Adaptation of the GreenLab model for analyzing sink-source relationships in Chinese Pine saplings

International audienceSince the 1990s, a new generation of models has emerged to simulate tree growth with consideration of both tree structure and functional processes. However, calibration of these functional-structural models (FSMs) often remains an open problem due to the topological complexity of trees and to the heavy measurements required. In this paper, we explore a possible way for dealing with the fitting problem, based on the GreenLab model approach. Detailed organ-level data including topological and geometrical measurements were collected on eight Chinese Pine saplings (Pinus tabulaeformis carr.) grown near Beijing. Adaptation of GreenLab to introduce a flexible modeling for biomass allocation to ring growth is presented. The main assumptions, such as allometry rules and sink relationships, were investigated. The problem of calibration of a complex branching structure was solved by defining an average tree. The results were interpreted with particular focus on the ones concerning the hidden mechanisms of secondary growth

Health-related quality of life as measured with EQ-5D among populations with and without specific chronic conditions: A population-based survey in Shaanxi province, China

© 2013 Tan et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as measured by EQ-5D and to investigate the influence of chronic conditions and other risk factors on HRQoL based on a distributed sample located in Shaanxi Province, China. Methods: A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was performed to select subjects. EQ-5D was employed to measure the HRQoL. The likelihood that individuals with selected chronic diseases would report any problem in the EQ-5D dimensions was calculated and tested relative to that of each of the two reference groups. Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate factors associated with EQ VAS. Results: The most frequently reported problems involved pain/discomfort (8.8%) and anxiety/depression (7.6%). Nearly half of the respondents who reported problems in any of the five dimensions were chronic patients. Higher EQ VAS scores were associated with the male gender, higher level of education, employment, younger age, an urban area of residence, access to free medical service and higher levels of physical activity. Except for anemia, all the selected chronic diseases were indicative of a negative EQ VAS score. The three leading risk factors were cerebrovascular disease, cancer and mental disease. Increases in age, number of chronic conditions and frequency of physical activity were found to have a gradient effect. Conclusion: The results of the present work add to the volume of knowledge regarding population health status in this area, apart from the known health status using mortality and morbidity data. Medical, policy, social and individual attention should be given to the management of chronic diseases and improvement of HRQoL. Longitudinal studies must be performed to monitor changes in HRQoL and to permit evaluation of the outcomes of chronic disease intervention programs. © 2013 Tan et al.National Nature Science Foundation (No. 8107239

Dumbbell shaped craniorbital cavernous hemangioma.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous hemangioma of the orbit is a benign tumor mostly located behind the eye globe, but it rarely spread into the brain, which is called cerebral cavernous malformation as well, the lesion in the brain is irregular and enlarged blood. Here we report one particular case of craniorbital cavernous hemangioma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 53-year-old woman presented with exophthalmos of the right eye and reduced vision. Computerized tomographical (CT) scan showed osteolytic honeycomb radial changes of the outer plate of the skull. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was performed to obtain further details. T1-weighted (T1W) imaging showed slightly low signal mixed with small patchy high signal. T2-weighted (T2W) imaging showed uneven high signal. There was obvious enhancement in the middle and no enhancement in the peripheral bars. A surgically manage was performed using a left frontotemporal approach, the tumor excised fully, and the histopathology results revealed a cavernous hemangioma. The patient recovered well in the follow-up. Post-operative CT scan identified the lesion was successfully resected, MRI scan also showed full resection and enhanced signal from the presence of fat. CONCLUSIONS: Craniorbital cavernous hemangioma is uncommon, however within the cranium, they can lead to numerous complications particularly if affecting the visual apparatus. it could be diagnosed by imaging, which CT scan shows osteolytic honeycomb radial changes of the outer plate of the skull, T1W imaging shows slightly low signal mixed with small patchy high signal, T2W imaging shows uneven high signal, it is obvious enhancement in the middle and no enhancement in the peripheral bars. The surgically manage is the ideally treatment when there are some symptoms

A comprehensive review of Tripterygium wilfordii hook. f. in the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases: Bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, and future directions

Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases are a group of immune system-related disorders wherein the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the body’s tissues and organs. This excessive immune response leads to inflammation, tissue damage, and functional impairment. Therapeutic approaches typically involve medications that regulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, alleviate symptoms, and target specific damaged organs. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, has been widely studied in recent years for its application in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. Numerous studies have shown that preparations of Tripterygium wilfordii have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and immunosuppressive effects, which effectively improve the symptoms and quality of life of patients with autoimmune diseases, whereas the active metabolites of T. wilfordii have been demonstrated to inhibit immune cell activation, regulate the production of inflammatory factors, and modulate the immune system. However, although these effects contribute to reductions in inflammatory responses and the suppression of autoimmune reactions, as well as minimize tissue and organ damage, the underlying mechanisms of action require further investigation. Moreover, despite the efficacy of T. wilfordii in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, its toxicity and side effects, including its potential hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, warrant a thorough assessment. Furthermore, to maximize the therapeutic benefits of this plant in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and enable more patients to utilize these benefits, efforts should be made to strengthen the regulation and standardized use of T. wilfordii

Effects of cooling rate on the mechanical properties and precipitation behavior of carbides in H13 steel during quenching process

The effects of cooling rate (CR) on the mechanical properties and precipitation behavior of carbides in H13 steel during quenching process were investigated. The retained austenite tends to be more unstable with increasing CRs, while the martensite increases gradually, based on XRD analyses and EBSD results. The values of hardness are increased, and the elongation along with impact energy is decreased, respectively, at higher CRs. Tensile strength remains above 2.0 GPa. Work hardening rates increase considerably in three samples, suggesting that transformation-induced plasticity effect may take place during the tensile test. Moreover, an increase in yield strength is observed when CR exceeds 15 K s ^−1 , possibly due to a high volume fraction of martensite, decline in average grain size and precipitation of fine carbides. Types of the precipitates acquired were identified by electrolysis and XRD analyses. The results indicate the predominant existence of MC, M _6 C and M _7 C _3 , which are confirmed by SEM-EDS analyses and FactSage thermodynamic calculations. The size, volume and distribution of the carbides were also scrutinized under SEM. It is found that the volume fraction and size of the precipitates both decrease with increasing CRs. Based on these experimental data, an optimum CR for the quenching process could be determined to achieve the desired distribution of carbides, which in turn leads to the enhanced mechanical behaviors

Identification and Antioxidant Capacity of Free and Bound Phenolics in Six Varieties of Mulberry Seeds Using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

Mulberry seeds are a byproduct of juice processing and may be an important resource for its abundant compounds. In this study, we analyzed the qualitative composition of free and bound phenolics from six varieties of mulberry seeds using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Free phenolics (FPs) and bound phenolics (BPs) were measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method; antioxidant capacity was determined by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity, using the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. A total of 28 free and 11 bound phenolics were extracted and identified, wherein five free phenolics were found in mulberry matrices for the first time. The six varieties of mulberry seeds exhibited higher content of FPs than BPs, and there was a correlation between the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Consequently, three varieties were selected for their high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. This study might offer a theoretical basis for the utilization of mulberry seed

Quantum Dot-based Immunohistochemistry for Pathological Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) are novel light emitting semiconductor nanocrystals with diameter ranging from 2 to 20 nm. In comparison with traditional organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, QDs possess unique optical properties including extremely high fluorescence efficiency and minimal photobleaching which make them emerge as a new class of fluorescent labels for molecular imaging and biomedical analysis. Herein, recent advances in fundamental mechanisms and pathological applications of QD were reviewed