Cascading effects of seed-stem-individual spatial patterns along a grazing gradient.

Studying the seed trait-stem trait-individual spatial pattern system is helpful for understanding the developmental direction of plant dynamics and populations under grazing disturbance as well as the antagonistic relationship between animals and plants, but few systematic analyses of this spatial pattern system have been carried out. Kobresia humilis is the dominant species in alpine grasslands. We studied K. humilis seed traits and their relationship with K. humilis reproductive individuals, the relationship between reproductive and vegetative stems, and the weights and spatial patterns of reproductive and nonreproductive individuals under four grazing treatments: no grazing (control), light grazing, moderate grazing and heavy grazing. We explored the relationship among seed size and seed number with reproductive stems and vegetative stems along the grazing gradient and assessed the spatial pattern changes between reproductive and nonreproductive individuals. The results showed the following: (1) Seed size increased with increasing grazing intensity, and the coefficient of variation for seed size and seed number in the heavy grazing treatment was greater than 0.6. (2) The structural equation model showed that grazing treatment had a positive effect on seed number, seed size and reproductive stem number and a negative effect on reproductive stem weight. (3) Grazing treatment did not affect the resource allocation to reproductive stems and vegetative stems per unit length of reproductive K. humilis individuals. (4) Compared with the number of reproductive individuals in the no grazing treatment, the number in the heavy grazing treatment decreased significantly, and the negative correlation between reproductive individuals and nonreproductive individuals changed from a full-scale negative correlation to a small-scale negative correlation and a large-scale positive correlation. Our study showed that grazing could activate and change the resource allocation pattern of dominant species in a grassland and have significant positive effects on reproductive stem number, reproductive stem weight, seed number and seed size. Along a grazing intensity gradient, with the increase in distance between reproductive and nonreproductive individuals, the transformation of intraspecific relationships from a negative correlation to a positive correlation is an ecological strategy conducive to population survival.

Metabolic reprogramming of glutamine involved in tumorigenesis, multidrug resistance and tumor immunity.

Glutamine, as the most abundant amino acid in the body, participates in the biological synthesis of nucleotides and other non-essential amino acids in the process of cell metabolism. Recent studies showed that glutamine metabolic reprogramming is an important signal during cancer development and progression. This metabolic signature in cancer cells can promote the development of cancer by activating multiple signaling pathways and oncogenes. It can also be involved in tumor immune regulation and promote the development of drug resistance to tumors. In this review, we mainly summarize the role of glutamine metabolic reprogramming in tumors, including the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. We further discussed the promising tumor treatment strategy by targeting glutamine metabolism alone or in combination with chemotherapeutics.

Observation of curative effects of musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided needle-knife on the degenerative meniscus disease / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the curative effect of musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided needle-knife on the degenerative meniscus disease, and to provide a new method in the treatment of degenerative meniscus disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-seven patients with degenerative meniscus disease treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2015 to September 2015 were selected, including 30 males and 47 females, aged from 44 to 66 years old, with an average of 57.5 years old. VAS scores, Lysholm scores and distance of meniscal protrusion were analyzed and compared before treatment, 2 weeks and 1 month after treatment. The curative effect was summarized at last.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean Lysholm scores were 51.63±15.26(before treatment), 77.13±11.82(2 weeks after treatment) and 87.56±8.65(1 month after treatment). The mean VAS scores were 7.080±1.574 (before treatment), 2.630±0.310(2 weeks after treatment) and 0.850±0.177(1 month after treatment). The mean of the distance of meniscal protrusion scores were 0.400±0.156 (before treatment), 0.298±0.140 (2 weeks after treatment) and 0.240±0.110 (1 month after treatment). VAS scores and Lysholm scores were improved significantly compared with preoperative results. The distance of meniscal protrusion showed an obvious improvement after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The treatment of musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided needle-knife has advantages of high accuracy position and excellent effectiveness for degenerative meniscus disease. The treatment provides safety operation and significantly improves quality of life in patients without any complications.</p>

