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To establish a method for the determination of phthalic acid esters in Peanut oil, Peanut oil samples were extracted with n-hexane saturated acetonitrile, purified by 25 mg PSA and 25 mg C18 and detected by GC-MS selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode detection, external standard method quantitative.The standard solution of 17 phthalates showed a good linearity in the concentration range of 0.02～3.0 mg/L,and the correlation coefficient (r) is above 0.999, the detection limit (LOD) was 0.01 mg/kg to 0.02 mg/kg,and the quantitative limit (LQD) was 0.03 mg/kg to 0.05 mg/kg. the recovery of standard addition was 92.47% to 108.72%, and the relative standard deviation was 1.10% to 5.94%.The method is simple, rapid,sensitive and accurate. and can be used for the determination of 17 phthalates in Peanut oils.

According to the difficult start, unbalanced multi motor driving power and other problems existed in a driving system of the scraper conveyor, a soft start system with a valve controlled filling type hydraulic coupling was researched and developed. The paper introduced the composition, working principle and key technology of the soft start system with the valve controlled filling type hydraulic coupling. A flow field simulation technology was applied to the design of the impeller chamber mode, structure and strength and a high strength copper alloy impeller was successfully researched and developed. Based on a magnetic suspension technology, a floating support structure of the pump wheel component and a worm wheel support structure were designed and a reliability of the matching electric motor and the speed reducer's bearing was improved. A scale inhibiter was set up in a water supply circulated loop to eliminate a coupling operation fault caused by the water scale and to improve the reliability of the coupling operation. With a design on a supply water sealing, an overfilling phenomenon occurred in the operation process of the coupling was completely eliminated. A segmented vertical type combined control valve and water supply system could be applied to realize a selection of an open or close operation for the coupling. The reliable performances of the coupling were approved by the lab experiment and industrial experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted in the Taihu Lake region of southern Jiangsu to study the effects of applying nitrogen (N) fertilizer and fertilizer additive on the rice yield and the rice plant N uptake, translocation, and utilization. Applying N fertilizer had significant positive effects on the rice yield, accumulative absorbed N at all growth stages and at each growth stage, and N translocation rate after anthesis (P<0. 01). However, when the N application rate exceeded 200 kg·hm-2, its yield-increasing effect was not significant (P>0. 05). The N translocation rate after anthesis and the N fertilizer use efficiency decreased with increasing N application rate. Applying fertilizer additive further improved the rice yield, accumulative absorbed N, N translocation rate after anthesis, and N fertilizer use efficiency, and this effect was more evident when the N application rate was equal to or greater than 200 kg·hm-2. Relatively high rice yield and N use efficiency were achieved when applying 150 kg·hm-2 of N fertilizer without the application of fertilizer additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent over 30 years, China's economic development was so rapid that the local government providing for public services involving people's livelihood presented a trend towards the medium. The reasons why the trend took place were mainly as follows: there was a certain inequity in the relation between the administrative and financial power of local governments because of the traditional tax allocation system; overemphasizing the economic development in the evaluation of the performance of a local government; the poor construction of social security/environment was disproportionate to economic development. Taking the data on budgetary expenditures of local governments in recent years as evaluation indices, it was found that the motive of the trend towards the medium appears when local governments play the role of multitask agents in public services. The measures to be taken to solve the problem should include the following three aspects, i.e., the reform to perfect the tax allocation system, improving the policy of social security/environment and creating an evaluation system of competitive market for public services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 1991, Somalia has been in constant ethnic strife and chaotic warlordism, so the construction of the nation-state has undergone serious setbacks and the country fallen into the plight of civil strife. The fuzzy sense of the identity of a nation-state and the typical experience of the aftermath effect of the colonization constitute the internal causes for such a plight, while its external causes are made up by the factors such as the insufficiency and failure of the international intervention, the absence and dislocation of the intervention provided by the big nations, and the negative involvement of the neighboring nations. The reconstruction of the nation-state in Somalia is a systematic multilateral project: the ethnic reconciliation and the restoration of the domestic peace constitute the premise of its realization; the appropriate interventions offered by the international community make up a necessary condition; and the positive involvement of its neighboring countries and the organization of IGAD is also a very important factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heat transfer and flow field characteristics of a periodical turbulent jet impinging on a flat plate are experimental studied and the results as well as the mechanism of heat transfer enhancement are discussed. The periodical jets are produced by a special mass flow rate controller. The results of two typical periodical jets (i.e., sinusoidal and rectangular jets) are presented and the signal frequency is performed as a parameter in the experiments. The experimental results show that the heat transfer performances of two periodical jets with same average flow rate are obviously different. The rectangular jet, which has a step change in signal function itself, is much more effective for heat transfer improvement than the sinusoidal impinging jet. A higher frequency is promising in heat transfer for both signals. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is used to measure the phase-locked flow field of the periodically impinging jet. For the higher frequency case of a rectangular impinging jet which has a step change in signal itself, the plate surface is exposed to both a strong impinging jet and a strong vortex during a periodical cycle and thereby it improves the convection process. In the flow field of a sinusoidal impinging jet, the phase-averaged velocity is lower than the case in a rectangular jet. The entrainment to the ambient fluid and the impingement as well as the vortex spreading are not so strong as that of a rectangular jet, thus it leads to only a slight heat transfer augmentation even at a higher frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid on-site evaluation(ROSE),an auxiliary sampling quality evaluation technology,can be used to evaluate the adequacy and diagnostic category of samples,judge the histological type of lung cancer,and optimize the gene type of lung cancer.Applying ROSE to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration of suspected lung cancer can improve the puncture success rate and diagnostic rate and reduce complications and puncture attempts.Rose performed via remote cytopathology technology or by trained respiratory specialists may become the future trends.

