Socioeconomic differentials of trends in the prevalence and economic burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rural southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity, and imposes a substantial financial burden on society. However, few studies have examined the role of individual socioeconomic status (SES) in temporal trends of COPD prevalence and economic cost. This study aimed to uncover the changing prevalence and economic burden of COPD across socioeconomic gradients in rural southwest China. METHODS: Data were collected from two cross-sectional health interviews and examination surveys administered 10 years apart among individuals aged ≥ 35 years in rural China. A prevalence-based cost-of-illness method was used to estimate the cost of COPD. The individual socioeconomic position (SEP) index was constructed using principal component analysis. Post-bronchodilator spirometry tests were performed for each participant. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2021, the prevalence of COPD increased from 8.7% to 12.8% (P < 0.01), while the economic cost of COPD increased 1.9-fold. Unit hospital costs and outpatient costs increased 1.57-fold and 1.47-fold, while unit medication costs fell by 10.6%. Increasing prevalence was also observed when the data were stratified by sex, age, ethnicity, level of education, level of income, and SEP (P < 0.05). Men, ethnic minorities, and those with a lower educational level, lower income, or lower SEP had a higher prevalence of COPD than their counterparts both in 2011 and 2021 (P < 0.05). Unit outpatient costs and medication costs increased with patients' SEP in both survey years (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence and economic costs of COPD increased substantially across all socioeconomic gradients in rural southwest China in the decade from 2011 and 2021. Future COPD prevention and management interventions as well as efforts to improve access to affordable COPD medication and treatment should focus in particular on ethnic minority and low SEP populations.

Accounting for mesophyll conductance substantially improves 13 C-based estimates of intrinsic water-use efficiency.

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) has been used widely to infer intrinsic water-use efficiency (iWUE) of C3 plants, a key parameter linking carbon and water fluxes. Despite the essential role of mesophyll conductance (gm ) in photosynthesis and Δ, its effect on Δ-based predictions of iWUE has generally been neglected. Here, we derive a mathematical expression of iWUE as a function of Δ that includes gm (iWUEmes ) and exploits the gm -stomatal conductance (gsc ) relationship across drought-stress levels and plant functional groups (deciduous or semideciduous woody, evergreen woody and herbaceous species) in a global database. iWUEmes was further validated with an independent dataset of online-Δ and CO2 and H2 O gas exchange measurements with seven species. Drought stress reduced gsc and gm by nearly one-half across all plant functional groups, but had no significant effect on the gsc  : gm ratio, with a well supported value of 0.79 ± 0.07 (95% CI, n = 198). gm was negatively correlated to iWUE. Incorporating the gsc  : gm ratio greatly improved estimates of iWUE, compared with calculations that assumed infinite gm . The inclusion of the gsc  : gm ratio, fixed at 0.79 when gm was unknown, proved desirable to eliminate significant errors in estimating iWUE from Δ across various C3 vegetation types.

Association of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors with chronic non-communicable diseases and multimorbidity among the elderly in rural southwest China.

BACKGROUND: This study estimates the prevalence of five chronic non-communicable disease (NCDs) (hypertension, diabetes, CHD, COPD and stroke) and its multimorbidity, and examines the relationship between SES and lifestyle factors and multimorbidity among older adults in rural southwest China. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 4833 consenting adults aged ≥60 years was conducted in 2017. Data on the demographics, smoking, drinking, height, weight, blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were collected. RESULTS: Among the participants, the overall prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, stroke, COPD and CHD was 50.6, 10.2, 6.4, 5.4 and 5.5%, respectively, and of multimorbidity was 16.1%. Females had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and multimorbidity of chronic NCDs, but a lower prevalence of COPD than males (P < 0.05). Older adults with good household assets and access to medical services were less likely to experience multimorbidity, whereas obese and centrally obese participants, current smokers, current drinkers and those with a family history of chronic NCDs had a greater probability of multimorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that effective strategies for prevention and control of chronic NCDs and its multimorbidity are urgently needed, especially for low-income, elderly, ethnic minority adults with poor access to medical services.