Effects of single heat stress treatment on spermatogenic cells in mice / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of single heat stress treatment on spermatogenic cells in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 36 C57 male mice into a control and a heat stress treatment group and submerged the lower part of the torso in water at 25 °C and 43 °C, respectively, both for 15 minutes. At 1, 7, and 14 days after treatment, we obtained the testicular organ indexes, observed the changes in testicular morphology by HE staining, and determined the location and expression levels of the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) and synaptonemal comlex protein-3 (SCP-3) in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The testicular organ index was significantly lower in the heat stress treatment than in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with the controls, the heat shock-treated mice showed loosely arranged spermatogenic cells scattered in the seminiferous tubules at 1 day after heat stress treatment, atrophied, loosely arranged and obviously reduced number of spermatogenic cells at 7 days, and relatively closely arranged seminiferous tubules and increased number and layers of spermatogenic cells at 14 days. The number of SCP-3 labelled spermatocytes obviously decreased in the heat stress-treated animals at 1 and 7 days and began to increase at 14 days. The PLZF protein expression was significantly reduced in the heat stress treatment group at 1 day as compared with that in the control (0.19 ± 0.12 vs 0.64 ± 0.03, P < 0.01), but elevated to 0.77 ± 0.02 at 7 and 14 days, even remarkably higher than in the control animals (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Heat stress treatment can induce short-term dyszoospermia in mice, which can be recovered with the prolonged time after treatment.</p>

An investigation on the antibody levels to pertussis and diphtheria among healthy people in Wenzhou City / 预防医学

Objective To learn the immunity levels of pertussis and diphtheria among healthy people in Wenzhou City,and to provide scientific evidence for the effective control of the two diseases.Methods Stratified sampling method was applied in this investigation and 1 350 healthy people were investigated and provided serum samples.Vaccine immunization of pertussis and diphtheria and demographic characteristics were also collected.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)was conducted to detect pertussis and diphtheria antibodies.Those with more than 1 00 IU/ml aged more than 3 years were also investigated the disease history.The estimated infection rate of pertussis for population aged more than 3 years was based on the test results.The attenuation trend of pertussis and diphtheria immunity levels after vaccination was analyzed contrastively.Results The antibody positive rate to pertussis was 36. 52%,and the median of antibody concentration was 1 9. 45 IU/m1 .The antibody positive rate and concentration was highest among 36 -60 years old people (64. 29%,36. 39 IU/ml ).The vaccination rate of population with more than 3 doses of DPT (Diphtheria Toxoid -Pertussis Vaccine-Tetanus Toxoid)was 95. 80%,and the corresponding positive rate was 24. 36%.The positive rate was 28. 57% in 0-3 month and 1 0. 71% in 1 0 -1 2 month after vaccination.The antibody concentration to pertussis had a negative correlation with days after vaccination(r=-0. 22,P<0. 05).The proportion of subjects with more than 1 00 IU/ml in population aged more than 3 years was 7. 91%.The estimated infection rate of pertussis for population aged more than 3 years was 49. 27%.The antibody positive rate to diphtheria was 96. 00%,and the median of antibody concentration was 0. 1 3 IU/m1 . The positive rate was highest (1 00%) among 1 -2 years old people and lowest (82. 5%) among newborns.Antibody positive rate (protective rate)and antibody concentration to diphtheria of population which had more doses of DPT or had vaccinated with DT were higher than those had not (P<0. 05 ).The sustainability of vaccine to diphtheria was higher than pertussis after vaccination of DPT.Conclusion Residents in Wenzhou are generally vulnerable to pertussis.Natural infection is considered to be an important influencing factor for the level of pertussis.The level of diphtheria antibodies in Wenzhou is high.The vaccine containing diphtheria is considered useful for children.However,it is suggested to conduct diphtheria booster immunization in older age group.

