Calysepins I-VII, Hexasaccharide Resin Glycosides from Calystegia sepium and Their Cytotoxic Evaluation.

Seven new hexasaccharide resin glycosides, named calysepins I-VII (1-7), with 27-membered rings, were obtained from the aerial parts of Calystegia sepium. Their structures with absolute configuration were established on the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation analysis and the use of chemical methods. They were defined as hexasaccharides composed of one d-quinovose, four d-glucose, and one l-rhamnose unit, and their sugar moieties were partially acylated by (2S)-methylbutanoic acid in 1-7 and (2R,3R)-nilic acid in 1-5 and 7, which mainly differed at the positions of acylation. Additionally, calysepin IV (4) exhibited cytotoxicity against A549 cells with an IC50 value of 5.2 µM.

Preparation of Silver Nanowires with High Aspect Ratio and Influence of Reaction Conditions on the Morphology Size.

Silver nanowires with high yield, uniform size and high aspect ratio were successfully synthesized by a simple and effective polyol method under low temperature and quiescent conditions, adopting CuCl2·2H2O as the nucleation control agent for the first time. The synthesized silver nanowires were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results indicate that the silver nanowires were composed of face-centered cubic structure of pure metallic silver with high crystallinity. And the silver nanowires have an average length of 80~100 µm and an average diameter of 40~80 nm. Thus, the aspect ratio of the nanowires was greater than 1000. In addition, the influence on the morphology and structure of the silver nanowires were investigated for reaction temperature, mole ratio of PVP:AgNO3, molecular weight of PVP and mole ratio of control agent CuCl2 · 2H2O:AgNO3. Finally, the optimum reaction condition were obtained for the preparation of the silver nanowires with high aspect ratio.

Salvianolic acid B protects against paraquat-induced pulmonary injury by mediating Nrf2/Nox4 redox balance and TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling.

The present study was aimed at exploring the protective effects of Salvianolic acid B (SalB) against paraquat (PQ)-induced lung injury in mice. Lung fibrotic injuries were induced in mice by a single intragastrical administration of 300mg/kg PQ, then the mice were administrated with 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg SalB, 100mg/kg vitamin C (Vit C) and dexamethasone (DXM) for 14days. PQ-triggered structure distortion, collagen overproduction, excessive inflammatory infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine release, and oxidative stress damages in lung tissues and mortality of mice were attenuated by SalB in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SalB was noted to enhance the expression and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and reduce expression of the reactive oxygen species-generating enzyme Nox4 [NADPH (reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase-4]. SalB also inhibited the increasing expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 and the phosphorylation of its downstream target Smad3 which were enhanced by PQ. These results suggest that SalB may exert protective effects against PQ-induced lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis. Its mechanisms involve the mediation of Nrf2/Nox4 redox balance and TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling.

Novel Jatrophane Diterpenoids from Euphorbia esula Promotes Lipid Clearance by Transcriptional Regulation of PCSK9.

PCSK9 has been recognized as an efficient target for hyperlipidemia and related cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases. However, PCSK9 inhibitors in the clinic are all biological products, and no small molecules are available yet. In the current work, we discovered that the crude extract of Euphorbia esula (E. esula) promoted LDL uptake in vitro and then obtained 8 new and 12 known jatrophane diterpenoids by activity-guided isolation. After summarized their structure-activity relationship of PCSK9 inhibition, we selected compound 11 (C11) with potent activity and high abundance to investigate its mechanism and in vivo efficacy. Mechanistically, C11 bound with HNF1α to influence its nuclear distribution and subsequently inhibit PCSK9 transcription, thereby enhancing LDLR and promoting LDL uptake. Moreover, C11 demonstrated obvious lipid-lowering activity in HFD mouse model. In conclusion, we first revealed the novel application of E. esula in the discovery of a lipid-lowering candidate and highlighted the potential of C11 in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

A Multistate Thermoresponsive Smart Window Based on a Multifunctional Luminescent Solar Concentrator.

