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Objective: Egg yolk and egg white were added to wheat flour to provide data support for the processing and improvement of characteristic flour food. Methods: The present study aims to disclose the influence of egg yolk and white on the aggregation characteristics of gluten in wheat flour using a special gluten aggregation instrument, as well as second-grade wheat flour and eggs as materials. Moreover, the dough microstructure and starch particle size during the aggregation process were also analyzed. Results: The results showed that BEM dropped 9.5 BU （i.e., 19.39%） with 5 mL egg yolk added. However, the BEM increased by 4.08% to the peak with the addition of 3 mL egg white, indicating that egg white is helpful to the maintenance of BEM. The supplement of 2 mL egg yolk or 1 mL egg white resulted in the 18.56% decrease （to the min. value） or the 29.52% increase （to the max. value） of PMT, which suggested that yolk and white may exert the opposite effect on PMT. Interestingly, with the addition of yolk and white, the ratios of S3/total energy scaled up from 81% and 43% to 96% and 52%, respectively. Such a fact indicated that both yolk and white from egg significantly change the distribution of gluten aggregation energy. Conclusion: Taken together, yolk and white have varied roles in regulating gluten aggregation properties. To be noted, egg yolk inhibited the linking strength of the gluten network, giving rise to its breakage and a more even distribution; while egg white promoted such connection, and protected the starch particles. Our data will technically support the improvement of quality for flour-associated food.

