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The article relates how the discovery of an eclogite belt northeast of Lhasa, Tibet modifies previous hypotheses about the Lhasa terrane, which was widely considered to form part of the northern margin of Gondwanaland. Geochemistry studies of the eclogite belt indicate that it came from the Paleo-Tethyan oceanic crust during the Carboniferous-Permian periods, suggesting that the Lhasa terrane was formed from an Indosinian epoch collisional orogenesis 240 to 220 million years ago.

Neural networks have been extensively applied to a variety of tasks, achieving astounding results. Applying neural networks in the scientific field is an important research direction that is gaining increasing attention. In scientific applications, the scale of neural networks is generally moderate size, mainly to ensure the speed of inference during application. Additionally, comparing neural networks to traditional algorithms in scientific applications is inevitable. These applications often require rapid computations, making the reduction in neural network sizes increasingly important. Existing work has found that the powerful capabilities of neural networks are primarily due to their nonlinearity. Theoretical work has discovered that under strong nonlinearity, neurons in the same layer tend to behave similarly, a phenomenon known as condensation. Condensation offers an opportunity to reduce the scale of neural networks to a smaller subnetwork with a similar performance. In this article, we propose a condensation reduction method to verify the feasibility of this idea in practical problems, thereby validating existing theories. Our reduction method can currently be applied to both fully connected networks and convolutional networks, achieving positive results. In complex combustion acceleration tasks, we reduced the size of the neural network to 41.7% of its original scale while maintaining prediction accuracy. In the CIFAR10 image classification task, we reduced the network size to 11.5% of the original scale, still maintaining a satisfactory validation accuracy. Our method can be applied to most trained neural networks, reducing computational pressure and improving inference speed.

Objectives: To summarize the experiences in clinical application of neuronavigation in transsphenoidal microsurgery of specific pituitary adenomas, and to discuss its indications., Methods: From January 2006 to December 2010, 138 cases of transsphenoidal microsurgery for specific pituitary adenomas under neuronavigation were reviewed. The indications for neuronavigation in transsphenoidal microsurgery includes: recurrent or regrowth of residual pituitary adenomas after former transsphenoidal surgery in 36 cases, invasive pituitary adenomas in 45 cases, extremely laterally or deeply situated microadenomas in 45 cases, poor pneumatization of the sphenoid in 4 cases, skull base anomalies due to osteodysplasia fibrosa in 3 cases, narrow space between bilateral internal carotid arteries in 4 cases, distortion of nasal septum in 1 case., Results: In the recurrence group, 12 were totally removed, 9 subtotally removed; postoperative complications included hematoma within the tumor cavity in 2 cases, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in 4 cases among which 3 developed intracranial infection and 2 communicating hydrocephalus, oculomotor paralysis in 1 case and hypopituitarism in 3 cases; 9 were cured and 8 remission. In the invasive group, 5 were totally removed, 27 subtotally removed; postoperative complications included hematoma within the tumor cavity in 1 case, CSF leakage and intracranial infection in 1 case; 2 were cured and 22 remission. None of the 30 invasive hormone-secreting adenomas were cured or remission. The 45 cases of hormone-secreting microadenomas were all totally removed, among which 38 were cured. Among the poor sphenoid pneumatization group, total and subtotal tumor removal were achieved in 2 cases respectively with only one cured. In the skull base anomaly group, 2 were totally removed and 1 subtotally removed, with only one cured. For the cases with narrow space between bilateral internal carotid arteries and distortion of nasal septum, all were totally removed and cured., Conclusions: Transsphenoidal microsurgery under neuronavigation can be applied for pituitary adenomas in above specific indications. It is an accurate, safe and effective approach for specific pituitary adenomas, which can not only expand the indication of transsphenoidal microsurgery for pituitary adenomas, but also reduce the harmful exposure of X-rays for the operating staff.

