Root distribution characteristics of monoculture and mixture of Pinus tabuliformis and Robinia pseudoacacia plantation.

In this study, we analyzed the vertical distribution characteristics of root biomass density, root length density, root surface area density in monoculture and mixture of Pinus tabuliformis and Robinia pseudoacacia plantations in Caijiachuan small watershed of Jixian County, Shanxi. We examined their relationships with soil physical and chemical properties in different stand types. The results showed that the total root biomass density of P. tabuliformis and R. pseudoacacia in mixture was more than 75% higher than that in monoculture. Root system of P. tabuli-formis mainly distributed in shallow layer (0-40 cm), while that of R. pseudoacacia was deeper (40-80 cm). Fine roots were predominant in different diameter classes. Length density and surface area density of fine roots were in the order of R. pseudoacacia in mixture > P. tabuliformis in mixture > R. pseudoacacia stand > P. tabuliformis stand. Root biomass density of fine roots was in the order of P. tabuliformis in mixture ＞ R. pseudoacacia in mixture ＞ P. tabuliformis stand ＞ R. pseudoacacia stand. In vertical profile, the total root and fine root biomass, root length and root surface area density of P. tabuliformis stand, R. pseudoacacia stand, P. tabuliformis in mixture and R. pseudoacacia in mixture showed a rule of decreasing with the increases of soil depth. Under different stand types, fine root length density, root biomass density and total root length density were positively correlated with soil total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, and soil water contents. Total root surface area density was significantly positively correlated with soil organic carbon, soil water content, and soil total nitrogen. The distribution of roots in pure and mixed stands of P. tabuliformis and R. pseudoacacia showed different patterns. Compared with the pure stand, the mixed stand had higher root biomass, soil nutrient contents, and soil water content.

Effect of gap size on the regeneration in Larix principis-rupprechtii plantation.

We conducted a survey on seedlings (height <1 m) and saplings (height ≥1 m, diameter at breast height <5 cm) in 20 gaps of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations on Guandi Mountains, Shanxi to analyze regene-ration density, growth indicators, and spatial distribution of L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings and saplings under four gap sizes (<60 m2, 60-120 m2, 120-180 m2, and ≥180 m2). The results showed that growth indicators (ground diameter, height) of seedlings and saplings and regeneration density of seedlings were highest in small gaps (14-60 m2). The sapling regeneration density was highest in medium gaps (60-120 m2), and sapling density exceeded seedling density in each size category. L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings and saplings exhibited favorable regeneration in small and medium gaps, while large gaps (120-180 m2) and extra-large gaps (≥180 m2) were unfavorable for L. principis-rupprechtii regeneration. L. principis-rupprechtii seedlings and saplings were mainly distributed within the canopy projection area and along the edge of canopy gap area. Controlling gap size within the range of 14-120 m2 through artificial interventions, such as planting and thinning, could promote the regeneration of L. principis-rupprechtii.

Effect of thinning intensity on natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii.

We analyzed the impacts of thinning intensity on the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii in Shanxi Pangquangou Nature Reserve, with an experiment of five thinning intensities (5%, 25%, 45%, 65% and 85%). We constructed a structural equation model of thinning intensity-understory habitat-natural regeneration by using correlation analysis. The results showed that the regeneration index of moderate thinning (45%) and intensive thinning (85%) stand land was significantly higher than that of other thinning intensities. The constructed structural equation model had good adaptability. The effects of thinning intensity on each factor were as follows: soil alkali-hydrolyzable (-0.564) > regeneration index (0.548) > soil bulk density (-0.462) > average height of seed tree (-0.348) > herb coverage (-0.343) > soil organic matter (0.173) > undecomposed litter layer thickness (-0.146) > total soil nitrogen (0.110). Thinning intensity had a positive impact on the regeneration index, which was mainly through adjusting height of the seed tree, accelerating litter decomposition, improving soil physical and chemical properties, and thus indirectly promoting the natural regeneration of L. principis-rupprechtii. Tending thinning could effectively improve the survival environment of regeneration seedlings. From the perspective of natural regeneration of L. principis-rupprechtii, moderate thinning (45%) and intensive thinning (85%) were more reasonable in the follow-up forest management.

