How Bachelorhood and Migration Increase the HIV Transmission Risk Through Commercial Sex in China?

In China, the serious involuntary bachelorhood due to sex ratio imbalance in decades is expected to dramatically increase the spread of HIV through heterosexual contact. However, the higher HIV transmission risk and its correlates among never married men in rural China are not well understood. This study explored whether and how bachelorhood and migration increased the HIV transmission risk through commercial sex. By combining two cross-sectional survey data from never married men in rural areas and male migrants (including both married and unmarried men) in urban areas, a total of 1030 participants who were never married and age 28 and above or married male migrants were included in this study. The results show that both bachelorhood and migration put the never married male migrants at particularly higher HIV transmission risk by increasing both the possibility of engaging in commercial sex, and the frequency and inconsistency of condom use in commercial sex. Selection bias into marriage and neighborhood characteristics associated with exposure to commercial sexual risk may partly explain why male migrants that never married had a higher commercial sex related risk than that of married male migrants and never married non-migrant males.

Comparative Analysis of Genetic and Chemical Differences between Four Berberis Herbs Based on Molecular Phylogenetic and HPLC Methods.

In traditional Tibetan medicinal system, Berberis herbs mainly originate from the dried barks of Berberis kansuensis, Berberis dictyophylla, Berberis diaphana, and Berberis vernae. In this study, molecular phylogenetic method based on four markers (i.e., rbcL, internal transcribed spacer (ITS), ITS2, and psbA-trnH) and HPLC chemical analysis were used to evaluate the chemical and genetic differences between the four Berberis species. The results showed that the discriminatory power of ITS, ITS2 and psbA-trnH was low, but the rbcL marker was highly effective and reliable for the species differentiation. The four Berberis species can be successfully classified based on phylogenetic analysis of the rbcL sequences. Moreover, the results of chemical analysis showed that four main alkaloids (i.e., berberine, palmatine, magnoflorine, and jatrorrhizine) cannot be used as chemical markers for discrimination of the four Berberis species. These findings provide valuable information for distinguishing the four Berberis Tibetan herbs.

Family structure and quality of life of elders in rural China: the role of the new rural social pension.

Using data from a survey in Ankang district of Shaanxi province of China in 2011, this article examines the protective effect of the New Rural Social Pension (NRSP) on quality of life of rural elders, as well the moderating effect on association between family structure and quality of life. An instrumental variable approach is used. NRSP is shown to significantly improve the quality of life of rural elders, and a robustness check shows that this effect is consistent across different sets of subgroups. Compared with the elders who have at least one son, the quality of life of those who are childless or have only one child is significantly lower. The NRSP is more likely to significantly improve the quality of life of one-child elders. In addition, the associations between the NRSP and the different facets of quality of life of the elders are significant except for the facet of sensory abilities.

The complete chloroplast genome of Semenovia thomsonii (Tordylieae: Apiaceae), a new record from Xizang, China.

Semenovia thomsonii is a perennial herb native to India. In this study, we assembled and annotated the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of a specimen collected from Xizang, China, using whole genome next-generation sequencing. The cp genome is circular in structure and 147,137 bp in length, consisting of one large single-copy (LSC) region of 92,885 bp, one small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,448 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions of 36,804 bp. The overall GC content of the genome is 37.6%. The cp genome was predicted to contain 129 genes, including 85 protein-coding, 36 tRNA, and eight rRNA. Phylogenetic analysis of S. thomsonii and 21 cp genomes in the Apiaceae fully resolved S. thomsonii in a clade with S. gyirongensis, and S. transiliensis. These genetic data represent the first confirmed report of S. thomsonii from Xizang, China and provide useful information to the phylogenetic history of the genus Semenovia.

The complete chloroplast genome of Berberis weiningensis (Berberidaceae), an endemic and traditional Chinese medicinal herb.

