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Objective: The rotational speed of the roller of the rice mill was optimized to reduce the crushing rate of rice grains in the process of whitening. Methods: The extrusion filling model was established by using SolidWorks software, and the collision contact model of single rice grain and two rice grains was established by using the particle bond model in EDEM software. The collision process of rice grains with different moisture content at different falling speeds was simulated, and the collision results of corresponding rice grains were observed. Results: There were three critical states of rice grains in the process of collision, which were intact rice grains, slightly broken rice grains and broken rice grains. Under the set moisture content range, the crushing rate of rice grains increased with the increase of moisture content and collision velocity, and the critical crushing rates of intact rice grains in the collision model of single grain and two grains were similar, which were 23.5 m/s and 22.0 m/s, respectively. Conclusion: The speed and moisture content have a significant effect on the crushing morphology of rice grains, and when the moisture content is 10.6%, the maximum speed of non-crushing of rice grains is 22.0 m/s, at this time, the crushing rate of rice grains is small and meets the demand of milling.

In order to improve the flight performance of flapping wing aircrafts，a multi-DOF flapping wing mechanism based on space four-bar mechanism is designed by referring to the flight motion characteristics of small and medium-sized birds. Firstly，a kinematic model of the flapping wing driving mechanism is established through kinematic analysis. Then，a simulation model of the flapping wing mechanism is established in Adams to verify the theoretical analysis. The results show that， the design of a driving mechanism with single degree-of-freedom drive can realize the flutter，torsion，deflection multi-degree-of-freedom coupling movement，and the upper flutter limit is 34.65°，the lower flutter limit is -29.66°，the maximum torsion angle is 15.05°，the minimum torsion angle is -14.9°，the deflection angle range is -5.01°~5.21°； the track wich an "8" word output is the same as that of flying wing tips of small and medium-sized birds，which shows a good aerodynamic performance. The kinematic parameters obtained by simulation are in agreement with the theoretical calculation，which verifies the correctness of the theoretical calculation.

Objective To evaluate the expression and effect of leucine rich repeats and calponin homology domain containing 1 (LRCH1) in regulatory T cells (Tregs) from lupus nephritis. Methods The 6-month old C57BL/6 and MRL/lpr mice were used to enrich CD45+CD4+CD25+CD127low Tregs from the spleens and kidneys by flow cytometry. RT-qPCR was applied to measure LRCH1 mRNA in these cells. Exogenous Tregs were adoptively transferred into C57BL/6 mice and MRL/lpr mice, followed by detection of mRNA of LRCH1,IL-10. TGFβ(transforming growth factor beta) in exogenous Tregs in the spleen and kidney of recipient mice using RT-qPCR. Furthermore, normal Tregs were transfected with siRNAs to silence Lrch1 expression and followed by the evaluation of Treg-induced suppression of conventional T cell proliferation with flow cytometry. Immunoblotting was performed to find the activation of IL-2 signaling. Results Compared with wild type mice, Tregs up-regulated LRCH1 by 4.13 folds in the kidney of MRL/lpr mouse models. The adoptive transfer assay indicated that the lupus nephritis microenvironment induced 1.98-fold increase of LRCH1, 13.83-fold increase of IL-10, and 3.58-fold increase of transforming factor beta in Tregs. Lrch1 knockdown reduced IL-2-induced p-STAT5 by half, thus inhibiting IL-2 signaling, down-regulating Foxp3 expression, and weakening Tregs-induced suppression of conventional T cell proliferation. Conclusions LRCH1 is a positive regulator of immunosuppressive activity of infiltrating Tregs in mouse models of lupus nephritis.

The characteristics of welding residual stresses are of great significance for the safe operation and the structural improvement of all-welded ball valves. Based on the finite element software ABAQUS, the temperature field, stress field and displacement field of the full-welded ball valves have been simulated with the three typical models of the T-joint welding, plate butt welding and pipe butt welding as the examples. The results show that the calculation error of the nonlife-and-death element method is about 10% higher than that of the life-and-death element method, but the calculation time is shortened by 41% to 57%. The welding residual stresses of the ball valves are concentrated at the joint position of the welds and the base material. The circumferential and the axial residual stresses on the outer surface of the weld affected areas of the ball valves are tensile, which gradually transit to be compressive along the depth direction of the welds to the inner surface. In addition, the circumferential residual stresses accumulate along the welding direction, and the maximum compressive stresses generally occur at the end of the welds while the axial stresses are concentrated in the affected area of the intermediate body in the ball valves. Under a combined action of the circumferential and axial stresses, both of the right body and the intermediate body of the ball valves shrink towards the weld areas, and the right body of the ball valves deforms obviously, without obvious impact on the opening and closing movement, as well as the sealing performance of the ball valves.

During the molding process of mycelium bio-composites, mycelium plays an important role as an adhesive. The surface of the substrate forms a special adhesion interface with the mycelium, and hot pressing can improve the interface bonding effect between mycelium and substrate, which has an important effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. In this article, the poplar veneer was taken as the raw material, and three white rot fungi, namely Trametes versicolor, Fomes fomentarius, and Pycnoporus sanguineus were used to colonize it for 14 days. Mycelium/wood bonding interface was formed under hot pressing, and the adhesion strength of the poplar veneer/mycelium interface was evaluated by a single-lap shear test. The results showed that during the formation process of the mycelium/poplar veneer bonding interface, white rot decay caused changes in the surface properties of the veneer, and hot pressing promoted the reaction of the adhesion interface. The mycelium film of Pycnoporus sanguineus gave rise to the best adhesion performance by hot pressing at 150 and 1.5 MPa, with a lap-shear strength of (1.34±0.11) MPa. The bonding interface between mycelium and wood was formed by mechanical interlocking, hydrogen bonding, Schiff base reaction and the repolymerization of lignin. This work could provide reference for regulating the properties of mycelium bio-composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the intervention efficacy of medical supervision in continuous overload training for special forces soldiers, and to understand the pattern and characteristics of physical functions at different stages of training. Methods A total of 78 sergeant students were subjected by cluster sampling from those assembled to participate in a mode of continuous overload training in May 2018. Then they were randomly divided into experimental group (n=38) and control group (n=40). Systematic medical services were provided to the subjects of the experimental group, while the control group was trained according to the original training plan. The routine physiological and biochemical indicators were measured to assess their in-class function, including vital capacity, grip strength, back muscle strength, vertical jump, and hemoglobin (HB), creatine kinase (CK), blood urea (BU), urinary protein (PRO), and urinary occult blood (BLD). Results The results of physiological indicators showed that after continuous overload training, significant differences were found in vital capacity, grip strength, back muscle strength and vertical jump between the 2 groups at 4 training periods (beginning of training, and 1, 3 and 5 weeks after training) (P < 0.01). The results of biochemical indicators indicated that except for PRO and BLD, there were no significant differences in the other biochemical indicators (HB, CK, BU) between the 2 groups in 3 different training stages [pre-training, mid-training (3rd week) and immediately after training] (P < 0.01). Conclusion Medical supervision of continuous overload training shows military training value and good intervention effect on fatigue recovery and training effectiveness. It is suggested that it should be popularized and applied in overload training for special operations force.

Objective To explore the intervention efficacy of exercise prescription (EP) on stress-related emotions in parachute training for special operations force (SOF) soldiers. Methods A total of 40 SOF soldiers undergoing parachute training in a military college from April to July 2016 were subjected as the research objects, and were randomly divided into experimental group (n=19) and control group (n=20). The participants from the former group received EP intervention training, while those of the latter group did not. Profile of mood states scale (POMS), acute stress response scale (ASRS) and sensitive physiological and biochemical indicators were used to compare the intervention efficacy on parachute related stress between the 2 groups. Results After 8 weeks of EP training, the results of POMS indicated that all factors were greatly improved in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). In the experimental group, the score of negative emotions was decreased by 21.48, while those of positive emotions increased by 12.38. But no such significant changes were seen in the control group. Compared with the control group, the scores of ASRS items were significantly reduced in the experimental group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The results of blood physiological and biochemical indicators showed that the sensitive indicators, serum atrial natriuretic factor (ANP), angiotensin-Ⅱ (Ang-Ⅱ) and endothelin (ET) were obviously decreased in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Conclusion Exercise prescription exerts intervention effect on the adverse reactions of parachute-related stress emotions in SOF soldiers.

In this study, 1626 patients with severe craniocerebral trauma were assessed by Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS, 886 patients of 3-5 score and 740 of 6-8 score). Patients were divided into 2 groups. Ninety hundred and eleven patients (496 of 3-5 score and 415 of 6-8 score) underwent hemisphere calvarial bone flap decompression with auxiliary mild hypothermia (experiment group), and 715 patients (390 of 3-5 score and 325 of 6-8 score) underwent traditional frontal, temporal, parietal large traumatic craniotomy (control group). After operation the treatment of 2 groups was basically the same. Compared with control group, the intracranial pressure of experiment group on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days after surgery decreased significantly (P < 0.05, for all); the consciousness recovery time was significantly shorter (P < 0.05, for all); the prognosis after 3 months was better (P < 0.05, for all). Hemisphere calvarial bone flap decompression with auxiliary mild hypothermia treatment could significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality, and improve the quality of life and prognosis of patients with severe craniocerebral trauma.

The experiment was to investigate the effect of high-carbohydrate diets supplemented with trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) on growth, body composition, liver health and related metabolites of Megalobrama amblycephala. A total of 270 healthy Megalobrama amblycephala with the body weight of (5.00±0.50) g were randomly divided into three groups, with three replicates in each group and 30 fish in each replicate. The fish in control group (group CD) were fed with basal diet, fish in high-carbohydrate group (group HCD) were fed with 38.25% total sugar diet, fish in highcarbohydrate + 0.2% TMAO group (group HTD) were fed with 38.25% total sugar plus 0.2% TMAO diet. The experiment lasted for 90 d. The results showed that the weight gain rate and specific growth rate of Megalobrama amblycephala in group HCD were significantly lower than those in group CD and group HTD (P<0.05), and fat content and hepatosomatic ratio of Megalobrama amblycephala in group HCD were significantly higher than those in group CD and group HTD (P<0.05). Compared with group CD, hepatocytes of Megalobrama amblycephala in group HCD were damaged, a large amount of fat accumulation occurred, and the integrated optical density (IOD) value was extremely increased (P<0.01). Compared with group HCD, the fat accumulation in hepatocytes of Megalobrama amblycephala in group HTD was decreased, and the cell morphology gradually returned to normal, and IOD value was extremely lower than that in group HCD (P<0.01). Compared with group HCD, the dimethylamine (DMA) content in kidney and muscle was significantly increased (P<0.05), trimethylamine (TMA) content in liver was significantly increased (P<0.05), and TMAO content in serum and kidney was significantly decreased in group HTD (P<0.05). Compared with group CD, intestinal DMA in group HCD and group HTD was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The experiment indicates that high glucose diet supplemented with 0.2% TMAO can promote the growth of Megalobrama amblycephala, significantly reduce the body crude fat content, improve liver health status, reduce serum TMAO content of Megalobrama amblycephalaby enhancing the degradation and excretion of TMAO in kidney and muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problem R poor noise adaptability in the independent concealment analysis of the traditional terget motion elements, a differential solution strategy of factor autonomous analysis is proposed. Firstly, the autonomous concealment analysis process of the target motion elements is briefly discussed. secondly, the covasiance propagation process of the autonomous teiteiyri of the elements is derived, the correspondlng reiationship between the target motion element vasiance and the target observation azlmuth variance is given, and the influence of azlmuth mean square error is analyzed. Then a differential evolution algorithm on the autonomous analytical model is proposed again. Finally, the optimization energy is verified by simulation. The results show that when the azlmuth error of 1° exists in the azlmuth, the mean square error of the initial distance Do is about 12 Cab, and the mean square errors of the velocity components of E and f my are about 5 Kn and 6 Kn respectively. The accuracy of the elements every ilmproved by the optimization of the differential evolution strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to cover the shortage of forage crop in winter and to increase the bio-mass yield and the quality of forage rapeseed by improving the planting pattern of winter forage crop. In this study, rapeseed was sown after mixing with milk vetch (Astragalus sinicus), ryegrass (Loliumperenne L.) and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) in different mixed ratios. Plot experiments were conducted to measure the biomass, CP, C and N content of each treatment, exploring the feasibility of mixed cropping of forage rapeseed with other forage crops. The results showed that there were significant differences among the mixed cropping of forage rapeseed with milk vetch, ryegrass and hairy vetch. (1) Forage rapeseed mixed with hairy vetch in all different ratios increased the biomass. Mixed cropping at the ratio 1: 4 could obtain higher biomass and dry weight than the other ratios under different stages, and which also improved CP significantly at the final flowering stage. (2) Forage rapeseed mixed with milk vetch could increase the biomass of forage rapeseed with no significant difference. The milk vetch mixed with forage rapeseed died at the late stage due to the weak light. (3) Forage rapeseed mixed with ryegrass decreased the biomass and CP. Therefore, forage rapeseed mixed with hairy vetch was proven an effective system to improve the benefit of winter forage production in the Yangtze River Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the shortcomings existing in traditional mobile measurement and control system, such as real-time problem and high cost, a multifunctional wireless measurement and control system based on ZigBee and GPRS was designed combining the ZigBee and GPRS technology. The system is compose of sensor node with local measurement and control function, router and coordinator. In the sensor node MC56F8037 was adopted for measurement and control, JN5139 was adopted for ZigBee communication, and series communication was used to exchange data between two components. The coordinator is composed of JN5139, CP2200 and SIM900A module. The multi-interface was implemented in the coordinator besides management of ZiBee network with embedded Ethernet protocol, GPRS protocol and TCP/IP protocol for control based on Internet. The results indicate that the system provides the practical and effective solution for remote monitoring and control with low price and broad market prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to eliminate the noise which exists in ultrasonic detection signal and improve the diagnostic accuracy of defects inside the material, the method of de-noising ultrasonic signal by applying adaptive threshold(EAT) based on entropy theory is put forward in this paper. The searching algorithm of best wavelet packet basis adopting Shannon entropy is analyzed. The state of signal with noise is characterized by entropy and the threshold of wavelet packet decomposed in different scales is determined according to the entropy of the wavelet packet energy spectrum. Experiment of processing ultrasonic signal which comes from Steyr engine crankshaft with flaws has been implemented. Information that characterizes defect size and location could be extracted accurately from the processing results. The result indicates that the proposed EAT method has better de-noising performance and it has benefit to enhancing the degree of accuracy for quantitatively analyzing the defect inside material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the relationship between soil erosion and the changes in landscape patterns is important for guiding the management and development of watersheds. The Nangou watershed in Ansai County, Shaanxi on the Loess Plateau, is an area with the implement of "Grain for Green", ecological agriculture, ecological tourism and the demonstration of science and technology for landscape management. We quantified the spatial and temporal variations of landscape pattern and soil erosion from 1981 to 2018 using the GIS and the universal soil loss equation (USLE). The relationship between the soil erosion modulus and nine landscape pattern indices in three categories was analyzed using the principal component analysis at both plot and landscape levels. The results showed that, among the five landscape types, the spatial and temporal changes of cultivated land and woodland dominated the evolution of landscape patterns, which affected the concentration and distribution degree of the whole watershed. Soil erosion in the Nangou watershed decreased annually, with erosion area, erosion modulus and soil erosion intensity decreasing by 29.7%, 61.2%, and 73.4% from 1981 to 2018, respectively. The variation of cultivated land and forest land areas determined the changes of soil erosion modulus of the whole watershed. The change trend of landscape pattern index was consistent with that of soil erosion. "Grain for Green" Project was the major dri-ving force for the changes in the landscape pattern and for the reduction of soil erosion. The characteristic development and management could weaken soil erosion intensity in parts of the study area. The rational configuration of landscape types could effectively control soil erosion in a watershed. The combination of rational configuration and characteristic management could help achieve the goals for sustainable and high quality development of the watershed.

Both reasonable soil tillage and fertilization management play critical roles in improving the yield and water use efficiency (WUE) of forage maize in the semi-arid area of Loess Plateau. A field experiment was conducted at Dingxi experimental station of Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences between 2017 and 2019. We explored the effects of tillage method and fertilization type on yields and WUE of forage maize, as well as the economic benefits. There were four treatments in the experiment, including traditional rotary tillage + organic-inorganic fertilization (TOF), deep rotary tillage + organic-inorganic fertilization (DOF), and vertical rotary subsoiling + organic-inorganic fertilization (VROF), and the traditional rotary tillage + inorganic fertilization as the control (TF). Our results showed that, compared with DOF, TOF, TF, and VROF all decreased soil water storage in 0-300 cm soil layer at flowering stage, ranging from 16.9 mm to 79.9 mm, but they all increased soil water consumption by 9.7-22.4 mm during vegetative growing stages, 11.0-19.8 mm during reproductive stage in the dry years. Due to significant improvement in water absorption, VROF increased dry matter weight at maturity by 3.9%-13.4% compared to other treatments. Similarly, plant height, ear length, grain number per ear, 100-grain weight, and double ear rate under VROF were significantly increased, while bald head length was decreased significantly, when compared with other treatments. As a result, over the three experimental seasons, VROF increased the grain and biological yield by 4.3%-51.5% and 4.3%-25.7% compared to other treatments, respectively. Accordingly, WUE calculated by grain and biomass yields were increased by 2.7%-36.9% and 3.6%-13.5% under VROF, compared to other treatments. VROF increased the unit gross total output value and the net income by 5.1%-32.9% and 6.9%-80.5% respectively, compared to other treatments. These results demonstrated that VROF is a drought-resistant and yield-increasing farming technology for sustainable forage maize production in the semi-arid area of the Loess Plateau, Northwest China.

Purpose: To compare the mechanical properties of 3D-printed titanium meshes and pre-shaped titanium meshes, and to evaluate the effects of 3D-printed titanium meshes on cell proliferation and differentiation., Methods: 3D- printed titanium meshes were produced and prepared with laser printing machine. The mechanical properties were analyzed by static tension and compression load test. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were extracted from 4-week-old male SD rats. BMSCs were co-cultured with 3D-printed titanium meshes of different apertures. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell proliferation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay was used to test ALP activity. The expression of related osteogenic genes was tested by real-time PCR. The adhesion and growth of BMSCs were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and living / dead cell staining. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for statistical analysis of the results., Results: The results of 3D-printing Ti-meshes tension and compression loading experiment were excellent. The 3D-printing Ti-meshes showed no inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, survival and adhesion, but had a positive effect on osteogenesis of BMSCs., Conclusions: The mechanical properties of 3D-printed Ti-meshes are excellent. The 3D-printed Ti-meshes have good biocompatibility.

Objective: To compare the clinical features and the heterogeneity of macrophages in different clinical phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with frequent or infrequent exacerbations.
 Methods: Clinical characteristics of eighty COPD patients with chronic bronchitis (CB), emphysema (EM) or asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) phenotypes suffered from acute exacerbation were analyzed. The expressions of CCL3 and CD163 in sputum macrophages were detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of HIF-1α and Cav-1 in sputum macrophages were detected by quantitative PCR (qPCR).
 Results: The age, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC), sputum bacteria positive rate, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) score, and Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) score between the patients with FE and iFE were significantly different (P<0.05). Compared with iFE patients, the fluorescence intensity of CCL3 in sputum macrophages from patients with FE was significantly lower (P<0.01), while CD163 was significantly increased (P<0.01). Meanwhile, HIF-1α and Cav-1 mRNA levels were also significantly increased (P<0.01). The age, sputum bacteria positive rate, CAT score, and mMRC score between the patients of FE and iFE with CB phenotype were significantly different (P<0.05). Compared with iFE patients, the fluorescence intensity of CCL3 in sputum macrophages from FE patients was slightly decreased (P<0.05), while CD163 was significantly raised (P<0.01). Meanwhile, HIF-1α and Cav-1 mRNA levels were also significantly increased (P<0.01). The age, duration of disease, FEV1/FVC, sputum bacteria positive rate, CAT score, and mMRC score between the patients of FE and iFE with EM phenotype were significantly different (P<0.05). Compared with iFE patients, the fluorescence intensity of CCL3 in sputum macrophages from FE patients was slightly decreased (P>0.05), while CD163 was slightly raised (P>0.05). Meanwhile, HIF-1α levels were slightly elevated (P>0.05), while Cav-1 expression was significantly increased (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in all clinical features between FE and iFE patients with ACO phenotype. The fluorescence intensity of CCL3 in sputum macrophages from patients with FE was significantly lower than that in iFE patients (P<0.01); there was no significant difference in CD163 (P>0.05). At the same time, the expression of HIF-1α (P<0.01) and Cav-1(P<0.05) also increased significantly. There was a significant negative correlation between CCL3 and HIF-1α or Cav-1 in all FE and FE patients with CB phenotype. CD163 was only positively correlated with HIF-1α in those patients and FE patients with EM phenotype. There was a significant negative correlation between CCL3 and HIF-1α in FE patients with ACO phenotype, while CD163 was significantly positively correlated with HIF-1α.
 Conclusion: The clinical features of FE or iFE patients with CB, EM or ACO phenotype are different, and M2 in induced sputum from FE patients are dominant. HIF-1α may play a key role in the polarization process.

