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// Yong-Jing Yang 1, * , Ling Cao 1, * , Zhi-Wen Li 2 , Ling Zhao 1 , Hong-Fen Wu 1 , Dan Yue 1 , Jin-Lei Yang 1 , Zhi-Rui Zhou 3 , Shi-Xin Liu 1 1 Department of Radiation Oncology, Cancer Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China 2 Department of Anesthesiology, The First Hospital Affiliated to Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, People’s Republic of China 3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China * These authors contribute equally to this work Correspondence to: Shi-Xin Liu, email: liushixin1964@126.com Zhi-Rui Zhou, email: zzr3711@163.com Keywords: rectal neoplasms, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, oxaliplatin, meta-analysis Received: March 06, 2016 Accepted: June 03, 2016 Published: June 14, 2016 ABSTRACT To measure the safety and efficacy of oxaliplatin (OX) application in neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were used for a literature search. Cochrane’s risk of bias tool of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was used for quality evaluation. The statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.3. In addition, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled risk ratios (RRs) were calculated. Seven RCTs were included in our meta-analysis. After adding OX to fluoropyrimidine (FU), a marginal significant improvement in disease-free survival was noted compared with FU alone (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.78–1.00; P = 0.05). Neoadjuvant CRT with OX significantly decreased the distant metastasis rate (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.67–0.94, P = 0.007). However, no improvement in the local recurrence rate (RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.68–1.08; P = 0.19) was noted. In addition, neoadjuvant CRT with OX also significantly increased the pathologic complete response (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02–1.51; P = 0.03). Grade 3–4 acute toxicity and grade 3–4 diarrhea was considerably higher for OX/FU compared with FU alone. In conclusion, the use of OX on the basis of FU/capecitabine in preoperative CRT is feasible. LARC patients are likely to benefit from CRT regimens with OX.

Due to the poor solubility of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT), its application was seriously limited. To solve the problems, a novel mono [6-(1,3-diamino-2-hydroxy)-propyl-6-deoxy]-β-CD (H1) was designed and synthesized. The two inclusion complexes of H1 and mono [6-(3,3′-oxybis (ethyleneoxy)bis (propylamino))-6-deoxy]-β-CD (H2) with PPT were prepared and characterized by UV, NMR, FT-IR, XRD and SEM. The Job’s method indicates that the stoichiometry of all inclusion complexes were 1:1. The ROESY spectrum demonstrated that the A-ring and B-ring of PPT integrated into the H1 cavity, and the side chain of H1 is shallowly self-included into the CD cavity. Meanwhile, the A-ring of PPT partly penetrate into H2 cavity, while the side chain of H2 is deeply self-included into the CD cavity through the induced-fit interaction. UV–Vis spectral demonstrated that the complex stability constant (KS) of H2 towards PPT was higher than that of H1. The binding ability is discussed according to the size/shape fit concept and hydrogen bond interaction between host and guest. The water solubility of PPT is significantly increased 133 and 532 times after inclusion of H1 and H2, respectively. Therefore, the H1 and H2 can improve the solubility of PPT, broadening the field of application in herbal medicine and health protection foods.

The interaction between 20(S)-protopanaxatriol (PPT) and bovine serum albumin ( BSA) was studied with fluorescence quenching technique and ultra-violet absorption spectroscopy. The results indicated that PPT led to the intrinsic fluorescence quenching of BSA through a static quenching process .The binding constants of PPT with BSA obtained with fluorescence quenching method were calculated as 0.926 3×10(3) (298 K), 0.618 2×10(3) (308 K), 0.414 4×10(3) L·mol(-1)(318 K), respectively; while the number binding sites n were close to unity. The results showed that the driving force of the interaction between PPT and BSA was hydrogen bond and Van der Waals force. The result of synchronous fluorescence spectra showed that binding of PPT with BSA could induce conformational changes in BSA, that the part of tryptophan became more closely. According to Föster fluorescence resonance energy transfer theory, the binding distance r and energy-transfer efficiency E were respectively 26.2 nm and 0.32.

A sensitive and rapid ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed to determine ruscogenin in rat plasma using midazolam as the internal standard (IS). Sample preparation was accomplished through a liquid-liquid extraction procedure with ethyl acetate to 0.2mL plasma sample. The analyte and IS were separated on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1mm×50mm, 1.7μm) with the mobile phase of acetonitrile and 1% formic acid in water with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.40mL/min. Ruscogenin and IS were eluted at 1.74 and 1.11min, respectively. The detection was performed on a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer equipped with positive-ion electrospray ionization (ESI) by multiple reactions monitoring (MRM) of the transitions at m/z 431.2→287.0 for ruscogenin and m/z 326.2→291.1 for IS. The linearity of this method was found to be within the concentration range of 2-1000ng/mL with a lower limit of quantification of 2ng/mL. Only 2.0min was needed for an analytical run. The matrix effect was 92.4-107.3% for ruscogenin. The intra- and inter-day precision (RSD%) were less than 11.2% and accuracy (RE%) was within ±9.8%. The recovery ranged from 75.4% to 86.3%. Ruscogenin was sufficiently stable under all relevant analytical conditions. The method was also successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of ruscogenin in rats.

To establish a genetic susceptibility assessment model of lung cancer risk potentially associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) inhalation exposure among non-smokers in China, a total of 143 patients with lung adenocarcinoma and 143 cancer-free individuals were recruited. Sixty-eight genetic polymorphisms in 10 pathways related to PAH metabolism and tumorigenesis were selected and examined. It was observed that 3 genetic polymorphisms, along with 10 additional genetic polymorphisms via gene-gene interactions, significantly influenced lung cancer risk potentially associated with PAH inhalation exposure. Most polymorphisms were associated with PAH metabolism. According to the established genetic susceptibility score (GSS), lung cancer risk increased with a rise in the GSS level, thereby indicating a positive dose-response relationship.

Using the analysis techniques of polarizing optical microscope and electron probe, mineral composition, ore texture and structure and the occurrence of Au in the primary ore are studied. The research shows that the main ore minerals in the ore include realgar, pyrite and arsenopyrite etc. Sulfur-stibarsen is the main carrier of Au, and is the major associated mineral of realgar, surrounded mainly by realgar, and partly is the associated mineral of arsenopyrite. The existence of visible gold and microscopic gold in the ore of this mining area can be excluded, and the gold might exist mainly in the form of inclusion gold, which is the so-called “nanoAu”.

BackgroundThis study was designed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment and survival of patients with pulmonary large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC).MethodsThe Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database was utilized to identify patients diagnosed with pulmonary LCNEC between 2004 and 2013. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to determine the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rate. Univariate survival analysis along with log-rank test, and Cox proportional hazards model were employed to detect independent prognostic factors.ResultsPulmonary LCNEC accounted for 0.58% (2972/510607) of the total number of lung and bronchus carcinoma. And a total of 1,530 eligible cases were identified, with the median follow-up time of 11 months. To be specific, the 3-, 5-year OS and CSS rates were 22.8%, 16.8% and 26.5%, 20.8% respectively. Generally, pulmonary LCNEC was commonly detected in the elderly (72.2%), males (55.9%), the upper lobe (62.0%) and advanced AJCC stage (65.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that elderly [(≥60 and P= 0.007; (≥80 years) HR:1.530, 95% CI [1.238–1.891],P< 0.001] and advanced AJCC stage [(stage III) HR:2.606, 95% CI [2.083–3.260],P< 0.001; (stage IV) HR:4.881, 95% CI [3.923–6.072],P< 0.001] were independent unfavorable prognostic factors, and that female (HR:0.845, 95% CI [0.754–0.947],P= 0.004)), surgery [(Segmentectomy/wedge resection) HR:0.526, 95% CI [0.413–0.669],P< 0.001; (Lobectomy/Bilobectomy) HR:0.357, 95% CI [0.290–0.440],P< 0.001;(Pneumonectomy) HR:0.491, 95% CI [0.355–0.679],P< 0.001] , chemotherapy (HR:0.442, 95% CI [0.389–0.503],P< 0.001) and radiation (HR:0.837, 95% CI [0.738–0.949],P= 0.005) were independent favorable prognostic factors.ConclusionTo sum up, age at diagnosis, sex, AJCC 8th edition stage, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation were significantly associated with OS of patients with pulmonary LCNEC.

Ethnopharmacological relevance For many years, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine has been successfully using the empirical Wenyang Huoxue Jiedu formula (WHJF) to treat coronary heart disease. Modern theories of acute coronary syndrome mainly focus on rupture of thin-cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs), which is closely related to the release of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (VEGF/VEGFR). Aim of study We investigated the effects of WHJF on the formation of TCFA plaques and the potential mechanism (VEGF/VEGFR signaling pathway). Materials and methods For the in vivo experiments, WHJF was administered to ApoE-/- mice, as a model of TCFA plaque formation. Aortic sections of the mice were obtained, and the vulnerability index and new vessel density of plaques were calculated by the Movat staining assay and immunohistochemistry kit, respectively. Protein and mRNA expression levels of VEGF/VEGFR in aortas were assayed by capillary electrophoresis immunoassay and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses. In vitro, WHJF serum was produced in rats on the fourth day 2 h after the first administration of different concentrations of WHJF. Proliferation, migration, and lumen formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with sera from these rats were assayed by the CKK-8 kit, Transwell plates, and Matrigel assay, respectively. Protein and mRNA expression levels of signaling molecules in the VEGF/VEGFR pathways were also examined. Results In vivo, the vulnerability index and new vessel density of plaques in the WHJF group were lower than those values in the blank control group (P 0.05). In vitro, the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs in the high-dose WHJF group were reduced compared to the control group (P 0.05). Conclusions WHJF inhibits TCFA formation by influencing the VEGF/VEGFR signaling pathway.

MnxZn1-XO Crystal was synthesized by hydrothermal method in this work.The experimental parameters for hydrothermal synyhesis were:Mineralizer concentration 3mol•L-1KOH, the fill factor 35%, temperature 430°C, Zn(OH)2 doped with MnO2 as precursor, and the reaction time 24 hours. The Mn concentration in crystal was determined by X-ray EDS. The atomic percentage of Mn in crystal increases as the concentration of MnO2 in precursor increased. The maximum atomic percentage for Mn is over 2%. The morphology shows characteristics of hexagonal prism of pure ZnO crystal. The exposed faces are hexagonal faces m｛10 0｝, hexagonal cone faces p｛10 1｝, negative polar faces ｛000 ｝and positive polar faces｛0001}. The diameters of the crystals are 50-200μm，the heights are 20-100μm.

A new technique, direct photodegradation of self-assembled monolayers (SAM), to obtain surface energy gradients on Si substrates was demonstrated. The gradient surface, with hydrophobic to hydrophilic gradients, was prepared by two steps: Firstly, a homogeneous fluoroalkylsilane SAM film was deposited by a chemical vapor deposition on a Si substrate. Secondly, a controlled photodegradation technique was directly applied to the homogeneous FAS-SAM surface. The surface energy gradient was then obtained due to the different intensity of photoirradiation in the different positions along the photodegraded path on the SAM surfaces. The resulting surface displayed a gradient of wettability (with the contact angle of water changing from 55° to 18°) over a distance of 4.2 mm. The water droplet was driven by surface energy gradient and spontaneously moved from the hydrophobic to hydrophilic surface. During the moving process, the water droplet accelerated firstly and then decelerated. The peak velocity was about 23.3 mm/s. The velocity is dependent on the gradient of the surface energy.

A surface with surface energy gradient was fabricated by using a controlled photodegradation technique of a fluoroalkylsilane self-assembled monolayer (SAM) using irradiation of vacuum ultraviolet light (wavelength=172 nm). Visualization experiments were carried out to investigate the motion behaviors of water droplets on horizontal gradient surfaces. System free energy conversion was analyzed to understand the mechanics of the droplet self-motion. The results show that the liquid droplets were self-propelled to move from hydrophobic region to hydrophilic region on horizontal gradient surfaces. The motion process of the water droplet experienced an accelerating stage and a decelerating stage. The velocity of 2 mL water droplet reached to a maximum of 23.28 mm/s. In the droplet motion on the horizontal gradient surface, the deformation and spread of the droplet continuously release out the interfacial and gravitational potential energy, which offers the kinetic energy for the droplet motion. However, the released interfacial energy is three orders of magnitude larger than the released gravitational potential energy. Thus, the released interfacial energy is the main source of driven energy for the droplet motion. The theoretical analysis is consistent with the experimental results.

Theoretical calculations suggest that creating superoleophobic surfaces would require a surface energy lower than that of any known materials. In the present work, we demonstrate micronanostructured ZnO-based surfaces displaying apparent contact angles (CA) greater than 150, even with hexadecane (surface tension l = 27.5 mN/m). The specific ZnO microtextures were fabricated by a chemical solution method, and fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) was then used to tune the surface wettability. The combination of ZnO microtextures and FAS modification resulted in a superoleophobicity with CA for hexadecane was 154.6 (161.9 for diethylene glycol (l = 45.2 mN/m). This apparent superoleophobic behavior was induced on intrinsically oleophilic materials mainly by topography (i.e. the specific ZnO microtextures), which form a composite surface of air and solid with oil drop sitting partially on air. Such special wetting state is a metastable Cassie state. The results are expected to promote the study on self-cleaning applications, especially in the condition with oil contaminations.

Superhydrophobic surfaces, which have anti-adhesion and self-cleaning properties, were fabricated on Al substrates. The self-cleaning surface was prepared by two steps: firstly, a chemical solution method was used to create the surface roughness with disorderly veins micronanostructures. Secondly, fluoroalkylsilane was deposited on the rough surface to lower its surface energy. The combination of veins micronanostructures and fluoroalkylsilane modification gave the surface a superhydrophobicity with static water contact angle of 166° and sliding angle of smaller than 1°. Additionally, the surface showed a strong anti-adhesion with water and a satisfied self-cleaning property. Water droplets easily rolled off the surface and picked up dirt and debris with them. The surfaces obviously corresponded to Cassie (not Wenzel) -model. Air entrapped within the veins microstructures greatly increases the air/water interface, effectively preventing the penetration of water into the grooves, and finally exhibiting the self-cleaning property. The results will greatly extend Al substrates for specific functions such as water-repellence, self-cleaning and anti-fouling.

The silver(I) and mercury(II) complexes of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane (L) have been synthesized. The X-ray crystal structures of L, [AgL2]PF6 and [HgI2L] are reported. The small cavity of the macrocyclic ligand means that the ring must undergo a conformational change to allow coordination, and there is no significant through-space interaction M⋯Fe in any of the complexes. Electrochemical studies showed that no electronic communication between ferrocenylene groups was observed in the silver complex where the through-bond Fe···Fe distances are in the range 13.10 (3)–13.27(3) A.

The current study presents a rare case of an accessory spleen that manifested as a solid intrasplenic pseudotumor. The affected patient was previously healthy. Upon examination with computed tomography (CT), an ovoid, soft-tissue mass of ~4.1 cm in diameter was found on the upper pole of the spleen. Biochemical indices, such as blood routine and coagulation tests, and tumor marker analysis, revealed no abnormalities. Another CT scan was performed, but this failed to indicate whether the mass was benign or malignant. Therefore, the lesion was resected along with the spleen by laparoscopic surgery. The resected sample was subject to pathological examinations for final validation, and was finally diagnosed as an accessory spleen. The patient was followed up for six months with no signs of recurrence.

The relationship between mature larval mass of oil tea weevil (Curculio chinensis) and fruit volume of its host plant oil tea (Camellia meiocarpa) was fitted with Logistic equation in order to understand the restriction of host fruit size on large larval growth and development of the weevil. The results showed that the larval mass increased with the increasing host fruit volume, which was in good conformity with the Logistic model. The weevil larval growth followed the principle of diminishing marginal utility, and it could be divided into two periods, the fast-growing period (3.216 cm3, one larva per fruit;4.747 cm3, two larvae per fruit ) and the asymptotic growing period (3.216 cm3, one larva per fruit;4.747 cm3, two larvae per fruit). The minimum fruit size threshold was 1500 cm3 for one larva per fruit, and 2.539 cm3 for two larvae per fruit. The temporal pattern that the mature larvae exited from their host fruits was established, the number of larvae escaping from their host fruits decreased daily after the fruit collection, and the larval escaping peak largely appeared from 6:00 to 10:00 AM with 43.9% of total escaping number, and especially from 7:00 to 8:00 AM with 21.1% of total escaping number. The bigger the larvae, the earlier exited from their host fruits. The restriction of fruit size on growth and development of oil tea weevil was observed, and it should be a behavioral adaptation strategy to increase the offspring' s fitness for the parental weevil adults to oviposit on the bigger fruits.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of topical ropivacaine anesthesia on hemodynamic responses during intubation and extubation of hypertensive patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred fifty patients with hypertension ASA II-III were scheduled for noncardiac operations. Patients were divided into 3 groups: a control group receiving 5 ml saline, and 2 groups receiving topical anesthesia with 100 mg lidocaine or 37.5 mg ropivacaine. Hemodynamic responses, including blood pressure and heart rate (HR), were recorded at baseline (T0), before intubation (T1), during tracheal intubation (T2), 2 min after intubation (T3), upon eye opening on verbal commands (T4), during tracheal extubation (T5), and 2 min after extubation (T6). Patients were injected with urapidil 5 mg during intubation and extubation if their systolic blood pressure (SBP) was ≥160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was ³90 mmHg, and esmolol 10 mg when HR was ≥90 bpm. RESULTS During extubation, the total dosages of urapidil and esmolol were significantly higher in the saline than in the lidocaine or ropivacaine groups, and were significantly lower in the ropivacaine than in the lidocaine group. At T2, SBP, SBP, MAP, and HR were lower in the lidocaine and ropivacaine groups than in the saline group, but the differences were not significant. From T4 to T6, SBP, DBP, MAP, and HR were significantly lower in the ropivacaine group than in the other 2 groups (P

In order to evaluate the effect of different doses of penehyclidine hydrochloride (penehyclidine) on heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) in hysteroscopy, 180 patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I-II) were randomized equally to three groups: 0.5 mg penehyclidine and intravenous anesthesia (group I), 1.0 mg penehyclidine and intravenous anesthesia (group II) and saddle anesthesia combined with intravenous anesthesia (control group). HR and HRV, including total power (TP), low-frequency power (LF), high-frequency power (HF) and the LF to HF ratio (LF/HF), were recorded prior and subsequent to the induction of anesthesia (T0 and T1, respectively), following the start of surgery (T2) and following completion of surgery (T3). HR was lower at T2 than at T0 in the control patients, but no differences were observed in groups I and II. The HR at T2 was increased in group II compared with that in group I. TP in group II was significantly higher compared with that in group I at T2. At T1 and at T2, the LF and HF values were lower in group I than those in the controls. Patients in group II also had higher LF and HF at T2 than patients in group I. The HF was higher at T2 than that at T0 in the controls; however, the HF and LF did not change significantly within groups I and II. No significant differences were observed in the LF/HF ratio among the three groups. At a dose of 0.5 mg, penehyclidine stabilized HRV and did not alter the autonomic nervous modulation of HR. A penehyclidine dose of 1.0 mg may be superior to a dose of 0.5 mg in maintaining HR, but is less effective at balancing sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.

By a reflux process, we prepared Ni–NiO nanocomposites that are face-centered cubic (fcc). By tuning the precursor concentration, we controlled the Ni content in the Ni–NiO nanocomposites. We found that both the interface of Ni and NiO crystal lattices and the weight fraction of Ni have significant impacts on their magnetic properties. There is increase of saturation magnetization and decrease of coercivity (HC) with the increase of the Ni weight fraction. Large exchange bias (HE) and enhanced HC are observed at 5 K, which are due to the creation of heterojunctions at the interfaces of ferromagnetic Ni and antiferromagnetic NiO. After optimization, it is observed that the Ni–NiO nanocomposites with an Ni content of 2.6% show an HC and HE of 1068 and 350 Oe, respectively.

The group 6 metal complexes of 1,5-diselena[5]ferrocenophane (L) have been prepared and characterized. The structures of [M(CO)4L] (M = Cr, Mo) show that L adopts the unusual meso-2 conformation. E1/2 of the 1,1′-ferrocenylene group in three complexes is much more positive than that of the “free” ligand L due to the electron donation from L to the M(CO)4 fragment.

Superhydrophobic ZnO films were prepared by a simple low-temperature solution method, where the ZnO morphology was tuned by hydrofluoric acid. The film topography presents two different length scales: micro flower-like-spheres and nano petals. Such hierarchical structures give the film a superhydrophobic behavior with water contact angle (CA) of 151°, turning into a superhydrophilic one (CA < 5°) after 30 min vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) illumination. The transition from superhydrophobicity to superhydrophilicity is more quickly than the past report using UV illumination because VUV gives higher energy upon the ZnO films. The VUV-illuminated film can be recovered to superhydrophobic through being placed in the dark. Such special wettability can be explained based on ZnO as a photoinduced semiconductor and a photocatalyst. This study will greatly extend applications of ZnO nanomaterials to many important fields, such as microfluidic devices.

