[The impact of augmented reality glasses on human visual efficiency and digital eye fatigue]

Objective: To investigate the differences in reading efficiency and visual fatigue between the use of augmented reality (AR) glasses and laptops. Methods: A prospective self-controlled study was conducted. Healthy students from Capital Medical University who frequently engaged in long-term near work and used laptops and other digital display devices were recruited as subjects at Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University between November 1 and November 15, 2023. LogMAR visual acuity, visual functions (accommodation, convergence, and fusion), and visual fatigue scores (Likert visual fatigue scale) of the participants were assessed. The order of using the laptop and AR glasses for each participant was determined by a coin toss. Reading efficiency (reading speed and error rate multiplied by the detection rate of incorrect numbers) with different devices for 10 minutes at the same time on different dates and visual fatigue scores after watching a 20-minute video were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Results: A total of 20 eligible subjects were included, comprising 7 males and 13 females, with a mean age of (25.45±2.27) years. There was no significant change in binocular visual acuity before and after using AR glasses and laptops (both P>0.05). The reading speed and reading efficiency of using AR glasses [(34.03±9.25) and (29.19±7.62) digits/min, respectively] were significantly lower than those of using laptops [(39.43±10.36) and (35.67±9.87) digits/min, respectively] (t=4.36, P<0.001), while the difference in error detection rate was not statistically significant (t=1.29, P=0.213). There was no statistically significant difference in visual fatigue scores before watching videos with the two devices (Z=-0.71, P=0.480). However, the visual fatigue score after watching videos with AR glasses [(20.55±5.04) points] was significantly higher than that with laptops [16.50 (13.00, 19.75) points] (Z=-2.85, P=0.004). The visual fatigue scores after watching videos with both devices were significantly higher than before (P<0.05), with a more significant increase observed with AR glasses [(6.05±3.50) points] (Z=-3.41, P<0.001). Conclusion: Compared with using laptops, the reading speed and efficiency were lower, and the visual fatigue was more pronounced with the use of AR glasses at the current technical level. Further optimization and improvement of AR glasses are warranted.

Fermented rape pollen powder can alleviate benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats by reducing hormone content and changing gut microbiota

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can cause urethral compression, bladder stone formation, and renal function damage, which may endanger the life of patients. Therefore, we aimed to develop plant-based preparations for BPH treatment with no side effects. In this study, the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 322Hp, Lactobacillus acidophilus 322Ha, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri 322Hr were used to ferment rape pollen. The fermented rape pollen was subsequently converted into fermented rape pollen powder (FRPP) through vacuum freeze-drying technology. After fermenting and drying, the bioactive substances and antioxidant capacity of FRPP were significantly higher than those of unfermented rapeseed pollen, and FRPP had a longer storage duration, which can be stored for over one year. To investigate the therapeutic effect of FRPP on BPH, a BPH rat model was established by hypodermic injection of testosterone propionate. The BPH rats were treated differently, with the model group receiving normal saline, the positive control group receiving finasteride, and the low, medium, and high dose FRPP group receiving FRPP at doses of 0.14 g/kg/d, 0.28 g/kg/d, and 0.56 g/kg/d, respectively. The results indicate that medium dose FRPP reduced the levels of hormone such as testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and oestradiol in rats with BPH by about 32%, thus bringing the prostate tissue of BPH rats closer to normal. More importantly, medium dose FRPP treatment had a significant effect on the composition of gut microbiota in rats with BPH, increasing the levels of beneficial genera (such as Coprococcus and Jeotgalicoccus), and decreasing the levels of harmful pathogens (such as Turicibacter and Clostridiaceae_Clostridium) in the gut. This study showed that medium dose FRPP reduced the hormone level and regulated the unbalanced gut microbiota in BPH rats, thereby alleviating BPH.

[Prevalence of obesity and its association with dietary patterns: a cohort study among Tibetan pastoralists in Qinghai Province]

Objectives: To explore obesity prevalence and its association with dietary patterns among Tibetan pastoralists during the urbanization transition in Qinghai Province. Methods: Using an open cohort study design, 1 003 subjects were enrolled at baseline in 2018, 599 were followed up, and 1 012 were newly recruited in 2022. A total of 1 913 adults over 18 years were included in the study, and a questionnaire survey and health examination were conducted. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns, and a mixed-effects model was used to analyze the association between dietary patterns and obesity. Results: From 2018 to 2022, the prevalence rates of overweight, obesity, and central obesity were 27.6%, 33.8%, and 54.6%, respectively. Age-sex-standardized prevalence of obesity and central obesity increased. Three dietary patterns were identified: the modern pattern was characterized by frequent consumption of pork, poultry, processed meat, fresh fruits, sugary drinks, salty snacks, etcetera; the urban pattern was characterized by frequent consumption of refined carbohydrates, beef and mutton, vegetables and eggs, etcetera; and pastoral pattern featured frequent consumption of tsamba, Tibetan cheese, buttered/milk tea, and whole-fat dairy products. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors, compared with the T1, subjects in the T3 of urban pattern scores were more likely to be overweight (OR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.10-3.95) and overweight/obese (OR=1.23, 95%CI: 1.00-1.51), whereas those in the T3 of pastoral pattern scores had a lower risk of overweight (OR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.24-0.84), obesity (OR=0.81, 95%CI: 0.69-0.95), overweight/obesity (OR=0.75, 95%CI: 0.61-0.91) and central obesity (OR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.38-0.89). Conclusions: Prevalence of obesity and central obesity was high among Tibetan pastoralists during the urbanization transition. Urban dietary pattern was a risk factor for overweight and overweight/obesity, whereas pastoral dietary pattern was a protective factor for overweight, obesity, overweight/obesity, and central obesity. Tailored interventions are needed to improve local people's health.

New insights into the alkoxy effects on auxiliary adsorption and inhibiting charge recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells with high open circuit voltage: a theoretical investigation

Although introducing an alkoxy group is one of the most popular methods to suppress the interfacial charge recombination process of dye-sensitized solar cells, understanding of its effects is still limited and a microscopic picture of the alkoxy effects is lacking. Two ullazine dyes with distinct alkoxy chains at the donor part are used to investigate the effects of the alkoxy group on the adsorption, dye aggregation and charge recombination process in our study. Different from the usual assumption, we find that alkoxy chains can not only play a shielding role, but can also assist dye adsorption and inhibit the charge recombination process more effectively by covering the TiO₂ surface. We also find that the existence of alkyl chains can well inhibit the aggregation of dyes and reduce intermolecular electron transfer. Furthermore, an important structural feature at the interface, the Ti-O interaction between the oxygen atom of the alkoxy group and the Ti atom of the surface is also found to contribute substantially to the interface stability. New insights into the effects of the alkoxy group on auxiliary adsorption and inhibiting charge recombination through reducing the recombination sites pave the way for rational design of sensitizers with high performance.

Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Following Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation and Resistance Training Among Individuals With Shoulder Myofascial Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Various exercises can attenuate pain perception in healthy individuals and may interact with the descending pain modulation in the central nervous system. However, the analgesic effects of exercise in patients with myofascial pain can be disrupted by the pathological changes during chronic pain conditions. Thus, the exercises targeted on the facilitation of the sensory-motor interaction may have a positive impact on the restoration of the descending pain modulation and the analgesia effects.

OBJECTIVE

This paper estimates the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and resistance training on exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM) among patients with myofascial pain syndrome.

METHODS

A total of 76 female patients with myofascial pain syndrome (aged 18-30 years), with the pain in the upper trapezius and a visual analog scale score of greater than 30/100 mm, were enrolled in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into 3 intervention groups, including isometric (n=18, 24%), isotonic (n=19, 25%), and PNF (n=20, 26%) exercises, as well as 1 control group (n=19, 25%) with no intervention. Pressure pain threshold and the CPM responses at the myofascial trigger point, arm, and leg sites were assessed before and after the exercise session. The effective EIH response was reflected in the improvement of pressure pain thresholds.

