High prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in ticks collected from yaks () in Shiqu county, eastern Tibetan Plateau, China.

Tick-borne diseases have become a global health concern in recent decades. Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have been recognized as important pathogens of human tick-borne diseases worldwide. In this study, ( = 646) and ( = 172) ticks were collected from yaks () in Shiqu county, eastern Tibetan Plateau, China.

Screening and evaluation of local bacteria isolated from shellfish as potential probiotics against pathogenic Vibrios.

The present study was carried out to isolate, screen and evaluate potential candidates of local bacteria isolated from tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon and slipper cupped oysters Crassostrea iredalei as probiotics in shellfish aquaculture. A total of 144 of bacteria were successfully isolated from the intestine and stomach of 20 tails of healthy adult tiger shrimp P. monodon, while 136 were successfully isolated from the digestive tract, gills and inner shells of 10 healthy adult C.

Seasonal and geographical variations in the growth rate of infants in China receiving increasing dosages of vitamin D supplements.

In theory, sunshine exposure is sufficient to maintain normal vitamin D concentrations for the optimal growth of newborn infants. To determine whether season of birth, latitude (north v. south) and increasing dosages of vitamin D supplements would influence the growth rate for the first 6 months of life, 255 healthy fall-and spring-born infants from two northern and two southern cities in China were randomly assigned to receive either 100, 200, or 400 IU of vitamin D a day.

Nutritional efficacy of a fortified weaning rusk in a rural area near Beijing.

A micronutrient-fortified rusk for weanling children was tested in a rural area near Beijing. Two hundred twenty-six children aged 6-13 mo were randomly assigned by village to either a micronutrient-fortified or an unfortified rusk, daily for 3 mo. The fortified rusk contained extra zinc; iron; calcium; vitamins A, D, and B-12; thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folic acid.

Studies on iron deficiency anemia, rickets and zinc deficiency and their prevention among Chinese preschool children.

The incidence of iron deficiency anemia, rickets, and zinc deficiency is very high in Chinese preschool children and a method for prevention is urgently needed. From our studies, it can be seen that a soft drink powder is a convenient vehicle for the supplementation of iron, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid. Table salt is also a good, low-cost carrier for iron and zinc, and cow's milk can only be used for the enrichment of vitamins A and D.

Prospective study of vitamin D supplementation and rickets in China.

To determine whether amounts of vitamin D lower than recommended doses are effective in preventing rickets, 256 term infants from two northern and two southern cities in China were studied in a randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation (100, 200, or 400 IU/day) during the first 6 months of life. Cord blood and 6-month blood samples were collected and radiographs were obtained at 3 to 5 days and at 6 months of age. Cord serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were lower in the north than in the south (5 vs 14 ng/ml (12.

[The trace element zinc and aphthosis. The determination of plasma zinc and the treatment of aphthosis with zinc].

Content of Zn and Cu in blood and hair and comparative levels of Zn and Cu in blood were determined in 83 patients with aphtosis. Internal and external treatment with Zn preparations in 159 patients with aphtosis produced good results in 81.13% of cases, as evaluated at 1-year follow up review.

Low levels of zinc in hair and blood, pica, anorexia, and poor growth in Chinese preschool children.

Zinc concentrations in plasma and hair were measured in 703 children, aged between 1 and 6 yr, and correlated with parameters of physical development. In the first group of 187 children brought to the Child Health Clinic for routine observation there was a positive correlation of hair zinc content and height for age, with an increased prevalence of low hair zinc content in children of shorter stature. A second group of 303 children in nurseries and kindergartens in Beijing exhibited a hair zinc content of 92 micrograms/g, and 34% of these had very low zinc values below 70 micrograms/g.