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In this population-based cohort study on comparative osteoporotic fracture risks between different biologic disease-modifying drugs among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we did not find a significant difference in the risk of osteoporotic fractures between RA patients receiving TNF inhibitors versus abatacept or tocilizumab. We aimed to investigate the comparative risk of osteoporotic fractures between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who initiated TNF inhibitors (TNFis) versus abatacept or tocilizumab. Using the Korea National Health Insurance Service datasets from 2002 to 2016, RA patients who initiated TNFis, abatacept, or tocilizumab were identified. The primary outcome was a composite end point of non-vertebral fractures and hospitalized vertebral fractures; secondary outcomes were two components of the primary outcome and fractures occurring at the humerus/forearm. Propensity score (PS) matching with a variable ratio up to 10 TNFi initiators per 1 comparator drug initiator was used to adjust for > 50 baseline confounders. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of fractures comparing TNFi initiators to abatacept and to tocilizumab by Cox proportional hazard models stratified by a matching ratio. After PS-matching, 2307 TNFi initiators PS-matched on 588 abatacept initiators, and 2462 TNFi initiators on 640 tocilizumab initiators were included. A total of 77 fractures occurred during a mean follow-up of 454 days among TNFi and abatacept initiators and 83 fractures during 461 days among TNFi and tocilizumab initiators. The PS-matched HR (95% CI) was 0.91 (0.48–1.71) comparing TNFi versus abatacept initiators, and 1.00 (0.55–1.83) comparing TNFi versus tocilizumab initiators. Analysis on vertebral and non-vertebral fractures showed similar results. In this nationally representative cohort, we did not find a significant difference in the risk of fractures between TNFi initiators versus abatacept or tocilizumab among RA patients.

To analyze the association between sleep duration and athletic performance, and provide scientific basis to improve the 50 m and endurance performance in children and adolescents.All the 119 462 subjects aged 9-15 years in both genders were sampled from 2014 National Physical Fitness and Health Surveillance by using stratified random cluster sampling method, to measure the height, weight, 50 meters and endurance performance and investigate sleep duration with questionnaire. Their body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated and the students' 50 m, endurance run scores and sleep durations were assessed. Binary Logistic regression was used to analyze the difference between the different sleep groups, and multifactor Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the sleep condition and athletic performance.The prevalence of insufficient sleep was 94.67% in the total subjects, the prevalence was higher among the girls (95.26%)than the boys (94.09%, χThe prevalence of insufficient sleep has increased, and the sleep condition in children and adolescents is severe. Children and adolescents with sufficient sleep have better athletic performance, so we should strengthen the prevention and control of the lack of sleep in children and adolescents.

To analyze the epidemic situation of blood pressure (BP) status and its association with nutritional status among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-18 years old in 2014, and to provide important scientific basis for the control of students' hypertension.All the subjects aged 7 to 18 years in both genders were sampled from 2014 Chinese national surveys on students' constitution and health. BP status was evaluated according to Chinese national gender-, age- and height-specific references, including hypertension (HTN), elevated hypertension (elevated HTN), isolated systolic HTN (SHTN), isolated diastolic HTN (DHTN) and mix HTN. Their nutritional status was evaluated using the international obesity task force (IOTF) definition, including thinness (severe thinness and moderate thinness), normal, overweight and obesity (severe obesity and moderate obesity). The Logistics method was used to analyze the association between BP status and nutritional status. The population attributable risk (PAR%) of overweight and obesity for BP status was calculated.The prevalence of HTN and elevated HTN among the Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-18 years in 2014 was 14.9% and 9.2%, respectively. And the prevalence of isolated SHTN, isolated DHTN and mix HTN was 3.1%, 8.8% and 3.0%, respectively. The prevalence estimates for HTN differed the greatest for the boys, those in rural, those with high age, those in the East, and those with high BMI. The highest prevalence of HTN was detected in those with severe obesity with 44.2% and 38.8% in the boys and girls respectively, which was 2.8-fold and 3.7-fold than those with normal groups. The negative association was detected between HTN and thinness, but the positive association with overweight and obesity. The PAR% of HTN due to overweight and obesity was 16.2%, and the expected prevalence of HTN was 12.5% if controlling for overweight and obesity. Higher PAR% of isolated SHTN and mix HTN due to overweight and obesity was detected in the Chinese children and adolescents with proportions of 28.7% and 35.1%.The prevalence of HTN among the Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-18 years was still high, whose components mainly focused on isolated DHTN. Overweight and obesity can increase the risk of HTN in children and adolescents significantly, especially for isolated SHTN and mix HTN. Controlling for overweight and obesity can decrease the risk of HTN among Chinese national children and adolescents largely, which can play an important role in preventing the occurrence of chronic disease in adults.

