A relatively well-preserved rodent fossil,including its incisors,cheek teeth,and postcranial skeleton,was collected from the Baiyin Obo in Siziwang Banner,Nei Mongol.A multifaceted research approach was undertaken in ...A relatively well-preserved rodent fossil,including its incisors,cheek teeth,and postcranial skeleton,was collected from the Baiyin Obo in Siziwang Banner,Nei Mongol.A multifaceted research approach was undertaken in this study to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the newly discovered specimen.Based on a morphological comparison,the new specimen was identified as Hulgana cf.H.ertnia within the Ischyromyidae family.Incisive enamel microstructure analysis revealed the typical pauciserial enamel structure of Hulgana.Bone histological analysis indicates that the specimen represents a juvenile individual,which is consistent with the ontogenetic stage indicated by dental developmental stage and wear pattern.The application of geometric morphometrics to the calcaneus and bone histology of the femur and phalanx further substantiates the taxonomic classification of Hulgana as a terrestrial and cursorial rodent,exhibiting a degree of fossorial ability.This classification is analogous to that of certain extant cricetids and ground squirrels.展开更多
An inventory of Rhynchophorus species was carried out to determine their diversity, biogeographical variability and morphometrics. A shotgun trapping method was used at nine sites in three districts over a four-month ...An inventory of Rhynchophorus species was carried out to determine their diversity, biogeographical variability and morphometrics. A shotgun trapping method was used at nine sites in three districts over a four-month period, identifying three species: R. quadrangulus, R. phoenicis, R. ferrugineus and a probable variant of R. phoenicis. Of these species, R. phoenicis stands out as the most widespread palm weevil, while the probable variant of R. phoenicis is considered the rarest subspecies in the Maniema region. The color of the head and elytra is a criterion for distinguishing the different species of Rhynchophorus spp. Morphological criteria indicate that the probable subspecies of R. phoenicis is the largest palm weevil in the Maniema region and even globally. It is followed by R. quadrangulus and, by far, by R. phoenicis. The smallest palm weevil in Maniema is R. ferrugineus. Moreover, these criteria reveal that, for all three species identified, the female is generally larger than the male. This study has the merit of extending the distribution of R. ferrugineus from the Maghreb to the central East of the DRC, and highlighting a subspecies of R. phoenicis. Recognition of the sexes on the basis of the shape of the tip of the abdomen (oval in the male and flat in the female) is an additional contribution.展开更多
Insects are suitable model organisms for functional morphology research,especially in the context of exaptation,when the same morphological trait represents an advantage in disparate niches.Phylogenetically distant gr...Insects are suitable model organisms for functional morphology research,especially in the context of exaptation,when the same morphological trait represents an advantage in disparate niches.Phylogenetically distant groups of pygmy grasshoppers(Orthoptera:Tetrigidae)have various pronotal projections defining their general appearance and body shape.However,body shape has never been related to niche occupation in these insects,thus the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pronotum shape and macrohabitat adaptation in Scelimeninae,a group of Asian and Papuan tetrigids encompassing amphibious and corticolous(bark-dwelling)representatives.With the use of geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods,two morphological and functional groups were distinguished,with the body shape exhibiting a significant phylogenetic signal.The first group consists of elongated amphibious taxa(Scelimenini tribe)with highly uniform pronotum morphology,likely due to a strong selection for streamlined body shape.Stouter corticolous taxa(Discotettigini tribe)exhibit more conspicuous body shape variability,possibly increasing camouflage efficiency in tree bark habitats.Ecological divergence associated with macrohabitat adaptation may thus have been the primary driver of speciation in this insect group,but the evolutionary constraints leading to this divergence are still to be identified.展开更多
In many developing countries with poorly managed landscapes,soil erosion threatens the sustainability of water bodies.The main limitations of this study are the lack of daily sediment data,lithology,higher-resolution ...In many developing countries with poorly managed landscapes,soil erosion threatens the sustainability of water bodies.The main limitations of this study are the lack of daily sediment data,lithology,higher-resolution DEM data,and socioeconomic factors.Poor land use policy and resource management in the Upper Awash Sub-basin lead to soil erosion and sedimentation of hydrological infrastructure,Effective watershed prioritization requires integrating land use,hydrology,sediment load,and morphometric factors but often faces gaps,especially in the study area.This research aims to prioritise the Upper Awash Sub-Basin by its morphometric,land use and cover(LULC),and sediment yield characteristics.We used the integrated AHP-VIKOR multi-attribute decision-making method to prioritise watersheds,incorporating morphometry,LULC,and sediment load attributes in the simple matrix approach.The findings showed the following classes of erosion:exceedingly high(2722.14 km2),high(2524.46 km2),moderate(2205.48 km2),low(1611.43 km2),and extremely low(854.35 km2).Sub-watersheds WS6,WS8,WS10,WS13,and WS24 are the top priority for watershed management.The study ranked watersheds based on various attributes but encountered limitations such as the lack of daily sediment data,geological structure,and lithology.It can be concluded that this approach is very important to identify and categorize hotspots of soil erosion sub-watersheds for planners and decision-makers for conserving water and soil and for different environmental management purposes.展开更多
Bite force is an important performance indicator of individual fitness that is closely related to food acquisition,male competition,and mating selection.It is also affected by a variety of factors and different mechan...Bite force is an important performance indicator of individual fitness that is closely related to food acquisition,male competition,and mating selection.It is also affected by a variety of factors and different mechanisms.Therefore,it is relatively difficult to understand the evolutionary driving forces of changes in bite force.In this study,the driving factors affecting the bite force of wild-derived red junglefowl(Gallus gallus jabouillei)were investigated from the aspects of morphological indicators and physiological characteristics.Results showed that the bite force of wild-derived red junglefowl was directly related to sex,showing obvious sexual differences.However,there was no correlation between the plasma testosterone level and bite force.The bite force of males was significantly greater than that of females,and the body index(i.e.,PC1 of five body measures,namely body mass,body length,wing length,tail length,and tarsus length),the grasp index(i.e.,tomial length×bill width)of males were significantly greater than those of females.Sexual selection may have played a key role in the evolution of bite force in the red junglefowl.Future studies should examine other key factors affecting changes in bite force to verify the correlation between secondary sexual characteristics and bite force in red junglefowls.展开更多
The Monte Desert is characterized by a great diversity of landforms created with fluvial,alluvial which the vegetation patterns are related to.The present work has the following objectives:(1) determine whether topogr...The Monte Desert is characterized by a great diversity of landforms created with fluvial,alluvial which the vegetation patterns are related to.The present work has the following objectives:(1) determine whether topographical attributes,surface characteristics,soil properties and vegetation patterns vary between alluvial landforms,and(2) define whether morphometric,soil and surface properties influence vegetation patterns along alluvial landscape.Morphometric data were obtained by processing a 5 m digital elevation model.The coverage of rock fragments,fine sediments and mulch was quantified.Observations and descriptions of the soil profiles were restricted to the uppermost 50 cm.Vegetation properties were calculated using a Point Quadrat Method.The relationship between variables was evaluated through multivariate statistical analysis.The main results show the presence of 45 plant species distributed in 19 families,where shrubs are dominant.The wind effect,topographic wetness and dissection of the landscape are limiting factors of diversity.The coverage of superficial rock fragments influence vegetation coverage through the distribution and availability of rainwater.Furthermore,the different soil textures reveal that the silt content favors an increase in vegetation coverage.The presence of V horizon could condition the installation and development of vegetation in the early stages of growth.展开更多
