Excited-State Proton Transfer in a Photoacid-Based Crystalline Coordination Compound: Reversible Photochromism, Near-Infrared Photothermal Conversion, and Conductivity.

By harnessing the power of coordination self-assembly, crystalline materials can act as carriers for photoacids. Unlike their solution-based counterparts, these photoacids are capable of altering the properties of the crystalline material under light and can even generate proton transfer in a solid-state environment. Due to the photoinduced proton transfer and charge transfer processes within this functional material, this crystal exhibits powerful absorption spanning the visible to near-infrared spectrum upon light irradiation. This feature enables reproducible, significant chromatic variation, near-infrared photothermal conversion, and photocontrollable conductivity for this photoresponsive material. The findings suggest that the synthesis of pyranine photoacid-based crystalline materials via coordination self-assembly can not only enhance light-harvesting efficiency but also enable excited-state proton transfer processes within solid crystalline materials, thereby maintaining and even improving the properties of photoacids.

The characteristics of serum lipid spectrum in PanNENs and its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis.

Background: The role of dyslipidemia in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNENs) is unclear. The aim of this study is to analyze the characteristics of serum lipid spectrum in PanNENs, and the effect of the variation in lipid profile on the development of PanNENs clinicopathological features and prognosis. Methods: All PanNENs patients between November 2012 and September 2020 in the authors' research center were identified from patient medical records and databases. A total of 185 with PanNENs patients were ultimately included in this study, including 100 nonfunctional PanNENs and 85 insulinomas. Clinicopathologic features, serum lipid level and overall survival results were retrospectively analyzed using statistical methods. Results: In 185 PanNENs, 95 (51.4%) patients appear to have dyslipidemia. Patients with insulinoma had a lower proportion of abnormal HDL than those with nonfunctional PanNENs (10.6% vs 23%, P=0.026). The mean serum HDL levels of insulinomas were 0.131 mmol/L higher than the NF-PanNENs (1.306 ± 0.324 vs 1.175 ± 0.315, P=0.006). In multivariate logistic analysis, high levels of HDL are negatively correlated to tumor size (OR 0.233, 95% CI: 0.069-0.790, P=0.019), but HDL was not associated with pathological grade or metastasis. And a correlation has been found between hypercholesterolemia and the original location of the tumor (OR:0.224, 95%CI: 0.066-0.753, P =0.016). In addition, the outcome of the survival analysis revealed that dyslipidemia did not influence the prognosis of PanNENs patients (P>0.05). Conclusions: HDL was negatively correlated with the tumor size of PanNENs. The serum HDL level of insulinoma patients is higher than nonfunctional PanNENs.

Salinomycin and Sulforaphane Exerted Synergistic Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Effects on Colorectal Cancer Cells by Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Both salinomycin (SAL) and sulforaphane (SFN) exert their antitumorigenic effects in various types of cancer We investigated whether combining salinomycin (SAL, an antibiotic ionophore) with sulforaphane (SFN, a phytochemical) exerted synergistic antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in vitro and in vivo by evaluating the proliferative and apoptotic responses of two CRC cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The combination index (CI) was calculated using the Chou-Talalay method, and the effects of the synergistic combination (CI<1) of lower doses of SAL and SFN were selected for further studies. Anti-tumor effect of the combination of SAL and SFN was tested both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Cotreatment effectively inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion and enhanced apoptosis. The xenograft model also showed similar results. Furthermore, we evaluated the molecular mechanism behind SAL- and SFN-mediated CRC cell apoptosis. The combination treatment induced apoptosis in Caco-2 and CX-1 cells by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway, which increased the expression of the tumor suppressor protein p53. The treatment also decreased the expression of the survival protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of the proapoptotic protein Bax, which increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, as well as enhanced poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Upon inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway with LY294002 prior to cotreatment, we detected enhanced PARP cleavage compared to that in the cotreatment only group. CONCLUSION: We investigated whether the combination of SAL and SFN had antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Cotreatment also significantly decreased migration and invasion compared to that of the control and SAL or SFN monotherapies. This novel combination of SAL and SFN might provide a potential strategy to treat CRC.

Development of a dynamic feeding strategy for continuous-flow aerobic granulation and nitrogen removal in a modified airlift loop reactor for municipal wastewater treatment.

This study investigated the aerobic sludge granulation and nitrogen removal performance in a modified airlift loop reactor treating municipal wastewater under different operation conditions. Dynamic feeding and aeration control were applied to create feast/famine conditions to facilitate microbial aggregation. Experimental results demonstrated that aerobic granular sludge could be cultivated in continuous-flow reactors fed with an optimized dynamic feeding condition. Fresh granules sizing 0.4-0.6 mm were observed in the reactors after a 61-day operation, then turned to matured granules after another 33-day operation with a compact structure, a stable size of 2-4 mm, and a low SVI of ~35 mL/g. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) analysis results showed that both EPS contents and the ratio of protein to polysaccharides increased with the granulation process, leading to an increase of cell hydrophobicity. Granular sludge exhibited a good nitrogen removal ability with a comparable level of specific nitrification rate and denitrification rate with those measured in state-of-the-art sequential batch reactors. Microbial population analysis showed an increase in the relative abundance of functional microbes, including Zoogloea, Nitrospira, Dechloromonas, and Thauera in the cultivated granules, suggesting a potentially crucial role of these microbes in sludge granulation and nitrogen removal. The dynamic feeding strategy and the reactor configuration are considered as critical factors for aerobic granulation under continuous-flow conditions for creating feast/famine conditions and allow sludge backflow without structure damage.

Characterization of UDP-Glycosyltransferase Involved in Biosynthesis of Ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 and Identification of Critical Conserved Amino Acid Residues for Its Function.

Ginsenosides attract great attention for their bioactivities. However, their contents are low, and many UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) that play crucial roles in the ginsenoside biosynthesis pathways have not been identified, which hinders the biosynthesis of ginsenosides. In this study, we reported that one UDP-glycosyltransferase, UGTPg71A29, from Panax ginseng could glycosylate C20-OH of Rh1 and transfer a glucose moiety to Rd, producing ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1, respectively. Ectopic expression of UGTPg71A29 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae stably generated Rg1 and Rb1 under its corresponding substrate. Overexpression of UGTPg71A29 in transgenic cells of P. ginseng could significantly enhance the accumulation of Rg1 and Rb1, with their contents of 3.2- and 3.5-fold higher than those in the control, respectively. Homology modeling, molecular dynamics, and mutational analysis revealed the key catalytic site, Gln283, which provided insights into the catalytic mechanism of UGTPg71A29. These results not only provide an efficient enzymatic tool for the synthesis of glycosides but also help achieve large-scale industrial production of glycosides.

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) directed the discovery of 3-(pyridin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives as novel herbicidal agents.

BACKGROUND: Agrochemicals have been crucial to the production of food, and the need for the development of novel agrochemicals continues unceasing owing to the loss of existing produces via the growth of resistance and the desire for products with more propitious environmental and toxicological patterns. RESULTS: The results of both CoMFA and CoMSIA models indicated that biological activity can effectively be improved through the structural optimisation and molecular design of these synthetic compounds from the aspects of steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic, hydrogen bond donor and acceptor fields. Data of postemergence herbicidal activity in the greenhouse explained that most new 3-(pyridin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives (4c-4 t) could control highly effectively against barnyardgrass, foxtail, vetleaf, and youth and old age (herbicidal activity ≥90%); for example, compounds 4q-4 t exhibit excellent biological activity equivalent/superior to commercial saflufenacil/sulcotrione at the low concentration of 37.5 g a.i./ha, and in particular, the herbicidal activity of compound 4 t for four experimental plant species is found to be notably greater than saflufenacil (3.75 g a.i./ha). Meanwhile, compound 4 t also has good crop selectivity for weed control in maize. CONCLUSION: The novel compounds such as 4 t have remarkable biological activity after the structural optimisation utilising the constructed 3D-QSAR models, i.e. such QSAR models have great accuracy. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Perineural administration of dexmedetomidine in combination with ropivacaine prolongs axillary brachial plexus block.