To explore the secular trends of cesarean delivery and cesarean delivery on maternal request(CDMR) among multiparous women who delivered a full-term singleton in Southern China during 1993-2005.The Perinatal Healthcare Surveillance System was established in 21 cities/ counties of 2 Chinese Southern provinces since 1993. A total of 191 058 multiparous women were monitored during 1993-2005. Chi-square tests were performed to assess the linear trends in the prevalence of cesarean delivery and CDMR.During the 13-years period, 56 968 cesarean deliveries and 10 134 CDMRs were identified. The prevalence rates of cesarean delivery during 1993-1995, 1996-2000 and 2001-2005 were 13.1%, 28.3% and 50.4%( χ(2)trend=17 829.0,P0.001 ); the prevalence rates of CDMR were 0.6%, 3.8%, and 12.9%(χ(2)trend=7 729.0,P0.001). The cesarean delivery rate during 2001-2005 were 97.5% for women with previous cesarean section and 40.3% for women without previous cesarean section; the CDMR rate of women without previous cesarean section was 14.4%, accounting for 35.9% of the primary cesarean deliveries.The prevalence rates of cesarean delivery and CDMR among multiparous women in Southern China increased dramatically during 1993-2005; CDMR was a non-negligible component of the primary cesarean deliveries for multiparous women.

To explore the secular trends of cesarean delivery and cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR) among primiparous women with singleton pregnancy in Southern and Northern China.The Perinatal Healthcare Surveillance System was established in 26 counties/cities of 3 Chinese provinces since 1993. A total of 1 317 774 primiparous women with singleton pregnancy were monitored through the system during the 1993 - 2010 period. Chi-square tests were performed to assess the linear trends in the prevalence of cesarean delivery and CDMR.During the 18-year period, 496 054 cesarean deliveries and 129 219 CDMRs were identified. The prevalence rates of cesarean delivery and CDMR were 37.6% and 10.0% respectively. CDMR accounted for 26.0% of all cesarean births. The prevalence of cesarean delivery increased from 29.4% during the 1993 - 1995 period to 58.7% during the 2006 - 2010 in Southern urban area, from 18.2% to 58.3% in Southern rural area and from 4.3% to 49.5% in Northern rural area. The prevalence of CDMR increased by 34 folds from 0.6% during the 1993 - 1995 period to 21.3% during the 2006 - 2010 period in Southern urban area, by 40 folds from 0.6% to 24.4% in Southern rural area and by 44 folds from 0.6% to 27.3% in Northern rural area. The proportions of CDMR in all cesarean deliveries significantly increased in all three regions. Women aged over 30 years, overweight and well-educated were more likely to experience a cesarean delivery including CDMR.The Chinese prevalence rates of cesarean delivery and CDMR increased dramatically during the 1993 - 2010 period and ranked the highest in the world by 2010. And CDMR became a non-negligible component in all cesarean sections.

To examine the impact of pregnancy termination before 28 weeks of gestation on the overall prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs).Data collected during the period of 2004 and 2010 from a birth defects surveillance system in Pingding county and Taigu county of Shanxi province were used. Number of births≥28 weeks of gestation and number of cases with major birth defects among the births were collected. Terminations of pregnancies before 28 weeks of gestation due to prenatal diagnosis were also collected. The total prevalence of neural tube defects, prevalence before 28 weeks of gestation, and prevalence of ≥28 weeks gestation were calculated using the total number of pregnancies of ≥28 weeks of gestation as denominator. The prevalence data were compared to examine the impact of pregnancy termination on the total prevalence. The proportions of pregnancy terminations before 28 weeks of gestation due to prenatal diagnosis of an NTD against the total number of NTD cases were also calculated.During 2004-2010, 52 366 births were recorded, and 485 NTD cases were ascertained. The overall prevalence of NTDs was 92.6 per 10,000 births, with prevalence of28 weeks gestation due to pregnancy terminations as 60.9 per 10,000 births, while the prevalence of ≥28 weeks of gestation was 31.7 per 10,000 births. NTD prevalence of ≥28 weeks gestation was 66.0% lower than the total NTD prevalence. In the last two years, the proportion of NTDs ascertained ≥28 weeks gestation accounted for about 40.0% of the total NTD cases.A birth-defect-surveillance program that covered only pregnancies≥28 weeks of gestation resulted in a severe underestimation of the total birth prevalence of NTDs, especially for anencephaly. We would recommend that the current national birth defects surveillance system should include pregnancy terminations before 28 weeks of gestation and the calculation of total NTD prevalence should also include these cases into the numerator, so as to better estimate true population NTD prevalence, upon which the related public health policy is based.

Maternal exposure to nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds from drinking water or diet has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in some studies. Pickled vegetables contain relatively large amounts of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds. We examined the association between maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and NTDs in Shanxi Province of northern China.Data were derived from a population based case-control study of major external birth defects in four counties of Shanxi Province. Participants included 519 NTDs cases identified between 2003 and 2007 and 694 healthy controls. Exposure information was collected within 1 week after delivery. Multivariable non-conditional Logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlling for potential confounding variables.The risk of NTDs was positively associated with the frequency of the consumption of pickled vegetables by the mother. Compared with pickled vegetables consumption at1 meal/week, the adjusted OR for consumption at 1 - 3, 4 - 6, and6 meals/week were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 1.8), 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), and 3.6 (1.9, 6.9), respectively. A protective effect was found for maternal meat consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.7) and egg or milk consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8).Maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables may increase the risk for NTDs in Shanxi Province.

In this article, we presented the rationale and calculation procedures of a propensity score weighting method, with its application in epidemiological studies. The rationale for propensity score weighting method is similar to those for traditional standardization methods. Propensity score is used to estimate the weight for each individual. As the propensity score serves the function of observed covariates, the propensity score weighting can balance the distribution of the observed covariates between the comparison groups. There are two weighting methods according to the target standard populations: the Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and the Standardized mortality ratio weighting (SMRW). Results of the example show that the distribution of the covariates tended to be consistent after weighting, and the IPTW and SMRW methods showed similar effect estimates. Propensity score weighting method can effectively balance the distribution of the confounding factors between the compared groups in non-randomized controlled trials.

