Resumo Exceto por alguns insetos-pau que são economicamente valiosos, a maioria das espécies pode ser considerada praga florestal, por isso é extremamente importante obter informações sobre o uso de hospedeiros de plantas de mais insetos-pau. Neste artigo, as plantas hospedeiras de três espécies de bicho-pau foram registradas pela primeira vez. Também descobrimos que esses bichos-pau podem se alimentar de flores ou folhas de plantas. Lopaphus unidentatus (Chen & He, 1995) (Phasmida: Lonchodidae) atacou a parede de Hypericum choisianum. ex N. Robson, 1973 (Hypericaceae), Leurophasma dolichocercum Bi, 1995 (Phasmida: Aschiphasmatidae) atacou Antenoron filiforme (Thunb.) Roberty & Vautier, 1964 (Polygonaceae) e Megalophasma granulatum Bi, 1995 (Phasmida: Lonchodidae orientaled) atacou Chen, 1991 (Urticaceae). Finalmente, tivemos a sorte de também obter fotos deles se acasalando e se alimentando.

Abstract Except for a few stick insects that are economically valuable, most species be considered to be forest pests, so it is extremely important to obtain plant host-use information of more stick insects. In this paper, the plant hosts of three species of stick insects were recorded for the first time. We also discovered these stick insects can feed upon the flowers or leaves of plants. Lopaphus unidentatus (Chen & He, 1995) (Phasmida: Lonchodidae) attacked Hypericum choisianum Wall. ex N. Robson, 1973 (Hypericaceae), Leurophasma dolichocercum Bi, 1995 (Phasmida: Aschiphasmatidae) attacked Antenoron filiforme (Thunb.) Roberty & Vautier, 1964 (Polygonaceae) and Megalophasma granulatum Bi, 1995 (Phasmida: Lonchodidae) attacked Debregeasia orientalis C. J. Chen, 1991 (Urticaceae). Finally, we were lucky enough to also obtain photographs of them mating and feeding.

The prop is the most important part to ensure the proper functioning of hydraulic support. When the hydraulic support is impacted by the roof, the prop is prone to extrusion deformation, expansion, and even bursting. In order to study the stress on a doubly-telescopic hydraulic support prop under impact load, an impact simulation was carried out based on the drop weight method. First, the impact model of the hydraulic system of the prop was established in AMESim software and the dynamic response curves of the bottom and middle cylinder of the prop obtained. Then, according to the conservation of energy, the pressure formulaes in the hydraulic cylinder of the prop under impact load were derived and verified by the AMESim simulation results, and the maximum pressure on the inner surface of the hydraulic cylinder of the prop obtained. Lastly, the transient dynamic simulation of a hydraulic support prop was carried out in ANSYS Workbench software, and cloud diagrams of stress and deformation of the prop obtained using Workbench simulation. The AMESim simulation process describes the change in fluid pressure in the prop, and the pressure formulae can be used to estimate the internal pressure of the prop under impact load. The finite element analysis results show that the stress of the middle hydraulic cylinder is much greater than that on the bottom hydraulic cylinder under impact load, which can provide a reference for prop design.

Resumo Infecções do trato respiratório inferior (ITRIs) são as infecções mais comuns entre pacientes internados em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Pseudomonas aeruginosa é a causa mais comum de ITRIs e está associada ao aumento da mortalidade. Diferentes espécies de Pseudomonas exibem diferentes perfis genéticos e resistência variada as drogas. O presente estudo determina a epidemiologia molecular através do método de fingerprinting de DNA e resistência as drogas de P. aeruginosa isoladas de pacientes com LTRIs internados em UTI. Um total de 79 P. aeruginosa isoladas de pacientes com ITRIs internados em UTI foram caracterizados por Polimorfismo de Comprimento de Fragmentos de Restrição (RFLP), DNA Polimórfico Amplificado ao Acaso (RAPD) e PCR Extrapalindrômico Repetitivo (REP-PCR). A resistência aos antibióticos foram determinadas pelos ensaios de concentrações inibitória mínima (MIC), enquanto os genes MDR, blaTEM, blaOXA, blaVIM, blaCTX-M-15 foram detectados pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Das 137 Pseudomonas sp isoladas de pacientes de UTI, 57,7% dos isolados foram relatados como P. aeruginosa. A prevalência geral de P. aeruginosa entre os pacientes incluídos foram de 34,5%. A análise RAPD renderam 45 padrões diferentes com 72 clusters com nível de similaridade de 57% a 100%. A análise RFLP renderam 8 padrões diferentes com 14 clusters com 76% a 100% de similaridade. A análise de PCR do REP produziram 37 padrões diferentes com 65 clusters com nível de similaridade de 56% a 100%. Não houveram correlações entre os diferentes padrões de DNA observados entre os três diferentes métodos. Predominantes dos isolados (46,8%) eram resistentes à amicacina. Dos 79 isolados, 60,8% foram positivos para o gene blaTEM e 39,2% foram positivos para o gene blaOXA. P. aeruginosa foi predominantemente isolado de pacientes com ITRIs internados em UTI. A diferença no nível de similaridade observado entre os três métodos de fingerprinting do DNA indica que há alta variabilidade inter-strain. A alta variabilidade genética e os padrões de resistência indicam que devemos monitorar continuamente a tendência na prevalência e resistência a antibióticos de P. aeruginosa, especialmente em pacientes com ITRIs internados em UTI.