RESULTS

There was an increase in pressure pain thresholds and CPM responses at trigger point (P<.001 and P<.001), arm (P<.001 and P<.001), and leg sites (P<.001 and P=.03) in participants who performed PNF and isotonic exercise, while the isometric exercise only increased pressure pain thresholds at leg sites (P=.03). Compared with the control group, both the isotonic (P=.02) and PNF (P<.001) groups showed greater EIH responses at the trigger points. In comparison to the control group, only the PNF exercise (P=.01) significantly improved pressure pain thresholds and CPM responses at arm and leg sites compared to the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

PNF, isotonic, and isometric exercises could lead to local and global EIH effects. The improvement in CPM response following PNF and isotonic exercises suggested that the EIH mechanisms of different resistance exercises may be attributed to the enhancement of the endogenous pain modulation via the motor-sensory interaction from the additional eccentric and dynamic muscle contraction.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCtr202111090819166165; https://tinyurl.com/2ab93p7n.

[Influence of age on advanced neoplasia detection in colorectal cancer screening in population at high risk]

Objective: To compare the detection rate of advanced neoplasia and the number of people needing endoscopy in colorectal cancer screening giving at different starting age in population at high risk. Methods: Based on the screening project of early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in Jiashan county, Zhejiang province, two rounds of colorectal cancer screening were conducted between January 2007 and December 2020. After excluding participants who were not at high risk or had incomplete information, 27 130 participants and 31 205 participants were finally enrolled in round one and in round two, respectively. The spline analysis based on the generalized additive model was used to describe the trend of detection rate of advanced neoplasia with age. The detection rate and number of people needing endoscopy for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were calculated, and the differences in the detection rate were tested by χ² goodness of fit test. Results: A total of 21 077 (77.69%) participants in round one and 25 249 (80.91%) participants in round two received endoscopy, in whom 1 097 (detection rate=52.05‰) and 1 151 (detection rate=45.59‰) had advanced neoplasia (cancers and advanced adenomas), respectively. The detection rate increased significantly with age, and the detection rate in round one were significantly higher than that in round two (P<0.05). The overall detection rates of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 61.11‰, 56.14‰ and 52.05‰ in round one, and 49.10‰, 46.75‰ and 45.59‰ in round two, respectively. The rates were significantly higher for the group with starting age at 50 years than that with starting age at 40 years in both round one and round two (P<0.05). The numbers of people needing endoscopy of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 17, 18, and 20 in round one, and 21, 22 and 22 in round two. Conclusions: The detection rate of advanced neoplasia increased with age. Starting screening at lower age might contribute to decreased detection rate and increased number of people needing endoscopy. However, the difference was limited.

[Influence of age on advanced neoplasia detection in colorectal cancer screening in population at high risk]

Objective: To compare the detection rate of advanced neoplasia and the number of people needing endoscopy in colorectal cancer screening giving at different starting age in population at high risk. Methods: Based on the screening project of early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in Jiashan county, Zhejiang province, two rounds of colorectal cancer screening were conducted between January 2007 and December 2020. After excluding participants who were not at high risk or had incomplete information, 27 130 participants and 31 205 participants were finally enrolled in round one and in round two, respectively. The spline analysis based on the generalized additive model was used to describe the trend of detection rate of advanced neoplasia with age. The detection rate and number of people needing endoscopy for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were calculated, and the differences in the detection rate were tested by χ² goodness of fit test. Results: A total of 21 077 (77.69%) participants in round one and 25 249 (80.91%) participants in round two received endoscopy, in whom 1 097 (detection rate=52.05‰) and 1 151 (detection rate=45.59‰) had advanced neoplasia (cancers and advanced adenomas), respectively. The detection rate increased significantly with age, and the detection rate in round one were significantly higher than that in round two (P<0.05). The overall detection rates of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 61.11‰, 56.14‰ and 52.05‰ in round one, and 49.10‰, 46.75‰ and 45.59‰ in round two, respectively. The rates were significantly higher for the group with starting age at 50 years than that with starting age at 40 years in both round one and round two (P<0.05). The numbers of people needing endoscopy of advanced neoplasia for the groups with starting age at 50, 45 and 40 years were 17, 18, and 20 in round one, and 21, 22 and 22 in round two. Conclusions: The detection rate of advanced neoplasia increased with age. Starting screening at lower age might contribute to decreased detection rate and increased number of people needing endoscopy. However, the difference was limited.

[Diagnosis and treatment for emphysematous pyelonephritis: analysis of 14 cases from a single centre]

Objective: To examine the modalities of treatment and clinical outcomes of emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN), in order to improve the survival rate of EPN patients. Methods: Totally 14 patients diagnosed as EPN between October 2011 and November 2020 at Department of Urology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were included in this article. Data collection including patient demographics, clinical manifestations, management and clinical outcomes were conducted by retrospective charts review, after receiving the institutional review board's approval. There were 11 females and 3 males with a median age of 59 years (range: 52 to 73 years). The lesions were located on the left side in 10 patients and right side in 4 patients. All the 14 patients suffered from fever, and present with severe sepsis or septic shock. The median time from symptom onset to admission to hospital was 3 days(range: 2 to 5 days). All cases had diabetes mellitus. Escherichia coli was the most common organism been cultured (11 cases), while Klebsiella pneumonia was the second (3 cases). CT scan showed bubbly or located gas in the renal parenchyma in 5 cases and presence of steaky or mottled gas in the renal parenchyma in 9 cases. All patients had been admitted to ICU for anti-septic shock therapy. Three patients had undergone percutaneous catheter drainage along with broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy while 3 patients had immediate nephrectomy, the other 8 cases had a combination of an initial percutaneous catheter drainage and second stage nephrectomy. Results: In this case series, 3 patients were died from EPN while the other 11 were survived. The median ICU stay time was 6 days (range: 3 to 11 days). Of the 3 patients died from EPN, 2 had undergone percutaneous catheter drainage along and 1 had received immediate nephrectomy. Among the 11 patients who were survived, only 1 had received percutaneous catheter drainage while the other 10 received nephrectomy (8 patients had staged nephrectomy). Follow-up was performed 6 months after discharge. Of the 11 surviving patients, 2 were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 9 patients had an creatine level of (118.4±29.4) μmol/L (range: 89 to 176 μmol/L). Conclusions: For patients coupled with diabetes who were initially diagnosed as acute pyelonephritis, the possibility of EPN should be considered when the disease progressed rapidly especially septic shock occurred. On the basis of empirical broad-spectrum antibiotics therapy and standardized anti-septic shock treatment, a combination of an initial percutaneous catheter drainage and second stage nephrectomy could be efficacious.

Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Helium Energy Spectrum from 70 GeV to 80 TeV with the DAMPE Space Mission

The measurement of the energy spectrum of cosmic ray helium nuclei from 70 GeV to 80 TeV using 4.5 years of data recorded by the Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE) is reported in this work. A hardening of the spectrum is observed at an energy of about 1.3 TeV, similar to previous observations. In addition, a spectral softening at about 34 TeV is revealed for the first time with large statistics and well controlled systematic uncertainties, with an overall significance of 4.3σ. The DAMPE spectral measurements of both cosmic protons and helium nuclei suggest a particle charge dependent softening energy, although with current uncertainties a dependence on the number of nucleons cannot be ruled out.

Development and validation of RNA binding protein-applied prediction model for gastric cancer

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have been reported to be associated with the occurrence and progression of multiple cancers, but the role in gastric adenocarcinoma remains poorly understood. The present study aims to uncover potential RBPs associated with the survival of gastric adenocarcinoma, as well as corresponding biologic properties and signaling pathways of these RBPs. RNA sequencing and clinical data of GC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (n=373) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE84437, n=433) database. Tumor samples in TCGA were randomly divided into the training and internal testing group by R software. A total of 238 DERBPs were selected for univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Five pivotal RBP genes (RNASE2, METTL1, ANG, YBX2 and LARP6) were screened out and were used to construct a new prognostic model. Survival relevance and prediction accuracy of model were tested via Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in internal and external testing groups. Further analysis has also showed that this model could serve as an independent prognosis-related parameter. A prognostic nomogram has been eventually developed, and presents a good performance of prediction.

[The Effect of Morusin on Stemness Phenotype of Laryngeal Cancer Stem Cell]

Objective

To investigate the regulation effect of Morusin on stemness phenotype of laryngeal cancer stem cells.

Methods

Separation and detection the proportion of CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells through flow cytometry; evaluation the self-renewal ability of CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells by tumor sphere formation assay; exploring the migration ability of CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells by Transwell assay; analyzing the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs on CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells by modified MTT assay; detection of the expression levels of stemness associated markers by immunofluorescence staining, RT-qPCR and Western blot. After treatment with different concentrations of Morusin, cells were performed the above experiments for detection the self-renewal ability, migration ability, cytotoxicity resistance and expression of stemness associated markers.

Results

Flow cytometry analysis showed that the proportion of CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells was (3.50±0.34)%, while after enrichment, the proportion increased to (93.20±5.23)%. CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells exhibited better self-renewal ability (P<0.001) and migratory ability (P<0.05); they were resistant to the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drug (P<0.05), and highly expressed of stemness associated markers. After being treated with Morusin, the self-renewal and migratory abilities of CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells were reduced (P<0.05). In addition, after treated with Morusin, CD133 ⁺laryngeal cancer stem cells were more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs; moreover, the expression levels of stemness associated markers were decreased.

Conclusion

CD133 ⁺ laryngeal cancer stem cells possessed stemness phenotypic characteristics. Morusin attenuated stemness phenotype of laryngeal cancer stem cells, which may be related to its down-regulation effect on stemness associated markers.

Bibliometric Analysis of Research Hotspots Related to Marine Oil Spill Accidents in the Environmental Field Based on Web of Science

Abstract

Objective To conduct bibliometric analysis of the relevant literature in the environmental field published from 1982 to 2018 collected by the Web of Science citation database and further explore the frontier research dynamics and hotspots in the environmental field. Methods The word "oil spill*" was used as the subject term for retrieval. A knowledge map of hotspots in oil spill research was built through software VOSviewer and the clustering relations between them were explored. The frequency and relevance of the keywords in the corresponding literature were obtained by the matrix of keywords built through the Thomson Data Analyzer （TDA） software. Results The four main research hotspots of marine oil spill pollution were oil spill numerical simulation and model prediction, oil spill exposure toxicity and risk assessment, oil spill component and source analysis and oil spill pollution characteristics and treatment. Conclusion The study analyzes the main content of the four research hotspots and the current research progress and provides scientific basis for further understanding of the mechanism of marine oil spill occurrence, migration and transformation, implementation of oil spill treatment and repair as well as more accurate assessment of eco-environment damage.

[Effects of shading on photosynthetic characteristics and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of four Corydalis species]

We examined the effects of five shading treatments (0, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% shading) on chlorophyll content, photosynthetic characteristics, and chlorophyll fluorescence chara-cteristics of four Corydalis species (C. incisa, C. decumbens, C. edulis and C. pallida) in a pot experiment. The results showed that the contents of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll (a+b) increased with the increment of shading, with that of C. incisa reaching the maximum under 80% shading treatment and that of C. decumbens, C. edulis and C. pallida reaching a maximum under 60% shading treatment. In contrast, chlorophyll a/b, light saturation point, light compensation point and dark respiration rate decreased with increasing shading. Among the four Corydalis species, C. incisa reached up to the maximum chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under 80% shading treatment, and C. decumbens, C. edulis and C. pallida reached the maximum at 60% shading treatment. The shade tolerance of four species was as follows: C. incisa ＞ C. decumbens ＞ C. edulis ＞ C. pallida. C. incisa under 80% shading treatment and C. decumbens, C. edulis, C. pallida at 60% shading treatment had the highest light energy utilization and photosynthetic capacity, which would facilitate their growth.

Risk effects of high and low relative humidity on allergic rhinitis: Time series study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between environmental factors and allergic rhinitis (AR) has become a focal point recently. However, few studies have investigated the adverse effects of both high relative humidity (RH) and low relative humidity. Moreover, the laged effect and disease burden of RH on AR were also neglected.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the association of both high and low RH on daily AR hospital outpatients, and to quantify the corresponding disease burden attributable to RH.

METHODS

In our study, we define 95th as high RH and 5th as low RH. A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) combined with a Poisson generalized linear regression model were applied to analyze the relationship between RH and hospital outpatients for AR. All patients were retrieved from Anhui Provincial Children's Hospital (n = 37,221) from January 2015 to December 2016. Daily meteorological and air pollutant data were collected by Hefei Meteorological Bureau and Environmental Protection Agency. Subgroup analyses were conducted by gender and occupational groups.

RESULTS

Acute adverse effects of high and low RH on AR were explored respectively, with an increase of daily AR outpatients when encountered high and low RH. The low RH presented a risk effect at current day and lasted up to the eighth day. However, high RH began to appear a risk effect on the fourth day. Notably, the fraction of hospital outpatients attributable to low RH was 5.22% (95% CI: 1.92%, 8.33%) and high RH was 4.07% (95% CI: 1.13%, 7.30%) in the backward perspective. Additionally, male and students apparent to be more sensitive to the effects of low RH.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that both high and low RH are potential trigger for AR hospital outpatients in Hefei, China. Our studies might offer valuable messages to health practitioners and useful direction to decisions-makers respectively.

[Efficacy of endoscopic approach to reconstruct the medial orbital fracture with perpendicular plate of ethmoid]

Objective:To study the efficacy of endoscopic sinus approach in the repair of medial orbital fracture with perpendicular plate of ethmoid.Method:Retrospective chart was reviewed in 10 cases receiving endoscopic approach to reconstruct the medial orbital fracture with perpendicular plate of ethmoid.We observed the improvement of the symptom such as diplopia, eye movement,and enophthalmos of the preoperative and postoperative.Result:After postoperative follow-up of 4 months to 23 months, all the patients had no graft loss or displacement, infection and other complications, and except for 1 patient with mild diplopia, other patients recovered completely, including eye movement disorder, diplopia,and enophthalmos.Conclusion:Endoscopic approach is a safe and effective treatment in the repair of medial orbital fracture with perpendicular plate of ethmoid.

Is the serious ambient air pollution associated with increased admissions for schizophrenia?

BACKGROUND

Much of the research has shown an increased risk of psychiatric disorders in association with elevated exposure to air pollution, such as NO₂, PM₁₀ and SO₂. However, few studies investigate the effect of these air pollution on the risk of schizophrenia admissions and the lagged effect among different subgroups.

METHODS

A distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) combined with a Poisson generalized linear regression model was applied to analyzing the relationship between schizophrenia and air pollution. At first, according to the minimum AIC criterion, we discussed the lagged effect of NO₂, PM₁₀ and SO₂ for 5 days, 4 days and 10 days, respectively. Then, we chose benchmarks as references (25th) to conduct comparisons with different levels of pollutant concentrations (90th and 95th). All patients were retrieved from the Psychiatric Hospital of TongLing (n = 3469) from January 2014 to December 2016. Daily air pollutants and meteorological data were collected from the Chinese national air quality monitoring (NAQM) and Meteorological Bureau. Subgroup analysis was conducted by gender (male and female), age (0-19 ages, 20-39 ages, 40-59 ages and ≥ 60 ages) and occupation (farmer, worker and unemployed).

RESULTS

The effects of the three air pollutants were statistically significant to schizophrenia admissions. We found that NO₂ and PM₁₀ have short-term effects of 4 days and 3 days (NO₂: lag 0-4 RR, 1.84(95% CI: 1.49-2.27), PM₁₀: lag 0-3 RR, 1.97(95%CI: 1.57-2.36)), respectively. SO₂ had longer effects for 10 days (SO₂: lag 0-10 RR, 2.93(95%CI: 2.10-4.10)). Additionally, it significantly increased the risk of schizophrenia episode in subjects with male, 20-59 ages, farmer and worker.

CONCLUSION

We find adverse effects of ambient air pollutants on schizophrenia admissions in TongLing, China, which may provide valuable information for the policy makers and local health authorities to conduct effective intervention of air pollution on schizophrenia.

Case report: primary resistance to osimertinib in erlotinib-pretreated lung adenocarcinoma with EGFR T790 M mutation

Background

Among non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with acquired T790 M mutation resistance to first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), 71% are likely to benefit from osimertinib. There have been several reports about the secondary resistance to osimertinib treatment in T790 M-positive patients, while primary resistance to osimertinib has been rarely reported.

Case presentation

A 62-year-old Asian male never smoker who presented with stage IV EGFR L858R-positive adenocarcinoma developed EGFR T790 M mutation after 14 months of treatment with erlotinib combined with thoracic radiotherapy as first-line therapy. The patient was initiated on osimertinib treatment with T790 M mutation detected (14.4%), but disease progressed 2 months later.

Conclusion

The mechanism of primary resistance to osimertinib remains unclear. There may be an association between T790 M mutation disappearance, TP53 mutation and radiotherapy, but further researches are needed to confirm this.

