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The tomato variety 'Micro Tom' is used as an experimental material in a fully artificial light-type plant factory. An LED light with adjustable illumination modes was used as the light source and a pure white LED light was used as the control. Different illumination mode, such as pure red light, pure blue light, mixed red and blue light, and alternating red and blue light were used as supplementary light. The influence of different red and blue supplemental lighting modes on the growth, development, and fluorescence characteristics of greenhouse tomatoes was explored. The results showed that: (1) in all treatments, the growth indicators and fruit weight of the tomato plants increased to a certain extent. The dynamic change of chlorophyll fluorescence was significantly affected by supplementary light. Pure red light supplementation had the greatest effect on the increase in plant height, stem thickness, leaf area, and yield of the tomato plants. Alternating red and blue light supplementation at intervals of 1h or 6h significantly promoted the increase in chlorophyll content and the improvement of PSII photosynthetic performance. (2) During the vegetative growth stage of tomatoes, under pure red light supplementation, the relative growth rate and absolute growth rate of plant height increased by 106.8% and 60% respectively compared to the control. The relative growth rate and absolute growth rate of stem thickness increased by 50% and 80% respectively. 44 days after sowing, the leaf area of the tomato plants under pure red light supplementation increased by 92.1% compared to the control.(3) During the reproductive growth period of tomatoes, compared with the control, 83 days after sowing, the number of fruits set under pure red light supplementation increased by 73.6%. The horizontal and vertical diameters and volume of tomato fruit increased by 34.4%, 35.3%, and 129.6% respectively.(4) Compared with the control, 44 days after sowing, the chlorophyll content in tomato leaves under alternating red and blue light supplementation at intervals of 1h or 6h increased by 30.3% and 31.8% respectively. 83 days after sowing, the performance index (PIABS) of tomato plants after alternating red and blue light supplementation at intervals of 1h or 6h increased by 100% and 30% respectively compared to the control. The electron transfer efficiency (ETo/CS) of PSII after alternating red and blue light supplementation at intervals of 1h or 6h increased by 16% and 23% respectively compared to the control. In summary, pure red light supplementation can effectively promote the growth and development of facility tomatoes. Alternating red and blue light supplementation at intervals of 1h or 6h significantly affects the fluorescence characteristics of tomatoes. In the future, the most suitable supplementary lighting mode can be chosen based on different production objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase of diagnosed COVID-19 cases, the prevention and control of epidemic in Wuhan became tougher. To support Wuhan, West China Hospital of Sichuan University sent the third round of medical team to the city. In order to ensure a safe and relax condition for medical team members after busy works, it was crucial to manage the medical team station well comprehensively. This article summarized the management experience of West China Hospital medical team as a reference for others to fight against the epidemic.

The study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary supplementation with Chinese herbal additives on the serum immunity, cytokines, antioxidant indices, and rectal microbiota in Simmental beef cattle. Using a single-factor randomized block design, 20 healthy Simmental beef cattle with an average age of 12 months and a mean weight of (268.80 ± 4.95) kg were randomly assigned to a control group (CG group) and an experimental group (AG group), with 10 replicates per group and one beef cattle per replicate. The CG group was fed a basal diet, while the AG group received an additional 100 g/(head-day) of Chinese herbal additives on the basis of basal diet. The pre-feeding period lasted for five days, followed by a formal experimental period of 60 days. The results showed that compared to the CG group, the AG group showed an increase of 12.70% and 7.58% in the serum IgA and IL-6 concentrations (P<0.05), the serum T-SOD activity increased by 3.13% (P<0.05), the MDA content decreased by 28.87% (P<0.05), and the T-AOC increased by 1.39% (P>0.05). The Shannon, Chao1, and Ace indices of the intestinal flora of Simmental beef cattle in the AG group increased by 0.17%, 1.51%, and 0.96% compared with the CG group, respectively (P>0.05). In the AG group, the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia increased by 6.50% and 2.94% (P>0.05), respectively. Compared to the CG group, Firmicutes decreased by 5.94% (P>0.05). The relative abundance of unclassified Bacteroidetes was higher in the AG group (P<0.05), and the relative abundance of Phocaeicola and Alistipes increased by 8.33% and 16.45% (P>0.05), respectively. The study indicates that the addition of Chinese herbal additives can enhance the immune level and antioxidant capacity of Simmental beef cattle, increase the relative abundance of intestinal microbiota, promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, and improve the cattle's ability to digest fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harvest 74-560 RZ F1" tomato was cultivated in a plant factory with LEDs. One of the four reproductive stages (flowering stage, expanding stage, color turning stage and harvesting stage) was subjected to low light intensity of 160μmol·m-2·s-1, while the other three stages maintained 1000 μmol·m-2·s-1. The light intensity kept 1000μmol·m-2·s-1 at all the reproductive stages in the control. The growth and fruit quality indices were measured to evaluate the effects of low light on tomato. The results showed that: (1) low light significantly affected the morphology of tomato plants at the flowering stage and expanding stage. Low light at flowering stage resulted in the most prominent overgrowth trend of tomato plants, as well as the least average number of leaves and nodes per plant which respectively decreased by 3.5 and 1.6 compared with the control. Low light at the expansion stage significantly reduced the content of carotenoid and the value of Chla/b compared with the control. The number of fruit set per plant after low light treatment at flowering stage was 53% lower than that of the control, while the number of fruit set per plant was not significantly affected by low light at other reproductive stages. The average yield of the first, second and third ear per plant after low light treatment at flowering or expansion stage was significantly lower than the other treatments. (2) Compared with the control, low light treatments decreased the soluble solid content of tomato fruit (first ear) in varying degrees, among which, the soluble solid content decreased by 25% after low light treatment at flowering stage. The soluble sugar content of tomato fruit decreased by 15% compared with the control, on the contrary, the total acid content increased by 26%, resulting in the lowest sugar/acid ratio of tomato fruit under this treatment. Compared with the control, low light treatments decreased the vitamin C content of tomato fruit in varying degrees, among which, the lowest vitamin C content was detected in tomato fruit subjected to low light treatment at the harvesting stage. This study showed that low light reduced the yield and quality of tomato, and the sensitivity of tomato to low light was different at varied reproductive stages. According to the growth characteristics and responses of tomato subjected to low light at different periods, it is of certain significance to supplement artificial light in order to stabilize the quality and yield of protected tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve problems of wasting network bandwidth and server overload existed in traditional real-time streaming data transmission mode of unicast and IP multicast,the paper put forward a method of building multicast tree of application layer of overlay network based on immune algorithm. The method uses immune algorithm to divide multicast island and select multicast service nodes with the minimum system cost by taking round trip time of links and degree of nodes as constraints,and realizes the global optimal selection of multicast service nodes. The simulation results showed the method is effective,and has faster convergence speed and better search ability than traditional genetic algorithm.

The paper analyzed existed problems of current management system of hidden danger of coal mine and proposed a solution of quantization management informatization of hidden danger of coal mine. The scheme integrates closure processing, hidden danger analysis, connection between hidden danger and accident together organically, and uses hidden danger collector to complete closure management process of hidden danger of coal mine. The actual application showed that the scheme shortens processing time of hidden danger and improves processing quality of hidden danger, which reduces incidence of various accidents effectively.

