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Research on the stereochemistry of natural products, especially that of flexible macrocyclic molecules, has always been a huge challenge. Cembranes diterpenoids are a typical class of flexible macrocyclic molecules, whose configurations are often determined by coupling constant and nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE), both of which are nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) parameters with local character. The development of methods such as residual dipolar coupling (RDC) and quantum chemical calculations has further expanded the toolbox for solving stereochemical problems. RDC, as an NMR parameter with non-local character, has not only been reported in the structure construction and function research of biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids, but has also gradually been applied to the configuration determination of natural products, contributing significantly to the stereochemical research on drug molecules. At present, there are few reports of RDC application in determining the configurations of cembranes diterpenoids. Here, the stereochemical configuration of sinulariol Z is investigated by RDC for the first time and confirmed by X-ray diffraction, further demonstrating the feasibility of RDC in the stereochemical study on cembranes diterpenoids.

At present, the impact hazard analysis of fully mechanized working face is only carried out from a single geological structure or square effect factor. However, the mining conditions of rock burst mines are always changing, and the influencing factors are complex and diverse. Therefore, it is necessary to specifically analyze the impact hazard in the coupled area of geological structure and square effect in fully mechanized working face. Taking the 401111 working face of Hujiahe Coal Mine as the engineering background, the energy and frequency distribution characteristics of microseismic events of square structure area are obtained by microseismic network monitoring technology, and the impact hazard of square structure area is studied. The conclusions are listed as follows. ① The impact hazard is high in the square structure area, and the faults and folds in the area affect the continuity and deformation characteristics of the coal seam respectively, resulting in abnormal tectonic stress. ② The pressure of the overlying rock seam gradually transfers to the coal seam along with the excavation of the working face, and the concentration of static load in the area is significant. The square effect of the working face advancement process leads to frequent roof movement, resulting in a high level of concentrated dynamic load. ③ When the square effect and geological structure are combined, the concentrated static load in the coal body near the working face is at the highest level. The far-field concentrated dynamic load disturbance is the most frequent, and the potential hazard of regional impact under the coupling effect of the two is extremely great. In order to solve the problem of the impact hazards in the square structure area, specific prevention and control measures are taken for the three layers of the square structure area from top to bottom of the spatial dimension. ① The fracture of the thick hard roof will generate a high level of dynamic load, and pre-splitting blasting is carried out to reduce the connection between the roof and the adjacent goaf. ② The coal pillars and solid coal between the working faces are affected by the pressure of the overlying rock layer, and the static load concentration is high. It is proposed to implement large diameter drill holes to unload pressure and reduce the transfer of coal wall integrity support pressure to deep coal seams.③ It is proposed to implement large-diameter drilling + blasting pressure relief technology on the bottom plate to block the transfer path of the support pressure of the wall to the bottom plate and reduce the deformation of the bottom heave of the roadway. The results of engineering practice show that the prevention and control measures have good effect of pressure relief. The roof periodic weighting in the square structure area is shortened, which is basically below 15 m. The energy of the microseismic events at the working face is less than 104 J, and there is no large energy event. The proposed measures can provide reference for the prevention and control of rock burst in the same type of mine conditions.

To improve the solution efficiency of coupled heat and moisture transfer model for porous media, the tridiagonal matrix algorithm (TDMA) was adopted to solve the model, and the comparisons between the TDMA and the iteration method were conducted. The sensitivity analysis between the TDMA calculation error and the time increment was conducted. Based on the sensitivity analysis results, a variable time increment TDMA optimization algorithm was proposed. The numerical results show that for cases with variable properties, the calculation accuracy of TDMA decreases while the accuracy of the iterative method remains unchanged with the increase of time increment. For the cellulose insulation, the effects of time increment on the calculation accuracy of TDMA can be ignored when the temperature and the relative humidity variations in two successive time steps are less than 0.1 °C and 0.24%, respectively. Compared with TDMA, the variable time increment TDMA algorithm is insensitive to time increment, showing a higher calculation accuracy. Compared with the iteration method, the variable time increment TDMA algorithm has the same calculation accuracy, but the calculation time is shorter, which is reduced by 67 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DC transformers with dual active bridge （DAB） topology is characterized by zero voltage switching （ZVS） and provides the basis for realizing lossless turn-off buffer by directly paralleling buffer capacitors. First， the structure and operation control of IGCT-HDCT （IGCT-based high-capacity DC transformer） are introduced. Then， a black startup strategy based on a soft converter is proposed， which divides the start process into the extended phase shift and single phase shift startup to realize the ZVS of all devices during the black startup of IGCT-HDCT and prevent the surge current on the buffer capacitor. By analyzing the resonance process of the device after shutdown， the relationship between the phase shift and the system parameters in the extended phase shift stage is introduced， and the ZVS characteristics of the device in the single phase shift stage are verified. The transient bias current of the system is eliminated by predictive control and duty ratio design. Finally， the feasibility of the proposed control is verified by a 1.5 kV/2 MW prototype.

With the rapid socio-economic development， environmental pollution and energy demand are becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore， it becomes imperative to tap demand-side schedulable resources. Now that the air conditioning load occupies a large proportion of the peak power consumption in summer and is characterized by flexible scheduling， fast response and great schedulable potential， control technologies can be applied to ease up the shortage of power in peak hours. To this end， air conditioning load aggregation modeling and the schedulable potential are investigated. Firstly， a thermodynamic model of air conditioning is established. Secondly， an air conditioning load aggregation model with two kinds of different use behaviors is built， and the power demand of air conditioning load aggregation is obtained. Finally， the schedulable potential of the air conditioning aggregation load is analyzed by resetting the control targets. The results show that the method mentioned above can effectively evaluate the schedulable potential of air conditioning load.

Underground personnel behavior recognition is an important measure to ensure safe production in coal mines. The existing research on behavior recognition of underground personnel lacks research and analysis on the perception mechanism, and the feature extraction method is simple. In order to solve the above problems, a behavior recognition method for underground personnel based on fusion networks is proposed. The method mainly includes three parts: data preprocessing, feature construction, and recognition network construction. Data preprocessing: the collected channel status information (CSI) data is processed through CSI quotient models, subcarrier denoising, and discrete wavelet denoising to reduce the impact of environmental noise and equipment noise. Feature construction: the processed data is transformed into images using the Gramian angular summation/difference fields (GASF/GADF) to preserve the spatial and temporal features of the data. Recognition network construction: according to the features of personnel actions, a fusion network composed of a gate recurrent unit (GRU) based encoding and decoding network and a multiscale convolutional neural network (CNN) is proposed. GRU is used to preserve the correlation between pre and post data. The weight allocation strategy of the attention mechanism is used to effectively extract key features to improve the accuracy of behavior recognition. The experimental results show that the average recognition accuracy of this method for eight movements, namely walking, taking off a hat, throwing things, sitting, smoking, waving, running, and sleeping, is 97.37%. The recognition accuracy for sleeping and sitting is the highest, and the most prone to misjudgment are walking and running. Using accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score as evaluation indicators, it is concluded that the performance of the fusion network is superior to CNN and GRU. The accuracy of personnel behavior recognition is higher than the HAR system, WiWave system and Wi-Sense system. The average recognition accuracy of walking and taking off a hat at normal speed is 95.6%, which is higher than 93.6% for fast motion and 92.7% for slow motion. When the distance between transceiver devices is 2 m and 2.5 m, the recognition accuracy is higher.

In the application of mobile edge computing(MEC) in intelligent mine, the mobile users unload tasks to non-optimal edge servers due to unreasonable resource allocation, which leads to extra transmission time and execution delay, thus resulting in the decrease of the total task completion rate. In order to solve the above problem, a two-dimensional dynamic matching algorithm based on preference is proposed to optimize the resource allocation decision in MEC system. The data of the position of a mobile user in MEC system and the calculation amount required by a task in one time slot is sent to the edge server. The preference table of the edge server for the mobile user is formed according to the set preference value. At the same time, the preference table for all the edge servers is formed by the mobile user according to different physical distances. The two preference tables are combined to form a two-dimensional dynamic preference table, which is abstracted into a two-dimensional matrix. The two-dimensional matrix is processed by a two-dimensional dynamic matching algorithm based on preference, and the matching optimization results of mobile users and edge servers are obtained. The simulation results show that compared with the conventional MEC scene unloading algorithm, the preference-based two-dimensional dynamic matching algorithm can effectively alleviate the problem of the decrease of the total task completion rate in a large number of sudden task scenes, and can achieve the total task completion rate of more than 60% in extreme cases.

In regions where transmission corridors are badly needed, UHV lines will inevitably be constructed in parallel with other UHV or EHV lines. Hence, the electromagnetic environment characteristics near the corridors are complex and in-depth study should be carried out. In this paper, three models of parallel AC transmission lines are established, and the characteristics of the power frequency electromagnetic field, radio interference and audible noise near the parallel lines are studied. The results show that as the line spacing decreases, the area of strong electromagnetic environment reduces, but the amplitude will increase. The height of the parallel-erected line has more influence on the distribution of the power frequency electromagnetic field than the radio interference and audible noise. Generally, the electromagnetic environment generated by the parallel erection of UHV transmission lines is related to the conductor height and the spacing of parallel lines. When the radio interference and audible noise limits are up to standard, the spacing of parallel erection lines can be appropriately reduced. This study has a certain reference significance for the design and construction of UHV lines in areas being short of corridors.

Objective To establish a simple and stable model of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm in rats by retroperitoneal approach. Methods Twenty healthy adult SD rats were randomly divided into model and control group depending on a ratio of male to female at 1∶1, with 10 rats in each group. The infrarenal abdominal aorta was freed via the retroperitoneal approach in both groups. Then, in the model group, 0.1 mL elastase (about 5 U) was infused into the cavity for 20 min and 1.0 mol/L calcium chloride was infiltrated outside the cavity for 10 min. However, normal saline was used instead of elastase and calcium chloride in the control group. Abdominal aortic specimens were collected by laparotomy in 4 weeks after surgery. The diameter of the abdominal aorta was measured with vernier caliper during and after operation. The abdominal aortic diameter dilated by more than 50% or the aneurysm ruptured 4 weeks after operation is the diagnostic standard for abdominal aortic aneurysm. HE, EVG, Masson and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were performed to observe the pathohistological changes of abdominal aorta in both groups. Results The surgical success rate was 100%, survival rate was 100%, and tumor formation rate was 0% in the rats of the control group, while the rates were 100%, 80%, and 80% respectively in the model group. Significant difference was seen in the rate of tumor formation between the 2 groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the diameter of abdominal aorta between the 2 groups before operation (P>0.05), and in 4 weeks after operation, the diameter was obviously larger and the expansion rate was higher in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.05). In the model group, the abdominal aorta was spindle-shaped or cystic dilatation, obvious adhesion was observed around the abdominal aorta in the perfusion segment, and local calcification was seen. HE staining showed that the thickness of the vessel wall was significantly thinner in the model group than in the control group (P < 0.05). EVG staining displayed that the content of vascular elastic fibers was significantly lower in the model group than the control group (P < 0.05). Masson staining indicated that the content of vascular collagen fibers was significantly lower in the model group than the control group (P < 0.05). IHC staining for smooth muscle cells showed that the content of smooth muscle cells was significantly lower in the model group than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Retroperitoneal approach in combination of intracavitary elastase perfusion and extracavitary calcium chloride infiltration can simply and effectively construct a stable, reproducible and humanoid rat of model infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The difficulty in fault diagnosis of mine hoist inverters lies in extracting the features that characterize faults. At present, signal processing methods are mainly used to obtain fault statistical features, or the fault depth features are extracted by neural networks. In the actual working environment, the hoist inverter is affected by factors such as background noise and load changes. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain features that can characterize the faults effectively by using a single feature extraction method, resulting in low fault diagnosis accuracy of the hoist inverter. In order to solve the above problems, a fault diagnosis method of hoist inverter based on the fusion of statistical features and depth features is proposed. Firstly, the Hilbert-Huang transform(HHT) is used to conduct modified ensemble empirical mode decomposition(MEEMD) of the inverter output current signal so as to obtain the fault statistical features. At the same time, the squeeze and excitation with densely connected convolutional network(SE-DenseNet) is used to extract the depth features of the output current signal. Secondly, the local fisher discriminant analysis(LFDA) is used to perform fusion and dimensionality reduction processing on the combination of the two features to obtain low-dimensional fusion features of statistical features and depth features. Finally, the low-dimensional fusion features are input to the extreme learning machine to obtain inverter fault classification. Experiments are conducted for a single IGBT open-circuit fault in the hoist inverter. The results show that the low-dimensional fusion features obtained by this method are more capable of fault characterization than single features, which improves the fault recognition accuracy effectively.

In coal mine working face, there are problems such as uneven energy distribution of wireless monitoring network, the difficulty of manual maintenance and node battery replacement and energy limitation of some monitoring nodes. In order to solve the above problems, an energy optimization method of wireless monitoring network in coal mine working face based on mobile nodes is proposed by using the characteristics of periodic movement of the shearer. This method installs mobile nodes on the shearer to forward data that collected by monitoring nodes in the network to reduce multi-hop data transmission, and reduces redundant data transmission by setting transmission thresholds to reduce node energy consumption. The mobile nodes are used to radiate radio frequency energy to the monitoring nodes, which provides targeted energy supplement to the monitoring nodes so as to achieve energy balance of the network nodes. The experimental results show that compared with LEACH protocol, this method can make the wireless monitoring network energy distribution more balanced, reduce the network energy consumption and monitoring node mortality rate effectively under the same operation round, and extend the effective life of the network by 2.8 times.

