Summary1. Increasingly, ecologists are using functional and phylogenetic approaches to quantify the relative importance of stochastic, abiotic filtering and biotic filtering processes shaping the pattern of species co-occurrence. A remaining challenge in functional and phylogenetic analyses of tropical tree communities is to successfully integrate the functional and phylogenetic structure of tree communities across spatial and size scales and habitats in a single analysis. 2. We analysed the functional and phylogenetic structure of tree assemblages in a 20-ha tropical forest dynamics plot in south-west China. Because the influence of biotic interactions may become more apparent as cohorts age, on local scales, and in resource-rich environments, we perform our analyses across three size classes, six spatial scales and six distinct habitat types, using 10 plant functional traits and a molecular phylogeny for the >400 tree taxa found in the plot. 3. All traits, except leaf area and stem-specific resistance, had significant, albeit weak phylogenetic signal. For canopy species, phylogenetic clustering in small and medium size classes turned to phylogenetic overdispersion in the largest size class and this change in dispersion with size was found in each habitat type and across all spatial scales. On fine spatial scales, functional dispersion changed from clustering to overdispersion with increasing size classes. However, on larger spatial scales assemblages were functionally clustered for all size classes and habitats. 4. Phylogenetic and functional structure across spatial and size scales and habitats gave strong support for a deterministic model of species co-occurrence rather than for a neutral model. The results also support the hypothesis that abiotic determinism is more important at larger scales, while biotic determinism is more important on smaller scales within habitats.

The incidence of STDs has continued to increase in China from 1989 to 1998. The epidemic patterns are different from rates in developed counties in which behavior interventions have been successfully implemented, suggesting the need for active behavioral-intervention programs in China.

: Given that HIV prevalence among MSM in some other parts of China has been as high as 3%, STDs facilitate the transmission of HIV, and high prevalence of STDs and sexual risk behaviors among MSM exist in Jiangsu Province, the potential for the future spread of HIV is of concern, and it is urgent to provide MSMs with STD healthcare services and HIV/AIDS/STD prevention education and intervention.

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Although genome-wide association studies have greatly advanced our understanding of the contribution of common noncoding variants to leprosy susceptibility, protein-coding variants have not been systematically investigated. We carried out a three-stage genome-wide association study of protein-coding variants in Han Chinese, of whom were 7,048 leprosy patients and 14,398 were healthy control subjects. Seven coding variants of exome-wide significance were discovered, including two rare variants: rs145562243 in NCKIPSD (P = 1.71 × 10, odds ratio [OR] = 4.35) and rs149308743 in CARD9 (P = 2.09 × 10, OR = 4.75); three low-frequency variants: rs76418789 in IL23R (P = 1.03 × 10, OR = 1.36), rs146466242 in FLG (P = 3.39 × 10, OR = 1.45), and rs55882956 in TYK2 (P = 1.04 × 10, OR = 1.30); and two common variants: rs780668 in SLC29A3 (P = 2.17 × 10, OR = 1.14) and rs181206 in IL27 (P = 1.08 × 10, OR = 0.83). Discovered protein-coding variants, particularly low-frequency and rare ones, showed involvement of skin barrier and endocytosis/phagocytosis/autophagy, in addition to known innate and adaptive immunity, in the pathogenesis of leprosy, highlighting the merits of protein-coding variant studies for complex diseases.

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The processes that structure assemblages of species in hyper-diverse genera, such as Ficus (Moraceae), are not well understood. Functional diversity of co-occurring species can reveal evidence for assembly processes; however, intraspecific variation may weaken species-level patterns. We studied whether functional and phylogenetic diversity of Ficus species indicated the effects of spatial variation in filters associated with topography or niche partitioning related to resource use and biotic interactions. We also asked whether individual trait patterns supported species-level patterns. We studied six traits (leaf area, succulence, specific leaf area [SLA], maximum diameter breast high [dbh], fruit size, and latex exudation) for 22 Ficus species and 335 individuals > or = 10 cm dbh on a 20-ha forest plot in China. We found that higher elevation was correlated to changes in mean and reduced diversity of five traits, possibly due to frequent disturbances at higher elevations that favored fast-growing, poorly defended species with high SLA. Maximum dbh showed phylogenetic conservatism but high diversity among co-occurring species, suggesting adult stature is an important axis of within-quadrat niche partitioning. At the individual level, trait patterns were qualitatively consistent but were stronger than species-level patterns, especially for the leaf traits with the greatest intraspecific variation (SLA and succulence). Individual-level SLA exhibited the strongest evidence for both traits among and within-quadrat niche partitioning and indicated elevational filtering. Local niche partitioning and elevational filtering likely play an important role in maintaining species and functional diversity in the most speciose genus at our study site. Our results highlight the importance of individual variation, as it may reveal otherwise obscured niche effects.