Objective To study the distribution characteristics of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism in children with primary hypertension, and to explore the association between MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and H-type hypertension in children. Methods A total of 121 children with primary hypertension who were hospitalized in the department of cardiovascular medicine from January to July 2021, newly diagnosed, and untreated were retrospectively selected as the subjects. The children were divided into three groups: CC genotype (19 children), CT genotype (51 children), and TT genotype (51 children). According to the serum homocysteine (Hcy) level, they were divided two groups: H-type hypertension (47 children) and simple hypertension (74 children). The medical data were compared between the groups. The association between MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and Htype hypertension was evaluated. Results The mutation frequency of T allele in children with primary hypertension was significantly higher than that in healthy adults in Beijing and Chinese Han adults (P<0.001). The serum Hcy level in the TT genotype group was significantly higher than that in the CC and CT genotype groups (P<0.001). The serum Hcy level in the H-type hypertension group was significantly higher than that in the simple hypertension group (P<0.001), and MTHFR C677T was mostly TT genotype, which was associated with the risk of H-type hypertension (OR=12.71, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of target organ damage between the H-type hypertension and simple hypertension groups (P>0.05). However, multiple organ involvement was observed in the H-type hypertension group at diagnosis, accounting for 11% (5/47). Conclusions The mutation rate of MTHFR C677T T allele in children with primary hypertension is high and associated with the serum Hcy level. TT genotype is an independent risk factor for H-type hypertension in children, and it may be related to the severity of early target organ damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leal distribution in intercropping canopy is usually laterally and vertically heterogeneous, which makes continuous measurement ol light interception very difficult. In order to quantily the light interception by wheat/maize intercropping during different growth stages, a geometrical model was developed in this study to simulate photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission in this system. Measured PAR values in field experiments were used to validate the geometrical model. Results showed that the geometrical model efficiently simulated the PAR transmitted on soil surface under intercropping canopy. The determination coefficients ol linear regression between estimated and measured values were 0.947 and 0.950 for 6:2 intercropping (I62) and 12:4 intercropping (I124), respectively. The values of PAR intercepted by I62 intercropping system in 2012 and 2013 were 1061.4 and 924.3 MJ . m-2, respectively, which were the highest among all cropping systems. The radiation caption ratios (RCRs) of I62 and I124 relative to sole crops were 1.29 and 1.19 during 2012 growing season, and 1.21 and 1.16 during 2013 growing season, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The soil water storage, growth development, biomass and yield in maize/ soybean intercropping system under different separation methods were measured to analyze the resource competition of the intercropping crops. The treatments included no shoot or root separation (T1 ), shoot and root separation (T2 ), only root separation (T3 ), and only shoot separation (T4 ). Results indicated that compared to others, the average soil moisture content in the 0-120 cm soil layer decreased by 3. 1% -12. 9% in maize line, and by 2. 8% -12. 5% in soybean line for T1 . Compared to T1 , maize growth stage in T2 , T3 and T4 came late, and the plant height, leaf area and cumulative total biomass, yield and yield components all decreased, while the trends found for soybean were the opposite. In summary, the changes of crop growth and yield in the maize/ soybean intercropping system were driven by the interactions of above- and below-ground parts, and the below-ground part played a more important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Middle and Late Ming Dynasty witnessed a dramatic transformation of China's small-scale peasant economy, leading to the corresponding changes of such economic concepts as wealth, commercial morality and profiting with principle. Xu Guangqi, living in the very period of feudal rule, on the one hand advocated settling value disruption and anomic behaviors in the economic field by applying such orthodox Confucian moral ethics as righteousness and justice. On the other hand, he abandoned the former generations' shame on utilitarian thoughts and started to attach importance to the national wealth and the people's daily livelihood. As a result, his economic ethics were represented in the dual dimensions of both moralism and utilitarianism, which helped to achieve harmony and unity on the basis of his core concept of "pragmatism" and ideological trait of "flexible expediency". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to avoid the secondary pollution and pipe erosion, and gain byproducts with economic worth during the process of desulfurizing and desaltpeterring, the way of chemistry-membrane is proposed to deal with wastewater passing through the dust catcher of power plant, and the wastewater can be reused. Wastewater containing SOx and NOx as well as other pollutants is simplified to be the wastewater containing vitriol and nitric acid, which can react chemically with ammonia separately. The optimal concentration and temperature for reaction are obtained, and the economical consumption of ammonia is achieved. The study makes a good foundation for theoretical research and practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the resource components and availability of different parts of Panax quinquefolium in Shandong province, the paper employed the non-targeted metabolomics technology based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS) to analyze the metabolites and their metabolic pathways in the root, fibril, stem, and leaf of P. quinquefolium. The content of seven ginsenosides and polysaccharides in different parts was determined by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry(UV-Vis). The results showed that the metabolites were mainly sugars, glycosides, organic acids, amino acids and their derivatives, terpenoids, etc. The total abundance of metabolites followed the trend of leaf &gt; root &gt; fibril &gt; stem. Most of the differential metabolites were concentrated in phenylpropane biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, citric acid cycle, and amino acid biosynthesis. The leaf contained high levels of sugars, glycosides, amino acids and their derivatives, and flavonoids; the root was rich in terpenoids, volatile oils, vitamins, and lignin; the fibril contained rich organic acids; and the stem had high content of nucleotides and their derivatives. The content of ginsenosides Re and Rb&#95;1 was significantly higher in the root; the content of ginsenosides Rg&#95;1, Rg&#95;2, Rd, F&#95;(11), and polysaccharide was significantly higher in the leaf; and the content of ginsenoside Rb&#95;2 was significantly higher in the stem. We analyzed the resource components and availability of different parts of P. quinquefolium, aiming to provide basic information for the comprehensive development and utilization of P. quinquefolium resources in Shandong province.

Objective: To investigate the effect of celastrol on the proliferation and apoptosis of human multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, reveal the relationship between IRAK4/ERK/p38 signaling pathway and celastrol regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of H929 and ARP-1 cells, and explore whether celastrol combined with bortezomib has synergistic effect., Methods: CCK-8 method was used to detect the viability of MM cell lines H929 and ARP-1 treated by different concentrations of celastrol, bortezomib, and their combination, and the synergistic effect was determined by Kim's formula. The apoptosis rate of H929 cells and necrosis rate of ARP-1 were detected by Annexin V/PI method. The expression of key proteins and apoptosis proteins in IRAK4/ERK/p38 signaling pathway were detected by Western blot., Results: Celastrol could significantly inhibit the proliferation of H929 and ARP-1 cells (r=0.9018, r=0.9244) and induce apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, celastrol could significantly up-regulate the expression of PARP and cleaved caspase-3 while down-regulate the expression of p-IRAK4, p-ERK, and p-p38 in H929 and ARP-1 cells. Celastrol and bortezomib alone inhibited the proliferation of H929 and ARP-1 cells. Compared with celastrol and bortezomib alone, their combination had lower cell survival rate and higher apoptosis rate (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Celastrol can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of H929 and ARP-1 cells, which may be related to inhibiting the phosphorylation of IRAK4 and blocking the activation of IRAK4/ERK/p38 signaling pathway. Celastrol combined with bortezomib has synergistic effect, which can more effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of H929 and ARP-1 cells.

Objective: To observe the changes of serum metabolites in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) by metabonomics, and explore the potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and progression of MM., Methods: Serum samples were collected from 26 patients with MM and 50 healthy controls. The data detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was input into SIMCA-14.0 software for multivariate statistical analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to analyze the changes of metabolites., Results: The metabolic change of uric acid and trans-vaccenic acid in serum samples of MM patients was 9.39 times and 2.77 times of these in healthy people, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of healthy people, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01)., Conclusion: Uric acid and trans-vaccenic acid are expected to be important metabolic indicators for the diagnosis, prognosis, and efficacy evaluation of MM, thus providing some clues for the pathogenesis of MM.

Objective: To compare the clinical effect differences among different acupoint selection methods for primary insomnia., Methods: A total of 333 patients with primary insomnia were recruited from 3 study centers and randomly divided into a group A (111 cases, 7 cases dropped off), a group B (111 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a group C (111 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the group A were treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) and Baihui (GV 20), the patients in the group B were treated with acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Baihui (GV 20), and the patients in the group C were treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint and Baihui (GV 20). All the treatment was given once a day, 30 min each time; 5 treatments were taken as a course and 5 courses of treatment were given. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Athens insomnia scale (AIS) scores were evaluated before and after treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment. The encephalofluctuograph technology (ET) was observed before and after treatment., Results: Compared before treatment, the PSQI scores after treatment and at follow-up were significantly decreased in three groups ( P <0.01), and the decrease in the group A and the group B was greater than that in the group C ( P <0.01). Compared before treatment, the AIS scores after treatment and at follow-up was significantly decreased in three groups ( P <0.01), and the decrease in the group A was greater than that in the group C ( P <0.05). The interclass and between-groups ET before and after treatment had no significant difference ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: The acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians could improve the sleep quality in patients with primary insomnia, and the therapeutic effect of acupoint along the meridians is better than that of non-acupoint.

