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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]

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 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.

According to the major pollution sources of urban water environment, 10 indexes such as industrial sewage quantity were closen to establish evaluation indexes system about the types and influencing factors of the typical and medium-small-sized cities in the southern China. Case studies of 16 typical and medium-small-sized cities were taken in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei and Anhui provinces. Combined with SPSS 11.0 cluster analysis results, city types were divided in reference to the values of water resources comprehensive pollution indexes and economical development indexes. The driving forces about city water environment pollution were studied by principal component analysis method. The result indicates that the 16 cities belong to two categories and four sub-categories, which are rich economy as well as light pollution of water environment and poor economy as well as heavy pollution of water environment. The influencing factors of water environment pollution are in sequence of industrial water pollution, agricultural no-point source pollution and urban domestic water pollution. The main factors of water environment pollution influenced I category cities, II as well as IV category cities and III category cities are industrial water pollution, urban domestic pollution and agricultural no-point source pollution respectively.

Objective: To study the efficacy of combined application of deproteinised calf serum injection (DCSI) and acupuncture in treating cerebral ischemia (CI) in rats., Methods: Ninety Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, CI model, Acupunct (acupuncture), DCSI, Acupunct + DCSI groups, with 18 cases in each group. CI model was duplicated by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). DCSI (80 mg/kg) was given via the rat's tail vein, once daily for 7 days. Acupuncture was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Shuigou" (GV 26), "Neiguan" (PC 6), "Hegu" (LI 4), "Taichong" (LR 3) and "Zusanli" (ST 36), once daily for 7 days. The neurological deficit score (NDS), cerebral infarct volume (CIV), water and lactic acid (LA) contents in cerebral tissues were measured., Results: In comparison with control group, NDS, CIV, cerebral water content and LA in model group increased significantly (P<0.05); while compared with model group, NDS, CIV, cerebral water content and LA in Acupunct, DCSI and Acupunct + DCSI groups decreased significantly (P<0.05). Comparison among DCSI group, Acupunct group and DCSI + Acupunct group showed that NDS, CIV, cerebral water and LA contents of Acupunct + DCSI group were significantly lower than those of the former two groups (P<0.05). No significant differences were found between DCSI and Acupunct groups in the above-mentioned 4 indexes (P>0.05)., Conclusion: Combined application of DCSI and acupuncture has a definite effect in improving cerebral ischemia and is superior to that of simple acupuncture or DCSI alone.

Vegetation coverage is an important parameter in terrestrial ecological process, meteorological, and climatic models. By eliminating the errors from the precision of image classification and the noises of remote sensing images, and by using the actual data from fieldwork, this paper determined the maximum and minimum values of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), improved the sub-pixel model, and verified this model by calculating the vegetation coverage of Beijing. The results showed that the estimation value of the improved model was very close to the measurements, especially for the herbaceous plants whose vegetation types were the same but the densities were different. However, the estimation error of arborous vegetation coverage was relatively large, probably due to the effects of remote sensing image resolution, vegetation fragmentation, and mixed pixel model.

Objective: To observe acupuncture at Jiquan (HT 1) with different manipulations for improvement of abnormal sensation of the upper limb induced by cervical spondylosis of nerve root type., Methods: One hundred and seven cases were randomly divided into 3 groups. The lifting-thrusting group (n = 37) were treated with acupuncture at Jiquan (HT 1) with lifting-thrusting manipulation, the twirling group (n = 36) with acupuncture at Jiquan (HT 1) with twirling manipulation and the routine needling group (n = 34) with acupuncture at C4 - T1 Jiaji (EX-B 2), Quchi (LI 11)., Results: The total effective rate of 91.9% in the lifting-thrusting group was significantly better than 58.3% in the twirling group (P < 0.005) and 76.5% in the routine needling group (P < 0.05), and the therapeutic effect of the twirling group was similar to that in the routine needling group CP > 0.05)., Conclusion: Acupuncture at Jiquan (HT 1) with lifting-thrusting manipulation can obviously improve abnormal sensation of the upper limb induced by cervical spondylosis of nerve root type.

Objective: To investigate the effect of secondary mutations on Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON)., Methods: Three primary and 24 secondary mutations were identified in 4 Chinese families which included male offspring., Results: All of the four pedigrees carried classic LHON mutations at nucleotide (nt) 11778, and did not carry any point of 24 secondary mutations. Nevertheless many polymorphic points were found in the nearby fragments of these pedigrees, such as 5178, 5108, 3705, 3721, 13734, etc., Conclusion: Male offspring sequences should be analyzed in pedigrees with LHON to avoid the influence of familial inheritance characteristic which mitochondrial DNA polymorphism carried. Existence of the "repair genes" may affect the development of LHON.

Objective: Investigate the response of the patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients to combination of transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty., Methods: Thirty two patients with OSAHS, age ranged from 27 to 54, mean value (x +/- s) 39.1 +/- 7.8, male, body mass index (BMI) ranged from 22.9 to 36. 7 kg/m2, mean value (29.0 +/- 3.6) kg/m2, preoperative apnea and hypopnea index (AHI) was 11.7/h to 113.7/h, mean value (61.8 +/- 21.9)/h, the lowest blood oxygen saturation was 0.10 to 0.85, mean value 0.64 +/- 0. 13. With preoperative endoscopic technique, bony nasopharynx cavity narrowing were present, 14 patients had concomitant tonge-base obstruction. Cephalometric result, SNA ranged from 72.9 degrees to 87.0 degrees, mean value (80.7 +/- 4.1) degrees; SNB 69.50 to 85.0 degrees, mean value (76.8 +/- 4.5) degrees; PAS 0.5 cm to 2.1 cm, mean value (1.2 +/- 0.5) cm; MP-H: ranged from 1.2 cm to 3.5 cm, mean value (2.2 +/- 0.7) cm; PNS ranged from 2.4 cm to 3.5 cm, mean value (2.8 +/- 0.4) cm. All the patients had H-UPPP and concomitant transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty. Fourteen patients with tonge-base obstruction had chin advancement. Results Six months after the operations, the patients were evaluated the response to the operations using Epworth sleep scale, OSAHS filtration questionnaire scale and polysomnography (PSG). There were 27 patients with the decrease percent of AHI reaching or more than 25% and 22 patients with the decrease percent of AHI reaching or more than 50% including 8 patients with AHI less than 5. The other 5 patients were ineffective. After operation, the Epworth sleep scale decreased from (9.2 +/- 4.5) to (4.7 +/- 2. 8) and OSAHS filtration questionnaire scale decreased form (56.0 +/- 15.3) to (17.5 +/- 11.5). Both of the differences were obvious (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: Combination of transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty and H-UPPP can improve the efficacity and in some patients with pure retropalatal airway narrowing, the cure rate can be improved.

Objective: To observe the changes of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) in the course of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced apoptosis of rat retinal photoreceptor cells and investigate the mechanism of MNU-induced retinal damage., Methods: A single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg MNU was given to 50-day-old female rats, which were sacrificed at different intervals after MNU treatment. The retinal damage was examined with optical microscopy and photoreceptor cell apoptosis detected by TUNEL assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze the changes in NF-kappaB., Results: Pyknosis of the photoreceptor cell nuclei and disorientation of the outer segment of the photoreceptor layer was observed 24 h after MNU treatment, and the outer nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer were almost completely lost on day 7. Photoreceptor cell apoptosis peaked at 24 h, and in the apoptotic cascade, NF-kappaB p65 protein was only detected 12 and 24 h after MNU treatment, whereas the amount of I kappa B alpha, in contrast, markedly increased in the cytoplasm as well as in the nuclei., Conclusion: MNU-induced retinal damage might be mediated through the signaling pathway of NF-kappaB/I kappa B alpha.

Objective: To investigate the utilization and the requirement of literatures by the researchers through analyzing and valuing citation of the ophthalmological journals in Chinese., Methods: There were 13 journals, of which five were core journals, to publish the results of primary study in ophthalmology in 2001. The citation amount and type, language category, self-citing rate of 13 journals were calculated. Meanwhile, the time distribution of citation, the Price index, the half-citing life and the cited situation of 5 core ophthalmological journals were investigated., Results: In 2001, total amount of citations of 13 journals were 16,429. The mean citations per article were 5.13, and the mean citation rate 77.42%, self-citing rate 23.49%, other-citing rate 76.51%. The major language of citation was English (59.17%), and the major citation was from journals (89.25%). In 5 core ophthalmological journals, the time distribution of foreign language and Chinese references ranked at highest was the fourth and third year, respectively, after they were published. The total Price index of citations was 35.22%, the half-citing life of the Chinese and English references was 5.12 and 7.52 years, respectively., Conclusions: The main citations of 13 ophthalmological journals came from the English journals. There was a short half-citing life for Chinese literatures. Cited-papers in Chinese were mainly from five core ophthalmological journals.