BackgroundAmong the mitigating strategies for severe accidents, the in-vessel retention (IVR) is one of the useful remission measurements. The key point to evaluating IVR is to analyze that the final steady-state thermal load of the melt does not exceed the critical heat flux (CHF), which occurs during boiling heat transfer on the outer wall of the lower head, and the remaining wall thickness of the lower head can carry the melt to prevent the structural failure.PurposeThis study aims to analyze heat transfer of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) lower head under severe accidents by using ASTEC code.MethodsFirst of all, the composition and mass of the molten substance were assumed to be UO2, 92 353.29 kg; Fe, 43 000 kg; Zr, 23 133.9 kg; Zr oxidation, 41.8%, for a large advanced pressurized water reactor (LAPWR). With the heavy metal oxide layer and metal layer of stable molten pool in the lower RPV of this LAPWR, the average value of core decay power and the physical properties of molten materials in RPV were input as the condition boundaries for ASTEC, the middle break accident sequence was selected for the calculation of the thermal parameters of the coolant, the outer wall CHF and the final thickness of the lower head. Then, the CHAWLA-CHAN heat transfer relationship was used to calculate the heat transfer coefficient between the melt and the inner wall of the lower head. The key safety related issues such as the heat transfer parameters of the outer wall of the lower head, the heat transfer through the lower head, and the wall thickness of the lower head were analyzed. Finally, the IVR effectiveness was estimated by the thermal properties and the structure of the lower head.ResultsWhen the decay power is 21 MW and the core molten pool is divided into two layers, the average thickness of the oxide layer is 1.6 m, and the metal layer is 0.8 m. The results show that the heat exchange is more intense in the upper part of the lower head, and the maximum value of the heat flux occurs at the junction of the two melt layers, which the corresponding surface angle is 77.5°~80°. The inner wall of the lower head will be melted by the molten metal layer in the location of the minimum thickness of the lower head, and the final remaining thickness is less than 2.0 cm.

Objective To investigate Neuropilin-1 expression in Treg and PDC cells in peripheral blood of non-small cell lung cancer patients and clinical significance. Methods We collected the peripheral blood of 49 diagnosed non-small cell lung cancer patients, and 33 healthy subjects were taken as control group. The expression of NRP-1 on Treg and PDC cells in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Results The expression rate of NRP-1 in Treg cells of NSCLC patients was significantly higher than that of healthy subjects (P < 0.05). The expression of NRP-1 in Treg cells of NSCLC patients was correlated with the maximum diameter of tumor, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and differentiation degree (P < 0.05); the expression of PDC was related to the maximum diameter of the tumor, lymph node metastasis and TNM staging(P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression of NRP-1 in peripheral blood Treg and PDC cells may be associated with immunoregulation of non-small cell lung cancer. It may be a tumor marker for predicting the prognosis of NSCLC patients, and a new target for lung cancer treatment.

Objectives In view of the operational sea conditions of FPSO (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) ships in the South China Sea, this paper studies the optimization of the multi-point mooring system and side-by-side coupling system of FPSO ships and shuttle tankers. Methods ANSYS-AQWA software and the potential flow theory is used to conduct time-domain analysis, optimize the mooring line segments and proportions, as well as the position of the fairlead; and Fluent software is used to analyze the influence of the change of draft on the wind and current load when the two ships are abreast.Results The results show that a top section of 200 m of steel cable and a bottom section of 316 m of ship chain is the most suitable FPSO multi-point mooring structure for a water depth of 200 m. Maintaining tension on the side-by-side mooring line or increasing its weight can reduce the movement range of the shuttle tanker. After the position of the fairlead is moved to midship, the forces on the fender and mooring line become more uniform. When the weight of the alongside cable is 135 kg/m, the maximum and average values of the fender and alongside cable forces can be minimized.Conclusions The results of this study have reference value for better understanding the influence of mooring parameters on mooring line tension and its influence on the movement of the ship, and can be used to optimize the design of mooring schemes.

[Objectives] In order to investigate the ultimate strength of CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panel in ship structure repair process,[Methods] in this paper,nonlinear finite element method is used to analyze the ultimate strength of CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panels subjected to axial compressive loads. Based on CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panel model,we compare the simulation results with the recorded test results,to verify the accuracy of the proposed method. By using double-side CFRP -reinforced cracked stiffened panel as the example,we study the ultimate strength of stiffened panel,and the peeling mechanism and the stress of the adhesive layer were analyzed.[Results] The results show that the ultimate strength of CFRP-reinforced cracked stiffened panels is significantly increased,and is close to the ultimate strength of stiffened panel with geometric initial defects;CFRP repairs the debonding of cracked stiffened panel after the ultimate strength is achieved.[Conclusions] The repair of the cracked stiffened panel by using CFRP can enhance the ultimate strength. It may provide guidance for the ships and offshore structure repair.

Because of the improvement in radar resolution and decrease in grazing angle, the amplitude distribution of sea clutter obviously deviates from the Rayleigh distribution and presents a significant non-Gaussian feature. In this case, the compound Gaussian model is widely used. This study investigates the problem of detecting a target when signal mismatches occur in compound Gaussian clutter and proposes a selective detector to reject mismatched signals embedded in compound Gaussian clutter based on the so-called two-step Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT). To design the selective detector, we modified the original hypothesis test by injecting a fictitious interference under the null hypothesis. These unwanted signals are assumed to be orthogonal to the nominal steering vector in the whitened subspace. The proposed detector has a Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) with respect to the statistics of the texture and covariance matrix. Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed detector, a Monte Carlo simulation is conducted to assess its performance based on the simulated and measured sea clutter data. The experimental results show that the proposed detector effectively improves the selectivity of the mismatched signals together with the detection of matched signals in a range spread target of 1～3 dB.

Objective To analyze the correlation of osteoprotegerin, TGF-β 1 and glucose metabolism indicators in type 2 diabetes patients with coronary heart disease. Methods 124 diabetes patients were divided into diabetic and coronary heart disease group (A), diabetic and non- CHD group (group B), there were 51 and 73 cases separately. 40 healthy people were selected as control group (group C). OPG, TGF-β 1, FPG, HbA1c, FINS and HOMA-IR were detected in each group. Results OPG and TGF-β 1 in Group B were significantly higher than that in group C (P < 0.05), OPG and TGF-β 1 in group A were significantly higher than group B, group C (P< 0.05) . FPG, HbA1c, FINS and HOMA-IR in Group B had significant difference with group C (P < 0.05). HbA1c, HOMA-IR in A group were significantly higher than B, C group (P < 0.05), FPG, FINS in A group were significantly higher than C group (P <0.05) .OPG and FPG, HbA1c, FINS and HOMA-IR were significantly positively correlated (P < 0.05), TGF-β 1 and HbA1c, HOMA-IR showed significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) . Conclusion High levels of TGF- β 1 and OPG are important factors leading to cardiovascular complications and are significantly correlated with HbA1c, HOMA-IR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For detecting rational bubbles, via relaxing the coefficient constraints of switching regression model, the paper proposes a more efficient model, autoregressive (AR) switching model, and gives the estimation method. An application to seasonally Chinese housing price data in the first decade of 21 century shows the model is more efficient than switching regression model, and provides evidence of bubbles in Beijing and Shanghai, but no evidence of bubbles in Tianjin and Chongqing. Further more, the probabilities of being in survival state show that the real estate-related policies of Chinese government have ruled out bubbles in Beijing, but not in Shanghai. The proposed model can also be used to detect rational bubbles with regime switching structures in other assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the property of YG8 hard alloy, two elements of carbon and vanadium were implanted into its surface by using Metal Vapor Vacuum Arc (MEVVA) source with several different doses. The structure of sample surface is characterized and analyzed with metallurgical microscope, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectrum, respectively. The results show that there exist new phases of C, VC, and V7O3 in the sample surface, and that C + V ion implantation actively promotes the formation of DLC structure. Moreover, it can be found that the performances of sample surface (such as microhardness, coefficient of friction and corrosion resistance) are evidently improved. In conclusion, the surface modification of YG8 hard alloy by C + V ion implantation is not only affected by the appearance of new phase, but also related to the implantation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the sampling and compilation method of load spectrum of passenger car transmission,taking a certain type of front-engine,front-wheel-drive passenger car transmission as an example,according to different road conditions,the road random load of this passenger car transmission is collected.According to the characteristics of the load,the amplitude cycle counting method is employed to complete the statistical treatment for various time dependent loads tested in the road test.The design load spectrum of the passenger car transmission is compiled.The sampling and compilation method of load spectrum of the passenger car transmission is established.The method can provide accurate design input conditions for passenger car transmission,and provide a reference for accurate fatigue life prediction and fatigue test.

To understand the relationship between nitrogen and carbon removal performance and the microbial community during start-up of simultaneous ANAMMOX and denitrification (SAD), nitrogen and carbon removal performance and microbial community change were studied by gradually increasing the influent COD concentration. The results showed that with the increase of the influent COD concentration, NH 4 + -N and NO 2 - -N effluent remained stable, and the average removal rate was more than 98%. The removal rate of TN increased gradually, and the rate was 95.6% in the third stage, which was 6.8% higher than that of ANAMMOX in theory. ΔNO 3 - -N/ΔNH 4 + -N decreased significantly from 0.15-0.17 to 0.03-0.07. The contribution rate of ANAMMOX to nitrogen removal decreased gradually, denitrification for nitrogen removal increased gradually, and the COD removal rate increased. Sludge activity analysis showed that the denitrification activity of sludge increased significantly and the ANAMMOX activity decreased slightly after the start-up of SAD. High throughput sequencing results showed that the dominant phyla of microorganisms in the reactor were Chloroflexi, Planctomycetes, Firmicutes, Armatimonadetes, and Proteobacteria. The characteristics of the microbial community in the reactor were closely related to the performance of SAD in nitrogen and carbon removal. The main functional microorganisms related to nitrogen and carbon removal were ANAMMOX bacteria, anaerobic digestive bacteria, and denitrifying bacteria. The abundance of ANAMMOX bacteria decreased after the start-up of SAD, and the anaerobic digestive bacteria and heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria increased significantly.

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture on behavior changes and the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytochrome C, cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases-3 (caspase-3), apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) in the hippocampus of rats exposed to chronic restraint stress (CRS), so as to provide experimental evidence for the prevention and treatment of depression., Methods: Thirty two male SD rats were equally randomized into control, model, acupuncture and medication (Fluoxetine) groups according to the random number table. The depression model was established by chronic psychological stress stimulation (fasting, water deprivation, chronic restraint combined with solitary raising for 28 days). Manual acupuncture stimulation (2 circles/s) was applied to "Baihui" (GV20), "Yintang" (GV29) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) for 2 min, followed by retaining the needles for 20 min. Rats in the medication group were treated by gavage of Fluoxetine (0.18 mg/mL, 1 mL/100 g body weight). The treatment was conducted once daily for 28 days. The depression-like behavior was evaluated by using open-field test, sucrose preference test, and body weight. The content of ROS of the right hippocampus tissue was detected by using dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay, and the expression levels of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and AIF proteins of hippocampus were determined by using Western blot., Results: After 28 days' stress procedure, the depression rats in the model group showed a significant decrease in the numbers of crossing and rearing of open-field test, sucrose preference index and the body weight compared to the control group ( P <0.01). The content of ROS and expression levels of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and AIF in the hippocampus of the model group were significantly increased relevant to the control group (all P <0.01). After the intervention and compared with the model group, the decreased levels of the numbers of crossing and rearing, body weight and sucrose preference index, and the up-regulated levels of content of ROS and expression of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and AIF proteins were all reversed in both acupuncture and medication groups ( P <0.01， P <0.05), displaying an anti-depressant effect. The effect of acupuncture was significantly superior to that of medication in up-regulating the numbers of crossing and rearing ( P <0.01, P <0.05), and in down-regulating the expression of caspase-3 ( P <0.01). No significant differences were found between the medication and acupuncture groups in increasing the body weight and sucrose preference index, and in down-regulating the expression of cytochrome C and AIF proteins ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Acupuncture intervention can significantly reduce ROS content and expression level of cytochrome C, caspase-3 and AIF proteins in the hippocampus possibly by inhibiting the chronic psychological stress-hippocampal oxidative stress-mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in psychological stress-induced depression rats, which may contribute to its effect in relieving depression.

Objective: To investigate the effect of acupuncture intervention on the depression behavior and expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK 1/2), p-ERK 1/2 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the prefrontal cortex of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced depression rats, so as to explore its antidepressant mechanism., Methods: Sixty-four male SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, acupuncture, Fluoxetine, model ＋ Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), model ＋ PD 98059(an ERK pathway inhibitor), acupuncture ＋ PD 98059 and Fluoxetine ＋ PD 98059 groups ( n ＝8 rats in each). The CUMS depression model was established by using chronic mild and unpredictable stress methods for 21 days. Manual acupuncture stimulation was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20) and "Yintang" (GV 29) for 10 min before modeling, once daily for 21 days. Fluoxetine hydrochloride suspension (1.8 mg•kg －1 •d －1 ) was given to rats of the Fluoxetine group and Fluo-xetine ＋ PD 98059 group by gavage 30 min before CUMS. PD 98059 (dissolved in DMSO, 10 µL) was administered to rats of model ＋ PD 98059 group, acupuncture ＋ PD 98059 and Fluoxetine ＋ PD 98059 group, and DMSO (10 µL) to rats of model ＋ DMSO group by intracerebroventricular injection 1 h before CUMS. Sucrose consumption test was carried out to evaluate the depressive behavior. Western blot was performed to detect the expression of ERK 1/2, p-ERK 1/2 and BDNF of prefrontal cortex., Results: Compared with the control group, the sucrose consumption and the expression levels of p-ERK 1/2 and BDNF protein in the prefrontal cortex were significantly reduced in the model and model＋DMSO group ( P <0. 01). After the intervention, modeling induced decrease of the sucrose consumption, and p-ERK 1/2 and BDNF expression was significantly up-regulated in both acupuncture and Fluoxetine groups ( P <0.01, P <0.05), but not in the model＋PD 98059, Fluoxetine ＋PD 98059 and acupuncture＋PD 98059 groups ( P >0.05). No significant differences were found among the model＋PD 98059, Fluoxetine ＋PD 98059 and acupuncture＋PD 98059 groups in the sucrose consumption, and ERK 1/2, p-ERK 1/2 and BDNF expression levels ( P >0.05), and in the expression levels of ERK 1/2 protein among the 8 groups ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Acupuncture intervention has an anti-depressive role in CUMS induced depression rats, which may be related to its effects in up-regulating the expression of p-ERK 1/2 and BDNF in the prefrontal cortex tissue.

The study evaluated the acute health damage effect of PM 2.5 exposure in winter in Xi'an City, using the average concentration of PM 2.5 (24 h) and the Average Poisson Regression Model for three consecutive years, from 2014 to 2016. The Corrected Human Capital Method was used to evaluate the economic loss from premature death. The cost of illness was used to assess the economic loss of hospitalization, illness and clinic. The results show that the economic loss in the study period (2014, 2015, 2016) caused by PM 2.5 was about 33.523 billion yuan (95% CI: 24.961-36.975), 21.105 billion yuan (95% CI: 13.560-26.880), and 37.132 billion yuan (95% CI: 27.246-41.164). The proportions of GDP were as follows: 6.10% (4.54%-6.73%), 3.64% (2.34%-4.63%), and 5.91% (4.34%-6.55%) for each of the three years. The health economic loss was positively correlated with the average PM 2.5 concentration in winter. PM 2.5 pollutants have a significant impact on the health of residents in Xi'an. The number of reported cases was about 1071338 (95% CI: 646432-1385847), 438273 (95% CI: 246842-599989), and 1019503 (95% CI: 611407-1324547) for each of the three years. The effects on children with asthma were significantly higher than that on adults, while adults with chronic bronchitis were affected more significantly than children. This study can provide a scientific basis for cost-benefit analysis of the PM 2.5 air quality standard in Xi'an, and provide a reference for the management of environment quality.

To examine the effects of nitrogen and sulfur deposition on litter decomposition rate, a one-year field experiment was conducted with the litter bag method from April 2013 to April 2014 in an evergreen broad-leaved forest in the Rainy Area of Western China. There were nine treatments with three nitrogen levels and three sulfur levels, including control (CK), low nitrogen deposition (LN, 50 kg N·hm -2 ·a -1 ), high nitrogen deposition (HN, 150 kg N·hm -2 ·a -1 ), low sulfur deposition (LS, 200 kg S·hm -2 ·a -1 ), high sulfur deposition (HS, 400 kg S·hm -2 ·a -1 ), low nitrogen and low sulfur deposition (LNLS), high nitrogen and low sulfur deposition (HSLS), low nitrogen and high sulfur deposition (LNHS), and high nitrogen and high sulfur deposition (HNHS). The results showed that the leaf litter residual rate ranged from 57.0% to 70.7% after one year decomposition. The time of half mass loss ranged from 1.47 to 2.08 years, while the time of 95% mass loss ranged from 6.33 to 9.01 years. Nitrogen deposition had no significant effect on litter decomposition rate. The decomposition rate was significantly increased in LS treatment but significan-tly reduced in HS treatment. The rate was significantly affected by LNHS and HNHS, but unaffected by LNLS and HNLS. In addition, simulated nitrogen and sulfur deposition interacted to affect litter decomposition rate, with antagonistic effects between nitrogen deposition and low-sulfur composite deposition and synergistic effects between nitrogen deposition and high-sulfur composite deposition. In conclusion, sulfur deposition and the combined nitrogen and sulfur deposition affected leaf litter decomposition rate in the evergreen broad-leaved forest, with consequences on the litter decomposition process.

To understand the effects of increasing nitrogen deposition on soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen(MBN), an in situ experiment was conducted in a natural evergreen broad-leaved forest in Ya'an City, Sichuan Province. Four levels of nitrogen deposition were set: i.e., control (CK, 0 g N·m -2 ·a -1 ), low nitrogen (L, 5 g N·m -2 ·a -1 ), medium nitrogen (M, 15 g N·m -2 ·a -1 ), and high nitrogen (H, 30 g N·m -2 ·a -1 ). The results indicated that nitrogen deposition significantly decreased MBC and MBN in the 0-10 cm soil layer, and as N de-position increased, the inhibition effect was enhanced. L and M treatments had no significant effect on MBC and MBN in the 10-20 cm soil layer, while H treatment significantly reduced. The influence of N deposition on MBC and MBN was weakened with the increase of soil depth. MBC and MBN had obvious seasonal dynamic, which were highest in autumn and lowest in summer both in the 0-10 and 10-20 cm soil layers. The fluctuation ranges of soil microbial biomass C/N were respectively 10.58-11.19 and 9.62-12.20 in the 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm soil layers, which indicated that the fungi hold advantage in the soil microbial community in this natural evergreen broad-leaved forest.

A total of 58 surface dust samples were collected in urban area of Xi'an City. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyze the concentrations of six phthalic acid esters (PAEs) listed as priority pollutants by United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Composition, distribution, environmental sources and exposure characteristics of PAEs in the surface dust were further studied. All analyzed PAEs were detected in the surface dust. The concentration of individual PAE compounds varied from not detectable to 183.19 mg·kg -1 and their mean concentrations decreased in the order of DEHP>DnBP >>DEP >DMP >BBP >DnOP. The total concentration of six PAEs (∑6PAEs) ranged from 0.87 to 250.30 mg·kg -1 with an average of 40.48 mg·kg -1 , and followed the order of parks >traffic area >mixed business and traffic area >residential area >educational area >industrial area. The ∑6PAEs presented the decreasing trend along the main urban area - the second ring road - the third ring road. The results of correlation analysis, principal component analysis and cluster analysis showed that PAEs in surface dust of Xi'an City were related to the application of plasticizers, the emission of cosmetics and personal care products along with building materials and home decoration materials. The dose order of human exposure to PAEs in surface dust was the direct ingestion by hand and mouth >>dermal adsorption >inhalation via mouth and nose. Meanwhile, the intake dose of children was higher than that of adults. However, the intake dose of DnBP, DEHP, DBP and BBP was lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) suggested by European Union Scientific Committee for Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (EU CSTEE) and the reference doses (RfD) proposed by U.S. EPA.

A total of 58 surface dust samples were collected from Xi'an city. The concentrations of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). At the same time, the distribution and sources of PAHs in surface dust were studied. The results showed that the concentrations of individual PAH ranged from 14.69 to 6370. 48 microg x kg(-1), and the total concentrations of 16 PAHs (∑16 PAHs) ranged from 5039.67 to 47,738.50 microg x kg(-1), with a mean of 13,845.82 microg x kg(-1). Compared to the Y PAHs levels of other cities, the ∑16 PAHs in surface dust of Xi'an belonged to a relatively higher level. PAHs in surface dust were mainly dominated by high molecular weight PAHs with 4-6 rings and the concentration of 7 carcinogenic PAHs (1 CPAHs) accounted for 46.08% of 3 16PAHs. The mean of ∑16 PAHs in surface dust had the highest concentration at industrial area; followed by the educational area, traffic area, business and traffic area; residential area and parks showed relatively lower concentration. The average content of ∑16 PAHs in surface dust presented an increasing trend along the main urban area--the second ring road--the third ring road. ∑16 PAHs in surface dust had higher concentrations at the industrial areas of the east and west suburbs of Xi'an, the south suburb and the north section of the second ring road; ∑16 PAHs concentrations in the main urban area, north suburb and southeast part of Xi'an were relatively lower. The results of ratio, cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that PAHs in surface dust were mainly originated from the combustion of fossil fuels and coal combustion. Among them, diesel combustion reached 36.07%, gasoline combustion accounted for 32.31%, and coal combustion was resposbe for 23.40%

Objective: To explore the analgesia of oxymatrine (OMT) affecting high voltage-dependent calcium channels (HVDCCs) and GABA release under neuropathic pain condition., Methods: Totally 66 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, and the OMT group, 22 in each group. Neuropathic pain models were established by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). Hind paw plantar mechanical response threshold (MWT) was measured by up-and-down method with Von-Frey filament. mRNA expression of HVDCCs in brains and spinal cords was detected with Real-time PCR and concentration of GABA was determined using ELISA kit., Results: Compared with day 0, the left hind paw MWTwas decreased on day 7, 10, and 14 in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the left hind paw MWT was significantly reduced in the model group on day 7 (P < 0.05). The MWT of PSNL ipsilateral hind paw was decreased on day 7 before OMT administration, when compared with day 0 (P < 0.05), and increased after OMT administration (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, mRNA levels of Cav1.2, Cav1.3, Cav2.1, and Cav2.3 in brain tissues were increased and those of Cav2.2 were decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.05). In spinal cord tissues, mRNA levels of Cav1.2 and Cav1.3 were increased, but those of Cav2.1, Cav2.2, and Cav2. 3 were decreased significantly in the model group, when compared with those of the sham-operation group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, mRNA levels of Cavl.2, Cavl.3, Cav2.1, and Cav2. 3 in brain tissues were decreased, and those of Cav2.2 were increased significantly in the OMT group (P < 0.05). In spinal cord tissues of the OMT group, mRNA levels of Cav1.3 decreased and those of Cav2.1, Cav2.2, and Cav2.3 increased significantly with statistical difference, when compared with those of the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, GABA levels in brain tissues decreased in the model group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, GABA levels in brain tissues increased in the OMT group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in GABA levels of spinal cord tissues among these groups (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: OMT had analgesic effect on neuropathic pain, which might be probably related to HVDDCs. Cav2.2 might directly affect GABA release.

Objective: To study whether the analgesis of oxymatrine (OMT) affects N-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs)., Methods: Totally 45 mice were randomly divided into the sham-operation group, the model group [established by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL)] , and the OMT treatment group according to random digit table, 15 in each group. The dorsal root ganglions (DRG) were separated in PSNL pain model mice. Intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was determined with Fluo-3 AM immunofluorescent probe in cultured DRG neurons. Different protein expression levels of N-type (Cav2. 2) and L-type ( Cav1. 3) among VGCCs from brain and DRG tissues were detected with Western blot., Results: Compared with the sham-operation group, [Ca2+]i, increased in cultured DRG neurons (P <0. 05) , protein expression levels of Cav2. 2 in the brain tissue increased (P <0. 05), protein expression levels of Cav2. 2 in DRG tissues decreased in the model group (P <0. 01). Compared with the model group, [Ca2+]i, decreased in cultured DRG neurons (P < 0. 05), protein expression levels of Cav2. 2 in the brain tissue decreased (P <0. 01), protein expression levels of Cav2. 2 in DRG tissues increased in the OMT treatment group (P <0. 01). There was no statistical difference in Cav1. 3 expressions in cultured DRG neurons and the brain (P >0. 05)., Conclusion: Analgesic effect of OMT might be related to Cav2. 2 channel mediated calcium ion flux.

Objective: To determine the effect of Qufeng Tongluo Recipe (QFTLR) on the expressions of connexin 36 (Cx36) protein and gene in rat mesangial cells (MCs) and the proliferation of the MCs., Methods: Serum samples containing Benazepril (Bena) and QFTLR were prepared in line with serum pharmacology methodology. The MCs cultured in vitro were divided into normal control and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Bena and QFTLR treated groups. The expressions of Cx36 protein and gene were detected by laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), Western blot, immunohistochemical assay and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) respectively., Results: Compared with the control, higher level of Cx36 protein expression was found in the MCs than treated with LPS (P < 0.01). Both Bena and QFTLR lowered the level of Cx36 protein expression in the MCs treated with LPS significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Similar results were found with the expression of Cx36 mRNA., Conclusion: QFTLR inhibits the proliferation of rat MCs, possibly through down-regulating the expressions of Cx36 protein and gene.

Objective: To investigate the significance of dynamic monitoring of procalcitonin (PCT) in guiding the use of antibiotics for treating patients with sepsis in intensive care unit (ICU)., Methods: Eighty-two patients with sepsis from January 2012 to June 2013 hospitalized in ICU of First Hospital of Jilin University were enrolled, and they were randomly divided into regular antibiotic therapy group (RAT group, n=40) and PCT monitoring in guiding the use of antibiotics group (PCT group, n=42). Patients in RAT group were treated according to principle of antibiotics usage, while in PCT group patients' PCT value was observed everyday. When no active symptoms of infection were shown, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHEII) scores declined, PCT value decreased over 90% or PCT value lower than 0.25 μg/L time point were selected as drug withdrawal indication. The general status of the patient, antimicrobial drug use time, and prognosis were compared between the two groups, and Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival curve analysis. Variance analysis was used for repeating measurement to observe dynamic serum PCT level of the two groups of patients for survival and death during 7 days., Results: Mann-Whitney U test or χ(2) test showed that there were no statistical significance in age, gender, APACHEII score, blood culture positive rate, sputum culture positive rate, cardiac insufficiency, renal failure, respiratory failure, and ventilator and hemofiltration usage (all P>0.05). Log Rank test results showed that the time of antimicrobial drug usage was significantly reduced in PCT group than that in RAT group [days: 8.1±0.3, 95% confidence interval (95%CI 8.3-9.7) vs. 9.3±0.3 (95%CI 8.7-10.1), P=0.013]. Kaplan-Meier univariate survival curves showed that the speed of curve declination in PCT group was faster significantly than that in RAT group, suggesting that the time of using antimicrobial drug was shortened. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay, ICU stay time, number of death in 28 days, number of cases of recurrence in 28 days and clinical cure rate between two groups (all P>0.05). PCT level in non-survivors in both groups was significantly higher than that in the survivors, exceeding more than 10 μg/L in the early and late stages of treatment., Conclusions: Dynamic monitoring of PCT can effectively reduce antimicrobial drug use in ICU patients with sepsis, but there is no significant difference in patients' prognosis.

