Temporal dynamics of stomatal regulation and carbon- and water-related traits for a native tree species in low subtropical China.

Stomata are pivotal in modulating water and carbon processes within plants. However, our understanding of the temporal dynamics of water- and carbon-related traits, as influenced by stomatal behavior, remains limited. Here, we explore how stomatal regulation behavior and water- and carbon-related traits vary with changing environments by examining the seasonal variations in these traits of the native tree species Schima superba in low subtropical China. In February, April, and July of 2022, a series of water- and carbon-related traits were measured in the leaves and stems. The results showed that S. superba exhibited isohydric behavior in February when the soil dried out and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was lower but anisohydric behavior in April and July when the soil was wetter and VPD was higher. In February, NSC and their components increased, and a relatively large contribution of soluble sugars to the change in NSC was observed. In the branches and phloem, NSC and their components displayed a relatively high monthly variability, suggesting their role in maintaining carbon balance within the trees. Conversely, the NSC in the leaves demonstrated minimal monthly variability. The specific leaf area, as well as the concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) per unit mass in leaves and the cumulative stem water release, exhibited a decrease with a reduction in soil water potential. Interestingly, the hydraulic conductivity remained consistent throughout this process. Furthermore, the relatively low monthly growth rate observed in February could suggest a carbon sink limitation. In conclusion, the increased NSC and decreased water status of S. superba under relatively stressed soil conditions indicated a trade-off between water and carbon storage. Our findings enhance our comprehension of the dynamics and regulation of water and carbon status in forests, thereby advancing the development of plant carbon and water process models under climate change scenarios.

Climate-driven sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity and the Huber value but not leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity on a global scale.

Efficient water transport is crucial for plant growth and survival. Plant hydraulic conductivity varies between functional groups and biomes and is strongly influenced by changing environmental conditions. However, correlations of conductivity-related hydraulic traits with climatic variables are not fully understood, preventing clarification of plant form and function under climate change scenarios. By compiling leaf-specific hydraulic conductivity (KL), sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity (Ks), and Huber values (Hv, sapwood area to leaf area ratio) along with climatic variables including mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and aridity index (AI) for 428 species across a wide range of plant functional types (PFTs) and biomes at a global scale, we found greater variability of KL within PFTs and biomes than across PFTs and biomes. Interaction effects between PFTs and biomes on KL and Ks were found. The interaction between MAT and MAP played a significant role in Ks and Hv (t = 3.89, P < 0.001 for Ks and t = -5.77, P < 0.001 for Hv). With increasing AI, Ks increased and Hv decreased. KL was not influenced by the investigated climatic variables. Our study provides a better understanding of the dynamics of hydraulic structure and function across functional groups and biomes and of the abiotic drivers of their large-scale variations.

Ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy with rare bilateral asymmetry onset: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy (EON) most commonly manifests as bilateral symmetrical loss of vision and often cause serious and irreversible visual impairment because of the lack of early detection and effective treatment. We followed a case of EON with rare binocular asymmetric clinical manifestations and observed the changes of visual function and retinal structure after drug withdrawal, so as to further understand the clinical characteristics of this disease. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old man complained of gradual visual decline in the left eye. The patient presented with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 in the right eye and 20/50 in the left eye. Color vision examination revealed difficulty in reading green color plates in the left eye. The visual field manifested as concentric contraction in the left eye. After nearly a month of drug withdrawal, the right eye had a similar decline in visual function. At the last visit, 19 mo after drug withdrawal, the visual function significantly recovered in both eyes. During follow-up optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination, both eyes manifested the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer from mild thickening to thinning and finally temporal atrophy, and the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer showed significant thinning. The difference was that a reversible structural disorder in the outer retina of the nasal macula was detected in the left eye by macular high-definition OCT. CONCLUSION: Nephropathy and high blood pressure, which damage the retinal microcirculation, may cause damage to the outer layer of the retina. Ethambutol may influence photoreceptor as well as retinal ganglion cells.