The high birefringence liquid crystals have important applications in LCD, but they are instable under UV exposure due to the conjugated unsaturated structures. The ultraviolet stability of high birefringence liquid crystals was studied in this paper. First, several different additives were added to the liquid crystal mixture A, such as triphenylphosphine oxide, 4'-propylbi ( cyclohexane)-4-formaldehyde, 4-propyl-4'-cyclopentyl-3, 5-difluorobiphenyl and UV-P. The liquid crystal mixtures were poured into TN-7. 0-R test cells after stirred uniformly, then the test cells were exposed to ultraviolet, finally the liquid crystal parameters were tested. The results show that the UV stability of liquid crystal A can be significantly improved by UV-P, because the UV absorption of UV-P is most similar with liquid crystal A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head-of-line (HOL) blocking limits the throughput of high radix switches. An efficient architecture, OE-ASC, is proposed for high-radix switches. This architecture takes advantages of two cost-effective strategies for dealing with the HOL blocking problem. The first is referred to as asymmetric crossbar/ASC), through which a NXN switch can be formed by N/m smaller mXN asymmetric crossbars, and the second is odd-even queues scheme, through which the resources (mainly memory queues) of the switch can be used more efficiently. A tile-based microarchitecture of 32×32 high radix switch is proposed. Clock cycl-accurate simulation shows that the impact of HOL blocking is nearly all eliminated and the switch throughput can be as high as 98. 6%. The proposed OE-ASC architecture shows up to 7. 9% of throughput over ASC with buffer depth 16, and can achieve comparable performance with half buffers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In high dynamic and long-term integration condition, the code Doppler frequency will lead to code phase migration in PMF-FFT algorithm, which is not conducive to the DSSS signal acquisition. After in-depth study on this issue, the quantitative relationship among the code phase migration, integration losses and parameters estimated bias were derived and simulated. Based on PMF-FFT algorithm, a compensation method for code Doppler frequency was proposed, which used Keystone transform to correct code phase migration, so as to compensate the code Doppler frequency. Simulation results show that, on the condition of 37 dB/Hz CNR, 10 ms coherent integration interval and a fixed false alarm possibility of 10-6, the new algorithm can effectively eliminate the code Doppler frequency and has a single detection possibility of 98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a study in order to solve the problem that the phase estimation cannot complete the application for weak GPS signal. Phase doubled processing and decision directed feedback were both used to eliminate the influence of the reverse of navigation data. A new maximum likelihood (ML) phase estimator based on incoherent integration with decision directed feedback was proposed. The expressions of SNR were derived in theory. RMSE was acquired by numerical integration of the conditional probability density function (CPDF). The new method could reduce RMSE of ML phase estimator and improve the capability of phase estimation for weak GPS signal. The effectiveness of theory analysis and the proposed algorithm were proved by simulation. The practicability of the algorithm is indicated by the result of the implementation based on field-programmable gate array. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The displacement should be converted into pulse signal in real-time thermal error compensation, and the pulse signal is inputted into the CNC system. In hard real-time RTX environment, the parallel port receives the feed back pulse signal sending out from the feed back device. By using pulse insertion operation, the thermal error compensation pulse signal is overlapped on the original feed back pulse signal, and then the overlapped pulse signal is inputted into the CNC system via common parallel port because of the parallel transmission characteristics of the parallel port. Therefore, the thermal error compensation is implemented at low cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fields of detecting non-cooperative burst communication signals, the existing various detectors have failed to make full use of the continuity of the signals in frequency domain. Employing the frequency domain continuity of signals, a new detector is presented in this research. It searches the maximum energy by sliding in both carrier location and bandwidth. Both theoretical analysis and simulations illustrate that, the proposed detector outperforms that of Power-Law method more than 2 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel adaptive pattern control method is proposed in this paper, which improves the desired array response and direction matrix of two-step least-squares iterative algorithm. The side-lobe pattern control can be achieved by utilizing the randomness of the desired pattern phase and updating iteratively the phase of desired pattern and weigh vector. The efficiency of the proposed algorithm is verified by computer simulation and theoretical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the difficult problem of measuring the six-axis heavy force, a method of parallel connection is presented, and the concrete implementing scheme is also established. Firstly, the Stewart structure is connected to the arm of heavy equipment in parallel, as a result, partial load of six-axis heavy force is shared on the Stewart structure. Secondly, mechanics decoupling method is used to get the six-axis force. Finally, simulation analysis of the six-axis heavy force sensor is conducted, and the effect of the important parameters on the ability of load sharing is analyzed. Results show that the ability of load sharing is improved with the increment of the radius of load sharing beam and the reduction of the thickness of the upper platform, which presents theoretical basis for the design of this kind of sensor. Furthermore, the rationality and validity of this method are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large composite revolution parts (as jacket parts) are very important in aerospace engineering, so machining accuracy should be ensured by the technique of on-machine geometric parameters measurement. Then, an on-machine measurement method of the taper value is presented. Firstly, based on a high precision length gauge and a high speed counting-card, X coordinate, Z coordinate and radial error of the part are measured on-machine after processing. Secondly, a taper algorithm is proposed, in which least square and multi-generatrix mean value are used. Finally, the cause of taper error is revealed and all the errors are compensated to the taper value. Experimental results indicate that the taper value measured on the on-machine system agrees fairly