To evaluate the hypothesis that adding dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine prolongs axillary brachial plexus block. Forty-five patients of ASA I~II and aged 25-60 yr who were scheduled for elective forearm and hand surgery were randomly divided into 3 equal groups and received 40 ml of 0.33% ropivacaine + 1 ml dexmedetomidine (50 µg) (Group DR1), 40 ml of 0.33% ropivacaine + 1 ml dexmedetomidine (100 µg) (group DR2) or 40 ml of 0.33% ropivacaine + 1 ml saline (group R) in a double-blind fashion. The onset and duration of sensory and motor blocks and side effects were recorded. The demographic data and surgical characteristics were similar in each group. Sensory and motor block onset times were the same in the three groups. Sensory and motor blockade durations were longer in group DR2 than in group R (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the sensory blockade duration between group DR1 and group R. Bradycardia, hypertension and hypotension were not observed in group R and occurred more often in group DR2 than in group DR1. Dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine for an axillary brachial plexus block prolongs the duration of the block. However, dexmedetomidine may also lead to side effects such as bradycardia, hypertension, and hypotension.

Sofnolime with different water content causes different effects in two sevoflurane inhalational induction techniques with respect to the output of compound-A.

OBJECTIVE: During sevoflurane anesthesia with Sofnolime for CO(2) absorption, the factors affecting the production of compound A (a chemical is nepherotoxic) are still not clear. This study is designed to investigate the effects of different fresh gas flow during induction, the vital capacity induction (VCI) vs. the tidal volume breath induction (TBI) on the compound-A production with a fresh Sofnolime or a dehydrated Sofnolime using a simulated lung model. METHOD: The experiments were randomly divided into four groups: group one, VCIf, vital capacity fresh gas inflow with fresh Sofnolime; group two, TBIf, tidal volume breath fresh gas inflow with fresh Sofnolime; group three, VCId, vital capacity fresh gas inflow with dehydrated Sofnolime, and group four, TBId, tidal volume breath fresh gas inflow with dehydrated Sofnolime. The inspired sevoflurane was maintained at 8%, the concentrations of compound-A were assayed using Gas-spectrum technique, and Sofnolime temperatures were monitored at 1-min intervals throughout the experiment. RESULTS: The mean and maximum concentrations of compound A were significantly higher in the vital capacity group than the tidal volume breath group (P<0.01). At the beginning of anesthesia maintenance, the compound-A concentration in group VCIf was 36.28±6.13 ppm, which was significantly higher than the 27.32±4.21 ppm observed in group TBIf (P<0.01). However, these values decreased to approximately 2 ppm in the dehydrated Sofnolime groups. Sofnolime temperatures increased rapidly in the dehydrated Sofnolime groups but slowly in the fresh Sofnolime groups. CONCLUSION: With fresh Sofnolime, vital capacity induction increased compound-A production in the circuit system compared with tidal volume breath induction. However, with dehydrated Sofnolime, the effects of the two inhalation induction techniques on compound-A output were not significantly different.

[Study on the nutrition of alpine meadow based on hyperspectral data].

Remote sensing monitoring of alpine grassland nutritional status is a key factor of grassland reasonable utilization, also a difficulty for dynamic vegetation monitoring. The present paper studies the correlations between vegetation nutrition and hyperspectral data. The results showed that two band ratio models have a significant correlation with biomass, air-DM, P, CF, and CP. MAXR models have a significant correlation with most of nutrition index when selected wavebands equaled five. On the whole, the MAXR model precedes two band ratio models. Using MAXR models to estimate air-DM, P and CF can obtain higher accuracy.

Degradation products of different water content sevoflurane in carbon dioxide absorbents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sevoflurane is currently used as a volatile inhalation anesthetic with many clinical advantages. A representative degradation product, compound A, was quantitatively measured to investigate whether there are different reactions between two kinds of water content sevoflurane formulations with different carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbents. METHODS: A closed-circle breathe bag with the Dräger Fabius GS anesthesia apparatus was used as an artificial rubber lung. The experiments were grouped according to different sevoflurane formulations: group A: higher-water sevoflurane (Ultane); group B: lower-water sevoflurane (Sevoness). During the experiment, CO2 (200 ml/min) was continually perfused to keep the end-tidal pressure of CO2 (P(ET)CO2) at 35 - 45 mmHg. The artificial ventilation was set to 6 L/min, and the breathing rate at 12 breaths/min. The circuit was operated with constant fresh gas flow rate (1 L/min) and the sevoflurane concentration was kept at 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for 240 minutes. At 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 minutes, gas was collected from the Y-piece. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to quantify the major degradation product, compound A, with different water content sevoflurane. PETCO2 and sevoflurane concentration, and the temperature of the canister were continuously monitored during the experiment. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in P(ET)CO2 and sevoflurane concentrations between the two groups. Drägersorb 800 plus produced the highest concentrations of compound A compared with other sodalimes, and Sevoness in Drägersorb 800 plus generated more compound A than Ultane (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the peak and average compound A concentrations between Ultane and Sevoness with Drägersorb 800 plus (P < 0.05), while the compound A concentration produced by Sodasorb grase and sofonolime in the two groups showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). In the same group, the peak and average of compound A concentration produced by Sodasorb grase and sofonolime showed significant difference with Drägersorb 800 plus (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The water content of sevoflurane and potassium hydroxide in CO2 absorbent can influence compound A production.

A comparison between vital capacity induction and tidal breathing induction techniques for the induction of anesthesia and compound A production.

BACKGROUND: Vital capacity induction and tidal breathing induction are currently administered for inhalation induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane. The aim of this study was to compare them using sevoflurane with respect to induction time, complications of inhalation induction, and compound A production in adult patients. METHODS: Fifty-one women with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II undergoing mammary gland tumorectomy were randomly assigned to receive either vital capacity induction or tidal breathing induction with 8% sevoflurane at 6 L/min followed by laryngeal mask airway insertion. Induction times, complications of inhalation induction, and vital signs were recorded. Inspired concentrations of compound A were assayed and sofnolime temperatures were monitored at one-minute intervals after sevoflurane administration. RESULTS: The time to loss of eyelash reflex was significantly shorter with the vital capacity induction technique than with the tidal breathing induction technique ((43.8 ± 13.4) seconds vs. (70.8 ± 16.4) seconds, respectively; P < 0.01). Cardiovascular stability was similar in both groups. The incidence of complications was significantly less with the vital capacity induction technique than with the tidal breathing induction technique (7.7% vs. 32%, respectively; P < 0.01). However, the mean and maximum concentrations of compound A during induction were significantly higher in the vital capacity group than those in the tidal breathing group (P < 0.05); compound A concentration at the beginning of anesthesia maintenance was (40.73 ± 10.83) ppm in the vital capacity group and (29.45 ± 7.51) ppm in tidal breathing group (P = 0.019). CONCLUSION: For inhalation induction of anesthesia, the vital capacity induction was faster and produced fewer complications than that for tidal breathing induction, but increased compound A production in the circuit system.

[Effect of Chelerythrine on glucosyltransferase and water-insoluble glucan of Streptococcus mutans].

PURPOSE: To study the effect of Chelerythrine on glucosyltransferase and extra-cellular synthesis of water-insoluble glucan of Streptococcus mutans. METHODS: The Chelerythrine was used as the experimental group with concentrations ranging from 24.4microg/ml to 390.6microg/ml prepared with BHI broth medium with contained 2% glucose, and BHI culture medium was used as the control group. Streptococcus mutans was added to each group, after cultured for 24 hours in the test tubes, centrifugation was followed. The supernatants were divided into two batches. One batch of solutions was used to extract glucosyltransferase, Bradford method and Somogyi method were used to measure the content of total protein and enzyme activity, and the specific activity was calculated. Another batch of solutions was used to measure the content of water-insoluble glucan by anthrone method. The data was statistically analyzed by One-way ANOVA using SPSS13.0 software package. RESULTS: The glucosyltransferase and water-insoluble glucan of Streptococcus mutans decreased gradually with the increase of each concentration of Chelerythrine. There were highly significant differences among total sample groups, and between glucosyltransferase activity or specific activity of each experimental group and control group as well (P<0.01); Except for the group of 24.4microg/ml Chelerythrine, there were highly significant differences of water-insoluble glucan between each experimental group and control group (P<0.01).There was positive correlation between glucosyltransferase activity and water-insoluble glucan content (r=0.883, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Chelerythrine could inhibit the glucosyltransferase and extra-cellular synthesis of water-insoluble glucan of Streptococcus mutans.