[Risk factor analysis of the patients with solitary pulmonary nodules and establishment of a prediction model for the probability of malignancy]

Objective: This study aims to analyze the relationship among the clinical features, radiologic characteristics and pathological diagnosis in patients with solitary pulmonary nodules, and establish a prediction model for the probability of malignancy. Methods: Clinical data of 372 patients with solitary pulmonary nodules who underwent surgical resection with definite postoperative pathological diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed. In these cases, we collected clinical and radiologic features including gender, age, smoking history, history of tumor, family history of cancer, the location of lesion, ground-glass opacity, maximum diameter, calcification, vessel convergence sign, vacuole sign, pleural indentation, speculation and lobulation. The cases were divided to modeling group (268 cases) and validation group (104 cases). A new prediction model was established by logistic regression analying the data from modeling group. Then the data of validation group was planned to validate the efficiency of the new model, and was compared with three classical models(Mayo model, VA model and LiYun model). With the calculated probability values for each model from validation group, SPSS 22.0 was used to draw the receiver operating characteristic curve, to assess the predictive value of this new model. Results: 112 benign SPNs and 156 malignant SPNs were included in modeling group. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that gender, age, history of tumor, ground -glass opacity, maximum diameter, and speculation were independent predictors of malignancy in patients with SPN(P<0.05). We calculated a prediction model for the probability of malignancy as follow: p=e(x)/(1+ e(x)), x=-4.8029-0.743×gender+ 0.057×age+ 1.306×history of tumor+ 1.305×ground-glass opacity+ 0.051×maximum diameter+ 1.043×speculation. When the data of validation group was added to the four-mathematical prediction model, The area under the curve of our mathematical prediction model was 0.742, which is greater than other models (Mayo 0.696, VA 0.634, LiYun 0.681), while the differences between any two of the four models were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: Age of patient, gender, history of tumor, ground-glass opacity, maximum diameter and speculation are independent predictors of malignancy in patients with solitary pulmonary nodule. This logistic regression prediction mathematic model is not inferior to those classical models in estimating the prognosis of SPNs.

[Preliminary study on assessment of lexiscan-induced blood-brain barrier opening and its level by CT perfusion imaging]

Objective: To evaluate the level of lexiscan-induced blood-brain barrier opening of healthy rabbits via CT perfusion weighted imaging (PWI) scan. Methods: Between November 2014 and May 2015, thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups: the experimental group A1 which received one injection of lexiscan(1 ml/kg); the experimental group A2 which received three times injection of lexiscan(total dose: 1.5 ml/kg), finished within 15 minutes; the control group B which was injected the same volume normal saline(1 ml/kg), after 30 minutes, CT PWI scan was performed. Then cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT) and permeability surface(PS) of the region of interest of each group were acquired and compared statistically. Five cases of each group were injected with 2% Evans blue intravenously posterior to imaging. After one hour of infusion, all the animals were killed. Their brains were examined for the determination of Evans blue distribution. Results: Both the values of CBF and CBV and the staining with Evans blue of the group A1(CBF: (89.88±2.21), (81.42±4.28) ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1; CBV: (3.97±0.43), (3.66±0.16) ml/g)and group A2 (CBF: (75.16±0.84), (63.66±7.21) ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1; CBV: (4.07±0.01), (3.75±0.05) ml/g) were higher than those of the group B(CBF: (20.08±5.08), (14.58±8.62) ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1; CBV: (0.85±0.04), (0.65±0.17) ml/g), the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.01). While there was no statistically difference between group A1 and group A2(P>0.05). The value of PS of the group A2((22.43±8.09), (20.20±7.01)ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1 )was higher than that of group A1((13.82±4.44), (10.12±2.44)ml·(100 g)^-1·min^-1) and group B(0.00, 0.00)(the lowest one), the differences were all statistically significant(all P<0.01). The value of MTT of the group A1((2.50±0.82, 2.47±0.10) s) had no statistical difference with group A2 and group B, while the value of group A2((4.50±0.17), (4.72±0.15) s) was higher than that of group B((1.88±0.09), (1.99±0.00) s), the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Changes in hemodynamics of lexiscan-induced blood-brain barrier opening can be monitored by CT PWI scan. When the total dose of lexiscan increasing, the level of the BBB opening is higher with significantly increased CBF, CBV, PS and MTT.

Hybrid particle swarm global optimization algorithm for phase diversity phase retrieval

The core problem of phase diversity phase retrieval (PDPR) is to find suitable optimization algorithms for wave-front sensing of different scales, especially for large-scale wavefront sensing. When dealing with large-scale wave-front sensing, existing gradient-based local optimization algorithms used in PDPR are easily trapped in local minimums near initial positions, and available global optimization algorithms possess low convergence efficiency. We construct a practicable optimization algorithm used in PDPR for large-scale wave-front sensing. This algorithm, named EPSO-BFGS, is a two-step hybrid global optimization algorithm based on the combination of evolutionary particle swarm optimization (EPSO) and the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) algorithm. Firstly, EPSO provides global search and obtains a rough global minimum position in limited search steps. Then, BFGS initialized by the rough global minimum position approaches the global minimum with high accuracy and fast convergence speed. Numerical examples testify to the feasibility and reliability of EPSO-BFGS for wave-front sensing of different scales. Two numerical cases also validate the ability of EPSO-BFGS for large-scale wave-front sensing. The effectiveness of EPSO-BFGS is further affirmed by performing a verification experiment.

CYP1A2-163C/A (rs762551) polymorphism and bladder cancer risk: a case-control study

To date, no study has investigated the association between CYP1A2-163C/A polymorphism and bladder cancer risk in a Chinese population. Here, we extracted genomic DNA from peripheral white blood cells, and differentiated CYP1A2 alleles by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Differences in genotype frequencies between the cases and controls were evaluated using a chi-square test. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using an unconditional logistic regression model. This revealed that the -163A allele was present at a significantly increased frequency in bladder cancer patients compared to healthy controls (44.10 vs 22.25%, P < 0.001). The prevalence of CC genotype, CA genotype, and AA genotype was 34.91, 41.98, and 23.11% in bladder cancer patients, and 64.00, 27.50, and 8.5% in the controls, respectively. Therefore, significant differences in the frequencies of -163 genotypes were found between bladder cancer patients and controls (P < 0.001). We found that the AA genotype was significantly associated with increased bladder cancer risk (OR = 3.72; 95%CI = 1.55-7.16; P = 0.02), and the -163A carriers were at increased risk of bladder cancer in a multivariate COX regression model (OR = 4.89, 95%CI = 2.78-10.87, P = 0.01). We conclude that the CYP1A2-163C/A polymorphism is associated with increased susceptibility to bladder cancer in the Chinese population.

Effects of Nitrogen Application Rate on the Yields, Nutritive Value and Silage Fermentation Quality of Whole-crop Wheat

Whole-crop wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as forage has been extensively used in the world. In this study, the effects of N application rates on the yields, nutritive value and silage quality were investigated. The N application rates were 0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg/ha. The research results indicated that the dry matter yield of whole-crop wheat increased significantly with increasing N rate up to 150 kg/ha, and then leveled off. The crude protein content and in vitro dry matter digestibility of whole-crop wheat increased significantly with increasing N up to 225 kg/ha, while they no longer increased at N 300 kg/ha. On the contrary, the content of various fibers tended to decrease with the increase of N application. The content of lactic acid, acetic acid and propionic acid in silages increased with the increase of N rate (p<0.05). The ammonia-N content of silages with higher N application rates (≥225 kg/ha) was significantly higher than that with lower N application rates (≤150 kg/ha). Whole-crop wheat applied with high levels of N accumulated more nitrate-N. In conclusion, taking account of yields, nutritive value, silage quality and safety, the optimum N application to whole-crop wheat should be about 150 kg/ha at the present experiment conditions.

Effects of c-Jun N-terminal kinase on Activin A/Smads signaling in PC12 cell suffered from oxygen-glucose deprivation

Activin A (Act A), a member of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, is an early gene in response to cerebral ischemia. Growing evidences confirm the neuroprotective effect of Act A in ischemic injury through Act A/Smads signal activation. In this process, regulation networks are involved in modulating the outcomes of Smads signaling. Among these regulators, crosstalk between c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Smads signaling has been found in the TGF-β induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, in neural ischemia, the speculative regulation between JNK and Act A/Smads signaling pathways has not been clarified. To explore this issue, an Oxygen Glucose Deprivation (OGD) model was introduced to nerve-like PC12 cells. We found that JNK signal activation occurred at the early time of OGD injury (1 h). Act A administration suppressed JNK phosphorylation. In addition, JNK inhibition could elevate the strength of Smads signaling and attenuate neural apoptosis after OGD injury. Our results indicated a negative regulation effect of JNK on Smads signaling in ischemic injury. Taken together, JNK, as a critical site for neural apoptosis and negative regulator for Act A/Smads signaling, was presumed to be a molecular therapeutic target for ischemia.

[Association between time spent on physical exercise, sleep, homework and suspected myopia among students]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of suspected myopia among students and to examine the relationship between time spent on physical exercise, sleep, homework and suspected myopia.

METHODS

A total of 8 030 primary and secondary school students from 4(th) to 12(th) grades were selected from the National Student Constitution and Health Survey (NSCHS) in Anhui province in 2014. Time spent on exercise, sleep and homework per day were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire. Visual acuity was examined using the Standard Logarithmic Visual Acuity Chart.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of suspected myopia was 69.03%. Prevalence rates of suspected myopia appeared higher in girls, in urban students, with the highest in the 16 to 18 year-old groups. RESULTS from the multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the amount of time spent on physical exercise, sleep and homework per day were all significantly associated with suspected myopia. Suspected myopia was associated with longer time on physical exercise among students aged 8 to 12 years (OR=0.80, 95%CI: 0.64-0.99), and longer sleep time among students in the age groups of 13 to 15 years and 16 to 18 years (OR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.56-0.94;OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.21-0.68, respectively). Longer time spent on homework significantly increased the risk of suspected myopia among students in the age groups of 8 to 12 years and 13 to 15 years (OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.11-1.79; OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.36-2.23, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Suspected myopia appeared common among students. Comprehensive intervention programs focusing on sufficient physical exercise and sleep but less homework might help to prevent myopia among students at different ages.

[The clinical study of IgA nephropathy with severe chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical characteristics of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) with severe chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis.

METHODS

A total of 436 hospitalized patients who underwent renal needle biopsy in the department of nephrology of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from November 2013 to December 2014 were recruited in the study and blindly had periodontal examination. The patients were divided into IgAN group and non-IgAN group according to the renal pathology. The patients with IgAN were further categorized as non-periodontitis, chronic periodontitis and aggressive peridontitis group by Haas classification. The chronic periodontitis group was continually divided into mild, moderate and severe periodontitis group. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in gingival crevicular fluid were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

The prevalence of periodontitis in the study was 88.3% (385/436). The prevalence of chronic periodontitis and aggressive periodontitis were higher in patients with IgAN than those with non-IgAN (P<0.05). Degree of chronic periodontitis was correlated with pathologic grading of IgAN (r=0.48, P<0.001). Compared with IgAN patients with other types of periodontitis, those with severe chronic and aggressive periodontitis had more severe pathology, more frequent recurrent gross hematuria, higher levels of 24 h proteinuria, serum triglyceride and uric acid, higher periodontal probing depth and clinical attatchment level, as well as higer levels of IL-1β and IL-6, but had lower creatinine clearance rate (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of severe chronic and aggressive periodontitis was higher in patients with IgAN. Chronic periodontitis is correlated with the onset and development of IgAN. Patients with IgAN have worse condition with the aggravation of periodontitis.

Significance of the expression of integrin β1, VEGF and MVD in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

This study aimed to determine the expression of integrin β1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvascular density (MVD) by CD105 staining in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma to determine their association with clinicopathologic characteristics, and to determine their role and the effects of their interactions in the development and progression of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. The expression of integrin β1 and VEGF and MVD in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and normal hypopharyngeal tissues were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The Image-Pro Plus software was used to determine the mean optical density of the immunohistochemical images. Integrin β1 expression was significantly higher in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues (78.00%) than in normal hypopharyngeal tissues (35.00%; P = 0.001) and significantly differed across pathologic grades and different T stages, and regarding the presence of cervical lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). VEGF expression was significantly higher in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues (74.00%) than in normal hypopharyngeal tissues (30.00%; P = 0.002), VEGF overexpression differed significantly across different pathologic grades and different T stages, and regarding the presence of cervical lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The MVD count was significantly higher in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues (37.10 ± 5.95) than in normal hypopharyngeal tissues (8.70 ± 3.34; P = 0.000). MVD differed significantly across different pathologic grades and different T stages, and regarding the presence of cervical lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). The expression of integrin β1 and VEGF and the MVD count exhibited no significant differences in terms of age, gender, history of smoking, and clinical stages (P > 0.05). VEGF expression was positively associated with the MVD count of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (r = 0.582, P = 0.000); however, integrin β1 was not associated with VEGF or MVD (P > 0.05). Integrin β1 and VEGF are overexpressed and MVD increased in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. VEGF is positively correlated with MVD.

Cloning and expression analysis of a stress-induced GmIMT1 gene in soybean (Glycine max)

Here, we aimed to clone and identify the GmIMT1 gene related to the salt stress response in soybean. The full-length cDNA sequence of the GmIMT1 gene was amplified in soybean using degenerate primers of Mesembrythmum crystallium. To understand the stress response, the GmIMT1 gene was cloned and sequenced. Then, the expression vectors of the gene were constructed, and introduced into the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana through Agrobacterium mediated transformation, and the salt tolerance was analyzed in the transgenic plants. In addition, the expression patterns of GmIMT1 gene in soybean were analyzed. The expression was examined in different organs (roots, leaves, flower seeds, and stem) and under different stress conditions (drought, high salt, low temperature, salicylic acid, ethane, abscisic acid, and methyl jasmonate) by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The results showed that the root, leaves, and stems exhibited high level of GmIMT1 gene expression, whereas there was no expression in the seeds. In addition, the GmIMT1 gene expression was upregulated under all stress conditions. Overall, the results clearly indicate that GmIMT1 might be involved in multiple plant response pathways to the different environmental conditions. Furthermore transgenic plants exhibited higher salt-tolerance compared to wild type plants.

Molecular composition of recycled organic wastes, as determined by solid-state 13C NMR and elemental analyses

Using solid state (13)C NMR data and elemental composition in a molecular mixing model, we estimated the molecular components of the organic matter in 16 recycled organic (RO) wastes representative of the major materials generated in the Sydney basin area. Close correspondence was found between the measured NMR signal intensities and those predicted by the model for all RO wastes except for poultry manure char. Molecular nature of the organic matter differed widely between the RO wastes. As a proportion of organic C, carbohydrate C ranged from 0.07 to 0.63, protein C from <0.01 to 0.66, lignin C from <0.01 to 0.31, aliphatic C from 0.09 to 0.73, carbonyl C from 0.02 to 0.23, and char C from 0 to 0.45. This method is considered preferable to techniques involving imprecise extraction methods for RO wastes. Molecular composition data has great potential as a predictor of RO waste soil carbon and nutrient outcomes.

Comparative and joint analyses of gene expression profiles under drought and rewatering in Arabidopsis

Drought is a major limiting factor in crop production. Rewatering is a process opposite to drought, allowing plants to recover to their normal physiological state. To understand more thoroughly the set of genes involved in plant response to drought, we comparatively and jointly analyzed the microarray data of drought and rewatering experiments in Arabidopsis. A total of 3833 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Among them, ~74% were proven to be co-regulated by drought and rewatering. Drought and rewatering showed contrary regulatory effects on almost all of these co-regulated genes. Only ~6% of the DEGs were significantly regulated by drought alone, and the remaining ~20% were significantly regulated by rewatering alone. However, gene ontology analysis suggested that those "rewatering-only" genes also appeared to be related, either directly or indirectly, to drought response.