well with the measured one on three-coordinate measuring machine, and the effectiveness and practicability of the method are fully verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to shorten the acquisition time of multichannel combined acquisition, a new parallel acquisition algorithm is proposed. Several code sequences are added as a new code sequence. The input signal is correlated with the new code sequence. After detection of input signal, each channel would be detected again. Analysis and simulation results showed that the new parallel acquisition algorithm can effectively shorten the acquisition time without increasing resources. But the new parallel acquisition algorithm decreases correlation signal noise ratio (SNR) slightly which is suitable for multichannel signals' fast acquisition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel design idea for frequency-locked-loop (FLL) discriminator is proposed, under the premise of changing rate of frequency-rate in returned signal is rather small, the signal after quadrature-demodulation can be regarded as a linear frequency-modulated (LFM) signal, by using estimations of its initial frequency and frequency rate as error control quantities of FLL, FLL's toleration ability to high dynamic signals is greatly enhanced. FFT discriminator and dot-product cross-product discriminator are exploited by FLL discriminator at different phase of frequencytracking, thus wide discriminate range and high discriminate precision are acquired. An effective and simple abnormal value elimination method is presented especially for the abnormal discriminate value under extremely-low-SNR. Simulation results applying the discriminator to a FLL showed that FLL can tolerate rather high dynamics and tracking accuracy of frequency achieved 0.2 Hz even under a SNR as low as --40 dB, which verified the validity of above ideas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To attain fast and accurate estimation under low signal and noise ratio (SNR) conditions, a novel algorithm is presented. On the basis that when linear frequency modulation (LFM) signals possess the same energy and duration, their squares of spectrum amplitude are inversely proportional to their respective frequency rates, the algorithm can give estimations of initial frequency and frequency rate together only by means of searching the maximum among several groups of fast Fourier transform(FFT) maximum amplitudes. Simulation results showed that through setting proper algorithm parameters, the algorithm can be applied to LFM signals when the SNR as low as -- 38 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to track the angle of non-cooperative direct sequence spread spectrum(DSSS) signals, a new algorithm of azimuth angle error and elevation angle error extraction for single channel amplitude comparison monopulse tracking radar is presented. In this algorithm, the signal has been delayed and multiplicated. After detection of signal and acquisition of the PN code rate, angular errors in azimuth and elevation can be derived in the frequency of code rate. Compared with estimation methods available for the tracking of DSSS signal, the proposed algorithm can track cooperative or non-cooperative objects under the condition of low signal-noise ratio(-20 dB). A block diagram of implementation is given for the processing method. The validity of design is verified by simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the acquisition problem for high dynamic direct sequence spread signals, a new method of acquisition is presented. The method completes signal acquisition by twice frequency domain search based on fast Fourier transform. In this method, the whole range of Doppler frequency for signals is searched in addition with a second round verification. Analysis and simulation results indicate that the principle of the method is correct and it has better acquisition accuracy and great performance especially for higher dynamic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of tracking for direct sequence spread spectrum signals where data is non-coherent with code, a new method of tracking is presented. Here the bit tracking loop, code tracking loop and carrier tracking loop work simultaneously to complete synchronization of data, code and carrier phase. With non-coherent relation between data and code, signals can be tracked. Validity of the design is verified by simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the predictive value of acute phase proteins (APPs) on the prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)., Methods: 293 AML patients who met the study requirements from January 2015 to April 2021 were collected, their clinical characteristics and pre-treatment APPs levels ［including albumin (ALB), fibrinogen (FIB), C-reactive protein (CRP), Ferritin (FER)］ were followed up and investigated. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation between APPs. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for mortality in AML patients. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of APP for mortality in AML patients, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to compare the effect of APPs on complete remission (CR) rate, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival rate (PFS) of AML patients., Results: Pearson correlation analysis showed that there were negative correlations between ALB and CRP (r=-0.134, P=0002), as well as ALB and FER (r=-0.148, P=0.001). There were correlations between FER and CRP (r=0361, P＜0.001), as well as FER and FIB (r=0.293, P＜0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age (>50 years) (OR=1.87, 95% CI=1.25-2.15, P＜0.001), relapse after treatment (OR=2.11, 95% CI=111-3.18, P=0.003), FLT3-ITD mutation (OR=2.59, 95% CI=1.10-4.12, P＜0.001), CRP≥524 mg/L (OR=1.21, 95% CI=1.02-2.14, P=0.024), CFA (CFA=CRP*FIB/ ALB)≥3 (OR=2.41, 95% CI=1.65-6.47, P＜0.001), and FER≥1145.58 mg/ml (OR=1.67, 95% CI=1.15-3.75, P＜0.001) were the risk factors for the survival of AML patients. ROC curve analysis showed that FER (AUC=0.752, 95% CI=0.681-0823, P＜0.001, the best cut-off value=1220.56 mg/ml) and CFA (AUC=0.804, 95% CI=0.741-0.868, P＜0.001, the best cut-off value=3.00) had higher predictive value for the survival of AML patients. The remission rate, PFS, DFS, and OS in the low CFA group (CFA≤3) were significantly higher than those in the high CFA group (CFA＞3), and the overall mortality rate was lower than that in the high CFA group; the remission rate, PFS, DFS, and OS in the low FER group (FER≤1220.56 mg/ml) were significantly higher than those in the high FER group (FER＞1220.56 mg/ml), while the overall mortality rate was lower than that in the high FER group, and the difference is statistically significant., Conclusion: The CFA value and FER level before treatment in AML patients can independently predict the prognosis of patients, and high levels of CFA and FER are associated with poor prognosis of AML patients.