[Effect of Chelerythrine on cell surface hydrophobicity and adherence of Streptococcus mutans].

PURPOSE: To detect the effect of Chelidonium majus L. extractive Chelerythrine on the cell surface hydrophobicity and adherence of Streptococcus mutans, and to investigate the mechanism of adherence. METHODS: The Chelerythrine was doubly diluted to different concentration from 24.4 microg/ml to 781.3 microg/ml. The method of microbial adhesion to hydrophobicity(MATH) was used to measure the cell surface hydrophobicity of Streptococcus mutans; The effect of the Chelerythrine on Streptococcus mutans adhesion to glass surface was also measured. SPSS13.0 software package was used for statistical analysis, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare the difference of means among sample groups. RESULTS: The cell surface hydrophobicity of Streptococcus mutans decreased gradually with the descent of each concentration of Chelerythrine. There was significant difference between each experimental group and control group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference among groups of 195.3 microg/ml, 97.7 microg/ml, 48.8 microg/ml and 24.4 microg/ml (P>0.05). The inhibition rate of adherence increased significantly with the increase of the concentration of Chelerythrine. There was highly significant difference between group of 195.3 microg/ml or 390.6 microg/ml and control group, and the same between the two experimental groups and other experimental groups (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: There is some degree of inhibitory effect of Chelerythrine on the cell surface hydrophobicity and adherence of Streptococcus mutans. Chelerythrine possesses powerful anticariogenic potential.

[Experimental study of the inhibitory effects of Chelidonium majus L. extractive on Streptococcus mutans in vitro].

PURPOSE: To study the inhibitory effects of Chelidonium majus L. extractive on the growth of Streptococcus mutans in vitro, and to explore its mechanism in caries prevention. METHODS: Streptococcus mutans 25175 was chosen as the experimental bacterium. The Chelidonium majus L. extractives chelidonine and chelerythrine were double diluted to different concentrations by two-fold dilution. The inhibitory effect of Streptococcus mutans was measured by slip diffusion method. The minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) was also determined. 0.16% liquor hibitane was used as positive control. Spearman correlation was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Inhibition zone of Streptococcus mutans appeared in some concentration of chelerythrine, but no inhibition zone in each concentration of chelidonine. The MIC of chelerythrine was 0.78 mg/ml which determined by liquid culture medium. The concentration of chelerythrine was highly related to the inhibitory zone of Streptococcus mutans (r=0.99, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The antibacterial activity of Chelidonium majus L. extractive chelerythrine on Streptococcus mutans was significant,and the antibacterial activity of the concentration 100 mg/ml was higher than that of 0.16% liquor hibitane (19.4 mm), indicating that chelerythrine can be used as an agent for prevention of dental caries.

[Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in dental pulp during root development of permanent teeth].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expressed in normal human dental pulp at different root development stages of permanent teeth. METHODS: Based on the teeth root development status, the pulp tissues were classified into three groups: root just starting development, being in development and apical closed. The pulps were immunohistochemically examined by use of bFGF antibody. RESULTS: Staining was strongly positive in immature permanent teeth, especially at the stage of root just starting development. Image analysis indicated that the gray values of positive reaction in three groups were statistically different (P < 0.001). For the first group, the gray value of the outer pulp was higher than that of the pulp core. For the second group, the pulp core has a higher gray value in the coronal pulp, while a lower value in root pulp compared to the outer pulp. CONCLUSION: With the development of root formation, the expression of bFGF in dental pulp shows different characteristics. bFGF may play a role in dental pulp development and maturation.

[A study of oral colonization of mutans streptococci and feeding habits in infants].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation of prime colonization time of Mutans Streptococci and feeding habits in infants. METHODS: One hundred and eighty children (aged 6-24 months) from Shenyang city were examined for the colonization of MS Related items were registered by completed questionnaires. RESULTS: The study showed a correlation between prime colonization time and feeding mode, breast feeding, feeding frequency during bedtime, asleep habits. CONCLUSION: Advocating reasonable feeding mode and asleep habits is effective to interdict or delay MS's colonization and transmission in child to prevent caries.