Socioeconomic variations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment in rural Southwest China.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and growing cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. However, there remains a limited understanding of the association between individual socioeconomic status (SES) and COPD diagnosis and treatment worldwide, including in China. This study investigates socioeconomic variations in prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of COPD in rural China. METHODS: The present study employed a cross-sectional survey design. The study population was composed of Han majority as well as Na Xi and Bai ethnic minority individuals 35 years of age and older living in Yunnan Province from 2017 to 2019. In total, 7534 individuals consented to participate in the study and complete a structured interview as well as a post-bronchodilator spirometry test. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between individual socioeconomic status variables and the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of COPD. RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence of COPD in the present study was 14.3%. Prevalence differed by gender: prevalence for men was 17.1%, versus 11.4% for women (P = 0.0001). Overall, levels of diagnosis and treatment of COPD for participants with COPD were 24.2 and 23.1%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that higher educational levels and good access to medical services was associated with an overall lower risk of COPD (P = 0.032 vs. P = 0.018) as well as a higher probability of COPD diagnosis among those with COPD (P = 0.0001 vs. P = 0.002). Participants with COPD with higher educational levels (P = 0.0001) and higher annual household incomes (P = 0.0001) as well as good access to medical services (P = 0.016) were more likely to receive COPD medications and treatment than their counterparts. While Na Xi and Bai participants had a higher probability of having COPD (P = 0.0001), they had a lower probability of having received a diagnosis or treatment for COPD than Han participants (P = 0.0001 vs. P = 0.0012). CONCLUSIONS: Future interventions to further control COPD and improve diagnosis and treatment should focus on ethnic minority communities, and those with low education levels, low annual household incomes, and poor access to medical services.

Ethnic disparities in prevalence and clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors in rural Southwest China.

BACKGROUND: This study examines how prevalence and clustering of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors differ by ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) among rural southwest Chinese adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 7027 adults aged ≥35 years of Han and four ethnic minority group descent (Na Xi, Li Shu, Dai, and Jing Po) was used to derive prevalence of tobacco smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) as well as alcohol consumption and physical activity data. Anthropometric measurements were also taken, including height, weight, and waist and hip circumference, as well as blood pressure (BP) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) measurements. RESULTS: Current smoking and drinking status were the top two CVD risk factors in the study population. Dai ethnic minority participants had the highest prevalence of hypertension, obesity, and central obesity, whereas Jing Po ethnic minority participants had the highest prevalence of current smoking status, SHS exposure, and current drinking status (P < 0.01). Han participants had the highest prevalence of diabetes and physical inactivity (P < 0.01). 11.1% of all participants did not have any of the studied CVD risk factors, while 68.6% of Han, 60.2% of Na Xi, 50.7% of Li Shu, 82.2% of Dai, and 73.0% of Jing Po participants had clustering of two or more CVD risk factors. Prevalence of CVD risk factor clusters increased with age (P < 0.01). Males and individuals with lower education levels and lower annual household income were more likely to have CVD risk factors than their counterparts (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Clustering of CVD risk factors is common in rural southwest China. Ethnicity and individual SES significantly impact prevalence of CVD risk factors and their clustering.

Socioeconomic disparities in prevalence and behaviors of smoking in rural Southwest China.

BACKGROUND: This study examines how prevalence and behaviors of smoking differ by socioeconomic status among rural southwest Chinese adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted including 7743 adults aged ≥35 years in rural regions of Yunnan Province, China from 2016 to 2018. Information on individual socioeconomic status (SES), ethnicity, and self-reported smoking behaviors was collected utilizing a standardized questionnaire. The individual socioeconomic position (SEP) index was constructed using principal component analysis. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between individual SES variables and the prevalence and behaviors of smoking. RESULTS: In the study population, the overall prevalence rate of current smokers was 33.5%. Males had a markedly higher prevalence of current smokers than females (62.6% vs. 4.8%, P < 0.01). Of these smokers, 74.5% began smoking during adolescence, 88.8% had never attempted to quit smoking, and 81.1% reported smoking in public places. Ethnic minority participants and those with low levels of education and/or low SEP were more likely to use tobacco as well as more likely to start smoking, and regularly smoke, during adolescence (P < 0.01). Participants with poor access to medical services had a higher prevalence of current smoking than their counterparts (P < 0.01). Among current smokers, Han ethnicity, good access to medical services, and high SEP were positively associated with the probability of having attempted to quit smoking at least once, while a high level of education and high SEP were negatively associated with the probability of smoking in public places. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in prevalence and behaviors of smoking exist across a diversity of indicators of individual SES in rural southwest China. Future tobacco cessation interventions should focus on men, ethnic minorities, and those with low education levels, poor access to medical services, and low SEP.

