Effect of light intensity on negative air ion under phytotron control.

Negative air ion (NAI) is an important index for measuring air quality and has been widely recognized to be influenced by photosynthesis processes. However, vegetation type and light intensity are also known to impact NAI, contributing to significant uncertainties in the relationship between light and NAI. In this paper, we selected Pinus bungeana, Platycladus orientalis and Buxus sinica as research subjects and obtained their NAI, light intensity, and meteorological data through synchronous observation under the relatively stable condition of the phytotron. We analyzed the change characteristics of NAI and the difference of NAI production ability in needle and broadleaf vegetation under different light intensities. Finally, we determined the relationship and underlying mechanism governing light intensity and NAI using diverse tree species. The results showed that the influence of light on NAI was significant. In the environment without vegetation, the influence of different light intensities on NAI was not significant, and the mean NAI concentration was 310 ions·cm-3. Conversely, in the presence of vegetation, NAI showed a "single-peak" trend with increasing light intensity. The NAI concentration of the three tree species was significantly higher than under different light intensities when vegetation was not present. The NAI promoting ability of P. bungeana was the highest (675 ions·cm-3), followed by P. orientalis (478 ions·cm-3) and B. sinica (430 ions·cm-3), which increased by 117.5%, 53.9% and 38.6% compared to the environment without vegetation. The NAI growth rate was significantly different between needle and broadleaf vegetation based on the specific tridimensional green biomass. Additionally, the NAI growth rates of P. bungeana and P. orientalis were 647 and 295 ions·cm-3·m-3, respectively, which were 3.06 and 1.39 times that of B. sinica (211 ions·cm-3·m-3). The piecewise equation fitting effect of NAI and light intensity was better for different tree species, the determination coefficients (R2) of P. bungeana, P. orientalis and B. sinica were 0.926, 0.916 and 0.880, and the root mean square errors (RMSE) were 7.157, 6.008 and 5.389 ion·cm-3, respectively. Altogether, our study provides a theoretical basis as well as technical support for the construction of healthy vegetation stands, the selection of preferred tree species, and the optimization of vegetation models, and promotes air quality and the provision of ecosystem functions and services.

Morphologic classification of the right auricule on 256-slice computed tomography.

PURPOSE: To investigate the shape of right auricule on 256-slice computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred people (250 men, age range 16-84 years) who had cardiac multidetector CT angiography were recruited in this study. All patients had normal sinus rhythm with normal blood pressure (<140/90 mmHg for systolic/diastolic pressure). The morphology of the right auricule was studied and compared after reconstruction of the raw images. RESULTS: All patients successfully had cardiac CT angiography (100%), and the right auricule morphology was divided into five types and nine subtypes, including Type I of triangular shape (Ia and Ib), Type II of M shape (IIa and IIb), Type III of L shape (IIIa and IIIb), Type IV of reverse L shape (IVa and IVb), and Type V of balanced shape. The most common type of right auricule is Type IV (28.4%) followed by Type II (24.0%), whereas the least common is Type V (11.0%). Type Ia was present significantly (P < 0.0001) more frequently in females than in males, whereas Type IIa significantly (P = 0.042) more frequently in males than females. No other significant (P > 0.05) sex difference existed in the constitution ratio of the types. The normal angle was greater in Type Ib than in Ia. The greater the normal angle in Type I, the greater the deviation of the right auricule tip towards the left. CONCLUSION: A good understanding of the right auricule anatomical morphology can better guide atrial pacing, radiofrequency ablation and other surgical procedures while preventing possible intra-procedural complications.

