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Acrylic powder coating has excellent anti-aging function and often used as an environmentally friendly topcoat coating. In order to understand its anti-corrosion performance and anti-corrosion mechanism for the purpose of expanding its application, the corrosion behavior and mechanism of intact acrylic powder coatings in marine environment and the defect of acrylic powder coating had been investigated using CASS test, immersion test and AC impedance method. Results showed that the transparent acrylic powder coatings with a thickness of 80 μm and 120 μm respectively had a few blisters on the edge of the scratch after treated by a 240 h CASS test. For the powder coating with a thickness of 120 μm, the maximum and minimum widths of corrosion products around the scratch were about 3.5 mm and 0.5 mm respectively, and the adhesion to the surface was level 0, indicating that the coating had good CASS resistance. After an immersion of 30 d, the amount of corrosion products generated around the scratch of 120 μm coating was smaller than that of 80 μm coating, revealing that 120 μm coating had better immersion resistance. Furthermore, the EIS of scratch specimens in 0.6 mol/L NaCl solution showed that the electric double layer capacitance decreased rapidly firstly and then tended to be stable, and the corrosion rate increased with the prolonging of immersion time. The impedance of the intact acrylic powder coating decreased from about 1010～1011Ω·cm2 to 106 Ω·cm2 after an immersion in 0.6 mol/L NaCl solution for 720 h. The barrier effect of these two kinds of coatings was basically the same after a 360 h immersion. Besides, as the aluminum alloy material covered with acrylic powder coating had poor corrosion resistance, the acrylic powder coating was not suitable to be used alone as the coating system for the automobile aluminum wheel hub or the alumimum alloy material. Hence, it is recommended to use composite coating system as the coating scheme for automobile aluminum alloy wheel hub.

The health of wetland ecosphere in an estuarine delta is determined by many factors, such as continuity of natural processes, ecosystem connectivity, habitat heterogeneity, and food web diversity. The contradiction between ecological and environmental protection and regional development, in the estuarine delta is becoming more and more prominent.. A series of man-made and natural processes directly and indirectly resulted in habitat fragmentation of wetlands, which has direct and strong impacts on the ecosphere health and the habitat function of wetlands. In this paper, we pro- vided a perspective on researches on the basic theory of healthy wetland ecosphere, landscape eco- logical network system, hydrologic network construction, key food webs, and habitat heterogeneity. At the regional and landscape scales, with the linkages between land use and ecosystem integrity as the main line, we clarified the influences of habitat fragmentation on wetland ecological functions, especially the effects of landscape integrity and river connectivity on wetland habitat. At the community and ecosystem scales, emphasis should be given on the relationship between food web and ecosystem stability, especially the supporting role of food web diversity and habitat heterogeneity on the construction of wetland biosphere. Further efforts should focuse on the wetland habitats construction based on landscape integrity, hydrologic connectivity, habitat heterogeneity and food web diversity. These efforts could help to develop and optimize the theory and method of constructing wetland ecosphere and enhancing its ecological function, and promote the sound development, of regional ecological environment and resource utilization in estuarine deltas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality around the world. Accurate diagnosis of lung cancer is significant for treatment regimen selection. Radiomics refers to comprehensively quantifying the tumor phenotypes by applying a large number of quantitative image features. Here we analyze a computed tomography (CT) data set of 619 patients with lung cancer on the lung image database consortium (LIDC) by radiomic method. Combining with the medical character and clinical recognition of lung tumor, we present a radiomic analysis of 60 features. Then, we use SVM to build a prediction model and find radiomic features which have predictive value for discrimination of malignant and benign lung tumors. Nowadays, as CT imaging is routinely used in lung cancer clinical diagnosis, there is an increase in data set size. We consider that our radiomic prediction model will be developed a valuable medical software and an auxiliary tool which can provide malignant and benign information of lung tumors efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we combined light alkali, neutral scouring method with ultrasonic washing method of washing wool, designed a scheme of surface treatment. This process can achieve both reduce the waste of resources, and the scouring time. Wool surface treatment process is divided into four steps, including wet, washing, ultrasonic cavitation, charring. It has been proved that the method is simple, fast, scouring clean. To detect and analyze the surface structure of wool fiber, we made the use of Raman spectroscopy in the last process. Consequently we find the optimum temperature for the process of wetting and the best time for carbonization in wool scouring process. The results showed that the optimum temperature in wetting phase is about 60 °C, and optimum baking time in carbonization is about 25 ~ 30 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation study on fuzzy PID control in Atomic Force Microscopy ( AM-AFM % is carried put out for better control effect. The model of AM-AFM probe dynamic process is obtained through Euler-Bernoulli s equation. Based on AM-AFM' s negative feedback control with a fuzzy PID control module, a complete AM-AFM system simulation platform is established. By using fuzzy technique, fuzzy PID controller makes the real-time adjustment of PID parameters, thus high-quality control effect is achieved. Moreover, this article gets a set of initial value of off-line adjustment using Ziegler-Nichols method. The value is applied in the setting of fuzzy center such that the control effect is further improved. The simulation of the scanning of two typical samples is made to demonstrate the control effect of fuzzy PID. It proves that the control effect of fuzzy PID and indicates that fuzzy PID can significantly improve the AM-AFM image quality of samples which have steep surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which explores the development of a three dimensional (3D) thermo-mechanical rigid-plastic FE model for the simulation of vertical-horizontal hot rolling process for heavy plates. Simulation results suggest that edging efficiency increases with the increment of edging reduction and slab width while decreases with the increment of slab thickness. It proposed the development of a heavy plate width control model for vertical-horizontal hot rolling process.