Rhizobium wenxiniae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped strain designated 166T was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of maize planted in the Fangshan District of Beijing, PR China. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 166T belongs to the genus Rhizobium and is closely related to Rhizobium cellulosilyticum ALA10B2T and Rhizobium yantingense H66T with sequence similarities of 98.8 and 98.3 %, respectively. According to atpD and recA sequence analysis, the highest sequence similarity between strain 166T and R. cellulosilyticum ALA10B2T is 93.8 and 84.7 %, respectively. However, the new isolate exhibited relatively low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with respect to R. cellulosilyticum DSM 18291T (20.8±2.3 %) and Rhizobium yantingense CCTCC AB 2014007T (47.2±1.4 %). The DNA G+C content of strain 166T was 59.8 mol%. The main polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified aminolipid. The major fatty acids of strain 166T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c). The results of the physiological and biochemical tests and minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 166T from the type strains of closely related species, R. cellulosilyticum DSM 18291T and R. yantingense CCTCC AB 2014007T. Strain 166T represents a novel species within the genus Rhizobium, for which the name Rhizobium wenxiniae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 166T (=CGMCC 1.15279T=DSM 100734T).

Microbacterium zeae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize stem.

A novel Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped strain designated 1204T was isolated from surface-sterilised stem tissue of maize planted in Fangshan District of Beijing, People's Republic of China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on the new isolate. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, this isolate belongs to the genus Microbacterium. High levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found between strain 1204T and Microbacterium enclense NIO-1002T (98.8%) and Microbacterium proteolyticum RZ36T (98.4%) respectively. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 1204T and its closely related species M. proteolyticum DSM 27100T and M. enclense DSM 25125T were 53.9 ± 1.6 and 20.9 ± 1.5% respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain 1204T was determined to be 68.0 mol%. The major fatty acids were found to consist of anteiso-C15:0 (37.6%), iso-C16:0 (28.6%) and anteiso-C17:0 (16.6%). The predominant menaquinone was MK-11 and the polar lipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 1204T from the closely related species in the genus Microbacterium. Thus, it was concluded that strain 1204T represents a novel species within the genus Microbacterium, for which the name Microbacterium zeae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 1204T (= CGMCC 1.15289 = DSM 100750).

Evaluation of platelet-rich plasma and fibrin matrix to assist in healing and repair of rotator cuff injuries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a meta-analysis examining the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma and platelet-rich fibrin matrix for improving healing of rotator cuff injuries. Data sources/design: A meta-analysis of eligible studies was performed after searching Medline, Cochrane, and EMBASE on 14 December 2015. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with rotator cuff injuries. Review methods/intervention: Databases were searched using the keywords "PRP or platelet-rich plasma," "PRFM or platelet-rich fibrin matrix," "rotator cuff," and "platelet-rich" for studies comparing outcomes of patients with rotator cuff injuries that did and did not receive a platelet-rich product. MAIN MEASURES: The primary outcome was a functional score change from pre- to post-treatment (Scorepost-Scorepre). The secondary outcome was a visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score change from pre- to post-treatment (VASpost-VASpre). RESULTS: A total of 11 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The total number of patients that received platelet-rich plasma or platelet-rich fibrin matrix was 320 and the number of control patients was 318. The standard difference in means of the functional scores was similar between patients administered platelet-rich plasma/fibrin matrix and patients in the control group (standard difference in means for functional scores = 0.029; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.132 to 0.190; p = 0.725). The standard difference in means was similar between patients administered platelet-rich plasma and the controls (standard difference in means = 0.142; 95% CI: -0.080 to 0.364; p = 0.209). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis do not support the use of platelet-rich plasma/platelet-rich fibrin matrix in patients with rotator cuff injuries.

Sphingomonaszeicaulis sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-staining-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped strain designated 541T was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of maize, collected from the Fangshan District of Beijing, People's Republic of China, and was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. According to a phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain 541T represented a member of the genus Sphingomonas and clustered with Sphingomonas sanxanigenens DSM 19645T, with which it shared the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (98.8 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone-10 (Q-10), the major polyamine was sym-homospermidine and the major cellular fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (50.9 %), C16 : 0 (22.0 %) and C14 : 0 2-OH (11.4 %). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine and sphingoglycolipid. The DNA G+C content was 64.7 mol%. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain 541T and its closest phylogenetic relative Sphingomonas sanxanigenens DSM 19645T was 50.8 %. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and the differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 541T from closely related species of the genus Sphingomonas. Strain 541T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingomonas, for which the nameSphingomonas zeicaulis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 541T (=CGMCC 1.15008T=DSM 100587T).

