ABSTRACT Objective: The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) may be involved by papillary thyroid carcinoma ≤ 1 centimeter (PTC ≤ 1 cm). Current study investigated the predictive factors of RLN invasion in PTC ≤ 1 cm, the risk factors of disease recurrence in RLN invaded cases and the results of surgical management for RLN invasion. Materials and methods: Data of 374 PTC ≤ 1 cm patients were retrospectively collected. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis to identify predictive factors of RLN invasion and risk factors of disease recurrence. The abilities of factors in predicting RLN invasion were evaluated. Surgical outcomes and recurrence free survival (RFS) of patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 28 patients suffered RLN invasion, among which seven had disease recurrence. Preoperative vocal cord palsy (VCP), gross extrathyroidal extension, larger tumor size and tumor on the dorsal side of thyroid were verified as predictive factors of RLN invasion. RLN involved patients had poorer RFS, but better than those who also had upper-aerodigestive tract invasion. Upper-aerodigestive tract invasion, lateral neck lymph nodes metastasis (LNM) and BRAF V600E mutation were independent risk factors of disease recurrence in RLN invaded cases. Tumor shaving showed better RLN function preservation without increasing recurrent risk. Conclusions: Current study confirmed the rarity of RLN invasion in PTC ≤ 1 cm. Various aggressive features were verified as predictive factors of RLN invasion. Tumor shaving showed superiority in preserving nerve function without increasing recurrent risk. Special attentions should be paid for disease recurrence when RLN invasion accompanied by upper-aerodigestive tract invasion, lateral neck LNM or BRAF V600E mutation.

RESUMO: A sobrevivência do homem e o desenvolvimento sustentável da sociedade dependem intimamente dos serviços dos ecossistemas florestais. Com base no método de transferência de benefícios (BTM), empregando dois tipos diferentes de métodos, este artigo calcula o valor dos serviços do ecossistema florestal (FESV) da província de Sichuan, China. Os resultados mostram que o valor dos serviços do ecossistema florestal total tem uma taxa constante de aumento na província de Sichuan de 2008 a 2018, enquanto os diferentes métodos de avaliação resultam em desvios significativos dos resultados da estimativa. Este artigo leva em conta as diferenças de biomassa e desenvolvimento socioeconômico que são ignoradas na estimativa de valor dos serviços do ecossistema florestal usando método de transferência de benefícios. Especificamente, a abordagem Carnegie-Ames-Stanford é empregada para estimar a produtividade primária líquida (NPP) de diferentes espécies florestais como fator de ajuste de biomassa. Além disso, ao usar a curva de crescimento do tipo R. Pérola S, a vontade e a capacidade das pessoas de pagar pelos serviços do ecossistema florestal são consideradas para lidar com as diferenças de desenvolvimento social. Este artigo fornece contribuições para orientar pesquisadores, gestores florestais e formuladores de políticas em pesquisas e práticas futuras para dar mais atenção aos sistemas de avaliação de escolha para valor dos serviços do ecossistema florestal e heterogeneidade regional de biomassa e desenvolvimento socioeconômico.