Berberis weiningensis is a frequently-used traditional Chinese medicinal herb that included various active alkaloids. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of B. weiningensis. The complete cp genome of B. weiningensis is 166,275 bp in length, and has a typical structure with large single-copy (LSC 73,624 bp) and small single-copy (SSC 18,608 bp) regions separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs 37,019 bp) of large size. The B. weiningensis cp genome contains 147 genes, of which 101 protein-coding genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 38 tRNA genes. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that Berberis species closely clustered with Mahonia species, which obviously support that Mahonia and Berberis are not monophyletic.

The complete chloroplast genome of Mahonia oiwakensis (Berberidaceae), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant.

Mahonia oiwakensis is a frequently-used traditional Chinese medicinal plant with efficient anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory ability. In this study, we assembled the complete chloroplast (cp) genome of M. oiwakensis. The complete cp genome of M. oiwakensis is 165,126 bp in length, and has a typical structure with large (LSC 73,382 bp) and small (SSC 18,644 bp) single-copy regions separated by a pair of inverted repeats (IRs 36,550 bp) of large size. The M. oiwakensis cp genome contains 148 genes, of which 103 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis shows that M. oiwakensis closely clustered with Mahonia bealei, but were nested among three speices of Berberis, which robustly supports that Mahonia is not monophyletic, thus needs redefinition.

Sequencing and analyses on chloroplast genomes of Tetrataenium candicans and two allies give new insights on structural variants, DNA barcoding and phylogeny in Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae.

BACKGROUND: Tetrataenium candicans is a traditional Chinese folk herbal medicine used in the treatment of asthma and rheumatic arthritis. Alongside several Tordyliinae species with fleshy roots, it is also regarded as a substitute for a Chinese material medicine called 'Danggui'. However, a lack of sufficient sampling and genomic information has impeded species identification and the protection of wild resources. METHODS: The complete chloroplast genomes of T. candicans from two populations, Tetrataenium yunnanense and Semenovia transilliensis, were assembled from two pipelines using data generated from next generation sequencing (NGS). Pseudogenes, inverted repeats (IRs) and hyper-variable regions were located by Geneious 11.1.5. Repeat motifs were searched using MISA and REPuter. DNA polymorphism and segment screening were processed by DNAsp5, and PCR product was sequenced with Sanger's sequencing method. Phylogeny was inferred by MEGA 7.0 and PhyML 3.0. RESULTS: The complete chloroplast genomes of T. candicans from two populations, T. yunnanense and S. transilliensis, were 142,261 bp, 141,985 bp, 142,714 bp and 142,145 bp in length, respectively, indicating conservative genome structures and gene categories. We observed duplications of trnH and psbA caused by exceptional contractions and expansions of the IR regions when comparing the four chloroplast genomes with previously published data. Analyses on DNA polymorphism located 29 candidate cp DNA barcodes for the authentication of 'Danggui' counterfeits. Meanwhile, 34 hyper-variable markers were also located by the five Tordyliinae chloroplast genomes, and 11 of them were screened for population genetics of T. candicans based on plastome information from two individuals. The screening results indicated that populations of T.candicans may have expanded. Phylogeny inference on Apiaceae species by CDS sequences showed most lineages were well clustered, but the five Tordyliinae species failed to recover as a monophyletic group, and the phylogenetic relationship between tribe Coriandreae, tribe Selineae, subtribe Tordyliinae and Sinodielsia clade remains unclear. DISCUSSION: The four chloroplast genomes offer valuable information for further research on species identification, cp genome structure, population demography and phylogeny in Apiaceae subfamily Apioideae.

Complete plastome sequence of Tetrataenium Candicans (tribe Tordylieae, Apiaceae): a medicinal plant.

