Chaoshan Area Research Articles

Analysis of allergen distribution and indoor factors in allergic rhinitis in Chaoshan area

Objective:To investigate the distribution of common allergens and indoor factors influencing the severity of allergic rhinitis in patients from the Chaoshan region. Methods:Patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis from Shantou, Jieyang, and Chaozhou were selected for serum allergen-specific IgE testing. A questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze the distribution of allergens and indoor factors affecting the severity of the disease. Results:A total of 1 800 questionnaires were collected, with 1 646 valid responses, resulting in an effective response rate of 91.4%. Among the 1 646 included patients with allergic rhinitis, there were 1 285 children（≤14 years） ，361 adolescents and adults（>14 years）；of which 999 were males and 647 were females. The top three allergens with the highest positive rates were house dust mites（n=1 457, 88.5%）, milk（n=569, 34.6%）, and crab（n=360, 21.9%）. The proportions of allergen sensitization to house dust mites, house dust, dog dander, egg white, milk, fish, crab, shrimp, and beef showed statistically significant differences between children and adolescents and adults（P<0.01）. There were also statistically significant differences in crab and shrimp sensitization between males and females（P<0.01）. Multivariate analysis revealed that active/passive smoking, religious rituals, air conditioning usage, pet ownership, air purifier usage, and bedding drying were indoor factors influencing the severity of allergic rhinitis. Among them, active/passive smoking, religious rituals, air conditioning usage, and pet ownership were risk factors for exacerbating the disease, while air purifier usage and bedding drying were protective factors. Conclusion:House dust mites are the most common allergen in patients with allergic rhinitis in the Chaoshan region. Active/passive smoking, religious rituals, air conditioning usage, and pet ownership can worsen the condition, while air purifier usage and bedding drying can help control the disease. The results of this study can provide clinical reference.

The unity of body and mind: the integration of leisure and religious practices by rural older women in the Chaoshan area of China

Leisure activities are of great significance to the active aging processes of rural older individuals. This paper focuses on the leisure activities of rural older women in China. Interviews and observations were used to collect the experiences of older women who participated in the Nembutsu hand-clapping exercise (NHCE), a leisure activity with a religious component. We reached the following conclusions. The older individuals experienced three stages of the integration of leisure and religion, i.e., “religion as an additional function,” “religion embedded in leisure,” and “interdependence between religion and leisure.” The NHCE is suitable for older women and provides them with benefits such as gender empowerment, social capital, and identity. This paper expands the body of research on the relationship between religion and leisure and provides a study based on the Chinese context for the construction of leisure theory for rural older women.

The Current Situation, Problems, and Improvement Path of Rule of Law Education in Primary and Secondary Schools in Chaoshan Area

Rule of law education in primary and secondary schools is an educational process to popularize legal knowledge, establish legal awareness, and cultivate the ability to respect, abide by, and use the law for the special group of primary and secondary school students. The research found that rule of law education in primary and secondary schools in Chaoshan has yielded positive outcomes. However, there exist problems such as uneven synergy, incomplete inclusion of teachers and students, shortage of adequately trained professional teachers, and the need for enhanced organizational support. The relevance and effectiveness of rule of law education in primary and secondary schools will be enhanced by clarifying the target tasks, enhancing the effectiveness of the classroom, creating an atmosphere of the rule of law, and strengthening organizational support.

The Impact of Care from Chinese Teachers on the Work-Study Program

Background and Aims: According to the theory of comprehensive development of individuals, students’ participation in work-study programs is influenced by their environment. Teachers play a crucial role in the interpersonal environment of students’ work-study activities. Work-study is an important component of educational funding in China. This study empirically examines the influence of teacher care on work-study. Materials and Methods: Based on these hypotheses, this study focuses on students participating in work-study programs in universities, with a research scope limited to the Chaoshan area. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey, with a total of 1056 questionnaires distributed. Questionnaires that were incomplete or had the same answer throughout were excluded, resulting in 894 valid questionnaires. The effective response rate was 84.7%. Results: The research found that policy environment, physical environment, and teacher care have direct and indirect positive effects on work-study activities, and students’ self-regulation ability plays a moderating role in this process. Conclusions: The policy environment, physical environment, and teacher care have direct and indirect positive impacts on work-study activities, and students’ self-regulation ability moderates these impacts. These findings have significant implications for schools and teachers in providing support and guidance to work-study students, helping to optimize the implementation of work-study programs.

