Background The visual system of animal have to optimally adjust in various environmental conditions in order to obtain stable and effective visual funetion.However,the color vision system of animals which encounter uncertainty of spectral signals should be plastic.Whether the densities of various cones and expression of opsins change with long-time spectral deprivation is unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the changes of cone density as well as the expression of corresponding opsin and mRNA following the long-term illumination of monochromatic light.Methods Thirty 3-day-old guinea pigs were randomized into 3 groups and exposed tO the 530 nm green light,400 nm purple light and white light for consecutive 8 weeks respectively.The flat-mounted retinal sample was prepared and divided into dorsal zone,ventral zone and mixed zone anatomically according to the distribution of difierent light-sensitive cone.The changes in density of cone cells sensitivited to different colored light were detected by single-1abel or double-label immunocytochemistry.The levels of opsin and its mRNA were determined using Western-blot and real-time PCR respectively.Results The density of green-sensitivity cones was significantly different in the dorsal zone of retina among green light group,purple light group and white light group (F=234.28,P<0.01).Compared with white light group,the density of green-sensitive cones in dorsal retina of green light group was obviously higher but that of purple light group wag evidently lower(q=389.68,P<0.01；q=67.11,P<0.01).No significant difference was found in the density of purple-sensitive cones in the ventral zone of retina among green light group,purple light group and white light group(F=3.14,P>0.05).The density of coexpression of the mixed cone cells was increased in green light group(q=157.55,P<0.01)but decreased in purple light roup (q=254.85,P<0.01)in comparison with white light group.The expression levels of green-opsin and green-opsin mRNA in green light group was significantly elevated(q=184.45,P<0.01；q=4.71,P<0.05),but those of purple light group were evidently declined(q=5.87,P<0.05；q=346.66,P<0.01)in comparison with white light group.There was no statistically significant differences were found in the expression of purple-opsin and its mRNA among all the groups(F=1.24,P>0.05；F=3.27,P>0.05).Conclusion After the exposure of long-time monochromatic light illumination,monochromatic cones density and its opsin in guinea pig occur the corresponding alteration to gain good spatial vision as a compensatory reaction.These outcomes imply that there is some plasticity during the development of color vision.The increase of green-sensitive cones might be from the differentiation of coexpression cones in transition region.

0.05); serum HBsAb levels of pregnant mice and neonatal mice in group with CpG-1826 (20 ?g)+hepatitis B vaccine significantly higher than those in group with CpG-1826 (10 ?g, 40 ?g)+ hepatitis B vaccine,hepatitis B vaccine and control respectively(P0.05).Conclusions Combination injection of CpG-1826 20 ?g and hepatitis B vaccine can markedly increase serum antibody levels of pregnant mice and neonatal mice, but don′t affect the survival quantity, the growth and development of neonatal mice.CpG-1826 is an ideal immune adjuvant for neonates with immature immune system during pregnancy.

In order to provide a scientific basis for the establishment of a Daphnes Cortex medicinal material fungus library and the screening of endophytic fungi that promote the growth of Daphnes Cortex and increase the content of daphnetin, we used Illumina high-throughput testing technology to analyze 9 Daphnes Cortex samples from Gansu and Shanxi provinces. A total of 632 766 valid sequences were obtained, including 348 OTUs, 4 phyla, 20 classes, 48 orders, 108 families, 154 genera, and 208 species. The sum of the first 3 fungal genera account for more than 65% of the total abundance, with the highest reaching 98.4%. Alternaria and Phoma are the main genuses of Daphne giraldii Nitsche, and Altemaria is the dominant genus. The endophytic fungi community of Daphnes Cortex is rich in diversity, and the order of fungal diversity in different producing areas is: Gangu County > Wutai County > Tanchang County.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Schisandra chinensis lignans (SCL) on neuronal apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway of rats in the cerebral ischemia injury model, and study its possible mechanism.

METHODRats were orally administered SCL high, middle and low dose groups (100, 50, 25 mg x kg(-1)) for 14 days. The cerebral ischemia injury model was established by using the suture-occluded method to rate the neurological functions. The cerebral infarction area was observed by TTC staining. The pathological changes in brain tissues were determined by HE staining. Bcl-2 and Bax expressions were detected by immunohistochemical assay. The protein expressions of p-AKT and AKT were assayed by Western blotting.

RESULTCompared with the model group, SCL high, middle and low dose groups showed reduction in the cerebral infarction area to varying degrees, improve the pathological changes in brain tissues, promote the expression of apoptin Bcl-2 and p-AKT, and inhibit the expression of apoptin Bax.

CONCLUSIONSCL shows a protective effect on rats with cerebral ischemia injury. Its mechanism may be related to the increase in p-AKT ability and antiischemic brain injury capacity and the inhibition of nerve cells.

Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lignans ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Phytotherapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Objective To explore the relationship between social participation and needs for rehabilitation of the disabled in Guangdong Province and to make a proposal for developing the rehabilitation strategies. Meth-ods The data of the Second National Sample Survey of Disabled Persons in Guangdong Province was used in this study. Ranked data analysis was made with the sub-items of the social participation assessment and the main needs of the disabled individuals. Results Significantly statistical differences were revealed with regard to the constitu-ent ratio of needs for rehabilitation services among people with different degrees of difficulties in social participation caused by hearing and visual impairments as well as physical and mental disabilities. No significant difference was found in terms of the constituent ratio of rehabilitation needs among those with difficulties in speech and those with psychiatric diseases. The major rehabilitation needs focused on medical service, assistive apparatus support and functional trainings. Conclusions The rehabilitation needs were different among different categories of disabled persons. Rehabilitation services should be provided accordingly.

