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Convolutional neural network (CNN) can achieve better classification by using independent component analysis (ICA) components derived from complex-valued fMRI data than from magnitude-only fMRI data due to incorporating additional phase information. However, thus far magnitude slices of only a single brain network (i.e. spatial component) has been used in the classification. This study aims to take advantages of multiple ICA components in providing rich information and to provide a conclusion for efficient multiple-component fusion. More precisely, we present three fusion approaches: 1) averaging multiple ICA components as inputs of a single-component CNN, 2) concatenating features of multiple single-component CNN, and 3) averaging predictive probabilities of multiple single-component CNN. We evaluate the proposed methods using resting-state fMRI data collected from 42 schizophrenia patients and 40 healthy controls. Experimental results show that all three fusion approaches can improve classification accuracy compared to the single-component CNN, and the first approach performs the best. No matter which fusion method is used, we reach the same conclusion that four-component fusion is sufficient to obtain satisfying performance, and two-component fusion yields higher improvement and better performance than the single-component classification, especially when using components having good accuracy for single-component CNN classification.

Spatial source phase (SSP), derived from complex-valued functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data by data-driven methods, has unique capacity of identifying blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD)-related voxels from noisy voxels regardless of their amplitudes. However, the use of SSP constraint in sparse representation algorithms have rarely been studied. This study proposes a sparse representation method using SSP hard thresholding to achieve the sparsity of spatial components, enabling the use of initially complex-valued fMRI data and retaining the brain information embedded in noisy voxels and weak BOLD-related voxels with small phase values. Rank-1 matrix estimation is applied to sequentially update dictionary atoms and corresponding spatial components, followed by hard thresholding on spatial components based on SSP. The proposed method is evaluated using both simulated and experimental complex-valued data. The results show that the proposed method yields better performance than a complex-valued dictionary learning algorithm when using initially acquired complex-valued task-related fMRI data.

Background Spatial sparsity has been found to be in line with the intrinsic characteristic of brain activation. However, identifying a sparse representation of complex-valued fMRI data is challenging due to high noise within the phase data. New methods We propose to reduce the noise by combining real and imaginary parts of complex-valued fMRI data along spatial and temporal dimensions to form a real-valued spatiotemporal concatenation model. This model not only enables flexible usage of existing real-valued sparse representation algorithms but also allows for the reconstruction of complex-valued spatial and temporal components from their real and imaginary estimates. We propose to select components from both real and imaginary estimates to reconstruct the complex-valued component, using phase denoising to recover weak brain activity from high-amplitude noise. Results The K-SVD algorithm was used to obtain a sparse representation within the spatiotemporal concatenation model. The results from simulated and experimental complex-valued fMRI datasets validated the efficacy of our method. Comparison with existing methods Compared to a magnitude-only approach, the proposed method detected additional voxels manifest within several specific regions expected to be involved but likely missing from the magnitude-only data, e.g., in the anterior cingulate cortex region. Simulation results showed that the additional voxels were accurate and unique information from the phase data. Compared to a complex-valued dictionary learning algorithm, our method exhibited lower noise for both magnitude and phase maps. Conclusions The proposed method is robust to noise and effective for identifying a sparse representation of the natively complex-valued fMRI data.

// Xuan-zhang Huang 1, * , You Chen 2, * , Wen-jun Chen 1 , Xi Zhang 1 , Cong-cong Wu 1 , Chao-ying Zhang 1 , Shuang-shuang Sun 1 , Jian Wu 1 1 Department of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City 325027, P.R. China 2 The Wenzhou Dental Hospital, Wenzhou City 325027, P.R. China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Jian Wu, email: wzzjian1@163.com. Keywords: radiotherapy, breast-conserving surgery, older, early breast cancer, breast ductal carcinoma in situ Received: October 22, 2016 Accepted: February 28, 2017 Published: March 08, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: There are no consistent agreements on whether radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) could provide local control and survival benefit for older patients with early breast cancer or breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy after BCS in older patients with early breast cancer or DCIS. Results: Radiotherapy could reduce the risk of local relapse in older patients with early breast cancer. The 5-year AR of local relapse was 2.2% and 6.2% for radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy group, respectively, with low 5-year ARD of 4.0% and high NNT of 25. The 10-year AR of local relapse was 5.3% and 10.5% for radiotherapy and non-radiotherapy group, respectively, with the 10-year ARD of 5.2% and NNT of 20. However, radiotherapy could not improve survival benefits, including overall survival, cancer-specific survival, breast-cancer-specific survival, and distant relapse. Moreover, radiotherapy could reduce the risk of ipsilateral breast events in older patients with DCIS. Materials and Methods: PubMed and Embase database were searched for relevant studies. Hazard ratios (HRs), risk ratios (RRs), absolute risk (AR), absolute risk difference (ARD), and number needed to treat (NNT) were used as effect measures to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy in older patients. Conclusions: Our study indicates that radiotherapy could slightly reduce the risk of local relapse in older patients with favorable early breast cancer. However, radiotherapy cannot translate into significant survival benefits.

