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In recent years, the standardized scales have been increasingly adopted for acupuncture researches, making leaps in both quality and quantity. By analyzing the current situation of scale application in acupuncture researches in the past five years, the present paper points out the major problems at present, including inadequate use of the scale, insufficiency of the scale in reflecting the advantages and characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion as well as lack of confirmatory test of reliability and validity of the scales, and probes into the future study thinking.

Objective: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is an unusual manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), so its clinical manifestations and management are not well understood. In this study, we try to characterize the basic clinical features and the management of PLE by retrospectively analyzing the clinical data of 15 PLE patients and hope this study can improve the awareness of PLE in lupus patients with severe hypoalbuminemia that could not be explained by other causes., Methods: The clinical data of 15 SLE patients with PLE hospitalized during November 2001 and April 2006 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The PLE was diagnosed by Tc-99m albumin scintigraphy (99mTc-HAS). The clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, response to treatment, and the outcome were studied., Results: The mean age of PLE onset was 40.1 +/- 15.4 years (19-71 years). Twelve were female and 3 were male. 53.3% (8 of 15) patients had PLE as the initial presentation of SLE. All patients had different degree of peripheral pitting edema. Eleven had ascites, 9 had pleural effusion, and 7 had pericardial effusion. Only 6 patients presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea. Positive antinuclear antibodies (HEP-2) with a speckled pattern were found in all patients, but the antidsDNA antibody was negative in most cases. All patients had marked hypoalbuminemia, 80% had hypocomplementemia, 66.7% had hyperlipoproteinemia, and 40% had hypocalcemia. The liver function tests and the prothrombin time were in normal ranges. The 24-hours urine protein was less than 0.5 g in 60% (9 of 15) and more than 1.0 g in 20% (3 of 15) patients who were renal biopsied but only found to have very mild pathologic changes. Gastrointestinal endoscopy examination discovered generalized edema in the intestinal wall whereas the biopsy showed chronic inflammation only. Most cases had good response to corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapies. The serum albumin level improved evidently in all patients after treatment and normal scintigraphic finding was found in 9 patients., Conclusion: PLE can be the initial presentation of SLE or can develop a very long time after the diagnosis of SLE. The prominent clinical presentations are caused by hypoalbuminemia. 99mTc-HAS is useful not only for the diagnosis of PLE but is also helpful for monitoring the efficacy of treatment. When a SLE patient presents with evident hypoalbuminemia without evidence of other causes, PLE should be considered. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve the prognosis.

A Gram-positive, nonmotile, moderately halophilic, alkali and thermotolerant strain designated DAS 165(T), was isolated from a dry land soil sample from the Gulbarga region, Karnataka province, India. The isolate produced yellow substrate mycelia and gray aerial mycelia on most tested media. Strain DAS 165(T) showed growth in the presence of 5 to 7% NaCl and at 45 degrees C. The DNA G + C content was 69.7%. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis together with these characteristics consistently assigned strain DAS 165(T) to the genus Streptomyces. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DAS 165(T) was most closely related to S. tendae ATCC 19812(T) (D 63873) with a sequence similarity of 99.6% (three nucleotide differences out of 1,517). Strain DAS 165(T) formed a distinct clade based on analysis of the almost complete sequence and 120-nucleotide variable gamma region of the 16S rRNA gene. Despite the high sequence similarity, strain DAS 165(T) was phenotypically different from S. tendae ATCC 19812(T). DNA-DNA hybridization between these strains was 47% showing that strain DAS 165(T) is a distinct genomic species. Phenetic and genetic results support the classification of strain DAS 165(T) as a new species, for which the name S. tritolerans is proposed, with strain DAS 165(T) as the type strain (=DSM 41899(T )= CCTCCAA 206013(T)).

