Characteristics of spring maize sap flow and its environmental influencing factors in typical mollisol area.

Clarifying the variations of sap flow rate of spring maize in the typical mollisol area and its main control factors is of great significance to explore water consumption from transpiration and regulate field water management. In this study, we installed the wrapped sap flow sensors and TDR probes to continuously monitor the sap flow rate of spring maize during filling-maturity stage and soil water and heat conditions of topsoil. In combination with meteorological data collecting from a nearby automatic weather station, we analyzed the correlation between the sap flow rate of spring maize and environmental factors at different time scales.

Six-Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate-1 (STEAP-1)-Targeted Ultrasound Imaging Microbubble Improves Detection of Prostate Cancer In Vivo.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of the 6-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate-1 (STEAP-1)-targeted microbubbles for enhancing ultrasound imaging of prostate tumors in the nude mouse xenograft models.

Methods: Contrast agents were established by conjugating biotinylated STEAP-1 monoclonal antibodies with streptavidin coated SonoVue microbubbles. Then, ordinary SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy) microbubble and STEAP-1-targeted SonoVue microbubble were used, respectively, for contrast-enhanced sonography to detect prostate tumors in the nude mouse xenograft models.

Improved myocardial perfusion and cardiac function by controlled-release basic fibroblast growth factor using fibrin glue in a canine infarct model.

Objective: Angiogenic therapy is emerging as a potential strategy for the treatment of ischemic heart disease but is limited by a relatively short half-life of growth factors. Fibrin glue (FG) provides a reservoir for controlled-release of growth factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) incorporating FG on angiogenesis and cardiac performance in a canine infarct model.

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 genotypic drug resistance among volunteer blood donors in Yunnan, China.

Background: Drug resistance profiles of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) in treatment-naïve infections have been reported in developed countries. However, little is known in developing countries, including China, especially in treatment-naïve volunteer blood donors.

Study Design And Methods: Fifty-two HIV-1-positive samples of blood donors were collected from 2005 to 2006 in Yunnan, China.

[Relationship of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase with varicocele infertility].

Objective: To investigate the relationship of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) with varicocele (VC) infertility.

Methods: Fifty-three infertile men, 21 with varicocele and 32 with subvaricocele, were enrolled as Group 1, 29 infertile patients with oligoasthenozoospermia but without varicocele as Group 2 and 28 normal fertile controls as Group 3. The NO content and NOS activity in the seminal plasma and peripheral blood were measured by nitric acid reductase method, and the semen parameters of VC determined by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA).