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BackgroundNeck-shoulder pain is one of the most common discomfort symptoms among nursing staff, mostly caused by a heavy workload, restricted workstation, and prolonged poor posture.ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of neck-shoulder pain among nursing staff in tertiary general hospitals in Hunan Province, and to analyze workload-related risk factors.MethodsFrom October to December 2018, a multi-stage stratified randomized cluster sampling method was adopted to select a total of 1 200 nursing staff who met the inclusion andexclusion criteria in six tertiary general hospitals from five geographic subdivisions of Hunan Province were selected. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect demographic characteristics, and past 1-month prevalence of neck-shoulder pain, a neck disability index (NDI) was used to assess the impact of neck pain on daily life, and functional disability was graded by the index of impaired neck function; a self-designed questionnaire was adopted to evaluate potential workload-related risk factors (working time, postural load, and force load) of neck-shoulder pain after a Delphi expert consultation. A total of 1 161 valid questionnaires were returned, and χ２test and logistic regression model were used to screen the potential risk factors for neck-shoulder pain.ResultsThe prevalence rate of neck-shoulder pain in the past 1 month was 87.5% (1 016/1 161) and varied by different characteristics of the nursing staff, ranging from 76.9% to 91.2%. The scores of the 10 items of the NDI ranged from 0 to 5, but most of them were 0, 1, and 2; of the 10 items, neck pain had the greatest impact on sleep (1.30±1.21) and the least impact on self-care behaviors (0.35±0.65). The index of impaired neck function showed that the majority (65.4%) of nurses had mild cervical spine dysfunction and 30.1% had moderate cervical spine dysfunction. The univariate analysis results revealed that 24 out of the 31 workload-related risk factors had significant differences, and further multiple analysis results showed that three variables entered the logistic regression model. Under the same conditions, nurses with ≥5 h of cumulative head-down tasks per shift had 3.03 times higher neck-shoulder pain risks compared with those with ＜1 h. Compared with “occasionally or never”, nurses who “sometimes” and “often” tilted their necks back and maintained this posture for a long time showed 2.36 and 2.94 times higher risks for neck-shoulder pain respectively. The nurses who reported “sometimes” and “often” having difficulty using their force at work due to unnatural posture had 2.78 times and 7.08 times higher neck-shoulder pain risks than those who “occasionally or never” respectively.ConclusionThe reported rate of neck-shoulder pain among nurses in tertiary general hospitals in Hunan Province is high, but most of them are mild dysfunction. Working hours and posture load may affect the risk of neck-shoulder pain.

Considering the low thermal efficiency, high excess air coefficient and low load rate of the in-service water jacketheater of Shengli Oilfield, the relationship of the load rate, excess air coefficient and fouling resistance with the thermalefficiency of the water jacket heater was calculated with the calibration and air-conditioning calculation software for waterjacket heater, and on this basis, the fouling resistance of the in-service water jacket heater was calculated reversely. Accordingto the calculation, the dissipation heat loss increases and the exhaust heat loss decreases with a decrease of load, but thetotal heat loss varies a little. So, the load rate has little effect on the thermal efficiency of water jacket heater. The exhausttemperature increases with a rise of excess air coefficient, and under the combined action of two factors, a considerabledecrease in thermal efficiency of water jacket heater will be caused. The fouling resistance of the in-service water jacketheater increases obviously, which makes the exhaust temperature and water bath temperature significantly higher than thedesign values, further resulting in the decrease in thermal efficiency of water jacket heater. Thus, the key measures to improvethe efficiency of water jacket heater are developed, including timely cleaning the fouling, replacing the boiler water regularly, installing flue gas analyzer, and replacing automatic regulating burner.

