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Sinonovacula constricta is one of the four traditional cultured shellfish in China. The salinity in the aquaculture water body is easily affected by tides, seasonal rainfall, and high temperatures, and often fluctuates to different degrees. This affects the physiological activities of S. constricta and causes a series of changes in the structure of the osmoregulation organs, osmotic pressure, ion transport, and free amino acid (FAA) content in the body to adapt to the changes in environmental salinity. Aquatic animals can regulate cell volume and maintain osmotic pressure balance through FAAs. This mechanism has been proven in aquatic animals, such as Meretrix lusoria, Crassostrea gigas, Haliotis discus hannai, Penaeus vannamei, and Portunus trituberculatus. The common FAAs that regulate osmotic pressure in bivalves mainly include Ala, Gly, Pro, and Tau. Whether FAAs play an osmoregulation role in S. constricta, whether their involvement in osmoregulation is similar to that in other shellfish, and what the metabolic pathway is of main FAAs deserve further study. This study explored the changes of osmotic pressure and FAAs in the gill, foot, and hemolymph of S. constricta after salinity stress and analyzed the sequence characteristics, tissue expression, and mRNA expression characteristics after salinity stress and RNA interference (RNAi) of the Sc-CARNS gene, and the changes of alanine and carnosine contents. The osmotic pressure and FAA contents in the gills, foot, and hemolymph of S. constricta under different salinities (5, 20, and 35) were measured by freezing point osmometer and automatic amino acid analyzer. At the same time, the expression of the Sc-CARNS gene in the foot under different salinities (5, 20, and 35) was analyzed by RT-qPCR and RNAi technology. The content of alanine was determined with the shellfish alanine ELISA kit. The content of carnosine was determined by phthalaldehyde colorimetry. The results showed that the osmotic pressure in the gills, foot, and hemolymph of S. constricta significantly decreased within 1–72 h under low salt stress (P < 0.05), while under high salt stress, the osmotic pressure in the gills, foot, and hemolymph reached a steady state within 24 h, which was consistent with the osmotic pressure of external seawater. Compared with the control group, the osmotic pressure in the gills, foot, and hemolymph decreased by 66.7%, 69.7%, and 71.6%, respectively, when the salinity was low. The wet weight of tissues was then increased by 68.3%, 67.5%, and 70.2%, respectively. At the same stress time, the osmotic pressure of each group of S. constricta was salinity 35 > salinity 20 > salinity 5. Under normal salinity, the FAAs with the highest content in the gills, foot, and hemolymph of S. constricta were Gly, Arg, and Gly, respectively. After salinity stress, the content of total free amino acids in all tissues increased significantly with the increase of salinity. The main FAAs with the largest content change in the gills, foot, and hemolymph, respectively, were Ala, Gly, Glu, and Pro; Ala, Gly, Arg, and Tua; and Ala, Ser, Thr, and Gly. Ala was the most variable FAA in all tissues. According to the transcriptome results of S. constricta after salinity stress, it was speculated that Sc-CARNS is related to osmotic regulation. The expression of Sc-CARNS was the highest in the muscle type tissues of S. constricta, followed by the gills, and was the lowest in the hepatopancreas. After low salt stress, the expression of the Sc-CARNS gene mRNA in S. constricta increased at first and then decreased with the stress time, and was significantly higher than that in the control group after 4 h of stress (P < 0.01), and reached the peak at 24 h. The content of alanine decreased significantly with time, and the content of carnosine increased significantly with time (P < 0.05). After high salt stress, the expression of Sc-CARNS decreased, and there was no significant change compared with the control group. The content of alanine first increased, then decreased, and then increased after 8 h, and was not lower than that of the control group. The content of carnosine showed a decreasing trend after 24 h. After RNAi, the expression level of Sc-CARNS mRNA in the interference group decreased first and then increased with the interference time under normal salinity. At 24 and 48 h, the expression level of Sc-CARNS mRNA was significantly lower than that of negative control (P < 0.05), and the interference efficiency was 24% and 69%, respectively. The interference efficiency at 48 h was the highest. In the interference group, the content of alanine first increased and then decreased, and the content of carnosine first decreased and then increased, reaching the maximum at 48 h. Under low salt stress, the expression of Sc-CARNS mRNA increased, the content of alanine decreased, and the content of carnosine increased after interference for 0–24 h. After interference for 24 h and 96 h, the mRNA expression of Sc-CARNS and the contents of alanine and carnosine did not change significantly in control group and diethyl pyrocarbonate treated water. The expression level of Sc-CARNS mRNA in the interference group first decreased and then increased with the interference time, the content of alanine first increased and then decreased with time, and the content of carnosine first decreased and then increased. At 48 h, the expression of Sc-CARNS mRNA and the content of carnosine were significantly decreased, and the content of alanine was significantly increased. The results showed that S. constricta has a variable osmotic pressure. Ala as a FAA in vivo contributed the most to osmotic regulation. Moreover, carnosine synthetase was the key enzyme for converting alanine to carnosine. This study revealed the key mechanism of osmotic pressure regulation under low salt stress and provided a basis for revealing the unique salinity tolerance mechanism of Solenida shellfish.

We report a case of primary cutaneous γδT cell lymphoma complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. A 33-year-old female presented with nodule on her left arm for 1 month and erythema on her both legs for a week. Physical examination revealed redness and swelling of the left upper arm with nodule sized 6.8 cm, accompanied with elevated skin temperature and tenderness. A sinus with yellow exudate was observed in the center of the lesion. There were more than 10 red nodular plaques in various sizes with unclear boundaries and tenderness around the ankles. Histology showed atypical lymphoid infiltrate in the dermis. Immunohistochemistry showed positive for CD3, CD5, CD8, Granzyme B, TIA-1, TCRγδ and Ki67(90%). Bone marrow aspiration showed abnormal maturation of granulocytes, erythroid hyperplasia and hemophagocytosis by reticular cells. TCRG gene rearrangement showed clonal amplification peak in the target band. PET-CT revealed multiple lymphadenopathy in her body. The diagnosis was primary cutaneous Gamma-Delta T-Cell lymphoma with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. After 2 weeks of CHOP+VP-16 combined with chemotherapy, patient's body temperature became normal, and the skin lesions gradually subsided. During the regular follow-up, the patient's symptoms recurred many times, and new skin lesions repeatedly developed, without significant improvement after the treatments with different chemotherapy. One year later, patient received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and her condition became stable. Currently the patient is still under follow-up.

Objectives In this work, the influence of the initial heeling angle on the roll motion response of a ship in random beam wave is studied. MethodsSpecifically, the path integration method is applied to solve the Fokker-Planck equation, which governs the probability properties of the stochastic differential equation for the roll motion. The probability distributions of the roll motion response can then be obtained. ResultsThe results show that the initial heeling angle has limited influence on the roll motion response spectrum, but the probability density function of the roll motion response and distribution of extreme roll motion response can be significantly influenced by the heeling angle. As a result, the safety and stability of the ship will deteriorate dramatically. ConclusionsThe path integration method can be effective for studying the characteristics of ship roll motion under random waves.

The steering system noise is one of the main noise sources in submarine stealth condition. Combined with the composition of the steering system, the noise source of each component is sorted out systematically, and corresponding vibration and noise reduction design measures are proposed. As the main noise source of the steering system, emphasis is placed on analyzing the noise mechanism of the rudder hydraulic system, which is divided into two categories and six types according to steady state and transient operating conditions. Finally, it is pointed out that the new type electro-hydraulic steering gear, based on direct drive servo control principle, is the future development trend.

Objective To analyze the clinical benefits of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with extraluminal and intraluminal gastro-jejunal reconstruction in order to provide evidence-based medical data for the choice of gastro-jejunal anastomosis. Methods A retrospective case-control trial was conducted on 177 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in our institute from January 2013 to December 2022, and 161 patients were finally enrolled after the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including 99 cases of endoluminal gastrointestinal reconstruction and 62 cases of extraluminal gastrointestinal reconstruction. Learning curves were drawn using cumulative sum chart (CUSUM). The clinical data of the 2 reconstruction modalities were further compared before and after the learning curves, and the perioperative outcomes were analyzed with propensity score matching. Results The overall data showed the extraluminal group had significant shorter operation time and gastro-jejunal reconstruction time than the intraluminal group (385.8±74.6 vs 436.6±85.2 min, 23.6±13.5 vs 37.2±19.5 min, P < 0.001). After the learning curve was developed, it was found that completion of 77 cases of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is required to get through the learning curve phase. Further comparisons of the 2 reconstruction modalities before and after the learning curve indicated that after excluding between-group differences with propensity score matching, the endoluminal group during the learning curve phase had better intraoperative results in terms of operation time (451.29±51.16 vs 501.47±47.89 min, P=0.006), gastro-jejunostomy reconstruction time (15.5±11.6 vs 45.2±18.5 min, P < 0.001), and postoperative gastric tube retention time (4.0±3.0 vs 5.6±3.2 d, P=0.028). After completing 77 surgeries through the learning curve, there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 reconstruction procedures in operation time (P=0.059), gastrojejunal reconstruction time (P=0.053), and postoperative gastric tube retention time (P=0.521). No statistical difference was observed in the incidence of complications overall or before and after the learning curve stage. Conclusion Laparoscopic pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is the recommended procedure of gastrointestinal reconstruction in the learning curve stage for elective patients, as compared with endoluminal gastro-jejunal reconstruction, which has the advantages of simplicity and convenience, and facilitates the recovery of gastrointestinal function.

