Differential distribution shifts in two subregions of East Asian subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests-a case of Magnoliaceae.

Aim: East Asian subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) are composed of western and eastern subregions with different topographical and environmental conditions. The distribution shifts over time of plants in the two subregions are predicted to be different, but the difference has seldom been investigated. Methods: Potential distributions of 53 Magnoliaceae species (22 in the western and 31 in the eastern subregion) during the last glacial maximum (LGM), present, and the 2070s were predicted using MaxEnt based on 58 environmental variables. The changes in the distribution range size and centroid over time were analyzed. Species-level potential habitats were overlaid to uncover species diversity distribution, and the distributions over time were overlaid to discover long-term refugia. Results: At present, the potential distributions are significantly larger than those shown by the occurrence points. During the LGM, 20/22 species in the western subregion experienced increases in range size through downwards and southward migrations, while decreases in range size in the eastern subregion (27/31 species) were accompanied by northward and eastward migrations. In the future, range size declines and northward shifts will both be found; northwestward shifts will exist in most (20/22 species) species in the western subregion, while both northwest- and northeastward shifts will occur in the eastern subregion. The diversity hotspots experienced a slight southward shift in the past and upwards to the mountain region in the future in the western subregion; in the eastern subregion, shrinks occurred in eastern China in the past and shrinks were shown in all regions in the future. Long-term refugia-preserving diversity was found in the mountains across the entire EBLFs region. Main conclusions: Significant differences in distribution shifts from past to present and similar distribution shifts from present to future are revealed in the two subregions. Species diversity in both subregions experienced no significant shifts from past to future, and Magnoliaceae plants could be preserved in mountainous regions throughout the EBLFs.

[Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application Times and Nitrification Inhibitor on N2O Emission from Potted Maize].

Rational application of nitrogen is an important strategy for increasing yield while reducing environmental pollution due to nitrogen. Pot experiments were conducted to study the effects of different application times on maize yield and soil N2O emission under conditions of equal nitrogen content, and to explore the relationship between the abundance of nitrogen conversion functional genes and N2O emission. Four treatments were used, namely a control (CK, no urea), one-time application (S1, one application of 0.5 g·kg-1 urea+nitrification inhibitor), two separate applications ï¼»S2, two applications of 0.5 g·kg-1 urea (40% and 60% respectively)ï¼½ and three separate applications (S3, 0.5 g·kg-1 urea was divided into three different applications: 20%, 40% and 40% respectively). The results showed that: ① nitrogen application promoted soil acidification, and the degree of soil acidification varied significantly with different application times. More applications of nitrogen led to stronger soil acidification. Nitrogen application significantly increased the ear yield and stem biomass of fresh table maize, but different nitrogen application times may alter soil pH, leading to differences in the degree of nitrogen uptake and utilization in plants. While the S3 treatment significantly reduced soil pH, it also reduced the cumulative nitrogen uptake and utilization in the plants, resulting in a high cumulative N2O emission. Compared with the S3 treatment, the yield was 40.21% and 42.55% higher in the S1 and S2 treatments, and the cumulative N2O emission decreased by 79.4% and 20.9%, respectively. ② N2O emission was positively correlated with the abundance of AOB and nirK genes, which were the main contributors to N2O emission. S1 significantly decreased the abundance of AOB and nirK genes and N2O emissions, while S2 and S3 significantly increased the abundance of nirK and nirS genes and decreased the abundance of nosZ genes after fertilization, promoting N2O emissions. Nitrogen application times affect the functional genes of the nitrogen transformation process, and thus affect N2O emissions. In conclusion, a one-time application of urea combined with DCD only guarantees high maize yield and improves the efficient use of nitrogen, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, it is the recommended nitrogen fertilization mode for the cultivation of fresh corn in Hainan.

[Effects of Optimizing Fertilization on N2O and CH4 Emissions in a Paddy-Cowpea Rotation System in the Tropical Region of China].