Sp1 is a member of super zinc finger structure family that participates in cancer cells' apoptosis, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. This study detected the expressions of miR-375 and sp1 in colorectal cancer tissue and cells to analyze their impact on cell proliferation.Colorectal cancer patients in our hospital were enrolled. HCT-116 cell was transfected with miR-375 mimics, mimics control, and miR-375 + sp1, respectively. RT-PCR and Western blot were applied to detect expressions of miR-375 and sp1 at mRNA and protein level in colorectal cancer tissue, para-carcinoma tissue, and normal colorectal tissue. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to test levels of miR-375 and sp1 in HCT-116 cells after transfection. MTT assay was performed to determine HCT-116 cell proliferation.Our data showed that miR-375 was downregulated, while sp1 was overexpressed in colorectal cancer tissue compared with that in para-carcinoma tissue and normal control (p0.05). MiR-375 level was elevated, while sp1 mRNA was declined after miR-375 mimic transfection (p0.05). Compared with miR-375 mimic group, the levels of miR-375 and sp1 showed no difference in miR-375 + sp1 group (p0.05). Of note, the increase of MiR-375 and reduction of sp1 were in a time-dependent manner (p0.05). The cell proliferation rate in miR-375 mimic group was significantly decreased compared with that in mimic control and blank group (p0.05). The cell proliferation rate in miR-375 + sp1 group was significantly higher than that miR-375 group, but still lower than the control (p0.05). The proliferation rate gradually declined in a time-dependent manner (p0.05).MiR-375 was decreased and sp1 level was enhanced in colorectal cancer. MiR-375 suppresses the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells via the inhibition of sp1 expression at posttranscriptional level.

To examine the expression of Galectin-3 and TRAIL in breast cancer tissue and their effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells.Breast cancer and normal adjacent tissue were collected from 120 patients pathologically diagnosed with breast cancer who underwent a modified radical mastectomy. SP method of immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of Galectin-3 and TRAIL in breast cancer tissues and normal adjacent tissues. The correlation between the expressions of Galectin-3 and TRAIL, and clinical prognosis of breast cancer were analyzed. Breast cancer cells were transfected with Galectin-3 siRNA and TRAIL overexpression constructs. Cell proliferation was measured by XTT method, and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry.Higher Galectin-3 level and lower TRAIL level were found in breast cancer tissues compared with those in normal adjacent tissues (p0.001). High expression level of Galectin-3 and low expression level of TRAIL were found to be positively correlated with the shorter median survival time and overall survival time. Galectin-3 silencing by siRNA interference and TRAIL overexpression significantly decreased cell viability of MDA-MB-231 and increased the number of apoptotic cells.The expression level of Galectin-3 in breast cancer tissues was significantly increased compared with that in normal tissues, while the level of TRAIL protein was significantly decreased in cancer tissue. The biological role of these two proteins seems to be synergistic in inhibiting apoptosis of cancer cells. Therefore, the evaluation method that combined both Galectin-3 and TRAIL is of great clinical value in the evaluation of clinical prognosis of patients with breast cancer.