Abstract Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common infection among hospitalized patients, associated with increased levels of morbidity, mortality and attributable health care costs. Increased resistant Pseudomonas worldwide has been quite meaningful to patients, especially in intensive care unit (ICUs). Different species of Pseudomonas exhibit different genetic profile and varied drug resistance. The present study determines the molecular epidemiology through DNA fingerprinting method and drug resistance of P. aeruginosa isolated from patients with LTRIs admitted in ICU. A total of 79 P. aeruginosa isolated from patients with LRTIs admitted in ICU were characterized by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Repetitive Extrapalindromic PCR (REP-PCR). Antibiotic resistance was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay while MDR genes, viz, blaTEM, blaOXA, blaVIM, blaCTX-M-15 were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 137 Pseudomonas sp isolated from ICU patients, 57.7% of the isolates were reported to be P. aeruginosa. The overall prevalence of P. aeruginosa among the all included patients was 34.5%. The RAPD analysis yielded 45 different patterns with 72 clusters with 57% to 100% similarity level. The RFLP analysis yielded 8 different patterns with 14 clusters with 76% to 100% similarity level. The REP PCR analysis yielded 37 different patterns with 65 clusters with 56% to 100% similarity level. There was no correlation among the different DNA patterns observed between the three different methods. Predominant of the isolates (46.8%) were resistant to amikacin. Of the 79 isolates, 60.8% were positive for blaTEM gene and 39.2% were positive for blaOXA gene. P. aeruginosa was predominantly isolated from patients with LRTIs admitted in ICU. The difference in the similarity level observed between the three DNA fingerprinting methods indicates that there is high inter-strain variability. The high genetic variability and resistance patterns indicates that we should continuously monitor the trend in the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa especially in patients with LRTIs admitted in ICU.

ABSTRACT Objective: To study the influence of different dialysis frequency on microinflammation for the maintenance haemodialysis patients. Methods: Fifty-three maintenance haemodialysis patients with chronic kidney disease were divided into three groups. Groups A, B and C dialysed three times per week, twice per week and three times per 2 weeks, respectively. Total time was 1 year. The index of microinflammation state was measured in all patients before and after 1 year. Results: There were significant differences in the index of microinflammation state between any two groups. Conclusion: Patients who dialysed less than two times each week had a higher rate of microinflammation state. This showed that dialysis frequency was important for maintenance hae- modialysis.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to investigate the optimal zinc (Zn) requirement of broiler chickens based on Zn retention. On the day of hatch, 350 male Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to seven treatments with five replicates of ten birds each. Zinc was supplemented as ZnSO4·7H2O at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, or 120 mg/kg in the starter diet (fed from 1 to 21 d of age) and at 0, 16, 32, 48, 64, 80, or 96 mg/kg in the grower diet (fed from 22 to 42 d of age). The analyzed Zn levels were 34.98 and 27.57 mg/kg in the basal starter and grower diets, respectively. Supplemental Zn levels did not influence body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, or liver Zn content of broilers at 21 and 42 d of age (p>0.05). Tibia ash Zn content of 21-d-old broilers increased when Zn supplementation level increased from 0 to 40 mg/kg Zn in (p<0.05). The highest breast muscle Zn content in 42-d-old broilers was observed when 100 and 80 mg Zn/kg was supplemented in the starter and grower diets, respectively. Fecal Zn content, Zn intake, Zn excretion, and Zn retention of 31- to 33-d-old broilers linearly increased with supplemental Zn levels (p<0.05). Zinc retention values, calculated as the difference between Zn intake and Zn excretion, were negative, about zero, and positive when starter/grower diets were supplemented with 0/0 and 20/16, 40/32, and 60/48 and 120/96 mg/kg, respectively. These results indicate that supplementing 40 and 32 mg Zn/kg in starter and grower diets, respectively, promote the growth performance of broiler chickens, while reduce Zn excretion in the environment.