Odor pollution of landfill site is a serious problem accompanied with the urbanization process that influences city life. Generally, odor emission points in landfill boundary are detected by experience, but the pollution intensity, distribution and variation in the scope of landfill boundary are difficulty to describe. In this research, odor emission points were disclosed with equal odor concentration curves that were delineated using electric nose and GPS instrument. The leakage of landfill gas and exhaust emission from biogas incineration torch was the main cause of the odor pollution in landfill area. Gas production evaluation suggested that the improvement of landfill gas consumption is the key point to control the odor pollution at the landfill site.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Kirschner wires and tension-band fixation through posterolateral minimal incision for the treatment of displaced supracondylar humeral fractures in children., Methods: From January 2005 to December 2010, there were 62 children (38 males and 24 females, ranging in age from 2 to 14 years, averaged 6.8 years) with Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fractures. All the injuries were caused by falling, and all the fractures were fresh injuries. The duration from injury to surgery ranged from 5 to 20 hours. All the children were treated with open reduction through a posterolateral minimal approach, Kirschnere wires and tension-band fixation were fixed with plaster at 90 degrees of elbow flexion, forearm supination, and palms facing upwards. The kirschner pins and wires were removed after fractures healing. The Flynn's criterion was used to evaluate therapeutic effects., Results: The operation time ranged from 30 to 50 min (averaged 45 min). All the patients achieved solid union. Sixty patients were followed up, and the mean follow-up time was 15 months (ranged from 6 to 24 months). At the 6th month after operation, 48 patients got an excellent result, 9 good, 3 bad (light cubitus varus with varus angle about 6 degree, without infection on function) according to Flynn's criteria. There were no complications such as procedure-related pin tract infection, iatrogenic nerve and vascular injuries and myositis ossificans., Conclusion: The Kirschner wires and tension-band fixation through posterolateral minimal incision approach can obtain clearer surgical field, simple in operation, and few wound complications. Therefore, this modified treatment is an effective and reliable method for pediatric displaced Gartland type III supracondylar humeral fractures.

Objective: To observe the effects of Qingyi Granule (QYG) on the changes of total protein expressions in the pancreatic tissue of rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) induced by sodium taurocholate (STC)., Methods: SAP was induced by retrograded injecting 5% STC from the gut-pancreatic duct in 36 Sprague-Dawley (SD)rats. Then they were randomly divided into the SAP group and the QYG treatment group (abbreviated as the QYG group), 18 in each group. After successful modeling, rats in the QYG group were administered with QYG water solution (W: W = 1:1) once with an interval of 12 h (1 mL/100 g), while rats in the SAP group were administered with normal saline. The medication was performed four times. The total proteins were extracted from the pancreatic tissue of all rats to perform two-dimensional electrophoresis, fluorescent staining, and atlas analysis. The protein dots with differential expressions more than four times between each other in 48 h gel pictures were chosen and used for MALDI-TOF/TOF mass chromatographic analysis and biological information analysis., Results: The 5% STC induced SAP model rats had typical pathological changes in the pancreatic tissue. The proteomics changes of the pancreatic tissue were analyzed by gel image manipulation software. Twenty two disparate points were detected between two groups at 48 h, 5 points of the protein were up-regulated and 17 points were down-regulated of the total after QYG intervention. Nine protein spots expressed differently more than 4 times and stably at 48 h, 7 kinds of proteins have been identified by mass chromatographic analysis and Data Base Retrieval, and they were Serpinb1a 39 kDa protein, Serpinb1a 43 kDa protein, Prdx4 Prx IV, Clps, gamma-actin (Actg1), Eprs and Hadhsc. Those proteins were involved in signal transmit during the process of SAP pancreas--pathological injury analyzed from their functions., Conclusions: Proteomics can well reflect the effects of QYG on differential expression proteins in the pancreatic tissue of rats with SAP. Studying differential expression proteins may provide a new theoretical basis and molecule target for QYG treating SAP.

Objective: To observe the effect of acupuncture on cationized bovine serum albumin (C-BSA) nephritis model in rabbits and to explore its mechanism., Methods: Fifty rabbits were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a metoprolol group, a irbesartan group and an acupuncture group, 10 rabbits in each group. The model was established by ear vein intravenous injection with C-BSA. The positive control groups were treated by intragastric administrated with metoprolol and irbesartan, respectively. The acupuncture group was treated by acupuncture at "Fengmen" (BL 12) and "Shenshu" (BL 23). No interventions were added on the blank group and the model group. The changes of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), plasma norepinephrine (NE), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and 24 hours urine protein (24 h UP) in rabbits at the time points of 3rd, 6th and 8th week of treatment were observed., Results: After the model was established, the Scr of (194.30 +/- 20.09) micromol/L, BUN of (9.19 +/- 0.66) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (277.70 +/- 20.09) mg/24 h in the model group were all higher than the Scr of (66.03 +/- 4. 76) micromol/L, BUN of (4.11 +/- 0.71) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (14.28 +/- 1. 47) mg/24 h in the blank group (all P < 0.01), and the diffused mesenteria hyperplasia and the increase of intercapillary cells in the model group were showed in the pathological sections. After 3 weeks of treatment. The Scr of (99.82 +/- 9.29) micromol/L, BUN of (6.32 +/- 0.75) mmol/L and 24 h UP of (189.67 +/- 15.45) mg/ 24 h in the acupuncture group were all decreased significantly, furthermore, the decrease of BP, HR, NE were better than the other treatment groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Except the level of 24 h up and HR at 8th week, other results were as same as the 3rd week., Conclusion: Acupuncture can improve the function of kidney, decrease the content of 24 h UP and the underlying therapeutic mechanism could be correlated with that acupuncture can lower excitability of sympathetic nerve and alleviate the renal pathological lesion induced by nephritis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Artemisinin on the expressions of GRalpha mRNA, GRbeta mRNA and P300/CBP protein in lupus nephritis mice., Methods: Forty hybrid female mice were randomly and equally divided into four groups with the method of random number table: control group, model group, prednisone group administrated with 6.45 mg/kg Artemisinin (Art) suspension. A mice model of LN was established by injection with living lymph cell suspension. The expressions of GC receptor alpha (GRalpha) mRNA, GC receptor beta (GRbeta) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein in renal tissue were respectively measured by the technique of RT - PCR and immunohistochemical assay., Results: Compared with the model group. The expression of transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein in renal tissue and GRa mRNA in PBMCs of treatment groups was increased significantly, GRbeta mRNA expression was significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). And the Art group had a better effect on the expression of GRalpha mRNA and transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein than that of the prednisone group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The underlying therapeutic mechanism may be correlated with the regulation of Art on the expressions of GRalpha mRNA, GRbeta mRNA in PBMC and transcriptional coactivator P300/CBP protein in renal tissue.