Evaluation of left gastric vein in Chinese healthy adults with multi-detector computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the classification and diameter of left gastric vein (LGV) in healthy Chinese adults with multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT). METHODS: MDCT angiography was performed in 234 healthy adults for the portal venous system. CT cross-sectional thin-layer reconstruction combined with maximum intensity projection, volume rendering and multiplanar reconstruction were applied. The diameter of LGV was measured at the point within 2 cm from LGV origination. RESULTS: Of 234 subjects, 11 subjects (4.70%) who did not have clear images were excluded, and 223 subjects (95.30%) with excellent images were included. The LGV was originated from the portal vein in 46.15%, splenic vein in 30.77%, portal splenic angle in 14.53%, and the left branch of the portal vein in 3.85%. The maximal diameter of LGV was 4.74 ± 0.84 mm with a 95% confidence interval of 4.63-4.85 mm, and the LGV diameter was positively correlated with the weight of patients (R = 0.26, P = 0.006). No significant difference existed in the maximal diameter of LGV at different origination sites (P = 0.35). The diameter of LGV was significantly greater in males than in females (4.90 ± 0.85 vs. 4.56 ± 0.80 mm, P = 0.002), and the maximal diameter of LGV was significantly (P = 0.02) greater in the age range of 30-39 and 40-49 years than in the range of >70 years. No statistical significance (P = 0.36) was detected in the other groups. CONCLUSION: MDCT can clearly display the detailed anatomy and variation of LGV in healthy adults, providing a normal range of LGV diameter for clinical reference for diagnosing possible portal hypertension and for possible intervention.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Substantially Variable Morphology and Function of the Left Atrial Appendage and Its Relation with Adjacent Structures.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate quantitatively the morphology, anatomy and function of the left atrial appendage (LAA) and its relation with adjacent structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 860 patients (533 men, 62.0%, age 55.9±10.4 year) who had cardiac multidetector computed tomography angiography from May to October 2012 were enrolled for analysis. RESULTS: Seven types and 6 subtypes of LAA morphology were found with Type 2 being the most prevalent. Type 5 was more significantly (P<0.05) present in women (8.0%) than in men (4.2%). LAA orifice was oval in 81.5%, triangular in 7.3%, semicircular in 4%, water drop-like in 3.2%, round in 2.4% and foot-like in 1.6%. The LAA orifice had a significantly greater (P<0.01) major axis in men (24.79±3.81) than in women (22.68±4.07). The LAA orifice long axis was significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with the height, weight and surface area of the patient. The LAA morphology parameters displayed strong positive correlation with the left atrium volume, aortic cross area long axis or LSPV long axis but poor correlation with the height, weight, surface area and vertebral body height of the patients. Four types of LAA ridge were identified: AI, AII, B and C with the distribution of 17.6%, 69.9%, 5.9% and 6.6%, respectively. The LAA had a significantly (P<0.05) greater distance from its orifice to the mitral ring in women than in men. The LAA had two filling and two emptying processes with the greatest volume at 45% phase but the least volume at 5% phase. The LAA maximal, minimal and emptying volumes were all significantly (P<0.05) positively correlated with the body height, weight and surface area, whereas the LAA ejection fraction had an inverse correlation with the LAA minimal volume but no correlation with the maximal volume. CONCLUSION: The LAA has substantially variable morphologies and relation with the adjacent structures, which may be helpful in guiding the LAA trans-catheter occlusion or catheter ablation procedures.

High plasma levels of oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins are associated with the suppressed expression of immunomodulatory molecules in patients with hematological malignancies.

Dyslipidemia is a common feature in immunosuppressed patients, such as kidney and bone marrow transplantation recipients and patients with breast, prostate or gynecological carcinoma or acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In addition, high levels of oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) are closely associated with carcinogenesis. There are, however, no reports on the association between the serum oxLDL levels and the expression of important immunomodulatory molecules in patients with hematological disorders. In the present study, 39 patients with hematological disorders were stratified into four groups: Two groups with malignancies [chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML)] and two groups without malignancies [myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA)]. Immunomodulatory molecules were monitored in these groups. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results indicated that the plasma oxLDL levels were significantly higher in patients with AML or CML than those in patients with MDS or IDA. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction results revealed that the expression of numerous important immunomodulatory elements, including tumor-related genes, immunological and inflammatory cytokines, defense-responsive genes, genes regulating cell proliferation, adhesion and migration molecules and leukocyte chemotaxis genes, showed considerable variation in patients with hematological disorders, particularly in those with MDS or IDA, as compared with the expression in the healthy volunteers. The present study demonstrated that, in patients with a hematological malignancy (either AML or CML), the activation of numerous immune response-related molecules was inhibited. Thus, an association between hematological malignancies and dyslipidemia, i.e. high levels of oxLDL, is suggested. Further research is necessary to investigate how oxLDL influences cancer progression.

[The study of increased immunogenicity of UCMSC Stimulated by TLR7 agonist CL264].

OBJECTIVE: To study the change of immune status of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSC) stimulated by toll like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist CL264. METHODS: TLR7 specific ligand CL264 was used to stimulate the UCMSC. Flow cytometry was conducted to assay the expression of co-stimulators [human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-E, CD80 and CD86] and surface markers of stem cells (CD29, CD59 and CD90). Quantitative PCR was applied to measure the expression variation of immune-related molecules and stem cell markers. Cell differentiation experiment was used to study the change of differentiation ability of UCMSC upon CL264 stimulation. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from healthy human and then cocultured with UCMSC in the presence of CL264. Cytotoxicity assay was used to measure the attack of PBMC to UCMSC. RESULTS: Expression of cotimulatory molecules CD86 and HLA-E were enhanced in UCMSC upon CL264 stimulation. Real-time PCR indicated that many pro-inflammatory molecules [interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-beta, IFN-gamma, nuclear factor-KB (NF-kappaB), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta)] were induced in the presence of CL264 while the expression of stem cells markers were inhibited [Kruppel-like factor-4 (Klf4), Nestin, SRY-related high-mobility-group-box protein-2 (Sox2), Lin28]. Activation of TLR7 also increased the immune attack of PBMC on UCMSC. Our study also indicated that the treatment of CL264 did not influence the differentiation ability of UCMSC. CONCLUSION: TLR7 agonist CL264 could increase the immunogenicity of UCMSC.

