Effect of Asahi SL on China aster ‘Aleksandra’ seed yield, germination and some metabolic events

The effects of Asahi SL (sodium ortho and para-nitro phenolate, sodium 5 nitro guaiacolate) sprays on China aster plant height, seed yield and some metabolic events were investigated. The plants were sprayed with Asahi SL, in concentration of 0, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 %, three times before or during flowering, and six times before and during this stage. It was found that Asahi SL applied three times during flowering brought about an increase in the seed yield, germination and metabolic activity and did not modify vegetative growth of plants. The chemical used earlier, before flowering, had detrimental effect on seed yield and quality, although it stimulated vegetative growth. The positive effect of Asahi SL was more prominent in weather conditions unfavourable for seed production.     

A new species of Schrankia Hübner, 1825 from China (Lepidoptera,Erebidae, Hypenodinae)

A new species of the genus Schrankia Hübner, 1825, S. pelicano sp. n. is described from Sichuan, China. A diagnostic comparison is made with Schrankia taenialis (Hübner, [1809]) and Schrankia separatalis (Herz, 1904); illustrations of the male holotype and its genitalia are provided. A checklist of the genus with synonyms is given.     

Abundances and host relationships of chigger mites in Yunnan Province,China

This paper reports on ectoparasitic chigger mites found on small mammals in Yunnan Province, southwest China. Data were accumulated from 19 investigation sites (counties) between 2001 and 2009. A total of 10 222 small mammal hosts were captured and identified; these represented 62 species, 34 genera and 11 families in five orders. From the body surfaces of these 10 222 hosts, a total of 92 990 chigger mites were collected and identified microscopically. These represented 224 species, 22 genera and three subfamilies in the family Trombiculidae (Trombidiformes). Small mammals were commonly found to be infested by chigger mites and most host species harboured several species of mite. The species diversity of chigger mites in Yunnan was much higher than diversities reported previously in other provinces of China and in other countries. A single species of rodent, Eothenomys miletus (Rodentia: Cricetidae), carried 111 species of chigger mite, thus demonstrating the highest species diversity and heaviest mite infestation of all recorded hosts. This diversity is exceptional compared with that of other ectoparasites. Of the total 224 mite species, 21 species accounted for 82.2% of all mites counted. Two species acting as major vectors for scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease), Leptotrombidium scutellare and Leptotrombidium deliense, were identified as the dominant mite species in this sample. In addition to these two major vectors, 12 potential or suspected vector species were found. Most species of chigger mite had a wide range of hosts and low host specificity. For example, L. scutellare parasitized 30 species of host. The low host specificity of chigger mites may increase their probability of encountering humans, as well as their transmission of scrub typhus among different hosts. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed that similarities between different chigger mite communities on the 18 main species of small mammal host did not accord with the taxonomic affinity of the hosts. This suggests that the distribution of chigger mites may be strongly influenced by the environment in which hosts live.     

Cyclic Nucleotides and the Release of Vasopressin from the Rat Posterior Pituitary Gland

Abstract: The effect of ATP, Mg²⁺, or MgATP on the release of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) from hypothalamic granules was examined under in vitro conditions. Granules, isolated from adult male hypothalami, were incubated at 37°C in a buffered (pH 7.8) medium containing 0.15 m -KCl. The addition of ATP to the incubation mixture did not stimulate the release of LH-RH. In contrast, the addition of MgATP stimulated the release of LH-RH, the release being 62% greater than control. The addition of Mg²⁺ to the incubated granules also stimulated the release of LH-RH. However, the magnitude of this Mg²⁺-stimulated release of LH–RH was significantly ( P < 0.01) lower than that of the MgATP-stimulated release, indicating that ATP stimulates LH-RH release in a Mg²⁺-dependent manner. As both MgATP and Mg²⁺ alone stimulated LH-RH release, we characterized further these two release processes by incubating the granules under one of the following conditions: incubation at 4°C in a buffered medium containing 0.15 m -KCl or incubation at 37°C in a medium that does not contain KCl. Under these two incubation conditions, the MgATP-stimulated release of LH-RH was not manifested, whereas the Mg²⁺-stimulated release of LH-RH was manifested. On the basis of these differences, we propose that two different processes can lead to the release of LH-RH from isolated hypothalamic granules: one process involves ATP and Mg²⁺ (MgATP) and another process involves Mg²⁺ alone.     

