Survey of Incidence and Nested PCR Detection of Sugarcane White Leaf in Different Varieties.

Sugarcane white leaf (SCWL) is a devastating sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) disease caused by a 16SrXI group phytoplasma, which is extremely harmful to sugarcane production. To determine the occurrence of SCWL in different varieties in 2018, we conducted a field survey and performed nested PCR detection of SCWL phytoplasma in cane-planting areas of Mangweng and Hepai in Gengma, Yunnan province, which are the areas most severely affected by SCWL in China. The results of the field survey showed that the symptomatic incidence of SCWL differed among varieties. The mean symptomatic incidence of SCWL on variety Yuetang60 was the highest (73.50%), and it was the lowest on Liucheng05-136 (13.67%). Using nested PCR, the SCWL phytoplasma was detected in symptomatic plants of all varieties more than 90% of the time; the SCWL phytoplasma was detected in 91 and 97% of symptomatic plants of Yingyu91-59 and Liucheng05-136 varieties, respectively. The SCWL phytoplasma was detected by PCR in 82% of the asymptomatic plant samples. The results of this study showed that field survey based on white leaf symptoms did not accurately reflect the actual occurrence of the SCWL phytoplasma.

Group 16SrXI phytoplasma strains, including subgroup 16SrXI-B and a new subgroup, 16SrXI-D, are associated with sugar cane white leaf.

Sugar cane white leaf (SCWL) is a serious disease caused by phytoplasmas. In this study, we performed nested PCR with phytoplasma universal primer pairs (P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2) for the 16S rRNA gene to detect SCWL phytoplasmas in 31 SCWL samples collected from Baoshan and Lincang, Yunnan, China. We cloned and sequenced the nested PCR products, revealing that the 16S rRNA gene sequences from 31 SCWL samples were all 1247 bp in length and shared more than 99 % nucleotide sequence similarity with the 16S rRNA gene sequences of SCWL phytoplasmas from various countries. Based on the reported 16S rRNA gene sequence data from SCWL isolates of various countries, we conducted phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analysis. In the resulting phylogenetic tree, all SCWL isolates clustered into two branches, with the Lincang and Baoshan SCWL phytoplasma isolates belonging to different branches. The virtual RFLP patterns show that phytoplasmas of the Lincang branch belong to subgroup 16SrXI-B. However, the virtual RFLP patterns revealed by HaeIII digestion of phytoplasmas of the Baoshan branch differed from those of subgroup 16SrXI-B. According to the results of phylogenetic and virtual RFLP analysis, we propose that the phytoplasmas of the Baoshan branch represent a new subgroup, 16SrXI-D. These findings suggest that SCWL is caused by phytoplasmas from group 16SrXI, including subgroup 16SrXI-B and a new subgroup, 16SrXI-D.

The association between CD14 gene C-260T polymorphism and coronary heart disease risk: a meta-analysis.

Monocyte differentiation antigen CD14 is considered an important cell-activating mediator of inflammatory responses that may result in atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease (CHD), thrombus formation, and myocardial infarction (MI). A common C-260T polymorphism in the promoter of the CD14 gene, the trans-membrane receptor of lipopolysaccharides, has been inconsistently associated with CHD. To investigate this inconsistency, we performed a meta-analysis of 28 studies involving a total of 13,335 CHD cases and 7,979 controls for C-260T of the CD14 gene to evaluate the effect of CD14 on genetic susceptibility for CHD. An overall random effects odds ratio of 1.24 (95 % CI: 1.12-1.36, P < 10(-5)) was found for T allele. Significant results were also observed using dominant (OR = 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.17-1.54, P < 10(-4)) or recessive genetic model (OR = 1.25, 95 % CI: 1.10-1.41, P = 0.0004). There was strong evidence of heterogeneity (P < 10(-5)), which largely disappeared after stratification by ethnicity. After stratified by ethnicity, significant results were found in East Asians; whereas no significant associations were found among Caucasians and other ethnic populations in all genetic models. In the stratified analysis according to sample size, CHD endpoints, and HWE status, significantly increased risks for the polymorphism were found in all genetic models. In conclusion, our results indicate that the CD14 C-260T polymorphism is a risk factor of CHD, especially in East Asians. However, additional very large-scale studies are warranted to confirm our results.

[Survey on HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and behavior of high risk population in Taiyuan City].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the status of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and behavior of high risk population in Taiyuan City, and to explore the correlation between the two factors. METHODS: The questionnaires were designed according to the questionnaire for monitoring the behavior of HIV/AIDS-related high risk population in China, the basic knowledge, high-risk behavior and so on were included in the questionnaires. A random cluster sampling and stratified sampling method was used to interview with commercial sex workers, drug users and MSM (men who have sex with men) in Taiyuan City. EpiData 3.02 and SPSS 13.0 were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In the total of 531 respondents recruited in this study, 186 were commercial sex workers, 238 were drug users and 107 were MSM. The awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge in sex workers was 61.9%, in drug users was 77.2% and in MSM was 90.4%. The condom user in sex workers at the last sexual activity was 74.9%, and in MSM was 58.9%. Sharing needle with others in intravenous drug users during the month before entering into the drug addiction treatment center was 57.9%. Except of sex workers in the top grade entertainment places, there was no statistically significant correlation between knowledge and behavior in these three high risk groups (r(s) = 0.789, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The awareness of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and the frequency of using condom among these three high risk groups are relatively low. Health education as well as behavioral intervention should be emphasized.