Based on the steady-state heat flow method, the contact heat transfer between TC11 titanium alloy and 5CrMnMo die steel is measured using the self-developed thermal contact conductance experimental apparatus. The effect of interfacial pressure, interfacial temperature, surface roughness and glass lubricant on thermal contact conductance is discussed. The results indicate that thermal contact conductance increases with the increasing of interfacial pressure, and it is nearly proportional to the exponent function of interfacial pressure. When interfacial temperature is increased, thermal contact conductance is increased generally. It yields abnormal phenomena that thermal contact conductance increases with the increasing of surface roughness in the range of small roughness relatively. In addition, glass lubricant decreases thermal contact conductance by 1-2 orders of magnitudes, especially thickness of lubricant coating influences it clearly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on commercial finite element analysis software MSC. Marc, a 3D finite element model for the 6-passes of roughing rolling process of GCr15 steel rod was developed. With the aid of user subroutine, the microstructure evolution model of GCr15 steel was coupled with the thermal- mechanical coupling FE model of roughing rolling process of rod to simulate the evolution of austenite grain size under different technological parameters. Simulation results show that austenite grains in the center of rolled piece become bigger with the increase of rolling temperature during the roughing rolling process. Mill speed has no influence on the evolution of grain size. Initial grain size and the adjustment of cleaning between rolls have a little effect on the evolution process of grain size, but have no effect on the grain size after the 6-passes of roughing rolling. The simulation results of the grain size in the interior of rolled piece under practical technological parameters are in good agreement with measured ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the metallurgical theories of welds, a modified cellular automaton (CA) and Monte Carlo (MC) model is constructed on microstructural evolution during welding solidification. The CA/MC scheme is used to the development of evolutional rule of grains nucleation and growth combined with finite difference calculation of thermal and solute diffusion. The model is employed to simulate the formation of welding solidification microstructure in low-carbon ferritic stainless steel. It is found that the simulation can reproduce the welds solidification. The simulation results show that increasing the nucleating agent or decreasing the energy input can enhance the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). The computed results are qualitatively consistent with the actual ones and theoretical conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of self-developed thermal contact conductance (TCC) coefficient experimental system was employed in the experiments on the TCC coefficient between cast aluminum and 5CrMnMo die steel, and between extruded aluminum alloy and 5CrMnMo die steel. The changing tendency of TCC coefficient, in accordance with interfacial temperature and contact pressure between aluminum alloy and 5CrMnMo die steel is analyzed. It is found that TCC coefficient is not directly in proportion to interfacial temperature, but is roughly in proportion to contact pressure index. Besides, when they are in the same contact condition and measuring condition, the TCC coefficient between cast aluminum and 5CrMnMo die steel is generally, smaller than that of the extruded aluminum alloy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the effect of nucleation mechanism on the hot working process of polycrystalline metals? the evolvement of dynamic recrystallization microstructure under three nucleation mechanisms was simulated by developing a two-dimension cellular automaton model. The variation of the mean size of recrystallization grains(R-grains) and the characteristics of growth kinetics during the hot working process were obtained. The simulated results of the three models were discussed and compared together. It is found that the variation of the mean size of recrystallization grains is decided by the nucleation mechanism and the growth mode. However, the steady mean size only depends on the total number of nuclei. The curve of the growth kinetics looks like the shape of "S" and its variation follows the JMAK theory. The Avrami exponent is decided by the spatial distribution of nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vacuum hot bulge forming is an innovative manufacture method used to produce many industrial components. Components are formed by thermal expansion of the die as forming load. A two-dimensional nonlinear thermo-mechanical coupled FE model was established. In this model, influences of many factors, such as nonlinear radiation heat transfer and thermal physical properties of material depending on temperature, were considered. Numerical simulation of vacuum hot bulge forming process of titanium alloy cylindrical workpiece was carried out using FE analysis software MSC. Marc. The temperature and deformation fields of vacuum hot bulge forming of titanium alloy cylindrical workpiece were analyzed. And the corresponding experiments were carried out. The simulation results agree well with the experimental ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional traits of seeds reflect plant reproductive strategies adapting to environmental changes, which is an evolutionary behavior in natural selection and genetics. Study on seed functional traits is of great significance to deeply understand the long-term adaptive evolution of plants and seeds. We measured seed functional traits of a main indigenous species Phragmites australis , including seed size, seed weight, seed set, and seed production, in nine coastal marshes of the six provinces/cities along the coastal zone of China (21°29'-40°57' N), and analyzed latitudinal variations of functional traits. The results showed that seed functional traits of P. australis in Chinese coastal marshes varied significantly with latitude and that there were significant correlations among different traits. Seed size (including seed length, seed width, seed shape index, aspect ratio, and seed surface area), and 100-seed weight showed significant quadratic function relation with latitude, which firstly decreased and then increased with the increases of latitude, while seed setting rate firstly increased and then reduced. There was a trade-off between the number and size of P. australis seeds. Seed production per unit area significantly increased with latitude. Results of stepwise regression analysis showed that climatic factors were the main driver resulting in the difference of seed functional traits of P. australis between latitudes, followed by pH and salinity of soil porewater.

The significant role of traffic emissions mixed from various sources in urban air pollution has been widely recognized. However, the corresponding contributions to the roadside particle distribution are poorly understood due to the mixed impacts of various sources. Particle number concentrations of different sizes at the roadside in Nankai District of Tianjin were continuously monitored using a portable aerosol particle spectrometer during the morning rush hour (07:30-09:20) from Nov. 9, 2018 to Jan. 6, 2019. Characteristic and influencing factors of particle size distributions were discussed combined with temperature and relative humidity data, while potential sources of particles at the roadside were identified based on size distribution analysis. The results showed that the average total particle number concentrations were 502 cm -3 , and the concentrations of the accumulation mode and coarse mode were 500 cm -3 and 2 cm -3 , respectively. The distribution of number concentrations at the roadside was unimodal and primarily concentrated at 0.25-0.50 μm, with peak sizes at 0.28-0.30 μm. The same distribution trend of particle number concentration and difference in the concentration in the same segment size were observed at different periods. Vehicle activity level was the main influencing factor of road particulate matter concentration on different weekdays; the probability of the high value of road particulate matter concentration was reduced by a reasonable combination of the vehicle tail numbers. Temperature and relative humidity were both found to be positively correlated with the number concentration of particles. With the increase in temperature and relative humidity, the total and peak particle number concentration showed an overall upward trend. In addition, the peak particle size increased from 0.28-0.30 μm to 0.35-0.40 μm when relative humidity was higher than 80%. Three sources, including road dust, brake and tire wear, and the aging particles from vehicle exhaust, were identified using positive matrix factorization in this study. Road dust contributed 8.6% of the total number concentration, which mainly consisted of particles with sizes above 5.00 μm. Brake and tire wear contributed 2.8% of the total number concentration of particles with a size range of 0.80-4.00 μm. The aging particles from vehicle exhaust contributed the most (88.5%), with a peak at 0.25-0.65 μm. The sources of roadside particles were mainly related to vehicle activity, whereas temperature and relative humidity also affected the particle number size distribution.

Investigating the composition of food sources with stable isotope method can provide direct evidence for the top-down control in the coastal wetland. In this study, we examined food source and feeding habit of Helice tientsinensis of common reed (Phragmites australis) vegetation in high marsh of Yellow River Delta. The results showed that the density of crab was (5.5±1.5) ind·m -2 , with the behavior of climbing P. australis to feed on the leaves at night. Under the same indoor experimental condition, H. tientsinensis showed feeding preference on fresh leaves of P. aus-tralis. The stable isotope food source analysis showed that the leaves of P. australis were one of the important food sources of H. tientsinensis in the field. There were temporal variations in the proportion of fresh leaves [May: (6.4±4.9)%, July: (5.8±4.9)%, September: (12.5±8.8)%] and dead leaves [May: (12.4±7.8)%, July: (15.5±9.9)%, September: (15.1±9.4)%]. Therefore, H. tientsinensis could inhibit P. australis's growth and affect litter decomposition through feeding disturbance behavior.

The health of wetland ecosphere in an estuarine delta is determined by many factors, such as continuity of natural processes, ecosystem connectivity, habitat heterogeneity, and food web diversity. The contradiction between ecological and environmental protection and regional development in the estuarine delta is becoming more and more prominent. A series of man-made and natural processes directly and indirectly resulted in habitat fragmentation of wetlands, which has direct and strong impacts on the ecosphere health and the habitat function of wetlands. In this paper, we provided a perspective on researches on the basic theory of healthy wetland ecosphere, landscape ecological network system, hydrologic network construction, key food webs, and habitat heterogeneity. At the regional and landscape scales, with the linkages between land use and ecosystem integrity as the main line, we clarified the influences of habitat fragmentation on wetland ecological functions, especially the effects of landscape integrity and river connectivity on wetland habitat. At the community and ecosystem scales, emphasis should be given on the relationship between food web and ecosystem stability, especially the supporting role of food web diversity and habitat heterogeneity on the construction of wetland biosphere. Further efforts should focuse on the wetland habitats construction based on landscape integrity, hydrologic connectivity, habitat heterogeneity and food web diversity. These efforts could help to develop and optimize the theory and method of constructing wetland ecosphere and enhancing its ecological function, and promote the sound development of regional ecological environment and resource utilization in estuarine deltas.