Background and objective The pathogenesis of a ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) of the lung is extremely rare which is difficult to distinguish from other lung lesions and it is easy to cause misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. By collecting CMPT data, its clinical and pathological features can provide medical treatment ideas for the majority of medical workers and reduce medical errors. Methods The clinical data, pathological features, immunophenotype of a typical CMPT patient and related literature were analyzed. Results The chest computed tomography (CT) showed there was a mixed density nodule in the right lower lung near the pleura with a diameter of about 9 mm. We performed a wedge resection on the patient. The pathological results showed that the nodule was composed of proliferated ciliated cells, mucous cells, and basal-like cells. The ciliated cells were lined on the surface of papillary structures. The basal-like cells were located in the outer layer, while the mucous cells were located between the two. The cell atypia was not obvious. Immunohistochemistry: epithelial cells CEA (+), CK7 (+), CA125 (+), weakly positive for TTF-1, CK20 (-), Ki67 (1%+), CK5/6 (+), and basal cells P63 (+). Conclusion CMPT is a rare pulmonary neoplasm. There is no definite conclusion about its biologic nature, but most experts prefer a benign to a malignant tumor. CMPT can show many malignant tumor signs on imaging and is often mistaken for lung adenocarcinoma. According to its typical histopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical phenotype, it can be differentiated from other pulmonary diseases. Whether gene mutation is the driving factor is still unknown. Surgical resection for the tumor reveals a good prognosis.

BACKGROUND The Xichuan turquoise mining area in Henan Province belongs to the east extension of the turquoise metallogenic belt in the junction of Hubei and Shaanxi Provinces. A lot of turquoise artifacts have been excavated in many early archaeological sites near Xichuan. Therefore, the distribution of the Xichuan turquoises has attracted wide attention of many archaeologists. OBJECTIVES To study mineralogical characteristics of Xichuan turquoise in order to improve the mineralogical study of turquoise in different mining areas in China and provide important data support for tracing the mineral resources of early turquoise artifacts in China. METHODS Technologies including polarizing micro-scope, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction were applied to study the texture and structure of turquoise. Electron probe microanalysis and back scattered electron imaging were applied to study the mineral assemblage of Xichuan turquoise. RESULTS Xichuan turquoise, ring-like, nodular and patchy granular was primarily composed of fine scaly, short columnar and lamellar microcrystalline aggregates. By comparing the microcrystalline structures of different samples, it was noted that the sizes, shapes and distributions could affect the densification and color of Xichuan turquoise. Quartz, chalcedony and iron oxide were common in the Xichuan turquoise aggregate. Svanbergite could also be observed in some samples. CONCLUSIONS By comparing the mineral assemblages of turquoise in other mining areas, it was found that Xichuan turquoise was similar to the turquoise in Hubei Province with quartz and limonite as main mineral impurities, different from the turquoise in Anhui Province with kaolinite as main mineral impurities.

Cistanche deserticola planted in Xinjiang was used as the test material, and the effects of the active modified atmosphere treatment (6% CO2+4% O2+90% N2) combined with different packaging materials PE film (oxygen permeation 300 cm³/(m²⋅d)), microporous membrane M1 (oxygen permeation 6,000 cm³/(m² ⋅d)) and microporous membrane M2 (oxygen permeation 8,000 cm³/(m² ⋅d)) on the changes of active components and antioxidant activities of the fresh-cut Cistanche deserticola stored at a low temperature, (4±0.5)°C. The results showed that after 7 days of storage, the PPO activity and browning degree for the group treated with modified atmosphere microporous membrane (6% CO2+4% O2+90% N2+M1) were 2.07 U/g and 0.57 OD410/g, respectively, which were lower than those of the CK group. The contents of Vc, total phenolics, flavonoids, total polysaccharides, echinacoside and calycoside were 13.00%, 5.88%, 11.24%, 14.45%, 1.20% and 1.47%, respectively, higher than those of the CK group. The DPPH and ABTS+ free radical scavenging rates and FRAP value for the group treated with 6% CO2+4% O2+90% N2+M1 microporous membrane were 8.97%, 1.99% and 11.43%, respectively, higher than those of the CK group. Accordingly, the 6% CO2+4% O2+90% N2+M1 treatment could significantly retard the decrease of the active components of the fresh-cut C. deserticola, and maintain its high antioxidant capacity and slow down its senescence, thereby maintaining better the medicine and food homology of fresh-cut C. deserticola. This would be a good preservation method for fresh-cut C. deserticola. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the e-commerce and logistical needs for fresh grapes, a table grape preservation pad based on sodium metabisulfite and layered silicate was designed and produced, and was used for the postharvest preservation of 'Cresson' grapes during storage and transportation. The table grape preservation pads were treated using the following protocols: T1 (0.8 g sodium metabisulfite + 0.2 g sustained release agent), T2 (0.8 g sodium metabisulfite + 0.5 g layered silicate + 0.2 g sustained release agent), T3 (0.8 g sodium metabisulfite+1.0 g layered silicate + 0.2 g sustained release agent), and T4 (0.8 g sodium metabisulfite + 2.0 g layered silicate + 0.2 g sustained release agent). The effects of the table grape preservation pads on post-harvest storage quality of Cressen grapes were analyzed under shelf life conditions of 12-14°. The results showed that the T3 and T4 treatments can significantly decrease ethylene content in the storage environment; effectively maintain fruit hardness, soluble solid content, titratable acid content, ascorbic acid content; have higher sensory evaluation scores; and significantly inhibit grape respiration intensity, shattering, rotting, and stem browning compared with other treatment groups. This indicates that T3 and T4 had significant preservation effects on Cressen grapes during their shelf life and can effectively maintain Cressen grape shelf life quality. Thus, T3 (0.8 g sodium metabisulfite + 1.0 g layered silicate + 0.2 g sustained release agent) can be used as a new grape preservation method in actual production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of heat treatment (HT) technology on the storage quality of three different varieties of muskmelons cultivated in Xinjiang - an early-ripening variety (Xizhoumi No.25), middle-ripening variety (Jinmi No.3), and late-ripening variety (Jiashi melon) - was investigated. The melons were treated under different HT conditions (temperature and time) to analyze the physiological changes when stored at room temperature (23±2) °C. The optimized HT conditions of different melon varieties were selected and the effects of heating processing on the postharvest quality of the melons were studied. The optimum HT conditions for Xizhoumi No.25 and Jiashi melons were 62 °C and 15 s, whereas those for Jinmi No.3 melons were 58 °C and 15 s. The heat tolerance of the peels influenced the optimum HT conditions; the melon varieties with darker peels were more tolerant than those with lighter peels. After 18 days of storage, the conductivities of Xizhoumi No.25, Jinmi No.3, and Jiashi melons were 61.24%, 65.94%, and 74.18%, respectively, representing decreases of 12.54%, 17.72%, and 10.93% compared with those of the control group. HT technology effectively delayed fruit hardening and remarkably inhibited the increase in total soluble solids content. Thus, the quality of different varieties of melons was better maintained during storage. This study has provided theoretical and technical support for the industrial application of HT technology for muskmelon storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The linear cointegration theory has been successfully applied on a hydraulic servo system condition monitoring. But the insensitivity to some types of system faults hammered its application prospect. Therefore, a nonlinear cointegration method based on neural network is employed to build a nonlinear monitoring model for better performance. The simulation study has proofed that the nonlinear cointegration monitoring model is much more powerful and reliable than the linear one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with severe or critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) receiving tracheal intubation., Methods: We analyzed clinical characteristics of 18 severely or critically ill patients with COVID-19 undergoing tracheal intubation. The general demographic and clinical data of the patients including their age, gender, pre- intubation state of consciousness and the ventilation mode were recorded. The anesthesiologists performing the tracheal intubation procedure evaluated and recorded the tracheal intubation conditions of the patients. The changes in the vital signs of the patients before anesthesia induction and after intubation were recorded., Results: The average ages of these patients were 70.39±8.02 years. Fifteen patients (83.33%) received non- invasive ventilation before tracheal intubation, and 13 patients (72.22%) were conscious before tracheal intubation. After induction of anesthesia, the blood pressure and heart rate of the patients decreased significantly ( P < 0.05). Most of the patients (94.44%) were in excellent or good conditions for tracheal intubation, and the first-attempt success rate of tracheal intubation was 100%. Five patients died within 3 weeks following the intubation. Tracheotomy was performed in one patient. Twelve patients were still on endotracheal mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit, and one of them received ECMO treatment due to poor oxygenation. A total of 16 experienced anesthesiologists participated in tracheal intubation, all with third-level protection during the operation, and no medical staff infection has been detected so far., Conclusions: For patients with severe and critical COVID-19 and indications of tracheal intubation, we recommend early intubation with invasive respiratory support to improve the treatment efficacy and reduce the mortality. Anesthetic agents should be used carefully during tracheal intubation to ensure patients' safety. The medical staff should have a high-level protection during the intubation to maximally ensure their safety.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the process of haze in winter and the variation of carbonaceous aerosols in haze days. Continuous measurements of PM2.5 and meteorological parameters were conducted from Dec 3rd ,2013 to Jan 3rd, 2014, in Wuxi City. The carbonaceous component was quantified with the thermal/optical transmission (TOT) method. The results showed that: Three times of haze progresses occurred during the sampling period. Cold air, wind and rainfall were the most efficient ways to improve air quality. The mass concentration of PM2.5, OC and EC were (132.38 ± 87.17) μg.m-3, (22.80±9.77) μg.m-3 and (2.08 ± 1. 63) μg.m-3, respectively. The TC accounted for 23.57% of the PM2.5; at the same time, the TC and PM2.5 were found to be strongly correlated (correlation coefficients = 0. 730). There was a negative correlation between the ratio of carbonaceous aerosol in PM2.5 and the concentration of PM2.5, and the ratio in haze days was lower than that in normal days, which suggested that secondary inorganic particles (SO(2-)(4) , NO(-)(3), NH: ) may have a fast growth in haze days. Average OC/EC ratio was 12. 83, and there was a poor correlation between OC and EC, indicating that secondary pollutants might exist. The secondary organic carbon (SOC) was estimated to be 9.04 μg.m -3, accounting for 40. 96% of OC.

