Vascular changes of the choroid and their correlations with visual acuity in diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: To investigate changes in the choroidal vasculature and their correlations with visual acuity in diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods: The cohort was composed of 225 eyes from 225 subjects, including 60 eyes from 60 subjects with healthy control, 55 eyes from 55 subjects without DR, 46 eyes from 46 subjects with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 21 eyes from 21 subjects with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and 43 eyes from 43 subjects with clinically significant macular edema (CSME). Swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) was used to image the eyes with a 12-mm radial line scan protocol.

Above- and belowground biodiversity drives soil multifunctionality along a long-term grassland restoration chronosequence.

Restoring degraded land is an efficient strategy for improving biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. However, the effects of aboveground and belowground biodiversity on multiple ecosystem functions (multifunctionality) during ecological restoration are not well understood. Here, the relationships between plant and microbial communities and soil multifunctionality were assessed in a 30-year natural grassland restoration chronosequence on the Loess Plateau, China.

Global change effects on plant communities are magnified by time and the number of global change factors imposed.

Global change drivers (GCDs) are expected to alter community structure and consequently, the services that ecosystems provide. Yet, few experimental investigations have examined effects of GCDs on plant community structure across multiple ecosystem types, and those that do exist present conflicting patterns. In an unprecedented global synthesis of over 100 experiments that manipulated factors linked to GCDs, we show that herbaceous plant community responses depend on experimental manipulation length and number of factors manipulated.

Conservation of genetic diversity hotspots of the high-valued relic yellowhorn () considering climate change predictions.

Genetic structure and major climate factors may contribute to the distribution of genetic diversity of a highly valued oil tree species (yellowhorn). Long-term over utilization along with climate change is affecting the viability of yellowhorn wild populations. To preserve the species known and unknown valuable gene pools, the identification of genetic diversity "hotspots" is a prerequisite for their consideration as in situ conservation high priority.

Change in dominance determines herbivore effects on plant biodiversity.

Herbivores alter plant biodiversity (species richness) in many of the world's ecosystems, but the magnitude and the direction of herbivore effects on biodiversity vary widely within and among ecosystems. One current theory predicts that herbivores enhance plant biodiversity at high productivity but have the opposite effect at low productivity. Yet, empirical support for the importance of site productivity as a mediator of these herbivore impacts is equivocal.

Natural revegetation of a semiarid habitat alters taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities.

Revegetation of degraded lands has a profound impact on the maintenance and stability of ecosystem processes. However, the impacts of this land use change on functional diversity of soil microbial communities are poorly understood. Here, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon and shotgun metagenomic sequencing, we compared the taxonomic and functional communities of soil microbiome, and analyzed the effects of plant diversity and soil chemical properties, in a chronosequence of restored ex-farmland that had been naturally revegetated to grassland over periods of 5, 15 and 30years with adjacent farmland, on the Loess Plateau, China.

Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan protects rats against retinal ischemia by downregulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 and inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Background: Retinal ischemia is a retinal disorder related to retinal vascular occlusion, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The study aimed to evaluate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Chi-Ju-Di-Huang-Wan (CJDHW) against retinal ischemia in rats.

Methods: High intraocular pressure (HIOP)-induced retinal ischemia was established in Wistar rats by raising their intraocular pressure to 120 mmHg for 60 min with in an eye whose anterior chamber was cannulated with a 30-guage needle adapted to a normal saline bottle through an intravenous line.

Response of soil CO2 efflux to precipitation manipulation in a semiarid grassland.

Soil CO2 efflux (SCE) is an important component of ecosystem CO2 exchange and is largely temperature and moisture dependent, providing feedback between C cycling and the climate system. We used a precipitation manipulation experiment to examine the effects of precipitation treatment on SCE and its dependences on soil temperature and moisture in a semiarid grassland. Precipitation manipulation included ambient precipitation, decreased precipitation (-43%), or increased precipitation (+17%).

Plant Functional Diversity Can Be Independent of Species Diversity: Observations Based on the Impact of 4-Yrs of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Additions in an Alpine Meadow.

