Interaction of smoking and aging on emphysema and small airways disease in asymptomatic healthy men by CT-based parametric response mapping analysis

AIM

To explore whether small airway disease and emphysema were affected by the interaction between smoking and aging on chest computed tomography (CT) images of asymptomatic healthy men analysed using a quantitative imaging tool parametric response mapping (PRM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective study, 95 asymptomatic healthy men underwent biphasic chest CT. The PRM classifies lung as a percentage of normal (PRMNormal%), functional small airway disease (PRMfSAD%), and emphysema (PRMEmph%). The patients were divided into groups based on their age and smoking status. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to explore the factors influencing lung injury. Simple effects analysis was performed to explore the interaction between different age groups and smoking status.

RESULTS

The interaction between aging and smoking significantly affected PRMfSAD% and PRMEmph% (p<0.001). The age range 60-69 and smoking were associated with increased PRMfSAD% and PRMEmph% (p<0.05). Futher stratification into different age subgroups showed that smoking was associated with increased PRMfSAD% and PRMEmph% in the 50-59 year age group. Besides, smoking in the 50-59 and 60-69 years group was associated with decreased PRMNormal%, while smoking in the 60-69 years group did not significantly influence the prevalence of PRMfSAD% and PRMEmph% (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PRM reveals the interplay between smoking and aging in the development of lung injury in asymptomatic healthy men. Aging and smoking are important factors of emphysema and small airway disease in the 50-69 years group. In the 60-69 years group, aging poses a greater risk of lung injury compared to smoking.

[Research progress of radiomics in the evaluation of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma]

Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an independent predictor of early recurrence and poor prognosis following hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection and transplantation. As a novel non-invasive diagnostic tool, radiomics can extract the quantitative imaging features of tumors and peritumoral tissues with high throughput, providing more information on tumor heterogeneity than conventional and functional imaging of visual analysis and having a good application prospect in predicting the presence of MVI in HCC patients, thereby improving the accuracy of HCC diagnosis and prognosis. The value of the multimodal radiomics method based on various imaging methods in evaluating the possibility of MVI in HCC patients is elucidated here in combination with the latest research progress.

[Abundances and Morphology Patterns of Microplastics Under Different Land Use Types on the Loess Plateau]

As an emerging pollutant to the environment, microplastics have received widespread attention worldwide. The Loess Plateau, as one of the major agricultural production areas in China, has various land use types, but how the abundance and morphological patterns of microplastics differ among soils under different land use types remains unclear. In this study, we collected soils from three different land use types:croplands, apple orchards, and landfills in the Wangdonggou Catchment. Microplastics were separated and extracted using a modified density centrifugation method, and the abundance, composition, and morphological characteristics of the soil were analyzed and characterized using a laser infrared imaging system. The results showed that the average abundance of microplastics in the Wangdonggou Catchment was 4715 n·kg^-1, mainly composed of PET, PU, and alkyd varnish(ALK), respectively accounting for 30.39%, 29.58%, and 8.42%. More than 80% of the microplastics were fragmented, and more than 60% of the microplastics were of a size ≤ 50 μm. The average abundance of microplastics varied significantly among land use types:cropland soil (7550 n·kg^-1)>apple orchard soil (3440 n·kg^-1)>landfill soil (2283 n·kg^-1). The average area, width, height, eccentricity, circularity, and other morphological characteristics of microplastics in apple orchard soil were significantly different from those in the cropland and landfill soil.

[Research and application progress of mechanical measures for oral plaque control]

Effective removal of dental plaque is a key measure to prevent and control common oral diseases and to maintain the long-term effect of dental prostheses. The methods of oral plaque control are mainly depending on mechanical measures, including regular toothbrushing, interdental cleaning and oral irrigation. Toothbrushing is the most common and effective method for mechanical removal of dental plaque.How ever the effect of toothbrushing alone to remove dental plaque is limited. It is necessary to control the interdental plaque using tools such as dental floss and interdental brushes. Oral irrigation is an assistant method to improve oral hygiene. Toothbrushing combined with the use of oral irrigator can significantly improve the removal rate of dental plaque. The present article reviews the research progress of the mechanical plaque control methods and their application results.

Retrospective Analysis of 28 Cases Confirmed for Primary Angiitis of the Central Nervous System by Biopsy

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics, therapeutic effects, and long-term prognosis of cases confirmed with primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) by biopsy, analyze the risk factors, and provide clinical guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis was performed on 28 cases of PACNS confirmed by biopsy, and the age, gender, pathological results, course of the disease, imaging manifestations, treatment, and prognosis of the patients were analyzed and summarized.

RESULTS

The cohort (age 16-60 years) comprised of 16 males. The average time from the visit to diagnosis was 6 months. The first symptom was chronic headache in 18 patients. The pathological results were accompanied by demyelination in 10 cases and glial hyperplasia in 6 cases. A total of 27 patients received treatments including glucocorticoid+cyclophosphamide; of these, 3 cases of craniotomy were improved. Among the 28 patients, 15 patients improved after the treatment, 12 patients had no significant improvement, and 1 patient was deceased. Patients with a long course of the disease before diagnosis, a Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score <60 at the time of diagnosis, a behavioral, cognitive abnormality before treatment, and a short-term relapse (0.3-1 month) have a poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

PACNS patients are prone to misdiagnosis and mistreatment, with unknown etiology and poor prognosis due to delayed treatment. Therefore, early biopsy, pathological diagnosis, and timely treatment with glucocorticoid shock are recommended, and patients with obvious mass effect should be treated by surgical resection.