To explore the changes in the viability and taste compounds of Crassostrea gigas at different circulation stages after harvesting, the oysters were sampled at different times of depuration, induced dormancy and waterless live storage for evaluation of viability changes in terms of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) related compounds, adenylate energy charge (AEC) and free amino acids and evaluation of flavor quality changes with respect to contents and taste activity values (TAV) of taste compounds. The results showed that the viability and taste compounds of C. gigas were significantly influenced by postharvest transportation and environmental stress. All viability indicators were significantly restored by 24 h depuration, with ATP, AEC and the content of total free amino acids being significantly higher than before depuration (P < 0.05), indicating that the viability reached new levels. During the process from induced dormancy to waterless live storage, more energy substances were required to maintain the balance of the organism under low temperature and hypoxia stress, so all viability indicators were significantly lower than before depuration (P < 0.05) and remained stable at a lower level. Among the taste compounds, the content of umami amino acids increased and the content of bitter amino acids decreased in C. gigas after depuration, and the content of taste amino acids decreased slowly as the waterless live storage time increased. The umami?nucleotides inosine 5’-monphosphate (IMP) and adenosine 5’-monophosphate (AMP) were accumulated throughout the circulation process (P < 0.05); the total amount of organic acids showed a fluctuant downward trend, with the amount of lactic acid being significantly higher after than before depuration (P < 0.05) and showing a decreasing trend from dormancy to the end of waterless live storage (P < 0.05), while the amounts of succinic acid and malic acid showed an increasing trend during waterless live storage (P < 0.05). The levels of Na+ and K+, which play an auxiliary role in the umami taste of C. gigas, were higher after 9 days of waterless live storage than before depuration. The total amount of taste substances did not change overall. The TAV of taste compounds showed that Asp, Glu, Arg, Ala, IMP, lactic acid, succinic acid, Na+ and K+ contributed significantly to the taste of C. gigas. In conclusion, the viability and taste substances of C. gigas can be maintained at a high level by depuration for 24 hours + gradient cooling to induce dormancy + ecological ice temperature waterless live storage for 9 days after harvesting.

This study aimed to reveal the flavor quality changes of live oysters during different steps of circulation, and optimize the management of live oyster transportation in order to improve the survival quality of oysters. The changes in the types and contents of volatile flavor compounds in Crassostrea gigas sequentially subjected to depuration, induced dormancy and simulated waterless live transportation were investigated using solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Results showed that a total of 49 volatile flavor substances were identified in live C. gigas, including aldehydes, ketones, esters, hydrocarbons, alcohols, nitrogen-containing and sulfur-containing heterocyclic compounds. Post-harvest stress had a significant impact on the flavor quality. The content of pleasant flavor compounds was significantly enhanced while the content of irritating odor substances was evidently reduced, and lipid oxidation was significantly alleviated after 24 h of depuration. Lipid oxidation in oysters was increased with waterless live transportation time, and the total amount of volatile flavor substances was slowly accumulated. Odor activity values (OAVs) showed that heptanal, nonanal, (E)-2-nonenal, 4-ethylbenzaldehyde, hexanal, (E)-2-octenal, undecanal, (E)-2-decenal, decanal, (E,E)-2,4-nonadienal and 2-pentyl furan were the key flavor substances of live C. gigas, which could be used as a reference to reflect the physiological status of live oysters. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the cumulative contribution of the first three principal components to total variances was 85.6%, allowing a clear distinction between the different stages of circulation. In conclusion, the vitality and flavor substances of C. gigas reach a new level after post-harvest depuration for 24 h, which is more conducive to long-term low temperature and waterless live oyster preservation. Meanwhile, the analysis of volatile components can be used as a method to identify the vitality during the circulation of live shellfish.