Objective: To study the differences of the phenoloxidase (PO) relative activity among ribbed shelled Oncomelania hupensis , smooth shelled O. hupensis and Cipangopaludina chinensis ., Methods: The crude PO fluid was extracted from the soft tissue of O. hupensis and C. chinensis by homogenation and centrifugation. The PO activity was detected with catechol as the substrate in the reaction systems., Results: The PO relative activities in the ribbed shelled O. hupensis , smooth shelled O. hupensis and C. chinensis were (25.72 ± 2.27), (14.56 ± 1.24) U / mL and (13.72 ± 1.06) U / mL. The PO relative activity in the smooth shelled O. hupensis was higher than that in the ribbed shelled O. hupensis ( q = 21.46, P < 0.05) and C. chinensis ( q = 12.00, P < 0.05), while the difference between the PO relative activities of the latter two was not statistically significant ( q = 1.62, P > 0.05) ., Conclusions: There is a difference in the relative PO activity between O. hupensis and C. chinensis , which may be related to the living environment of snails.

Objective To observe the expression of Notch2, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) in the renal tissue of rats with diabetes mellitus (DM), and the effects of alpha-lipoamide (ALM) on the expression of Notch2, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), NLRP3 and collagen, to explore the possible protective mechanism of ALM against diabetic renal inflammation and renal fibrosis. Methods The DM rat models were induced by the injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and divided into DM group and ALM group. Meanwhile, normal control (NC) group was set up. There were 8 rats in each group. Two weeks after the successful establishment of DM model, ALM [150 mg/(kg.d)] was given intragastrically to the rats in the ALM group, and the rats were sacrificed 6 weeks later. The morphologic changes of renal tissues were observed by HE and Masson staining. The expression and localization of Notch2, TLR4 and NLRP3 in the renal tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining. The protein levels of Notch2, TLR4, NLRP3 and collagen 4 (Col4) were determined by Western blot analysis. The levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in the renal tissue homogenates were measured by ELISA. Spearman rank correlation test was used to analyze the correlation between Notch2, TLR4 and NLRP3 protein expression. Results Compared with the NC group, the levels of blood glucose, 24-hour urine protein, kidney index, total cholesterol and triglyceride in the DM group significantly increased, while compared with the DM group, those in the ALM group were significantly reduced, but there was no significant change in blood glucose. Compared with the NC group, the protein levels of Notch2, TLR4, NLRP3 and Col4 in the renal tissues of the DM group increased. As same as the levels of Notch2, TLR4, NLRP3 and Col4 in the ALM group, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the renal homogenates of the ALM group were significantly lower than those of the DM group. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between the expressions of Notch2 and TLR4 in the DM group and ALM group, and the expression of Notch2 and NLRP3 were also significantly positively correlated. Conclusion ALM alleviates the renal inflammation and Col4 production in diabetic rats, which is related to the Notch2-induced inhibition of TLR4 and NLRP3 activation.

Objective: To study the effects of butylphthalide on bronchial asthma in guinea pigs, and investigate the involvement of endothelin., Methods: In guinea pigs, bronchial asthma was induced by injection of ovalbumin (OVA) and provoked by inhalation of OVA, and the effects of butylphthalide on asthma were evaluated through the changes it induced by OVA, pulmonary function, endothelin-1 (ET-1) contents and activity of endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum and lung tissue, and the gene expression of ET-1 in lung tissue., Results: Butylphthalide significantly improved pulmonary function, lowered asthmatic behavior score, inhibited the activity of ECE-1, and reduced ET-1 gene expression level in lung tissue., Conclusions: Butylphthalide has an anti-asthma effect and the mechanisms involve inhibition of ECE-1 activity and lowering of ET-1geng expression.