ABSTRACT: The survival of human and sustainable development of the society both closely rely on forest ecosystem services. Employing two different methods, this paper based on benefit transfer method calculated the forest ecosystem services value of Sichuan province, China. The results showed that the total forest ecosystem services value had a steady rate of increase in Sichuan province from 2008 to 2018, and meanwhile, the different evaluation methods resulted in significant deviation of estimation outcomes. This paper considered the differences of biomass and socioeconomic development which were ignored in prior studies. The Carnegie-Ames-Stanford approach was employed to estimate the net primary productivity of different forest species. Further, the S type R. Pearl growth curve was employed to estimate people’s willingness and ability to pay for forest ecosystem services. This paper provided implications to help forest managers and policy makers pay additional attention to the evaluation systems choosing on forest ecosystem services value and the differences of biomass and socioeconomic development by using benefit transfer method method.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Boxing is a fighting sport, and many factors cause physical injuries in athletes because of how they compete and train. Injuries are common for athletes who usually participate in this sport. Based on this, the relationship between positive psychological quality at the sport level should be explored, providing a theoretical basis for cultivating optimistic personalities in young athletes. Objective: Analyze the psychological injuries in young boxers to establish a standard to improve the psychological quality evaluation system of young athletes in China. Methods: By comparing the characteristics of different injuries, the possibility of injury occurrence in different activities can be explored, providing a theoretical basis to guide injury prevention, then promoting sports injury prevention. Results: The study shows that through professional training methods to improve the psychological quality of young boxers, these sportsmen should also recognize the importance of psychological training. Conclusion: Technical help in this approach can complete healthy training, aiming to meet the demands of the sport and collaborate to achieve better results. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigating treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: El boxeo es un deporte de lucha, y hay muchos factores que provocan lesiones físicas en los deportistas debido al modo de competición y entrenamiento. Las lesiones son comunes para los atletas que suelen participar en este deporte. En base a esto, se debe explorar la relación entre la calidad psicológica positiva a nivel deportivo, proporcionando una base teórica para el cultivo de la personalidad optimista a los jóvenes atletas. Objetivo: Analizar las lesiones psicológicas en jóvenes boxeadores con el fin de fundamentar una norma para mejorar el sistema de evaluación de la calidad psicológica de los jóvenes atletas en China. Métodos: Al comparar las características de las diferentes lesiones, se puede explorar la posibilidad de que se produzcan lesiones en diferentes actividades, lo que proporciona una base teórica para orientar la prevención de lesiones y, a continuación, promover la prevención de lesiones deportivas. Resultados: El estudio muestra que, a través de los métodos de entrenamiento profesional para mejorar la calidad psicológica de los jóvenes boxeadores, estos deportistas también deberían reconocer la importancia del entrenamiento psicológico. Conclusión: La ayuda técnica en este enfoque puede completar el entrenamiento saludable, con el objetivo de cumplir con las exigencias del deporte y colaborar para lograr mejores resultados. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: O boxe é um esporte de luta, havendo muitos fatores que causam lesões físicas nos atletas pelo modo de competição e treinamento. As lesões são comuns para os atletas que costumam participar desse esporte. Baseado nisso, a relação entre qualidade psicológica positiva ao nível esportivo deve ser explorada, fornecendo uma base teórica para o cultivo da personalidade otimista aos jovens atletas. Objetivo: Analisar as lesões psicológicas em jovens boxeadores visando embasar uma norma para melhorar o sistema de avaliação da qualidade psicológica dos jovens atletas na China. Métodos: Comparando as características de diferentes lesões, a possibilidade de ocorrência de lesões em diferentes atividades pode ser explorada, fornecendo uma base teórica para orientar a prevenção de lesões, promovendo então a prevenção de lesões esportivas. Resultados: O estudo mostra que através dos métodos de treinamento profissional para melhorar a qualidade psicológica dos jovens boxeadores, esses esportistas também devem reconhecer a importância do treinamento psicológico. Conclusão: O auxílio técnico nessa abordagem pode completar o treinamento saudável, visando atender as exigências do esporte e colaborar para o alcance de melhores resultados. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to investigate the demographic and clinicopathological characteristics, and survival outcomes of subglottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Methods: Demographic and clinicopathological information, including age, sex, race, tumor size, histologic grade, clinical/TNM stage, tumor invasion extent, Lymph Node Metastasis (LNM) extent, size of metastatic lymph nodes, LNM ratio and treatment data, of 842 subglottic SCC patients diagnosed between 1996 and 2016 were acquired. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed to assess the effects of clinicopathological characteristics, treatment modalities, surgical procedures, and adjuvant therapies on overall survival and cancer-specific survival. Results: Subglottic SCC was more frequent among males aged 60-70 years, with low-grade but locally advanced lesions without local or distant metastases. Age and several primary tumor/LNM related variables were independent risk factors for overall survival and cancer specific survival. Advanced-stage and high-grade disease led to unfavorable prognosis. The most common treatment modality and surgical procedure were surgery plus radiotherapy and total laryngectomy, respectively. Surgery plus radiotherapy provided favorable 5-year survival outcomes, while total laryngectomy had the worst. Surgery plus adjuvant therapy showed better survival outcomes than surgery alone. Conclusion: This study confirmed the rarity of subglottic SCC. Patients with subglottic SCCs suffered poor prognosis especially for those with advanced-stage or high-grade lesions. The prognosis of subglottic SCC remained poor over the years, despite recent progress in cancer therapies. Surgery plus adjuvant therapy improved the survival outcome. Although larynx preservation surgery was beneficial for early-stage disease, total laryngectomy was favored for patients with advanced tumors. Level of evidence: Level 4.

Abstract Proanthocyanidins were extracted and purified from grape seeds, and the protective effect and mechanism of proanthocyanidins on spinal cord injury were explored. After extraction optimization and purification, the proanthocyanidins with purity of 92.53% were obtained. The rats were divided into control, model and treatment groups. The spinal cord injury model was established in model and treatment groups. Then, the treatment group was treated with 40 mg/kg proanthocyanidins. On the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after modeling, compared with model group, in model group the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). On the 7th day after modeling, compared with model group, in treatment group the spinal cord tissue superoxide dismutaseand glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05), the malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), the necrosis factor α and interleukin 1βlevels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and the interleukin 10 level was significantly increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, proanthocyanidins have protective effect on spinal cord injury in rats. The mechanisms may be related to its reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in spinal cord tissue.

Abstract A 32-month-old girl with patent ductus arteriosus, false tendon of left ventricle, mild pulmonary hypertension, and chronic cardiac insufficiency (cardiac function level I-II) was misdiagnosed with Marfan Syndrome and there was no improvement in her physical growth after operation for this disease. The preterm baby was finally diagnosed with Myhre Syndrome by clinical phenotypes and mutation of SMAD4 gene.

Resumo Fundamento: A doença cardiovascular é a principal causa de morte em todo o mundo. A apoptose mediada por hipóxia em cardiomiócitos é uma das principais causas de distúrbios cardiovasculares. O tratamento com a proteína do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF, do inglês vascular endothelial growth factor) foi testado, mas as dificuldades operacionais limitaram seu uso. Entretanto, com os avanços da terapia gênica, aumentou o interesse na terapia gênica baseada no VEGF em doenças cardiovasculares. No entanto, o mecanismo preciso pelo qual a reposição de VEGF resgata os danos pós-hipóxia em cardiomiócitos não é conhecido. Objetivos: Investigar o efeito da expressão de VEGF121 pós-hipóxia utilizando cardiomiócitos de ratos neonatos. Métodos: Cardiomiócitos isolados de ratos neonatos foram utilizados para estabelecer um modelo in vitro de lesão cardíaca induzida por hipóxia. O efeito da superexpressão de VEGF, isolado ou em conjunto com inibidores de moléculas pequenas que têm como alvo os canais de cálcio, receptores sensíveis ao cálcio (CaSR, do inglês calcium-sensitive receptors) e calpaína, no crescimento e proliferação celular em lesão de cardiomiócitos induzidos por hipóxia, foram determinados com ensaio de MTT, coloração TUNEL, coloração com Anexina V/PI, lactato desidrogenase e atividade da caspase. Para análise estatística, um valor de p<0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados: Verificou-se que o efeito do VEGF121 foi mediado por CaSR e calpaína, mas não foi dependente dos canais de cálcio. Conclusões: Nossos resultados, mesmo em um ambiente in vitro, estabelecem as bases para uma validação futura e testes pré-clínicos da terapia gênica baseada em VEGF em doenças cardiovasculares.

