Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome with Bilateral Cryptorchidism and Seminoma in Tibet:Report of One Case / 中国医学科学院学报

Androgen insensitivity syndrome(AIS)with bilateral testicular malignant transformation is very rare,and its diagnosis should be based on clinical manifestations,physical examination,serological findings,karyotype analysis,and pathological findings.This study reported a case of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome among Tibetan in Tibet.It took 17 years from the discovery of congenital absence of uterus to bilateral pelvic mass resection.Pathological examination confirmed that bilateral pelvic space occupying lesions were dysplastic testicular tissue with seminoma and sertoli cell adenoma-like nodules.This study summarized the clinicopathological features to deepen the understanding of the disease.

Association between air particulate matter pollution and blood cell counts of women preparing for pregnancy: Baseline analysis of a national birth cohort in China.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence is known about whether long-term exposures to air borne particulate matters of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5) impact human hematologic index for women preparing for pregnancy. No study assessed the effect of PM1, which is small enough to reach the blood circulation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether exposure to PM1 and PM2.5 is associated with blood cell count of woman preparing for pregnancy. METHOD: Based on the baseline data of a national birth cohort in China, we analysed the white blood cell (WBC), red blood cells (RBC) and thrombocyte counts of 1,203,565 women who are aged 18-45 years, being Han ethnicity, had no chronic disease and preparing for pregnancy. We matched their home addresses and examination date with daily concentrations of PM1 and PM2.5 which were estimated by a machine learning method with remote sensing, meteorological and land use information. Generalized additive mixed model to examine the associations between exposure to one-year average exposure to PMs prior to the health examination and the blood cells counts, after adjustment for potential individual variables. RESULTS: A 10 µg/m3 PM1 increment was associated with -1.49% (95%CI: 1.56%, -1.42%) difference in WBC count; with 0.33% (95%CI: 0.30%, 0.36%) difference of RBC count; and with 1.08% (95%CI: 1.01%, 1.15%) difference of thrombocyte count. For PM2.5, the corresponding difference was -0.47% (95%CI: 0.54%, -0.39%) for WBC; was 0.06% (95%CI: 0.03%, 0.09%) for RBC; and was 1.10% (95%CI: 1.02%, 1.18%) for thrombocyte. Women working as workers, being overweight and with tobacco smoking exposure had higher associations between PMs and hematologic index than their counterparts (p < 0.05 for interaction test). CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to PMs were associated with decrement in WBC, as well as increment in RBC and thrombocytes among Han Chinese women preparing for pregnancy. Measures such as using air purifiers and wearing a mask in polluted areas should be improved to prevent women from the impact of PMs.

Association between airborne particulate matter and renal function: An analysis of 2.5 million young adults.

BACKGROUND: Limited studies have examined the impact of airborne particulate matter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5) on renal function. No study has examined the effect of PM1, which is small enough to reach the blood circulation. We examined whether exposure to PM1 or PM2.5 affected renal function of young Han Chinese. METHOD: We included 2,546,047 young adults who were aged 18 to 45 years, being Han ethnicity and had no chronic disease from a Chinese national birth cohort. Serum creatinine (Scr) of each participant was measured during the baseline examination. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were calculated for each participant using the latest Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. One-year average exposure to PM1 and PM2.5 prior to the health examination for each participant were estimated using machine learning models with satellite remote sensing information. Generalized additive mixed models were used to estimate associations between PM1 or PM2.5 and renal function after adjusting for detailed individual variables. RESULTS: A 10 µg/m3 increment in PM1 exposure was associated with -0.95% (95%CI: -1.04%, -0.87%) difference of eGFR in females and -0.37% (95%CI: -0.44%, -0.31%) in males. For PM2.5, the corresponding difference of eGFR was -0.99% (95%CI: -1.05%, -0.93%) in females and -0.48% (95%CI: -0.53%, -0.43%) in males, respectively. Associations between eGFR and PM were higher in females compared to males (p < 0.05 for interaction test). Association with PM1 were weaker than that with other fractions included in PM2.5. Participants who worked as farmers, were of normal weight, were not exposed to tobacco smoking, did not drink alcohol, had higher associations between eGFR and PM than their counterparts (p < 0.05 for interaction test). CONCLUSION: Exposure to PM1 and PM2.5 was associated with reduced renal function among Han Chinese at reproductive age.

Thrombus formation associated with operation procedure and clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the association between thrombus composition and mechanical recanalization,operation procedure and clinical outcome.Methods:One hundred and ninety-two consecutive stroke patients with large-vessel occlusion treated by mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever and (or) aspiration catheter in the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2018 and January 2020 were collected. The retrieved thrombi were quantitatively analyzed for red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and fibrin. The patients were divided into two groups, a erythrocyte-rich group and a fibrin-rich group based on the predominant composition in the clot. The clinical prognosis, CT value of thrombus, procedure time,number of recanalization maneuvers, and degree of vascular recanalization were compared between the two groups.Results:The retrieved clot from 138 patients with acute ischemic stroke from internal carotid artery occlusion ( n=56), middle cerebral artery occlusion ( n=62), intracranial segment of vertebral artery or basilar artery occlusion( n=20) were histologically analyzed. Erythrocyte-rich clots were present in 59 cases, while fibrin-rich clots were present in 79 cases. Cardioembolic thrombi had higher proportions of fibrin/platelets [77.2%(61/79)], less erythrocytes than noncardioembolic thrombi [45.8%(27/59), χ2=8.115, P=0.004]. Patients with erythrocyte-rich thrombi had a smaller number of recanalization maneuvers [2 (1, 2) vs 3 (2, 4), Z=-7.613, P<0.001], shorter procedure time [45 (30, 60) min vs 80 (60, 90) min, Z=-6.944, P<0.001], higher thrombus CT value [42 (32, 53) vs 36 (31, 41), Z=-2.003, P=0.045], good clinical prognosis (the ratio of modified Rankin Scale score ≤2, 62.7% (37/59) vs 39.2% (31/79), χ2=7.444, P=0.006). There was no significant difference in the location of vascular occlusion between the two groups. Conclusion:For patients whose thrombotic components are mainly red blood cells, the cause of stroke may be non cardiogenic cerebral embolism, the CT value of embolus is relatively high, the embolus is easy to remove, and the clinical prognosis is relatively good.

Folic Acid Supplementation and the Association between Maternal Airborne Particulate Matter Exposure and Preterm Delivery: A National Birth Cohort Study in China.

BACKGROUND: Potential modification of the association between maternal particulate matter (PM) exposure and preterm delivery (PTD) by folic acid (FA) supplementation has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether FA supplementation could reduce the risk of PTD associated with maternal exposure to PM in ambient air during pregnancy. METHOD: In a cohort study covering 30 of the 31 provinces of mainland China in 2014, 1,229,556 primiparas of Han ethnicity were followed until labor. We collected information on their FA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes and estimated each participant's exposure to PM with diameters of ≤10µm (PM10), 2.5µm (PM2.5), and 1µm (PM1) using satellite remote-sensing based models. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine interactions between FA supplementation and PM exposures, after controlling for individual characteristics. RESULTS: Participants who initiated FA ≥3 months prior to pregnancy (38.1%) had a 23% [hazard ratio (HR)=0.77 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.78)] lower risk of PTD than women who did not use preconception FA. Participants with PM concentrations in the highest quartile had a higher risk of PTD [HR=1.29 (95% CI: 1.26, 1.32) for PM1, 1.52 (95% CI: 1.46, 1.58) for PM2.5, and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.27) for PM10] than those with exposures in the lowest PM quartiles. Estimated associations with a 10-µg/m3 increase in PM1 and PM2.5 were significantly lower among women who initiated FA ≥3 months prior to pregnancy [HR=1.09 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.10) for both exposures] than among women who did not use preconception FA [HR=1.12 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.13) for both exposures; pinteraction<0.001]. The corresponding association was also significantly lower for a 10-µg/m3 increase in PM10 [HR=1.03 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.03) for FA ≥3 months before pregnancy vs. 1.04 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.04) for no preconception FA; pinteraction<0.001]. CONCLUSION: Our findings require confirmation in other populations, but they suggest that initiating FA supplementation ≥3 months prior to pregnancy may lessen the risk of PTD associated with PM exposure during pregnancy among primiparas of Han ethnicity. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6386.