Conventional luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) usually only have the ability to absorb solar energy and convert it to electricity but are not able to regulate the transmitted light. Herein, a multistate thermoresponsive smart window (SW) based on LSC has been fabricated, in which the stimuli-responsive host layer consists of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and ethylene glycol solution (EGS) microdroplets stacking with LSC layer-based on near-infrared (NIR) CuInSe2-xSx/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) and PDMS matrix. As-synthesized CISSe/ZnS QDs with broad NIR absorption in LSC exhibit controllable emission spectra over 833-1088 nm and high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield from 45 to 83%. Coupling with Si solar cells as a reference, optimized LSC-SW devices with dimensions of 5 × 5 × 0.9 cm3 exhibit higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.19-1.36% with increased temperature from 0 to 50 °C than those of sole LSC and SW devices. The corresponding visible light transmissions are regulated from 75.1 to 48.1% accordingly. The improvement of PCEs in an opaque state is mainly due to enhanced absorption of QDs originating from rescattered photons from the EGS/PDMS layer, leading to more emitted photons reaching photovoltaics. This work is expected to bring up new opportunities for applications in greenhouses, building facades, and energy-efficient smart windows.

Preparation of a hydrolyzed yeast ß-glucan chromium(III) complex and evaluation of its hypoglycemic activity and sub-acute toxicity.

Yeast ß-glucan (BYG) possesses extremely low solubility that has limited its applications. In this study, we hydrolyzed BYG using snail enzyme to obtain hydrolyzed yeast ß-glucan (HBYG) with desirable water solubility and hypoglycemic activity. On the basis of HBYG, HBYG­chromium(III) complex (HBYG-Cr) was synthesized. The molecular weight of the complex was 4.41 × 104 Da, and the content of trivalent chromium was 8.95 %. The hydroxyl groups of HBYG participated in the coordination and formed the chromium complex. The space conformations of HBYG exhibited remarkable changes after complex formation. HBYG-Cr existed mainly in an amorphous state and presented good dispersibility, and the surface was uneven. The hypoglycemic activity of HBYG-Cr was studied in db/db and C57 mice. The results showed that HBYG-Cr had good hypoglycemic activity. Histopathological studies demonstrated that the liver, kidney, pancreas, and skeletal muscle in the treatment group were significantly improved compared with those in the diabetic model group. The sub-acute toxicity of HBYG-Cr was studied in KM mice and the results indicated that the complex did not cause adverse reactions or toxic side effects. This study broadened the application of yeast ß-glucan and provided an important reference for the development of hypoglycemic functional foods and drugs.

An XPS study on the chemical bond structure at the interface between SiO(x)N(y) and N doped polyethylene terephthalate.

The super-thin silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy) films were deposited onto the N doped polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surface. Varying the N doping parameters, the different chemical bond structures were obtained at the interface between the SiOxNy film and the PET surface. X-ray photoelectron spectra results showed that at the initial stage of SiOxNy film growth, the C=N bonds could be broken and C-N-Si crosslink bonds could be formed at the interface of SiOxNy∕PET, which C=N bonds could be formed onto the PET surface during the N doping process. At these positions, the SiOxNy film could be crosslinked well onto the PET surface. Meanwhile, the doped N could crosslink the [SiO4] and [SiN4] tetrahedrons, which could easily form the dense layer structure at the initial stage of SiOxNy film growth, instead of the ring and∕or chain structures of [SiO4] tetrahedrons crosslinked by O. Finally, from the point of applying SiOxNy∕PET complex as the substrate, the present work reveals a simple way to crosslink them, as well as the crosslink model and physicochemical mechanism happened at the interface of complex.

[The correlation of helper T lymphocyte 1/helper T lymphocyte 2 with clinical and image features in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether the helper T lymphocyte 1 (Th1)/helper T lymphocyte 2 (Th2) of patients' serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at admission could represent the severity of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and whether its change at six months could predict the progression of the disease. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with IPF were subjected to pulmonary function tests (PFTs), dyspnea scores, arterial blood gas analysis, six-minute walk test (6MWT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). The serum and BALF specimen of these patients were obtained as well as 20 control serum and 10 control BALF specimen. A total of 55 patients were followed up, and their BALF and serum levels of interferon γ(IFNγ) and IL-4 were detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). The correlation between the IFNγ/IL-4 levels (at admission and the change of that at six months follow-up) and the clinical, physiological and image features in the IPF patients were analyzed. RESULTS: The baseline serum and BALF level of IFNγ/IL-4 (0.8 ± 0.3) in the IPF patients was lower than that in the control group (1.4 ± 0.2), which showed significant correlation with the course of disease, dyspnea scores, FEV1%, FVC%, TLC%, maximum desaturation, 6MWD and CT-fib (all P values<0.05). The serum level of IFNγ/IL-4 showed positive correlation with CT-alv (r = 0.340, P<0.01). During follow-up, no statistic difference was found in the serum levels of IFNγ, IL-4 and IFNγ/IL-4 between the IPF patients with or without glucocorticoids treatment. There were significant aggravation in the dyspnea scores, FEV1%, FVC%, CT-alv, CT-fib, IFNγ and IL-4 at six months follow-up. Significant correlation had been showed between the change of the serum IFNγ/IL-4 level with the changes of the dyspnea scores, FVC%, TLC%, DLCO%, 6MWD and CT-fib in the IPF patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are disequilibrium of the Th1/Th2 in the serum and the BALF of the IPF patients. The Th1/Th2 level could represent severity of the disease, and the serum level change of Th1/Th2 in the follow-up could predict the progression of the diseases in the IPF patients.