[Root respiration and its temperature sensitivity at various growth stages of winter wheat in the Loess Plateau, Northwest China]

Understanding the effects of crop growth stage on root respiration (R_A) and its temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) has important theoretical and practical significance for enriching the carbon cycle theory of cropland. In a rain-fed agricultural ecosystem on the Loess Plateau, soil respiration rates were in situ measured in adjacent bare soil (soil microbial respiration, R_H) and non-fertilized winter wheat (soil respiration, R_S=R_A+R_H) with an automated CO₂ flux system from 2009 to 2014 to investigate the effect of growth stage on R_A and Q₁₀. The results showed that net photosynthetic rate in the seedling, elongating, filling, and the ripening stage was 5.9, 14.4, 12.0, and 4.4 μmol·m^-2·s^-1, and the corresponding root activity was 51.0, 100.8, 84.4, and 31.8 μg·g^-1·h^-1, respectively. R_A differed significantly among different growth stages, which was 0.26, 0.67, 0.91, and 0.56 μmol·m^-2·s^-1. The variation of R_A was closely related with soil moisture, soil temperature, net photosynthetic rate, and root activity, which presented parabolic, exponential, linear, and linear models respectively. Furthermore, Q₁₀ in each stage was 2.61, 4.88, 2.26, and 6.93, respectively, the variation of which was closely related with net photosynthetic rate, root activity, and soil moisture, with the contribution rate of root respiration being 29%, 53%, 46% and 31%, respectively. In conclusion, in addition to environmental factors, growth period of winter wheat was an important factor affecting R_A and Q₁₀.

[Effect of Environmental Factors on Variation Characteristics of Soil Microbial Respiration and Its Temperature Sensitivity]

Studying the effect of environmental factors on the variation of soil microbial respiration and its temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) at different time scales under field conditions is of great significance for accurately understanding the region's climate warming potential. From March 2008 to November 2013, in situ soil microbial respiration rates were determined using an automated CO₂ flux system (Li~8100) in long-term bare fallow soil at the Changwu State Key Agro-Ecosystem Experimental Station, Shaanxi, China, for studying the effect of environmental factors on the variation of soil microbial respiration and Q₁₀ at different time scales. At diurnal time scales, the daily variation of soil microbial respiration rates showed a single-peak curve, which was closely related to soil temperature (P<0.05); whereas the daily mean soil microbial respiration rate and Q₁₀ varied with soil moisture, with both showing the order of moderate soil moisture conditions > higher soil moisture conditions > lower soil moisture conditions[daily mean soil microbial respiration rate:1.20 μmol·(m²·s)^-1 vs. 0.95 μmol·(m²·s)^-1 vs. 0.79 μmol·(m²·s)^-1; Q₁₀:2.12 vs. 1.93 vs. 1.59]. At seasonal time scales, both the seasonal mean soil microbial respiration rate and Q₁₀ showed the order of rainy season > non-rainy season[seasonal mean soil microbial respiration rate:1.11 μmol·(m²·s)^-1vs. 0.90 μmol·(m²·s)^-1; Q₁₀:1.96 vs. 1.59], which was consistent with the trend of soil temperature and moisture (soil temperature:20.39 vs. 14.50℃; soil moisture:49.2% vs. 38.6%). The bivariate model of soil temperature and soil moisture could explain the greater seasonal variability of the soil microbial respiration rate than did the univariate model of soil temperature or soil moisture (R²:0.45-0.82 vs. 0.32-0.67 vs. 0.35-0.86; the fitting coefficient between the simulated and measured soil microbial respiration rates:0.76 vs. 0.64 vs. 0.58). At annual time scales, the annual cumulative soil microbial respiration ranged from 226 to 298 g·(m²·a)^-1, with an average of 253 g·(m²·a)^-1, and the annual Q₁₀ ranged from 1.48 to 1.94, with an average of 1.70. The annual cumulative soil microbial respiration and Q₁₀ showed a negative quadratic correlation with annual mean soil moisture (P<0.05), with the annual mean soil moisture explaining 39% and 54% of the annual variability of annual cumulative soil microbial respiration and Q₁₀, respectively. In the bare soil treatment, the soil organic carbon decreased from 6.5 g·kg^-1 at the beginning of the experiment to 5.5 g·kg^-1 at present; whereas, the annual cumulative soil microbial respiration was up to 255 g·(m²·a)^-1 and the loss of annual cumulative soil microbial respiration was 20 times larger than the loss of soil organic carbon in the Loess Plateau region, China.

