Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Detection of Micro-RNA Biomarkers for Biomedical Diagnosis Using a Comparative Study of Interpretable Machine Learning Algorithms.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has wide diagnostic applications due to narrow spectral features that allow multiplex analysis. We have previously developed a multiplexed, SERS-based nanosensor for micro-RNA (miRNA) detection called the inverse molecular sentinel (iMS). Machine learning (ML) algorithms have been increasingly adopted for spectral analysis due to their ability to discover underlying patterns and relationships within large and complex data sets. However, the high dimensionality of SERS data poses a challenge for traditional ML techniques, which can be prone to overfitting and poor generalization. Non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) reduces the dimensionality of SERS data while preserving information content. In this paper, we compared the performance of ML methods including convolutional neural network (CNN), support vector regression, and extreme gradient boosting combined with and without NMF for spectral unmixing of four-way multiplexed SERS spectra from iMS assays used for miRNA detection. CNN achieved high accuracy in spectral unmixing. Incorporating NMF before CNN drastically decreased memory and training demands without sacrificing model performance on SERS spectral unmixing. Additionally, models were interpreted using gradient class activation maps and partial dependency plots to understand predictions. These models were used to analyze clinical SERS data from single-plexed iMS in RNA extracted from 17 endoscopic tissue biopsies. CNN and CNN-NMF, trained on multiplexed data, performed most accurately with RMSElabel = 0.101 and 9.68 × 10-2, respectively. We demonstrated that CNN-based ML shows great promise in spectral unmixing of multiplexed SERS spectra, and the effect of dimensionality reduction on performance and training speed.

[Spatial and Temporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of Dissolved Trace Metals in Jiulong River Estuary and Xiamen Bay].

Trace metals play an important role in some biogeochemical processes in the marine system. The physical and hydrological conditions in estuaries and coastal seawater are complicated and significantly affected by human activities. Therefore, the biogeochemical behavior and influencing mechanism of trace metals in nearshore water have become a research hotspot. Jiulong River estuary and Xiamen Bay are located in the coastal areas of Fujian Province, which are significantly influenced by Longyan, Xiamen, and Zhangzhou City. In July 2021, November 2021, and January 2022, the trace metals chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd) and environmental factors (water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), suspended particulate matter (SPM), etc.) in Jiulong River estuary and Xiamen Bay were investigated. The results showed that the order of trace metal concentration average values measured in Jiulong River estuary and Xiamen Bay was Mn>Ni>Cu>Cr>Co>Cd. In July 2021, the average values of ρ(Cr), ρ(Mn), ρ(Co), ρ(Ni), ρ(Cu), and ρ(Cd) were 0.159, 47.96, 0.068, 1.56, 1.07, and 0.016 µg·L-1, respectively. In November 2021, the average values were 0.216, 8.48, 0.030, 1.70, 1.92, and 0.019 µg·L-1, respectively. The average concentrations in January 2022 were 0.281, 32.39, 0.062, 2.21, 1.54, and 0.034 µg·L-1, respectively. The concentration of dissolved metals in the estuary was higher than that in the bay area. Principal component analysis showed that the main factors affecting the concentrations of dissolved trace metals were river runoff and anthropogenic activities.

[Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Dissolved Oxygen and Control Mechanism of Hypoxia (Low Oxygen) in the Watershed-Coastal System in Fujian Province].

Dissolved oxygen is a key parameter to measure water environment quality and ecosystem health. Currently, the problem of hypoxia (low oxygen) is prominent in coastal areas in China, but there is a lack of research on the spatiotemporal characteristics of dissolved oxygen and the control mechanism of hypoxia in the watershed-coastal system. Based on the data of 135 surface water (including estuaries) and 66 coastal water monitoring sites in Fujian Province from 2011 to 2020, this study analyzed the spatiotemporal variation pattern of dissolved oxygen at seasonal and interannual time scales. The data of hypoxia (10% quantile, corresponding to 67% saturation) were selected to study the characteristics and control mechanism of hypoxia in four types of water bodies (i.e., rivers, reservoirs, estuaries, and coastal waters) using mathematical statistics and a random forest model. The results showed that the dissolved oxygen saturation was the highest in the coast[(98.2±10.2)%] and the lowest in the estuary[(79.2±17.9)%]. Compared with that in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), the frequency of hypoxia detection in rivers and reservoirs in the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) was significantly reduced, but the change in estuaries was not significant. Counting the points with hypoxia detection, the multi-year average hypoxia detection frequency of rivers and reservoirs was highest in autumn, and the frequency of estuaries was highest in summer. Hypoxia in reservoirs and estuaries was the most prominent but with different mechanisms. Specifically, hypoxia in reservoir reaches was related to summer runoff carrying large amounts of organic matter input, stratification leading to continuous oxygen depletion in the bottom water, and vertical mixing or discharge through dams in autumn, whereas hypoxia in estuaries was associated with strong pollution inputs and reductive materials. Systematic management and regionalized control mechanisms need to be established to further strengthen watershed-coastal pollution abatement to help mitigate eutrophication and hypoxia problems.