[Investigation of the prevalence of periodontal diseases among naval personnel during prolonged sailing].

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of periodontal diseases among naval personnel during prolonged sailing. METHODS: The calculus index-simplified (CI-S), plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), community periodontal index (CPI), attachment loss (AL), number of missing tooth (NMT) and prevalence of periodontal disease were recorded among 186 naval personnel who participated in prolonged sailing before and after sailing. The data was analyzed with SPSS 14.0 software package. RESULTS: Each periodontal index after sailing was significantly higher than that of before sailing(P<0.01). Before sailing, the prevalence of periodontal diseases from 186 objects was 59.7%; While after sailing the prevalence increased to 83.3%. Among them, patients who suffered from gingivitis and mid or moderate periodontitis raised greatly, and significant differences were found in the prevalence and degree of periodontal disease (P<0.01) compared between pre-sailing and post-sailing. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged sailing environment, food constraint and poor oral hygiene can influence periodontal state of naval personnel. To enhance propaganda and education on oral hygiene promptly and effectively, to develop the habit of correct toothbrushing, to have balanced and rational diet, and to perform proper periodontal non-surgical treatment and medication are essential to periodontal health of naval personnel during prolonged sailing.

[The effects of ADAM28 AS-ODN on biological function of human gingival fibroblasts].

PURPOSE: To study the effects of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 28 (ADAM28) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) on proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), and analyze the possible mechanism. METHODS: Cell culture, gene transfection, MTT chromatometry, enzyme dynamics, and flow cytometry (FCM) techniques were used to detect the effects of ADAM28 AS-ODN on biological characteristics of HGFs after transfected into HGFs. The statistical differences were evaluated by SNK test with SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: In ADAM28 AS-ODN group, the proliferation activity of HGFs decreased significantly. Cell percentage in S phase in AS-ODN group was notably lower than that of S-ODN and untransfected groups, and cell percentage in G2+M phase was remarkably lower than that of untransfected group. Cell proliferation index (PI=S+G2M) in AS-ODN group was significantly lower than that of the other two groups. There was a significant difference between the groups. In AS-ODN group, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) secretion activity and percentage of apoptotic cell notably increased. CONCLUSIONS: ADAM28 AS-ODN could inhibit HGFs proliferation significantly and influence the changes of cell cycle, promote HGFs differentiation and induce HGFs apoptosis remarkably.

[The effect of different factors on forming-dentin differentiation of rat dental mesenchymal cells].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of combined use of bFGF, IGF1, BMP4 and TGF-ß1 on forming-dentin differentiation of rat dental mesenchymal cells (rDMCs). METHODS: Enzyme and differential digestions were performed to isolate and culture rDECs and rDMCs, and immunofluorescence staining against cytokeratin and vimentin were carried out to identify cell sources. Then alizarin red staining and Gomori calcium-cobalt method were used to detect the mineralization ability of rDMCs after mineralized induction. Immunohistochemistry, image analysis, real-time PCR and Western blot were utilized to determine the expression differences of DSPP/CAP/OPN/OCN in rDMCs after induction by bFGF+IGF1 (group 1), TGF-ß1+BMP4 (group 2) and bFGF+IGF1+TGF-ß1+BMP4 (group 3), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 14.0 software package. RESULTS: The rDECs and rDMCs were isolated, cultured and identified successfully. Calcium nodus and ALP staining were positive in cytoplasms of rDMCs after being induced by mineralization liquid. In groups 1 and 2, the expression levels of DSPP/CAP/OPN/OCN mRNA and protein were notably higher than those of control group, significant differences were found between groups (P<0.01). Among them, the expression levels of CAP/OCN in group 1 and DSPP/OPN in group 2 were the highest, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The rDMCs possess osteogenesis property after mineralization induction. bFGF+IGF1 can notably promote the expressions of CAP/OCN, and accelerate rDMCs to differentiate into cementoblast and osteoblast, and the mineralization of cementum matrix and bone matrix. TGF-ß1+BMP4 can markedly increase the expressions of DSPP/OPN, and quicken rDMCs to differentiate into odontoblast and osteoblast, and the mineralization of dentinal matrix and bone matrix which display osteogenesis trend. Combined use of four factors had no significant synergism.

