Objective To provide a basis for further study and utilization of the functional gene family of Pht1 in Salviae miltiorrhizae, the Pht1 gene family members from S. miltiorrhizae genome should be explored, identified and functionally predicted. Methods By utilizing the bioinformatics methods, based on the genomic and NCBI database of S. miltiorrhiza, the sequences of Pht1 family candidate genes of S. miltiorrhiza were obtained firstly by screening, and then carried on the multiple sequence alignment, conserved structure lookup as well as phylogenetic tree construction. Finally, the characteristic analysis and biological function prediction were carried out. Results The results showed that 12 Pht1 candidate genes were extracted from the genome of Salvia miltiorrhiza, together with the reported Smpht1, there are 13 Pht1 members in total, their homology as high as 74.34%, and nine members of them could provide more reliable functional annotation. Among the gene family members, Smpht1 & Sm1, Sm4 & Sm6, Sm5 & Sm11, in which these three pairs may share similar function as well as coevolution relation between each other; Smpht1, Sm1, Sm3, Sm5, Sm7, and Sm11, all of the six members can be only expressed in the roots of S. miltiorrhiza. furthermore, except Sm7 induced by p-deficiency and Sm3 member unaffected by the phosphorus supply factor, the other four probably belong to the P-deficiency induced up-regulated expressive genotype, which play an important role in phosphorus absorption of S. miltiorrhiza; Moreover, both Sm7 and Sm16 are possible to expressed in the flower organs of S. miltiorrhiza and then participate in the regulation of phosphorus balance in the flowering stage of plants. In addition, Sm14 is likely to be a mycorrhizal-induced specific expressive gene with the function of phosphorus transfer in Pht1 family members. Conclusion The Pht1 gene family was screened and identified systematically from the genome of S. miltiorrhiza for the first time, in addition, the members with characteristic and biological function were found out, which will provide dependable background support and ideas reference for the further research on the role of Pht1 in the growth and development of S. miltiorrhiza.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases which can threaten and damage the optic nerve and its visual pathway, leading to visual impairment as a result. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is a chronic disease accompanied by apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells ( RGCs ) , visual field defect and cupping of optic nerve head. The gold standard in functional glaucoma evaluation is standard automated perimetry ( SAP) , but it is often limited to the subjective feelings of the patients. Still, visual electrophysiological techniques cannot replace the conventional inspection, but with its rapid development, it has provided a new strategy for the early diagnosis of glaucoma as a supplement because it can show changes in amplitude and latency before visual field defect. Here we review three special electroretinograms and multifocal focal visually evoked potentials in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.

OBJECTIVETo describe the distribution changes of the mortality rate for cervical cancer in China between the 1970's and 1990's and provide the scientific evidence for the prevention and control strategies for cervical cancer campaign in China between next century.

METHODSData from two National Surveys for the Causes of Death in 1970's and 1990's in China. The crude and adjusted mortality rates for the cervical cancer and the distributions based on age and area were calculated and described. The comparison of the differences of changes between two mortality rates periods and together with its trends were shown based on the age-standardized.

RESULTSDuring two decades, the mortality rate for cervical cancer was 10.7 per 100,000 in 1970's which declined to 3.89 per 100,000 in 1990's, and from the 3rd ranking among all female malignant tumors to the 6th in 1990's (decreased about 63.64%). But the declination was not evenly. There have still been some high-risk areas, most located in rural countries in the mid-west of China, with rates remain unchanged and even at the highest level in the world, such as Wudu in Gansu and Yangcheng in Shanxi. A big difference was showed between rural country and city, but in both of them, the mortality rates in 1990's were significantly much lower than in 1970's (P = 0.001) at each five-year age group. And in the city, there was a much sharper increased trend in young women in 1990's.

CONCLUSIONSThe mortality rate for cervical cancer campaign in China has been substantially declined during past twenty years, but it's still a major health problem for women, especially in rural China. The focus of the prevention and control for the cervical cancer in the next century should put on rural areas, especially in mid-west of China and young women in the city.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Cause of Death ; trends ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Rural Health ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; mortality ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo analyze and predict the trend in mortality rate of stomach cancer in twenty years in China.

METHODSStomach cancer mortality data collected from the China national survey over the period 1970s - 1990s for the cause of death were analyzed.

RESULTSThe adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer in 1990s increased by 11.0% and 6.3% for males and females, respectively. The urban mortality in 1970s was slightly higher than the rural mortality, while in 1990s the rural mortality rate was about 60% higher than the urban mortality. In 1990s, the adjusted urban mortality rate decreased by 22.2% and 26.7% for males and females, respectively. In contrast, the rural mortality rate increased by 26.4% and 22.1% for males and females, respectively. The sex ratio of stomach cancer deaths in 1990s, both in cities and rural areas, was slightly greater than that in 1970s, being more marked in the latter areas. In 1990s, the mortality rate decreased in 12 provinces, accounting for 44% in both sexes (12/27), but the decrease was more marked for females than for males except in Kiangs province. In provinces where the increased rates ranked top six positions, the magnitude of increase in rates was higher in males than in females.

CONCLUSIONThe overall mortality rates of stomach cancer in the past 20 years in China presented an increasing trend, despite there were upward and downward changes in 27 provinces and decrease in cities while increase in rural areas. Compared with other countries, the world-adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer for both sexes in China ranks first. The increasing trend in stomach cancer mortality was seen in the older age groups (> 60 years) while a decreasing trend was seen in the younger age groups (30 - 59 years). Aging of the population could be an important factor responsible for the increase in mortality rates of stomach cancer in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality