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The FexNi1-x (0 < x < 1) alloy powders with different compositions were prepared by an oxalate precipitation-precursor thermal decomposition process. The phase structure and morphology of the precursor and FexNi1-x powder were characterized by XRD and SEM, respectively. With the increase of Ni content, the phase structure of precursor was gradually changed from FeC2O4·2H2O to NiC2O4·2H2O, and the morphology was changed from short rod to cube and polyhedron. The FexNi1-x powders show porous structure and its geometric shape is similar to the corresponding precursor and the particle size becomes smaller. The phase structure of FexNi1-x powders is changed with the composition from iron-rich bcc to nickel-rich fcc structure. The electromagnetic parameters of the composites of FexNi1-x powders and paraffin were measured and the microwave absorbing properties were calculated. The results reveal that Fe0.5Ni0.5 sample shows a best electromagnetic loss, and when the composite thickness is 3.0mm, the minimum RL reaches -52.58dB at 6.82GHz. Fe0.6Ni0.4 sample with a thickness of 1.5mm shows a maximum effective bandwidth (RL

Spherical mesoporous NiO powders were synthesized by a hydrothermal-thermal decomposition method, and their morphology and structure were investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis. The electrocatalytic performance of NiO powders were systematically studied by cyclic vohammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is found that the prepared mesoporous NiO powders are in spherical morphology with a specific surface area of 35 m2·g-1 and an average pore size of 15.88 nm. They show good electrocatalytic activity for ethanol oxidation; the oxidation current increases with increasing ethanol concentration and scan rate. The current decay at 0.60 V for 1000 s is as low as 0.075%, indicating good stability. CV, CA and EIS measurements show that ethanol oxidation reaction on the spherical mesoporous NiO is a diffusion-controlled process.

The influence of oil content, water content, ventilation rate and medium particle size on smoldering of sludge in North China oilfield was studied by means of self-made smoldering equipment. Result showed that when the oil content is 6% - 18%,the water content is 0 -12%,and the ventilation rate is 0. 796 -6. 368 cmv's,the oily sludge can be ignited successfully and realize the self-sustaining combustion state,in which the degradation efficiency of petroleum hydrocarbons is as high as 99%. The degree of complete combustion of oily sludge can be improved effectively if the oil content decreases or the ventilation rate increases appropriately under the condition that the oily sludge can be smoldered. Finally,TG-DSC and elemental analysis results show that smoldering temperature is lower than the decomposition temperature of mineral salts,which can effectively avoid the generation of harmful gases such as SOx,NOx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aureobasidium pullulans F4 was isolated from the rhizosphere of Hippochaete ramosissimum in Tongguanshan mine wasteland in Tongling City, Anhui Province. Liquid culture was conducted with four kinds of phosphorus sources, calcium phosphate, aluminum phosphate, ferric phosphate and rock phosphate to determine the pH, dissolved phosphorus, phosphorus in the bacteria and organic acid in the solution. The results showed that the phosphate solubilization by A. pullulans F4 varied with phosphorus sources, which decreased in order of aluminum phosphate > ferric phosphate,calcium phosphate > rock phosphate. The amounts of dissolved phosphorus in the different treatments were all higher than 200 mg·L-1. The pH of the medium dropped immediately in 48 h, and the aluminum phosphate and ferric phosphate treatments showed a greater decrease in pH than the calcium phosphate and rock phosphate treatments. The organic acid synthesized by A. pullulans F4 included oxalic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid, and oxalic acid, among which oxalic acid was the dominated component. The phosphate dissolving capacity of A. pullulans F4 showed no significant correlation with organic acid, but significantly correlated with the pH. The available phosphorus was significantly improved with the combined application of A. pullulans F4 and glucose, suggesting A. pullulans F4 was a potent candidate for remediation of copper mine wastelands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological soil crusts play an important role in increasing the accumulation of organic matter and nitrogen in revegetated mining wastelands. The diversity of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in three types of biological soil crusts (algal crust, moss crust and algal moss crust) from two wastelands of copper mine tailings were investigated by polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, based on the nifH gene of diazotrophs, to investigate: The diversity of nifH gene in the crusts of mine wastelands, and whether and how the nifH gene diversity in the crusts could be affected by the development of plant communities. The algal crust on the barren area displayed the highest nifH gene diversity, followed by the algal moss crusts within vascular plant communities, and the moss crust displayed the lowest nifH gene diversity. The diversity of diazotrophs in algal moss crust within vascular plant communities decreased with the increase of height and cover of vascular plant communities. No significant relationship was found between wasteland properties (pH, water content, contents of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus and heavy metal concentration) and nifH gene diversity in the crusts. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that most nitrogen-fixing taxa in the crusts of mine wastelands belonged to Cyanobacteria, especially nonheterocystous filamentous Cyanobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease(DKD) is a prevalent and severe microvascular complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Chronic microinflammation is an important factor exacerbating renal tissue damage in DKD individuals. Macrophages play a crucial role in immune-inflammatory responses, and they can transiently and reversibly polarize into the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype based on microenvironmental differences. The imbalance in M1/M2 macrophage polarization can exacerbate DKD progression by fostering inflammatory cytokine aggregation in the glomeruli and renal interstitium. Therefore, restoring the balance of macrophage is a pivotal avenue to ameliorate the chronic microinflammation state in DKD. Macrophage polarization is a complex and dynamic process. Various information molecules and cytokines involved in the polarization process play important roles in regulating phenotypes during the progression of DKD. They are closely related to various mechanisms such as metabolism, inflammation, fibrosis, and mitochondrial autophagy in DKD. By coordinating the inflammatory responses through polarization, they play a key role in regulating inflammation in metabolic-related diseases. The complex network of pathways involved in macrophage polarization corresponds well with the multi-pathway, multi-target treatment model of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). Active ingredients and formulas of TCM can intervene in DKD by regulating macrophage polarization. Studies on relieving renal inflammation, repairing renal tissues, and promoting renal function recovery through macrophage polarization modulation are not uncommon. Therefore, based on exis-ting evidence, this study reviews TCM in targeting M1/M2 macrophage polarization balance to improve DKD, aiming to explore the potential of macrophage polarization in regulating DKD, which is expected to provide evidence support for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of DKD with TCM as well as the exploration of its biological mechanisms.