The Z–S–C multiphase lattice Boltzmann model [Zheng, Shu, and Chew (ZSC), J. Comput. Phys. 218, 353 (2006)] is favored due to its good stability, high efficiency, and large density ratio. However, in terms of mass conservation, this model is not satisfactory during the simulation computations. In this paper, a mass correction is introduced into the ZSC model to make up the mass leakage, while a high-order difference is used to calculate the gradient of the order parameter to improve the accuracy. To verify the improved model, several three-dimensional multiphase flow simulations are carried out, including a bubble in a stationary flow, the merging of two bubbles, and the bubble rising under buoyancy. The numerical simulations show that the results from the present model are in good agreement with those from previous experiments and simulations. The present model not only retains the good properties of the original ZSC model, but also achieves the mass conservation and higher accuracy.

A bilayered scaffold was fabricated via electrospinning layer-by-layer with the inner layer composed of blend fibers of spider silk protein and gelatin (pNSR16/Gt), then the polyurethane (PU) layer on the outside. The physicochemical and biological performance of scaffold were investigated. The pNSR16/Gt-PU composite nanofibers with interconnected pores was detected a porosity of 88.7 ± 1.5%; with mechanical properties, including an appropriate permeability of 6.8 ± 0.2 ml min−1 cm−2, breaking strength (24.6 ± 3.6 MPa) and elasticity up to 145 ± 3.8% strain, and burst pressure reached 276 ± 7.1 kPa as well as an accepted suture retention strength (4.9 ± 0.8 N), optimized to mimic the nature artery. The pNSR16/Gt-PU bilayered scaffold also proved to be capable to support cell growth and proliferation of Sprague-Dawley rat aortic endothelial cells by 242 ± 10% (7 days vs. control). After all, the intimal surface promotes endothelialization and being highly anti-thrombogenic, while the mismatch in mechanical properties outside induces intimal hyperplasia, it is desirable to develop a bioactive material with improved mechanical properties for small-diameter vascular graft. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:523–531, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers

Background.The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic values of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in colorectal cancer (CRC).Methods.The PubMed and Embase databases and the references of relevant studies were systematically searched. This study was performed with hazard ratios (HRs) and odd ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as effect measures.Results.Our results indicated that elevated PLR was associated with poor overall survival (HR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.23–1.73), disease-free survival (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.17–2.30), cancer-specific survival (HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.12–1.51), and recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.09–1.74) in CRC. For the clinicopathological characteristics, our results indicated that there were differences in the rate of elevated PLR between stages III/IV and I/II groups (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.01–1.88), pT3/T4 and pT1/T2 groups (OR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.03–3.20), and poor differentiation and moderate/well differentiation (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.38–4.84).Conclusions.Our results indicated that elevated PLR predicted poor prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics in CRC and PLR is a convenient and low-cost blood-derived prognostic marker for CRC.

Functional network connectivity (FNC) and Granger causality have been widely used to identify functional and effective connectivity for resting functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. However, the relationship between these two approaches is still unclear, making it difficult to compare results. In this study, we investigate the relationship by constraining the FNC lags and the causality coherences for analyzing resting state fMRI data. The two techniques were applied respectively to examine the connectivity within default mode network related components extracted by group independent component analysis. The results show that FNC and Granger causality provide complementary results. In addition, when the temporal delays between two nodes were larger and the causality coherences were distinct, the two approaches exhibit consistent functional and effective connectivity. The consensus between the two approaches provides additional confidence in the results and provides a link between functional and effective connectivity.