Ambient temperature and the risk of preterm birth: A national birth cohort study in the mainland China.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effect of ambient temperature on preterm birth, especially for the trimester-specific effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether exposure to relatively low or high temperature during pregnancy is associated with increasing risk of preterm birth or not. METHOD: We analysed the data of a birth cohort with 1,281,859 singleton pregnancies during 2013-2014 and matched the home address of each pregnant women to the model based daily meteorological and air pollution data. Then we used the Cox proportional hazard regression models with random effect to estimate the non-linear associations between exposure to relatively low or high temperature at each trimester of pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth, after controlling for air pollution and individual-level covariates. FINDING: The overall preterm birth rate was 8.1% (104,493 preterm births). Exposure to relatively low or high temperatures during the entire pregnancy significantly increase the risk of preterm birth, with hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] of 1.03 (95%CI: 1.02, 1.04) for relatively low (9.1 ℃, the 5th percentile) temperature and 1.55 (95%CI: 1.48, 1.61) for relatively high (23.0 ℃, the 95th percentile) temperature in comparison with the thresholds (12.0 ℃). Pregnant women at the early pregnancy (the 1st and 2nd trimester) are more susceptible to high temperatures while pregnant women at the late pregnancy (the 3rd trimester) are more susceptible to low temperatures. CONCLUSION: These findings provide new evidence that exposure to relatively low or high temperatures during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, which can serve as scientific evidence for prevention of preterm birth.

Long-term exposure to airborne particulate matter of 1 µm or less and blood pressure in healthy young adults: A national study with 1.2 million pregnancy planners.

No evidence exists concerning the effect of airborne particulate matter of 1 µm or less (PM1) on blood pressure of young adults planning for pregnancy. We collected health examination information of about 1.2 million couples (aged 18-45 years) from a national birth cohort in China from Jan 1, 2013 to Oct 1, 2014 and matched their home address to daily PM1 and PM2.5 concentrations, which were predicted by remote sensing information. Generalized additive mixed models were used to analyze associations between long-term exposure to PM and blood pressure, after controlling for individual factors. A 10 µg/m3 increase in PM1 was associated with increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) for 0.26 (95%CI: 0.24, 0.29) mmHg in females and 0.29 (95%CI: 0.26, 0.31) mmHg in males, respectively. PM1 was also associated with increased DBP for 0.22 (95%CI: 0.20, 0.23) mmHg in females and 0.17 (95%CI: 0.15, 0.19) mmHg in males, respectively. Similar effects on blood pressure were found for PM2.5, meanwhile, the effect of PM2.5 on SBP increased with the scale of PM1 included in PM2.5 (p for interaction term <0.01). In summary, long-term exposure to PM1 as well as PM2.5 was associated with increased SBP and DBP of Chinese young adults planning for pregnancy.

Triplophysa sanduensis, a new loach species of nemacheilid (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from South China.

A new species of Nemacheilidae, Triplophysa sanduensis sp. nov., is described here based on specimens collected from a small cave in Dengguang Village, Zhonghe Town, Sandu County, Guizhou Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: branched dorsal-fin rays 8-9; branched pectoral-fin rays 8-9; branched pelvic-fin rays 5; branched anal-fin rays 5; vertebrae 4+37; snout length 45.5-50.1% of head length; postdorsal length 39.0-42.8% of standard length; caudal-peduncle depth/caudal-peduncle length range from 56.4% to 71.9%; the posterior chamber of the gas bladder degenerated; body elongated, covered by scattered scales; eyes present and normal in size, not reduced or absent; and a complete lateral line. A phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene resolved Triplophysa sanduensis as sister to Triplophysa longliensis. Kimura's 2-parameter genetic distance of the COI gene sequences between these two species was 1.9%.