Dyadobacter endophyticus sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated 65T, was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of maize, collected from Fangshan District of Beijing, People's Republic of China, and was subjected to a taxonomic study by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 65T belonged to the genus Dyadobacter and had highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Dyadobacter jiangsuensis CGMCC 1.12969T (99.1 %), Dyadobacter beijingensis CGMCC 1.6375T (98.8 %), Dyadobacter fermentans DSM 18053T (98.6 %) and Dyadobacter soli KCTC 22481T (98.6 %). However, the new isolate exhibited relatively low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with respect to D. jiangsuensis CGMCC 1.12969T (18.2±1.3 %), D. beijingensis CGMCC 1.6375T (14.2±2.0 %), D. fermentans DSM 18053T (14.1±2.0 %) and D. soli KCTC 22481T (13.8±0.6 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and the major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH), iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1ω5c, iso-C15 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The polar lipid profile of strain 65T revealed the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine, four aminolipids and two unidentified phospholipids. The DNA G+C content was 46.6 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and the differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed the clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 65T from closely related species of the genus Dyadobacter. Strain 65T thus represents a novel species within the genus Dyadobacter, for which the name Dyadobacterendophyticus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 65T (=CGMCC 1.15288T=DSM 100786T).

Paenibacillus radicis sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, endospore-forming, and rod-shaped strain designated 694T was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of a maize planted in the Fangshan District of Beijing, People's Republic of China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on the new isolate. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, this isolate belongs to the genus Paenibacillus. High levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity were found between strain 694T and Paenibacillus xinjiangensis DSM 30034T (98.5 %) and Paenibacillus glycanilyticus (98.1 %), respectively. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 694T and its close relatives P. xinjiangensis 16970T and Paenibacillus algorifonticola CGMCC 1.10223T were 30.0 % and 36.7 % respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain 694T was determined to be 46.9 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7 and the polar lipid profile was found to be composed of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids were found to be anteiso-C15 : 0 (42.1 %), iso-C15 : 0 (18.4 %), iso-C16 : 0 (11.2 %) and C16 : 0 (12.1 %). The results of physiological and biochemical tests and minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 694T from the closely related species in the genus Paenibacillus. Strain 694T is concluded to represent a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus radicis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 694T ( = CGMCC 1.15286T = DSM 100762T).

Filimonas zeae sp. nov., an endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, motile by gliding and filamentous strain, designated 772T,was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of maize planted in the Fangshan District of Beijing, China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain 772T was closely related to Filimonas endophytica SR2-06T andFilimonas lacunae YT21T of the family Chitinophagaceae with sequence similarities of 99.0 and 96.9 %, respectively. However, the new isolate exhibited relatively low levels of DNA-DNA relatedness with respect to Filimonas. endophytica KCTC 42060T (18.7±1.8 %) and Filimonas. lacunae DSM 21054T (17.9±2.0%). The DNA G+C content of strain 772T was 44.9 mol%. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 and the polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified aminophospholipids, two unidentified phospholipids and one unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 1 G. The results of the physiological and biochemical tests and minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed the clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 772T from the closely related species Filimonas. endophytica andF. lacunae. Strain 772T thus represents a novel species within the genus Filimonas, for which the name Filimonas zeae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 772T (=CGMCC 1.15290T=DSM 100760T).

Flavobacterium endophyticum sp. nov., a nifH gene-harbouring endophytic bacterium isolated from maize root.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 522T, was isolated from surface-sterilized root tissue of maize planted in Fangshan District of Beijing, China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on the new isolate. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, this isolate belonged to the genus Flavobacterium and showed less than 93.9 % similarity to the type strains of all recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 and the polar lipid profile was composed of the major lipids phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine and two unidentified amino lipids. The major fatty acids were C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 1 G and iso-C16 : 0.The G+C content of the DNA was 37.7 mol%. The results of physiological and biochemical tests and the differences in fatty acid profiles allowed the clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 522T from closely related species of the genus Flavobacterium. Strain 522T therefore represents a novel species within the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium endophyticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 522T ( = ACCC 19708T = DSM 29537T).

Paenibacillus wenxiniae sp. nov., a nifH gene -harbouring endophytic bacterium isolated from maize.