In-situ measurement of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) emissions in a typical paddy-cowpea rotation system in Southern Hainan was conducted to determine the characteristics of greenhouse gas emissions under different optimum fertilization treatments. The experiment consisted of 5 treatments:conventional farming fertilization (CON), optimized fertilization (OPT), organic-inorganic fertilization (ORG), slow-controlled optimization fertilization (SCOPT), and no nitrogen as the control (CK). The N2O and CH4 emissions were measured using static chamber-gas chromatography during the all the paddy-cowpea rotation seasons. Global warming potential (GWP) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) were also estimated in this study. The cumulative N2O emission during the rice growth season was 0.19-1.37 kg·hm-2. Compared with the CON treatment, other treatments reduced N2O emission by 50% to 86%. The cumulative N2O emission during the cowpea growth season was 1.29-3.55 kg·hm-2. In addition, N2O emission increased by 14% as a result of the ORG treatment, whereas that of the remaining treatments decreased by 16% to 59%. The cumulative CH4 emissions during the paddy growth season were 4.67-14.23 kg·hm-2. The CH4 emissions following the CK, OPT, and ORG treatments were higher by 116%, 22%, and 102%, respectively, whereas that of SCOPT was lower by 29%, than that following the CON treatment. Moreover, the cumulative CH4 emission during the cowpea growth season was 0.03-0.26 kg·hm-2, and CH4 absorption occurred during the same period. With regard to the contribution rate of different periods to GWP, the cowpea growth season still had a proportion of 44.7%-54.5%, despite extremely low CH4 emission. Regarding the two greenhouse gases, N2O contributed 66.7%-77.2%. During the entire rotation system, both GWP and GHGI processed by SCOPT were significantly lower than those of the CON treatments. To sum up, the SCOPT treatment was determined to be the optimal fertilization scheme in this study and had the most significant effects on increasing production and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Isoniazid-induced Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) Syndrome Presenting as Acute Eosinophilic Myocarditis.

It has been reported that hypereosinophilic syndrome may be induced by antituberculosis drugs. We herein report the case of a 43-year-old man who had been on antituberculosis drugs for two months to treat tuberculous meningitis. During therapy, he suffered from drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) presenting as acute eosinophilic myocarditis, as confirmed on a histopathologic examination. According to the patient's medication history, clinical features and accessory examination findings, the eosinophilic myocarditis was thought to be possibly induced by isoniazid. Although further investigations are needed to confirm causality, isoniazid may be added to the list of drugs with the potential to cause DRESS syndrome.

Standardized transbronchial needle aspiration procedure for intrathoracic lymph node staging of non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic lymph node (LN) metastasis is the determining factor for NSCLC staging. However, enlargement in thoracic LNs, which can be detected by chest computed tomography (CT), may not be adequate for NSCLC staging. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a new transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) procedure to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of lung cancer diagnosis and staging. METHODS: A standardized TBNA procedure was performed on enlarged and non-enlarged LNs in the order of N3 to N1 station according to Wang's LN map. The status of LN metastasis determined by the standardized TBNA procedure was compared with the results from CT scan. RESULTS: The TBNA biopsy revealed that 21.43% of non-enlarged LNs were malignant. Compared with chest CT, the standardized TBNA procedure improved the accuracy of LN metastasis staging and discovered skip LN metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized TBNA procedure of this study may be recommended to be used as a routine TBNA procedure, in which LNs should be biopsied in the order of N3 to N1 station and both enlarged and non-enlarged LNs should be included to improve the accuracy of lung cancer staging.

Ultrasound score to select subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules requiring ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy in eastern China.

Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a costly diagnostic item with a low yield in identifying the tiny proportion of nodules that actually represent malignant disease. Our aim through this study was to obtain an ultrasound (US) score for selecting subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules requiring FNAB in eastern China. Some 248 patients for a total of 270 thyroid nodules less than 1 cm in diameter underwent FNAB and subsequent surgery from January 2006 to March 2012 at our hospital. The clinicopathological and US data from all the nodules were analyzed retrospectively. An US score was developed on the basis of independent predictive factors for malignancy. Irregular shape, hypoechogenicity, no well-defined margin, presence of calcifications and ratio between antero-posterior and transversal diameters (AP/TR) ≥1 were independent predictive factors for malignancy on logistic regression analysis. US score were statistically significant, with ≤2 favoring benignancy with an 80.3% sensitivity and a 72.7% specificity. US score is useful for differentiating between malignant and benign subcentimeter-sized thyroid nodules. We suggest FNAB for nodules when the US score is higher than 2.