Prevalence and distribution of cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) among the aged population and the analysis of socio-demographic characteristics: the community-based cross-sectional study.

The epidemiology on "cognitive impairment no dementia" (CIND) and its natural history are of great importance for understanding the transition from normal aging to dementia. Epidemiologic studies of CIND, however, are limited in China. The goal of our study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of CIND in the aged population and analyze socio-demographic factors. To accomplish this, we performed cluster random sampling of 6192 people aged over 65 years in Taiyuan, a metropolitan city located in northern China. Socio-demographic factors were surveyed by self-administered questionnaires. Neuropsychologic testing consisting of the Mini-Mental State Examination, Boston Naming Test, Trail Making Tests A and B, Block Design, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Visual Reproduction, Logical Memory, letter and category fluency, the National Adult Reading Test, the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the "state" section of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was also obtained. Pearson chi statistics and odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were used to identify the relationship between CIND and socio-demographic factors. Logistic regression modeling was undertaken to identify potential risk factors. Results showed that an overall prevalence of CIND was 9.70% (95% confidence intervals: 9.62%-9.77%). Univariate analyses showed that the prevalence of CIND differed significantly according to age, sex, education level, monthly household income, and marital status (P<0.01), but not by occupational achievement (P>0.05). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, age, sex, marital status, educational level, and occupation were significantly associated with increased risk for CIND (P<0.01). This study confirms the high prevalence of CIND among the elderly population of China, similar to previous epidemiologic studies in other countries. Nearly all socio-demographic characteristics are associated with CIND. The putative risk factors identified merit further study.

[Study on hearing impairment among elderly population in the community of Taiyuan city, Shanxi province].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics and influencing factors on hearing impairment among elderly population in the community of Taiyuan city. METHODS: 384 ageing people above 60 years old were selected from Chaoyang and Guandi community in Taiyuan city by multi-stage sampling. Data on influencing factors of hearing impairment were collected by questionnaire. 5 ml fasting blood samples were drawn to detect the level of glucose, triglyceride and cholesterin in the blood samples. All the objects were tested with binaural hearing. The level of binaural hearing threshold at 0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, 3 kHz, 4 kHz, 8 kHz were measured by GVSLN-TC-GK2000 hearing-assistant evaluative apparatus. The level of 3 kHz, 4 kHz, average hearing threshold from ear with better audition was chosen as dependent variable. Socio-demographic data, environmental factors and biochemical indicator were chosen as independent variables, t test, ANOVA and accumulative logistic regression were performed to analyze the influencing factors on hearing impairment by software SPSS 13.0. RESULTS: The prevalence of hearing impairment among elderly population was 90.9%. The hearing disorder was 78.6% with 1.3% of them using hearing-assistant apparatus. Results from single factor analysis showed that the average levels of 3 kHz, 4 kHz, 8 kHz hearing thresholds were significantly different among elderly with different age, sex, education background and the levels of glucose and cholesterin (P < 0.01). Results of accumulative logistics regression showed that except glucose in which was the only one included in regression model of lower median frequency group, all the others were included in regression model of frequency group. Being male, older age and with higher level of glucose and cholesterin in blood were risk factors causing hearing impairment. Higher education level seemed to be a preventive factor. CONCLUSION: Hearing impairment appeared in higher prevalence among the elderly population, suggesting that proper measures should be taken. It is beneficial for abating hearing impairment to decrease the level of glucose and cholesterin in blood.

[A case-control study on the influencing factors to mild cognitive impairment among the community-based elderly population].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors on mild cognitive impairment among the community-based elderly population. METHODS: A 'n : m' matched case-control study was conducted to analyze the risk factors. Cox regression model of survival analysis was selected to deal with non-geometric proportional matched data which was difficult to analyze by logistic regression model. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-three cases together with nine hundred and twenty-five controls were interviewed with an uniformed questionnaire. Through univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis, the odds ratio and 95% CI of these risk factors appeared to be: physical labor as 1.396 (1.092-1.785); smoking as 1.551 (1.021-2.359); higher level of blood glucose as 1.354 (1.102-1.664); HDL-C in the serum as 1.543 (1.232-1.932); LDL-C in the serum as 1.299 (1.060-1.592); lower level of estrogen in the serum as 1.263 (1.031-1.547); hypertension as 1.967 (1.438-2.689); diabete: 1.381 (1.139-1.675); depressive disorder: 1.406 (1.110-1.780); cerebral thrombosis as 1.593 (1.307-1.943); higher SBP as 1.331 (1.129-1.569) and ApoEepsilon 4 carrier as 1.462 (1.140-1.873) respectively. Odds ratio and 95% CI on protection factors appeared to be: reading newspaper frequently as 0.610 (0.503-0.740); frequently doing housework as 0.804 (0.665-0.973); frequently engaging in social activities as 0.617 (0.502-0.757); reemployment after formal retirement as 0.759 (0.636-0.906); having acumen olfaction as 0.900 (0.845-0.958); having extrovert personality as 0.829 (0.699-0.984); being decisive as 0.811 (0.662-0.993). CONCLUSION: The major measures to prevent MCI seemed to be including the following factors as: being intellectuals, engaging in healthy life style and decreasing the risk in developing hypertension, diabetes, depressive disorder and cerebrovascular disease. However, olfactory hypoesthesia, cowardice and having introvert character, ApoEepsilon 4 carrier etc could be treated as early indications to signify MCI.