Incorporating The Influence of Regional Culture in Tableware Design: The Case Study of Chaoshan Area

Tableware has traditionally played a significant part in China’s food culture and has a high usage rate as a product directly tied to everyday life. Therefore, designing tableware with local cultural characteristics may aid in the education of people to appreciate local culture. However, there is a considerable shortage of research on tableware with Chaoshan cultural elements. Hence, this research will include both Chaoshan culture and tableware design. It is recommended that Chaoshan culture be employed as a design element in tableware design, and that the viability of using tableware as a carrier to express regional culture be explored. The significance of this study will aid in improving the Chaoshan region’s cultural production, boosting cultural confidence, and increasing local revenues.

Comparison of 14 respiratory pathogens among hospitalized children during and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Chaoshan area

BackgroundSince January 2020, measures has been adopted in the Chaoshan area to limit the spread of COVID-19. Restrictions were removed after August 2020. At the same time, children returned to school. We previously reported the changes of 14 main respiratory pathogens in hospitalized children before and during the COVID-19 outbreak in Chaoshan area. However, the changes of respiratory pathogen spectrum in hospitalized children after the epidemic are still unknown, which will be elucidated in this study.MethodsThere are 6201 children hospitalized with respiratory tract infection were enrolled in the study, which were divided into two groups: 2533 from outbreak group (1 January 2020–31 December 2020), and 3668 from post-outbreak group (1 January 2021–31 December 2021). Pharyngeal swab samples were collected. 14 respiratory tract pathogens were detected by liquid chip technology.ResultsThe positive rate of pathogen detection is significantly lower in the outbreak group (65.42%, 1657/2533) than that in the post-outbreak group (70.39%, 2582/3668; χ2 = 17.15, P < 0.05). The Influenza A virus (FluA) detection rate was 1.9% (49) in 2020, but 0% (0) in 2021. The detection rates of Bordetella pertussis (BP) decreased from 1.4% (35) in 2020 to 0.5% (17) in 2021. In contrast, the detection rates of Influenza B virus (FluB), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Haemophilus influenzae (HI), Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP) increased from 0.3% (8), 24.7% (626), 2.0% (50) and 19.4% (491) in 2020 to 3.3% (121), 27.9% (1025), 4.6% (169), 22.8% (836) in 2021, respectively (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe detection rates of pathogens such as FluA, FluB, CMV, HI, SP, BP were statistically different between 2020 and 2021. From 2020 to 2021, the positive rates of Flu, CMV, HI and SP increased, while the positive rates of FluA and BP decreased. After the COVID-19 prevention and control measures are gradually relaxed, the positive rate of respiratory pathogens in children aged from 6 months to 6 years will increase.

Identification and Analysis of Metabolites That Contribute to the Formation of Distinctive Flavour Components of Laoxianghuang.

In addition to volatile compounds, metabolites also have a great effect on the flavour of food. Fresh finger citron cannot be eaten directly because of its spicy and bitter taste, so it is made into a preserved fruit product known as Laoxianghuang (LXH). To investigate the metabolites that have an effect on the flavour of LXH, untargeted metabolomics was performed using an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and the metabolites of the Laoxianghuang samples from different locations in the Chaoshan area were compared and analysed. A total of 756 metabolites were identified and distinct differences were revealed among the different Laoxianghuang samples. A total of 33 differential metabolites with the most significant changes were screened through further multivariate analytical steps, and each group of samples had unique metabolites. For instance, pomolic acid had the highest content in the JG sample, while L-glycyl-L-isoleucine was rich in the QS sample. Moreover, flavonoid metabolites made the greatest contribution to the unique flavour of Laoxianghuang. The metabolic pathways involved are the biosynthetic pathways of flavonoids, isoflavonoids, flavones, and flavonols. This study can provide some creative information for distinguishing the quality differences of Laoxianghuang from the perspective of metabolites and offer preliminary theoretical support to characterise the formation of flavour substances in Laoxianghuang.

