[Effects of Short-Term Nitrogen and Phosphorus Addition on Soil Respiration Components in a Subalpine Grassland of Qilian Mountains].

In order to investigate the effects of short-term nitrogen and phosphorus addition on soil respiration and its components in a subalpine grassland located on the Qilian Mountains, a random block design of nitrogen[10 g·(m2·a)-1, N], phosphorus[5 g·(m2·a)-1, P], nitrogen and phosphorus addition[10 g·(m2·a)-1N and 5 g·(m2·a)-1P, NP], the control (CK), and complete control (CK') was conducted from June to August 2019, and total soil respiration and its component respiration rates were measured. The results showed that nitrogen addition reduced soil total respiration and heterotrophic respiration rates at a lower rate than P addition[-16.71% vs. -19.20%; -4.41% vs. -13.05%], but the rate of decrease in autotrophic respiration was higher than that of P addition (-25.03% vs. -23.36%); N and P mixed application had no significant effect on soil total respiration rate. The total soil respiration rate and its components were significantly exponentially correlated with soil temperature, and the temperature sensitivity of soil respiration rate was decreased by nitrogen addition (Q10:-5.64%-0.00%). P increased Q10 (3.38%-6.98%), and N and P reduced autotrophic respiration rate but increased heterotrophic respiration rate Q10 (16.86%) and decreased total soil respiration rate Q10 (-2.63%- -2.02%). Soil pH, soil total nitrogen, and root phosphorus content were significantly correlated with autotrophic respiration rate (P<0.05) but not with heterotrophic respiration rate, and root nitrogen content was significantly negatively correlated with heterotrophic respiration rate (P<0.05). In general, autotrophic respiration rate was more sensitive to N addition, whereas heterotrophic respiration rate was more sensitive to P addition. Both N and P addition significantly reduced soil total respiration rate, whereas N and P mixture did not significantly affect soil total respiration rate. These results can provide a scientific basis for the accurate assessment of soil carbon emission in subalpine grassland.

Two Zn(II)-based Coordination Polymers: Fe3+ Ion and Prevention Activity Detection On Postpartum Hemorrhage By Regulating Anticoagulant Factor Activity.

Two new Zn(II)-based coordination polymers {[Zn3(L1)6(H2O)]∙(H2O)4}n (1, HL1 = 4-(tetrazol-5-yl)phenyl-4,2':6',4″-terpyridine) and [Zn2Cl2(L2)2H2O]n (2, HL2 = 4-([2,2':6',2″'-terpyridin]-4'-yl)benzoic acid) have been successfully prepared using two similar organic ligands with distinct donor groups under similar reaction conditions. The distinct structural features and donor atoms make the two complexes show different water stability, and the complex 1 with good water stability, which can be utilized as the sensor for Fe3+ ion detection in water. The value of Stern-Volmer quenching constant of 1 to the Fe3+ is 5.77 × 104 M- 1, which lies in the top region of the reported CP-based sensors. The mechanism investigation reveals that the energy transfer of resonance from the complex 1 to the Fe3+ ion can account for its fluorescent quenching behavior. The treatment activity of compounds 1 and 2 on the postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) was assessed. First, the cytotoxicity of compounds 1 and 2 on human umbilical vein endothelial cells was assessed with Cell Counting Kit-8 detection kit. Then, to evaluate the prevention of compounds 1 and 2 on the PPH, we conducted the Lowry method and detected the clotting factor IX and anticoagulant factor III contents after the indicated treatment. Finally, the inflammatory response in mice was determined by ELISA method, and the IL-6 and IL-8 levels were determined.

The effects of hyaluronic acid vaginal gel on the vaginal epithelium of ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: Hyaluronic acid is one of the best materials of water retention which can be used in vaginal atrophy. This study is to evaluate the role and mechanism of the hyaluronic acid vaginal gel (Hyalofemme) in the vaginal epithelium of ovariectomized rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into control group (Sham ovariectomy, Sham-OVX), tendency group (ovariectomy, OVX), and experiment group (ovariectomy+Hyalofemme, OVX+Hyalofemme). The hyaluronic acid vaginal gel was administered local vaginal therapy to the experiment group with cytologicaly confirmed vaginal atrophy. The doses were adjusted by animal weight according to human dosage. After daily treatment for 14 days, VEGF and P-AKT activations were detected by Western blot in the experiment group. RESULTS: The hyaluronic acid vaginal gel proved to be very effective in the cytological reversal of vaginal atrophy but did not increase uterine weight. Vaginal microecosystem indicators were negative in the control group and the experiment group. By contrast, the indicators were positive in the tendency group. CONCLUSION: Hyaluronic acid vaginal gel is effective in the reversal of vaginal atrophy and is beneficial for improving vaginal microecosystem in the postmenopausal rat model. The hyaluronic acid vaginal gel can also improve the repair capacity of the vaginal epithelium.

