No abstract

Land use change has an impact on the ecosystem service value because it changes the structure and function of ecosystems. This paper analyzed the changes in land use during the period from 2000 to 2015 in Shangzhou district, and used the equivalent value of ecological services per unit area of land ecosystem combining the natural and economic conditions of Shangzhou district. Based on this method, the ecological service value of Shangzhou district was estimated, and the impact of land use change on the ecological service value was analyzed. The results showed that: (1) the main types of land use in Shangzhou district were grassland, woodland and farmland, among which the contribution rate of woodland to the value of local ecosystem services was the highest; (2) the overall trend in the ecosystem service value in Shangzhou district increased between 2000 and 2015, from 10.74 × 108 yuan in 2000 to 20.32 × 108 yuan in 2015, which is the result of the combined effects of regional economic development and changes in the natural environment and land use patterns; and (3) the main reason for the value increase of ecosystem services in Shangzhou district between 2000 and 2015 was that the grain-for-green policy transformed a considerable amount of farmland into woodland, while the main reasons for a decline in value was the expansion of built-up land that occupied other types of land.

One technique for the controlled delivery of ethanol to neonatal rat pups is intragastric intubation. Often, the vehicle used for delivery of ethanol is composed of a nutrient mixture to compensate for decreased suckling or other possible nutritional compromise. This study analyzed the selection of nutrient vehicle, the combination of experimental treatment groups within a litter, and the overall litter size on the growth rate of ethanol-intubated and intubated-control pups, compared with mother-raised control pups. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were raised in litters of 8 or 10, and administered ethanol by intragastric intubation with 20% (v/v) Sustacal or 80% (v/v) Intralipid-II nutrient vehicle. Pups were treated between postnatal days 2 and 10, and body weight was analyzed on day 10. Pups were assigned to a treatment group as either intubated ethanol, intubated control, or nonintubated mother-raised controls. Experimental comparison by statistical analyses was performed to identify the optimal treatment design (mixed treatment groups in a single litter or a single treatment group per litter), the optimal vehicle (Sustacal or Intralipid-II), and the optimal number of pups per litter (8 vs. 10). The analyses demonstrate that the mixing of intubated control, intubated ethanol, and nonintubated mother-raised control treatment groups within a single litter introduced an uncontrolled variable that confounded measurement of ethanol-specific alterations. The sensitivity of treatment groups to inclusion in mixed litters was dependent on the nutrient vehicle and thus nutritional adequacy. Our results suggest that an optimal design was achieved with eight pups per litter. Furthermore, ethanol intubated and intubated control pups grow at a rate identical to parallel litters of eight mother-raised control pups when Intralipid-II is used as nutrient vehicle, and a single treatment group is present in a litter. Optimization of these experimental parameters has provided an excellent neonatal rat model for analysis of specific ethanol effects on brain development during the third trimester.

No abstract

One technique for the controlled delivery of ethanol to neonatal rat pups is intragastric intubation. Often, the vehicle used for delivery of ethanol is composed of a nutrient mixture to compensate for decreased suckling or other possible nutritional compromise. This study analyzed the selection of nutrient vehicle, the combination of experimental treatment groups within a litter, and the overall litter size on the growth rate of ethanol-intubated and intubated-control pups, compared with mother-raised control pups. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were raised in litters of 8 or 10, and administered ethanol by intragastric intubation with 20% (v/v) Sustacal or 80% (v/v) Intralipid-II nutrient vehicle. Pups were treated between postnatal days 2 and 10, and body weight was analyzed on day 10. Pups were assigned to a treatment group as either intubated ethanol, intubated control, or nonintubated mother-raised controls. Experimental comparison by statistical analyses was performed to identify the optimal treatment design (mixed treatment groups in a single litter or a single treatment group per litter), the optimal vehicle (Sustacal or Intralipid-II), and the optimal number of pups per litter (8 vs. 10). The analyses demonstrate that the mixing of intubated control, intubated ethanol, and nonintubated mother-raised control treatment groups within a single litter introduced an uncontrolled variable that confounded measurement of ethanol-specific alterations. The sensitivity of treatment groups to inclusion in mixed litters was dependent on the nutrient vehicle and thus nutritional adequacy. Our results suggest that an optimal design was achieved with eight pups per litter. Furthermore, ethanol intubated and intubated control pups grow at a rate identical to parallel litters of eight mother-raised control pups when Intralipid-II is used as nutrient vehicle, and a single treatment group is present in a litter. Optimization of these experimental parameters has provided an excellent neonatal rat model for analysis of specific ethanol effects on brain development during the third trimester.

No abstract

The T helper (Th)1/Th2 imbalance plays a crucial role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is well known that basophils can affect the Th1/Th2 balance by enhancing the Th2 response, while impairing the Th1 response, which is known to be involved in the development of a number of diseases. However, limited information is available with regard to the role of basophils in RA. Decreased levels of circulating basophils and a dominant Th1 response have been reported in adult patients with RA, while children with juvenile RA have been largely found to have increased levels of circulating basophils and a dominant Th2 response. Furthermore, the circulating basophils in the two conditions have an activated phenotype and are associated with disease activity. In addition, a longitudinal study found the Th2 response was dominant in the early stages of RA, while the Th1 response was dominant in long-term chronic RA. These observations indicate that basophils may be involved in the development of RA by affecting the Th1/Th2 balance, particularly in the early stages of RA. Therefore, targeting basophils may be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of RA; however, further investigation is required.

Grain production potential is mainly influenced by agroclimate and land use. In the present study, substantial regional differences associated with the impact of climate change were found (i.e. the degree of climate-related impacts varied among regions). Currently, there is an urgent need for effective responses and adaptations to different agricultural districts and agricultural production modes. Therefore, the aim was to examine ecotones and explore trends and influential factors associated with grain production potential change. Using the Global Agro-ecological Zone model, the grain production potential of West Jilin, China under different conditions during various years were estimated, considering meteorological, soil, topographic, land use and other data. The results showed that total grain production potential (TGrPP) of West Jilin increased continuously from 1976 to 2013. The average annual increase in TGrPP was higher in period 1 (1976–2000) than period 2 (2000–2013). In period 1, grain production potential was influenced mainly by irrigation percentage changes, followed by land use change. The conversion of grassland to farmland was the most important land use change factor that was associated with increased grain production potential. Climate change affected grain production potential in period 1 negatively. In period 2, climate change had the largest impact and land use imparted the smallest effect on grain production potential. Finally, the decrease in irrigation percentage resulted in reduced grain production potential.