Interventionaltreatmentofdelayedhemorrhageafterabdominalsurgery / 实用放射学杂志

Objective Toevaluatetheclinicaleffectofinterventionaltreatmentfordelayedhemorrhageinpatientsafterabdominal surgery.Methods Dataof76patients,undergoingangiographyduetodelayedpostoperativehemorrhage,wereanalyzedretrospectively. Theexclusioncriteriaincludedpositiveangiographywithoutembolizationorhaemorrhagecausedbyothercauses(urologicaland reproductivesystemdiseases).Basedonendovascularprocedures,thepatientsweredividedintoembolizedgroup (positiveangiography withembolization)andnon-embolizedgroup(negativeangiographywithoutembolization).Theoutcomesoftreatmentwerecompared betweentwogroupsandfactorsassociatedwithrebleedingwerealsoanalyzed.Results Angiogramswerepositivein70% (53/76)of patients,andintravascularembolizationswereperformed.Intheembolizationgroup,technicalsuccessrateandclinicalsuccessrate were98.1%(52/53)and71.7%(38/53),respectively.Noseverecomplications,suchasgastrointestinalorhepaticischemicnecrosis wereobservedinallpatients.Therebleedingrateswere28.3%and52.2%intheembolizationgroupandthenon-embolizationgroup, respectively(P＝0.046).Multivariateanalysisshowedthatuseofvasopressoragentsbeforesurgerywasanindependentriskfactor forrebleeding (P＝0.022).Conclusion Intravascularinterventionaltherapyisasafeandeffectivemethodfordelayedhemorrhageafter abdominalsurgery.Useofvasopressoragentsbeforesurgerymayincreasetheriskofpostoperativerebleeding.

Lanlabeo duanensis, a new genus and species of labeonin fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from southern China.

Lanlabeo, a new genus of fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae, is described from the Pearl River drainage basin in Guangxi Province, southern China. This new genus is distinguished from all other genera of the cyprinid tribe Labeonini by a combination of morphological and phylogenetic characters. It differs morphologically from all other Asian labeonins in its uniquely modified oromandibular morphology. For example, this genus has a frenum connecting the upper jaw and lower lip at the corner of the mouth, regularly arranged papillae densely scattered over the ventral margin of the rostral cap, a vestigial upper lip, a rostral cap overlying the upper jaw and with a fimbriate posterior margin, and a lower lip divided into two lateral fleshy lobes and one central plate. These two lateral fleshy lobes are small and translucent, and the median lobe of the lower lip is large and has papillae regularly arranged in many transverse rows. In the lower jaw, the dentary is transversely L-shaped in ventral view because its anterior part forms a right-angle turn and its transverse branch is anterioposteriorly expanded. In addition, analyses of four nuclear gene datasets indicate that this new genus forms a highly divergent lineage within the Labeonini, and that Lanlabeo is closely related to the genus Ptychidio. Therefore, based on morphometric differences and phylogenetic relationships, we describe this new genus herein as Lanlabeo, containing the new species Lanlabeo duanensis.

Status of HBsAg seroprevalence in 15 million rural couples in China: a cross-sectional study.

A cross-sectional analysis of prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection (HBV) among rural couples was conducted between 2010 and 2014. Serologic HBV markers, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and e antigen (HBeAg), were tested. Primary outcome of interest comprised HBsAg positivity in couples (both positive: F+M+, only wife positive: F+M-, only husband positive: F-M+), and secondary outcome consisted of prevalence and risk factors of HBsAg positivity among husbands or wives. Of 14,816,300 couples included, 0.7% were F+M+; 6.3% were F-M+; 4.4% were F+M-, resulting in the overall seroprevalence of 11.4%. Individually, 6.1% were HBsAg positive with a higher rate seen in husbands (7.0%) than in wives (5.2%). Wife's HBeAg(+)/HBsAg (+) (AOR = 2.61), HBeAg(-)/HBsAg (+) (AOR = 2.23), positivity of syphilis (AOR = 1.50), living in a high-risk region (AOR = 1.46) were significantly predictors of HBsAg positivity in husbands. Prevalence and predictors of HBsAg positivity in wives had similar results. Our data show a high burden and discordant pattern of HBV infection in rural couples, and partner's double positivity of HBeAg and HBsAg was the most significant factor of HBV infection in couples. A comprehensive strategy that emphasizes vaccination and education is needed.

Breeding and microbiological quality control of germ-free pigs / 中国实验动物学报

The industry of germ-free animals has been a hot spot in research along with the rapid development of studies on the relationship between microbiota and host diseases. Because it is pathogen?free, and the high degree of simi?larity in anatomy, physiology, pathogenesis to humans, germ?free pig is considered a clinical relevant model to be widely used in life science research. Based on the current state of research of germ?free pig cultivation at home and abroad and the experimental studies carried out in our laboratory as well, this article gives a simple discussion on germ?free technique of domestic pigs.

Metzia parva, a new cyprinid species (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from south China.