Observational study of relevant electrocardiogram indexes of rat acute ischemic myocardial injury induced by different doses of isoprenaline / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To explore the reliability of relevant electrocardiogram(ECG) indexes in evaluating isoprenaline(ISO)-induced rat acute ischemic myocardial injury and provide reference for future scientific applications of these models. Methods Seventy male Wistar rats were randomly equally assigned to ten groups according to their body weight: 5,10,20,40,80,160,320,640, 1280 and 2560 μg/kg dose groups. All rats were tail intravenously given corresponding doses of saline diluted isoprenaline according to their body weight. Standard limb Ⅰ , Ⅱ, Ⅲ-lead ECG of all rats were recorded before, immediately after and 1,24,and 72 hour after injection, respectively.Changes of heart rate, T-wave amplitude of Ⅱ -lead and Q-T interval were measured. Results Significant differences were found in heart rates, T-wave amplitudes and Q-T intervals at different time points(F = 15.03,11.28,13.64, all P ＜ 0.01 ), while differences among the ten ISO-dose groups were statistically insignificant (F= 1.45, 1.17,1.09, all P ＞ 0.05). No interaction between observation time and ISO dose was observed on heart rates, T-wave amplitudes and Q-T intervals(F= 0.79,0.82,0.59, all P ＞ 0.05). Immediately after injection of ISO, the heart rates were significantly increased compared with that of pre-injection in all groups(all P ＜ 0.05), of which 320 and 640μg/kg dose groups increased most significantly [(550 ± 47), (521 ± 43)times/min]. T-waves decreased significantly compared with that of pre-injection (all P ＜ 0.01 ), and 20 μg/kg dose and above groups decreased particularly evident, and partly inverted. Q-T intervals of rats in each group were significantly shorter than that of pre-injection(all P ＜ 0.01 ), and 320, 640, 1280 μg/kg groups shortened more pronounced[(0.070 ± 0.006),(0.072 ± 0.005), (0.068 ± 0.005)ms]. One hour after injection, the heart rate of rats in each group decreased,except 320 and 640 μg/kg dose groups[(518 ± 43), (487 ± 36)times/min], which were still higher than that of pre-treatment[(450 ± 40), (448 ± 51 )times/min, all P ＜ 0.05], the rest groups no longer had significant differences (all P ＞ 0.05). ECG T-wave in each group was significantly recovered compared with that of instantly medication (all P＜0.05), and 40 μg/kg dose and above groups recovered more than a big margin, but there were still differences compared with that of pre-treatment (P ＜0.05), while T-waves of 40 μg/kg dose and below groups had returned to the level of pre-treatment. Q-T interval in each group had varying degrees of recovery, except 1280 and 2560 μg/kg dose groups[(0.080 ± 0.004), (0.076 ± 0.011 )ms]which were still less than that of pre-treatment[(0.086 ± 0.007),(0.085 ± 0.006)ms, all P ＜ 0.05], other groups had no significant difference compared with that of pre-treatment (all P ＞ 0.05). Twenty-four hours after injection of ISO, the heart rates of 1280 and 2560 μg/kg dose groups [(389 ± 31 ), (398 ± 23)times/min]decreased significantly compared with that of pre-treatment[(427 ± 43), (438 ±26)times/min, all P ＜ 0.05], while other groups had returned to the level of pre-treatment. Seventy-two hours after injection of ISO, the heart rates, T-wave amplitudes and Q-T intervals of all doses groups had returned to the level of pre-treatment (all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions There has no significant ST segment in the electrocardiogram of rat.Isoprenaline has an exact effect on shortening Q-T interval. T-wave amplitude and Q-T interval can be used as reliable indexes of ECG for assessment of this animal model.

Human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cell injury induced by fluoride in vitro / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To study the effect of different concentrations of fluoride on cultured human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells(HUVEC). Methods Different doses of sodium fluoride (NaF) were added to HUVEC culture medium, fluoride concentrations were 0(control), 100,400,700,1000,2000 μmol/L, respectively,6 re-set hole in each group. After continuous culture for 48 h, cells and culture medium were collected. Cell morphology was studied by Wright-Giemsa staining; cells apoptosis was determined by acridine orange fluorescence staining; cell activity was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay; superoxide dismutase (SOD),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity, malonaldehyde(MDA) content, induced nitricoxide synthase(iNOS), and endothelia nitricoxide synthase(eNOS) activity in cell culture medium were determined by spectrophotometry; cell iNOS mRNA and eNOS mRNA expression were detected by RT-PCR; intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) levels were detected by double antibody sandwich ELISA method.Results With increased dose of fluoride, HUVEC cells decreased, the structure changed. In 400 - 2000 μmol/L group, the SOD activity[(6.627 ± 0.213), (6.668 ± 0.152), (5.935 ± 0.122), (4.755 ± 0.182)kU/L] was lower than those of the control group[(7.457 ± 0.398)kU/L, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01], GSH-Px activity[(481.284 ± 43.785),(492.223 ± 16.474), (382.762 ± 25.167), (293.687 ± 24.881 )kU/L] was also lower than those of the control group [(585.078 ± 47.323)kU/L, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01], MDA level[(0.609 ± 0.011 ), (0.646 ± 0.016), (0.852 ± 0.013),(1.188 ± 0.045)nmol/L] was higher than those of the control group[(0.512 ± 0.027)nmol/L, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01];iNOS activity[(3.604 ± 0.115), (3.615 ± 0.075), (3.848 ± 0.103), (4.275 ± 0.079)kU/L] also was higher than those of the control group[(2.798 ± 0. 136)kU/L, all P ＜ 0.01], iNOS mRNA expression increased, eNOS activity [(5.539 ± 0.079), (5.503 ± 0.064), (5.226 ± 0.142), (4.809 ± 0. 107)kU/L] decreased compared to those of control group[(5.996 ± 0.155)kU/L, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01], eNOS mRNA expression decreased; ICAM-1 levels [(0.852 ± 0. 102), (0.886 ± 0.061 ), (0.961 ± 0.158), (1.418 ± 0. 167)μg/L] increased compared to those of the control group[(0.687 ± 0.046)μg/L, P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01], VCAM-1 levels[(2.719 ± 0.197), (2.946 ± 0.167),(3.173 ± 0.225 ), (3.613 ± 0. 153 ) μg/L] was higher than those of the control group [(2.375 ± 0.067 ) μg/L, all P ＜0.01]. Conclusions High concentrations of fluoride reduce the activity of antioxidant enzymes, which leads to metabolic disorders of nitric oxide and abnormal cytokines expression, thereby inhibiting vascular endothelial cell growth, structural change and induced apoptosis. This is an important factor in high fluoride-induced vascular endothelial injury.

Pathological morphology of vascular endothelial injury and arteriosclerosis caused by high fluoride and the effects of selenium / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To study morphological changes of rabbit artery endothelial cell injury and atherosclerosis caused by high fluoride and the role of selenium. Methods Twenty healthy male New Zealand white rabbits, body weight (2.0 ± 0.5)kg, were randomly divided into control group(drinking deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), selenium group(drinking selenium 1 mg/L deionized water, fed basic diet), fluoride plus selenium group(drinking fluoride 100 mg/L deionized water, selenium 1 mg/L of deionized water, fed basic diet). The experimental period was 6 months. At 0, 3, 6 months of the experiment, serum fluorine and selenium levels were determined. At the end of the experiment,thoracic aorta was collected to observe its pathology and ultrastructural changes. Results Serum fluoride was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment(all P ＜ 0.01 ) in fluoride group[ (0.589 ± 0.146),(0.772 ± 0.175)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.502 ± 0.094), (0.693 ± 0.158)mg/L] than in control group[ (0.174 ± 0.002), (0.208 ± 0.031 )mg/L] and serum fluoride was significantly higher at 6 months than at 3 months(P ＜ 0.05 ) in fluoride group. Serum selenium was significantly higher at the 3rd and the 6th month of experiment (all P ＜ 0.01 ) in selenium group[ (0.252 ± 0.022), (0.319 ± 0.052)mg/L] and fluoride plus selenium group[ (0.239 ±0.016), (0.294 ± 0.018)mg/L] than in control group[(0.135 ± 0.014), (0.167 ± 0.019)mg/L], and serum selenium was significantly higher at the 6th month than at 3rd month of experiment in selenium group(P ＜ 0.05). Endothelial cell apoptosis indices were (4.92 ± 1.32)%, (30.30 ± 6.80)%, (6.57 ± 2.14)% and (14.29 ± 2.99)%, respectively in control group, fluoride group, selenium group and fluoride plus selenium group. Their main effect of fluorine and selenium was statistically significant (F = 106.833,20.082, all P ＜ 0.01 ). There were antagonistic effect between fluoride and selenium(F = 30.402, P ＜ 0.01 ). Pathological changes of rabbit aortic endothelial cells in fluoride group included endothelial with attached fibrin and red blood cells, and structural of the cells changed, with serious vascular injury; in fluoride plus selenium group apoptosis of endothelial cells decreased, with reduced number of attached red blood cells and fibrin, endothelial cell structure normal, the extent and scope of vascular damage significantly reduced. Conclusions Appropriate amount of selenium inhibits the apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by high fluoride, reduces aortic structural damage caused by high fluoride, and maintains the integrity of endothelial cells, thereby antagonizes the vascular damage and atherosclerosis induced by high fluoride.

Adjuvant chemotherapy after orthotopic liver transplantation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility, reliability and therapeutic effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of adjuvant chemotherapy after OLT in 10 advanced HCC patients were studied retrospectively. FAP chemotherapy regimen was adopted calcium folinate (CF) 200 mg/m(2) and 5-Fluorouracil 500 mg/m(2) iv on D1 to D5, and doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2), cisplatin 30 mg/m(2) iv on D1, with 28 days as a cycle. The opportune time of chemotherapy, chemotherapy regimen, synergistic action between cytotoxic agent and immunosuppressive agent on liver and kidney and side-effects were preliminarily evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>7/10 patients are surviving, with the longest survival of 32 months, and the shortest 9 months. Three patients died after operation, two at 13 months, one at 20 months after OLT, all died of metastasis. The incidence of one year survival was 9/9. During the period of chemotherapy, the side-effects of adjuvant chemotherapy were moderate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chemotherapy which is able to prolong the life-span of patients with advanced HCC after orthotopic liver transplantation is feasible and effective, the side-effects were mild. The choice of opportune time of chemotherapy might influence the outcome.</p>

Twenty-One Cases of Misdiagnosed Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis / 实用儿科临床杂志

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment and misdiagnosis matter of children with idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis(IPH).Methods The data of clinical characteristics,laboratory examination,treatment and follow-up of 21 children admitted from Jun.1993 to May 2007 were retrospectively analyzed,included 9 males,12 females,aged 1-14 years old,course of di-sease were 1-6 months.Twenty-one patients were diagnosed as IPH by chest X-ray radiography,CT scan,bone marrow biopsy,hemosiderin-laden macrophages in either sputum or gastric juice or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.Then,therapy and prognosis of IPH were analyzed.Results All patients had varied degrees of anemia,11(52.38%) children had cough,9 (42.86%) children had fever,6(28.50%) cases had shortage of orexia,4( 19.05%) children had hemoptysis.Chest X-ray radiography and CT scan demonstrated diffuse patchy,nodular,reticulate pattern.Eighteen children received bone marrow biopsy and presented hyperplastic erythropoiesis,4(22.2%) cases were accompanied iron deficiency anemia.Nineteen (90.80%) cases shown the presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages in either sputum or gastric juice or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.Twenty-one misdiagnosed patients consisted of bronchopneumonia combined anemia(8 cases),lung tuberculosis combined anemia(5 cases),nulli-iron anemia(4 cases),hemolytic anemia(3 cases),myelodysplastic syndrome(1 case)and received corticosteroid therapy.Four cases of all patients were associatated with large-dose human-?-globulin and 3 cases were associatated with vincristine therapy.The therapeutic effect was significant.Eighteen patients were followed-up,3 patients were of which cured and had stopped treatment for over 2 years,11 patients presented clinically persistent remission,4 patients were recurred and aggravated.Conclusions Early diagnosis and long-term therapy of corticosteroid are very important for controlling acute onset,lessening the frequency of IPH recurrence and improving prognosis of the disease.