Nerve Injury and Regeneration after Neurolysis: Ethanol Alone versus Ethanol with Brachytherapy in Rabbits.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to prove the hypothesis that neurolysis based on ethanol injection in combination with iodine-125 (125I) radioactive seed implantation could prolong the nerve regeneration time compared with that based on ethanol injection alone. The grade of nerve injury was assessed for both methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty female rabbits (mean weight, 2.8 kg ± 0.2) were randomly assigned to group A (neurolysis of the left brachial plexus nerve based on ethanol injection in combination with 125I radioactive seed implantation, n = 10) and group B (neurolysis using ethanol injection alone, n = 10). The right brachial plexus nerve was used as a control. Injury and regeneration of the brachial plexus nerve were analyzed using electromyography. Statistical tests were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and repeated-measures analysis of variance. The results were verified with histopathological examinations. RESULTS: The overall postprocedural amplitude was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P = .01), particularly in the second month after the procedure (P = .036). However, no statistical difference in latency was observed between the 2 groups (P = .103). Histopathological examination of both groups revealed Sunderland third-degree peripheral nerve injury (PNI), which was mainly characterized by axonal disintegration. The degree of nerve regeneration was significantly lower in group A than in group B. CONCLUSIONS: Neurolysis based on ethanol injection in combination with 125I radioactive seed implantation can prolong the nerve regeneration time compared with that based on ethanol injection alone, although both methods resulted in Sunderland third-degree PNI.

Ultrasound-guided transperineal laser ablation for percutaneous treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a new minimally invasive interventional therapy.

BACKGROUND: Although there are different treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia, their efficacy and safety differ. We are currently exploring a new minimally invasive interventional therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of ultrasound-guided transperineal laser ablation (US-TPLA) for the treatment of BPH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients with BPH (mean age = 73.9 ± 9.2 years) who underwent US-TPLA from June 2018 to January 2020 with a subsequent six-month follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. After local anesthesia, a 21-G trocar was inserted into the prostate tissue under ultrasound monitoring, followed by 1064 nm diode laser irradiation. Changes in international prostate symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual (PVR), prostate volume, and complications were evaluated six months after surgery. RESULTS: All patients underwent the operation successfully without serious complications. After six months, the average IPSS improved from 22.7 ± 5.3 to 9.1 ± 3.2 (P < 0.001), the QoL improved from 4.9 ± 1.7 to 2.3 ± 1.3 (P < 0.001), the Qmax improved from 8.5 ± 3.0 to 15.2 ± 4.8 mL/s (P < 0.001), the PVR increased from 78.7 ± 58.8 to 30.3 ± 34.2 (P < 0.05), and the mean prostate volume ranged from 70.8 ± 23.8 to 54.7 ± 20.9 mL (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: US-TPLA is safe and feasible for the treatment of BPH. An evaluation at the six-month follow-up is effective.

Dihydropyrazothiazole derivatives as potential MMP-2/MMP-8 inhibitors for cancer therapy.

MMP-2/MMP-8 is established as one of the most important metalloenzymes for targeting cancer. A series of dihydropyrazothiazole derivatives (E1-E18) bearing a salicylaldehyde group linked to Pyrazole ring were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their pharmacological activity as MMP-2/MMP-8 inhibitors. Among them, compound E17 exhibited most potent inhibitory activity (IC50 = 2.80 µM for MMP-2 and IC50 = 5.6 µM for MMP-8), compared to the positive drug CMT-1 (IC50 = 1.29 µM). Compounds (E1-E18) were scrutinized by CoMFA and CoMSIA techniques of Three-dimensional quant. structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR), as well as a docking simulation. Moreover, treatment with compound E4 could induce MCF-7 cell apoptosis. Overall, the biological profile of E1-E18 may provide a research basis for the development of new agents against cancer.

Optimization of high-pressure ultrasonic-assisted simultaneous extraction of six major constituents from Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizome using response surface methodology.

High-pressure ultrasound-assisted extraction technology was applied to extract ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide A, ligustilide and levistolide A from Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizomes. Seven independent variables, including solvent type, pressure, particle size, liquid-to-solid ratio, extraction temperature, ultrasound power, and extraction time were examined. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) using a Central Composite Design (CCD) was employed to optimize the experimental conditions (extraction temperature, ultrasonic power, and extraction time) on the basis of the results of single factor tests for the extraction of these six major components in L. chuanxiong rhizomes. The experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and were also examined using appropriate statistical methods. The best extraction conditions were as follows: extraction solvent: 40% ethanol; pressure: 10 MPa; particle size: 80 mesh; liquid-to-solid ratio: 100:1; extraction temperature: 70 °C; ultrasonic power, 180 W; and extraction time, 74 min.

[Quantitative determination of 5 active ingredients in different harvest periods of Ligusticum chuanxiong by HPLC].

A simple and quick method is described for the determination of ferulic acid, senkyunolide I, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide A and ligustilide in rhizomes of Ligusticum chuanxiong. The 5 active ingredients in the sample was extracted using 40% ethanol and analyzed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromatography separation was performed using Agilent 1100 series HPLC system with a Symmetry C18 column and gradient elution with a mixture of three solvents : solvent A, acetonitrile, solvent B, methanol and solvent C, 1% aqueous acetic acid, 0 min to 5 min A: B: C 20: 40: 40, 5 min to 30 min A: B: C 60 to 100 : 0 : 40 to 0. The effluent was monitored using a VWD detector set at 321 nm (0-4.3 min) and 275 nm (4.31-30 min). The flow rate was set at 1 mL x min(-1) and the injection volume was 10 microL. The column temperature was maintained at 35 degrees C. The calibration curve was linear (r > or = 0.99) over the tested ranges. The average recovery was 94.44%-103.1% (n = 6). The method has been successfully applied to the analysis in different harvest periods of L. chuanxiong samples. In this paper, single-factor randomized block design to study the 5 components content of L. chuanxiong on ten collecting stages. For the L. chuanxiong collected from April 15th to May 30rd, the content of 5 ingredients increased primarily, and then decreased. Determine the appropriate harvest time has important significance to the promotion of the quality of L. chuanxiong.

Percutaneous core-needle biopsy before and immediately after coaxial microwave ablation in solid non-small cell lung cancer: the comparison of genomic testing from specimens.

PURPOSE: To compare the genomic testing based on specimens obtained from percutaneous core-needle biopsy (CNB) before and immediately after coaxial microwave ablation (MWA) in solid non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to investigate the diagnostic performance of CNB immediately after coaxial MWA in solid NSCLC. METHODS: Coaxial MWA and CNB were performed for NSCLC patients, with a power of 30 or 40 watts (W) in MWA between the pre- and post-ablation CNB, followed by continuous ablation after the second CNB on demand. The paired specimens derived from the same patient were compared for pathological diagnosis and genomic testing. DNA/RNA extracted from the paired specimens were also compared. RESULTS: A total of 33 NSCLC patients with solid lesions were included. There were two patients (6.1%) without atypical cells and three patients (9.1%) who had the technical failure of genomic testing in post-ablation CNB. The concordance rate of pathological diagnosis between the twice CNB was 93.9% (kappa = 0.852), while that of genomic testing was 90.9% (kappa = 0.891). For the comparisons of DNA/RNA extracted from pre- and post-ablation CNB in 30 patients, no significant difference was found when the MWA between twice CNB has a power of 30 or 40 W and ablation time within five minutes (P = 0.174). CONCLUSIONS: If the pre-ablation CNB presented with a high risk of pneumothorax or hemorrhage, the post-ablation CNB could be performed to achieve accurate pathological diagnosis and genomic testing and the maximum effect of ablation, which might allow for the diagnosis of genomic testing in 90.9% of solid NSCLC.

