Characterization, Comparison of Two New Mitogenomes of Crocodile Newts (Caudata: Salamandridae), and Phylogenetic Implications.

Mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are valuable resources in molecular and evolutionary studies, such as phylogeny and population genetics. The complete mitogenomes of two crocodile newts, and , were sequenced, assembled, and annotated for the first time using next-generation sequencing. The complete mitogenomes of and were 16,265 bp and 16,259 bp in lengths, which both composed of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and 1 control region.

[Application value of whole exome sequencing in critically ill neonates with inherited diseases].

Objective: To study the application value of whole exome sequencing (WES) in critically ill neonates with inherited diseases.

Methods: A total of 66 critically ill neonates with suspected inherited diseases or unclear clinical diagnosis who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled as subjects. The clinical data of the neonates were collected, and venous blood samples were collected from the neonates and their parents for WES.

A new cave-dwelling blind loach, Triplophysa erythraea sp. nov. (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae), from Hunan Province, China.

A new blind loach species, Triplophysa erythraea sp. nov., from a karst cave in Hunan Province, central south China, is described based on morphology and cyt b gene sequencing.

Assessment of Left Ventricular Myocardial Viability by 3-Dimensional Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Patients With Myocardial Infarction.

Objectives: To determine whether 3-dimensional (3D) speckle-tracking echocardiography could provide a new way to assess myocardial viability in patients with myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Forty-five patients with MI underwent routine echocardiography, 2-dimensional (2D) speckle-tracking echocardiography, and 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography. Radionuclide myocardial perfusion/metabolic imaging was used as a reference standard to define viable and nonviable myocardia.

Yinzhihuang attenuates ANIT-induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats through upregulation of Mrp2 and Bsep expressions.

Background: The treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis has been limited, and development of an effective drug is needed. Clinical studies have shown that Yinzhihuang (YZH), a traditional Chinese decoction, enhances bilirubin clearance. The goal of this study was to determine the protective effect of YZH on experimental intrahepatic cholestasis in young rats and to explore its underlying molecular mechanisms.

[Research perspectives and achievements in taxonomy and distribution of bats in China].

Chinese chiropterologists have made significant improvements into research on bat taxonomy and distribution. Overall, scholars recorded 6 new species of bats, alongside 11 species recorded species in the Chinese Mainland and 4 new bat species of Murina in Taiwan. Chinese chiropterologists intensively cooperated with the international experts on bats, and adopted several new, multidisciplinary methods to carry out their studies.

Epidemiologic survey on hospitalized neonates in China.

Objective: To carry out a nationwide epidemiologic survey on the neonates in urban hospitals with an attempt to understand the disease spectrum and treatment outcomes of hospitalized neonates in China.

Methods: The clinical data of 43,289 hospitalized neonates from 86 hospitals in 47 Chinese cities (22 provinces) between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The male:female ratio was 1.

Bacillus nanhaiensis sp. nov., isolated from an oyster.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, slightly halophilic, facultatively alkaliphilic, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, endospore-forming, motile, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 082006(T), was isolated from an oyster collected from Naozhou Island in the South China Sea. The isolate grew in 0-18 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5-4.

Halobacillus naozhouensis sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a sea anemone.

A moderately halophilic, Gram-positive, catalase- and oxidase-positive, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium, designated strain JSM 071068(T), was isolated from a sea anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica) collected from the Naozhou Island on the Leizhou Bay in the South China Sea. Cells were motile by means of peritrichous flagella and formed ellipsoidal endospores lying in subterminal swollen sporangia. Strain JSM 071068(T) was able to grow with 1-20% (w/v) total salts (optimum, 6-9%), at pH values of 6.

[Treatment of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis with endoscopic pyloromyotomy].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the treatment of congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (CHPS) with endoscopic pyloromyotomy.

Method: Nine consecutive infants (7 boys, 2 girls; age range 26 - 70 days; weight range 2.65 - 6.

Noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis with combined serum aminotransferase/platelet ratio index and hyaluronic acid in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Aim: To construct a noninvasive assessment model consisting of routine laboratory data to predict significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: A total of 137 consecutive patients with CHB who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were divided into two groups according to their aminotransferase (ALT) level.

[Effects of fosinopril on proliferation and secretion of extracellular matrix of rat glomerular mesangial cell].

Objective: To observe the effects of fosinopril (FOS) on proliferation and secretion of extracellular matrix of rat glomerular mesangial cell induced by LPS.

Methods: In vitro culture method for glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) of rat was established and passages 3 - 10 of the cells were used in the experiment after identification. The experiment included the following 5 groups: control group (Ctrl), LPS group (LPS), high, medium and low dose FOS groups (FOS1, FOS2 and FOS3 groups, respectively).

[Theoretical model for rocky desertification control in karst area].

Based on the basic principles of restoration ecology, the trigger-action model for rocky desertification control was proposed, i. e. , the ability that an ecosystem enables itself to develop was called dominant force, and the interfering factor resulting in the deviation of the climax of ecological succession from its preconcerted status was called trigger factor.

[Therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba leaf extract on hypercholestrolemia in children with nephrotic syndrome].

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of the extract of Ginkgo biloba leaf on hypercholestrolemia in children with primary nephritic syndrome (NS).

Methods: Thirty-five children with NS were randomized into 2 groups for treatment with prednisone plus Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (18 cases) or with prednisone plus dipyridamole (17 cases) for 8 weeks. After completion of the treatments, the therapeutic effects were evaluated and the changes in the blood biochemical markers assayed.

[Protective effects of glycyrrhizin on adriamycin nephropathy in rats].

Objective: To observe the effects of glycyrrhizin on laminin (LN) expression in kidney tissue and excretory quantity of urine protein of rats with adriamycin nephropathy, and to explore the protective effects of glycyrrhizin on glomerulosclerosis.

Methods: Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group (n=6), untreated group (n=6) and glycyrrhizin-treated group (n=6). Adriamycin nephropathy was induced in rats in the last two groups by intravenous injection of adriamycin.

[Change of transforming growth factor beta in peripheral blood mononuclear cell of children with nephrotic syndrome and its significance].

Objective: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is a common glomerular disease. The pathogenesis of the disease remains unclear. Recent studies indicate that transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) is the main cytokine involved in glomerular disease.