To understand the distribution of birth weight among premature infants and the associated social factors.The study population consisted of 97 537 women who delivered singleton live birth of 20 to 41 gestational weeks in 4 counties/cities, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, China from 1995 to 2000. Chi-square test was employed to test the difference of proportions between respective groups. One- way ANOVA was used to test the differences regarding the mean of gestational weeks at the first prenatal visit and the mean of prenatal visits between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to examine the factors associated with premature birth.Women aged 35 years had higher (8.8%) premature incidence than those aged less than 24 years (5.6%), 25 - 29 years (4.6%), or 30 - 34 years (4.5%, P0.001). Women with height less than 149 cm had higher (6.8%) premature incidence than those with height taller than 150 cm (5.0%). Women whose BMI were at least 28 and 24 - 28 had higher (5.5%, 5.5%) premature incidences than those whose BMI were 18.5 - 24.0 (5.0%),18.5 (4.6%, P0.001). The incidence of premature birth was 6.0% among women without previous pregnancy, higher than that among those women with 4 times of pregnancies (5.7%), 2 times of pregnancies (4.3%), and 3 times of pregnancies (4.0%). Parous women with at least two deliveries had higher (9.3%) premature incidence than the primiparous women (5.2%) and whose women with only one delivery (4.5%, P0.001). Women who received early prenatal care had lower 4.7% premature incidence than those who did not receive the service (6.1%). The mean times of prenatal visits among women with premature births was 8.53, less than that of those with full term delivery (10.97). Women with less than four times of prenatal visit had higher (18.9%) premature incidence than those with at least five prenatal visits (4.9%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that premature delivery risk was associated with age, height, BMI, gravidity, parity, early prenatal care, the mean of gestational weeks at first prenatal visit and the mean number of prenatal visits etc.Premature delivery risk was associated with factors as age, height, BMI, gravidity, parity, early prenatal care, the mean of gestational weeks at first prenatal visit, the mean number of prenatal visits etc.

In this article, we presented the rationale and calculation procedures of the propensity score matching (PSM), and its application in the designing stage of an epidemiological study. Based on existing observational data, PSM can be used to select one or more comparable controls for each subject in 'treatment' group according to the propensity scores estimated by 'treatment' variable and main covariates. The results of an example analysis showed that the bias for main confounders between the treated and control samples declined more than 55% after PMS.PSM can reduce most of the confounding bias of the observational study, and can obtain approximate study effect to the randomized controlled trials when used in the designing of the epidemiological study.

The distribution of energy levels of the ground state and the low-lying excited states of hydrogenic impurities in InAs quantum ring was investigated by applying the effective mass approximation and the perturbation method. In 2D polar coordinates, the exact solution to the Schrödinger equation was used to calculate the perturbation integral in a parabolic confinement potential. The numerical results show that the energy levels of electron are sensitively dependent on the radius of the quantum ring and a minimum exists on account of the parabolic confinement potential. With decreasing the radius, the energy spacing between energy levels increases. The degenerate energy levels of the first excited state for hydrogenic impurities are not relieved, and when the degenerate energy levels are split and the energy spacing will increase with the increase in the radius. The energy spacing between energy levels of electron is also sensitively dependent on the angular frequency and will increase with the increases in it. The degenerate energy levels of the first excited state are not relieved. The degenerate energy levels of the second excited state are relieved partially. The change in angular frequency will have a profound effect upon the calculation of the energy levels of the ground state and the low-lying excited states of hydrogenic impurities in InAs quantum ring. The conclusions of this paper will provide important guidance to investigating the optical transitions and spectral structures in quantum ring.

To explore the relationship between maternal passive smoking during early pregnancy and the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs).Data was derived from a population-based case-control study on birth defects in Shanxi province. The study subjects included 515 NTDs defects cases (236 cases of anencephaly, 237 spina bifida and 42 encephalocele) ascertained during January 2003 and June 2007 in the study areas and 682 normal controls randomly selected in the same residence during the same period as cases. RESULTS; The risk of NTDs in their offspring was 1.84 (95% CI: 1.39-2.44) for mothers with passive smoking history during peri-conceptional period. There was a marked dose-response relation between maternal passive smoking and the risk of NTDs in offspring. Compared to the women without passive smoking, the NTDs risk in offspring was 1.51 for women with occasional passive smoking and 2.44 for women with passive smoking for almost everyday during the peri-conceptional period.Maternal passive smoking during peri-conceptional period increased the risk of NTDs in offspring.

The objective of this paper is to research to use a few MEMS (Micro Electron Mechanical System) temperature sensors for measurement and estimation of temperature distribution in the core and cavity of the mold during injection molding process. Decreasing the number of MEMS temperature sensors inside the core and cavity will reduce the cost for making product and still calibrate precisely. In this study, we describe the injection molding process equation with Hele-Shaw theory. And then we use simulation software to find the temperature values of the plastic flow in the mold wall. Using heat transfer and experimental error correction, we can deduce the actual temperature distribution inside core and cavity of the mold. Finally, account for comparing with deduction and experimental results from embedded micro temperature sensors, correct simulative data can verify our system as indicated above.

