Genetic diversity of two color morphs of Northern snakehead (Channa argus) unveiled by the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region.

To analyze the genetic background of 'white' type Northern snakehead (Channa argus), and provide atheoretical basis for breeding of C. argus, the investigation of genetic diversity and population structure were investigated based on the complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region for three cultured 'white' type C. argus populations, and four 'bicolor' type C. argus populations were used to compare with them; 28 mutation loci and 30 haplotypes were found in the D-loop sequence of all individuals with a total length of 907 bp. The highest haplotype diversity (Hd ) and nucleotide diversity (Pi ) in the 'white' type C. argus populations were 0.505 and 0.00057, respectively, which lower than those in the 'bicolor' type C. argus populations (Hd = 0.911, Pi = 0.00326). Population differentiation values (F ST) show that the four 'bicolor' type C. argus populations had obvious genetic differentiation (Fst: 0.21902-0.49428. p < 0.01), but not in the three 'white' type C. argus populations (Fst: -0.00571 to 0.07261. p > 0.05). The phylogenetic tree and Median Joining (MJ) network showed that the genetic distance among 'white' type C. argus populations is very close. Therefore, much attention should be paid to protecting population genetic diversity and avoiding inbreeding in the breeding of 'white' type C. argus.

Calcium Sulfite Solids Activated by Iron for Enhancing As(III) Oxidation in Water.

Desulfurized gypsum (DG) as a soil modifier imparts it with bulk solid sulfite. The Fe(III)-sulfite process in the liquid phase has shown great potential for the rapid removal of As(III), but the performance and mechanism of this process using DG as a sulfite source in aqueous solution remains unclear. In this work, employing solid CaSO3 as a source of SO32-, we have studied the effects of different conditions (e.g., pH, Fe dosage, sulfite dosage) on As(III) oxidation in the Fe(III)-CaSO3 system. The results show that 72.1% of As(III) was removed from solution by centrifugal treatment for 60 min at near-neutral pH. Quenching experiments have indicated that oxidation efficiencies of As(III) are due at 67.5% to HO•, 17.5% to SO5•- and 15% to SO4•-. This finding may have promising implications in developing a new cost-effective technology for the treatment of arsenic-containing water using DG.

Multilabel Prediction via Cross-View Search.

Embedding methods have shown promising performance in multilabel prediction, as they are able to discover the label dependence. However, most methods ignore the correlations between the input and output, such that their learned embeddings are not well aligned, which leads to degradation in prediction performance. This paper presents a formulation for multilabel learning, from the perspective of cross-view learning, that explores the correlations between the input and the output. The proposed method, called Co-Embedding (CoE), jointly learns a semantic common subspace and view-specific mappings within one framework. The semantic similarity structure among the embeddings is further preserved, ensuring that close embeddings share similar labels. Additionally, CoE conducts multilabel prediction through the cross-view $k$ nearest neighborhood ( $k$ NN) search among the learned embeddings, which significantly reduces computational costs compared with conventional decoding schemes. A hashing-based model, i.e., Co-Hashing (CoH), is further proposed. CoH is based on CoE, and imposes the binary constraint on continuous latent embeddings. CoH aims to generate compact binary representations to improve the prediction efficiency by benefiting from the efficient $k$ NN search of multiple labels in the Hamming space. Extensive experiments on various real-world data sets demonstrate the superiority of the proposed methods over the state of the arts in terms of both prediction accuracy and efficiency.

Semi-Paired Discrete Hashing: Learning Latent Hash Codes for Semi-Paired Cross-View Retrieval.

Due to the significant reduction in computational cost and storage, hashing techniques have gained increasing interests in facilitating large-scale cross-view retrieval tasks. Most cross-view hashing methods are developed by assuming that data from different views are well paired, e.g., text-image pairs. In real-world applications, however, this fully-paired multiview setting may not be practical. The more practical yet challenging semi-paired cross-view retrieval problem, where pairwise correspondences are only partially provided, has less been studied. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised hashing method for semi-paired cross-view retrieval, dubbed semi-paired discrete hashing (SPDH). In specific, SPDH explores the underlying structure of the constructed common latent subspace, where both paired and unpaired samples are well aligned. To effectively preserve the similarities of semi-paired data in the latent subspace, we construct the cross-view similarity graph with the help of anchor data pairs. SPDH jointly learns the latent features and hash codes with a factorization-based coding scheme. For the formulated objective function, we devise an efficient alternating optimization algorithm, where the key binary code learning problem is solved in a bit-by-bit manner with each bit generated with a closed-form solution. The proposed method is extensively evaluated on four benchmark datasets with both fully-paired and semi-paired settings and the results demonstrate the superiority of SPDH over several other state-of-the-art methods in term of both accuracy and scalability.

