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A field study was conducted to investigate the influences of no tillage, stubble retention and crop type on weed density, species composition and community feature in a rotation system (winter wheat-common vetch-maize) established 12 years ago on the Loess Plateau of eastern Gansu. This study showed that the weed species composition, density and community feature varied with the change of crop phases. No tillage practice increased the weed density at maize phase, while rotation with common vetch decreased the density in the no tillage field. Stubble retention reduced the weed density under maize phase and the lowest density was observed in the no tillage plus stubble retention field. No tillage practice significantly increased the weed species diversity under winter wheat phase and decreased the diversity under common vetch phase. At maize phase, a greater species diversity index was observed in the no tillage field. These results suggested that no tillage practice and stubble retention possibly suppress specific weeds with the presence of some crops and crop rotation is a vital way to controlling weeds in a farming system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the risk factors of acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery according to the acute kidney injury network (AKIN) diagnosis standard. Methods The clinical data of patients underwent cardiac surgery in first affiliated hospital of Kunming Medical College were collected retrospectively from June 2012 to June 2013, and the incidence and risk factors of AKI after cardiac surgery were statistically analyzed according to AKIN standard. Results Among 548 patients, 81 cases had AKI according the standard, with the incidence of 14.78%, and 3 patients were dead. Statistics analysis indicated that age, LVEF, hypertension, mannitol volume, CPB time, aortic cross-clamp time, cardiac arrest time, machinery ventilation time, intensive care unite stay time, preoperative UA, and preoperative serum creatinine (Scr) were significantly related to AKI after cardiac surgery. The preoperative Scr (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001), CPB time (P < 0.001), and machinery ventilation time (P = 0.026) were independent risk factors for post-operative AKI. Conclusion AKI is the serious complication after cardiac surgery, preoperative Scr, age, CPB time and mechanical ventilation time are independent risk factors for post-operative AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the criteria for early diagnosis of AKI after cardiac surgery and compare AKIN and RIFLE standard for evaluating the incidence and prognosis of AKI after cardiac surgery. Methods We retrospectively collected the data of all hospitalized patients undergoing cardiac surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from June 2012 to June 2013. According to AKIN and RIFLE standard, the incidence of post-operative AKI in patients was statistically analyzed. The incidence of post-operative AKI was compared between RIFLE and AKIN standard, and the AKI patients after cardiac surgery were followed. Results (1) In 548 patients with cardiac surgery, the incidence of AKI in stage I after cardiac surgery evaluated by AKIN criteria was significantly higher, while the incidence of AKI in stage II was significantly lower than that by RIFLE (P < 0.05), the incidence of AKI in stage III had no significant difference between the two criteria (P > 0.05). (2) Comparison of two diagnostic standard in the prognosis of patients with AKI showed that AKIN standard had no demonstrated advantages in evaluating the prognosis of AKI. Telephone follow-up of the AKI patients showed that 53 cases were involved in the follow-up, 28 cases were lost during follow-up period, the loss rate was 34.57%. The renal function of patients with AKI in the 1th month, the 3th month, the 6th month in the follow-up had no statistically significant difference with that at discharge from hospital. Conclusions (1) The incidence of postoperative AKI evaluated by AKIN criteria is slightly higher than that evaluated by RIFLE criteria, but the difference had no statistical significance. (2) The AKIN criteria and RIFLE criteria have no significant difference in improving AKI prognosis after cardiac surgery. (3) The renal function after hospital discharge and at discharge from hospital has no significant difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase in stroke incidence, it has become an important disease threatening human life and health. Some stroke survivors have different degrees of mood and movement disorders in the later stages, such as post-stroke anxiety (PSA) and post-stroke depression (PSD), which seriously endanger the quality of life of patients and their families. The pathogenesis of PSA remains incompletely clear. Current research interest mainly focuses on the dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenergic (HPA) axis, neurotransmitter disorders, neuronal excitability changes, cytokine levels imbalance, stroke lesion site and psychophysiology. This article summarizes the research progress on the pathogenesis of PSA in recent years.

Natural killer (NK) cells are important innate effector cells serving as the first line of defense against certain infections and tumors. NK cells also play a role in regulating immune responses. NK cells develop from hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. The development, maturation and function of NK cells depend on the regulation of microenvironment, intracellular transcription factors and post-transcriptional regulations. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a group of small non-coding RNAs that regulate the expression of target genes at the post-transcriptional level. It also plays important roles in various life processes of NK cells, including regulating the activation and effector function of NK cells. We showed that the miRNA profiles in NK cells changed with aging, which in turn affected the development and function of NK cells. Based on the regulatory effect of miRNA on the development and function of NK cells, miRNA may serve as a potential target to protect or restore the function of NK cells in patients, thereby treating related diseases. Here, we briefly summarized recent advances on the roles of miRNA in the developmental and functional regulation of NK cells.