Provincial maternal mortality surveillance systems in China.

BACKGROUND: Provincial maternal mortality surveillance systems (PMMSS) have been set up in nearly all the provinces in China to monitor local maternal mortality and provide the evidence for maternal health interventions suited to local conditions. However, till now little is known outside of China about the characteristics of PMMSS. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature contained in PubMed and China Academic Journal Network Publishing database was carried out. The current situation on PMMSS was described. Provincial disparities on PMMR in six provinces were analyzed by Poisson regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 31 were published in Chinese. PMMSS were set up and adjusted by the provincial government based on their own financial resources and demand. Provinces from remote region had the highest risk of maternal mortality, followed by provinces from inland region and coast region. CONCLUSIONS: PMMSS may be the most reliable data source for measuring provincial level MMR in each province. Great provincial disparities on PMMSS and PMMR do exist within the country; more emphasis should be placed on improving PMMSS and reducing PMMR particularly in the provinces with high maternal death burden.

High expressions of bcl-2 and survivin, and decreased apoptosis in uterine cervical carcinosarcoma compared to cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSES: Uterine cervical carcinosarcoma (CS) is very rare. To date, only 40 cases have been reported. It seems to have a more aggressive clinical behavior than does cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The purposes of our study were to characterize the clinicopathologic characteristics and human papillomavirus (HPV) status of the rare tumor and to analyze the molecular features in cervical CS that may account for its aggressive behavior. METHODS: Three patients were diagnosed with uterine cervical CS at West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University between 1995 and 2009. Data were retrospectively analyzed from available charts and pathological reports. Twelve patients with FIGO stage Ib-IIa cervical SCC were enrolled as the controls, and the expression profiling of p53, Ki-67, bcl-2, survivin and apoptosis index between cervical CS and SCC was compared. Immunohistochemical and apoptosis results were scored separately for the carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. RESULTS: All three patients were shown to be negative for HPV infection by Hybribio HPV genoarray assay. Expression of p53 was observed in one patient in both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components in a similar proportion; in contrast, the Ki67, bcl-2 and survivin expressions were higher in carcinomatous components than in sarcomatous components in all three cases. Compared to cervical SCC, stronger immunostaining for bcl-2, survivin and lower apoptosis was observed in cervical CS. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical CS is a peculiar tumor with many different clinicopathologic characteristics from cervical SCC. Dysregulation of apoptosis may confer tumor cells of cervical CS with survival and growth advantages, and thereby facilitate the aggressive behavior of cervical CS.

[Correlation and path analysis of artemisininum content and related factor on Artemisiae annie in Three Gorges reservoir area].

OBJECTIVE: Study on the correlation and path analysis of artemisininum comtent and related factor on Artemisiae annie. In order to obtain high artemisininum content Artemisiae annie. METHODS: On the natural condition, choose 36 area where Artemisiae annie growth in three gorges reservoir area. The related factor on artemisininum content are studies through correlation and path analysis. RESULTS: The artemisininum content had significant correlations with biomass, over cover degree, K, P, and N in soil. P in soil had the nost positive influence on the artemisininum content with the direct path coefficinent 0.3439, over cover degree had the nost negative in fluence on the artemisininum content with the direct path coefficient -0.1421. The influence order of other factor was N in soil (0.3180), K in soil (0.2352), biomass ( -0.0084), and plant height (-0.0347). CONCLUSION: Artemisininum content in Artemisiae annie leaves are correlated with biomass, over cover degree, K in soil, P in soil, N in soil.

Association of an interleukin-16 gene polymorphism with the risk and pain phenotype of endometriosis.

Interleukin-16 (IL-16), a proinflammatory cytokine, plays a pivotal role in inflammatory diseases as well as in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of IL-16 gene polymorphisms with the risk and clinical phenotypes of endometriosis in Chinese women. We analyzed rs4778889 T/C, rs11556218 T/G polymorphisms of the IL-16 gene in 230 patients with endometriosis and 203 controls in a Chinese population, using a polymerase chain reaction-high resolution melting analysis strategy and DNA sequencing methods. There was no significant difference in the genotype and allele frequencies of the rs11556218 T/G polymorphism between patients with endometriosis and controls (p>0.05). In contrast, the genotype and allele frequencies of the rs4778889 T/C polymorphism were statistically different between patients with endometriosis and controls, which resulted from a significantly increased proportion of TC heterozygote and CC homozygote carriers among patients with endometriosis (p=0.001 and 0.012, respectively); moreover, further subgroup analysis found that the genotype difference was more evident in patients with endometriosis who also experienced pain symptoms (p<0.001) than in patients without pain symptoms (p=0.625) when compared with controls. Our results suggest that the rs4778889 T/C polymorphism of the IL-16 gene may be associated with risk of endometriosis in the Chinese population, especially in patients with pain phenotype.