A new species of a small cyprinid fish, Metzia parva sp. nov., is described here based on specimens collected from a tributary of Hongshui-He River in the Pearl River basin at Anyang Town, Du'an County, Guangxi Province, south China. It differs from congeners in having a smaller body with a standard length of 48.3-57.7 mm (vs. 58.3-151.4 mm in other species); a complete lateral line (although some specimens show interruptions on the ventral margin above the anal-fin); 12-14 branched anal-fin rays (vs. 10-11 or 15-20); 10 branched pectoral-fin rays (vs. 11-16); 6 branched pelvic-fin rays (vs. 7-9); a longer caudal peduncle (17.8-21.7% vs. 14.8-17.4% SL); a shorter preanal length (60.9-66.0% vs. 69.0-73.0% SL) and an obviously larger interorbital width (28.4-33.0% vs. 20.2-24.7% of head length). While Metzia parva shares a lateral black stripe from the gill opening to the caudal-fin base with M. formosae, the new species can be distinguished from M. formosae by a deeper head (16.4-19.2% vs. 13.3-15.7% SL) and a longer anal fin (15.4-18.9% vs. 10.0-13.6% SL) in addition to the diagnostic characters above. Kimura's 2-parameter genetic distance between the two species is 6.6% for the barcoding region of the mitochondrial COI gene and 7.3% across the complete mitochondrial genome.

Paraqianlabeo lineatus, a new genus and species of labeonine fishes (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from South China.

Paraqianlabeo, new genus, is described from the Chishui-He and Wu-Jiang rivers of the Yangtze River basin in Guizhou Province, South China. This new genus is distinguished from all other labeonine genera by a combination of morphological and molecular evidence. It is distinguished from all other Asian garrains by a unique oromandibular morphology; i.e., an arched, wide, rudimentary sucker formed by raised front and lateral margins of lower lip, postlabial groove and mental groove between middle and lateral lobes of lower lip chevron-shaped; anteroventral margin of rostral cap arched, thin and papillose; rostral cap not overlying upper lip, upper lip connected with lower lip around corners of mouth; well developed upper lip free from upper jaw; lower lip divided into two lateral fleshy lobes and one central plate, these two lateral fleshy lobes small and short, median lobe of lower lip large; anterior and anterolateral edges of upper and lower lip finely papillose; shallow, straight groove between lower lip and lower jaw; lower jaw bears thin, cornified cutting edge. Additionally, scales on mid-ventral region from pectoral fins to pelvic fins subcutaneous and half-hidden; dorsal fin with 3 simple and 7½-8 branched rays. Paraqianlabeo lineatus, new species, type species of this genus, has longitudinal dark stripe along side of body. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA data indicate that this new genus forms a highly diverged lineage within the Garraina group of Labeoninae. 

Spatial patterns of the congenital heart disease prevalence among 0- to 14-year-old children in Sichuan Basin, P. R China, from 2004 to 2009.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of major birth defects in Sichuan, the most populous province in China. The detailed etiology of CHD is unknown but some environmental factors are suspected as the cause of this disease. However, the geographical variations in CHD prevalence would be highly valuable in providing a clue on the role of the environment in CHD etiology. Here, we investigate the spatial patterns and geographic differences in CHD prevalence among 0- to 14-year-old children, discuss the possible environmental risk factors that might be associated with CHD prevalence in Sichuan Basin from 2004 to 2009. METHODS: The hierarchical Bayesian model was used to estimate CHD prevalence at the township level. Spatial autocorrelation statistics were performed, and a hot-spot analysis with different distance thresholds was used to identify the spatial pattern of CHD prevalence. Distribution and clustering maps were drawn using geographic information system tools. RESULTS: CHD prevalence was significantly clustered in Sichuan Basin in different spatial scale. Typical hot/cold clusters were identified, and possible CHD causes were discussed. The association between selected hypothetical environmental factors of maternal exposure and CHD prevalence was evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The largest hot-spot clustering phenomena and the CHD prevalence clustering trend among 0- to 14-year-old children in the study area showed a plausibly close similarity with those observed in the Tuojiang River Basin. The high ecological risk of heavy metal(Cd, As, and Pb)sediments in the middle and lower streams of the Tuojiang River watershed and ammonia-nitrogen pollution may have contribution to the high prevalence of CHD in this area.

Application of SimMan patient simulator in teaching of internal medicine clinical skill for undergraduates majored in clinical medicine / 中华医学教育探索杂志

In this study,the common critical medical cases were organically combined with SimMan simulation system,which enabled students to deeply understand the diagnosis,treatment of disease and clinical operation as consulting real patients.Also,it could improve their clinical thinking ability,clinical skills and operational level.