Seismic signal generated on ground by moving person and vehicle target was sensed by MEMS accelerometer, then collected and processed by MSP430, achieving early-warming and target identification for ground targets. A method based on three times of the noise variance as the threshold value was proposed as to early-warming. A modified zero-crossing analysis was used to identify different kind of targets. The results show that person within 8 meters and vehicles within 20 meters away from the accelerometer can be detected and identified effectively. The correct identification rate can reach 85% or more. This algorithm is very simple and practical when processing signal collected by sensors with digital output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the result of treatment in ClassⅡmalocclusion subdivision with unilateral Forsus appliance. Methods 23 patients with ClassⅡmalocclusion subdivision were selected, who were treated with Straight wire fixed appliance in combination with unilateral Forsus appliances while another 27 patients were untreated as con⁃ trol group. Lateral cephalographs were taken before and after the comprehensive treatment, and the indicators of dental, skeletal, and soft tissue profile were measured. Results The Forsus appliance can correct ClassⅡmalocclusion subdi⁃ vision through distalizing the upper teeth and moving the lower teeth mesially. Midline can be corrected at the same time. There was a statistically significant difference in the amount of tooth movement (P < 0.05). Conclusion Forsus appliance is an effective device for treating ClassⅡmalocclusion subdivision, which can induce significant dental and soft tissue changes.

Six models of cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX)/1, 1-diamino-2. 2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7) co-crystal were constructed based on the main growth faces of HMX crystal and the hydrogen bond rules of co-crystal formation. The probability of HMX/FOX-7 co-crystal formation was investigated using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The distributions of bond length, angle, and dihedral angle were calculated during MD. As a result, a serious distortion was observed. The radical distribution function (RDF) was used to study the acting force between oxygen atoms in HMX and hydrogen atoms in FOX-7 or hydrogen atoms in HMX and oxygen atoms in FOX-7, which indicates that there are strong hydrogen bonds and Van Der Waals forces between HMX and FOX-7. Binding energies and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were calculated on the basis of the final HMX/FOX-7 co-crystal structure. The results show that the orders of binding energies of the six co-crystal models are Eb (020) > Eb (100) > Eb (randomness) > Eb (11̄1) > Eb(10̄2) > Eb (011), and the XRD peaks of six co-crystal models are quite different from pure HMX or FOX-7. In view of the research on crystal growth morphology, binding energy and RDF, the model of HMX molecular substituted by FOX-7 on the surface (11Six models of cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX)/l , l-diamino-2. 2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7) co-crystal were constructed based on the main growth faces of HMX crystal and the hydrogen bond rules of co-crystal formation. The probability of HMX/FOX-7 co-crystal formation was investigated using the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The distributions of bond length, angle, and dihedral angle were calculated during MD. As a result, a serious distortion was observed. The radical distribution function (RDF) was used to study the acting force between oxygen atoms in HMX and hydrogen atoms in FOX-7 or hydrogen atoms in HMX and oxygen atoms in FOX-7 , which indicates that there are strong hydrogen bonds and Van Der Waals forces between HMX and FOX-7. Binding energies and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) were calculated on the basis of the final HMX/FOX-7 co-crystal structure. The results show that the orders of binding energies of the six co-crystal models are Eb (020) > Eb (100) > Eb (randomness) > Eb (ll̄l) > Eb(10̄2) > Eb (011), and the XRD peaks of six co-crystal models are quite different from pure HMX or FOX-7. In view of the research on crystal growth morphology, binding energy and RDF, the model of HMX molecular substituted by FOX-7 on the surface (11̄1) of HMX is more liable to form. 1) of HMX is more liable to form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale. METHODS: Using translation, back -translation, quality evaluation, cross-cultural adaptation and pre-assessment, a Chinese draft scale of the ECOHIS was obtained, and then applied to two groups of children. One group was 200 pre-school children, who were randomly selected from 2 kindergartens of Chengdu city; the other group was 100 patients aged 3-5 years old from the paediatric dentistry of West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University. After their guardians accomplished the questionnaires, the collected data was analyzed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the scale. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the ECOHIS showed the following psychometric properties from 97.3% valid questionnaires. The Cronbach's alpha, split-half reliability and correlation of the scale was 0.899,0.799 and 0.666,respectively. By factor analysis of construct validity, the 13 items were classified into 3 domains; the cumulative proportion was 63.87%. The scale had certain logical relation between the items in the same domain. Each item of the scale was sensitive to discriminate the Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) between general population and patients (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Chinese version of ECOHIS had a good reliability and validity by rigorous psychometric properties. It can be widely used to test the OHRQoL of pre-school children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of corrosion failure in offshore wind turbine steel pipe piles has become increasingly evident, posing a significant threat to the safe operation of offshore wind energy systems. To address this, the applicability of light-curable anti-corrosive coatings in tropical marine atmospheric conditions was investigated in this study. Firstly, the bending and tensile properties of the light-curable composites were tested. Then, salt spray tests, as well as acid and alkali resistance tests, were carried out on the light-cured sheets. Results showed that the mechanical properties and neutral salt spray (NSS) resistance of the light-curable materials were excellent, and their resistance to neutral salt spray was found to be comparable to that of Anshun armor. In H2SO4 and NaOH solutions, the weight gain rate of the light-curable materials was found to be less than 1.2%, the hardness variation rate was less than 8%, and the bending strength retention rate exceeded 92%, demonstrating its excellent acid and alkali resistance. The light-curable materials met the requirements of anti-corrosion materials for offshore wind power equipment.