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestations and laboratory features of B-ALL patients with EP300-ZNF384 fusion gene positive, so as to improve the understanding of this subtype disease., Methods: The clinical data of 3 B-ALL patients with EP300-ZNF384 fusion gene positive admitted in Department of Hematology, the first medical center of Chinese PLA general hospital from February 2017 to February 2018 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The clinical and laboratory characteristics as well as the therapentic outcome in B-ALL patients with EP300-ZNF384 fusion gene positive were analyzed., Results: The fusion gene of EP300-ZNF384 was detected in 8.1%(3/37) of B-ALL patients. All cases showed the normal karyotype and aberrant CD13 and/or CD33 expression for immunophenotype. 3 patients were sensitive to traditional chemotherapy., Conclusion: The B-ALL with EEP300-ZNF384 fusion gene positive may be a subgroup of B-ALL with a uniqe clinical characteristis and laboatorial features. EP300-ZNF384 positive patients show a good response to conventional chemotherapy, suggesting a favorable prognosis.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the clinical manifestation, laboratorial test features and prognosis of patients with CML in myeloid blast crisis., Methods: The clinical data of 10 patients with CML in myeloid blast crisis admitted in Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2011 to May 2018 were collected, and their clinical features, laboratorial data and long-term survival were analyzed., Results: The median age of these 10 cases was 32.5 (23-73) years old. Nine cases had chronic phase history. The median chronic phase was 17(4-84) months. All the 10 cases had splenomegaly; B-ultrasonography showed that the median spleen size was 5.2 (4-7.8) cm in thickness, and 14.6 (11.4-19.8) in length. When chronic myeloid leukemia was in blast crisis, the median WBC count was 41.705（11.9-344.41）×10 9 /L and the median platelet count was 159 (13-2326) ×10 9 /L. The Ph+ chromosome and BCR-ABL1 fusion gene coulld be detected in all the cases. The chromosome karyotyping showed that additional chromosome abnormalities were found in 5 cases. One case was of low diploid, and two cases were with complex karyotype. ABL1 mutation was detected in 6 out of these 10 cases. ABL1 T315I mutation was detected in 2 of them and one was with deletion of combined P53 in genetic tests. The median follow-up time was 10.5(0.2-78) months. There were 5 cases treated sequentially by chemotheraphy with or without TKI and allo-HSCT. Three cases reached CP2 before transplantation. Among them, two cases still survived without progression for 67 months and 69 months after the transplantation respectively. One case died of transplantation-related mortality (suffered from cerebral hemorrhage 7 months after the transplantation). Two cases were NR before the transplantation, and both died of disease relapse or progression at the time points of one or three months after the transplantation. Five cases treated by TKI ± chemotheraphy and without HSCT succumbed to disease progression. The median time was 6(0.2-22) months., Conclusion: CML patients in myeloid blast crisis treated by chemotheraphy combined with TKI gain CP2, the survival time of patients treated by sequential allo-HSCT is prolonged.

Objective: To investigate the clinical manifestation, features of laboratorial examination results and prognosis of patients with Ph + /BCR-ABL + acute myelogenous leukemia(AML)., Methods: The clinical data of 5 AML patients with Ph + /BCR-ABL + admitted in Department of Hematology of Chinese PLA general hospital from July 2007 to May 2015 were collected and their clinical characteristics, laboatorial examination results and long-term survival were analyzed., Results: The median age of 5 cases was 39 years old, and 2 cases with splenomegaly. All the cases were assayed for BCR-ABL fusion gene, and 2 of them were accompanied with other molecular abnormalities. In 4 cases, Ph chromosome was not found in one case, and one was with complex karyotype. 3 cases still are live till now and are treated by traditional chemotherapy combined with TKI, and consolidated by allo-HSCT. One case treated by traditional chemotherapy survived for 6 months. And one case treated by traditional chemotherapy combined with TKI survives till to now., Conclusion: The survival time of Ph + /BCR-ABL + acute myelogenous leukemia is improved by the traditional chemotherapy combined with TKI and the consolidation with allo-HSCT.

Objective: To investigate the remission rate of all-transretinoic acid (ATRA) combined with arsenics acid(ATO) on acute promyelocytic leukemia, and the efficacy and safety of sequential consolidation therapy with idarubicin, all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide/compound Huangdai tablet., Methods: Between January 2011 and January 2016 years 22 patients with newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia who received ATRA combined with ATO till complete remission in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Rates of CR, early mortality, complications and duration of induction were analyzed. The low/intermediate risk patients received 1-2 courses of idarubicin (IDA) single-agent chemotherapy, ATRA and compound Huangdai tablet /ATO alternative treatment of 4 cycles after complete remission; the high-risk patients received idarubicin and cytarabine chemotherapy, ATRA and compound Huangdai tablet /ATO alternative treatment of a total of 4 cycles for double-induction group., Results: Double-induction achieved a 100% CR rates after 28.23±1.6 days induction. During induction, the infection rate was 50%, 36.4% of patients had differentiation syndrome and 27.3% suffered from bleeding in different locations. The 5-year overall survival was 100% and relapse-free survival was 95.4%., Conclusion: This protocol has a good antileukemic effect. The combination of ATRA and ATO achieves extremely high complete reminssion rate and reduces coagulopathy to cut down early mortality. Sequential therapy with IDA, ATRA, and ATO as a consolidation regimen results in satisfactory clinical outcomes with tolerable side effects.

The secondary geological disasters triggered by the Lushan earthquake on April 20, 2013, such as landslides, collapses, debris flows, etc., had caused great casualties and losses. We monitored the number and spatial distribution of the secondary geological disasters in the earthquake-hit area from airborne remote sensing images, which covered areas about 3 100 km2. The results showed that Lushan County, Baoxing County and Tianquan County were most severely affected; there were 164, 126 and 71 secondary geological disasters in these regions. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between the distribution of the secondary geological disasters, geological structure and intensity. The results indicate that there were 4 high-hazard zones in the monitored area, one focused within six kilometers from the epicenter, and others are distributed along the two main fault zones of the Longmen Mountain. More than 97% secondary geological disasters occurred in zones with a seismic intensity of VII to IX degrees, a slope between 25 A degrees and 50 A degrees, and an altitude of between 800 and 2 000 m. At last, preliminary suggestions were proposed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction planning of Lushan earthquake. According to the analysis result, airborne and space borne remote sensing can be used accurately and effectively in almost real-time to monitor and assess secondary geological disasters, providing a scientific basis and decision making support for government emergency command and post-disaster reconstruction.

Objective: To determine the regulatory role and mechanism of nitric oxide (NO) in the development and hatching of mouse blastocysts., Methods: The Kunming female mice were superovulated and then mated with mature male mice. On the day 2.5 of their pregnancy, morulae were flushed from their uterine horns with culture media. Morulae were cultured in different concentrations of N-nitro-L arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or the combination of L-NAME and SNP in culture media for 48 hours. The development and hatching of blastocysts were examined on day 4 and day 5 and the total numbers of blastocyst cells and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase 3) were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope., Results: With the increase of the concentration of L-NAME or SNP, the hatching rate of blastocysts and the total number of blastocyst cells were significantly reduced. The addition of 10 nmol/L SNP in culture media with 5 mmol/L L-NAME significantly increased the development of blastocysts and promoted hatching of blastocysts. However, with increase of SNP concentration in culture media with 5 mmol/L L-NAME, the development and hatching rates of blastocysts were significantly decreased. L-NAME had no obvious effect on the expression of active caspase 3 in blastocyst cells. However,when being above 500 nmol/L,SNP significantly increased the expression of caspase 3 in blastocyst cells., Conclusions: NO plays an important role in development and hatching of mouse blastocysts. Excessively high or low NO can damage the division of blastomeres, resulting in the failure of the blastocyst development and hatching. Also, excessively high NO can lead to the apoptosis of the blastocyst cells.