[Contribution of Root Biomass to Soil Organic Carbon Under Complex Landforms Conditions]

Quantifying the contribution of fine root density (FRD) to soil organic carbon density (SOCD) under extremely complex landforms is of great significance for the evaluation of carbon storage at an eroded small catchment in hilly regions of the Loess Plateau. Soil and root samples were collected from typical landforms (a ridge slope, gully slope, and valley bottom) and different vegetation types (cropland, grassland, and woodland) to investigate the contribution of FRD to SOCD at the Zhuan Yaogou watershed The spatial distribution of SOCD and FRD was influenced significantly by landforms, vegetation type, soil depth, or their interactions. SOCD and FRD tended to go in the following order:valley bottom > gully slope > ridge slope on different landforms,Woodland > grassland > cropland on different types of vegetation, and surface > lower depths at different soil depths. Additionally, FRD had a significant effect on SOCD (P<0.05), SOCD increased logarithmically with FRD, and there was a significant difference in root-carbon conversion efficiency between different landforms and types of vegetation (P<0.05). The root-carbon conversion efficiency on the valley bottom (0.87) was 2.0 times higher than those on ridge slopes (0.43) and gully slopes (0.43) on cropland; the root-carbon conversion efficiency on gully slopes (0.57) were 1.3 and 2.1 times greater than those in valley bottoms (0.45) and ridge slopes (0.27), respectively, on grassland; and the root-carbon conversion efficiency on ridge slopes (0.56) was 1.3 times greater than that on gully slopes (0.44). Therefore, from the perspective of increasing root-carbon conversion efficiency at the Zhuan Yaogou watershed in the hilly region of the Loess Plateau, valley bottoms are suitable for agriculture, gully slopes are suitable for returning farmland to grassland, and ridge slopes are suitable for returning farmland to woodland.

A lanthanide-based magnetic nanosensor as an erasable and visible platform for multi-color point-of-care detection of multiple targets and the potential application by smartphone

A magnetic Fe₃O₄@CePO₄:Tb-EDTA-Eu nanosensor as an erasable and visible platform for the multi-color detection of multiple targets was designed.

[Variation of Soil CO2 Flux and Environmental Factors Across Erosion-Deposition Sites Under Simulation Experiment]

The CO₂ flux from soil is an important component of global carbon cycle, and a small variation of soil CO₂ flux can prominently influence atmospheric CO₂ concentration and soil organic carbon stock. Soil erosion significantly influences soil CO₂ emission. However, the process of soil CO₂ flux during soil erosion and soil deposition remains uncertain. At the present study, a simulated experiment on soil erosion and deposition was conducted at Changwu State Key Agro-Ecological Station, Shaanxi, China. From July to September in 2014 and 2015, soil CO₂ flux was periodically measured using an automated CO₂ flux system LI-8100 (LI-COR, Lincoln, NE, USA) and soil temperature and moisture were collected by series data collection system of soil temperature and soil moisture (EM50, DECAGON, USA). The measurement frequency of soil CO₂ flux was once a week during 09:00 and 11:00. Soil temperature and soil moisture of 10 cm topsoil were measured continuously (at an interval of 30 minutes) during the experiment. At the same time, runoff and sediment were collected as well in each rain event, and then SOC content in sediment was measured. The results showed that soil CO₂ flux between erosion and deposition sites had a significant difference (P<0.05), and soil CO₂ flux at deposition site [mean value 1.38 μmol·(m²·s)^-1] was 31% higher than that of soil CO₂ flux at deposition site [1.05 μmol·(m²·s)^-1], while temperature sensitivity at deposition site (Q₁₀:8.14) was 3 times as high as that at erosion site (2.34). Soil moisture at deposition site was 19% higher than that at erosion site (P<0.05). Soil temperature was slightly higher at erosion site. The average SOC content (7.26 g·kg^-1) increased by 6% in the sediment compared with the initial SOC content (6.83 g·kg^-1). Soil moisture and SOC redistribution across erosion and deposition sites were influencing factors for soil CO₂ flux under erosional environment. In conclusion, soil CO₂ flux showed a significant variation at erosion site and deposition site. Changes in soil moisture and SOC contributed much to the difference in soil CO₂ flux across erosion and deposition sites.

[Response of Soil Respiration to Extreme Precipitation in Semi-arid Regions]

Evaluating the response of soil microbial respiration to extreme precipitation event is significant for a better understanding about the influence of the change of precipitation regime on soil carbon cycling under global warming. A simulated experiment of extreme precipitations was conducted during the rainy season (July-September 2015) in the Changwu State Key Agro-Ecological Station, Shaanxi, China. The treatments consisted of three total precipitations in rainy season (600 mm, 300 mm, and 150 mm) and two precipitation regimes (10 mm, 150 mm; P₁₀, P₁₅₀). Soil microbial respiration varied differently in the same single rainfall event among three precipitations. The variation coefficient of soil microbial respiration under 600 mm total precipitation was 36% (P₁₅₀) and 33% (P₁₀), and 28% and 22% under 300 mm total precipitation, 43% and 29% under 150 mm total precipitation. Under 600 mm total precipitation, the cumulative soil microbial respiration under P₁₅₀ was 20% less than that under P₁₀; however, the cumulative soil respiration of P₁₅₀ under 150 mm total precipitation was 22% more than that under P₁₀; and there was no significant difference between P₁₀ and P₁₅₀ under 300 mm total precipitation. Therefore, the duration in soil water stress must be considered to estimate soil microbial respirations under extreme precipitations.

