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The history of vegetation and climate change during the Cenozoic has been reconstructed by systematically analyzing the sporopollen assemblage from Borehole ZKA02 in Beihai, Guangxi. Through the analysis of spore-pollen data, four sporopollen assemblages can be recognized. From the Early Miocene to the Middle Miocene, this area was covered mainly by deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest–wet meadow vegetation, with a mild and semi-humid climate. From the end of the Middle Miocene to the early Late Miocene, the study area was dominated by coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forest-wet meadow vegetation, with mild and semi-humid. The middle Late Miocene was a mixed deciduous broad-leaved forest–wet meadow vegetation, with increasing conifers and ferns, and the climate was warm and humid. In the late Late Miocene to Pliocene, it was deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest–wet meadow vegetation. The species of evergreen broad-leaved trees in tropical rain forests and subtropical low mountains increased obviously, and the fern molecules decreased obviously. The climate in the Late Pliocene was warm and semi-arid, drier than the previous three stages. Spore-pollen assemblages reflected the climate change characteristics during the Neogene, which have good comparability with the trend of global climate change.

The distributed alternating direction method of multipliers(ADMM) is one of the most widely used methods for solving large-scale machine learning applications.However,most distributed ADMM algorithms are based on full model updates.With the increasing of system scale and data volume,the communication cost has become the bottleneck for the distributed ADMM when big data are involved.In order to reduce the communication cost in a distributed environment,a general form consensus asynchronous distributed alternating direction method of multipliers(GFC-ADADMM) is proposed in this paper.First,in the GFC-ADADMM,the associated model parameters rather than full model parameters are transmitted among nodes to reduce the transmission load,and the associated model parameters are filtered according to the characteristics of high-dimensional sparse data sets to further reduce the transmission load.Second,the GFC-ADMM is implemented by an asynchronous allreduce framework,which combines the advantage of the asynchronous communication protocol and the allreduce communication mode.Third,combining the advantages of the stale synchronous parallel(SSP) computing model,allreduce communication model,and hybrid programming model,the asynchronous allreduce framework and MPI/OpenMP hybrid programming model are adopted to implement the GFC-ADADMM,which improves calculation efficiency and communication efficiency of the algorithm.Finally,the sparse logistic regression problem is solved by the GFC-ADADMM.Evaluation with large-scale datasets shows that compared with state-of-the-art asynchronous distributed ADMM algorithms,the GFC-ADADMM can reduce the total running time by 15%-63%,and has higher accuracy in convergence.

BACKGROUND Currently, tungsten, molybdenum, and bismuth contents are mainly determined by the traditional potassium thiocyanate colorimetric method and EDTA volumetric method. These methods are based on single-element analysis, which has a complicated operation process, low analysis efficiency, and long detection cycle. It is difficult to meet the requirements of accurate and rapid determination of many samples. OBJECTIVES To improve the traditional single-element analysis method for the determination of tungsten, molybdenum, and bismuth in polymetallic ore. METHODS A rapid method for the simultaneous determination of tungsten, molybdenum, and bismuth in the ore sample was developed by comparing the two digestion methods of HCl-H3PO4-HClO4-HNO3 and HCl-HClO4-HNO3, and was subsequently combined with inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. RESULTS Tungsten, molybdenum, and bismuth in the sample were digested more thoroughly using the four-acid digestion method with a reasonable addition of phosphoric acid. The relative error between the determined and certified values of each element ranged from -5.36% to -1.39%, which indicated higher accuracy. The relative standard deviation was ≤ 4.18%, and the detection limits of the method ranged from 0.0027% to 0.0037%. The method was employed for the analysis of actual samples of the polymetallic ore from a certain area in Chenzhou, Hunan Province. The recovery of each element ranged from 95.0% to 103.0%. All the technical indexes were better than those of the three-acid digestion method. CONCLUSIONS The developed method significantly improved the analysis efficiency and gave accurate and reliable results. The method has been verified by actual samples and is suitable for batch detection of tungsten, molybdenum, bismuth, and other major and trace elements in the polymetallic ore samples.

Based on the thin plate stability theory determined by energy criterion, the finite element model of unstable deformation of ultra-thin plate laser welded joint was established. The temperature field and stress field of 316L steel foil plate surfacing welding with 0.07 mm thickness were simulated by ABAQUS, and the distribution of inherent strain was obtained. The eigenvalue buckling analysis of the post-welding instability deformation behavior in thin plate was carried out by using inherent strain obtained by integral calculation as equivalent load. Compared with the measured deformation results of laser welding, it was found that the ultra-thin metal plate presents concave-convex deformation mode after lower heat input, while convex-concave deformation occurs after higher heat input in the thin plate. The parameters of the numerical model were optimized, and the reasons for the change of the deformation mode of the thin plate were discussed. The nonlinear buckling analysis was carried out by introducing the low-order eigenvalue buckling mode as the initial deformation trend, and the unstable deformation was simulated, which is basically consistent with the actual deformation measurement results. Keeping the ratio of length to width of the thin plate at 1:1 and changing the size of the thin plate, the numerical relationship between the critical instability load and the size of the thin plate was fitted. The results show that the smaller the area of the thin plate is, the greater the critical buckling load of the thin plate is. With the increase of the thickness of the thin plate, the critical buckling load is increased significantly.

We quantified the lag time of vegetation response to drought in the Pearl River basin (PRB) based on the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) and normalized difference vegetation index (ND-VI), and constructed a vegetation loss probability model under drought stress based on the Bayesian theory and two-dimensional joint distribution. We further quantitatively evaluated the spatial variations of loss probability of four vegetation types (evergreen broadleaf forest, mixed forest, grassland, and cropland) under different drought intensities. The results showed that the drought risk in eastern West River, the upper reaches of North River and East River, and southern Pearl River Delta was obviously higher than that in other regions during 1982-2020. The response time of vegetation to drought in high-altitude areas in the upper reaches of PRB (mostly<3 month) was generally shorter than that in low altitude areas (>8 month). Drought exacerbated the probability of vegetation loss, with higher vulnerability of mixed forest than the other three vegetation types. The loss probability of vegetation was lower in northwestern PRB than that in central PRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is one of the important cash crops in China, and about 40% of peanuts are used for food production. The sucrose content was positively correlated with the flavor and taste of peanut and its products, thus increasing sucrose content in kernel was significant for the promotion of peanut quality. In this study, two F2:3 populations (NYBPXSYT5-1 and 19-1934XJHT1) were constructed to investigate the genetic model of sucrose content, and analyze the correlations between sucrose content with oil content, protein content, and other seed traits. The results showed that the sucrose contents of peanut kernel in two populations were continuously distributed and abundantly varied, and the transgressive segregation phenomenon were observed. In the two populations, sucrose content was significantly negatively correlated with oil content but significantly positively correlated with protein content. However, the correlations between sucrose content and kernel length, kernel width, and 100-kernel weight were inconsistent. The genetic analysis in two populations showed that the sucrose content in peanut kernel was mainly regulated by two pairs of main genes with the additive effect and dominant effect. There was the interaction between the two main genes, as well as the additive effect. This study initially reveals the genetic regulation of sucrose content in peanut kernels, which is beneficial for the breeding of edible peanut varieties and the cultivation of special varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand pathogenicity of Athelia rolfsii to different peanut varieties, six strains with high, moderate and weak virulence were inoculated on resistant and susceptible varieties in the field, occurrence of disease was investigated every week after inoculation. The results showed that the optimal time for investigation was 14 days after inoculation. There was no significant difference in disease index among cultivars inoculated by highly virulent strains ZY2 and SQ1, and weakly virulent strain GP3-1, respectively, but there was significant difference of those inoculated by moderately virulent strains (HA, H1-3 and BL1-1). The disease indices of varieties by strain GP3-1 was low; and was high by strains ZY2 and SQ1. All tested peanut varieties were susceptible to the highly virulent strains ZY2 and SQl.The disease indices between resistant and susceptible varieties showed significant difference among moderately virulent strains. One peanut variety with broad-spectrum resistance to multiple moderately virulent strains was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low temperature is a significant abiotic stress factor that restrict the growth of peanuts, and breeding of cold-tolerant varieties is the most direct and effective approach to solve low temperature and cold damage. In this study, 372 peanut germplasm resources collected from home and abroad were used as research objects,and the yield correlation traits and qualities in Wuhan of the warm region and Kunming of the cold region were analyzed. The membership function method was used combined with chain cluster analysis to screen excellent cold tolerance resources, and the influence of cold and cool climate on yield correlation factors and quality was analyzed. Key cold resistance identification indicators were screened to identify and evaluate their cold resistance. The results showed that the plant, yield and quality of peanut were mainly affected by the temperature, light and accumulated temperature at the pod stage and the full fruit ripening stage: the higher temperature and accumulated temperature, longer light time result in the higher yield, oil content, protein and other content and also resulted in lower content of oleic acid, linoleic acid and sucrose. Tolerance of different materials to low temperature was different. The comprehensive cold resistance evaluation value (D) was clustered and analyzed, and 372 varieties were divided into 4 categories. Among them, Class I belonged to the strong cold resistant type with a total of two parts; Class II belongs to the cold-resistant type with a total of 86 varieties; Class III belongs to the non-cold-resistant type with a total of 280 varieties; Class IV is a sensitive type of varieties with a total of 4 varieties. Using multiple stepwise regression analysis method, the evaluation model of peanut field cold tolerance Y=-0.002+0.003X1+0.008X2+0.002X3+0.001X4 was established, and the relative hundred kernel weight, relative number of fruits per plant, relative plant height and relative yield per plant were screened out as the initial screening indicators of peanut field cold tolerance, which provided basic varieties and efficient identification methods for the cultivation of new varieties of peanut cold tolerance and related theoretical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The equilibrium solidified and the vertical section phase diagrams of Fe-C pseudo-binary were drawn with different chromium content (Fe-3.0%C-10.0%V-0.8%Si-0.8%Mn-X%Cr, X=2.0,5.0,10.0, mass fraction) by the Thermo-Calc software. The effect of chromium on the phase diagrams and solidification microstructure was investigated by OM, SEM, EDS, XRD, DSC and wear resistance test. The results show that the changes of eutectic transition points and phase region area are tiny with the increase of chromium content. The calculated temperatures of precipitated phase are close to the DSC results. The solidification microstructure is composed with α-Fe, MC, and M7C3. Chromium is mainly distributed in α-Fe and M7C3 carbides. With the increase of chromium, the amount of MC decreases and the amount of M7C3 increases; the α-Fe has no change. The hardness of the cast alloy increases with the increase of chromium content, and the maximum value reaches to 67.0HRC when chromium content is 10.0%. The wear loss is about 15.6mg when the chromium content is 5.0%, the wear resistance is the best.

Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) have high application value in the fields of industry, medicine and food. Previous research has proved that total content of VLCFAs in the Arachis species is significantly higher than that in cultivated peanuts. In this study, contents of VLCFAs were determined in RIL population derived from the cross between Zhonghua 5 and ICGV86699 with wild species consanguinity. Board phenotypic variations of total very-long-chain fatty acid content ranging from 4.99% to 10.33% was observed among the RILs. Five lines with high total very-long-chain fatty acid content were identified, of them, the highest content of ZJ011 is 9.82%. Based on the previously constructed genetic map, 20 QTLs with 3.72%-15.66% phenotypic variation explained (PVE) were repeatedly detected, and were mainly located on chromosomes A04, B04 and B06. The results lay a molecular and material foundation for the improvement of oil quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sucrose content of peanut seeds is an important quality indicator for edible peanuts. In this study, we analyzed the main gene plus multigene genetic model for sucrose content based on peanut recombinant inbred lines from continuous generation populations, and investigated the effects of environmental factors on sucrose content based on the investigation of phenotypic variation of different varieties in various geographical locations. The results revealed that 4 main genes plus additive-epistasis (4MG-AI) was the optimal model in all three generations of the RIL population. The heritabilities of the main genes ranged from 80.8% to 96.1%, indicating a high degree of heritability for peanut sucrose content. Among the four main genes, the 1st and the 2nd main gene explained the phenotypes 30%-52.2% and 25.1%-29.6%, respectively, while the third and fourth pairs of main effect genes explained the phenotypes at smaller rates. Based on the stability analysis of sucrose content of nine peanut materials, including Zhonghua 16, in five different environments, it was found that the coefficients of variation ranged from 17.39% to 39.08%, and that the stability of different materials varied. The environmental stability of sucrose content was varied across different varieties. This study showed that peanut sucrose content is a quantitative trait with high heritability, but it is also affected by environmental factors. The germplasms or varieties with high sucrose content and environmental stability were suggested to be further screened for genetic breeding and functional gene discovery in future breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contents of fat and sucrose are important factors to peanut quality, and revealing their hereditary properties is critical to improve the quality in peanut. In this study, the analysis of embryo, cytoplasm, and maternal effects for fat and sucrose contents in peanut seed were conducted by using general genetic model. Five peanut lines with significantly different fat and sucrose contents were selected as parents for incomplete diallel crosses. The results indicated that the fat content was mainly controlled by embryo additive effect, followed by maternal additive effect. The sucrose content was primarily governed by maternal additive effect. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significantly negative correlation between fat and sucrose contents in peanut seed (r = -0.886**), which was mostly managed by embryo additive and cytoplasmic effects. Predicted genetic effects suggested that 18-1951 with high fat content and JHT1 with high sucrose content were superior donor parents for improving the contents of fat and sucrose in peanut, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breeding and application of peanut cultivars with desirable resistance to Aspergillus flavus is crucial for integrated management of aflatoxin contamination. Most peanut germplasm lines identified as resistant to A. flavus infection or aflatoxin production possess small pod or seed with relatively low yield potential. In this study, a total of 188 recombinant inbreed lines (RILs) population derived from Zhonghua 16 x J11 were assessed for their resistance to A. flavus infection and consequent aflatoxin production. The yield-related traits including 100-pod weight and 100-seed weight were also investigated among the RILs. The results revealed that variations of percent seed infection index (PSII) and aflatoxin content (AFT) in the RILs were much wider than those of their two parents. Eight lines with resistance to seed infection, nine lines with resistance to aflatoxin production were identified from the RILs. A special line with large pod and resistance to both seed infection and aflatoxin production was identified, which could be potential for further resistance improvement in peanut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spacecraft missions are characterized by complex missions, high risks, high costs, high reliability, and long periods. In order to meet the needs of more complex spacecraft mission development in the future, model-based systems engineering (MBSE) methods is introduced in the spacecraft design and development. A model-based spacecraft development process and six types of model systems that meet the needs of the spacecraft development process are proposed, which are composed of demand model, function model, process model, architecture model, product model, and verification model. Taking the lunar water resource exploration as a hypothetical task, the MBSE modeling process and its model are presented, which fully embodies the advantages of the MBSE method in spacecraft design and simulation verification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are few methods for detecting abnormal behaviors of crowd massing in public places, and they have the following problem; most of the detection methods are performed after the crowd has gathered abnormally, and the detection accuracy is not high, and the timeliness is not good enough. Therefore, a crowd massing anomaly prediction model based on multi-scale convolutional neural network (MCNN) is proposed. Firstly, a crowd counting model is built through MCNN for testing the video of crowd massing anomaly. In the test, the number of crowd and the coordinate points of their heads are acquired. Secondly, the crowd density, crowd distance potential energy and crowd distribution entropy are calculated. Finally, the predictive model is built through the eigenvalues of three crowd motion state by PSO-ELM. Through the change of characteristic data, the prediction is completed. The experimental results show that, compared with the existing algorithms, the proposed algorithm can effectively achieve the early warning and detection of abnormal behaviors in crowd massing. With a prediction accuracy rate of 97.17%, it's more time-sensitive and provides more time for taking corresponding emergency measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the roles of FAD2s in response to cold stress in peanut, we cloned seven AhFAD2 genes from normal oleate peanut ZH16 and high oleate peanut ZH413, respectively. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression patterns of FAD2 genes were similar in ZH16 and ZH413. AhFAD2-1A/B was highly expressed in flower and developing seed, AhFAD2-3A/B was mainly expressed in leaf and stem, and AhFAD2-4A/B was expressed specifically in root and flower, indicating that AhFAD2 genes played their respective roles in different developmental stages and tissues of peanut. At 6 days after inducing under 15 °C, the germination rate of ZH16 was significantly decreased while that of ZH413 was not significantly affected. The expression of both AhFAD2-1A/B and AhFAD2-4A/B were induced by cold stress. The expression of AhFAD2-1A/B was significantly up-regulated at 6 DAI in ZH16, while at 1 DAI in ZH413, suggesting that AhFAD2-1A/B was induced by cold more quickly in high oleate peanut. Furthermore, the expression of AhFAD2-4A/B was significantly up-regulated at 3 DAI in ZH16 and then decreased, while it was increased immediately and maintained at high level for six days in ZH413. Based on these results, we speculate that up-regulation of AhFAD2-4A/B may compensate the function of AhFAD2-1A/B that is deactivated under cold stress in high oleate peanut, and the deactivation of AhFAD2-1A/B is not the most important factors affecting peanut cold tolerance. This study provides a theoretical basis in breeding of high oleate peanut with high tolerance to cold stress, and the theoretical support for extension of high oleate peanut in both high latitude and high altitude regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ten peanut lines developed by Oil Crops Research Institute (CAAS, Wuhan, China) were evaluated for resistance and yield loss to peanut stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii under natural disease condition and by artificial inoculation. Results indicated that the wilting rates of these lines ranged from 11.0% to 50.0% under natural disease condition and 7 lines had the wilting rates lower than 30. 0%. Peanut yield and wilting rate were significantly negative correlated (r= -0.73,P < 0.05). The wilting rates of these lines (from 66.1% to 94.0%), at two weeks post inoculation in the artificial inoculation experiment,were lower than those (from 66.1% to 97.4%) before harvest, all these lines were susceptible to infection by S. rolfsii. The peanut yield was negatively related with wilting rate by artificial inoculation with the correlation coefficient of -0.85 (P <0.05). The peanut yield loss was higher than 91.7% for all these lines after artificial inoculation. One tolerant line 16 - A13440 was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

