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In this work, microwave (MW) irradiation was employed to enhance the zero-valent iron (ZVI)-dominated de-contamination of chromite ore processing residue (COPR). A coupling system and the traditional two-step procedure were both conducted to evaluate the effects of MW irradiation on the reduction and the incorporation of COPR into the composite materials-based geopolymers. The factors including the ratios of liquid to solid, the mass ratios of ZVI to COPR, and the acid dosage had some obvious influence on the reduction of COPR in the MW system. The compressive strengths of 31.54 and 41.56 MPa were determined from the two-step procedure and the coupling system at the COPR dosage of 10% (mass ratio), respectively. The employment of MW irradiation not only strengthened the formation of the geopolymer matrices but also improved the chemical stabilization of Cr species in the solidified blocks. The coupled process was more conducive to incorporating the treated COPR into the geopolymer-based crystalline microstructures compared with the subsequent usage of ZVI reduction and MW irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To isolate antifungal compound from Paeonia suffruticosa, and to find the antifungal mechanisms by observing the ultrastructural modifications of yeasts in growth phase produced by 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose (PGG). Methods: Peony ( Paeonia suffruticosa) root bark (PRB) was separated by solvent extraction and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using analytical and preparative reversed phase C18 column on the basis of bio-assay method. In order to investigate the antifungal mechanism of PGG, Yeasts were submitted to different concentrations [3 × minimum inhibition concentration (MIC), 0.3 × MIC] for 1 h under constant stirring at 30 °C, and transmission electron microscopy was performed. Results: Based on the antifungal activity of PRB on Candida glabrata CBS138, the antifungal compound were isolated in ethyl acetate layer of PRB and identified as PGG by mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses, with molecular weight of 940 and molecular formular as CHO. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PGG degraded the cell wall envelope. Conclusion: The results suggest that PGG may be responsible for the antifungal activity of PRB by disrupting the structure of cell wall directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buffaloes are the second largest milk producers in the world and China has rich buffalo resources. However, the nutrient potential of buffalo milk (BM) has not been fully determined and the information about BM from different breeds and crossbreeds is still quite limited. Therefore, the gross composition, fatty acids, and amino acids of BM were determined in milk samples from Murrah and Nili-Ravi river breeds and first (F) and second (F) generation of Murrah × Guangxi swamp buffalo crossbreeds. Buffalo breeds consist of two pure river breeds (Murrah and Nili-Ravi) and two crossbreeds (Murrah river buffalo × Guangxi swamp buffalo, first and second generation) (F and F). Results revealed the BM contained 19.28% total solids, 5.30% crude protein, 7.97% fat on average, high levels of total amino acids, and essential amino acids. From the major minerals investigated, BM was also rich in total calcium and phosphorus contents (192.2 and 124.3 mg 100 mL, respectively). Statistically significant differences ( P < 0.05) in the proportions of gross chemical composition, fatty acids, and amino acids were observed between river buffalo breeds and river × swamp crossbreeds. Milk from crossbreed buffaloes was found to contain more monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and less saturated fatty acids (SFAs) than milk from Murrah and Nili-Ravi buffaloes. In addition, BM samples collected from crossbreeds were good supply of total amino acids and essential amino acids. The results indicate that BM is of significance in contributing to human nutrition and our data also suggest that BM from Chinese crossbreeds has better nutritional value than that of river buffalo breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between different Chinese medicine (CM) syndromes and variations in microcirculation in septic shock patients. Methods: seventy Septic shock patients were divided into four groups: heat damaging qi-yin group (HDQY, 23 cases); yin exhaustion and yang collapse group (YEYC, 26 cases); excessive heat in Fu organ group (EHFO, 10 cases); and heat damaging nutrient-blood group (HDNB, 11 cases). Sublingual microcirculation parameters were observed by sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging and scored by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and parameters of microcirculation perfusion variations and prognoses were analyzed. Results: Compared with those with qi-yin heat damage, perfused vessel density (PVD) in other groups decreased dramatically ( P<0.05), and APACHE II scores increased significantly ( P<0.05). In addition, the recovery time was prolonged substantially ( P<0.05), and the mixed venous oxygen saturation (SVO) decreased ( P<0.05). Blood lactic acid increased significantly ( P<0.05), and the mixed SVO decreased ( P<0.05), in the YEYC group. Compared with the thermal injury camp blood group, sublingual microcirculation parameter variations showed no obvious difference in the YEYC and EHFO groups ( P>0.05). There were significant positive correlations between CM syndromes and APACHE II scoring in different groups ( r=0.512, P<0.05). There were negative correlations between PVD and APACHE II scoring ( r=−0.378, P=0.043), the proportion of perfused vessels (PPV) and APACHE II scoring ( r=−0.472, P=0.008), as well as between the microvascular flow index (MFI) and APACHE II scoring ( r=−0.424, P=0.023) in different patients. Conclusion: Sublingual microcirculation may serve as a clinical diagnostic parameter of the patient condition, as well as being a prognostic indicator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the relationship of thick greasy tongue fur formation and permeability of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) with the protein expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a model group of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and a sham-operated (SO) group. The SAP rats were further divided into two subgroups on the basis of tongue-coating status: a thick greasy tongue fur group (SAP-TGF) and a normal tongue fur group (SAP-NF). Six rats were chosen randomly from every group mentioned above for an Evans blue assay 5 days after model establishment. For the histomorphology analysis, the expressions of ZO-1 protein and mRNA were studied by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, transmission electron microscope, Western blot, and Q-PCR using blood and tongue tissues, which were collected from 8 rats randomly chosen from each group. Results: The papillae density of the rat tongue surface and the caryocinesis frequency of the basal layer were significantly increased in the SAP-TGF group compared with the SO group ( P<0.05). Evans blue levels in the tongue tissue of the SAP-TGF group were significantly higher than that of the SO and SAP-NF groups ( P<0.05). Vascular ECs were wider and obviously fissured in the SAP-TGF group under transmission electron microscope observation. The protein and mRNA expression of ZO-1 in the SAP-TGF group were lower than those in the SAP-NF ( P<0.05). Conclusions: Reproductive activity enhancement of glossal epithelial cells was one of the main characteristics of thick greasy tongue fur formation. An increase in vasopermeability was closely associated with thick greasy tongue fur formation. Tight junction structural variation of vascular ECs might play an important role in the pathological and physiological process of thick greasy tongue fur formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

present, the most researches on the protected effect of shelterbelt are on the basis of the two scales of forest belts and networks. However, with the further research on the global environmental change, more attention was paid to the regional climate effect of shelterbelt. In present study, we analyzed the temperature effect of the shelterbelt at regional scale by using the land surface temperature (LST) data from the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) at Yushu, Nong'an, Dehui, and Fuyu in Jilin Province of China from March to October in 2008. Results show that the shelterbelt can increase the soil temperature of the protected farmland as compared with no shelterbelt zone, with the increment of 0.57°C per day in fine shelterbelt and 0.38°C per day in the normal shelterbelt. Moreover, the correlation analysis of the air temperature, precipitation and the soil type and the shelterbelt effect shows that the air temperature and precipitation are negatively correlated with the shelterbelt effects, that is, the more the temperature and precipitation are, the less the effect produced. While the impact of the soil types on the shelterbelt's effect is not very obvious as a whole. This paper draws significance in terms of analyzing the effects of the shelterbelt on the soil temperature at regional scale utilizing the remotely sensed data and GIS technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore treatments of severe post-kidney-transplant lung infection by integrative Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM), in order to elevate the curing rate as well as to lower the death rate. Methods: Based on conventional ways of Western medical treatments of 18 cases of severe post-kidney transplant lung infection, such as putting the patients in single individual ward, antibiotics to prevent infection, respiratory machines, blood filtration, nutritional support, steroids, and maintaining electrolytes balance, we applied integrated Chinese medicinal treatments, like altering conventional prescription "pneumonia III", and conducted clinical observation of effectiveness, and indexes including white blood cell (WBC), neutrophilic granulocyte, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (Cr). etc. Results: Of the 18 cases studied, 7 were already cured, 8 proved the treatment effective, 3 died. All clinical indexes had statistically significant changes compared with those of before treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: ICWM can increase curing rate and lower death rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the astounding development and gradual improvement of remote sensing technology, as an advanced science technology, it is used to provide multi-temporal, large scope real-time information for land-use dynamic change, and also is one of the best efficient methods for studying the earth resources and environment. Remote sensing image has its characteristics of ample information and reflecting the objective realities. The paper uses multi-temporal TM images in 1986, 1996 and 2000, and relevant statistic data to analyze land-use changes of Dalian City in Liaoning Province of China over ten years by means of the correlation analysis method. The results have shown that two methods could conformably reflect the present land-use change. Urbanization is closely correlative to natural factors and economic development. Especially in recent 20 years, under the influence of the reform and open-up policy, Dalian, as a specific coast city, is becoming an international metropolis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land-use change is an important aspect of global environment change. It is, in a sense, the direct result of human activities influencing our physical environment. Supported by the dynamic serving system of national resources, including both the environment database and GIS technology, this paper analyzed the land-use change in northeastern China in the past ten years (1990–2000). It divides northeastern China into five land-use zones based on the dynamic degree (DD) of land-use: woodland/grassland — arable land conversion zone, dry land — paddy field conversion zone, urban expansion zone, interlocked zone of farming and pasturing, and reclamation and abandoned zone. In the past ten years, land-use change of northeastern China can be generalized as follows: increase of cropland area was obvious, paddy field and dry land increased by 74.9 and 276.0 thousand ha respectively; urban area expanded rapidly, area of town and rural residence increased by 76.8 thousand ha; area of forest and grassland decreased sharply with the amount of 1399.0 and 1521.3 thousand ha respectively; area of water body and unused land increased by 148.4 and 513.9 thousand ha respectively. Besides a comprehensive analysis of the spatial patterns of land use, this paper also discusses the driving forces in each land-use dynamic zones. The study shows that some key biophysical factors affect conspicuously the conversion of different land-use types. In this paper, the relationships between land-use conversion and DEM, accumulated temperature (⩾10°C) and precipitation were analysed and represented. We conclude that the land-use changes in northeast China resulted from the change of macro social and economic factors and local physical elements. Rapid population growth and management changes, in some sense, can explain the shaping of woodland/grassland — cropland conversion zone. The conversion from dry land to paddy field in the dry land — paddy field conversion zone, apart from the physical elements change promoting the expansion of paddy field, results from two reasons: one is that the implementation of market-economy in China has given farmers the right to decide what they plant and how they plant their crops, the other factor is originated partially from the change of dietary habit with the social and economic development. The conversion from paddy field to dry land is caused prmarily by the shortfall of irrigation water, which in turn is caused by poor water allocation management by local governments. The shaping of the reclamation and abandoned zone is partially due to the lack of environment protection consciousness among pioneer settlers. The reason for the conversion from grassland to cropland is the relatively higher profits of farming than that of pasturing in the interlocked zone of farming and pasturing. In northeastern China, the rapid expansion of built-up areas results from two factors: the first is its small number of towns; the second comes from the huge potential for expansion of existing towns and cities. It is noticeable that urban expansion in the northeastern China is characterized by gentle topographic relief and low population density. Physiognomy, transportation and economy exert great influences on the urban expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 TM images, the land use/cover change was detected in the upstream area of the Nenjiang River between 1995 and 2000. With the spatial analysis techniques of GIS, the maps of land use degree and its change within this period were produced. To identify the causes of changes, elevation and slope were regarded as the main natural influencing factors and were transformed from coverage format to grid format within GIS. The Thiesson polygon method was used to the spatial allocation of socio-economic factors including human population, live-stock numbers, mechanizing power of farming and the nearest distance from the changed pixel to the trunk stream and to main settlements, thereby the spatial relationship between land use degree change and socio-economic factor variation was analyzed. According to results of the spatial correlation, the determinants of changes in land use/cover, i. e. elevation, slope, population density change, livestock increase were extracted quantitatively in this area. At last, the spatial multi-linear regression model of land use degree change was developed as follows: Δ La=11.037−4.512* elevation-0.298* slope+0.292* Δ population+2.596* Δlivestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use changes are regarded as landscape pattern change driven by many interactive natural and social-economic factors. Different combination of physical geographical elements induced the difference of spatio-temporal pattern of land use change. There are four physical geographical regions in Mongolian Autonomou County of Qian Gorlos of Jilin Province. Based on spatial analysis and statistical analysis, we conclude that the primary pattern of land use and the tendency of land use changes are all different in four physical geographical regions. During 1987 – 1996, the dominant land use change processes were from grassland or forest to arableland, from unused land to paddy and grassland to unused land. Though land use change is mainly affected by social and economic condition in short period, the composite characters of physical geographical elements controls land use dynamic process. The relationship between land use dynamic process and the character of physical geographical units differ in different regions. Possible human impacts on land use change are explored with application of buffer areas of series distance along main roads and radius around main settlements. A few models are built to describe the relationship between land use spatial change rates and distance to road and settlements. According to our result, the relationship with the proximity to roads was a negative liner function, with the change rate decreasing rapidly when moving away from roads. Within a distance of less 7.5km from main traffic lines, land use changes occur red more. The bulk of grassland was apt to be opened up for cultivation around the settlements and the transformation from dryland to paddy occurred within the distance of 1km away from settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic and therapeutic approach of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine (TCM-WM) on infectious multiple organs dysfunction syndrome /multiple system and organ failure (MODS/MSOF) for elevating the successful rate of rescuing the patients. Methods: Diagnosis with western medicine and Syndrome Differentiation of TCM in 225 in-patients of acute infectious disease complicated with MODS/MSOF were conducted, and TCM treatment, based on western medical comprehensive treatment, was given to observe the effect and explore the mechanism of the TCM-WM therapy. Results: Up to the end of 1998, 161 cases of the 225 cases were successfully cured and 64 died, the mortality being 28.4% . Among them, 58 out of 140 cases of MSOF died, the mortality was accounted for 41.4%. In 106 cases conformed to the diagnostic criteria of MSOF proposed by Professor Knaus WA, USA, 52 cases were cured successfully and 54 died, the mortality being 50.94%. Conclusion: TCM-WM treatment could elevate the therapeutic effect in treating MODS, the mechanism might be through improving the hemodynamic and hemorrheologic condition of patients to relieve nail-fold microcirculation disorder; influencing the levels of cytokine and inflammatory mediator, so as to alleviate the systemic inflammatory reaction, it might also abate the inhibited condition of gastrointestinal motility, alleviate the intestinal flora imbalance, prevent intestinal bacteria and endotoxin malposition, and protect cells from peroxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]