Vitamin D (25(OH)D3) is an essential nutrient that plays a role in the immune system. Serum 25(OH)D3 is found to be associated with asthma. However, the role of vitamin D in obese asthma remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the association between vitamin D levels and asthma outcomes in a murine model of obese asthma. We also evaluated NLRP3 inflammasome activity in the pathogenesis of obese asthma. We divided 20 male Balb/c mice (3–4 weeks old) into 4 groups: normal control, asthma, obese, and obese asthma and developed an obese asthma mouse model. Airway hyperreactivity, cytokine concentrations, 25(OH)D3 levels, NLRP3 mRNA and IL-1β mRNA expressions were measured. Lung histology and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell count were also determined. Obese asthma mice showed a significant increase in airway hyper-responsiveness, airway inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and NLRP3 mRNA, IL-1β mRNA expression. Both asthma and obese groups had lower 25(OH)D3 levels. Vitamin D levels in obese asthma were the lowest among all groups. Vitamin D levels correlated negatively with body weight, lung resistance levels at 25 mg/mL of methacholine, total inflammatory cells, and IL-1β and IL-17 concentrations in BALF. These data demonstrated an association between serum vitamin D levels and outcomes of obese asthma, and indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome may play a role in this disorder.

In an effort to eliminate the hazard posed by coal seam gas and increase the efficiency of coal seam gas drainage in an underground coal mine, a high-pressure waterjet fracturing technique has been developed, optimized experimentally and numerically, and trialled underground. Numerical and laboratory results indicate that the slotting capacity of the high-pressure waterjet fracturing system can be improved by optimizing the geometrical structure and parameters of the nozzle. The results from field investigation showed that the gas production rate can be more than doubled by using the high-pressure waterjet-assisted method before and during longwall extraction.

A long-term field experiment was conducted over a twenty year period to examine the effects of three different soil management regimes (Abandonment, Fallow and Cropping) and eight nutrient management regimes under Cropping on soil organic carbon (SOC), N and P levels, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities related to C, N, and P cycling in a loess soil. The nutrient management regimes examined involved treatment with various combinations of inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers (N, NP, PK, and NPK), as well as combinations of NPK fertilizers with either residual plant material (SNPK) or manure (MN1PK and MN2PK). Abandonment resulted in greater levels of soil microbial biomass than did Cropping but similar levels of enzyme activity were observed under both regimes. The Fallow regime gave significantly lower soil organic carbon levels and enzyme activities than did Cropping. Within the Cropping system, the treatments containning nitrogen and phophorus significantly improved SOC, N and P levels and also increased microbial biomass and enzyme activity relative to the control. In general, the highest values of the tested soil parameters were observed under the M2NPK treatment. With the exception of invertase, the activity of all soil enzymes tested correlated significantly with SOC and microbial biomass. It was concluded that the use of fertilization regimes involving applying organic material in conjunction with NPK fertilizers should be encouraged in order to maintain or improve the chemical and biological properties of the tested loess soil and to thereby increase its productivity.

We investigated whether 6-gingerol affects the maturation and proliferation of osteoblast-like MG63 cells in vitro. Osteoblast-like MG63 cells were treated with 6-gingerol under control conditions, and experimental inflammation was induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Expression of different osteogenic markers and cytokines was analyzed by real-time PCR, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity and biomineralization as markers for differentiation were measured. Treatment with 6-gingerol resulted in insignificant effects on the proliferation rate. 6-Gingerol induced the differentiation of osteoblast-like cells with increased transcription levels of osteogenic markers, upregulated ALP enzyme activity, and enhanced mineralized nodule formation. Stimulation with TNF-α led to enhanced interleukin-6 and nuclear factor-κB expression and downregulated markers of osteoblastic differentiation. 6-Gingerol reduced the degree of inflammation in TNF-α-treated MG-63 cells. In conclusion, 6-gingerol stimulated osteoblast differentiation in normal physiological and inflammatory settings, and therefore, 6-gingerol represents a promising agent for treating osteoporosis or bone inflammation.

