Identification of Genes Related to Cold Tolerance and a Functional Allele That Confers Cold Tolerance.

Cold stress is a major factor limiting rice () production worldwide, especially at the seedling and booting stages. The identification of genes associated with cold tolerance (CT) in rice is important for sustainable food production. Here, we report the results of a genome-wide association study to identify the genetic loci associated with CT by using a 1,033-accession diversity panel.

CDK5-mediated tau accumulation triggers methamphetamine-induced neuronal apoptosis via endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation pathway.

Overexposure to methamphetamine (METH) causes apoptosis in a number of cell types, particularly neuronal cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of METH-induced neuronal apoptosis remain to be elucidated. Accumulation of microtubule-associated protein Tau can lead to activation of multiple neurotoxic pathways, which is closely correlated with neuronal apoptosis.

Effects of continued psychological care toward brain tumor patients and their family members' negative emotions.

Purpose: Numerous studies have confirmed that brain tumor patients and their family members frequently exhibit negative emotional reactions, such as anxiety and depression, during diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Family members experience increasing pressure as the year of survival of patient progress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the continued psychological care (CPC) toward the brain tumor patients and their family members' emotions.

CiRS-7 targeting miR-7 modulates the progression of non-small cell lung cancer in a manner dependent on NF-κB signalling.

The purpose of this study was to figure out the effect of ciRS-7/miR-7/NF-κB axis on the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In response, the expressions of ciRS-7, miR-7 and NF-κB subunit (ie RELA) within NSCLC tissues and cell lines were determined with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Moreover, the NSCLC cells were transfected with pcDNA3-ciRS-7-ir, pcDNA3-ciRS-7, miR-NC and miR-7 mimic.

[Risk assessment of secondary transmission induced by imported malaria in Jiangxi Province].

Objective: To assess the risk of secondary transmission induced by imported malaria in Jiangxi Province, so as to provide the evidence for adjustment of malaria surveillance strategies in the key groups and areas.

Methods: The Delphi method was used to establish the secondary transmission risk indicator system and the weight of each index was obtained. The data of malaria prevalence, vector distribution and intervention capacity were collected in 100 counties of Jiangxi Province from 2012 to 2015.

Dietary flavonoid tangeretin induces reprogramming of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer cells by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Tangeretin, a natural polymethoxyflavone present in the peel of citrus fruits is known to exhibit anticancer properties against a variety of carcinomas. Previous experimental evidence suggests that lifestyle and dietary habits affect the risk of prostate cancer to a certain extent. As the effect of tangeretin on prostate cancer is unexplored, the present study investigated the effect of tangeretin on androgen-insensitive PC-3 cells and androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells.

A maize phytochrome-interacting factors protein ZmPIF1 enhances drought tolerance by inducing stomatal closure and improves grain yield in Oryza sativa.

Phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs) play major roles in regulating plant growth and development, but their roles in drought stress remain elusive. Here, we cloned and characterized a maize (Zea mays) PIF transcription factor, ZmPIF1. The expression level of ZmPIF1 was significantly induced by independent drought and abscisic acid (ABA) treatments.

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids from Gardneria multiflora.

Six new monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, 19(E)-9-demethoxy-16-dehydroxylchitosenine-17-O- β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 19(E)-9,10-didemethoxy-16-dehydroxylchitosenine-17-O-β-d-gluco-pyranoside (2), 19(E)-9,10-didemethoxy-16-dehydroxyl-11-methoxychitosenine (3), 19(E)-9,10-didemethoxy-16-dehydroxyl-11-methoxychitosenine-17-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), 19(Z)-18-carboxylgardneramine (5), and 19(E)-18-demethoxygardneramine-N (4)-oxide (6), along with four known alkaloids, were isolated from Gardneria multiflora, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 are the first example of Gardneria alkaloids whose glucose units were attached to C-17. None of the compounds were cytotoxic to any of five human cancer cell lines.

Methane production potential and emission at different water levels in the restored reed wetland of Hangzhou Bay.

Changes in the hydrological conditions of coastal wetlands may potentially affect the role of wetlands in the methane (CH4) cycle. In this study, the CH4 production potential and emissions from restored coastal reed wetlands at different water levels were examined in eastern China at a field scale in two phenological seasons. Results showed that the total CH4 flux from reeds at various water levels were positive, indicating that they were "sources" of CH4.

Development and Evaluation of Near-Isogenic Lines with Different Blast Resistance Alleles at the Piz Locus in japonica Rice from the Lower Region of the Yangtze River, China.

Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, threatens rice production in most of the rice-growing areas in China, especially in regions that have grown Oryza sativa subsp. japonica in recent years. The use of resistance genes is the most effective and economical approach for blast control.

Deworming of stray dogs and wild canines with praziquantel-laced baits delivered by an unmanned aerial vehicle in areas highly endemic for echinococcosis in China.

Background: Canines, the definitive hosts for the parasites causing alveolar (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE), are the main source of this infections playing the key role in the transmission. The ten-year mortality rate of AE is extremely high (94%) if the patients are not given sustained treatment. The aim of this field study is to explore the possibility of delivery of praziquantel-laced baits using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aimed at deworming wild canines in the endemic areas.

A combined strategy for screening a clustered mobile population returning from highly endemic areas for Plasmodium falciparum.

