Effects of cross-sectional shapes and arrangement patterns on windbreak effects of shelterbelts by large eddy simulation.

Investigating the wind speed flow field and aerodynamic characteristics of shelterbelts with different structural features is of significant importance for the rational arrangement of shelterbelts and the mitigation of wind-blown sand disasters. Considering five cross-sectional shapes of shelterbelts (rectangle, windward right-angle triangle, leeward right-angle triangle, isosceles triangle, and parabolic) and four layout forms (single shelterbelt, L-shaped network, U-shaped network, and rectangular network), we conducted computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using the large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence model to understand mean wind speed flow field and turbulence structure of shelterbelts with different structural features, and investigated the effects of shelterbelt cross-sectional shapes and layout forms on windbreak indicators, such as protection distance and area. We considered tree canopies as porous media and conducted simulation with the 'Tsujimatsu' shelterbelt in Japan with a total height () of 7 m, canopy height of 5.

Analgesia effect of premixed nitrous oxide/oxygen during the rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The morbidity of knee arthritis is increasing among aged people and total knee arthroplasty has been its mainstream treatment to date. Postoperative rehabilitation is an important part of the procedure. However, the intense pain during the functional exercise involved has always been a challenge for both patients and health care professionals.

Association between decreased osteopontin and acute mountain sickness upon rapid ascent to 3500 m among young Chinese men.

Background: Hypoxia causes oxidative stress and a decrease in osteopontin (OPN) in rats; however, little is known about the change in OPN in lowlander humans during hypobaric hypoxia. We explore the role of the predicted decrease in plasma OPN levels in humans upon high-altitude exposure and its relationship with acute mountain sickness (AMS), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA).

Methods: Before and during acute altitude exposure, 261 men's plasma OPN, SOD, MDA, heart rate and pulse oximeter saturation (SpO2) were measured.

Apotosis in ovary.

Folliculogenesis is a complex process involving dramatic morphological and functional changes in granulosa and theca cells. This process is sequential and dictated specifically by tightly regulated response to endocrine hormones and intra-ovarian regulators. In mammalian ovaries, only a few number of presented follicles in a fetal ovary can reach ovulatory status during follicular development; more than 99% of the follicles in the ovary undergo a degenerative process known as "atresia" induced by apotosis.

A novel testis-specific Na+/H+ exchanger is involved in sperm motility and fertility.

Sodium-hydrogen exchanger as a channel for regulation of intracellular pH might be a crucial modulator of sperm capacitation and motility. Three members of this family have been identified in spermatozoa. A novel protein testis-specific sodium-hydrogen exchanger named mtsNHE was cloned in the present study.

Increased expression of heat shock protein 105 in rat uterus of early pregnancy and its significance in embryo implantation.

Background: Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are a set of highly conserved proteins, Hsp105, has been suggested to play a role in reproduction.

Methods: Spatio-temporal expression of Hsp105 in rat uterus during peri-implantation period was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, pseudopregnant uterus was used as control. Injection of antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to Hsp105 into pregnant rat uteri was carried out to look at effect of Hsp105 on embryo implantation.

Expression of nitric oxide synthase during germ cell apoptosis in testis of cynomolgus monkey after testosterone and heat treatment.

This study investigates the possible involvement of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in activating germ cell death in monkeys after mild testicular hyperthermia and/or hormonal deprivation. Groups of 8 adult male monkeys received 1 of the following treatments for 12 weeks: 1) 2 empty Silastic implants, 2) 2 testosterone (T) implants, 3) daily exposure of testes to heat (43 degrees C for 30 minutes) for 2 consecutive days, or 4) 2 T implants plus testicular heat exposure. Testicular biopsies were performed before and on days 3, 8, 28, and 84 of the treatment.

Effect of 43 degrees treatment on expression of heat shock proteins 105, 70 and 60 in cultured monkey Sertoli cells.

Aim: To examine the possible effect of heat treatment on expression of heat shock proteins (Hsps) 105, 70, and 60 in primary monkey Sertoli cells and to evaluate the possible signal pathways.

Methods: Western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and confocal immunohistochemistry were used to analyze mRNA and protein levels of the Hsps in response to 43 degrees treatment of Sertoli cells isolated from pubertal monkey testes.

Results: Staining with Hoechst 33342 indicated Sertoli cells did not undergo apoptosis after heat treatment.

Heat treatment induces liver receptor homolog-1 expression in monkey and rat sertoli cells.

