Noninvasively diagnosing coronary artery disease with 61-channel MCG data

Magnetocardiography(MCG) has been investigated as a tool for noninvasive detection of coronary artery disease(CAD). In this study, the area ratio of positive and negative magnetic induction extracted from an extrema circle in the magnetocardiogram was analyzed at specific time points in the cardiac cycle: P maximum, R peak, J point, T onset, T peak and T end. The area of the positive proportion of the magnetic field relative to the total area within a circle encompassing the field extrema was determined and proposed for fast-speed CAD diagnosis. MCG was performed with a 61-channel biomagnetometer in a shielded environment in 38 healthy subjects and 15 CAD patients. A notable difference in area ratio was found between healthy and CAD subjects at the peak time of T wave: 0.416 ± 0.090 versus0.465 ± 0.065(p = 0.013). Using a cutoff value of 0.4506resulted in a sensitivity and specificity of 86.7 % and 73.8 %,respectively. This approach may enable a fast-speed CAD diagnosis in a clinical setting.     

Mode of action for inorganic arsenic toxicity and carcinogenesis

Inorganic arsenic(iAs) at high doses is a known human carcinogen, inducing tumors of the skin,urinary bladder, and lung. It is also associated with noncancer toxicities. An understanding of the mode of action(MOA) for arsenic-induced effects is needed to develop a scientifically-based risk assessment. To determine an MOA for iAs induced toxicities, it is necessary to understand the metabolism, kinetics, cell transport, and interaction with specific proteins of iAs. Based on in vitro investigations using animal and human cells, studies from animal models,and clinical and epidemiological studies, we have proposed an MOA involving formation of sufficient levels of reactive trivalent metabolites which interact with critical free sulfhydryl groups, leading to cytotoxicity and regenerative cell proliferation. There is a strong correlation between in vitro cytotoxicity([0.1 lmol/L trivalent arsenicals) and the no effect levels in rodents [approximately 1 ppm(1 ppm = 1 mg/L) of water or diet]. In epithelial target tissues, the cytotoxic effects of iAs result in chronic precursor lesions which have the potential for an increased risk of developing cancer. In non-epithelial tissues, noncancer toxicities such as hypertension and atherosclerosis develop. This MOA implies a non-linear, threshold dose–response relationship for both non-cancer and cancer end points of exposure to iAs.     

Ionic iron（III） complex of aryloxo-linked bis（imidazolium） cations： efficient and recyclable catalyst for aryl Grignard cross-coupling of alkyl chlorides

A novel phenol-linked bis（imidazolium） salt, H3LCl2 （L = O-4-C（CH3）3-C6H2-2,6-di[CH2{C（NCHCH- NAr）}]2, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, 1）, was designed and used to prepare an ionic iron（III） complex [H2L][FeCl4] （2）. Complex 2 was a highly efficient catalyst for aryl Grignard cross-coupling of alkyl chlorides bearing β-hydrogens. Furthermore, complex 2 was reusable and could be reused in at least eight times without significant loss in catalytic activity.     

Biological correlates of psychological states among young children: a cross-sectional examination of roles of aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase,insulin, and cytokines

Compared to data on adolescents and adults, limited research has been conducted on biological corre- lates among young children with possible psychological difficulties, especially in Asian countries. By focusing on various peripheral biochemical indicators, we investigated potential biological correlates of psychological states in a community sample of Taiwanese school children aged 6-10 years. In total, 307 students （159 obese children and 148 normal-weight children） were selected from first- and fourth-grade school children in eight elementary schools in the Taipei metropolitan area in 2009. These children underwent a comprehensive health examination, including a physical examination, blood sample analysis, and questionnaire administration in a hospital. Differences in anthropometric and serum biochemical readings were compared between children with average and worse levels on each of the five psychological domains. We found that interleukin （IL）-1β [β = 1.29, 95 % confidence interval （CI） 0.50-2.09], IL-10 （β = 1.61, 95 % CI 〈0.01-3.24）, fasting blood glucose （β = 0.08, 95 % CI 0.01-0.15）, homocysteine （β = 0.63, 95 % CI 0.09-1.18）, and aspar- tate transaminase （AST） （β = 0.15, 95 % CI 〈0.01-0.31） were significantly positively associated with anxiety. In addition, IL-113, insulin, AST, and alanine aminotransam- inase （ALT） were significantly positively associated with depression. Anger and disruptive behaviors were also related to specific biological correlates. Specific biological correlates, including AST/ALT, cardiovascular disease- related variables, and specific cytokines, were linked to particular psychological states among young children in this Asian population. These might provide a route for better understanding the biological aspects of children＇s mental health and might contribute to research on diag- nostic or predictive biomarkers for psychiatric diseases in young children.     