F1 hybrids and BC1F1-BC4F1 backcross generation were obtained by cross and backcross with peanut variety HY22 as female parent (recurrent parent) and Kainong 176 with high oleic acid content as the donor parent. The contents of oleic acid and linoleic acid of F1 and BC1F1 to BC4F1 were determined by Near infrared spectrometer. The seeds with oleic acid content higher than 60% were selected and their partial cotyledon was cut off for DNA extraction. The loci FAD2a and FAD2b in these seeds were detected by sequencing absorption peaks of PCR products with F0.7/R3 as primers, and those seeds with both FAD2a and FAD2b were used as the male parent in following backcross. The incision in these seeds whose cotyledon was cut off was sealed by paraffin oil, and these seeds were soaked in water for sprouting at 40°C. Those seeds that did not germinate within 12 hours were soaked in 100 mg L-1 ethephon solution for four hours, then immersed into water till 24 hours at 40°C by which 98% seeds could germinate. Four to five times of backcross every two years were finished in spring in Qingdao, 1-2 times in autumn and winter in Sanya, by which the breeding process might be accelerated. The backcrossing work began in the spring of 2013 and BC4F2 seeds were sowed in Qingdao in the spring of 2016. The young leaves were used for genotyping and these plants with aabb genotype and similar agronomic characters with Huayu 22 were selected and harvested, whose oleic content was then confirmed by NIR. Twenty single plants with similar characters of Huayu 22 whose oleic content was higher than 70% and oleic/linoleic ratio was higher than 7.0 were regarded as a new improved HY22 strain with high oleic acid content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar Array Drive System (SADS) is characterized by rigid-flexible coupling and electromechanical coupling, thus the influence regulation for the dynamic characteristic of SADS becomes to be very complicated. Based on the motion particularity of solar array, the mechatronics model of SADS was simplified to an equivalent structural dynamics model sharing the same dynamic characteristic with SADS in this paper. This model was validated by comparing with dynamic characteristic identified from system simulation results, and the influence analysis on system dynamic characteristic parameters was also implemented. The results indicate that the effect of drive assembly on system dynamic characteristics is in accord with that of a kind of elastic boundary on structure dynamic characteristics of solar array. The system dynamic characteristic could be impacted by rated torque amplitude, number of teeth in motors, reduction gear ratio, transmission efficiency of the gearing chain, lubrication performance between brushes and slip rings, drive speed and so on, among these reduction gear ratio and viscous friction ratio have the widest impact range to equivalent stiffness and damping, respectively. The dynamic characteristic of SADS with large reduction gear ratio approximates to the structure dynamic characteristic of solar array with cantilever boundary condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peanut virus diseases can cause mosaic and dwarf symptoms on peanut plants and influence peanut's production. Reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR)was used to detect peanut viruses in 12 peanut samples collected from Gaocheng, Hebei Province. Results revealed that only Peanut stripe virus (PStV) was detected in the 90% of the collected samples with mosaic and dwarf symptom. The coat protein gene (cp) of PStV of two isolates were sequenced, and their sizes were 864 base pairs. Sequence analysis showed that the sequences of Gaocheng isolates shared 94.4%-99.2% and 94.7%-99.7% similarities at nucleotide level and 95.5%-99.7% and 95.8%-100.0% at amino acid level with those of other PStV strains. These isolates shared closer relationship with Chinese and USA isolates compared with Chinese Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam isolates by phylogenetic analysis of CP nucleotide sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pod traits including pod length and width, seed length and width, 100-pod weight, and 100-seed weight of a high yield and high oil content novel peanut cultivar Zhonghua 16 and 8 related parental lines in its breeding pedigree were investigated. The results indicated that the pod length, 100 - pod weight and 100 - seed weight of Zhonghua 16 were lower than the corresponding data of the immediate parental genotypes, Zhonghua 5 and 8130 respectively, but higher than the corresponding means of all 8 parental lines respectively. The pod width and seed width of Zhonghua 16 were higher than that of the 8 parental lines in the pedigree respectively. The seed length of Zhonghua 16 were higher than that of the Zhonghua 5 and 8130 and the average of the 8 parents respectively. Based on the results of PCR analysis using 136 polymorphic SSR primers, 64. 1% and 87. 3% polymorphic bands of 8130 and Zhonghua 5 were identified in Zhonghua 16. Besides, there were some bands in Zhonghua 16 which were absent in both direct parents 8130 and Zhonghua 5. Certain candidate SSR markers related to the pod traits were identified including 5 markers related to 100 - pod weight, 4 related to 100 - seed weight, 3 related to pod length and 3 related to seed length. Several SSR bands related to large pod including IPAHM606 - 1, IPAHM531-1, GA8 - 2, 1B9 - 4 and HAS0428 - 2 were observed to have been inherited from the parents to Zhonghua 16. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the effects of inhibiting enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) on cell proliferation and apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of miRNA-101 in bladder cancer cells. Methods The microRNA-101-expressing plasmid targeting EZH2 gene was constructed and transfered into T24 cells. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of EZH2 mRNA. The proliferation of T24 cells was detected in vivo by MTT, and cell apoptosis was observed by Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometric analysis. Results The siRNA-expressing plasmid targeting EZH2 gene successfully inhibited the expression of EZH2 in T24 cells. Compared with control groups, the expression of mRNA in the positive group was significantly inhibited ( P < 0.05) . After plasmid transfection of 5 days, the cell proliferative activity was significantly lower in the miRNA-101 mimics group than that in the negative control group and blank control group ( P < 0.01) . In the miRNA-101 mimics group, cells increased significantly at Go/G1 phase [(80.12 ± 7.8) %, P < 0.01], while decreased at S phase [ (11.50 ± 1.2) %, P<0.0l] . And the expression of EZH2 mRNA was down-regulated (P<0.0l) . Conclusion The microRNA-101 silencing EZH2 can significantly inhibit cell proliferation of T24 cells and promote its apoptosis. It provides a theoretical basis for further study of bladder cancer gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the effects of parthenolide on growth inhibition, cell apoptosis and corresponding molecular mechanism of human T24 bladder cancer cells. Methods The inhibitory effect of parthenolide on human T24 cells was determined by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis and the cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. Alterations in signal pathway of NF-κ B and Bcl-2 family proteins were analyzed by Western blot. Results Parthenolide inhibited the proliferation of T24 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. As showed by flow cytometry, parthenolide treatment of the T24 cells led to significant G1-phase cell cycle arrest in a dose-dependent manner and a decrease in cell population in the S-phase, whereas the population of cells in G2/M phase did not chang significantly. Flow cytometry also showed a dose dependent increase in T24 cells apoptosis by parthenolide treatment. Western blot analysis indicated a down-regulation of phosphorylated I κB a in a dose-dependent manner without an effect on I κ B a expression in T24 cells by parthenolide treatment. Parthenolide treatment to T24 cell lines resulted a significant reduction in Bcl-2 protein expression but an increase in Bax protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions Parthenolide treatment could lead to a significant dose-dependent and time-dependent inhibition in the growth and an increase in apoptosis of human T24 bladder cancer cells. The mechanism of action of parthenolide may be related to inhibition of NF-κ B activation and regulation of Bcl-2 family proteins expression in human T24 bladder cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weapon systems effectiveness simulation (WESS) is a special kind of complex system simulation. There are not only much potential for composable modeling, but also urgent demands for composable simulation in WESS domain. Current approaches toward simulation composability e.g. unified simulation protocols, unified modeling methodologies, unified model specifications and so on, are mostly put forward from a technological perspective with lots of application domain specific knowledge left alone. Consequently, the true composability aim is far from fulfilled. In this research, the pivot of composability is put on the model architecture of a simulation application. By ways of pre-implementing the domain invariable knowledge (DIK) as a composable domain specific modeling framework, simulation application development is simplified as representing application variable knowledge (AVK) via customizing or extending the domain specific modeling framework. Along this approach, a composable modeling framework (CMF) for WESS domain is developed. The successful applications of CMF show its effectiveness on improving simulation development efficiency and model composability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To explore an effective method to construct and validate a finite element model of the unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) craniomaxillary complex with sutures, which could be applied in further three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA). METHODS: One male patient aged 9 with left complete lip and palate cleft was selected and CT scan was taken at 0.75mm intervals on the skull. The CT data was saved in Dicom format, which was, afterwards, imported into Software Mimics 10.0 to generate a three-dimensional anatomic model. Then Software Geomagic Studio 12.0 was used to match, smoothen and transfer the anatomic model into a CAD model with NURBS patches. Then, 12 circum-maxillary sutures were integrated into the CAD model by Solidworks (2011 version). Finally meshing by E -feature Biomedical Modeler was done and a three --dimensional finite element model with sutures was obtained. A maxillary protraction force (500 g per side, 20°downward and forward from the occlusal plane) was applied. Displacement and stress distribution of some important craniofacial structures were measured and compared with the results of related researches in the literature. RESULTS: A three-dimensional finite element model of UCLP craniomaxillary complex with 12 sutures was established from the CT scan data. This simulation model consisted of 206 753 individual elements with 260 662 nodes, which was a more precise simulation and a better representation of human craniomaxillary complex than the formerly available FEA models. By comparison, this model was proved to be valid. CONCLUSIONS: It is an effective way to establish the three-dimensional finite element model of UCLP cranio-maxillary complex with sutures from CT images with the help of the following softwares: Mimics 10.0, Geomagic Studio 12.0, Solidworks and E-feature Biomedical Modeler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complex system simulations desire modeling methodologies which support both domain-specific modeling of subsystems and universal integration and simulation of the whole system. Current modeling methodologies for complex system simulations are overviewed and classified as unified, composable and generative ones in the second part. It turns out that the generative modeling methodology possesses additional advantages over others when applied to complex system simulations. The shortcomings of current generative modeling applications in simulation domain are discussed. Based on the new born simulation model representation standard SMP2 (simulation model portability standards 2), we propose a systematic generative simulation modeling methodology. It makes use of the relevant technologies and standards of MDA (model driven architecture) and MIC (model integrated computing), which are the two main pertinent directions of the generative modeling methodology. Three key technical issues in the road to generative simulation modeling are discussed, including the common generative representation of multi-domain simulation models, the mapping and model transformation of multi-formalisms to SMP2, and the automatic generation of domain specific modeling tools. Finally, the architecture of a schematic supportive environment for generative simulation modeling is put forward; the finished work and next step are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After more than 30 years of development since the reform and opening-up policy was launched, the southeast coastal region has become the most developed area in China, with the most concentrated population and economy. But at the same time, frequent typhoon disaster chains, such as typhoon-heavy rainstorms-floods-landslides/debris flows threaten greatly the regional security and sustainable development. Based on the causal analysis of typhoon disasters and their domino effects along the coastal regions, several different types of disaster chains were figured Out and mapped, and their corresponding adaptation measures proposed from both engineering and non-engineering perspectives. Then a framework for regional sustainable development was put forward by following the characteristics of natural disasters and living risk, by integrating the engineering and non-engineering adaptive strategies, and by achieving in the end harmoniously the regional economic, social, and ecological developments. It can therefore become reference to regional disaster mitigation plans, the integrated risk governance, and sustainable development in the southeast coastal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