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death worldwide. Hypoxia-mediated apoptosis in cardiomyocytes is a major cause of cardiovascular disorders. Treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein has been tested but operational difficulties have limited its use. However, with the advancements of gene therapy, interest has risen in VEGF-based gene therapy in cardiovascular disorders. However, the precise mechanism by which VEGF replenishment rescues post-hypoxia damage in cardiomyocytes is not known. Objectives: To investigate the effect of post-hypoxia VEGF121 expression using neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Methods: Cardiomyocytes isolated from neonatal rats were used to establish an in vitro model of hypoxia-induced cardiac injury. The effect of VEGF overexpression, alone or in combination with small-molecule inhibitors targeting calcium channel, calcium sensitive receptors (CaSR), and calpain on cell growth and proliferation on hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury were determined using an MTT assay, TUNEL staining, Annexin V/PI staining, lactate dehydrogenase and caspase activity. For statistical analysis, a value of P<0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The effect of VEGF121 was found to be mediated by CaSR and calpain but was not dependent on calcium channels. Conclusions: Our findings, even though using an in vitro setting, lay the foundation for future validation and pre-clinical testing of VEGF-based gene therapy in cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract This paper investigates the stress transferring mechanism of a pressure tunnel strengthened with CFRP. A simplified mechanical model of the internal water pressure transfer from the CFRP to the lining concrete is established, and the key parameters that influence the internal water pressure transfer between the CFRP and lining concrete are identified. A solid-spring-solid three-dimensional finite element model is established. Using the numerical model, the influences of the above key parameters on the ratios of the internal water pressure borne by the concrete and CFRP are investigated. Based on the above results, a reinforcement scheme of the Yellow River Crossing Tunnel is studied and optimized as a case study. This reveals that the elastic modulus and thickness of the CFRP are the two most important factors that affect the ratios of the internal water pressure borne by the concrete and CFRP, and increasing the elastic modulus and thickness of the CFRP can decrease the ratio of the internal water pressure borne by the concrete and improve the stress state of the lining concrete.

RESUMO: Com base nos dados da pesquisa sobre a distribuição de renda e as condições de vida dos residentes urbanos e rurais coletados pelo Centro de Análise e Monitoramento Econômico da China em 2014, investigamos os mecanismos relacionados às restrições informais de crédito à saúde dos agricultores e, em seguida, analisamos empiricamente os impactos dessas restrições. Os resultados mostram que, em geral, as restrições informais de crédito afetam significativamente a saúde dos agricultores. Em comparação com os agricultores cujo crédito não foi informalmente restrito, a probabilidade de agricultores que enfrentaram restrições informais de crédito que descrevem sua auto-avaliação de saúde como “muito boa” caiu 6,64%. Após o controle de problemas endógenos, essa proporção subiu para 28,87%. Da mesma forma, a probabilidade de descrever a auto-avaliação de saúde como “muito ruim” aumentou 0,45%. Após o controle de problemas endógenos, essa proporção subiu para 0,81%. O teste de robustez mostrou que nossas conclusões são fortemente robustas. As restrições informais de crédito impactaram significativamente o número de dias de doença em 2013 na amostra de agricultores, o que significa que os agricultores que sofreram restrições informais de crédito permaneceram mais dias doentes do que aqueles que não tiveram restrições informais de crédito em 2013. Tanto quanto sabemos, este é o primeiro estudo sobre o impacto das restrições informais ao crédito na saúde dos agricultores chineses.

ABSTRACT: Based on survey data of the income distribution and living conditions of urban and rural residents collected by the China Economic Monitoring and Analysis Center in 2014, we investigated the mechanisms related to informal credit constraints on farmer health and then empirically analyzed the impacts of such constraints. Results showed that, in general, informal credit constraints significantly negatively impact farmer health. Compared with farmers whose credit was not informally constrained, the probability of farmers who faced informal credit constraints describing their self-rated health as “very good” fell by 6.64%. After controlling for endogenous problems, this proportion rose to 28.87%. Correspondingly, the probability of describing self-rated health as “very bad” increased by 0.45%. After controlling for endogenous problems, this proportion rose to 0.81%. The robustness test showed that our conclusions are strongly robust. Informal credit constraints significantly positively impacted the number of days of illness in 2013 in the sample of farmers, which means farmers who suffered from informal credit constraints required more sick days than those who did not experience informal credit constraints in 2013. As far as we know, this is the first study on the impact of informal credit constraints on Chinese farmer health.