To study the pharmacokinetic effect of Mori Folium flavones and alkaloids in normal and diabetic rats. An UPLC-TQ-MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of rutin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, kaempferol, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, DNJ and fagomine in plasma of rats. The diabetic rat model was induced through intravenous injection with alloxan and high-fat diet. Samples of plasma of rats were obtained at different time points, after the rats were administrated with Mori Folium flavones and alkaloids. After the deproteinization with acetonitrile, the concentrations of Mori Foliam constituents in rats at different time points were detected by UPLC-TQ-MS method, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by DAS 2.0 software. The results showed that quercetin and kaempferol reached peak at 0.333 h, indicating that Mori Folium flavonoid constituents were absorbed and distributed quickly. At about 4 h after administration, both of them reached the peak concentrations for the second time, suggesting that they stayed in intestine for a long time. DNJ and fagomine in gastrointestinal tract can be quickly absorbed into blood, and the concentration in plasma reached peak after 0.667 h, suggesting that both of them could be rapidly distributed in the systemic circulation of rats. Cryptochlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, quercetin, kaempferol and rutin were found to have a higher Cmax and AUC0-t in normal rats than those in diabetic rats. The t1/2values of cryptochlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid were shorter in diabetic rats, while quercetin, kaempferol and rutin had a longer t1/2value in diabetic rats. Chlorogenic acid, astragalin, isoquercitrin, fagomine had a higher Cmax in diabetic rats, and the t1/2values of astragalin and fagomine were longer, which suggested differences in absorption of active ingredients under normal and diabetic conditions., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.)

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and effect of Astragalus Granule (AG) , auricular point sticking combined with aerosol inhalation on the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- a), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), eosinophil cell count (EOS), and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in cough variant asthma (CVA) children. Methods Totally 150 CVA children patients were ran- domly assigned to three group, the Western medicine group (WM) , the Chinese medicine group (CM) , and the combined group, 50 in each group. All patients received basic treatment of aerosol inhalation with Budesonide suspension and Terbutaline Sulphate Solution. Patients in the WM group received basic treatment alone. Those in the CM group additionally took AG. Those in the combined group additionally took AG and received auricular point sticking. The therapeutic course for all was 8 weeks. Expression levels of TNF-α, IL-4, and IL-10 were detected in each group using ELISA before and after treatment. Levels of EOS and IgE were detected using hematology analyzer. Results Compared with before treatment in the same group, the expression levels of TNF-α and IgE decreased in the WM group after treatment (P < 0. 05) ; the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-4, EOS, and IgE decreased, but the level of IL-10 increased in the CM group and the combined group after treatment (P <0. 05). Compared with the WM group at the same time, the expression level of IL-10 increased, and the level of IgE decreased in the CM group (P < 0. 05). The control rate, the markedly effective rate, and the total effective rate were elevated (P < 0. 05), and the ineffective rate was lowered (P <0. 05) in the CM group. In the combined group the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-4, EOS, and IgE decreased, and the level of IL-10 increased after treatment (P <0. 05). The cough alleviation time and the disappearance time were shortened in the combined group after treatment (P <0. 05). The control rate, the markedly effective rate, and the total effective rate were elevated (P <0. 05), and the ineffective rate was lowered (P <0. 05) in the combined group after treatment. Compared with the CM group at the same time point, the expression level of IL-10 increased (P < 0. 05), the levels of IgE and EOS were lowered (P <0. 05), the cough alleviation time and the disappear- ance time were shortened (P <0. 05) , the control rate and the total effective rate were elevated in the combined group after treatment (P <0. 05). Conclusion AG, auricular point sticking combined with aerosol inhalation could significantly reduce the levels of TNF-α, IL-4, EOS, and IgE, and improve the level of IL-10 in CVA children patients, with significant clinical effects.