Pivotal Routes for Maximizing Semitransparent Perovskite Solar Cell Performance: Photon Propagation Management and Carrier Kinetics Regulation.

Semitransparent perovskite solar cells (ST-PSCs) are ideal candidates for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and tandem solar cells (TSCs) owing to their tunable bandgap and high visible transparency. The best power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ST-PSCs is close to 15% with an average visible transmittance of over 20%, which still lags far behind the PCE of normal opaque PSCs. This can be attributed to the poor light utilization efficiency (LUE) of ST-PSCs. Herein, the pivotal routes for maximizing LUE of ST-PSCs in terms of photon propagation management and carrier kinetics regulation are systematically rationalized. First, the fundamental theoretical analyses on optical processes and electronic properties are provided. Then, insights on photon propagation management measures and carrier kinetics regulation strategies are provided. Furthermore, a summary of the promising commercial application of ST-PSCs in BIPV and TSCs is provided. Finally, the main progress of ST-PSCs is briefly summarized, and the directions for the commercialization of ST-PSCs are proposed.

Five glycosylated phenolic derivatives from the bark of Ilex rotunda Thunb. and their anti-inflammatory activities.

Five new glycosylated phenolic derivatives, rotundosides A-E (1-5), and three known glycosides (6-8) were isolated from the 95% alcohol extract of the bark of Ilex rotunda. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the literature data. All new compounds possessed a [5-O-(E)-caffeoyl]-ß-D-apiofuranosyl-(1→6)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl group. The anti-inflammatory properties of all isolated compounds were evaluated using a modified nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced leukemia cells in mouse macrophage (RAW264.7) method. Compound 8, dracunculifoside H, showed significant anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.

[Screening of potential proteins from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by using of surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrum].

OBJECTIVE: To screen potential proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum samples obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), for the purpose of discovering candidate biomarkers. METHODS: BALF and serum samples from 34 patients diagnosed IPF (IPF group) and 25 non-smoker healthy controls (control group) were collected. Surface enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) was used to obtain protein fingerprints from BALF and serum samples. Biomarker Wizard and Biomarker Pattern were introduced in bioinformatics analysis. RESULTS: A total of 247 protein peaks were detected in BALF, and 13 peaks with statistical difference compared with control group. Among 13 detected protein peaks, 7 with mass/charge ratio (M/Z) values of 2240.57, 3459.32, 3501.78, 4146.50, 4516.51, 4615.88, 5651.26 were statistically up-regulated (all P < 0.01); and 6 peaks with M/Z values of 4989.91, 5043.68, 6968.76, 11 687.70, 11 782.10, 14 733.30 were significantly down-regulated (all P < 0.01). In addition, 142 protein peaks were differentially expressed in serum samples, and 9 peaks with statistical differences. Among them, 9 peaks with M/Z values of 3382.59, 3453.39, 4608.28, 5825.48, 8936.76, 9164.27, 11 525.30, 11 689.40 and 11 886.00 were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: The present work demonstrated that SELDI-TOF-MS technology be capable of detecting differentially expressed protein peaks in BALF and serum samples from IPF patients. Further investigations were guaranteed to elucidate their potential diagnostic value in clinical practice.

A modified random network model for P2O5-Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glass studied by molecular dynamics simulations.