The Uluda??Range of northwest Türkiye forms a key tectonic boundary between the North Anatolian Fault Zone and the Western Anatolia Extensional Region,where active deformation is expressed across a network of str...The Uluda??Range of northwest Türkiye forms a key tectonic boundary between the North Anatolian Fault Zone and the Western Anatolia Extensional Region,where active deformation is expressed across a network of strike-slip and normal faults.To investigate how fault segmentation and kinematics control landscape evolution in this complex orogen,we integrate high-resolution morphometric analysis with paleoseismological data.We extracted key morphometric indices—includingΔ-relief,Δ-elevation,Δ-gradient,Δχ,hypsometric integral,channel concavity(m/n),normalized channel steepness(ksn),and knickpoint distribution—from 10-meter DEMs using open-source geomorphic toolkits.Our results demonstrate pronounced spatial variability in geomorphic signatures and tectonic activity across four divide segments(DS).DS01,associated with the right-lateral Ulubat Fault,exhibits exceptional morphometric stability and minimal disequilibrium,in line with long earthquake recurrence intervals and low Holocene slip rates.In contrast,DS02 and DS03—bounded by the Bursa and So??ukp??nar faults—displayχ-based divide migration and subtle landscape adjustment.DS04,influenced by the??neg??l and Oylat faults,is characterized by elevated channel steepness,dense knickpoint clustering,and southward divide migration,collectively indicating ongoing uplift and transient drainage adjustment.The strong correspondence between morphometric disequilibrium and documented earthquake recurrence patterns highlights the critical value of integrating geomorphic and paleoseismological datasets.Our findings demonstrate that only through the convergence and cross-validation of multiple independent metrics can the segmented imprint of active deformation be reliably detected—particularly where landscape response is temporally offset from fault activity.The methodological framework developed here provides a robust template for quantifying active structures and their geomorphic consequences and can be widely applied to other tectonically complex mountain belts for seismic hazard assessment and landscape evolution studies.展开更多
Since its description,the taxon Ophrys sphegodes subsp.grammica has been considered endemic to Greece.The morphological and chorological data of this taxon have been overlooked because the name has been used as a syno...Since its description,the taxon Ophrys sphegodes subsp.grammica has been considered endemic to Greece.The morphological and chorological data of this taxon have been overlooked because the name has been used as a synonym for O.sphegodes subsp.taurica in most publications and online databases.Recently discovered Ophrys populations in Serbia were identified as O.sphegodes subsp.grammica.As these populations represent the northernmost point of distribution of this taxon,we provided data on the morphology,flowering season,and ecology.To determine the taxonomic status of this taxon,we performed comparative morphological analyses,comparing them to other populations of affined taxa(O.sphegodes subsp.grammica,O.sphegodes subsp.taurica,and O.sphegodes subsp.sphegodes).The analysis included 23 morphometric characters,performed on a total of 120 individuals.Examined populations of O.sphegodes subsp.grammica are closely associated with populations of O.sphegodes subsp.sphegodes,with near overlap in the values of the characteristics evaluated,indicating that this subspecies is more morphologically similar to the typical one than to O.sphegodes subsp.taurica.Although O.sphegodes subsp.grammica and O.sphegodes subsp.sphegodes are morphologically similar,the flowers of the first taxon are smaller,as evidenced by the length and width of the stigmatic cavity,as well as the length of the petals and labellum.The labellum of O.sphegodes subsp.grammica is shorter than the dorsal sepal,and this feature distinguishes it from both the typical subspecies and O.sphegodes subsp.taurica,where it is longer.The results of this study clearly show that the name O.sphegodes subsp.grammica should not be equated with O.sphegodes subsp.taurica,since it is a morphologically distinct and well-defined taxon.展开更多
Soil erosion in the Hare watershed led to significant land degradation,water pollution,and reduced agricultural productivity.Despite its effects,very few researchers have used combined morphometric and RUSLE model tec...Soil erosion in the Hare watershed led to significant land degradation,water pollution,and reduced agricultural productivity.Despite its effects,very few researchers have used combined morphometric and RUSLE model techniques to quantify soil erosion and thereby prioritize impacted areas.This work used an automated GIS-based tool(SWPT)to prioritize crucial areas based on topohydrological and morphometric factors and predict soil loss in sub-watersheds using the RUSLE model.Land use/cover data were obtained from Landsat imagery,while slope and morphometric information were extracted from digital elevation data with a resolution of 12.5 m.Soil erodibility was determined using Ethiopian soil maps,and rainfall erosivity was computed using meteorological data.An average annual soil loss of 49 t ha-1 yr-1 was observed in the Hare watershed.Sub-watershed 11 was found to be the most affected,with an average annual soil loss of 85.12 t ha-1 yr-1and a compound parameter value(CPV)of 0.059.Subwatershed 17 has the least amount of soil loss,with 3.67t ha-1 yr-1 and a CPV of 1.32.The study emphasizes the usefulness of integrating RUSLE and morphometric analysis for soil and water conservation planning,suggesting a variety of modeling tools in data-sparse locations to quantify and prioritize erosion-prone areas.展开更多
The integration and modularity of leaf morphological traits are fundamental to plant adaptations, yet their responses to diverse environmental pressures remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the roles of leaf ...The integration and modularity of leaf morphological traits are fundamental to plant adaptations, yet their responses to diverse environmental pressures remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the roles of leaf trait integration and modularity and how they interact with environmental factors. We analyzed geometric, traditional, and functional leaf traits across 908 individuals from 72 populations of two alpine evergreen oaks, Quercus aquifolioides Rehder & E.H. Wilson and Quercus spinosa David ex Franch., distributed throughout the Himalayan-Hengduan Mountains(HHM), employing genetic assignment as a priori. Multivariate and redundancy analyses revealed that Q. aquifolioides, which inhabits harsher environments, exhibits lower trait integration and greater morphological flexibility, allowing for dynamic adaptation to fluctuating conditions. In contrast, Q. spinosa, thriving in milder environments, demonstrates stronger integration and stability in leaf morphology, facilitating resource optimization and providing a competitive advantage. Notable differences in modularity between the two species were observed, particularly in specific leaf traits, as revealed by structural equation modeling(SEM) analysis. These results underscore the adaptive significance of leaf trait integration and modularity in extreme environments and highlight the critical role of leaf morphology in enhancing species resilience.展开更多
Natural resource management is essential to sustain human well-being and the environment.Water and soil are two of the most important natural resources that require careful management.The western part of India faces m...Natural resource management is essential to sustain human well-being and the environment.Water and soil are two of the most important natural resources that require careful management.The western part of India faces multiple challenges,including climatic variability,soil degradation,water scarcity,deforestation,etc.The basin’s sub-watersheds are delineated and prioritised using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT)and Sub Watershed Prioritization Tool(SWPT),respectively,using morphometric and topo-hydrological characteristics,and the sub-watersheds are further ranked using Weighted Sum Analysis(WSA).The findings indicate that SWS19,SWS18,SWS1,SWS17,SWS16,and SWS15,which are drained by the rivers Chambal,Kali Sindh,Mashi,Parbati,Parwan,and Beradi,are highly vulnerable sub-watersheds.By integrating remote sensing,GIS techniques,and quantitative morphometric analysis,parameters such as drainage density,stream frequency,bifurcation ratio,and slope gradient were evaluated.The analysis revealed critical sub-watersheds characterized by steep slopes,high drainage density,and poor vegetation cover,indicating their susceptibility to erosion and runoff.The findings underscore the necessity for targeted soil conservation measures,such as contour bunding,afforestation,and water retention structures.This study highlights the utility of geospatial tools for sustainable watershed management and provides a replicable framework for prioritizing sub-watersheds in similar regions.展开更多