Objective: To study the clinical features and drug resistance in children with Salmonella infection., Methods: A total of 163 children with positive fecal cultures for Salmonella who were hospitalized between 2013 and 2017 were enrolled. A retrospective analysis was performed for their data on clinical features, distribution of Salmonella serotypes, and drug sensitivity test results., Results: Among the 163 children with Salmonella infection, 79 (48.5%) were aged ≤1 year. Main clinical manifestations included fever and diarrhea. Of all the children, 121 (74.2%) reached a body temperature of above 39°C, 52 (31.9%) had diarrhea more than 10 times a day, and 56 (34.4%) had respiratory infection. Salmonella infection often occurred in summer and autumn. Of all the children, 131 (80.4%) had the infection in May to October. Salmonella typhimurium was observed in 100 children (61.3%) and Salmonella enteritidis was observed 15 children (9.2%). All serotypes of Salmonella had a drug resistance rate of >20% to cefotaxime, as well as high sensitivities to β-lactamase inhibitors (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and piperacillin/tazobactam). There were no strains resistant to carbapenems including imipenem., Conclusions: Infants aged ≤1 year are susceptible to Salmonella infection in summer and autumn, and the most common serotype is Salmonella typhimurium. Main clinical manifestations are fever and diarrhea in children with Salmonella infection, and most children also have respiratory infection. Salmonella has an increased rate of drug resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. In clinical treatment, antimicrobial drugs should be used according to the results of drug sensitivity test.

Objective: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of paired "Baihui" (GV 20)+ "Shenmen" (HT 7), GV 20+ "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6), and GV 20+ non-acupoint on expression of melatonine (MT) and suprachiasmatic melatonin receptor 1 (MT 1 ) and melatonin receptor 2 (MT 2 ) mRNAs in insomnia rats, so as to explore their action difference and the underlying mechanism in improving insomnia., Methods: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control ( n =12), mo-del ( n =8), GV 20+HT 7( n =12), GV 20+SP 6( n =11), and GV 20+ non-acupoint ( n =10) groups. The insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of Para-chlorophenylalanine suspension (50 mg/mL, 50 mg/100 g), once daily for 2 days. The abovementioned acupoints GV 20, bilateral HT 7, SP 6 and non-acupoints (the midpoint between the elbow-tip and armpit on the medial side of the upper-arm) were punctured with filiform needles and manipulated by rotating the needle for about 1 min which was repeated once again every 10 min during 30 minutes' needle-retaining. The treatment was conducted once daily for 7 days. The expression levels of MT immunoactivity in the conarium tissue, and MT 1 and MT 2 mRNAs of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) region were detected using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence quantitative real time-PCR, respectively., Results: After modeling, the expression levels of pineal MT (an increase of gray value means a decrease of immunoactivity), SCN MT 1 and MT 2 mRNAs were notably down-regulated in the model group relevant to the normal control group ( P <0.05, P <0.01). Following the treatment, the down-regulated expression levels of MT protein, and MT 1 and MT 2 mRNAs were obviously reversed in the GV 20 + HT 7, GV 20 + SP 6 groups relevant to the model group ( P <0.05, P <0.01). The therapeutic effect of GV 20+ HT 7 was superior to that of GV 20+ non-acupoint in up-regulating the expression of MT 1 mRNA ( P <0.01), and markedly superior to that of GV 20+ SP 6 and GV 20+ non-acupoint in increasing the sleep duration and in up-regulating the expression of MT 2 mRNA ( P <0.01). No significant differences were found among the 3 treatment groups in up-regulating the expression of MT ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Manual acupuncture stimulation of GV 20+ HT 7 and GV 20+ SP 6 can improve the sleep disorder in insomnia rats, which may be related to its effects in increasing the levels of pineal MT protein, and MT 1 and MT 2 mRNAs in hypothalamic SCN.

Amorphous iron oxides in paddy soil are critical adsorbents of arsenic. The flooding period during rice cultivation contributes to the reductive dissolution of these amorphous iron oxides, which releases sorbed arsenic into the paddy soil solution. However, more detailed work should be conducted to evaluate quantitatively arsenic immobilization, release, and transformation regulated by metastable amorphous iron oxides. In previous studies, arsenic in the soil solution phase and solid phase were classified into F1 (exchangeable arsenic), F2 (specifically sorbed arsenic), F3 (amorphous iron oxide bound arsenic), and F4 (crystalline iron oxide bound arsenic), according to a sequential extraction procedure using reagents of increasing dissolution strength. In this study, soil samples were collected from the vicinity of a silver smelting plant in Chenzhou, Hunan Province, and the contribution of different arsenic speciation (F1, F2, F3, and F4) to arsenic release during anaerobic enrichment incubation of paddy soil was investigated. Sample analysis was conducted at the end of the first phase (day 15) and the second phase (day 30). The effects of amorphous iron oxides in paddy soil on migration and transformation of arsenic were discussed. Results showed significant elevation of dissolved Fe(Ⅱ) and arsenic concentration ( P <0.05) in enrichment solutions in the second phase compared with that in the first phase. Arsenic released in the soil solution in both phases originated from exchangeable arsenic and specifically sorbed arsenic, as indicated by its significantly positive correlation with F1 and F2 ( r =0.73, P <0.05; r =0.657, P <0.05). However, an insignificant positive correlation was found between the arsenic released and F3. Moreover, HCl-extractable Fe(Ⅱ) was significantly and positively correlated with arsenic ( r =0.577, P <0.05; r =0.613, P <0.05), while amorphous iron oxides were significantly and negatively correlated with arsenic ( r =-0.428, P =0.126; r =-0.564, P <0.05). In conclusion, arsenic in the F1 and F2 fractions acted as the major source of released arsenic. Despite elevated levels of HCl-extractable Fe(Ⅱ) that might result from the slight reductive dissolution of amorphous iron oxide, the significant negative correlation between dissolved arsenic and amorphous iron oxides indicated that metastable amorphous iron oxides in anaerobic paddy soil can generally sorb dissolved arsenic effectively, resulting in lower mobility of arsenic. Increasing the level of amorphous iron oxides in paddy soil is conducive to inactivation of arsenic.

Objective: To observe the effect of different strength of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation on gastrointestinal motility and Ras homolog gene family member (RhoA)/Rho associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) signaling in diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to reveal the underlying mechanisms of EA for improving DGP., Methods: Sixty SD rats were randomly and equally divided into blank control, DGP model, weak EA, medium EA, and strong EA groups ( n ＝12 rats in each). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mmol/kg, 2%) and high-sugar and high-fat fodder feeding for 8 weeks. EA (0.12, 0.24, 0.36 mA, 20 Hz/100 Hz) was applied to "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) and "Liangmen" (ST 21) for 20 min, once daily for 15 successive days. Blood glucose levels were measured weekly with blood glucose meter and blood glucose test paper. Fecal phenol red excretion method was used to display gastric emptying and small intestinal propulsion function. The expression of RhoA protein in the gastric antral smooth muscle tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot (WB), separately, and that of ROCK, myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT 1) and phosphorylated (p)-MYPT 1 proteins in gastric antrum detected by WB., Results: Compared with the blank control group, the gastric emptying rate and small intestine propulsion rate of the model group were significantly decreased ( P <0.05), and the blood glucose level was remarkably increased ( P <0.05). Moreover, the expression levels of RhoA, ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins in the gastric antrum were significantly down-regulated relevant to the control group ( P <0.05). After administration of EA, the decreased gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate, and the down-regulated expression of RhoA, ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins were significantly increased in the strong, medium and weak EA stimulation groups ( P <0.05). Comparison among the 3 EA groups showed that the strong stimulation was significantly superior to weak stimulation in up-regulating the expression of RhoA, ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins, and obviously superior to the medium stimulation in up-regulating RhoA and MYPT 1 protein levels ( P <0.05), while the medium stimulation was significantly stronger than the weak stimulation in up-regulating the expression of ROCK, MYPT 1 and p-MYPT 1 proteins ( P <0.05). There were no significant differences among the 3 EA groups in up-regulating the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate, and between the strong stimulation and medium stimulation in the expression levels of ROCK and p-MYPT 1 proteins ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Electroacupuncture stimulation of ST 36-SP 6-ST 21 at 0.12, 0.24 and 0.36 mA can promote the gastrointestinal motility in DGP rats, which may be associated with its effects in enhancing RhoA/ROCK signaling in the gastric antral smooth muscle at different degrees.