Objective: The study was to investigate the prognosis factors in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT)., Methods: The clinical information of 60 patients in our hospital was retrospectively analyzed and the prognosis factors of survival and relapse were explored by COX's proportional hazard model., Results: The elderly (HR = 4.530, P = 0.012), cGVHD (HR = 0.023, P = 0.003) and infection fungal disease (IFD) (HR = 4.019, P = 0.017) were influence factors for 2 year cumulative overall survival (OS). Response status (high risk vs low risk: HR = 3.465, P = 0.028), preconditioning regimens (TBI/Cy vs Bu/Cy: HR = 0.071, P = 0.012; FB vs Bu/Cy: HR = 7.547, P = 0.025) and cGVHD (HR = 0.088, P = 0.004) were influence factors for 2 year cumulative relapse rate (RR). cGVHD (P = 0.017) and IFD (P = 0.000) had an effect on OS after 2 years since allo-HSCT., Conclusion: Age, response status, preconditioning regimens, cGVHD and IFD are closely associated with the prognosis of AML patients treated with allo-HSCT, and different patients need the individualized treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of parents' perception of whether their child is a picky eater and the specific food category the children avoideating according to the food frequency questionnaire., Methods: This research selected 1 663 infants aged 4-36 months receiving non-diary complimentary food from maternal, infants, nutrition and growth study (MING Study) in 8 Chinese cities in which a combination of systematic cluster random sampling and purposive sampling was used. The general information, dietary status and picky eating status were collected through a self-designed questionnaire from the caregiver of the children. According to the parents' perception, the children were classified into picky/non-picky groups or avoid/non-avoid to a specific food category groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare between the groups., Results: The reported percentage of picky eaters increased from 7.37% in 4-6 months old infants to 36.20% in 25-36 months old infants. Most picky infants in 4-6 months and 7-12 months old infants avoided eating dairy food (25% and 24%); while most picky toddlers aged 13-24 months and 25-36 months avoided eating vegetables (26.92% and 47.46%). The infants aged 4-6 months and 7-12 months who were perceived as picky by their parents took more kinds of food (8 and 19.5 kinds) than those who were not (6 and 18 kinds), while the picky toddlers aged 13-24 months and 25-36 months took fewer kinds of food (28.5 and 34 kinds for picky eaters, 31 and 37 kinds for non-picky eaters). The parents of infants aged 4-6 months judged correctly in every category of food without any statistical significance; the parents of 7-12 months old infants judged correctly only in dairy food and eggs with statistical significance; those of 13-24 months old infants judged correctly in every food category except for vegetables with statistically significant difference in the category of eggs; those of 25-36 months old toddlers misjudged in dairy, beans and grains with no statistically significant difference in every category., Conclusion: Parents tend to misjudge their children's picky eating behavior before the first 12 months of the child, and tend to make a more accurate perception after the 12th month.

To observe a PPAR-alpha agonist effect of N-oleoylethanolamine (OEA) on CB2 (cannabinoid receptor 2), an anti-inflammatory receptor in vascular endothelial cell, healthy HUVECs and TNF-alpha induced HUVECs were used to establish a human vascular endothelial cell inflammatory model. Different doses of OEA (10, 50 and 100 micromol x L(-1)) had been given to HUVECs, cultured at 37 degrees C for 7 h and then collected the total protein and total mRNA. CB2 protein expression was detected by Western blotting and CB2 mRNA expression was assayed by real-time PCR. As the results shown, OEA (10 and 50 micromol x L(-1)) could induce the CB2 protein and mRNA expression, but not 100 micromol x L(-1). To detect if anti-inflammation effect of OEA is partly through CB2, CB2 inhibitor AM630 was used to inhibit HUVEC CB2 expression, then the VCAM-1 expression induced by TNF-alpha was detected, or THP-1 adhere to TNF-alpha induced HUVECs was examined. OEA (50 micromol x L(-1)) could inhibit TNF-alpha induced VCAM-1 expression and THP-1 adhere to HUVECs, these effects could be partly inhibited by a CB2 inhibitor AM630. The anti-inflammation effect of OEA is induced by PPAR-alpha and CB2, suggesting that CB2 signaling could be a target for anti-atherosclerosis, OEA have wide effect in anti-inflammation, it may have better therapeutic potential in anti-inflammation in HUVECs, thus achieving anti-atherosclerosis effect.

Objective: To measure the prevalence, the possible causes and the influencing factors of allergy, food hypersensitivity and food intolerance in 0-36 month old infants in 8 cities in China., Method: Totally 2632 infants from the outpatient departments of prevention and health care of two representative hospitals in 8 Chinese cities were randomly selected by applying multistage cluster sampling method from October 2011 to March 2012, and a one-on-one survey to infants' parents was conducted to investigate infants' sensitization status., Result: Self-reported infant allergy rate was 17.97% (473/2632) ; self-reported food hypersensitivity and food intolerance rates were 6.53% (172/2632) and 4.26% (112/2632) , respectively. The proportion of self-reported food hypersensitivity of 0-12 months old infants was 4.47% (74/1656) and their top five allergens in a descending order were eggs (28.38%) , shrimp (25.68%) , fish (21.62%) , milk (18.92%) and wheat (4.05%) . The proportion of self-reported 13-36 months old infant's food hypersensitivity was 10.05% (98/976) . The top five allergens were shrimp (33.93%) , fish (26.79%) , eggs (23.21%) , milk (12.50%) and soy (3.57%) in 13-24 months group, while fish (38.24%) , shrimp (35.29%) , eggs (20.59%) , milk (20.59%) and peanuts (2.94%) in 25-36 months group. Both 7-12 and 13-24 month old were the highest incidence (both of them were 11.98%, 58/484) of age for developing food hypersensitivity and 7-12-month old was also the highest incidence (8.47%, 41/484) of age for food intolerance. The self-reported food intolerance rate was 3.68% (61/1656) and 5.23% (51/976) in the two age groups, respectively. Age, parental history of allergy and father's educational level (OR was 2.452, 1.482 and 2.598, respectively, P < 0.01) were the risk factors of food hypersensitivity; within two weeks of sickness (OR = 1.267, P < 0.05) was the risk factor of food intolerance., Conclusion: Infancy was the most vulnerable period of life of getting allergy, therefore, it is necessary for all infants to prevent allergy through a variety of effective strategies.

