BACKGROUND The rubella vaccine was introduced into the immunization program in 1995 in the Shandong province, China. A series of different rubella vaccination strategies were implemented at different stages of measles control in Shandong province. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The average reported incidence rate of rubella cases remained at a low level in Shandong province after 1999. Howeve...

The Liangshan prefecture in Sichuan province is an area in China severely affected by the HIV epidemic, with intravenous drug use (IDU) as the main risk factor. No reports on HIV subtypes prevalent in IDUs in Liangshan prefecture could be found. In this study, we have characterized the genotypes of HIV-1 in the IDU population in Liangshan prefecture and further determined the phylogenetic relat...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have revealed significant differences between populations for genotypic frequencies of glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) and M1 (GSTM1) polymorphisms. In order to find the frequency of the null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in Iranian populations, the present study was carried out. METHODS The total study subjects consisted of 1340 unrelated healthy Muslims/Irani...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the Safe Motherhood Programme of Midlands Province by means of process indicators, in particular Caesarean Section Rates (CSR), in comparison with the commonly used outcome indicator Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR). DESIGN A cross sectional descriptive study. SETTING Midlands Province, Zimbabwe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Process indicators of the Safe Motherhood Programme...

A scientific definition of the type of mountain area and an exploration of the spatial correlation between different types of mountain areas and regional land use at the county level are important for reasonable land resource utilization and regional sustainable development. Here, a geographic information system was used to analyze digital elevation model data and to define the extent of mounta...

Maize is one of the major cultivated crops of China, having a central role in ensuring the food security of the country. There has been a significant increase in studies of maize under interactive effects of elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and other factors, yet the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and increasing precipitation on maize has remained unclear. In this study, a manipulative...

OBJECTIVE This work aims to collect and summarize the outcomes on free preconceptual screening examination in rural areas of Hubei Province in 2012. Moreover, this review promotes further understanding of the status of this activity to provide the Family Planning Commission valid scientific data upon which to construct effective policies. METHODS Couples, who complied with the family planning...

Szechwan is one of the largest, richest and most populous provinces in China, extending from 101?-111? east longitude and 27?-24? north latitude. The population is estimated at 45,000,000. It is essentially an agricultural province; the important crops are rice, sweet potatoes and corn. Though the land is very fertile and productive, the living standard in rural Szechwan is very low. The food o...

Knowledge of levels of fluoride ingestion and excretion is important in planning optimum fluoride therapy for young children. In previous literature, it has been assumed that only about one-third of ingested fluoride is excreted in young children. The aims of the present study were (a) to measure total fluoride intake, urinary fluoride excretion and fluoride balance, and (b) to investigate the ...

The construction of new rural communities is an important measure to promote the integration of urban and rural areas. The environmental quality of new rural communities represents the residential suitability of the communities. The evaluation of the environmental quality can help promote the healthy development of new rural communities. The present study combines AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Proces...