Objectives: To investigate the effects of norepinephrine (NE) on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)., Methods: Cultured HSCs were used in 6 groups: (1) a control group; (2) a NE group; (3) a phentolamine plus propranolol group; (4) a phentolamine (an alpha-AR antagonist) group; (5) a CGP20712A (a beta1-AR antagonist) group; and (6) a ICI118551(a beta2-AR antagonist) group. After NE and the antagonists of adrenoceptor subtypes were administered to the cultured HSCs, MTT assay was used to evaluate the cell proliferation at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay and flow cytometry were used to detect cell apoptosis. An inverted microscope was used to observe the morphological changes of HSCs., Results: (1) MTT assay indicated that NE significantly induced HSCs proliferation in a time-dependent manner, which were reduced by antagonist of alpha-AR, beta1-AR and beta2-AR. (2) At 24 h after HSCs exposure to NE, apoptosis rates decreased significantly compared with that of the control group (6.60%+/-3.05% vs 12.60%+/-4.76%). In the antagonists of adrenoceptor subtypes groups, especially of a and beta2 adrenoceptor subtypes, the apoptosis was less. (3) Apoptosis rate of the NE group was significantly lower than that of the control group (2.29%+/-0.22% vs 3.06%+/-0.57%). In the antagonists of alpha and b2 adrenoceptor groups the apoptosis was less. (4) No obvious morphological changes of HSCs were found after administration of NE., Conclusions: Sympathetic neurotransmitter NE can induce proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of the cultured HSCs.

A halophilic, Gram-positive, spore-forming motile Bacillus-like strain YIM 012(T), was isolated from one of the hypersaline soil samples collected in Xin-jiang province, China. Its optimum growth occurred at 10-20% of NaCl concentration (w/v), pH 7.0-8.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain YIM 012(T) is a member of the genus of Alkalibacillus, which is well supported by its chemotaxonomic and molecular characteristics. Based on its phenotypic evidence and genotypic data, Alkalibacillus halophilus sp. nov. was proposed and strain YIM 012(T) (=DSM 17369(T)=KCTC 3990(T)) was assigned as the type strain of the novel species.

During the course of screening for industrially important microorganisms, an alkali-tolerant and thermotolerant actinomycete, strain DAS 131T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from the Gulbarga region, Karnataka province, India. The strain was characterized by a polyphasic approach that showed that it belonged to the genus Streptomyces. Growth was observed over a wide pH range (pH 6-12) and at 45 degrees C. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain DAS 131T was deposited in the GenBank database under the accession number DQ317411. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain DAS 131T was most closely related to Streptomyces venezuelae ISP 5230T (AY999739) with a sequence similarity of 99.5% (8 nucleotide differences out of 1,477). Despite this very high sequence similarity, strain DAS 131T was phenetically distinct from S. venezuelae. The DNA relatedness between these strains was 54%, indicating that strain DAS 131T is a distinct genomic species. On the basis of phenetic and genetic analyses, strain DAS 131T is classified as a new species in the genus Streptomyces, for which we propose the name Streptomyces gulbargensis sp. nov.

A Gram-positive, non-spore-forming isolate, designated YIM 70212(T), was isolated from a hypersaline soil sample collected from Qinghai, north-west China. Cells of the isolate were orange-pigmented, motile cocci with multiple flagella. A polyphasic taxonomic investigation was carried out on the isolate. The organism grew at 10-45 degrees C and pH 7.5-11.0, with optimum growth at 28 degrees C and pH 8.0-9.5. Strain YIM 70212(T) grew optimally in the presence of 10 % NaCl, KCl or MgCl(2).6H(2)O and growth was observed in 1-25 % NaCl, KCl or MgCl(2).6H(2)O. The peptidoglycan type was A1gamma. Ribose and minor amounts of galactose were detected as the whole-cell sugars. MK-5 was the only menaquinone. The major cellular fatty acids were ai-C(15 : 0) (52.4 %) and ai-C(17 : 0) (26.5 %). The DNA G+C content was 47.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain YIM 70212(T) formed a distinct lineage within the order Bacillales and was most closely related to members of the genus Marinococcus, showing 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity levels of 91.0-91.4 %. Based on the high 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence and differences in phenotypic characteristics, it is proposed that the unknown strain be classified in a novel genus and species with the name Sinococcus qinghaiensis gen. nov., sp. nov.; the type strain of Sinococcus qinghaiensis is YIM 70212(T) (=KCTC 3943(T)=DSM 17008(T)).