Montmorillonite (MMT) is a natural mineral that has great potential as reinforcing filler in wood adhesives. In order to study the reinforcing mechanism more clearly, organic MMT-reinforced urea-formaldehyde adhesive (UF-OMMT) was prepared to analyze its chemical properties and crystal structure with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The nanomechanical properties of UF, UF-MMT and PF-OMMT adhesives in the interphase of wood-based composite were analyzed by nanoindentation (NI) and the macro-bonding strength of composite were also tested. The results of FTIR and XRD indicated that in the spectra of MMT modified by cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), the new peaks appeared at 2 929 and 2 853 cm-1corresponding to C—H stretching vibrations of the organic intercalation agent (CTAB). The (001) diffraction peak of MMT was shifted to a lower angle and the lamellar repeat distance increases from 1.51 nm to 2.71 nm after organic modification. The ion exchange of the cations in montmorillonite with organic ammonium ions and the separating and disorder crystalline improved the compatibility of the modified clay with the polymers and the dispersion of the layers into the matrix. The good physical filling of MMT particles and the elastomer formed during the reaction could transfer and distribute loads between components more homogenously, therebycontributing to the improved mechanical properties of adhesives. As compared to the untreated UF, the reduced elastic modulus and hardness of UF-OMMT in the interphase increased by about 66.9% and 24.2%, respectively. At the macroscale, the bonding strength of plywood bonded with UF-OMMT increased by about 97% as compared to that of unmodified UF resin. The positive effects of montmorillonite on water and heat resistance can be attributed to the better barrier properties of the interphase.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the status of multiple sexual partners and unprotected sexual behaviors and related influencing factors among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM)., Methods: HIV-positive men having sex with men aged 18 years or older, living in Chengdu, Chongqing or Guangzhou were recruited by using the " snowballing" sampling method. Participants completed the questionnaire on computers, after filling in the Informed Consent Form. Content of the study would include social demographic characteristics, number of sexual partners, sexual behaviors, and the symptoms assessment on depression and anxiety.χ(2)-test,t-test and non-conditional Multiple logistic Regression methods were used to examine the risky sexual behaviors with multiple sexual partners among the participants engaged in this project., Results: Mean age of the 501 participants was (30.24±7.70) years old. In the past 6 months, 17.4% (87/501) of them had engaged in unprotected sexual behavior with two or more sexual partners. Factors at risk would include: being married (OR=1.93, 95%CI: 0.77-4.84), divorced or widowed (OR=3.94, 95%CI: 1.66-9.36), having primary male sexual partners (OR=5.04, 95%CI: 1.08-23.54) and casual or commercial male sexual partners (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.34-4.80) in the past 6 months, drinking alcohol (OR=3.00, 95%CI: 1.37-6.62) or Rush (alkyl nitrite) (OR=3.53, 95%CI: 1.72-7.23) during sexual acts, sharing their HIV-infection status to their partly primary male sexual partners (OR=1.84, 95%CI:0.78-4.33) or not (OR=2.68, 95% CI: 1.25-5.73), and having high sexual sensation seeking scores (OR=1.09, 95%CI: 1.03-1.15)., Conclusions: Unprotected sexual behaviors with multiple sexual partners among HIV-positive MSM played an important role in expediting the HIV transmission. Development of intervention programs to minimize the risk sexual behaviors and setting up efficient medical and biological measures in controlling the HIV transmission were in urgent need.

Objective: To observe the effect and mechanism of curcumin derivative B06 on kidney from rats with hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes., Methods: Thirty five male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups(n = 7): the normal control group, high-fat group, high-fat + B06-treatd group, diabetic group, diabetic + B06-treated group. After fed with high-fat diet for 4 weeks, the later two groups were in- jected with streptozotocin intraperitoneally to induce type 2 diabetes mellitus. B06-treated groups were given B06 by gavage at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg . d for 8 weeks. After the treatment, the serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and uric acid were detected biochemically, the morphology of kidney was observed with light and transmission electron microscopy, the expression of collagen fibers was observed with Masson staining, the protein expression of collogen IV and fibronectin in kidney were determined by Immunohistochemistry., Results: It was showed that the levels of the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen elevated significantly in diabetic group. In high-fat and diabetic groups, increased glomerular mesangial matrix and collagen fiber and thicken glomerular basal membrane were observed under light microscopy, swelling and fusion of foot process were found under electron microscope; increased green matrix within glomeruli was observed under Masson staining. collogen IV and fibronectin protein expression were significantly enhanced in high-fat group and diabetic group. After B06's intervention, the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were decreased in diabetic groups, the morphological change of kidney was obviously relieved, Collogen IV and fibronectin protein expression reduced., Conclusion: Curcumin derivative B06 exerts a protective effect on kidney in type 2 diabetic rats, reduced expressions of collogen IV and fibronectin, inhibition of the accumulation of extracellular matrix and glomerular mesangial proliferation, and then prevention of renal fibrosis may be the mechanism.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the expression of Survivin and Ki67 with prognosis of pancreatic endocrine tumors (PETs)., Methods: Immunohistochemistry for Survivin and Ki67 was performed in 25 cases of normal pancreatic tissues and 81 cases of PETs by tissue microarrays and to observe the expression and evaluate the relationship with prognosis., Results: (1)The expression of Survivin and Ki67 in PETs was significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissues (P <0.01); (2)The expression of Survivin and Ki67 in PETs was correlated with tissue grading and the TNM-staging (P < 0.05), but not related with tumor size, location and functional status. In addition, the expression of nuclear Survivin was association with lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). (3)The high expression of Ki67 was related with the expression of nuclear Survivin, but not related with the expression of cytoplasmic Survivin., Conclusion: Survivin and Ki67 were both expressed in PETs, which were closely related to the clinical pathological characteristics. They could be used as new indicators in the evaluation of prognosis of PETs. The expression of Survivin in nucleus had more diagnostic significance than that in cytoplasm, and that could be highly correlated with lymph node metastasis, which would be used as a new marker of poor prognosis.