In aircraft preliminary design, fuselage structure design is important, and to reach the lightest weight is the main target for aircraft design, especially for civil aircraft. Based on CAD/CAE technology, the paper selects a typical structure layout form of aircraft mid-fuselage to study the method of structure model quickly creation and optimization. First, it focuses on fuselage parameterized modeling method, based on CATIA secondary development technology, to create the mid-fuselage parametric model. Then, based on Patran command language, the CAD model achieves automatic meshing. Finally, selecting an appropriate strategy and using iSIGHT integrated with fuselage parametric model and finite element model, and referring to the calculated the structural response by Nastran to realize mid-fuselage structure optimization.

To study the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the left ventricular expression of MMP-8, MMP-13, and TIMP-1 in a rat model of congenital heart disease.Male SD rats underwent abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt operation. H2S donor NaHS (56 μmol·kg(-1)·d(-1), ip) was injected from the next day for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks, the hemodynamic parameters, including the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), the left ventricular peak rate of contraction and relaxation (LV ± dp/dtmax) and the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were measured. The left ventricular tissues were dissected out, and hydroxyproline and collagen I contents were detected with ELISA. The expression of MMP-8, MMP-13, and a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the tissues was measured using real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, respectively.The shunt operation markedly reduced LVSP and LV ± dp/dtmax, increased LVEDP, hydroxyproline and collagen I contents, as well as the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-8, MMP-13, and TIMP-1 in the left ventricles. Chronic treatment of the shunt operation rats with NaHS effectively prevented the abnormalities in the hemodynamic parameters, hydroxyproline and collagen I contents, and the mRNA and protein levels of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in the left ventricles. NaHS also prevented the increase of MMP-8 protein expression, but did not affect the increase of mRNA level of MMP-8 in the shunt operation rats.H2S suppresses protein and mRNA expression of MMP-8, MMP-13, and TIMP-1 in rats with cardiac volume overload, which may be contributed to the amelioration of ventricular structural remodeling and cardiac function.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are incorporated into the Cu–Cr matrix to fabricate bulk CNT/Cu–Cr composites by means of a powder metallurgy method, and their thermal conductivity behavior is investigated. It is found that the formation of Cr3C2 interfacial layer improves the interfacial bonding between CNTs and Cu–Cr matrix, producing a reduction of interfacial thermal resistance, and subsequently enhancing the thermal conductivity of the composites. The thermal conductivity of the composites increases by 12 % and 17 % with addition of 5 vol.% and 10 vol.% CNTs, respectively. The experimental results are also theoretically analyzed using an effective medium approximation (EMA) model, and it is found that the EMA model combined with a Debye model can provide a satisfactory agreement to the experimental data.

The complex situations during a fire disaster, such as high temperature, toxic gas and thick smoke, require helitack crew possess good professional skills. As an efficient and economic training system, virtual reality technology not only provide virtual scene to make crew members get familiar with working environment, but also provides professional skill training to achieve the desired objectives, such as increasing their training frequency, reducing training time, promoting training effects and so on. According to the requirements of helicopter special operation, a prototype is proposed in this paper, and a virtual training system based on some kind of helicopter was developed to validate the prototype’s function, framework design and its capability for further development.

// Xuan-zhang Huang 1, * , You Chen 2, * , Jian Wu 1 , Xi Zhang 1 , Cong-cong Wu 1 , Chao-ying Zhang 1 , Shuang-shuang Sun 1 , Wen-jun Chen 1 1 Department of Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou City 325027, P.R. China 2 The Wenzhou Dental Hospital, Wenzhou City 325027, P.R. China * Xuan-zhang Huang and You Chen contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Wen-jun Chen, email: chenwenjun2233@126.com Keywords: aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gastric cancer, chemoprevention, meta-analysis Received: July 25, 2016 Accepted: November 14, 2016 Published: November 25, 2016 ABSTRACT Background: The association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastric cancer (GC) risk is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of NSAIDs for GC. Methods: A literature search was performed for relevant studies using the PubMed and Embase database (up to March 2016). Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as the effect measures. The dose–response analysis and subgroup analysis were also performed. Results: Twenty-four studies were included. Our results indicated that NSAIDs could reduce GC risk (any NSAIDs: RR=0.78, 96%CI=0.72-0.85; aspirin: RR=0.70, 95%CI=0.62-0.80; non-aspirin NSAIDs: RR=0.86, 95%CI=0.80-0.94), especially for non-cardia GC risk. Moreover, the dose-response analysis indicated the risk of GC decreased by 11% and 5% for 2 years increment of any NSAIDs and aspirin use, respectively. There were nonlinear relationships between the frequency of any NSAIDs use and aspirin use and GC risk (P for non-linearity

