[Quantitative classification and biodiversity characteristics of plant communities in Luoshan Mountain steppe, Ningxia, China].

To understand the distribution pattern and influencing factors of plant community and diversity along the altitude gradient, we examined plant community types, plant diversity and phylogenetic diversity of mountain steppe in Luoshan, Ningxia, and analyzed the relationship between the plant community and its diversity and environmental driving factors. The results showed that the main community types in the mountain steppe were community, community, community, community, ＋ community, community, ＋＋ community, ＋ community, ＋ community, community, community and community. The distribution of mountain steppe community was mainly affected by altitude, soil alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen, water content, available potassium, silt and organic matter contents, with altitude and soil water content having the greatest effects (<0.

Molecular mechanism of hypoxia and alpha-ketoglutaric acid on collagen expression in scleral fibroblasts.

Aim: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of hypoxia and alpha-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG) on scleral collagen expression.

Methods: Meta-analysis and clinical statistics were used to prove the changes in choroidal thickness (ChT) during myopia. The establishment of a hypoxic myopia model (HYP) for rabbit scleral fibroblasts through hypoxic culture and the effects of hypoxia and α-KG on collagen expression were demonstrated by Sirius red staining.

Distribution of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial sensitivity of eye infections in Suzhou.

Aim: To investigate the types of bacteria in patients with eye infections in Suzhou and their drug resistance to commonly used antibacterial drugs.

Methods: The clinical data of 155 patients were retrospectively collected in this study, and the pathogenic bacteria species and drug resistance of each pathogenic bacteria were analyzed.

Results: Among the 155 patients (age from 12 to 87 years old, with an average age of 57, 99 males and 56 females) with eye infections (160 eyes: 74 in the left eye, 76 in the right eye and 5 in both eyes, all of which were exogenous), 71 (45.

Circular RNA ACTR2 activates M2 polarization of macrophages through activating Yes-associated protein signalling and contributes to renal fibrosis.

Macrophages, associated with their heterogenous and dynamic polarization status, actively shape the development of renal fibrosis (RF). In this study, we revealed the significance of a signalling axis, circular RNA ACTR2 (circACTR2)/miR-200c/Yes-associated protein (YAP), in regulating macrophage polarization and the development of RF. A unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO)-induced RF model was established in vivo.

CircACTR2 in macrophages promotes renal fibrosis by activating macrophage inflammation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells.

The crosstalk between macrophages and tubular epithelial cells (TECs) actively regulates the progression of renal fibrosis. In the present study, we revealed the significance of circular RNA ACTR2 (circACTR2) in regulating macrophage inflammation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of TECs, and the development of renal fibrosis. Our results showed UUO-induced renal fibrosis was associated with increased inflammation and EMT, hypertrophy of contralateral kidney, up-regulations of circACTR2 and NLRP3, and the down-regulation of miR-561.

Long-term outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus medical therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been widely used for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with overweight or obesity. However, the long-term outcomes of RYGB versus medical therapy have not been well compared.

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of RYGB versus medical therapy for patients with T2D.

Whole transcriptome analysis on blue light-induced eye damage.

Aim: To analyze abnormal gene expressions of mice eyes exposed to blue light using RNA-seq and analyze the related signaling pathways.

Methods: Kunming mice were divided into an experimental group that was exposed to blue light and a control group that was exposed to natural light. After 14d, the mice were euthanized and their eyeballs were collected.

MiR-200b/c family inhibits renal fibrosis through modulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via targeting fascin-1/CD44 axis.

Background: Renal fibrosis is the characteristic of all kinds of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Fascin-1 plays an important role in tumor development, but the roles of fascin-1 in renal fibrosis have not been studied. Here, we explored the role of fascin-1 in renal fibrosis and the potential mechanisms.

Spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum for Alzheimer's disease: A protocol for systematic review.

Background: Previous studies have reported that spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum (SPGL) may be effective for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its efficacy is still inconclusive. Thus, this systematic review will aim to assess its efficacy and safety for AD.

PM2.5 induces liver fibrosis via triggering ROS-mediated mitophagy.

Background: The increasing epidemic of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a serious threat to human health. It induces the occurrence of liver fibrosis, but its molecular mechanism is not yet clear.

A retrospective study of Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Powder for patients with epilepsy.

This study firstly investigated the feasibility effect and safety of Ganoderma Lucidum Spore Powder (GLSP) for treating patients with epilepsy.Eighteen eligible patients with epilepsy were included. They all received GLSP treatment for a total of 8 weeks.