Objective: To discuss the influence of age on the LA50 (the burn area lethal to 50% of patients) of burn patients., Methods: (1) Twenty-three thousand and seventy-three burn patients hospitalized in our center from December 1958 to December 2004 were enrolled, and they were divided into 25 age groups. LA50 values of total and full-thickness burn areas of patients in each age group were computed with probit regression method with Probit analysis of SPSS 11.0. (2) Those age groups with similar LA50 values were merged into one age group; thus 4 new age groups were formed. LA50 and its 95% confidence interval (CI) of total and full-thickness burn areas of patients in each age group were computed respectively. (3) All the patients were divided into group A (admitted from 1 December 1958 to 31 December 1983) and group B (admitted from 1 January 1984 to 31 December 2004) according to the admission time. LA50 and its 95% CI of total and full-thickness burn areas of patients in each age group of groups A and B were computed respectively., Results: (1) LA50 values of total and full-thickness burn areas of patients among the 25 age groups were low in age groups younger than or equal to 5 years, which increased in age groups older than 5 years, distinctly higher in age groups older than 15 years, and they became lower in age groups older than 60 years. (2) LA50 values of total and full-thickness burn areas of patients in the 4 merged age groups were lowest in age groups older than 60 years (50.90% TBSA) and younger than or equal to 5 years (35.81% TBSA), and highest in age group older than 15 years and younger than or equal to 60 years (89.38% and 59.22% TBSA). There were statistically significant differences in LA50 of total and full-thickness burn areas of patients among 4 merged age groups [with 95% CI values of LA50 of total burn areas of patients in age groups ranging from young to old respectively (56.87 to 64.69)%, (64.46 to 74.36)%, (85.89 to 93.37)%, (44.55 to 60.73)% TBSA; with 95% CI values of LA50 of full-thickness burn areas of patients in age groups from young to old respectively (32.67 to 39.69)%, (40.86 to 50.41)%, (55.27 to 63.85)%, (32.46 to 54.86)% TBSA]. (3) LA50 values of total and full-thickness burn areas of patients in group B (98.94% and 73.23% TBSA) were significantly higher than those in group A (69.61% and 39.79% TBSA). There were differences in LA50 values of patients among different age groups in both group A and group B. The variation trend of LA50 values of patients among the 4 age groups in groups A and B was almost the same. Except for LA50 of total burn areas of patients in age group older than 5 years and younger than or equal to 15 years and LA50 of full-thickness burn areas of patients in age group older than 60 years, there were statistically significant differences in the LA50 of total and full-thickness burn areas of the other patients between group A and group B [with 95% CI of LA50 of total burn areas of patients of younger than or equal to 5 years, older than 15 years and younger than or equal to 60 years, and older than 60 years respectively (48.38 to 56.07)% and (68.68 to 81.35)% TBSA, (75.91 to 84.89)% and (97.09 to 110.45)% TBSA, (30.08 to 45.08)% and (60.67 to 102.69)% TBSA; with 95% CI of LA50 of full-thickness burn areas of patients of younger than or equal to 5 years, older than 5 years and younger than or equal to 15 years, older than 15 years and younger than or equal to 60 years respectively (27.48 to 34.69)% and (42.09 to 54.03)% TBSA, (34.78 to 46.43)% and (49.62 to 69.47)% TBSA, (43.98 to 51.77)% and (66.43 to 77.99)% TBSA]., Conclusions: Age is one of the important factors that influence the LA50 of burn patients. LA50 in different age groups increases with the development of medical technology; however, the influence of age on LA50 is not visibly changed by the advance of treatment.

Objective: To explore a reconstruction method for complete nail bed defect caused by various kinds of reasons and to retrospectively analyze the effect of application of free full-thickness skin graft for the whole nail unit repair., Methods: Between Apr. 2010 and Mar. 2012, the method of free full-thickness skin graft was done for reconstruction of the completely nail unit defect in seven cases. There were 2 male and 5 female patients; the mean age of these patients at the time of surgery was 51.9 years (range: 7 to 70 years). The preoperative diagnoses included two cases of malignant melanoma, one of chronic infection, one of squamous cell carcinoma, two of subungual pigmentation and one of junctional nevus. There were 2 thumb lesions, 3 middle and 2 index finger lesions. Nail unit defect was in the range of 1.5 cm×2 cm to 2.5 cm × 3.5 cm and full thickness skin graft was harvested from the same medial side of upper arm (3 cases), forearm cubital fossa (1 case) and contralateral side of groin region (3 cases)., Results: All the patients were followed with an average follow-up time being 10 months. All the free skin graft taken was achieved with 100% in all the 7 cases, even in those patients whose partial cortical bone had been curetted. The skin graft was often bluish initially, and superficial blisters were always noticed within 1.5 months postoperatively and the survival skin graft was smooth eventually, and skin graft was adhered to the underlying bone tightly. There was no epidermal inclusion cyst and no residual nail formation. The skin donor sites were without complications. Aesthetic appearance was assessed by the surgeons and found no unacceptable for their patients. And all the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic appearance and active range of motion of their involved fingers, who did not express a desire to undergo any further of nail reconstruction., Conclusion: Free full-thickness skin grafting for reconstruction of the complete nail unit defect is a simple, safe and effective procedure which provides a satisfactory aesthetic appearance and does not make any significant skin donor site morbidity especially for middle-aged and elder patients.

In order to master the spatial variability of the normal different vegetation index (NDVI) of the peak cluster karst area, taking into account the problem of the mountain shadow "missing" information of remote sensing images existing in the karst area, NDVI of the non-shaded area were extracted in Guohua Ecological Experimental Area, in Pingguo County, Guangxi applying image processing software, ENVI. The spatial variability of NDVI was analyzed applying geostatistical method, and the NDVI of the mountain shadow areas was predicted and validated. The results indicated that the NDVI of the study area showed strong spatial variability and spatial autocorrelation resulting from the impact of intrinsic factors, and the range was 300 m. The spatial distribution maps of the NDVI interpolated by Kriging interpolation method showed that the mean of NDVI was 0.196, apparently strip and block. The higher NDVI values distributed in the area where the slope was greater than 25 degrees of the peak cluster area, while the lower values distributed in the area such as foot of the peak cluster and depression, where slope was less than 25 degrees. Kriging method validation results show that interpolation has a very high prediction accuracy and could predict the NDVI of the shadow area, which provides a new idea and method for monitoring and evaluation of the karst rocky desertification.

A field experiment was conducted in the Taihu Lake region of southern Jiangsu to study the effects of applying nitrogen (N) fertilizer and fertilizer additive on the rice yield and the rice plant N uptake, translocation, and utilization. Applying N fertilizer had significant positive effects on the rice yield, accumulative absorbed N at all growth stages and at each growth stage, and N translocation rate after anthesis (P < 0.01). However, when the N application rate exceeded 200 kg x hm(-2), its yield-increasing effect was not significant (P > 0.05). The N translocation rate after anthesis and the N fertilizer use efficiency decreased with increasing N application rate. Applying fertilizer additive further improved the rice yield, accumulative absorbed N, N translocation rate after anthesis, and N fertilizer use efficiency, and this effect was more evident when the N application rate was equal to or greater than 200 kg x hm(-2). Relatively high rice yield and N use efficiency were achieved when applying 150 kg x hm(-2) of N fertilizer without the application of fertilizer additive.

A novel kind of carbon nanotubes/titanium dioxide (CNTs/TiO2) composite photocatalyst was prepared by a modified sol-gel method in which the nanoscaled TiO2 particles were uniformly deposited on the CNTs modified with poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP). The composites were characterized by a range of analytical techniques including high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show the successful covering of the CNTs with PVP, forming core-shell structure. The nanoscaled TiO2 particles were uniformly deposited on the surface of CNTs reducing the bare CNTs which avoid losing the absorption and scattering of photons. The combination of CNTs and TiO2 particles imply the enhanced interactions between the CNTs and TiO2 interface which possibly becomes heterojunction. The composites become mesoporous crystalline TiO2 (anatase) clusters after annealing at 500 degrees C, and the surface area increases obviously. The photocatalytic activities of surface modification CNTs/TiO2 (smCNTs/TiO2) composites are extremely enhanced from the results of the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB).

Hydrous oxides of cerium, aluminum, nickel and copper were prepared by alkaline precipitation method. Langmuir adsorption isotherm was studied and specific surface area was measured by BET method through N2 adsorption-desorption process. IR characterization of hydrous metal oxides before and after fluoride adsorption was also studied. Results show that different hydrous metal oxides have different specific surface areas and their pore size distributions also are not all the same. Adsorption capacity is not directly dependent on the specific surface area. Isotherm study indicates that the adsorption follows Langmuir model and shows the feature of monolayer adsorption. IR study before and after fluoride adsorption shows that different hydrous metal oxides have similar adsorption sites in the same IR region as well as adsorption sites in the different IR region. The comprehensive interaction of these adsorption sites with fluoride ions results in the different adsorption capacity of different hydrous metal oxides.

Objective: Eosinophils play a pivotal role in asthmatic airway inflammation. We previously found a significantly high expression of Slingshot-1L (SSH-1L) in peripheral eosinophils in acute exacerbations of asthma. Objective To investigate the expression and localization patterns of SSH-1L in peripheral blood eosinophils of asthmatic patients and their changes after treatment with inhaled corticosteroids., Methods: We recruited 4 outpatients with acute exacerbations of asthma who received no previous corticosteroid treatment and 1 healthy volunteer. From all the subjects 30 ml peripheral venous blood samples were collected before and after a 3-month treatment with inhaled fluticasone. The eosinophils were isolated, purified and counted, and the expressions of SSH-1L in the eosinophils were examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The localization of SSH-1L phosphatases in the peripheral eosinophils was detected by immunofluorescence assay in one patient., Results: SSH-1L phosphatases distributed diffusely in the cytoplasm, especially dense near the membrane of the peripheral eosinophils. Glucocorticoids treatment resulted in a significant reduction in both the SSH-1L mRNA expression (0.7403∓0.1124 vs 0.4101∓0.0363, P=0.001) and SSH-1L protein expression (0.3410∓0.1337 vs 0.1543∓0.0551, P=0.039)., Conclusion: A high expression of SSH-1L in peripheral eosinophils in acute exacerbations of asthma may play a role in the activation and migration of eosinophils. The efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids in asthma control might be partly attributed to a down-regulated expression of SSH-1L.

In the present paper non-spectral Interference of iron matrix whose concentration ranges from 0 to 5 mg x mL(-1) has been studied by using ICP-AES. And its mechanisms are discussed through calculating every terms of the interference function and investigating the relation between the values of them and Fe matrix concentration. The results show that in a certain concentration range (0-5 mg x mL(-1)) Fe matrix has no significant influence upon excitation temperature and electronic number density. Most of the elements' activity coefficient terms decreases with the increase of Fe matrix concentration. And the contribution of each term to the interference function is different according to atomic line and ionic line. It is the difference in ionization term between atomic line and ionic line that causes this.

Objective: To investigate the effect of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the permeability of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells., Methods: TDI-human serum albumin (TDI-HSA) conjugate was prepared using a modified Son's method. MTT assay was used to assess HBE cell viability after exposure to different concentrations of TDI-HSA. The level of intracellular ROS of HBE cells was detected by flow cytometry with an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) uploading, and the permeability of cell monolayer was assessed by detecting the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER)., Results: The exposure to 120 µg/ml TDI-HSA did not obviously affect the cell viability. Compared with the control group, the intracellular fluorescent intensity increased significantly in the cells exposed to 20, 60, and 100 µg/ml TDI-HSA (P<0.05). The intracellular ROS production increased significantly after 100 µg/ml TDI-HSA treatment (P<0.05), but the increment in ROS production was significantly suppressed by pretreatment of the cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (P<0.05), which also enhanced the TEER decreased by TDI-HSA treatment (P<0.05)., Conclusions: TDI enhances the permeability of HBE cell monolayer partially through a ROS-mediated pathway, suggesting the importance of oxidative stress in TDI-induced pulmonary diseases.

Ferrocene was used as a catalyst, and xylene as carbon source. Chemical vapor deposition method was used to synthesize carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The CNTs were treated by oxidation method with concentrated nitric acid. Magnetic carbon nanotubes were prepared by using chemical co-precipitation. The products were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope. This paper is concerned with the adsorption of methyl orange by magnetic carbon nanotubes. The best experimental conditions were found. Adsorbent solution was analyzed by UV-Vis adsorption spectra. At the same time, desorption and re-adsorption of methyl orange from magnetic CNTs were studied.

Objective: To study the biomechanical characteristics of antegrade intramedullary fixation for metacarpal fractures., Methods: From March to May 2008, both the 4th and 5th metacarpals from 25 formalin embalmed cadaver hands had three-point bending test after transverse osteotomy followed by randomly fixation with one of the following three methods: plate and screw, antegrade intramedullary K-wire, crossed K-wire. While, both the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals had torsional loading test after the same management as the 4th and 5th metacarpal had undergone., Results: In the three-point bending test, both the maximum bending moment (M(max)) and bending rigidity (EI) of the antegrade intramedullary K-wire were comparable with those of the plate and screw, and were significantly larger than those of the crossed K-wire. In the torsional loading test, the antegrade intramedullary K-wire had a statistically smaller maximum torque (T(max)) than the plate and screw, and had a comparable T(max) with the crossed K-wire; while, the torsional rigidity (GJ) of the intramedullary K-wire was statistically weaker than that of both the plate and screw and the crossed wire., Conclusions: One single antegrade intramedullary K-wire can provide a satisfactory M(max) and EI for metacarpal fixation and shows relatively weak in the torsional loading test. The injured finger should be well protected to avoid torsional deformity in clinical practice.

Objective: To investigate the expression and release of high mobility group Box-1 protein (HMGB1) in the lung tissue of mice with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection., Methods: Eighteen mice were randomized into PBS control group, RSV group and RSV/ribavirin group. Seven days after RSV infection in the mice in the latter two groups, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for cell counting and classification, and the levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma and HMGB1 in the supernatants of the BALF were detected. The left lungs of the mice were harvested for pathological examination with HE staining, and the right lungs were taken for detecting the expression of HMGB1 by Western blotting., Results: RSV induced a TH1 inflammation in the lung tissue as shown by significantly increased IFN-gamma and decreased IL-4 levels in the BALF. The total BALF cells, neutrophils and macrophages in the RSV group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the cell counts were significantly decreased by ribavirin treatment (P<0.05). HE staining showed neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration in the lumen and submucous layer of the airway in RSV group. The level of HMGB1 in the BALF significantly increased in the RSV group as compared with that in the control group (P<0.05), but was lowered by ribavirin treatment (P<0.05). The expression of the HMGB1 in the lung tissue significantly increased in the RSV group in comparison with that in the control group (P<0.05), and was not significantly decreased by ribavirin treatment (P>0.05)., Conclusions: The increased expression and release of HMGB1 in the lung tissue of mice with RSV infection is probably involved in the development of RSV infection-related lung diseases.

This study was aimed to investigate the common chromosomal aberrations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and to explore the relationship between these chromosomal aberrations and clinical features of CLL. Sequence-specific DNA probes (D13S25, RB1, p53, ATM) and one centromeric probe CSP12 were applied to detect del(13q14), del(17p13), del(11q22-q23) and trisomy 12 by using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (I-FISH). 9 CLL patients with negative conventional cytogenetics or without mitotic figure were enrolled in this study. The threshold was established using 10 controls without hematopoietic malignancies. The results indicated that compared with the established threshold, all of the 9 CLL patients showed cytogenetic abnormalities. The detection using p53 and D13S25 showed positive in 7 cases, positive was observed in 5 cases by using ATM and in 4 cases by using both RB1 and CSP12. There was significant correlation between the ATM and the hemoglobin level of the patients. In addition, the elevated probability of gaining bulky lymphadenopathy was found in ATM positive patients. It is concluded that the I-FISH is a more rapid and sensitive technique for analysis of chromosome aberrations in CLL. A large series study with long-term follow-up is needed to reveal the role of cytogenetic abnormalities in the determination of CLL prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the effect of hydrogen dioxide (H(2)O(2)) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human bronchiolar epithelial (HBE) cells., Methods: MTT assay was used to assess HBE cell viability after exposure to different concentrations of H(2)O(2). VEGF/beta-actin gene fragments were amplified simultaneously by RT-PCR from the total HBE cell RNA, and VEGF protein expression in the cells was detected using ELISA., Results: The exposure to 200 micromol/L H(2)O(2) did not obviously affected the cell viability. Compared with those in the control cell, VEGF165/beta-actin and VEGF189/beta-actin ratios were significantly increased in the cells after treatment with 50, 200, and 600 micromol/L H(2)O(2) (P<0.05). The protein expression of VEGF significantly increased after 50 micromol/L H(2)O(2) treatment (P<0.05), but significantly decreased with pretreatment with the PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 (P>0.05)., Conclusion: Oxidative stress increases the expression of VEGF via a PI3K-dependent pathway in human bronchiolar epithelial cells, which may play an important role in the onset and maintenance of chronic inflammation in asthma.

Two typical sampling transects along the Zhengzhou-Shangqiu section, Lianyungang-Huoerguosi highway,were chosen to investigate the accumulation of heavy metals in roadside soils. The highway section at Wanliu transect has been operated since 1994, and that at Xiaowangzhuang section since 2001. Soil samples were collected along the two transects according to the distances from the highway. In laboratory, the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni and Cr in the soils were measured using AAS. The accumulation of these metals in roadside soils is analyzed in terms of annual accumulation rates and fluxes. The spatial patterns and potential risk of the metals are also discussed. There are several findings in this case study. Along the two transects, the concentrations of Cd, Cu and Pb in the soils increase from the highway first, and then decrease to the control values gradually. So they are typical traffic-source (anthropogenic) heavy metals. In contrast, Cr, Ni and Zn are nature-source metals. The highest concentrations of the anthropogenic metals in the soils occur between 25-50 m from the highway. The average valuesof concentration of Pb, Cu and Cd in the soils along Wanliu transect are 14.52 mg x kg(-1), 1.32 mg x kg(-1), and 73.54 mg x kg(-1) respectively, and 12.41 mg x kg(-1), 0.98 mg x kg(-1), and 43.64 mg x kg(-1) along Xiaowangzhuang transect respectively. The annual accumulation rates and fluxes of Pb, Cu and Cd in most samples are positive, Cu > Pb > Cd, and the values on Xiaowangzhuang transect are higher than those on Wanliu transect. Potential risk of Cd in all sample are negative, indicating that the soils have been polluted by Cd. In contrast, potential risk of Cu and Pb in most sample sites are positive, but the potential risk of Cu in the soils is much higher than that of Pb. Most sample sites within 300 m from the highway should be polluted by Cu in the future of five to thirty years, but polluted by Pb in the future of many more than one thousand years.

Objective: To introduce a new technique using OsteoMed M3 titanium plate and screws for fixation of the posterior elements in the open position after expansive unilateral open-door laminoplasty and evaluate its clinical effect., Methods: Sixteen patients with multilevel cervical disc herniation and canal stenosis were treated with an expansive unilateral open-door laminoplasty using OsteoMed M3 plate and screws, and the follow-up period lasted for over 6 months., Results: Most of the patients had marked neurological improvement after the surgery. The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score of the patients increased significantly from 9.06-/+2.380 (range 5 to 13) before surgery to 13.63-/+1.408 (range 11 to 16) at the final follow-up (P<0.005), with a mean recovery rate of 57.5%. One patient without postoperative neurological improvement underwent an additional anterior multilevel corpectomy. Bone fusion of the surgical lamina was achieved in all the cases without canal stenosis., Conclusion: Unilateral open-door laminoplasty with OsteoMed M3 titanium plate and screw fixation can effectively maintain the expansion of the spinal canal and resist closure while preserving the spinal alignment and stability. This modified technique is easy to perform and is associated with a low complication rate.