[Chemical Composition of VOCs from Service Stations Vapor Processing Device and Associated Contributions to Secondary Pollution].

Vapor processing device is a device that can control the headspace pressure in the underground storage tanks and recover the vapor. By analyzing the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the inlet and outlet of the vapor processing device, the ozone formation potential (OFP) and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAP) were estimated by maximum incremental reaction (MIR) and fractional aerosol coefficients (FAC), and the secondary pollution formation contribution of VOCs were quantitatively evaluated. The results showed that:① the ρ(total volatile organic compounds, TVOC) at the inlet and outlet of the vapor processing device were 436-706 g·m-3 and 4.98-10.04 g·m-3, respectively. Alkanes (72%±4%), oxygenated organics (14%±2%), and olefins (11%±5%) were the dominant components of VOCs emissions. There were little differences in VOCs emissions from the different vapor processing devices; the key species were i-pentane (approximately 25%), followed by n-butane, i-butane, and n-pentane. ② The ozone source reactivity (SR) of VOCs emissions from the outlet of the vapor processing device was 2.6-3.3 g·g-1, and the OFP was 3.5-25.6 g·m-3. Olefins contributed the most (43%-69%), followed by alkanes (20%-35%) and oxygenated organics (10%-22%). Butene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, i-pentane, and propionaldehyde were the species that highly contributed to OFP. ③ Aromatics in VOCs emissions contributed the most to SOAP (80%-92%), and the main active species were toluene, 1, 2, 4-trimethylbenzene, 1, 3, 5-trimethylbenzene, and p-diethylbenzene. The research showed that different VOCs species emitted by the vapor processing device contributed obvious differences to the secondary atmospheric pollution, and butene species and aromatics such as toluene were the focus of VOCs emission control of vehicle gasoline and vapor processing device.

[Natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii plantations with different densities and its influencing factors]. / ä¸åŒå¯†åº¦åŽåŒ—è½å¶æ¾æž—å¤©ç„¶æ›´æ–°åŠå ¶å½±å“å› å­.

In this study, we analyzed the natural regeneration of Larix principis-rupprechtii pure plantations with stand densities of 128, 240, 320, 400, 480, 560, 640 and 720 trees·hm-2 in the Guandi Mountains and its influencing factors. The results showed that the regeneration index first increased and then decreased with the increases of stand density, and that the regeneration performance of stand with medium density (400-560 trees·hm-2) was significantly better than other stands. Light conditions, herbaceous plants and litter of the understory had a dual effect on the regeneration of L. principis-rupprechtii. Excessive light, herbaceous plant cover or over-thick litter was not instrumental to the regeneration. Soil organic matter promoted stand regeneration by providing soft soil texture, adequate water content, low phosphorus but high nitrogen. The effects of the examined factors on the regeneration index were as follows: soil water content (0.798) > total nitrogen (0.621) > litter thickness (-0.597) > soil porosity (0.504) > soil organic matter (0.493) > total phosphorus (-0.404) > transmitted total light (-0.274) > herbaceous plants cover (-0.021). In the plantation management, stand density could be controlled at about 480 trees·hm-2 by thinning or replanting, while litter could be cleared properly to improve soil condition and to promote natural regeneration of L. principis-rupprechtii.

Liver-targeted delivery of liposome-encapsulated curcumol using galactosylated-stearate.

Liver-targeted drug delivery improves the efficacy of anti-liver cancer agents and reduces systemic toxicity by limiting the bioavailability of these drugs to within tumors. Liver targeting reagents with galactose residues, which selectively combine to asialoglyco protein receptors, have previously been used to improve liposome-encapsulated drug accumulation within liver cells. They lead to a reduction in liver cancer cell growth and have been used to cure certain hepatic diseases. In the present study, curcumol, which is the primary active component of Chinese traditional medicine Rhizoma zedoariae, was encapsulated in galactosylated-liposomes to enhance its anti-liver cancer efficacy. Galactosylated-liposomes and normal liposomes were labeled with propidium iodide. Galactosylated-liposomes with increasing concentrations of galactosylated-stearate (Gal-s) had a notably increased level of uptake in HepG2 cells (hepatoblastoma) compared with SGC-7901 (gastric cancer) and A549 (non-small cell lung cancer) cells. When the percentage of Gal-s reached 20%, liposome uptake plateaued. In the in vitro anti-liver cancer experiment, the anti-liver cancer efficacy of galactosylated-curcumol-liposomes increased significantly more compared with normal curcumol liposomes and free curcumol as indicated by cell survival rate and lactate dehydrogenase release rate. Collectively, these results demonstrate that galactosylated-liposomes are able to enhance the in vitro liver-targeting effect and anti-liver cancer efficacy of curcumol.

Prognostic value of FGFR1 gene copy number in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have investigated the relationship between fibroblast growth factor receptor1 (FGFR1) gene copy number and survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, conclusions reported by different parties seem to be inconsistent, especially regarding the differences among different histopathologic subtypes. To derive a more precise estimate of the prognostic significance of FGFR1 gene copy number, we have reviewed published studies and carried out a meta-analysis. METHODS: The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The required data for estimation of individual hazard ratios (HRs) for survival were extracted from the publications and an overall HR was calculated. RESULTS: We identified 6 eligible studies, all dealing with NSCLC. The global quality score ranged 32.5-80%, with a median of 53.33%. For FGFR1 amplification in three studies including differed according to histological type, the overall RR was 0.86 which 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.75 to 0.99 and P value was 0.048. Combined HR for the six evaluable studies was 1.17 (95% CI: 0.95 to 1.43). In the subgroup of squamous cell lung cancer (SQCC), the combined HR was 1.24 (95% CI: 0.89 to 1.73). For the Asian populations' studies, the combined HR was 1.67 (95% CI: 1.1 to 2.52). CONCLUSIONS: FGFR1 amplification significantly was more frequent in SQCC. FGFR1 was not associated with poorer survival in patients with NSCLC. Furthermore studies will be needed in terms of survival implications.

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of lysophosphatidic acid in malignant pleural effusions.

BACKGROUND: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an important extracellular signal transmitter and intracellular second messenger in body fluids. It can be detected in the ascitic fluid of patients with ovarian cancer. Increasing evidence shows that LPA can stimulate cancer cell proliferation and promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Our study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of LPA in differentiating between malignant pleural effusions (MPEs) and benign pleural effusions (BPEs) and to evaluate the association between the level of LPA in MPE and the prognosis of lung cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The level of LPA in the pleural effusions (PEs) of 123 patients (94 MPE, 29 BPE) with lung cancer was evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The performance of LPA was analyzed by standard Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis methods, using the area under the curve (AUC) as a measure of accuracy. Overall survival (OS) curves and progression-free survival (PFS) curves were based on the Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival differences between subgroups were analyzed using the log-rank or Breslow test (SPSS software). A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to assess whether LPA independently predicted lung cancer survival. RESULTS: The levels of LPA differed significantly between MPE (22.08±8.72 µg/L) and BPE (14.61±5.12 µg/L) (P<0.05). Using a cutoff point of 18.93 µg/L, LPA had a sensitivity of 60% and a specificity of 83% to distinguish MPEs from BPEs with an AUC of 0.769±0.045 (SE) (P=0.000) (95% CI, 0.68-0.857). In the three pathological types of lung cancer patients with MPE, there were no significant associations between LPA levels and the length of PFS and OS (P=0.58 and 0.186, respectively). Interestingly, in the patients with MPE caused by lung adenocarcinoma there were significant associations between the LPA levels and the PFS and OS (P=0.018 and 0.026, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that the LPA level was an independent prognostic factor for PFS in lung adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that LPA can be used as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of MPE caused by lung cancer and that higher levels of LPA are related to shorter PFS in adenocarcinoma of the lung.

[Risk factors of recurrent spontaneous abortion].

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has various complicated causes, and more and more researches are focused on its etiology. Genetic factors are the most common risk factors of RSA; immune factors, infection factors, male factors and female factors play an important role; environmental pollution and some other unknown factors may also be conspirators. This article presents an overview on the possible risk factors of RSA.

Toluene degradation by non-thermal plasma combined with a ferroelectric catalyst.

Degradation of toluene in a gas by non-thermal plasma with a ferroelectric catalyst was studied at normal temperature and atmospheric pressure. Spontaneous polarization material (BaTiO3) and photocatalyst (TiO2) were added into plasma system simultively. Toluene degradation efficiency and specific energy density during the discharge process were investigated. Furthermore, byproducts and degradation mechanisms of toluene were also investigated. The toluene degradation efficiency increased when non-thermal plasma technology was combined with the catalyst. The toluene degradation efficiencies of the different catalysts tested were in the following order: BaTiO3/TiO2>BaTiO3>TiO2>no catalyst. A mass ratio of 2.38:1 was optimum for the BaTiO3 and TiO2 catalyst. The outlet gas was analyzed by gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the main compounds detected were CO2, H2O, O3 and benzene ring derivatives.

[Progesterone and its receptor in male reproduction].

Progesterone, as a female hormone, plays an important role in the physiological function and pregnancy maintenance in women. Recent studies show that progesterone and its receptor are also involved in male reproduction, and its receptor mRNA exists in male sexual glands. It is believed that progesterone, binding to its receptor, can regulate spermatogenesis and improve the fertilization of sperm, while the sperm from those with oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratospermia or unexplained infertility exhibit a low fertility due to the deficient expression of the progesterone receptor and insensitive reaction to progesterone. This review focuses on the progress in the studies of progesterone and its receptor in male reproduction.

The growth behavior of three marine phytoplankton species in the presence of commercial cypermethrin.

Toxicity of commercial cypermethrin on the growth of three marine microalgal species, Skeletonema costatum (Bacillariophyceae), Scrippsiella trochoidea (Dinophyceae) and Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae) was separately investigated by 96 h and 24 d growth tests. The growth was stimulated at low concentrations and inhibited under high concentrations; however, overcompensation was observed at the late period of exposure under high concentrations in 24 d growth tests. The highest stimulation rates were obtained at concentration of 5 microg/L. The 24 h SC10 values were 0.91, 4.17 and 20.4 microg/L for S. costatum, S. trochoidea and C. marina, respectively. The 96 h IC50 values were 75.3, 227 and 114 microg/L for the three species, respectively. Results suggest that cypermethrin level used for sea lice controlling exert a stimulative effect on phytoplankton growth, and might result in the succession of phytoplankton community structure due to different sensitivity of species.

Formaldehyde removal from gas streams by means of NaNO2 dielectric barrier discharge plasma.

Destruction of formaldehyde by means of NaNO2 ferro-electric packed bed dielectric barrier discharge plasma in a coaxial cylindrical reactor was carried out at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. The difference among four kinds of NaNO2 ferro-electric reactors was compared in terms of specific energy density (SED), energy yield (EY), and HCHO decomposition. In addition, by-products during the decomposition of HCHO and destruction mechanism were also investigated. The removal efficiency of HCHO increased by means of NaNO2 DBD plasma significantly and enhanced with increasing SED distinctly. More amount of NaNO2 contributed to higher HCHO removal efficiency in the reactors. Reactor C had the highest HCHO removal efficiency among the reactors. As an important by-product, ozone concentration increased with higher SED. The possible main products in the outlet effluent were CO, CO(2) and H(2)O.

[Construction of recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 and subcellular localization of LOC51255 protein in HePG2 cell line].

AIM: To construct the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 and investigate the subcellular localization of LOC51255 protein in HePG2 cell line. METHODS: The cDNA of LOC51255 was amplified from the recombinant plasmid pET28b/LOC51255 by PCR. The aim gene fragment LOC51255 from pMD18-T/LOC51255 was subcloned into eukaryotic expression vector pDsRed1-C3. The recombinant plasmid pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 was identificated by BamH I/Xho I double digestion and sequence analysis, and then transfected into HePG2 cell line by lipofectamine 2000. The expression of LOC51255 protein and its subcellular localization were detected by fluorescence microscope. RESULTS: The construction of the recombinant plasmid pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 was proved by restriction enzyme digestion analysis and DNA sequencing. Its red fluorescent protein was mainly detected in the cytoplasm of HePG2 cell line. CONCLUSION: The eukaryotic expression plasmid pDsRed1-C3/LOC51255 has been successfully constructed and expressed in the HepG2 cell line. LOC51255 protein has been proved to be located in the cytoplasm of HePG2 cell line. Our research will help further studies on the function of human gene LOC51255.