Tanshinones are abietane-type norditerpenoid quinones that make up the main bioactive ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza. Cytochrome CYP450 plays an important role in the post-structural modification of tanshinone biosynthesis pathway. Long non-coding RNA( lncRNA) have been defined as transcripts longer than 200 nucleotides,which have been functionally characterized in regulating the growth and development,secondary metabolism and stress of medicinal plants. In this study,we perform a comprehensive identification of lncRNAs in response to tanshinone metabolism induced by yeast extract( YE) and Ag~+ S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. Deep RNA sequencing was used to identify a set of different 8 942 lncRNAs,of which 6 755 were intergenic lncRNAs. We predicted a total of 1 115 814 lncRNA-coding gene pairs,including 122 lncRNA-coding gene as cis pairs. The correlation analysis between lncRNA and CYP450 related to tanshinone biosynthesis was carried out and a total of 16 249 lncRNA-CYP450 target gene pairs were identified. Further analysis with functional known CYP76 AH1,CYP76 AH3 and CYP76 AK1 involved in tanshinone biosynthesis,we also identified a set of 216 target genes. These candidate genes will be the important target in the downstream regulation mechanism analysis of the tanshinone biosynthesis pathway.

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effect of 2- (4-morpholine) -8- phenyl -4 hydrogen -1- benzo -4 ketone (LY294002) on proliferation of multiple myeloma cell U266 and its mechanism., Methods: U266 cells were cultured with 0, 5, 10, 20 µmol/L LY294002 for 24, 48 and 72 h, the cell viability was measured by MTT method, cell morphology was observed by acridine orange staining, cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry. The expressions of B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), Cyclin D1, Cyclin E and activation of phosphatidyl inositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signal pathway were measured by Western blot., Results: U266 cell viability was reduced in time- and dose-dependent manner after treatment with 5, 10, 20 µmol/L of LY294002 for 24, 48, 72 h. The 5, 10, 20 µmol/L LY294002 leaded to cell nucleus dense and thick, and the cell cycle arrested in the G 1 phase (P<0.01). The expressions of BCL-2, Cyclin D1, Cyclin E, PI3K and p-AKT were down-regulated (P<0.01), and the expression of BAX up-regulated (P<0.01)., Conclusion: LY294002 can inhibit U266 cell proliferation via suppresion of activation of PI3K/AKT signal pathway.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) for the patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)., Methods: The clinical data of 57 DLBCL patients admitted in the First Affiliated hospital of Anhui Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. According to ROC curve, the cut-off value for NLR and PLR was deterimined, and the patients were divided into high and low NLR/PLR groups before first chamotherapy. Then the relation of NLR and PLR with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed by univariate and multivariate COX regression., Results: The optimal cut-off value for NLR and PLR was 2.915 and 270.27, respectively. NLR at the diagnosis was found to be an independent predictor for OS and PFS by univariate and multivariate analysis, while the PLR was an independent predictor for PFS, but did not affect the OS., Conclusion: NLR and PLR may provide additional prognostic information for DLBCL patients.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, efficacy and indication of posterior C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation for atlantoaxial instability assisted by intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy-based navigation., Methods: From November 2005 to October 2012, 58 patients with atlantoaxial instability underwent posterior C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation assisted by intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy-based navigation. Those with excellent atlantoaxial reduction and no need for decompression underwent percutaneously minimally invasive procedures. Operative duration, blood loss volume, reduction of atlantoaxial joints and postoperative neurovascular complications were recorded. Screw positions were studied by postoperative computed tomography (CT) and divided into 3 categories. The follow-up period was at least 3 months. Local symptoms (assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) score), neurological conditions (Nurick classification) and bone graft fusion were evaluated., Results: Among them, the procedure was either open surgery (n = 51) or percutaneously minimally invasive surgery (n = 7). A total of 111 screws were placed satisfactorily. Five patients underwent only unilateral C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation. No severe complications were encountered. The mean operative duration was 202.2 ± 54.2 minutes and the average volume of blood loss 412.6 ± 281.2 ml. And the values were comparable to those for the traditional fluoroscopy-guided free-hand procedures. No statistical significance existed between open and percutaneously minimally invasive procedures in operative duration, blood loss volume and precision of screw placement. The patients with incompletely reduced C1-C2 dislocation had comparable clinical outcomes with those with complete reduction. After a 3-month follow-up, all of them showed significant improvements of local symptoms. VAS score decreased from 4.5 ± 1.3 preoperatively to 0.7 ± 0.8 postoperatively while the Nurick classification improved from 2.4 ± 1.1 to 0.6 ± 1.0. And bone graft fusion was satisfactory., Conclusions: Posterior C1-C2 transarticular screw fixation for atlantoaxial instability assisted by intraoperative 3-dimensional fluoroscopy-based navigation is both feasible and safe. Combined with minimally invasive techniques, this procedure may achieve greater precision and minimal invasion.

A multi-wavelength analysis method is introduced to measure the temperature of basic oxygen furnace flame. In this study, USB4000 spectrometer was applied to obtain radiation spectrum of flame within wavelength range 200-1 100 nm, from which the flame temperature and monochromatic emissivity was derived by Levenberg-Marquart modeling method. Wavelet neural network was applied to process the spectral measurement data, which could cancel the assumption model of emissivity and wavelengths. It is a kind of valid method to acquire the true temperature and spectral emissivity. Each neuron in the hidden layer of a feed-forward network is a combination of the sigmoidal activation function (SAF) and morlet wavelet activation function (WAF). The output of the hidden neuron is the product of the output from these two activation functions.

This paper presents the traditional methods of GD depth analysis method and also its limitations, and the earlier studies of real-time depth measurement technology. A new method of real-time depth determination by laser technology for GD-OES depth analysis is proposed. The real-time depth measurement system is composed of laser displacement sensor and new designed Grimm-type GD source based on laser measurement method, and the system design and technical principles are described in detail. Sputtering depth measurement signal and element spectrum signal can be synchronously collected by this system. The displacement phenomenon of glow discharge source during real-time sputtering depth measurement process is analyzed. The real-time sputtering depth measurement curve of zinc alloy standard sample was tested by two laser displacement sensors measurement system. The actual value of sputtering depth was obtained by adding the depth measurement curve of sputtering surface and the reference plane curve, and the actual depth result is in line with Dektak8-type surface profilometer.