吉首产白蕾磨Clitocybe candida氨基酸分析

本文报道了用邻苯二甲醛（OPA）-β-巯基乙醇衍生化、反相梯度洗脱、荧光检测分析法对吉首产白蕾蘑（ClitocybeCandidaBres）子实体的十六种氨基酸含量检测结果，其氨基酸总量为24mg／100mg（干品），必需氨基酸组分齐全，含量为8.67mg／100mg，占氨基酸总量的36．1％。该检测法分离效果好，平均回收率达95％，氨基酸保留时间的变异系数平均为1．0±0．4％，其含量变异系数平均为2．8±0．7％，在10pmol－2nmol范围内，线性关系系数平均为0．987±0．008.     

Acetone hydrogenation in exothermic reactor of an isopropanol–acetone–hydrogen chemical heat pump: effect of intra-particle mass and heat transfer

Intra-particle mass and heat transfer plays an important role in performance of the exothermic fixed-bed reactor for an isopropanol-acetone-hydrogen chemical heat pump. In this work, an exothermic fixed-bed reactor model, taking into account the actual packing structure, is established in the commercial software Fluent. A 120° segment of a tube with tube-to-particle diameter ratio （n） of 4, where realistic particles are packed and set to porous media, is used to simulate the 3D external flow, concen- tration and temperature fields in the exothermic packed-bed reactor. The influence of catalyst particle diameter （dp） and micropore diameter （do） on the intra-particle temperature, species distribution, reaction rate and selectivity is dis- cussed. The appropriate dp and do are obtained. Simulation results showed that intra-particle temperature gradient is not obvious. Large dp and small do lead to remarkable gradient of reaction rate inside the catalyst particle and the decrease in the catalyst efficiency and reduce the acetone conversion and the selectivity in isopropanol. The optimal results reveal that the spherical catalyst with dp of 1 mm and dpore of 10 nm is appropriate for high-temperature acetone hydrogenation.     

A ballistocardiogram measurement system for home monitoring: design,performance, and evaluation

We present a ballistocardiogram （BCG） measurement system for obtaining the BCG signal. The performance of the BCG measurement system was tested, including the dynamic response frequency of the platform （32 Hz with a 75 kg load）, and the signal to noise ratio of the system （minimum 23 dB）. Factors that could influence BCG recording during measurement were investigated by collecting data from 48 healthy subjects （28 males and 20 females）. The basic features of the BCG signal, such as the amplitude and time interval, were extracted, and differences by gender were analyzed. A correlation between the IJ amplitude （amplitude difference between I-and J-peak） and the respiration phase was found （R2 = 0.49）. The BCG signals for both sitting （SiBCG） and standing （StBCG） postures were obtained using this system. These showed that the StBCG amplitudes were larger than those of SiB- CG but there was no significant difference in the time intervals. The robustness of our system was verified, and its potential for noninvasive cardiac activity monitoring was demonstrated.     

Using quantile regression to analyze the stressor–response relationships between nutrient levels and algal biomass in three shallow lakes of the Lake Taihu Basin,China

Understanding the stressor–response relationship between nutrient levels and algal biomass is a prerequisite for the management of eutrophication in lakes. In this study, a quantile regression(QR) approach was used to interpret the stressor–response relationships between nutrient(e.g., phosphorus, nitrogen) concentrations and algal biomass as measured by chlorophyll-a(Chl-a) levels. QR results indicated that Lake Dianshan and Lake Changdang,which are both heavily eutrophicated, were P-limited only.In contrast, Lake Kuilei, which has significantly lower nutrient levels and algal biomass than the other two lakes,was P- and N-limited. Moreover, in Lake Kuilei, N and P levels had significant interaction effects on the algal biomass at the upper quantiles(s [ 0.68). The degree to which the lakes were P-limited increased with rises in the mean total P concentration in the lakes. QR has many advantages over ordinary least squares regression for discriminating limiting factors and, in particular, allows us to estimate changes near the upper extremes of distributions associated with limiting factors. QR is adapted to more specialized risk management problems, such as early warnings of the risk of algal blooms.The probable value-at-risk of harmful algal blooms for Lake Kuilei, Lake Dianshan and Lake Changdang is s = 0.76(Chl-a = 9 mg/m3), s = 0.87(Chl-a = 24 mg/m3) and s = 0.72(Chl-a = 35 mg/m3), respectively. Given the results of the stressor–response relationship analysis, we conclude that reductions in P input represent the most feasible and least costly approach for managing eutrophication in the shallow lakes of the Lake Taihu Basin. To control the magnitude and duration of algal blooms in shallow lakes,reductions in P and N inputs are required. The 95 % CI bounds of slopes indicated that the interactions of nonnutrient factors with nutrients had strong impacts on the algal biomass in lightly eutrophicated Lake Kuilei. It is suggested that, in addition to reductions in nutrient loads,several ecological measures, such as an increase in the biomass of submerged macrophytes and the reduction of hydraulic retention time by flushing, could represent important components of an integrated approach to eutrophication management in the Lake Taihu Basin.     