Objective: To construct a recombinant lentiviral vector expressing small-hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting human Wnt5a gene and investigate its silencing effect on WM793B human melanoma invasion., Methods: Based on the sequence of human Wnt5a gene in GenBank, Wnt5a siRNA was designed and synthesized. The single-stranded primers were annealed to double-stranded oligonucleotide sequences and subcloned into linear pLKO.1 lentiviral plasmid digested by enzyme to produce pLKO.1-shWnt5a lentiviral vector. After being identified by PCR and sequencing, plasmid pLKO.1-shWnt5a was transfected into HEK293T cells to package lentiviral particles. Human malenoma WM793B cells were infected by the lentiviral particles. Expression of shWnt5a in WM793B cells was detected using Western blotting. Then the Transwell(TM); invasion assay was performed to assess its effect on melanoma cell invasion., Results: Lentivirus expressing shWnt5a was successfully constructed and WM793B(Wnt5a-);, a strain of melanoma cells with low expression of Wnt5a was also established. Transwell(TM); invasion assay revealed that cell migration was inhibited in Wnt5a-inhibited melanoma cells., Conclusion: Down-regulated Wnt5a expression exerts a significant inhibitory effect on the invasion of melanoma cells.

Aim: To construct a dual promoter lentivira vector containing TFR and VEGF gene, and detect the expression of TFR and VEGF genes in MSCs of Chinese mini-swine., Methods: The TFR and VEGF gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into pLenti-GFP-Neo after the CMV and SV40 promoter respectively, to generate the lentivira vector pLenti-TG-VEGF. The four-plasmids lentiviral vector system(pRsv-REV, pMDlg-pRRE, pMD2G and pLenti-TG-VEGF)were cotransfected into human embryonic kidney 293 T cells with Lipofectin 2000 reagent. The packaged virus was harvested 72 h later. MSCs were infected by lentivirus carrying TFR and VEGF genes. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of TFR and VEGF genes in the viral infected MSCs., Results: Restriction endonuclease digestion analysis and DNA sequencing demonstrated that the dual promoter lentivirus vector containing TFR and VEGF genes were constructed successfully. MSCs could be successfully infected by the recombinant lentivirus. Expression of TFR and VEGF protein could be detected in the infected MSCs by Western blotting., Conclusion: The dual promoter lentiviral vector containing TFR and VEGF genes are constructed successfully which provides basis for future research on Cardiac molecular imaging of cell transplantation.

Rigid contact lenses with eccentricity through manufacture can more or less influence visual correction or induce the corneal warpage. Therefore the fine detection of rigid contact lens eccentricity is needed and important. This study was aimed to design a system for lens eccentricity measurement by the principle of optical reflection. By using a standard concave mirror in the center of lens jig, the geometrical center of a lens could be detected accurately. It has solved the problem of lens distortion and breakableness attributed to the conventional method based on rotating reflection. The system is proved to be of practical method with good repeatability.

In order to research the effect of high humidity on the growth of aerosol particles, the APS, TEOM and BC instruments were used to monitor the aerosol in Beijing during August, 2007. The results show that, under steady-state weather condition, the correlation coefficient between the mass concentration of PM10 and BC aerosol is 0.82, but the correlation between the number concentration and the mass concentration of PM10 is not in accordance with that under non-steady-state weather condition. Tie number concentration and the ratio of fine particles less than 1 microm to the whole samples increase obviously. The change of aerosol particles size distribution suggests that the size of aerosol particles increases obviously by moisture absorption under the high humid condition.