[Efficacy and safety of transbronchial cryobiopsy in the etiologic diagnosis of diffuse lung disease]

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of transbronchial cryobiopsy (TBCB) for the etiologic evaluation of diffuse lung disease (DLD). Methods: Between December 2015 to April 2017, a total of 38 patients with DLD met the inclusion criteria for TBCB in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, and 35 of them consented to undergo the procedure under rigid or flexible bronchoscopy. On the tissues obtained from the 35 patients, histopathologic and microbiological evaluations were performed, and together with clinical and radiological manifestations, diagnoses were made and the efficacy of TBCB in the diagnosis of DLD was confirmed, and then therapies were planned accordingly. Complications of the biopsy procedures were recorded. Results: Of the 35 patients who were enrolled, 24 underwent TBCB under rigid bronchoscopy and 11 under flexible bronchoscopy. Another 3 patients refused the procedure due to disinclination to invasive examinations. One single procedure of TBCB took (51.8±19.2) min on average, the median number of tissues obtained was 6 (5, 8), and the median area of tissues was 15 (9, 20) mm(2).Definite diagnoses were reached in 33 patients, including idiopathic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (n=8), connective tissue disease-interstitial lung disease (n=8), occupational lung disease (n=4), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n=3), interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (n=3), tuberculosis (n=2), cryptogenic organization pneumonia (n=1), acute interstitial pneumonia (n=1), pulmonary infection (n=1), hypersensitivity pneumonia (n=1) and sarcoidosis (n=1). Diagnostic yield was 94.3% (33 out of 35 cases diagnosed). Pneumothorax occurred in 3 patients (1 patients with mild pneumothorax , 1 moderate and 1 severe), and were resolved with thoracic puncture or pleural drainage. Bleeding occurred in all 24 patients who received TBCB under rigid bronchoscopy (11 patients with mild bleeding, 12 moderate and 1 severe) and was controlled after coagulation measures. After one month of treatment according to the diagnoses acquired with cryobiopsy, the condition was cured in 1 patient (3.0%), alleviated in 17 (51.5%), stable in 11 (33.3%), and deteriorated in 4 (12.1%). Conclusion: TBCB yields reliable diagnoses with a good safety profile.

Alterations of White Matter Connectivity in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Purpose To investigate the topologic architecture of white matter connectivity networks in preschool-aged children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus typical development (TD). Materials and Methods Forty-two participants were enrolled, including 21 preschool children with ASD (14 male children and seven female children; mean age, 4.56 years ± 0.97 [standard deviation]) and 21 children with TD (11 males and 10 females; mean age, 5.13 years ± 0.82). The diagnosis of ASD was determined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Global Assessment of Functioning scores (mean score, 8.00 ± 0.50). All participants underwent diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) and T2-weighted imaging on a 3-T magnetic resonance system. A graph theoretical analysis was applied to investigate the topologic organization of the brain network including global and local topologic parameters. Statistical analysis was then performed for the comparison between the groups. Results Compared with the TD group, children with ASD demonstrated shortened characteristic path length (t₁ = 0.536, t₂ = 0.534, t₃ = 0.523, t₄ = 0.510, and t₅ = 0.501; P < .05) and increased global efficiency (t₁ = 0.499, t₂ = 0.497, t₃ = 0.486, t₄ = 0.473, and t₅ = 0.465; P < .05) and clustering coefficient (t₁ = 0.673, t₂ = 0.750, t₃ = 0.757, t₄ = 0.738, and t₅ = 0.741; P < .05). Significant increases in nodal efficiency were mainly found in left pallidum (0.037 vs 0.032, respectively; P < .01) and right caudate nucleus (0.037 vs 0.032, respectively; P < .01) of the basal ganglia network. Conclusion Significantly altered patterns of global and local brain network topography may underlie the abnormal brain development in preschool children with ASD compared with those who have TD. The identification of altered structural connectivity in basal ganglia and paralimbic-limbic networks may point toward potential imaging biomarkers for preschool-age patients with ASD. ^© RSNA, 2018.

Two de novo variations identified by massively parallel sequencing in 13 Chinese families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behaviors. The genetic architecture of ASD has been elucidated, including chromosomal rearrangements, de novo or inherited rare variants, and copy number variants. However, the genetic mechanism of Chinese families with ASD children is explored rarely. To identify genetic pathogenesis, we performed massively parallel sequencing on 13 Chinese ASD trio families, and found two de novo variations. The novel de novo splice alteration c.664 + 2T > G in the DEAF1 gene and the novel de novo missense mutation c.95 C > T in the AADAT gene associated with ASD may be important clues for exploring the etiology of this disorder.

The clinical value of hepatic extracellular volume fraction using routine multiphasic contrast-enhanced liver CT for staging liver fibrosis

AIM

To investigate the value of hepatic extracellular volume fractions (fECVs) measured using routine liver computed tomography (CT) evaluating liver fibrosis (LF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 60 patients (male:female ratio, 39:21; mean age, 42.4 years) histologically diagnosed with LF underwent routine liver CT. Absolute enhancement (in Hounsfield units) of the liver parenchyma (E_liver) and aorta (E_aorta) 3 minutes after contrast medium administration was calculated using precontrast and equilibrium phase scans. The fECV was calculated using the following equation: fECV (%)=E_liver× (100 - haematocrit [%])/E_aorta. Correlation between fECV and LF stage was evaluated using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The fECVs were compared between each stage of LF. The diagnostic performance of fECV was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

RESULTS

The difference among the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). The fECVs were significantly different (p<0.05) between F0 versus F4, F1 versus F4, and F2 versus F4. The fECVs showed a significant correlation with pathological LF staging (r=0.468, p=0.001). The sensitivity and specificity were 0.76 and 0.68 for severe LF (F≥3); and 0.89 and 0.63 for cirrhosis (F=4). The areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) for F≥3 and F=4 were 0.757 and 0.775, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Calculation of fECV during routine contrast-enhanced liver CT may provide a non-invasive means of assessing LF.