The crater depth value of sample surface during sputtering is important analysis information for the depth profile analysis of glow discharge spectrometry. Real-time sputtered depth measurement with Laser triangulation measurement method for glow discharge compositional analysis, effectively solves the issues of incorrect depth value calculation and complicated procedures in traditional depth analysis method. This paper presents a new Grimm-type glow discharge source for real-time sputtering depth measurement by laser displacement sensor. This GD source also ensures fine sputtering effects and ideal resolution for multi-layer structure and interface. Optical fiber is used to transmit glow spectrum signal from GD-source to multi-channel photoelectric detection system. The design for the first time accomplishes the real-time signal collection and time-based synchronization analysis for both spectrum signal and sputtering depth signal. The real-time sputtering depth measurement curve of standard samples is obtained. The design and operating principle of this new-type GD-source is described in detail. Under the sputtering conditions of 30 mA, 900 V and 20 minutes, the sputtering rates of iron-based and copper-based sample sputtered by this GD source with good depth resolution are about 10 and 55 nm x s(-1). Surface topography picture of sputtering crater and microphotograph of metal samples are provided in the paper. Low-alloy steel standard sample is tested with this new GD source, the relative standard deviation (RSD) of C, Cu, Al, Ni, Mo, Mn and V elements are less than 1.7%, while for Cr and Si elements RSDs are less than 2.6%. The result data of the testing is provided in this paper.

There are three important parameters in the DC glow discharge process, the discharge current, discharge voltage and argon pressure in discharge source. These parameters influence each other during glow discharge process. This paper presents an automatic control system for DC glow discharge plasma source. This system collects and controls discharge voltage automatically by adjusting discharge source pressure while the discharge current is constant in the glow discharge process. The design concept, circuit principle and control program of this automatic control system are described. The accuracy is improved by this automatic control system with the method of reducing the complex operations and manual control errors. This system enhances the control accuracy of glow discharge voltage, and reduces the time to reach discharge voltage stability. The glow discharge voltage stability test results with automatic control system are provided as well, the accuracy with automatic control system is better than 1% FS which is improved from 4% FS by manual control. Time to reach discharge voltage stability has been shortened to within 30 s by automatic control from more than 90 s by manual control. Standard samples like middle-low alloy steel and tin bronze have been tested by this automatic control system. The concentration analysis precision has been significantly improved. The RSDs of all the test result are better than 3.5%. In middle-low alloy steel standard sample, the RSD range of concentration test result of Ti, Co and Mn elements is reduced from 3.0%-4.3% by manual control to 1.7%-2.4% by automatic control, and that for S and Mo is also reduced from 5.2%-5.9% to 3.3%-3.5%. In tin bronze standard sample, the RSD range of Sn, Zn and Al elements is reduced from 2.6%-4.4% to 1.0%-2.4%, and that for Si, Ni and Fe is reduced from 6.6%-13.9% to 2.6%-3.5%. The test data is also shown in this paper.

A method for the determination of trace Te in the complex geological samples by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry using MIBK as extraction reagent was developed. The extraction ability of Te (IV) in the HCl-NaBr-MIBK system and the anti-extraction behavior of Te (IV) in the HCl-KMnO4-MIBK system were studied. Under the optimum extraction condition of 3.6 mol x L(-1) HCl-100 g x L(-1) NaBr, Te (IV) was extracted completely by MIBK, Te (IV) in the MIBK phase was oxidized to Te (VI) with HCl-KMnO4, Te (VI) in the MIBK phase was anti-extracted using water, then the interference elements such as Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Cu, Pb, Co, Ni, Cd, As, Sb, Bi, Hg, Tl and Se for the determination of Te by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry were eliminated successfully. The detection limit of Te was 1.14 x 10(-4) microg(-1), and the relative standard deviations of Te was 6.84%. The method was applied to complicated geological samples.

Along with the development of micro-electromechanical system technology, the reports on the optical splitting systems and the photoelectric detection systems of spectrometer based on micro-electromechanical system have become increasingly popular, whereas the reports on micro excitation source in the development of micro spectrometer are few. In other words, the development of micro excitation source is the most important part in the development of the micro spectrometer. A novel low-pressure microfabricated inductively coupled plasma source is introduced, which is an emission spectrum excitation source based on surface-micromaching technology. Its radio frequency power consumption is much lower than the general inductively coupled plasma source. The source can work at an argon gas pressure of 100 Pa, and thus consumes less argon. The principle of operation for a microfabricated inductively coupled plasma source is illustrated. The layout of the planar spiral-shaped coil, the matched capacitor and the resonant capacitor is given. The fabrication process and properties of the plasma source are described. Meanwhile a novel inductively coupled plasma based on the technology of printed circuit board is introduced. In the experiment, the planar spiral-shaped coil and interdigatial capacitor were used. When the pressure of argon was 100 Pa and the radio frequency power was 3. 5 W at 13. 56 MHz the novel inductively coupled plasma was ignited. The photo of the argon ignition is given. Finally the potential application of the micro inductively coupled plasma in spectrometers is presented.