Objective: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture stimulation (MAS) of "Baihui"(GV 20)-"Shenmen"(HT 7)or GV 20-"Sanyinjiao"(SP 6) on sleep and expression of circadian rhythm genes ( Clock and Bmal 1) in the hypothalamus in insomnia rats, so as to select a better acupoint group for insomnia., Methods: A total of 53 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control ( n =12),insomnia model ( n =8), GV 20-HT 7( n =12), GV 20-SP 6( n =11),and GV 20-non-acupoint ( n =10) groups. The insomnia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA,500 mg/kg,100 mg/mL) once daily for 2 days. The MAS (uniform reinforcing-reducing needling) was applied to GV 20-HT 7, GV 20-SP 6 or GV 20-non-acupoint for 30 min,once daily for 7 days. The sleep onset latency and sleep duration were gauged after intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium (35 mg/kg). The expression levels of Clock mRNA and Bmal 1 mRNA in the hypothalamic tissues containing ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) region were detected by fluorescence quantitative real-time PCR., Results: Following administration of pentobarbital sodium,the sleep latency was significantly prolonged and the sleep duration was considerably shortened in rats of the model group( P <0.05). After the treatment, the increased sleep latencies in the GV 20-HT 7, GV 20-SP 6 and GV 20-non-acupoints were all significantly down-regulated ( P <0.05), and the decreased sleep duration was significantly increased only in the GV 20-HT 7 group relevant to the model group ( P <0.05), but not in the GV 20-SP 6 and GV 20-non-acupoint groups ( P <0.05). There were no significant differences in the sleep latency among the 3 treatment groups ( P <0.05). The sleep duration was obviously prolonged in the GV 20-HT 7 group than in the GV 20-SP 6 and GV 20-non-acupoint groups ( P <0.05). After modeling, the expression levels of Clock mRNA and Bmal 1 mRNA in hypothalamic VLPO and SCN regions were significantly down-regulated relevant to the normal control group ( P <0.01). Following the treatment, the expression levels of Clock mRNA in the VLPO and SCN regions of the GV 20-SP 6 and GV 20-HT 7 groups, and those of Bmal 1 mRNA in the VLPO and SCN regions of the 3 treatment groups were considerably increased relevant to the model group ( P <0.05, P <0.01). The effects of GV 20-HT 7 were significantly superior to those of GV 20-SP 6 and GV 20-non-acupoint (and also the action of GV 20-SP 6 was evidently superior to that of GV 20-non-acupoint) in up-regulating the expression of Clock mRNA and Bmal 1 mRNA in both VLPO and SCN regions ( P <0.05, P <0.01)., Conclusions: Manual acupuncture stimulation of GV 20-HT 7 can improve the sleep latency and duration in insomnia rats,which may be associated with its effects in up-regulating the expression levels of circadian Clock mRNA and Bmal 1 mRNA in hypothalamic VLPO and SCN regions, and the efficacy of GV 20-HT 7 is obviously better than that of GV 20-SP 6 and GV 20-non-acupoint.

Objective: To investigate the expression of p16INK4a protein in breast cancer and analyze its clinical significance., Methods: A total of 132 surgical specimens of primary breast cancer obtained between 2014 and 2015 were examined for expressions of ER, PR, CK5/6, Her-2 and p16INK4a proteins using immunohistochemistry., Results: The breast cancer samples were classified into 5 molecular subtypes, namely Luminal A (58 cases), Luminal B (32 cases), Her-2-positive (21 cases), basal-like (12 cases) and normal-like (9 cases) types. p16INK4a expression was negative in 7/132 (5.30%) cases, weakly positive in 15/132 (11.36%) cases, positive in 40/132 (30.30%) cases, and strongly positive in 70/132 (53.03%) cases. When categorizing negative and weakly positive cases into negative group and the positive and strongly positive cases into positive group, the total negative and positive expression rates of p16INK4a were 16.67% (22/132) and 83.33% (110/132) in the carcinoma tissues. Statistical analysis showed the expression intensity of p16INK4a differed significantly between the age groups (P<0.05) but was not significantly correlated with ER, PR, Her-2, molecular subtypes or metastasis of the tumors., Conclusion: The compensatory high expression of p16INK4a is the main mechanism of cell cycle deregulation in invasive breast cancer and can be an important specific molecular marker for invasive breast cancer.

In the course of development, both endogenous and exogenous factors can cause DNA damage, which resulted in somatic mutations. It is recongnized that somatic mutations are the causation of many nervous cancers, the pathogenicity of somatic mutation in developmental malformation of nervous system is unknown yet. With the development of next generation sequencing (NGS), especially the clinical application of the whole-exome sequencing and the targeted massively parallel sequencing, the somatic mutations with low levels can be detected precisely. The detection of low-level and tissue-specific somatic mutation in patients enables researchers to re-recognize the contribution of somatic mutation to neurological disorders. In this review, we systematically summarize the pathogenicity and characteristics of the somatic mutations in the common tumors and developmental malformation of nervous system, and the new technologies to detect somatic mutation in order to extend our understanding of its genetic etiologies and identifying the new drug targets in the future.

The leaf distribution in intercropping canopy is usually laterally and vertically heterogeneous, which makes continuous measurement of light interception very difficult. In order to quantify the light interception by wheat/maize intercropping during different growth stages, a geometrical model was developed in this study to simulate photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) transmission in this system. Measured PAR values in field experiments were used to validate the geometrical model. Results showed that the geometrical model efficiently simulated the PAR transmitted on soil surface under intercropping canopy. The determination coefficients of linear regression between estimated and measured values were 0.947 and 0.950 for 6:2 intercropping (I62) and 12:4 intercropping (I124), respectively. The values of PAR intercepted by I62 intercropping system in 2012 and 2013 were 1061.4 and 924.3 MJ · m(-2), respectively, which were the highest among all cropping systems. The radiation caption ratios (RCRs) of I62 and I124 relative to sole crops were 1.29 and 1.19 during 2012 growing season, and 1.21 and 1.16 during 2013 growing season, respectively.

Objective: To study the association between rs1079595 polymorphisms in the DRD2 gene and the distractibility in school-age children., Methods: The genotyping at rs1079595 was performed and the distractibility was measured based on the temperament questionnaire in 120 8-12 years old school-age children in order to analyze the effects of the rs1079595 polymorphism and its interaction with the gender, age and delivery mode on the distractibility., Results: There was an association between the distractibility and rs1079595 polymorphisms. The distractibility score in children with GG/GT genotypes was significantly higher than in children with the TT genotype (4.3 ± 0.6 vs 4.0 ± 0.7; P<0.05). The interaction between rs1079595 polymorphisms and the delivery mode produced an effect on the distractibility. The normal delivery children with T alleles were associated with a low distractibility (OR=0.037, P<0.01)., Conclusions: The distractibility based the temperament might be influenced by the rs1079595 polymorphism and its interaction with the delivery mode in school-age children.

Dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) was hydroponically cultured in a completely enclosed plant factory, in which fluorescence and LED emitting spectra of different bands were used as the sole light source for plant growth. Effects of spectral component on the growth of dandelion were studied and the contents of ten inorganic elements such as K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B in dandelion were analyzed by ICP-AES technology. The results showed that: (1) Under the condition of similar photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), single R or combined spectrums of FLRB were beneficial for biomass accumulation, while single B was the contrary; (2) Macroelements content ratio in Taraxacum mongolicum grown under FLwas K:Ca:P:Mg : Na=79.74:32.39:24.32:10.55:1.00, microelements content ratio was Fe:Mn:B:Zn:Cu = 9.28:9.71:3.82:2.08:1.00; (3) Red light (peak at 660 nm) could promote the absorptions of Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, while absorption of Cu was not closely related to spectral conditions; (4) Thehighest accumulation of Ca, Na, Mn and Zn were obtained in aerial parts of Taraxacum mongolicum plants grown under pure red spectrum R, while the accumulation of the rest six elements reached the highest level under the mixed spectrum FLRB.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) was hydroponically cultured in a completely enclosed plant factory, in which spectrum proportion-adjustable LED panels were used as sole light source for plant growth. Absorption and content of eleven mineral elements such as K, P, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B and Mo in Lactuca sativa under different spectral component conditions were studied by ICP -AES technology. The results showed that: (1) Single or combined spectrums corresponding to the absorbing peaks of chlorophyll a and b (450, 660 nm) could enhance the absorbing ability of roots especially for mineral elements Na, Fe, Mn, Cu and Mo, the single red spectrum had the most significant promoting effect under which contents of those four elements were respectively 7. 8, 4. 2, 4. 0 and 3. 7 times more than that under FL; (2) Absorption of K and B was the highest under FL which was 10. 309 mg g-1 and 32. 6 microg g-1 while the values decreased significantly under single or combined spectrum of red and blue; (3) Plants grown under single blue spectrum had the lowest absorption of Ca and Mg which respectively decreased by 35% and 33% than FL; (4) Lettuce grown under the spectrum combination of 30% blue and 70% red had the highest accumulations of biomass while those grown under 20% blue and 80% red had the highest accumulations of the following seven elements Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn and B. The results provided theoretical basis for adjusting nutrient solution formula and selecting light spectrum of hydroponic lettuce.

The soil water storage, growth development, biomass and yield in maize/soybean intercropping system under different separation methods were measured to analyze the resource competition of the intercropping crops. The treatments included no shoot or root separation (T1), shoot and root separation (T2), only root separation (T3), and only shoot separation (T4). Results indicated that compared to others, the average soil moisture content in the 0-120 cm soil layer decreased by 3.1%-12.9% in maize line, and by 2.8%-12.5% in soybean line for T1. Compared to T1, maize growth stage in T2, T3 and T4 came late, and the plant height, leaf area and cumulative total biomass, yield and yield components all decreased, while the trends found for soybean were the opposite. In summary, the changes of crop growth and yield in the maize/soybean intercropping system were driven by the interactions of above- and below-ground parts, and the below-ground part played a more important role.

Objective: To develop a method for evaluating the feasibility of prenatal screening using local median value and determining the cut-off value., Methods: With receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, results of second trimester prenatal screening calculated by a local median value in a new model and the built-in median value in 2T software were compared. The cut-off value was set by serial analysis of true and false positive rates and other relevant data., Results: The ROC curve has accurately estimated the difference in the screening efficacy between a local median value and that embedded in the 2T model, and established a reasonable cut-off value for the laboratory based on false positive rate and detection rate., Conclusion: The method of ROC curve can be used to evaluate the performance of local median value in prenatal screening and to test the rationality of cut-off value established in the laboratory. As the result, a better cut-off value may be derived.

Mineral elements absorption and content of Lactuca sativa under different spectral component conditions were studied by ICP-AES technology. The results showed that: (1) For Lactuca sativa, the average proportion for Ca : Mg : K : Na : P was 5.5 : 2.5 : 2.3 : 1.5 : 1.0, the average proportion for Fe : Mn : Zn : Cu : B was 25.9 : 5.9 : 2.8 : 1.1 : 1.0; (2) The absorptions for K, P, Ca, Mg and B are the largest under the LED treatment R/B = 1 : 2.75, red light from fluorescent lamps and LED can both promote the absorptions of Fe and Cu; (3)The LED treatments exhibiting relatively higher content of mineral elements are R/B = 1 : 2.75 and R/W = 1 : 1 while higher dry matter accumulations are R/B = 1 : 2.75 and B/W = 1 : 1.

As a famous TCM physician and acupuncturist in our country, professor GUAN Ji-duo, who was determined to study medicine and save life from a child, has been engaged in teaching and clinical work of acupuncture and moxibustion for more than sixty years. With a lifetime writing and tireless teaching, he has made every effect, from small clue to see what is coming, to be well-versed in the learning of both ancient and modern times and learn widely from others' points to devote all his life for the development and innovation of acupuncture and moxibustion. With deep study on syndrome differentiation of meridians, he has focused on acupoint combination, advocated on painless insertion of needle, and made "smokeless moxa-stick" to form a unique academic thought. At the age of more than 90, professor GUAN still insists on outpatient clinic, which is highly respected.

Mineral elements content,absoption proportion and requirement of Sophora alopecuroides L. at different stages were studied by ICP-AES technology. The results showed that (1) During mature period, the average proportion for N:K:Ca: Mg:P:Na was 11.91:8.27:7.54:1.02:1.00, and the average proportion for Fe:Zn:B:Cu:Mn was 28.91:2.12:1.40:1.18:1.00; (2) Mineral elements content of every part differs in each period, and stems at vegetative growth stage and seeds at mature period have the highest mineral elements content proportions of the whole plant which were about 45.6% and 36.7% respectively; (3) Sophora alopecuroides L. plants at vegetative growth stage have the largest fertilizer requirement, followed by the flowering period, and the smallest during pod period.

Objective: To observe the therapeutic effect of scalp-acupoint catgut embedding in the treatment of insomnia., Methods: Sixty-four insomniacs were randomly divided into catgut embedding group (n = 33) and routine acupuncture group (n = 31). Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24) and bilateral Fengchi (GB 20) were selected for subcutaneous embedding of catgut, once a week for 4 weeks. GV 20, GV 24, bilateral GB 20, bilateral Shenmen (HT 7), bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were punctured with filiform needles for patients of the acupuncture group. The treatment was performed once every other day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by using International Unified Sleep Efficiency Value and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)., Results: After the treatment, the falling asleep latency and PSQI scores of both catgut embedding and routine acupuncture groups were decreased significantly (P < 0.01) while the sleep duration and sleep efficiency increased considerably (P < 0.01) in comparison with pre-treatment. The effect of catgut embedding was obviously better than that of routine acupuncture in prolonging sleep duration and improving sleep efficiency (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the falling asleep latency and the PSQI scores (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Both routine acupuncture and scalp-acupoint catgut embedding interventions can effectively reduce falling asleep latency and prolong sleep duration. The therapeutic effect of scalp-acupoint catgut embedding is relatively better in improving sleep duration and sleep efficiency.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of maxillary sinus elevation with gene-enhanced tissue engineering bone in dogs., Methods: bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) derived from dog marrow were cultured, and transduced with the adenovirus carrying bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) gene (AdBMP-2), the adenovirus carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene (AdGFP) in vitro. The bone formation ability of gene modified BMSC with scaffold was examined in nude mice and in elevated maxillary sinus of dog. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis with SPSS 11.0 software package., Results: Gene transfection efficiency reached up to (83.95 ± 2.43)% as demonstrated by GFP expression. Ectopic bone formation was detected in nude mice. As for maxillary sinus floor elevation in a dog model, new bone formation area in the AdBMP-2 gene transduced BMSC with Bio-Oss group was significantly higher than in BMSC with Bio-Oss group at 120 d (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: AdBMP-2 gene transduced BMSC can stimulate ectopic bone formation in nude mice, and promote bone formation and maturation in the dog maxillary sinus.

In the condition of sodium hydroxide saponification, the test results using direction extraction and precipitation of cerium from P507 loading organic phase by oxalic acid solution were studied. Infared (IR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and thermogravimetry (TG-DSC) were used to study and characterize organic cerium precipitates and the final calcined products. The results showed that organic cerium precipitates and final calcined products were spheric organic cerium coordination and spheric cube CeO2 crystal, respectively, showing their morphologies were successive. IR made out that the structures of organic cerium precipitates and final calcined products were different. TG-DSC indicated that the final calcined products weightlessness was 3.5% and chemical composing was CeO2 x 1/3H2O.

