[The predictive value of dynamic changes of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) combined with the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure].

Objective: To determine the predictive value of dynamic changes of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) combined with the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Methods: Patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure who were hospitalized in the Department of Hepatology of Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2010 to July 2023 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the clinical outcomes of patients within 30 days of admission, they were divided into the survival group and the death group. The dynamic changes in NLR and initial values on day 3, 5, 8, and 12 in two groups were analyzed for the diagnostic value of 30-day prognosis in patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Logistic regression analysis and machine learning XGBoost algorithm were used to evaluate the risk factors influencing the prognosis of patients at 30 days. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of NLR and initial value change combined with MELD score on day 12 of admission in patients with chronic acute hepatitis B liver failure. Results: A total of 243 patients were enrolled in the study, including 145 patients in the survival group [115 males, 30 females, aged 25-74 (47±11)] and 98 patients in the death group [80 males, 18 females, aged 22-80 (49±13) ]. The median initial NLR of survival group and death group were 3.5 (2.1, 5.3) and 4.9 (2.9, 8.3), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.003). The variation of NLR from the initial value on day 3, 5, 8, and 12 in the survival group [1.6 (0, 4.3), 1.9 (-0.2, 4.1), 2.0 (-0.1, 4.3) and 2.9 (0.3, 7.0), respectively] were lower than that in the death group [3.2 (0.9, 7.5), 5.1 (1.8, 7.6), 5.8 (2.0, 10.6) and 9.6 (3.5, 16.4), respectively] (all P<0.001). Logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that the changes in NLR on the 12th day and initial value (OR=1.07,95%CI:1.01-1.14, P=0.014), the changes in NLR on the 3rd day and initial value (OR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.32-5.55, P=0.007), the initial value of NLR (OR=1.18,95%CI:1.01-1.37,P=0.035) and fibrinogen (OR=0.21,95%CI:0.05-0.96,P=0.044) were related factors for death within 30 days. Machine learning XGBoost algorithm showed that the weight of the change between the NLR on the 12th day and the initial value was the highest. The area under the ROC curve of the combined MELD score was 0.812 (95%CI: 0.728-0.895), the specificity was 67.78%, and the sensitivity was 82.35%. Conclusion: Dynamic change of NLR combined with MELD score has high predictive value for the short-term prognosis of patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure.

[The effect of Ba Duan Jin on the balance of community-dwelling older adults: a cluster randomized control trial].

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of a 6-month Ba Duan Jin exercise program in improving the balance of community-dwelling older adults. Methods: A two arms, parallel-group, cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in 1 028 community residents aged 60-80 years in 40 communities in 5 provinces of China. Participants in the intervention group (20 communities, 523 people) received Ba Duan Jin exercise 5 days/week, 1 hour/day for 6 months, and three times of falls prevention health education, and the control group (20 communities, 505 people) received falls prevention health education same as the intervention group. The Berg balance scale (BBS) score was the leading outcome indicator, and the secondary outcome indicators included the length of time of standing on one foot (with eyes open and closed), standing in a tandem stance (with eyes open and closed), the closed circle test, and the timed up to test. Results: A total of 1 028 participants were included in the final analysis, including 731 women (71.11%) and 297 men (28.89%), and the age was (69.87±5.67) years. After the 3-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 3.05 (95%CI: 2.23-3.88) points (P<0.001). After the 6-month intervention, compared with the baseline data, the BBS score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group by 4.70 (95%CI: 4.03-5.37) points (P<0.001). Ba Duan Jin showed significant improvement (P<0.05) in all secondary outcomes after 6 months of exercise in the intervention group compared with the control group. Conclusions: This study showed that Ba Duan Jin exercise can improve balance in community-dwelling older adults aged 60-80. The longer the exercise time, the better the improvement.