Objective: To explore the functional responses of normal rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from different orders of pulmonary artery to the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)., Methods: The pulmonary artery branches were gently isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats (250-350 g) and eventually cut into three groups according to the vascular grading: the proximal pulmonary arteries, including pulmonary trunk and the first order branches of intrapulmonary arteries;the middle pulmonary arteries, including the second to third orders of intrapulmonary arteries;the distal pulmonary arteries, including the forth to fifth orders of intrapulmonary arteries. PASMCs from the three groups of vessels were isolated and cultured in DMEM. Cells were identified by immunofluorescence-stained smooth muscle cell markers α-SMA, S100A4 and Calponin antibody. Cell proliferation was quantified by using 0.5 g/L methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Western blot was used for detecting the protein expression level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in PASMCs. Wound healing test was employed for cell migration assay., Results: All of the three groups of cells positively expressed α-SMA, S100A4 and Calponin marker and no obvious differences were found in the appearance among the three groups. Under control condition (cultured in DMEM+2%FBS), three groups of PASMCs showed similar cell proliferation rate (137.0 ± 12.1)%, (166.1 ± 23.6)%, (156.8 ± 2.5)%. The expression level of PCNA by Western blot was (0.42 ± 0.10), (0.55 ± 0.18), (0.48 ± 0.28), respectively. The numbers of cells migrating to blank areas of the three groups were (49 ± 14), (68 ± 13) and (71 ± 7). The above results were not significantly different. While after incubation with PDGF (10 µg/L, 48 h), the proliferation rate of middle and distal groups were (215.7 ± 17.8)% and (195.2 ± 6.6)%, higher than that of the proximal group(167.0 ± 14.4)%, (P < 0.01). In middle and distal groups, the expression level of PCNA were (0.93 ± 0.11) and (1.21 ± 0.14) respectively, which were higher than that in the proximal group (0.62 ± 0.03), (P < 0.001). The number of cells migrating to blank areas of the middle and distal groups were (194 ± 46), (171 ± 16), and exhibited increased migration ability compared to the proximal group (67 ± 21), (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: These results suggest that PASMCs from different orders of pulmonary arteries have different responses to PDGF stimulation. This will help to understand the possible mechanism for that under same pathophysiological stimulus, different orders of pulmonary arteries may have different responses.

Objective: To determine the prognostic factors and outcomes of Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCP) disease., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted for a total of 144 LCP patients at Department of Pediatric Orthopedics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital. Their clinical data, such as age, gender, follow-up duration and radiological characteristics, were collected and assessed with Stulberg classification scheme., Results: The male-to-female ratio was 8.6:1. Their age of onset was 8.06 ± 2.01 years and follow-up period 5.90 ± 2.29 years. There were Stulberg I and II (n = 52, 36.1%), III type (n = 57, 39.6%) and IV and V type (n = 35, 24.3%). Between the low-age ( ≤ 8) and high-age (>8) groups, the results of lateral pillar classification (A, B, C), modified Catterall staging (A, B) and Stulberg classification had significant differences (P < 0.005). Logistic regression analysis showed that age, lateral pillar classification and lateral half dislocation were independent prognostic risk factors., Conclusion: Age, lateral pillar classification and lateral half dislocation are prognostic factors for LCP. And greater age and higher lateral pillar classification denote a worse outcome.

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for anastomotic infectious complications after bowel resection in patients with Crohn disease., Methods: Clinical data of 124 patients with Crohn disease undergoing bowel resection between January 1990 and October 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The risk factors were identified by χ(2) test and Logistic regression., Results: Fourteen patients (12.3%, 14/114) developed anastomotic infectious complications in the postoperative period, including anastomotic leak (n=7), intra-abdominal abscess (n=6), and enterocutaneous fistula (n=1). Crohn disease activity index (CDAI)>150 (OR=2.185, 95%CI:1.098-6.256, P=0.040), steroid usage (OR=2.674, 95%CI:1.118-8.786, P=0.027), and the presence of preoperative abscess/fistula (OR=3.447, 95%CI:1.254-10.462, P=0.014) were identified as independent risk factors of anastomotic infectious complications. In the absence of these 3 risk factors, the rate of anastomotic infectious complication was 5.7% (3/53), which increased to 11.4% (4/35) when one risk factor was present, 21.1% (4/19) when two risk factors were present, and 42.9% (3/7) when all the 3 risk factors were present., Conclusions: CDAI>150, steroid usage and preoperative abscess/fistula are associated with higher rates of anastomotic infectious complications following bowel resection for Crohn disease. A prudent management should be carried out if risk factors can not be eliminated preoperatively.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of Crohn disease activity indices (CDAI) in assessing symptomatic recurrence following ileocolic resection for Crohn disease., Methods: A total of 85 patients who underwent ileocolic resection between March 2003 and March 2010 were included. Clinical and endoscopic evaluation were performed within 12 months after operation. Endoscopic appearance was assessed using Rutgeers score and endoscopic recurrence was defined as endoscopic score ≥i2. Symptomatic recurrence was defined by the composite of symptom severity warranting medical therapy and endoscopic recurrence. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to explore the utility of CDAI in determining the presence or absence of symptomatic disease., Results: Nineteen patients had symptomatic recurrence within 12 months postoperatively. The mean CDAI of patients with symptomatic recurrence was 205±93, significantly higher than those with sustained remission(97±44, P<0.01). The area under the ROC curve for symptomatic recurrence and CDAI was 0.786. Symptomatic recurrence was best predicted by a CDAI cutoff of 150 and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy was 73.7%, 81.8% and 80.0% respectively. When a combined endoscopic and CDAI was applied, the specificity and accuracy was markedly improved to 95.5% and 90.6%. In comparison to CDAI alone, the combined use of CDAI and endoscopic evaluation had a higher level of agreement on symptomatic recurrence(Kappa value, 0.718 vs. 0.462)., Conclusions: CDAI is effective to predict symptomatic recurrence. A combination of CDAI and endoscopic evaluation can further improve the accuracy of assessing symptomatic recurrence.