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix, the root of Sophora flavescens Ait., has been widely applied in the medical field due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, bacteriostatic, antiviral, antitumor, and other pharmacological effects. The present study investigated the anti-rheumatoid arthritis effect of oxymatrine(OMT), the active component of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix by observing its effect on the function of B lymphocytes in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) mice through the Toll-like receptor 9(TLR9)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3) pathway. The CIA model in DBA/1 J mice was induced by bovine type Ⅱ collagen and complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA). Fifteen days after the primary immunization, mice were treated with OMT for 30 days by intraperitoneal injection. Paw swelling and arthritis index(AI) score were evaluated every 3 days. Joint histopathologic changes were observed by HE staining. Magnetic-activated cell sorting(MACS) was used to isolate B lymphocytes from the spleen of CIA mice spleen. The serum expression level of interleukin(IL)-21 was examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The expression of TLR9, STAT3, p-STAT3, and IL-21 in B lymphocytes was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression of TLR9, STAT3, and IL-21 in B lymphocytes was detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR). The results showed that OMT could significantly alleviate the paw swelling, decrease the AI score, relieve synovial inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplasia, reduce the level of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibit the expression of TLR9, STAT3, p-STAT3, and IL-21 of B lymphocytes in CIA mice. Therefore, OMT may alleviate rheumatoid arthritis by regulating TLR9/MyD88/STAT3 pathway in B lymphocytes, providing a valuable reference for the application of OMT in the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

To study the metabolic products of main compounds of Chuankezhi injection in rat, 12 Sprague Dawley rats were classed into 2 groups, a blank control group and an intermuscular administration group, respectively. Rat feces and urine samples were collected from 0−24 h and 24−48 h after administration. All the samples were ultrasonically treated with methanol and then analyzed using LC-LTQ Orbitrap MSn. By comparison with the total ion chromatogram of samples from the blank control group, the metabolites in the samples of drug-treated group were screened. These metabolites were further analyzed by multistage product ion scanning and comparison of retention time with reference substances. As a result, a total of 12 flavonoid metabolites were tentatively identified from the rat feces and no metabolite was discovered in the rat urine. Epimedin C and icariin were detected in the rat blood samples after 30 min of administration, but their metabolites and other original flavones were not detected. Furthermore, no original flavones and their metabolites were detected in rat blood samples after 2 and 4 h of administration. The potential metabolism paths were further characterized and the principal in vivo transformation of flavones from Chuankezhi injection were deglycosylation, dehydration, methylation, oxidation and isomerization in rats.