A novel Gram-positive, aerobic, motile, endospore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated 373(T) was isolated from surface-sterilised root tissue of a maize planted in Fangshan District of Beijing, Peopole's Republic of China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on the new isolate. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, this isolate belongs to the genus Paenibacillus. The highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found between strain 373(T) and Paenibacillus hunanensis (98.1%), meanwhile the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain 373(T) and the type strains of other recognised members of the genus Paenibacillus were all below 95.6%. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 373(T) and the type strain P. hunanensis DSM 22170(T) was 30.2%. The DNA G+C content of strain 373(T) was determined to be 46.0 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as menaquinone-7 and the polar lipid profile was found to be composed of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids were found to consist of anteiso-C15: 0 (59.6%), anteiso-C17: 0 (12.8%) and C16: 0 (6.7%). The results of physiological and biochemical tests and minor differences in the fatty acid profiles allowed a clear phenotypic differentiation of strain 373(T) from the closely related species in this genus Paenibacillus. Strain 373(T) is concluded to represent a novel species within the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus wenxiniae sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain 373(T) (= CGMCC 1.15007 (T) = DSM100576 ).

Variovorax guangxiensis sp. nov., an aerobic, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase producing bacterium isolated from banana rhizosphere.

A 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase producing bacterium, designated GXGD002(T), was isolated from the rhizosphere of banana plants cultivated in Guangxi province, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain GXGD002(T) is a member of the genus Variovorax. High levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity are found between strain GXGD002(T) and Variovorax paradoxus DSM 30034(T) (99.4 %), Variovorax ginsengisoli KCTC 12583(T) (99.1 %), Variovorax boronicumulans KCTC 22010(T) (99.0 %), Variovorax soli DSM18216(T) (98.7 %), Variovorax defluvii DSM 27259(T) (98.1 %) and Variovorax dokdonensis KCTC 12544(T) (97.4 %) respectively. However, the DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain GXGD002(T) and its closely related species V. paradoxus DSM 30034(T), V. ginsengisoli KCTC 12583(T) and V. boronicumulans KCTC 22010(T) were found to be 40.7, 30.9 and 23.7 %, respectively. The DNA G + C content of strain GXGD002(T) was found to be 67.8 mol%. The major fatty acids of strain GXGD002(T) are C16:0 (20.3 %), C10:0 3OH (18.4 %), C17:0 cyclo (18.9 %), C18:1w7c (12.3 %) and summed feature 3 (13.9 %). The predominant respiratory quinone was identified as ubiquinone-8 (Q-8) and the major polar lipids as phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylglycerol. The results of polyphasic taxonomic study including physiological and biochemical tests, whole-cell SDS-PAGE profiles and chemotaxonomic analysis allowed a clear differentiation of strain GXGD002(T) from the other species in the genus Variovorax. Based on these results, a new species, Variovorax guangxiensis, is proposed. The type strain is GXGD002(T) (=DSM 27352(T) = ACCC 05911(T)).

[Air Microbial Contamination and Risk of Respiratory Exposure of Workers in Chicken Farms].

Animal farms are important sources of microbial contamination in the air environment. However, there are few reports on the time-regularity characteristics of airborne microbial contamination in farms. In the context of this situation, a study was conducted for more than 80 weeks using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the bacterial distribution and respiratory exposure in the farm air and fecal environment, respectively, taking a layer farm as an example. The results showed that 16S rRNA concentrations in air and manure samples ranged from 6.08×105-4.90×106 copies·m-3 and 4.27×108-1.15×1010 copies·g-1, respectively. The mean values of airborne bacterial concentrations were significantly higher in winter than in summer, whereas the biodiversity showed the opposite trend. The dominant bacterial phylum in both air and manure in the layer farm was Firmicutes. During the investigated time, the top three dominant genera in the air were relatively stable, in the order of Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium, whereas the dominant genera in feces fluctuated with the increase in breeding time. The correlation between the community structure of bacteria and pathogenic bacteria in both air and manure was not significant, but the concentrations of both target microorganisms in different media were significantly correlated. The bioaerosolization index of bacteria in manure showed an increasing trend with increasing breeding time, whereas the opposite trend was observed for pathogenic bacteria. In this case, [Ruminococcus]_torques_group, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium were the top three pathogenic genera that were the most prone to aerosolization. There were seasonal differences in bacterial respiratory exposures of chicken farm workers, with mean intake values of 2.54×107 copies·d-1 and 2.87×105 copies·d-1 for bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, respectively. The results of this study will provide a scientific basis for systematically assessing the contamination characteristics and potential health risks of airborne microorganisms on farms and for developing corresponding industry standards for occupational exposure and prevention and control measures.

DSG2 and c-MYC Interact to Regulate the Expression of ADAM17 and Promote the Development of Cervical Cancer.