μSR investigation of a new diluted magnetic semiconductor Li(Zn,Mn,Cu)As with Mn and Cu codoping at the same Zn sites

We report the successful synthesis and characterization of a new type I-II-V bulk form diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) Li(Zn,Mn,Cu)As, in which charge and spin doping are decoupled via (Cu,Zn) and (Mn,Zn) substitution at the same Zn sites. Ferromagnetic transition temperature up to  ∼33 K has been observed with a coercive field  ∼40 Oe for the 12.5% doping level. μSR measurements confirmed that the magnetic volume fraction reaches nearly 100% at 2 K, and the mechanism responsible for the ferromagnetic interaction in this system is the same as other bulk form DMSs.

Isolation and expression analysis of four HD-ZIP III family genes targeted by microRNA166 in peach

MicroRNA166 (miR166) is known to have highly conserved targets that encode proteins of the class III homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP III) family, in a broad range of plant species. To further understand the relationship between HD-ZIP III genes and miR166, four HD-ZIP III family genes (PpHB14, PpHB15, PpHB8, and PpREV) were isolated from peach (Prunus persica) tissue and characterized. Spatio-temporal expression profiles of the genes were analyzed. Genes of the peach HD-ZIP III family were predicted to encode five conserved domains. Deduced amino acid sequences and tertiary structures of the four peach HD-ZIP III genes were highly conserved, with corresponding genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression level of four targets displayed the opposite trend to that of miR166 throughout fruit development, with the exception of PpHB14 from 35 to 55 days after full bloom (DAFB). This finding indicates that miR166 may negatively regulate its four targets throughout fruit development. As for leaf and phloem, the same trend in expression level was observed between four targets and miR166 from 75 to 105 DAFB. However, the opposite trend was observed for the transcript level between four targets and miR166 from 35 to 55 DAFB. miRNA166 may negatively regulate four targets in some but not all developmental stages for a given tissue. The four genes studied were observed to have, exactly or generally, the same change tendency as individual tissue development, a finding that suggests genes of the HD-ZIP III family in peach may have complementary or cooperative functions in various tissues.

[Soil organic carbon storage changes with land reclamation under vegetation reconstruction on opencast coal mine dump]

Vegetation reconstruction was an effective solution to reclaim the opencast coal mine dump which was formed in the process of mining. To understand the impact of the vegetation reconstruction patterns' on the mine soil organic carbon (SOC) storage was essential for selecting the methods of vegetation restoration and also important for accurately estimating the potential of the soil carbon sequestration. The study area was on the Heidaigou opencast coal mine, which was 15 years reclaimed coal mine dump in Zhungeer, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, we selected 5 vegetation reconstruction patterns (natural recovery land, grassland, bush land, mixed woodland of arbor and bush, arbor land), and 16 vegetation types, 408 soil samples (0-100 m), to study the effect of the vegetation reconstruction patterns on the SOC storage. The results were showed as follows: (1) on the reclaimed coal mine dump, the vegetation reconstruction patterns significantly affected the SOC content and its distribution in the soil profile (P < 0.05). The surface 0-10 cm SOC content was grassland > shrub land > arbor forest > mixed forest of arbor and shrub > natural recovery land, in which the grassland, shrub land and arbor forest were about 2.2, 1.3, and 1.3 times of natural recovery land (2.14 g · kg(-1)) respectively. The total nitrogen (TN) showed the similar trends. (2) Among the vegetation types, Medicago sativa had the highest surface SOC content (5.71 g · kg(-1)) and TN content (0.49 g · kg(-1)), that were 171.3% and 166.7% higher than the natural recovery land, and two times of Hippophae rhamnoides, Amorpha fruticosa + Pinus tabulaeformis and Robinia pseudoacacia. (3) The effect of vegetation types on SOC mainly concentrated in the 0-20 cm depth, and the effect on TN accounted for 40 cm. (4) For the SOC storage, the order was original landform area > reclaimed dump > new dump and grassland > woodland (including arbor and shrub land). After 15 years revegetation, the soil carbon storage of the grassland, shrub land and arbor land were increased by 15.47 t · hm(-2), 6.93 t · hm(-2) and 6.95 t · hm(-2) respectively in the 100 cm depth, which were equivalent to 2/3, 1/2 and 1/2 of the original landform levels. The results showed a great ability of carbon sequestration.

Torasemide reduces dilated cardiomyopathy, complication of arrhythmia, and progression to heart failure

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and types of arrhythmia and their relationship with the severity and prognosis of chronic heart failure (CHF) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and to investigate the therapeutic effect of torasemide versus furosemide on CHF and incidence of arrhythmia. DCM patients with NYHA cardiac function II-IV were continuously monitored using a 24-h dynamic electrocardiogram (Holter), and arrhythmia incidence was analyzed by computer automatic analysis combined with manual assessment. In total, 125 participants were evenly divided into two groups: torasemide group which received 10 mg oral torasemide once daily) and regular anti-heart failure treatment (N=65), and furosemide group which received torasemide (20 mg once daily orally) and regular antiheart failure treatment (N=60). Another 60 normal healthy persons served as the normal control group. Incidence and severity of arrhythmia increased when degree of CHF was elevated. Size of left atrium was related to atrial fibrillation and size of left ventricle was related to malignant arrhythmia. At 3 months after treatment, cardiac function in both groups improved and incidence and severity of arrhythmia in both groups were reduced. However, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was higher in the torasemide group than in the furosemide group, while incidence of arrhythmia was lower in the torasemide group. Arrhythmias frequently occurred in patients with DCM and HF. Type of cardiac arrhythmia is closely related to ventricular enlargement and cardiac function grade. Torasemide is better for improving cardiac function to reduce arrhythmia and CHF compared to furosemide.

