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To study the historical temperature variation in Yili of Xinjiang, the tree-ring chronologies of maximum density (MXD) and tree-ring width (TRW) were established with the Schrenk Spruce (Picea schrenkiana Fisch. et Mey) collected from six sites to analyze the characteristics and ability of response to climate change. The results suggest that the MXD chronology of the Schrenk Spruce from different sampling sites responded to climate change well and were positively correlated with the mean maximum temperature and the mean temperature from April to Aàgust in the study area. The mean maximum temperature anomaly from April to August, spanning the years from 1848 to 2000, was reconstructed by three MXD chronologies which were selected by stepwise regression. The reconstructed function was stable and explained 56.2% of the variance. The reconstructed results indicated a cold span of 153 years in spring and summer from the beginning of the 1950s to the beginning of the 1970s in the Yili valley. No strongly increasing tendency was detected in the mean maximum temperature anomaly from April to August during this reconstructed period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the investigation data of Sabina przewalskii tree-ring width at six sites at upper timberlines in eastern mountainous region of Qaidam Basin, the standard tree-ring chronologies of S. przewalskii were established. Cluster analysis indicated that there existed geographical differences in the radial growth of S. przewalskii among the sites. Higher similarity was observed between two northern sites, and among four central and southern sites. Climatic factors had different effects on the radial growth of S. przewalskii of the two clusters. The radial growth of S. przewalskii was positively correlated with the precipitation in current year's June at northern sites, and with the air temperature in previous year's November and current year's July at central and southern sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncertain future was dealt with the Scenario Method, the new concept of minimum investment and the compensatory investment of the power planning was introduced. Then the function of the minimum investment and the compensatory investment was found. The optimal flexible planning can be obtained by means of the Equal Incremental principle. The test examples show that this method is more suitable and flexible than the traditional method. Its total investment is less than traditional strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unascertained number (UN) was used to deal with the uncertainty of electric power networks planning. A novel method of electric power networks flexible planning was presented based on the blind model (BM) of UN. Then the optimal flexible planning can. be obtained by using the analysis of cost-benefit. This method was proved in some test examples. The analysis shows that the blind model and its strategy is flexible and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluating the impacts of human activity on river runoff has important implications for regional water resource management. Here, we used seven tree-ring width chronologies to establish a regional mean tree-ring width chronology from the northern mountain of Delingha, Qaidam Basin. We conducted the correlation, moving correlation and regression analysis of regional mean tree-ring width chronology with runoff data from Bayin River gauge station. Then, we stimulated the June runoff of Bayin River from 1956 to 2002. The results showed that the highest correlation coefficient was found for June runoff ( r =0.63, P <0.01), and their moving correlation coefficient decreased after 1986. Based on the stable relationship between tree-ring width chronology and the June runoff during 1956-1986, we built the reconstruction function, which was explained 50.8% of observed runoff. The stimulated runoff during 1987 to 2002 was significantly higher than the observed runoff (3.01 m 3 ·s -1 , P <0.001). These results indicated that human activity from the upper river had significant impacts on Bayin River runoff. Human activity should be considered as an important factor to protect security of sustainable water resource utilization for future water resource development and utilization in Bayin River region.

Objective: To study the Polymorphism of the human platelet antigen(HPA) gene 1-17 and human leukocyte antigen(HLA) gene-A and B locus in Shandong Han population., Methods: A total of 962 samples from routine voluntary platelet donors were genotyped for HPA1-17 system and HLA-A site, B by PCR-SSP and PCR-SSOP respectively．Gene frequencies were calculated by counting. HPA1-17 and HLA genotype combinations were analyzed by Arelequin 3.5., Results: The gene frequencies of HPA-la, -1b, HPA-2a, -2b, HPA-3a, -3b, HPA-4a, -4b, HPA-5a, -5b, HPA-6a, -6b, HPA-15a, -15b were 0.9918, 0.0082, 0.9419, 0.0592, 0.5841, 0.4174, 0.9969, 0.0031, 0.9892, 0.0108, 0.9835, 0.0175,0.5488 and 0.4512, respectively． The most common HPA genotype combination was HPA-(1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7-14, 16, 17) aa-3ab-15ab (0.2048). Moreover, HLA-A*2(0.3094) and HLA-B*13(0.1513) showed the highest frequency in their respective locus. The most common HLA genotype combination was HLA-A*2-B*13(0.1397) ., Conclusion: Distributions of HPA and HLA show high polymorphism in Shandong Han population. The ethnic and territorial difference of HPA distribution is also confirmed. It is imperative to establish local genetic database of volunteer platelet donors.