Introduction: Early and accurate diagnosis of imported malaria cases in clusters is crucial for protecting the health of patients and local populations, especially confirmed parasitic persons who are asymptomatic.

Methodology: A total of 226 gold miners who had stayed in highly endemic areas of Ghana for more than six months and returned in clusters were selected randomly. Blood samples from them were tested with microscopy, nest polymerase chain reaction, and rapid diagnostic test (RDT).

Serum Gamma-glutamyl Transferase Levels Predict Functional Outcomes after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Objective: We aim to explore the potential association between serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and functional outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in a Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 386 aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage patients were included in the study from September 2007 to February 2015. Baseline serum gamma-glutamyl transferase levels and 6-month follow-up functional outcomes were determined.

Cholecystokinin attenuates radiation-induced lung cancer cell apoptosis by modulating p53 gene transcription.

The deregulation of p53 in cancer cells is one of the important factors by which cancer cells escape from the immune surveillance. Cholecystokinin (CCK) has strong bioactivity in the regulation of a number of cell activities. This study tests a hypothesis that CCK interferes with p53 expression to affect the apoptotic process in lung cancer (tumor) cells.

Expression of Inorganic Pyrophosphatase (PPA1) Correlates with Poor Prognosis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian serous carcinoma (OSC) is the most common epithelial ovarian cancer. Inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPA1) catalyzes the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate to inorganic phosphate, thereby providing extra energy for metabolism. The significance of PPA1 in the prognosis of OSC has not been investigated.

Postmortem Serum Tryptase Levels with Special Regard to Acute Cardiac Deaths.

An elevated serum tryptase concentration is considered a specific marker for systemic mast cell activation, a central feature of anaphylaxis. However, in some cases of acute cardiovascular death, high concentrations of serum tryptase are also observed. We compared the postmortem serum tryptase concentrations in 74 cases assigned to the following four groups: anaphylactic deaths (Group A, n = 20), acute cardiac deaths (Group ACD, n = 30), acute dissecting aneurysm ruptures (Group ADA, n = 10), and controls (Group C, n = 14).

A new blind species of the cave genus from Guizhou, China (Nemacheilinae).

This study aimed to describe a new specimen of cavefish collected from a karst cave in the Daqikong area of Libo County, Guizhou. Twenty-six cavefish specimens were collected and identified as a new species of Balitoridae: Nemacheilinae, and named A genetic analysis was performed and showed that its genetic distances from and are higher than intraspecific distances. Discovery of this species will be helpful to understand the distribution of .

Adapting the local response for malaria elimination through evaluation of the 1-3-7 system performance in the China-Myanmar border region.

Background: Assessing the essential components of '1-3-7' strategy along the China-Myanmar border is critical to identify gaps and challenges to support evidence-based decision making.

Methods: A mixed-method retrospective study including quantitative and qualitative analysis of the 1-3-7 system components was conducted. Sampled counties were chosen based on malaria incidence from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014.

Fatal spontaneous rupture of common iliac artery associated with fibromuscular dysplasia.

A previously healthy 25-year-old man with no known risk factors was presented at the emergency room with a 3 h history of abdominal and loin pain. Physical examination and lab data showed no specific findings except tenderness, slight white cell count elevation and decreased haemoglobin level. The patient's condition deteriorated over the following hours and he died despite resuscitation attempts.

Improving of Rice Blast Resistances in by Pyramiding Major R Genes.

Rice blast, caused by the fungal pathogen , is a major constraint to rice production worldwide. In this study, we developed monogenic near-isogenic lines (NILs) NIL , NIL , and NIL carrying genes , , and , respectively, by marker assisted backcross breeding using 07GY31 as the genetic background with good agronomic traits. Polygene pyramid lines (PPLs) PPL combining with , and PPL combining with were then developed using corresponding NILs with genetic background recovery rates of more than 97%.

China-Africa Health Development Initiatives: Benefits and Implications for Shaping Innovative and Evidence-informed National Health Policies and Programs in Sub-saharan African Countries.

Background And Introduction: This review paper examines the growing implications of China's engagement in shaping innovative national initiatives against infectious diseases and poverty control and elimination in African countries. It seeks to understand the factors and enhancers that can promote mutual and innovative health development initiatives, and those that are necessary in generating reliable and quality data for evidence-based contextual policy, priorities and programs.

Methods: We examined the China-Africa health cooperation in supporting global health agenda on infectious diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, Ebola, TB, HIV/AIDS, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevention, control and elimination spanning a period of 10 years.

Effect of Oseltamivir on the Hemagglutination Test and Hemagglutination Inhibition Test of the Influenza A(H3N2) Virus in China.

We compared the effect of oseltamivir on the hemagglutination (HA) test and hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) test of the influenza A(H3N2) virus in China to obtain the "true" HA titer and antigenic variation. A total of 395 influenza H3N2 strains isolated in mainland China from October 2014 to May 2015 were analyzed with HA and HI tests, with or without oseltamivir..

Identification of three novel B-cell epitopes of VMH protein from Vibrio mimicus by screening a phage display peptide library.

Vibrio mimicus is the causative agent of ascites disease in fish. The heat-labile hemolytic toxin designated VMH is an immunoprotective antigen of V. mimicus.