The Aureobasidium pullulans F4 was isolated from the rhizosphere of Hippochaete ramosissimum in Tongguanshan mine wasteland in Tongling City, Anhui Province. Liquid culture was conducted with four kinds of phosphorus sources, calcium phosphate, aluminum phosphate, ferric phosphate and rock phosphate to determine the pH, dissolved phosphorus, phosphorus in the bacteria and organic acid in the solution. The results showed that the phosphate solubilization by A. pullulans F4 varied with phosphorus sources, which decreased in order of aluminum phosphate > ferric phosphate, calcium phosphate > rock phosphate. The amounts of dissolved phosphorus in the different treatments were all higher than 200 mg x L(-1). The pH of the medium dropped immediately in 48 h, and the aluminum phosphate and ferric phosphate treatments showed a greater decrease in pH than the calcium phosphate and rock phosphate treatments. The organic acid synthesized by A. pullulans F4 included oxalic acid, citric acid and tartaric acid, and oxalic acid, among which oxalic acid was the dominated component. The phosphate dissolving capacity of A. pullulans F4 showed no significant correlation with organic acid, but significantly correlated with the pH. The available phosphorus was significantly improved with the combined application of A. pullulans F4 and glucose, suggesting A. pullulans F4 was a potent candidate for remediation of copper mine wastelands.

Biological soil crusts play an important role in increasing the accumulation of organic matter and nitrogen in re-vegetated mining wastelands. The diversity of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in three types of biological soil crusts (algal crust, moss crust and algal-moss crust) from two wastelands of copper mine tailings were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, based on the nifH gene of diazotrophs, to investigate: The diversity of nifH gene in the crusts of mine wastelands, and whether and how the nifH gene diversity in the crusts could be affected by the development of plant communities. The algal crust on the barren area displayed the highest nifH gene diversity, followed by the algal-moss crusts within vascular plant communities, and the moss crust displayed the lowest nifH gene diversity. The diversity of diazotrophs in algal-moss crust within vascular plant communities decreased with the increase of height and cover of vascular plant communities. No significant relationship was found between wasteland properties (pH, water content, contents of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus and heavy metal concentration) and nifH gene diversity in the crusts. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated that most nitrogen-fixing taxa in the crusts of mine wastelands belonged to Cyanobacteria, especially nonheterocystous filamentous Cyanobacteria.

Objective: To observe the changes of bone histomorphometry parameters in condyle of rabbits during mandibular forward positioning., Methods: Forty rabbits with eight weeks of age were simple randomly divided into the experimental group (n = 24) and control group (n = 16).Mandibles of rabbits in the experimental groups were induced to forward position by a functional appliance.The experimental group and control group were sacrificed after 2 and 4, 8, 12 weeks.The specimens from right tempromandibular joints were processed for undemineralised sections.These sections were used for fluorescent microscopy observation and the measurement of bone histomorphometry., Results: At 8 week bone-volume fraction [(75.83 ± 1.10)%], trabecular thickness [(103.28 ± 2.89) µm], trabecular number [(2.86 ± 0.06) mm(-1)], mineral apposition rate [(2.32 ± 0.02) µm/d] and index of osteoblast [(30.20 ± 0.47) N/mm(2)] in subchondral region of the cartilage in the experimental group were significantly increased compared with the age-matched controls [respectively (64.00 ± 1.54)%, (87.00 ± 1.13) µm, (1.84 ± 0.08) mm(-1), (1.69 ± 0.02) µm/d and (21.07 ± 0.59) N/mm(2)] (P < 0.05). However, trabecular separation [(170.00 ± 2.25) µm] was lower than those in the controls [(241.50 ± 1.57) µm] with significant difference(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the bone histomorphometry parameters of the central region between the experimental group and the age-matched control group (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: The pattern of bone histomorphometry parameters expression in subchondral region has a high correlation with the adaptive remodeling of the condyle after functional appliance.

To increase the content of active constituent--RE and PD of Polygonum cuspidatum hairy root, through Ri-mediated gene transformation technology, modified high salt low pH method was used to distill genome DNA of grapevine (Vitis raparia). Primer was designed according to sequence of Genebank (AF128861). Through PCR amplification obtain RS gene sequence was obtained. Binary vector pCAMBIA1300-35S-RS was constructed. Frost thawing method was used to transform Agrobacterium rhizogenes ATCC11325. Scratched aseptic seedling leaf of Polygonum cuspidatum was contaminated subsequently. DNA conformity and mRNA expression of RS gene were investigated by PCR and RT-PCR respectively. RE and PD in transgenic hairy root were determined by HPLC. For the first time successfully inducement acquires transformed RS gene hairy root of Polygonum cuspidatum. Content of active constituents--RE and PD were 17 - 187 microg x g(-1) DW and 836 - 1 970 microg x g(-1) DW, respectively, the non-transgenic hairy root was 0 - 130 microg x g(-1) DW and 190 - 320 microg x g(-1) DW. In the different root selected, the content of PD was much higher than that in non-transformed hairy roots of Polygonum cuspidatum, the highest content is 5 times, but the content of RE has not increased apparently.