Protective Effect of Guilu Erxianjiao on Reproductive Injury in Diabetic Rats and Its Mechanism / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Guilu Erxianjiao on improving reproductive injury in diabetic rats and its possible mechanism. MethodFifty-three SD male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups， with 1 group as the normal group and the other 4 groups as the modeling groups. Rats in the modeling groups were fed with a high-fat diet combined with 30 mg·kg-1 streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection to induce diabetes， with the random blood glucose >16.7 mmol·L-1 for 3 consecutive times as the criteria for inclusion in the model of diabetic reproductive injury. The rats with diabetic reproductive injury were then randomly divided into a model group， a Guilu Erxianjiao group （2 g·kg-1）， a Vitamin E group （0.03 g·kg-1）， and a Wuzi Yanzong pill group （0.6 g·kg-1） according to the blood glucose level. The rats were given the corresponding drug dose intragastric administration， once a day for 4 weeks， and their body weight and blood glucose were measured weekly. After 4 weeks， samples were collected for index determination. Morphological changes in testis and epididymis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and apoptosis of testis cells was observed by in situ end labeling （TUNEL） staining. Sperm concentration and motility were detected by the semen analyzer. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and testosterone （T） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The content of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， propylene glycol （MDA）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the testicular tissue was determined by ELISA. The expressions of nuclear respiratory factor-2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase 1 （HO-1）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） in the testicular tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group， testicular tissue atrophy， decreased spermatogenic tubules， epididymal wall hyperplasia， and lumen stenosis were observed in the model group. Sperm concentration and motility decreased （P<0.01）， and serum levels of T， FSH， and LH decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. The content of ROS and MDA in the testis increased （P<0.01）， while that of SOD and GSH-Px decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. The expression of Bax increased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. As compared with the model group， the pathological changes in the testis and epididymis in the Guilu Erxianjiao group were improved to some extent. Sperm concentration and motility increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the Guilu Erxianjiao group， serum levels of T and LH increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while FSH levels showed no significant difference. The content of ROS and MDA in the testis decreased （P<0.01）， while that of SOD and GSH-Px increased （P<0.01） in the Guilu Erxianjiao group. The expression of Bax decreased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the Guilu Erxianjiao group. ConclusionGuilu Erxianjiao improves the reproductive injury and sperm quality of diabetic rats to a certain extent， and the mechanism may be related to the improvement of oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis.

Protective Effect of Guilu Erxianjiao on Reproductive Injury in Diabetic Rats and Its Mechanism / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Guilu Erxianjiao on improving reproductive injury in diabetic rats and its possible mechanism. MethodFifty-three SD male rats were randomly divided into 5 groups， with 1 group as the normal group and the other 4 groups as the modeling groups. Rats in the modeling groups were fed with a high-fat diet combined with 30 mg·kg-1 streptozotocin （STZ） intraperitoneal injection to induce diabetes， with the random blood glucose >16.7 mmol·L-1 for 3 consecutive times as the criteria for inclusion in the model of diabetic reproductive injury. The rats with diabetic reproductive injury were then randomly divided into a model group， a Guilu Erxianjiao group （2 g·kg-1）， a Vitamin E group （0.03 g·kg-1）， and a Wuzi Yanzong pill group （0.6 g·kg-1） according to the blood glucose level. The rats were given the corresponding drug dose intragastric administration， once a day for 4 weeks， and their body weight and blood glucose were measured weekly. After 4 weeks， samples were collected for index determination. Morphological changes in testis and epididymis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， and apoptosis of testis cells was observed by in situ end labeling （TUNEL） staining. Sperm concentration and motility were detected by the semen analyzer. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， and testosterone （T） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The content of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， propylene glycol （MDA）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the testicular tissue was determined by ELISA. The expressions of nuclear respiratory factor-2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase 1 （HO-1）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） in the testicular tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultAs compared with the normal group， testicular tissue atrophy， decreased spermatogenic tubules， epididymal wall hyperplasia， and lumen stenosis were observed in the model group. Sperm concentration and motility decreased （P<0.01）， and serum levels of T， FSH， and LH decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. The content of ROS and MDA in the testis increased （P<0.01）， while that of SOD and GSH-Px decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. The expression of Bax increased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 decreased （P<0.01） in the model group. As compared with the model group， the pathological changes in the testis and epididymis in the Guilu Erxianjiao group were improved to some extent. Sperm concentration and motility increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the Guilu Erxianjiao group， serum levels of T and LH increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while FSH levels showed no significant difference. The content of ROS and MDA in the testis decreased （P<0.01）， while that of SOD and GSH-Px increased （P<0.01） in the Guilu Erxianjiao group. The expression of Bax decreased （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nrf2， HO-1， and Bcl-2 increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the Guilu Erxianjiao group. ConclusionGuilu Erxianjiao improves the reproductive injury and sperm quality of diabetic rats to a certain extent， and the mechanism may be related to the improvement of oxidative stress and anti-apoptosis.

Research progress on the reform of Guilu-Erxian Gum , pharmacological action and clinical application / 国际中医中药杂志

Guilu-Erxian Gum, a famous prescription of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which could warm the kidney and benefit essence, tonify qi and nourishing the blood. It's main function is to treat chronic kidney deficiency, sour waist and soft knees, lack of essence and blood, spermatorrhea and impotence. This prescription has been changed and expanded in the dosage, preparation and efficacy of Chinese medicine included in the classics. Pharmacological studies have shown that it can strengthen the bone, play the role of anti-tumor, relieve bone marrow suppression, improve sperm quality and relieve post-traumatic stress disorder. The modern clinical application of this priscriptionhas been greatly expanded. It can be used in the treatment of adverse reactions after chemotherapy, liver cirrhosis, hypoproteinemia, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, AD and other diseases. It is often used in combination with other medicine or treatment methods, and could achieve good results.

High temperature-mediated disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism and gene expressional regulation in rice: a review.

Global warming has induced higher frequencies of excessively high-temperature weather episodes, which pose damage risk to rice growth and production. Past studies seldom specified how high temperature-induced carbohydrate metabolism disturbances from both source and sink affect rice fertilization and production. Here we discuss the mechanism of heat-triggered damage to rice quality and production through disturbance of carbohydrate generation and consumption under high temperatures. Furthermore, we provide strong evidence from past studies that rice varieties that maintain high photosynthesis and carbohydrate usage efficiencies under high temperatures will suffer less heat-induced damage during reproductive developmental stages. We also discuss the complexity of expressional regulation of rice genes in response to high temperatures, while highlighting the important roles of heat-inducible post-transcriptional regulations of gene expression. Lastly, we predict future directions in heat-tolerant rice breeding and also propose challenges that need to be conquered in the future.

Analysis on potential factors of small for gestational age of Zhuang ethnicity in Wuming District of Nanning / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To understand the prevalence of small for gestational age (SGA) in Zhuang population, and to analyze the potential factors of SGA. Methods A total of 3 839 live births in the Wuming District People’s Hospital and Wuming Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2016 to January 2018 were recruited. Random Forest, 2 test and Logistic regression model were used for statistical analyses. Results The incidence of SGA was 9.6% (368/3 839), and it was 6.9% (142/2 049) and 12.6% (226/1 790) for male and female infants respectively. Random Forest method showed that second-trimester intrauterine growth restriction’s importance score was the highest, but gestational week’s was the lowest. Also, seven important variables were selected by this method. Unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that parity <2, the height of mothers <1.55 m, insufficient gestational weight gain, second-trimester intrauterine growth restriction were risk factors for SGA, but pre-pregnancy BMI ≥18.5 kg/m2 and male infants were protective factors. Conclusions The incidence of SGA is slightly higher, among the Zhuang population in Guangxi. SGA is affected by many factors. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the status of intrauterine growth and adopt comprehensive measures to control and reduce the incidence of SGA.