Serial slice image segmentation of digital human based on adaptive geometric active contour tracking.

Segmentation is one of the crucial problems for the digital human research, as currently digital human datasets are manually segmented by experts with anatomy knowledge. Due to the thin slice thickness of digital human data, the static slices can be regarded as a sequence of temporal deformation of the same slice. This gives light to the method of object contour tracking for the segmentation task for the digital human data. In this paper, we present an adaptive geometric active contour tracking method, based on a feature image of object contour, to segment tissues in digital human data. The feature image is constructed according to the matching degree of object contour points, image variance and gradient, and statistical models of the object and background colors. Utilizing the characteristics of the feature image, the traditional edge-based geometric active contour model is improved to adaptively evolve curve in any direction instead of the single direction. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is robust to automatically handle the topological changes, and is effective for the segmentation of digital human data.

A modified possibilistic fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm for bias field estimation and segmentation of brain MR image.

A modified possibilistic fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm is presented for fuzzy segmentation of magnetic resonance (MR) images that have been corrupted by intensity inhomogeneities and noise. By introducing a novel adaptive method to compute the weights of local spatial in the objective function, the new adaptive fuzzy clustering algorithm is capable of utilizing local contextual information to impose local spatial continuity, thus allowing the suppression of noise and helping to resolve classification ambiguity. To estimate the intensity inhomogeneity, the global intensity is introduced into the coherent local intensity clustering algorithm and takes the local and global intensity information into account. The segmentation target therefore is driven by two forces to smooth the derived optimal bias field and improve the accuracy of the segmentation task. The proposed method has been successfully applied to 3 T, 7 T, synthetic and real MR images with desirable results. Comparisons with other approaches demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed algorithm. Moreover, the proposed algorithm is robust to initialization, thereby allowing fully automatic applications.

[Study on resource and varieties of Guoshangye].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the varieties, resoures and identification authentication of Guoshangye used in Tuja and Miao's folk. METHOD: Through field investigations and comparing the collected specimens and literatures, the classification and identification of the species were studied. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Origin of Guoshangye plant was from Pholidota yunnanensis, Bulbophyllum andersonii, B. odoratissimum, B. kamgtimgemse, ect. their morphological characters were identified. Due to limited resource of Guoshangye, the development and protection should be paid more attention.

Study on resource and varieties of Guoshangye / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the varieties, resoures and identification authentication of Guoshangye used in Tuja and Miao's folk.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Through field investigations and comparing the collected specimens and literatures, the classification and identification of the species were studied.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>Origin of Guoshangye plant was from Pholidota yunnanensis, Bulbophyllum andersonii, B. odoratissimum, B. kamgtimgemse, ect. their morphological characters were identified. Due to limited resource of Guoshangye, the development and protection should be paid more attention.</p>

Femoral component revision using extensively porous-coated cementless stem.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of extensively porous-coated femoral stem in revision of total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: From January 1999 to December 2003, fifteen hips of fifteen cases received revision of THA with extensively porous-coated femoral stem. There were six males and nine females. The average age was 66 years (ranging 58-82 years). The reason for the revision was aseptic loosening in 10 cases, septic loosening in 2, femoral shaft fracture around loose implant in 2, and femoral revision for malposition of the femoral component in 1. All the patients were clinically evaluated using Harris hip score and radiographically evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively at regular follow-up intervals. RESULTS: No patients were lost for follow-up. The average length of follow-up was 2.3 years (range, 1-5 years). The average preoperative Harris hip score was 42 points, which was improved to 89 points at latest follow-up. The latest follow-up showed that bone in-growth occurred in fourteen stems and solid fibrous fixation in one. Complications consisted of femoral shaft fracture in two cases (1 undisplaced distal femur fracture and 1 cortical perforation at the tip of the prosthesis), and postoperative dislocation in one. There was no mechanical failure of the stem in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Satisfactory results of short-term clinical and radiographic follow-up have been achieved in using extensively porous-coated femoral stem for revision of THA. It should be noticed that the straight, 203 mm stem should be used with caution in short people.