Objective: explore a simple and effective preservation technology to prolong the shelf life of fresh Tuber indicum during cold storage. Methods: quality characteristics of fresh Tuber indicum such as sensory quality, total number of colonies, main nutrients content and volatile compounds were studied during storage at 4 ℃. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to reveal the bacterial community structure of fresh Tuber indicum during storage at 4 ℃. What’s more, the correlation analysis between the main aromatic compounds and the bacterial community structure was clarified. The 16S rRNA gene identification technology was used to identify the specific spoilage organisms those isolated from truffles during storage at 4 ℃. The results showed that the shelf life of fresh truffle soaked in 75% alcohol and vacuum packaged was 30 days during storage at 4 ℃. The contents of total sugar, total protein and crude fiber in truffle stored for up to 38 days decreased significantly in comparison with those in fresh truffle. Meanwhile, the mass loss percentage increased evidently, the content of volatile aroma compounds decreased markedly and the content of volatile off-flavor compounds increased obviously. The results of high throughput sequencing showed that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Verrucomicrobia were the dominant phyla in fresh truffle during cold storage. The redundancy analysis showed that during 0–15 days of storage, the contents of nutrient components (total sugar, total protein and crude fiber) and characteristic aroma substances (1-octene-3-ol, pentyl valerate, ethyl acetate, 3-methyl-ethyl butyrate, 2-octenone, 1-octene-3-one, hexaldehyde and n-hexanol) were positively correlated with the relative abundance of Bradyrhizobium, Rhizobium, Bosea, Variovorax, Dyadobacter, Janthinobacterium and Pedobacter. The contents of total protein, 1-octene-3-ol and n-amyl pentanoate were significantly positively correlated with the relative abundance of Bosea. The relative abundance of Pseudomonas and Serratia showed a significantly positive correlation with mass loss percentage from days 15 to 38. The contents of pyridine, dimethyl ether, 3-methyl-butyric acid, hexanoic acid, heptanal, crotonol, 3-methylthiopropanol and 3-methyl-1-butanol were positively correlated with the relative abundance of Ensifer, Pseudomonas, and Serratia from days 30 to 38. The results of this study will provide a theoretical basis for the in-depth study of the spoilage mechanism of and the development of new preservation technologies for fresh Tuber indicum.

Corrosion and protection of offshore wind turbines is one of the difficulties in the development of offshore wind power. In this paper, the corrosion status of offshore wind power was analyzed, the relationship between offshore wind turbine structure and marine corrosion environment was expounded, and the corrosion characteristics and corrosion types of wind turbine components were described. Besides, dealing with offshore wind power corrosion from two aspects including corrosion protection and corrosion monitoring was analyzed. As for anti - corrosion of offshore wind power, the design criteria, standard requirements and control methods for corrosion control of offshore wind power were proposed. As for offshore wind power corrosion monitoring and inspection, the corrosion detection technology and monitoring technology were introduced, the main components and basic principles of online corrosion monitoring technology of wind power were emphatically described, and finally, the future online corrosion monitoring work was prospected.

