Coal mining in China is facing the transition from output to quality. Based on the total mining capacity and average production, the current situation of coal mining at mine, city, and province levels is analysed, and data in support for the layout of sustainable mining development and the optimization of output provided. The results show that 87% of China's coal is mined by underground methods, with an average production capacity of 0.93 Mt/a per mine. Open pit mining accounts for 13%, with an average mine production capacity of 5.73 Mt/a. The average mining capacity of coal mines in China is 1.05 Mt/a, with 1181 coal mines with an average capacity less than 0.3 Mt/a, accounting for 35% of the total coal mines but contributing only 4.51% to output. They are distributed in about 48 cities in six provinces, seriously restricting the transition to green coal mining. The coal industry should speed up the closure of small coal mines in key provinces and cities, eliminate outdated production capacity in the central region, increase the speed and proportion of coal resources moving westward, and promote high-quality development of coal mining.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate effects of vitamin A (VA) and vitamin K3 (VK3) on immune function and intestinal antioxidant capacity of aged laying hens. In a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement, the diets of 1080 Roman Pink laying hens (87 weeks old) was formulated with deficient, adequate and excess VA and VK3, including 0, 7000 and 14000 IU/kg VA and 0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg VK3 for 8 weeks. Interactive effects between VA and VK3 were observed that VA and VK3 decreased the splenetic mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), but increased the plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) content and jejunal mRNA expression of nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2). Hens fed adequate or excess VA had higher spleen index, mRNA expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in spleen, sIgA content, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase and total dismutase (T-SOD) activity, and mRNA expression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) in jejunum and lower mRNA expression of IL-1β in jejunum and iNOS, TNF-α in spleen. Furthermore, adequate or excess VK3 significantly increased plasma IgG content, the CAT, T-SOD and total antioxidant capacity activities, up-regulated the mRNA expression of pIgR, Nrf2, SOD1 and CAT in jejunum and down-regulated the mRNA expression of iNOS and TNF-α in spleen. In conclusion, dietary addition of adequate VA (7000 IU/kg) and VK3 (2.0 mg/kg) improved the immune function and intestine antioxidant capacity of aged laying hens and excess levels did not exhibit superior effects.

The Mathews-Potvin stability method is widely used in the Canadian mining industry as a starting point to determine the maximum dimensions of mine stopes. However, it cannot be applied to inclined (more frequently encountered) mine stopes without conducting numerical modelling to obtain the stress factor A, defined as a function of the ratio of unconfined compressive strength of intact rock to the induced principal stress on the exposed stope walls. The need to conduct numerical modelling significantly limits the application of the Mathews-Potvin method. In addition, given its empirical nature and main application for preliminary design, it is deemed undesirable to conduct numerical modelling, especially elaborate modelling. Alternatively, theoretical methods can provide a much simpler and quicker way to estimate stresses around stopes and the corresponding stress factors. Over the years, a large number of studies have been conducted to estimate stresses around openings excavated with various cross-sections. However, theoretical or graphical solutions remain unavailable for mine stopes that typically consist of horizontal floor and roof, and two parallel inclined walls (hangingwall and footwall). To remedy this situation, a series of numerical simulations is first performed for openings with vertical and inclined walls, including typical stopes commonly encountered in underground mines. A group of empirical solutions is then formulated to estimate the induced principal stresses at the roof centre and mid-height of the stope walls. The validity and predictability of the proposed solution have been verified using additional numerical simulations. The proposed solution can thus be used to calculate stresses and the resultant stress factors A around typical mine stopes with any inclination angle and height to width ratio, under any in-situ stress state, without conducting numerical modelling.

ABSTRACT Over-accumulation of triglycerides (TGs) in goose hepatocytes leads to the formation of fatty acid liver. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase kinase 1 (PEPCK) is regarded as the rate-limiting enzyme for gluconeogenesis, and there is evidence that PEPCK is involved in regulating hepatic glucolipid metabolism. Hence, we proposed that PEPCK may have a role in goose hepatic steatosis. To test our hypothesis, the present study was conducted to firstly determine the sequence characteristics of goose PEPCK and then to explore its role in overfeeding-induced fatty liver. Our results showed that goose PEPCK encodes a 622-amino-acids protein that contains highly conserved oxaloacetate-binding domain, kinase-1 and kinase-2 motifs. PEPCK had higher mRNA levels in goose liver, and overfeeding markedly increased its expression in livers of both Sichuan White and Landes geese (p<0.05). Besides, expression of PEPCK was positively correlated with hepatic TG levels as well as plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Additionally, in cultured goose primary hepatocyte, treatment with either oleic acid (0.8, 1.2 or 1.6 mM) or linoleic acid (0.125 or 0.25 mM) significantly (p<0.05) enhanced the expression of PEPCK. Taken together, these data suggested a role for PEPCK in the occurrence of overfeeding-induced goose hepatic steatosis.