F6 plants of a peanut RIL population derived from Yuanza 9102 (susceptible line) × ICGV86699 (resistant line) combination were used to identify DNA markers for resistance to peanut stunt virus (PSV) in peanut by SSR and BSA method. Based on ELISA results, an SSR marker XY38 linked to PSV resistance was identified with 7. 5cM between marker and the resistance gene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: In order to determine the effect of functional occlusion on the essential root resorption, we compared the characters of functional occlusion between the patients who had essential root resorption in anterior teeth and who didn't have. METHODS: Panoramic radiography, periapical films and clinical data were used to diagnose the essential root resorption before the patients received orthodontic treatment. Fifteen patients who had 2-3 degree root resorption were divided into the experimental group, while 15 patients who didn't have were chosen as control group according to their age and sex. The functional occlusion of the cases in the experimental group and control group was checked on Denar Mark II articulator and via clinical examination, and the indexes of functional occlusion during protrusive and lateral movement in two groups were recorded. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the number of anterior teeth occlusal interferences (luring lateral movement in the experimental group was more than that in control group by clinical (P<0.05) or articulator examination (P<0.05), but the number of posterior teeth occlusal interferences didn't have significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the retrusive range (RCP-ICP) in vertical, anterior-posterior and lateral direction respectively. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that as a kind of long-standing and minor trauma, the anterior teeth occlusal interferences during lateral movement might be a cause of essential root resorption in anterior teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-direction impact loads imposed on the crewman maybe exceed the head-pelvis acceleration limit. According to the vertical attenuation seat, a new directional attenuation seat system is designed for absorbing the horizontal and vertical landing impact energy. A dynamic model of this buffer system is presented via the Lagrange equations. Numerical simulations of the analytic model are consistent with that of the Adams software. The effects of reducing impact loads between the vertical attenuation seat and the bidirectional one are compared. And the response characteristics of the head and the turn center are also presented. Numerical results show that the bidirectional attenuation seat reduces the head-pelvis acceleration markedly, and has little influence on vertical attenuation pole and chest-back acceleration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Timed influence net (TIN) is a powerful formalism to model uncertain causal relationship, and has been widely used in effectiveness evaluation of military operation alternatives. Stochastic timed influence net (STIN) is proposed to enhance TIN formalism by relaxing the constant delay assumption. Two key parameters, stochastic delay and stochastic belief sequence, are introduced in STIN to evaluate the effectiveness of alternatives under uncertain delays in the generation and propagation of operational effect. The mathematical description of and belief propagation algorithm in STIN is discussed in detail. This paper presents an example to illustrate the modeling process of STIN and the effectiveness of the belief propagation algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is suitable for the qualitative analysis of natural organic materials in cultural relics owing to its ability of accurately and rapidly identifying trace quantities of organic components in samples. In the present study, pyrolytic components of starch and peach gum, which are commonly used in ancient Chinese cultural relics such as calligraphic works, paintings, architecture, and objects, as well as gum Arabic, which is commonly used in western cultural relics, were systematically characterized using Py-GC/MS. As polysaccharide materials are often found mixed with other organic materials in cultural relics, an online methylation Py-GC/MS procedure previously established by the authors' research group, which is suitable for the qualitative analysis of drying oils, proteins, and waxes, was performed to analyze the starch, peach gum, and gum Arabic reference samples. The established experimental procedure can be used to comprehensively analyze the polysaccharides and other organic materials in cultural relics owing to its slow heating rate, long running time, wide mass spectrometry detection range, and high chromatographic separation efficiency. The experimental results were examined by dividing the pyrolytic products into three sections depending on the retention time. In the first section (2.5-10 min), pyrolytic products from the three sample types were similar and mostly included small molecule furans and ketones. However, the peach gum and gum Arabic contain a wider variety of pyrolytic products than starch, possibly because starch contains only glucose, whereas peach gum and gum Arabic contain a variety of monosaccharides. In the middle section (10-19 min), the pyrolytic products of starch, peach gum, and gum Arabic mostly consisted of furanones and other components. However, a unique profile was produced for each material type. Nevertheless, it should be noted that 2-methoxy-phenol and maltol were detected in all three materials with high chromatographic peak intensities. Therefore, these components are suitable markers for the identification of polysaccharides. In the last section (19-60 min), a variety of monosaccharide derivatives and monosaccharide oligomer derivatives were detected in the reference samples. The pyrolytic products of peach gum and gum Arabic were similar but completely different from those of starch. Therefore, starch, peach gum, and gum Arabic could be distinguished according to their pyrolytic products. In particular, 1,6-anhydro- β -D-glucopyranose was detected in starch with an extremely high intensity and was undetected in either of the other reference materials. Thus, this compound could act as a characteristic pyrolytic component for the identification of starch. Peach gum and gum Arabic could be rapidly distinguished according to the extracted ion chromatograms for m/z 60 and m/z 101, which represented major fragments of the pyrolytic products of peach gum and gum Arabic in the last section of the chromatogram. The established Py-GC/MS method was successfully applied to the identification of starch in binding materials from the rim of a globular carved red lacquer vase with dragon and cloud motifs, as well as in paper collected from a Tieluo with Bingdihanfang written by Min-ning. Both objects are part of the Palace Museum collection and originate from the Qing Dynasty. Research results of the present work are easy to be popularized. This study provides a method suitable for the accurate and rapid identification of polysaccharide materials in cultural relics, as well as a scientific basis for the research, conservation, and restoration of similar cultural relics. However, it should be noted that aging and the presence of other organic or inorganic materials in cultural relics may interfere with the detection of polysaccharide materials. Therefore, a further investigation on the aging behavior of polysaccharides and the effects of other materials on the identification of polysaccharides is required.