Accelerated Wound Healing in Diabetic Rat by miRNA-185-5p and Its Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Aim: Addressing both inflammation and epithelialization during the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers is an important step, but current treatment options are limited. MiRNA has important prospects in the treatment of diabetic foot refractory wound ulcers. Previous studies have reported that miR-185-5p reduces hepatic glycogen production and fasting blood glucose levels. We herein hypothesized that miR-185-5p might play an important role in the field of diabetic foot wounds. Materials and Methods: MiR-185-5p in skin tissue samples from patients with diabetic ulcers and diabetic rats were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The streptozotocin-induced diabetes rat model (male Sprague-Dawley rats) for diabetic wound healing was conducted. The therapeutic potential was observed by subcutaneous injection of miR-185-5p mimic into diabetic rat wounds. The anti-inflammation roles of miR-185-5p on human dermal fibroblast cells were analyzed. Results: We found that miR-185-5p is significantly downregulated in diabetic skin (people with DFU and diabetic rats) compared to controls. Further, in vitro upregulation of miR-185-5p decreased the inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) of human skin fibroblasts under advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Meanwhile, the increase of miR-185-5p promoted cell migration. Our results also confirmed that the topical increase of miR-185-5p decreases diabetic wound p-nuclear factor-κB (p-NF-κB), ICAM-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and CD68 expression in diabetic wounds. MiR-185-5p overexpression boosted re-epithelization and expedited wound closure of diabetic rats. Conclusion: MiR-185-5p accelerated wound healing of diabetic rats, reepithelization, and inhibited the inflammation of diabetic wounds in the healing process, a potentially new and valid treatment for refractory diabetic foot ulcers.

Comparison of analgesic effect in celiac plexus neurolysis: Ethanol injection with or without iodine-125 radioactive seeds implantation.

Context: Currently, short-term recurrence of pain is the biggest clinical challenge of celiac plexus neurolysis for patients with refractory abdominal cancer pain. Aim: To evaluate the analgesic effect and safety of celiac plexus neurolysis using ethanol injection combined with iodine-125 (125I) radioactive seed implantation for refractory abdominal cancer pain. Settings and Design: The study was a randomized controlled trial. Methods and Materials: About 10 patients with severe refractory abdominal cancer pain were enrolled in this study. The patients were randomly divided into group A (ethanol injection combined with 125I radioactive seed implantation, n = 5) and group B (ethanol injection alone, n = 5). The primary end point was pain relief measured by means of numerical rating scale (NRS). And the secondary end point was mean administration of analgesic drugs and the safety of the procedure. Statistical Analysis Used: Repeated measures of analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results: The NRS scores were significantly reduced by 24 h postprocedure in both groups (group A: P = 0.001 and group B: P = 0.001). Group A did not show significant recurrence based on NRS scores during the follow-up period. In contrast, the NRS scores recurred significantly in group B by 1 month postprocedure (P = 0.026). The intake of analgesic drugs was significantly reduced in both the groups postprocedure (group A: P = 0.013 and group B: P = 0.013). Overall, it was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P = 0.041). No treatment-related deaths or major complications were observed. Conclusions: Celiac plexus neurolysis using ethanol injection in combination with 125I radioactive seed implantation has a longer analgesic duration than using ethanol injection alone. It could be a safe and long-lasting analgesic approach for managing refractory abdominal cancer pain.

Drug-Eluting Bead Bronchial Arterial Chemoembolization With and Without Microwave Ablation for the Treatment of Advanced and Standard Treatment-Refractory/Ineligible Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Comparative Study.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of drug-eluting bead bronchial arterial chemoembolization (DEB-BACE) with and without microwave ablation (MWA) for the treatment of advanced and standard treatment-refractory/ineligible non-small cell lung cancer (ASTRI-NSCLC). Materials and Methods: A total of 77 ASTRI-NSCLC patients who received DEB-BACE combined with MWA (group A; n = 28) or DEB-BACE alone (group B; n = 49) were included. Clinical outcomes were compared between groups A and B. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to compare the median progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to investigate the predictors of OS for ASTRI-NSCLC treated with DEB-BACE. Results: No severe adverse event was found in both groups. Pneumothorax was the predominant MWA-related complication in group A, with an incidence rate of 32.1% (9/28). Meanwhile, no significant difference was found in DEB-BACE-related complications between groups A and B. The overall disease control rate (DCR) was 61.0% (47/77), with a significantly higher DCR in group A (85.7% vs. 46.9%, P = 0.002). The median PFS in groups A and B was 7.0 and 4.0 months, respectively, with a significant difference (P = 0.037). The median OS in groups A and B was both 8.0 months, with no significant difference (P = 0.318). The 6-month PFS and OS rates in groups A and B were 75.0% and 78.6%, 22.4% and 59.2%, respectively, while the 12-month PFS and OS rates in groups A and B were 17.9% and 28.6%, 14.3% and 22.4%, respectively. Of these, a significantly higher 6-month PFS rate was found in group A (75.0% vs. 22.4%; P < 0.001). The cycles of DEB-BACE/bronchial artery infusion chemotherapy [hazard ratio (HR): 0.363; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.202-0.655; P = 0.001] and postoperative immunotherapy (HR: 0.219; 95% CI: 0.085-0.561; P = 0.002) were identified as the predictors of OS in ASTRI-NSCLC treated with DEB-BACE. Conclusion: MWA sequentially combined with DEB-BACE was superior to DEB-BACE alone in the local control of ASTRI-NSCLC. Although the combination therapy reveals a trend of prolonging the OS, long-term prognosis warrants an investigation with a longer follow-up.

