with the higher degrees of educational neglect and physical neglect (41 .24 ± 10 .43 ,39 .81 ± 9 .32 respectively ) .No significant differences were found in the frequency of the types between males and females and among age groups . No significant differences were found in the degree of the types (with an exception on emotional neglect among age groups) between males and females and among age groups .The children aged 3 to 6 were mainly involved in single item of negligence ,with incidence rates as 13 .68% and proportions as 59 .60% .Conclusion The frequency and degree of child neglect among children aged 3 to 6 in the urban areas of 9 district of Chongqing were medium ,and similar between males and females and among age groups ,except the degree of emotional neglect .The children aged 3 to 6 had the higher frequencies of safety and physical neglect ,and the higher de‐grees of educational and physical neglect .The children aged 3 to 6 were mainly involved in single item of negligence .

Effects of heat stress on the quality of Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae).

Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an important natural enemy of many species of lepidopterous pests. The effects of heat stress temperature (33, 36, and 39 °C), duration of exposure (2, 4, 6, and 8 h), and developmental stage during exposure (embryo-first instar larvae, second instar larvae, prepupae, and pupae) on the development and reproduction of parasitoid T. bactrae were investigated in the laboratory. When exposed to 39 °C for 8 h during pupal stage, only 19.90% adults emerged from host eggs, and more than 14% were deformed (wings were folded or incomplete). Parasitoid females exposed to 39 °C for 8 h as prepupae only lived for 1.45 days and parasitized about 23.5 host eggs. Moreover, life-table parameters of T. bactrae were also influenced by exposure to heat stress temperatures during each preimaginal developmental stage. Based on these results, we propose that T. bactrae is susceptible to high temperatures, especially at 39 °C. Thus, this parasitoid may be more effectively controlling lepidopterous pests during cooler weather conditions.

[Progress of research on TLRs-mediated signaling pathway].

TLRs belong to a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize highly conserved microbial antigens termed pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). So far, ten TLRs have been identified in human genome. Each TLR senses a different set of microbial stimuli, and recruits various of adaptors and activates a series of distinct signaling cascades, and drives specific responses against the pathogens. TLRs bridged innate and adaptive immunity. The discoveries of Toll-like receptors guided the field of innate immunity to its present era of accelerated advancement. In this review, we will focus on the recent progresses of TLRs-mediated signaling. A better understanding of the immunological and molecular mechanisms mediated by TLRs will obviously facilitate the exploiting molecular targets of immunotherapy to control TLR-mediated diseases.

Clinical significance of virulence-related genes of type III secretion system of Pseudomonas aeruginosa / 中华烧伤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical significance of virulence genes exo U and exo S of type III secretion system (TTSS) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and eighty-nine clinical isolates of PA were collected from five hospitals. The incidence of virulence genes exo U and exo S in PA were determined with PCR. Minimum inhibitory concentration of anti-bacterial drug for PA was determined with microdilution method. The clinical features and outcomes of 60 hospitalized patients colonized or infected with exo U+/exo S- positive or exo U-/exo S+ positive PA isolated from sputum were analyzed retrospectively. Data were processed with chi-square test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 189 PA isolates, 85.2% (161/189) harbored TTSS genes, including exo U-/exo S+ type (120 isolates), exo U+/exo S- type (31 isolates), exo U-/exo S- type (7 isolates), and exo U+/exo S+ type (3 isolates). 72.0% (72/100) isolates from sputum and 81.5% (44/54) isolates from blood belonged to exo U-/exo S+ genotype. Compared with those of TTSS-negative isolates, the antimicrobial resistance of TTSS-positive isolates to cefoperazone/sulbactam, ceftazidime, amikacin, and cefepime were lower (with χ² value respectively 10.1, 16.1, 9.3, 33.8, P values all below 0.01). The antimicrobial resistance to all examined drug between exo U-/exo S+ type and exo U+/exo S- type isolates was close (with χ² values from 0.08 to 2.04, P values all above 0.05). Patients detected with exo U+/exo S- positive PA isolated from sputum were significantly associated with PA infection, and they usually had history of tracheal intubation, ICU hospitalization, and combined use of drugs for anti-infection treatment. Patients detected with exo U-/exo S+ positive PA isolated from sputum were significantly associated with PA colonization, which had basic lung disease and better outcome than the former infection type.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The TTSS exists in most clinical isolates of PA. Detection of exo U or exo S of PA isolated from sputum is helpful for the analysis of clinical features and outcome of patients.</p>

[Speciation analysis of eight metal elements in the leaves of Alstonia scholaris by flame atomic adsorption spectrometry].

The eight elements, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ca, Cr, Mn and Cd, in the leaves of Alstonia scholaris were extracted based on traditional analytical flowchart program and separated into water-soluble state and suspension state by micro porous filtering film. The water-soluble state was divided into organic state and inorganic state based on macro porous adsorption resin. The elements were detected by flame atomic adsorption spectrometry (FAAS). The results show that the extractive rates of the elements were in the range of 9.84%-89.07%, and the immersion-residue ratio in the range of 10.96%-903.4%. Adsorption ration of suspension state was in the range of 3.44%-23.37%. The recovery ratios by standard addition were in the range of 94.5%-111.6%, and the relative standard deviations (RSD) were in the range of 0.29%-2.47%. The precision and accuracy of determining results are satisfactory.