Apparent diffusion coefficient and its standard deviation from diffusion-weighted imaging in preoperative predicting liver invasion by T3-staged resectable gallbladder carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and its standard deviation (SDADC) in preoperative predicting liver invasion by T3-staged gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one consecutive patients with T3-staged resectable GBC were included and divided into two sets with (n=27) and without (n=14) liver invasion. All patients underwent DWI at b-values of 0, 20, 50, 80, 100, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 s/mm2 with a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging scanner before surgery. ADC and SDADC of tumour-adjacent and tumour-distant liver tissues were measured on DWI, and were compared by Mann-Whitney U-tests. If there was a significant difference in any derived parameter, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess performance of this parameter to predict liver invasion. RESULTS: DWI could differentiate between patients with and without liver invasion when b = 0, 1,000 s/mm2 (AUCs of ADC and SDADC were 0.697 and 0.714, respectively). In patients with liver invasion, mean ADC and SDADC of tumour-adjacent liver tissue were lower than of tumour-distant liver tissue when b = 0, 800 s/mm2, and = 0, 1,000 s/mm2 (all p-values <0.05). To differentiate tumour-adjacent from tumour-distant liver tissues in patients with liver invasion, AUCs of ADC were 0.687 (b = 0, 800 s/mm2) and 0.680 (b = 0, 1,000 s/mm2), and AUCs of SDADC were 0.673 (b = 0, 800 s/mm2) and 0.731 (b = 0, 1,000 s/mm2). CONCLUSIONS: DWI could have potential value in preoperative predicting liver invasion by T3-staged GBC.

Vertically stacked RGB LEDs with optimized distributed Bragg reflectors.

The design and fabrication of a vertically stacked red-green-blue (RGB) light-emitting diode (LED) with novel, to the best of our knowledge, wavelength-selective distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) are demonstrated. The two DBRs are optimized to achieve selective reflectance in the RGB spectral region through theoretical calculations and simulation modeling. The insertion of optimal DBRs into the stack structure can effectively reflect downward emission from the upper chip without filtering the emission from the lower chips, thereby increasing the luminous efficiency for white emission with a color temperature range of 3000-8000 K by 1.6-7.4%. The optical performances of stacked devices with and without DBRs are thoroughly studied, verifying the effectiveness of the proposed wavelength-selective DBR structure.

Monolithic InGaN/GaN photonic chips for heart pulse monitoring.

Photo-plethysmography (PPG) making use of a monochromic light source and a photoelectric sensor is a non-invasive detection method to record blood volume changes in vessels and can be used to extract cardiac-related heart pulse information. Here, we demonstrated the fabrication of a monolithic photonic chip by integrating light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with photodetectors (PDs) on the same GaN-on-sapphire wafer containing InGaN/GaN multi-quantum wells (MQWs). The MQWs simultaneously act as light emitters in the LEDs and detectors in the PDs, and their mechanism has been studied. The fabricated chip operating in reflection mode is flip-chip bonded on a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) strip, enabling the sapphire surface in close contact with the skin. The optical and electrical properties of the LED and PD have been thoroughly characterized, confirming that the PDs using identical MQWs can detect the reflected light from the LEDs. By attaching the chip to the wrist, PPG heart pulse signals from the arterial blood flow can be obtained, thereby verifying the feasibility of the proposed monolithic chip.

Optimal acquisition time to discriminate between breast cancer subtypes with contrast-enhanced cone-beam CT.