Objective: To study the location and level of relaxin receptor in placenta tissues of pre-eclampsia and normal pregnancy, and the relationship of relaxin receptor with pre-eclampsia., Methods: Twenty-six placenta tissue samples from pregnant women with severe preeclampsia (study group), and 20 samples from normal pregnancies (control group) were obtained. We detected the expression of relaxin receptor by immunohistochemistry and the expression of relaxin receptor mRNA by RT-PCR., Results: In the placenta of control and preeclampsia groups, the leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor (LGR7) was positively expressed. Relaxin receptor was located in the membrane of trophoblast cells. There were both strong signals on cytotrophoblastic cells and syncytiotrophoblast. The level of relaxin receptor in the control group was 0.912 +/- 0.003, and 0.625 +/- 0.037 in the preeclampsia group. The difference between the two groups was obvious (P < 0.01). In the control group, the level of relaxin receptor mRNA was 0.776 +/- 0.021; in the preeclampsia group, it was 0.393 +/- 0.075. The difference was obvious (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Decrease in the expression of relaxin receptor at placenta is related with the occurrence and development of preeclampsia.

Objective: To assess the safety and efficiency of using computerized tomography myelography (CTM) and computerized tomography discography (CTD) to accurately orientate the nerve before micro endoscopic discectomy (MED)., Method: Eighty-seven patients with lumber disc prolapse, 54 males and 33 females, aged 35.6 +/- 3.0, underwent MED. Before operation, 85 patients underwent CTM, 11 patients underwent CTD, and 2 were treated with nerve root opacification and blockade. The effects, including the rate of improved JOA score (RIS), numerical analogous pain score (NAPS) of low back, Odom's standard, blood loss during operation, start walking time, etc. were observed., Results: The JOA score was 18.2 +/- 3.3 before operation, and increased to 23.8 +/- 4.6 during the follow-up, with a JOA improvement rate of 58.7% +/- 4.2%. According to the Odom's standard, the outcome was excellent in 59 cases, good in 26 cases, OK in 3 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellence rate of 95.5%. The value of NAPS was 1.8 +/- 0.4 before operation, not significantly different from that during follow-up (1.7 +/- 0.3, P = 0.607). The average start walking time after operation was (2.38 +/- 0.21) days, the average recovery time was (12.1 +/- 2.2) days, the incision size was (1.86 +/- 0.04) cm, the surgical time was (72.2 +/- 12.4) min, and the average blood loss during operation was (47.5 +/- 4.6) ml., Conclusion: Using CTM and CTD to accurately orientate the diseased disc and nerve root before MED decreases the possibility of nerve damage, operation time and blood loss during operation, and improves the outcomes, so it is recommendable.

Objective: To study the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in preeclampsia placenta and the relation with preeclampsia attacks., Methods: Forty-four samples from pregnant women with preeclampsia (preeclampsia group), 38 samples from pregnant women with eclampsia, and 49 samples from normal pregnancies (control group) were obtained. We detected the expression of EMMPRIN in placenta by immunohistochemistry and the expression of EMMPRIN mRNA by RT-PCR., Results: (1) EMMPRIN positive expression: in preeclampsia group, the moderate expression rate was 18% (8/44) and the strong positive rate was 9% (4/44); in eclampsia group moderate positive rate was 21% (8/38) and strong positive rate 13% (5/38). The difference of the two groups was insignificant (P > 0.05). In control group the moderate positive rate was 12% (6/49) and strong positive rate 82% (40/49), the difference from the preeclampsia and the eclampsia groups was significant (P < 0.001). (2) EMMPRIN mRNA expression: in preeclampsia group EMMPRIN mRNA expression in term placenta (37 - 40 gestational weeks) was 0.342 +/- 0.002, and in eclampsia group 0.344 +/- 0.023; the difference between the two groups was insignificant (P > 0.05). In control group EMMPRIN mRNA expression in term placenta (37 - 40 gestational weeks) was 0.872 +/- 0.094, the differences between the control group and preeclampsia and eclampsia groups were both significant (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: The decrease in the expression of EMMPRIN in placenta is an important cause of preeclampsia onset; expression rate of EMMPRIN may serve as an indicator in predicting preeclampsia.