Background: The Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway plays an important role in pancreatic cancer (PC) cells. Phenolic alkaloids from Menispermum dauricum (PAMD), a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of immune disorders, have been reported to have antitumor activity recently. Objective: To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of PAMD against PC cell BxPC-3. Materials and Methods: F assay was used to assess cell proliferation inhibition of PAMD; the apoptotic induction and cell cycle arrest was detected by flow cytometry; the BxPC-3 xenograft was established to evaluate the tumor growth inhibition of PAMD; hematoxylin-eosin staining was applied to analyze the pathological morphology of tumor tissues; immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot was adopted to detect the protein levels; quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mRNA expressions. Results: PAMD shows time-and dose-dependent proliferation inhibition on the BxPC-3 cell, induced G0/G1 phase arrest and cell apoptosis in vitro. PAMD also showed better inhibition of tumor growth and a preferable safety profile compared with chemotherapeutic regimen 5-fluoro-2, 4 (1 H, 3 H) pyrimidinedione in BxPC-3 xenograft in vivo. Furthermore, PAMD directly decreases the protein and mRNA levels of Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) and its downstream transcription factor Gli-1 in the BxPC-3 tumor tissues. Conclusion: The treatment of PAMD displayed Hh signaling pathway blockade through decreasing the protein and mRNA levels of Shh and its downstream transcription factor Gli-1, suggesting a promising strategy in treating human PC.

A tubular scaffold was fabricated by using electrospun polymer solution blends of pNSR32 (recombinant spider silk protein), PCL (polycaprolactone) and Gt (gelatin). The physicochemical properties and cytocompatibility of these scaffolds were investigated. Afterwards, the pNSR32/PCL/Gt tubular scaffold (inner diameter = 3 mm) showed high porosity of 86.2 ± 2.9%, pore size of 2423 ± 979 nm and average fibre diameter of 166 ± 85 nm. Water uptake and contact angle of the scaffolds reached 112.0 ± 4.4% and 45.7 ± 13.7°, respectively. SDRAECs (Sprague Dawley Rat Aortic Endothelial Cells) grew and proliferated well and phenotype could be maintained on the composite scaffolds after they had been cultured on the composite scaffolds for 7 days. Compared with pure PCL scaffolds a greater density of viable cells was seen on the composites, especially the pNSR32/PCL/Gt scaffolds.

Dusts and condensation which exist in the application of solar light pipes can affect daylighting performance. The influence of daylighting performance of solar light pipes by dusts and condensation was studied in this paper. Through measuring daylighting performance of skylight dome on different condensation conditions, it was proved that as the drop’s mean diameter from small to big, the transmitting efficiency is directly proportional to the drop’s mean diameter, and then is inversely proportional to a certain value. Through measuring the overall daylighting performance of solar light pipes on three different conditions—clean, dusts and condensation on sunny and cloudy days, the illuminance flux was obtained. The experimental results indicated that dusts and condensation worsen the daylighting performance of solar light pipes, and dusts had bigger influences than condensation.

The project of the office building of the People’s Government of Chagan Hada was initiated by the Norwegian government for helping with energy saving reconstruction in undeveloped areas of developing countries. By reconstructing the office building’s external walls, doors, windows, roofs and heating system, the coal consumption of the office building has decreased from 50kg/m2 to 23.8kg/m2, saving raw coal by about 26t each year. After the reconstruction, the temperatures of various zones in the office building have risen by 13°C to 15°C respectively. The project fully adopts existing building energy saving technologies and locally produced building energy saving materials. What’s more, it introduces building energy saving ideas of Norway and has reached three achievements: First, both strict working attitude and skillful operations were ensured in construction; second, demonstration effect was emphasized; third, importance was attached to ability development.

The Composites are difficult machining materials which widely used in aerospace industry due to their excellent mechanical properties. Tool wear and delamination are considered the major concern in manufacture the parts and assembly. The orthogonal experiment method was used to investigate the milling force of carbon fibred composite with diamond mill tool. The experiments were carried out under air cooling cutting conditions. The experimental results indicated that the feed rate was the most significant fact which affect the average peak value of the milling force. the average milling force decreased with the cutting speed increased and increased with the feed rate and width of cut increased.

The Composites are difficult machining materials which widely used in aerospace industry due to their excellent mechanical properties. Tool wear and delamination are considered the major concern in manufacture the parts and assembly. The thrust force and torque affect the tool life and delamination mostly. This paper investigated the drilling force and torque of carbon fibred composite with carbide drilling tools and half core drilling tool. The experiments were carried out under air cooling cutting conditions and the drilling force using carbide tool and half core tool were compared and the experimental results indicated that the drilling forces using half core drill were smaller than that of using carbide tool.

With the limitation of both shot and receiver numbers, seismic data are sometimes not sufficient for practical wide-angle seismic experiments. In order to enhance the lateral continuity of seismic reflection events from the sparse wide-angle seismic data, we present a new technique to reconstruct the resemblance section of the crust/mantle reflection structure based on the geometrical diffraction theory. The travel-time conditions for reconstructing the semblance section are calculated using the reciprocity principle, and the travel-time field from shots and receivers are computed using Eikonal solver, which have the advantage of high efficiency and accuracy. Compared with CDP mapping, the processing results of real wide-angle seismic data in southeastern China demonstrates that this method can improve the lateral consistency of the imaging section.

The present study investigated the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gaseous transmitter, in chronic heart failure (CHF) induced by left-to-right shunt, leading to volume overload. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: the shunt group, the sham group, the shunt + sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) group and the sham + NaHS group. CHF was induced in the rats by abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava shunt operation. Rats in the shunt + NaHS and sham + NaHS groups were injected intraperitoneally with NaHS (H2S donor). Haemodynamic parameters were measured 8 weeks after surgery. In addition, left ventricular heme oxygenase (HO)-1 mRNA expression was measured by real-time PCR. Protein expression of HO-1 was evaluated by western blot analysis. Eight weeks after surgery, compared to the sham group, the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and left ventricular peak rate of contraction and relaxation (LV±dp/dtmax) were significantly reduced; the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was significantly increased in the shunt group (all P

Using interactive virtual simulation methods and combining numerical calculation software, the 3D airline emergency evacuation simulation system is established in Virtools platform according to the received data. The system takes full account of the passengers' individual differences during the evacuation process, setting up different member parameters, which influence the passengers evacuation behavior. In order to fulfill the different types of evacuation requirements in various simulation, it can change evacuation path algorithm, cabin layout data and evacuees component parameters, to get the corresponding evacuation simulation results. Meanwhile, the system interface can change visual angle to realize human-machine interaction freely and reflect the evacuation of the evacuation process accurately. Also the reliability of the system simulation result is verified by compared with the results of actual certification trial.

To explore the effects of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), a hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) donor, on cardiac functions and structures in rats with chronic heart failure induced by volume overload and examine its influence on cardiac remodelling.A total of 47 SD rats (120 - 140 g) were randomly divided into 5 groups:shunt group (n = 11), sham group (n = 8), shunt + NaHS group (n = 10), sham + NaHS group (n = 8) and shunt + phentolamine group (n = 10). The rat model of chronic heart failure was induced by abdominal aorta-inferior vena cava puncture. At Week 8 post-operation, hemodynamic parameters, microstructures and ultrastructures of myocardial tissues were analyzed. Extracellular collagen content in myocardial tissues was analyzed after Sirius red staining. Right ventricular hydroxyproline concentration was determined and compared.At Week 8 post-operation, compared with the sham operation and shunt + NaHS groups, the shunt group showed significantly increased right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and right ventricular end diastolic pressure (RVEDP) (mm Hg: 35.2 ± 3.9 vs 21.4 ± 3.7 and 28.1 ± 2.7, 32 ± 5 vs 21 ± 4 and 26 ± 4, all P0.05, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa). The RV peak rate of contraction and relaxation markedly decreased (RV ± dp/dt max) (mm Hg/s: 1528 ± 113 vs 2336 ± 185 and 1835 ± 132, 1331 ± 107 vs 2213 ± 212 and 1768 ± 116, all P0.05). It was found microscopically that myocardial fibers in the shunt group were irregularly arranged, partially cytolysis and infiltrated by inflammatory cells. Electron microscopy revealed that myocardial fibers thickened non-uniformly in the shunt group, some fiber mitochondria were highly swollen and contained vacuoles. And sarcoplasmic reticulum appeared slightly dilated. Polarized microscopy indicated that, collagen content (particularly type-I collagen) increased in the shunt group compared with the sham operation group. Additionally, compared with the shunt group, the shunt and NaHS treatment groups showed an amelioration of myocardial damage, an alleviation of myocardial fiber changes and a decrease in myocardial collagen content (particularly type-I collagen). Compared with the sham operation and shunt + NaHS groups, the shunt group displayed increased right ventricular hydroxyproline (mg×g(-1)·pro: 1.32 ± 0.25 vs 0.89 ± 0.18 and 0.83 ± 0.19, all P0.05).H(2)S may improve cardiac functions and ameliorate cardiac structures in rats with chronic heart failure probably through dilating the blood vessels and affecting the extracellular collagen metabolism.