Four types of soil (red, yellow, cinnamon, and paddy soil) from China were used to conduct experiments in pots to study the influence of humic acid (humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA)) on the accumulation of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in tobacco leaves. In non-polluted soils, the tobacco leaf uptake of Cd was dramatically influenced by the total soil metal concentration and soil properties, with no relationship observed for Pb. However, in soils that were polluted with 500 mg kg-1 of Pb or10 mg kg-1 of Cd, negative relationships were observed between the soil pH and the metal concentration in the tobacco leaves. When the soil was polluted with Pb, the application of 4 g kg-1 humic acids (HA or FA) decreased the leaf Pb concentration by 17.78%-48.32% in the acidic red and paddy soils but increased the concentration by 11.69%-37.54% in the alkaline cinnamon soil. A 8.74%-32.84% decrease in the leaf Cd concentration occurred in the acidic soils due to 4 g kg-1 HA, while there was a 4.45%-8.13% decrease and a 14.20%-46.37% increase in leaf Cd concentration in the yellow and cinnamon soils when HA and FA were applied, respectively. This finding suggests that the effects of humic acids on metal availability to plants in soil were pH-dependent, with inhibitory and stimulatory effects on acidic and alkaline soils, respectively. Therefore, humic acids (HA and FA) could be used to reduce Pb and Cd accumulation in plants growing in polluted acidic soil but not in alkaline soils.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of plasma levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic pepide (NT-proBNP) and microalbuminuria (MAU) in patients with heart failure and the correlation between them. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with heart failure were divided into different groups according to different stages of heart failure. Plasma levels of NT-proBNP were measured by microsome enzyme immuno-assay (MEIA). Plasma levels of MAU were determined by immune scattering turbidimetry (ICTM). Simultaneously, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD) were measured by Doppler echocardiography for all patients. The correlation of NT-proBNP and MAU was evaluated at different stages of heart failure. RESULTS: The plasma levels of NT-proBNP and MAU increased with the severity of heart failure. There was a high correlation between NT-proBNP and MAU (r = 0.885, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both NT-proBNP and MAU levels were closely associated with the severity of heart failure.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los cambios en los niveles de plasma de la fracción N-terminal del propéptido natriurético cerebral (NT-proBNP), y la microalbuminuria (MAU) en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca y la correlación entre ambas. MÉTODOS: Noventa y un pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca fueron divididos en diferentes grupos de acuerdo con las diferentes etapas de insuficiencia cardíaca. Los niveles de plasma de NT-proBNP fueron medidos mediante inmunoensayo enzimático microsomal (MEIA). Los niveles plasmáticos de MAU se determinaron mediante turbidimetría inmune de difusión (ICTM). Simultáneamente, a todos los pacientes se les midió la fracción de eyección ventricular izquierda (FEVI) y el diámetro de fin de diástole del ventrículo izquierdo (DFDVI), mediante ecocardiografía Doppler. La correlación de NT-proBNP y MAU fue evaluada en diferentes etapas de la insuficiencia cardíaca. RESULTADOS: Los niveles de plasma de NT-proBNP y MAU aumentaron con la severidad de la insuficiencia cardíaca. Hubo una alta correlación entre NT-proBNP y MAU (r = 0.885, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIÓN: Tanto los niveles de NT-proBNP como los de MAU estuvieron estrechamente asociados con la severidad de la insuficiencia cardíaca.

Background: no systematic studies on the prevalence of coeliac disease (CD) have been reported from China. In western populations CD is more common in patients with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS). We have screened patients with these conditions presenting to the outpatient department of a large hospital of "Traditional Chinese Medicine" (TCM) in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, P.R. China. Methods: we tested sera of 78 unrelated Han Chinese patients (5 IDDM and 73 D-IBS), using ELISA serological tests for IgG anti-gliadin antibodies (IgG-AGA) and IgA anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA-tTG). Results: six out of 78 patients (7.7%) were positive for IgG-AGA (two men and four women) and two (2.6%) were positive for IgA-tTGs. One of the latter patients was negative for IgG-AGA. Besides, one patient had a dubious IgA-tTG antibody and a positive IgG-AGA. None of the six patients agreed to undergo duodenal biopsy. Two out of these six patients followed a gluten-free diet for one year. In one patient the diarrhoea ceased and his body weight increased. Another stopped losing weight. Conclusions: this study previously published as a letter in GUT (Wu J, Xia B, von Blomberg BME, Zhao C, Yang XW, Crusius JBA, Peña AS. Coeliac disease: emerging in China? Gut 2010; 59(3): 418-9) demonstrated that CD may exist in the Jiangsu province of P.R. China. The present article draws attention to the difficulties of following a standard protocol in China such as established in western countries and highlights important factors less well known in the west in relation to the development of CD in China. Wheat production became significant in China between 1600 and 1300 B.C. After the Han dynasty (500-200 B.C.), wheat was one of the main cereals in China. One the major wheat fields in China is located in the Jiangsu province where the research for this article was performed. A review of Chinese literature shows that the predominant HLA-DQ CD risk alleles and haplotypes are present in the Jiangsu province. Genetic background, food consumption, and the results of our study suggest that CD should actively be investigated in P.R. China.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of renal diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate the possible inflammatory effect of Ang II on glomerular endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism. We isolated and characterized primary cultures of rat glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and observed that Ang II induced the synthesis of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in GECs as demonstrated by Western blot. Ang II stimulation, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 µm, of rat GECs induced a rapid increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species as indicated by laser fluoroscopy. The level of p47phox protein, an NAD(P)H oxidase subunit, was also increased by Ang II treatment. These effects of Ang II on GECs were all reduced by diphenyleneiodonium (1.0 µm), an NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor. Ang II stimulation also promoted the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). Telmisartan (1.0 µm), an AT1 receptor blocker, blocked all the effects of Ang II on rat GECs. These data suggest that the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent NF-κB signaling reduces the increase in MCP-1 production by GECs induced by Ang II. This may provide a mechanistic basis for the benefits of selective AT1 blockade in dealing with chronic renal disease.

Mt. Everest is relatively inaccessible and little is known about its meteorology. On 27 April 2005, an automatic weather station was displayed on the north column (28°01'0.95"N, 86°57'48.4"E, 6523 masl) of Mt. Everest. This paper summarizes the meteorological data collected from 1 May to 22 July 2005. The measured variables included long-wave radiation, air temperature, relative humidity and baromteric pressure. The daily record indicates synoptic scale variability in the thermodynamic variables, while short-wave radiation and wind speed decrease gradually at different degree, net radiation changes little with a slight increase, and wind direction turns from north to south.

El Monte Everest es relativamente inaccesible y poco se sabe sobre su meteorología. El 27 de abril de 2005, una estación meteorológica automática fue instalada en la columna del norte (28°01'0.95"N, 86°57'48.4"E, 6523 mslm) del Monte Everest. En este trabajo reportamos los datos medidos durante el periodo del 1 de mayo al 22 de julio de 2005. En particular, presentamos un resumen mensual sobre radiación, temperatura del aire, humedad relativa y presión barométrica. Las observaciones diarias mostraron fluctuaciones sinópticas, mientras que la radiación de onda corta y la velocidad del viento disminuyeron gradualmente al mismo tiempo que los cambios netos de la radiación de onda corta mostraron un aumento leve, y la dirección del viento cambió de dirección norte a sur.

Vitrification may alter the cytoskeleton (microtubule, meiotic spindle, microfilament, etc.) and the subsequent fertilization rate of in vitro derived bovine oocytes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vitrification and post-thawing incubation periods on the cytoskeleton and fertilization rate of in vitro matured (IVM) bovine oocytes. Following 22 h of IVM, 184 fresh matured oocytes (MO) were immediately fertilized in vitro and served as a control. The remaining MO (1009) were then vitrified by the solid surface vitrification method. Immediately after thawing, MO were incubated in maturation medium in 5% CO2 at 39 °C for 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min respectively. Following incubation, half of the MO from each vitrified-thawed treatment group (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min) was stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugated (FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) to evaluate the microtubule and DNA or spindle under laser-scanning confocal microscopy. The remaining half from the vitrified-thawed MO treatment groups was washed three times in Brackett and Oliphant's fertilization medium and in vitro fertilized. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were recorded 48 h post-fertilization. Results demonstrated that vitrification damaged MO zona pellucida (ZP), microtubule (MT), meiotic spindle (MS), and caused chromosomal fragmentation. Both the cleavage (84%) and blastocyst rates (50%) of the control group were significantly higher compared to the vitrified-thawed treatment groups. However, extending the incubation period of vitrified MO to 120 min after thawing (prior to fertilization) improved cleavage (65%) and blastocyst (13%) rates 48 h post-fertilization. Fertilizing vitrified MO immediately (0 min group) after thawing resulted in the lowest cleavage (42%) and blastocyst (1.9%) rates. In conclusion, vitrification reduces the subsequent fertilization rate of MO, however, a prolonged post-thawing incubation period (120 min) improves survival, cleavage and blastocyst formation rates, and enhances the reorganization of MO's cytoskeleton (MT and MS).