Analysis of structural injury patterns in peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer and retinal ganglion cell layer in ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: We investigated structural injury patterns in the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (p-RNFL) and ganglion cell inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) caused by ethambutol treatment. METHODS: Sixty-four patients undergoing ethambutol treatment at Zhejiang Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Integrated Hospital were recruited. Fourteen (14) exhibited visual dysfunction (abnormal group), and the remaining 50 had no visual dysfunction (subclinical group). The thickness of the p-RNFL, total macular retina layer and GCIPL were measured using Cirrus-HD Optical coherence tomography (Cirrus-HD OCT, Cirrus high-definition optical coherence tomography), and compared with 60 healthy, age-matched controls. RESULTS: The p-RNFL thickness was similar in both subclinical and control groups. When compared with the control group, p-RNFL thickness in the abnormal group was significantly increased in the inferior and superior quadrants (GEE, P = 0.040, P = 0.010 respectively). In contrast with the subclinical group, p-RNFL thickness in the inferior quadrant was increased in the abnormal group (GEE, P = 0.047). The GCIPL thickness in the inferonasal and inferior sectors was significantly deceased in the subclinical group when compared with controls (GEE, P = 0.028, P = 0.047, respectively). The average and minimum value of GCIPL thickness, and thickness in the superonasal, inferior, inferotemporal, superotemporal and superior sectors were significantly decreased in the abnormal group when compared with controls (GEE, P = 0.016, P = 0.001, P = 0.028, P = 0.010, P = 0.012, P = 0.015, P = 0.010, respectively). The cube average macular thickness (CAMT) in the abnormal group was significantly thinner than controls (GEE, P = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS: GCIPL measurements using Cirrus-HD OCT detected retinal ganglion cell layer loss following ethambutol treatment, before visual dysfunction occurred.

Mapping QTLs for 1000-grain weight and genes controlling hull type using SNP marker in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum).

BACKGROUND: Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), an important pseudocereal crop, has high economic value due to its nutritional and medicinal properties. However, dehulling of Tartary buckwheat is difficult owing to its thick and tough hull, which has greatly limited the development of the Tartary buckwheat processing industry. The construction of high-resolution genetic maps serves as a basis for identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and qualitative trait genes for agronomic traits. In this study, a recombinant inbred lines (XJ-RILs) population derived from a cross between the easily dehulled Rice-Tartary type and Tartary buckwheat type was genotyped using restriction site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing to construct a high-density SNP genetic map. Furthermore, QTLs for 1000-grain weight (TGW) and genes controlling hull type were mapped in multiple environments. RESULTS: In total, 4151 bin markers comprising 122,185 SNPs were used to construct the genetic linkage map. The map consisted of 8 linkage groups and covered 1444.15 cM, with an average distance of 0.35 cM between adjacent bin markers. Nine QTLs for TGW were detected and distributed on four loci on chromosome 1 and 4. A major locus detected in all three trials was mapped in 38.2-39.8 cM region on chromosome 1, with an LOD score of 18.1-37.0, and explained for 23.6-47.5% of the phenotypic variation. The genes controlling hull type were mapped to chromosome 1 between marker Block330 and Block331, which was closely followed by the major locus for TGW. The expression levels of the seven candidate genes controlling hull type present in the region between Block330 and Block336 was low during grain development, and no significant difference was observed between the parental lines. Six non-synonymous coding SNPs were found between the two parents in the region. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed a high-density SNP genetic map for the first time in Tartary buckwheat. The mapped major loci controlling TGW and hull type will be valuable for gene cloning and revealing the mechanism underlying grain development and easy dehulling, and marker-assisted selection in Tartary buckwheat.

A novel role for Livin in the response to ultraviolet B radiation and pterygium development.