Objective: To determine the clinical significance of milk protein-specific IgE (sIgE) for infants with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA)., Methods: Ninety-six infants with CMPA were divided into IgE+ group (n=26) and IgE- group (n=70) and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups. Infants were denied allergy-inducing food and fed instead extensively hydrolyzed formulas or amino-acid formulas for 16 weeks before the two groups were compared., Results: Twenty-seven percent of the infants were sIgE-seropositive. The first onset age of CMPA was significantly younger in the IgE+ group than in the IgE- group (P<0.05), and the family history of allergy and respiratory symptoms were significantly less common in the IgE- group than in the IgE+ group (P<0.05). Severe CMPA, gastrointestinal symptoms, underweight, growth retardation, anemia, and hypoproteinemia were significantly more common in the IgE- group than in the IgE+ group (P<0.05). Erythema, urticaria, vomiting, nasal discharge, cough, wheezing, and paroxysms of crying were major clinical symptoms of the IgE+ group, and their incidences were significantly higher in the IgE+ group than in the IgE- group (P<0.05); eczema, constipation, and diarrhea were major symptoms of the IgE- group, and their incidences were significantly higher in the IgE- group than in the IgE+ group (P<0.05). The remission rate of each symptom was as high as over 80% in the two groups after 16 weeks of intervention and there was no significant difference in the remission rates between the two groups (P>0.05)., Conclusions: IgE seropositive rate is not high in infants with CMPA. Atypical signs instead of allergic symptoms are more common in the IgE seronegative infants with CMPA. Avoiding allergy-inducing food and eating extensively hydrolyzed formulas or amino-acid formulas in early age benefit infants with IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated CMPA.

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome poses a significant clinical challenge. Its pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that podocyte-specific gene mutations may play important roles in the development of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Among the identified genes mutated in podocytes include NPHS2, NPHS1, WT1, TRPC6, MDR1, PLCE1, LMX1B, and LAMB2. This review aims to summarize the characteristics of these mutated genes in podocytes. The putative role for these podocyte-specific mutated genes in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome is also discussed.

Objective: To evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of a boost dose of inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) among children aged 18 months who had been administered with primary doses of IPV., Methods: Form 2011 to 2012, a total of 97 children were enrolled in the present study who were vaccinated with IPV at 2, 3, 4 months of age and boosted with the same vaccine at 18 months of age. Anti-poliovirus neutralizing antibody titers in serum were measured before and after booster vaccination, geometric mean titers (GMT) and seroprotection rate were calculated. Adverse events occurring within 30 days after booster vaccination were observed, including pain, redness/swelling and induration at the injection site, fever, vomit, abnormal crying, drowsiness, loss of appetite, irritability, and all other physical discomfort and related medications were also recorded. A descriptive analysis was performed for the safety assessment., Results: Immunogenicity was assessed in 84 subjects. The pre-booster seropositivity rates of neutralizing antibody against poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 before booster were all 100% (84/84) and the corresponding GMT (95% CI) was 1: 148.5 (116.49-189.29) , 1: 237.68 (178.39-316.67) and 1: 231.87 (181.27-296.58) , respectively. The seropositivity rates of neutralizing antibody against the three types of poliovirus after booster were all 100% (84/84) and the corresponding GMT (95% CI) was 1: 1612.14 (1470.57-1767.34) , 1: 1854.92 (1715.83-2005.29) and 1: 1625.50 (1452.12-1819.58) , respectively. The pre-booster titer of neutralizing antibody against poliovirus type 1, 2, 3 mainly ranged 1: 128-1: 512, which accounted for 65% (55/84) , 55% (46/84) , 74% (62/84) in each type. After the booster immunization, titers of neutralizing antibody against type 1, 2, 3 were increased as subjects with titer ≥ 1: 1024 accounted for 94% (78/84) , 95% (80/84) , 92% (77/84) , respectively.Safety was evaluated in 96 subjects, of which 16 subjects reported adverse events with the rate of 17%. The observed local events were mainly tenderness 3% (3/96) , redness/swelling and induration were not reported. The systemic adverse events included loss of appetite (8%, 8/96) , irritability (8%, 8/96) , fever (7%, 7/96) , abnormal crying (6%, 6/96) , drowsiness (6%, 6/96) and vomit (1%, 1/96) . All reported adverse events were mild or moderate. All of the local events occurred in the day of vaccination and lasted for 1-2 days, while systemic events almost developed within 2 days after vaccination and last less than 3 days., Conclusion: IPV booster dose has good immunogenicity and safety profile, which provides effective protection against poliovirus.

Objective: To identify suitable hydroxyl polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) for co-evaluation of internal exposure level of PAHs by simultaneous determination of a variety of OH-PAHs in urine., Methods: The 24-h individual particulate matter and morning urine samples of 112 subjects were collected during June 2011. PAHs carried by individual particulate matter samples and OH-PAHs in urine samples were detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry., Results: Seven OH-PAHs were detected in urine samples, among which 1-hydroxy-naphthalene (1-OHNap) concentration was the highest [(20.54 ± 28.94) µmol/mol Cr], while 1-hydroxy-pyrene (1-OHP) concentration was the lowest [(0.73 ± 0.63) µmol/mol Cr]. The concentrations of these seven OH-PAHs decreased in the following order: 1-hydroxy-naphthalene (1-OHNap) > 9-hydroxy-fluorene (9-OHFlu) > 2-hydroxy-naphthalene (2-OHNap) > 3-hydroxy-fluorene (3-OHFlu) > 2-hydroxy-fluorene (2-OHFlu) > 6-hydroxy-chrysene (6-OHChr) > 1-hydroxy-pyrene (1-OHP). The effects of gender and smoking upon the contents of OH-PAHs in urine samples were not significant. There was a good correlation between total hydroxy-naphthalene (ΣOHNap) and 1-OHNap (r = 0.948), and a good correlation was also showed between total hydroxy-fluorene (ΣOHFlu) and 9-OHFlu (r = 0.975). Naphthalene carried by atmospheric particulate matters demonstrated better correlation with 1-OHNap than 2-OHNap, while fluorene carried by atmospheric particulate matters showed better correlation with 9-OHFlu than 3-OHFlu and 2-OHFlu. The correlation coefficients of ΣOHNap, ΣOHFlu and 6-OHChr with 1-OHP were 0.427, 0.543 and 0.655, respectively, and the correlations were not strong., Conclusion: It cannot reflect internal exposure level of PAHs to use 1-OHP as the only biomarker, while 1-OHNap and 9-OHFlu can be well predictive of the exposure levels of corresponding total OH-PAHs, suggesting that simultaneous determination of 1-OHNap, 9-OHFlu and 1-OHP can be more accurate and comprehensive in evaluating the internal exposure level of PAHs.

Objective: To investigate the value of detection of fetal cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) in maternal plasma in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities., Methods: The plasma from 3200 gravidas (singleton with 20.3 ± 3.8 gestational weeks) was collected from April 1(st) 2011 to May 30(th) 2012. They were divided into 3 groups: (1) To tally 1720 cases were included in the high-risk serological screening group, in which women were younger than 35 years and got high-risk results in serological screening; (2) To tally 1310 cases were included in the advanced age group, in which women's age was more than 35 years; (3) To tally 170 cases were included in the supplementary group, in which women were younger than 35 years and got low-risk results in serological screening, or women who didn't take serological screening tests. All the 3030 gravidas in group 1 and 2 didn't take invasive prenatal diagnosis because of fear of abortion or short of prenatal diagnosis. Cff-DNA were detected by next generation sequencing in Shenzhen BGI Genomics Center for clinical laboratory. Amniocentesis and karyotype analysis were provided to the positive cases and women with negative results were followed-up by telephone., Results: (1) The 3200 cases took cff-DNA detection, and 31 cases got positive results, including 27 cases of trisomy 21 and 4 cases of trisomy 18. Sixteen cases of trisomy 21 and 1 case of trisomy 18 were in the high-risk serological screening group. 7 cases of trisomy 21 and 2 cases of trisomy 18 were in the advanced age group. Four cases of trisomy 21 and 1 case of trisomy 18 were in the supplementary group. (2) And the 84% (26/31) cff-DNA detecting positive cases received amniocentesis. In the 27 trisomy 21 positive cases, 23 received amniocentesis and got karyotype of 47XN, +21, with the diagnostic accordance rate of 100%. In the 4 cases who didn't take karyotype analysis, fetal anomaly (ventricular septal defect, dextrocardia and choroid plexus cyst) was found in 1 case before 20 gestational weeks; intrauterine fetal demise happened in 1 case before getting the result; 2 other cases who already had healthy children took abortion in the local hospital without taking amniocentesis. In the 4 trisomy 18 positive cases, 3 took amniocentesis, 2 of which were trisomy 18 and took abortion, the other was chimera (46, XN/47, XN, +18) with only 2% cells of trisomy 18, with no malformation found after delivery. Hypoevolutism (3 weeks less than gestational week), general hydropsy and intrauterine fetal demise happened before the other case took amniocentesis. (3) Follow up of cff-DNA negative cases:until May 30(th) 2012, no Down's baby was found in the 1230 cases with cff-DNA test negative results., Conclusions: (1) The non-invasive fetal trisomy test (NIFTY) by next generation sequencing is a safe, accurate and high throughput method for the prenatal diagnosis of trisomy-21. (2) Use NIFTY as a further screening for pregnant women with high-risk serological screening results could lower invasive prenatal diagnosis rate. (3) Cases with positive NIFTY test results should receive amniocentesis and karyotype analysis to confirm the diagnosis before abortion.