Objective: To study the correlation between rhubarb and expressions of antimicrobial peptides (AP) in the small intestine of mice by observing the effect of rhubarb on it., Methods: Thirty healthy ICR mice were randomly divided into the test group and the control group, fifteen in each. Ten percent rhubarb decoction and equal volume of normal saline solution was respectively given to mice of the two groups by gastrogavage. Mice were sacrificed 24 h later. The small intestines from the ligament of Treitz to the ileocecal junction were removed by ventrotomy. The lumen of each resected intestine was rinsed with 10% acetic acid solution and the perfusate was collected. The small intestine homogenate was prepared using 30% acetic acid solution. The equivalent samples were electrophoresed on 12.5% AU-PAGE and Tricine-16.5% SDS-PAGE, and peptide bands were visualized with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 or ammoniacal silver-stained respectively. And then analysis of gel imaging and gel overlay assay were performed. The bactericidal activity and expressions of AP in the small intestine of samples in the two groups were compared. The molecular weight of AP in the small intestine was measured., Results: After gastrogavaged with rhubarb decoction, changes of AP contents in the small intestine homogenate of mice were not obvious, but the molecular weights of AP were different. But the AP contents in the small intestine perfusate obviously increased, with the molecular weights being 14.3 to 18.4 kDa. But its bactericidal capacity showed no statistical difference when compared with that of the control group (P>0.05)., Conclusion: Rhubarb enhanced the expressions of partial APs in the small intestine, which might possibly be one of its mechanisms of protecting and strengthening the intestinal barrier.

Objective: To prepare a new doxorubicin-gelatin-microspheres (DR-GMs) suitable for hepatic artery chemoembolization., Methods: Oxidized dextran and glutaraldehyde were used respectively as crosslinking agent for preparing DR-GMs. Orthogonal design was employed to optimize the preparation of the oxidized dextran cross-linked GMs. The morphology, swelling, and in vitro and in vivo degrading were compared between the two groups of microspheres, both with 60% degree of cross-linking., Results: The granulometers of both groups of microspheres fitted for hepatic artery embolization. The roundness of the microspheres (observed with scanning electron microscope) crosslinked by oxidized-dextran was better than those crosslinked by glutaraldehyde. The microspheres crosslinked by oxidized-dextran had an average diameter of (78.2 +/- 8.1) microm, and a narrow size distribution (76.4 +/- 3.2)%, which ranged from 50 to 125 microm. The drug content rate and encapsulation rate of the microspheres crosslinked by oxidized-dextran were (87.5 +/- 0.9)% and (12.2 +/- 1.1)% respectively, higher than those crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (P < 0.01). The cumulative release rate of doxorubicin from the microspheres crosslinked by oxidized-dextran in 12 hours was 83.2%, lower than that from the microspheres crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (P < 0.01). The in vitro and in vivo studies found that the duration of degradation of the microspheres crosslinked by oxidized-dextran appeared longer than those crosslinked by glutaraldehyde., Conclusion: Oxidized-dextran is a better crosslinking agent for preparing DR-GMs, because it has more advantages over glutaraldehyde as for hepatic artery chemoembolization.

By using the mixed major gene plus polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits, a joint analysis of four-generations obtained after cross between two monoecious inbred lines was made to study the inheritance of parthenocarpy in monoecious cucumber in Jiangning (Nanjing) and Changli (Hebei). The interactions between genotype and environment were detected, and the inheritance of parthenocarpy in the monoecious cucumber was fitted in E-1-1 model and controlled by two additive-dominant-epistatic major genes and additive-dominant polygene under different eco-environments. The F1 tendency and genetic parameters of the parthenocarpy were different, and the major gene heritability of F2 ranged from 42.1% to 97.5%, which was mainly due to the differences in sunlight intensity and air temperature during fruit-setting period at the two locations. It was suggested that the parents should be highly parthenocarpic in breeding program, and the characterization of parthenocarpy should be conducted under different eco-environments.

Recently, some plasmid vectors that direct transcription of small hairpin RNAs have been developed, which are processed into functional siRNAs by cellular enzymes. Although these vectors possess certain advantages over synthesized siRNA, many disadvantages exist, including low and variable transfection efficiency. This study was aimed to establish an adenoviral siRNA delivery system without above-mentioned disadvantages on the basis of commercially available vectors. A vector was designed to target the human polycomb gene BMI-1. The pAd-BMI-1shRNA-CMV-GFP vector was produced by cloning a 300 bp U6-BMI-1 cassette from the pGE1BMI-1shRNA plasmid and a CMV-GFP cassette from pAdTrack CMV in pShutter vector. The adenovirus was produced from the 293A packaging cell line and then infected K562 cells. The mRNA and protein levels of Bmi-1 were detected by real time-PCR and Western blot respectively. The results showed that the adenovirus carrying the BMI-1shRNA was successfully produced. After being transfected with the adenovirus, the K562 cells dramatically down-regulated BMI-1 expression, whereas the adenoviruses carrying control shRNA had no effect on BMI-1 expression. It is concluded that the adenoviruses are efficient vectors for delivery of siRNA into mammalian cells and may become a candidate vector carrying siRNA drugs for gene therapy.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the correlationship between plasma metastin and pathogenesis of adolescent women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)., Methods: From Jan. 2006 to Jun. 2006, 42 PCOS patients including 19 adolescent women and 23 adults with syndrome were treated in Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University. According to the range of age, those patients were divided into 19 cases in adolescent group ( 19 years). Meanwhile, 20 adolescent women were matched as controls. Blood samples were collected between day 1 and day 5 of a spontaneous bleeding episode in the PCOS groups and a menstrual cycle of the controls. The levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), free T (FT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin, glucose, and metastin were detected from day 1 to day 5 of spontaneous bleeding or withdrawal bleeding by progesterone. On the next day, oral glucose tolerance test (75 g) and insulin release test were performed on those above patients and controls. The area under curve (AUC), the ratio of fasting blood glucose to insulin (GIR) and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated., Results: (1) The level of hormone: the level of LH was in (12 +/- 7) U/L in adult group and (12 +/- 8) U/L in adolescent PCOS group, which were significantly higher than (6 +/- 4) U/L in controls (P < 0.05). The level of FT was (2.3 +/- 1.2) pmol/L in adult group, which was significantly higher than (1.3 +/- 0.8) pmol/L in adolescent group and (1.1 +/- 0.5) pmol/L in control group (P < 0.05). It was observed that the level of (3.1 +/- 2.7)micromol/L in adolescent group was significantly lower than (6.3 +/- 2.7) micromol/L in control group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the level of FAI of 5.6 +/- 4.1 in adult group was significantly higher than 3.0 +/- 1.3 in control group (P < 0.05). No significant difference in FSH, T and SHBG levels among three groups were observed (P > 0.05). (2) Metastin and metabolism: Both the levels of fasting blood insulin, 2-hour insulin and AUC of insulin were (13 +/- 7) mU/L, (88 +/- 59) mU/L and (133 +/- 80) mUxL(-1)xmin(-1) in adolescent group, which were significantly higher than (7 +/- 3) mU/L, (57 +/- 29) mU/L and (82 +/- 34) mUxL(-1)xmin(-1) in control group. The fasting blood insulin of (13 +/- 7) mU/L in adolescent group was significantly higher than (9 +/- 5) mU/L in adult group. The level of fasting blood glucose and 2-hour glucose were (5.01 +/- 0.44) mmol/L and (6.48 +/- 1.16) mmol/L in adult group, which were significantly higher than (4.68 +/- 0.29) mmol/L and (5.44 +/- 0.83) mmol/L in control group and (4.67 +/- 0.30) mmol/L and (5.93 +/- 1.44) mmol/L in adolescent group. The glucose AUC of (9.99 +/- 1.85) mmolxL(-1)xmin(-1) in adult group was significantly higher than (8.42 +/- 1.53) mmolxL(-1)xmin(-1) in control group (P < 0.05). HOMA-IR of 2.6 +/- 2.0 in adolescent group was significantly higher than 1.4 +/- 0.7 in control group. GIR of 10 +/- 8 in adolescent group was significantly lower than 16 +/- 10 in control group (P < 0.05). The metastin level of (0.25 +/- 0.19) pmol/L in adolescent group and (0.29 +/- 0.29) pmol/L in adult group were all significantly higher than (0.18 +/- 0.23) pmol/L in control group (PPh glucose were observed (r = 0.256, 0.286 and 0.267. P = 0.044, 0.025 and 0.043)., Conclusions: The expression of metastin in adolescent PCOS women was significantly higher that of normal adolescent women. The increased level of metastin might be associated with pathogenesis of adolescent women with PCOS.

