ABSTRACT
Using high-resolution dendrometers, we monitored the intra-annual stem radial variations of Abies georgei and Larix potaninii in the subalpine coniferous forest in Baima Snow Mountain, Northwest Yunnan Province. The seasonal dynamics of stem radial growth of both species and their responses to environmental factors were analyzed. The results showed that the stem radial growth of A. georgei and L. potaninii mainly occurred during April to August, with the maximum growth rate in June. Compared with A. georgei, L. potaninii showed an earlier start but later cessation of stem radial growth, resulting in longer growth duration. Annual radial growth and maximum radial growth rates of L. potaninii were slightly higher than those of A. georgei. Daily growth rate of A. georgei was positively correlated with precipitation, but negatively correlated with vapor pressure deficit and air temperature. Daily growth rate of L. potaninii was positively correlated with precipitation, but negatively correlated with soil volume water content and vapor pressure deficit. Radial growth of A. georgei and L. potaninii was limited by water availability, with L. potaninii being more sensitive to moisture. Under the background of global warming, the increase of plant transpiration and soil evaporation might further aggravate soil water loss and reduce water availability for plants, which would make A. georgei and L. potaninii more vulnerable to drought stress.
Subject(s)
Abies , Larix , China , Larix/physiology , Soil , WaterABSTRACT
Objective:To study the efficacy and mechanism of Shugan Jianpi Jiedu prescription (SJJ) in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer through <italic>in vitro</italic> cell experiments. Method:The following groups were set up in this study: a normal serum group,a pirarubicin group,and low-,medium-, and high-dose SJJ-medicated serum groups. Twenty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups and administered with SJJ solution (16.8,8.2,4.05 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>) and normal saline (equal volume) according to the body surface area to prepare serum. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated separately. The proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),wound healing assay and transwell cell invasion assay. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K),protein kinase B (Akt), and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) protein expression levels in MDA-MB-231 cells were tested by the Western blot. Result:The cell proliferation in the three different doses of medicated serum groups and the pirarubicin positive control group was significantly inhibited as compared with that in the normal serum group(<italic>P</italic><0.01),and there was no statistical difference for this between the medium/high dose medicated serum group and the pirarubicin positive control group.The wound healing in the SJJ-medicated serum groups and the pirarubicin group was slowed down as compared with that in the normal serum group (<italic>P</italic><0.01),and the effect in the SJJ-medicated serum groups was weaker than that in the pirarubicin group (<italic>P</italic><0.05,<italic>P</italic><0.01). The number of cells invading the lower transwell chamber was decreased as compared with that in the normal serum group (<italic>P</italic><0.01),and there was no statistical difference between the medium-/high-dose SJJ-medicated serum groups and the pirarubicin group. Western blot results showed that 48 h after treatment,the PI3K,Akt, and mTOR expression levels in the cells of SJJ-medicated serum groups and the pirarubicin group were lower than those of the normal serum group(<italic>P</italic><0.01). Conclusion:The SJJ-medicated serum could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells presumedly by down-regulating the protein expression levels in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and psychological stress in home-based female migrant care workers (MCWs) remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To 1) investigate the prevalence of MSDs and psychological stress and associations between subjective questionnaires on MSDs/psychological stress and biomedical examinations, and 2) identify the risk factors related to MSDs and psychological stress. METHODS: This study recruited 85 MCWs. Data was collected using questionnaires, urine analysis and X-ray examinations. Correlations between subjective questionnaires and biomedical examinations were investigated. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to explore risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of MSDs and psychological stress were 70.6% and 37.6%, respectively. MSDs were commonly reported over the neck, lower back, shoulders, and upper back. There was a moderate correlation between MSDs and abnormal X-ray findings. Risk factors associated with MSDs included higher education level, frequent transferring and bedside care activities, lacking caregiver training in Taiwan, inadequate sleep, and drinking tea or coffee. Risk factors associated with psychological stress included inadequate salary, lacking caregiver training in Taiwan, and insufficient knowledge of body mechanics techniques. CONCLUSIONS: MSDs and psychological stress were common among home-based female MCWs. Educational level, frequent transferring and bedside care activities, and lack of caregiver training in Taiwan, were the most dominant risk factors.
Subject(s)
Home Health Aides/statistics & numerical data , Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , Transients and Migrants/statistics & numerical data , 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids/urine , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Moving and Lifting Patients , Musculoskeletal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Occupational Diseases/epidemiology , Prevalence , Radiography , Risk Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Taiwan/epidemiology , Transients and Migrants/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether rehabilitation has an impact on reducing the long-term risk of mortality or readmission following stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between the dosage and continuation of rehabilitation and the risk of outcome events (OEs) after stroke or TIA. RESEARCH DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study using Taiwan's National Health Insurance database. SUBJECTS: In total, 4594 patients admitted with first-ever acute stroke or TIA were followed-up for 32 months. MEASURES: The occurrence of 3 OEs: (1) vascular readmissions/all-cause mortality [vascular event (VE)], (2) all-cause readmissions/mortality (OE1), and (3) all-cause mortality (OE2), in model 1: none, low-intensity, and high-intensity rehabilitation; and model 2: inpatient plus/or outpatient rehabilitation. RESULTS: Comparing with patients without rehabilitation, in model 1, patients receiving low-intensity rehabilitation had a lower risk of VE [Hazard ratio (HR), 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.87] and OE1 (HR, 0.77; CI, 0.71-0.84), but not OE2 (HR, 0.91; CI, 0.77-1.07). Patients receiving high-intensity rehabilitation had lower risks of all VE (HR, 0.68; CI, 0.58-0.79), OE1 (HR, 0.79; CI, 0.71-0.88), and OE2 (HR, 0.56; CI, 0.44-0.71). In model 2, patients receiving inpatient plus outpatient rehabilitation had a lowest risk of VE (HR, 0.55; CI, 0.47-0.65), OE1 (HR, 0.65; CI, 0.58-0.72), and OE2 (HR, 0.45; CI, 0.35-0.59). Sensitivity analysis with TIA excluded rendered the similar trend. Subgroup analyses found that the positive effect was not demonstrated in hemorrhagic stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation use was associated with reduction of readmissions/mortality risks following stroke or TIA. The optimal intensity and duration of rehabilitation and the discrepancy shown in hemorrhagic stroke need further clarification.