Objective: To evaluate immunogenicity after primary vaccination by different sequential program of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV)., Methods: Children of 2 months old (60-89 days) selected in Beijing were assigned to 4 groups, 1 dose IPV plus 2 doses OPV (I-O-O, 122 children), 2 doses IPV plus 1 dose OPV(I-I-O, 103 children), 3 doses IPV (I-I-I, 114 children), and 3 doses OPV (O-O-O, 106 children), and were vaccinated at the age of 2, 3, 4 months. Polio neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were tested and protective rates were calculated before the 1st dose, after the last dose, and after the 1st and 2nd dose of IPV., Results: After the primary immunization, geometric mean titers (GMT) of polio neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus types 1, 2, and 3 were 788.32, 738.42 and 631.17 in O-O-O group, 212.02, 262.30 and 537.52 in I-I-I group, 940.35, 929.72 and 940.35 in I-O-O group and 901.09, 1102.68 and 1110.12 in I-I-O group (F values were 47.71, 53.84, and 9.81 respectively, all P values<0.01). The protective rate of three types among each group was 98.1% (104/106)-100.0% and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). After the 1(st) dose of IPV, the GMT were 18.88, 37.77, 24.64 and the protective rate was 82.6% (122/138)-96.4% (133/138); after the 2nd dose of IPV, GMT were 177.03, 168.25, 321.86 and the protective rate was 99.1% (108/109)-100.0% (109/109) in antibody types 1, 2 and 3, respectively., Conclusion: GMT of polio neutralizing antibody titers against poliovirus is higher after vaccination by sequential program of IPV and OPV than that by IPV or OPV 3-doses program. High level of protective rate after 2 doses of IPV in I-I-O group may lead to better protection from vaccine associated paralytic poliomyelitis (VAPP). Sequential program of IPV and OPV can be used to maintain high level of herd immunity and to prevent VAPP, and the I-I-O sequential program should be the first choice.

Objective: To study the contents of cadmium in Cortex Ilicis Rotundae and provide evidence for establishing the detection limit of cadmium in its quality standard., Methods: ICP-MS was used to determine the contents of cadmium in 18 batches of Ilex L., Results: The contents of cadmium in 10 batches of Cortex Ilex Rotunda ranged from 3.4 to 10.4 mg/kg,and the contents of cadmium in Ilex asprella and Ilex pubescents were more than 0.3 mg/kg., Conclusion: The contents of cadmium of Cortex Ilicis Rotundae, Ilex asprella and Ilex pubescents have particular characterise, and this study provides a basic for the analysis of cadmium in Cortex Ilicis Rotundace and other plants of this genus.

In this study we have established a technique of multiple quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) for prenatal diagnosis of common chromosomal abnormality using multiple short tandem repeat markers (STR-marker) on chromosomes 21 and 18 with the DNA samples from 20 cases of Down's syndrome, 3 cases of trisomy 18 and 40 cases normal controls. The technique established was applied in prenatal diagnosis in 165 clinical cases and 4 cases of newborn infants with digestive tract obstruction. The result this technique was compared with the results of karyotyping. Four cases of trisomy 21 and 1 case of trisomy 18 were identified among 169 samples, which was completely concordant with the results of karyotyping. All clinical samples were diagnosed in 1-3 days without misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. Five cases were diagnosed by QF-PCR only due to the failure of karyotyping. Twenty-two cases of fetuses with structure malformation indicated by B-ultrasonography were subjected to karyotyping. One case of 45, X and 1 case of 47, XXY were identified. In conclusion, QF-PCR technique is rapid and accurate for the detection of trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. It is suitable for prenatal diagnosis of common chromosomal abnormality for pregnant women with advanced ages who were identified as having a high risk by serum screening. QF-PCR technique combined with karyotyping can provide better service for clinical demanding of prenatal diagnosis.

An aberrant genotype of hepatitis B virus was discovered from a female child when we surveyed the status of the virus' infection in Guangxi of China. The full-length genome was amplified and sequenced. The length of genome is 3215 bp and the serotype of the virus is adr. In phylogenetic tree analysis with the standard genotype sequence of GenBank, the genome was clustered with genotype C, however, phylogenetic tree analysis of the individual segment supported recombination strain was formed. The segment between nt 1630 and 2880 was similar to genotype C, and the other part of genome close to genotype A. The result suggests it is a recombinant virus strain. The finding provides a reference to study the genotype and evolution of hepatitis B virus in China.

Objective: To analyse the variability of proteins in the seminal plasma of severe oligospermic and healthy fertile men., Methods: Spermatic fluid samples were collected from 11 healthy fertile men and 6 severe oligospermic male volunteers and tested by SELDI-TOF-MS with the CM10 protein chip to get the protein spectra maps, which were automatically treated with the special softwares of Ciphergen Inc., Results: The mean peak heights of 2 lower-abundance proteins expressed in the seminal plasma of the severe oligospermic men were statistically different from the healthy fertile males (P<0.05). Fifteen different proteins existed between the nonobstructive azoospermic and the severe oligospermic group, 7 of which, with m/z of 7,196.058, 7,547.610, 5,780.493, 7,059.844, 7,409.589, 5,379.173 and 10,778.810, also between the non-obstructive azoospermic and the healthy fertile males (P<0.05). Except the latter two, the contents of the other 5 proteins were decreased in the non-obstructive azoospermic men (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The finger prints of the seminal plasma proteins of the severe oligospermic group were similar to those of the healthy fertile males, both significantly different from the non-obstructive azoospermic men. It is suggested that pathogenesis mechanisms differ exist between non-obstructive azoospermia and severe oligospermia but are not the simple accumulation of genetic factors.