Application of intravenous pump infusion of large dose amiodarone in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective:To study therapeutic effect of intravenous pump infusion of large dose amiodarone on paroxys-mal atrial fibrillation(PAF).Methods:A total of 128 PAF patients,who were treated in our hospital from Jan 2014 to Dec 2016,were selected.The patients were randomly and equally divided into propafenone group and amioda-rone group,both groups received corresponding therapy based on anticoagulant and basic treatment for six months. Fibrinogen(Fg),hematocrit(HCT),plasma viscosity(np),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),whole blood high shear viscosity(nbh)and whole blood low shear viscosity(nbl),QTc interval,PR interval and QRs wave dura-tion,levels of hsCRP,TNF-α and IL-6 before and six months after treatment were observed and compared between two groups.Results:Compared with before treatment,after six-month treatment,there were significant reductions in Fg,HCT,np,ESR,nbh,nbl,levels of hsCRP,TNF-α and IL-6,and significant rise in QTc interval in two groups,P=0.001 all.Compared with propafenone group after six-month treatment,there were significant reduc-tions in Fg[(357.48 ± 35.82)g/L vs.(318.83 ± 32.58)g/L],HCT[(44.68 ± 4.75)% vs.(32.44 ± 3.38)%],np [(1.74 ± 0.18)mPa·s vs.(1.15 ± 0.12)mPa·s],ESR[(18.82 ± 1.93)mm/h vs.(14.83 ± 1.52)mm/h],nbh [(5.22 ± 0.54)mPa·s vs.(4.05 ± 0.42)mPa·s],nbl[(8.68 ± 0.86)mPa·s vs.(7.18 ± 0.73)mPa·s],levels of hsCRP[(5.76 ± 0.59)μg/ml vs.(5.22 ± 0.54)μg/ml],TNF-α[(88.76 ± 10.43)ng/L vs.(55.16 ± 6.82)ng/L]and IL-6[(92.52 ± 10.44)ng/L vs.(60.75 ± 7.38)ng/L],and significant rise in QRc interval[(0.40 ± 0.05) s vs.(0.45 ± 0.07)s]in amiodarone group,P=0.001 all.Total effective rate of amiodarone group was significant-ly higher than that of propafenone group(90.63% vs.75.00%),P=0.019. There was no significant difference in total incidence rate of adverse reactions between two groups,P=0.818. Conclusion:Intravenous pump infusion of large dose amiodarone can significantly improve hemodynamics and QTc interval,reduce serum levels of inflamma-tory factors with significant therapeutic effect and reliable safety in PAF patients,which is worth extending.

Efficacy of microwave ablation in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria: a report of 696 cases / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within the Milan criteria and to investigate the differences in clinical efficacy of microwave ablation in tumors with different sizes.@*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of the patients with HCC within the Milan criteria who received microwave ablation in our hospital from January 2011 to January 2013. The complete ablation rate, incidence rate of major complications, recurrence rate, and overall survival rate were analyzed and the treatment outcomes were compared between two groups with different tumors sizes. The patients were followed up for 3.4-61.8 months. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival rate, local recurrence rate, and distant recurrence rate. Comparison of rates between groups was made by the chi-square test and comparison of survival rates between groups was made by the log-rank test.@*Results@#A total of 696 patients with HCC within the Milan criteria involving 801 tumors were included in this study. The complete ablation rate was 93.8% (653/696) and the incidence rate of major complications was 1.7% (12/696). The median survival time was 59.6 months and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 94.8%, 82.2%, and 71.7%, respectively. The local recurrence rate was 13.4% (93/696) and the rate of intrahepatic distant metastasis was 40.1% (279/696). The overall intrahepatic recurrence rate was 48.1% (335/696), and the 1-, 2-, and 3-year recurrence rates were 22.9%, 38.4%, and 46.8%, respectively. There were no significant differences in complete ablation rate, incidence rate of major complications, and overall survival rate between the two groups with different tumor sizes (diameters≤3 cm and 3-5 cm) (P = 0.12; P = 0.61; P = 0.61).@*Conclusion@#Microwave ablation is a safe and effective treatment modality for HCC within the Milan criteria. And there are no significant differences in safety, effectiveness, and long-term efficacy of microwave ablation between the two groups with different tumor sizes (diameters ≤3 cm and 3-5 cm). However, if the operator’s experience is not rich and cannot accurately use conformal ablation and make an individualized treatment, the tumors with a diameter of 3-5 cm should be carefully treated using microwave ablation to avoid residual tumor after treatment.

Microwave ablation for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma sized less than 5 cm: analysis of prognosis and its influence factors / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To evaluate the curative effect of microwave ablation (MWA) for solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) sized less than 5 cm,and to discuss the prognosis and its influence factors.Methods The clinical data of 603 HCC patients,who were admitted to authors' hospital during the period from 2011 to 2013 to receive MWA,were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were followed up till March 2016.Results According to the inclusion criteria,a total of 603 patients were enrolled in this study.Complete ablation of HCC lesions was obtained in 5.8％ of patients (35/603).No statistically significant difference in complete ablation rate existed between each other among groups of different tumor diameter (P=0.056).The incidence of severe complications was 1.7％ (10/603).The median survival time was (59.6±1.9)months,while the 1-,2-and 3-year overall survival rates were 94.7％,81.9％ and 71.8％ respectively.In terms of overall survival rate,no statistically significant difference existed between groups of different age as well as between groups of different tumor diameter (P=0.225 and P=0.777 respectively),but statistically significant difference existed between groups of different sex as well as between groups of different recurrence interval (P=0.029 and P＜0.001 respectively).Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that gender,preoperative albumin level and recurrence interval were the factors influencing overall survival rate (P=0.035,P=0.006 and P＜0.001 respectively).Conclusion For the treatment of solitary HCC sized less than 5 cm,MWA has reliable curative effect,it is a safe and minimally-invasive therapy for HCC.The overall survival rate between patients with different age or between patients with different HCC size is not obviously different.The gender,preoperative albumin level and recurrence interval are independent factors that affect the overall survival rate.

Application of artificial intelligence in diagnosis of diabetes / 中国医学装备

To analyze the application and research direction of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis field of diabetes through summarized the methods and principle of artificial intelligence, artificial neural network, expert system and data mining. The diagnosis of diabetes need be supported by large medical resource. The artificial intelligence is applied in the diagnosis of diabetes not only can save medical resource but also can help patients with diabetes and high risk group of diabetes to grasp their state of illness in time, and reduce the sickening risk of diabetic complication.

Severe complications after microwave ablation in 7 403 cases with liver cancer / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To identify the types,frequency and risk factors of major complications using microwave ablation (MWA) to treat liver malignancies in a single center.Methods Using the electronic medical record system,patients with liver cancer who were treated with MWA from January 2010 to November 2015 were retrospectively studied,and the risk factors of severe complications were analyzed.Results Of the 7 403 patients who were treated with MWA (12 558 ablations).96 cases experienced severe complications (1.3％) and 5 patients died (0.07％).The complications included liver abscess (n ＝ 34,0.46％),pleural effusion (n ＝ 20,0.27％),bile duct injury (n ＝ 15,0.20％),hemorrhage (n ＝ 6,0.08％),liver failure (n ＝ 6,0.08％),extrahepa-tic organ injuries (n ＝ 5,0.07％),cancerous cells implantation of abdominal walls (n ＝ 2),cardiac arrest (n ＝ 1),vascular thrombosis (n ＝ 1),renal insufficiency (n ＝ 1),and patients with other associated diseases which developed after the MWA therapy (n ＝2).Metastatic liver cancer and earlier treatment of MWA sessions were associated with a higher major complication rate (P ＜ 0.05).Conclnsions MWA is a well-tolerated local treatment for liver cancer,with an acceptably low incidence of severe complications.Liver abscess was the most common postoperative severe complication.The surgeons＇ experience and tumor type were associated with the incidence of severe complications,however,not relavant with the frequency of preoperative ablations.Appropriate measures can be taken to effectively reduce the risk of serious complications.

Efficacy analysis of percutaneous microwave ablation for patients with unresectable early stage hepatocel-lular carcinoma / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the efficiency and prognostic factors for the patients with hepatocel-lular carcinoma (HCC) at unresectable early stage when treated with percutaneous microwave ablation. Methods From January 2007 to January 2010 , 105 cases of at unresectable early stage were treated with percutaneous microwave ablation. Complete response rate, major complication rate, overall survival rates, disease-free survival rate were observed and prognostic risk factors were analyzed. Results The complete response rate was 95.7%. The major complication ratewas 3.8%. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 97.1%, 66.7%, 46.7%, and the corresponding disease-free survival rates were 82.9%, 48.6%, 31.4%, respectively. Age > 65 year and tumor size > 3 cm were independent risks for disease-free survival. Age > 65 year and recurrence were independent risks for overall survival. Conclusions Percutaneous microwave ablation is a safe and efficient ther-apy for HCC at unresectable early stage.

[Sediment-water flux and processes of nutrients and gaseous nitrogen release in a China River Reservoir].

The key processes and fluxes of nutrients (N and P) and gaseous N (N2 and N2O) across the sediment-water interface in a river reservoir (Xipi) of the Jiulong River watershed in southeast China were studied. Intact core sediment incubation of nutrients exchange, in-situ observation and lab incubation of excess dissolved N2 and N2O (products of nitrification, denitrification and Anammox), and determination of physiochemical and microbe parameters were carried out in 2013 for three representative sites along the lacustrine zone of the reservoir. Results showed that ammonium and phosphate were generally released from sediment to overlying water [with averaged fluxes of N (479.8 ± 675.4) mg. (m2. d)-1 and P (4. 56 ± 0.54) mg. (m2 d) -1] , while nitrate and nitrite diffused into the sediment. Flood events in the wet season could introduce a large amount of particulate organic matter that would be trapped by the dam reservoir, resulting in the high release fluxes of ammonium and phosphate observed in the following low-flow season. No clear spatial variation of sediment nutrient release was found in the lacustrine zone of the reservoir. Gaseous N release was dominated by excess dissolved N2 (98% of total), and the N2 flux from sediment was (15.8 ± 12. 5) mg (m2. d) -1. There was a longitudinal and vertical variation of excess dissolved N2, reflecting the combined results of denitrification and Anammox occurring in anoxic sediment and fluvial transport. Nitrification mainly occurred in the lower lacustrine zone, and the enrichment of N2O was likely regulated by the ratio of ammonium to DIN in water.

[Characteristics of sediment phosphorus in the Jiulong River-Reservoir system and its ecological significance].

Sediment phosphorus (P) content and component ratio from 16 sites along the North Jiulong River-reservoir system were analyzed using the Standard Measurement and Test (SMT) procedure. The spatial pattern and characteristics of sediment P and its ecological significance in the Jiulong River-reservoir system were examined in combination with water measurement and watershed information. Total P content in sediments ranged from 387 to 2092 mg x kg(-1) with an average of 1032 mg x kg(-1). Inorganic phosphorus (IP) dominated P in sediment, accounting for 48%-98% of TP, and Fe/Al-bound phosphorus (Fe/Al-P) took 43%-99% of IP. The spatial pattern of sediment showed that TP and Fe/Al-P were higher in upstream and lower in downstream, corresponding to the spatial variation of surface water P and land-based loads from animal waste, human waste and fertilizer loss. Spatial variation of TP in sediment was controlled by Fe/AI-P along the North Jiulong River. The P-rich sediment with a great release potential due to the high ratio of Fe/ Al-P, the typical spatial pattern, and the lower N/P ratio observed in upstream water (where phytoplankton growth tends to be weakly limited by phosphorus), are likely to explain the fact that algal blooms first appear in the upstream and then spread to downstream reservoirs along the North Jiulong River. Present findings concerning sediment P characteristics indicate an important regulating effect and the ecological significance on the process of algal blooms in the Jiulong River.