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect and toxicity of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy (3-DCRT) with docetaxel and cisplatin in the treatment of locally advanced esophageal carcinoma., Methods: Sixty patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma were randomly assigned in two equal groups to receive IMRT or 3-DCRT, both combined with the chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin. The total dose of radiotherapy was 64 Gy, administered in 30 fractions in 6 weeks., Results: The complete response rate (complete and partial remissions) of IMRT group was 90.0%, significantly higher than the rate of 80.0% in 3-DCRT group (P>0.05). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of IMRT group were 86.7%, 70.0%, and 66.7%, as compared to 70.0%, 63.3%, and 63.3% in 3-DCRT group, respectively, showing no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). IMRT showed advantages over 3-DCRT in terms of the V20 and V30 parameters of the lung (P<0.05), and the incidences of radiation-induced esophagitis were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05)., Conclusion: When combined with the chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin, IMRT appears to be a more effective treatment than 3-DCRT for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

An improved method for detecting cloud combining Kmeans clustering and the multi-spectral threshold approach is described. On the basis of landmark spectrum analysis, MODIS data is categorized into two major types initially by Kmeans method. The first class includes clouds, smoke and snow, and the second class includes vegetation, water and land. Then a multi-spectral threshold detection is applied to eliminate interference such as smoke and snow for the first class. The method is tested with MODIS data at different time under different underlying surface conditions. By visual method to test the performance of the algorithm, it was found that the algorithm can effectively detect smaller area of cloud pixels and exclude the interference of underlying surface, which provides a good foundation for the next fire detection approach.

Objective: To compare the short-term clinical outcome of non-fusion techniques using interspinous implantation Coflex(TM) and Wallis treatment in patients with lumbar spine degenerative diseases., Methods: Forty-one cases of lumbar stenosis, 18 of lumbar disc herniation, and 34 of lumbar stenosis with lumbar disc herniation were evaluated. Among the 43 cases receiving Coflex(TM) implantation, 41 had operations in one segment and 2 in 2 segments. In the other 50 cases with Wallis implantation, 47 had fixation of 1 segment and 3 had 2 segments fixed. JOA Score, Oswestry Disable Index (ODI) and VAS were used to evaluate the short-term clinical results., Results: The average operating time was 64.55 min in Coflex(TM) implantation with an average blood loss of 81.82 ml. The average operating time was 82.71 min in Wallis implantation, which caused an average blood loss of 89.66 ml. Significant improvements in the JOA Score, ODI and VAS were noted after the operations., Conclusion: The two interspinous non-fusion techniques, Coflex and Wallis, produce good short-term clinical outcome in the treatment of lumbar spine degenerative diseases.

An improved method using variance between-class and smoke plume mask is described. The brightness temperature threshold of potential fire pixels was adjusted to be 305 K. Based on the variance between-class of TIR channel brightness temperature and a smoke plume detection algorithm, the improved algorithm can separate the hot fire spots from the background and seek out the cool fire spots, respectively, with suitable thresholds of variance between-class. This algorithm has been used in the forest fires that happened in Fujian province and Heilongjiang province. Study shows that detection results with the algorithm are more satisfactory. It is adapted in different environments and can be more accurately detected the high-temperature fire spot and the smoder at low temperature. It increases the ability and accuracy to detect fire spots.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term clinical results of a new approach of lumbar-pelvic fixation for lumbosacral reconstruction after resection of sacral tumors., Methods: Fifteen patients with sacral tumors underwent lumbar-pelvic fixation using TSRH-3D, CDH-M8 or ISOLA with iliac screws. The lumbosacral stability was evaluated according to the X-ray result to assess the feasibility and therapeutic effect of this approach., Results: X-ray showed that high lumbosacral stability was achieved in all the 15 cases after the operation, and satisfactory therapeutic effect was obtained., Conclusion: Lumbar-pelvic fixation with iliac screw is feasible for lumbosacral reconstruction after resection of the sacral tumors, which provides strong internal fixation and produce good clinical outcomes.

Objective: To retrospectively compare the clinical outcomes of anterior and posterior surgical treatment in single thoracolumbar-lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis., Methods: Between January 2004 and August 2008, 22 female patients, averaged 14.5 years old (12 to 18 years), of thoracolumbar-lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were corrected by anterior correction and fusion. At the same time, 20 female patients, average 14.8 years old (11 to 19 years), were corrected by posterior segmental pedicle screw correction and fusion. Operation time, SRS-24 score, intraoperative blood loss, and coronal and sagittal plane correction were compared between the two groups., Results: All patients were followed up for 12 to 63 months, the mean follow-up time was 28.3 months. Operation time was (334 + or - 36) min in anterior group and (292 + or - 17) min in posterior group; intraoperative blood loose was (940 + or - 207) ml in anterior group and (596 + or - 227) ml in posterior group; fusion levels were (5.2 + or - 0.8) in anterior group and (6.7 + or - 1.2) in posterior group. There were statistically significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss and fusion levels (P < 0.05). Coronal correction was (93 + or - 5)% in anterior group and (88 + or - 5)% in posterior group. SRS-24 scores averaged 98 in anterior group and averaged 94 in posterior group. There was no statistical difference in coronal correction or SRS-24 scores (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: Posterior surgery has the same correction results compared with anterior surgery in treating thoracolumbar-lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Posterior surgery takes less operation time, brings less trauma but has longer fusion levels.

Objective: To study the effects of artemisinin on proliferation, apoptosis and Caspase-3 active of rat mesangial cell., Methods: Rat mesangial cells were incubated with different concentrations of artemisinin, the proliferation, apoptosis and Caspase-3 active of rat mesangial cell were measured by MTT assay, fluorescent inverted microscope and enzyme-labeled analytical instruments respectively., Results: Compared with control group, the proliferation and Caspase-3 expression of mesangial cell of three other groups were significantly different (P < 0.01). Compared with dexamethasone group, there were significant difference effects of proliferation and Caspase-3 expression of mesangial cell in other two groups of identical concentration drugs (P < 0. 01), especially in the artemisinin + glucocorticoid (ArtGC) group, and the effects of three different drugs on the mesangial cell Caspase-3 expression, proliferation and apoptosis had the tendency of depend on dosage, and mass mortality of mesangial cell in the mediate-dosage and high-dosage ArtGC group., Conclusion: Artemisinin could inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cell, enhance the expression of Caspase-3 and promote the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.

Objective: To investigate the effect of low-temperature plasma on inactivation of bacterial spores and explore the mechanism., Methods: Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was employed to generate the atmospheric low-temperature plasma for treatment of B.subtilis var. niger spores with the gas spacing of 3, 4 and 5 and treatment time intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 s. The survived colonies was counted with plate counting method, and the killing log value (KLV) at different treatment times was calculated. The inactivation effect of electric field on B.subtilis var.niger spores was also investigated and the spores treated with low-temperature plasma were observed with transmission electron microscope., Results: With the gap spacing of 3, 4 and 5 mm, the KLV of low-temperature plasma on B.subtilis var.niger spores within 25, 30 and 35 s of exposure was more than 5. The germicidal effects of the electric field on B. subtilis var.niger spores were rather poor. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated total destruction of the surface and interior structure of the spores by low-temperature plasma., Conclusions: Low-temperature plasma is effective for inactivation of the bacterial spores with a time and dose dependence. The penetrating effect of charged particles and oxygenation effect of the reactive oxygen species might play a dominant role in plasma-induced bacterial spore inactivation, while the role of electric field is negligible.