Reflection on the Communication of Urban Image of Chaoshan Area in the Era of New Media

Since the “13th Five-Year Plan”, China has made remarkable achievements in the construction of new urbanization, and its development has also shifted from increment and expansion to a new stage dominated by stock renewal. In the tide of diversified construction of city, Chaoshan area with strong regional characteristics and cultural deposit has been frequently frustrated in shaping its urban image. Many untrue public opinions and rumors even appear on new media platforms and are widespread. How to effectively communicate the urban brand image of Chaoshan area and therefore promote regional economic development has become an aspiration of every Chaoshan person. In this paper, by collecting and analyzing questionnaires, we design a “CBIO” model. In order to improve communication effect of urban image of Chaoshan area, communication subjects should paid attention to key factors such as communication tactics, urban brand positioning and urban infrastructure construction.

A retrospective study of strabismus surgery in a tertiary eye hospital in the Chaoshan area in China from 2014 to 2020

BackgroundTo investigate the distribution pattern of strabismus surgery at an eye center in southern China.MethodsThe data of all patients who underwent strabismus surgery at the Joint Shantou International Eye Center of Shantou University /Chinese University of Hong Kong from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The type of strabismus and its relationship with age and sex were analyzed, and the trend in the number of strabismus surgeries was observed.ResultsThe data of 4640 patients included a total of 5,282 surgeries.Exotropia surgery was the most common, accounting for 54.0% of all strabismus surgeries, which tended to increase over time, but not significantly (P = 0.109). Constant exotropia was the most common exotropia, but its proportion decreased year by year. The next most common was intermittent exotropia. The percentage of surgeries for intermittent exotropia increased from 2016 to 2020. Surgery for esotropia accounted for 22.1% of all strabismus surgeries and became significantly less common from 2016 to 2020 (P < 0.01). Among patients with intermittent or constant exotropia, the proportion of patients younger than 12 years who underwent surgical intervention increased yearly, while this proportion amoung patients older 12 years old with constant exotropia decreased yearly.ConclusionAmong exotropia surgeries, surgery for constant exotropia was the most common but decreased in prevalence annually. Children under 12 years old were the most affected population.

Pathogen spectrum changes of respiratory tract infections in children in Chaoshan area under the influence of COVID-19

Abstract From 24 January 2020 to 18 May 2020, Chaoshan took measures to limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), such as restricting public gatherings, wearing masks and suspending classes. We explored the effects of these measures on the pathogen spectrum of paediatric respiratory tract infections in Chaoshan. Pharyngeal swab samples were collected from 4075 children hospitalised for respiratory tract infection before (May–December 2019) and after (January–August 2020) the COVID-19 outbreak. We used liquid chip technology to analyse 14 respiratory pathogens. The data were used to explore between-group differences, age-related differences and seasonal variations in respiratory pathogens. The number of cases in the outbreak group (1222) was 42.8% of that in the pre-outbreak group (2853). Virus-detection rates were similar in the outbreak (48.3%, 590/1222) and pre-outbreak groups (51.5%, 1468/2853; χ2 = 3.446, P = 0.065), while the bacteria-detection rate was significantly lower in the outbreak group (26.2%, 320/1222) than in the pre-outbreak group (44.1%, 1258/2853; χ2 = 115.621, P &lt; 0.05). With increasing age, the proportions of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections decreased, while those of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and adenovirus infections increased. Streptococcus pneumoniae, CMV and rhinovirus infections peaked in autumn and winter, while RSV infections peaked in summer and winter. We found that the proportion of virus-only detection decreased with age, while the proportion of bacteria-only detection increased with age (Table 2). Anti-COVID-19 measures significantly reduced the number of paediatric hospitalisations for respiratory tract infections, significantly altered the pathogen spectrum of such infections and decreased the overall detection rates of 14 common respiratory pathogens. The proportion of bacterial, but not viral, infections decreased.

Purification and stability analysis of antimicrobial proteins from Varuna litterata

Ten marine species, including different crabs, bivalve molluscs, and fish intestines were selected to screen the natural antimicrobial protein or peptide as they are enriched with various microorganisms. The crude extract from Varuna litterata, a marine crab which is used as a raw material in the preparation of pickled crabs in Chaoshan area of China, was proved to have a potent bacteriostatic effect against gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive bacterium(Staphylococcus aureus) compared with other marine species. The crude proteins of Varunalitterata were salted-out for preliminary purification and further purified by gel filtration (Sephadex G-150) or anion exchange (DEAE-cellulose 52) chromatographic column. An increase in the antimicrobial activity was noted with the increase in the purity level of the protein. A relatively pure protein was eventually obtained, which was determined to be belonging to the hemocyanin family based on the mass spectrometric data analysis. The purified proteins solution (1 mg/ml) from Varuna litterata exhibited similar antimicrobial activity to that of gentamycin sulfate (0.2 mg/ml), which were relatively stable in a certain pH or temperature range. A structure-activity relationship of the purified hemocyanin was determined based on the interaction of hemocyanin and different chromatographic medium, which revealed that the integrated hexamers played a remarkable role in its bacteriostatic activity. Moreover, the phenoloxidase activity of hemocyanin from Varuna litterata was found as the underlying cause of its antimicrobial potential.

Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of PPCPs in Surface Water and Aquatic Organisms in Chaoshan Coastal Area along the South China Sea

To investigate the occurrence, distribution, and potential risks of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in the South costal area of China, a total of 20 PPCPs in water and aquatic organisms (fish, crab, and shellfish), obtained from 7 coastal rivers of the Chaoshan area, were determined using solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The results showed that up to 16 to 18 kinds of PPCPs could be detected in the rivers and aquatic organisms of the Chaoshan area, and the concentrations of PPCPs in the rivers and organisms ranged from 0.30-2223 ng ·L-1 to 0.143-80.3 ng ·g-1, respectively, with a high detection rate for many pollutants. Significant differences were observed in the samples of water and organisms. The total concentration of PPCPs in the rivers of the Chaoshan area was in the order of Huanggang River > Lianjiang River > Huangjiang River > Longjiang River > Luohe River > Rongjiang River > Hanjiang River, with the dominance of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and caffeine (CAF). The total concentrations of PPCPs in the aquatic organisms from the Huanggang River, Hanjiang River, Lianjiang River, and Luohe River were higher than the concentrations of PPCPs in the aquatic organisms from the Longjiang River and Rongjiang River, with a dominance of trimethoprim (TMP), SMX, and CAF. The total concentration of PPCPs in fish was significantly higher than that in crab and shellfish. The results of bioconcentration factor (BCF) showed that a variety of PPCPs were accumulated in the organisms from the Chaoshan rivers; among them, the BCF value in fish was higher, which was more likely to bioaccumulate than crabs and shellfish. The ecological risks in terms of risk quotient (RQ) for 12 typical PPCPs were assessed in the Chaoshan area. It was discovered that the risk for fleas and algae was significantly higher than that for fish. The RQ values of SMX, erythromycin (ERY), and sulfadiazine (SDZ) were all greater than 1, which posed potential ecological risks for algae in the Huanggang River and Lianjiang Rivers and for fleas in the Huangjiang River.

Initial analysis of human papilloma virus for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in a single center in Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province

Objective To detect the infection and subtype status of human papilloma virus (HPV) for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated in a single center in Chaoshan area of Guangdong Province. Methods The primary lesion samples from 167 HNSCC patients in Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College between December 2014 and December 2016 were collected. The expression of p16 protein in tumor tissues was detected by using immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the positive rate of tumor cell p16 protein≥ 76% was used as a diagnostic standard to judge HPV in HNSCC; the relationship between p16 protein and the clinicopathological factors was analyzed. The status of HPV 16/18 DNA in tumor tissues was tested by using in situ hybridization(ISH). RNA scope was used to detect the RNA expression of 18 kinds of common high-risk HPV subtype (HPV HR 18), and the positive status of HPV HR 18 in tumor tissues with the positive cell proportion ≥ 50% of p16 protein was analyzed. Results The strong expression rate of p16 protein was 7.2% (12/167). The strong expression rate of p16 protein in the younger group ( 0.05). HPV 16/18 DNA was not found in all HNSCC primary lesions by using ISH, which showed the same result after repeated examination. RNAscope method showed that 3 cases (15.8%) out of the 19 patients with p16 protein positive rate≥50% were HPV HR 18 RNA positive. Conclusions The positive rate of HPV for HNSCC patients in Chaoshan area is low, while the patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma have the highest rate and tend to be younger. The main carcinogenic viruses of HPV for HNSCC patients in Chaoshan area are other subtypes of HPV including HPV HR 18 rather than HPV 16/18. Key words: Head and neck neoplasms; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Human papillomavirus; Chaoshan area

The association between the whole blood riboflavin level and the occurrence, development and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the association between the whole blood riboflavin level and the occurrence, development and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in China. Methods: From March 2014 to September 2018, ESCC patients from three hospitals (the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou Central Hospital in Southern Chaoshan area and First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Northern Taihang Mountain) were selected as a case group; non-esophageal patients who had a physical examination were selected as a control group. The case and control group were paired by age (±5 years) and a 1:1 ration. A total of 1 528 subjects were enrolled including 764 patients in the case group and 764 patients in the control group. About 3-5 ml venous blood samples were collected, and the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (GRAC) was measured to assess the whole blood riboflavin level. A multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between the GRAC and the risk of ESCC. The association between the GRAC and the prognosis of ESCC was analyzed by using Cox proportional risk regression model based on 288 patients with complete survival data. They were divided into two groups, the high GRAC group (GRAC≥7.87) group and the low GRAC group (GRAC<7.87) according to the strongest correlation between the total survival time, survival outcome and GRAC (GRAC=7.87). Results: Among the 1 528 patients, 958 patients were from Southern Chaoshan area, including 479 patients in the case group with an average age about (59.90±9.34) years and 479 patients in the control group with an average age about (59.55±8.77) years. Other 570 patients were from Northern Taihang Mountain area, including 285 patients in the case group with an average age (58.39±5.19) years and 285 patients in the control group with an average age about (58.74±4.57) years. The multivariate conditional logistic regression showed that the OR (95%CI) of the GRAC and the risk of ESCC was 1.009 (0.998-1.019). The Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the HR (95%CI) of the high GRAC group was 1.712 (1.034-2.824) compared with the low GRAC group in the 50-70 years group. Conclusion: The whole blood riboflavin level might not be associated with the occurrence of ESCC. The high whole blood riboflavin level would be more beneficial to the prognosis of ESCC patients aged 50-70 years.

Global citizenship education and English as a lingua franca

Currently, how English is being used as a lingua franca (ELF) has caused linguistic and cultural norms to be revisited in relation to language use. The issue of global citizenship has emerged when English is used as the main medium of instruction in higher education; as achieving global citizenship is a main goal of international universities, the ELF paradigm has assisted in the realization of this goal because English is used in a fluid and dynamic perspective. This paper uses interview data (N=6), which was collected from Chinese students from the Chaoshan area who obtained their master’s degrees abroad, to analyze how these students developed their senses of global citizenship. Although their ELF experiences play an important role in understanding global citizenship, many did not receive a formal education regarding global citizenship at home or abroad. This paper concludes by emphasizing how the ELF paradigm can aid higher education institutions raise people’s awareness of global citizenship.

Abstract LB-302: Whole genome sequencing reveals a significant role of ZNFs-PHLPP2-AKT axis in familial breast cancer of chaoshan area

Abstract Introduction Up to 15% cases of breast cancer are familial. However, the two most prevalent susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, only account for 25% of the familial cases. To this regard, we aimed to identify recurrent variants associated with familial breast cancer in Chaoshan Area of China by whole genome sequencing. Materials &amp; Methods In the present study, Whole Genome Sequencing was performed in 8 familial breast cancer families with 13 familial breast cancer cases and 25 healthy relatives from Chaoshan Area. All the variants were filtered and prioritized by co-segregation analysis and bioinformatic tools. Results A total of 714 variants in 609 genes were selected as rare, probably damaging pathogenic mutations after co-segregation and functional prediction analysis in each family. In all the 609 genes, the zinc finger protein family was overlapped in all the 8 families, among which the c.120-130del of ZNF77 was overlapped in 3 families, c.279_791de of ZNF544 and c.T895A of ZNF479 in 2 families respectively, which emphasized the great significance of ZNF family in the mutational spectrum of Chaoshan Area. After that, the KEGG Pathway analysis in KOBAS 3.0 implied the significance of PI3K-Akt pathway in all the mutated 609 genes. At the same time, the PPI analysis by Cytoscape 3.6.1 indicated that all ZNF genes were interacted with one specific gene, PHLPP2, which inhibits the PI3K-Akt pathway similar to PTEN. Furthermore, two website-based bioinformatic tools cBioportal and Oncomine have predicted the positive correlations between ZNF77 and PHLPP2. All the analysis above was demonstrated the great significance of ZNFs-PHLPP2-AKT axis in the mutational spectrum of familial breast cancer of Chaoshan Area, in China. Conclusions Zinc finger protein family, especially ZNF77, are frequently mutated in the familial breast cancer of Chaoshan Area, which results in the down regulation of PHLPP2 and subsequently reverse the inhibition of PI3K-Akt pathway, and finally lead to tumorigenesis. Citation Format: Can-Bin Fang, Qian-Qian Ye, Jing Liu, Guo-Jun Zhang. Whole genome sequencing reveals a significant role of ZNFs-PHLPP2-AKT axis in familial breast cancer of chaoshan area [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-302.