Objective: To summarize the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in post-operative neurosurgical patients., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 7 patients who experienced pulmonary thromboembolism after neurosurgical operations in our department from October 2009 to March 2010., Results: Of these 7 patients, 6 were confirmed with computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and 1 was diagnosed according to the clinical manifestations and other diagnostic examinations. All the patients were treated initially with low-dose heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin and then with warfarin. Two patients were implanted with permanent inferior vena cava filters before anticoagulation. One received anticoagulant therapy and died of respiratory failure due to pulmonary embolism on the fourth post-operative day. Six patients were discharged after significant improvement., Conclusions: Many risk factors may cause PTE peri-operatively. Post-operative CTPA may be indicated. Anticoagulation and other management strategies may be applied to improve the outcome.

Objective: To study the academic level of randomized controlled trials (RCT) published in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery between 2003 and 2009., Methods: Published RCTs in the 42 issues of the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery was searched for relevant articles published between 2003 and 2009. Data extracted for analysis included the time at manuscript received, publication time, total number of citations, number of citations in Chinese, number of citations in English, author's affiliations, single- or multi- center study, positive conclusions from RCTs, number of patients recruited in RCTs, research funding source, the start time, the finish time and the number of authors in RCTs., Results: During the past seven years, a total of 80 clinical RCTs were published in the Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, accounting for 12% of all the clinical studies published in the journal, and the average number of RCTs in each issue was 1.6. The average delay time before publication was 208 days. The total number of citations and the total number of patients in RCTs were 685 and 9402. The average number of citations, the average number of patients recruited in each RCT, and the average research period in RCTs were 8.6, 118 and 29.2. There were 7 multi-center studies, and the number of single-center study was 73. All the RCT studies had significant conclusions, and 17 (21.3%) RCT studies were funded. Nanjing general hospital of Nanjing military command had the largest number of RCTs (n=6)., Conclusion: The Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery puts emphasis on clinical studies of high evidence level such as RCT, which provide evidence for making the clinical guidelines in the specialty of gastrointestinal surgery.

Objective: To analyze the transsphenoidal microsurgical results of non-invasive prolactinomas, in order to provide reference for their treatment choice., Methods: To review the transsphenoidal microsurgical results of 234 non-invasive prolactinomas treated in our department in recent 10 years, and to analyze the prognostic factors. There were 18 males and 216 females, aged between 13 and 58 years, averaged (31.1 +/- 8.5) years. The course ranged from half a month to 20 years, averaged (47.3 +/- 44.9) months. The preoperative serum PRL level ranged between 41 and 8406 ng/ml, averaged (400.5 +/- 888.0) ng/ml, with a median of 164.1 ng/ml. The primary symptoms were amenorrhea, galactorrhea and/or infertility in 211 cases. The tumor size was small (< 1 cm) in 100, large (> or = 1 cm) in 116 and giant (> or = 3 cm) in 18 cases. All the patients received transsphenoidal microsurgery and were followed-up for 12 to 132 months, averaged (43.8 +/- 35.0) months., Results: There was no mortality. One hundred and twenty-seven (54.3%) cases had transient postoperative imbalance of water and electrolytes. One hundred and eighty-eight cases (80.3%) were cured, 12 (5.1%) experienced clinical remission, 20 (8.5%) were improved, and 14 (6.0%) were ineffective. The male patient, the giant prolactinomas and those with higher preoperative serum PRL level had a relative poor postoperative prognosis. While the other factors had no influence on prognosis, including the course, preoperative bromocriptine intake, tumor texture, tumor apoplexy and intraoperative descending extent of the diaphragm of sella. The overall operative expense for transsphenoidal microsurgery ranged from 8323.8 to 22898.5 yuan, averaged (12912.0 +/- 2361.2) yuan., Conclusions: Transsphenoidal microsurgery may be chosen as the primary therapy for non-invasive prolactinomas, with the purposes of therapeutical efficacy, facilitating the patients, re-establishing the patients' self-confidence and reducing the overall expense.