Objective: To detect DNA polymorphism of Papaver somniferum L using fluorescent Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism., Methods: Genomic DNA was isolated using the AxyPrep DNA Kit, double-digested by two restrictional endonucleases (Eco RI and Mse I) and ligated to oligonucleotide adapters. After Pre-amplification and selective amplification, the DNA fragments were separated by capillary electrophoresis using the CEQ8000 DNA Fragment Analyzer., Results: More than 20 fragments of highly polymorphic products were obtained by 8 pairs of primer from 64 selective amplifying primer pairs., Conclusion: The fluorescent AFLP technique can be used to detect the DNA polymorphism of Papaver somniferum.

Objective: To probe into the mechanism of acupuncture for treatment of depression., Methods: Thirty-two healthy SD male rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, an electroacupuncture (EA) group and a Maprotiline group. The depression rat model was made in the latter three groups, and from the second day of the experiment EA was given at Baihui (GV 20), "Yintang" (EX-HN 1), "Zusanli" (ST 36) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) in the EA group, once every other day; the rats in the Maprotiline group were treated with oral administration of Maprotiline hydrochroride, once each day. After treatment of 3 weeks, changes of behaviors, plasma cortisol (COR) level and expressions of protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) in hippocampus were observed in the rats., Results: In the depression model rats, the body weight increased slowly, and horizontal and vertical activities and consumption of sugar liquid significantly decreased; plasma cortisol content significantly increased; expressions of PKA and PKC in the hippocampus significantly reduced. In the rats of EA group, the score of behaviors, the consumption of sugar liquid and the increase of body weight were not significantly different to those in the model group, but the plasma cortisol level significantly decreased and closed to the normal level, and positive expressions of PKA and PKC in the hippocampus could be effectively reversed. In the Maprotiline group, the consumption of sugar liquid significantly increased and plasma cortisol level significantly decreased, and expressions of PKA and PKC in the hippocampus increased as compared with those in the model group., Conclusion: The depression model rat has dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and EA can regulate functions of HPAA. The mechanism is possibly carried out by regulating functions of relative enzymes in the signal transduction pathway in hippocampal cells.

Objective: The feasibility of Papaver somniferum L. cultivars identification was explored by TD-RAPD technique., Method: Genomic DNA was extracted by improved CTAB method. One sample of species from Papaver somniferum L in xishuangbanna area. was studied by using TD-RAPD method., Result: We established an optimal method of extracting genomic DNA. Six primers were picked out from 10 primers., Conclusion: TD-RAPD could be applied to researches of molecular marker of Papaver somniferum L. TD-RAPD technique provide a method to constitute DNA database of Papaver somniferum L. and conclude the source of opium poppy.

Aim: To obtain recombinant human defensin alpha(HDalpha) and detect its biological activity, so as to facilitate further research., Methods: The HDalpha gene fragment with hydroxylamine cleavage site was synthesized, and then cloned into pBV220-IL-4 vector to construct pBV220-IL-4-HDalpha. The constructed vector which was confirmed to be correct by sequencing was transformed into E.coli DH5alpha and the IL-4-HDalpha fusion protein was expressed under temperature induction. After fusion protein was cleaved to remove IL-4 by hydroxylamine, purification and renaturation was performed. HDalpha's characteristics were identified by SDS-PAGE and bioactivity detection., Results: After temperature induction, the expressed fusion protein which accounted for about 20% of total bacterial protein existed mainly in the form of inclusion body. After cleaving by hydroxylamine, the purity of obtained HDalpha was about 99.8%. Bacteriostatic test and clone forming test showed that recombinant HDalpha could obviously inhibit the growth of bacteria., Conclusion: The recombinant expression plasmid for HDalpha gene has been constructed successfully and obtained engineering bacteria can stably express target protein. Furthermore, techniques of purification and renaturation was set out, which lays the foundation for further functional study and application of HDalpha.

A long-path differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) system is introduced. A photodiode array is employed as the detector to replace the complicated SD detector which consists of a PMT and a slotted disk. The properties of the detector and the spectrometer unit such as offset, dark current, noise, linearity, resolution, and wavelength range were measured. This system was also tested to measure SO2 and NO2 in the atmosphere. The detection limits of this system for SO2, and NO2 over a 713 m light path were determined.

The paper expatiates the passive remote sensing experiment of VOC in atmosphere by FTIR spectrometry, a mode of simulated spectra for pollution gas in a complicated environment is proposed, and the detecting limit of passive FTIR remote sensing is discussed. Using this measurement technique and the data analysis method, the authors can obtain column density and effective radiation temperature of target-gas that does not require a previously measured background spectrum.

Aim: To clone a new human gene, restin, from retinoic acid-treated promyelocytic cell line HL-60, express the protein in E.coli and prepare the antisera against the protein., Methods: The restin gene was amplified from retinoic acid-treated promyelocytic cell line HL-60 by RT-PCR and cloned into a prokaryotic expression vector. The recombinant restin was induced to express in E. coli by temperature. After preliminary purification by SDS-PAGE, the restin protein was used to immunize rabbits to obtain antisera. The titers and specificity of the rabbit anti-restin antisera were tested by Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis., Results: Recombinant restin with M(r) being about 26,000 was highly expressed in E. coli. The titers of the anti-sera to restin ranged from 1:100 to 1:800. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that restin distributed mainly in the nuclei of COS-7 cells., Conclusion: We successfully prepared the antisera against restin, which are useful for further investigation of biological functions of restin.

The aim was to verify the effectiveness of slide platelet aggregation test (SPAT) to monitor the inhibition effect of anti-platelet drugs. A group of eight healthy volunteers was examined for SPAT value and T(50) (time necessary for reaching 50% of total aggregation) induced by ADP, arachidonic acid (AA) and cationic propyl gallate (c-PG) respectively before and after administration of ASA in dose of 100 mg/day for 3 days. The group of 41 inpatients at the Department of Cardiovascular Disease treated with anti-platelet drugs and the group of 327 healthy blood donors were also examined for SPAT. The SPAT value of healthy volunteer samples stored at room temperature were measured hourly for four hours. The results showed that: (1) no significant difference was detected between the T(50) before and after ASA administration in health volunteer group when ADP was used as inducer, but a significant difference was detected in this group when AA or c-PG was used as inducer. There was significant linear correlation between SPAT value and T(50) induced by c-PG in health volunteer group before and after administration of ASA (r = 0.998, P = 0.000); (2) there was no significant difference between the SPAT value of health volunteer group before administration of ASA and the SPAT value of health blood donors group (P = 0.853), but there was a significant difference between the SPAT values before and after administration of ASA in health volunteer group (P = 0.000). There was significant difference when the SPAT value of the inpatients treated with anti-platelet drugs was compared with that of healthy blood donor group and with that of health volunteer group before and after administration of ASA (P = 0.000). The cut-off value of SPAT in health blood donor group was 44.6 +/- 11.7 seconds, reference value was from 21.1 seconds to 68.0 seconds; (3) there was no significant difference between SPAT values when platelets samples stored at room temperature for 1, 2, 3, 4 hours (P = 0.815). In conclusion, SPAT can rapidly monitor the inhibition effect of anti-platelet drugs and SPAT may have the similar clinic value with T(50) induced by c-PG.

An instrument for subjective measurement of tonic accommodation has been established based on the Badal system and Scheiner principle. The results of tonic accommodation between subjective measurement and objective measurement have no significant difference. Its establishment is important for the measurement of accommodation parameter in the myopia research center.

Background & Objective: Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth,invasion,and metastasis of most solid tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor flk-1 play a key role in tumor angiogenesis. Blocking VEGF-flk1 pathway may inhibit tumor growth. This study was to construct a DNA vaccine against extracellular domain 1-3 of flk1,and test its inhibitory effect on growth of liver cancer cell line H22., Methods: Extracellular domain 1-3 of flk1 was cloned by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR),and inserted into plasmid pcDNA3.1(+) to construct vaccine pcDNA3.1(+)-flk1-domain 1-3. The vaccine was transfected into COS7 cells,and protein expression of flk1-domain 1-3 was detected by Western blot. Standard 4-h (51)Cr releasing test was used to detect specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity in vaccine-inoculated mice. To test vaccine's preventive effect,mice were divided into V,P, and S groups,treated with vaccine,pcDNA3.1(+), and saline, respectively. H22 cells were inoculated into mice 10 days later. The tumor size, tumor weight, mice survival time, tumor latent period, and microvessel density were recorded and analyzed., Results: Extracellular domain 1-3 of flk1 was cloned,and vaccine against it was constructed,both have been proved by DNA sequencing and comparing with data in GenBank. A protein of 44 kDa,which is consisted with flk1-domain 1-3 protein,expressed in COS7 cells inoculated with the DNA vaccine,specific CTL activity in these cells raised. After inoculated with H22 cells,tumor latent time of V group was (5.2+/-0.9) d,of P group was (4.0+/-0.7) d,of S group was (3.8+/-0.6) d; survival time of V group was (24.5+/-3.2) d,of P group was (14.7+/-2.6) d,of S group was (14.3+/-2.0) d; microvessel density of V group was 10.1+/-1.7,of P group was 27.3+/-3.3,of S group was 25.3+/-4.6; tumor weight of V group was (1.4+/-0.1) g,of P group was (1.8+/-0.2) g,of S group was (1.8+/-0.2)g. In comparison among groups,all data in V group were significantly different from P group and S group (P< 0.05),no significant difference existed between P group and S group (P >0.05)., Conclusion: The DNA vaccine against flk-1 may stimulate potent specific CTL activity, and inhibit growth of H22 cells by its anti-endothelial cell property.

Objective: To assess the corneal topography and monochromatic wavefront aberration among subjects using orthokeratology. Changes of ocular optical quality and related visual functions induced by corneal topography were studied., Methods: Twenty-five young myopic subjects (50 eyes) were recruited with myopia from -1.75 approximately -4.75 D. Orthokeratology lens were fitted at the initial visit with overnight wear program. Subjective refraction, corrective visual acuity, corneal topography and slit lamp examination were performed before and 1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the fitting of orthokeratology lens. The monochromic wavefront aberration was measured in initial visit and after 12 weeks., Result: The best corrected visual acuity was reduced significantly from (-0.0628 +/- 0.0286) LogMAR (before orthokeratology) to -0.0120 +/- 0.0318 (12 weeks after orthokeratology) (F = 17.821, P < 0.001). Root-mean-square (RMS) of wavefront aberration increased significantly from (0.5766 +/- 0.4771) micro m (before orthokeratology) to (1.3731 +/- 0.8039) micro m (12 weeks after orthokeratology) (F = 36.513, P < 0.001). RMS of Zernike function of each order was increased as well. The rate of eccentric in posterior surface of corneal increased significantly after the using of orthokeratology lens., Conclusions: Orthokeratology is one of the effective methods for reducing myopia temporarily. However, the best corrected visual acuity is decreased after using of orthokeratology. The increase of aberration induced by orthokeratology can be the cause of reduction of ocular optical quality.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety of sutureless lamellar keratoplasty by microkeratome combined with fibrin tissue adhesive., Methods: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were divided into two groups, the donor grafts and recipient beds were made by the microkeratome, the grafts were glued over the stoma bed using the commercial product Tisseel in one group; and grafts without tissue adhesive were used as the control group. Corneal refractive power was measured by automated keratometer preoperatively and in 3 days, 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Rejection and cornea transparency were observed. Confocal microscopy was used to observe corneal wound healing response and to measure the keratocyte and endothelium densities in vivo. Corneal wound healing was also evaluated using light and fluorescence microscopy., Results: Ninety-two percent (11/12 eyes) of the glued grafts were retained in the Tisseel group, whereas all grafts were lost in the control group. All survived grafts were clear 1 month after surgery. However, in the control group, severe haze in the grafts occurred 2 weeks postoperatively. Confocal microscopy showed that there was a significant decrease of the keratocyte density surrounding the lenticule-host interface, and no changes occurred in the posterior keratocyte and endothelium. Histopathologic observations demonstrated the presence of a line of amorphous eosinophilic substance in the lenticule-host interface at 3 days after surgery, but the line disappeared after 1 month. Fluorescence microscopy showed no detectable regenerated stromal tissue., Conclusions: This initial study demonstrates sutureless optical lamellar keratoplasty performed by microkeratome combined with fibrin tissue adhesive is a simple and safe technique. Stromal wound healing response to this surgery is minimal. Fibrin tissue adhesive has no influence on the cornea optical property.