[Experimental study of the effect of adipose stromal vascular fraction cells with VEGF on the neovascularization of free fat transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of adipose stromal vascular fraction cells (SVFs) with VEGF on the neovascularization of free fat transplantation. METHODS: SVFs were obtained from subcutaneous fat and labelled with DiI. 0.3 ml autologous fat tissue was mixed with 0.2 ml cells: 1) autologous SVFs with VEGF (Group A); 2) autologous SVFs (Group B); 3) complete DMEM (Group C) And then the mixture was injected randomly under the back skin of 12 nude mice. The transplanted fat tissue in three groups was harvested at 2 months after implantation. Wet weight and diameter of fat grafts was measured. After HE and CD31 staining,blood vessel density, viable adipocytes and fibrous proliferation were observed. RESULTS: Trace of SVFs labeled by DiI in vivo could be detected by fluorescent microscope. The wet weight of fat grafts was (191.90 +/- 9.81) mg in group A, (177.01 +/- 10.50) mg in group B, and (92.05 +/- 8.30) mg in group C (P<0.01). The diameter of fat grafts was (0.49 +/- 0.24) cm in group A, (0.40 +/- 0.26) cm in group B, and (0.32 +/- 0.28) cm in group C (P<0.01). Histological analysis showed the blood vessel density was (14.58 +/- 2.06)/HPL in group A, (11.55 +/- 2.18)/HPL in group B, (7.87 +/- 1.55)/HPL in group C. Compared with group B and group C, group A had more adipose tissue with less fat necrosis and fibrosis and had significantly higher capillary density. CONCLUSIONS: The autologous adipose stromal vascular fraction cells with VEGF could improve the neovascularization of free fat significantly. It indicates a wide clinical application in the future.

[Bacterial 16S rRNA genes and expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IgA in prostate tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of bacteria in the etiology of chronic prostatitis. METHODS: Complete prostate specimens were obtained at autopsy from 192 organ donors (aged 20 - 38 years old) during 2002 to 2008 who died of non-prostatic diseases. One tissue taken from the peripheral prostatic zone according to McNeal was divided into two pieces. One piece of tissue was taken for routine pathological examinations and immunohistochemical studies of interleukin (IL)-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IgA. Another one was taken for PCR assay to detect the bacterial 16S rRNA genes (16S rDNA). RESULTS: Of 192 prostate specimens, 64 (33.3%) had pathological changes of chronic prostatitis and 38 (19.8%) specimens was positive for bacterial 16S rDNA. Positive rates of 16S rDNA in chronic prostatitis and non-prostatitis specimens were 50.0% (32/64) and 4.6% (6/128) respectively (χ(2) = 55.185, P < 0.001). Expressions of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IgA in specimens of chronic prostatitis were significantly higher than those in non-prostatitis specimens (P < 0.001). A positive correlation could be found among three immunohistochemical indicators (P < 0.01). In 64 specimens with chronic prostatitis, a significant expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α and IgA was more often demonstrated in 16S rDNA positive group than in 16S rDNA negative group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The up-regulations of bacterial 16S rDNA, cytokines and immunoglobulin A are involved in inflammatory response of chronic prostatitis. Bacterial infection may be an important cause of chronic prostatitis.

[Expressions of bacterial 16S rRNA, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and NGF in prostate tissues].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of bacteria in the etiology of chronic prostatitis. METHODS: A total of 162 complete prostate specimens were obtained at autopsy from organ donors (aged 20 -38 yr) who died of non-prostatic diseases. Each of the samples from the peripheral zone of the prostate was divided into two parts, one for routine pathological examination and immunohistochemical studies of interleukin (IL)-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and the nerve growth factor (NGF), and the other for PCR assay to detect the bacterial 16S rRNA gene (16S rDNA). RESULTS: Fifty-one (31.5%) of the total specimens presented pathological changes of chronic prostatitis, of which 44 had mild focal stromal, 5 mild focal stromal and periglandular and 2 mild focal periglandular inflammation. The positive rate of 16S rDNA was 19.1% (31/162), 51.0% (26/51) in the chronic prostatitis and 4.5% (5/111) in the non-prostatitis specimens (chi2 = 29.783, P < 0.01). In the specimens with chronic prostatitis, the expressions of IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and NGF were significantly higher in the 16S rDNA positive than in the 16S rDNA negative group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Bacterial inflammation may play an important role in the etiology of chronic prostatitis.

[Distribution and significance of α1-adrenoceptor subtypes in patients with chronic prostatitis in prostate, bladder detrusor and posterior urethral tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of alpha1-adrenoceptor (α1-AR) subtype in prostate, posterior urethra and bladder detrusor of patients with chronic prostatitis (CP). METHODS: The prostate specimens were collected at autopsy from 30 organ donors (aged 20-35 years old) dying of non-prostatic diseases. The pathological specimens of prostate peripheral zone were examined. The method of real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT-PCR) was employed for quantification of α1a-AR and α1b-AR subtype expression in prostate transition zone and its surrounding zone, posterior urethra and bladder detrusor tissue. RESULTS: Among all donors, there were 24 cases with pathological inflammation in prostatic peripheral zone and 6 with pathological non-inflammation. The mRNA expression of α1-AR subtypes in bladder detrusor and posterior urethra was significantly higher in the inflammation group than in the control group (P<0.05). While the mRNA expression of α1-AR subtypes in the bladder detrusor and posterior urethra was significantly lower in the inflammation group than in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: An abnormal expression of α1-AR subtypes in bladder detrusor and posterior urethra may explain various urodynamic changes in CP and lead to the occurrence and development of CP in prostate, posterior urethra and bladder detrusor.

[Expression of FHIT genes in CIN and cervical carcinoma and the relationship between FHIT gene and p53 and HPV16/18].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and significance of FHIT genes depletion, p53 overexpression and HPV16/18 infection in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical carcinoma (CC). METHODS: Tumor samples taken from 52 cases of CIN and 69 cases of CC were processed by immunohistochemistry (SP) to determine the expression of FHIT genes and p53 protein, by in situ hybridization to detect HPV16/18 infection, and were compared with those in 18 cases of normal cervical tissues as control. RESULTS: (1) The FHIT expression was positive in normal cervical tissue with no depletion occurred, and was 30.8% in CIN. It was significantly higher in CIN III and carcinoma groups than that in normal and CIN I/II groups (P < 0.01). The depleted expression of FHIT in infiltrating cervical carcinoma group was 66.7% (46/69), significantly higher than that in normal and CIN groups (P < 0.01). Along with the decreasing of cell differentiation, the negative rate of FHIT raised. (2) The positive expression of p53 in CC group was 56.5% (39/69) and the HPV16/18 was 84.1% (58/69), both higher than that in CIN and normal groups (P < 0.05). (3) In CIN and CC groups, the positive rate of p53 in cases with positive or negative FHIT expression was similar (P > 0.05). (4) There is a negative correlation between FHIT and p53 expression. The rate of HPV16/18 infection in the depleted expression of FHIT group was significantly higher than that in FIHT normal expression group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: (1) The FHIT-depletion is related with cervical carcinogenesis. It may be used as a marker to serve mass screening of CIN-high risk subjects and diagnostic indicator for early cervical carcinoma. (2) Depleted expression of FHIT is frequently associated with p53 over-expression in CIN and CC subjects, but there is no direct correlation between them. (3) HPV16/18 infection may probably be the common cause leading to altered FHIT and p53 expression.

[Detection of 16S ribosomal RNA gene of bacteria in prostate tissues of adults].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of bacteria in chronic prostatitis. METHODS: Complete specimens of prostate were obtained from 140 organ donors, aged 20 - 35, at autopsy. A piece of tissue was collected from the peripheral zone of prostate from each specimen and was divided into 2 parts to undergo pathological examination and PCR so as to detect the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene of bacteria. RESULTS: Focal mild inflammation was shown in 46 of the 104 specimens (32.9%), including interstitial inflammation in 42 specimens, inflammation in both interstitial and body of gland in 3 specimens, and perigladulitis in 1 specimen. Twenty-seven of the 140 specimens (19.3%) were positive in 16S rRNA gene. The positive rate of 16S rRNA gene of the specimens with prostatitis was 48.9%, significantly higher than that of the specimens without prostatitis (5.3%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Bacteria may play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis.