Prospective evaluation of 3T MRI findings for primary adnexal lesions and comparison with the final histological diagnosis.

PURPOSE: We prospectively investigated the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3.0 Tesla (3T) for the detection of suspected primary adnexal masses in a large cohort of patients. METHODS: This prospective clinical study included 223 patients with suspected gynaecological disease who were referred for 3T MRI assessments before laparoscopy or laparotomy. Fifty-nine patients were excluded. All detected adnexal pathologies on MRI were categorized into the four groups (endometric cysts, teratomas, benign tumours and malignant tumours). Histological findings were used as the comparative reference standard. As measures to detect or rule out primary adnexal masses, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were determined by lesion-based evaluations. RESULTS: The reference standard method detected 141 primary adnexal lesions in 125 patients. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the lesion-based evaluations for endometric cysts, teratomas, benign lesions and malignant lesions were 92.8, 93.6, 95.1 and 94.4 %. Lesion-based evaluation yielded an accuracy of 90.3 %, sensitivity of 92.7 %, specificity of 89.3 %, PPV of 77.6 % and NPV of 96.8 % in differentiating malignancies from non-malignant lesions. The diagnostic value of 3T MRI for detecting malignancies was superior to that for benign tumours. CONCLUSIONS: 3T MRI well categorize the characteristics of primary adnexal lesions and may be a reliable modality for distinguishing malignancies from benign tumours.

Incidence and Intensity of Early Dumping Syndrome and Its Association with Health-Related Quality of Life Following Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dumping syndrome (DS) is a shared but underappreciated complication after metabolic-bariatric surgery. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of symptoms suggestive of DS and their relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was performed for all patients with a history of sleeve gastrectomy between July 2017 and July 2022 in our center. Basial clinic statistics were gathered from electronic medical database, the prevalence and severity of DS were assessed by Dumping Symptom Rating Scale (DSRS), and HRQOL is collected through the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36). RESULT: In total, 133 of 202 patients completed the questionnaire (response rate 65.8%). A total of 64.7% (N = 86) of participants were female, aged 34.0 (IQR 26.0-39.0) years at completion of the questionnaire, with a mean body mass index of 35.8 (IQR 31.4-40.5) kg/m2. The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of DS was 45.9% (N = 61), and the associated protective factor was the time between surgery and study. Compared with the patients without DS, patients with DS scored significantly worse on four of eight SF-36 subdomains. CONCLUSION: Symptoms suggestive of early dumping syndrome after sleeve gastrectomy are common and are associated with a worse health-related quality of life, which deserves clinical attention. Additional counselling, education, and care are needed to mitigate the decline in quality of life caused by dumping symptoms.

Evaluation of Six Noninvasive Methods for the Detection of Fibrosis in Chinese Patients with Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

PURPOSE: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world, and liver fibrosis has been proven to be associated with liver disease related events and total mortality. Several noninvasive methods have been developed, but whether those methods are suitable for the detection of fibrosis in Chinese patients with obesity and NAFLD has not been completely elucidated. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI), modified aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (m-APRI), BARD (BARD (BMI (body mass index) > 28 = 1 point, AAR (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase) > 0.8 = 2 points, DM (diabetes mellitus) = 1 point)), NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS), and shear wave elastography (SWE) in the evaluation of the degree of liver fibrosis in Chinese patients with obesity and NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study consisted of 100 patients. The accuracy of FIB-4, APRI, m-APRI, BARD, NFS, and SWE in the assessment of significant or advanced liver fibrosis in Chinese patients with obesity and NAFLD was compared. RESULTS: Weight and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were independent risk factors for liver fibrosis. SWE, APRI, and m-APRI had significant efficiency in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in patients with obesity and NAFLD. APRI and SWE were superior to the other methods in the diagnosis of significant and advanced liver fibrosis in patients with obesity and NAFLD. APRI and SWE showed no statistically significant difference in diagnostic efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Weight and ALT are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis progression in NAFLD patients. SWE and APRI have predictive value for significant and advanced fibrosis of NAFLD in Chinese patients with obesity.

Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Versus Sleeve Gastrectomy Plus Procedures for Treatment of Morbid Obesity: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most commonly performed bariatric procedures globally, but both techniques have shortcomings. Several modifications of SG (SG plus procedures) have been developed, but the efficacy of the different procedures has not been completely elucidated. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SG plus procedures. Out of the initially identified 2357 studies, thirteen were selected for this meta-analysis: two studies on banded sleeve gastrectomy (BSG), four studies on sleeve gastrectomy plus duodenal-jejunal bypass (SG + DJB) or sleeve gastrectomy with loop duodenal-jejunal bypass (SADJB), two studies on sleeve gastrectomy with jejunal-jejunal bypass (SG + JJB), four studies on single anastomosis duodenal-ileal switch (SADI-S), and one study on stomach intestinal pylorus-sparing surgery (SIPS). SADI-S procedure was found to achieve significantly greater percentage of excess weight loss than the RYGB. SG + DJB and SADJB achieved greater weight loss than the RYGB. Major complications were fewer with SG + JJB than with RYGB, but the difference was not significant. Overall, SG plus procedures appear to achieve better weight loss and cause fewer complications than RYGB.

[Distribution and Sources of Microplastics in Farmland Soil Along the Fenhe River].

This study investigated the distribution and sources of microplastics smaller than 1 mm in farmland soil along the Fenhe River. Microplastics in soil samples were separated and extracted using the traditional density centrifugation method. The quantity and type of microplastics were examined with a stereomicroscope. The micro-morphology of plastic particles were observed with a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer. The chemical composition was determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicate that the average abundance of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River is 290.5 n ·kg-1. These microplastics occur as fibers, films, fragments, and foams. Fiber microplastics are the most abundant, accounting for 52.67% of the total, and are mostly composed of polyethylene. Films and fragments mainly consist of polypropylene whereas the foams consist of polystyrene. Soil samples from different parts of the Fenhe River can be ranked according to the microplastics content in the following order:downstream>midstream>upstream. The abundance of microplastics in soil from the downstream region of the Fenhe River was 500.0 n ·kg-1, twice that of from the upstream and midstream regions. The results of the random forest model indicate that the sources of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River are closely related to the amount of agricultural films, population, gross domestic product, and industrial production. Among these factors, the amount of agricultural films is a key factor that influences the occurrence of microplastics in farmland soil along the Fenhe River.

Expression of HGF/c-Met is dynamically regulated in the dorsal root ganglions and spinal cord of adult rats following sciatic nerve ligation.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met play pivotal roles in post-traumatic regeneration of the nervous system. However, following peripheral nerve injury, the role and regulation of the HGF/c-Met system is less clear. Therefore, using a sciatic nerve ligation (SNL) model, spatiotemporal changes in HGF and c-Met expression were detected in the dorsal root ganglions (DRGs) and lumbar spinal cords of adult rats. HGF expression following SNL was found to be significantly decreased in ipsilateral L4-L5 DRGs from day 3 to day 14, with the lowest levels of expression detected on days 5 and 7. In contrast, no significant change in HGF expression was detected in the lumbar spinal cords. c-Met expression in ipsilateral L4-L5 DRGs and within the ipsilateral dorsal horn was found to be significantly up-regulated following SNL, particularly from day 5 to day 14, with peak levels of expression detected on days 7 and 14. In contrast, c-Met levels following SNL consistently remained stable in the spinal ventral horn. These findings suggest that the HGF/c-Met system is spatiotemporally regulated by a unique pattern of signaling pathways induced by peripheral nerve injury, and these pathways have a role in promoting the survival of injured neurons, especially adult DRG sensory neurons.

Lack of effect of genetic polymorphisms of SLCO1B1 on the lipid-lowering response to pitavastatin in Chinese patients.

AIM: To investigate the SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C polymorphisms in hyperlipidemia patients and evaluate the effect of the two polymorphisms on the lipid-lowering efficacy of pitavastatin. METHODS: The functional polymorphisms of SLCO1B1 (388A>G and 521T>C) were genotyped in 140 Chinese patients with essential hyperlipidemia using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and one-step tetra-primers ARMS-PCR. Eighty-five patients were enrolled in the clinical trial and given 2 mg of pitavastatin daily for 8 weeks. Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) serum levels were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: The allele frequencies of SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C in essential hyperlipidemia patients were 71.1% and 11.1%, respectively. The 4- and 8-week treatment with pitavastatin significantly reduced TC, TG, and LDL levels, but there was no statistical difference among patients with wild type, SLCO1B1 388A>G or SLCO1B1 521T>C in the lipid-lowering efficacy of pitavastatin. CONCLUSION: The present study found that the allele frequencies of SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C in Chinese patients with essential hyperlipidemia are comparable to those in healthy Chinese population. SLCO1B1 388A>G and 521T>C do not affect the lipid-lowering efficacy of pitavastatin.

[Comparison between Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI and USPIO-enhanced MRI in diagnosing benign and metastatic cervical lymph nodes in rabbit models].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic value of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced MRI with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced MRI in differentiating reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes from metastatic lymph nodes in rabbit models. METHODS: Reactive hyperplastic cervical lymph node model was established in 18 rabbits as hyperplasia group, and tumor-bearing lymph node model was established in another 18 rabbits as tumor group. For Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI, T1WI and T2WI were performed on 9 animals of each model, and T1WI was acquired 80 seconds after administration of Gd-DTPA. For USPIO-enhanced MRI, T1WI, T2WI and T2*WI were performed on another 9 animals of each model before and 24 hours after administration of USPIO. MRI images were analyzed and correlated with surgical specimens and pathological results. RESULTS: In the tumor group, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI were 62.5%, 91.3%, 88.2%, 70.0% and 76.6%, respectively. The corresponding values of USPIO-enhanced MRI were 95.0%, 90.9%, 90.5%, 95.2% and 92.9%, respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of USPIO-enhanced MRI differ significantly from those of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI. In the hyperplasia group, the accuracy of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI was 74.2%, while 87.1% for USPIO-enhanced MRI. CONCLUSION: USPIO-enhanced MRI has higher accuracy in diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes than Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

[3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA for dynamic monitoring tumor angiogenesis in a rabbit VX2 tumor].

OBJECTIVE: To study possibility of dynamic monitoring tumor angiogenesis in vivo by 3D-CTA on a 64-row multidetector CT and 4D-CE-MRA on a 3T MR scanner; compare the advantages and faults of these two methods; and analyze the relationship between tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. METHODS: This study had been approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits with implanted VX2 tumors in the right thigh muscle were randomly divided into five groups according to survive time (n = 6). The rabbits were scanned by a 64-row multidetector CT and a 3T MR at 4, 7, 10, 13, 16 days after tumor implantation respectively, and then sacrificed to extract the tumor. The tumors' long diameters, short diameters and volume measurements derived from CT and MR imaging were compared with pathological data. The minimum tumor diameter and the number of new tumor blood vessels detectable by 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA were also compared. The morphologic process of tumor angiogenesis was monitored and described. RESULTS: (1) The volume of tumors measured by CT imaging, MR imaging and pathological data had no significant difference (P > 0.05). (2) The minimum diameter of tumor vessels displayed on 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA images was 0.68 mm +/- 0.07 mm and 0.85 mm +/- 0.12 mm respectively. The minimum diameter of tumor vessels displayed on 3D-CTA imaging was significantly smaller than 4D-CE-MRA imaging (t = -6.5075, P = 0.005). (3) The number of tumor vessels on 3D-CTA imaging and 4D-CE-MRA imaging had no significant difference at 4, 7, 10 days after tumor implantation. The number of tumor vessels on 3D-CTA images were significantly more than that on 4D-CE-MRA images at 13, 16 days after tumor implantation (all P < 0.01). (4) The morphologic process of tumor angiogenesis was demonstrated as sprouting from pre-existing blood vessel, forming lots of new vessels around tumor, and forming the immature vessels web with lots of tortuous, dilated, irregular vessels penetrating into the tumor at last. CONCLUSIONS: Volume CT and high magnet field MR can monitor tumor growth in vivo. 3D-CTA and 4D-CE-MRA can dynamicly monitor morphological changes of tumor angiogenesis in vivo. Of the two methods, 3D-CTA has better spatial resolution, but 4D-CE-MRA allows better temporal resolution of tumor angiogenesis monitoring.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease complicating laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: current knowledge and surgical therapies.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is currently the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide. However, the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after LSG is high. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to identify the optimal surgical strategy for treating GERD after LSG. SETTING: West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on surgical treatments for GERD after LSG. The effectiveness and safety profile of surgical management on GERD after LSG were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 40 articles enrolling 2049 patients were included in this review. Surgical strategies to prevent GERD after LSG were mainly of 2 types: concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures (hiatal hernia repair or fundoplication) and secondary procedures (conversion to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB] or repeat sleeve gastrectomy). The short-term remission or improvement rate of GERD was 34.6%-100% after concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures. The postoperative complication rate was the same (3.0%) for both LSG + antireflux procedures and LSG alone. The remission or improvement rate of GERD was 57.1%-100% after conversion to RYGB and 100% after repeat sleeve gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness and safety profile of concomitant LSG + antireflux procedures is uncertain. However, secondary operations after LSG, such as conversion to RYGB, appear to provide good results. The data overall are heterogeneous, with imprecise methods of documenting and defining GERD complicating LSG. More cohort studies or RCT studies of high quality with long-term follow-up are needed in the future.