Objective: To identify the relationship between the expression of BMP/Smads in condylar cartilage and condylar growth modifications in rabbits during mandibular forward positioning., Methods: Sixty male rabbits with 8 weeks of age were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=36) and control group (n=24). The mandibles of rabbits in the experimental groups were induced to forward position by a functional appliance. The rabbits in the experimental group and control group were sacrificed after 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 weeks, respectively. The expression of BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 in condylar cartilage was examined by immunohistochemical staining., Result: The expression of BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 was mainly found in the chondrocytes from the transitional zone and hypertrophic zone, and was also found in the chondrocytes and osteoblasts of the mineralized zone. Compared with those of the age-matched controls, the positive signals for BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 in the experimental animals were stronger at early stage (P<0.05), coinciding with the remodeling in condylar cartilage after functional appliance., Conclusion: The expression of BMP-2, Smad1/5, 4 and 6 is associated with the adaptive remodeling of the condylar cartilage after functional appliance.

Purpose: To identify the relationship between the expression of Core binding factor alpha1 (Cbfalpha1) in condylar cartilage and condylar growth modifications in growing rabbits following forward positioning mandibles with functional appliance., Methods: Sixty rabbits with age of 8 weeks were randomly divided into the experimental group (n=36) and control group (n=24). Rabbits in the experimental groups were induced to forward their mandibles by a functional appliance. The animals in the two groups were killed after 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, respectively. The temporal and spatial expression of Cbfalpha1 in condylar cartilage was examined by immunohistochemical staining and measured with Image Computer Analysis Software. Date was statistically analyzed by Student's t test and one-way ANOVA., Results: The expression of Cbfalpha1 was mainly found in the chondrocytes from the transitive zone and hypertrophic zone, and was also observed in the chondrocytes and osteoblasts of the mineralized zone. Compared with those of the age-matched controls, the positive signals for Cbfalpha1 of each zone in the experimental animals were significantly stronger (P<0.05), and the highest expression of transitive zone, hypertrophic zone and mineralized zone was detected after 4 weeks of treatment (71.00+/-1.52, 50.00+/-0.75, 82.00+/-0.39)., Conclusion: The pattern of Cbfalpha1 expression is concerned with the adaptive remodeling of the condylar cartilage after functional appliance.

The Tagsk1 (Triticum asetium L. glycogen synthase kinase 1) gene derived from the genome of wheat salt-tolerance mutant RH8706-49 was cloned by PCR. The special primers designed according to full length cDNA sequence of Tagsk1 (AF525086). A binary expression vector pBI121-gsk1 containing Gus and Tagsk1 was constructed. And pBI121-gsk1 was introduced into the callus induced from mature embryos of salt-sensitive wheat H8706-34 and cv. China Spring by particle bombardment. The transformed callus were screened by Kanamycin and 0.5% NaCl. The salt-tolerance callus were obtained, which showed higher ability of salt-tolerance and could diffirentiate roots and buds on the medium containing 0.5% NaCl.

Objective: To investigate the effect of anterior disc displacement on the expression of urokinase plasminogen activator and its inhibitor-1 (uPA/PAI-1) in synovial tissues., Methods: Forty Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. The animals were killed at 4 days, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively, respectively. In situ hybridization technology was applied to detect the expression of uPA/PAI-1 mRNA in synovial membrane., Results: In normal synovial tissues, synovial lining cells and a few fibrosblasts with mild positive staining were occasionally seen. More synovial lining cells and fibrosblasts with moderate postive signals were found 1 week after operation. Since then, the degree of staining for uPA/PAI-1 increased gradually. By the end of 12 weeks postoperatively, strong signals of uPA/PAI-1 mRNA were detected., Conclusion: There is a harmonized uPA/PAI-1 system existing in synovial tissues. The high expression of uPA and PAI-1 mRNA in synovial tissues indicates that the uPA/PAI-1 system may play an important role in the process of synovitis resulted from anterior disc displacement.

Objective: To explore the clustering character of overweight and obesity with multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors such as blood pressure, serum lipids and glucose, and to provide evidence for intervention in childhood., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 913 children aged 7-13 years in urban area of Shijiazhuang. Measurements included height, weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and fasting serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and serum glucose (GLU)., Results: Overall prevalence rate of overweight and obesity was 29.24% (boys: 34.98% vs. girls: 24.23%). When compared with normal children, children with overweight or obesity had significantly higher levels of SBP, DBP, TC, TG but low HDL-C. The prevalence rates of high SBP, DBP, TC, TG, GLU and low HDL-C in overweight and obese children were higher than in normal children. After adjusted for gender and age, the odds ratios of overweight and obese children for high SBP, DBP, TC, TG, GLU and low HDL-C were 6.77, 3.22, 2.55, 6.42, 3.85 and 2.94 (95% CI: 4.15-11.04, 1.38-7.49, 1.59-4.11, 3.46-11.92, 1.69-8.78 and 1.83-4.73), respectively. Odds ratios of overweight and obese children holding any one, two or three of the selected six risk factors appeared to be 2.74, 13.15 and 15.33 (95% CI : 1.92-3.92, 6.69-25.87 and 4.17-56.39), respectively., Conclusion: Childhood overweight and obesity increased the clustering of children's risk factors on cardiovascular diseases, as well as increasing the risk of children acquiring multiple cardiovascular disease risk factors. Controlling overweight and obesity would help early prevention on children from getting cardiovascular diseases.

Two dimensional electrophoresis was used to analyse the proteome of the salt-tolerant mutant of wheat (RH8706-49) and the salt-sensitive mutant of wheat (H8706-34) which had been treated by 1% NaCl for 72 hours. After being analysed by MALDI-TOF-MS and Mascot software, the qualitative and quantitative differences were identified between the two materials for five candidate proteins: H+-transporting two-sector ATPase, glutamine synthetase 2 precursor, putative 33 kD oxygen evolving protein of photosystem II and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase small subunit. These five proteins are all belong to chloroplast proteins. They are likely to play a crucial role in keeping the function of the chloroplast and the whole cells when the plant was under salt-stress.

Background & Objective: For newly diagnosed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), CHOP regimen shows good response, but quite a few patients belong to intrinsic drug resistance, or relapse after complete remission (CR). Clinical study has been focused on screening them out and improving the therapeutic response. The purpose of this study was to explore the predictive value of serum 90K/Mac-2BP on chemotherapy response in newly diagnosed NHLs, and to analyze the potential significance of serum 90K/Mac-2BP as a tumor marker in NHLs., Methods: Thirty healthy donors and 100 newly diagnosed patients were included in this study. Serum 90K/Mac-2BP level was measured with the quantitative sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the relationship between serum 90K/Mac-2BP level and the therapeutic response as well as clinicopathological features was analyzed., Results: The level of serum 90K/Mac-2BP was associated with the response of the initial treatment in patients who received CHOP (CTX, ADM, VCR, Pred) chemotherapy. The response rate in patients with higher level (mean serum level >13.62 microg/ml) of 90K/Mac-2BP was 47.6% (20/42). The response rate in patients with lower level (mean serum level 0.05)., Conclusion: The level of serum 90K/Mac-2BP might predict the response of CHOP chemotherapy in NHLs, and is hopeful to be a new tumor marker.

Through the genetic analysis of a F2 population, derived from CMS line 75-3369A (T-type CMS wheat) and the restorer line 7269-10, the result indicated that the restorer line was conditioned by two dominant genes. A F2 population was used to map the fertility restorer (Rf) gene by microsatellite and BSA (bulked segregant analysis). Restorer and sterile DNA pools were established using the extreme fertile and sterile plants of F2 population, respectively. Among the 230 pairs of microsatellite primers, two markers were found polymorphic between the two pools. Linkage analysis showed that microsatellite marker Xgwm136 and Xgwm550 were linked with the two fertility restorer genes, respectively. One of the Rf gene was located on 1AS and the genetic distance between the SSR marker Xgwm136 and this Rf gene was 6.7 cM, the other Rf gene was located on 1BS and with a genetic distance of 5.1 cM to marker Xgwm550.

cDNA-AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) is used to isolate genes differentially expressed in two wheat lines with the different resistance to NaCl derived from a single seed. A lot of cDNA fragments related to salt tolerance are obtained. Of with the number 73 cDNA fragment encodes for a transcription factors with an 32% similarity to human transcription factors in the relative amino acid which is named SIR73. Northern analysis confirms that SIR73 is strongly induced by NaCl stress and the expression in SR is more strongly induced than in SS.SIR73 may be involved in the regulation of gene expression in salt stress in wheat.