HLA-DRB1*14:32:03 has one synonymous nucleotide change from HLA-DRB1*14:32:02at nucleotide 303 (codon 72 Arginine).

To analyze the prevalence of reduced visual acuity (VA) and to examine the association between reduced visual acuity and influencing factors among Chinese Han students, so as to provide bases for the prevention and treatment of reduced visual acuity.Subjects were from 2014 Chinese National Surveys on Students' Constitution and Health (CNSSCH). In this survey, 261 832 Han students aged 7-22 years participated. Unaided distance VA was measured using a retro-illuminated lgMAR chart with tumbling-E optotypes. Ametropia was determined by using serial bronchoscopy. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between reduced visual acuity and influencing factors. ArcMap 10 was used to map the regional distribution of reduced visual acuity.Nationwide, the overall prevalence of reduced visual acuity was 66.6%, and was highest among the urban girls (73.5%). The prevalence of myopia was 60.8% and accounted for more than 90% among the students with reduced visual acuity. Compared with 2010 CNSSCH, the increments of reduced visual acuity were highest in the students aged 13-15 years (6.8 percentage points). The prevalence of reduced visual acuity ranged from 50.6% to 76.2% in each province (autonomous region, municipality) in 2014 CNSSCH. The top three of the prevalence of reduced visual acuity were Jiangsu (76.2%), Zhejiang (76.0%) and Shandong (75.9%), and the lowest three were Hainan (50.6%), Guizhou (53.9%) and Xinjiang (57.6%). Logistic regression showed that the girls, urban students, and students who spent ≥2 h per day in their after school homework were more likely to develop reduced visual acuity, but the students with physical activity time ≥2 h per day were less likely to develop reduced visual acuity.Although the situation was different in each province (autonomous region, municipality), reduced visual acuity has become a public concern affecting the health of students in China. Based on the intervention on the key populations, such as urban girls and pre adolescent students, we should also continue to strengthen the prevention and control for reduced visual acuity among all students.

To understand and analyze the current situation and secular trends for prevalence of malnutrition among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-18 years from 2005 to 2014, and to provide important scientific basis for students' nutrition improvement.All the subjects aged 7-18 years in both sexes were sampled from 2005, 2010 and 2014 Chinese National Surveys on Students Constitution and Health. According to the new students' health standard of "Screening Standard for Malnutrition of school-age children and adolescents"(WS/T456-2014) in 2014 of China, the nutritional status of children in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities, excluding Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan province) were analyzed and compared in different ages, genders, regions and provinces from 2005 to 2014. The Tibetan students was used with the data of Tibetan minority and all the other students from 30 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) were Han minority.The prevalence of malnutrition of children and adolescents of Han minority aged 7-18 years in 2014 was 10.0%. The prevalence of malnutrition components, including stunting, mild wasting and moderate severe wasting, were 0.8%, 3.7%, and 5.5%. Compared with 2005 and 2010, the prevalence of malnutrition of Han children and adolescents in 2014 had declined with 5.0 and 2.6 percentage points, respectively, and its components had declined with 1.0, 1.8, 2.2 and 0.4, 1.1, 1.2 percentage points, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition of 2014 in boys was higher than in girls (11.1% vs.8.9%), the rural was higher than the urban (11.0% vs.9.1%) and the west (11.7%) was higher than the east (9.0%) and the middle (9.2%). Mild wasting of Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-18 years was the main component in malnutrition and the stunting in the Han and Tibetan children and adolescents only accounted for 8.0% and 7.5%, respectively. Compared with 2005 and 2010, the prevalence of malnutrition for Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-18 years in 2014 had declined with various extents constantly, and there was a statistically significant difference among three surveys (P0.05). Provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) with high prevalence of malnutrition mainly concentrated in the southwest of China from 2005 to 2014. Compared with 2005 and 2010, the prevalence of malnutrition declined in 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) of China in 2014. The number of provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) with high prevalence of malnutrition decreased constantly and increased for the number of province (autonomous regions, municipalities) with low prevalence.The prevalence of malnutrition among Chinese children and adolescents aged 7-18 years had declined from 2005 to 2014, but the total prevalence of malnutrition was still high. Mild wasting was the main component in malnutrition and the prevalence of stunting was low. Provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) with high prevalence of malnutrition mainly concentrated in the southwest of China.

The Ti/IrO2(x)+MnO2(1−x) anodes have been prepared by thermal decomposition of an H2IrCl6 and Mn(NO3)2 hydrosolvent. A four-factor and three-level orthogonal experiment is designed to optimise the preparation process of Ti/IrO2+MnO2 anodes for oxygen evolution in 0·5M Na2SO4 solution. Surface characteristics and electrocatalytic activity of Ti/IrO2+MnO2 anodes are investigated by a field emission scanning electron microscope and cyclic voltammetry. The orthogonal analysis indicates the order from the main to minor factor is thermal decomposition temperature, matrix etching time, Ir4+/Mn2+ mole ratio and total metal concentration of the precursor. Further optimisation experiments are also performed for the two main factors (thermal decomposition temperature and matrix etching time) based on the orthogonal experimental result. As a result, an optimal technological combination of 400°C×45 min×6∶4×0·3 mol L−1 is obtained. Moreover, a brief morphological verification is carried out.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is characterized by an impaired immune response to hepatitis B virus. Among the nucleos(t)ides used in CHB treatment, telbivudine is associated with the highest rates of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rates, which are similar to those observed with pegylated interferon (PegIFN). Besides direct antiviral effect, modulation of the immune system may be an additional benefit for telbivudine-treated patients. Indeed, there is much clinical data indicating an IFN-like behaviour for telbivudine in contrast to other oral nucleos(t)ides, such as high HBeAg seroconversion, similar hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) decline and biphasic viral kinetics. Clinical studies, animal models and in vitro studies suggest that both the innate and adaptive immune system responses contribute to high HBeAg seroconversion during telbivudine treatment through modulation of the function and/or expression of CD4+/CD8+ T cells, Th1/Th2, Treg, PD-1/PD-L1, Th17, IL-21 and TFH. The results described in this review suggest that the antiviral effect of telbivudine may be attributable not only to direct suppression of hepatitis B virus, but also to immunoregulatory effects. Hypothetically, telbivudine shares some common signal pathways with IFN.

Aims To determine the secular trend of prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in a Chinese population from 2001 to 2006. Methods Two consecutive population-based surveys for diabetes were conducted in a randomly selected population aged 35–74 years and living in Qingdao, China in 2001–2002 (n = 10854) and 2006 (n = 4416). All participants underwent standardized 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), along with fasting capillary plasma glucose (FCG) tests in 2006. One urban community underwent OGTTs directly in 2002 (n = 1815), while a two-step screening strategy using FCG as a first-line screening test followed by OGTTs was used in 9039 individuals in 2001. Diabetes and pre-diabetes was defined according to the 2006 World Health Organization/International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results Based on the results of direct OGTTs, the age-standardized prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in urban areas was 12.2 and 15.4% in 2002, whereas the prevalences were 18.8 and 28.7% in urban areas and 14.1 and 20.2% in rural areas in 2006 (P

By means of ab initio HF methods, the ground state structures of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) monomers and dimers were optimized using the 6-311+g* and 6-31G basis sets, respectively. The lowest singlet excited states of 8-HQ monomers and dimers have been studied by the single-excitation configuration interaction (CIS) approach at the same level. In the studies of the potential energy surface, it was found that all the stable configurations corresponded to enol form. The UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of 8-HQ monomers and dimers under a solvent effect condition were also calculated using the TD-B3LYP/6-31+G* method based on the HF- and CIS-optimized geometries. The computed absorption and fluorescence spectral characteristics for monomers and dimers were in good agreement with previously reported experimental values. The results also show that 8-HQ has very poor fluorescence in solvents.

4 pages, 2 figures, 1 table, 24 references., Identifying prehistoric irrigated rice fields and characterizing the beginning of paddy soil development are important for a better understanding of human development and agricultural history. In 2003, paddy soils and irrigated rice fields buried at a depth of 100–130 cm were excavated at Chuo-dun-shan in the Yangtze River Delta, close to Suzhou, China. The fields of sizes between 1.4 and 16 m2 were surrounded with ridges that were connected to ditches/ponds via outlets to control the water level within the fields. Many carbonized and partly carbonized rice grains with an age of 3,903 B.C.(measured 14C age 5,129± 45 a BP) were recovered. The surface layers of these buried paddy fields showed a high content of soil organic matter and a considerable high density of rice opals. The latter were identified to derive from Oryza spp. Solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed aromatic carbon (C) as the predominant organic C form in the fossil surface layer. This is expected, if the major source represents burnt rice and straw. In summary, our data are in agreement with new evidences indicating that in China, paddy soils and irrigated rice cultivation were initiated and developed more than 6,000 years ago., We thank the NSFC for their grant No. 40335047 and the Sino-German Center (DFG-NSFC) for the support of international collaboration.

The levels of organochlorine compounds in eggs of water birds from the colony on Tai Lake in China were studied. The eggs were collected in 2000 and belonged to the following species: 65 samples of black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), 36 samples of little egret (Egretta garzetta), 26 samples of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from 13 clutches and 43 samples of Chinese pond heron (Ardeola bacchus) from 17 clutches. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its derivates (DDE and DDD), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers (alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate were determined in the laboratory by gas chromatography. The data showed that DDE had the highest levels in all the samples, followed by beta-HCH. The mean levels of DDE among the water bird species were in the order as follows: black-crowned night heron (5464.26 ng/g, dry weight) > Chinese pond heron (2791.12 ng/g, dry weight) > little egret (1979.97 ng/g, dry weight) > cattle egret (660.11 ng/g, dry weight). DDT and its metabolites accounted for 90% of the total organochlorines, except that it was only 73% for cattle egret. The differences of the residue among the bird species were statistically significant and could be attributed to their variations in prey and habitat. Although the DDE burdens in Tai Lake were much lower than 8 microg/g (wet weight) which are thought to have significant adverse effects on black-crowned night herons, they would be expected to increase the risk of adverse effects on survival of chicks of herons and egrets, particularly black-crowned night heron, based on the critical value of 1 microg/g (wet weight) DDE. The burdens of HCHs in this study were higher and the cyclodienes were lower than those found elsewhere.

Using scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD), the assembling behaviour of substituted phthalocyanine and porphyrin on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces was investigated. Copper (II) 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(octyloxy)-29H,31H-phthalocyanine (denoted as CuPcOC8) and 21,23-dihydro-5,10,15,20-tetrakis[4-(tetradecyloxy)phenyl]porphyrin (TTPP) molecules adsorb stably on a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface, yielding high-resolution STM images. The results illustrate that alkyl molecular anchors can be used as a generalized approach for immobilization of organic molecules on hydrophobic surfaces. The XRD results show that on a hydrophilic substrate CuPcOC8 and TTPP form completely different assembled structures from those on a HOPG surface, which indicates that the polarity of the substrate has substantial effects on the assembling behaviour of organic molecules.

Recent epidemiological studies recognized a steady increase in the incidence of different autoimmune endocrine disorders, including autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). The etiology of AITD is multifactorial and involves genetic and environmental factors and apparently with a strong preponderance in females. There are mainly two types of AITD, Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease and both of these show strong association in age groups above 45-50 years. Among environmental factors smoking and alcohol have significant effects, both protective as well as for aggravating the disease, even though the precise nature of these effects are not clearly known. There are elevated levels of circulating antibodies against the thyroid proteins, mainly thyroid oxidase, thyroglobulin and thyroid stimulating hormone receptor, in patients with Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease. Linkage and association studies in AITD identified several major genes that are relevant for the onset of AITD, including the thyroid-specific genes, thyroglobulin and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor and also many immune-regulatory genes. In this review we addressed many aspects of AITD including disease mechanisms, involved thyroid antigens, environmental factors and genetic factors.

Structural properties and mechanical behavior of Co,Ni-base alloy thin films deposited by reactive rf magnetron sputtering on a tool steel were compared with those of TiN or TiN/Ti two-layer coatings produced by the same technology. Reactive sputtering of the Co,Ni-base alloy in Ar+N2 atmosphere results in the production of amorphous (or nanocrystalline) thin films with interesting properties: (a) high hardness (2000 HV), (b) low friction coefficient (0.06), and (c) absence of acoustic emission and no delamination after scratch test up to a load of 60 N. The strong adhesion to the steel substrate is directly connected with the plastic behavior of these thin films, which is a rather unusual feature for hard, low-friction nitride coatings.

The effect of fiber texture on the x-ray residual stress analysis in thin films of cubic materials is discussed according to different mechanical models. The x-ray elastic constants (XECs) were calculated from single-crystal elastic constants for Cu, cubic ZrO2, and TiN, in the case of a typical [111] fiber texture with different spread of orientations [expressed by the half-width at half-maximum of the (111) pole figure]. Calculations were performed according to Reuss, Voigt, and Hill models, considering different crystallographic directions in cubic structures, in order to underline the effect of the mechanical anisotropy and fiber texture. The results clearly indicated the dependence of the XECs on the sample tilting angle, with the notable exception of [111] and [200], which were texture oscillation-free directions. Profiting from this condition the residual stress gradient in a fiber-textured TiN thin film deposited on stainless steel was determined by the simultaneous analysis of texture and residual strain for the (111) and (200) reflections. Advantages and limits of the procedure are discussed together with the experimental results.

MarqXis a computer program for the modelling of powder diffraction data. It can be used for an unconstrained profile fitting (pattern decomposition, PD) or constrained modelling of the whole powder pattern (Pawley method, PM), for single- as well as multiple-phase samples. The program output includes: lattice parameters or peak positions (for PM and PD, respectively), width and shape of the diffraction peak (in terms of half width at half-maximum and mixing parameter of a pseudo-Voigt function), corrected for the instrumental broadening component, intensity, peak area and profile asymmetry. In addition, errors on the goniometer zero and shift in sample position with respect to the goniometric axis can also be modelled, together with distance and relative intensity of the spectral components of the X-ray beam (e.g.Kα1andKα2). Specific output files are provided for line-profile analysis, including the Williamson–Hall plot and Warren–Averbach method.

The blood cockle, Tegillarca granosa, is a widely consumed clam in the Indo-Pacific region. Glutamine synthetase ( GS) is an enzyme that plays an essential role in the metabolism of nitrogen by catalyzing the condensation of glutamate and ammonia to form glutamine. We identified the GS of T. granosa ( Tg-GS) from hemocytes by 3'-and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends ( RACE)-PCR. The fulllength cDNA consisted of 1762 bp, with a 1104-bp open reading frame encoding 367 amino acids. Sequence comparison showed that Tg-GS has homology to GS of other organisms, with 79.78% identity with GS from the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas, 71.98% identity with GS from the zebrafish Danio rerio, and 68.96% identity with human Homo sapiens GS. A C-beta-Grasp domain and an N-catalytic domain were identified in Tg-GS, indicating that Tg-GS should be classified as a new member of the GS family. A quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to detect mRNA expression of Tg-GS in five different tissues. Higher levels of mRNA expression of GS were detected in the tissues of hemocytes and the mantle. Up- regulation of GS by challenge with the bacteria Vibrio parahaemolyticus and with bacterial wall lipopolysaccharides showed that GS plays a role in anti-bacterial immunity. We conclude that pathogen infection significantly induces expression level of Tg-GS, and that activation of GS influences the immune response of T. granosa by increasing glutamine concentration.

Nondegradable glass microspheres (35 μ) were injected into the portal vein for toxicity test in 15 rabbits. In 10 animals the microspheres were loaded with 90Y, giving liver absorbed doses between 24.6 and 437.4 Gy, and in 5 with 89Y (control group). The total amount of microspheres injected in each animal varied between 35 and 140 mg. The rabbits in the experimental group tolerated the effect of radioembolization in a dose 4 times higher than the upper limit of the clinical dose (100 Gy). After injection of 90Y glass microspheres into the portal vein of rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatic carcinoma, the microspheres, in addition to the liver parenchyma, accumulated in central and peripheral parts of the cancer nodules, causing necrosis. The internal radiation therapy of 90Y glass microspheres delivered via the portal vein may be an effective nonsurgical method for the treatment of liver cancer, especially in small nodules.

To determine the secular trend of prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in a Chinese population from 2001 to 2006.Two consecutive population-based surveys for diabetes were conducted in a randomly selected population aged 35-74 years and living in Qingdao, China in 2001-2002 (n = 10854) and 2006 (n = 4416). All participants underwent standardized 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs), along with fasting capillary plasma glucose (FCG) tests in 2006. One urban community underwent OGTTs directly in 2002 (n = 1815), while a two-step screening strategy using FCG as a first-line screening test followed by OGTTs was used in 9039 individuals in 2001. Diabetes and pre-diabetes was defined according to the 2006 World Health Organization/International Diabetes Federation criteria.Based on the results of direct OGTTs, the age-standardized prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in urban areas was 12.2 and 15.4% in 2002, whereas the prevalences were 18.8 and 28.7% in urban areas and 14.1 and 20.2% in rural areas in 2006 (P0.001, in urban areas). Using the two-step screening strategy, the prevalence of diabetes in 2001 was 10.1% in urban and 7.7% in rural areas and 13.8% in urban and 12.2% in rural areas in 2006 (P0.001). Based on the data of the 2006 survey, the two-step screening strategy missed 30.2% of diabetes cases when compared with the number defined by the direct OGTT approach.Qingdao has experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes in the past 5 years. Intervention to prevent a further increase in the prevalence of diabetes is urgently required.

Understanding the role of fine coherent precipitates in the micromechanical behavior of precipitate-strengthened shape memory alloys (SMAs), which still remains a mystery heretofore, is of crucial importance to the design of advanced SMAs with optimal functional and mechanical properties. Here, we investigate the lattice strain evolution of, and the stress partition between the nanoscale Ni4Ti3 precipitates and the matrix in a precipitate-strengthened Ni-Ti SMA during different deformation stages by in-situ synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction technique. We found that, during R-phase reorientation and stress-induced martensitic transformation, which both involve the shear deformation process, the lattice strain of the nanoscale precipitates drastically increases by a magnitude of 0.5%, which corresponds to an abrupt increase of ∼520 MPa in internal stress. This indicates that stress repartition occurs and most of the stress is transferred to the precipitates during the shear deformation of the matrix...

The structural response of coexisting multiple martensites to stress field in a Ni-Mn-Ga multifunctional alloy was investigated by the in situ high-energy x-ray diffraction technique. Stress-induced transformation between coexisting multiple martensites was observed at 110 K, at which five-layered modulated (5M), seven-layered modulated (7M) and non-modulated (NM) martensites coexist. We found that a tiny stress of as low as 0.5 MPa could trigger the transformation from 5M and 7M martensites to NM martensite and this transformation is partly reversible. Besides the transformation between coexisting multiple martensites, rearrangement of martensite variants also occurs during loading, at least at high stress levels. The present study is instructive for designing advanced multifunctional alloys with easy actuation.