The ZmCLA4 gene in the qLA4-1 QTL controls leaf angle in maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize architecture is a major contributing factor to their high level of productivity. Maize varieties with an erect-leaf-angle (LA) phenotype, which increases light harvesting for photosynthesis and grain-filling, have elevated grain yields. Although a large body of information is available on the map positions of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for LA, little is known about the molecular mechanism of these QTL. In this study, the ZmCLA4 gene, which is responsible for the qLA4-1 QTL associated with LA, was identified and isolated by fine mapping and positional cloning. The ZmCLA4 gene is an orthologue of LAZY1 in rice and Arabidopsis. Sequence analysis revealed two SNPs and two indel sites in ZmCLA4 between the D132 and D132-NIL inbred maize lines. Association analysis showed that C/T/mutation667 and CA/indel965 were strongly associated with LA. Subcellular localization verified the functions of a predicted transmembrane domain and a nuclear localization signal in ZmCLA4. Transgenic maize plants with a down-regulated ZmCLA4 RNAi construct and transgenic rice plants over-expressing ZmCLA4 confirmed that the ZmCLA4 gene located in the qLA4 QTL regulated LA. The allelic variants of ZmCLA4 in the D132 and D132-NIL lines exhibited significant differences in leaf angle. ZmCLA4 transcript accumulation was higher in D132-NIL than in D132 during all the developmental stages and was negatively correlated with LA. The gravitropic response was increased and cell shape and number at the leaf and stem junctions were altered in D132-NIL relative to D132. These findings suggest that ZmCLA4 plays a negative role in the control of maize LA through the alteration of mRNA accumulation, leading to altered shoot gravitropism and cell development. The cloning of the gene responsible for the qLA4-1 QTL provides information on the molecular mechanisms of LA in maize and an opportunity for the improvement of plant architecture with regard to LA through maize breeding.

[Variation characteristic in soil respiration of apple orchard and its biotic and abiotic influencing factors]

To evaluate the orchard variability of soil respiration and the response of soil respiration to its influencing factors is helpful for a deep understanding about the effects of converting cropland to apple orchard. A field experiment was conducted in the Changwu State Key Agro-Ecological Station. Soil respiration, soil temperature, soil moisture and roots biomasses were periodically measured in a mature apple orchard during 2011 and 2012. Soil respiration decreased as the distance from the trunk increased. The cumulative soil respiration in the 0.5 m-distance from the trunk was 20% and 31% higher than that in the 2 m-distance from the trunk, respectively in 2011 and 2012. The temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (Q10) was relatively lower in the 2 m-distance than that in the 0. 5 m-distance in both years. Soil temperature and soil moisture were slightly higher in the 2 m-distance, but there was no significant difference between the 2 m-distance and the 0. 5 m-distance. Soil respiration and soil temperature showed a significant exponential relationship, but there was no positive correlation between soil moisture and soil respiration. Soil temperature changes can explain seasonal variation of soil respiration well, but it could not explain its spatial variability. Root density was an important factor for the spatial variability of soil respiration and Q15. Variation of soil respiration coefficient was 23% -31%. Therefore, the distance from the trunk should be considered when estimating orchards soil respiration.

[Differences in soil respiration between cropland and grassland ecosystems and factors influencing soil respiration on the Loess Plateau]

Understanding the effect of land-use change on soil respiration rates becomes critical in predicting soil carbon cycling under conversion of arable into grassland on the Loess Plateau. From July 2010 to December 2011, CO2 efflux from the soil surface was measured between 08:00 to 10:00 am in clear days by a Licor-8100 closed chamber system (Li-COR, Lincoln, NE, US). Also, soil temperature and soil moisture at the 5-cm depth was measured using a Li-Cor thermocouple and a hand-held frequency-domain reflectometer (ML2x, Delta-T Devices Ltd, UK) at each PVC collar, respectively. We found marked differences (P < 0.05) in soil respiration related to different land-use: the mean cropland soil respiration [1.35 micromol x (m2 x s)(-1)] was 24% (P < 0.05) less than the paired grassland soil respiration [1.67 micromol x (m2 x s)(-1)] (P < 0.05) during the period of experiment and the cumulative CO2-C emissions in grassland (856 g x m(-2)) was 23% (P < 0.05) higher than that in cropland (694 g x m(-2)). Soil moisture from 0-5 cm depth was much drier in cropland and significantly different between cropland and grassland except for winter. However, there were no clear relationships between soil moisture and soil respiration. Soil temperature at 5-cm depth was 2.5 degress C higher in grassland during the period of experiment (P < 0.05). Regression of soil temperature vs. soil respiration indicated significant exponential relationships both in grassland and cropland. Besides, there were intrinsic differences in response of soil respiration to temperature between the cropland and grassland ecosystems: grassland and cropland respiration response was significantly different at the alpha = 0.05 level, also expressed by a higher temperature sensitivity of soil respiration (Q10) in cropland (2.30) relative to grassland (1.74). Soil temperature of cropland and grassland can explain 79% of the variation in the soil respiration in grassland, compared to 82% in cropland. Therefore, land-use change can alter soil CO2 efflux under similar edaphic and climate conditions in the gully region of the Loess Plateau. The soil temperature difference between cropland and grassland can explain the soil respiration difference caused by land-use change, which was confirmed by the validation results.