Past studies have widely documented the decrease in species diversity in response to addition of nutrients, however functional diversity is often independent from species diversity. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to examine the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization ((NH4)2 HPO4) at 0, 15, 30 and 60 g m-2 yr-1 (F0, F15, F30 and F60) after 4 years of continuous fertilization on functional diversity and species diversity, and its relationship with productivity in an alpine meadow community on the Tibetan Plateau. To this purpose, three community-weighted mean trait values (specific leaf area, SLA; mature plant height, MPH; and seed size, SS) for 30 common species in each fertilization level were determined; three components of functional diversity (functional richness, FRic; functional evenness, FEve; and Rao's index of quadratic entropy, FRao) were quantified.

Niche and Neutral Processes Together Determine Diversity Loss in Response to Fertilization in an Alpine Meadow Community.

Fertilization via nutrient deposition and agricultural inputs is one of the most important factors driving decreases in plant diversity. However, we still do not fully understand which processes (niche process or neutral process) are more important in leading to decreases in plant diversity caused by fertilization. A hypothesis-based approach was used to test the relative importance of niche versus neutral processes along a fertilization gradient in an alpine meadow community on the eastern Tibetan plateau, China.

[Carbon sequestration status of forest ecosystems in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region].

Based on the data of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region forest resources inventory, field investigation and laboratory analysis, this paper studied the carbon sequestration status of forest ecosystems in Ningxia region, estimated the carbon density and storage of forest ecosystems, and analyzed their spatial distribution characteristics. The results showed that the biomass of each forest vegetation component was in the order of arbor layer (46.64 Mg x hm(-2)) > litterfall layer (7.

Value of postoperative radiation therapy for regional control after dissection in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cases.

Objective: We aimed to define clinicopathologic risk factors associated with regional recurrence (RR) and thus the effectiveness of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for neck control for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) with differing cervical lymph node status.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 196 HNSCC patients with pathologically positive neck node (N+) to evaluate the high-risk factors for RR and to define the role of PORT in control after neck dissection and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).

Results: Overall, the RR rate after neck dissection and PORT was 29%.

[Fine root biomass of four main vegetation types in Daluo Mountain of Ningxia, Northwest China].

By the method of soil core sampling, this paper studied the fine root biomass, soil water content, and soil bulk density in 0-40 cm soil layer of four main vegetation types (Picea crassifolia forest, Pinus tabulaeformis forest, deciduous shrubs, and desert grassland) in Daluo Mountain of Ningxia, and the fine root biomass in the 0-40 cm soil layer of P. crassifolia forests with the ages of 50-, 70-, and 100 a. The fine root biomass of the four vegetation types was mainly distributed in 0-20 cm soil layer, with the rank of P.

Ecosystem carbon and nitrogen accumulation after grazing exclusion in semiarid grassland.

The grazing exclusion in degraded grassland has been extensively used to prevent the loss of grassland resources and to improve grassland services. The effects of grazing exclusion on C and N balance, however, have not been well addressed but are essential for assessing grassland C sinks, the sustainable use of grassland resources and the support of grassland services. To understand the response of ecosystem C and N to grazing exclusion in semiarid grassland, we determined the C and N in litter, aboveground biomass, roots and soils from ungrazed grassland fenced at different times in northwest China.

Comparing the effect of naturally restored forest and grassland on carbon sequestration and its vertical distribution in the Chinese Loess Plateau.

Vegetation restoration has been conducted in the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) since the 1950s, and large areas of farmland have been converted to forest and grassland, which largely results in SOC change. However, there has been little comparative research on SOC sequestration and distribution between secondary forest and restored grassland. Therefore, we selected typical secondary forest (SF-1 and SF-2) and restored grassland (RG-1 and RG-2) sites and determined the SOC storage.

[Allelopathic effects of Artemisia sacrorum population in typical steppe based on niche theory].

By using modified Levins niche width index and Pianka niche overlap index, this paper analyzed the ecological competition between constructive and dominant species in a typical steppe. The stem- and leaf extracts from the constructive species (Artemisia sacrorum) were utilized to study their allelopathic potential on the seed germination and plant growth of the dominant species (Stipa bungeana, Thymus mongolicus, S. grandis, and Leymus secalinus), and the ecological position of A.