Dietary factors that could potentially be related to the risk of birth defects are still unknown in Shanxi province, a region with high prevalence of neural tube defects(NTDs) in China. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the association between NTDs and local dietary factors.A population-based case-control study was conducted during 2003-2005 in four selected counties of Shanxi province with 363 NTDs cases ascertained and 523 control babies without any external birth defects.By multivariate logistic regression analysis, we found the NTDs risk was significantly associated with low consumption of meat and legume, high consumption of pickled vegetables, noncentralized supply of drinking water and drinking tea after adjusting for maternal education level and birth defects history. A significant dose response trend was found between the NTDs risk and the lower frequencies of meat and legume consumption and higher frequency of pickled vegetable consumption, with population attributable risks (PAR) of 69.4%, 22.0% and 18.5%, respectively. Mothers who got their drinking water from river or pond during periconceptional period were more likely to have a NTD-affected pregnancy [OR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.44-8.09, population attributable risk (PAR) = 4.7%] compared with those who utilized tap or well water. Those who drank tea everyday had an elevated risk of having a NTD-affected pregnancy compared with those who didn't (OR = 4.65, 95% CI: 1.41-15.36, PAR = 2.6%).Higher intake of meat and legume protects a woman from having a NTD-affected pregnancy, and consumption of pickled vegetables, drinking water from river or pond and drinking tea everyday increase the risk of having such a pregnancy in the study population.

Feed rate is a very important factor of layered manufacturing as it effects build time, support structure, dimensional accuracy, surface finish and cost of the object. The changing of feeding flow affects layer manufacturing greatly. We use servomotor to control the feeding powder rate of feeding powder machine and important parameter accurately. To determine the control of feeding change, we need to understand the mode of feeding powder machine and the delay time. Furthermore, we also need to understand the and transient state mode of the beginning and ending points and synchronization of feeding powder machine to achieve the effective control of feeding powder.

To compare plasma and red blood cell folate levels among women in their first trimester of pregnancy from rural areas with high or low prevalence of neural tube defects.A cross-sectional study was performed, among women in their first trimester of pregnancy from rural areas with high or low prevalence of neural tube defects in 2003. Non-fasting blood sample were collected and analyzed for plasma and red blood cell folate concentrations for 688 women.The median plasma (10.53 nmol/L) and red blood cell folate (389.2 nmol/L) among women from the high prevalence rural area were lower than those of women from the low prevalence rural area (plasma folate: 30.39 nmol/L, red blood cell level folate: 926.0 nmol/L). Among women from the high prevalence area, about 50% and 43% were respectively, deficient for plasma and red blood cell folate, compared with 6% and 4% respectively, for women from the low prevalence area. The median plasma folate levels among women who took periconceptional folic acid supplements in both high and low prevalence areas were about twice higher than those who did not take the folic acid. The median red blood cell folate level of the folic acid users was 40% higher than those of the non-users. Among those who took folic acid, women in the low prevalence area had 70%-90% higher plasma folate concentration and twice higher red cell folate concentration than women in the high prevalence area.Women from the rural area with a high prevalence of neural tube defects had low plasma and red blood cell folate levels. Periconceptional supplementation with folic acid could substantially improve folate status of reproductive-aged women. However, supplementation with 0.4 mg of folic acid per day might be inadequate for women in the high prevalence rural area.

To investigate the clinical characteristics and GCH I gene mutations in patients with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD).The clinical features of 3 families with 6 affected members and 8 sporadic cases were analyzed to determine the clinical characteristics, and 2 families with 4 affected members and 2 sporadic cases were screened for mutations of the GCH I gene.Age at onset was (10 +/- 3) years. Onset occurred earlier in female (9 +/- 4) years than in male (12 +/- 1) years. The initial symptom was a gait disorder, dystonia or tremor in most patients and nine patients (64%) presented with diurnal fluctuation. Thirteen patients (93%) were cured and one was improved after administration of low doses of levodopa for 3 months and no long-term side effects of levodopa had occurred. Two independent mutations were found in three patients. Gln161Pro, a new missense mutation, was found in a sporadic case, leading to a relatively severe phenotype. The two patients with mild phenotype in one family were found to have Lys224Arg mutation, as previously described.DRD patients have diverse phenotypes and diurnal fluctuation is an important feature. They have dramatic and sustained response to levodopa. There may be a correlation between genotype and phenotype. The detection of GCH I mutations is helpful in early diagnosis of non-typical cases.

To evaluate the reliability of the birth defects surveillance system in four counties with high prevalence of birth defects (Pingding, Xiyang, Taigu and Zezhou counties) in Shanxi province, China.One township was selected from each county as study site. The health workers chosen from township or village level were trained to visit families on the outcomes of each pregnancy who gave birth during year 2003 in the study site. The number of births and cases collected in the study were compared with that from the surveillance system. The number of births reported by surveillance system in four counties was also compared with the data from the local government. The criteria of evaluation were: 1) number of the missing report of births shouldor = 5%, 2) the number of missing report on major external birth defects cases shouldor = 10%. Researchers from the Peking University were responsible for examining the quality of surveillance in some terminal units of surveillance system.The numbers of births reported in the study and from the surveillance system for four-township were 1043 and 997, respectively. 46 births were missing and the rate of misreporting for births was 4.4%. The numbers of birth defects cases reported in the study and from the surveillance system were 30 and 29, respectively. 1 case of birth defect as missed, and rate of misreporting for birth defects cases was 3.3%. The total number of births reported from surveillance was similar to that in the study in four counties, with a difference of 1.2%. Birth registry data was rather readable and special health workers responsible for surveillance work were present in all the terminal units of the surveillance system.The misreporting of births and cases existed in the birth defects surveillance system of the four counties in Shanxi province, but were lower than the allowable criteria. The surveillance units had better registration, reporting and administration of births and birth defect cases. Hence, the quality of the data from the surveillance system in these four counties was reliable.