[Rapid determination of componential contents and calorific value of selected agricultural biomass feedstocks using spectroscopic technology].

Rapid determination of biomass feedstock properties is of value for the production of biomass densification briquetting fuel with high quality. In the present study, visible and near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy was employed to build prediction models of componential contents, i. e. moisture, ash, volatile matter and fixed-carbon, and calorific value of three selected species of agricultural biomass feedstock, i. e. pine wood, cedar wood, and cotton stalk. The partial least squares (PLS) cross validation results showed that compared with original reflection spectra, PLS regression models developed for first derivative spectra produced higher prediction accuracy with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.97, 0.94 and 0.90, and residual prediction deviation (RPD) of 6.57, 4.00 and 3.01 for ash, volatile matter and moisture, respectively. Good prediction accuracy was achieved with R2 of 0.85 and RPD of 2.55 for fixed carbon, and R2 of 0.87 and RPD of 2.73 for calorific value. It is concluded that the Vis-NIR spectroscopy is promising as an alternative of traditional proximate analysis for rapid determination of componential contents and calorific value of agricultural biomass feedstock

[Effects of domestic wastewater slow infiltration on the growth of poplar 'Zhonglin 2001' plantation].

A slow infiltration experiment with different hydraulic loads (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 cm per week) of domestic wastewater was conducted in a 'Zhonglin 2001' poplar plantation to study the effects of the wastewater slow infiltration on the growth of the plantation. Comparing with the control (0 cm), the other five treatments increased the soil organic matter, total N, total P, total K, and Na+ contents in the plantation averagely by 1.940 g x kg(-1), 0.115 g x kg(-1), 0.029 g x kg(-1), 1.454 g x kg(-1) and 0.030 g x kg(-1), respectively. At lower hydraulic loads (3-12 cm per week), the poplar biomass growth and the N, P and Na+ contents in different poplar organs averagely increased by 17.583 t x hm(-2) x a(-1), 3.086 g x kg(-1), 0.645 g x kg(-1), and 0.121 g x kg(-1), with the maximum (36.252 t x hm(-2) x a(-1), 13.162 g x kg(-1), 5.137 g x kg(-1), and 0.361 g x kg(-1), respectively) at hydraulic loads 6-12 cm per week. The further increase of the hydraulic load decreased the poplar biomass growth and the N, P and Na+ contents in different poplar organs. The K content in different poplar organs decreased with increasing hydraulic load. Treating with domestic wastewater increased the leaf length, decreased the leaf asymmetry, and delayed leaf-falling. At high hydraulic load (15 cm per week), the higher soil Na+ and water contents would threat the poplar growth. The proper domestic wastewater hydraulic loads for the growth of poplar 'Zhonglin 2001' plantation would be 3-12 cm per week.

[SPAD prediction of leave based on reflection spectroscopy].

Handheld SPAD meter is often used to measure chlorophyll content of plant and nitrogen level for some species. For plant production automation, however, it loses its popularity due to its point-by-point checking. The authors need to monitor the growing conditions of plant remotely, instantly and nondestructively. In the test, we examined optical fiber reflection spectroscopy used to measure chlorophyll content of some plant leaves, or for their SPAD prediction. The authors picked 120 leaves randomly from our campus ground or trees, among which 70 samples were chosen as calibration set and others as verification set. Each sample was water-cleaned and air-dried. To locate each measuring point precisely when using SPAD meter and spectrometer, the authors drew a circle with a diameter of 10 mm on each leave to be measured. By comparing the spectral curves of various leaves, the authors found that the spectral band between 650-750 nm was significant for SPAD modeling since this range of spectral data of leaves with the same SPAD reading was close to each other. It was showed that leave color was an unnecessary factor for SPAD prediction by reflection spectroscopy. Besides, the authors discovered that LED's narrow spectral range used by SPAD meter should be concerned because optical fiber spectrometer has much more wide spectral range. Based on this awareness, the authors designed an adjustment factor of light to linearly rebuild spectrometer's reflective intensity so that it reached zero outside the band 650-750 nm. Moreover, leave thickness was another influential factor for SPAD prediction since the light of SPAD meter goes through the leave while the reflective spectrometer does not. First, an equation for SPAD prediction was built with uncertain parameters. Then, a standard genetic algorithm was designed with Visual Basic 6.0 for parameter optimization. As a result, the optimal reflection band was narrowed within 683.24-733.91 nm. The result showed that leave thickness strongly affects the precision of SPAD prediction. Through the modification of leave thickness, the regression coefficient (R2) of calibration set and verification set reached 0.865 8 and 0.916 1 respectively. The test showed that optical fiber reflection spectroscopy is useful for SPAD prediction and can be used to develop remote SPAD sensor.