Total knee replacement for posttraumatic degenerative arthritis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with posttraumatic degenerative arthritis due to a previous fracture around the knee. METHODS: We analyzed the results of 15 TKAs, performed from 1997 to 2003, in 15 patients with post-traumatic degenerative arthritis due to a previous fracture around knee. There were 3 women and 12 men with an average age of 58 years (range, 31-76 years). The time from fracture to arthroplasty averaged 8.2 years (range, 2-27 years). Internal fixation had previously been performed in 8 patients resulting in retained hardware. At the time of arthroplasty a femoral fracture malunion was present in two knees. Lateral retinacular release (4 knees), extensor mechanism realignment (1 knee) or medial collateral ligament reconstruction (1 knee) were needed at the time of arthroplasty. RESULTS: Follow-up averaged 35 months (range, 12-73 months). No patient was lost for follow-up. According to the Knee Society Score scale, the mean preoperative knee score was 37 (range, 10-70) and functional score was 41 (range, 0-60). They were improved significantly to a mean of 84 (range, 10-100) and 76 (range, 20-100) points, respectively at the latest follow-up. The mean knee arc of motion were improved from 84 degree preoperation to 94 degree at the latest follow-up. Postoperative manipulation under anesthesia for poor motion was carried out in 4 knees. No knee had aseptic loosening that required subsequent revision. Two knees developed superficial infection and were treated with debridement. It subsequently recovered with the retention of components. CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in function and relief of pain has been achieved in patients with previous fractures undergoing subsequent TKA. However, this procedure is technically demanding and patients are at increased risk for restricted motion and need more care following TKA. This study suggests that the outcome of TKA may be improved further by making special efforts to restore limb alignment, to ensure correct component positioning, and to manage soft tissue balance.

Total knee replacement for posttraumatic degenerative arthritis of the knee / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with posttraumatic degenerative arthritis due to a previous fracture around the knee.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We analyzed the results of 15 TKAs, performed from 1997 to 2003, in 15 patients with post-traumatic degenerative arthritis due to a previous fracture around knee. There were 3 women and 12 men with an average age of 58 years (range, 31-76 years). The time from fracture to arthroplasty averaged 8.2 years (range, 2-27 years). Internal fixation had previously been performed in 8 patients resulting in retained hardware. At the time of arthroplasty a femoral fracture malunion was present in two knees. Lateral retinacular release (4 knees), extensor mechanism realignment (1 knee) or medial collateral ligament reconstruction (1 knee) were needed at the time of arthroplasty.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Follow-up averaged 35 months (range, 12-73 months). No patient was lost for follow-up. According to the Knee Society Score scale, the mean preoperative knee score was 37 (range, 10-70) and functional score was 41 (range, 0-60). They were improved significantly to a mean of 84 (range, 10-100) and 76 (range, 20-100) points, respectively at the latest follow-up. The mean knee arc of motion were improved from 84 degree preoperation to 94 degree at the latest follow-up. Postoperative manipulation under anesthesia for poor motion was carried out in 4 knees. No knee had aseptic loosening that required subsequent revision. Two knees developed superficial infection and were treated with debridement. It subsequently recovered with the retention of components.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Significant improvement in function and relief of pain has been achieved in patients with previous fractures undergoing subsequent TKA. However, this procedure is technically demanding and patients are at increased risk for restricted motion and need more care following TKA. This study suggests that the outcome of TKA may be improved further by making special efforts to restore limb alignment, to ensure correct component positioning, and to manage soft tissue balance.</p>

Femoral component revision using extensively porous-coated cementless stem / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of extensively porous-coated femoral stem in revision of total hip arthroplasty (THA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 1999 to December 2003, fifteen hips of fifteen cases received revision of THA with extensively porous-coated femoral stem. There were six males and nine females. The average age was 66 years (ranging 58-82 years). The reason for the revision was aseptic loosening in 10 cases, septic loosening in 2, femoral shaft fracture around loose implant in 2, and femoral revision for malposition of the femoral component in 1. All the patients were clinically evaluated using Harris hip score and radiographically evaluated both preoperatively and postoperatively at regular follow-up intervals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No patients were lost for follow-up. The average length of follow-up was 2.3 years (range, 1-5 years). The average preoperative Harris hip score was 42 points, which was improved to 89 points at latest follow-up. The latest follow-up showed that bone in-growth occurred in fourteen stems and solid fibrous fixation in one. Complications consisted of femoral shaft fracture in two cases (1 undisplaced distal femur fracture and 1 cortical perforation at the tip of the prosthesis), and postoperative dislocation in one. There was no mechanical failure of the stem in this study.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Satisfactory results of short-term clinical and radiographic follow-up have been achieved in using extensively porous-coated femoral stem for revision of THA. It should be noticed that the straight, 203 mm stem should be used with caution in short people.</p>