Both CO and H 2 can be utilized as energy sources during the autotrophic growth of Clostridium ljungdahlii . In principle, CO is a more energetically and thermodynamically favorable energy source for gas fermentation in comparison to H 2 . Therefore, metabolism may vary during growth under different energy sources. In this study, C. ljungdahlii was fed with CO and/or CO 2 /H 2 at pH 6.0 with a gas pressure of 0.1 MPa. C. ljungdahlii primarily produced acetate in the presence of H 2 as an energy source, but produced alcohols with CO as an energy source under the same fermentation conditions. A key enzyme activity assay, metabolic flux analysis, and comparative transcriptomics were performed for investigating the response mechanism of C. ljungdahlii under different energy sources. A CO dehydrogenase and an aldehyde:ferredoxin oxidoreductase were found to play important roles in CO utilization and alcohol production. Based on these findings, novel metabolic schemes are proposed for C. ljungdahlii growing on CO and/or CO 2 /H 2 . These schemes indicate that more ATP is produced during CO-fermentation than during H 2 -fermentation, leading to increased alcohol production., (Copyright © 2020 Zhu, Liu, Zhou, Yi, Lun, Wang, Tang and Li.)

Aim: To observe the therapeutic effect of corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in combination with liposomal amphotericin B in fungal corneal ulcers., Methods: New Zealand rabbits were induced fungal corneal ulcers by scratching and randomly divided into 3 groups, i.e. control, treated with CXL, and combined therapy of CXL with 0.25% liposomal amphotericin B ( n =5 each). The corneal lesions were documented with slit-lamp and confocal microscopy on 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28d after treatment. The corneas were examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 4wk., Results: A rabbit corneal ulcer model of Fusarium was successfully established. The corneal epithelium defect areas in the two treatment groups were smaller than that in the control group on 3, 7, 14 and 21d ( P <0.05). The corneal epithelium defect areas of the combined group was smaller than that of the CXL group ( P <0.05) on 7 and 14d, but there were no statistical differences on 3, 21 and 28d. The corneal epithelium defects of the two treatment groups have been healed by day 21. The corneal epithelium defects of the control group were healed on 28d. The diameters of the corneal collagen fiber bundles (42.960±7.383 nm in the CXL group and 37.040±4.160 nm in the combined group) were thicker than that of the control group (24.900±1.868 nm), but there was no difference between the two treatment groups. Some corneal collagen fiber bundles were distorted and with irregular arrangement, a large number of fibroblasts could be seen among them but no inflammatory cells in both treatment groups., Conclusion: CXL combined with liposomal amphotericin B have beneficial effects on fungal corneal ulcers. The combined therapy could alleviate corneal inflammattions, accelerate corneal repair, and shorten the course of disease.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and influencing factors among employees of a company in Qingdao., Methods: Through questionnaires, physical examination, thyroid ultrasonography and urinary iodine test, personal health information and examinations of thyroid nodules of 9612 serving and retired employees in a company in 2010 who had lived in Qingdao for more than 5 years were collected to investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules and its influencing factors., Results: The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 36.56% (3514/9612). The prevalence rates of single nodules and multiple nodules were 18.39% (1768/9612) and 18.16% (1746/9612) respectively. With increasing urinary iodine level, the prevalence of multiple thyroid nodules decreased from 25.51% (366/14350)(urinary iodine < or = 100 microg/L) to 12.99% (214/1648) (urinary iodine > 300 microg/L) showing a clear downward trend (chi2 = 67.11, P < 0.01). The prevalence rates of thyroid nodules among males and females were 31.28% (2283/7299) and 53.22% (1231/2313) (P < 0.01) respectively. With increasing age, the prevalence of thyroid nodules gradually increased from 7.95% (67/843) (19 - 29 years old) to 58.81% (267/454) ( >70 years old) among males and increased from 23.74% (33/139) (19 - 29 years old) to 80.38% (127/158) ( >70 years old) among females. The prevalence of thyroid nodules among males and females showed an increasing trend with age (male: chi2 = 434.12, P < 0.01; female: chi2 = 40.74, P < 0.01). The results of logistic regression showed that compared with males, females were more susceptible to thyroid nodules (OR = 2.809, 95% CI: 2.444 - 3.228). Smoking (OR = 1.394, 95% CI: 1.249 - 1.556), hypertension (OR = 1.155, 95% CI: 1.040 - 1.282), diabetes ( OR = 1.228, 95% CI: 1.039 - 1.452) and overweight (OR = 1.199, 95% CI: 1.078 - 1.333) might be risk factors for thyroid nodules after adjusting for age and gender., Conclusion: The prevalence of thyroid nodules was high among the employees. In order to reduce the thyroid nodules, smoking cessation and weight control should be promoted. Blood pressure and glucose level should be actively controlled for patients with hypertension and (or) diabetes.

Batch experiments were performed to exploit the effect and the mechanism of bioleaching on sludge dewaterability by the inoculation of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans LX5 in this study. Besides, chemical leaching experiments using sulphuric acid were also performed as control to study the effect of acidification on sludge dewaterability. During the processes of both biological and chemical leaching, Zeta potential, cell lyses, morphology and structure of sludge flocs were monitored. Results showed that along with the acid production and hence the decrease of pH during bioleaching, the specific resistance of bioleached sludge decreased systematically from 1.81 x 10(12) m x kg(-1) to 0.59 x 10(12) m x kg(-1), whilst Zeta potential increased from -25.2 mV to 9.6 mV, and the natural sedimentation rate increased to as high as 48% at pH 2.90. In chemical leaching, the specific resistance decreased continuously to a minimum value of 2.6 x 10(12) m x kg(-1) at pH 3.35 and then started to increase. Zeta potential increased with the decrease of pH, and reached zero at pH 2.90. At strong acid condition, sludge cells could be decomposed, resulting in the increase of total dissolved phosphorus in centrifugal liquor of chemical leached sludge. However, this phenomenon was not observed in bioleaching process because that the phosphorus was utilized by the abundant microorganism in system. Observation by SEM showed that there was no obvious change in the flocs structure of both sludge at pH 3.35 except for that some secondary minerals appeared only in bioleached sludge. These results revealed that decrease of absolute value of Zeta potential and formation of secondary minerals caused by bioleaching were responsible for the improvement of sludge dewaterability.

Based on the investigation data of Sabina przewalskii tree-ring width at six sites at upper timberlines in eastern mountainous region of Qaidam Basin, the standard tree-ring chronologies of S. przewalskii were established. Cluster analysis indicated that there existed geographical differences in the radial growth of S. przewalskii among the sites. Higher similarity was observed between two northern sites, and among four central and southern sites. Climatic factors had different effects on the radial growth of S. przewalskii of the two clusters. The radial growth of S. przewalskii was positively correlated with the precipitation in current year's June at northern sites, and with the air temperature in previous year's November and current year's July at central and southern sites.

Objective: To compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiography in detecting arthropathies in patients with hemophilia., Methods: Of 41 symptomatic joint images in the 14 patients with hemophilia, each joint was examined with both radiography and MRI within the same day. Imaging findings with both two modes were compared., Results: Soft tissue swelling or joint effusion was observed in 33 joints by radiographs and in 34 joints by MRI. Joint erosions were demonstrated in 34 joints by MRI and in 20 joints by radiographs. Joint cysts were shown in 21 joints by MRI and in 9 joints by radiographs. Significant differences in the detection of erosion and cyst were found between radiography and MRI (P < 0. 05). MRI showed improvement for detecting more foci of both erosion and cyst than radiography. Bone marrow edema in 14 joints, hemorrhage in 34 joints, and synovial hypertrophy in 27 joints were revealed only by MRI., Conclusion: MRI is superior to conventional radiography in detecting the abnormal changes, and should be considered as the imaging mode of choice in evaluating hemophilic arthropathies.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of multi-slice spiral CT in the diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension., Methods: The clinical and multi-slice spiral CT data of 22 patients with pulmonary hypertension were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnoses included chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) (n = 9), primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) (n = 7), connective tissue diseases (n = 2), portal-pulmonary hypertension (n = 2), eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (n = 1), and fibrosing mediastinitis (n = 1). Lung parenchyma, such as ground-glass opacity, mosaic attenuation and septal thickness, mediastinum, pulmonary vascular, right ventricular enlargement and interventricular septum displacement were evaluated on CT., Results: CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) accurately diagnosed 95% of pulmonary hypertension and the signs of right ventricular dysfunction. Pulmonary embolism was found in 9 patients. The incidence of mosaic attenuation was significantly higher in CTECH than in PPH (P = 0.034)., Conclusion: CTPA can accurately diagnose pulmonary hypertension and thereby provide useful information for the etiological diagnosis.

Objective: To evaluate the techniques and clinical applications of 16 multislice helical CT in colonic lesions., Methods: Eighty-one patients including 54 colorectal carcinomas, 5 adenomas, 1 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 6 inflammatory bowel diseases, and other 15 cases underwent volume scanning using 16 multislice helical CT. Four types of reconstruction included multiple planar reconstruction, shaded surface display, raysum, and CT virtual colonoscopy., Results: Complete colon could be shown in all patients. The lesions' morphology, number, size, location, intestinal cavity, pericolonic changes, and other abdominal organs were satisfactorily shown by CT., Conclusions: Sixteen multislice helical CT colonography is a valuable imaging technique for detecting colonic diseases. It is effective in diagnosis and treatment planning. It can display the portions of colon that is inaccessible at colonoscopy.