[Relationship of caries experience between primary teeth and the first permanent molars in 100 children of 6-year-old].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of caries experience between primary teeth and the first permanent molars. METHODS: A total of 100 school children 6 years old were surveyed. The caries diagnosis criteria defined by WHO were employed. The data were statistically analyzed by use of SAS. RESULTS: Fisher's exact test showed that there was association between the caries experience of primary teeth and that of the first permanent molars in 6-year-old children. The average dmft of primary teeth was in positive correlation with DMFT of the first permanent molars(r = 0.5629). The results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The primary tooth caries experience may play an important role in predicting permanent tooth caries. More attention was suggested to pay to the children with more primary teeth decayed.

[Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in dental pulp of immature permanent teeth].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in normal human dental pulp of immature permanent teeth. METHODS: The teeth root development has been completed 1/3-3/4. Their pulps were immunohisto-chemically examined by use of bFGF antibody and image analysis techniques were used for evaluation. RESULTS: Staining was strongly positive in immature permanent teeth pulp. Image analysis indicated that in the coronal pulp, the gray value of the pulp core was higher than that of the outer pulp, while in the root pulp was the opposite (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: bFGF may play a role in dental pulp development and maturation.

Effects of altitude, ambient temperature and solar radiation on fasting heat production in yellow cattle (Bos taurus).

Growing yellow cattle (Bos taurus, n 30, 1.0-3.5 years old and 75-240 kg) from their native altitude (2000-2800 m) were used to evaluate the effects of altitude, ambient temperature (Ta) and solar radiation on the basal energy metabolism in this large mammal. Fasting heat production (FHP) was measured at altitudes of 2260, 3250 and 4270 m on the Tibetan plateau both in the summer and winter respectively, after a 90 d adaptation period at each experimental site. The gas exchanges of the whole animal were determined continuously for 3 (2260 and 3250 m) or 2 (4270 m) d after a 96 (2260 and 3250 m) or 48 (4270 m) h starvation period, using closed-circuit respiratory masks. Increasing altitude from 2260 to 3250 m at similar Ta in the summer significantly elevated FHP for all animals (P<0.01), and from 3250 to 4270 m for young cattle (P<0.05); increasing altitude from 2260 to 3250 m in the winter also significantly elevated FHP (P<0.05), but the increase was mainly due to the decrease of Ta and the increase in wind speed. No results were obtained at 4270 m in the winter, due to the problems of the animals, adapting to the altitude. The magnitude of FHP elevation caused by increasing altitude was greater with summer sunshine or winter wind than without them. Increase of Ta from 10.0 to 22.0 degrees C, in the presence of solar radiation, slightly (2260 m) or significantly (3250 and 4270 m, P<0.01) elevated FHP, but slightly reduced it in the absence of solar radiation; decrease of Ta from 0.0 to -30.0 degrees C linearly increased FHP. At 3250 and 4270 m, FHP at the same Ta was higher with summer sunshine or winter wind (3250 m) than without them, but this did not occur at 2260 m. In conclusion, high altitude elevates FHP in yellow cattle in the warm season, and the summer solar radiation and winter wind at high altitude significantly increase metabolic rate. It may be also concluded that the effects of solar radiation on metabolic rate depend on the altitude and the environmental temperature.

[An epidemiological survey on fusion of deciduous teeth of 4286 kindergarten children in Shenyang city].

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the occurrence and distribution of the fusion of deciduous teeth in Shenyang. METHODS: By using cross-sectional study, 4286 children were examined, who aged from 2 to 6 years in 37 kindergartens. RESULTS: Of 4286 children investigated, fusion of the deciduous teeth were detected in 65 children (1.52 percent) without sex predilection. The fused teeth typically occurred unilaterally (68.75 percent), and mainly located in the anterior region, more frequently in the mandibular (91.25 percent) than that in the maxillary arch. 12 cases were bilaterally symmetrical (18.46 percent). Two rare cases were found with fused teeth, one occurred in central incisor, lateral incisor and canine, the other occurred between two molars with two incisors fused in the same side. Fused teeth in two cases had caries. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of the fused teeth may cause some complications. Pediatric dentists should pay attention to the fused teeth occurred in preschool children.