Comparative study on the efficacy of tiotropium bromide inhalation and oral doxofylline treatment of moderate to severe stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study compared the efficacy and safety of tiotropium bromide inhalation powder (spiriva) and doxofylline oral tablet (doxofylline) in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-controlled study involved 127 eligible stable moderate to severe COPD patients treated with inhaled tiotropium dry powder (18 μg/day) or oral doxofylline tablets (0.2 g/time, 2 times a day) for 12 and 24 weeks. Before and after treatment for 12 weeks and 24 weeks, respectively, pulmonary function, 6-min walking distance and dyspnea index were recorded. The results showed that in both tiotropium group and doxofylline groups, after 12-week treatment, FEV(1), FEV(1)/FVC% and 6-min walk distance were significantly higher than those before the medication, while dyspnea index decreased as compared with that before treatment. After 24-week treatment, a slight improvement in the measures was observed as compared with that of 12-weeks treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant. With both 12-week and 24-week treatment, the effect of tiotropium was slightly better than that of doxofylline tablets, with the difference being statistically insignificant. The major adverse events in the tiotropium group and doxofylline group were observed in 9 cases (9.9%) and 12 cases (12.9%), respectively, and no statistically significant difference was found between them. We are led to conclude that both tiotropium at 18 μg a day and doxofylline tablets at 0.2 g/day (two times a day) are effective and safe for the treatment of COPD.

The youngest split in sympatric schizothoracine fish (Cyprinidae) is shaped by ecological adaptations in a Tibetan Plateau glacier lake.

Although new empirical evidence shows that sympatric speciation has occurred in some species, there are few indisputable model organisms for this process of speciation. The two subspecies (Gymnocypris eckloni eckloni and G. e. scoliostomus) of the schizothoracine Gymnocypris fish species complex from a small glacier lake in the Tibetan Plateau, Lake Sunmcuo, fit several of the key characteristics of the sympatric speciation model. We used combined mitochondrial control region sequences and the cytochrome b gene (1894 bp) to address the phylogenetics and population genetics of 232 specimens of G. e. eckloni and G. e. scoliostomus, as well as all of its closely related sister species. We found that: (i) a total of four old lineages were uncovered in the widespread G. e. eckloni, of which only one was shown to be shared with all G. e. scoliostomus individuals and (ii) the new subspecies (G. e. scoliostomus) evolved in Lake Sunmcuo from the ancestral G. e. eckloni population within approximately 0.057 Ma. These two taxa of the species complex are morphologically distinct, and reproductive isolation is further suggested. Ecological disruptive selection based on morphological traits (e.g. mouth cleft characters) and food utilization may be a mechanism of incipient speciation of two sympatric populations within Lake Sunmcuo. This study provides the first genetic evidence for sympatric speciation in the schizothoracine fish.

[Pilot application of optical in vivo imaging on acupuncture research].

OBJECTIVE: As a new technique of biomedical imaging, the optical in vivo imaging has been used in many research fields of biological processes, such as analyzing gene expression pattern, observing action of drug target. For extending its application field, this technique is initially used to investigate the effect of acupuncture in this study. METHODS: Seven SPF mice were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (4 cases) and a control group (3 cases). Fluorescent labeling Cy7 (Tf-Cy7) and Doxorubicin (Dox) were injected into the caudal vein of the nude mice, respectively. With the.stabilized distribution of Tf-Cy7 and Dox in vivo, "Yaoyangguan" (GV 3) point was acupunctured in the acupuncture group. The animals in the control group were not acupunctured. Then, the fluorescent irradiance of Tf-Cy7 and Dox was displayed by the optical in vivo imaging, the effect of acupuncture was analyzed. RESULTS: (1) After acupuncture, the fluorescent intensity of Tf-Cy7 started to decrease in the blood-brain barrier and heart, but tended to increase in the liver and spleen, in which the highest intensity of Tf-Cy7 was demonstrated at 50 min during the acupuncture. It was obviously different from that of the control group. (2) The fluorescent intensity of Dox tended to increase in the brain and lung after 20 min of acupuncture, and reached the highest concentration at 30 min. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can influence the action of Tf-Cy7 targeting and distribution of Dox, which is clearly showed with the optical in vivo imaging. Thus, this technique provides a new approach for the acupuncture and meridian research.