Computed tomography-guided microwave ablation for non-small cell lung cancer patients on antithrombotic therapy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients on antithrombotic therapy who are treated with microwave ablation (MWA), the transient interruption of antithrombotic agents may increase the risk of thromboembolism, and continuation of antithrombotic agents may increase the risk of intraprocedural hemorrhage. This retrospective cohort study aimed to explore the safety of MWA in patients with NSCLC on antithrombotic therapy. Methods: A total of 572 patients with NSCLC (antithrombotic therapy group: n=84, Group A; control group: n=488, Group B) who received MWA were included. Antithrombotic agent use was suspended before MWA and resumed as soon as possible after MWA. Hemorrhagic (hemothorax and hemoptysis) and thromboembolic complications (pulmonary embolism, cerebral infarction, and angina) were compared. Logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the predictors of hemorrhagic complications after MWA. Results: Hemorrhagic complications occurred in 8 participants (9.5%) from Group A and 33 participants (6.8%) from Group B, and no statistically significant difference was found (P=0.365). There were 3 participants (0.5%) who developed thromboembolic complications, including 1 case (1.2%, 1/84) of pulmonary embolism in Group A, and 2 cases (0.4%, 2/488) of cerebral infarction or angina in Group B; no significant difference was found (P=0.923). In the subgroup analyses of Group A, no statistically significant difference of hemorrhagic (P>0.999) or thromboembolic complications (P>0.999) was found between patients who received and did not receive bridging anticoagulation with heparin. Logistic regression analyses revealed that direct contact of a tumor with vessels ≥2 mm was a predictor of hemorrhagic complications [hazard ratio (HR) =2.318; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.215-4.420; P=0.011], while antithrombotic therapy was irrelevant. Conclusions: With the appropriate cessation and resumption of antithrombotic agents, patients with NSCLC on antithrombotic therapy have comparable incidence rates of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications after MWA to those of patients who are not on antithrombotic therapy. Therefore, with appropriate cessation, MWA appears to generally be safe for NSCLC patients on antithrombotic therapy.

[Effects of biomass conditioner on soil nutrient and microbial community characteristics of alpine desertified grassland in northwest Sichuan, China]. / ç”Ÿç‰©è´¨è°ƒç†å‰‚å¯¹å·è¥¿åŒ—é«˜å¯’è‰åœ°æ²™åŒ–åœŸå£¤å »åˆ†å’Œå¾®ç”Ÿç‰©ç¾¤è½ç‰¹å¾çš„å½±å“.