PURPOSE: To identify the optimal acquisition time to best discriminate between benign and malignant breast lesions on contrast-enhanced cone beam CT (CE-CBCT) and evaluate the potential of CE-CBCT to differentiate between breast cancer subtypes. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 98 women with a mean age of 49±10 (SD) years (range: 29-77 years) with 100 BI-RADS 4 or 5 breast lesions were prospectively included. CE-CBCT images were obtained at 1- and 2-min after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast material. Contrast enhancement of breast lesions on CE-CBCT were evaluated and compared between different subtypes. Cut-off values for best discriminating between benign and malignant breast lesions with CE-CBCT were obtained from receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Malignant breast lesions showed greater enhancement than benign ones at 1-min (67.28±39.79 [SD] HU vs. 42.27±40.31 [SD] HU, respectively; P=0.007) and 2-min (70.93±38.05 [SD] HU vs. 48.94±41.83 [SD] HU, respectively; P=0.016) after intravenous administration of contrast material. At 1-min after intravenous administration of contrast material, an optimal cut-off value of 54.43 HU was found to best discriminate between malignant and benign breast lesions (AUC=0.681; 95%CI: 0.558-0.805; P=0.006) yielding 69.0% sensitivity (95%CI: 56.9-79.5%) and 69.2% specificity (95% CI: 48.2-85.7%). At 2-min, an optimal cut-off value of 72.65 HU was found to best discriminate between malignant and benign breast lesions (AUC=0.654; 95%CI: 0.535-0.774; P=0.020) yielding 50.7% sensitivity (95%CI: 38.6-62.8%) and 80.8% specificity (95%CI: 60.6-93.4%). CE-CBCT helped differentiate between immunohistochemical subtypes of breast lesions with lowest enhancement for triple negative lesions. No differences in enhancement were found among histopathological subtypes lesions at 1-min (P=0.478) and 2-min (P=0.625). CONCLUSION: CE-CBCT helps discriminate between malignant and benign breast lesions, with best capabilities obtained at 1-min after intravenous administration of contrast material. For malignant lesions, quantitative analysis of enhancement on CE-CBCT helps differentiate between immunohistochemical subtypes.

Phase Space Dynamics of a Plasma Wakefield Dechirper for Energy Spread Reduction.

Plasma-based accelerators have made impressive progress in recent years. However, the beam energy spread obtained in these accelerators is still at the ∼1% level, nearly one order of magnitude larger than what is needed for challenging applications like coherent light sources or colliders. In plasma accelerators, the beam energy spread is mainly dominated by its energy chirp (longitudinally correlated energy spread). Here we demonstrate that when an initially chirped electron beam from a linac with a proper current profile is sent through a low-density plasma structure, the self-wake of the beam can significantly reduce its energy chirp and the overall energy spread. The resolution-limited energy spectrum measurements show at least a threefold reduction of the beam energy spread from 1.28% to 0.41% FWHM with a dechirping strength of ∼1 (MV/m)/(mm pC). Refined time-resolved phase space measurements, combined with high-fidelity three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, further indicate the real energy spread after the dechirper is only about 0.13% (FWHM), a factor of 10 reduction of the initial energy spread.

Diagnostic value of TRACP5b expression in patients with bone tumors.

In order to investigate the diagnostic value of serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b) in patients with bone tumors, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to com¬pare serum levels of TRACP5b and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in bone tumor patients (experimental group, 80 cases) and healthy controls (control group, 36 cases). It was found that the serum level of TRACP5b in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group. In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of serum TRACP5b were higher than those of serum ALP in the diagnosis of bone tumors. Fur¬thermore, the serum level of TRACP5b was positively correlated with that of ALP. Therefore, it was conclud¬ed that the serum level of TRACP5b may be used as a sensitive indicator of bone tumors, and the sensitivity and specificity of TRACP5b are even higher than those of ALP in the diagnosis of bone tumors.

[Impact of diverse shapes of prostatic apex on positive apical margin rate and biochemical recurrence following laparoscopic radical prostatectomy].

Objective: To explore the effects of various forms of prostatic apex on positive apical margin rate (PAM) and biochemical recurrence (BCR) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 309 patients (aging (65±6) years) who were experienced laparoscopic radical prostatectomy from January 2010 to December 2016 at the Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. According to the relationship between prostate apex and membrane urethra at the mid-sagittal plane of preoperative MRI, all patients were classified into 4 categories. There were 31 patients for type 1, apex covering both anterior and posterior aspects of membranous urethra, 139 patients for type 2, apex covering anterior side of membranous urethra, 63 patients for type 3, apex covering posterior aspect of membranous urethra, 76 patients for type 4, apex not covering membranous urethra. PAM and BCR after operation were compared between this four groups respectively. The χ(2) test was used to compare PAM among the 4 types. Logistic regression analysis were undertaken to analyze the factors affecting PAM. Cox's proportional hazards regression model was undertaken to identify the variables influencing BCR. Results: There was no significant difference in the 4 groups concerning age, body mass index, prostate volume, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, postoperative Gleason score and pathological stage (P>0.05).The median follow-up time was 32 months (ranged from 12 to 60 months).The data showed that the apical type 3 patients has the highest PAM. There was statistical difference among the 4 groups in PAM (χ(2)=15.592, P=0.001). Preoperative level of PSA (OR=20.356, 95% CI: 2.440 to 169.810, P=0.005), postoperative Gleason score (OR=4.113, 95% CI: 1.911 to 8.849, P=0.001), pathological stage (OR=3.422, 95% CI: 1.600 to 7.319, P=0.002) and apical type 3 (OR=6.134, 95% CI: 2.196 to 17.132, P=0.001) were independent relactive factors of PAM. Preoperative level of PSA (HR=1.362, 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.843, P=0.045), postoperative Gleason score (HR=1.920, 95% CI: 1.384 to 2.665, P=0.001), pathological stage (HR=1.476, 95% CI: 1.098 to 1.983, P=0.010), PAM (HR=3.497, 95% CI: 2.407 to 5.081, P=0.001)and apical type 3 (HR=1.828, 95% CI: 1.266 to 2.639, P=0.001) were independent prognosis factors of BCR. Conclusion: Prostate apical type 3 could be a significant independent predictor of PAM, and an independent prognosis factor for BCR.

[Regulation mechanism of E2F1 transcription factor on M2 macrophages in full-thickness skin defect wounds of mice].

Objective: To explore the regulatory mechanism of E2F1 transcription factor on M2 macrophages in full-thickness skin defect wounds of mice. Methods: E2F1 gene knockout heterozygotes C57BL/6 mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were introduced and self-reproduced. Two weeks after birth, E2F1 gene knockout homozygotes mice and wild-type mice were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twelve identified 6-8 weeks old male E2F1 gene knockout homozygotes C57BL/6 mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were selected respectively according to the random number table and set as E2F1 gene knockout group and wild-type group. A full-thickness skin defect wound was made on the back of each mouse. On post injury day (PID) 2 and 7, 6 mice in each group were selected according to the random number table and sacrificed, and the wound tissue was excised. The expression of CD68 and CD206 double positive M2 macrophages was observed by immunofluorescence method, and the percentage of CD206 positive cells was calculated. The protein expression of CD206 was detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of arginase 1 was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Wound tissue specimens of the two groups on PID 7 were obtained, and the protein and mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) were detected by Western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR respectively. The above-mentioned experiments were repeated four times. Three specimens of wound tissue of mice in wild-type group on PID 7 were obtained to detect the relationship between E2F1 and PPAR-γ by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting, and this experiment was repeated two times. Data were processed with unpaired t test. Results: The size of PCR products of E2F1 gene knockout homozygotes C57BL/6 mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were 227 and 172 bp respectively, which were the same as those of the designed DNA fragments. On PID 2 and 7, the number of CD68 and CD206 double positive M2 macrophages in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group was more than that of wild-type group, and the percentages of CD206 positive cells in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were (0.234±0.032)% and (0.584±0.023)% respectively, which were significantly higher than (0.129±0.017)% and (0.282±0.071)% of wild-type group (t=3.29, 3.54, P<0.05). On PID 2 and 7, the protein expression of CD206 in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were 1.00±0.23 and 1.63±0.26 respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.43±0.06 and 0.97±0.08 of wild-type group (t=2.41, 2.45, P<0.05). On PID 2 and 7, the mRNA expressions of arginase 1 in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were 0.482±0.105 and 0.195±0.031 respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.163±0.026 and 0.108±0.017 of wild-type group (t=3.04, 2.86, P<0.05). On PID 7, the protein and mRNA expressions of PPAR-γ in the wound tissue of mice in E2F1 gene knockout group were 0.61±0.12 and 0.51±0.13 respectively, which were significantly higher than 0.20±0.04 and 0.20±0.04 of wild-type group (t=3.36, 2.86, P<0.05). On PID 7, detection of the wound tissue of mice in wild-type group showed that PPAR-γ had unidirectional effect on E2F1. Conclusions: E2F1 transcription factor affects the polarization of M2 macrophages by inhibiting the expression of PPAR-γ, thereby inhibiting the healing process of full-thickness skin defect wounds in mice.