Bmi-1 is a transcriptional repressor, which belongs to the polycomb group family. It has been demon- started that over-expression of Bmi-1 occurs in a variety of cancers, including several types of leukemia. Bmi-1 gene plays a key role in regulation of self-renewal in normal and leukemic stem cells. Acute myeloid leukemic cells lacking Bmi-1 undergo proliferation arrest and show signs of differentiation and apoptosis, which leads to the proposal of Bmi-1 as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in leukemia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Bmi-1 on functions of K562 cell line. The shRNA eukaryotic expression vector targeting Bmi-1 was constructed and transfected into K562 cells through lipofectamine 2000. The mRNA and protein levels of Bmi-1 were detected by PCR and Western blot respectively. The proliferation of K562 after Bmi-1 silencing was measured by using MTT assay and clone formation assay. The cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The results indicated that among the four shRNA designed, there was a shRNA which efficiently interfered with the expression of Bmi-1. The results of PCR and Western blot validated that the Bmi-1 gene of K562 cells transfected with such a Bmi-1 shRNA was suppressed successfully. Although levels of Bmi-1 mRNA and protein were significantly reduced, delivery of this siRNAs had no effect on cell viability or growth. Flow cytometry analysis suggested that Bmi-1 inhibition did not affect the cell cycle. It is concluded that the suppression of Bmi-1 expression is not able to reduce proliferation of K562 cells, suggesting existence of some other parallel signaling pathways, which are fundamental for leukemic transformation and are independent of Bmi-1 over-expression. Bmi-1 over-expression may play a secondary role in chronic myeloid leukemia transformation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) on hormone secretion and P450 aromatase mRNA expression from cultured human luteinized granulosa cells., Methods: Human luteinized granulose cells were derived from 10 patients treated by in vitro fertilization-embryo transplantation (IVF-ET) in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June to December 2006. Granulose cells were divided into group A, B, C, D, E depending on different concentration of AMH, testosterone group and blank group. 1x10(-7) mol/L testosterone and 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 microg/L AMH were added into the culture medium of group A, B, C, D and E. 1x10(-7) mol/L testosterone was added into the culture medium of testosterone group while no other ingredient was added into the medium of blank group. Estrogen levels in supernates were measured at 24, 48, 72 hours after cell incubation. RT-PCR was performed to detect the P450 aromatase mRNA expression in group B, C, D, E and testosterone group at 72 hours after cell incubation., Results: (1) Estrogen levels in supernates of granulose cell culture at 24, 48, 72 hours were (8.529+/-0.381)x10(4), (10.977+/-0.436)x10(4), (13.309+/-0.506)x10(4) pmol/L in group A, (7.027+/-0.276)x10(4), (9.167+/-0.300)x10(4), (10.794+/-0.555)x10(4) pmol/L in group B, (6.039+/-0.226)x10(4), (7.585+/-0.548)x10(4), (8.797+/-0.518)x10(4) pmol/L in group C, (5.118+/-0.460)x10(4), (5.716+/-0.496)x10(4), (6.205+/-0.667)x10(4) pmol/L in group D, (4.932+/-0.148)x10(4), (5.323+/-0.184)x10(4), (5.629+/-0.212)x10(4) pmol/L in group E. When compared with blank group [(0.001+/-0.001)x10(4), (0.006+/-0.003)x10(4), (0.029+/-0.011)x10(4) pmol/L], the statistical differences were observed in group A, B, C, D, E (P<0.01); when compared with testosterone group [(8.418+/-0.569)x10(4), (10.841+/-0.689)x10(4), (13.301+/-0.637)x10(4) pmol/L], the statistical differences were observed in group B, C, D and E (P<0.01); statistical differences were also observed in group C, D and E when compared with group B, and also group D and E when compared with group C (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between group D and E (P>0.05). In group A, B, C, D, E and testosterone group, the estrogen levels at 24 hours after cell culture were significantly lower than those at 48 and 72 hours (P<0.01); statistical difference was observed between estrogen levels at 48 and 72 hours (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed among 24, 48 and 72 hours in blank group (P>0.05). (2) Relative ratios of intensity of P450 aromatase/beta-actin at 72 hours of cell culture in group B, C, D and E were 0.6148+/-0.0046, 0.5156+/-0.0012, 0.4698+/-0.0027 and 0.4282+/-0.0017, respectively, which were statistically lower than that in testosterone group (0.8224+/-0.0021, P<0.01); statistical differences were also observed in group C, D and E when compared with group B, and also group D and E when compared with group C (P<0.01). No significant difference was observed between group D and E (P>0.05)., Conclusion: It is suggested that AMH might affect estrogen synthesis by inhibiting P450 aromatose activity so that lead to hyperandrogenism microenvironment in local ovary.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of human Factor IX (hFIX) in retrovirus-transfected human umbilical cord tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCT-MSCs). The pLEGFP-N1-hFIX vector was generated by cloning a 3.0 kb Bgl II-BamH I fragment from the pIRES2-EGFP-hFIX plasmid containing the hFIX cDNA and part of intron 1 of hFIX in pLEGFP-N1 vector. The retroviral supernatants were produced from the Phoenix packaging cell line and then infected the hUCT-MSCs. After selection with G418 for 10 day, the expression of FIX was detected by ELISA and Western blot. The biological activity of FIX was determined by the clotting assay employing human Factor IX-deficient plasma. The results showed that compared with the activity of pooled human normal plasma (100%), transduced cells produced biologically active hFIX with 100-130% activity in two-day culture supernatant and expressed hFIX at levels of 2.68 +/- 0.36 microg/10(6) cells/24 hours after G418 selection for 10 days. The secretion of hFIX into culture supernatant was also confirmed by Western blot analysis. It is concluded that genetically modified hUCT-MSCs can express biologically active hFIX and thus serve as an efficient drug delivery vehicle carrying hFIX used as a way of somatic gene therapy for hemophilia B.

Objective: To investigate the histomorphology and protein expression profiles of human fetal liver at different developmental stages., Methods: The protein expression patterns of human fetus livers at early and late stages were profiled by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis. The differentially expressed proteins were identified by searching the protein databases with Mascot or ProFound softwares., Results: The obvious differences between early and late fetus liver were not only in morphology but also in protein expression profiles. Compared with protein expression pattern of hepatocellular carcinoma, 32 differential or similar protein spots were analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS, and 26 proteins, including proteins involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism, were identified., Conclusion: The data suggest that the hepatic cancer cells regain some characteristics of fetal hepatic cells during the process of carcinogenesis.

The study was aimed to investigate the potential immunotherapeutical values of umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) on patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). UC-MSC was cocultured in vitro with splenocytes isolated from ITP patients who experienced splenectomy. The level of IgG antiplatelet antibody (PAIgG) was determined by a competitive micro-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The proliferation of platelet-reactive CD4+ T lymphocytes was also measured in the presence of UC-MSCs. The results showed that UC-MSCs could stimulate the spontaneous secretion of PAIgG in supernatants; In the platelet-inducing condition, UC-MSC inhibited the production of PAIgG at a low ratio of 1 UC-MSC to 100 splenocytes, but promoted at a high proportion of 1 UC-MSC to 10 splenocytes. Moreover, UC-MSC exerted a suppressive effect on proliferation of platelet-reactive T helper cells in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that the UC-MSCs can regulate secretion of antiplatelet antibodies in vitro. Its concrete regulation mechanism and potential immunotherapeutical value are need to further study.