ABSTRACT This study explores the differences of appearance and the digestive systems of two birds (Lonchura striata and Copsychus saularis), which have the same eating pattern in staple ingredients. Each bird was caught naturally and euthanized in appropriate manner, followed by morphology survey on bill, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and appearance of the body parts such as Culmen, Claw, Wing, Tarsus, Toe and Tail. The results showed that the appearance feature between them presented significant differences in the beak length, wing length and tail length, which were correlated to their staple feeding habits. In addition, in the digestive system, the length of duodenum and duodenal indexes showed significant differences (p<0.05 or p<0.01), which was considered to be correlated to their predation rate. However, there were no significant differences in jejunum length, ileum length, and the whole digestive tract length and weight, the evidence showed that feeding habits still play a great role in the whole intestine. It is concluded that different staple feeding habits allow the birds to evolve different traits both in appearance and intestine, which aim to improve their predation rate and adapt to different environments. Among all features, duodenum and duodenal were the major objects to get stressed in digestive system, while beak length, wing length and tail length differed most in appearance. And it was speculated that different food compositions lead to different changes in certain positions of the body, thus might shape an explorable trail, which needs to be investigated thoroughly.

RESUMO Nesse estudo, folhas "neem" foram extraídas com sucesso com éter de petróleo, 95% de etanol e água, e as atividades inseticidas desses extratos foram medidas contra larvas de Oxya chinesis. Os resultados mostram que extrato com 95% de etanol deram o maior resultado de extração e atividade inseticida e foi então extraído utilizando mais cinco diferentes solventes. O éter de petróleo do extrato de 95% etanol apresentou maior atividade inseticida com concentração letal média variando de 14.93 a 55.66mg/mL. A análise por cromatografia de massa mostrou que o extrato de éter de petróleo está composto principalmente de alcanos, alcenos, ésteres e amidas. A avaliação patológica revelou que as lesões proeminentes, inclusive células regenerativas reduzidas no intestino e células cilíndricas edemaciadas e degeneradas foram observadas no quinto estágio de desenvolvimento da Oxya chinesis após tratamento. As características ultraestruturais mostraram que as células cilíndricas, microvilos e mitocôndrias apresentavam lesões graves. Esses resultados sugerem que o extrato de éter de petróleo de folhas de "neem" tem atividade inseticida potente e pode ser um candidato a inseticida.

ABSTRACT In this study, neem leaves were successively extracted with petroleum ether, 95% ethanol and water and the insecticidal activities of these extracts against Oxya chinensis larvae were measured. The results showed that 95% ethanol extract gave the highest extraction yield and insecticidal activity, and it was further extracted with five different solvents. The petroleum ether extract from the 95% ethanol extract possessed the highest insecticidal activity with median lethal concentration values ranging from 14.93 to 55.66mg/mL. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis showed that the petroleum ether extract mainly composed of alkanes, olefin, esters and amide. The pathological examination revealed that the prominent lesions, including reduced regenerative cells in midgut and swelled and degenerated cylindrical cells, were observed in the 5th instar Oxya chinensis after treatment. The ultrastructural features showed that the cylindrical cells, microvilli and mitochondria were seriously damaged. These results suggested that the petroleum ether extract from neem leaves had potent insecticidal activity and could be a candidate insecticide.

ABSTRACT The bursa of Fabricius (BF) is the central humoral immune organ unique to birds. The present study investigated the possible difference on a molecular level between two duck breeds. The digital gene expression profiling (DGE) technology was used to enrich the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in BF between the Jianchang and Nonghua-P strains of ducks. DGE data identified 195 DEGs in the bursa. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis suggested that DEGs were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways and ribosome components. Pathways analysis identified the spliceosome, RNA transport, RNA degradation process, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway and B cell receptor signaling pathway. The results indicated that the main difference in the BF between the two duck strains was in the capabilities of protein formation and B cell development. These data have revealed the main divergence in the BF on a molecular level between genetically different duck breeds and may help to perform molecular breeding programs in poultry in the future.