[3-D modeling of origin discrimination of fragrant mushrooms using visible/near infrared spectra].

The potential of visible/near infrared absorbance spectroscopy as a way for the nondestructive discrimination of various fragrant mushrooms was evaluated. First, the spectral data ranging from 375 to 1025 nm were analyzed by principal component analysis (PCA) for data compression and space clustering. The resulting accumulative credibility of 94.37% based on the first three principle components (PCs) was achieved. This signifies that it is possible to establish a model for the sample discrimination in three dimensional space. Then, a new method in which space division planes were established based on the 3-D PC score plot was proposed. Due to the irregular sample distribution, the division planes for sample discrimination were established through genetic algorithm (GA). The fitness function was evaluated based on the number of the samples that have wrong sign by the division plane function. The goal is to achieve the minimum of the fitness function. Various parameters were predetermined, including population size, selection method, crossover rate, mutation rate and iteration number. Three plane functions were conducted as the model for sample discrimination. In order to evaluate the prediction performance of the new model, another model based on PCA and 3-layer BP-ANN was created and brought into comparison. The three PCs were adopted as the input of the BP-ANN. The number of the neurons in the middle layer was optimized based on the calibration error. The output layer was encoded in binary number. In the test, a total of 195 samples were examined, in which 150 samples were selected randomly for model building and the other 45 for model prediction. Both models adopted the same calibration set and prediction set. The result indicated that the two models established by different methods had similar capability of sorting the same samples out of others. Both models featured more than 91% of sample recognition rate. It can be concluded that while BP-ANN tends to solve high-dimension data analysis, the new method proves reliable and practicable in the three dimensional space so that it could serve as an approach to machine recognition of fragrant mushrooms with various origins.

[Establishment of an rat model of tumor-associated depression].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model of tumor-associated depression and observe their biological behaviors and biochemical indices. METHODS: Four groups of SD rats kept in separate cages were subjected to tumor cell inoculation with or without chronic unpredictable moderate stress administered before or after the inoculation. The depressive behaviors of the rats were examined by open-field test, and the concentration of 5-HT in the hippocampus was measured by spectrophotofluorometry. The body weight of the rats and volume of the implanted tumor were monitored and sugar water test was performed. RESULTS: The rats subjected to chronic stress displayed significant depression, manifested by reduction in movement in the central area and total movement distance with prolonged resting time and shortened time of activity. These rats maintained high levels of depression even 12 days after withdrawal of chronic stress. Compared with the control group, the depressive rats showed obviously reduced sugar water consumption and hippocampal 5-HT level. Tumors of different sizes were observed in all rats in the 4 groups. CONCLUSION: A rat model of tumor-associated depression is established, and the tumor-bearing rats exhibit obvious depressive behaviors and reduced level of neural substance (5-HT), which provides a good basis for studying the association of depression with tumorigenesis,progression and prognosis of tumor.

[Temperature changes of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome: a comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the patterns of temperature changes of patients with the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the effect of glucocorticoid hormone on the temperature of these patients. METHODS: The clinical data of 94 SARS cases treated during the outbreak of SARS in South China in 2003 were collected for a retrospective review. According to different treatment regimens, the patients were divided into hormone group (n=35) and non-hormone group (n=59). The control groups consisted of 65 patients with interstitial pneumonia, 78 with bacterial pneumonia and 57 with upper respiratory tract infection. The changes in body temperature were compared between the SARS patients and those with other respiratory diseases and the effect of glucocorticoid hormone on controlling body temperature of the SARS patients was explored. RESULTS: The body temperature of patients with the 4 diseases all exhibited obvious reduction 7 days after hospitalization (P<0.001) with only subsequent mild fluctuation within the basically normal range. At each time point of measurement, the body temperature of SARS patients was significantly higher than that of patients with other diseases (P<0.03), with a fluctuation of 0.2 to 0.5 degrees C; and following a pattern of variation similar to those of the other diseases. Of the 4 time points of daily measurement, namely 6, 10, 14 and 18 o'clock, the temperature measured at 14 o'clock was significantly higher than those at the other 3 time points (P<0.001). Hormone therapy did not significantly affect the temperature of SARS patients (P=0.180), who had longer duration of high fever. CONCLUSION: SARS patients have higher body temperature and longer duration of high fever. Hormone therapy may not produce significant effect in controlling the temperature of SARS patients.