Background & Objective: Esophageal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. It is reported that the content and biosynthesis of polyamine in esophageal cancer is markedly increased. This study was to investigate inhibitory effects of both antisense ornithine decarboxylase (ODCas) and S-adenosylmethionine bi-antisense (AdoMetDCas) on polyamine biosynthesis, cell proliferation and invasion of esophageal cancer cell line Eca109., Methods: An adenoviral vector Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas containing antisense sequences of ODCse and AdoMetDCas was used. Cell proliferation was observed by counting viable cells or BrdU labeling. Protein expressions of ODC and AdoMetDC and the polyamine content in Eca109 cells were measured by Western blot and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Invasion of Eca109 cells in vitro was detected using Matrigel invasion assay. Furthermore, the anti-proliferation effect of Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas on Eca109 cell xenografts in nude mice was evaluated., Results: Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas significantly inhibited proliferation of Eca109 cells(P<0.05) and protein expressions of ODC and AdoMetDC. Transfection of Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas significantly decreased synthesis of three polyamines in Eca109 cells, which were putrescine (Put), spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) (P<0.05). Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas dramatically suppressed invasiveness of Eca109 cells in vitro(P<0.05). In addition, compared with Ad-GFP, Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas significantly suppressed the growth of Eca109 cell xenografts in nude mice., Conclusion: Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas significantly inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in esophageal cancer Eca109 cells.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of K(ATP)-mediated protection of the hippocampal neurons exposed to hypoxia., Methods: The neurons were exposed to hypoxia (0% O(2), 5% CO(2) and 95% N(2)) or treated with tolbutamide or diazoxide for 12 or 24 h 1 week after seeding. MTT assay was used to measure the cell viability. RT-PCR was performed to detect Bax mRNA expression., Results: MTT assay showed a much lower survival rate (75.7-/+2.8%) of the neurons exposed to severe hypoxia (PO(2)=0 mmHg) than that of the neurons in normoxia (P<0.01, n=7). Tolbutamide (100 micromol/L) treatment significantly reduced the survival rate of the neurons to (55.7-/+2.5)%, while diazoxide (100 micromol/L) increased the survival rate to 81.1-/+2.4)% (P<0.01, n=6). In normoxia, neither diazoxide nor tolbutamide significantly affected the cell viability (P>0.05, n=6). A significant increase in Bax (P<0.01) and Fas (P<0.01) mRNA expression occurred in the neurons exposed to severe hypoxia (PO(2)=0 mmHg) as compared with the expressions in cells in normoxia (PO(2)=144 mmHg). In the hypoxic neurons, tolbutamide significantly increased Bax mRNA expression(P<0.05), while diazoxide reduced the expression to a level comparable with that observed in normoxic condition. CONCLUSION Bax is involved in KATP-mediated protection of hippocampal neurons exposed to hypoxia.

Objective: To investigate the effect of education on self-evaluation and control level in patients with bronchial asthma., Methods: Seventy-five asthmatic patients with the initial diagnosis in line with the American Thoracic Society criteria, including 46 with junior high school education or below (group A) and 29 with senior high school education or above (group B), were asked to complete a survey to assess their symptoms and asthma attacks. Asthma control test (ACT) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) evaluation were performed 8, 12 and 24 weeks after salmeterol/fluticasone therapy. Step-down treatment was administered according to GINA guidelines. The self-evaluation of the patients was assessed according to ACT score, physical signs and pulmonary function. An ACT score over 19 indicate well controlled condition. The effect of education on the self-evaluation and control level of bronchial asthma was assessed., Results: The two groups had similar basal level of pulmonary function (FEV1). Eight weeks after the therapy, 29 patients in group A had ACT score over 19, including 11 with high control level; in group B, 17 had ACT score over 19, of whom 4 showed high control level. There was no significant difference between the two groups in control levels and self-evaluation (P>0.05). At 12 weeks, 37 patients in group A had ACT score over 19, with 17 having high control level; 22 patients in group B had ACT score over 19, 4 showing high control level; the two groups were similar in the control levels (P>0.05) but showed significant difference in self-evaluation (P<0.05). At the time of 24 weeks, 42 and 26 patients had ACT score over 19 in the two groups, with 19 and 5 having high control level, respectively. The two groups differed significantly in the control levels (P<0.05) and self-evaluation (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The patients' education level may play a role in self-evaluation and control level of bronchial asthma, but its impact differs in the course of the treatment.

Objective: To understand the role of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channel in sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced apoptosis of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons., Methods: Cultured rat hippocampal neurons were treated for 24 h with SNP, SNP+TRPC channel blockers, or SNP+TRPC channel activator. The viability of the neurons was determined by MTT assay, and the morphological changes of the cell nuclei were observed by Hoechst 33342 staining., Results: The survival rate of neurons treated with SNP for 24 h (67.4%) was significantly decreased as compared with the untreated neurons (P<0.01, n=8). TRPC channel blockers (2APB and SKF96365) significantly increased the survival rate of the SNP-treated neurons (102% and 92.7%, respectively, P<0.01), while TRPC channel activator (OAG) significantly lowered the survival rate of the SNP-treated neurons (56.9%, P<0.05). Treatment of the cultured rat hippocampal neurons with the TRPC channel blocker or activator alone did not obviously affect the survival of the cells. Under fluorescence microscope, the nuclei of the cultured rat hippocampal neurons were uniformly blue-stained. The neurons treated with SNP exhibited such apoptotic morphological features as cell shrinkage, condensation, aggregation of nuclear chromatin and presence of bright blue-stained apoptotic body. Treatment of the cells with both SNP and OAG resulted in increased number of apoptotic neurons., Conclusion: TRPC channel is involved in SNP-induced apoptosis of cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

Objective: To investigate the expression of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA in the lungs of asthmatic mice and the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on their expression., Methods: Twenty-one female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, asthma group and NAC group (n=7). The expressions of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA and their distributions in the lungs were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical method., Results: The expression levels of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA were not significantly different between the control group (0.88-/+0.02 and 1.20-/+0.20, respectively) and the asthma model group (0.86-/+0.05 and 1.21-/+0.08, P>0.05). After NAC treatment, both of HMGB1 and RAGE mRNA levels (0.98-/+0.05 and 1.58-/+0.21) were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P<0.05). HMGB1 was found in the nuclei and membrane of the bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells, and RAGE was located on the membrane of the alveolar epithelial cells., Conclusion: HMGB1 and RAGE may play a role in the oxidative stress during asthma, but the exact mechanism needs further investigation.

Objective: To investigate the role of Smac in cisplatin-induced apoptosis of non-small lung cancer cells in vitro., Methods: Non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells were incubated in the presence of cisplatin at different concentrations, and the cell proliferation status was observed using MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used for evaluation of the apoptosis of the incubated cells, and the expressions of Smac mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively., Results: Cisplatin inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of A549 cells both in a concentration-dependent manner. Cisplatin also increased the expression of Smac at both the mRNA and protein levels, which was also concentration-dependent., Conclusion: Increased Smac expression may play a critical role in cisplatin-induced apoptosis of the non-small cell lung cancer cells in vitro.