Biomass conditioner made from agricultural and animal husbandry waste for resource disposal could be used to improve desertified soil, which is one of the effective ways of ecological management on desertified grasslands in northwest Sichuan. To clarify the effects of different raw material conditioners on alpine desertified grassland in northwest Sichuan, we analyzed the effects of three conditioners on soil nutrients and microbial community characteristics. With no conditioner as the control (CK), three different biomass conditioners were set up with an application rate of 12 t·hm-2, including mushroom dregs (JZ), straw (JG) and biochar (SWT). The results showed that all biomass conditioners could significantly increase soil available nutrients and active organic carbon by 23.0%-521.6%. Among the three conditioners, JG had the best effect, with an improvement range for soil nutrient and organic carbon of 65.1%-521.6%. Because biomass conditioner was only applied in the first year, soil available nutrients and active organic carbon in the second year decreased by 4.5%-92.3% compared with that of the first year, while soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon content of the second year increased by 5.6%-458.0%. The biomass conditioners changed the relative abundance of the dominant bacteria in the microbial community. JG significantly affected bacterial flora, while JG and JZ affected fungal flora. Compared with CK, JG significantly reduced the diversity of soil bacteria and fungi. The Shannon index was decreased by 2.9% and 31.8%, while the Simpson index was increased by 175.0% and 320.9%, respectively. Results of the redundancy analysis showed that the contents of soil available nutrients and active organic carbon were important factors affecting microbial community composition. The contents of soil nitrate and microbial biomass carbon had greater impacts on bacterial community composition, explaining 65.9% of community variations. The contents of soil available potassium and microbial biomass carbon had a greater impact on fungal community composition, explaining 83.2% of community variation. According to the comprehensive comparison, straw conditioner could significantly increase soil available nutrients and active organic carbon, and benefit the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungi, which could be used as a promotion measure to improve soil quality of alpine desertified grassland in northwest Sichuan.

Calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumor of the thyroid with metastasis to liver-rare presentation of an unusual tumor: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors mainly occur in the stomach, intestine, pancreas, and lung and are rarely detected in the thyroid. Thyroid neuroendocrine tumors, designated medullary thyroid carcinoma, generally present with elevated calcitonin. Calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumors of the thyroid are extremely rare. CASE SUMMARY: Here, we present a case report of a 56-year-old female patient with a neck pain complaint. Total thyroidectomy was conducted after comprehensive evaluation, and diagnosis was confirmed as calcitonin-negative neuroendocrine tumor of the thyroid. Two months later, liver metastasis was detected, and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was subsequently performed to control growth. However, the curative effect was unsatisfactory and multiple intrahepatic metastases occurred after 3 mo. CONCLUSION: Owing to the rarity of this disease, no clear guidelines are available for treatment. In addition to reporting this rare case, we have reviewed and summarized associated medical literature with an aim to provide a comprehensive reference platform for subsequent research.

Primary renal synovial sarcoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Synovial sarcoma, a rare mesenchymal tumor type with unclear histological origin and direction of differentiation, accounts for 6%-10% of soft tissue tumors. It is mainly located near the joints and tendons of the limbs, and occurs primarily in children or young adults. Primary renal synovial sarcoma (PRSS) is very rare, accounting for approximately 1% of synovial sarcomas. It is a spindle cell tumor type affecting mesenchymal tissue, and has morphological, genetic, and clinical characteristics, and a certain degree of epithelial differentiation. It is highly malignant and has the fourth highest incidence among soft tissue sarcomas. Here, we report a case of PRSS and share some valuable information about the disease. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital for a space-occupying lesion in the right kidney for 2 d upon ultrasound examination. The patient had no cold or fever; no frequency, urgency or pain of urination; and no other discomfort. The results of a hemogram, blood biochemistry, and tumor markers were in the normal range. The patient was examined by computed tomography (CT), which indicated the presence of a soft tissue density shadow with a diameter of approximately 6.8 cm in the right renal pelvis area, showing uneven enhancement. Ultrasound indicated a cystic solid mass of approximately 6.8 cm × 6.5 cm in the right kidney, with an unclear boundary and irregular shape. Meanwhile, color Doppler flow imaging showed dotted blood flow signals in the periphery and interior. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) showed "slow in and fast out" hyperenhancement of the right renal mass after contrast agent injection. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was (right kidney) synovial sarcoma. Despite postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, tumor recurrence was detected two years later. CONCLUSION: PRSS is a rare malignant tumor. To date, no characteristic imaging findings have been observed. The diagnosis is confirmed primarily through postoperative pathological immunohistochemistry and SS18 (SYT) gene detection. In this case, CEUS was used preoperatively. We found that PRSS has the characteristic of "slow in and fast out" hyperenhancement, and its particular characteristics have diagnostic value. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is not very effective.