Demonstration projects on existing rural house energy-saving renovations have been universally carried out around the nation; however, demonstration effect evaluation on the demonstration project has not been carried out. This paper akes Balinzuoqi Wang' anchi Village's existing rural house energy-saving renovation demonstration project as case study to explore the demonstration effect evaluation indicator system for the demonstration project and puts forth a first-level indicator system in which demonstration effects are evaluated from five perspectives (rural households, local government (the management), the environment, construction enterprises and building material manufacturers) together with 16 corresponding second-level indicators. It has determined the weight of indicators of various levels by AHP and also determined the relatively important priority order of single factors towards the target-level through total ranking of hierarchies.

The relationship between passive smoking and female breast cancer with Meta-analysis were explored in this paper. The experiment was conducted in Department of Preventive Medicine of Qingdao University Medical College. Article that was about risk factors of female breast cancer were searched through Chinese journals full-text database and VIP Chinese science and technology journals full-text database from 1989 to 2005. Inclusive standard were that study was located in China, risk factors included passive smoking and results were odds ratio (OR). The identified papers were analyzed using Meta-analysis in order to assess the comprehensive relation between passive smoking and female breast cancer. Ten case-control studies were selected. The cumulative cases and controls were 1879 and 2040. Significant heterogeneity was detected among the 10 studies (Q=20.13, P≪ 0.05). Combined estimate of OR of ever exposure to passive smoking for random effect model was 1.94 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.80–2.10).

Meteorological factor is one of the main causes leading to the incidence of brain hemorrhage, a disease which severely endangers the health of the aged. This paper attempts to explore the relations between incidence of brain hemorrhage and meteorological factor through the analysis of the onset time of brain hemorrhage cases and the corresponding meteorological index of 1179 brain hemorrhage cases in 5 years from 1998 to 2002 in Qingdao downtown. This is of great significance to prevent the incidence of brain hemorrhage.

Articles that was about risk factors of gastric cancer were searched through Chinese journals full-text database and VIP Chinese science and technology journals full-text database from 1989 to June 2006. The identified literatures were analyzed using Meta-analysis in order to assess the comprehensive relation between dietary factors and gastric cancer. The results showed that a total of 21 literatures were selected. The articles were all case-control study and there were 4 papers for no matching,12 papers for 1∶1 individual matching,2 papers for 1∶2 individual matching and 3 papers for 1∶3 individual matching. The cumulative cases and controls were 4332 and 7190.①Homogeneity test: OR of salted preserved food, fried food, milk, vegetables and high salt intake were homogeneous, OR of the other factors were significant heterogeneity.② Results of Meta-analysis: The pooled OR values(95%CI) of dry and hard food, salted preserved food, smoked and coasted food, pickled or preserved food, fried food, preference to hot food, high salt intake, beans and bean products, milk, vegetables and fruits were 2.74(1.72∼4.35),2.67(2.19∼3.2),2.37(1.59∼3.53), 2.30(1.74∼3.04),1.90(1.55∼2.33),1.78(1.17∼2.70), 1.51(1.37∼1.68),0.54(0.39∼0.72),0.66(0.51∼0.85), 0.69(0.62∼0.78),and 0.55(0.38∼0.79)respectively. There were no significance on association between meat intake ,peppery food intake and gastric cancer.