Objective To investigate the potential risk factors of the incidence of osteoporosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）. Methods In this study, 125 sex- and age-matched SLE patients （SLE group） and 125 healthy controls （HC group） were screened from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University,Fujian Provincial General Hospital, Ganzhou Municipal Hospital and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College using the PSM matching method. Clinical data were collected. Bone mineral density （BMD） of the lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip was measured. T values in male and postmenopausal female aged≥50 years were calculated and Z values in male and premenopausal female aged < 50 years were calculated. The risk factors of the incidence of osteoporosis in SLE patients between two groups were identified by logistic regression analysis. Results The lumbar spine BMD （T value） in patients with SLE was lower than that in the HC group （P < 0.05）. The lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip BMD （Z value） in the SLE group were lower than those in the HC group （all P < 0.05）. Besides, the probability of abnormal BMD regarding the T and Z values in the SLE group was higher compared with that in the HC group （both P < 0.05）. In the SLE group, the proportion of normal BMD according to the T value was lower than that in the HC group, especially the lumbar spine. In the SLE group, the proportion of lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip BMD （Z value） lower than normal level was higher than that in the HC group. In the SLE group, long disease duration, history of glucocorticoid use, age > 50 years and coronary artery disease were the risk factors of osteoporosis in SLE patients. Conclusions SLE patients with long disease duration, history of glucocorticoid use, age > 50 years and coronary artery disease are high-risk population for osteoporosis.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics, drug efficacy and prognosis of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with other autoimmune diseases. Methods Eighty-three MG patients were divided into 2 groups. One group included MG patients with autoimmune diseases (AIDMG, N = 24), and the other included MG patients without autoimmune diseases (NAIDMG, N = 59). Firstly, clinical features such as sex, age of onset, initial symptoms and thymus abnormalities were compared between patients with AIDMG and NAIDMG. Secondly, effect of different therapies, including pyridostigmine, corticosteroids, immunoglobulin, immunosuppressants and thymectomy was compared between 2 groups. Finally, prognosis including relapse rate and recurrence time during the first 2 years after MG onset was compared. Whether and when ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG) progressing to general myasthenia gravis (GMG) and the first onset of GMG symptoms during the first 2 years were also compared between 2 groups. Results The difference of gender predominance (χ2 = 8.467, P = 0.004), ptosis affecting left or right or both sides (χ2 = 9.830, P = 0.007) and disease course within 2 years after onset (χ2 = 15.255, P = 0.001) between AIDMG group and NAIDMG group were statistically significant. Other clinical features such as age of onset (χ2 = 1.728, P = 0.228), initial symptoms (χ2 = 0.252, P = 0.791), thymus abnormalities (χ2 = 3.200, P = 0.202) were not significantly different between 2 groups. Differences of therapeutical effect such as pyridostigmine (χ2 = 0.411, P = 0.395), corticosteroids (χ2 = 0.156, P = 0.513), immunoglobulin (χ2 = 0.359, P = 0.462), immunosuppressants (χ2 = 0.081, P = 0.526) and thymectomy (χ2 = 0.337, P = 0.391) between 2 groups were not statistically significant. The ratio of OMG progressing to GMG (χ2 = 1.826, P = 0.148), time of progressing (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.639), first onset symptom (Fisher's exact test: P = 0.196) and recurrence time (Fisher's exact test: P = 1.000) were not significantly different between 2 groups. Conclusions AIDMG was more common in female patients. Bilateral ptosis involvement at the same time was more common in AIDMG. Relapse rate during the first 2 years after MG onset was higher in AIDMG than that in NAIDMG. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2014.10.009

Objective: To analyze a case infected with Plasmodium falciparum due to blood transfusion in Taizhou City, so as to provide scientific evidence for malaria control., Methods: The epidemiological investigation of a case with P. falciparum malaria was conducted, and the blood donors'blood samples were collected and detected in laboratory to identify the origin of the infection., Results: Microscopy detected Plasmodium in the blood samples from a 64-year-old male inpatient with nephropathy, and P. falciparum malaria was diagnosed. The case had no history of travel to Africa or Southeast Asia except blood transfusion, and he had received blood transfusion 14 times during his hospital stay. Detection of blood donors'blood samples showed P. falciparum in the archived blood samples from an Indonesian student studying in China, as revealed by PCR assay, and the student was found to have a history of malaria., Conclusions: The patient was confirmed to be a case with P. falciparum malaria due to blood transfusion. Screening of malaria should be intensified in blood donors to prevent the development of malaria transmitted by blood transfusion.

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of different surgical methods for the epicanthus corrective surgery., Methods: Canthoplasty with asymmetric Z-flap is applied in 46 cases, Y-V advancement procedure for epicanthoplasty is applied in 42 cases. The epicanthus aesthetic measurement were measured and calculated by software before and after surgery, the diameter of the iris was measured as a reference value,and the postoperative scar was assessed by VSS scale. At the same time, by measuring the lateral canthal distance, the accuracy of the measurement method can be verified., Results: All patients were satisfied with the long-term results and there were no recurrences of the epicanthal fold. The shortening ratio of the ICD is 8.36% in the group with the Z-plasty, and 5.88% in Y-V plasty. the lateral canthal distance have no diffrence before and after surgery., Conclusions: Two surgical methods can get good results. The magnitude of correction in Z-plasty may larger than Y-V plasty, but postoperative retraction may existed in Z plasty.

