Assessment of violet-blue color formation in Phalaenopsis orchids.

BACKGROUND: Phalaenopsis represents an important cash crop worldwide. Abundant flower colors observed in Phalaenopsis orchids range from red-purple, purple, purple-violet, violet, and violet-blue. However, violet-blue orchids are less bred than are those of other colors. Anthocyanin, vacuolar pH and metal ions are three major factors influencing flower color. This study aimed to identify the factors causing the violet-blue color in Phalaenopsis flowers and to analyze whether delphinidin accumulation and blue pigmentation formation can be achieved by transient overexpression of heterologous F3'5'H in Phalaenopsis. RESULTS: Cyanidin-based anthocyanin was highly accumulated in Phalaenopsis flowers with red-purple, purple, purple-violet, and violet to violet-blue color, but no true-blue color and no delphinidin was detected. Concomitantly, the expression of PeF3'H (Phalaenopsis equestrsis) was high, but that of PhF3'5'H (Phalaenopsis hybrid) was low or absent in various-colored Phalaenopsis flowers. Transient overexpression of DgF3'5'H (Delphinium grandiflorum) and PeMYB2 in a white Phalaenopsis cultivar resulted a 53.6% delphinidin accumulation and a novel blue color formation. In contrast, transient overexpression of both PhF3'5'H and PeMYB2 did not lead to delphinidin accumulation. Sequence analysis showed that the substrate recognition site 6 (SRS6) of PhF3'5'H was consistently different from DgF3'5'Hs at positions 5, 8 and 10. Prediction of molecular docking of the substrates showed a contrary binding direction of aromatic rings (B-ring) with the SRS6 domain of DgF3'5'H and PhF3'5'H. In addition, the pH values of violet-blue and purple Phalaenopsis flowers ranged from 5.33 to 5.54 and 4.77 to 5.04, respectively. Furthermore, the molar ratio of metal ions (including Al3+, Ca2+ and Fe3+) to anthocyanin in violet-blue color Phalaenopsis was 190-, 49-, and 51-fold higher, respectively, than those in purple-color Phalaenopsis. CONCLUSION: Cyanidin-based anthocyanin was detected in violet-blue color Phalaenopsis and was concomitant with a high pH value and high molar ratio of Al3+, Ca2+ and Fe3+ to anthocyanin content. Enhanced expression of delphinidin is needed to produce true-blue Phalaenopsis.

[Risk assessment of schistosomiasis transmission in Chuxiong City of Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential risk of schistosomiasis transmission so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategy. METHODS: Two villages were selected as the investigated sites in Chuxiong City and the risk of schistosomiasis transmission was evaluated by reviewing the data of schistosomiasis epidemic situation and prevention and control work, and carrying out the field survey for Oncomelania hupensis snail status, wild faeces, and schistosome infection of the population from 2015 to 2017. RESULTS: There was 1.49 hm2 area of snail habitats, with an average density of 0.54 snails/0.1 m2. The occurrence rate of frames with snails was 5.41%. No schistosome-infected snails were found. The positive rate of schistosomiasis serological tests of the residents was 3.36%, but the stool examination positive cases were not found. A total of 58 wild faeces samples were collected but no schistosome infested cases were found. The risk levels of schistosomiasis transmission in both villages were Grade III. CONCLUSIONS: Although Chuxiong City has been in a low risk state of schistosomiasis transmission, the density of snails is still high, and there is a risk of infection source importation. In the future, the infection source control and snail control should be strengthened.

Assessment of the Number and Phenotype of Macrophages in the Human BMB Samples of CML.

Macrophages have emerged as a key player in tumor biology. However, their number and phenotype in human bone marrow of biopsy (BMB) samples of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and their association with disease progression from an initial chronic phase (CP) to accelerated phase (AP) to advanced blast phase (BP) are still unclear. BMB samples from 127 CML patients and 30 patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) as control group were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of CD68, CD163, and CD206 in BMB samples of CML patients were significantly higher than those in the patients of control group (P < 0.01), and we observed that their positive expression was gradually elevated during the transformation of CML-CP to AP to BP (P < 0.01). However, the expressions of CD68, CD163, and CD206 in released group were downregulated and contrasted to these in control group; there exists statistical significance (P < 0.01). The percentage ratio of CD163 and CD206 to CD68 was pronounced to be increasing from CML-CP to AP to BP (P < 0.01). Hence, the higher proportion of CD68+, CD163+ and CD206+ macrophages in BMB samples can be considered a key factor for disease progression of CML patients. Targeting macrophages, especially the M2 phenotype may help in designing therapeutic strategies for CML.

[Monitoring of sentinel mice and risk assessment of schistosomiasis transmission in key regions of Yunnan Province in 2014].

OBJECTIVE: To establish and perfect the surveillance and forecast system of schistosomiasis, and timely discover the suspicious high risk environments for preventing the human and livestock from schistosomiasis. METHODS: Eight villages of three counties were selected as survey points. Then, the surveillance and forecast of sentinel mice were carried out in the key water regions. The recovered sentinel mice were dissected in laboratory. The sentinel mouse serum antibodies against schistosome were detected by ELISA, the suspicious water contacts of residents and livestock were investigated and the results were analyzed, and the epidemic risk was assessed. RESULTS: Totally 300 sentinel mice were placed, the recovery rate was 94.67%, and the mortality rate was 8.80%. There were no mice with positive serum antibodies against schistosome, and the results of the dissection of all the sentinel mice were negative. The humans who contacted with the suspicious water were mainly villagers, students, children and fishermen by washing hands and feet, washing vegetables, harvesting, fishing and swimming. The Oncomelania hupensis snail areas, human infection rates, and cattle infection rates were obviously declined in recent 3 years. However, the epidemic risks still existed. CONCLUSION: Although schistosomiasis transmission was effectively controlled in the three counties, the comprehensive control measures still should be strengthened.

Stigmatization and Mental Health in a Diverse Sample of Transgender Women.

PURPOSE: Previous research indicates elevated risk for psychological distress in sexual and gender minority populations, and some research suggests that stigma contributes to elevated psychological distress among members of these groups. This study examined the hypothesis that exposure to transgender-related stigma (TRS) is associated with both higher levels of depression and anxiety among transgender women. METHODS: We analyzed data from a diverse sample of 191 adult transgender women living or working in the San Francisco Bay area who were recruited using purposive sampling methods to participate in a cross-sectional survey, which included measures of stigmatization, depression, and anxiety. RESULTS: Higher levels of exposure to TRS were independently associated with higher levels of depression (ß=0.31, P<.001) and anxiety (ß=39, P<.001), adjusting for self-reported health and sociodemographic co-variates. Associations between stigmatization, depression, and anxiety were not moderated by participants' age or race/ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest a need for counseling interventions to address the role of stigmatization as a factor potentially contributing to psychological distress among transgender women. This research further highlights the need to develop a stronger evidence base on effective counseling approaches to improve the mental health of transgender women.

[Current prevalence situation and control strategy of schistosomiasis in Yunnan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the current prevalence situation of schistosomiasis in Yunnan Province, so as to provide the evidence for making further control strategy. METHODS: The data of schistosomiasis were collected and analyzed statistically in Yunnan Province in 2014. RESULTS: There were 7 transmission controlled counties and 11 interrupted counties in Yunnan Province in 2014, and Oncomelania hupensis snails were not found in 5 of the 11 interrupted counties for at least 5 years. In the transmission controlled areas, the schistosomiasis endemic villages, population, farm cattle, and snail areas accounted for 80.94%, 83.72%, 79.32% and 82.00% of whole schistosomiasis endemic areas in Yunnan Province, respectively. The infection source was not completely eliminated. CONCLUSION: In the transmission controlled areas, the elimination of infection source should still be strengthened; in the transmission interrupted areas, the import infection sources should be prevented.

Prospective randomized comparison of single-dose versus 1-day cefazolin for prophylaxis in gynecologic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the efficacy of single-dose versus 1-day cefazolin prophylaxis for the prevention of postoperative gynecologic infections. METHODS: From June 2001 to January 2003, 548 patients were randomized to receive either single-dose (1 g of cefazolin intravenously before surgery, 273 patients) or 1-day cefazolin (1 g intravenously before surgery and three more doses every 6 hr after surgery, 275 patients) prophylaxis. RESULTS: A total of 531 (267 patients in the single-dose group and 264 in the 1-day group) completed the study. Only one of 267 (0.37%) patients in the single-dose group developed a trocar wound infection and one of 264 (0.37%) patients in the 1-day group developed a vaginal cuff infection. Had a single dose of prophylactic antibiotics been administered to all patients, the antibiotic cost would have been reduced by 75-80%. CONCLUSIONS: The use of single-dose preoperative cefazolin prophylaxis was as effective as four doses of cefazolin for preventing serious infectious morbidity among our patients. Shortening the duration of antibiotics prophylaxis also reduced medical costs and microorganism resistance.