Aim: To study effect of soybean isoflavones (SI) on spleen in radiated mice., Methods: 90 male mice were randomly divided into control group, radiated group, radiated plus 0.5% dose SI group. After 2-week feeding, the mice received 4.0 Gy 137Cs gamma-radiation, the cell cycles, cell apoptosis and proliferation on the spleen and the spleen index were observed in radiated after 12 h, 24 h, 1 week and 2 weeks., Results: After the mice were radiated, the spleen were significantly atrophy, the rate of the cell apoptosis and the cell cycles of G0-G1 phase in splenocytes were significantly increased (P < 0.01), the cell cycles rate of S phase and the proliferation index were significantly decreased in spleen (P < 0.05). Compared with radiated group, the spleen atrophy and the rate of the cell cycles of G0-G1 phase were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the cell cycles of G2-M phase and the proliferation index were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the mice supplied 0.5% soybean isoflavones., Conclusion: The soybean isoflavones could significantly increase spleen radioprotective effect in mice.

Aim: To investigate the effects of pumpkin polysaccharides on blood glucose and lipids levels in diabetic rats., Methods: Diabetic rats induced by alloxan through intraperitoneal injection were randomly divided into three groups, diabetes, xiaoke pill and pumpkin polysaccharides group, according to weight and blood glucose level. And the normal control group was founded at the same time. The normal control group and diabetes group were lavaged with distilled water, other two groups were respectively lavaged with xiaoke pill or pumpkin polysaccharides. Weighed once a week, and analyzed fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and free fatty acid level in serum after 4 weeks., Results: In diabetes group, weight and high density lipoprotein level decreased, and fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and free fatty acid level in serum increased significantly. But, all of the indexes changed oppositely in xiaoke pill group and pumpkin polysaccharides group, and effects of pumpkin polysaccharides were better., Conclusion: Pumpkin polysaccharides can increase the weight, decrease the blood glucose and lipids levels in diabetic rats, and have some good effects to diabetes and diabetes complications.

Objective: To introduce a new principle of sellar reconstruction and to evaluate the effectiveness of absorbable gelatin foam and fibrin glue for sellar reconstruction., Methods: A total of 176 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for pituitary adenomas, cysts, chordomas, or subdiaphragmatic craniopharyngiomas in the sella turcica between January 2001 and April 2003 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were enrolled. Different techniques of sellar closure and indications for each specific condition were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Seventy-seven (43.7%) patients developed a visible cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage during surgery. Intra-operative CSF leakage were repaired simply with gelatin foam and fibrin glue in 62 (35.2%) patients, and with autologous fat graft and sellar floor reconstruction in 15 (8.5%) patients. Postoperative CSF rhinorrhea occurred only in 1 case. There were no visual deterioration, allergic rhinitis, meningitis, pneumocranium, granulomas, or other complications associated with the reconstruction procedure., Conclusion: The procedure of using gelatin foam and fibrin glue and principle of cranial base reconstruction is safe and effective in preventing postoperative complications following transsphenoidal surgery.

Objective: To investigate whether somatostatin analog octreotide long acting release (LAR) shrinks growth hormone (GH) secreting adenomas, and improves the results of subsequent transsphenoidal surgery., Methods: Seventeen previously untreated active acromegalic patients with pituitary adenomas were treated with LAR (30 mg intramuscular injection every 28 days) for 3 months prior to transsphenoidal surgery. Clinical reaction, mean GH secretion, and tumor volume were measured under basal conditions and after LAR treatment., Results: Presurgical treatment improved acromegaly symptoms and induced a significant reduction of GH under the 5 ng/mL limit in microadenoma (P < 0.05), while only 18.2% (2/11) in macroadenoma. Meanwhile, tumor shrinkage occurred in 58.8% (10/17) patients, with 1 case in the microadenoma group. All marked shrinkage (> 25%) occurred in the macroadenoma group. Statistical analysis showed tumor shrinkage caused by LAR was greater in macroadenoma group than that in microadenoma group (P < 0.05). During operation, adenoma was soft in 15 cases, with the exception of 2 cases in which the soft tumor was divided by fibrous septa, but all tumor removal was smooth., Conclusions: A short term administration of preoperative LAR may induce a significant decrease in GH-secretion level and adenoma volume. Presurgical use of octreotide LAR improves surgical results especially in macroadenomas.