[Outcomes of salvage laryngectomy after initial radiation failure in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate survival outcomes of salvage surgery preformed for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma that recurred or progressed after radiotherapy alone.

Methods: A review of 72 patients who underwent salvage laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer failed in initial radiation therapy between 1996 and 2005 was performed. The tumor persistence occurred in 50 cases and recurrence in 22 cases.

[Distribution responses of Lespedeza davurica community on Loess Plateau to climate change].

Field survey and position monitoring were conducted from 2000 to 2009 to study the effects of climate change on the distribution and growth of Lespedeza davurica community on Loess Plateau. As affected by air temperature, the appropriate growth region of L. davurica community on the Plateau had an obvious zonal distribution from northwest to southeast.

[Clinicopathologic aspects of locoregional recurrence of hypopharyngeal cancer and their implication on the survival of patients].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic aspects of locoregional recurrence and their implication on the survival in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective review of 101 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer that were treated with surgical management and postoperative radiotherapy from 1998 to 2004 was performed. The clinicopathologic risk factors for locoregional recurrence were evaluated by using univariate chi(2) tests and multiple stepwise Logistic regression models.

[Water potential productivity and soil desiccation effect of alfalfa grasslands in different type arid areas of Loess Plateau: a simulation study].

Based on model validation and database establishment, the dynamic changes of water potential productivity, available water amount in 0-10 m soil layer, and moisture distribution in soil profiles on the alfalfa grasslands at Changwu of semi-humid area, Guyuan of semi-arid area, and Haiyuan of semi-arid prone drought area on Loess Plateau were simulated with WinEPIC model in a 20-30 years period. The results showed that the simulated water potential productivity of alfalfa grasslands at Changwu, Guyuan and Haiyuan fluctuated but declined with precipitation, and the mean value was 8.81, 3.

[Alfalfa growth and its relation with soil water status in loess hilly and gully region].

This paper studied the dynamics of alfalfa growth and its relation with the excessive depletion and resumption of soil water in loess hilly and gully region. The results showed that alfalfa could grow in this region for 10 years, being most flourishing at the forth and fifth year, but declined gradually because of the excessive depletion of soil water. From 0 to 35 cm above ground, the stem biomass was higher than the leaf biomass, and the ratio of stem to leaf was 1.

[Patterns and prognostic factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors in the prediction of cervical lymph node metastases and the cervical lymph node prognostic factors in supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma.

Method: A retrospective study was carried out to review the histopathological data from 55 supraglottic laryngeal carcinoma patients. The relationship between histopathological parameters and cervical lymph node metastases were evaluated by means of a univariate chi2 test and multivariate stepwise logistic regression model.

[Clinical pathology feature and prognostic factors of cervical lymph node metastases in hypopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the risk clinicopathological factors of primary tumor in the prediction of cervical lymph node metastases and the cervical lymph node prognostic factors in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to review the histopathological data from 98 hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients. The relationship between histopathological parameters and cervical lymph node metastases were evaluated by means of a univariate chi2 test and multivariate stepwise logistic regression model.

[Clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma].

Background & Objective: The cervical lymphatic meta-static rate of oral squamous carcinoma is 50%-59%. The management of cervical lymphatic metastasis relates with prognosis of patients with oral squamous carcinoma. This study was to investigate the clinicopathologic features and prognosis factors of cervical lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

[Analysis of risk factors in the prediction of distant metastases of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors related with distant metastases (DM) from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to review the histopathological data from 532 HNSCC patients treated in Bethune International Peace Hospital from February 1978 to February 1998. The incidence and the risk factor for DM were evaluated in a model that included the following factors: sex, age, clinical staging, T and N staging, site of primary tumor, depth of primary tumor infiltration, histological grade of primary tumor, presence of cervical lymph node metastasis, number of positive neck nodes and levels involved, and presence of extracapsular nodal spread.