Objective: Understand the clinical features of chronic periaortitis., Methods: The medical records of 28 cases with definite diagnosis of chronic periaortitis were reviewed retrospectively., Results: Among these 28 cases, 20 (71.4%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IPF), 5 (17.8%) were inflammatory abdominal aortic aneurysm (IAAA) and 3 (10.7%) were perianeurysmal retroperitoneal fibrosis (PARF). The common symptoms were abdominal blunt pain (35.7%), lumbago (25%), loss of body weight (25%), abdominal distension (17.8%) and lower extremities pitting edema (17.8%). Hydronephrosis was found by B ultrasonography in 17 (85%) patients with IPF. Dilated abdominal aorta were found in 7 patients. One case was complicated with ankylosing spondylitis and another one was diagnosed to have undifferentiated connective diseases. All 5 IAAA patients were treated by aneurysm segregation or stent implantation, but none had medical therapy. The 3 perianeurysmal retroperitoneal fibrosis patients were mis-diagnosed as with either IPF or AAA. Seventeen patients in this group were treated with corticosteroid combined with immunosuppressive agents or tamoxifen. Four cases were followed up and their conditions were improved which were demonstrated by repeated CT or MRI., Conclusion: Chronic periaortitis is a rare autoimmune rheumatic disease. IPF is the most common one compared to IAAA and PARF. It can be complicated with autoimmune disorders or serum auto-antibodies. No case with other organ fibrosis disorder wis observed in this study. Radiological examination and pathological examination are necessary for confirming the diagnosis. Corticosteroid combined with immunosuppressive agents or tamoxifen is the effective treatment.

A coccoid, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 70003T, was isolated from a saline, alkaline, desert-soil sample from Egypt. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the organism formed a distinct phyletic line within the genus Kocuria and was most closely related to Kocuria polaris DSM 14382T (98.6 % sequence similarity) and Kocuria rosea DSM 20447T (98.2 %). Chemotaxonomic data, including the Lys-Ala3 peptidoglycan type, the presence of phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol as the predominant phospholipids, the presence of MK-8(H2) and MK-9(H2) as the major menaquinones, the predominance of fatty acids ai-C(15 : 0) and i-C(15 : 0) and the DNA G+C content, also supported the affiliation of the isolate to the genus Kocuria. The low DNA-DNA relatedness with K. polaris DSM 14382T (56.6 %) and K. rosea DSM 20447T (15.5 %) in combination with phenotypic data show that strain YIM 70003T should be classified as a novel species of the genus Kocuria. The name Kocuria aegyptia sp. nov. is proposed, with strain YIM 70003T (=CCTCC AA203006T = CIP 107966T = KCTC 19010T = DSM 17006T) as the type strain.

Four Gram-negative, motile, rod-shaped bacterial strains were isolated from soil samples collected from south-east China. A taxonomic study including phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and phenotypic characteristics was performed. DNA G+C contents of the four strains were 63-66 mol%. Their predominant ubiquinone was Q-8. The fatty acid profiles contained C16:1omega7c (36.9-54.7%) and C16:0 (22.8-25.5%) as the major components. Based on their phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic position as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization results, the four isolates are considered to represent four novel species of the genus Massilia, for which the names Massilia dura sp. nov. (type strain 16T=CCTCC AB 204070T=KCTC 12342T), Massilia albidiflava sp. nov. (type strain 45T=CCTCC AB 204071T=KCTC 12343T), Massilia plicata sp. nov. (type strain 76T=CCTCC AB 204072T=KCTC 12344T) and Massilia lutea sp. nov. (type strain 101T=CCTCC AB 204073T=KCTC 12345T) are proposed.