Objective: We aim to examine teenagers with varying vertical facial skeletal types with near-normal occlusion. We further aim to identify and study mandibular morphology and dentition characteristics to establish normal ranges and variations for future clinical reference., Methods: According to the results of the case studies, 42 adolescents with near-normal occlusion were divided into three groups, namely, low- (7 cases), average- (23 cases) and high-angle (12 cases) groups. We used Invivo 5 software for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data to calculate the cant of occlusal plane, axis corner of L6, ∠L1/MP, ∠L6/MP, Balkwill angle and Bonwill triangle of each group., Results: Markedly, the finding shows that the cant of occlusal plane and axis corner of L6 in the low-angle group were smaller than those of the other two groups. In the average-angle group, ∠L1/MP was larger than that of the high-angle group. Lastly, in the high-angle group, ∠L6/MP was smaller than those of the two other groups. On the one hand, these differences were considered statistically significant (P<0.05). On the other hand, other measurements show that these differences were considered statistically non-significant (P>0.05)., Conclusions: In the low-angle group, the parallelisation of the occlusal plane tends to be more obvious compared with the two other groups. In the coronal section of the low-angle group, the axis of the mandibular first molar is up-right, whereas it is distally tilted in the sagittal section of the high-angle group. Furthermore, a number of differences are noted in the adult groups. Factors, such as aging and development in the craniofacial region, lead to changes in functional occlusion.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the carotid artery plaque and the change of plasma aldosterone level related indexes during captopril challenge test., Methods: The patients with hypertension were enrolled as research objects and the captopril challenge test were carried out when they were hospitalized to screen the cause of hypertension. There were intact carotid artery duplex ultrasonography diagnostic data in them (83 cases). They were divided into the plaque group(57 cases) with carotid artery plaque and no plaque group( 26 cases) without carotid artery plaque according to the carotid artery duplex ultrasonography diagnostic data. The correlation between the carotid artery plaque and the changes of aldosterone concentration, renin activity and aldosterone to renin activity ratio(ARR) in two groups were analyzed., Results: The detection rate of carotid artery plaque was 68.67%. Compare with no plaque group, the patients in plaque group were elder and the level of apolipoprotein A1,(APOA1) was lower (all P＜0.05). The ARR difference value before and after captopril challenge test was lower ( P＜0.05).The aldosterone difference value and the renin activity difference value before and after captopril challenge test were higher in plaque group (all P＜0.05).The aldosterone difference value and the renin activity difference value were positive in plaque group and were negative in no plaque group. The difference value of the ARR was negative in plaque group and was positive in no plaque group. Logistic regression analysis showed that the age, the difference value of ARR and the aldosterone before and after captopril challenge test could be associated independently with carotid artery plaque occurrence after excluding gender difference and other factors., Conclusion: The detection rate of carotid artery plaque was high among hospitalized patients with hypertension, the difference value of ARR and the aldosterone before and after captopril challenge test could be associated independently with carotid artery plaque occurrence.

We report tandem polymer light emitting devices by using the PEDOT∶PSS/ZnO/PEIE charge generation layer (CGL) and investigate the influences of the conductance and thickness of PEDOT∶PSS layer on the properties of the devices. The results indicate that the conductance and thickness of PEDOT∶PSS layer have marginal impact on the J-V characteristics of the devices, while significant influences of device efficiency upon utilization of different PEDOT∶PSS specimens mainly come from their different strengths on exciton quenching. Luminance efficiency of TOLEDs with the PEDOT∶PSS thickness of 60 nm in CGL is better than TOLEDs with the PEDOT∶PSS thickness of 30 nm in CGL, the reason is that PEDOT∶PSS thickness of 60 nm the surface topography is more even . Luminance efficiency and driving voltage of the tandem devices match the sum of the luminance efficiency and driving voltage of the component light-emitting units, respectively, indicating that charges generated in the CGL can be injected efficiently into the adjacent light-emitting units. Incorporation of a V2O5 layer into the CGL structure only slightly affects the J-V and LE-I characteristics of the tandem devices, suggesting that the utilization of the PEDOT∶PSS/ZnO/PEIE CGL enables the simplification of the CGL structure without compromising device performance. The luminescence spectra of TOLEDs obviously involves two light emitting unit of spectrum, which shows that two light emitting unit in TOLEDs is normal work. Measurements on the capacitance-voltage characteristics of the CGL-based devices confirm that under negative bias (ITO anode) charges are accumulated and displaced in the CGL, which is totally in line with the full operation of light emitting units in the tandem devices. PEDOT∶PSS/ZnO/PEIE layer is evidenced the effective CGL. On this basis, for the first time we report tandem polymer light emitting devices containing three SY-PPV light-emitting units，which show the mixture of luminance efficiency and external quantum efficiency of 21.7 cd·A-1 and 6.95%, similar to the total luminance efficiency and external quantum efficiency of constituent LEUs. At 5 000 cd·m-2, the luminance efficiency and external quantum efficiency of the tandem devices are 20.5 cd·A-1 and 6.6%. Thus, the increase in the number of light emitting units leads to almost no performance losses, implying the robustness of the PEDOT∶PSS/ZnO/PEIE CGL. Tandem polymer light emitting devices containing three SY-PPV light-emitting units of the luminescent spectra is close to the light emitting unit. Further efforts on the optimization of hole injection layer in the CGL to minimize exciton quenching are underlying to promote the luminance efficiency of tandem polymer light emitting devices.

Purpose: To establish cranio-maxillary complex finite element models (FEMs) in cleft lip and palate (CLP) patients with miniplate and tooth-borne anchorage, and to investigate the biomechanical effects on maxillary protraction., Methods: The protracting process was simulated on FEMs established from a male patient's cone beam CT (CBCT) data to analyze the displacement and stress from different appliances., Results: Four FEMs of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) or bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) patients' cranio-maxillary complex with MA and TA were established. The maxillary arch on both sides of the cleft moved towards the cleft side during protraction, which was more obvious in the miniplate anchorage three-dimensional finite element models(FEM-MA) than the tooth-borne anchorage three-dimensional finite element models (FEM-TA).The amount of forward, downward displacement of the inferior orbital rim, paranasal area and middle maxilla point in the FEM-MA was larger than that in the FEM-TA, while the amount of forward displacement of premaxilla and upper canine in the FEM-TA was larger than that in the FEM-MA. The FEM-MA exhibited an orthopedic effect with more favorable stress distribution on the middle maxilla point while the FEM-TA showed a dentoalveolar effect with prominent stress distribution on the upper canine point. In addition, the FEM-MA showed a larger stress distribution area and sutural stress value than did the FEM-TA. The UCLP models showed an asymmetric pattern in stress distribution and displacement, which was larger on the cleft side than that on the non-cleft side. The amount of displacement of premaxilla in the BCLP models was smaller than that in the UCLP models., Conclusions: The established models have high geomagic and biomechanical similarities. It would be more advantageous to obtain more aesthetic outcomes and better stability using the miniplate anchorage.