Tetrataenium candicans is a Himalayan native medicinal plant species. In this study, we report and characterize the complete plastid genome sequence of T. candicans in order to provide genomic resources helpful for promoting its systematics research and conservation. The complete chloroplast (cp) genome is a circular structure and 147,335 bp in length, composing of one large single-copy (LSC) region of 92,996 bp, one small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,473 bp, and separated by a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 18,433 bp each. It encodes 129 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 36 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The GC content is 37.5%. Phylogenetic analysis of 31 representative plastomes indicated that the T. candicans was close to Semenovia gyirongensis.

How does trust affect acceptance of a nuclear power plant (NPP): A survey among people living with Qinshan NPP in China.

It is difficult to know whether different dimensions of trust have different effects on local residents' acceptance of nuclear power plants (NPPs). In previous research such trust has been considered as a single dimensional concept. This paper divides trust into goodwill trust and competence trust, and we explore the ways in which trust affects acceptance of NPPs through structural equation modeling. A survey of 491 people was conducted in Haiyan County, China, where the Qinshan nuclear power plant is located. We find that goodwill trust is significantly correlated with competence trust, and each can indirectly promote residents' acceptance of NPPs but by different paths. Goodwill trust improves acceptance of NPPs by decreasing risk perception, while competence trust improves acceptance of NPPs by increasing benefit perception. However, the associations between goodwill trust and benefit perception, competence trust and risk perception, are not significant.

Phylogeography and genetic effects of habitat fragmentation on endemic Urophysa (Ranunculaceae) in Yungui Plateau and adjacent regions.

Urophysa is a Chinese endemic genus with only two species (U. rockii and U. henryi) distributed in Yungui Plateau (Guizhou Province) and adjacent regions (i.e., Provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing and Sichuan). The aim of this study was to determine the genetic diversity and population differentiation within Urophysa and investigate the effect of the Yungui Plateau uplift and climate oscillations on evolution of Urophysa. In this study, micro-morphological characteristics, nine microsatellite loci (SSR), two nuclear loci (ITS and ETS) and two chloroplast fragments (psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF) were used to analyze the phylogenetic relationships and assess genetic and phylogeographical structure of Urophysa. Isolation by distance (IBD) was performed to research the effects of geographical isolation. We detected high genetic diversity at the species level but low genetic diversity within populations. Striking genetic differentiation (AMOVA) among populations and a significant phylogeographical structure (NST > GST, p < 0.01) were detected among U. henryi populations, along with significant effects of isolation by distance (IBD). Molecular clock estimation using calibration strategy and cpDNA substitution rate indicated that the divergence of U. henryi occurred during late Miocene to early Quaternary, when the orogeny of Yungui Plateau was violent. U. rockii originated at the early Quaternary and further differentiated at early Pleistocene. Our results suggested that habitat fragmentation played an important role in the genetic diversity and population differentiation of U. rockii and U. henryi. Heterogenous geomorphological configuration and complicated environment resulted from rapid uplift of the Yungui Plateau were inferred as important incentives for the modern phylogeograhpical pattern and species divergence of Urophysa. The geographical isolation, limited gene flow, specialized morphologies and the Pleistocene climatic oscillation greatly contributed to the allopatric divergence of U. rockii. Significant genetic drift and inbreeding were detected in these two species, in situ measures should be implemented to protect them.

The quality of life and mortality risk of elderly people in rural China: the role of family support.

The number of elderly in China's population is projected to grow well beyond the capacity of the nation's social security system. Meanwhile, family care is being challenged by a decline in fertility and an increase in migration from rural to urban areas. This article examines the short-term, mid-term, and long-term effects of family support on elderly well-being in rural China, using 4-wave panel data on 1456 persons aged 60 and older in the Chaohu region of China. Findings showed that compared with living alone, being coresident with others lowered the mortality risk of several chronic diseases, but being coresident with adult children increased the mortality risk of cardiovascular diseases, though it was associated with a higher quality of life in the short and middle terms. Children's educational attainment and financial support increased the quality of life except for an increased risk of new incidence of cardiovascular disease in the middle term.