空气稳定性对室内人体持续与间歇呼气的影响

空气稳定性概念来源于大气稳定性,在室内环境下反映室内空气的稳定程度.本文利用暖体假人实验,研究了室内空气稳定性对呼气扩散规律的作用.分别针对无通风、混合通风及置换通风3种方式,以及间歇与持续呼气两种形式,组合后形成7组对照实验.通过烟气实验及热球风速仪测量对呼气轨迹进行了可视化及速度测量.结果表明,稳定和中性两种室内空气状态下人体呼气的扩散规律不同.不论是持续射流还是间歇的呼气过程,空气稳定性对其扩散影响显著,影响其轨迹弯曲程度及速度衰减.同时,间歇呼气较持续射流湍流发展更充分,污染物与周围空气迅速掺混,且呼气气流更加平坦.此外,即使两种状态下的Ar与体表温度都接近,由于向上运动受到抑制,稳定的空气相对中性状态下呼出的气流更水平,而且由于气流与周围空气掺混能力减弱,速度衰减低于中性状态.     

Confirmation of ultrahigh-temperature metapelitic granulite in the Altay orogen and its geological significance

Through petrography, mineral compositions and P-T estimate results, an ultrahigh-temperature(UHT) metapelitic granulite has recently been identified from near Kalasu in the east of Altay city, with an assemblage gt-opx-silcd-sp-bt-pl-qtz. The orthopyroxene has a high-Al feature, and its Al2O3 content is as high as 8.7 wt%, indicating a UHT metamorphic condition. Its peak metamorphic condition is estimated as: P = *0.80 GPa, T = *960 °C. Metamorphic textural relations and P-T estimate results show a post-peak near-isobaric cooling anticlockwise P-T path. Zircon U-Pb age results(271 ± 5 Ma) support that the UHT metamorphic event in the region occurred in the Permian. The identification of the UHT metapelitic granulite from near Kalasu confirms the existence of the Permian UHT metamorphism in the Altay orogen, implying that the Permian extensional tectonic setting of a high-heat flow in the southern part of the Altay orogen may be closely associated with the Permian Tarim mantle plume activity.     

呼出气VOCs在上呼吸道感染病患与健康人间的异同

研究健康人与病患呼出气VOCs成分的异同, 为上呼吸道感染分型的无创快速诊断提供信息。采集60例上呼吸道感染患者、30例健康人呼出气, 利用GC-MS定量检测97种VOCs, 分析健康人及病患呼出气中烷烃、烯烃、卤代烃、含氧烃、芳香烃等物质的分布特点, 并利用ANOVA-PCA, 分析室内空气以及健康人和病患呼出气中VOCs的异同。结果表明, 异戊二烯浓度在病患、健康人呼出气及室内空气中均有显著差异(P<0.05), 且呈现病人>健康人>室内空气的特点; 正戊烷浓度在病患组显著高于健康人组(P<0.05); 丙醛浓度在细菌性上感组显著高于健康组(P=0.019)。PCA分析结果显示, 健康人与上呼吸道感染病患呼出气差异明显, 不同类型病患呼出气VOCs没有明显差异。     

聚乳酸及其共聚物的制备和降解性能

以D,L-丙交酯和聚乙二醇为原料,在催化剂辛酸亚锡作用下常压氮气保护制备了聚乳酸及其聚乙二醇改性聚乳酸.考察了聚合温度、辛酸亚锡用量对聚乳酸相对分子质量的影响及聚合物在不同降解介质中和不同相对分子质量聚合物的降解规律,并用IR,¹H-NMR,GPC对聚乳酸及其共聚物进行了表征.结果表明,当单体和辛酸亚锡的摩尔比为5 000、聚合温度在160 ℃时,常压聚合5 h即可得到适合作药物控释载体且黏均相对分子质量为6.3×10⁴的聚乳酸;聚乳酸在去离子水、0.01 mol/L盐酸溶液、pH=7.4磷酸盐缓冲液、0.01 mol/L氢氧化钠溶液4种降解介质中,在碱液中的降解速率最快;相对分子质量较小的聚乳酸降解较快,且聚乙二醇改性的聚乳酸比聚乳酸降解快.     

Association of cystatin C level and cardiovascular prognosis for patients with preexisting coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis

The association of circulating levels of cystatin C (CysC) and risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in patients with preexisting coronary heart disease are uncertain. To qualitatively and quantitatively address this issue, we performed a random meta-analysis of results from prospective studies on the topic. We searched electronic and printed sources (up to 16 October 2011) using keywords and retrieved articles for seven prospective studies according to the selection criteria. Data were abstracted and meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model (RevMan 5.0.23 software). The cohorts involved 4,576 patients with preexisting coronary heart disease (CHD) and normal or mild chronic kidney disease, and follow-up ranged from 5.6 to 40.6 months. Highest versus lowest baseline CysC level was significantly associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events (OR 2.30, 95 % CI 1.80–2.94), all-cause mortality (OR 5.69, 95 % CI 3.70–8.74), but not with recurrent MI (OR 1.75, 95 % CI 0.77–4.00). In heterogeneity testing for studies reporting cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality, no significant heterogeneity was found, and exclusion of any single study did not alter the overall finding. For risk of recurrent MI, significant heterogeneity was found among the five trials (χ ² = 13.16, P = 0.01, I ² = 70 %) and exclusion of the Taglieri et al. [12] study from the analysis resulted in a rise in relative risk (OR 2.36, 95 % CI 1.09–5.15). In conclusion, for patients with established CHD, high baseline level of CysC is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause death during long-term follow-up.     

Newly discovered Palaeolithic artefacts from loess deposits and their ages in Lantian,central China

Eight new Palaeolithic open-air sites were identified and 770 stone artefacts were collected from 2009 to 2011 in the Lantian area of the Bahe River valley, central China. Because the famous Homo erectus fossils were unearthed at the Gongwangling and Chenjiawo localities, and more than 30 Palaeolithic open-air sites were investigated in the 1960s in this region, the catchment of Bahe River is regarded as one of the most important hominin sites from the late early Pleistocene to the middle Pleistocene. These eight newly discovered open-air sites are located at the second(n = 6), third(n = 1) or higher terraces(n = 1) of the Bahe River. The Diaozhai section on the second terrace was sampled in detail. Two samples were collected for optically stimulated luminescence dating(OSL). The OSL results suggest that a buried lithic artefact layer at the Diaozhai site spans approximately 70–30 ka. The lithic assemblage analysis suggests that the stone artefacts were made of local pebbles/cobbles such as greywacke, quartz, sandstone and igneous rocks. The main percussion techniques that were used were direct hard hammer percussion and bi-polar techniques. The lithic artefacts comprise hammer stones, cores, flakes, retouched tools and flaking debris. Acheulian-type large cutting tools(LCTs) such as hand-axes, picks and cleavers were indentified in the Lantian region as well. This is the first time Acheulian-type LCTs from the late Pleistocene have been identified in this region. This study distinguishes age gaps between Western world and East Asian Acheulian-type tools.     

Hydrological and mechanical properties of plants to predict suitable legume species for reinforcing soil

Plants have considerable hydrological and mechanical impacts on soil. However, there are lack of documentation and limited understanding on the hydro- logical and mechanical impacts of tropical legume trees. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the hydro- logical and mechanical properties of three selected legume plants, Leucaena leucocephala, Adenanthera pavonina and Peltophorum pterocarpum. Regarding hydrological aspect, the study results indicated that soil on which the L. leu- cocephala was grown had the highest transpiration rate, water absorption rate （WAR） and soil matric suction （SMS）. In terms of mechanical characteristics, L. leuco- cephala exhibited the highest root tensile strength and cellulosic components in the root. Interestingly, L. leuco- cephala also showed a higher root biomass, root length and fine roots than A. pavonina and P. pterocarpum. The leaf area index （LAI） strongly correlated with SMS （R2 = 0.74）, indicating that high LAI improved SMS. The high root tensile strength and fine roots of L. leucocephala make this species special for growing as a soil reinforcing plant. Overall results suggested that L. leucocephala exhibited outstanding hydrological and mechanical prop- erties and can be a potential plant for the soil reinforcement program.     