[Genetic diversity and origin of mitochondria DNA D-loop region of some Chinese indigenous cattle breeds].

The complete D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA from 206 individuals in 16 Chinese indigenous cattle breeds was sequenced and analyzed to detect variability of D-loop region of mitochondria DNA for those breeds. The results showed as follows: 101 variations and 99 haplotypes were found, in which 73 haplotypes were of Bos taurus and the other 26 haplotypes were of Bos indicus, and the average number of nucleotide differences was 22.6920, haplotype diversity was 0.9320, and nucleotide diversity was 0.0227, indicating high genetic diversity in Chinese indigenous cattle breeds. According to the NJ phylogenetic tree, 16 cattle breeds were divided into two clades, Bos taurus and Bos indicus. Based on the Network graphics, the 73 haplotypes of Bos taurus were classified into 3 groups and the 26 haplotypes of Bos indicus were classified into 5 groups. It was inferred that cattle breeds of Bos indicus in China had experienced at least 4 population expansions during their movement. There was only 16% of H3 haplotype sequences similar to the sequence of Nellore, and 84% of those sequences had purine C variation in Chinese indigenous cattle breeds through the analysis on their common H3 haplotypes. It was concluded that those purine C decrease was possibly originated in Chinese Bos indicus.

[Individual identification and paternity testing of bulls using microsatellite].

The polymorphism distributions of 14 microsatellite loci were detected using the Bovine Paternity PCR Typing Kit (including 11 X-STR) and 3 selected Y-STR microsatellite DNA markers. The genetic diversity were evaluated, and the feasibility of the application to individual identification and paternity testing were discussed. The results showed that all the 14 microsatellite loci had genetic polymorphisms in bulls, and the polymorphism information content (PIC) in loci MCM158 was the biggest (0.888), while the ETH10 was the lowest (0.482). Power of discrimination (DP) value of the 14 STR loci ranged from 0.715 to 0.968. The Cumulate DP (CDP) was 99.99%, and the Cumulate PE (CPE) also reached 99.99%. These results indicate that the 14 microsatellites can be applied to the individual identification.

Effects of clozapine administration on body weight, glucose tolerance, blood glucose concentrations, plasma lipids, and insulin in male C57BL/6 mice: A parallel controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Clozapine has been associated with metabolic adverse events (AEs) (eg, elevated body weight, blood glucose concentrations, cholesterol, triglycerides [TG]), all of which have deleterious effects on health and medication compliance. However, little focus has been directed toward finding a suitable experimental model to study the metabolic AEs associated with clozapine. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of clozapine administration for 28 days on body weight, glucose tolerance, blood glucose concentrations, plasma lipids, and insulin in C57BL/6 mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were grouped and treated with clozapine 2 or 10 mg/kg or vehicle intraperitoneally QD for 28 days. Body weight was assessed on days 0 (baseline), 7, 14, 21, and 28, and glucose tolerance, blood glucose concentrations, insulin (calculated by insulin resistance index [IRI]), and plasma lipids (including total cholesterol, TG, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were assessed on day 29. RESULTS: Sixty 10-week-old, male C57BL/6 mice were included in the study and were divided into 3 groups (20 mice per group). The body weight significantly decreased in the clozapine 10-mg-treated group on days 14, 21, and 28 compared with the vehicle group (mean [SD] body weight: 21.61 [1.05] vs 22.79 [1.11], 22.53 [1.05] vs 24.17 [1.24], and 22.21 [1.07] vs 24.99 [1.39] g, respectively; all, P < 0.05). In the clozapine 10-mg/kg group, blood glucose concentrations significantly increased 0, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after glucose administration compared with the vehicle group (mean [SD]: 6.67 [1.25], 25.34 [5.85], 12.68 [3.39], and 7.52 [1.45] mmol/L, respectively, vs 4.61 [0.78], 21.54 [6.55], 11.46 [3.46], and 6.55 [1.42] mmol/L, respectively; all P < 0.05). The clozapine 10-mg/kg group also had significant increases in plasma insulin concentrations compared with the vehicle group (12.70 [5.27] vs 7.62 [4.54] µIU/mL; P < 0.05) and IRI (3.01 [1.26] vs 1.51 [0.96]; P < 0.05). Plasma HDL-C concentration also significantly decreased in the clozapine 10-mg/kg group compared with the vehicle group (1.23 [0.25] vs 1.47 [0.16]; P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Clozapine 10 mg/kg was associated with significant decreases in body weight and significant increases in fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance in these male C57BL/6 mice.

[MRI monitoring of cerebral spinal fluid metastasis in rabbit model].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rabbit model of cerebral spinal flow metastasis, to analyze the growth rate of tumor, and to investigate the value of MRI in monitoring the biology of tumor compared with pathology. METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with suspension of VX(2) tumor cells in the subarachnoid space via the foramen magnum (experimental group), and 6 rabbits were inoculated with normal saline (control group). MRI examination, including non-enhanced T(1)WI, T(2)WI, and FLAIR sequences and then T(1)WI, FLAIR after dynamic contrast enhanced with Gd-DTPA were done 7 approximately 22 days after inoculation with a 3-day interval. The rabbits were killed after the last MRI scan with their spinal cords, spinal meninges, and tumor taken out to undergo microscopy. RESULTS: (1) MRI plain scan showed that in the experimental group 2 nodi in the medulla and 1 nodes in the cervical spinal cord were found with low signal on T(1)WI and high signal on T(2)WI; and FLAIR imaging showed local lesions with medial signal in 6 rabbits (25%). And no abnormal signs were seen in the control group. (2) MRI enhancement showed that in the experimental group the images of 15 rabbit models were enhanced markedly with irregular thickening of meninges or nodules at the subarachnoid space on T(1)WI, positive signs were confirmed on FLAIR sequence in 16 of the 24 rabbits, and positive signs were noted on DCE-MRI scanning in 18 of the 24 rabbits (75%). In the control group 5 of the 6 rabbits were negative in images. Microscopy showed thickened of meninges and spinal meninges in 20 of the 24 rabbits of the experimental group and spinal cord metastasis in 22 rabbits. No pathological changes were seen in the control group. Statistics showed a CSF metastasis rate of 91.67%. There were significant difference between the plain scan and T(1)WI with enhancement (P < 0.01) and between FLAIR scan and FLAIR enhancement scans. There was a significant difference between T(1)WI and FLAIR enhancement and pathological findings (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between DCE-MRI method and pathological results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Gd-DTPA enhanced MRI scan sequences has a high sensitivity and specificity and can be used in monitoring the growth of CSF metastasis. There is a disparity between the MRI signs and pathological findings. It is a key that to improve the spatial resolution of machine and to investigate the best method for detecting early metastasis.

[Genetic diversity and origin of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region for some domestic goat breeds of China].