ABSTRACT The carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP) is an important nuclear factor that regulates glycolysis and de novo lipogenesis. However, the role of ChREBP in fatty liver development in geese remains unclear. In order to understand the function of ChREBP in lipid metabolism of geese, we first cloned the complete cDNA of the ChREBP of the Sichuan White goose (Anser cygnoides) using RT-PCR, 5’ RACE and 3’ RACE, and analyzed goose ChREBP expression in nine different tissues using real-time PCR technology. The results showed that the goose ChREBP CDS consists of 945bp nucleotides that encode 314 amino acids, and the sequence has high similarities with the swan goose (Anser cygnoides domesticus) and duck (Anas platyrhynchos) sequences, both at the nucleotide and amino acid levels. The predicted ChREBP protein had a molecular mass of 35.64 kDa with pI value of 5.36. The phylogenetic analysis indicated its evolutionary relationships with corresponding orthologous sequences in swan geese and ducks. The qPCR assays revealed that ChREBP is highly expressed in liver in the Sichuan White goose. Together, these results indicate that goose ChREBP may play an important role in the development of hepatic steatosis.

Intestinal obstruction leads to blockage of the movement of intestinal contents. After relieving the obstruction, patients might still suffer with compromised immune function and nutritional deficiency. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Sijunzi decoction on restoring the immune function and nutritional status after relieving the obstruction. Experimental rabbits (2.5±0.2 kg) were randomly divided into normal control group, 2-day intestinal obstruction group, 2-day natural recovery group, 4-day natural recovery group, 2-day treated group, and 4-day treated group. Sijunzi decoction was given twice a day to the treated groups. The concentration of markers was analyzed to evaluate the immune function and nutritional status. The concentration of interleukin-2, immunoglobulins and complement components of the treated groups were significantly higher than the natural recovery group (P<0.05). The levels of CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ increased then decreased in the treated groups. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and CD8+ were significantly lower than the natural recovery group. The level of total protein in the treated groups also increased then decreased after relieving the obstruction. The levels of albumin, prealbumin and insulin-like growth factor-1 were significantly higher in the treated groups than in the natural recovery group (P<0.05). Transferrin level in the treated groups was significantly higher than the obstruction group (P<0.05). Sijunzi decoction can lessen the inflammatory response and improve the nutrition absorption after relieving the obstruction.