Objective: To establish cell lines of Mongolian uveal melanocytes from adult donor eyes, and to study melanogenesis of these cells in vitro., Methods: After removal of pigment epithelium, UM were isolated by trypsin-collagenase digestion. Isolated cells were cultured with F12 medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum, basic fibroblast growth factor, isobutylmethylxanthine and cholera toxin. Melanin content was measured by spectrophotometer. Melanin production was calculated by a formula. The antibodies used in immunocytochemical studies were anti-cytokeratin and anti-S-100 antibodies., Result: Pure melanocytes cultures were obtained by this method. All of the cells in the cultures stained positively with antibodies to S-100, but not cytokeratin, indicating that they were pure culture of UM. In the growing UM, melanin content was (79.83 +/- 36.20) pg/cell (mean +/- SD). Melanin production was (11.44 +/- 5.77) pg per cell/24 h., Conclusion: Uveal melanocytes from Mongolian eyes are successfully cultured. Cultured uveal melanocytes can synthesize melanin in vitro. Melanin content and melanin production of Mongolian UM lie between those from black and Caucasian eyes.

Objective: To study the practical survey method on estimating the size of male homosexual population., Methods: Nine male homosexual gathering spots were selected and three methods as division method, capture-mark-recapture method and multiplier method were applied in counting the numbers of homosexual men in one city in Sichuan province., Results: Number of counting through division method was 877 and the three numbers through capture-mark-recapture method were 1408, 1207 and 949 respectively. However, appropriate data was not obtained by multiplier method., Conclusions: Division method was easy to operate with its high credibility, but costly. Capture-mark-recapture method was less costly less both in capital and time, and the results could be testified to each other. Multiplier method should be modified before applied to obtain reliable information.

Objective: To reveal the morphological features and dynamic processes of the development of inter-connections in the retina, lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), superior colliculus (SC) and visual cortex (VC) in human fetal life by using a fluorescent tracer, 1, 1'-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3', 3'-tetramethylin-docarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI)., Methods: DiI was embedded into the optic tract, brachium of superior colliculus and subplate of visual cortex in fixed postmortem human tissues of 7 fetuses. The tissue was incubated at 37 degrees C for 4 to 10 weeks (ws). After DiI had satisfactorily diffused via axons of the visual system, the tissue was sectioned, mounted and observed under a confocal laser scanning microscope., Results: In 12 week-fetus, retinogeniculate axon has already reached LGN, but there was no cellular lamination. After embedment, axons from retina arrived at SC, and the fibers were distributed along the dorsal part of the SC. At 12 and 22 ws, there were subplates under visual cortex., Conclusion: The retinogeniculate axon reaches LGN before 12 ws and forms cellular lamination after 12 ws. The axon from retina reaches SC before 12 ws. The subplate under visual cortex forms before 12 ws and disappears after 22 ws. DiI can be easily and effectively used to label the axon of visual system of human fetus to study the prenatal development of human visual pathway.

Using the mature embryo of a susceptible rice variety Minghui 63 as the explant, we have obtained a somaclonal mutant HX-3 through selection in vitro, which has showed resistance to bacterial blight. In 8 successive years, the resistance of R1 to R9 generations of HX-3 was identified by ZJ173, a typical bacterial blight strain in Yangtsu River valley, and the results showed that the resistance of HX-3 was stable and heritable. Genetic analysis also indicated that the resistance of HX-3 to bacterial blight was under a dominant gene controlling. Using 32 bacterial blight strains collected in China, Philippines and Japan, the resistance spectrum of HX-3 and other 13 testers with different major dominant resistance genes were tested. Results of 2 years (1999-2000) experiment showed that HX-3 had a broad resistance spectrum, which seemed to be different with those of the other dominant resistance genes identified. Allelic tests were also conducted by crossing HX-3 with IRBB4, IRBB7, CBB12 and IRBB21, and the F2 populations of each of the 4 crosses demonstrated resistant and susceptible plant segregation, indicating that the resistance gene in HX-3 different from Xa-4, Xa-7, Xa-12 and Xa-21. All these results proved that there was a new resistance gene in HX-3. We have designated the new gene as Xa-25(t).

A vernier optometer, based on the Scheiner principle, that makes use of polarized light, is designed and developed. It is specialized in measurement of tonic accommodation, accommodation and accommodation response. The vernier optometer has been proved by chinical testing results, to be a reliable and effective instrument with fine stabilily, good repeatability and sensitivity for short sight study relating to oculogyral parameters.