The measurement system for the detection of soot production as high-temperature pyrolysis of hydrocarbon fuels behind the reflected shock wave was established. By using the laser extinction method, the soot yields of toluene/argon mixtures were measured at high temperatures. The mole fractions of toluene were 0.25% and 0.5% while the pressures were approximate 2 and 4 atm. The temperatures ranged from 1 630 to 2 273 K. The dependence of soot yield on the temperature, pressure and fuel concentration was obtained. With the changes of temperature, the soot yield is a Gauss distribution. The soot yield increases as the pressure or fuel concentration increases. The maximum of soot yield was as high as 55%. The peak temperature of soot yield was not changed dramatically with the pressure. However, it changed from 1 852 to 1 921 K as the concentration of toluene increase from 0.25% to 0.5%. Moreover, we compared the soot yield between toluene and methylcyclohexane at pressure of 4 atm with fuel concertation of 0.5%. During the pyrolysis of methylcyclohexane, the peak temperature of soot yield was 2 045 K, which is about 135 K higher than that of toluene. However, the maximum soot yield of methylcyclohexane is only 1/8 of toluene. This work provides experimental reference for the research of soot particle emission in the engines and the mechanism of soot formation.

This study aimed to investigate the pollution degree and human health risk of heavy metals in soil and air samples around electroplating factories. Soil, air and waste gas samples were collected to measure 8 heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn) in two electroplating factories, located in Baiyun district of Guangzhou city. Geoaccumulation index and USEPA Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund (RAGS) were respectively carried out. Results showed that concentrations of Hg and Pb in waste gas and Cr in air samples were higher than limits of the corresponding quality standards, and concentrations of Cd, Hg and Zn in soil samples reached the moderate pollution level. The HQ and HI of exposure by heavy metals in air and soil samples were both lower than 1, indicating that there was no non-carcinogen risk. CRAs and CRCr in soil samples were beyond the maximum acceptable level of carcinogen risk (10(-4)), and the contribution rate of CRCr to TCR was over 81%. CRCr, CRNi and TCR in air samples were in range of 10(-6) - 10(-4), indicating there was possibly carcinogen risk but was acceptable risk. CR values for children were higher than adults in soils, but were higher for adults in air samples. Correlation analysis revealed that concentrations of heavy metals in soils were significantly correlated with these in waste gas samples, and PCA data showed pollution sources of Cd, Hg and Zn in soils were different from other metals.

Contents of heavy metals in different sewage sludges were analyzed and the speciation distribution and bioavailability of heavy metals were investigated, and the risk assessment code (RAC) and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure for solid waste were used to evaluate the potential ecological risk and leaching toxicity risk of heavy metals in sludge samples, respectively. The results showed that contents of Cu, Cr, Pb and Zn were high and presented a great difference by different sources in sewage sludges. Most of heavy metals existed in non-residual fractions and percentages of the mobile fraction (acid soluble fraction) of heavy metals in acidic sludge were higher. According to the results of single extraction, 1 mol x L(-1) NaOAc solution (pH 5.0) and 0.02 mol x L(-1) EDTA + 0.5 mol x L(-1) NH4OAc solution (pH 4.6) were suitable for evaluating bioavailable heavy metals in acidic and alkaline sludge, respectively. Percentages of bioavailable heavy metals were higher with the stronger of sludge acidity. The mobile ability of heavy metals resulted in the high ecological risk of sludge samples, and the bioavailability of heavy metals caused acidic sludges with a very high ecological risk but alkaline sludges with the middle ecological risk. Leaching toxicity risk was very high in sludge samples except domestic sewage sludge. After the removal of bioavailable heavy metals, leaching toxicity risk of sludge samples was still high in spite of its decrease; however, part type of sludges could be implemented landfill disposal.

Objective: To identify the sources of infection and the mode of transmission of a malaria case with unknown origin., Methods: Clinical data of the case were collected and the epidemiological investigation was conducted. The blood samples of the patient and the suspected infection source (blood donor) were detected by microscopy, rapid diagnostic test strip (RDT) and nested PCR., Results: The patient did not visited malaria endemic areas. After a blood transfusion, the patient had chills and fever, and was confirmed as falciparum malaria by microscopy with bone marrow and peripheral blood smears and RDT. The blood donor was a worker returned from Africa. Before blood donation she was sick like malaria carrier, and took anti-malarial drug. She was then confirmed as falciparum malaria by RDT and microscopy. The blood samples from the patient and the blood donor were diagnosed as falciparum malaria by nested PCR, and the similarity of the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) sequence was 100%, showing they were mix-infected with K1 and MAD20 genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum., Conclusion: This patient is confirmed P. falciparum infection via blood transfusion from a donor who returned from Africa.

The gene-coding mature apyrase protein from Aedes albopictus was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned in frame with the a-factor secretion signal peptide into Pichia pastoris secreting expression vector pGAPZalpha-A resulting in the pGAPZa-A-apyrase. After being linearized by Bln I restriction enzyme, the recombinant pGAPZalpha-A-apyrase was trans-formed into Pichia pastoris GS115 by electroporation. Recombinant strains pGAPZalpha-A-apyrase/GS115 were screened on YPDS plates containing Zeocin and identified by PCR. The recombinant protein of apyrase (M(r) 60000) has been expressed in the supernatant of Pichia pastoris.

Blood sample obtained from a patient, which returned from Equatorial Guinea, with clinical diagnosis of Plasmodium infection was confirmed as imported P. ovale infection by etiology and molecular biological methods. 50 microl blood was obtained before taking anti-malarial drugs to make thin and thick blood smears, Giemsa stained, and observed by microscopy. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood sample, and detected for DNA fragment of P. ovale, P. vivax, P. falciparum or P. malariae by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. P. ovale parasites were found in both thin and thick blood smears, and confirmed by quantitative PCR. With the results of laboratory testing, epidemiological history and clinical manifestations, the patient was diagnosed as imported P. ovale infection.