Vascular problems are the most common complications in diabetes. Substantial evidence from epidemiological and pathophysiological studies show that hyperglycemia is a major risk factor for macrovascular complications in patients with diabetes. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major catechin derived from green tea, is known to exert a variety of cardiovascular beneficial effects. The protective effects of EGCG in diabetes are also evident. However, whether EGCG is beneficial against macrovascular complications that occur in diabetes remains unknown. Our previous studies demonstrated that treatment of EGCG inhibits high glucose-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and suppresses high glucose-mediated vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that EGCG might be an effective potential candidate to reduce the macrovascular complications in diabetes.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether exogenous retinoic acid (RA) can upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43), thereby promoting brain functional recovery in a rat distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of ischemia. A total of 216 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 300–320 g were divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group, MCAO+vehicle group and MCAO+RA group. Focal cortical infarction was induced with a distal MCAO model. The expression of GAP-43 mRNA and protein in the ipsilateral perifocal region was assessed using qPCR and immunocytochemistry at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after distal MCAO. In addition, an intraperitoneal injection of RA was given 12 h before MCAO and continued every day until the animal was sacrificed. Following ischemia, the expression of GAP-43 first increased considerably and then decreased. Administration of RA reduced infarction volume, promoted neurological functional recovery and upregulated expression of GAP-43. Administration of RA can ameliorate neuronal damage and promote nerve regeneration by upregulating the expression of GAP-43 in the perifocal region after distal MCAO.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and analyse its risk factors using the International Association of Diabetes in Pregnancy Study Groups’ diagnostic criteria. Method: Pregnant women (n = 650) were selected for our study. The related risk factors of GDM were collected using a questionnaire. The 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was done from the 24th to the 28th week of their gestation. Their blood glucose levels were measured. Results: The GDM prevalence was 32.8%. Age, pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, weight at birth and triglycerides in the GDM group were significantly higher than that of the normal glucose tolerance group (p < 0.05). The correlation analyses revealed that: age, pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, the weights of the pregnant women at delivery, family history of diabetes, birth times, previous history of adverse pregnancy and hypertriglyceridaemia, were significantly correlated with the development of GDM (p < 0.05). Stratified analyses showed that the prevalence of GDM increased gradually with age and increased pre-pregnancy BMI. The pregnant women with a history of multiple pregnancies and previous adverse pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of developing GDM. Multiple stepwise regression analyses data indicated that prepregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, family history of diabetes, previous adverse pregnancy, and hypertriglyceridaemia were the independent risk factors that contributed to the development of GDM in the pregnant women. Conclusion: The use of newly defined criteria has increased the apparent prevalence rate of GDM in the pregnant women we studied. Intervention treatment should be administered if the risk factors for GDM are established in order to reduce the incidence of GDM in pregnant women.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de la diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) y analizar sus factores de riesgo usando los criterios de diagnóstico de la Asociación Internacional de Grupos de Estudio de Diabetes y Embarazo. Método: Seis cientos cincuenta mujeres embarazadas (n = 650) fueron seleccionadas para nuestro estudio. Los factores de riesgo relacionados de la DMG se recogieron utilizando un cuestionario. La prueba de tolerancia de glucosa oral de 75 g se realizó de la semana 24 a la semana 28 de la gestación. Se midieron los niveles de glucosa en sangre. Resultados: La prevalencia de DMG fue del 32.8%. La edad, índice de masa corporal antes del embarazo (IMC), peso antes del embarazo, aumento de peso gestacional, peso al nacer y los triglicéridos en el grupo de DMG fueron significativamente mayores que en el grupo de tolerancia normal a la glucosa (p < 0.05). Los análisis de correlación revelaron que la edad, el peso antes del embarazo, el aumento de peso durante el embarazo, el peso de las mujeres embarazadas en el parto, los antecedentes familiares de diabetes, los tiempos de nacimiento, los antecedentes de embarazo adverso, y la hipertrigliceri-demia, se correlacionaban significativamente con el desarrollo de la DMG (p < 0.05). Los análisis estratificados mostraron que la prevalencia de DMG aumenta gradualmente con la edad y el mayor IMC antes del embarazo. Las mujeres embarazadas con antecedentes de embarazos múltiples y embarazos anteriores adversos tenían un riesgo significativamente mayor de desarrollar DMG. Nuestros datos del análisis de regresión múltiple paso a paso indicaron que el peso antes del embarazo, el aumento de peso durante el embarazo, los antecedentes familiares de diabetes, los embarazos adversos anteriores, y la hipertrigliceridemia eran factores de riesgo independientes que contribuían al desarrollo de la DMG en las mujeres embarazadas. Conclusión: El uso de los criterios definidos recientemente aumentó la prevalencia aparente de DMG en las mujeres embarazadas que estudiamos. Si se determina que existen factores de riesgo de DMG, debe administrarse un tratamiento de intervención con el fin de reducir la incidencia de DMG en las mujeres embarazadas.

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the protective mechanism of zinc finger protein A20 over-expression in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) rats. Methods: Forty-five Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group and observation group. The model and observation groups were injected with normal saline and pcDNA3.1-A20 plasmid in the pre-operative 24 hour, respectively. The AMI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary arteries of the model group and the observation group. The sham group were only treated with left anterior descending coronary artery threading but not ligation. The levels of A20 messenger ribonucleic acids (mRNA) and protein were detected by, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) and Western blot. The levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) proteins in the peripheral blood were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The myocardial infarct size was analysed by triphenyl tetrazolium (TTC) staining. Results: Compared with the sham group, the levels of A20 mRNA and protein in the myocardium of the model and observation groups were significantly increased; the level in observation group was significantly higher than that of model group (p < 0.05). Compared with sham group, the level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 protein in the myocardium of the model and observation groups was activated into the nucleus, and NF-κB p65 protein in the nucleus in the observation group was significantly lower than that of the model group (p < 0.05). Compared with the sham group, the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 proteins in the peripheral blood in the model and observation groups were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The myocardial infarct size was significantly increased in the model and observation groups (p < 0.05), while the myocar-dial infarct size in the observation group was significantly decreased compared with the model group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Zinc finger protein A20 can significantly inhibit the inflammatory injury and cell apoptosis process in AMI rats, which may be related to its inhibition of the expression and activation of nuclear transcription factor NF-κB.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Investigar el mecanismo protector de la sobreexpresión de la proteína con dedos de zinc A20 en ratas con infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM). Métodos: Cuarenta y cinco ratas Sprague Dawley (SD) fueron divididas aleatoriamente en un grupo simulado, un grupo modelo, y un grupo de observación. A los grupos modelo y de observación se les inyectó solución salina normal y el plásmido pcDNA3.1-A20 en las 24 horas preoperatorias, respectivamente. El modelo IAM se estableció ligando las arterias coronarias descendentes anteriores izquierdas del grupo modelo y el grupo de observación. El grupo simulado fue tratado enhebrando solamente la arteria coronaria descendente anterior izquierda, sin hacer la ligadura. Los niveles de proteína y ácidos ribonucleicos mensajero (ARNm) A20 fueron detectados mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa con transcripción inversa (RT-PCR, siglas en inglés) y electrotransferencia (Western blot). Los niveles de factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (FNT-α) y las proteínas de interleucina 6 (IL-6) en la sangre periférica fueron detectados mediante ensayo por inmunoabsorción ligado a enzimas (ELISA). El tamaño del infarto del miocardio fue analizado mediante tinción con cloruro de trifenil tetrazolio (TTC). Resultados: En comparación con el grupo simulado, los niveles de ARNm y proteína A20 en el miocardio de los grupos modelo y de observación se incrementaron significativamente; el nivel en el grupo de observación fue significativamente mayor que en el grupo modelo (p < 0.05). En comparación con el grupo simulado, el nivel de proteína factor nuclear κB (NF-κB) p65 en el miocardio de los grupos modelo y de observación fue activado en núcleo, y la proteína NF-κB p65 en el núcleo del grupo de observación fue significativamente menor que la del grupo modelo (p < 0.05). En comparación con el grupo simulado, los niveles de las proteínas TNF-α e IL-6 en la sangre periférica en el grupo modelo y el grupo de observación, se incrementaron significativamente (p < 0.05). El tamaño del infarto de miocardio aumentó significativamente en el grupo modelo y el grupo de observación (p < 0.05), mientras que el tamaño del infarto del miocardio en el grupo de observación disminuyó significativamente en comparación con el grupo modelo (p < 0.05). Conclusión: La proteína con dedos de zinc A20 puede inhibir significativamente la lesión inflamatoria y el proceso de apoptosis celular en ratas con IAM, lo que puede estar relacionado con su inhibición de la expresión y activación del factor de transcripción nuclear NF-κB.

Abstract The unified solution is studied for a beam of rectangular cross section. With the rotation defined in the average sense over the cross section, the kinematics with higher-order shear deformation models in axial displacement is first expressed in a unified form by using the fundamental higher-order term with some properties. The shear correction factor is then derived and discussed for the four commonly used higher-order shear deformation models including the third-order model, the sine model, the hyperbolic sine model and the exponential model. The unified solution is finally obtained for a beam subjected to an arbitrarily distributed load. The relation with that from the conventional beam theory is established, and therefore the difference is reasonably explained. A very good agreement with the elasticity theory validates the present solution.

15N tracing technique was applied to investigate the effects of various organic carbon (OC) sources on dissimilatory nitrate (NO3-)reduction to ammonium (NH4+) (DNRA) rates in the coastal wetland sediments. Soils collected from the Chongming Dongtan wetland were incubated at 25ºC in the dark for 24 h following the additions of OC sources (glucose, acetate, malate, citrate and oxalate (500 μg C g-1 dry soil)) and 15N-labeled NH4(15)NO3 (initial 15N atom% of NO3--N is 20%). The results showed that soil DNRA rates varied from 0.018-0.497 mg N kg-1 dry soil d-1during the whole incubation, and the rates differed significantly among treatments following the order: oxalate> citrate> glucose> acetate> malate> no exogenous C addition over the first 12-h incubation. This was possibly caused by the different decomposition rates of various OC sources, which further influenced the available energy provided for DNRA microorganisms. Soils with no addition of exogenous C showed lower soil DNRA rates, presumably because of the low C/NO3- ratio as well as energy availability. The relative lower soil DNRA rates over the 24-h incubation indicated that DNRA is a fast process. Our results suggest that DNRA could be controlled by OC sources, especially organic acids, demonstrating that the widespread use of glucose in soil laboratory studies might lead to misleading knowledge on understanding the effects of OC on soil DNRA process.