Organic solvents enhanced spectrofluorimetric method for determination of laccase activity

A novel fluorimetric method for determination of laccase activity in organic solvents is proposed, based on the oxidation ofo-phenylenediamine (1,2-diaminobenzene, OPDA) catalyzed by laccase yielding 2,3-diaminophenazine. The optimal conditions for laccase in organic media areT=55°C, pH=6.5, 1.0×10⁻²mol/L OPDA, 1.25 mL ethanol, 1.25 mL 1,4-dioxane and 1.25 mL acetone. The linear range of the method proposed in ethanol, 1,4-dioxane and acetone media were 0.44–19.33, 0.11–20.85, 0.38–21.05 U with the detection limit of 0.088, 0.022, 0.076 U, respectively. The proposed method has been applied to the analysis of laccase activity of real samples with more accurate and sensitive than that of the previous method reported. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Special Founds of State Education Committee for Doctorate Research Huang Zuyun: born in 1963, Ph.D     

Organic solvents enhanced spectrofluorimetric method for determination of laccase activity

A novel fluorimetric method for determination of laccase activity in organic solvents is proposed, based on the oxidation ofo-phenylenediamine (1,2-diaminobenzene, OPDA) catalyzed by laccase yielding 2,3-diaminophenazine. The optimal conditions for laccase in organic media areT=55°C, pH=6.5, 1.0×10⁻²mol/L OPDA, 1.25 mL ethanol, 1.25 mL 1,4-dioxane and 1.25 mL acetone. The linear range of the method proposed in ethanol, 1,4-dioxane and acetone media were 0.44–19.33, 0.11–20.85, 0.38–21.05 U with the detection limit of 0.088, 0.022, 0.076 U, respectively. The proposed method has been applied to the analysis of laccase activity of real samples with more accurate and sensitive than that of the previous method reported. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Special Founds of State Education Committee for Doctorate Research Huang Zuyun: born in 1963, Ph.D     

Dietary overlap of snow leopard and other carnivores in the Pamirs of Northwestern China

Information about competition between carnivore species for food within high altitude regions is limited.Data collected from the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,China revealed important interactions between snow leopard(Panthera uncia),grey wolf(Canis lupus),red fox(Vulpes vulpes)and their prey species,including domestic livestock.Sixty-four line transects were conducted in order to identify field signs of habitat occupancy and collect scats for diet analysis.High dietary overlap was observed between all three carnivore species:snow leopard and red fox(Pianka’s index=0.96),red fox and grey wolf(Pianka’s index=0.90),snow leopard and grey wolf(Pianka’s index=0.87).Snow leopard and grey wolf showed significant predation on livestock(36.8%for snow leopard and 29.4%for grey wolf in diet composition).As a pioneering exploration of the endangered snow leopard and its relationship with other species within the alpine ecosystem under livestock grazing pressure,this study contributes a greater understanding of the relationship within carnivore guild in the Pamirs whilst providing implications for conservation planning and project implementation activities in China.     

2-甲基-1H-咪唑-4,5-二羧酸及其钴(Ⅱ)配合物的合成、结构和性能研究

以邻苯二胺和丙二酸为原料,通过缩合、氧化反应合成新型咪唑羧酸配体2-甲基-1H-咪唑-4,5-二羧酸(L).用NaOH调节体系的pH值为8.0左右,配体L和CoSO4.6H2O在水热条件下反应生成配合物[C(o L)(2 H2O)2](1).配合物1属于正交晶系Pbca空间群.在该化合物中,C(o Ⅱ)离子采取稍微扭曲的八面体配位构型,两个配体L以脱质子的羧基O原子和咪唑环上紧邻的N原子从赤道平面与Co(II)离子螯合配位,而两个水分子则占据轴向位置配位.有趣的是:合成的配合物1具有多重氢键连接点,是优异的氢键合成子,通过复杂的N—H···O和O—H...O氢键组装成三维的超分子化合物.进一步的热化学研究表明,该化合物相当稳定,在空气氛围下升温到200℃以上才开始分解.