[Expressions of SHP and CYP7A1 in pregnant rats with intrahepatic cholestasis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of small heterodimer partner (SHP) and target gene cholesterol-7-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) in livers of rats with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), and to study the mechanism of ICP. METHODS: Thirty SD rats (pregnant for 15 days) were equally and randomly divided into two groups: an estradiol benzoate (EB) group and a normal saline (NS) group. Two ml blood was drawn from each rat before and on the 5th day after medicine administration to measure the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBA, TBIL, and DBIL. After delivery, the histopathological changes of the mother rat livers were studied. The mRNA and protein expressions of SHP and CYP7A1 in the livers were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: (1) In the EB group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBA, TBil, and DBil after EB administration increased significantly (P less than 0.01), but there were no significant changes in the NS group (P more than 0.05); (2) Intrahepatic cholestasis appeared in the EB group, but not in the NS group; (3) The mRNA expressions of SHP and CYP7A1 were significantly higher in the EB group than in the NS group [(SHPmRNA: NS 0.365+/-0.0317 vs EB 0.4865+/-0.0237, P less than 0.01), (CYP7A1 mRNA: NS 0.3570+/-0.0175 vs EB 0.4802+/-0.0217, P less than 0.01)]; (4) The protein expressions of SHP and CYP7A1 were also higher in the EB group than that in the NS group [(SHP: NS 0.3762+/-0.0284 vs EB 0.5033+/-0.0274, P less than 0.01), (CYP7A1: NS 0.3570+/-0.0175 vs EB 0.4802+/-0.0217, P less than 0.01)]. CONCLUSION: Estrogen induces ICP in rats. The mRNA and protein expressions of SHP and CYP7A1 in livers of the ICP rats were increased, which causes more bile acids to be synthesized. This may be one of the mechanisms of ICP.

Underdevelopment of optic radiation in children with amblyopia: a tractography study.

PURPOSE: To detect the abnormalities of the optic radiation (OR) in children with amblyopia by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography. DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. METHODS: Fourteen children with amblyopia and 14 normally sighted children underwent DTI scanning. After the ORs were reconstructed by using tractography algorithm, voxels through which the anterior parts of ORs passed were determined for their values of fractional anisotropy (FA). The paired t test was applied to compare their mean FA values of right OR and left OR in the control group. For the amblyopia group, analysis of variance was conducted to determine the effect of laterality and vision status on the FA values. In addition, the voxel numbers of anterior and posterior parts of both ORs were calculated. The Student t test was used to compare the average FA of bilateral ORs and voxel numbers between the two groups. RESULTS: Comparison demonstrated left-higher-than-right asymmetry in both amblyopic children and normal children. We found no significant difference of average FA between the amblyopic group (0.4832 +/- 0.0225) and control group (0.4770 +/- 0.0273). Voxel numbers of the anterior parts of both ORs were not significantly different between the two groups, whereas voxel numbers of their posterior parts in the controls were more than that of amblyopic children. CONCLUSION: Tractography showed more voxels in the posterior ORs of normal children than in the amblyopic children, indicating that normal children have better development of the ORs. The underdevelopment of the ORs might reflect the dysfunction of visual cortex in children with amblyopia.

Detection of abnormal visual cortex in children with amblyopia by voxel-based morphometry.

PURPOSE: To detect the abnormalities of gray matter in children with amblyopia by voxel-based morphometry (VBM). DESIGN: Prospective, nonrandomized clinical trial. METHODS: Thirteen children with amblyopia and 14 normally sighted children underwent magnetic resonance (MR) examination. The two groups were age-matched with a mean age of 5.8 years. In the amblyopia group, five children had strabismus amblyopia, and eight had anisometropic amblyopia. We analyzed the original 3-dimensional T1 brain images using the VBM module within the widely used analysis software package SPM2 (Welcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, London, United Kingdom). After normalization, segmentation, and smoothing of the images, comparison between amblyopic and control groups was derived for the gray matter of the entire brain using parametric statistics. RESULTS: The results of VBM analysis indicated that the amblyopic group had decreased gray matter density in the middle frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, fusiform gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus of the left hemisphere, and the bilateral calcarine cortices. The radii of these regions ranged from 12 to 36 voxels. These abnormalities were consistent with morphologic changes in brain regions related to visual function. CONCLUSIONS: Using MR and VBM analysis, we detected morphologic changes in the visual cortex of children with amblyopia, which may indicate developmental abnormalities of visual cortex during the critical growth period.