Ancient Human Parasites in Ethnic Chinese Populations

Whilst archaeological evidence for many aspects of life in ancient China is well studied, there has been much less interest in ancient infectious diseases, such as intestinal parasites in past Chinese populations. Here, we bring together evidence from mummies, ancient latrines, and pelvic soil from burials, dating from the Neolithic Period to the Qing Dynasty, in order to better understand the health of the past inhabitants of China and the diseases endemic in the region. Seven species of intestinal parasite have been identified, namely roundworm, whipworm, Chinese liver fluke, oriental schistosome, pinworm, Taenia sp. tapeworm, and the intestinal fluke Fasciolopsis buski. It was found that in the past, roundworm, whipworm, and Chinese liver fluke appear to have been much more common than the other species. While roundworm and whipworm remained common into the late 20th century, Chinese liver fluke seems to have undergone a marked decline in its prevalence over time. The iconic transport route known as the Silk Road has been shown to have acted as a vector for the transmission of ancient diseases, highlighted by the discovery of Chinese liver fluke in a 2,000 year-old relay station in northwest China, 1,500 km outside its endemic range.     

The impact and effectiveness of faculty development program in fostering the faculty’s knowledge,skills, and professional competence: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundFaculty vitality is the main ingredient to enhance professional education and competence. Enriching the faculty vitality in key domains of teaching, assessing, research, professionalism, and administration is perceived to improve educational environment significantly and enhances the academic performance of learners. Faculty development program (FDP) has been considered as a stand-alone educational pedagogy in fostering knowledge and professional skills of faculty. However, few studies have provided objective reports about the impact of such programs in a healthcare system.MethodsThis research was conducted by selecting data sources of PubMed-Medline, Wiley online library, Cochrane library, Taylor & Francis Online, CINAHL, Springer link, Proquest, ISI Web of knowledge, ScienceDirect, EJS, EBSCO, Blackwell, Emerald and ABI Inform. This search followed a step-wise approach defined by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A total of 37 studies that explored the impact of FDPs on medical and allied health faculty’s professional development were selected.ResultsThis meta-analysis reported a mean effect size of 0.73 that reflects a significant and positive impact of FDPs in enhancing faculty’s knowledge and professional competence (z-statistics of 4.46 significant at p-value < 0.05) using the random effects model and forest plot.ConclusionThis article reiterates the incorporation of FDPs in all healthcare institutions for improving the academic performance of faculty with resultant enrichment of learners’ knowledge and skills.     

Ultrastructural Study of Promastigotes of Leishmania from Reptiles*

SYNOPSIS. The ultrastructure of promastigotes of 4 reptilian isolates of Leishmania grown in culture, is described. One mammalian isolate of Leishmania is also examined for comparison. No differences in the basic ultrastructure of these strains are apparent; neither is there any significant digression from the organization described for other trypanosomatids. It appears, however, that the numbers of subpellicular microtubules are of potential use in taxonomy, and that differences in the spacing of these organelles exist between reptilian and mammalian forms. In addition, an attempt is made to clarify aspects of attachment of the flagellum to the subpellicular tubule network, and to the anterior face of the kinetoplast. Finally, the formation of multivesiculate bodies from the Golgi apparatus is described, together with some features of dividing forms.     

Quantifying the relationship between urban development intensity and carbon dioxide emissions using a panel data analysis

As a factor associated with urban management and planning, urban development intensity (UDI) could in fact form the basis for a new rationale in coordinating urban sustainable development and reducing CO₂ emissions. However, existing literature engaging in the task of quantifying the impacts of urban development intensity on CO₂ emissions is limited. Therefore, the goal of this study is to quantify the relationship between urban development intensity and CO₂ emissions for a panel made up of the five major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing and Guangzhou) using time series data from 1995 to 2011. Firstly, this study calculated CO₂ emissions for the five selected cities and presented a comprehensive index system for the assessment of the level of urban development intensity based on six aspects (land-use intensity, economic intensity, population intensity, infrastructure intensity, public service intensity and eco-environmental intensity) using locally important socioeconomic variables. Panel data analysis was subsequently utilised in order to quantify the relationships between urban development intensity and CO₂ emissions. The empirical results of the study indicate that factors such as land-use intensity, economic intensity, population intensity, infrastructure intensity and public service intensity exert a positive influence on CO₂ emissions. Further, the estimated coefficients suggest that land-use intensity is the most important factor in relation to CO₂ emissions. Conversely, eco-environmental intensity was identified as having a major inhibitory effect on CO₂ emission levels. The findings of this study hold important implications for both academics and practitioners, indicating that, on the path towards developing low-carbon cities in China, the effects of urban development intensity must be taken into consideration.