The relationship between abortion and breast cancer among Chinese women were studied in this paper. Articles that ware about risk factors of female breast cancer were searched through Chinese journals full-text database and VIP Chinese science and technology journals full-text database from 1989 to 2005. The identified papers were analyzed using Meta-analysis in order to assess the comprehensive relation between abortion and female breast cancer. Six case-control studies were selected. The cumulative cases and controls were 1440 and 1785. Significant heterogeneity was detected among the 6 studies (Q=17.03, P≪0.05). Combined estimate of OR of ever exposure to induced abortion for random effect model was 2.04 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50–2.76) . This metaanalysis suggests a possible weak association between induced abortion and female breast cancer. The women who exposured to induced abortion and miscarrage would have higher risk of being breast cancer than non-exposure to induced abortion and miscarrage.

This survey was a retrospective of a 16-year (1993–2008) study on the incidence, clinical features, and etiological agents of tinea capitis mainly representing the Southeastern China. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct microscopic examination. Eight hundred and sixty-six patients with tinea capitis, 381 males (44%) and 485 females (56%), were enrolled in this study. Patients were between 20 days and 84 years old with an average of 10.5 years and the peak incidence was in the age group of 6–10 (48.5%). Five hundred and sixty-two patients (64.9%) were ectothrix and 303 patients (35.0%) were endothrix with only one patient was favus. The incidence of tinea capitis from 1993 was gradually increasing and reaching to its peak in 2001. Positive cultures of dermatophytes were obtained in 715 patients: Microsporum canis (62.4%) was predominant, followed by Trichophyton violaceum (19.0%), Trichophyton tousurans (9.8%). M. canis was the major pathogen for ectothrix infection, while T. violaceum and T. tousurans contributed to the most endothrix form. M. canis, T. violaceum, and T. rubrum were the major pathogens for kerion.

By the observation with electron- and confocal laser scanning microscopy and the determination of physiological and biochemical reactions, the toxic effects of Hg2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+ on the cell membrane system of Cabomba caroliniana A. Gray were investigated. The results showed that under the actions of the three heavy metal ions, the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in C. caroliniana leaf cells increased, activities of protective enzymes were in disorder, and lipid peroxidation happened. The cell membrane was damaged, membrane permeability increased, and plasmolysis occurred. Meanwhile, the chloroplast swelled or even disintegrated. The excitement of photosynthetic pigments on thylakoids membrane by light was inhibited, and the auto-fluoresent intensity was decreased. The cristae of mitochondria swelled and decreased, mitochondria membrane was damaged, and nuclear membrane was broken. The effects of Hg2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+ on the cell membrane system of C. caroliniana showed a definite dose-effect correlation, and the stability of membrane system played a key role in the resistance of C. caroliniana to the toxic effects of heavy metals. C. caroliniana was sensitive to Hg2+, and the lethal concentration of Hg2+ was ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 mg L(-1). C. caroliniana had relatively higher endurance to Cd2+ and Cu2+, and could be used as the resistant plant for biological control.

To study the characteristics of articles, citations and authors in Chinese Journal of Burns (Chin J Burns).The date concerning articles, citations and authors of Chin J Burns from 2003 to 2005 were collected and analyzed in terms of bibliographic parameters.There were 741 papers published in Chin J Burns during these 3 years, and papers with funded projects accounted for 19.7%. The average number of articles per issue was 41,with paper density of 0.59, and publication date were 15 months in average after submission. Among these papers, 87.9% of which were shared with co-authors, with a corporation rate of 3.94. The papers with citation accounted for 78.7%, and 90.6% of all the citations came from journals, especially English journals. The Price's indicator was 65.6%.Chinese Journal of Burns, an academic journal of high quality, with strong influence, pushes the discipline of Burns medicine in China forward.

To determine the location and relative quantity of coumarins in the stem of Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Rchb. f. , and to provide a scientific basis for evaluating and utilizing the famous medicinal plant.The stems of one, two and three years old, separately, were collected in February. Location and relative quantity of coumarins in the top, middle and basal parts of each stem sample were determined by using laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). ANOVA and Tukey's test were employed in the statistical analysis.The coumarins located mainly in vascular bundles, especially on the walls of the outer fiber cells. There was significant difference or great significant difference exist in every part of the stem from different ages. The values of significant difference were as follows: basal part P = 0.004 (0.01); middle part P = 0.009 (0.01); top part P = 0.036(0.05).Two years old stem could be the best choice when collecting Dendrobium thyrsiflorum in Feburary.