Objective: To identify the pathogen and make diagnosis on a case who was misdiagnosed as malaria., Methods: Clinical and epidemiological information of the suspected case was collected. Blood samples during hospitalization were collected and examined microscopically. Genomic DNA from the blood samples was amplified by Babesia 18S RNA genus- and species- specific primers, respectively, and the amplified products were used in sequencing and BLAST sequence analysis., Results: The case had a fever over 20 days repeatedly with anaemia (RBC 2.59 x 10(12), HB 5.5 g/L) and hepatosplenomegaly. The unidentified parasites were found in the bone marrow and blood smear after Giemsa staining. Epidemiological information revealed that this case had a history of blood transfusion and tick bites. 1 625 bp and 449 bp band generated by PCR amplification from blood sample using Babesia genus- and species-specific primers, and the sequence homology was 99% in comparison to Babesia microti (AB241632) with BLAST analysis., Conclusion: The clinical information, epidemiological history, and the PCR identification confirm the diagnosis of Babesia microti infection.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy in the management of chronic wound and observe the correlation between wound healing and CD34+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)., Methods: A total of 119 patients with chronic wound in lower extremities lasting > 3 months were recruited for this randomized, single-center, placebo-controlled clinical trial. The changes of CD34+ average count before and after HBO therapy were detected by flow cytometry (FACS). There were 97 patients on long-term HBO therapy and in 22 patients on hyperbaric air therapy as control group. The CD34/Scal-1+ and CD34/CXCR4 dual-positive populations of gated cell were determined respectively by FACs. The outcomes of two groups were compared. Treatment was administered within a single-place hyperbaric chamber for 90-min daily (session duration 120 min) for 5 days a week for 4 weeks (20 treatment sessions)., Results: The wound size decreased at the 4-week end point (62.7% ± 22.3% in the HBO group vs 34.4% ± 20.6% in the control group, P < 0.05). After 10 episodes of HBO therapies for chronic non-healing wound, the peripheral CD34+ EPCs average count rose from 0.24% ± 0.03% at pre-treatment to 1.32% ± 0.05% while the number was 1.75% ± 0.17% after 20 episodes of HBO (P < 0.05). Both were significantly different from that of the patients at pre-treatment. However the overall circulating white cell count was not significantly elevated. The CD34/Scal-1+ and CD34/CXCR4 dual-positive populations of gated cell in HBO group were 5.8 and 5.2 folds than those at pre-treatment respectively. The number of EPCs was positively correlated with wound healing in lower extremities (correlation coefficient 0.84; P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Adjunctive treatment of HBO facilitates the healing of chronic non-healing wound in selected patients through the mobilization of EPCs.

Objective: To investigate the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), its ligand RANKL, and osteoprotegerin, and observe the effects of αD3 on their expressions in male rats at different ages., Methods: Wistar rats at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 24 months (n=15) were examined for mRNA expressions of RANK/RANKL and osteoprotegerin in the left proximal femur using RT-PCR and for their protein expressions in the right femur using immunohistochemistry. RANK/RANKL and osteoprotegerin expressions were also detected in another 15 rats aged 24 months following intragastric administration of 0.05 µg/kg αD3 (3 times a week for 10 weeks)., Results: Compared with 6-week-old rats, 6-month- and 24-month-old rats showed a 6.2-fold and 7.3-fold increase of RANKL mRNA expression, respectively (P<0.05), and osteoprotegerin mRNA levels increased slightly with age. αD3 treatment resulted in significantly increased expression of RANK in 24-month-old rats with a lowered RANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio. RANKL and osteoprotegerin were co-localized in the osteoblasts and chondrocytes. αD3 treatment also caused an increased expression of osteoprotegerin mRNA in 24-month-old rats., Conclusion: The age-related increase of the ratio of RANKL/osteoprotegerin mRNA promotes osteoclast activity and bone turnover. αD3 has favorable effect on osteogenesis and suppress bone absorption in the femur possibly by reducing RANK expression and lowering RANKL/osteoprotegerin ratio.

In order to study phylogeography, population dynamics and molecular evolution of rabies viruses (RABVs) isolates from China, especially spatio-temporal dynamics, the timescale of RABVs evolution and its pattern of migration, we performed an extensive comparative analysis of RABV N gene sequence data, representing 167 isolates sampled from 20 provinces in a 78-year period (from 1931 through 2009). The available Chinese isolates could be divided into two distinct clades:Phylogroup clades I comprised Chinese group 1-4; Phylogroup clades II contained Chinese group 5-8. We found no evidence for positive selection (dN/dS>1) acting at any codon and found strong selective constraints for N gene. Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) analysis suggested that the Chinese rabies viruses originated within the last 2000 years and the mean rates of nucleotide substitution for the N gene were approximately 4 x 10(-4) substitutions per site per year. The analyses of the spatial and spatio-temporal evolution indicated that RABV isolates from China migrated among different Provinces.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation of pulmonary embolism (PE) and original diseases by retrospectively analysis of the patients for 20 years in single medical center., Methods: Five hundred and five patients with PE were admitted and treated in General Hospital of Chinese PLA from January 1989 to January 2009, and their clinical data were retrospectively reviewed to analyze the risk factors of PE and the correlations of PE with the original diseases., Results: Of the 505 patients with PE in the past 20 years, the incidence of PE was increased year by year, especially it increased spectacularly after the year of 2004 [61.2% (309) vs. 38.8% (196)]. It was found to be most prevalent in patients of 4160 years old. Its incidence in males was 1.52 folds higher than that of the females [60.4% (305) vs. 39.6% (200)]. Dyspnea, chest pain and hemoptysis were the initial symptoms in the PE patients. Among the 505 patients, 40.0% of them complained dyspnea with chest pain and hemoptysis. Among them, dyspnea occurred in 100.0% of patients, hemoptysis in 52.1%, and chest pain in 40.0%. In 31.1% of the patients if was complicated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 19.8% of them suffering from varicosity, 9.5% of them had the history of surgery less than 30 days before, 22.0% of them suffering from neoplasm, 3.6% of them were accompanied with cerebrovascular disease within 4 days, 17.4% of them were accompanied with infection, 10.1% of them were accompanied with primary pulmonary hypertension, and 16.8% of them were accompanied with heart diseases. Multivariate analysis showed that the history of surgery, DVT and neoplasm had significant correlation with the occurrence of PE [odds ratio (95% confidence interval), OR (95%CI) was 4.540 (2.186-9.443), 0.325 (0.155-0.682), 2.610 (1.020-6.708), P<0.05 or P<0.01], while oral contraception, primary pulmonary hypertension and cerebrovascular disease showed a less significant correlation with the occurrence of PE [OR (95%CI) was 0.297 (0.078-1.126), 3.210 (0.855-12.110), 2.939 (0.862-10.020), all P>0.05]. The age and infection did not show significant correlation with the occurrence of PE [OR (95%CI) was 1.041 (0.674-1.607) and 0.820 (0.410-1.665), both P>0.05]., Conclusion: The PE is difficult in diagnosis, but with increasing cognizance, the diagnostic rate of PE has been increased. Patients with history of surgical operation, DVT or neoplasm, who complain dyspnea without known cause, chest pain or hemoptysis, should be subjected to further examinations, as to confirm the diagnosis of PE, then the survival rate of the patients with PE may be elevated.