Objective: To observe the curative effect of needling stimulation of the dorsal segment (7 spots below the spinous processes from T3 to T9) of the Governor Vessel for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)., Methods: A total of 60 cases of GERD patients were randomly divided into acupuncture group and medication group (n = 30 in each group). For patients of the acupuncture group, the depression spots below the spinous processes from T3 to T9, including both acupoints [Shenzhu (GV 12), Shendao (GV 11), Lingtai (GV 10), Zhiyang (GV 9), Jinsuo (GV 8)] and non-acupoints (T4, T8) were punctured with filiform needles, once every other day for 8 weeks. Patients of the medication group were asked to take Omeprazole capsules (20 mg/time) twice a day for 8 weeks. The curative effects were assessed by "Reflux Disease Questionnaire" score (RDQ score of heartburn, retrosternal pain, acid regurgitation and food regurgitation, 0-40 points, the "Guidelines for Clinical Research on Chinese New Herbal Drugs" (GRED symptom scale scores about the 38 symptoms of the digestive system, respiratory system, five-sense organs, cardiovascular system, back-pain, sleep, headache, daily life activity, etc. 0-114 points, 0-3 scales), and "the Consensus about Diagnosis and Treatment of GERD of Traditional Chinese Medicine", respectively., Results: Following the treatment, both RDQ score and GERD symptom scale score were significantly decreased in patients of the acupuncture and medication groups (P<0.05), and the effect of acupuncture was markedly superior to that of the medication in lowering RDQ and GERD scale scores (P<0.05). The cured plus markedly effective rate for RDQ score and the effective rate for GERD scale score were 70.0% (21/30) and 93.3% (28/30) respectively in the acupuncture group, being significantly higher than those [43.3% (13/30) and 66.7% (20/30)] in the medication group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Acupuncture stimulation of the dorsal segment

A field study was conducted to investigate the influences of no-tillage, stubble retention and crop type on weed density, species composition and community feature in a rotation system (winter wheat-common vetch-maize) established 12 years ago on the Loess Plateau of eastern Gansu. This study showed that the weed species composition, density and community feature varied with the change of crop phases. No-tillage practice increased the weed density at maize phase, while rotation with common vetch decreased the density in the no-tillage field. Stubble retention reduced the weed density under maize phase and the lowest density was observed in the no-tillage plus stubble retention field. No-tillage practice significantly increased the weed species diversity under winter wheat phase and decreased the diversity under common vetch phase. At maize phase, a greater species diversity index was observed in the no-tillage field. These results suggested that no-tillage practice and stubble retention possibly suppress specific weeds with the presence of some crops and crop rotation is a vital way to controlling weeds in a farming system.

Objective: To study the status and problems of complementary feeding behavior for infants aging between 6 - 24 month-old in urban and rural areas of Chengdu in 2011., Methods: A total of 1283 infants aging between 6 - 24 month-old, including 601 from urban area and 682 from rural area, were randomly selected by stratified cluster random sampling method, and divided into three groups as 6 - 8, 9 - 11 and 12 - 24 month-old groups, between March and April in 2011. Information of complementary feeding behavior were collected by questionnaire, and then assessed, quantified and compared by standards. The evaluation system was established (the total score was 24), and was used to assess among children aging 6 to 24 month-old in urban and rural areas in Chengdu., Results: The average score for infants in Chengdu was 18.6 ± 2.5, accounting for 77.6% of the total score. The scores of food selection and preparation were highest (90.7% of total score) among the behavior, and the scores of caregiver's behavior, infants behavior, feeding environment and environmental hygiene were low (about 75.2% - 77.6% of total score). The average score in urban and rural groups were separately 19.8 ± 2.1 and 17.6 ± 2.4, the score in urban group was higher than that in rural group (P < 0.05), occupying total score 82.3%, 73.4%, respectively. The average score in 6 - 8 month, 9 - 11 month and 12 - 24 month groups were separately 18.9 ± 2.3, 19.1 ± 2.4, and 18.2 ± 2.6, occupying total score 78.9%, 79.4% and 75.7%, respectively. The score in 6 - 8 and 9 - 11 month groups were higher than that in 12 - 24 month group (P < 0.01). The pass rate (above 60% of total score) was 94.2% and excellent rate (above 80% of total score) was 44.8% in Chengdu. The excellent rate in urban and rural groups were separately 65.7% and 26.4% (χ(2) = 199.825, P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The complementary feeding behavior for infants was not optimistic in Chengdu, and the behavior was even worse in rural areas and among elder infants groups.

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) larvae were raised with Limnodrilus sp., Artemia nauplii, Moina sp., and artificial commercial diet for 30 days to investigate the effects of different initial feeding diets on the growth, survival, and body biochemical composition of the larvae. The results showed that A. nauplii was the best initial feeding diet, with the survival rate of A. baerii larvae being significant higher (96.67%) than the others. Feeding with Limnodrilus sp. gave the highest growth rate of A. baerii larvae, while feeding with artificial commercial diet gave the lowest efficiency on the growth rate and survival rate of the larvae. The larvae raised with different diets had significantly different body biochemical composition. After fed with artificial commercial diet, the larvae had the highest moisture content but the lowest crude protein and crude ash contents. Taking A. nauplii as the initial feeding diet and then feeding with Limnodrilus sp. could gave the ideal growth and survival rates of A. baerii larvae.

After the preparation of cationic liposomes composed of DDAB/DOPE, cationic liposome-DNA complexes and lipid-polycation-DNA (LPD) complexes were formulated, respectively. Gel retardation assay was employed to select appropriate ratios of cationic liposomes to DNA of the liposome-DNA complexes. The morphology of LPD and liposome-DNA complexes was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The diameter and surface charge of LPD and liposome-DNA complexes were measured by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). Their transfection efficiencies in Chang cells and HepG2 cells were evaluated by beta-gal assay kit. It was found that LPD and liposome-DNA complexes had a regular spherical surface. However, compared with liposome-DNA complexes, LPD had rather smaller particle size and much higher transfection efficiency in Chang cells and HepG2 cells in vitro. LPD could be prepared easily with small particle sizes and high transfection activities. LPD may be a good non-viral gene delivery vehicle for applications in gene delivery.