Epidemiology of dengue and the effect of seasonal climate variation on its dynamics: a spatio-temporal descriptive analysis in the Chao-Shan area on China’s southeastern coast

ObjectiveDengue is a mosquito-transmitted virus infection that remains rampant across the tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. However, the spatial and temporal dynamics of dengue transmission are poorly understood in Chao-Shan...

Traditional Coastal Settlements of Chaoshan Area Adapted to The Sand Ridge Landform

Sand ridge landform is a kind of typical coastal natural landform in Chaoshan area. Through data review, historical satellite image collection, field interviews, archives search and other methods, the relevant data of the sand ridge landform area were collected, and comparative research methods were used to analyze the influence of such terrain on the Traditional settlement mode. A types of settlement patterns is summarized: the evolutionary pattern of settlements which are built on high ground and spread out to sea and that are adapted to the development of sand ridges landform. Through this case study, we hope to have a better understanding of the characteristics of the Chaoshan traditional settlements.

Sojourning and emigration: emigrant communities in Chaoshan area (1949-1958)

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the Chaozhou-speaking communities in northeast Guangdong Province dealt with new barriers of border control during the 1950s, and how they circumvented these institutional obstacles to leave China for Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. The emigration process was reshaped by new social and political forces in Maoist China. How did the Chaoshan people apply for the travel permit to leave China? How did they enter the hosting countries? How did the emigration experience influence the identity formation of Chaoshan Chinese in the 1950s?Design/methodology/approachThis paper draws on archival sources, memoirs and interviews to demonstrate the ways in which Chaoshan people pursued new strategies of emigration during the 1950s.FindingsIn Maoist China, the application for an entry-exit permit was a rather complicated bureaucratic process for ordinary people. One needs to consider the class status, geographical origins and overseas connections of the applicants as well as the changing official policies toward overseas Chinese.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper emphasizes on the impacts of emigration experience on the identity formation of Chaoshan people and the incremental transformation of these emigrant communities in Guangdong Province.Practical implicationsThis scholarly finding throws light on the transformation of Chaoshan from a fluid, mobile maritime environment to an increasingly state-centric agrarian society during the 1950s.Originality/valueThis paper is an original scholarly study of the history of Chaoshan communities in South China and their emigration to Southeast Asia.

Compound heterozygous mutations of CRB1 gene in a Chinese family with Leber congenital amaurosis by whole exome sequencing

Objective To investigate the disease-causing mutation in a family with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA). Methods A Chinese Han pedigree with LCA from Chaoshan area was recruited in Shantou International Eye Center in August 2011.The clinical features of the families were evaluated, including medical history, best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure and fundus photography.The peripheral blood sample of 5 ml was collected from each of the family members for the extraction of genomic DNA.DNA of the proband was investigated by whole exome sequencing (WES) and was filtered for function of variants and inheritance pattern.Then, Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the WES result on all the participating subjects in the pedigree. Results There were 11 families of 3 generations in this pedigree, and 2 female LCA patients were found (Ⅱ2 and Ⅱ4) who were sisters.The parents (Ⅰ-1 and Ⅰ-2) and children (Ⅲ-1, Ⅲ-2, Ⅲ-3 and Ⅲ-4) of the patients showed normal phenotype, suggesting an autosomal recessive pattern.The patients appeared severe visual impairment during early childhood.Ophthalmic examination showed diffuse pigmentation on the retina and attenuation of retinal artery in both patients.WES of proband revealed two compound heterozygous mutations (c.2234C>T, p.T745M; c. 3488G>T, p.C1163F) of the CRB1 gene.Sanger sequencing confirmed the mutations in both patients (Ⅱ-2 and Ⅲ-4), and the parents of the patients were found to carry one mutations respectively and the other subjects with normal phenotype had neither none or only one mutation. Conclusions The compound heterozygous mutation of c. 2234C>T, p.T745M and c. 3488G>T, p.C1163F in CRB1 is responsible for LCA pathogenesis this Chinese Han pedigree. Key words: Leber congenital amaurosis; Whole exome sequencing; Compound heterozygous mutation; CRB1 gene; Pedigree