The complete sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop of 140 individuals in 10 Chinese goat (Capra hiruc) breeds were analyzed by DNA sequencing technology. The results showed that the length of mtDNA D-loop in Chinese goats was 1 211-1 213 bp. There were 84 different haplotypes and 171 polymorphic sites. The mean nucleotide diversity (Pi) and haplotype diversity (Hd) were 0.02063+/+0.00225 and 0.988+/-0.003, respectively, and the average number of nucleotide differences (k) was 24.896. The results showed an abundant genetic diversity in domestic goats of China. The NJ tree indicated that there were two main branches in Chinese domestic goats, thereinto, one branch was clustered with Capra aegagrus, and Capra falconeri was clustered alone, which indicated that Capra aegagrus had more contribution to Chinese domestic goat breeds.

[MRI monitoring ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) particle labeling C6 rat glioma cells].

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the effects of labeling C6 rat glioma cells with different concentrations of USPIO in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: C6 rat glioma cells of 1 x 10(6), 2 x 10(6) and 1 x 10(7) were labeled with 0 microg/ml, 25 microg/ml, 50 microg/ml USPIO, The signal intensity of cells were evaluated by MRI with T(1)WI, T(2)WI and GRE/30 degrees sequences in vitro. 1 x 10(6) of C6 glioma cells were labeled with 0 microg/ml, 25 microg/ml, 50 microg/ml USPIO and inoculated into the right frontal lobe of 2 rats under stereotaxis apparatus respectively (total 6 rats), Same MRI parameters were used just as above. Iron particle density and cells was measured by HE and Prussian blue stain under microscopy. RESULTS: Different cell population was cultured with 0 microg/ml, 25 microg/ml, 50 microg/ml USPIO about 12 hours. The MR signal intensity of labeling cells were inversely correlated with the different concentration of USPIO groups in T(2)W and GRE/30 degrees imaging (t = 4.19, 3.38, P < 0.05) in vitro. There was an inversely correlation between the labeling cell population and the signal intensity at the same concentration of USPIO (t = 5.16, 2.35, 4.41; P < 0.05). Dyeing degree of labeling cells stained by Prussian blue gradually deepened from 25 microg/ml to 50 microg/ml by microscopy. In vivo MRI can clearly show the cells labeled with 25 microg/ml USPIO. CONCLUSIONS: Iron particle density in the rat glioma cells were gradually increased with the concentration of USPIO. The MR signal intensity was inversely correlated with the cell population at the same condition. 25 microg/ml USPIO labeling rat glioma cells were enough for in vivo monitoring by MRI.

[Analysis of the genetic structure of 12 Chinese and foreign cattle breeds using DNA microsatellite markers].

The genetic diversity of 9 Chinese native cattle breeds and 3 introduced breeds were analyzed using 12 microsatellite DNA markers recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG) through fluorescence-multiple PCR. According to the allele frequencies of 12 microsatellite locus, mean heterozygosity (H), polymorphism information content (PIC) , DA and DS genetic distances were calculated for each breed. Cluster analysis based on UPGMA method indicated that 12 breeds were clustered into four groups. Group I belonged to the southern-China cattle including Enshi, Liping, Zhaotong and Chuannan Mountainous; Group II belonged to the central-China cattle including Jiaxian Red and Zaosheng, Pinglu Mountainous; Group III belonged to the northern-China cattle including Yanbian and Changbai; Group IV consisted of foreign breeds including Germany Yellow, Simmental and Charolais. The results may provide an academic basis for preservation and utilization of Chinese native cattle breeds.

[Analysis on the genetic structure of 8 Asia buffalo populations].

One hundred and forty seven alleles were detected when thirteen microsatellite loci were analyzed applying fluorescence-multiplex PCR technology in eight buffalo populations were analyzed, including six indigenous Chinese native breeds (DechangXinglongFuzhongWenzhouDongliuFu'an), and two introduced breeds (MurrahNili-Ravi). Seven populations have their own unique alleles, total number is twenty-three. As to all the eight populations, effective number of alleles (Ne) was between 2.2908 and 4.2308, heterozygosity (H) between 0.4951 and 0.7194, and polymorphism information content (PIC) between 0.4495 and 0.6776. Eleven of the thirteen microsatellite loci were of high polymorphism and were then the appropriate, polymorphism marker could be used to analyze properly genetic diversity of the involved buffalo populations. Cluster analysis indicated that Fuzhong and Dongliu were clustered together, then with an independent cluster of Xinglong. Wenzhou and Fu'an were clustered together, Dechang was an independent cluster. Murrah and Nili-Ravi were clustered together.