Physical mechanism of the electron-ion coupled transverse instability in laser pressure ion acceleration for different regimes.

In radiation pressure ion acceleration (RPA) research, the transverse stability within laser plasma interaction has been a long-standing, crucial problem over the past decades. In this paper, we present a one-dimensional two-fluid theory extended from a recent work Wan et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 234801 (2016)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.117.234801 to clearly clarify the origin of the intrinsic transverse instability in the RPA process. It is demonstrated that the purely growing density fluctuations are more likely induced due to the strong coupling between the fast oscillating electrons and quasistatic ions via the ponderomotive force with spatial variations. The theory contains a full analysis of both electrostatic (ES) and electromagnetic modes and confirms that the ES mode actually dominates the whole RPA process at the early linear stage. By using this theory one can predict the mode structure and growth rate of the transverse instability in terms of a wide range of laser plasma parameters. Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are systematically carried out to verify the theory and formulas in different regimes, and good agreements have been obtained, indicating that the electron-ion coupled instability is the major factor that contributes the transverse breakup of the target in RPA process.

[Effects of urethral fibrosis on urinary control after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy].

Objective: To determine the influence of urethral fibrosis on the recovery of urinary continence after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Method: A retrospective study of 203 patients from January 2010 to January 2014 who were underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of fibrosis status of the urethral wall and periurethral tissue. One hundred and forty-four(≤2 grade) and 59 (≥3 grade) were classified into the no/mild and severe urethral fibrosis groups respectively. Urinary continence at 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation were compared between this two groups respectively. Result: There was no significant difference in the two groups with respect to age, body mass index (BMI), Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), international prostate symptom score (IPSS), prostate volume, preoperative prostate-specific antigen value, nerve-sparing procedure, postoperative Gleason score and pathological stage. The operation was completed successfully in all cases. With a median follow-up time of 15 months (ranged from 12 to 24 months), there was no statistical difference between the two groups in urinary continence at 1 month after operation (P>0.05). The incidences of continence in patients with no/mild fibrosis were significantly higher at 3, 6, 12 months after operation than those with severe fibrosis. (In the no/mild fibrosis group and severe fibrosis group, the continue rate at 3 mouths was 50.0% vs 28.8% P=0.005; at 6 mouths was 91.0% vs 59.3% P<0.001; at 12 mouths was 98.6% vs 88.1% P=0.003). Conclusion: Preoperative urethral fibrosis could be a significant predictor of recovery of the long-term urinary continence status after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Compared with no/mild fibrosis, severe fibrosis had worse long-term continence status.

Effect of vitrification solutions on survival rate of cryopreserved Epinephelus moara embryos.