Objective: Severe sepsis and septic shock remain the most common cause of death in intensive care units. The main causes of death in sepsis are the cardiac dysfunction and hypotension resistant to cateolamines. The prevalence of relative adrenal insufficiency in severe sepsis and septic shock was estimated at about 32%-51%. Several meta-analysis demonstrated that high-dose glucocorticoids decreased survival during sepsis, while stress doses of corticosteroids may benefit these patients. The exact reason for such widely divergent outcome produced by different doses of corticosteroid is still not understood. Therefore, the study was undertaken to observe the effects of different doses of hydrocortisone (HC) on circulating and intramyocardial inflammatory mediators in severe septic rats with myocardial injury induced by Escherichia coli (E. coli)., Methods: The model was established by two injections of inactivated E. coli Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: high-dose of HC group (150 mg/kg), medium-dose group (20 mg/kg), low-dose group (6 mg/kg), model group (NS substituted for HC), and control group (NS for E. coli and HC). Each group had eight rats. After 2 hours of treatment, specimens were collected to measure serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), nitric oxide (NO) and total NO synthase (NOS). NO and total NOS in myocardial homogenate were also detected. The expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) of myocytes was investigated., Results: All the above-mentioned markers in model group significantly higher than those in control group. After HC injection, serum cTnI concentrations in low-dose group decreased to normal values compared to that of model group, while in another two HC groups, the concentrations were higher than those in model group. TNF-alpha level was not significantly influenced. But IL-1beta level declined to normal values, being prominent in low-dose HC group. Neither high-dose nor middle-dose HC could lower serum NO or total NOS, but low-dose HC could greatly inhibit both NO and NOS levels (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of NO and total NOS of myocardial homogenate between left and right ventricles. There was no iNOS expression by normal myocardium, while the expression in model group was significantly increased. After HC injection, the iNOS expressions by myocardium in three HC groups were weaker than those in model group. The intensity of iNOS signals became weak with the decrease in HC dose., Conclusion: Different doses of HC might exert different effects on circulating and intramyocardial inflammatory mediators in severely septic rats with myocardial injury induced by E. coli. Low-dose HC could significantly inhibit such mediators as well as iNOS expression by cardiomyocytes. The results suggest that low dose HC exert protective effect on myocardial injury of severely septic rats.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of cervical spine pedicle screw fixation assisted by X-ray fluoroscopy and CT-based navigation system., Methods: 145 cervical pedicle screws were placed assisted by X-ray fluoroscopy and 159 cervical pedicle screws were placed assisted by CT-based navigation system. Screw positions were evaluated by postoperative CT scans or C-arm X-ray 3 dimensional reconstruction., Results: In the computer- assisted group, 155 (97.5%) screws were found completely within their pedicles compared with 133 (91.7%) correctly placed screws in the X-ray assisted group (P < 0.05). The process of navigation investigated in twenty patients showed that the mean time for registration and surface matching was 3.5 (range from 2 to 8 minutes) minutes and the mean time for screw-marker insertion was 2 (range from 1 to 3.5 minutes) minutes with the mean position deviation 0.31 mm (0.12-0.56 mm) per screw. Only twice C-arm fluoroscopy were performed to verify the accuracy of one screw position intraoperatively. No severe complications like neurovascular lesion occurred in both groups., Conclusion: CT-based navigation system can increase the accuracy of cervical pedicle screw implantation significantly.

Objective: To study the effects of Shenggu injection (SGI) on mRNA expression of vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) in rat osteoblasts in vitro and to explore its possible molecular mechanisms in promoting fracture healing., Methods: Rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro were stimulated with SGI according to the protocol. The expression levels of VEGF mRNA in the cells in every group were examined by reverse-transcriptase ploymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)., Results: When osteoblasts were stimulated with different concentrations of SGI for 5 days, the expression of VEGF mRNA peaked with 1 mg/ml SGI on the 5th day. When treated with 1 mg/ml SGI from the 1st to the 5th day, the expression of VEGF mRNA increased gradually with the increase of culturing time., Conclusion: SGI could promote significantly the expression of VEGF mRNA in rat osteoblasts in vitro. The levels of expression of VEGF mRNA changed along with different concentrations and stimulating time of SGI.

Objective: To study the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) during normal pregnancy., Methods: The expression of EMMPRIN was studied with immunohistochemistry in normal pregnancy., Results: The expression of EMMPRIN was obvious, and appeared mainly on membrane of cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast column of the villi of gestational weeks 6 to 9, mid-term and term placenta and extravillous cytotrophoblast of deciduas of mid-term and term placenta. The expression reached a peak level at gestational week 6 and gradually decreased from week 7 and stabilized to a low level at mid-term and term placenta when the expression of extravillous cytotrophoblast of deciduas was increased., Conclusion: EMMPRIN may be an important factor for implantation during early pregnancy and participate in maintaining gestation during mid-term and term pregnancy.

Objective: To study the results of using coralline hydroxyapatite (CHA) in cervical posterior laminoplasty operation., Methods: Two hundred and fifty-six patients underwent cervical spinous process-splitting laminoplasty using CHA. All patients had been followed up over 3 months. One hundred and forty-two patients were followed up at least 2 years. All patients had spinal stenosis at least at 3 levels or OPLL. The average follow up time was 34.6 months., Results: The CHA grafts were stable between the split spinous processes. The union rate of CHA was 83.5%. After operation, the spinal cord moved dorsally, and the anteroposterior compression ratio had been improved from 0.19 to 0.42. No apparent kyphosis occurred. The JOA score improvement rate was 58.3%. There were 24 patients (17%) with axial symptom., Conclusion: Cervical posterior laminoplasty operation using coralline hydroxyapatite may achieve good results.