Objective: To investigate the alterations of bcl-2 gene family in the rat brain and the molecular mechanism of neuronal apoptosis follow ing traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to lateral fluid percussion brain injury(FPBI) of moderate severity. bax and bcl-xL mRNA and protein expression was detected by RT-PCR an d immunohistochemistry. In addition to morphological evidence of apoptosis, TUNE L histochemistry was used to identify DNA fragmentation in situ under both l ight and electron microscope, whereas characteristic internucleosomal DN A fragm entation of apoptosis was demonstrated by DNA gel electrophoresis. Resul ts: bcl-xL mRNA and protein decreased in the ipsilateral hemisphere t o the impact site as early as 6 h post-injury［(67.42±7.54)% and (85.85±5.72)% r espectively］. The decrease in bcl-xL mRNA and protein preceded apoptosis was observed 12 h post-injury. And this was the main cause of up-regulation of the ratio of bax to bcl-xL in the acute period(minutes-hours) followin g FPBI. bax mRNA and protein were observed to rise slowly, doubled 3 d post- injury, returned to sham level slowly. The delayed cell death (days-weeks) migh t associated with the up-regulation of pro-apoptotic gene bax. Conclusio n: The expression of bcl-xL and bax coincide with apoptosis following TBI. The reg ulation of bax and bcl-xL by TBI occur before transcription. The balance of bax/bcl-xL ratio determines the neurocytes to survive or die following FPBI.

A method for the determination of Fe, Co, Mn and Ni in synthetic diamonds by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry ( ICP-AES) was proposed. The synthetic diamond sample was decomposed completely, while the sample was burned in air at 1000 ℃ for 10 h, and then a mixed acid of H2 SO4 , aqua regia and HClO4 was used for the dissolving the residue of the sample. In this method, the limits of detection of Fe, Co, Mn and Ni were 0. 0147, 0. 0018, 0. 0006 and 0. 0027 mg/L, respectively. Under the optimum condition, Fe, Co, Mn and Ni in synthetic diamond sample were determined. The values of RSDs (n=7) were less than 0. 5%. The recoveries of added standard were 94. 0%-105. 0%.

A method for the simultaneous determination of oxygen and nitrogen in synthetic diamonds by inert gas high temperature extraction-impulse heating method was proposed. The sample weight, the selection of analysis power and the calibration curves of oxygen and nitrogen were discussed. Oxygen and nitrogen in analytical samples are determined. Values of RSDs (n=7) for oxygen and nitrogen were less than 4. 5% and 4. 0% respectively. The analytical results of oxygen and nitrogen obtained by the proposed method were in good agreement with those by inert gas fusion-impulse heating method.

OBJECTIVETo improve the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of testicular tumor in Mongolian men.

METHODSA retrospective review of 35 cases of testicular tumors in Mongolian men from seven medical centers dated from 1990 to 2004 was performed.

RESULTSThe usual presentation of a testicular tumor was a nodular or painless swelling of one gonad. The mean delay in diagnosis was 40.03 +/- 53.45 weeks. For 16 patients, delay in diagnosis was more than or equal to six months. The histologic composition of this series was 21 (60%) seminoma, 10 (28.6%) nonseminoma, 2 (5.7%) lymphoma, 1 (2.35%) fibroneuroma and 1 (2.35%) leiomyoma. Regarding stage, 22, 2, and 5 of 29 germ cell tumors were seen initially as stage I, II, and III, respectively. Combined therapy, including radical orchiectomy, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, were taken. 29 cases have been followed for 2 months to 10 years, 4 out of them died of distant metastasis, one died of other disease, one lives with tumor, the others live without relapse and metastasis. Three and 5-year survival rates for Mongolian patients with seminoma and nonseminoma were 95.0%, 95.0%, 57.1% and 42.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIn this article, the rate of seminoma to germ cell tumors is higher than that of general population. There is an increased mean delay in diagnosis for Mongolian patients. Three and 5-year survival rates for nonseminoma are lower than that for seminoma. Better public awareness regarding testicular tumor in this population, advances in diagnosis and therapy will help to improve therapeutic effectiveness and prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child, Preschool ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Testicular Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; mortality ; therapy

BACKGROUNDThe use of a free, vascularized fibular graft is an important technique for the reconstruction of large defects in long bones. The technique has many advantages in strong, tubular bones; a more reliable vascular anatomy with a large vascular diameter and long pedicle is used, minimizing donor-site morbidity. Due to limitations in both fibular anatomy and mechanics, they cannot effectively be used to treat large limb bone defects due to their volume and strength.

METHODSFrom 1990 to 2001, 16 clinical cases of large bone defects were treated using vascularized double-barrel fibular grafts. Patients were evaluated for an average of 10 months after surgery.

RESULTSAll the patients achieved bony union; the average bone union took 10 months post surgery, and no stress fractures occurred. Compared with single fibular grafts, the vascularized double-barrel fibular grafts greatly facilitate bony union and are associated with fewer complications, suggesting that the vascularized double-barrel fibular graft is a valuable procedure for the correction of large bone defects in large, long bones in addition to enhancing bone intensity.

CONCLUSIONSThe vascularized double-barrel fibular graft is superior to the single fibular graft in stimulating osteogenous activity and biological mechanics for the correction of very large bone defects in large, long bones. Free vascularized folded double-barrel fibular grafts can not only fill up large bone defects, but also improve the intensity margin. Therefore, this study also widens its application and enlarges the treatment targets. However, in the case of bone deformability, special attention should be paid to bone fixation and protection of donor and recipient sites.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Diseases ; pathology ; surgery ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Fibula ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Biological ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reproducibility of Results