Aim: To investigate the effects of genistein on bone mineralization in ovariectomized rats., Methods: Forty-seven Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups: sham-operated (sham), ovariectomized (ovx), ovariectomized supplied with diethyl stilbestrol (E, 20 microg x kg bw(-1) x d(-1)) or genistein (25, 50, 100 mg x kg bw(-1) x d(-1)). After the rats had been fed for three months, analysis of the bone mineral density, parameters related to mineralization, bone content of Ca, P, Mg, Mn and Zn and serum concentration of parathyroid calcitonin and estrogen was performed., Results: Bone mineral density, bone Ca, P, Zn and Mg content and serum estrogen concentration in ovariectomized rats were significantly decreased, but mean osteoid width increased, mineralization lag time and osteoid maturation period prolonged compared with sham animals. After three months supplementation to ovariectomized rats, bone Ca, P and Mg content increased, mean osteoid width decreased, mineralization lag time and osteoid maturation period shortened compared with ovariectomized animals., Conclusion: Genistein promotes bone mineralization by increasing bone Ca, P, Mg and adjusting serum calcitonin to prevent osteoporosis.

Aim: To study the effects of genistein on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in neonatal rat calvaria cultures., Methods: Osteoblasts were isolated from neonatal rat calvaria through trypsin and collagenase digestion, and cultured in the presence of different doses of genistein (10(-5) mol/L, 10(-6) mol/L and 10(-7) mol/L). The proliferation and DNA and collagen synthesis of osteoblasts were assayed by MTT method and 3H-TdR and 3H-proline incorporation. The activity of ALP were measured by ALP assay kit., Results: Genistein significantly increased osteoblast 3H-TdR and 3H-proline incorporation and MTT, 10(-6) mol/L genistein increased ALP activity., Conclusion: Genistein increased osteoblast DNA and collagen synthesis in neonatal rat calvaria cultures, and promoted osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Objective: To investigate the potential of gene therapy of rat prolactinomas mediated by adenoviral vectors with a gene encoding rat tyrosine hydroxylase., Methods: Recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus named Ad-GFP-TH with rat TH-cDNA and control adenovirus named Ad-GFP were constructed by homologous recombination in bacterial cells. The rat pituitary prolactinoma cell line MMQ are chosen as the target cells to study the effect of gene therapy on their growth and prolactin secretion mediated by Ad-GFP-TH., Results: Recombinant Ad-GFP-TH and Ad-GFP were successfully reconstructed. Transfection of MMQ cells with Ad-GFP-TH not only restrained their growth but also decreased their PRL secretion., Conclusion: Gene therapy may serve for a potential treatment for prolactinomas, especially invasive prolactinomas.

Aim: To study the regulation effects of Momordica saponins on endocrine function in senile mice., Methods: 15-month Kunming mice (female), were divided into senile control group (SC), experimental group 1 and 2 (E1 and E2). 10 4-month mice were as young control group (YC). All mice were fed with general foodstuff, SC and YC drank tap water, while two experimental groups drank tap water supplied to 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L Momordica saponins respectively. Serum was assayed after 5 weeks. At the same time, levels of estrogen receptor and its mRNA were assayed in cultured thymocyte from 12-month rat., Results: Serum ACTH and estradiol levels declined markedly in senile mice compared with young mice. ACTH levels increased in some extent in two experimental groups, while there had significant difference only in E2. Serum estradiol increased obviously, but there was no significant distinct between E1 and E2. The most important was that ER levels increased obviously, and there was no any change of ER mRNA levels in rat thymocyte cultured in medium contained different content of Momordica saponins., Conclusion: Momordica saponins could improve endocrine function in senile mice by increasing ACTH level and expression of ER.