The intervention effect of Rosiglitozone in ovarian fibrosis of PCOS rats / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the Intervention effect of Rosiglitozone in ovarian fibrosis of PCOS rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>60 female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, model group and treatment group. The model and treatment groups were established by subcutaneous injection of DHEA, while the treatment group was given RGZ. The serum hormone values, pathohistology of ovarian structure of rats, ovarian ultrastructure and the expressions of TGF-β(1) and CTGF were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The PCOS model was established successfully. The expression intensity of TGF-β(1) and CTGF in Oocytes of the PCOS groups was 9.545±2.954 and 9.665±2.400, respectively and was significantly higher than that of the control group 6.636±2.264 and 7.036±2.133; after treatment with rosiglitazone, the expression was significantly decreased 6.980±2.421 and 6.642±2.721 as compared with that of the model group (P<0.05, P<0.001). The values in serum of the PCOS groups were 3.749±2.054 and 0.265±0.129, and 1.914±1.801 and 0.096±0.088 in the control group which had statistically significant difference (P<0.05, P<0.001). After treatment with rosiglitazone, the values were 2.3100±1.825 and 0.112±0.187 and were significantly different with those of the model group (P<0.05, P<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TGF-β(1) and CTGF play an important role in the development of ovary fibrosis in PCOS. However, RGZ may postpone the development of fibrosis by decreasing the levels of TGF-β(1) and CTGF.</p>

Correlation of recurrent pregnancy loss with sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate and compare standard sperm parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation in seminal ejaculates from men whose partners had a history of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and a control group of men who had recently established their fertility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples from 85 patients with a history of RPL and 20 men with proven fertility were analyzed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm DNA fragmentation was detected by sperm chromatin dispersion test (SCD).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A significant difference (P< 0.05) was observed in sperm motility but not other parameters between the two groups. The mean number of sperm cells with fragmented DNA, represented as DNA fragmentation index, was significantly increased in the RPL group [(34.99± 14.62)%] compared with controls [(10.82± 4.80)%].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This study has indicated that sperm from men with a history of RPL have a higher incidence of DNA damage and poor motility compared with fertile males.</p>

[Preliminary results concerning summer-time denitrification in the Jiulong River Estuary].

Denitrification is an important process mitigating nitrogen (N) pollution in aquatic systems. Water samples in 13 sites throughout the Jiulong River Estuary were collected in July, 2010 in a preliminary investigation of the denitrification rate in this area. As end-products of denitrification, dissolved N2 was measured by determining N2 : Ar ratios using MIMS (HPR-40), while the concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O) dissolved in water was determined by Purge and Trap-Gas Chromatography. The results showed significant spatial variance of net increase of dissolved N2 (ranging between - 9.9 and 66.8 micromol x L(-1)) and N2O (ranging between 4.3 and 31.5 nmol x L(-1)) in the Jiulong River Estuary. The net increase of dissolved N2 and N2O declined gradually from river sites to sea sites. Dissolved N2O was supersaturated by 170%-562%. The air-water fluxes of N2 ranged between -2.9 and 53.2 mmol x (m2 x d) (-1), and N2O between 5.2 and 23.9 micromol x (m2 x d)(-1). The N2O yield shared only 0.03% - 1.2% (average 0.25%) of total N air-water flux. The results suggested that water temperature and nutrient (N and P) were the key factors influencing denitrification. The denitrification rate is controlled by nitrate level at fresh-water sites with salinity < 0.5%. However, in salty waters, net increase in N2 and N2O mainly originated from denitrification occurring upstream of the estuary, and was dominated by the salinity gradient due to tidal mixing.

Analysis on severe complications of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for hepatic malignancy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study the prevention and treatment of severe complications of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation(PRFA)for hepatic malignancy. Methods A series of 939 patients with primary hepatic carcinoma or hepatic metastasis confirmed by pathological examinations or clinical manifestations underwent 1098 treatments of PRFA between January 2006 and December 2009. All the patients were followed up to study the short-or long-term complications related to PRFA. Results Complications developed in 9 patients: bile duct injury (4 patients), hemothorax (2 patients), and intra-abdominal hemorrhage (3 patients). The incidence of complication was 0.82% (9/1098) and the complication-related mortality was 11.1% (1/9). Conclusions Although PRFA which is minimally invasive, is a safe and effective treatment, there were still risks for this procedure, especially when the tumor is located at the portahepatic region or the patient has coagulopathy. Some serious complications can be prevented. It is important to observe the strict indications for RFA and to carry out the procedure carefully. Early detection of complication is important.