We investigated the short- and medium-range structural features of sodium aluminosilicate glasses with various P2O5 (0-7 mol%) content and Al/Na ratios ranging from 0.667 to 2.000 by using molecular dynamics simulations. The local environment evolution of network former cations (Si, Al, P) and the extent of clustering behavior of modifiers (Na+) is determined through pair distribution function (PDF), total correlation function (TDF), coordination number (CN), Q x n distribution and oxygen speciation analysis. We show that Al-O-P and Si-O-Al linkage is preferred over other connections as compared to a random model and that Si-O-Si linkage is promoted by the P2O5 addition, which is related to structural heterogeneity and generates well-separated silicon-rich and aluminum-phosphorus-rich regions. Meanwhile, due to the relatively high propensity of Al to both Si and P, heterogeneity can be partly overcome with high Al content. A small amount of Si-O-P linkages have been detected at the interface of separated regions. Clustering of Na+ is also observed and intensified with the addition of P2O5. Based on the simulated structural information, a modified random network model for P2O5-bearing sodium aluminosilicate glass has been proposed, which could be useful to optimize the mobility of sodium ions and design novel functional glass compositions.

[Effect of corticosteroids upon the prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of corticosteroids upon idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and the impact of corticosteroids upon survival time. METHODS: Clinical data of 94 corticosteroid treatment and 32 non-corticosteroid treatment IPF patients during 2000 - 2004 were retrospectively analyzed and their survival rates compared between two groups. The corticosteroid treatment patients were divided into 3 groups: improved, steady and worsened group according to the pulmonary function data. Therapeutic effects and survival rates were compared between these 3 groups. RESULTS: In the treatment group, 6 (6.4%) patients could not be located, 22 (23.4%) patients survived, and 66 (70.2%) patients died. In the non-corticosteroid treatment group, 1 (3.1%) patients could not be located, 2 (6.3%) patients survived and 29 (90.6%) patients died. No statistically significant difference existed between the two groups (P > 0.05). Sixty-two corticosteroid treatment patients were followed up for 3-6 months. Among them, 19 (30.7%) patients improved, 11 (17.7%) patients remained steady and 32 (51.6%) patients worsened in pulmonary function. In 19 improved patients, 7 (36.8%) survived and 12 (63.2%) died. In 11 steady patients, 3 (27.2%) survived and 8 (72.7%) died. In 32 worsened patients, 3 (9.4%) could not be located, 1(3.1%) survived and 28 (87.5%) died. The survival rate of the improved and steady groups was higher than that of the worsened group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is some therapeutic effect of corticosteroids in the early alveolitis stage of IPF. The prognosis of the patients with improved and steady pulmonary function parameters during the first 3 - 6 months is better than that of worsened patients.

[A retrospective cohort study of prognostic factors for death in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic implications of clinical, radiographic, and physiological variables in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: The clinical, pulmonary physiological, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell differentials and lung high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) at diagnosis in 126 patients with IPF were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate various parameters associated with hazard ratio (HR). The survival rates of all groups were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In 29.6 months of average follow-up time, the survival rate of the IPF patients was 46.8% (59/126), and the median survival time was 30 months after diagnosis. Glucocorticoids and/or cytotoxic drugs for patients with IPF did not change the prognosis. The survival rates between groups by gender and smoking status showed no statistically significant difference (Ward: 0.11, 1.65, P>0.05). The patients were divided into 2 groups by the median (the cutoff point value) of significant variables in univariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis, and the survival rates showed statistically significant difference by dyspnea scale, FVC%, TLC%, DLCO%, neutrophil percentage and eosinophil percentage in BALF, and the reticular and honeycomb lung score (Logrank: 13.52-57.52, P<0.05). The results of multivariate Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis showed that TLC%, DLCO%, HRCT reticular score and honeycomb lung score were factors that affected the prognosis of patients with IPF (Wald=5.76-21.48, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TLC%, DLCO%, cell differentials of BALF and the degree of pulmonary fibrosis were the main factors affecting the prognosis of patients with IPF. TLC% and DLCO% showed a negative correlation with the prognosis of patients with IPF. Glucocorticoids and/or cytotoxic drug therapy had no effect on the prognosis of patients with IPF.

Preparation of the plasmonic Ag/AgBr/ZnO film substrate for reusable SERS detection: Implication to the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism.

In this work, a novel Ag/AgBr/ZnO SERS substrate was prepared by calcinating spin-coated zinc acetate on glass slides in the presence of ethanolamine (EA), followed by the process of impregnating-precipitation-photoreduction treatment. The SERS performances of Ag/AgBr/ZnO substrates were evaluated using aqueous crystal violet (CV) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) as target analytes. The effects of initial immersion precursor concentration and irradiation time on the SERS performance were systematically studied. The as-prepared SERS substrate exhibited good chemical detection sensitivity, reproducibility and reusability. The optimal Ag/AgBr/ZnO (10 mM-30 min) substrates were capable of detecting 10-12 M CV and 10-11 M R6G aqueous solutions. The quantitative detection by the SERS substrate was investigated by constructing a linear corresponding calibration plot. The Ag/AgBr/ZnO SERS substrate was regenerated by a simple visible light driven photocatalytic process. A plausible Z-scheme visible light photocatalytic mechanism seems to account for the Ag-ZnO-AgBr system. This SERS substrate can be separated from the reaction easily, and the results indicated that the film was reusable for eight times without significantly losing the SERS efficiency, each time accompanied by a simple photo-driven regeneration. This study reveals that the Ag/AgBr/ZnO film on glass is practically applicable as an ultra-highly sensitive SERS substrate that can be readily regenerated.

Co-Ni Alloy Encapsulated by N-doped Graphene as a Cathode Catalyst for Rechargeable Hybrid Li-Air Batteries.

A hybrid Li-air battery uses a protected lithium anode and a porous air cathode in an aqueous electrolyte, based on a 4-e oxygen reduction reaction/oxygen evolution reaction (ORR/OER). It avoids the insoluble and insulating Li2O2 product in a typical nonaqueous Li-air battery, and it owns unique advantages. A bifunctional cathode catalyst is crucial to battery performance. Here, we synthesize an ultrathin N-doped graphene-encapsulated nanosphere Co-Ni alloy (Co-Ni@NG). It has hierarchical architecture consisting of a uniform Co-Ni nanoalloy coated with a thin layer of N-doped graphene, showing high activity, high stability, and lower overpotential between the ORR and OER (0.55 V between onset potentials). It exhibited a discharge/charge voltage gap of 0.55 V at a current density of 1.4 mA cm-2, which is much smaller than the commercial Pt/C catalyst. It delivered an energy density of 3158 Wh kg-1 and a power density as high as 134.2 W m-2 at a current density of 7 mA cm-2. The graphene shells protect the alloy catalyst and improve the durability of the catalyst. One hundred cycles were demonstrated without significant deterioration. It was testified as a promising energy storage system with high energy density, efficiency, reliability, and durability.

[Quality of life in patients with primary congenital glaucoma following antiglaucoma surgical management].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the 23-item scale of Quality of Life (QOL) for patients with primary congenital glaucoma (PCG). METHODS: It was a cross-sectional study. The QOL scale specific for patients with PCG was firstly evaluated on 51 patients with PCG following antiglaucoma surgery at last followup visit (7.80 years +/- 2.93 years with a median at 7 years) and 50 participants with normal visual acuity (VA) as control. All participants were aged 5-20 years old. The QOL of PCG was evaluated with type of disease, severity, surgical outcome, postoperative VA, age, gender and personality by using single-factor correlation analysis and multiple-factor stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: The PCG-QOL scale achieved good reliability, validity and responsibility for PCG and 23-item were all qualified for QOL evaluation of PCG. The total scores of QOL in patients with PCG were significantly lower than those of normal individuals (PCG 60.22 +/- 10.02,normal individuals 71.41 +/- 10.11; t = 5.682, P = 0.000). Single-factor correlation analysis showed that the total scores of QOL were associated significantly with the severity of glaucoma (F = 24.026, P = 0.000), surgical outcome (t = 2.638, P = 0.009) and postoperative VA (F = 11.248, P = 0.000); The visual function scores were associated significantly with the severity (F = 12.677, P = 0.000) and postoperative VA (F = 10.369, P = 0.000). The self-care ability scores were associated significantly with the severity (F = 11.064, P = 0.000) and surgical outcome (t = 2.297, P = 0.042). The social and mental scores were all correlated significantly with the severity (F = 6.869, P = 0.020; F = 5.721, P = 0.019) and personality (t = 4.352, P = 0.009; t = 2.297, P = 0.042). Multiple-factor stepwise regression analysis showed that there were significant correlations between total scores and the severity (P3 = -6.985, P = 0.001), postoperative VA (beta = -4.978, P = 0.003) and personality (13 = -5.201, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS: The PCG-QOL scale could be used for evaluating the QOL of PCG patients aged 5-20 years. The main factors that influence on the QOL of patients with PCG are severity of the disease, postoperative VA and personality. Preventing progression of glaucoma, improving VA and giving right psychological guidance may improve the QOL of patients with PCG.