In this study, cardiotonic and cardiotoxic effects of Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) I, a modulator of voltage-gated sodium channels, were investigated on the isolated rat hearts. The results showed that BmK I evoked complex effects characterized by a change in both cardiac mechanical and electrical activity. Langendorff perfusion showed that: (1) maximal left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP(max)) and dp/dt(max) were markedly increased by BmK I (0.5-10 micromol/L) in a dose-dependent manner (n=6, P<0.05), positive chronotropic effects were also induced by BmK I (n=6, P<0.05); (2) negative inotropic action and bradycardia could be elicited at a larger dose of BmK I (20 micromol/L); (3) the coronary flow varied inversely with the positive inotropic effects, coronary flow reduced during positive inotropic effects from 14.5 to 8.6 ml/min after administration of 500 nmol/L BmK I (n=6, P<0.05). In addition, tachycardia and complex cardiac arrhythmias were induced by BmK I (0.5-10 micromol/L). The modulating of BmK I on the heart mechanical, electrical activity could be partially recovered after washing. As propranolol was applied to block the release of catecholamines before administration of BmK I, suggesting that the changes in cardiac mechanical and electrical activity induced by BmK I might not due to catecholamine release from the nerve terminal and subsequent stimulation of the beta-adrenoceptor but attributable to the modulation of BmK I on cardiac voltage-gated sodium channels.

An increase in cytosolic free calcium has been shown to occur during ischemia in perfused hearts and plays a pivotal role in ischemia/reperfusion injury. The objective of this study was to investigate the contributions of Na(+)/H(+) exchange and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange to changes in intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) during simulated ischemia and reperfusion in quiescent isolated rat cardiac myocytes. [Ca(2+)](i) was measured by laser confocal microscope using the fluorescent indicator Fluo 3 and expressed as the corrected intensity of Fluo 3 fluorescence. [Ca(2+)](i) increased to 140.3+/-13.0% (P<0.05 vs preischemic control 100%) after 5 min simulated ischemia, and remained at high level of 142.8+/-15.5% (P<0.05) after the following 15 min reperfusion. The increase in [Ca(2+)](i) during simulated ischemia and reperfusion was suppressed by 100 micromol/L amiloride (inhibitor of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger), 5 mmol/L NiCl2 (inhibitor of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger) and calcium-free solution; [Ca(2+)](i) was 101.4+/-16.3%, 110.4+/-11.1% and 107.1+/-10.8%, respectively, after 5 min simulated ischemia, and 97.8+/-14.3%, 106.2+/-14.5% and 106.6+/-15.7%, respectively, after 15 min reperfusion. Compared with control cells, the amplitude of spontaneous calcium oscillation was lessened in cells treated with Ca-free perfusion and NiCl2 during reperfusion. In addition, no calcium oscillation was observed in cells pretreated with amiloride. These results suggest that Na(+)/H(+) exchange and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchange are activated during simulated ischemia in isolated quiescent cardiac myocytes, leading to the elevation of [Ca(2+)](i) induced by simulated ischemia and reperfusion.

Aim: To determine the effects of simulated intermittent high altitude hypoxia adaptation (IHA) on coronary capillary and coronary flow (CF) in rat hearts., Methods: Model of Langendorf-perfused isolated rat hearts were used to measure CF during ischemia-reperfusion, and immunoperoxidase staining assay and computer-aid morphometry analysis were conducted to determine the myocardial capillary densities. Cyclic GMP (cGMP) level in myocardium was measured by radio-immunoassay., Results: Pre-ischemia level of CF in IHA rats was higher (IHA28 13.4 mL/min+/-1.5 mL/min, IHA42 15.4 mL/min+/-2.0 mL/min, P < 0.01) than that of normoxic rats (11.0+/-0.8) mL/min, and the recovery of CF after ischemia-reperfusion was better in IHA rats. As an adaptive result, the myocardial capillary densities of the left ventricular myocardium in IHA rats were 1.5 times of those in normoxic control rats, but there was no apparent ventricular hypertrophy in IHA rats. Myocardial cGMP content (1.8+/-0.7) nmol/g in IHA rats were increased significantly compared with control rats (1.1+/-0.4) nmol/g, but cGMP level was not altered before and after ischemia-reperfusion in either group. It was also revealed that in isolated rat hearts perfused, myocardial function recovered better in IHA rats than that in normoxic control rats., Conclusion: IHA adaptation increased the tolerance of rat hearts against subsequent ischemia-reperfusion injury, and increase in coronary circulation and angiogenesis might be the mechanisms of myocardium protected by IHA.