Aim: To study the protective effect of ligustrazine against photoreceptor cell injury induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats., Methods: Ligustrazine injections of different doses were injected intraperitoneally into 47-day female SD rats once a day and a single intraperitoneal injection of MNU 60 mg x kg(-1) was given to 50-day rats. At different intervals after MNU treatment,the animals were sacrificed. The apoptotic index of photoreceptor cells was calculated by TUNEL labeling at 24 h following MNU treatment; peripheral retinal damage was evaluated based on retinal thickness at the d 7 after MNU treatment, and the expression of c-jun and c-fos genes was detected by RT-PCR technique., Results: Ligustrazine injection could remarkably increase total thickness of peripheral retina and decrease apoptotic index of photoreceptor cells induced by MNU in a dose-dependent manner. Compared with MNU-treated rats, the gene expression of c-jun and c-fos was time-dependently down-regulated in ligustrazine-treated group., Conclusion: Ligustrazine injection partially protects against MNU-induced retinal damage by down-modulating the expression of c-jun and c-fos genes to inhibit apoptosis of photoreceptor cells.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of argon laser photocoagulation on diabetic retinopathy (DR) in different stages., Methods: A total of 263 eyes in 170 patients with DR in different stages were photocoagulated using argon laser machine 2000. Thirty eyes in non-proliferative stage received focal photocoagulation, 156 pre-proliferative eyes received subtotal panretina photocoagulation, and 77 proliferative eyes were treated with panretinal photocoagulation. Additional focal or grid treatment was given for the eyes with localized or diffused macular edema. The visual acuity, eye fundus examination and retinal fluorescein angiography were carried out 3 months after the treatment and the results compared with the preoperative findings., Results: Improvement of visual acuity by at least one row on the visual chart was achieved in 92 eyes (35%), 144 eyes (55%) exhibited no changes, and 27 eyes (10%) deteriorated. Microaneurysm, retinal edema, exudates and fluorescence leakage were reduced in 89% of the eyes, with the rest eyes requiring additional treatment in the non-proliferative and pre-proliferative stages. For the retina in proliferative stage, neovascularization on the disc resolved completely in 67% eyes, whereas partially in 33% eyes which needed additional photocoagulation. The eyes with partial and complete resolution of macular edema accounted for 91% of the total eyes. Postoperative pre-retinal hemorrhage and vitreous hemorrhage occurred at the rates of 8% and 1%, respectively., Conclusion: Argon laser therapy is effective for the eyes with DR in different stages, but produces better efficacy in non- and pre-proliferative stages than in proliferative stage. Follow-up and additional photocoagulation are necessary for the eyes in proliferative stage to ensure better outcome.

A P. aeruginosa strain PA68 isolated from the sputum of a patient suffering from bronchiectasis was used as the recipient strain. Optimum conditions including growth stage of the strain, electroshock voltage, concentration and preservation of competent cell were defined for the electroporation of PA68 with plasmid pSMC28. It was showed that the highest transformation efficiency was up to 1.68 x 10(3) CFU/microgram DNA under the optimum conditions in which the competent cells were collected at logarithmic growth phase (OD(540) = 0.7-0.8) and concentrated to about 10(11) cells/ml, the mixture of the competent cells and plasmid pSMC28 was eletroporated at 2.6 kV. With this optimal condition, Mu transponson complexes have been successfully transformed into P. aeruginosa strain PA68 and the obtained efficiency was 2.47 x 10(4) CFU/microgram DNA. This is the first time to electroporate Mu transposon complexes into Pseudomonas spp. The artificial Mu transposons could integrate into bacterial genomes at a single site randomly. Then the phenotype change was the result of the gene inactivation caused by Mu transposon insertion. That will be very helpful for the study of genomic function of Pseudomonas spp.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of argon laser photocoagulation for central serous chorioretinopthy., Methods: This study included 102 consecutive cases of central serous chorioretinopathy (102 eyes) with fluorescein dye leakage located 500 microm away from the central fovea of the macula lutea as defined by fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Argon laser photocoagulation of the leakage spots was performed once (98 eyes) or twice (4 eyes) with the spot diameter for exposure ranging from 100 to 200 microm and exposure time of 0.2 s that delivered energy of 80 to 150 mW., Results: The visual acuity was improved in 95 cases by one row on the standard vision chart within 2 or 3 d after the laser treatment, while in the other 7 cases, the visual acuity remained unchanged. The symptoms of micropsia, metamorphopsia and blurred vision disappeared in 87 cases. Serous detachment of the sensory retina and the fovea light reflex recovered in 80 cases within two weeks after the treatment and no fovea injuries due to photocoagulation were recorded. During the follow-up lasting for 6 to 12 months no recurrence or long-term complications in relation with photocoagulation treatment were observed in these cases., Conclusion: Argon laser photocoagulation is effective for central serous choiroretinopathy, and strict control of the photocoagulation conditions is crucial for preventing complications in relation to laser coagulation.

Aim: To study the activities of in vitro resistance to the tachyzoite of Toxoplasma gondii by murine lymphocytes., Methods: The rat's splenocyte culture method was used to observe the effects of lymphocytes themselves and lymphocytes together with Mandelic( MA) on the invasion and proliferation of T. gondii in lymphocytes. At the same time acetylspiramycin was used as positive control., Results: As compared with other somatic cells, the lymphocytes invaded by T. gondii still inhibited and killed the toxoplasma organisms in the presence of immunity, the effect safety dose of MA on inhibition of the invasion of T. gondii was not notable while the inhibition of the proliferation of T. gondii in lymphocytes was remarkable., Conclusion: Cell-mediated immunity(CMI) was an important factor that host resists the T. gondii infection. So, we should pay attention to improving the organism's CMI and take proper medicine so as to enhance the effect of lymphocyte's resistance to T. gondii.