[Removal of calcium and high-strength ammonia nitrogen from the wastewater of rare-earth elements hydrometallurgical process by chemical precipitation]

A lot of high-strength ammonia nitrogen wastewater is generated in the ion-type rare-earth elements hydrometallurgical process. Magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) precipitation was chosen to remove the ammonia nitrogen from the wastewater after Ca2+ was eliminated using Na2CO3 to generate CaCO3 precipitate, because the wastewater contained a lot of Ca2+, and Ca2+ was an important impact factor for MAP precipitation. Central composite design (CCD) is a principal response surface methodology (RSM) used in experimental design. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the factors in MAP precipitation, achieving the optimal conditions and the precipitates under such conditions. Two kinds of precipitates were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that when n (Ca2+): n (CO3(2-) = 1:1.05, mix rate and reaction time were 1500 r x min(-1) and 30 min, respectively, the removal ratio of Ca2+ reached 100%; the optimal condition of MAP precipitation was pH = 9.03, n (Mg): n (N) = 1.20, n (P) : n (N) = 1.1, with a reaction time of 30 min and a mix rate of 1000 r x min(-1), the removal ratio of ammonia nitrogen reached 95.40% and the residual total phosphorus concentration was 5.65 mg x L(-1). SEM and XRD analysis showed that the two kinds of precipitates were pure CaCO3 and MgNH4PO4 x 6H2O, respectively.

[Experimental study of the effect of deferasirox on the micro-angiogenesis in narrow pedicle flap through epithelial-mesenchymal transition]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Deferasirox on the micro-angiogenesis in narrow pedicle flap through Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

METHODS

32 male rats were randomly divided into group I and II which were subdivided into Ia and Ib, IIa and IIb, 8 rats in each group. The rats were administrated intragastrically for 7 days with Deferasirox 100 mg/kg in group Ia and IIa, with the same dose of N. S. in group Ib and IIb. After that, narrow pedicle flaps were formed on the rats back. In group I, the subcutaneous vascular network was observed intraoperatively. The flap survival rate was recorded. In group II , specimens were collected at the distal end of flaps 3 days after operation. IHC and Western Blot were done to examine the expression of CD34, E-cadherin, Vimentin. The microvessel density was also calculated.

RESULTS

The subcutaneous micro-angiogenesis in group Ia was more exuberant than that in group Ib. The narrow pedicle flaps in group Ia survived completely, while the survival rate was 62.5% in group Ib (P < 0.05). The percentage of flap survival area for Ia and Ib was (100 +/- 0.00) % and (84.06 +/- 4.42)% (P < 0.05). The expression of E-cadherin in IIa was lower than that in IIb, while the expression of Vimentin and CD34 were higher in IIa, showing statistically difference (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Deferasirox can improve the flap micro-angiogenesis through inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition, so as to improve the survival rate of narrow pedicle flap.

Behaviour and dynamics of di-ammonium phosphate in bauxite processing residue sand in Western Australia--I. NH3 volatilisation and residual nitrogen availability

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE

Australia is the largest producer of bauxite in the world, with an annual output of approximately 62 million metric dry tons in 2007. For every tonne of alumina, about 2 tonnes of highly alkaline and highly saline bauxite-processing residue are produced. In Western Australia, Alcoa World Alumina, Australia (Alcoa) produces approximately 15 MT of residue annually from its refineries (Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup). The bauxite-processing residue sand (BRS) fraction represents the primary material for rehabilitating Alcoa's residue disposal areas (RDAs). However, the inherently hostile characteristics (high alkalinity, high salinity and poor nutrient availability) of BRS pose severe limitations for establishing sustainable plant cover systems. Alcoa currently applies 2.7 t ha(-1) of di-ammonium phosphate ((NH(4))(2)HPO(4); DAP)-based fertiliser as a part of rehabilitation of the outer residue sand embankments of its RDAs. Limited information on the behaviour of the dominant components of this inorganic fertiliser in highly alkaline BRS is currently available, despite the known effects of pH on ammonium (NH(4)) and phosphorus (P) behaviour. The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of pH on NH(3) volatilisation and residual nitrogen (N) in BRS following DAP applications.

METHODS

The sponge-trapping and KCl-extraction method was used for determining NH(3) volatilisation from surface-applied DAP in samples of BRS collected from each of Alcoa's three Western Australia Refineries (Kwinana, Pinjarra, Wagerup) under various pH conditions (pH 4, 7, 9 and 11). Following cessation of volatilisation, the residual N was extracted from BRS using 2 M KCl and concentrations of NH (4) (+) -N and NO (3) (-) -N were determined by flow injection analysis.

RESULTS

The quantities of NH(3) volatilised increased dramatically as the pH increased from 4 to 11. Much of the N lost as NH(3) (up to 95.2%) occurred within a short period (24 h to 7 days), particularly for the pH 9 and 11 treatments. Concentrations of residual NH (4) (+) -N recovered in DAP-treated BRS at the end of the experiment decreased with increasing pH. This finding was consistent with increasing loss of N via volatilisation as pH increased. The concentration of NO (3) (-) -N was very low due to no nitrification in BRS.

DISCUSSION

The pH was a key driver for NH(3) volatilisation from DAP-treated BRS and primarily controlled N dynamics in BRS. Results indicate that NH(4) not adsorbed by BRS was highly susceptible to volatilisation. The likely lack of nitrifying bacteria did not allow conversion of ammonium to nitrate, thereby further exacerbating the potential for loss via volatilisation

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that the pH is the key factor controlling the loss of inorganic N from BRS. Although volatilisation was considerably lower at pH 4, achieving this pH reduction in the field is not possible at present. Findings from this study highlight the need to better understand which forms of N fertiliser are most suitable for use in highly alkaline BRS.

RECOMMENDATION AND PERSPECTIVES

Although pH reduction is the most likely means of stopping NH(3) volatilisation in BRS, it is economically and operationally unfeasible to add sufficient acidity for adequately lowering pH in the BRS for revegetation. More attention on forms of fertilisers more suitable to highly alkaline, microbially inert soil conditions appears to be warranted.

Behaviour and dynamics of di-ammonium phosphate in bauxite processing residue sand in Western Australia--II. Phosphorus fractions and availability

BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE

The production of alumina involves its extraction from bauxite ore using sodium hydroxide under high temperature and pressure. This process yields a large amount of residue wastes, which are difficult to revegetate due to their inherent hostile properties--high alkalinity and sodicity, poor water retention and low nutrient availability. Although phosphorus (P) is a key element limiting successful ecosystem restoration, little information is available on the availability and dynamics of P in rehabilitated bauxite-processing residue sand (BRS). The major aim of this experiment was to quantify P availability and behaviour as affected by pH, source of BRS and di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) application rate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This incubation experiment was undertaken using three sources of BRS, three DAP application rates (low, without addition of DAP; medium, 15.07 mg P and 13.63 mg N of DAP per jar, 100 g BRS; and high, 30.15 mg P and 27.26 mg N per jar, 100 g BRS), and four BRS pH treatments (4, 7, 9 and 11 (original)). The moisture content was adjusted to 55% water holding capacity and each BRS sample was incubated at 25 degrees C for a period of 119 days. After this period, Colwell P and 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) extractable P in BRS were determined. In addition, P sequential fractionation was carried out and the concentration of P in each pool was measured.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A significant proportion (37% recovered in Colwell P and 48% in 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) extraction) of P added as DAP in BRS are available for plant use. The pH did not significantly affect 0.1 M H(2)SO(4) extractable P, while concentrations of Colwell P in the higher initial pH treatments (pH 7, 9 and 11) were greater than in the pH 4 treatments. The labile fractions (sum of NH(4)Cl (AP), bicarbonate and first sodium hydroxide extractable P (N(I)P)) consisted of 58-64% and 70-72% of total P in the medium and high DAP rate treatments, respectively. This indicates that most P added as DAP remained labile or moderately labile in BRS, either in solution, or in adsorbed forms on the surface of more crystalline P compounds, sesquioxides and carbonate, or associated with amorphous and some crystalline Al and Fe hydrous oxides. In addition, differences in the hydrochloric acid extractable P and the residual-P fractions among the treatments with and without DAP addition were relative small comparing with other P pools (e.g., NaOH extractable P pools), further indicating the limited capacity of BRS for fixing P added in Ca-P and other most recalcitrant forms.

CONCLUSIONS

P availability in the original BRS without addition of DAP was very low, mostly in recalcitrant form. It has been clearly demonstrated that significant proportions of P added as DAP could remain labile or moderately labile for plant use during the rehabilitation of bauxite-processing residue disposal areas. There was limited capacity of BRS for fixing P in more recalcitrant forms (e.g., Ca-P and residual-P). Concentrations of most P pools in BRS increased with the DAP application rate. The impact of the pH treatment on P availability varied with the type of P pools and the DAP rate.

RECOMMENDATION AND PERSPECTIVES

It is recommended that the development of appropriate techniques for more accurate estimation of P availability in BRS and the quantification of the potential leaching loss of P in BRS are needed for the accurate understanding of P availability and dynamics in BRS. In addition, application of organic matters (e.g., biosolids and biochar, etc.) to BRS may be considered for improving P availability and buffering capacity.

Atomistic simulation of voids effect on nanoindentation

In this paper, spherical voids effect on the first dislocation emission of single-crystal Cu in nanoindentation is investigated by means of the atomistic simulation. The results show that there are two opposite effects on dislocation emission resulting from the stable voids in matrix. The existence of voids can lower or heighten the load needed to nucleate the first dislocation. The relative distance between the void and the indenter, and the void size play an important role in the yield load of the first dislocation emission in nanoindentation.

Structural analysis of anti-tumor heteropolysaccharide GFPS1b from the cultured mycelia of Grifola frondosa GF9801

A 21-kDa heteropolysaccharide, coded as GFPS1b, was obtained from the cultured mycelia of Grifola frondosa GF9801 by hot-water extraction, ethanol precipitation, and fractioned by DEAE Sepharose Fast-flow, followed by the purification with Sephadex G-100 column chromatography using an AKTA purifier. It exhibited more potent anti-proliferative activity on MCF-7 cells than other polysaccharide fractions. GFPS1b was an acidic polysaccharide with approximately 16.60% protein and 4.3% uronic acid. Gas chromatography of absolute acid hydrolysate of GFPS1b suggested that it was composed of D-glucose, D-galactose, and L-arabinose with a molar ratio of 4:2:1. Periodate oxidation, Smith degradation, partial acid hydrolyzation, methylation analysis, FT-IR, and (1)H, (13)C NMR spectroscopy analysis revealed that GFPS1b had a backbone consisting of alpha-(1-->4)-linked D-galacopyranosyl and alpha-(1-->3)-linked D-glucopyranosyl residues substituted at O-6 with glycosyl residues composed of alpha-L-arabinose-(1-->4)-alpha-D-glucose (1--> linked residues.

Optimization of the medium composition for production of mycelial biomass and exo-polymer by Grifola frondosa GF9801 using response surface methodology

In this work, a three-level Box-Behnken factorial design was employed combining with response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the medium composition for the production of the mycelial biomass and exo-polymer in submerged cultures by Grifola frondosa GF9801. A mathematical model was then developed to show the effect of each medium composition and their interactions on the production of mycelial biomass and exo-polymer. The model estimated that, a maximal yield of mycelial biomass (17.61 g/l) could be obtained when the concentrations of glucose, KH2PO4, peptone were set at 45.2 g/l, 2.97 g/l, 6.58 g/l, respectively; while a maximal exo-polymer yield (1.326 g/l) could be achieved when setting concentrations of glucose, KH2PO4, peptone at 58.6 g/l, 4.06 g/l and 3.79 g/l, respectively. These predicted values were also verified by validation experiments. Compared with the values obtained by other runs in the experimental design, the optimized medium resulted in a significant increase in the yields of mycelial biomass and exo-polymer. Maximum mycelial biomass yield of 22.50 g/l was achieved in a 15-l fermenter using the optimized medium.

Branchlet nutrient concentration in hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii) relative to family, stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios and growth rate in contrasting environments

Genetic variation in branchlet nutrient (N, P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe) concentrations and mineral concentration (sum of branchlet P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn and Fe concentrations) of 8-9-year-old hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Ait. ex D. Don) half-sib families was assessed for four canopy positions at a wet site (23 families) and two canopy positions at an N- and water-limiting dry site (22 families) in relation to tree growth and associated branchlet carbon (delta13C) and oxygen (delta18O) isotope composition in southeast Queensland, Australia. Branchlet nutrient and mineral concentrations varied significantly among families and with canopy position and site. Depending on the canopy position sampled, the hoop pine family effect accounted for 0 to 13.8% of the total variation in branchlet N concentration, and for 0 to 30.3% of the total variation in branchlet mineral concentration at the wet site. The corresponding values for the family effect at the dry site were 0-13.3% for branchlet N concentration and 0-25.7% for branchlet mineral concentration. There were significant variations in branchlet P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations at both sites, and these variations differed with canopy position. Relationships between family means of branchlet N concentration and tree growth or delta13C or delta18O varied with canopy position at both sites. At the wet site, there were significant positive correlations between branchlet mineral concentration in the upper-outer or upper-inner canopy and tree height (r = 0.26 and 0.37, P < 0.01) and between branchlet mineral concentration and delta13C (r = 0.24, P < 0.01) in the upper-inner canopy, and a significant negative correlation between branchlet mineral concentration and delta13C (r = -0.21, P < 0.05) in the upper-outer canopy. At the dry site, branchlet mineral concentrations in the upper-inner and upper-outer canopy were significantly correlated with branchlet delta13C (r = -0.28 and -0.51, P < 0.01), and branchlet N concentration in the upper-inner canopy was significantly correlated with tree growth (r = 0.29, P < 0.01). A significant correlation between branchlet delta18O (an index of stomatal conductance) and branchlet mineral concentration at the dry site (r = 0.39, P = 0.020) indicated that stomatal conductance might be a factor regulating the variation in branchlet mineral concentration of the hoop pine families. Both branchlet N concentration and mineral concentration at particular canopy positions assist in selecting hoop pine families with improved tree growth and N- and water-use efficiency in environments where both N deficiency and a limited water supply are major factors affecting plantation productivity.

Auxin distribution and transport during embryogenesis and seed germination of Arabidopsis

Auxin distribution during embryogenesis and seed germination were studied with transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing GUS gene driven by a synthetic DR5 promoter, an auxin responsive promoter. The results showed that GUS activity is higher in ends of hypophysis and cotyledon primordia of heart-, torpedo- and cotyledon-stage embryos, leaf tip area, lateral root primordia, root apex and cotyledon of young seedlings. And GUS accumulated in root apex of the seedlings grown on auxin transport inhibitor containing media. All these suggested that above-mentioned part of the organs and tissues have a higher level of auxin, and auxin polar transport inhibitor could cause the accumulation of auxin in root apex. And auxin transport inhibitor also resulted in aberration of Arabidopsis leaf pattern formation, root gravitropism and elongation.

Existence of homologous sequences corresponding to cDNA of the ver gene in diverse higher plant species

The presence of DNA homologues corresponding to verc203 (vernalization-related cDNA clone) was investigated by molecular hybridization techniques. The genes were detected in 16 plant species that cover 12 subclasses of the Takhtajan system of angiosperms classification including diverse model species. The results of Southern blot analysis showed a low copy number of this gene existed in rice, wheat, barley and Arabidopsis. The hybridization result of PCR products demonstrated the conservation of the gene corresponding to ver203 in diverse plants. The phylogenetic tree of the ver203 gene in tested plants was supported by evolution relationship of species. The ver203 gene expressed in a vernalized plumule winter wheat, instead of the root. And the endosperm before the treatment was essential for the ver203 expression during vernalization in wheat. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the pattern of expression showed that the gene corresponding to ver203 was expressed at low temperature for 14 days. Gibberellin (GA3) may accelerate the expression of ver203 gene in Arabidopsis exposed to low temperature. However, it could not replace vernalization treatment to initiate the gene expression.

[Raman and infrared spectral studies of tungsten organometallic carbyne complex at high external pressure]

The Raman and infrared spectra of complex: [Cl(CO)2 (DPPE) W identical to CC6H4C identical to CC6H4NC]2 Re Cl(CO)3 (DPPE = bis (diphenylphosphino) ethane, (Ph)2PCH2CH2P(Ph)2) were measured at high external pressure (up to about 50 kbar). The pressure induced phase transition was observed near 30 kbar. The pressure dependence d nu/dp of nu (W identical to C) at the low-pressure phase is a little high (0.59 cm-1.(kbar)-1) and is very low (0.04 cm-1.(kbar)-1) at the high-pressure phase. It shows that the pi-backbonding from W to pi*--orbital of CO is strengthened at the high external pressure in fragment Cl(CO)2 (DPPE) W identical to C; The bond intensity and the force constant of W identical to C and nu (W identical to C) are decreasing; This effect compete with the normal increasing nu (W identical to C) on compression.