Nerve regeneration after delayed nerve repair is often unsuccessful. Indeed, the expression of genes associated with regeneration, including neurotrophic and gliotrophic factors, is drastically reduced in the distal s...Nerve regeneration after delayed nerve repair is often unsuccessful. Indeed, the expression of genes associated with regeneration, including neurotrophic and gliotrophic factors, is drastically reduced in the distal stump of chronically transected nerves; moreover, Schwann cells undergo atrophy, losing their ability to sustain regeneration. In the present study, to provide a three-dimensional environment and trophic factors supporting Schwann cell activity and axon re-growth, we combined the use of an effective conduit(a chitosan tube) with a promising intraluminal structure(fresh longitudinal skeletal muscle fibers). This enriched conduit was used to repair a 10-mm rat median nerve gap after 3-month delay and functional and morphometrical analyses were performed 4 months after nerve reconstruction. Our data show that the enriched chitosan conduit is as effective as the hollow chitosan conduit in promoting nerve regeneration,and its efficacy is not statistically different from the autograft, considered the "gold standard" technique for nerve reconstruction. Since hollow tubes not always lead to good results after long defects(> 20 mm), we believe that the conduit enriched with fresh muscle fibers could be a promising strategy to repair longer gaps, as muscle fibers create a favorable three-dimensional environment and release trophic factors. All procedures were approved by the Bioethical Committee of the University of Torino and by the Italian Ministry of Health(approval number: 864/2016/PR) on September 14, 2016.展开更多
In order to analyze skull variation in the genus Macaca ,seventy seven craniodental variables were taken from eleven species.They were first defined seven functional units comprising three anatomical regions.Twenty s...In order to analyze skull variation in the genus Macaca ,seventy seven craniodental variables were taken from eleven species.They were first defined seven functional units comprising three anatomical regions.Twenty seven variables were finally selected to carry out the morphology of the whole skull.The data,organized in these ways,were examined to discover variations between and within the various species.The methods used were Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA).PCAs of the functional units anatomical regions,and the whole skull provided similar,though not identical,separations of species clusters in both sexes separately.These differences in structure could be related to size,sexual dimorphism,diet,ecology,classification and phylogeny.The question of size should have been easy to settle.Unfortunately,this is not the case.In this study where the raw data are measurements of the specimens,the main differences should be size.However,the size differences seem to occur in both the first and second (independent) multivariate axes.In some analyses the size differences between the species are biggest and appear in the first axis.In other analyses it is the separation between the sexes (and these too are largely size) that are the biggest and appear in the first axis.Yet in other analyses,both of these size separations,though still orthogonal to one another,present in the combination of the first two axes.This certainly implies that a single axis of body size is not present and that shape differences have not been isolated form size differences.It also implies that sexual dimorphism is a complex matter.As a result,the question of the relationships between the species is therefore also complex.One cluster of species that includes M fascicularis,M sinica and M radiata was significantly isolated from all others regardless of level of analysis.This relationship is quite different from that proposed on the anatomy of the reproductive organs (Delson,1980;Fooden,1976,1980).展开更多
The morphological characteristics of the hind wing venation of tetrigids were analyzed on the basis of morphometric measurement, with 20 species and 18 different variables selected for this study. Results show that th...The morphological characteristics of the hind wing venation of tetrigids were analyzed on the basis of morphometric measurement, with 20 species and 18 different variables selected for this study. Results show that three principal components have a higher load at the length between the starting point of the costal vein and the tip of the fourth anal vein, between the tip of the costal vein and the tip of the third anal vein, and between the tip of the costal vein and the tip of the eleventh anal vein. There exists a contrast between wing length and width.展开更多
Objective: To study the relationship between the ser- um levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), collagen type Ⅳ (CIV) and the histologi- cal degree of hepatic fibrosis evaluated by image analysis...Objective: To study the relationship between the ser- um levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), collagen type Ⅳ (CIV) and the histologi- cal degree of hepatic fibrosis evaluated by image analysis, and the clinical significance of serum HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in pa- tients with chronic viral hepatitis. Methods: The concentrations of serum HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ in 151 patients with chronic viral hepatitis were measured by radioimmunoassay. Liver biopsies were performed in all the patients. Histological sections of 4 μm thickness were stained with Masson's trichrome for fibrosis assessment. Morphometric quantitative measurements for hepatic fibrosis assessment in the 4 μm sections were performed using a fully automated image analysis system. Serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, and C Ⅳ were analyzed at different stages of liver pa- thology and compared with the morphometric quanti- tative measurements of hepatic fibrosis. Results: The serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ all ele- vated gradually with the progression of the disease, and all reached the highest in patients with liver cir- rhosis. There was a significant difference in the levels of these 3 components between liver cirrhosis group and the other groups (P<0.05). They all increased steadily with the histological stages of hepatic fibrosis, and reached the highest levels in stage Ⅳ. The serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ were all positive- ly correlated with the histological stages of liver sec- tions and the morphometric measurement (P< 0.001). The coefficients with stages were 0.694, 0.493, 0.552 (P<0.001), respectively and with sur- face density of total collagen on liver biopsy sections by image analysis were 0. 715, 0. 595, 0. 573 (P< 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ were in consistent with the degree of hepatic fibrosis, and the determination of these marks is valuable for detecting hepatic fibrosis.展开更多
Objective To observe the changes in hepatic histomorphology and the differences in the expression of PD-1 after different moxibustion interventions in the immunosuppressed rabbits caused by cyclophosphamide and analyz...Objective To observe the changes in hepatic histomorphology and the differences in the expression of PD-1 after different moxibustion interventions in the immunosuppressed rabbits caused by cyclophosphamide and analyze the intervention effects of different moxibustion therapies.Methods A total of 40 big-ear white rabbits were randomized into 4 groups,i.e.a blank group,an immunosuppressed model group,a moxibustion group and a herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group,10 rabbits in each one.In the immunosuppressed model group,the moxibustion group and the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group,the intraperitoneal injection with cyclophosphamide was administered consecutively for 7 days,60 mg/kg,and then,the immunosuppressed models were prepared.After the models were established successfully,in the moxibustion group and the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group,moxibustion was administer at"Shénquè(神阙CV 8)""Guānyuán(关元CV 4)""Zúsānlĭ(足三里ST 36)""Píshū(脾俞BL20)"and"Shènshū(肾俞BL23)",once every other day,10 times in total.In the blank group and the immunosuppressed model group,the rabbits were restricted on the rabbit platform at the same time periods,without intervention.On the second day after the end of intervention,the animals were weighed and anesthetized,and the livers were extracted.After routine HE staining,the changes of hepatic histomorphology were observed under the microscope and the morphometric analysis was conducted in each group.Besides,PD-1 expression was observed with immunohistochemical method.Result Compared with the blank group,after modeling of each animal in three groups,the body mass decreased obviously(all P<0.01),the hepatocyte count decreased(all P<0.01),the inflammatory cellular infiltration area was increased obviously(all P<0.01),necrosis appeared in hepatic tissue and the positive expression of PD-1 in hepatic tissue was significantly increased(all P<0.01).After moxibustion intervention,compared with the immunosuppressed model group,the body masses of the animals were increased obviously(P<0.05,P<0.01),the hepatocyte count was increased obviously(both P<0.01),the infiltration area of inflammatory cells decreased significantly(both P<0.01)and the expression of the PD-1 decreased in the hepatic tissue(both P<0.05)in both the moxibustion group and the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group.Compared with the moxibustion group,the animal body mass was higher obviously(P<0.01),the hepatocyte count was raised apparently(P<0.01)and the infiltration area of inflammatory cells were reduced obviously(P<0.05)in the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group.Conclusion The intervention with different moxibustion therapies improves the condition of body mass reduction and hepatic tissue damage of the immunosuppressed rabbits caused by cyclophosphamide.The effect of herbal-paste isolated moxibustion therapy is better than that of simple moxibustion therapy.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the effect of Tangweian Jianji （TWAJJ） on the biomechanical and morphometrical remodeling of the upper gastrointestinal tract in diabetic rats. METHODS： Diabetes was induced in 27 rats by in- j...AIM： To investigate the effect of Tangweian Jianji （TWAJJ） on the biomechanical and morphometrical remodeling of the upper gastrointestinal tract in diabetic rats. METHODS： Diabetes was induced in 27 rats by in- jecting streptozotocin （40 mg/kg body weight）, the animals were then divided into three groups （n = 9 in each group）, i.e., diabetic control （DM）; high dose （10 g/kg, T1） and low dose （5 g/kg, T2）. Another 10 rats acted as normal controls （Control）. TWAJJ was admin- istered by gavage once daily. Blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured. Circumferential length, wall thickness and opening angle were measured from esophageal, duodenal, jejunal and ileal ring segments. The residual strain was calculated from the morpho- metric data. Step-wise distension was carried out on esophageal and jejunal segments. The obtained data on the length, diameter and pressure changes were then used to calculate the circumferential and longitu- dinal stresses and strains. Real-time reverse transcrip- tion polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the receptor of advanced glycation end-products （RAGE） mRNA level in jejunal tissues. RESULTS： At the end of the experiment, the blood glucose level was significantly higher and the serum insulin level was significantly lower in DM, T1 and T2 groups than in the control group （Glucose： 30.23 ± 0.41 mmol/L, 27.48 ± 0.27 mmol/L and 27.84 ± 0.29 mmol/ L vs 5.05 ± 0.04 mmol/L, P = 1.65 x 10-16, P = 5.89 x 1019 and P = 1.63 x 10-Is, respectively; Insulin： 1.47 ± 0.32 °tg/L, 2.66 ± 0.44 pg/L, 2.03 ± 0.29 pg/L and 4.17 ± 0.54 pg/L, P = 0.0001, P = 0.029 and P = 0.025, re- spectively）. However, these levels did not differ among the DM, T1 and T2 groups. The wet weight per unit length, wall thickness and opening angle of esophageal and intestinal segments in the DM group were signifi- cantly higher than those in the control group （from P = 0.009 to P = 0.004）. These parameters in the T1 group were significantly lower than those in the DM group （wet weight, duodenum： 0.147 ± 0.003 g/cm vs 0.158 ± 0.001 g/cm, P = 0.047; jejunum, 0.127 ± 0.003 g/cm vs 0.151：1：0.002 g/cm, P = 0.017; ileum, 0.127 ± 0.004 g/cm vs 0.139 ± 0.003 g/cm, P = 0.046; wall thickness, esophagus： 0.84±0.03 mm vs 0.94 ± 0.02 ram, P = 0.014; duodenum： 1.27 ± 0.06 mm vs 1.39 ± 0.05 ram, P = 0.031; jejunum： 1.19 ± 0.07 mm vs 1.34 ± 0.04 mm, P = 0.047; ileum： 1.09 ± 0.04 mm vs 1.15 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.049; opening angle, esophagus： 112.2 ± 13.2° vs 134.7 ± 14.7°, P = 0.027; duodenum： 105.9 ± 12.3° vs 123.1 ± 13.1°, P = 0.046; jejunum： 90.1 ± 15.4° vs 115.5 ± 13.3°, P = 0.044; ileum： 112.9 ± 13.4° vs 136.1 ± 17.1°, P = 0.035）. In the esophageal and jejunal segments, the inner residual stain was significantly smaller and the outer residual strain was larger in the DN group than in the control group （P = 0.022 and P = 0.035）. T1 treatment significantly restored this biomechanical alteration （P = 0.011 and P = 0.019）, but T2 treatment did not. Fur- thermore, the circumferential and longitudinal stiffness of the esophageal and jejunal wall increased in the DM group compared with those in the control group. T1, but not T2 treatment, significantly decreased the cir- cumferential wall stiffness in the jejunal segment （P = 0.012） and longitudinal wall stiffness in the esophageal segment （P = 0.023）. The mRNA level of RAGE was significantly decreased in the T1 group compared to that in the DN group （P = 0.0069）. CONCLUSION： TWAJJ （high dose） treatment partly restored the morphometric and biomechanical remodel- ing of the upper gastrointestinal tract in diabetic rats.展开更多
Bursaphelenchus rainulfi isolated from dead pine trees in Zbejiang, China, is described and illustrated. It also provided some molecular characters of the Chinese population, including the PCR-RFLP and sequences of IT...Bursaphelenchus rainulfi isolated from dead pine trees in Zbejiang, China, is described and illustrated. It also provided some molecular characters of the Chinese population, including the PCR-RFLP and sequences of ITS region and D2-D3 expansion region of the large subunit （LSU） rRNA gene. Both the morphological characters and ITS-RFLP patterns match with the original description. The phylogenetic trees based on the 13 sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of the LSU rRNA gene and ITS region of Bursaphelenchus species were constructed, respectively, with the results showing the similar clades. The phylogenetic relationship based on the molecular data is similar to that with morphological characters. This is the first report of the species on pine wood in eastern China.展开更多
Morphometrics has been pursued by graphical and computational means since the European Renaissance, drawing on core geometric principles first discovered in China and Classical Greece. Through the late 1800s, two dist...Morphometrics has been pursued by graphical and computational means since the European Renaissance, drawing on core geometric principles first discovered in China and Classical Greece. Through the late 1800s, two distinct approaches to such analyses were pursued： a deformationist approach, epitomized by D＇Arcy Thompson＇s graphical trans-formation grids and the statistical approach popularized by Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, and Julian Huxley in which Cartesian spaces were employed to summarize patterns of variation in size and/or shape variables. Unification of these approaches was an off-stated goal throughout the 20th century, but proved elusive until the mid-1980s when David Kendall, Fred Bookstein, and Colin Goodall proposed a radically new way of understanding form -- as the locations of configurations of landmarks on the surfaces of a nested series of hyperdimensional manifolds. Once this new mathematics of form was understood development of basic concepts, procedures, graphical tools, and statistical tests followed quickly such that the core of the long-hoped for synthesis took less than a decade to achieve. The result-- geometric morphometrics -- continues to develop into an ever-more extensive toolkit that can be used by researchers to describe and understand a wide range of problems involving the characterization of morphological similarities and differences in all of their many and varied contexts. In particular, the new approaches involving the direct analysis of image pixels and new tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence are set to reinvigorate （and possibly to revolutionize） the field once again.展开更多
文摘A relatively well-preserved rodent fossil,including its incisors,cheek teeth,and postcranial skeleton,was collected from the Baiyin Obo in Siziwang Banner,Nei Mongol.A multifaceted research approach was undertaken in this study to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the newly discovered specimen.Based on a morphological comparison,the new specimen was identified as Hulgana cf.H.ertnia within the Ischyromyidae family.Incisive enamel microstructure analysis revealed the typical pauciserial enamel structure of Hulgana.Bone histological analysis indicates that the specimen represents a juvenile individual,which is consistent with the ontogenetic stage indicated by dental developmental stage and wear pattern.The application of geometric morphometrics to the calcaneus and bone histology of the femur and phalanx further substantiates the taxonomic classification of Hulgana as a terrestrial and cursorial rodent,exhibiting a degree of fossorial ability.This classification is analogous to that of certain extant cricetids and ground squirrels.
文摘An inventory of Rhynchophorus species was carried out to determine their diversity, biogeographical variability and morphometrics. A shotgun trapping method was used at nine sites in three districts over a four-month period, identifying three species: R. quadrangulus, R. phoenicis, R. ferrugineus and a probable variant of R. phoenicis. Of these species, R. phoenicis stands out as the most widespread palm weevil, while the probable variant of R. phoenicis is considered the rarest subspecies in the Maniema region. The color of the head and elytra is a criterion for distinguishing the different species of Rhynchophorus spp. Morphological criteria indicate that the probable subspecies of R. phoenicis is the largest palm weevil in the Maniema region and even globally. It is followed by R. quadrangulus and, by far, by R. phoenicis. The smallest palm weevil in Maniema is R. ferrugineus. Moreover, these criteria reveal that, for all three species identified, the female is generally larger than the male. This study has the merit of extending the distribution of R. ferrugineus from the Maghreb to the central East of the DRC, and highlighting a subspecies of R. phoenicis. Recognition of the sexes on the basis of the shape of the tip of the abdomen (oval in the male and flat in the female) is an additional contribution.
基金in part kindly supported by the Croatian Science Foundation(DinDRY project,UIP-2020-02-5385,grant to A.B.).
文摘Insects are suitable model organisms for functional morphology research,especially in the context of exaptation,when the same morphological trait represents an advantage in disparate niches.Phylogenetically distant groups of pygmy grasshoppers(Orthoptera:Tetrigidae)have various pronotal projections defining their general appearance and body shape.However,body shape has never been related to niche occupation in these insects,thus the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between pronotum shape and macrohabitat adaptation in Scelimeninae,a group of Asian and Papuan tetrigids encompassing amphibious and corticolous(bark-dwelling)representatives.With the use of geometric morphometrics and phylogenetic comparative methods,two morphological and functional groups were distinguished,with the body shape exhibiting a significant phylogenetic signal.The first group consists of elongated amphibious taxa(Scelimenini tribe)with highly uniform pronotum morphology,likely due to a strong selection for streamlined body shape.Stouter corticolous taxa(Discotettigini tribe)exhibit more conspicuous body shape variability,possibly increasing camouflage efficiency in tree bark habitats.Ecological divergence associated with macrohabitat adaptation may thus have been the primary driver of speciation in this insect group,but the evolutionary constraints leading to this divergence are still to be identified.
基金financially supported by the Water and Land Resource Center(WLRC),Addis Ababa University(AAU),Water Security and Sustainable Development Hub funded by the UK Research and Innovation’s Global Challenges Research Fund(GCRF):ES/S008179/1.
文摘In many developing countries with poorly managed landscapes,soil erosion threatens the sustainability of water bodies.The main limitations of this study are the lack of daily sediment data,lithology,higher-resolution DEM data,and socioeconomic factors.Poor land use policy and resource management in the Upper Awash Sub-basin lead to soil erosion and sedimentation of hydrological infrastructure,Effective watershed prioritization requires integrating land use,hydrology,sediment load,and morphometric factors but often faces gaps,especially in the study area.This research aims to prioritise the Upper Awash Sub-Basin by its morphometric,land use and cover(LULC),and sediment yield characteristics.We used the integrated AHP-VIKOR multi-attribute decision-making method to prioritise watersheds,incorporating morphometry,LULC,and sediment load attributes in the simple matrix approach.The findings showed the following classes of erosion:exceedingly high(2722.14 km2),high(2524.46 km2),moderate(2205.48 km2),low(1611.43 km2),and extremely low(854.35 km2).Sub-watersheds WS6,WS8,WS10,WS13,and WS24 are the top priority for watershed management.The study ranked watersheds based on various attributes but encountered limitations such as the lack of daily sediment data,geological structure,and lithology.It can be concluded that this approach is very important to identify and categorize hotspots of soil erosion sub-watersheds for planners and decision-makers for conserving water and soil and for different environmental management purposes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(no.31800320 and no.32360250 to XR)Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province(no.320RC506 to XR)+3 种基金funded by the project supported by the Scientific Research start-up Fund of Hainan University[no.KYQD(ZR)20057]the Teaching Research of Hainan University(no.Hdsz20-9)supported by Hainan Tropical Rainforest Conservation Research Project,ZDYF2023RDYL01(supported by the Hainan Institute of National Park,HINP,KY-24ZK02)supported by the specific research fund of The Innovation Platform for Academicians of Hainan Province.
文摘Bite force is an important performance indicator of individual fitness that is closely related to food acquisition,male competition,and mating selection.It is also affected by a variety of factors and different mechanisms.Therefore,it is relatively difficult to understand the evolutionary driving forces of changes in bite force.In this study,the driving factors affecting the bite force of wild-derived red junglefowl(Gallus gallus jabouillei)were investigated from the aspects of morphological indicators and physiological characteristics.Results showed that the bite force of wild-derived red junglefowl was directly related to sex,showing obvious sexual differences.However,there was no correlation between the plasma testosterone level and bite force.The bite force of males was significantly greater than that of females,and the body index(i.e.,PC1 of five body measures,namely body mass,body length,wing length,tail length,and tarsus length),the grasp index(i.e.,tomial length×bill width)of males were significantly greater than those of females.Sexual selection may have played a key role in the evolution of bite force in the red junglefowl.Future studies should examine other key factors affecting changes in bite force to verify the correlation between secondary sexual characteristics and bite force in red junglefowls.
