Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background To tackle the issue with the low usage of primary healthcare service in China, it is essential to align resource distribution with the preferences of the community residents. There are few academic researches for describing residents’ perceived characteristics of healthcare services in China. This study aims to investigate the preferences of healthcare services utilization in community residents and explore the heterogeneity. The findings will be useful for the policy makers to take targeted measures to tailor the provision of healthcare services. Methods The face-to-face interviews and surveys were conducted to elicit four key attributes (care provider; mode of services; cost; travel time) of the preference from community residents for healthcare utilization. A rational test was presented first to confirm the consistency, and then 16 pairs of choice tasks with 12 sociodemographic items were given to the respondents. Two hypothetical options for each set, without an opt-out option, were presented in each choice task. The latent class analysis (LCA) was used to analyse the data. Results Two thousand one hundred sixty respondents from 36 communities in 6 cities were recruited for our study. 2019 (93.47%) respondents completed valid discrete choice experiment (DCE) questionnaires. The LCA results suggested that four groups of similar preferences were identified. The first group (27.29%) labelled as “Comprehensive consideration” had an even preference of all four attributes. The second group (37.79%) labelled as “Price-driven” preferred low-price healthcare services. The third group labelled as “Near distance” showed a clear preference for seeking healthcare services nearby. The fourth group (34.18%) labelled as “Quality seeker” preferred the healthcare service provided by experts. Willingness to pay (WTP) results showed that people were willing to accept CNY202.12($29.37) for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) services and willing to pay CNY604.31($87.81) for the service provided by experts. Conclusions Our study qualitatively measures the distinct preferences for healthcare utilization in community residents in China. The results suggest that the care provider, mode of services, travel time and cost should be considered in priority setting decisions. The study, however, reveals substantial disagreement in opinion of TCM between different population subgroups.

Background Among six extant tiger subspecies, the South China tiger ( Panthera tigris amoyensis ) once was widely distributed but is now the rarest one and extinct in the wild. All living South China tigers are descendants of only two male and four female wild-caught tigers and they survive solely in zoos after 60 years of effective conservation efforts. Inbreeding depression and hybridization with other tiger subspecies were believed to have occurred within the small, captive South China tiger population. It is therefore urgently needed to examine the genomic landscape of existing genetic variation among the South China tigers. Results In this study, we assembled a high-quality chromosome-level genome using long-read sequences and re-sequenced 29 high-depth genomes of the South China tigers. By combining and comparing our data with the other 40 genomes of six tiger subspecies, we identified two significantly differentiated genomic lineages among the South China tigers, which harbored some rare genetic variants introgressed from other tiger subspecies and thus maintained a moderate genetic diversity. We noticed that the South China tiger had higher F ROH values for longer runs of homozygosity (ROH > 1 Mb), an indication of recent inbreeding/founder events. We also observed that the South China tiger had the least frequent homozygous genotypes of both high- and moderate-impact deleterious mutations, and lower mutation loads than both Amur and Sumatran tigers. Altogether, our analyses indicated an effective genetic purging of deleterious mutations in homozygous states from the South China tiger, following its population contraction with a controlled increase in inbreeding based on its pedigree records. Conclusions The identification of two unique founder/genomic lineages coupled with active genetic purging of deleterious mutations in homozygous states and the genomic resources generated in our study pave the way for a genomics-informed conservation, following the real-time monitoring and rational exchange of reproductive South China tigers among zoos.

Biological invasions are a primary driver of biodiversity loss, with significant socio-economic repercussions. Therefore, understanding the factors influencing the assembly of invasive insect assemblages in Biodiversity Conservation Priority Areas is essential for formulating effective management strategies. This study examined the invasive alien insect fauna across three such regions in Guangxi, China, from April to November 2022, employing a systematic grid-based sampling design that encompassed 84 grids. A total of nineteen invasive alien insects from seven orders were identified, with Coleoptera (26.3%), Hymenoptera (21.1%), and Diptera (15.8%) being the most prevalent. Bactrocera cucurbitae Bezzi, 1913 (57.1% occurrence frequency) and Blattella germanica Linnaeus, 1767 (53.6%) were the most frequently observed species. Species richness exhibited significant variation among the three areas, peaking in the Western Guangxi and Southern Guizhou Limestone Area. The assemblages’ composition displayed high beta diversity, as indicated by a total Sørensen dissimilarity of 0.645, primarily driven by species turnover (0.474) rather than nestedness (0.171), which suggests the presence of distinct species assemblages across the areas. Generalized linear mixed models and Canonical Correspondence Analysis identified precipitation and temperature as the primary factors influencing species richness and assemblages’ composition, respectively. Hierarchical partitioning indicated that climatic variables, specifically precipitation (48.0%) and temperature (32.0%), collectively accounted for the majority of the variation in species richness, significantly surpassing the impact of local land cover (20.0%). In contrast, contemporary anthropogenic land use factors exhibited no significant effect. Our findings illustrate that while human activities serve as the ultimate drivers of species introductions, the subsequent assembly of invasive insect assemblages within these Biodiversity Conservation Priority Areas are predominantly shaped by climatic conditions. This highlights the essential role of climate suitability in determining the success of post-introduction establishment. Therefore, we recommend the incorporation of high-resolution climate-matching models into biosecurity screening and monitoring frameworks for Biodiversity Conservation Priority Areas, with targeted surveillance efforts directed toward regions exhibiting the highest climatic suitability.

With 75 known species, the freshwater fish genus Sinocyclocheilus is the largest cavefish radiation in the world and shows multiple adaptations for cave‐dwelling (stygomorphic adaptations), which include a range of traits such as eye degeneration (normal‐eyed, micro‐eyed and eyeless), depigmentation of skin, and in some species, the presence of “horns”. Their behavioural adaptations to subterranean environments, however, are poorly understood. Wall‐following (WF) behaviour, where an organism remains in close contact with the boundary demarcating its habitat when in the dark, is a peculiar behaviour observed in a wide range of animals and is enhanced in cave dwellers. Hence, we hypothesise that wall‐following is also present in Sinocyclocheilus, possibly enhanced in eyeless species compared to eye bearing (normal‐/micro‐eyed species). Using 13 species representative of Sinocyclocheilus radiation and eye morphs, we designed a series of assays, based on pre‐existing methods for Astyanax mexicanus behavioural experiments, to examine wall‐following behaviour under three conditions. Our results indicate that eyeless species exhibit significantly enhanced intensities of WF compared to normal‐eyed species, with micro‐eyed forms demonstrating intermediate intensities in the WF distance. Using a mtDNA based dated phylogeny (chronogram with four clades A–D), we traced the degree of WF of these forms to outline common patterns. We show that the intensity of WF behaviour is higher in the subterranean clades compared to clades dominated by normal‐eyed free‐living species. We also found that eyeless species are highly sensitive to vibrations, whereas normal‐eyed species are the least sensitive. Since WF behaviour is presented to some degree in all Sinocyclocheilus species, and given that these fishes evolved in the late Miocene, we identify this behaviour as being ancestral with WF enhancement related to cave occupation. Results from this diversification‐scale study of cavefish behaviour suggest that enhanced wall‐following behaviour may be a convergent trait across all stygomorphic lineages. Sinocyclocheilus, a genus of 75 species of freshwater cavefish, is an emerging model system in evolutionary studies. We studied a behaviour, called “wall‐following,” where fish stay close to the cave walls in absence of light. We show that eyeless species exhibited heightened wall‐following behaviour compared to their sighted counterparts, with small‐eyed species falling in between. We also mapped this behaviour on a phylogenetic tree, discovering a pattern where cave‐dwelling clades showed stronger wall‐following than free‐living ones. Wall‐following is prevalent in all Sinocyclocheilus species and, given the evolutionary history of the genus, is considered an ancestral behaviour that intensified with cave adaptation.

Nigroporus vinosus (Berk.) Murrill, first described from North America, was considered to be a common species in China. The existence of a species complex is confirmed through a phylogenetic analysis of samples examined. Based on morphological examination and molecular evidence, four new species are described as Nigroporus australianus , N. austroasianus , N. subvinosus and N. yunnanensis . They are characterized by pileate, effused-reflexed to resupinate, purplish, vinaceous to brown basidiomata when fresh, mostly becoming brown when dry. Nigroporus australianus is characterized by narrower basidiospores measuring 3.4–4.1 × 1.3–1.5 µm, thicker contextual hyphae measuring 3.2–6.4 µm in diam and a geographical distribution in Australia. Nigroporus austroasianus is characterized by smaller pores measuring 10–13 per mm, generative hyphae dominant in the tube trama, small basidiospores measuring 3–4.1 × 1.5–2 μm and a distribution in Malaysia and tropical to subtropical regions of China. Nigroporus subvinosus is characterized by skeletal hyphae with thin to slightly thick walls, barrel- to pear-shaped basidia, and long cystidioles measuring 10–18 µm and is common in Asia. Nigroporus yunnanensis is characterized by thinner pilei measuring 2.5 mm thick at the base, bigger basidiospores measuring 4–4.5 × 1.9–2.2 μm and is found only in Yunnan. The 2-gene (ITS+nLSU) analysis of the Steccherinaceae indicated that the four new species nested in the Nigroporus clade. The 3-gene (ITS+nLSU+ TEF1 ) analysis of the genus Nigroporus showed that N. australianus formed a monophyletic lineage, N. subvinosus was sister to N. austroasianus and N. yunnanensis , and N. austroasianus was sister to N. yunnanensis. Furthermore, N. vinosus sensu stricto is also distributed in Asia.

The complex morphological structure of Aspergillus niger influences its production of proteins, metabolites, etc., making the genetic manipulation and clonal purification of this species increasingly difficult, especially in aconidial Aspergillus niger. In this study, we found that N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) could induce the formation of spore-like propagules in the aconidial Aspergillus niger SH2 strain. The spore-like propagules possessed life activities such as drug resistance, genetic transformation, and germination. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that the spore-like propagules were resting conidia entering dormancy and becoming more tolerant to environmental stresses. The Dac1 gene and the metabolic pathway of GlcNAc converted to glycolysis are related to the formation of the spore-like propagules, as evidenced by the CRISPRi system, qPCR, and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Moreover, a method based on the CRISPR-Cas9 tool to rapidly recycle screening tags and recover genes was suitable for Aspergillus niger SH2. To sum up, this suggests that the spore-like propagules are resting conidia and the mechanism of their formation is the metabolic pathway of GlcNAc converted to glycolysis, particularly the Dac1 gene. This study can improve our understanding of the critical factors involved in mechanisms of phenotypic change and provides a good model for researching phenotypic change in filamentous fungi.

Transabdominal ultrasound (US) at 35-day posttransfer showed monochorionic triplets, each with a heartbeat [Figure 1]a.Figure 1 The first and second pregnancy trimesters proceeded smoothly, but one fetus demonstrated intrauterine distress at 33 weeks of gestation, and three normal baby boys were born at the 33rd week of gestation by cesarean section. [3],[4] Although the mechanisms whereby assisted reproductive technology increases the incidence of MZT remain unclear, an increased incidence of monozygotic multiple pregnancies has been associated with advanced maternal age, ovulation induction, certain IVF culture conditions and prolonged culture, zona pellucida (ZP) micromanipulation such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, assisted hatching, and FET. [5] The mechanisms may involve hardening of the ZP as a consequence of extended exposure to the culture medium, leading to the development of multifetal plates during blastocyst hatching; an effect of the culture medium on the junctions of the inner cell mass, leading to monochorionic multiple gestations; or manipulation of the ZP triggering splitting of the blastocyst and formation of MZTs through the hole in the ZP during blastocyst expansion.