Objective: To evaluate the predictive value of quantitative examination via contrast-enhanced ultrasonography on the activity of Crohn disease at endoscopy., Methods: A total of 59 cases with Crohn disease in People's Hospital of Lishui City between January 2009 and December 2010 were collected prospectively and underwent both colonoscopy and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography. According to the Simple Endoscopic Score, Crohn disease was divided into inactive and active disease by colonoscopy. To assess the vascularization of the involved bowel loop in a region expected to be seen at colonoscopy, the contrast agent uptake was measured by using quantitative analysis. Measurement of contrast enhancement was assessed as the percentage of increase in wall brightness in regions of interest (ROI). The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the value of contrast agent uptake in predicting the severity determined at endoscopy., Results: Colonoscopy showed active lesions in 45 cases and inactive lesions in 14 cases, in whom the percentages of increase of brightness were (90±32)% and (41±29)% respectively. At a threshold value of 45% for the percentage of increase of brightness, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of predicting the severity at endoscopy were 95.6%, 78.6% and 91.5%, the Youden index was 0.74, and area under curve was 0.846., Conclusions: Quantitative measurement of bowel enhancement by using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography can discriminate between active and inactive Crohn disease at endoscopy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography may be a useful technique to monitor the activity of Crohn disease.

Objective: To explore the correlation between anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility patients and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) DQA1 gene, and to study the correlation between the treatment of Chinese medicine and pharmacy and HLA-DQA1 genotype., Methods: The polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) technique was used in studying HLA-DQA1 genotypes of 51 anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility patients and 60 healthy subjects. Mianbu III (consisting of rehmannia root, white peony root, Fructus Comi, yam, barbary wolfberry fruit, moutan bark, and dwarf lilyturf root) was used in patients for three months., Results: The HLA-DQA1 *0401 allele in the immune infertility group was obviously higher than that in the healthy control group (chi2 = 29.869, P < 0.01). As for the therapeutic efficacy 22 cases of the 27 positive HLA-DQA1 * 0401 turned to negative with statistical difference (chi2 = 5.24, P = 0.022)., Conclusion: HLA-DQA1 *0401 allele might be predisposing gene of the anti-sperm antibody-positive immune infertility. The Chinese medicinal treatment was effective for the HLA-DQA1 *0401 allele patients.

Objective: To evaluate the protective efficacy of plague subunit vaccine, BALB/c mice, guinea pigs and rabbits were used in this study., Methods: Groups of mice (10 per group), guinea pigs (14 per group) and rabbits (6 per group) were immunized with F1 + rV270 vaccine, EV76 vaccine and alum adjuvant by intramuscular route, respectively. Serum antibody titres of mice, guinea pigs and rabbits were determined by ELISA and the immunized animals were challenged with 10(6) CFU of Y. pestis strain 141 at the 8th week after the primary immunization., Results: The immunized mice, guinea pigs or rabbits with subunit vaccine developed anti-F1 IgG titre of 41 587.3 +/- 2.1, 11 543.7 +/- 2.1 or 522.4 +/- 22.4 and elicited statistical anti-F1 IgG titre difference among them (F = 17.58, P < 0.01). The immunized mice, guinea pigs or rabbits with subunit vaccine had anti-rV270 IgG titre of 15 748.7 +/- 1.6, 12.6 +/- 1.4 or 1648.0 +/- 5.0 and induced statistical anti-rV270 IgG titre difference among them (F value was 16.34, P < 0.01). There was significant anti-F1 IgG titre difference among mice, guinea pigs and rabbits immunized with EV76 vaccine that developed anti-F1 IgG titre of 913.4 +/- 4.5, 937.0 +/- 2.0 or 342.0 +/- 12.0 (F = 23.67, P < 0.01), whereas the immunized mice, guinea pigs and rabbits with EV76 vaccine developed anti-rV270 IgG titre of 12.0 +/- 1.0, 447.0 +/- 10.0, 40.0 +/- 11.0 and there was no anti-rV270 IgG titre difference between them (F = 2.20, P = 0.1314). The immunized mice with subunit vaccine developed significantly higher anti-F1 IgG titres than immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q value was 30.57 and 19.04, respectively, P < 0.01), and there were no anti-F1 IgG titre differences between the immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q = 0.04, P = 0.8485). The immunized mice with subunit vaccine developed significantly higher anti-rV270 IgG titres than immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q value was 27.10 and 19.49, respectively, P < 0.01), and there were no anti-rV270 IgG titre differences between the immunized guinea pigs and rabbits with the subunit vaccine (q = 0.25, P = 0.6187). The immunized mice with EV76 elicited higher anti-F1 IgG titres than immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q value was 40.67 and 29.10, respectively, P < 0.01), whereas there was no difference of F1 IgG titer between immunized guinea pigs and rabbits (q = 0.06, P = 0.8098). The immunized mice, guinea pigs and rabbits with subunit vaccine provided 100% (10/10), 86% (12/14) and 100% (5/5) protection against 10(6) CFU Y. pestis of challenge, respectively. The immunized mice, guinea pigs and rabbits with EV76 vaccine gave 100% (6/6), 93% (13/14) and 100% (6/6) protection against 10(6) CFU Y. pestis of challenge respectively., Conclusion: BALB/c mice is the best small animal model for valuation of protective efficacy of plague subunit vaccine. The guinea pigs showed a high individual variation for this purpose. The rabbits can be used as an alternative model for evaluating plague subunit vaccine.