Objective: To assess the association of copy number variations of SMN1, SMN2, NAIP, GTF2H2 and H4F5 genes with clinical classification of spinal muscular atrophy in children, and determine the copy number of the SMN gene among pregnant women. A carrier screening was also performed in Sichuan province., Methods: The copy number variations of the above genes among 53 confirmed SMA patients were determined with MLPA technique. The copy number variations were analyzed by the Fisher's exact test. Deletion of exon 7 in the SMN1 gene was screened with denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) for 427 pregnant women., Results: Among the 53 cases of type I, II, and III SMA patients, the rate of homozygous deletion of both exons 7 and 8 of the SMN1 gene were 100%, 94.44% and 87.50%, respectively, whereas those of homozygous deletion of exon 7 of SMN1 gene were 0, 5.56%, and 12.50%, respectively. The patients with 1, 2, 3, and 4 copies of exon 7 of the SMN2 gene were 11.32%, 67.92%, 13.21% and 7.55%, respectively. The patients with 0, 1, and 2 copies of exon 5 of NAIP gene were 11.32%, 62.26%, and 26.42%, respectively. No deletion was detected in GTF2H2 or H4F5 genes. The heterozygous loss rate of exon 7 in SMN gene in the pregnant women population of Sichuan region was approximately 2.11%., Conclusion: Copy number variations of SMN2 and NAIP genes in patients are related to SMA clinical types (P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no relationship between SMA clinical types and deletion of exons 7 and 8 in the SMN1 gene (P > 0.05). Analysis of copy number change in SMN1 gene can assist SMA carrier screening. However, when the general population without SMA family history is screened for disease-causing genes, it should be noted that the type "2+0" carriers may affect the screening result, and the result should be interpreted with caution.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) fruits are very susceptible to pericarp browning and aril breakdown, and postharvest aril breakdown is one of the most important factors degrading the quality and shorting storage life of longan fruit. Changes in aril breakdown index, cell wall components and cell wall-degrading enzyme activities in aril of longan cv. Fuyan fruits using sealed polyethylene film bags (0.015 mm thick) at (10+/-1) degrees C were investigated. The main results were as follows. Development of aril breakdown was higher with storage time (from day 0 to day 36). Aril breakdown index was positively and significantly correlated with storage time (P<0.01). During development of aril breakdown, the total dry weight of the cell wall materials, protopectin, cellulose, semicellulose and cell wall protein contents of aril decreased progressively. The total dry weight of the cell wall materials, contents of protopectin, cellulose, semicellulose and cell wall protein of aril were all negatively correlated with aril breakdown index. There were low beta-galactosidase activity, and high activities of pectinesterase (PE), polygalacturonase (PG) and cellulase in aril of harvested fruit. PE activity in aril gradually decreased during development of aril breakdown. The activities of PG and cellulase in aril increased significantly during storage from day 6 to day 12 and from day 0 to day 12, respectively. The peaks enzyme activities of both PG and cellulase appeared on the 12th day after harvest, then the enzyme activity decreased; whereas, the activities of PE, PG and cellulase changed little from day 0 to day 24, and then rapidly decreased. The beta-galactosidase activity in aril decreased slightly during storage from day 0 to day 24. However, the beta-galactosidase activity increased significantly after day 24. Especially, the beta-galactosidase activity increased rapidly after 30 d of storage, in the meantime, the activities of PE, PG and cellulase almost disappeared. From the results it can be seen that the development of aril breakdown was due to the degradation of cell wall components such as protopectin, cellulose, semicellulose and cell wall protein. The early and middle phases of development of aril breakdown were mainly brought about by the action of PE, PG and cellulase, whereas, beta-galactosidase played the key role at the late phase of aril breakdown.

