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A ballistic deficit correction method named of FAR-BDC (fixed-amplitude-ratio ballistic deficit correction) based on SDL (Single delay line) shaping technique was presented and verified in this paper. It was proved theoretically that there is a definite proportional relationship between the integral area of SDL shaping pulse and the signal's theoretical maximum amplitude, which can be used to correct the ballistic deficit. The output signals of the RC-CSP from a HPGe detector were sampled and offline processed by means of trapezoidal shaping algorithm based on FAR-BDC. And 1.6 keV resolution (662 keV gamma) was obtained with 2.2 μs window, which proves that FAR-BDC method is well worked and has similar resolution as traditional trapezoidal shaping algorithm with 6 μs shaping time. Furthermore, FAR-BDC algorithm has less calculation amount and is more suitable for FPGA real-time digital processing under high input count rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an automated separation method to simultaneously isolate short-lived activation products 242g, 240Am, 237U, 72Ga from fresh fission products prior to gamma spectrometric analysis. On the basis of multi-column chromatographic units (HDEHP resin, TBP resin, DGA resin, TEVA resin, Al2O3, activated carbon) assembly, smart media compatibility between adjacent columns, chromatographic conditions optimization and process automation design, a modularized and streamline separation procedure was developed. The established method allows better recoveries of 93%, 91% and 97% for americium, uranium and gallium separately and excellent decontamination factors of more than 105 for fission products even for large volume of samples. Because of highly efficient removal of interferents, this method coupled with well-type high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometers achieved highly sensitive and selective analysis of activation products in spiked complicated matrix samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delta-opioid receptor (DOR) is widely distributed in the central nervous system, and its activation protects against ischaemic/hypoxic brain injury. However, the role of DOR in microglia in ischaemic stroke has not yet been fully investigated. We found that DOR was expressed in both human and mouse cerebral microglia, besides, it was upregulated in activated BV2 microglial cells by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. DOR activation by the specific agonist TAN-67 significantly enhanced BV2 microglial cell viability and reduced apoptosis, as evidenced by decreased cleaved caspase-3 levels and TdT-mediated aUTP-X nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining after LPS stimulation. Furthermore, activation of DOR significantly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production and dose-dependently inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β and IL-6, whereas it increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells; these effects were correlated with diminished phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. Moreover, these effects could be reversed by the DOR antagonist naltrindole. DOR activation can activate microglia to switch to the beneficial phenotype and inhibit LPS-induced inflammation and apoptosis via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/caspase-3 pathway in BV2 microglial cells. This study provides new insight into neuroprotection against and treatment of ischaemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper is to assess the influence of irritating paddy fields with acid mine drainage containing thallium (Tl) to rice plant-soil system and potential health risks for local residents. Vertical distribution of Tl, pH, organic matter (OM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) in 24 paddy soil profiles around Yunfu pyrite mine area was investigated. Rice plant samples were collected from the corresponding soil sampling site. The results showed that Tl concentrations in paddy soils at 0-60 cm depth range from 3.07 to 9.42 mg kg, with a mean of 5.74 mg kg, which were significantly higher than the background value of soil in China (0.58 mg kg). On the whole, Tl contents in paddy soil profiles increased quickly with soil depth from 0 to 30 cm and decreased slowly with soil depth from 30 to 60 cm. The soil Tl content was significant negatively correlated with soil pH. The mean content of Tl in the root, stem, leaf, and rice was 4.36, 1.83, 2.74, and 1.42 mg kg, respectively, which exceeded the proposed permissible limits for foods and feedstuffs in Germany. The Tl content in various tissues of the rice plants followed the order root > leaf > stem (rice), which suggested that most Tl taken up by rice plants retained in the root, and a little migrated to the leaf, stem, and rice. Correlation analysis showed that Tl content in root was significant positively correlated with Tl content in leaf and rice. The ranges of hazard quotient (HQ) values were 4.08∼24.50 and 3.84∼22.38 for males and females, respectively. Males have higher health risk than females in the same age group. In childhood age groups (2 to <21 years) and adult age groups (21 to <70 years), the highest health risk level was observed in the 11 to 16 age group and 21 to 50 age group, respectively. The findings indicated that regular irrigation with Tl-bearing acid mine drainage led to considerable contamination of Tl in paddy soil and rice plant. Local government should take various measures to treat Tl contamination, especially the tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To observe the protective effects of Salvia miltiorrhizae injection on multiple organs of rats with SAP or OJ. Two hundred eighty-eight rats were used for SAP-associated experiments and OJ-associated experiments. The rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, model control and treated group. According to the different time points after operation, the SAP rats in each group were subdivided into 3, 6 and 12 h groups while the OJ rats were divided into 7, 14, 21 and 28 days groups. The mortality rates, pathological changes and ICAM-1 (only in lung), TLR4 (only in liver), Bax and NF-κB proteins expression in multiple organs (liver, kidney, lung, intestinal mucosa, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes) were observed, respectively. The mortality rates of treated groups decreased in both SAP and OJ experiments. Compared to model control group, the pathological changes can be seen in treated groups including; (1) the pathological changes of multiple organs in SAP and OJ experiments were improved, the pathological severity scores of kidney (at 6 h), intestinal mucosa (at 12 h), spleen (at 6 and 12 h), thymus (at 3 and 6 h) and lymph nodes (at 3 and 6 h) in SAP experiment and of liver (on 21 and 28 days), lung (21 days), intestinal mucosa (on 21 and 28 days) and spleen (on 21 and 28 days) in OJ experiment significantly declined ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); (2) the positive rate of Bax protein in pancreas (at 3 h) and liver (on 6 and 12 h) in SAP experiment and in liver (on 28 days), kidney (on 21 days), and thymus (on 28 days) in OJ experiment were significantly lower ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); (3) the positive rate of NF-κB in liver (at 12 h) and kidney (at 6 h) in SAP experiment and in liver (on 21 days), kidney (on 28 days), intestinal mucosa (on 28 days) and thymus (on 14 days) in OJ experiment significantly decreased ( P < 0.05). (4) the positive rate of ICAM-1 in lungs (at 12 h) in SAP experiment was significantly less ( P < 0.05). Salvia miltiorrhizae injection can protect multiple organs of SAP or OJ rats and inhibit the expression of ICAM-1, TLR4, NF-κB and regulate Bax proteins. Salvia miltiorrhizae may relieve the inflammation response and enhance the immunity function of SAP and OJ rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]