Objective: To review the clinical experience of muscle-sparing thoracotomy in intrathoracic surgery., Methods: Thoracotomy was performed in 386 patients from 1998 to 2002, during the procedure lateral-transverse incision, free dissection of muscular flap and entering to the thoracic cavity through certain intercostal space were applied. Two sets of rib retractors were used to ensure the excellent field exposure., Results: Intrathoracic surgery was carried out by this method with the advantage of excellent surgical field exposure, less pain and relative quick recovery., Conclusion: Muscle-sparing thoracotomy has the merits of less injury and the same good exposure as routine thoracotomy and it can be carried out in majority of chest surgery.

Objective: To observe the effects of different doses of hydrocortisone (HC) on acute lung injury (ALI) and inflammatory response in rats at early stage of septic shock induced by Escherichia coli and to investigate the possible mechanisms for such differences., Methods: ALI model of early septic shock was induced in rats by two injections of Escherichia coli at 5 hours interval, with the first intraperitoneal injection of 6.50 x 10(10) cfu/kg and followed by an external jugular vein injection of 2.00 x 10(11) cfu/kg. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following five groups: normal control, ALI without HC treatment, high-dose HC (150 mg/kg), medium-dose HC (20 mg/kg) and low-dose HC (6 mg/kg). Two hours after the treatment, the specimens were collected for histopathological examination and the biological indexes of lung injury were measured. The expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in lung tissues were also investigated by immunohistochemical assays., Results: The biological indexes of lung injury [wet/dry weight ratio (g/g), total protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (mg/L) and lung permeability index (10(-3))] in ALI group (4.76 +/- 0.10, 278.96 +/- 60.45, 4.73 +/- 0.60) were significantly increased as compared to those in normal control group (4.10 +/- 0.07, 67.46 +/- 13.27, 1.12 +/- 0.15) (P < 0.05). The grades of ALI pathologic changes in ALI group (11.13 +/- 1.13) was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (0.50 +/- 0.53, P < 0.05). The ratio of expression area of ICAM-1 in ALI group (0.149 +/- 0.037) was significantly increased as compared to that in the normal control group (0.051 +/- 0.018) (P < 0.05). The ratio of expression area of GR all group (0.043 +/- 0.037) was significantly decreased as compared to that in the normal Control group (0.124 +/- 9.040) (P < 0.05) After administration of HC, all the lung injury indexes, pathological grades and the ratios of expression area of ICAM-1 and GR were significantly improved, with the most remarkable effects observed in the low-dose HC group. The expressions of ICAM-1 and GR showed a significantly negative linear correlation (r = 0.55, P < 0.0001)., Conclusion: These results indicated that the low-dose HC treatment had the most remarkable effects of improving the biological indexes of lung injury, inflammatory mediators and pathological changes. These HC dose dependent therapeutic effects might be associated with the level of GR expression.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of performing the C(1-2) transarticular screw fixation (Magerl's technique) for patients whose C(1-2) dislocation could not be reduced completely., Methods: Nineteen consecutive patients (from 2001 Feb. to 2003 Jan.) underwent bilateral C(1-2) transarticular screw fixation, 8 of which had an incompletely-reduced atlantoaxial dislocation. The patients' clinical outcomes within- and after-operation were evaluated, and the screws position and fixation conditions were studied by postoperative CT., Results: All the patients' symptoms had some improvement, no severe complications, such as injury of nerve or blood vessels, especially the vertebral arteries, were encountered. The screws were placed precisely, and purchased enough bone substance. Firm fixation obtained, no vertebral artery lesion occurred., Conclusion: For the patients who have atlantoaxial dislocation that could not be reduced completely, if there is enough bone to contain the screw, performing bilateral transarticular screw fixation (Magerl technique) is still feasible and safe.

Aim: To clone Fab gene of mAb HAb18 against human hepatocellular carcinoma and express it in E.coli., Methods: The cDNAs of kappa chain and Fd of mAb HAb18 were amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pComb3 which was transfected into competent E.coli to express Fab by IPTG induction. The specificity of the expressed Fab was tested by ELISA and immunofluorescence staining., Results: The Fab gene of mAb HAb18 was successfully amplified and expressed in E.coli. The results of competitive ELISA and immunofluorescence staining showed that the expressed Fab had specific antigen-binding activity., Conclusion: HAb18 Fab was prepared successfully, which lays the foundation for its further application to diagnosis and therapy of human hepatocellular carcinoma.