Abstract As the demand for probiotic foods continues to increase and lactose intolerance is common, it is necessary to develop a range of non-milk probiotic beverages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preparation process of fermented probiotic beverages using various vegetables as raw materials, and to evaluate the chemical and organoleptic properties of the mixed fermented vegetable juices. The mixed fermented vegetable juice was a beverage obtained by mixing the vegetable juice (purple cabbage, tomato and carrot) fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum and the yam juice fermented by the yeast in an appropriate ratio. During lactobacillus fermentation (48 hours at 30 °C), the cell count of Lactobacillus plantarum increased from 7.49 ± 0.21 log CFU/mL to 9.13 ± 0.19 log CFU/mL (p < 0.05), the glucose decreased from 8.924 g/L to 5.528 g/L, and the pH decreased from 5.03 to 3.62. Oxidation activity slightly decreased. The lactic acid and titratable acid/total acid content increased, and the trend of change was similar. During the yeast fermentation (28 °C, 24h), the glucose was almost depleted and ethanol was accumulated. GC-MS analysis showed that microbial fermentation had a significant effect on volatile components. The sensory evaluation results showed that the proper mixing of fermented vegetable juice and fermented yam juice had a significant increase in taste, odor and overall acceptance of the product. The mixed fermented vegetable juice has the potential to adapt to the consumer groups and has in-depth research value.

RESUMO: Utilizamos os dados da Pesquisa de Dinâmica da Força de Trabalho da China de 2014 para examinar os efeitos dos capitais de subsistência, que incluem capitais natural, material, humano, financeiro e social sobre a renda total da família, renda per capita, renda agrícola, renda salarial, renda operacional e desigualdade de renda da propriedade entre as famílias rurais da China. Os resultados mostraram que diferentes tipos de capitais de subsistência têm efeitos diferentes sobre os diferentes tipos de renda das famílias rurais. Especificamente, (1) embora a área de terra cultivada reduza a desigualdade de renda agrícola, aumenta a desigualdade de renda per capita. (2) A área florestal aumenta a desigualdade de renda per capita e a desigualdade total de renda familiar. (3) A variável trator reduz a desigualdade na renda agrícola e na renda familiar total. (4) Embora reduza a desigualdade de renda da propriedade, a variável educação aumenta a desigualdade de renda salarial, a desigualdade de renda per capita e a desigualdade total de renda familiar. (5) A variável contábil reduz a desigualdade de renda da propriedade. (6) A variável empréstimo aumenta a desigualdade na renda agrícola. (7) A variável partidária reduz a desigualdade de renda agrícola. (8) Embora a variável internet aumente a desigualdade de renda agrícola e a desigualdade de renda da propriedade, reduz a desigualdade de renda salarial, a desigualdade de renda operacional, a renda per capita e a desigualdade total de renda familiar.

ABSTRACT: We used the data of the China Labor-force Dynamics Survey 2014 to examine the effects of livelihood capitals which include natural, material, human, financial, and social capitals on total household income, per capita income, agricultural income, wage income, operational income, and property income inequality among rural households in China. Results showed that different kinds of livelihood capitals have different effects on different types of rural households’ income. Specifically; (1) although, the area of cultivated land reduces agricultural income inequality, it increases per capita income inequality. (2) Forest land area enlarges per capita income inequality and total household income inequality. (3) Tractor variable reduces inequality in agricultural income and total household income. (4) While reducing the property income inequality, education variable enlarges the wage income inequality, the per capita income inequality and the total household income inequality. (5) Book variable reduces property income inequality. (6) Loan variable increases inequality in agricultural incomes. (7) Party variable reduces the agricultural income inequality. (8) Although, the internet variable increases agricultural income inequality, and property income inequality, it reduces wage income inequality, operational income inequality, per capita income, and total household income inequality.

In this work, we reported the effects of sputtering power on the structure, optical and electrical properties of InN nanodots prepared on Al2O3 substrate by magnetron sputtering.The results showed that the as-grown InN films exhibited uniform nanodot morphology and the size of the InN nano grains increased with the sputtering power was increased. The InN nanodot exhibited highly c-axis prefered orientation with mainly InN (002) diffraction. The optical band gap of InN samples showed an decreasing trend with the increase in sputteirng power. Moreover, the electrical properties of the InN samples were discussed in detail by hall effect and the carrier concentration and mobility could be adjusted from 3.233×1019 to 1.655×1020 cm-3 and 1.151 to 10.101 cm2/v•s, respectively. These results will lay a good fundation for the applicaion of InN material in the field of gas sensers and light emitting diodes.

RESUMO: As fazendas tibetanas e lares de pastores na província de Gansu, na China, são atingidas pela pobreza. Resolver o problema da pobreza neste ou em outros aglomerados em toda a China tem importância especial para a estabilidade política do país, a unidade étnica, o bem-estar social e a segurança ecológica. Esta pesquisa calcula a situação multidimensional da pobreza das famílias de fazendeiros e pastores tibetanos da Província de Gansu, usando o método Alkire-Foster. Doze indicadores estão incluídos no sistema multidimensional de indicadores de pobreza. Os resultados mostram que: 1) na medida de indicador único, os membros adultos da família receberam o grau de instrução até, pelo menos, a 9ª série (x3); o tipo de banheiro (x7) e a disponibilidade de mão-de-obra (x2) apresentam maior incidência de privação; 2) muitas FHH nas áreas tibetanas da Província de Gansu enfrentam pobreza multidimensional, mas a proporção de pobreza extrema é muito pequena e, 3) do ponto de vista da taxa de contribuição, os membros adultos da família receberam pelo menos a 9ª série (x3), disponibilidade (x2), a análise de auto-avaliação (x1), o tipo de banheiro domiciliar (x7) e a taxa de desistência de crianças em idade escolar (x4) ocuparam as cinco primeiras posições obtidas do método de peso igual a dimensões (DEW).

ABSTRACT: Ethnic Tibetan farm and herder households (FHH) in Gansu Province, China are stricken with poverty. Solving the poverty problem in this or other poverty pockets across China has special importance for the country’s political stability, ethnic unity, social well-being, and ecological security. This paper calculates the multidimensional poverty situation of ethnic Tibetan farm and herder households of Gansu Province, China by using the Alkire-Foster method. Twelve indicators are included in the multidimensional poverty indicator system. Results showed that 1) in the single indicator measure, the adult family members received at least 9th grade education (x3), the home toilet type (x7), and the labor availability (x2) showed a higher incidence of deprivation, 2) many FHH in the Tibetan areas of the Gansu Province are facing multidimensional poverty but the proportion of extreme poverty is very small, and 3) from the perspective of contribution rate, the adult family members received at least 9th grade education (x3), labor availability (x2), self-health assessment (x1), home toilet type (x7), and school-age children dropout rate (x4) occupied the top five positions as obtained from the equal weight to dimensions (DEW) method.

Abstract The present study investigated the effects of curcumin (Cur) on growth of human cervical cancer xenograft in nude mice and underlying mechanism. The nude mice modeled with human cervical cancer HeLa cell xenograft were treated with normal saline (control), 3 mg/kg Cisplatin, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg Cur, respectively. The animal body weight and growth of tumor were measured. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, p53, p21, HIF-1α, VEGF and MIF protein in tumor tissue were determined. Results showed that, after treatment for 20 days, the tumor mass and tumor volume in 100 and 200 mg/kg Cur group were significantly lower than control group (P < 0.05). The expressions of Bax, p53 and p21 protein in tumor tissue in 200 mg/kg Cur group were significantly higher than control group (P < 0.05), and the expressions of Bcl-2, HIF-1α, VEGF and MIF protein in tumor tissue in 200 mg/kg Cur group were significantly lower than control group (P < 0.05). Cur can inhibit the growth of HeLa cell xenograft in nude mice. The possible mechanism may be related to its up-regulation of Bax, p53 and p21 protein expression in tumor tissue, and down-regulation of Bcl-2, HIF-1α, VEGF and MIF protein expression.

NiO thin films were deposited on Si and Corning 1737 glass substrates using radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering system. The physical properties of NiO films under different sputtering power were thoroughly studied. The XRD results indicated that as-prepared NiO films with the sputtering power above 100 W developed only (200) preferred orientation. The AFM results showed that the NiO films were composed of different-size NiO nano-grains and the grain size increased with increasing the sputtering power. The samples marked A-E under the sputtering power of 80, 100, 120, 140 and 160 W have optical band gap values of 3.70, 3.65, 3.50, 3.45 and 3.44 eV, respectively. Comparatively, the controllable electrical properties of the films could be achieved by the variation of crystal quality arises from the sputtering power.