Objective: To investigate the effect of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells., Methods: TDI-human serum albumin (TDI- HSA) conjugate was prepared using a modified Son's method. MTT assay was used to examine the viability of HBE135-E6E7 cells cultured in serum-free medium after treatment with HSA or TDI-HSA at different concentrations. VEGF mRNA expression of the HBE cells treated with HSA or TDI-HSA at 10, 20, 30 and 40 microg/ ml, respectively, was detected using semi-quantitative RT-PCR., Results: Treatment with 40 microg/ml HSA and 40 microg/ml TDI-HSA did not result in significant changes in the viability of HBE135-E6E7 cells. RT-PCR revealed the constitutive expression of two VEGF isoforms, namely VEGF189 and VEGF165, in cultured HBE135-E6E7 cells. After exposure to TDI-HSA at the different concentrations (except for 10 microg/ml), a significant increase occurred in both VEGF189 and VEGF165 mRNA expressions in HBE135-E6E7 cells as compared with the expressions in the control group and the HSA-treated cells (P<0.05), and significant dose dependence was noted in the effect of TDI-HSA (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in the expressions between the control cells and the HAS-treated cells (P>0.05)., Conclusion: TDI induces significant increase in VEGF expression in HBE cells, and VEGF overexpression may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TDI-induced asthma.

In order to understand the phylogenetic relationships among Nocardiopsis species more rationally, the gyrB, sod and rpoB gene partial sequences of 24 validly published Nocardiopsis species were determined. The phylogenetic trees were reconstructed including 16S rRNA gene and above-mentioned three housekeeping genes. The average similarities of gyrB, sod and rpoB of Nocardiopsis species were 87.7%, 87.3% and 94.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, the average similarity of 16S rRNA gene of Nocardiopsis species was 96.65%. The variabilities of gyrB, sod and rpoB gene in Nocardiospis are greater than that of 16S rRNA gene. By comparing the phylogenetic trees, the topology of gyrB gene tree is almost consistent with that of 16S rRNA gene tree. Consequently, the gyrB gene possesses the superiority in phylogenetic taxonomy of the genus Nocardiopsis.

Objective: To seek a new method for the categorization of burn severity., Methods: Burn patients hospitalized in our center from December of 1958 to December of 2004 were enrolled in the study, and they were divided into different age groups according to same mortality, then the patients in each group were subdivided into 4 groups according to the burn severity: i.e., mild burns, moderate burns, severe burns, serious severe burns. The total burn area, the number of cases, the mortality, and the area of DI degree burns were statistically analyzed in each subgroup, and the scope in total burn area and area of III degree burns were taken as standards to define the degree of burns. The logistic regression equation was established with probability of death as the variable, and age, total burn area, burn area of different degrees as concomitant variables to form a logistic regression formula. It was used to predict the probability of death of patients hospitalized in 2005, 50 as to check whether the corresponding indices of these patients were consistant with above standard of categorization into degrees, and to judge hum severity of the patients who had concomitant inhalation injury, severe associated injury, or those with serious disease before burns., Results: The patients were divided into three groups: less than 2 years of age (including 2 years of age), 2 to 55 years of age(including 55 years of age), and older than 55 years of age groups. The classification standard of burn area was shown in table 2 of the article. The probability of death and corresponding indices predicted hy the logistic regression equation were highly coincident with our standard. Patients with moderate inhalation injury could be regarded as patients with severe or most severe burns, while severity of those with mild inhalation injury could be determined by burn area alone., Conclusion: The logistic regression equation is a good method to predict the severity of burn patients, with reasonable age specificity grouping, and accurate and practical scoring of division for corresponding burn severity.

Soil and sediment samples were collected from saline and alkaline soils or lakes in the Qinghai Province, northwestern China. 145 actinomycete strains were isolated using Glucose-Peptone-Yeast extract agar (GPY) and ISP medium 2 agar supplemented with 1.0 - 3.0 mol/L NaCl at pH 7.5 - 10. The antitumor activities in vitro of the fermentation broth extracts from the 145 test strains were detected in 6 human tumor cell lines (gastric cancer GXF251L, lung cancer LXFL529L, mammary cancer MAXF401NL, melanoma cancer MEXF462NL, renal cancer RXF486L and uterus cancer UXF1138L). Out of 145 test strains, 26 strains were positive in antitumor activities (17.9%), among them 19 strains belong to the genus Nocardiopsis, 7 strains belong to the genus Streptomyces. Then 8 antitumor-positive strains were submitted for 16S rRNA gene amplification and phylogenetic analysis after a comparison of antitumor activities, morphological, physiological characteristics and whole cell amino acids analysis. The results suggested that strain YIM 80139 is a member of a known Streptomyces species S. griseus, while strain YIM 80038 may represent a potential new Streptomyce species, and that the other 6 strains may represent 4 potential new species of the genus Nocardiopsis. The results presented above showed that actinomycetes isolated from saline and alkaline samples are important resources for bioactive compounds, and the abundant microbial diversity in the saline and alkaline environments in the Qinghai Province, Northwestern China is attractive for further investigation.

Aim: To study the protection mechanisms of K(ATP) channels on hippocampal CA1 neurons during chronic severe hypoxia., Methods: p53 expression, DNA fraction, and cell apoptosis were examined in cultured hippocampal neurons in control group, hypoxia group, hypoxia group treated with K(ATP) channels antagonist and hypoxia group treated with K(ATP) channels agonist., Results: In the group of a 12 h long exposure to oxygen concentration of 0%, diazoxide (100 micromol/L), the K(ATP) channels agonist, reduced p53 expression and the hypoxia-induced apoptosis. In contrast, tolbutamide (100 micromol/L), the K(ATP) channels antagonist, significantly rose p53 expression and the hypoxia-induced apoptosis, which could be reversed by p53 inhibitor TSA., Conclusion: K(ATP) channels protect hippocampal neurons against chronic severe hypoxia by suppressing p53 expression.

Objective: To investigate the expression of Slingshot-1L (SSH-1L) in peripheral blood eosinophils of asthmatic patients., Methods: Peripheral vein blood sample of 30 ml was collected from 15 healthy volunteers, 15 asthmatic patients with glucocorticoid treatment and 15 asthmatic patients without the treatment. The eosinophils were isolated, purified and counted for each sample, and SSH-1L/beta-actin gene fragments were amplified simultaneously by RT-PCR for the total RNA. SSH-1L protein was detected by Western blotting from the total protein of the peripheral eosinophils. The expressions of SSH-1L at both mRNA and protein levels are compared between different groups., Results: SSH-1L/beta-actin ratio significantly increased in untreated patients with asthma attacks in comparison with healthy volunteers (P<0.05), which did not occur in patients treated with glucocorticoids (P>0.05). The optical density of SSH-1L protein significantly increased in untreated asthmatic patients (P<0.05), but not in patients treated with glucocorticoids (P>0.05), as compared with the healthy volunteers., Conclusion: Significantly increased SSH-1L expression in peripheral eosinophils may play an important role in the activation and migration of eosinophils.