[Level indicators construction and temporal-spatial distribution features of agricultural flood in the southwest of China].

Flood level indicators of southwest provinces were built in this study by using daily precipitation data of 341 weather stations in southwest agricultural areas from 1961 to 2010 combined with grey correlation analysis. In the process of building the indicators, we took single station flood indicators of Chongqing as the prototype. Through increasing and decreasing the precipitation threshold of Chongqing indicators by the amplitude of -50-+50 mm and the step size of 1 mm, each province got 101 groups of flood indicators. Based on the correlation between flood intensity calculated by all the indicators and crop flood real seriousness, coincidence between indicators and historical flood records and the comparability of different province indicators, we finally constructed agricultural flood level indicators of each province step by step. According to the flood indicators, we also analyzed temporal-spatial distribution features of flood disaster in southwest agricultural areas. The results were as follows: the final indicators of Yunnan were the original indicators plus 16 mm, while it was plus 30 mm for Guizhou and plus 40 mm for Sichuan-Chongqing. The correlation coefficients between flood index defined by indicators and affected ratio were 0.314 (P < 0.05), 0.553 (P < 0.01) and 0.305 (P < 0.05), respectively. The coincidence was relatively high between indicators and historical flood records. The ages in which flood disaster appeared very serious were 1980s in Yunnan, 1990s in Guizhou and 1980s and 2000s in Sichuan-Chongqing in the nearly 50 years. In the southwest and southeast of Yunnan, southwest of Guizhou and west and northeast of Sichuan Basin, the flood disaster was prevalent.

[Composition and variation characteristics of atmospheric carbonaceous species in PM 2.5 in Taiyuan, China].

Day-night variation characteristics of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in atmospheric fine particles (PM2.5) collected during winter of 2009 and spring of 2010 in Taiyuan city were analyzed using DRI Model 2001A Thermal/Optical Carbon Analyzer, and the sources of carbonaceous materials in PM2.5 were analyzed. The results showed that the average concentrations of PM2.5, OC, EC and average OC/EC ratios were all higher during winter [(289.2 ± 104.8) µg x m(-3), (65.2 ± 22.1) µg x m(-3), (23.5 ± 8.2) µg x m(-3) and 2.8 ± 0.3] than during spring [(248.6 ± 68.6) µg x m(-3), (29.7 ± 6.2) µg x m(-3), (20.2 ± 5.4) µg x m(-3) and 1.5 ± 0.3], higher in nighttime [(309.3 ± 150.0) µg x m(-3), (74.6 ± 19.5) µg x m(-3), (24.3 ± 6.6) µg x m(-3) and 3.1 ± 0.3] than in daytime [(234.9 ± 122.1) µg x m(-3), (54.9 ± 28.2) µg x m(-3), (22.6 ± 10.8) µg x m(-3) and 2.5 ± 0. 5] during winter while higher in daytime [(292.5 ± 120.8) µg x m(-3), (32.7 ± 10.5) µg x m(-3), (22.7 ± 10.1) µg x m(-3) and 1.6 ± 0.5] than in nighttime [(212.3 ± 36.7) µg x m(-3), (29.6 ± 6.6) µg x m(-3), (20.7 ± 6.4) µg x m(-3) and 1.5 ± 0.2] during spring. This result was explained by the fact that winter is a "heating season", especially in nighttime, emission of carbonaceous particles was increased because of the increase of coal and biomass combustion and diffusion of pollutants was difficult because of low atmospheric temperature and stable atmospheric conditions; and high OC/EC was caused by increase of OC emission but not contribution of secondary organic carbon (SOC) since low temperature and weak solar radiation were not favorable for the formation of SOC. The higher concentrations of PM2.5, OC and EC in daytime than in nighttime during spring might be due to more dust in daytime because of higher wind speed and lower relative humidity in daytime than in nighttime, and the higher OC/EC in daytime than in nighttime might be caused by higher temperature and stronger solar radiation in daytime, which were favorable for the formation of SOC. Comparing with other cities in China, Taiyuan showed high concentrations of PM2.5, OC and EC, indicating serious carbonaceous aerosol pollution which may significantly contribute to the formation of dust-haze.