The incidence of rubella cases in China from 1991 to 2007 was reviewed, and the nucleotide sequences from 123 rubella viruses collected during 1999 to 2007 and 4 viral sequences previously reported from 1979 to 1984 were phylogenetically analyzed. Rubella vaccination was not included in national immunization programs in China before 2007. Changes in endemic viruses were compared with incidences of rubella epidemics. The results showed that rubella epidemics occur approximately every 6 to 8 years (1993/1994, 2001, and 2007), and a shift of disease burden to susceptible young adults was observed. The Chinese rubella virus sequences were categorized into 5 of the 13 rubella virus genotypes, 1a, 1E, 1F, 2A, and 2B; cocirculations of these different genotypes were found in China. In Anhui province, a shift in the predominant genotype from 1F and 2B to 1E coincided with the 2001 rubella epidemic. This shift may have occurred throughout China during 2001 to 2007. This study investigated the genotype distribution of rubella viruses in China over a 28-year period to establish an important genetic baseline in China during its prevaccination era.

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Antimicromial and antioxidant bioactive films based on poly(lactic acid)/poly(trimenthylene carbonate) films incorporated with different concentrations of oregano essential oil (OEO) were prepared by solvent casting. The antimicrobial, antioxidant, physical, thermal, microstructural, and mechanical properties of the resulting films were examined. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the cross-section of films became rougher when OEO was incorporated into PLA/PTMC blends. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that crystallinity of PLA phase decreased by the addition of OEO, but this did not affect the thermal stability of the films. Water vapor permeability of films slightly increased with increasing concentration of OEO. However, active PLA/PTMC/OEO composite films showed adequate barrier properties for food packaging application. The antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities were significantly improved with the incorporation of OEO (p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that an optimal balance between the mechanical, barrier, thermal, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of the films was achieved by the incorporation of 9 wt % OEO into PLA/PTMC blends.

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Community-based co-management (CBCM) has been applied in some communities near natural reserves in China. This paper uses Gansu Baishuijiang National Natural Reserve in China as a case study for livelihood improvements under CBCM projects. We demonstrate change from 2006 to 2010 in five classes of livelihood capital (social, human, natural, physical and financial capitals), illustrating the effectiveness of CBCM projects. Specifically, there are increases in mean family income and improvements in forest conservation. However, some problems in the design and implementation of CBCM projects remain, including the complicated social and political relationship between government and community, social exclusion and uneven application of benefits within communities, and the lack of integration of indigenous cultures and traditional beliefs. Attention for special groups in community and improving the design of CBCM Projects. Study shows that under the cooperation of government, CBCM projects and local community residents, the harmonious development of sustainable livelihood improvement and forest resources conservation will be an important trend in the future.

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Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity is one of the main causes of neuronal cell death in stroke. Compound 22a has been previously reported as a promising neuroprotective compound derived from tetramethylpyrazine, which is a widely used active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine Chuanxiong (Ligusticum wallichii Franchat). Compound 22a can protect neurons from oxidative stress-induced PC12 cell death and alleviates the infarct areas and brain edema in a rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model. In the current work, we further investigated the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of compound 22a against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in primary culture of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). We found that pretreatment with compound 22a prevented glutamate-induced neuronal damage by maintaining mitochondrial membrane potential and attenuating cellular apoptosis. Compound 22a could also enhance peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1α) transcriptional activity and induce nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 in PC12 cells. Accordingly, pretreatment with compound 22a reversed the glutamate-induced down-regulation of expression of the proteins PGC1α, transcriptional factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and hemooxygenase 1 (HO-1). In addition, compound 22a increased the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (p-PI3K), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β). Meanwhile, the small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of PGC1α expression and selective inhibitors targeting PI3K/Akt (LY294002 and Akt-iv) could significantly attenuate the neuroprotective effect of compound 22a. Taken together, compound 22a protected against glutamate-induced CGN injury possibly in part through regulation of PGC1α/Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt pathways.