A Gram-negative bacterium, YIM 003T, which was isolated from a contaminated plate in the laboratory, was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The organism had short-rod-shaped, motile cells, formed yellow-pigmented colonies on ISP2 medium and its optimum growth pH was 7.0-7.5. The major respiratory lipoquinone was ubiquinone Q-10. The phosphate-containing lipids detected in strain YIM 003T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid and one unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were C(18 : 1)omega7c (59.8 %), C(16 : 0) (9.9 %), ai-C(17 : 0) (5.3 %), i-C(17 : 0) (4.4 %) and C(14 : 0) 2-OH (15.8 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 67.5 mol%. Strain YIM 003T exhibited levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.2 % to Sphingomonas phyllosphaerae FA2T and 98.0 % to Sphingomonas adhaesiva DSM 7418T but showed less than 97.0 % similarity with respect to other species with validly published names. The DNA-DNA relatedness values of the isolate with S. phyllosphaerae FA2T and S. adhaesiva DSM 7418T were 59 and 26 %, respectively. The phenotypic characteristics and genotypic data indicate that strain YIM 003T should be distinguished from S. phyllosphaerae FA2T and S. adhaesiva DSM 7418T. Therefore, on the basis of the polyphasic taxonomic data presented, a novel species of the genus Sphingomonas, Sphingomonas yunnanensis sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain YIM 003T (=CCTCC AB 204064T=KCTC 12346T).

An aerobic bacterium was isolated from saline soil located in Qinghai, north-west China. The bacterium, designated YIM 70157(T), was investigated using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The Gram reaction of the organism was positive. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis demonstrated the isolate to be a member of the genus Marinococcus, the closest phylogenetic neighbour of the unknown bacterium being Marinococcus halophilus DSM 20408(T) with a similarity of 99.4%. The peptidoglycan type of YIM 70157(T) was A1gamma, with meso-diaminopimelic acid as diagnostic diamino acid. The major fatty acids were ai-C(15:0), ai-C(17:0) and i-C(16:0). The menaquinones were MK-7 and MK-6. The phospholipids were diphosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The G+C content of total DNA was 48.5 mol%. On the basis of phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence and DNA-DNA hybridization data, this isolate should be classified as a novel species of Marinococcus, for which the name Marinococcus halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM 70157(T) (=DSM 16375(T)=KCTC 19045(T)).

A Gram-positive, non-motile actinobacterium, designated strain YIM 70177(T), was isolated from a saline soil sample from Qinghai Province, north-west China. Phylogenetic analysis of this organism based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed 98.3% similarity to Isoptericola variabilis DSM 10177(T). Chemotaxonomic data determined for the isolate, such as the peptidoglycan type A4alpha, variation L-Lys-D-Asp, supported the placement of strain YIM 70177(T) within the genus Isoptericola. Galactose was detected as cell wall sugar. Phospholipids identified were phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol, and the predominant menaquinones were MK-9(H(4)) and MK-9(H(2)). The major fatty acids were ai-C(15:0), C(16:0), ai-C(17:0) and i-C(15:0). The DNA G+C content was 72.8 mol%. The low level of DNA-DNA relatedness (27.4%) to I. variabilis DSM 10177(T) in combination with differentiating chemotaxonomic and physiological data demonstrated that the isolate YIM 70177(T) should be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Isoptericola. The name Isoptericola halotolerans sp. nov. is proposed, with strain YIM 70177(T) (=DSM 16376(T)=KCTC 19046(T)) as the type strain.

With P1, P2, F1, F2, B1 and B2 generations of two combinations of maize with high nitrogen use efficiency, hereditary capacity and genetic progress of seventeen characters were studied. The random block design was used in the experiment. The results showed that the heritability of each traits was different at different N levels. Broad heritability was between 0.78 and 0.46, and narrow heritability between 0.68 and 0.23 at low N level treatment. Broad heritability was between 0.76 and 0.49, narrow heritability between 0.67 and 0.25 at high N level treatment. The heritability of the chlorophyll content of ear leaf at heading stage period, NUE, ear weight and area of ear leaf were higher than other major characters at low N, the hereditary capacity of the biomass at heading stage period, ear weight, chlorophyll content of ear leaf at heading stage period and biomass at maturity were higher than other major characters at high N. These characters could be selected at early generation at low and high N, respectively.