New biflavanones and bioactive compounds from Stellera chamaejasme L

AIM

To study the chemical constituents of the root of Stellera chamaejasme L.

METHODS

Various column chromatographies on silica gel and RP-18 were employed for isolation and purification. Structures of compounds were elucidated by spectral analysis.

RESULTS

Eight lignans and three biflavonoids possessing a C-3/C-3" linkage were isolated. They are ruixianglangdusu A (1) and B (2), 4',4'",5,5",7,7"-hexahydroxy-3,3"-biflavone (3), (+)-kusunokinin (4), lirioresinol-B (5), magnolenin C (6), (-)-pinoresinol monomethyl ether (7), (-)-pinoresinol (8), (+)-matairesinol (9), isohinokinin (10) and (-)-eudesmin (11).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 1 and 2 are new biflavanones, 1 is enantiomeric to known chamaejasmenin C, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were isolated from this plant for the first time, and 7 was isolated from natural resources for the first time. In vitro bioassays showed that 3 and 8 exhibited antibacterial activity, and 1, 2, 9 and 11 exhibited immunomodulatory activity.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Stellera chamejasma L]

OBJECTIVE

Isolate and identify the bioactive compounds from the root of Stellera chamejasma.

METHOD

The compounds were extracted with solvents, isolated by column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic methods.

RESULT

Seven compounds were isolated and identified as umbelliferone(1); daphnoretin (2); 2,6-dimethoxyl p-benzoquinone(3); (-)-eudesmin(4); (+)-matairesinol(5); lirioresinol B(6) and daucosterol(7).

CONCLUSION

Compounds 3, 4 and 5 were isolated from the plant for the first time.

[Response of lithium fluoride detector to charged particle LET]

Response of LiF thermoluminescence (TL) detector to charged particle is dependent on particles' LET. High LET can cause reduction of detector response and underestimation of radiation dose. This paper summarized the response of LiF detector to charged particles' LET, and suggested a new approach to solve the dose contribution of high LET charged particles.

A new bicoumarin from Stellera chamaejasme L

Thirteen compounds were isolated from roots of Stellera chamaejasme L. (Thymelaeaceae). They are 3-sitosterol (2), simplexin (3), pimelea factor P2 (4), daucosterol (5), (+)-3-hydroxy-1,5-diphenyl-1-pentanone (6), 4-ethoxy-benzoic acid (7), 2,4,6-Trimethoxy-benzoic acid (8), (+)-afzelechin (9), fumaric acid (10), N,N-dimethyl-L-aspartic acid (11), umbelliferone (12), daphniretin (13) and a novel bicoumarin named bicoumastechamin (1). Among the known compounds, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were first isolated from this plant, and 6 was first isolated from the natural resources. Their structures have been elucidated on the basis of spectral data. In vitro bioassays showed that 4 inhibited cancer cell growth, 13 exhibited immunomodulatory activity, and 6 exhibited both immunomodulatory and anti-tumor activity.

5-hydroxylation of omeprazole by human liver microsomal fractions from Chinese populations related to CYP2C19 gene dose and individual ethnicity

It has been previously reported that omeprazole (OP) oxidation is mediated by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 in human livers. In this study, we assessed their relative contributions with human liver microsomal fractions from Chinese populations that were genotyped by CYP2C19 and recruited from two ethnic groups, Han and Zhuang. The kinetics of 5-hydroxyomeprazole (5-OH-OP) formation was best described by the two-enzyme and single-enzyme Michaelis-Menten equations for liver microsomes from CYP2C19 extensive (EMs) and poor metabolizers, respectively. At a low substrate concentration that may be encountered in vivo, the monoclonal antibody to CYP2C8/9/19 strongly inhibited 5-OH-OP formation in EM microsomes, whereas troleandomycin (TAO) eliminated most of the formation at a high substrate concentration. In poor metabolizer microsomes, either TAO or anti-CYP3A4 could alone abolish 5-OH-OP formation. Furthermore, there were differences between homozygous and heterozygous EMs in the percentage of inhibition by TAO and the antibodies. At the low substrate concentration, OP 5-hydroxyaltion was correlated well with S-mephenytoin 4'-hydroxylation and CYP2C19 contents in liver microsomes of 34 Chinese individuals. Moreover, in these individuals, obviously genetic and somewhat ethnic differences in OP 5-hydroxylation were observed between different CYP2C19 genotypes (wt/wt > wt/m1 > m1/m1) and between Han and Zhuang (Han > Zhuang), respectively. The results indicate that CYP2C19 is a high-affinity enzyme for OP 5-hydroxylation by liver microsomes from Chinese individuals and that its contribution is CYP2C19 gene dependent and ethnically related. Similar studies indicate that OP sulfoxidation is mediated mainly by CYP3A4 and independent of CYP2C19 genotype status.

Variation in branchlet delta13C in relation to branchlet nitrogen concentration and growth in 8-year-old hoop pine families (Araucaria cunninghamii) in subtropical Australia

Carbon isotope composition (delta13C) of branchlet tissue at nine canopy positions, and nitrogen concentration (N(mass)) at four canopy positions, were assessed in 8-year-old hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii Ait. ex D. Don) trees from 23 half-sib families, grown in six blocks of a progeny test in southeastern Queensland, Australia. There was considerable variation among sampling positions, families and blocks in both delta13C and N(mass). The delta13C was positively related to N(mass) only for samples from the upper outer crown (P < 0.005). Phenotypic correlations existed between tree growth and canopy delta13C. Branchlet delta13C of the inner and lower outer crown was positively related (P < 0.037) to tree height, but delta13C in branchlets of the upper outer crown was not related to tree height, or was related negatively (P < 0.045). There were significant differences in delta13C between hoop pine families for six canopy positions (upper canopy positions as well as lower canopy positions on the northern side), with heritabilities greater than 0.40. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to water and light competition within the tree canopy of hoop pine.

[Factors on somatic embryogenesis of soybean elite cultivars and plant regeneration]

Factors on in vitro somatic embryogenesis of soybean (three elite cultivars) were studied using cotyledons of 3.0-6.0 mm immature seed as explants. Not only the kinds, concentrations and combinations of plant growth regulatory substances but also immature embryo length and inoculum density have main effects on the approaches of embryogenesis. The results of two-factors analysis of variance experiments showed that immature embryo length, plant growth substance concentration and basic medium type have very significant effects on the frequency of embryogenic response, furthermore, interactions exist between the former two factors and are just very significant(at 1% level). The best combinations between 2,4-D concentration and cotyledon length are 10 mg/L 2,4-D & 4.0 mm immature embryos, 20-40 mg/L 2,4-D & 5.0 mm immature embryo. Under these combinations, the salt composition of E1 are very significantly better than that of MS. In conclusion, in the regeneration system established by us the frequency of somatic embryogenesis from the soybean immature cotyledons is greater than 50% and the frequency of conversion of normal (not fused) somatic embryos is about 52.9%-62.6%.

Human 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthetase 1 (PAPSS1) and PAPSS2: gene cloning, characterization and chromosomal localization

Sulfae conjugation is an important pathway in the metabolism of a large number of exogenous and endogenous compounds. These reactions are catalyzed by sulfotransferase (SULT) enzymes that utilize 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate (PAPS) as a sulfate donor. PAPS is synthesized from ATP and inorganic sulfate by PAPS synthetase (PAPSS). Two separate PAPSS cDNAs, PAPSS1 and PAPSS2, have been identified in human tissues. We have cloned and characterized the genes for human PAPSS1 and PAPSS2 to make it possible to study the pharmacogenomics of these enzymes. Both genes consisted of 12 exons with virtually identical exon-intron splice junction locations. All splice junctions conformed to the "GT-AG" rule. The total length of PAPSS1 was approximately 108 kb, while that of PAPSS2 was greater than 37 kb. The 5'-flanking region of PAPSS1 did not include a TATA box sequence near the site of transcription initiation, but PAPSS2 had a TATA motif located 21 bp upstream from the site of transcription initiation. Northern blot analysis showed that the major PAPSS1 and PAPSS2 transcripts were approximately 2.7 and 4.2 kb in length, respectively. PAPSS1 mapped to human chromosome band 4q24 while PAPSS2 mapped to 10q22-23 by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. Cloning and structural characterization of PAPSS1 and PAPSS2 will make it possible to perform molecular genetic and pharmacogenomic studies of these important enzymes in humans.