We demonstrated in this study that liver receptor homolog-1 (LRH-1) was expressed in the round spermatids in normal monkey testis, and no LRH-1 signal was observed in the Sertoli cells. After local warming (43 C) the monkey testis, however, LRH-1 expression was induced in the Sertoli cells in coincidence with activation of cytokeratin 18 (CK-18), a Sertoli cell dedifferentiated marker. Furthermore, we isolated rat primary Sertoli cells from testes at various stages of development and treated with 43 C water in vitro.

Activation of extracellular signal-related kinases 1 and 2 in Sertoli cells in experimentally cryptorchid rhesus monkeys.

Aim: To assess the spatiotemporal changes in the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in response to heat stress in the cryptorchid testis, and to investigate a possible relation to Sertoli cell dedifferentiation.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to examine the expression and activation of ERK1/2, p38 and JNK in the cryptorchid testis at various stages after experimental cryptorchidism.

Results: The abdominal temperature did not obviously change the total ERK1/2 expression but significantly activated phospho-ERK1/2 in the Sertoli cells of the cryptorchid testis.

Expression of orphan receptors TR2, TR3, TR4, and p53 in heat-treated testis of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

To investigate the possible role of testicular orphan receptors (TR) TR2, TR3, and TR4 in the process of germ cell apoptosis in the heat-treated testis of monkey, we have examined the spatiotemporal expression of the 3 TR mRNAs in relation to p53 mRNA levels in the monkey testis by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques. The results showed that TR2 mRNA was confined to spermatocytes; TR4 and TR3 mRNAs were expressed in both spermatocytes and spermatids. The heat treatment did not change TR2 mRNA level but significantly reduced TR4 mRNA expression in spermatocytes on days 3 and 8 after the heat treatment.

Dedifferentiation of adult monkey Sertoli cells through activation of extracellularly regulated kinase 1/2 induced by heat treatment.

Sertoli cells play a key role in triggering and regulating the process of spermatogenesis. Failure of a Sertoli cell to mature functionally will presumably render it incapable of supporting germ cell survival and development that appeared after puberty. Expression of cytokeratin 18 (ck-18) intermediate filaments indicates a state of undifferentiation usually observed in Sertoli cells of prepubertal testis.

Transient testicular warming enhances the suppressive effect of testosterone on spermatogenesis in adult cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis).

Context: The context of the study was to examine whether combined testosterone (T) and heat (H) treatment have additive or synergistic effects on suppression of spermatogenesis.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether T+H induces a greater suppression of spermatogenesis than either treatment alone in monkeys.

Design: The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled study.

Expression of HSP105 and HSP60 during germ cell apoptosis in the heat-treated testes of adult cynomolgus monkeys (macaca fascicularis).

To confirm that transient increase in temperature of the testis (43C for 30 minutes once daily for 2 consecutive days) could induce apoptosis of germ cells in non-human primates and to investigate the possible roles of Hsp105 and Hsp60 in regulation of germ cell loss, we conducted the study on eight cynomolgus monkeys. The sperm concentration on day 28 after heat shock decreased to 8.4% of pretreatment levels and recovered to baseline on day 144.

Stem cell factor modulates the expression of steroidogenesis related proteins and FSHR during ovarian follicular development.

Stem cell factor (SCF) is essential for the development of primordial follicles. By using cultured ovaries from neonatal rats, the effect of SCF on early follicular development was investigated. Steroidogenesis is a hallmark of follicular development.

Expression of Bcl-2 and p53 at the fetal-maternal interface of rhesus monkey.

To study the apoptosis and its mechanism at the fetal-maternal interface of early gestation, localization of apoptotic cells in the implantation sites of the rhesus monkey on day 17, 19, 28 and 34 of pregnancy were first examine by using the TUNEL technique. The expression of Ki67, a molecular marker of proliferating cells, and two apoptotic proteins, B cell lymphoma/leukaemia-2 (Bcl-2) and P53, were then studied by immunohistochemistry. Apoptotic nuclei were observed mainly in the syncytiotrophoblast.

Signal transduction of stem cell factor in promoting early follicle development.

Stem cell factor (SCF), another alternative name is kit ligand, is essential for the development of early follicles. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be defined. By using cultured ovaries that are rich in primordial follicles, the action of SCF (kit ligand) on early follicular development and the activated signal transduction pathways were investigated.

Bcl-2 and Bax are involved in experimental cryptorchidism-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis in rhesus monkey.

Apoptosis occurs spontaneously during spermatogenesis. However, little is known about its regulation in primate. Using an experimental cryptorchidism model in rhesus monkey, we have investigated the relationship between apoptosis and the Bcl-2 family members, Bcl-2 and Bax.