Total hip arthroplasty with cementless cups and femoral head autografts for patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with cementless cups and femoral head autografts for patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. METHODS: Between 1995 and 2002, we implanted 23 cementless cups and femoral head autografts in 20 patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. In this study, a retrospective study was made on 21 hips in 20 patients (18 females and 2 males, aged 50 years on an average) with developmental hip dysplasia treated by THA with a cementless cup and femoral head autograft. The acetabular cup was placed at the level of the true acetabulum and all the patients required autogenous femoral head grafts due to acetabular deficiency. The average rate of the acetabular cup covered by the femoral head autograft was 31% (ranging from 10% to 45%). Eight hips had less than 25% cup coverage and thirteen between 25% and 50%. The average follow-up period was 4.7 years (range, 1-8 years). The replacing outcome was evaluated by modified Harris hip score. Preoperative and follow-up radiographs were made. RESULTS: All the autografts were united to the host bones. No autograft was collapsed or no component from the hip was loosed in all the patients. According to the modified Harris hip score, the average hip score increased from 46 before operation to 89 at the final review. Before operation, the leg-length discrepancy was greater than 2 cm in all the patients except one with bilateral hip dysplasia. After operation, only 2 out of 20 patients had a leg-length discrepancy greater than 1 cm. Three hips showed minor bone resorption in the lateral portion of the graft, which did not support the cup. Three hips developed Grade 1 Brooker heterotopic ossification and one developed Grade 2. CONCLUSIONS: THA with a cementless cup and a femoral head autograft for patients with osteoarthritis resulted from hip dysplasia can result in favorable outcomes. This method can provide reliable acetabular fixation and restore the acetabular bone stock in patients with developmental hip dysplasia when the cementless cup covered by the graft does not exceed 50%.

[Total hip arthroplasty with uncemented cup and femoral head autografts for coxarthrosis due to dysplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for coxarthrosis due to dysplasia with acetabular reconstruction of an uncemented cup in conjunction with a femoral head autograft. METHODS: A retrospective study was made on 21 hips in 20 patients (18 female and 2 male; average age, 50 years) with developmental hip dysplasia treated by THA with use of an uncemented cup. The acetabular cup was placed at the level of the true acetabulum; all patients required autogenous femoral head grafts due to acetabular deficiency. The average coverage of the acetabular cup by the femoral head autograft was 31% (range, 10% to 45%). Eight hips had less than 25% cup coverage and 13 between 25% and 50%. The average follow-up period was 4.7 years (range, 1-8 years). All patients were evaluated with the use of a modified Harris hip score. Radiographic evaluations were made by preoperative and follow-up. RESULTS: All autografts were seen to be united to host-bone. No collapse of the autograft and no hip had the evidence of loosening of component seen in all patients. According to the modified Harris hip score, the average hip score increased from 46 at preoperation to 89 at the final review. Preoperative leg-length discrepancy was greater than 2 cm seen in all except 1 patient with bilateral hip dysplasia. After surgery, only 2 of 20 patients still had a leg-length discrepancy greater than 1 cm. Three hips showed minor resorption in the lateral portion of the graft which was not supporting the cup. Three hips developed grade 1 Brooker heterotopic ossification and one had grade 2. CONCLUSIONS: THA with an uncemented cup in conjunction with a femoral head autograft for coxarthrosis due to dysplasia could obtain favorable results. This method could provide reliable acetabular fixation and appeared to restore acetabular bone stock in patients with developmental hip dysplasia when the coverage of the cementless cup by the graft does not exceed 50%.

Total hip arthroplasty with uncemented cup and femoral head autografts for coxarthrosis due to dysplasia / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) for coxarthrosis due to dysplasia with acetabular reconstruction of an uncemented cup in conjunction with a femoral head autograft.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A retrospective study was made on 21 hips in 20 patients (18 female and 2 male; average age, 50 years) with developmental hip dysplasia treated by THA with use of an uncemented cup. The acetabular cup was placed at the level of the true acetabulum; all patients required autogenous femoral head grafts due to acetabular deficiency. The average coverage of the acetabular cup by the femoral head autograft was 31% (range, 10% to 45%). Eight hips had less than 25% cup coverage and 13 between 25% and 50%. The average follow-up period was 4.7 years (range, 1-8 years). All patients were evaluated with the use of a modified Harris hip score. Radiographic evaluations were made by preoperative and follow-up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All autografts were seen to be united to host-bone. No collapse of the autograft and no hip had the evidence of loosening of component seen in all patients. According to the modified Harris hip score, the average hip score increased from 46 at preoperation to 89 at the final review. Preoperative leg-length discrepancy was greater than 2 cm seen in all except 1 patient with bilateral hip dysplasia. After surgery, only 2 of 20 patients still had a leg-length discrepancy greater than 1 cm. Three hips showed minor resorption in the lateral portion of the graft which was not supporting the cup. Three hips developed grade 1 Brooker heterotopic ossification and one had grade 2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>THA with an uncemented cup in conjunction with a femoral head autograft for coxarthrosis due to dysplasia could obtain favorable results. This method could provide reliable acetabular fixation and appeared to restore acetabular bone stock in patients with developmental hip dysplasia when the coverage of the cementless cup by the graft does not exceed 50%.</p>

Total hip arthroplasty with cementless cups and femoral head autografts for patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the outcome of total hip arthroplasty (THA) with cementless cups and femoral head autografts for patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Between 1995 and 2002, we implanted 23 cementless cups and femoral head autografts in 20 patients with hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis. In this study, a retrospective study was made on 21 hips in 20 patients (18 females and 2 males, aged 50 years on an average) with developmental hip dysplasia treated by THA with a cementless cup and femoral head autograft. The acetabular cup was placed at the level of the true acetabulum and all the patients required autogenous femoral head grafts due to acetabular deficiency. The average rate of the acetabular cup covered by the femoral head autograft was 31% (ranging from 10% to 45%). Eight hips had less than 25% cup coverage and thirteen between 25% and 50%. The average follow-up period was 4.7 years (range, 1-8 years). The replacing outcome was evaluated by modified Harris hip score. Preoperative and follow-up radiographs were made.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the autografts were united to the host bones. No autograft was collapsed or no component from the hip was loosed in all the patients. According to the modified Harris hip score, the average hip score increased from 46 before operation to 89 at the final review. Before operation, the leg-length discrepancy was greater than 2 cm in all the patients except one with bilateral hip dysplasia. After operation, only 2 out of 20 patients had a leg-length discrepancy greater than 1 cm. Three hips showed minor bone resorption in the lateral portion of the graft, which did not support the cup. Three hips developed Grade 1 Brooker heterotopic ossification and one developed Grade 2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>THA with a cementless cup and a femoral head autograft for patients with osteoarthritis resulted from hip dysplasia can result in favorable outcomes. This method can provide reliable acetabular fixation and restore the acetabular bone stock in patients with developmental hip dysplasia when the cementless cup covered by the graft does not exceed 50%.</p>

[Extraction and characterization of total DNA from Dendrobium].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the quality of DNA with three methods of DNA extraction and the influence on RAPD-PCR. METHOD: the electrophoresis of total DNA, UV spectrophotometry and RAPD analysis were carried out on DNA extracted from three different methods. RESULT: The DNA concentration and yields were different, which greatly influenced the result of RAPD-PCR. CONCLUSION: The higher quality DNA from Dendrobium can be obtained with the method of CTAB-free extraction medium before total DNA was isolated.

Extraction and characterization of total DNA from Dendrobium / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the quality of DNA with three methods of DNA extraction and the influence on RAPD-PCR.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>the electrophoresis of total DNA, UV spectrophotometry and RAPD analysis were carried out on DNA extracted from three different methods.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The DNA concentration and yields were different, which greatly influenced the result of RAPD-PCR.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The higher quality DNA from Dendrobium can be obtained with the method of CTAB-free extraction medium before total DNA was isolated.</p>