Objective: To investigate the movement tendency of lower teeth using multiloop edgewise archwire (MEAW) with vertical elastics in anterior teeth area by three-dimensions photoelastic analysis., Methods: The photoelastical model of full teeth as human body on physical parameter and dimension was established and loaded by MEAW with vertical elastics in anterior teeth area similar with clinic. Every freezing model-tooth was bladed by anteroposterior axes and vertical axes, the stress of every point of alveolar bone was calculated by three-dimensions shear-equation method. The stress distribution regularity of per-tooth was analyzed to describe their move tendency., Results: The lower second molar was intrused and rotated to distal and inclined as negative torque. The lower first molar moved and rotated to distal, the mesial rotate to buccally and the distal rotate to lingually. The lower second pre-molar was extruded and inclined as crown to mesial and root to distal, inclined as negative torque. The lower canine was intrused slightly and inclined as positive torque. The lower lateral incisor was extruded and moved and inclined as positive torque., Conclusion: Using MEAW with several "L" loop can control the movement of every tooth in three dimension.

Objective: To analyse protein alterations in the seminal plasma of non-obstructive azoospermia patients., Methods: Semen samples were collected from 11 healthy fertile and 6 azoospermia male volunteers respectively and tested by SELDI-TOF-MS with CM10 protein chip to get protein spectra maps, which were automatically treated with the special softwares of Ciphergen Inc., Results: The mean peak heights of 28 proteins expressed in the seminal plasma of the azoospermia patients were statistically different from those of the healthy fertile males (P < 0.05 ), of which 24 were of lower contents than in the normal controls, 4 with remarkably significant difference, M/Z 7 196.058, 7 630.573, 7 547.610 and 7 709.833 (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The seminal plasma proteins of the azoospermia patients were significantly different from those of the healthy fertile males, with decreased contents of most of the different proteins, which might be significantly correlated with the development of azoospermia.

5'-Flanking region of rlpk2 gene was cloned by using PCR-based genomic DNA walking method (Fig.1), and designated P(rlpk2) (GenBank Accession Number: AY870314). Results of sequencing analysis showed that P(rlpk2) contains several putative cis-elements that respond to CTK, ABA, GA or IAA, as well as elements that respond to different environmental stresses, such as dehydration, coldness, wounding and etc. An expression vector containing the P(rlpk2)-GUS fusion gene was constructed (Fig.2) and transferred into soybean seedlings and Micro-Tom cotyledon explants by Agrobacterium-mediated method. A strong transient expression of GUS was observed in both soybean plumule and Micro-Tom cotyledon callus (Fig.3), thus confirming the promoter activity of P(rlpk2).

Objective: To investigate the relationship between hemostatic changes in liver cirrhosis patients with different degrees of their liver lesions., Methods: Forty-three patients (35 men, 8 women; age: 25 to 71 yr) with liver cirrhosis were divided into three subgroups (A, B, and C) on the basis of Child-Pugh classification. Among the patients, 13 were classified as Child-Pugh class A, 15 were class B, 15 were class C. 16 healthy individuals served as controls. A series of hemostatic tests and parameters including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fib), factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, vWF assay, antithrombin-III (AT-III), protein C (PC), D-dimer, tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA), plasminogen activator inhibitor activity (PAI) were performed on 43 patients and the 16 healthy controls., Results: PT and APTT were progressively prolonged from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was a significant difference. Fibrinolytic activity and the activities of factors II, V, VII, IX, X were progressively decreased from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was a significant difference . AT-III and PC activity were progressively decreased from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was a significant difference. D-dimer and t-PA-antigen were progressively increased from A to B and then to C. In comparison to the controls there was significant difference. PAI activity did not display significant changes in the four groups., Conclusion: We found that there is a close relationship between the severity of cirrhosis and the hemostatic changes. Because the deterioration of the coagulation function and increasing fibrinolytic activity parallel the severity of liver cirrhosis, adequate treatment for cirrhotic bleeding should not only correct the coagulation defects, but also lower the increased fibrinolytic activity.

Aim: To quantify progesterone (P) and one of its metabolites 20alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20alpha-OHP) in rat plasma and uterus after im administration of progesterone., Methods: Plasma and uterus samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction and separated through Shimadzu VP-ODS column (150 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (60: 40, adjusted to pH 4.0 with phosphoric acid). The detector was set at 240 nm. Norgestrel was used as the internal standard., Results: Cmax of P in plasma was (508 +/- 62) microg x L(-1), Tmax was (3.2 +/- 0.4) h, T1/2 (ke) was (10 +/- 4) h and mean AUC0-48h was (5886 +/- 1573) microg x L(-1) x h. The maximum concentration of P in uterus was (1.7 +/- 1.1) microg x g(-1) and the peak time was (5.2 +/- 1.11) h. 20alpha-OHP showed a similar Tmax with P., Conclusion: The method is accurate and convenient. It can be used to determine P and its main metabolite 20alpha-OHP simultaneously for studying their preclinical pharmacokinetics.