Background: Increased proliferation and hypertrophy of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) contribute substantially to airway remodeling in asthma. Interleukin (IL)-13 regulates ASMC proliferation by increasing Orai1 expression, the pore-forming subunit of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). The underlying mechanisms of this effect are not fully understood. Methods: Bioinformatic analysis identified an interaction between microRNA 93– 5p (miR-93-5p) and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19, and between miR-93-5p and Orai1. RNA interference was used to investigate H19 knockdown on IL-13-induced proliferation and migration of in vitro cultured human bronchial smooth muscle cells (hBSMCs). Functional relevance of H19 in airway inflammation and airway remodeling was investigated in murine models of acute and chronic asthma. Results: IL-13 concentration-dependently increased the expression of H19 and Orai1 and decreased the expression of miR-93-5p in hBSMCs. H19 knockdown partly reversed the effects of IL-13 on the expression of miR-93-5p and Orai1 and attenuated the proliferation and migration of hBSMCs promoted by IL-13. IL-13-promoted expression of Orai1 was attenuated by miR-93-5p mimic and increased by miR-93-5p inhibitor. IL-13-promoted proliferation of hBSMCs was increased by miR-93-5p inhibitor but not affected by miR-93-5p mimic, whereas IL-13-promoted migration of hBSMCs was increased by miR-93-5p inhibitor and attenuated by miR-93-5p mimic. The inhibiting effect of H19 knockdown on IL-13-induced Orai1 expression and the proliferation and migration of hBSMCs was counteracted by miR-93-5p inhibitor but only marginally or not impacted by miR-93-5p mimic. The expression of H19 and Orai1 was higher in the lungs of asthmatic mice than in control mice. In asthmatic mice, H19 siRNA reduced Orai1 expression, inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition and smooth muscle mass in the lungs. Conclusion: H19 may mediate the effects of IL-13 on Orai1 expression by inhibition of miR-93-5p in hBSMCs. H19 may be a therapeutic target for airway inflammation and airway remodeling.

Patients with a body mass index >40 kg/m2 or >35 kg/m2 with serious coexisting medical conditions are recommended to have bariatric surgery by the US National Institutes of Health. The effects of bariatric surgery on sexual function and sex hormone levels in obese patients were evaluated in this meta-analysis. The PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases were searched for the terms bariatric surgery, sexual function, and sex hormone to identify adult human studies published in English. The search was restricted to dates between 1 January 1990 and 1 December 2016. Two investigators independently searched the literature according to the included and excluded criteria, extracted data, and evaluated the quality of data to perform a meta-analysis. Thirty-six studies, including 1273 patients, met all criteria. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were used to measure female and male sexual function, respectively. After surgery, the IIEF in obese men was significantly improved, but the FSFI in obese women was only slightly improved. In obese male patients after bariatric surgery, the levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) were increased, but the levels of estradiol (E2) were decreased. In obese women, the TT, FT, and E2 were decreased, but the levels of LH, FSH, and SHBG were increased. In conclusion, this meta-analysis indicated that bariatric surgery improves sex hormone levels and sexual function in men but only slightly improves them in women.Obesity is a global epidemic that is receiving increasing attention. This meta-analysis shows that bariatric surgery improves sexual function in both sexes.

Herein, a high‐performance single‐crystal diamond (SCD) detector (4.5 × 4.5 ×0.3 mm3) to achieve accurate pulse shape discrimination, which is critical for source tracking in harsh and complex radiation conditions, is demonstrated. Enabled by a deep learning algorithm based on self‐organizing map (SOM) neural networks, and using the transient current technique (TCT) for sampling the detector's response to γ, α, and neutron radiation fields, the SCD detector achieves high recognition accuracy of 97.51%. The SCD detector exhibits a low leakage current of 0.75 pA mm−2 under an electric field of 0.51 V μm−1, and its response to 238Pu α‐rays shows that the charge collection efficiency for electrons and holes is as high as 99.2 and 98.8% respectively, with an energy resolution as low as 1.42%. The results indicate that the high‐performance SCD detector assisted by the machine learning algorithm can effectively distinguish α‐particles and γ‐rays with a potential application in separating the neutron and γ events as well. As‐fabricated metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM)‐structure single‐crystal diamond (SCD) detector devices, together with the as‐built topological sample hits of neuron networks for 239Pu–Be neutron source, demonstrate the capability of the self‐organizing map (SOM) algorithm proposed for n/γ separation herein.