[Clinical observation of trabeculectomy for primary angle closure glaucoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of trabeculectomy on intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications in eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: It was retrospective clinical study. PACG was classified as acute primary angle closure glaucoma (APACG) group and chronic primary angle closure glaucoma (CPACG) group. APACG was then divided into acute attack phase and chronic phase, and CPACG was divided into chronic phase and late phase. IOP, best corrected visual acuity were compared before and after trabeculectomy in different subgroup of PACG. In addition, the incidence of complications of trabeculectomy was assessed. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 12.0 statistics software. Categorical variables such as best corrected visual acuity were compared using nonparametric test, continuous variables such as age and IOP were compared between the two groups using independent two-sample t-tests. Pre- and postoperative IOP were compared using one-way analysis of variance of repeated measures. RESULTS: 40 eyes (37 cases) of APACG and 56 eyes (45 cases) of CPACG were enrolled in this study. The median follow-up period was 24 and 25 months, respectively. IOP was significantly decreased from (53.6 +/- 17.9) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa, preoperation) to (10.5 +/- 4.9) mm Hg (postoperation) at time of discharging from hospital and (14.0 +/- 10.3) mm Hg at time of final follow up in APACG (F = 100.783, P < 0.01), respectively, and from (36.8 +/- 13.8) mm Hg to (11.7 +/- 4.2) mm Hg at time of discharging from hospital and (13.8 +/- 4.5) mm Hg at time of final follow up in CPACG (F = 54.383, P < 0.01), respectively. The IOP remained controlled (< or = 21 mm Hg) without antiglaucomatous medication in 38 eyes (95.0%) of APACG and in 50 eyes (89.3%) of CPACG. Visual acuity was significantly (H = 12.316, P < 0.01) decreased after trabeculectomy in all sub-types of PACG by Kruskal-wallis analysis. Shallow anterior chamber was commonly occurred after trabeculectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy is an effective method to control IOP in APACG and CPACG. However, the high proportion of impaired vision was found following trabeculectomy in this study and warranted further clinical investigation.

[Responses of productivity of typical natural secondary forests and plantations to climate change in Shaanxi Province, China]. / é™•è¥¿çœå ¸åž‹å¤©ç„¶æ¬¡ç”Ÿæž—å’Œäººå·¥æž—ç”Ÿäº§åŠ›å¯¹æ°”å€™å˜åŒ–çš„å“åº”.

We analyzed the changes of net primary productivity (NPP) and net ecosystem productivity (NEP) of Quercus spp. forest and Robinia pseudoacacia plantation under different future climate scenarios in Shaanxi Province during 2015-2100, using the process-based dynamic vegetation model-LPJ-GUESS. The results showed that compared with the benchmark period (1961-1990), NPP of Quercus spp. forest and R. pseudoacacia plantation in northern Shaanxi would decrease by 4.9%-29.5% and 22.5%-56.2% respectively, while that in Guanzhong and southern Shaanxi would increase by 13.0%-49.0% and 21.3%-62.9% respectively in the future. The NPP of Quercus spp. forest and R. pseudoacacia plantation under the RCP8.5 scenario was the highest, followed by that under the RCP4.5 and RCP2.6 scenarios. Those two types of forest would be carbon sink in three subregions in the future. Quercus spp. forest would have stronger carbon sink function in nor-thern Shaanxi and Guanzhong, while R. pseudoacacia plantation would have stronger carbon sink function in Southern Shaanxi. Under different RCP scenarios, the NEP variation range of R. pseu-doacacia plantation was greater than that of Quercus spp. forest in three subregions.

Blood purification in two patients with clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with interstitial lung disease with anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 antibody (MDA-5).

Patients of clinically amyopathic dermatomyositis associated with rapidly progressive interstitial pneumonia (CADM-RFIP) with positive anti-MDA5 antibody usually presents rapid deterioration and traditional therapy such as cyclophosphamide combined with high-dose prednisone pulse therapy shows no clear benefit at whiles. However, blood purification combined with traditional therapy works according to the literature. We herein report two CADM-RFIP patients administered with DNA immunoadsorption combined with traditional therapy and then reviewed the literature of blood purification in CADM-RFIP patients at home and abroad to date. We emphasize blood purification such as DNA immunoadsorption could apply in the early stage of CADM-RFIP, which can decrease inflammation and allow us more time to control the condition better.