A pterygium is an inflammatory, invasive and proliferative lesion on the ocular surface, which can decrease visual acuity, damage the ocular surface and affect the appearance of the eye. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, the role of apoptosis­associated protein Livin in the occurrence and development of pterygium was investigated. Primary samples from quiescent or advanced clinical stages of pterygium and normal human conjunctival tissues were used to assess mRNA and protein expression levels of Livin using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Livin was knocked down in pterygium epithelial cells (PECs) using small interfering RNA (siRNA), to investigate the role of Livin in PEC viability, migration, invasion ability and apoptosis. The cell viability, invasion ability and apoptosis of PECs following ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation alone or in combination with Livin silencing were also analyzed. Expression levels of Livin increased in the pterygium tissues compared with those in the normal conjunctiva at both the mRNA and protein levels. Livin expression levels in advanced pterygium were significantly higher compared with those in quiescent pterygium samples. Knockdown of Livin expression levels significantly reduced cell migration, invasion ability and cell viability, and induced apoptosis of PECs. Inhibition of Livin expression in PECs increased the expression levels of caspase­7, caspase­3 and E­cadherin, whereas expression levels of Snail were downregulated. Cell viability and invasion ability in PECs was enhanced following UVB radiation and Livin expression upregulated. UVB irradiation induced cell invasion ability of PECs and this was attenuated by Livin­silencing. Transfection with Livin siRNA also partially recovered the apoptosis rate of PECs, which was reduced by UVB irradiation. In conclusion, Livin was upregulated in pterygium, and UVB radiation functions in the development of pterygium by inducing Livin expression.

Spontaneous rupture of the eyeball due to choroidal metastasis of gastric carcinoma: A case report.

RATIONALE: Although metastatic tumor is the most common intraocular malignancy, choroidal metastasis from gastric cancer is relatively rare. We present the exact course of a spontaneous rupture of the eyeball with choroidal metastasis from gastric carcinoma (GC) and the applied surgical interventions. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 59-year-old male presented with pain and vision loss on his left eye for 6 months. He was diagnosed with GC, for which he received systemic chemotherapy for a year. DIAGNOSES: Preoperative B-scan, color fundus photography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging showed a choroidal tumor in his left eye. The spontaneous rupture of the corneoscleral limbus from 2 to 5 o'clock, combined secondary glaucoma, exudative retinal detachment and choroidal detachment were found. INTERVENTIONS: The ruptured corneoscleral limbus was sutured and the orbit was lavaged with 0.4% cisplatin during the enucleation. OUTCOMES: Histopathology confirmed high homology of the choroidal metastasis and GC. He survived for 2 months after surgery, without pain or orbital neoplasms. LESSONS: Choroidal metastasis from GC rapidly progressed to spontaneous rupture of the eyeball. Careful eyeball enucleation followed by orbital lavage with chemotherapeutics may reduce metastasis risk beyond the eyeball. Additional therapeutic interventions should be considered in patients resistant to single systemic chemotherapy.

Unilateral inferior oblique anterior transposition for markedly asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation with unilateral inferior oblique over-action.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the results of unilateral inferior oblique anterior transposition (IOAT) for markedly asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) combined with inferior oblique over-action (IOOA). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of the records of all patients with asymmetric DVD combined with unilateral IOOA in the non-dominant eye who received unilateral IOAT on the non-dominant eye. No other muscles were operated on simultaneously. The amount of DVD and IOOA were measured before and after the operation and statistically analysed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included. The mean age at surgery was 23.5 ± 8.4 (range 12-38) years old. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 15.7 ± 7.2 (range 6-32) months. The primary position DVD was 19.6 ± 5.4 (range 14-36) PD preoperatively and decreased significantly to 2.9 ± 2.0 (range 0-8) PD postoperatively (P < 0.01). Preoperatively, there were 2, 7, and 8 patients with + 1, + 2, and + 3 IOOA, respectively, and these were reduced from 2.4 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.4 postoperatively (P < 0.01). None of the patients were complicated obvious hypotropia, anti-elevation syndrome or IOOA in the contralateral eye. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral IOAT was recommended in patients with asymmetric DVD coexists with unilateral IOOA.

Diagnosis and endovascular treatment of iliac venous compression syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To report *The first two authors contributed equally to this work. our clinical experience on diagnostic criteria and endovascular management in patients with iliac venous compression syndrome. METHOD: Between July 2013 and May 2015, 85 consecutive patients with suspected iliac venous compression syndrome were evaluated by transfemoral venography and intravascular ultrasonography. Venographic evidence of iliac venous occlusion, stenosis, or pelvic collateral vessels, and the degree of stenosis as examined with intravascular ultrasonography were recorded. The endovascular procedure, complications, clinical outcome, and the Venous Clinical Severity Score were evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Of the 85 limbs, 66 cases of iliac venous compression syndrome were confirmed and 19 cases were excluded. In all of the 66 patients, we successfully performed endovascular intervention (22 balloon dilations, 44 balloon dilations + stenting). Two patients with stent implantation developed acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis, resulted in successful lysis of the thrombus with catheter-directed thrombolysis. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of intraluminal spurs and pelvic collateral vessels represents not only pathological and anatomical changes by long-term mechanical compression, but also indicators of the severity of iliac venous compression syndrome. The degree of stenosis cannot accurately represent the severity and treatment of iliac venous compression syndrome, especially in the right iliac vein. Endovascular intervention is a safe and effective treatment that reduces lower extremity symptoms. Full and intentional dilation of the intraluminal spurs is an important technical aspect, which is often ignored.

Indolediketopiperazine Alkaloids from Eurotium cristatum EN-220, an Endophytic Fungus Isolated from the Marine Alga Sargassum thunbergii.

Four new indolediketopiperazine derivatives (1-4), along with nine known congeners (5-13), were isolated and identified from the culture extract of Eurotium cristatum EN-220, an endophytic fungus obtained from the marine alga Sargassum thunbergii. The structures of thesecompounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis and the absolute configurations of compounds 1-4 were established by NOESY experiments and by chiral HPLC analyses of their acid hydrolysates. The absolute configuration of C-8 (a quaternary carbon substituted with a hydroxyl group) in 5 of preechinulin class was firstly determined by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. All these compounds were evaluatedfor brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality and nematicidal activity as well as antioxidativeand antimicrobial potency.

Physiological changes and sHSPs genes relative transcription in relation to the acquisition of seed germination during maturation of hybrid rice seed.

BACKGROUND: During the production of early hybrid rice seed, the seeds dehydrated slowly and retained high moisture levels when rainy weather lasted for a couple of days, and the rice seeds easily occurred pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) along with high temperature. Therefore it is necessary to harvest the seeds before the PHS occurred. RESULTS: The seeds of hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica) cv. Qianyou No1 that harvests from 19 to 28 days after pollination (DAP) all had high seed vigour. The seed moisture content at 10 DAP was 36.1%, and declined to 28.6% at 19 DAP; the contents of soluble sugar and total starch increased significantly with the development of seeds. The soluble protein content, the level of abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin (GA3 ), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity continued to decrease from 10 DAP to 19 DAP. The seeds at 19 DAP had the highest peroxidase (POD) activity and lowest catalase (CAT) activity while the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity had no significant difference among the different developing periods. The relative expressions of genes 64S Hsp18.0 and Os03g0267200 transcripts increased significantly from 10 to 19 DAP, and then decreased. However, no significant change was recorded in soluble protein, sugar and GA3 after 16 DAP, and they all significantly correlated with seed viability and vigour during the process of seed maturity. CONCLUSION: The seeds of hybrid rice Qianyou No1 had a higher viability and vigour when harvested from 19 DAP to 28 DAP, the transcription levels of 64S Hsp18.0 and Os03g0267200 increased significantly from 10 DAP to 19 DAP and the highest value was recorded at 19 DAP. The seeds could be harvested as early as 19 DAP without negative influence on seed vigour and viability.

[Advances of NIR spectroscopy technology applied in seed quality detection].

Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology developed fast in recent years, due to its rapid speed, less pollution, high-efficiency and other advantages. It has been widely used in many fields such as food, chemical industry, pharmacy, agriculture and so on. The seed is the most basic and important agricultural capital goods, and seed quality is important for agricultural production. Most methods presently used for seed quality detecting were destructive, slow and needed pretreatment, therefore, developing one kind of method that is simple and rapid has great significance for seed quality testing. This article reviewed the application and trends of NIRS technology in testing of seed constituents, vigor, disease and insect pests etc. For moisture, starch, protein, fatty acid and carotene content, the model identification rates were high as their relative contents were high; for trace organic, the identification rates were low as their relative content were low. The heat-damaged seeds with low vigor were discriminated by NIRS, the seeds stored for different time could also been identified. The discrimination of frost-damaged seeds was impossible. The NIRS could be used to identify health and infected disease seeds, and did the classification for the health degree; it could identify parts of the fungal pathogens. The NIRS could identify worm-eaten and health seeds, and further distinguished the insect species, however the identification effects for small larval and low injury level of insect pests was not good enough. Finally, in present paper existing problems and development trends for NIRS in seed quality detection was discussed, especially the single seed detecting technology which was characteristic of the seed industry, the standardization of its spectral acquisition accessories will greatly improve its applicability.

[The Performance Analysis for Lighting Sources in Highway Tunnel Based on Visual Function].

Under the condition of mesopic vision, the spectral luminous efficiency function is shown as a series of curves. Its peak wavelength and intensity are affected by light spectrum, background brightness and other aspects. The impact of light source to lighting visibility could not be carried out via a single optical parametric characterization. The reaction time of visual cognition is regard as evaluating indexes in this experiment. Under the condition of different speed and luminous environment, testing visual cognition based on vision function method. The light sources include high pressure sodium, electrodeless fluorescent lamp and white LED with three kinds of color temperature (the range of color temperature is from 1 958 to 5 537 K). The background brightness value is used for basic section of highway tunnel illumination and general outdoor illumination, its range is between 1 and 5 cd x m(-)2. All values are in the scope of mesopic vision. Test results show that: under the same condition of speed and luminance, the reaction time of visual cognition that corresponding to high color temperature of light source is shorter than it corresponding to low color temperature; the reaction time corresponding to visual target in high speed is shorter than it in low speed. At the end moment, however, the visual angle of target in observer's visual field that corresponding to low speed was larger than it corresponding to high speed. Based on MOVE model, calculating the equivalent luminance of human mesopic vision, which is on condition of different emission spectrum and background brightness that formed by test lighting sources. Compared with photopic vision result, the standard deviation (CV) of time-reaction curve corresponding to equivalent brightness of mesopic vision is smaller. Under the condition of mesopic vision, the discrepancy between equivalent brightness of different lighting source and photopic vision, that is one of the main reasons for causing the discrepancy of visual recognition. The emission spectrum peak of GaN chip is approximate to the wave length peak of efficiency function in photopic vision. The lighting visual effect of write LED in high color temperature is better than it in low color temperature and electrodeless fluorescent lamp. The lighting visual effect of high pressure sodium is weak. Because of its peak value is around the Na+ characteristic spectra.

[Characteristics of canopy stomatal conuctance in plantations of three re-vegetation tree species and its sensitivity to environmental factors].

In plantations of three different re-vegetation tree species (Schima superba, Acacia auriculaeformis and Eucalyptus citriodora) in southern China, the stem sap flow of individuals at different DBH classes were monitored using Granier's thermal dissipation probes. With synchronously-measured meteorological data, the canopy stomatal conductance (g(c)) was determined and the responses of g(c) to environmental variables were analyzed. We found that daytime mean g(c) in S. superba forest on average was significantly higher than those of A. auriculaeformis and E. citriodora plantations during a year (except in March). In the three plantations, g(c) was positively logarithmically correlated with photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (P < 0.001), with a higher sensitivity of g(c) to PAR during wet season than that of dry season. By contrast, a negative logarithmical correlation between g(c) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) was observed, with a higher sensitivity of g(c) to VPD during the wet season. Additionally, a higher partial correlation coefficient between g(c) and VPD was observed during wet season, indicating that VPD played a more important role in regulating the behavior of stomata during wet season. In general, the sensitivity of g(c) to VPD decreased with the decreases of soil water content, but more manifest decreases were found in S. superba and E. citriodora forests than in A. auriculaeformis plantation, while the descend degree in S. superba and E. citriodora forests were equal. Overall, our results demonstrated that the native species S. superba is more suitable for re-vegetation in southern China than the exotic species A. auriculaeformis and E. citriodora.

Effects of interfering RNA of α-1,3-galactosyltransferase and nuclear factor-kappa B on cardiac xenotransplantation.

BACKGROUND: Both α1,3-galactosyltransferase (α1,3GT) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) play an important role in the immune response of xenotransplantation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of RNAi of α1,3GT and NF-κB on xenotransplantation. METHODS: Lentiviral vectors with shRNA focusing on α1, 3GT and RelA were constructed. The effect of RNAi on α1, 3GT and RelA was examined in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, we established a mouse-to-rat heterotopic cardiac xenotransplantatic model (donor hearts transplanted to the right side of the neck in rat) using a modified cuff technique. The survival time of donor hearts in each group was monitored. The expressions of α1, 3GT and RelA mRNA, Galα1,3Gal antigen, and RelA protein were detected by RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blot respectively. The expressions of C3, IgM, IgG, NK, macrophages, ICAM-1 on donor hearts were examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: High titer lentiviral vectors carrying α1, 3GT and RelA shRNA plasmids had a high and stable transfection rate on EOMA in vitro. In vivo, heart tissue showed a much stronger GFP expression and significant decrease in target gene mRNA expression and protein expression in shRNA interfering groups (p < 0.01). The survival time of α1,3GTi-3 and dual lentiviral vector groups was significantly longer than other groups. The mRNA expression levels of α1,3GT and RelA, as well as Galα(1,3)Gal and RelA proteins, in α1,3GTi-3, RelAi-3, and dual lentiviral vector groups were downregulated and compared to other groups (p < 0.01). The depositions of C3, IgM, IgG in α1,3GTi-3 group and dual lentiviral vector group were less than other groups (p < 0.01). The infiltration of NK, macrophages and ICAM-1 in α1,3GTi-3 group and dual lentiviral vector group was more than other groups (p < 0.01), but the infiltration of NK, macrophages and ICAM-1 in dual lentiviral vector group was less than α1,3GTi-3 group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that RNAi technology with lentiviral vectors is an effective method to transmit exogenous genes into living bodies and stably inhibit the expression of target genes. Moreover, siRNA targeting the α1,3GT gene was found to control the immune process and obviously prolong the survival time of donors, whereas knocking down NF-κB alone showed no differences. However, the RNAi of NF-κB can make the infiltration of macrophages and natural killer cells decrease, and the expression of ICAM-1 in the xenografts also decreases, contributing to the restraining of AVR.

[Water use of re-vegetation pioneer tree species Schima superba and Acacia mangium in hilly land of South China].

The xylem sap flows of two pioneer tree species, i.e., Acacia mangium and Schima superba, in degraded hill lands of South China, were continually monitored with Granier' s thermal dissipation probes during 2004-2007 and 2008-2012, respectively, and their seasonal transpiration changes at different tree age levels were compared. The results showed that the annual transpiration of both species increased with tree ages, and S. superba demonstrated a higher value than A. mangium. The average annual whole-tree transpiration of S. superba (7014.76 kg) was higher than that of A. mangium (3704.97 kg). A. mangium (511.46-1802.17 kg) had greater seasonal variation than S. superba (1346.48-2349.35 kg). The standard regression coefficients (beta) of transpiration (Eh), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD) for both species increased with soil moisture, suggesting the increase of soil moisture generated a greater sensitivity of plants to environmental factors. Partial correlation analysis revealed that soil moisture played an important role in the seasonal variation of transpiration of both species. The optimum soil moistures of S. superba and A. mangium were 0.22-0.40 and 0.29-0.30 (V/V), respectively, indicating the native pioneer species S. superba better adapted to water deficit compared with exotic pioneer species A. mangium.

[Study on influence of source spectra on retro-reflection coefficient].

Based on emission spectra of light sources and reflectivity curve of retroreflective materials, relative relations and changing trend of retroreflection coefficient of materials in different light sources was researched through data fitting. The tests were carried on the standard A light source test system. One kind of test results are emission spectra of halogen light source, xenon light source and white LED with different color temperature. And another kind of results are reflectivity curve of retroreflective materials with five different colors such as red, yellow, white, green and blue. Then the correction factors of retroreflection coefficient in different light sources were obtained by test results and data fitting. It shows that the change inlight source spectra has no effect on retroreflection coefficient of white material, which has continuous reflectivity curve in the range of visible light, but has some effect on retroreflection coefficient of the other color materials. Compared with halogen light source, white LED and xenon light source can increase retroreflection coefficient of red and yellow materials, and the increase in the color temperature of light source will decrease retroreflection coefficient of red and yellow materials by the maximum of 47.7% and 4.9%. Conversely, retroreflection coefficient of green and blue materials will increase by the maximum of 16.5% and 28.9%.

[Studies on flash extraction methods of Arnebia euchroma].

The extraction of functional components from radix of Arnebia euchroma was optimized using orthogonal design based on the extraction yields of shikonin, and hydroxyl-naphthoquinone pigments. The data processing was carried out with the multiple guidelines grading method for optimizing the extraction condition. Compared with the traditional method (refluxing and ultrasonic extraction), the flash extraction method was more efficient The optimal conditions were as follows: 95% ethanol extract 3 times with 90 s for each. Under these conditions, the extraction yields of shikonin, and hydroxyl-naphthoquinone pigments were 93.16%, 93.89%, respectively, and the dry extract rate was 5.16%. In conclusion, the result showed that the flash extraction technology was appropriate, stable and feasible.

Stenting of iliac vein obstruction following catheter-directed thrombolysis in lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity has good effect, but whether iliac vein stent placement after thrombolytic therapy is still controversial. The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of stent placement in the iliac vein following CDT in lower extremity DVT. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. After receiving CDT, the major branch of the distal iliac vein was completely patent in 155 patients with lower extremity DVT, and 74 of these patients with iliac vein residual stenosis of >50% were randomly divided into a control group (n = 29) and a test group (n = 45). In the test group, stents were implanted in the iliac vein, whereas no stents were implanted in the control group. We evaluated the clinical indicators, including patency of the deep vein, C in CEAP classification, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ) Score. RESULTS: All patients had postoperative follow-up visits for a period of 6-24 months. Venography or color ultrasound was conducted in subjects. There was a significant difference between the patency rate at the last follow-up visit (87.5% vs. 29.6%) and the 1-year patency rate (86.0% vs. 54.8%) between the test and control groups. The change in the C in CEAP classification pre- and post-procedure was significantly different between the test and control groups (1.61 ± 0.21 vs. 0.69 ± 0.23). In addition, at the last follow-up visit, VCSS and CIVIQ Score were both significantly different between the test and control groups (7.57 ± 0.27 vs. 0.69 ± 0.23; 22.67 ± 3.01 vs. 39.34 ± 6.66, respectively). CONCLUSION: The stenting of iliac vein obstruction following CDT in lower extremity DVT may increase the patency of the deep vein, and thus provides better efficacy and quality of life.

Pathological study of otitis media with effusion after treatment with intranasal pulmonary surfactant.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the histopathological effect of intranasal pulmonary surfactant (PS) on the eustachian tube (ET) in guinea pigs with otitis media with effusion (OME). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized control trial. METHODS: Nonviable heat-killed Hemophilus influenzae solution was injected into the tympanum of guinea pigs by a trans-eardrum approach to establish OME. Guinea pigs were divided into four groups: normal controls (group A), untreated OME (group B), saline-treated (group C), PS-treated (group D). The response threshold of the guinea pigs was measured by auditory brainstem response (ABR), and data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. The histopathological changes in the osseous, cartilaginous, and muscular portions of the ET were observed systematically by light microscopy. RESULTS: The ABR threshold in OME group B was raised significantly compared with normal group (A). The response in saline-treated group C was not statistically significantly different compared with OME group B. Seven days after intranasal dripping of pulmonary surfactant in PS-treated group D, the response threshold showed at statistically significant decrease compared with OME B and saline-treated C groups. In OME group B and saline-treated group C, mucosa showed swelling with goblet cell hyperplasia, and cilia were irregularly arranged. In PS-treated group D, there was slight mucosal swelling with fewer goblet cells, and cilia were regularly arranged, similar to the normal group A. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the study indicate that intranasal pulmonary surfactant drops have protective and hyposecretory effects on the mucociliary system of the ET in guinea pigs suffering from OME.