Radially polarized beams' phase filtering focal properties based on path integral analysis.

This paper introduces the path integral (PI) to the analysis of radially polarized (RP) beams' tight focusing problem. The PI makes the contribution of each incident ray on the focal region visible and then makes it possible to choose the filter's parameters more intuitively and precisely. Based on the PI, a zero point construction (ZPC) phase filtering method is realized intuitively. With ZPC, the focal properties of RP solid and annular beams before and after filtering were analyzed. The results show that the combination of a large NA annular beam and phase filtering can result in superior focus properties.

[Comparation and utilization of crop-omics databases].

Omics plays an important role in life sciences, which studies all the components and their interrelations as a whole. The omics databases collected and sorted out the relevant information to support omics research. The crop-omics database, based on the major food crop information, especially on the sequencing information and data mining, is set up to improve the basic research level of crop sciences and production, which potentially benefit our grain stock. Here, we summarize crop genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and phenomics, explore the development and utilization status of crop-omics, and reveal that the comprehensive utilization of multiple omics databases has become an important research method for crop sciences in the era of high throughput information.

[Effects of poplar-amaranth intercropping system on the soil nitrogen loss under different nitrogen applying levels].

Characteristics of soil nitrogen loss were investigated based on field experiments in two types of poplar-amaranth intercropping systems (spacing: L1 2 m x 5 m, L2 2 m x 15 m) with four N application rates, i. e., 0 (N1), 91 (N2), 137 (N3) and 183 (N4) kg · hm(-2). The regulation effects on the soil surface runoff, leaching loss and soil erosion were different among the different types of intercropping systems: L1 > L2 > L3 (amaranth monocropping). Compared with the amaranth monocropping, the soil surface runoff rates of L1 and L2 decreased by 65.1% and 55.9%, the soil leaching rates of L1 and L2 with a distance of 0.5 m from the poplar tree row de- creased by 30.0% and 28.9%, the rates with a distance of 1. 5 m decreased by 25. 6% and 21.9%, and the soil erosion rates decreased by 65.0% and 55.1%, respectively. The control effects of two intercropping systems on TN, NO(3-)-N and NH(4+)-N in soil runoff and leaching loss were in the order of L1 > L2 > L3. Compared with the amaranth monocropping, TN, NO(3-)-N and NH(4+)-N loss rates in soil runoff of L1 decreased by 62.9%, 45.1% and 69.2%, while the loss rates of L2 decreased by 23.4%, 6.9% and 46.2% under N1 (91 kg · hm(-2)), respectively. High- er tree-planting density and closer positions to the polar tree row were more effective on controlling the loss rates of NO(3-)-N and NH(4+)-N caused by soil leaching. The loss proportion of NO(3-)-N in soil runoff decreased with the increasing nitrogen rate under the same tree-planting density, while that of NH(4+)-N increased. Leaching loss of NO(3-)-N had a similar trend with that of NH(4+)-N, i. e. , N3 > N2 > N1 > N0.

Identification of a novel lethal fibrillin-1 gene mutation in a Chinese Marfan family and correlation of 3' fibrillin-1 gene mutations with phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene have been identified in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS). This study aimed to identify the molecular defects in the fibrillin-1 gene in a Chinese family with Marfan syndrome, accompanied by aortic aneurysms/dissection. METHODS: Two patients and one non-carrier in the family underwent complete physical, ophthalmic, and cardiovascular examinations. Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes of venous blood of these individuals in the family as well as 50 healthy normal controls. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing of all 65 coding exons of fibrillin-1 gene were analyzed. RESULTS: We found a novel mutation (c.8547T > G, p.Tyr2849X) in exon 65 of fibrillin-1 gene in a Chinese proband with Marfan syndrome, accompanied by aortic aneurysms/dissection. Sudden death at a young age of affected members was seen due to aortic aneurysms/dissection. By evaluating genotype-phenotype correlations of patients with mutations in the 3' end of fibrillin-1 gene (exons 64 and 65), we also found that the presence of nonsense mutations occurring in exons 64 and 65 appeared to be an indicator of early-onset aortic risk and sudden death. CONCLUSIONS: These results expand the mutation spectrum of fibrillin-1 gene and help in the study of the molecular pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome, indicating that mutations occurring in the 3' end of fibrillin-1 gene may play an independent functional role in the pathogenesis of Marfan syndrome.

[Surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium].

OBJECTIVES: To summarize the experience of surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium and to compare the difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach. METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2009, 53 patients with ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium underwent surgical repair. There were 35 male and 18 female, aged from 15 to 63 with a mean of (33 ± 9) years. Repair through right atrium had undergone in 40 patients (group I), while transaortic combined with right atrium approach in 13 patients (group II). Surgical results between the two group and group were compared in cardiopulmonary bypass time, clamp aorta time, mechanical ventilation time, ICU time and postoperative stay time. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups in cardiopulmonary bypass time [(86 ± 29) min vs. (96 ± 30) min], clamp aorta time [(59 ± 29) min vs. (71 ± 25) min], mechanical ventilation time [(9 ± 4) h vs. (16 ± 23) h], ICU time [(35 ± 23) h vs. (35 ± 23) h], postoperative stay time [(7.1 ± 0.9) d vs. (7.7 ± 2.8) d] (P > 0.05). Follow-up was performed from 1 to 64 months, with a mean of (32 ± 21) months. There was no death during follow up. One needed operation due to severe aortic valve regurgitation. One combined with coronary artery disease used medication. Heart function (NYHF) of the other patients were I and II degree during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair of ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm to right atrium shows good result. There is no significant difference between through right atrium repair and transaortic combined with right atrium approach.

[Rainfall redistribution in subalpine Quercus aquifolioides forest in upper reaches of Minjiang River].

Based on the meteorological data from June to September 2007, the rainfall redistribution in subalpine Quercus aquifolioides forest in the upper reaches of Minjiang River was investigated by permanent plot method. The results showed that the total rainfall outside the forest was 486.7 mm, and the throughfall, stemflow, and canopy interception accounted for 82.6%, 0.9%, and 16.5% of the total rainfall, respectively. The throughfall and stemflow had significant linear relationships with rainfall (P < 0.01, n = 49), and the relationships of throughfall ratio and stemflow ratio with rainfall could be described with nonlinear curves. When the rainfall outside the forest was more than 3.2 mm, stemflow would happen, and there existed a significant exponential (R2 = 0.623) relationship between the stemflow volume and the tree basal area. The canopy interception rate decreased hyperbolically with the increase of rainfall, being significantly negatively correlated with the rainfall amount, duration, and intensity as well as the air relative humidity during rainfall (P < 0.01, n = 49), but positively correlated with wind velocity (P < 0.01, n = 49).

[Long term outcome after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long term effect of pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). METHODS: From Mar 1997 to Jun 2002 at Fuwai Hospital, 14 patients with CTEPH underwent PTE and survived. One of them lost contact and the remaining 13 patients were followed up for a mean of 40 (17 - 77) months. The parameters included survival rate, cardiac function, arterial gas analysis and systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) calculated by echocardiogram. RESULTS: In the period of follow-up no patient died. Before PTE the cardiac function were severely impaired (NYHA classes III-IV) in all patients, while during the follow-up 12 cases were in NYHA class I and 1 in NYHA class III. Compared with preoperative values, the postoperative arterial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) significantly improved (90.8 +/- 6.0) mm Hg vs (58.1 +/- 8.6) mm Hg, (P < 0.01), so was the arterial oxygen saturation (96 +/- 1)% vs (90 +/- 5)%, (P < 0.05), while systolic pressure of pulmonary artery decreased significantly (97.1 +/- 22.4) mm Hg vs (42.6 +/- 10.7) mm Hg, (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PTE provides substantial improvement in survival, function and quality of life in most CTEPH patients.