To understand the nitrate and nitrite contents of drinking water in Shanxi Province, China.Water samples were collected from Pingding and Taigu counties and Taiyuan City. The nitrate and nitrite contents were determined following the 'Drinking water hygienic standard-2001'.The median nitrate content of drinking water was 3.5 mg/L, and the proportion of samples above national hygienic standard for drinking water was 4.0% in study areas. The median nitrite content of well water samples(5.l mg/L) was higher than that of tape water (2.7 mg/L). The median content of nitrite was 0.004 mg/L for all samples, and the median content of spring water was highest (0.017 mg/L) than that of other sources. Conclusion The contents of nitrate and nitrite in drinking water were similar to that reported form other regions. Maternal nitrate exposure from drinking water may not be among the important risk factors of high prevalence of birth defects in Shanxi Province.

To study the association between reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1 A80G) polymorphism and the risk for child with neural tube defects (NTDs), and to provide epidemiological evidence for the existence of NTDs genetic marker.RFC1 (A80G) genotypes were detected using RFLP-PCR for blood DNA of 104 families with NTDs-affected children and 100 control families with no history of child-affected birth defects. Case-control study and transmission/disequilibrium test(TDT) for the RFC1 genotype of NTDs pedigree were carried out.The G allele frequency of children with NTDs was higher than that of controls when compared to A allele( OR = 1. 64, 95% CI :1.08-2.49). The offspring of the GG genotype were associated with a 2.56-fold increased risk of NTDs when compared to the AA genotype (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.04-6.36) in our study population. There was evidence of association between G allele and the risk of parent having a child with NTDs (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.07-2.28) in the TDT analysis.Our findings indicated that there was potential association between offspring RFC1 GG genotype and the risk of NTDs, and the G allele was a possible susceptible gene marker for an increased NTDs risk in the Chinese population.

To study the reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1) A80G polymorphism and other factors influence on children with neural tube defects (NTDs) and provide the epidemiological evidence for finding genetic marker of NTDs.RFC1(A80G) genotypes were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) for blood DNA of 104 trios with NTDs-affected by child, and the 100 control families without child-affected by any birth defects. We performed the analysis of multifactors logistic regression for RFC1 genotypes and other factors in order to investigate the RFC1 genotype of the nuclear families and maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation influence on NTDs independently. Transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) for the RFC1 genotype of NTDs and control pedigree were carried out.The RFC1 G allele frequency of children with NTDs (64.42%) was higher than that of the control children (52.53%), and there was the significant difference between them (chi(2)=5.9198, P0.05). We observed that the infants of the GG genotype were associated with a 2.56-fold increased risk of NTDs when compared with the AA genotype (95% CI=1.04-6.36), The risk of mothers who did not take folic acid for having an NTDs-affected infants was 7.69 (95% CI=2.86-21.75). There were significant differences between cases and controls in the other risk factors, such as paternal age (or =30), maternal fever during the early pregnancy, the history of maternal spontaneous abortion. In the logistic regression analysis, of multifactors the three factors, for example, the offspring of the RFC1 GG genotype (OR=2.91, 95% CI=1.35-6.30), maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation (OR=4.32, 95% CI=1.62-11.55), maternal fever during the early pregnancy, had the statistic significance for the risk of NTDs. There was the evidence of an association between G allele and the risk of the maternal having a child with NTDs (OR=1.56, 95% CI=1.07-2.28) in TDT analysis.Our findings indicate that the RFC1 genotype (GG) is a possible susceptible gene marker for an increased NTDs risk in this Chinese population, and there is a potential influence on the risk of NTDs in maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation, and maternal fever during the early pregnancy.

To search the interaction between reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1 A80G) polymorphism of children with neural tube defects (NTDs) and maternal periconceptional no supplementation of folic acid. The purpose is to provide the epidemiological evidence for finding genetic marker of NTDs.RFC1 (A80G) genotype was detected using PCR-restricted fragment length polymorphism for the blood DNA of 104 trios with NTDs-affected child, and 100 control families with non-malformed control children. The authors investigated the gene-environment interactions between the offspring RFC1 genotype and maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation through a case-control study.It was observed that the offspring with the GG genotype were associated with a 2.56-fold increased risk of NTDs when compared to those with the AA genotype (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.04-6.36) in this population under investigation. The risk of mothers who did not take folic acid for having an NTDs-affected infants was 7.69 (95% CI = 2.86-21.75). Among the mothers who did not utilize folic acid supplements, the NTDs risk was 3.30 (95% CI = 1.15-9.65) for offspring with the GG genotype, compared to the reference (AA) genotype. Children who had the GG genotype and whose mothers did not take folic acid had an elevated risk for NTDs (OR = 8.80, 95% CI = 2.86 - 29.82), compared to "offspring with AA or GA genotype" and "maternal folic acid use", the interactive coefficient being 1.45.The above findings indicate that the RFC1 genotype (GG) is a possible susceptible gene marker for an increased NTDs risk in Chinese population, and there is a potential gene-nutrient interaction between offspring RFC1 GG genotype and maternal periconceptional intake of folic acid on the risk of NTDs. However,the sample size of this study was limited, a larger sample of population-based study is required to pursue the initial observation.