Objective: To observe the effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on modulation of the disorders of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the severe sepsis as a result of intra-abdominal infection in rat, and to investigate the mechanism of efficacy of 5-FU in the treatment of severe sepsis., Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, severe sepsis group and 5-FU group. Healthy rats served as control (n=10). Severe sepsis was induced by peritoneal injection of 1.8x10(12) cfu/L E. coli with the volume of 10 ml/kg body weight. In the 5-FU group, 50 mg/kg of 5-FU was injected intraperitoneally 40 minutes after severe sepsis was induced. All rats were sacrificed 6 hours after operation. The mortality and the ascites rate were assessed 6 hours after sepsis. At the same time the wet weight of the lung was measured and venous blood was collected for determination of concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-10., Results: Compared with those of severe sepsis group, the mortality and the ascites rate at 6 hours were decreased significantly in 5-FU group (P<0.05 and P<0.01). The wet weight of lung in severe sepsis group was higher significantly than that in control group (P<0.01). The lung tissue wet weight in 5-FU group was lower than that of severe sepsis group (P<0.05), but it showed no difference when compared with that of control group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-10 in severe sepsis group were higher significantly than those in control group (both P<0.01). The level of IL-6 in 5-FU group was lower than that in severe sepsis group, but with no difference compared with that of control group. The level of IL-10 in 5-FU group was also lower than that in severe sepsis group, but higher than that in control group (both P<0.01)., Conclusion: 5-FU may lower simultaneously the level of proinflammatory IL-6 and anti-inflammatory IL-10, alleviate lung edema and inflammation. 5-FU has the protective effect against severe sepsis in rat.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of tissue engineering bone in maxillary sinus lifting., Methods: The marrow stromal stem cells of dog were cultured in DMEM containing 100 m1/L fetal bovine serum and induced to differentiate to osteoblasts, which were then inoculated together with Bio-Oss for 5 days. Sixteen dog's bilateral maxillary sinus were elevated. One side was grafted with a compound of BMSC and Bio-Oss and the other side grafted with Bio-Oss alone. The samples were studied by gross, CT, histomorphology and histomorphometrical analysis at the 30th, 90th day after the operation. t-test was used for statistical analysis., Results: In gross view and CT, new bone formation was observed in all maxillary sinus after 30 and 90 days respectively. Histomorphometrical analysis showed much more new callus in BMSC-Bio-Oss group than in Bio-Oss group (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: A better effect of new bone formation could be obtained with tissue engineered bone in maxillary sinus lifting.

Objective: To explore the ovarian morphological characteristics by ultrasonography as diagnostic criteria for pubertal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)., Methods: Sixty-six adolescent PCOS patients and 27 controls were involved in this study. They underwent transrectal ultrasound during the early follicular phase or amenorrheal period (dominant follicle excluded by ultrasonography). t test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were mainly used for statistical analysis., Results: The mean ovarian volume (MOV), maximal ovarian volume (MaxOV) and mean follicle number (MFN) in PCOS group were all significantly greater than control group (P = 0.000). ROC curve analysis showed a satisfactory diagnostic potency for both ovarian volume and follicle number. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.914, 0.884 and 0.838 for MOV, MaxOV and MFN respectively with no statistical difference among them (P > 0.05). Setting the threshold of MOV at 6.4 cm(3) offered the best compromise between sensitivity (84.8%) and specificity (87.5%), and setting the threshold of MaxOV at 8.6 cm(3) offered the best compromise between sensitivity (75.8%) and specificity (95.2%) and setting the threshold of MFN at 8 offered the best compromise between sensitivity (86.7%) and specificity (78.3%)., Conclusions: Ovarian morphology by ultrasonography yields satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for adolescent PCOS. Taking MOV >or= 6.4 cm(3) or MaxOV >or= 8.6 cm(3) or MFN >or= 8 as an ultraphonic criterion for pubertal PCOS offer the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of radiation and osteogenic growth peptide(OGP) on the bone density adjacent to the implants., Methods: 24 rabbits underwent 48 implants placed in the tibia, then the rabbits were divided into one control group and two experimental groups randomly. Rabbits in one of the experimental groups were injected with OGP Sol, rabbits in the other groups were injected with normal saline; Then rabbits in the two experimental groups received radiation after the implant wound healed. 12 rabbits were sacrificed at 4 weeks and 16 weeks respectively. The samples were observed with gross, X-ray, histological examination. The data was analysed for Dunnett t test using SPSS13.0 software package., Results: At 4 weeks, the bone density adjacent to the implant of the simple irradiation group was significantly less than that of the control group (P<0.05), while the difference was not significant between the irradiation and OGP group and the control group. At 16 weeks, the difference among the three groups wasn't significant., Conclusions: Radiation has considerable adverse effect on osteogenesis adjacent to the implants, while systemically administering OGP plays significant roles in the osteogensis of the irradiated rabbit tibia.

Objectives: The mutations of growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene results in growth hormone insensitivity (Laron syndrome) or partial growth hormone insensitivity. This study aimed to understand the relation between mutations of GHR gene and short stature with non-growth-hormone deficiency, and the clinical feature of the patients with the GHR gene mutations., Methods: (1) Forty-seven patients with non-growth-hormone deficiency and short stature were enrolled in this study, 33 were male and 14 female. The age of the patients were at a range of 2 - 16 years. (2) The mutations of GHR gene were identified by PCR-SSCP and DNA sequencing. (3) The characteristics of the GHR mutation was assumed by screening for the same mutations in patients' family members and the control samples., Results: (1) Four GHR mutations were identified in 5 patients with non-growth-hormone deficiency: H56R, G148E, IVS6-30, -31CA > TG and IVS8 + 10G > C. These mutations were located within the extracellular domain of GHR and not reported before. Five patients were the heterozygous of H56R, G148E, IVS6-30, -31CA > TG and IVS8 + 10G > C. The detection rate of mutant heterozygous individual accounted for 10.6% (5/47). The mutations were considered non-polymorphism by the GHR gene analysis in patients' family members and control samples. (2) Comparison of the amino acid sequence of different species and the position of the mutations H56R and G148E in the GHR protein structure suggested impact of the mutations on the protein function. (3) A polymorphism site was identified in exon 6 of GHR gene: G168G (GGA > GGG). The allelic frequency of G168G had no difference between the patients with non-growth-hormone deficiency and control samples but had significant difference between Chinese and Caucasian. It seems that the G168G was a polymorphism and has no relationship with the height stature. However, there was the allele diversity in different races., Conclusion: The mutations of GHR gene were detected in the patients with non-growth-hormone deficiency. Special attention should be paid clinically to its potential pathogenesis for short stature.

Aim: To observe the distribution of immunocompetent cells (ICCs) in tumor's local draining lymph nodes (LDLN) at different stages of disease including non-metastasis, micro-metastasis and late metastasis., Methods: 71 LDLN from 22 breast cancer, 28 LDLN from 7 gastric carcinoma were analysed by using catalyzed signal amplification (CSA) immunohistochemical staining. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to perforin, granzyme B, CD8, CD56, CD68, S-100, CD134 and CD25 were used to detect the amount and functional change of ICCs., Results: Paracortical hyperplasia and sinus histocytosis was mainly observed in tumor's LDLN. As it was reported, the density of S100(+) dendritic cells (DCs) was decreased as the draining lymph nodes became tumor-containing from the status of tumor free (P<0.05), and the morphology of DCs turned to be inactivated. As the lymph nodes were invaded by tumors, the densities of CD134(+) lymphocytes and CD25(+) cells were significantly increased (P<0.01). Furthermore, there was a significant trend of decreasing in the number of activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes (granzyme B(+) cells) in LDLN as tumor progressed from non/micro-metastasis, early metastasis to advanced stage metastasis (P<0.01). There was no obvious difference in distribution of ICC between non/micro-metastasis sentinel lymph nodes and non-sentinel lymph nodes., Conclusion: The dynamic change of the ICCs in LDLN implied that immune response of tumor bearing host tends to be inhibited with the progress of tumors.