Integrated multiple population analysis of leaf architecture traits in maize (Zea mays L.)

Leaf morphology in maize is regulated by developmental patterning along three axes: proximodistal, mediolateral, and adaxial-abaxial. Maize contains homologues of many genes identified as regulators of leaf development in other species, but their relationship to the natural variation of leaf shape remains unknown. In this study, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for leaf angle, leaf orientation value, leaf length, and leaf width were mapped by a total of 256 F(2:3) families evaluated in three environments. Meta-analysis was used to integrate genetic maps and detect QTLs across several independent QTL studies, on the basis of the previously reported experimental results for leaf architecture traits. Candidate gene sequences for leaf architecture were mapped in the integrated consensus genetic map. In total, 21 QTLs and 17 meta-QTLs (mQTLs) were detected. Among these QTLs, qLA1-1 and qLA2 were consistently detected in five and three populations respectively, and six of seven QTLs with contributions (R(2)) >10% were integrated in mQTLs. Six key mQTLs (mQTL1-1, mQTL2-1, mQTL3-3, mQTL5-1, mQTL7-2, and mQTL8-1) with R(2) of some initial QTLs >10% included 4-6 initial QTLs associated with 2-4 traits. Therefore, the chromosome regions for six mQTLs with high QTL co-localization might be hot spots of the important QTLs for the associated traits. Fifteen key candidate genes controlling leaf architecture traits coincided with 11 corresponding mQTLs, namely DWARF4, KAN3, liguleless1, TAC1, ROT3, AS2/liguleless2, PFL2, yabby9/SE/LIC/yabby15, mwp1, CYCD3;2, and CYCB1. In particular, DWARF4, liguleless1, AS2/liguleless2, yabby9/SE/LIC/yabby15, and CYCD3;2 were mapped within the important mQTL1-1, mQTL2-1, mQTL3-3, mQTL5-1, and mQTL7-2 intervals, respectively. Fine mapping or construction of single chromosome segment lines for genetic regions of these five mQTLs is worth further study and could be put to use in marker-assisted breeding. In conclusion, the results provide useful information for further research and help to reveal the molecular mechanisms with regard to leaf architecture traits.

[Effects of nitrogen fertilization, soil moisture and soil temperature on soil respiration during summer fallow season]

On the loess plateau, summer fallow season is a hot rainy time with intensive soil microbe activities. To evaluate the response of soil respiration to soil moisture, temperature, and N fertilization during this period is helpful for a deep understanding about the temporal and spatial variability of soil respiration and its impact factors, then a field experiment was conducted in the Changwu State Key Agro-Ecological Experimental Station, Shaanxi, China. The experiment included five N application rates: unfertilized 0 (N0), 45 (N45), 90 (N90), 135(N135), and 180 (N180) kg x hm(-2). The results showed that at the fallow stage, soil respiration rate significantly enhanced from 1.24 to 1.91 micromol x (m2 x s)(-1) and the average of soil respiration during this period [6.20 g x (m2 x d)(-1)] was close to the growing season [6.95 g x (m2 x d)(-1)]. The bivariate model of soil respiration with soil water and soil temperature was better than the single-variable model, but not so well as the three-factor model when explaining the actual changes of soil respiration. Nitrogen fertilization alone accounted for 8% of the variation soil respiration. Unlike the single-variable model, the results could provide crucial information for further research of multiple factors on soil respiration and its simulation.

[Effects of topographies and land uses on soil organic carbon in subsurface in hilly region of Loess Plateau]

It is important to accurately assess soil carbon sequestration potential and the global carbon cycle to study effects of topographies and land uses on soil profile organic carbon in subsurface. In Yangou watershed of hilly region of Loess Plateau, based on three topographies (tableland, slopeland, gullyland) and seven land uses (farmland, orchard, secondary grassland, manmade and secondary shrubland and manmade and secondary woodland), 53 soil profiles (0-100 cm) in six soil depths up to 898 samples were collected to investigate effects of topographies and land uses on contents and spatial distribution of soil organic carbon in subsurface. Topographies, land uses, depths and interaction of them significantly (p < 0.01) affected spatial distribution of soil organic carbon in subsurface in Yangou watershed. SOC had different spatial distribution in topographies between subsurface (10-100 cm) and surface (0-10 cm). In 0-10 cm soil layer, the content of soil organic carbon of slopeland (10.7 g x kg(-1)) was the highest, followed by gullyland (8.9 g x kg(-1)), the content of SOC of tableland (4.4 g x kg(-1)) was the lowest. But the contents of SOC every layer in 10-100 cm expressed as gullyland > slopeland > tableland trends, the average contents of SOC were 5.6 g x kg(-1), 4.5 g x kg(-1) and 3.2 g x kg(-1). Land uses significantly (p < 0.05) affected spatial distribution of SOC in subsurface in Yangou watershed. Compared with farmland, the content of SOC of orchard in 0-40 cm decreased by 21%, yet increased by 13% in 80-100 cm. The content of SOC of manmade shrubland (2.6 g x kg(-1)) was 19% lower than that of farmland, while SOC content of manmade woodland (3.4 g x kg(-1)) was 6% higher than that of farmland. The content of SOC of secondary shrubland was higher than that of any other land uses in 20-100 cm, but it is significantly (p < 0.05) different form other land uses in 40-100 cm, the average contents was 5.3 g x kg(-1), which was 66% higher than that of farmland. The content of SOC of secondary woodland was higher than that of any other land uses in 0-20 cm, but it was less differences form other land uses in 40-100 cm. The storage of SOC of gullyland (5.04 kg x m(-2)) in subsurface (20-100 cm) was the highest, accounted for 71.4% in 1 m profile, the relative storage of SOC of slopeland and tableland accounted for 63.6% and 72.3% respectively. The storages of SOC of secondary shrubland in subsurface (20-100 cm) were the highest, it was 6.01 kg x m(-2) accounted for 64.7% in 1 m profile, while the relative storage of secondary woodland was the lowest, only accounted for 49.7%. The storages of SOC of farmland and orchard both accounted for more than 70% of 1 m profile.