By means of random amplified polymorphic DNA markers, a molecular ecological study was made with Sabina vulgaris populations at 4 succession stages in Maowusu sandy grassland, aimed to reveal the relationships between molecular variation and succession stages. A total of 17 random primers were selected for amplification, and 190 repetitive loci were produced, of which, 173 were polymorphic. The data were analyzed by POPGENE 3. 2 Version 1. 31. The results showed that the genetic diversity of S. vulgaris populations was high, and changed with succession stages. The percentage of polymorphic loci in each S. vulgaris population ranged from 64.21% to 74.63%, with the highest in early succession stage Artemisia ordosica + S. vulgaris on semi-fixed sand dunes, and the lowest in sub-climax stage S. vulgaris on fixed dunes. The genetic differentiation among the populations was small (G(st) = 0.1761), and 82.39% of it was within the populations. Cluster analysis demonstrated that the populations at similar succession stage clustered together, suggesting that the genetic differentiation was closely related to succession stage. The genetic diversity indicated by Nei index ranged in 0. 2163 -0. 2564, and the gene flow (N(m) *) was 2.7972, indicating that more gene exchange occurred within the populations, which prevented the genetic differentiation among the populations at different succession stages.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) fruits are very susceptible to water loss and pericarp browning, and postharvest pericarp browning is the most important factors degrading the quality of longan fruit and shorting storage life. Pericarp browning has been attributed to desiccation, chilling, heat stress, senescence and pest or pathogen attack. Desiccation is the most main factor of induced-pericarp browning in longan. The relationship between water loss from pericarp and pericarp browning in longan cv. Fuyan fruits using open plastic punnets and sealed polyethylene bags at 10 degrees C +/-1 degrees C and 50% relative humidity, and the effect of pericarp water loss of the fruit on active oxygen metabolism and phenolics metabolism were investigated. Water loss resulted in rapid pericarp browning. Development of pericarp browning was higher with higher rate of water loss from pericarp and storage time (from 0 to 6 days). Water loss from pericarp was positively correlated with pericarp browning index significantly (P<0.01). Water loss from pericarp resulted in reduced activities of reactive-oxygen-scavenging enzymes (SOD, CAT, APX and GR), decreased amounts of endogenous antioxidant substances (AsA and GSH), and increased rates of O(-.)(2) production, MDA content and relative leakage rate, which showed that membrane structure was broken. Water loss from pericarp resulted in an increase in activity of PPO, and obvious reductions in total phenolic and flavonoid contents, whereas there was not obvious change in anthocyanin content. These results show that phenolics and flavonoids are the main substrates for PPO during desiccation-induced browning. Water loss from pericarp caused a significant increase in activity of POD, which also plays an important role in desiccation-induced browning in pericarp of longan fruit. Water loss from pericarp caused an increase in pH value, which resulted in changes in anthocyanin structure and color, the degradation of anthocyanin became easier. The results suggest that desiccation-induced browning of longan pericarp may be due to a decrease in activities of reactive-oxygen-scavenging enzymes and amounts of endogenous antioxidant substances, an accumulation of active oxygen, an increase in membrane lipid peroxidation, an injury of the integrity of cellular membrane structure, which, in turn, may cause cellular decompartmentation, resulted in PPO and POD, located in plastid and other organelle, to come into contact with phenolic and flavonoid substrates, located in vacuole, to form brown polymers.

Purpose: To study the effect of 4 archwires and 2 ligating methods on the frictional resistance., Methods: The static and dynamic friction of different combinations of 4 archwires and 6 preadjusted brackets and 2 ligating methods in the buccal segments were tested in the dry state. The friction was tested by the load cell in the LJ-500 testing machine. Orthogonal experiment design was performed in this study. The data were analysed by analysis of variance and regression analysis using the statistical analysis system., Results: The smallest frictional resistance in 4 different archwires was produced by combination of 0.018 x 0.025 inch stainless rectangular wire and all preadjusted brackets. The biggest frictional resistance in 4 different archwires was produced by combination of 0.019 x 0.025 inch stainless rectangular wire and all preadjusted brackets. The static friction of combination of 0.020 inch stainless round wire and all preadjusted brackets were higher than 0.018 inch stainless round wire. The dynamic friction of combination of 0.018 inch stainless round wire and all preadjusted brackets were higher than 0.020 inch stainless round wire. Among 4 kinds of stainless wires, the ratio of dynamic to static friction of 0.018 inch round wire appeared the highest, followed by 0.018 x 0.025 inch rectangular wire, 0.020 inch round wire and 0.019 x 0.025 inch rectangular wire. Elastomeric ring ligature produced higher friction and the ratio of dynamic to static friction than stainless steel ligature., Conclusions: 0.018 inch stainless steel round wire was not suitable for sliding mechanics in this study. One should pay attention to anchorage control in using 0.019 x 0.025 inch rectangular wire. Elastomeric ring ligature was not advantageous for sliding of brackets and wires in the dry state.