Purpose: To explore the effect of DSG2 on the growth of cervical cancer cells and its possible regulatory mechanism. Methods: The expression levels and survival prognosis of DSG2 and ADAM17 in cervical squamous cell carcinoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues were analyzed by bioinformatics. CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the effects of DSG2 on the proliferative activity, colony formation ability and migration ability of SiHa and Hela cells. The effect of DSG 2 on the level of ADAM17 transcription and translation was detected by qPCR and Western blot experiments. The interaction between DSG2 and c-MYC was detected by immunocoprecipitation. c-MYC inhibitors were used in HeLa cells overexpressing DSG2 to analyze the effects of DSG2 and c-MYC on proliferation, colony formation and migration of Hela cells, as well as the regulation of ADAM17 expression. Results: DSG2 was highly expressed in cervical squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal tissues (P<0.05), and high DSG2 expression suggested poor overall survival (P<0.05). After DSG2 knockdown, the proliferative activity, colony formation and migration ability of SiHa and Hela cells were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with adjacent normal tissues, ADAM17 was highly expressed in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (P<0.05), and high ADAM17 expression suggested poor overall survival in cervical cancer patients (P<0.05). The results of immunocoprecipitation showed the interaction between DSG2 and c-MYC. Compared with DSG2 overexpression group, DSG2 overexpression combined with c-MYC inhibition group significantly decreased cell proliferation, migration and ADAM17 expression (P < 0.05). Conclusion: DSG2 is highly expressed in cervical cancer, and inhibition of DSG2 expression can reduce the proliferation and migration ability of cervical cancer cells, which may be related to the regulation of ADAM17 expression through c-MYC interaction.

Hansschlegelia beijingensis sp. nov., an aerobic, pink-pigmented, facultatively methylotrophic bacterium isolated from watermelon rhizosphere soil.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped strain designated PG04(T) was isolated from the rhizosphere of watermelon plants cultivated in Beijing, China. A polyphasic taxonomic study was performed on the new isolate. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity studies, isolate PG04(T) belonged clearly to the genus Hansschlegelia and was most closely related to Hansschlegelia zhihuaiae (97.3 % similarity to the type strain). The predominant respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10 (Q-10) and the polar lipid profile was composed of the major lipids diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. The major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c (41.3 %), C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c (30.6 %) and C16 : 0 (19.1 %). The G+C content of the DNA was about 64.4 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed 34.4 % relatedness between strain PG04(T) and H. zhihuaiae DSM 18984(T). The results of physiological and biochemical tests and differences in fatty acid profiles allowed clear phenotypic differentiation of strain PG04(T) from the most closely related species in the genus, H. zhihuaiae. Strain PG04(T) therefore represents a novel species within the genus Hansschlegelia, for which the name Hansschlegelia beijingensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PG04(T) ( = DSM 25481(T) = ACCC 05759(T)).

[Relationship between mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase mRNA expression and maternal inheritance of asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the mRNA expression level of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and the maternal inheritance of asthma. METHODS: From January to December 2009, 220 asthma patients, 162 patient kins and 260 healthy subjects were recruited from Departments of Respiratory Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Medicine at First Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical College. Lung function tests were performed and serum IgE level measured. The polymorphism of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene polymorphisms was detected by direct sequencing. And the peripheral level of COX mRNA was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: No significant difference existed in age, gender among 3 groups. For 3 groups, the first second forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) were 90.6 ± 6.2, 92.3 ± 2.3, 102.3 ± 2.3 and FEV1 percentage of expected value (FEV1%) were (82.9 ± 10.8)%, (94.8 ± 5.4)% and (98.3 ± 8.6)% respectively. The lung function was not significant difference among three groups. The mRNA expression level of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase in peripheral blood were 0.357 ± 0.217, 0.637 ± 0.473 and 0.975 ± 0.260 in the asthma, kin and control groups respectively. No significant difference existed in the expression level of COX3 mRNA among 3 groups (F = 21.45, P = 0.012). The serum level of lgE was the highest for the asthma patients. And it was significantly higher in the asthma group than that in the control group ((283.6 ± 62.4) vs (52.3 ± 13.7) µg/L, F = 48.31, P < 0.05). Moreover, the serum level of IgE was significantly higher in the kin group than that in the control group ((116.4 ± 57.5) vs (52.3 ± 13.7) µg/L, F = 20.45, P < 0.05). However, there was a negative correlation between the mRNA expression level of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase and the serum level of IgE among 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The down-regulated mRNA expressin of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase may participate in allergic inflammation by regulating the level of IgE. And the maternal inheritance of asthma is in effect.