[Effect of dibutyl phthalate on demodicidosis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the curative effect and safety of dibutyl phthalate on demodicidosis.

METHODS

A single blinded and controlled study of human demodicidosis treated with dibutyl phthalate was conducted. One hundred and forty three patients with demodicidosis, including 81 acne and 62 rosacea, randomly divided into trial and control groups. The trial group was treated with dibutyl phthalate and control group with "new fumanling" cream twice a day in the early morning and evening respectively for six weeks consecutively.

RESULTS

The rates of excellent, good, and fair efficacy and total effective rate in the trial group with acne were 53.7%, 41.5%, 4.9% and 100% respectively, with a significant difference to the control group (P < 0.05). The rates in the trial group with rosacea were 40.6%, 40.6%, 18.8% and 100% respectively, with no statistical difference to the control group (P > 0.05). No complaint of side effects in the trial group was recorded.

CONCLUSION

Dibutyl phthalate is highly effective to demodicidosis without prominent adverse reactions.

Lateral ventricular enlargement in schizophrenic probands and their siblings with schizophrenia-related disorders

BACKGROUND

To investigate possible genetic determinants of ventricular enlargement in schizophrenia, we compared lateral ventricle/brain ratios (VBRs) in schizophrenic patients with their own siblings, some with and some without other schizophrenia-related disorders [e.g., schizotypal personality disorder (SPD)], as well as with a group of unrelated normal controls.

METHODS

VBRs, measured by computed tomography, were compared in both groupwise and within-sibship analyses, the latter method providing a measure of control over familial/genetic factors related to VBR, but unrelated to schizophrenia.

RESULTS

The VBRs were significantly different across the groups, but the only significant pairwise group comparison was between the schizophrenia and no-SRD family member groups. In the within-sibship analyses, however, the VBRs of those with SPD and schizophrenia were similar, and both groups had significantly larger VBRs than their own siblings without SRD. In addition, siblings with a negative family history for SRD had larger VBRs than family history positive siblings.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that specific schizophrenia-related genetic factors may help determine ventricular enlargement in familial schizophrenia. The larger VBRs in family history negative siblings might be attributable to genetic factors not specifically associated with schizophrenia, but which nevertheless increase its susceptibility.

Lateral ventricular enlargement in schizotypal personality disorder

Although an increase in the ratio of ventricular space to brain (ventricle-brain ratio), VBR) on computed tomography (CT) has been among the most robust findings in chronic schizophrenia, VBR has not been investigated in a large, well-characterized clinical population of patients with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD), a clinical entity with a phenomenologic, gentle biological, and treatment response relationship to chronic schizophrenia. Accordingly, CT scans were obtained in 36 male SPD patients, 23 males with other personality disorders, 133 male schizophrenic patients, and 42 male normal volunteers. The mean body of the lateral VBR was significantly greater in the SPD patients than in the patients with other personality disorders. The VBR of the SPD patients did not differ significantly from either that of the normal volunteers or the schizophrenic patients but was intermediate between the two groups. There were no correlations with either psychotic-like or deficit-related symptoms of SPD in either the SPD or total personality disorder cohorts. SPD patients, like schizophrenic patients, may have increased VBRs compared wit patients with other personality disorders; their VBRs fall between the means of schizophrenic patients and normal control subjects.

Use of Gore-Tex sling in brow suspension procedure

A variety of materials have been employed for brow suspension surgery for ptosis. Gore-Tex (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene ePTFE) has been used as vascular prosthesis. We have used cylinder Gore-Tex in brow suspension surgery for 15 ptotic eyelids (11 patients), including 10 eyes (8 patients) of congenital ptosis, 1 eye of traumatic ptosis in a young male, and 4 eyes (2 patients) of myogenic ptosis in elderly patients. All of the eyelids had minimal or absent levator muscle function, and drooped to cover the visual axes. The surgical technique for the 10 congenital ptotic eyelids was a modified Fox's method. The remaining 5 adult eyelids were operated by a modified Crawford's method, with interlocking of the two suspension bands at the lower apex of each triangle and direct suturing of the bands to the tarsal plate. The use of Gore-Tex in brow suspension makes it easy to adjust the height and contour of the operated eyelids. Patients were followed-up from 2 to 16 months (average 9.1 months) postoperatively. The only complication was granuloma formation at the most upper knot area in 5 patients (6 eyelids), one of which also had granuloma at the ipsilateral fornix with the Gore-Tex band cutting through the conjunctiva. One eyelid drooped due to knot granuloma and infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)