文摘The Monte Desert is characterized by a great diversity of landforms created with fluvial,alluvial which the vegetation patterns are related to.The present work has the following objectives:(1) determine whether topographical attributes,surface characteristics,soil properties and vegetation patterns vary between alluvial landforms,and(2) define whether morphometric,soil and surface properties influence vegetation patterns along alluvial landscape.Morphometric data were obtained by processing a 5 m digital elevation model.The coverage of rock fragments,fine sediments and mulch was quantified.Observations and descriptions of the soil profiles were restricted to the uppermost 50 cm.Vegetation properties were calculated using a Point Quadrat Method.The relationship between variables was evaluated through multivariate statistical analysis.The main results show the presence of 45 plant species distributed in 19 families,where shrubs are dominant.The wind effect,topographic wetness and dissection of the landscape are limiting factors of diversity.The coverage of superficial rock fragments influence vegetation coverage through the distribution and availability of rainwater.Furthermore,the different soil textures reveal that the silt content favors an increase in vegetation coverage.The presence of V horizon could condition the installation and development of vegetation in the early stages of growth.
基金supported by the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Türkiye(AFAD)under the project code UDAP-G-18-01。
文摘The Uluda??Range of northwest Türkiye forms a key tectonic boundary between the North Anatolian Fault Zone and the Western Anatolia Extensional Region,where active deformation is expressed across a network of strike-slip and normal faults.To investigate how fault segmentation and kinematics control landscape evolution in this complex orogen,we integrate high-resolution morphometric analysis with paleoseismological data.We extracted key morphometric indices—includingΔ-relief,Δ-elevation,Δ-gradient,Δχ,hypsometric integral,channel concavity(m/n),normalized channel steepness(ksn),and knickpoint distribution—from 10-meter DEMs using open-source geomorphic toolkits.Our results demonstrate pronounced spatial variability in geomorphic signatures and tectonic activity across four divide segments(DS).DS01,associated with the right-lateral Ulubat Fault,exhibits exceptional morphometric stability and minimal disequilibrium,in line with long earthquake recurrence intervals and low Holocene slip rates.In contrast,DS02 and DS03—bounded by the Bursa and So??ukp??nar faults—displayχ-based divide migration and subtle landscape adjustment.DS04,influenced by the??neg??l and Oylat faults,is characterized by elevated channel steepness,dense knickpoint clustering,and southward divide migration,collectively indicating ongoing uplift and transient drainage adjustment.The strong correspondence between morphometric disequilibrium and documented earthquake recurrence patterns highlights the critical value of integrating geomorphic and paleoseismological datasets.Our findings demonstrate that only through the convergence and cross-validation of multiple independent metrics can the segmented imprint of active deformation be reliably detected—particularly where landscape response is temporally offset from fault activity.The methodological framework developed here provides a robust template for quantifying active structures and their geomorphic consequences and can be widely applied to other tectonically complex mountain belts for seismic hazard assessment and landscape evolution studies.
基金Funding Statement:This research was funded by Ministry of Science,Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia(Grants Nos.451-03-137/2025-03/200125&451-03-136/2025-03/200125).
文摘Since its description,the taxon Ophrys sphegodes subsp.grammica has been considered endemic to Greece.The morphological and chorological data of this taxon have been overlooked because the name has been used as a synonym for O.sphegodes subsp.taurica in most publications and online databases.Recently discovered Ophrys populations in Serbia were identified as O.sphegodes subsp.grammica.As these populations represent the northernmost point of distribution of this taxon,we provided data on the morphology,flowering season,and ecology.To determine the taxonomic status of this taxon,we performed comparative morphological analyses,comparing them to other populations of affined taxa(O.sphegodes subsp.grammica,O.sphegodes subsp.taurica,and O.sphegodes subsp.sphegodes).The analysis included 23 morphometric characters,performed on a total of 120 individuals.Examined populations of O.sphegodes subsp.grammica are closely associated with populations of O.sphegodes subsp.sphegodes,with near overlap in the values of the characteristics evaluated,indicating that this subspecies is more morphologically similar to the typical one than to O.sphegodes subsp.taurica.Although O.sphegodes subsp.grammica and O.sphegodes subsp.sphegodes are morphologically similar,the flowers of the first taxon are smaller,as evidenced by the length and width of the stigmatic cavity,as well as the length of the petals and labellum.The labellum of O.sphegodes subsp.grammica is shorter than the dorsal sepal,and this feature distinguishes it from both the typical subspecies and O.sphegodes subsp.taurica,where it is longer.The results of this study clearly show that the name O.sphegodes subsp.grammica should not be equated with O.sphegodes subsp.taurica,since it is a morphologically distinct and well-defined taxon.
文摘Soil erosion in the Hare watershed led to significant land degradation,water pollution,and reduced agricultural productivity.Despite its effects,very few researchers have used combined morphometric and RUSLE model techniques to quantify soil erosion and thereby prioritize impacted areas.This work used an automated GIS-based tool(SWPT)to prioritize crucial areas based on topohydrological and morphometric factors and predict soil loss in sub-watersheds using the RUSLE model.Land use/cover data were obtained from Landsat imagery,while slope and morphometric information were extracted from digital elevation data with a resolution of 12.5 m.Soil erodibility was determined using Ethiopian soil maps,and rainfall erosivity was computed using meteorological data.An average annual soil loss of 49 t ha-1 yr-1 was observed in the Hare watershed.Sub-watershed 11 was found to be the most affected,with an average annual soil loss of 85.12 t ha-1 yr-1and a compound parameter value(CPV)of 0.059.Subwatershed 17 has the least amount of soil loss,with 3.67t ha-1 yr-1 and a CPV of 1.32.The study emphasizes the usefulness of integrating RUSLE and morphometric analysis for soil and water conservation planning,suggesting a variety of modeling tools in data-sparse locations to quantify and prioritize erosion-prone areas.
基金supported by the National Science Foundation of China(No.42071060)to Fang Du.
文摘The integration and modularity of leaf morphological traits are fundamental to plant adaptations, yet their responses to diverse environmental pressures remain unclear. In this study, we investigate the roles of leaf trait integration and modularity and how they interact with environmental factors. We analyzed geometric, traditional, and functional leaf traits across 908 individuals from 72 populations of two alpine evergreen oaks, Quercus aquifolioides Rehder & E.H. Wilson and Quercus spinosa David ex Franch., distributed throughout the Himalayan-Hengduan Mountains(HHM), employing genetic assignment as a priori. Multivariate and redundancy analyses revealed that Q. aquifolioides, which inhabits harsher environments, exhibits lower trait integration and greater morphological flexibility, allowing for dynamic adaptation to fluctuating conditions. In contrast, Q. spinosa, thriving in milder environments, demonstrates stronger integration and stability in leaf morphology, facilitating resource optimization and providing a competitive advantage. Notable differences in modularity between the two species were observed, particularly in specific leaf traits, as revealed by structural equation modeling(SEM) analysis. These results underscore the adaptive significance of leaf trait integration and modularity in extreme environments and highlight the critical role of leaf morphology in enhancing species resilience.
文摘Natural resource management is essential to sustain human well-being and the environment.Water and soil are two of the most important natural resources that require careful management.The western part of India faces multiple challenges,including climatic variability,soil degradation,water scarcity,deforestation,etc.The basin’s sub-watersheds are delineated and prioritised using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool(SWAT)and Sub Watershed Prioritization Tool(SWPT),respectively,using morphometric and topo-hydrological characteristics,and the sub-watersheds are further ranked using Weighted Sum Analysis(WSA).The findings indicate that SWS19,SWS18,SWS1,SWS17,SWS16,and SWS15,which are drained by the rivers Chambal,Kali Sindh,Mashi,Parbati,Parwan,and Beradi,are highly vulnerable sub-watersheds.By integrating remote sensing,GIS techniques,and quantitative morphometric analysis,parameters such as drainage density,stream frequency,bifurcation ratio,and slope gradient were evaluated.The analysis revealed critical sub-watersheds characterized by steep slopes,high drainage density,and poor vegetation cover,indicating their susceptibility to erosion and runoff.The findings underscore the necessity for targeted soil conservation measures,such as contour bunding,afforestation,and water retention structures.This study highlights the utility of geospatial tools for sustainable watershed management and provides a replicable framework for prioritizing sub-watersheds in similar regions.
基金supported by the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme(FP7-HEALTH-2011),No.278612(to SG)by Compagnia di San Paolo,No.D86D15000100005InTheCure project(to SR)
文摘Nerve regeneration after delayed nerve repair is often unsuccessful. Indeed, the expression of genes associated with regeneration, including neurotrophic and gliotrophic factors, is drastically reduced in the distal stump of chronically transected nerves; moreover, Schwann cells undergo atrophy, losing their ability to sustain regeneration. In the present study, to provide a three-dimensional environment and trophic factors supporting Schwann cell activity and axon re-growth, we combined the use of an effective conduit(a chitosan tube) with a promising intraluminal structure(fresh longitudinal skeletal muscle fibers). This enriched conduit was used to repair a 10-mm rat median nerve gap after 3-month delay and functional and morphometrical analyses were performed 4 months after nerve reconstruction. Our data show that the enriched chitosan conduit is as effective as the hollow chitosan conduit in promoting nerve regeneration,and its efficacy is not statistically different from the autograft, considered the "gold standard" technique for nerve reconstruction. Since hollow tubes not always lead to good results after long defects(> 20 mm), we believe that the conduit enriched with fresh muscle fibers could be a promising strategy to repair longer gaps, as muscle fibers create a favorable three-dimensional environment and release trophic factors. All procedures were approved by the Bioethical Committee of the University of Torino and by the Italian Ministry of Health(approval number: 864/2016/PR) on September 14, 2016.
文摘In order to analyze skull variation in the genus Macaca ,seventy seven craniodental variables were taken from eleven species.They were first defined seven functional units comprising three anatomical regions.Twenty seven variables were finally selected to carry out the morphology of the whole skull.The data,organized in these ways,were examined to discover variations between and within the various species.The methods used were Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA).PCAs of the functional units anatomical regions,and the whole skull provided similar,though not identical,separations of species clusters in both sexes separately.These differences in structure could be related to size,sexual dimorphism,diet,ecology,classification and phylogeny.The question of size should have been easy to settle.Unfortunately,this is not the case.In this study where the raw data are measurements of the specimens,the main differences should be size.However,the size differences seem to occur in both the first and second (independent) multivariate axes.In some analyses the size differences between the species are biggest and appear in the first axis.In other analyses it is the separation between the sexes (and these too are largely size) that are the biggest and appear in the first axis.Yet in other analyses,both of these size separations,though still orthogonal to one another,present in the combination of the first two axes.This certainly implies that a single axis of body size is not present and that shape differences have not been isolated form size differences.It also implies that sexual dimorphism is a complex matter.As a result,the question of the relationships between the species is therefore also complex.One cluster of species that includes M fascicularis,M sinica and M radiata was significantly isolated from all others regardless of level of analysis.This relationship is quite different from that proposed on the anatomy of the reproductive organs (Delson,1980;Fooden,1976,1980).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31560604,31160433)the Guangxi Natural Science Foundation(2015GXNSFAA139071)
文摘The morphological characteristics of the hind wing venation of tetrigids were analyzed on the basis of morphometric measurement, with 20 species and 18 different variables selected for this study. Results show that three principal components have a higher load at the length between the starting point of the costal vein and the tip of the fourth anal vein, between the tip of the costal vein and the tip of the third anal vein, and between the tip of the costal vein and the tip of the eleventh anal vein. There exists a contrast between wing length and width.
文摘Objective: To study the relationship between the ser- um levels of hyaluronic acid (HA), procollagen type Ⅲ (PCⅢ), collagen type Ⅳ (CIV) and the histologi- cal degree of hepatic fibrosis evaluated by image analysis, and the clinical significance of serum HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ in the diagnosis of hepatic fibrosis in pa- tients with chronic viral hepatitis. Methods: The concentrations of serum HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ in 151 patients with chronic viral hepatitis were measured by radioimmunoassay. Liver biopsies were performed in all the patients. Histological sections of 4 μm thickness were stained with Masson's trichrome for fibrosis assessment. Morphometric quantitative measurements for hepatic fibrosis assessment in the 4 μm sections were performed using a fully automated image analysis system. Serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, and C Ⅳ were analyzed at different stages of liver pa- thology and compared with the morphometric quanti- tative measurements of hepatic fibrosis. Results: The serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ all ele- vated gradually with the progression of the disease, and all reached the highest in patients with liver cir- rhosis. There was a significant difference in the levels of these 3 components between liver cirrhosis group and the other groups (P<0.05). They all increased steadily with the histological stages of hepatic fibrosis, and reached the highest levels in stage Ⅳ. The serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ were all positive- ly correlated with the histological stages of liver sec- tions and the morphometric measurement (P< 0.001). The coefficients with stages were 0.694, 0.493, 0.552 (P<0.001), respectively and with sur- face density of total collagen on liver biopsy sections by image analysis were 0. 715, 0. 595, 0. 573 (P< 0.001), respectively. Conclusion: The serum levels of HA, PC Ⅲ, C Ⅳ were in consistent with the degree of hepatic fibrosis, and the determination of these marks is valuable for detecting hepatic fibrosis.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China:81674062。