Embryo cryopreservation is important for long-term preservation of germplasm and assisted reproduction. However, it is still very difficult to obtain viable embryos from cryopreserved fish embryos. In this study, embryos of Epinephelus moara were used to investigate the effects of various cryopreservation methods. Embryos in stages 10 pairs somite (10S), 18 pairs somite (18S), 22 pairs somite (22S), tail-bud (TB), embryo twitching (ET) and pre-hatch (PH) were treated with five-step equilibrium penetration in 40% PMG3T vitrification solution, which contained 15.75% 1,2-propylene glycol, 10.50% Methanol, 8.75% Glycerol and 5.00% Trehalose. We found that 18S, 22S, TB and ET stage embryos had higher survival rates and were more tolerant to the vitrification solution. Five-step equilibrium treatments on the embryos at the tail-bud stage were performed using two vitrification solutions: 40% PMG3T and 40% PMG3S, which consisted of 15.75% 1,2-propylene glycol, 10.50% Methanol, 8.75% Glycerol and 5.00% Sucrose. The embryonic survival rate under PMG3S treatment (63.36%) was significantly higher than PMG3T treatment (43.93%) (P < 0.05). PMG3S and PMG3T with concentrations of 35%, 40% and 45% were tested on tail-bud stage embryos. Higher concentration of the vitrification solution led to significantly lower embryonic survival rate (P < 0.05). The survival rate was 36.79-72.05% in PMG3S, and 37.11-55.18% in PMG3T, and there were non-significant differences in embryonic development and malformation rates among the groups treated with different concentrations. The embryonic normal development rates in PMG3S and PMG3T were 21.27% and 11.04%, and the malformation rates were 36.13% and 31.04%, respectively. The optimum treatment condition was 40 min using 40% PMG3S on embryos at the tail-bud stage. Both PMG3S and PMG3T were used for cryopreserving embryos at 16 pairs somite, tail-bud and ET stage in liquid nitrogen, where we obtained 190 surviving embryos, and 44 fishes underwent normal development and hatched. The survival rate of cryopreserved embryos was 5.15%, the normal development rate was 1.31%, and the malformation rate was 3.66%. We found that PMG3S and PMG3T were effective for cryopreservation of Epinephelus moara embryos. The results provide a foundation for further explorations of fish embryo cryopreservation techniques.

Femtosecond Probing of Plasma Wakefields and Observation of the Plasma Wake Reversal Using a Relativistic Electron Bunch.

We show that a high-energy electron bunch can be used to capture the instantaneous longitudinal and transverse field structures of the highly transient, microscopic, laser-excited relativistic wake with femtosecond resolution. The spatiotemporal evolution of wakefields in a plasma density up ramp is measured and the reversal of the plasma wake, where the wake wavelength at a particular point in space increases until the wake disappears completely only to reappear at a later time but propagating in the opposite direction, is observed for the first time by using this new technique.

Changes in the soil organic carbon balance on China's cropland during the last two decades of the 20th century.

Agro-ecosystems play an important role in regulating global changes caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Restoration of soil organic carbon (SOC) in agricultural soils can not only improve soil quality but also influence climate change and agronomic productivity. With about half of its land area under agricultural use, China exhibits vast potential for carbon (C) sequestration that needs to be researched. Chinese cropland has experienced SOC change over the past century. The study of SOC dynamics under different bioclimatic conditions and cropping systems can help us to better understand this historical change, current status, the impacts of bioclimatic conditions on SOC and future trends. We used a simulation based on historical statistical data to analyze the C balance of Chinese croplands during the 1980s and 1990s, taking into account soil, climate and agricultural management. Nationwide, 77.6% of the national arable land is considered to be in good condition. Appropriate farm management practices should be adopted to improve the poor C balance of the remaining 22.4% of cropland to promote C sequestration.

[Analysis on spatial distribution of tuberculosis in China, 2012-2014].

