Unique epidemiological patterns of human infections with H7N9 avian influenza virus discovered by combined risk factor surveillance and epidemiology

Background: An outbreak of a novel human avian influenza (H7N9) [h-H7N9 AI] took place in China from February 2013 to April 2015, with 628 reported cases. However, there were no exact answers on epidemiological patterns and its origin. Purpose: To examine the epidemiological patterns and its origin compared with other influenza outbreaks by combined analysis of risk factor surveillance and epidemiological characteristics, and to explore new surveillance methods for tracking infectious disease outbreaks

Paeoniflorin and Albiflorin Attenuate Neuropathic Pain via MAPK Pathway in Chronic Constriction Injury Rats

Neuropathic pain remains as the most frequent cause of suffering and disability around the world. The isomers paeoniflorin (PF) and albiflorin (AF) are major constituents extracted from the roots of Paeonia (P.) lactiflora Pall. Neuroprotective effect of PF has been demonstrated in animal models of neuropathologies. However, only a few studies are related to the biological activities of AF and no report has been published on analgesic properties of AF about neuropathic pain to date. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of AF and PF against CCI-induced neuropathic pain in rat and explore the underlying mechanism. We had found that both PF and AF could inhibit the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) pathway in spinal microglia and subsequent upregulated proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)). AF further displayed remarkable effects on inhibiting the activation of astrocytes, suppressing the overelevated expression of phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (p-JNK) in astrocytes, and decreasing the content of chemokine CXCL1 in the spinal cord. These results suggest that both PF and AF are potential therapeutic agents for neuropathic pain, which merit further investigation

IKKβ programs to turn on the GADD45α–MKK4–JNK apoptotic cascade specifically via p50 NF-κB in arsenite response

Cross talk between NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) has been implicated in the cell life and death decision under various stresses. Functional suppression of JNK activation by NF-κB has recently been proposed as a key cellular survival mechanism and contributes to cancer cells escaping from apoptosis. We provide a novel scenario of the proapoptotic role of IκB kinase β (IKKβ)–NF-κB, which can act as the activator of the JNK pathway through the induction of GADD45α for triggering MKK4/JNK activation, in response to the stimulation of arsenite, a cancer therapeutic reagent. This effect of IKKβ–NF-κB is dependent on p50 but not the p65/relA NF-κB subunit, which can increase the stability of GADD45α protein through suppressing its ubiquitination and proteasome-dependent degradation. IKKβ–NF-κB can therefore either activate or suppress the JNK cascade and consequently mediate pro- or antiapoptotic effects, depending on the manner of its induction. Furthermore, the NF-κB p50 subunit can exert a novel regulatory function on protein modification independent of the classical NF-κB transcriptional activity

Ammonia mitigation campaign with smallholder farmers improves air quality while ensuring high cereal production

Reducing cropland ammonia (NH3) emissions while improving air quality and food supply is a challenge, particularly in China with millions of smallholder farmers. We tested the effectiveness of a tailored nitrogen (N) management strategy applied to wheat-maize cropping systems in “Demonstration Squares” across Quzhou county in North China Plain. The N management techniques included optimal N rates, deep fertilizer placement and application of urease inhibitors, implemented through cooperation between government, researchers, businesses and smallholders. Compared with conventional local smallholder practice, our NH3 mitigation campaign reduced NH3 volatilization from wheat and maize by 49% and 39%, and increased N use efficiency by 28% and 40% and farmers’ profitability by 25% and 19%, respectively, with no detriment to crop yields. County-wide atmospheric NH3 and PM2.5 concentrations decreased by 40% and 8%, respectively. County-wide net benefits were estimated at $7.0 million. Our “Demonstration Square” approach demonstrates that cropland NH3 mitigation and improved air quality and farm profitability can be achieved simultaneously by coordinated actions at county level

Hexavalent Chromium Cr(VI) Up-Regulates COX-2 Expression through an NFκB/c-Jun/AP-1–Dependent Pathway

Background: Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is recognized as a human carcinogen via inhalation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which Cr(VI) causes cancers are not well understood

Cyclooxygenase-2 Induction by Arsenite through the IKKβ/NFκB Pathway Exerts an Antiapoptotic Effect in Mouse Epidermal Cl41 cells

BACKGROUND: Arsenic contamination has become a major public health concern worldwide. Epidemiologic data show that long-term arsenic exposure results in the risk of skin cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying carcinogenic effects of arsenite on skin remain to be studied. OBJECTIVES: In the present study we evaluated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, the signaling pathways leading to COX-2 induction, and its antiapoptotic function in the response to arsenite exposure in mouse epidermal JB6 Cl41 cells. METHODS: We used the luciferase reporter assay and Western blots to determine COX-2 induction by arsenite. We utilized dominant negative mutant, genetic knockout, gene knockdown, and gene overexpression approaches to elucidate the signaling pathway involved in COX-2 induction and its protective effect on cell apoptosis. RESULTS: The induction of COX-2 by arsenite was inhibited in Cl41 cells transfected with IKKβ-KM, a dominant mutant inhibitor of kβ (Ikβ) kinase (IKKβ), and in IKKβ-knockout (IKKβ(−/−)) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). IKKβ/nuclear factor κB (NFκB) pathway-mediated COX-2 induction exerted an antiapoptotic effect on the cells exposed to arsenite because cell apoptosis was significantly enhanced in the Cl41 cells transfected with IKKβ-KM or COX-2 small interference RNA (siCOX-2). In addition, IKKβ(−/−) MEFs stably transfected with COX-2 showed more resistance to arsenite-induced apoptosis compared with the same control vector–transfected cells. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that arsenite exposure can induce COX-2 expression through the IKKβ/NFκB pathway, which thereby exerts an antiapoptotic effect in response to arsenite. In light of the importance of apoptosis evasion during carcinogenesis, we anticipate that COX-2 induction may be at least partially responsible for the carcinogenic effect of arsenite on skin

Identification of Introgressed Alleles Conferring High Fiber Quality Derived From Gossypium barbadense L. in Secondary Mapping Populations of G. hirsutum L.

The improvement of fiber quality is an essential goal in cotton breeding. In our previous studies, several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to improved fiber quality were identified in different introgressed chromosomal regions from Sea Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) in a primary introgression population (Pop. A) of upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.). In the present study, to finely map introgressed major QTLs and accurately dissect the genetic contribution of the target introgressed chromosomal segments, we backcrossed two selected recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that presented desirable high fiber quality with their high lint-yielding recurrent parent to ultimately develop two secondary mapping populations (Pop. B and Pop. C). Totals of 20 and 27 QTLs for fiber quality were detected in Pop. B and Pop. C, respectively, including four and five for fiber length, four and eight for fiber micronaire, two and four for fiber uniformity, five and four for fiber elongation, and six and four for fiber strength, respectively. Two QTLs for lint percentage were detected only in Pop. C. In addition, seven stable QTLs were identified, including two for both fiber length and fiber strength and three for fiber elongation. Five QTL clusters for fiber quality were identified in the introgressed chromosomal regions, and negative effects of these chromosomal regions on lint percentage (a major lint yield parameter) were not observed. Candidate genes with a QTL-cluster associated with fiber strength and fiber length in the introgressed region of Chr.7 were further identified. The results may be helpful for revealing the genetic basis of superior fiber quality contributed by introgressed alleles from G. barbadense. Possible strategies involving marker-assisted selection (MAS) for simultaneously improving upland cotton fiber quality and lint yield in breeding programs was also discussed

Translation and initial psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the partners in health scale.

All Published work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International LicenseThis study aimed to translate the Partner in Health (PIH) scale (12 items) into the mandarin Chinese language and investigate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version PIH scale in patients with chronic diseases in primary care settings in Changsha, China. The instrument was translated according to the Sousa guideline including the following steps: Forward translation, back translation, expert panel evaluation and pilot study, with achievement of consensus at each step. Psychometric properties of the Chinese version PIH were assessed in a random sample of 300 community-dwelling patients with chronic diseases in Changsha, China. These properties included content validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and structural validity. Survey response rate was 93.7%. The results showed that the Chinese PIH scale had satisfactory reliability and validity. The test-retest reliability was 0.832 and the Cronbach’s coefficient was 0.865. The content validity rate (S-CVI/Ave) was 0.965. The correlation between the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) and the PIH was 0.505 (p<0.001). Results of the confirmatory factor analysis suggest that the PIH scale consisted of four factors: knowledge, partnership, management and coping. The Chinese PIH scale yields high reliability and validity. It can be used as a generic self-rated tool to assess self-management of patients with chronic diseases in China