Spore powder of Ganoderma lucidum for the treatment of Alzheimer disease: A pilot study.

Background: This study explored the feasible efficacy and safety of the Spore Powder of Ganoderma Lucidum (SPGL) for treating patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Methods: Forty-two eligible patients with AD were recruited. These patients were randomly allocated to an intervention group and a control group equally.

Comparative study of surgical knots using a domestically produced Chinese surgical robot, laparoscope, or barehanded approach.

Background: We conducted a comparative analysis of the first domestically produced Chinese surgical robot, 'MicroHand', laparoscopic, and barehanded approaches in tying surgical knots.

Methods: Four surgeons performed square or triple knots individually using the three approaches and documented the operational time, circumference, the bearable tension and action trajectory for each knot.

Results: MicroHand took more time than the barehanded method but nearly the same as with the laparoscope.

A non-intrusive method for monitoring the degradation of MOSFETs.

Highly reliable embedded systems have been widely applied in the fields of aerospace, nuclear power, high-speed rail, etc., which are related to security and economic development. The reliability of the power supply directly influences the security of the embedded system, and has been the research focus of numerous electronic information and energy studies.

[The compared study in detecting the recurrence and metastases of breast cancer patients post treatment between (18)F-FDG PET/CT and conventional workup].

Objective: This study is to investigate the clinical role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in detecting the recurrence and metastases of patients with breast cancer post treatment, compared to the conventional imaging technology, such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound.

Methods: The reports of FDG PET/CT whole body scans and conventional imaging technology, such as CT, MRI, and ultrasound, performed from Jan to Aug 2011 on 70 patients with breast cancer post treatment were retrospectively reviewed.The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 2 groups in detecting the recurrence and metastases were calculated and compared.

High-intensity focused ultrasound treatment for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Background: High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive method of solid tissue ablation therapy. However, only a few studies have reported the effect of HIFU for unresectable pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefits, survival time and complications associated with the use of HIFU ablation in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Biological properties of carbon/carbon implant composites with unique manufacturing processes.

The goal was to manufacture carbon/carbon (C/C) composites through a unique procedure with improved biocompatibility and reduced debris release. C/C composites were prepared by chemical vapor deposition, and their biological properties were analyzed. With regard to mechanical properties, compressive strength/modulus was 219.

Endoscopic variceal ligation combined with Hassab's procedure in preventing the recurrence of esophageal varices.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) combined with Hassab's procedure in the prevention of variceal recurrence.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-five patients with esophageal varices were randomized to receive EVL alone, Hassab's procedure alone or a combination of EVL and Hassab's procedure for variceal eradication. Ultrasonographic venous network images were recorded by an esophageal microprobe before and after the EVL or Hassab's procedure.

[Clinical application of (18)F-FDG PET/CT to staging and treatment effectiveness monitoring of nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Background & Objective: Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET/CT could increase the accuracy of diagnosis, staging, and treatment effectiveness monitoring of many malignant diseases, such as lung cancer and esophageal cancer. This study was to evaluate the clinical application of (18)F-FDG PET/CT to the staging, restaging, and treatment effectiveness monitoring of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: The reports of whole body (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans, performed from Feb.

[Primary investigation of dose-effect relationship of 153Sm-EDTMP in treating multiple bone metastases].

Background & Objective: Dose calculation of radionuclide internal irradiation is a hot topic and difficulty of nuclear medical researches. This study was to calculate the focus absorption dose of 153Sm-EDTMP with the Monte Carlo EGS4 method for treatment of bone metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma or breast cancer, and investigate the relationship between the focus absorption dose and painkilling effect of 153Sm-EDTMP.

Methods: Four patients with multiple bone metastases from nasopharyngeal or breast carcinoma and suffered from grade IV bone pain were treated with radionuclide internal irradiation of 153Sm-EDTMP.

[Experimental study of bio-distribution and tumor imaging of 131I in nude mice bearing human breast cancer].

Background & Objective: Previous study showed that about 85% of local and metastatic tissues of the estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer express a large number of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS), which transfers the iodide from blood into cancer cells, leading to much higher cellular concentration in breast cancer than normal tissues. This study was designed to investigate the specific affinity of (131)I to the estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer cells through the biodistribution and tumor imaging of the nude mice bearing breast cancer.

Methods: MCF-7/ER(+) and MCF-7/ER(-) nude mice bearing human breast cancer were prepared for the experiments.