Objective: To analyze the spatial distribution of the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in China from 2012 to 2014 and provide evidence for the prevention and control of TB. Methods: The database of TB in China from 2012 to 2014 was established by using geographical information system, the spatial distribution map was drawn, trend analysis and spatial autocorrelation analysis were conducted to explore the spatial distribution pattern of TB and identify hot areas. Results: The trend surface analysis showed that the incidence of TB decreased gradually from the west to the east in China, and the U type curve could reflect the TB distribution from the south to the north; Global spatial autocorrelation analysis showed the 2012-2014 global Moran's I were 0.366, 0.364 and 0.358 (P<0.01), suggesting that the incidence of TB had a spatial clustering in China; Local Getis-OrdG(i) spatial autocorrelation analysis by ArcGIS software showed that there was 11 cluster areas, 3 high incidence areas (Xinjiang, Tibet, Qinghai) and 8 low incidence areas (Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shandong, Jiangsu). Conclusion: The incidence of TB had obviously spatial clustering characteristic, the areas at high risk were mainly in the northwestern and plateau area in China.

Physical Mechanism of the Transverse Instability in Radiation Pressure Ion Acceleration.

The transverse stability of the target is crucial for obtaining high quality ion beams using the laser radiation pressure acceleration (RPA) mechanism. In this Letter, a theoretical model and supporting two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations are presented to clarify the physical mechanism of the transverse instability observed in the RPA process. It is shown that the density ripples of the target foil are mainly induced by the coupling between the transverse oscillating electrons and the quasistatic ions, a mechanism similar to the oscillating two stream instability in the inertial confinement fusion research. The predictions of the mode structure and the growth rates from the theory agree well with the results obtained from the PIC simulations in various regimes, indicating the model contains the essence of the underlying physics of the transverse breakup of the target.

[Effects of microporous polysaccharide on foreign body reaction induced by subcutaneously imbedding expanded polytetrafluoroethylene in mice].

Objective: To observe the effects of early applying of microporous polysaccharide on foreign body reaction induced by subcutaneously imbedding expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) in mice. Methods: Ten wide type adult C57BL/6J mice were collected and made a full-thickness skin incision on both sides of their back. The two incisions on the back of each mouse were divided into two groups according the random number table, with 10 incisions in each group. A tube-shaped e-PTFE was imbedded into each incision in microporous polysaccharide group, and then 0.03 g microporous polysaccharide was evenly sprayed in the cavity. Whereas, a tube-shaped e-PTFE was imbedded into each incision in control group without other treatment. The incisions in two groups were performed with conventional full-thickness suture. On post operation day (POD) 14, the e-PTFE surrounded with fibrous capsule in each incision of two groups was taken out, and then fibrous capsule tissue was harvested. The thickness of fibrous capsule was observed and measured with HE staining. Collagen fiber distribution in fibrous capsule tissue was observed with Masson staining to calculate the collagen fiber index. Neovascularization and macrophage infiltration in fibrous capsule tissue were observed respectively with immunohistochemical staining, and the numbers of new vessels and macrophages were counted. Data were processed with t test. Results: On POD 14, the thickness of fibrous capsule surrounding e-PTFE imbedded into the incision of microporous polysaccharide group was (127±19) µm, which was significantly thinner than that of control group [(250±35) µm, t=4.13, P<0.05]. On POD 14, the collagen fiber index of fibrous capsule tissue surrounding e-PTFE imbedded into the incision of microporous polysaccharide group was 0.500±0.003, which was significantly higher than that of control group (0.488±0.004, t=5.00, P<0.05). On POD 14, the number of new vessels in fibrous capsule tissue surrounding e-PTFE imbedded into the incision of microporous polysaccharide group was 19±3 per 400 fold visual field, which was significantly more than that of control group (11±3 per 400 fold visual field, t=2.05, P<0.05). On POD 14, the number of macrophages in fibrous capsule tissue surrounding e-PTFE imbedded into the incision of microporous polysaccharide group was 64±5 per 400 fold visual field, which was close to that of control group (66±7 per 400 fold visual field, t=0.78, P>0.05). Conclusions: Topically applying microporous polysaccharide can reduce the formation of fibrous capsule after subcutaneous imbedding of e-PTFE in mice, and it can improve the collagen deposition and angiogenesis but not impact on macrophage infiltration.