文摘Objective To observe the changes in hepatic histomorphology and the differences in the expression of PD-1 after different moxibustion interventions in the immunosuppressed rabbits caused by cyclophosphamide and analyze the intervention effects of different moxibustion therapies.Methods A total of 40 big-ear white rabbits were randomized into 4 groups,i.e.a blank group,an immunosuppressed model group,a moxibustion group and a herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group,10 rabbits in each one.In the immunosuppressed model group,the moxibustion group and the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group,the intraperitoneal injection with cyclophosphamide was administered consecutively for 7 days,60 mg/kg,and then,the immunosuppressed models were prepared.After the models were established successfully,in the moxibustion group and the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group,moxibustion was administer at"Shénquè(神阙CV 8)""Guānyuán(关元CV 4)""Zúsānlĭ(足三里ST 36)""Píshū(脾俞BL20)"and"Shènshū(肾俞BL23)",once every other day,10 times in total.In the blank group and the immunosuppressed model group,the rabbits were restricted on the rabbit platform at the same time periods,without intervention.On the second day after the end of intervention,the animals were weighed and anesthetized,and the livers were extracted.After routine HE staining,the changes of hepatic histomorphology were observed under the microscope and the morphometric analysis was conducted in each group.Besides,PD-1 expression was observed with immunohistochemical method.Result Compared with the blank group,after modeling of each animal in three groups,the body mass decreased obviously(all P<0.01),the hepatocyte count decreased(all P<0.01),the inflammatory cellular infiltration area was increased obviously(all P<0.01),necrosis appeared in hepatic tissue and the positive expression of PD-1 in hepatic tissue was significantly increased(all P<0.01).After moxibustion intervention,compared with the immunosuppressed model group,the body masses of the animals were increased obviously(P<0.05,P<0.01),the hepatocyte count was increased obviously(both P<0.01),the infiltration area of inflammatory cells decreased significantly(both P<0.01)and the expression of the PD-1 decreased in the hepatic tissue(both P<0.05)in both the moxibustion group and the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group.Compared with the moxibustion group,the animal body mass was higher obviously(P<0.01),the hepatocyte count was raised apparently(P<0.01)and the infiltration area of inflammatory cells were reduced obviously(P<0.05)in the herbal-paste isolated moxibustion group.Conclusion The intervention with different moxibustion therapies improves the condition of body mass reduction and hepatic tissue damage of the immunosuppressed rabbits caused by cyclophosphamide.The effect of herbal-paste isolated moxibustion therapy is better than that of simple moxibustion therapy.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 81173259/H2708
文摘AIM： To investigate the effect of Tangweian Jianji （TWAJJ） on the biomechanical and morphometrical remodeling of the upper gastrointestinal tract in diabetic rats. METHODS： Diabetes was induced in 27 rats by in- jecting streptozotocin （40 mg/kg body weight）, the animals were then divided into three groups （n = 9 in each group）, i.e., diabetic control （DM）; high dose （10 g/kg, T1） and low dose （5 g/kg, T2）. Another 10 rats acted as normal controls （Control）. TWAJJ was admin- istered by gavage once daily. Blood glucose and serum insulin levels were measured. Circumferential length, wall thickness and opening angle were measured from esophageal, duodenal, jejunal and ileal ring segments. The residual strain was calculated from the morpho- metric data. Step-wise distension was carried out on esophageal and jejunal segments. The obtained data on the length, diameter and pressure changes were then used to calculate the circumferential and longitu- dinal stresses and strains. Real-time reverse transcrip- tion polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the receptor of advanced glycation end-products （RAGE） mRNA level in jejunal tissues. RESULTS： At the end of the experiment, the blood glucose level was significantly higher and the serum insulin level was significantly lower in DM, T1 and T2 groups than in the control group （Glucose： 30.23 ± 0.41 mmol/L, 27.48 ± 0.27 mmol/L and 27.84 ± 0.29 mmol/ L vs 5.05 ± 0.04 mmol/L, P = 1.65 x 10-16, P = 5.89 x 1019 and P = 1.63 x 10-Is, respectively; Insulin： 1.47 ± 0.32 °tg/L, 2.66 ± 0.44 pg/L, 2.03 ± 0.29 pg/L and 4.17 ± 0.54 pg/L, P = 0.0001, P = 0.029 and P = 0.025, re- spectively）. However, these levels did not differ among the DM, T1 and T2 groups. The wet weight per unit length, wall thickness and opening angle of esophageal and intestinal segments in the DM group were signifi- cantly higher than those in the control group （from P = 0.009 to P = 0.004）. These parameters in the T1 group were significantly lower than those in the DM group （wet weight, duodenum： 0.147 ± 0.003 g/cm vs 0.158 ± 0.001 g/cm, P = 0.047; jejunum, 0.127 ± 0.003 g/cm vs 0.151：1：0.002 g/cm, P = 0.017; ileum, 0.127 ± 0.004 g/cm vs 0.139 ± 0.003 g/cm, P = 0.046; wall thickness, esophagus： 0.84±0.03 mm vs 0.94 ± 0.02 ram, P = 0.014; duodenum： 1.27 ± 0.06 mm vs 1.39 ± 0.05 ram, P = 0.031; jejunum： 1.19 ± 0.07 mm vs 1.34 ± 0.04 mm, P = 0.047; ileum： 1.09 ± 0.04 mm vs 1.15 ± 0.03 mm, P = 0.049; opening angle, esophagus： 112.2 ± 13.2° vs 134.7 ± 14.7°, P = 0.027; duodenum： 105.9 ± 12.3° vs 123.1 ± 13.1°, P = 0.046; jejunum： 90.1 ± 15.4° vs 115.5 ± 13.3°, P = 0.044; ileum： 112.9 ± 13.4° vs 136.1 ± 17.1°, P = 0.035）. In the esophageal and jejunal segments, the inner residual stain was significantly smaller and the outer residual strain was larger in the DN group than in the control group （P = 0.022 and P = 0.035）. T1 treatment significantly restored this biomechanical alteration （P = 0.011 and P = 0.019）, but T2 treatment did not. Fur- thermore, the circumferential and longitudinal stiffness of the esophageal and jejunal wall increased in the DM group compared with those in the control group. T1, but not T2 treatment, significantly decreased the cir- cumferential wall stiffness in the jejunal segment （P = 0.012） and longitudinal wall stiffness in the esophageal segment （P = 0.023）. The mRNA level of RAGE was significantly decreased in the T1 group compared to that in the DN group （P = 0.0069）. CONCLUSION： TWAJJ （high dose） treatment partly restored the morphometric and biomechanical remodel- ing of the upper gastrointestinal tract in diabetic rats.
基金Project (No.2002C34003) supported by the Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province,China
文摘Bursaphelenchus rainulfi isolated from dead pine trees in Zbejiang, China, is described and illustrated. It also provided some molecular characters of the Chinese population, including the PCR-RFLP and sequences of ITS region and D2-D3 expansion region of the large subunit （LSU） rRNA gene. Both the morphological characters and ITS-RFLP patterns match with the original description. The phylogenetic trees based on the 13 sequences of D2-D3 expansion region of the LSU rRNA gene and ITS region of Bursaphelenchus species were constructed, respectively, with the results showing the similar clades. The phylogenetic relationship based on the molecular data is similar to that with morphological characters. This is the first report of the species on pine wood in eastern China.
文摘Morphometrics has been pursued by graphical and computational means since the European Renaissance, drawing on core geometric principles first discovered in China and Classical Greece. Through the late 1800s, two distinct approaches to such analyses were pursued： a deformationist approach, epitomized by D＇Arcy Thompson＇s graphical trans-formation grids and the statistical approach popularized by Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, and Julian Huxley in which Cartesian spaces were employed to summarize patterns of variation in size and/or shape variables. Unification of these approaches was an off-stated goal throughout the 20th century, but proved elusive until the mid-1980s when David Kendall, Fred Bookstein, and Colin Goodall proposed a radically new way of understanding form -- as the locations of configurations of landmarks on the surfaces of a nested series of hyperdimensional manifolds. Once this new mathematics of form was understood development of basic concepts, procedures, graphical tools, and statistical tests followed quickly such that the core of the long-hoped for synthesis took less than a decade to achieve. The result-- geometric morphometrics -- continues to develop into an ever-more extensive toolkit that can be used by researchers to describe and understand a wide range of problems involving the characterization of morphological similarities and differences in all of their many and varied contexts. In particular, the new approaches involving the direct analysis of image pixels and new tools such as machine learning and artificial intelligence are set to reinvigorate （and possibly to revolutionize） the field once again.