Dermatofibrosarcoma metastases to the pancreas: A case report.

BACKGROUND: In general, malignant tumors metastasize to the pancreas in < 1% of cases. Most patients miss the opportunity for further surgery due to distant metastases; however, for fibrosarcomas, aggressive surgery may be helpful even if distant metastases occur. Hence, we report such a case and share some valuable information about the disease. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old man was admitted with recurrent epigastric pain for 10 days. The abdominal pain was mainly related to bloating with nausea, but no other associated symptoms. No particular signs were found on abdominal examination or laboratory testing. In 2003, a local distal expanded resection of the primary fibrosarcoma in the left chest wall was performed. Then, a left pneumonectomy was performed in 2017 due to diffuse metastases from the fibrosarcoma to the left lung. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging of the upper abdomen suggested multiple masses of different sizes involving the head and tail of the pancreas; no local lymph node enlargement was noted. The postoperative pathologic diagnosis revealed a fibrosarcoma of the pancreas. A CT re-examination 6 mo postoperatively showed no local recurrence or distant metastases. CONCLUSION: A fibrosarcoma is a rare low-grade malignant tumor, and metastases to the pancreas are even rarer. Patients with a history of a fibrosarcoma should consider the possibility of metastasis when a pancreatic neoplasm is demonstrated. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment.

[Effects of ridge-cultivation and plastic film mulching on root distribution and yield of spring maize in hilly area of central Sichuan basin, China.] / åž„ä½œä¸Žè¦†è†œå¯¹å·ä¸­ä¸˜é™µæ˜¥çŽ‰ç±³æ ¹ç³»åˆ†å¸ƒåŠäº§é‡çš„å½±å“.

A field experiment was conducted to study the effects of planting pattern (ridge culture, flatten culture, furrow culture) and film mulching on the distribution of spring maize root system and their influence on the yield of spring maize in the hilly area of central Sichuan basin. The results showed that ridge and film mulching had great influence on root morphology and root distribution of maize. The root length, root surface area and root volume of film mulching was 42.3%, 50.0%, 57.4% higher than those of no film mulching at jointing stage. The film mulching significantly increased the dry mass of root in vertical and horizontal distribution, and increased the root allocation ratio in deeper soil layer (20-40 cm) and the allocation ratio of wide row (0-20 cm) in horizontal direction. The effects of planting pattern on root growth and root distribution differed by film mulching. With film mulching, the ridge culture significantly increased the root dry mass in each soil layer and enlarged the distribution percentage of wide row (20-40 cm) in horizontal direction, as well as the dry mass of root in horizontal distribution and the root allocation ratio of wide row. The root mass under film mulching was in the order of ridge culture>flatten culture>furrow culture. Without film mulching, the furrow culture significantly increased root dry mass of narrow row (0-40 cm), and the root mass under no film mulching was in the order of furrow culture > ridge culture >flatten culture. As for the spike characteristics and maize yield, the filming mulching mea-sures reduced the corn bald length while increased the spike length, grain number, 1000-grain mass and yield. The yield under film mulching was in the order of ridge culture>flatten culture> furrow culture, while it was furrow culture > flatten culture > ridge culture under no film mulching. The reason for yield increase under ridge culture with film mulching was that it increased root weight especially in deep soil, and promoted the root allocation ratio in deeper soil and wide row (20-40 cm) in horizontal direction. The ridge-furrow culture without film mulching was helpful to root growth and increased the maize yield.

Stratification and Storage of Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen as Affected by Tillage Practices in the North China Plain.

Tillage practices can redistribute the soil profiles, and thus affects soil organic carbon (SOC), and its storage. The stratification ratio (SR) can be an indicator of soil quality. This study was conducted to determine tillage effects on the profile distribution of certain soil properties in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and summer maize (Zea mays L.) systems in the North China Plain (NCP). Three tillage treatments, including no till (NT), rotary tillage (RT), and plow tillage (PT), were established in 2001 in Luancheng County, Hebei Province. The concentration, storage, and SR of SOC and soil total nitrogen (TN) were assessed in both the wheat and maize seasons. Compared with RT and PT, the mean SRs for all depth ratios of SOC under NT increased by 7.85% and 30.61% during the maize season, and by 14.67% and 30.91% during the wheat season, respectively. The SR of TN for 0-5:30-50 cm increased by 140%, 161%, and 161% in the maize season, and 266%, 154%, and 122% in the wheat season compared to the SR for 0-5:5-10 cm under NT, RT and PT, respectively. The data indicated that SOC and TN were both concentrated in the surface-soil layers (0-10 cm) under NT but were distributed relatively evenly through the soil profile under PT. Meanwhile, the storage of SOC and TN was higher under NT for the surface soil (0-10 cm) but was higher under PT for the deeper soil (30-50 cm). Furthermore, the storage of SOC and TN was significantly related to SR of SOC and TN along the whole soil profile (P<0.0001). Therefore, SR could be used to explain and indicate the changes in the storage of SOC and TN. Further, NT stratifies SOC and TN, enhances the topsoil SOC storage, and helps to improve SOC sequestration and soil quality.

Optimisation of high-pressure ultrasonic-assisted extraction and antioxidant capacity of polysaccharides from the rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong.

High-pressure ultrasound-assisted extraction was used to extract polysaccharides from the Ligusticum chuanxiong rhizomes. Three independent variables, namely, extraction temperature (X1), ultrasonic power (X2) and extraction time (X3) were investigated. Response surface methodology was performed based on the results of single-factor tests. Experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis, and results were examined using appropriate statistical methods. The optimal conditions were as follows: extraction temperature of 85°C, ultrasonic power of 187 W and extraction time of 29 min. Under these conditions, the experimental yield of polysaccharides was 5.33%, which is close to the predicted yield of 5.41%. The extracted and purified polysaccharides showed excellent antioxidative effects on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazy, hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in vitro.

Association between socioeconomic status (SES), mental health and need for long-term care (NLTC)-A Longitudinal Study among the Japanese Elderly.

This study was carried out to explore the relationship between the SES, mental health and the NLTC of the Japanese elderly, with the aim of providing useful information to lower the NLTC. A longitudinal survey was carried out in Tama City, Tokyo in 2001 and 2004. Data were collected from the urban-dwelling older adults, aged 65 years old and above, through self-reported questionnaires, which was participated by 7905 respondents (47.6% male and 52.4% female). Chi-square test, Kendall tau-b correlation analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to identify the association between SES, mental health and NLTC. The results of the SEM analysis indicated that mental health would exert a negative effect on NLTC for both the elderly men and the elderly women, while the effect was stronger for the elderly women; SES was significantly and negatively associated to NLTC, both for the elderly men and elderly women; a significant and positive relationship was observed between SES and mental health for both genders, but slightly stronger for the elderly men. These findings have implications for targeting the interventions that are aimed to delaying the NLTC and the financing of LTC system.

[Effects of tillage conversion on carbon sequestration capability of farmland soil doubled cropped with wheat and corn].

By the methods of field experiment, laboratory analysis, and in situ investigation, this paper studied the effects of different tillage conversion on the carbon sequestration capability of farmland soil doubled cropped with wheat and corn. Compared with conventional tillage (CTA), conservation tillage practices benefited the accumulation of soil organic carbon, among which, no-tillage plus straw returning (NTS) increased the organic carbon accumulation in 0-5 cm soil layer by 18.0%, rotary tillage plus straw returning (RTS) increased this accumulation in 0-5 and 5-10 cm soil layers by 17.6% and 25.0%, respectively, and conventional tillage plus straw returning (CTS) increased the organic carbon in 10-30 cm soil layer by 31.8%. After the conversion from CTA to NTS, the carbon emission from farm operations decreased by 54.3 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1); while the conversion from CTA to CTS and RTS resulted in an increase of this emission by 46.9 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1) and 34.4 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1), respectively. Considering of the accumulation of soil organic carbon and the carbon emission from farm operations, it could be concluded that the conversion from CTA to conservation tillage changed this farmland soil from carbon source to carbon sink, and the RTS among the three conservation tillage modes resulted in the highest soil carbon sequestration (1011.1 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1)).